The Stress Eater Diet Book Review and Giveaway!

I was given the opportunity to read a new book out called The Stress Eater Diet. Being a first time stay at home mother to a toddler boy I feel stressed... OFTEN! So naturally I wanted to find out what this book was about and see if I fit the description? The Stress Eater Diet was written by Robert Posner, M.D. and Linda Hlivka. This book targets women who tend to eat a lot and unhealthily when stressed.

Based on new published research, The Stress Eater Diet is a "revolutionary program that can help rid you of stress and control your weight through a proven nutritional and simple exercise plan. It will reduce stress eating while balancing your mood and increasing your energy."

The Stress Eater Diet combines: Nutrition, Stress Relieving Exercise, Calming Techniques, and Serotonin boosting foods (activating calming mood sensors in the brain)

After reading the book I've realized that I'm not a stress eater. I have also been in athletics my whole life so I have those life skills. On the other hand, I have seen how many women are effected by "stress-induced mass consumption", and think that this book is a helpful tool for those looking to find a starting point. Helpful habits such as exercising frequently, drinking a lot of water, and eating well balanced nutritious meals are all discussed.  This is not a book for those that are already well versed in nutrition and dietary needs, but could be very encouraging for those needing a starting point as there isn't a lot of medical jargon. This book is simple and to the point. I like that. There are some easy techniques to follow that I feel could be helpful to many different readers. I definitely think its worth reading. If you're not sure whether or not you are a stress eater, the book as well as the website has a quiz you can take to determine if you fall into this category of emotional eating. They also have a blog that I found helpful with good topics.

Now for the good part... A GIVEAWAY!  Leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite way to relieve stress and you will be entered to win a copy of The Stress Eater Diet book.

For additional entries:

• follow my blog
• follow me on twitter
• put my button on your blog
• and (2) extra entries for blogging about this giveaway (be sure to leave the link.)

Make sure you leave separate comments for each telling me you did so. The contest ends Tuesday, March 3rd. The winner will be selected randomly.

Wordless Wednesday. I love my boys.

I love this picture. Probably my favorite from the trip. Joel was bending down to "Easy's" level to take the picture and "Easy" was trying to copy him. Super sweet moment!

For more Wordless Wednesdays check out, 5 minutes for mom.

Totally Talented Tuesday. 1st time snow skating!!!

We just got back from spending a week in a cabin at Tahoe. We had a great time! I'm going to have to break up the trip into a few blogs because way to much to share! So here's the 1st one...

Joel and I are avid snowboarders! We love it! We live for it! We look forward to the winter storms and lots of snow to hit the fresh powder! So naturally we are training our son early. Joel has big dreams that "Easy" will be on a snowboard NEXT year... almost 3 by then! So I wasn't surprised that this year Joel got "Easy" on a snow skate. It was ADORABLE! He loved it... and he made his adventure junky father very proud. He wasn't scared at all. I was a little... hehe. It was fresh pow pow so that helped. It was fun to watch. 

Quick little video of "EC" snow skating

Also, the whole group went ice skating in the village one night. I was so worried about falling. I hate ice. ouch!

Here's the hubby and I 

For more Totally Talented Tuesdays, check out Two of a Kind Working on a Full House's blog!

We're back!!!

Okay... we're back from Tahoe! We got back last night. So sick of driving for a while. We had a great time. I took a TON of pictures so I will be posting a few blogs of the trip. We're exhausted and sore from all the boarding. We never do take the relaxing type vacations. We always need a vacation from our vacations.  The last day "Easy" got really sick. So now we're dealing with that. yippee. 

We were sooo sad to leave. We really do miss Nor-Cal. Poor Joel was a bit depressed. We would love to move back some day. When we left the area after graduating from college we never thought we would have those feelings?

So now I have ALOT of catching up to do. I have a review and giveaway to post and a crazy amount of blogs and emails to read. I feel out of the loop. Along with lots of unpacking and getting situated. So almost back :) Bear with me...

LEAVIN' FOR VACAY!

We leave tomorrow at the crack of dawn for vacation! whoop! This is gonna be "Easy's" first active snow experience. We have roughly a 10 hour drive ahead of us. Oh joy. This should be fun with a toddler. We're caravaning with our family and have fun stops along the way to keep "EC" happy.  I was looking back at last years Tahoe trip and forgot how little he was. He wasn't even crawling yet. Just sitting in the middle of the room. This year we're going to introduce him to real sledding and Joel thinks he's gonna get "EC" to snow skate by holding his hands. HA. 

The forecast shows snow dumping everyday. Yay! EXCELLENT snow boarding conditions. So pumped. We can snow board from the mountain straight to our cabin. Snow boarders dream. My husband is busting at the seems with excitement and running around the house like a little kid. 

I'm pretty sure we will have Internet access so I'm gonna try to stay in the loop. Lots of pictures and stories to share when we get back. Here's some pictures from last years trip. Reminiscing just got me even more excited!

