Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - #WinAllThePrizes

YAY!  It is Wednesday and it is JULY 1st!  How in the heck did that happen?!  Life is blasting by at top speed!  If you follow me on any social media, I gave a sneak peek to all the GIVEAWAYS I have happening in July.



Because...July is my birthday month and in my opinion, the best month of the YEAR!  So stay tuned for all the GIVEAWAYS starting on Monday, July 6.  I have a couple extra surprises planned too!  Okay, now on to the GIVEAWAY Roundup part of this post!  As always, Erica and I are banding together to bring you all the great giveaways from around the interwebs!


I have two giveaways on right now.  The first one is for an Enlightened crisps sampler pack and ice cream to THREE winners!  You can enter that one here.


The other one is happening over on Instagram and you can enter that one here.   I am giving away a pair of Yurbuds but there are 7 other prizes too because it is one of those loop giveaways.  Erica is participating too!


So exciting!  So go enter them all and then link up your own GIVEAWAY!  You can read all the rules here.

Good Luck and as always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom


Monday, June 29, 2015

#WeekendUpdate - Trails, Snacks and an @EatEnlightened #GIVEAWAY!

Disclaimer: I was sent Enlightened Crisps and Frozen Treats for review and giveaway purposes.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any other way.

What a fantabulous weekend!  Started out with a 14 mile trail run with my Moms Run this Town mother runner friends!


Mamas did anywhere from 2 miles to the entire 14.  It was great fun and anytime I can wear yellow ProCompression socks is a good day.  It's just the most perfect yellow!


I braved an early Sunday Costco run with S to stock up on my Vega.  Running a little low on Vega sends me into panic mode.  


We discovered these awesome Yummari snacks this weekend too!


So far my favorite flavor is cranberry but they have chocolate chip, chocolate banana, coffee and coconut too.  They have 5 grams of protein and are "powered by" hemp and chia seeds.  Check them out here.


NOW, for my very favorite snack ever ever ever!  Fava beans.  Did you know that Fava Beans are also called Broad Beans and they are the basis of the delicious Enlightened Crisps?


They have 7 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 100 calories in each serving.  


My hands down favorite flavor is sea salt.  What can I say?  I am a purist!  The only ingredients?  Fava beans, sunflower oil and salt.  Thats it!


They also come in Sriracha, Mesquite BBQ, Wasabi, and Garlic & Onion.  That would be my order of favorites too!


BUT WAIT!  They have ice cream too!  Their ice cream bars have 7-8 grams of protein.  And 70-110 calories!  They have ice cream sandwiches and ice cream bars.  


My favorite is the Sea Salt Caramel!  Check out the swirls of caramel in the bar!  


I got mine at Sprouts but they have a store locator on their website too!  Check it out here.  Well, the super awesome folks at Enlightened are letting me giveaway a sampler pack of the Crisps  and a coupon for a free box of ice cream to 3 winners!  THREE!  Enter on the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest runs 6/29/2015 to 7/5/15 at 11:59 P.M. PST
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 3 winners will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US 18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.  Winner will receive a sampler pack of Crisps and a coupon for ice cream.
Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post and/or Rafflecopter display, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.
All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from Eat Enlightened.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of Eat Enlightened to deliver product.

I am linking up with Tara from Running n Reading for Weekend Update!


I am also linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Tina Muir for Meatless Mondays!


And by Powered By BLINGThe Fit Foodie Mama, and Running on Happy for Meatless Mondays too!


Alrighty then!  Go enter to win this meatless protein snack!  I love the crisps and the ice cream bar tastes like such a treat!  What flavors are you excited to try?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - #WinAllThePrizes!

Hi Everyone!  Before I get to mine and Erica's GIVEAWAY Roundup, I have a few things to catch you up on!



Who knew blogging in the summer was so hard?  We have been doing a whole lot of this:

SDKidz
And a little of this:

With StuftMama!
A pinch of this:


And a little of this!


Speaking of my super awesome pants in the above picture (Oh don't pretend like you weren't looking!), Spandits is having an amazing June sale!  $15 off any purchase of $75 or more!  AND if this is your first order, use code SPANDITSLOVE for an extra 10% off!  Oh and PLEASE tell them Smitha sent you!  Look at all their fun prints!  They come in skirts and pretty much any length pant or shorts!


OOH and one more thing!  Remember that super awesome review I did on MudLOVE?  MudLOVE has a coupon code to give to you for 10% off any item in their store thru July 15.  Use code "sd."  Love their stuff and each product buys one week of clean water for someone in need!  (California??)  And be sure to check out the post to see if you were the lucky winner of your own band here.


