OOOMMMGGGG....It's been in like FOREVER since I've been here! 

I don't know what it is, maybe it's the allergies or dust here in Vegas that kind of spark chronic sinus infections. It's a real pain in the @$$. ANYway, I wanted to tell you guys about these immune capsules that ACTUALLY WORK. I usually did the whole Emergen-C, Echinacea combo which wasn't HORRible - just not completely effective. 

But THESE - you guys, they really do work! They are literally the best immune supplements I have found yet. Here's a pic and the link....

Viva Naturals Elderberry with Vitamin C and Zinc for Adults

I don't take em every day, but usually when I feel something coming on. But you can for sure take em daily if you get sick easily.

Try them & tell me what you think!😊

(This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Blue Diamond Wasabi & Soy Sauce ALMONDS

YUM.

That's all.

YUM.

And I don't even like that word.

So, you know how these days, dieting is all about almonds? If you don't, well, IT IS.

After a few years of almonding it up, I'm quite frankly, SICK of almonds. But now with these new flaves of almonds - watch out! Oh, the Honey Dijon ones are phenomenal as well! Let me get a picture actually...

There we go -------------------------------------------------------------------->

SO FREAKIN' GOOD DUDE.

They taste so unhealthy which is always awesome.

I mean, eating the whole can would probably not be advisable, but a handful would definitely satisfy you. (ok, not really, maybe 3 handfuls).

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

How to Entertain a Toddler

OMG - I'm going out of my MIND trying to entertain my 2 1/2 yr. old precious little daughter. So, I went to my God = the internet, and prayed and received some awesome ideas just now:

http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4638/How-To-Entertain-A-Toddler-for-Hours-on-End/

If and when I find more stuff, I will update this asap!

Online Activities for 2 Year Olds?

A way to not feel guilty about being on the computer while your toddler is vying for your attention...get your kid on the computer with you. No, you may not be able to blog, while away time on FB, or go shopping on Amazon, but at least you will can have a little fun with your baby - and still be on the computer. Because we all know that's the only way you feel complete.

One night after my dad fascinated Dora with tales about lions and bears in the jungle, I wanted to continue the fun by pulling up images that would portray the fantastic world my dad described. So I googled "jungle" or "jungle scenes" or something and came across this fabulous website:

http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/jungle.htm

where you and your child can create these amazing jungle scenes. Dora absolutely loves it. Plus, I've gotta be honest, I've gotten a little carried away by the imagery and creating mysterious jungle scenes.

After 2 weeks of jungle fun, I was interested in finding more interactive games like this one. A lot of you may already know about PBS Kids online:

http://pbskids.kids.us/program-barney.html

When I found this, I felt like I just won the lottery! (It doesn't take a lot these days). There are games for almost every PBS show that I know of and the games are really smooth, with awesome animations and interactivity. I am quite impressed.

I think it may have only been a month ago that I found these sites and Dora is now 2 yrs. and 5 months. so I'd say the games are appropriate for a bit past 2 and up.

If anyone has any other sites, please feel free to post. I'm always looking for a way to keep Dora from making sure that every last hair on my head is gray by the time she's 4 entertain my little Dora:-)

UPDATE: www.noggin.com, www.pbsparents.org

These are probably well-known, but new to me!

An Issue with Front Loading Washers

If you read my last post, you know that the Restless Household had had this very frustrating...and stinky issue with the odor in our CLEAN towels and some of our clothes, that wouldn't go away no matter what. With absolutely no clue as to why this was happening, I came up with this theory: condensation in the closets and drawers in drier climates. I know, it probably doesn't make any sense. My husband blamed it on my poor laundry skills and leaving the clothes in the dryer too long. Whatever the case is, I thought by using the odor-remover I wrote about in my last post, I would solve the problem. Not. It worked temporarily, and acted more as a band-aid for a deeper problem. Because, the mysterious odor...came back.

I had finally had it and decided to spend some serious time and do some serious research on this issue (cuz I don't have anything else better to do with my time).

I SOLVED it!!!!

