@NatureBox is Better Snacking, Monthly #sponsored

My kids don’t eat, they graze.   

I really don’t know how my son survives school days with only one meal.  Now that summer has started I keep lots of fruits and crackers on hand for when they want to eat something between meals but they are like bottomless pits.

I know it is all the running around and playing that they do that makes them so hungry which is why I really don’t mind when they come to me before meals to tell me that they are still hungry but my responses are getting old, water or a banana.

Hunger can by a symptom of dehydration so by offering water to drink first sometimes makes them forget that they thought they were hungry in the first place and if it turns out they are still hungry, well, they can only eat so many bananas.

When I was offered this sponsored opportunity to try out NatureBox for this post, I jumped at the chance because I never know what to buy that will be good and they will eat.  Besides, nutritious snacks are costly, hence all the bananas. 

That is where the NatureBox Discovery Snack Boxes come in handy because they take out the guess work and the price is really reasonable.  As a bonus a new box is delivered to your door each month; your box will include 15 to 20 servings across 5 different NatureBox snacks.  Full size snack bags, not samples or coupons.

This means each serving is roughly $1.33 each and you know that they are getting something with extras that you don’t want them to have in their snaking choices.  NatureBox offers a healthy alternative that is way more fun to eat and every month is a new selection so the kids won't be bored with my choices of snacks like banana or water.

We spend our summers on the run and by taking NatureBox snack's with us to the pool, the beach or out on the hiking trail, I won't be tempted to stop at the local doughnut shop or fast food restaurant before heading home to make dinner.  I also have an easy snack to pack the kids' lunches with when I send them off to the sitter or day camp.

The only down side to this service, that I can see, is that you can’t reorder a snack that you really love.  You can view past boxes and I am seriously craving some of these amazing snacks. 

Check them out for yourself and by using this link when you visit the NatureBox site you will get $10 off any sized box (Deluxe, Family, or Professional Snacker) by entering the promo code SUMMERSNACK10.

The promotional code expires August 31st, 2013 and is valid for new customers only and may only be used towards monthly subscriptions. Cannot be used towards a purchase of a gift subscription. Monthly subscriptions may be cancelled at anytime.


Fine print: This is a sponsored post from NatureBox and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

Remembering My Dad

 

My dad died my freshman year of high school.

It was not necessarily a surprise, he had cancer after all, but it was. He went in for a surgery that would extend his life but he never woke up.

It was hard, at first, to remember my dad and not the man who was sick with cancer sleeping in our living room. My dad was so strong, invincible but we watched his body give up, failing him. Cancer did not make him wistful and full of peace, it made him angry and mean.

I was barely a teenager facing adult situations and I was just so angry. My belly burned with resentment and my shoulders slumped under the responsibility. I also don’t remember a lot of that time. It feels like someone took an eraser and left faded marks. I am thankful for that.

I catch glimpses of the man who was my dad now that I have kids. I spent my twenties struggling to hold on to the fading memories so it takes my breath away to see him in my son’s scowl and my baby girl’s temper. She certainly has his temper.

But. I can also see my dad in their laughter. 

I like to think that my husband and my father would have gotten along, playing golf and sharing a beer. And, I hope that he would have loved my kids as much as he loved us.

I miss you daddy.

Word(less) Wednesday - Determination

Ode to Scary Mommy's Confessional

As a mom we are pulled in so many directions that it can be overwhelming and what’s worse is the pressure we put upon ourselves to be the perfect version of the mom that we have created in our minds.

It is easy to feel alone with that much pressure. Sure you can discuss it with girlfriends, mothers or spouses but we don’t always do it, call it fear of failure or need to be in control.

Of course, some of us have a blog and get that instant gratification of sharing our stories with the hope of connecting with like minded souls. It is because of my blog that I found Scary Mommy and in honor of her I am going to share my mommy confessions.

My Top 5 Scary Confessions

One

I will neglect my family to watch reruns of Doctor Who (or Torchwood).

Two

I have read Fifty Shades of Grey on the playground at a school sponsored event. Not sure which is the confession – the fact that I read Fifty Shades of Grey (the whole series) or that other parents now know that I read it.

Three

My three year old daughter occasionally calls people dumb ass and sometimes she is right so I don’t correct her.

Four

There have been nights, when the baby would not stop screaming and I could not soothe her that I had to stop myself from grabbing my keys and leaving.

Five

When my husband works over night shifts, I go to bed when the kids go to bed. It is as early as 8:00 PM when there is school or as late as 10:00 PM when I just don’t care. Of course, regardless of when I go to bed I am up three hours later and won’t go back to sleep until an hour before my alarm is do to go off.

Care to confess your scary mommy confession?

Don’t forget to enter to win tickets to see Scary Mommy in person on June 30 in Cleveland, OH. All proceeds of the event will go towards the Agnon School.