I don't have a giveaway for you this week.  Well, I do but I just didn't get my stuff together if you know what I mean!  But I will give you (Spandits) a sneak (ProCompression) peek (Headsweats) at (SportShield) my (Nuttzo) super (Honey Stinger) awesome (Skratch) July (and many more!) Birthday GIVEAWAY!  I will be 38 years old and what better way to celebrate than to give gifts away!  So be sure to come back here and check often!

But as always, please link up your giveaways and enter all the giveaways!  You can find the rules for linking up your giveaways here.

Good Luck!  And as always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom


Friday, June 19, 2015

#FridayFascinations - 5 Shoes I will wear all summer! #HokaOneOne, #Bzees, #Pluggz, #OOFOS

Disclaimer: I was sent one or more of these items for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.

The theme this week for Friday Fascinations and the Friday Five Link Up is 5 things that make you happy!  And what can I say?  Shoes, all kinds of shoes make me VERY happy!  I thought I would give you a glimpse into my shoe wardrobe and let you know what I will be wearing all summer!

1.  Bzees - #LightFeelsRight



As good of a blogger as I think I am, I cannot adequately describe to you the feel of these shoes.  They joke on their website that they are made up of unicorn down but I don't think they are kidding!  But here is the description for them: "Bzees shoes are made with molded, low density, EVA soles that have micro-cellular air bubbles trapped within that enables them to be lightweight, extremely soft and bouncy resulting in excellent flexibility and cushioning."


I was sent a pair to review as seen above and I LOVED them so much I ended up buying another pair at Nordstrom.  You can see the pair I bought on the Nordstrom site here.  They have an awesome orangey color that is on my list as well!  I am definitely wearing these shoes all summer!

2.  Pluggz - #GetGrounded

Thanks to my good friend Lora, I was introduced to the lovely ladies at Pluggz!  I met Sharon, the founder and Pam, the marketing guru at the Rock n Roll Expo.  I was given a pair of wedges and a pair of the ballet flats for review purposes.  



Now, I have quite a long foot commute at work meaning I walk almost a 1/2 mile each way from car to office and back.  So I cannot wear heels or any uncomfortable shoe.  That is where Pluggz come in!  



In this picture, I am wearing the black patent wedges from Pluggz.  (order a 1/2 size up)



I also got a pair of these fun blue laser cut ballet slippers and they are both so comfortable.  These are true to size and can be ordered here.  



So these shoes don't have unicorn down.  So what makes them so special?  This is what the website says: "Pluggz are grounding shoes; also called earthing shoes. What they do is very simple. Every pair naturally reconnects you to the abundance of the earth’s free energy that lies right beneath your feet. This happens when you walk directly on the ground – whether it is grass, soil, sand, gravel, stone, unsealed tiles, brick… and for all you city dwellers, happily concrete sidewalks, too."  Check out this video.  Not sure about the effects of grounding YET but I know they keep me comfortable on my daily "commute!"  They also have a "trampoline" heel which helps balance the bones in your foot!




3.  OOFOS - #FeeltheOO

I don't wear flip flops anymore.  But you already knew that.  I have written extensively about OOFOS here and here.  


My favorite open toed shoes!  My favorite beach shoe.  My favorite pool shoe.  My favorite post run shoe.  Best summer shoes!  Best flips flops ever!  But they can't even be called Flops.  They are sturdy but filled with OO!


4.  Hoka One One Bondi 4s

I was sent these to review.  I was skeptical.  After my beloved Bondi 2s were discontinued and I had to make do with the disappointing Bondi 3s, I was nervous that these would be more of the same.  


Happily, they are a return to everything I LOVED about the 1s and the 2s.  They are more responsive and feel more comfortable on my feet.  While they are built for hard roads, they are also gifted with light traction to handle the less technical trails.  Like I said, responsive and cushiony!  Everything you expect from a Hoka!  These are definitely my favorite new road shoe!


I have run in them a few times now and LOVE them!  Not as much as the 2s but a close second!

5.  Hoka One One Challengers ATR

Because it is summer time and because of Coach Jenn, I have a feeling I will be hitting the trails quite often.  Because of this, I needed good solid trail shoes.  And OF COURSE, I chose Hoka.  I bought these Challengers hoping they would do the job!  I have done a couple trail runs in them and they are PERFECT!


Super grippy on the trails and built almost in a forward rock motion to ensure you keep going.  They are built on the popular Clifton base (which don't work for me but don't ask why these work) and have a wide toe box!


So there you have it, 5 pairs of shoes (actually 7 if you were counting) that I will be crushing on all summer!
As I do every Friday, I am linking up with  MarCourtney and Cynthia - AKA the DC Trifecta!


I am also linking up with Nicole for Fit & Fashionable Friday!


And Jill for Fitness Friday!