Little guy (8 months old) last year.

Anna and Me

"Easy's" 1st gondola ride

Joel and Me (Dang I was much heavier)

"Easy's" 1st time sledding

Fire pits around the ice skating rink.

Grandma and "Easy"

Thousand Words Thursday. What happened to my baby?

This day "Easy" was being well... his "easy" self. He's so full of life and spunk! I love it. I love who he is. That's just it. His little personality has really been showing lately. And I love who he is becoming. I love how busy he is, yet still so sensitive and snugly. I love how he NEEDS his adventures and outings. Even though he can be exhausting, I wouldn't change a thing about him. He's perfect to us. I know all parents feel this way about their kiddos... and they should!

He is growing WAY too fast for my liking. Everyday he is learning something new. The lil guy loves to learn. We have full conversations now and he makes me laugh all the time. He really is my bud. "EC" has been learning his colors. He has blue and yellow down. And he's counting. Usually counts to about 3 and then everything is 2 or 9 after that. And he still LOVES to read.

That's a little update on the happenings of "Easy" who is almost 21 months old. OH MY! Where has the time gone? Its really starting to make me sad. If I think about it too much I will be a blubbering mess. 

For more Thousand Words Thursday check out, Cheaper Than Therapy!

Totally Talented Tuesday. Future Handy Man!

"Easy" was helping his daddy fix his snowboard bindings for our upcoming vacation. It was SOO cute! He was really trying and doing a great job. I think we have a mini Joel on our hands... great handy man in the future! Or professional snowboarder? hmmm??? Either way, I now know what we're gonna get him for his 2nd birthday. A workbench! Perfect.

(If you haven't noticed, we still have the binky. Grrr...)

For more Totally Talented Tuesdays, check out Two of a Kind Working on a Full House's blog!

Thomas & Friends Live on Stage Review!!!

I received a complimentary family 4-pack of tickets to go see Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town from the nice people at MomSelect. I was SOOO excited to take "Easy" to see this musical! I was actually looking into buying him tickets, so when these tickets came in the mail I was pretty stoked.

We took "Easy" this Saturday. I didn't know what to expect? Being all boy, I knew he would be into it. But only being 20 months old I was curious to see how long he would sit through the performance. It was 90 minutes with a 15 minute break in the middle and HE SAT THROUGH THE ENTIRE SHOW... and then some... he wanted more!!! He was glued to it and was even waving his Thomas flashlight Aunt Nicki bought him! Wow! I was pleasantly surprised.

Overall, this Broadway-style musical show was good. "Easy" really enjoyed it. The show had a great family atmosphere with lots of singing, dancing, and audience participation. The prices seem a little steep but its going to a good cause. To increase Autism awareness across the country and raise funds for research.  AUTISM SPEAKS HAS A YEARLONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THOMAS & FRIENDS TM LIVE! ON STAGE. Not only does a portion of the proceeds go to Autism Speaks, but in support of children with autism, many venues will feature “quiet rooms” where families can take a break and then return to the show. The rooms will feature Thomas & Friends coloring activities and will be hosted by the local Autism Speaks chapter, which will also provide information about the organization to interested parents.

If you have a Thomas-lover in your family and it comes to your town I do recommend it. We had great fun! The tour just started and there are lots of upcoming shows all through the United States. Check out their tour schedule for a show near you.

Say It Forward!

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a new weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

Amy over at Coffee With the Mrs. introduced this to me... by choosing me! Reading some very kind words about my blog was a great way to start off my Friday morning. I love her blog as well. You should check it out!

Okay, the loyal commenter I choose is... Abby at Me and My Boys!

Abby is a great girl I met through this blogging world. I LOVE her blog! I return daily. I enjoy reading about her adorable little boy. He's about the same age as "Easy" so I feel like we have a lot in common. Her blog is a family friendly blog with lots of great stories, pictures, reviews, and some great giveaways. It's really is a good read!

I'm thankful for her mutual understanding raising toddler boys and her input. Stop by her blog and give her some comment love!

Wordless Wednesday. Saddest face EVER!

He knows how to tug on the heart strings.

For more Wordless Wednesdays check out, 5 minutes for mom.

Totally Talented Tuesday. So Creative.

"Easy's" creativity never ceases to amaze me! He discovered a new game. He pulled out the big pack of toilet paper from the pantry and started stacking the rolls like blocks. That entertained him for a bit until he got the idea of hitting and trying to destroy the toilet paper towers he made. So much for looking at simple things in a simple way.

For more Totally Talented Tuesdays, check out Two of a Kind Working on a Full House's blog!

Personalized Canvas Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who participated in my first giveaway. I have some more coming soon!

I used Violets are Blue random number generator and the winner is :

NateAndJakesMom 

who said I am a follower on blogger

I will email the winner with details. They will have 3 days to respond or I will pick a new winner. I'm excited to see the canvas that Bethany at Oh Snap! Designs creates!!!