The problem was with our actual washer! Our whiz-bang, top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art Maytag front-loading washer. To make a long story short, it seems that front-loading washers ALL seem to have a flawed design. There is an area where water gets trapped which creates the mildew we have been unknowingly living with! I know...ewwwwww!!!!! If you have such a washer, check out the rubber tubing located in the area where the door seals to the washer. With further investigation, much disgust, and some relief, you may find the culprit. Mildew. I cleaned it easily with a towel and either 409 or Windex (can't remember - and then running an empty cycle with the product I'm talking about in the post).

The real work is washing the mildew that has been lurking in the towels and thicker type clothing which traps this odor and never comes out.

White Vinegar + Hot cycle + and get this....it's called "Smelly Washer"! Awesome huh?! Dude, this stuff WORKS! And of course, the Smelly Washer stuff REALLY cleans the washer.

Count your blessings if you didn't get fooled into thinking a front loading washer is better and don't have this problem. But if you did, like me, and have this extremely aggravating and GROSS problem, GET THIS STUFF TODAY!! ...wash everything with it (plus with vinegar and hot water!) AND always clean that tubing area I was talking about after every wash.

I got it through the website: www.smellywasher.com.

Can I just say how much I LOVE the smell of freshly washed towels?!!!

Odor All Gone!!!

O.K. Nicolle, I have something: and it's GOOD!!!!

One of the reasons I don't update this very often, is that I kinda stopped buying stuff! Really! And I seriously only put stuff on when I'm IN LOVE with it: and you guys, I'M IN LOVE!

The other day after my shower, I sunk my face into the bath towel, expecting the fresh fragrance of clean laundry, when I about gagged smelling the putrid musty odor that is somehow extremely prevalent in the closets of the deserts. This particular odor has been a constant nuisance in my life since moving to this climate. I've washed comforters, dried them COMPLETELY, put them away for the summer in air tight plastic cases, only to open them up and be knocked out by this rancid odor. I've wiped my hands on spanking clean kitchen towels straight out of the linen closet, again, only to have my hands stinking of that same odor that lurks in closed spaces in dry climates.

Now, I admit I may have a bit of sensitive sense of smell - especially since becoming a mother (? hormones?), but I'm not the only one in this household that knows (nose - ha ha) this distinct odor.

Anyway, I had been researching "odors" and how to get rid of them (no - I don't have anything better to do), and found this stuff called "activated charcoal". I actually found it last year! But I guess just hoped that maybe, some day, the odor would magically vanish. Well, it didn't.

I threw the stinky towel into the wash, marched over to the computer and ordered this stuff (o.k., after I grabbed a freshly washed and dried towel from the dryer and wrapped it around myself - so much for mystery, drama and suspense):

at: www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com

I was a bit skeptical, but folks, this stuff WORKS!!!! I seriously think I should become one of their sales reps. I can't believe how cool this stuff is!

I put one of the disks in the bathroom, and that rank smell that was lingering in the towel du jour, is gone! Seriously - I'm going to try the disc in our big trash can in the garage, and will update this blog to reveal the results.

And I got the whole package for 14 bucks!! I thought that was awesome considering these discs last like 3 months. At least, this is what they claim.

Anyway, they suggest only using them for 5 x 7 spaces or smaller. So I'm going to use them for the trash cans, closets, and drawers, see how they work, and update this blog accordingly.

But, so far, it pleases my "scentsibilities"! (sorry, I couldn't resist)

Banana Cream Pie: a D.I.E.T. recipe that SO does NOT taste diet!

OH - MY - GAWWWD.

This recipe (minus the cinnamon - in my opinion) is RIDICULOUS!!!!! (BTW, have I mentioned how AWESOME www.recipezaar.com is??!)

It does NOT - let me repeat - does NOT taste diety AT ALL.

The combo of:

this (Sugar-Free Fat-Free Banana Cream Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix)..............

+

this....(Fat-Free Cool Whip)


+

and this...(any reduced-fat ready-made pie crust)




= an all night party in my mouth!!!


And it takes M.I.N.U.T.E.S. to make - take it from me - someone who has spent most her life outside the kitchen, this recipe is E.A.S.Y.!!! And D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. (Anyone T.I.R.E.D. yet of "T.H.I.S." yet?)