So tell me, what shoes will YOU be wearing all summer?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Thursday, June 18, 2015

#ReadingStations come to #SanDiego thanks to #UnitedHealthCare! #uhccfsummerreading

Nothing in the whole world makes D happier than reading.  When he isn't playing with his friends or with Pokemon cards or jumping of the highest diving board, he is reading!  In fact, his happy place is the library or the book store.


So imagine how thrilled him and kids like him will be when they hear about this summer reading initiative in San Diego!  UnitedHealthcare is donating 40 UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) reading stations, nearly 1,000 Oliver & Hope children’s books and 2,000 activity worksheets as part of a San Diego summer reading initiative. The reading stations provide children a colorful place to read or draw, making doctor’s visits more enjoyable.



The announcement happened today at Balboa Naval Medical Center where UnitedHealthcare employees and Naval Medical Center staff joined mascot Dr. Health E. Hound, community leaders, children and families for a reading circle with several children.  



UnitedHealthcare donated the first 10 reading stations to the YMCA located at the Naval Medical Center, which will coordinate the use of the reading stations and children’s books in patient waiting areas in the hospital. 



500 additional books will be presented to local pediatricians that participate in San Diego’s Reach Out and Read program. These books will enable participating pediatricians, family physicians and nurses to give every child a book to keep when they come for a well-check visit.  My kids love the books and magazines that they have at doctor's offices.  And as a mom, I would rather them read than watch TV!



Organizations receiving the reading stations and books include Family Health Centers of San Diego, San Ysidro Health Centers, Vista Community Clinics and North County Health Services. UnitedHealthcare will donate 500 books to Reach Out and Read San Diego, which prepares America's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors throughout San Diego to give out books and encourage families to read together. These books will enable participating pediatricians, family physicians and nurses to give every child a book to keep when they come for a well-check visit.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to provide these reading corners and the Oliver & Hope series to health centers and physician offices in San Diego as an important health and learning resource for children,” said Brandon Cuevas, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of California.

It was quite the event!  


The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation’s mission is to provide medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan.  Proceeds from the Oliver & Hope books help fund the UHCCF child medical grant program.  Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 9,000 grants valued at over $27 million to children and their families across the United States.  More information about the Oliver & Hope books, including free audio recordings of the books as well as fun activities and downloads, can be found at Oliver & Hope’s Clubhouse at UHCCF.org.

Read with your kids.  Please!  According to the Children’s Reading Foundation, parents who read with their children 20 minutes a day from birth through elementary school help them become more proficient readers, and build strong minds and strong relationships. 


Disclaimer: This post sponsored by Tenacity Media.

Did you like to read as a kid?  I did and I still do!  It relaxes me!  Do your kids like to read?  D is a reading monster!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - #WinAllThePrizes #GoneForARun #GIVEAWAY

WOOHOO!!!!  We are at Hump Day!  I can see the weekend from here!  It has been a tough summer vacation so far.   For me anyway.  The kids are having a blast with SDDad (who took a couple of days off for vacation) while I still have to go to work!


But you know what ALWAYS gets me in a good mood??  GIVEAWAYS!  That's why Erica and I get together to bring you all the greatest giveaways on these here inter webs!  


But before we get into the nitty gritty of the link up, I want to tell you about my current giveaway for a classic band from MudLOVE like this one.  You can enter that giveaway here.  Or you can double click on the picture below!


And I have a special review and giveaway RIGHT HERE on the Roundup post!  I was recently sent a pint glass for review and giveaway purposes from Gone for a Run!  Have you heard of them?  


They sell EVERYTHING running related!  Including tanks, cards, socks and even virtual races!  Sounds like my dream online store, right?  So when they asked me what I would like to review, it took me FOREVER to decide!  Should I get ANOTHER tank?


Or should I get ANOTHER pair of socks?


But then, I was inspired by these socks and by my favorite job as Mother and decided on this glass!  Advertised as a pint glass!  Last I checked a pint glass is 16 ounces.  This bad "mother" is 20 ounces! Yeah baby!


And I love the words on the glass!  eMpower, lOve, sTrong, Happiness, dEdicated, Runner!  That IS A Mother!  And look at it compared to a puny pint glass!


So the wonderful people at Gone for a Run are also giving one of YOU a choice.  They are letting me giveaway a $20 gift card to buy anything on their site.  WARNING: It may take some time to decide! Enter on the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest runs 6/17/2015 to 6/23/15 at 11:59 P.M. PST
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US 18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.  Winner will receive a $20 gift card from Gone for a RUN.
Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post and/or Rafflecopter display, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.
All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from Gone for a RUN.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of Gone for a RUN to deliver product.

And now for the LinkUp rules for adding your GIVEAWAY to the Link Up, check them out here!    

So tell me, which giveaway(s) will you enter?  What would you buy with the gift card to Gone for a RUN?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom