Traditions Give Back Through Hickory Farms + No Kid Hungry

Momma Told Me: We do it because it's tradition.

What is tradition?

I like to argue that a tradition isn't the act of doing something, it's a feeling.

The best traditions are not just repeated in ceremony year in and out. and, while some can be tasted, and others heard, the very best of traditions are meant to be shared, and are always felt. It's that stirring inside that generates warm tidings and cheer, the excitement over an event that marks the dawn of another valued memory, the passing of time, and the importance of honoring this moment now, and every moment before it. Yes, my favorite traditions vary from our own little family, to generations back, yet all are worthy of being shared.

One of our traditions, gifting Hickory Farms, signifies the start of a season, the end of a year, and the flavors that unite a family from clear across the country. Enjoying my father's Hickory Farms Summer Sausage Christmas afternoon while talking on the telephone with my grandparents in Massachusetts, is a tradition that highlights my childhood holiday memories. No matter where I was, or where they were, we always had a Hickory Farms gift box under our tree come Christmas morning. Whether it was the satisfying crisp of delicious crackers and cheese, or gourmet confections and nuts, the holiday flavors simply would not be the same without Hickory Farms and our family.

Hickory Farms understands this, and the importance of tradition, which is why they give back year round with companion efforts for No Kid Hungry, and a commitment to our armed forces. The company not only provides year-round free shipping to any active military address, worldwide, but has also contributed more than $4 Million dollars to the No Kid Hungry organization. (Visit www.hickoryfarms.com for details.) In addition to raising awareness and collecting donations directly on behalf of the charity, Hickory Farms also donates a percentage of profits from specially marked products. Right now you can gift a Hickory Farms Signature Party Planner gift box and $5 of the purchase will be donated to No Kid Hungry. I absolutely love giving gifts that go beyond the moment, to continue giving to those in need!

The Signature Party Planner gift box is precisely the type of gift we would've chosen from the catalog to gift to my grandparents, across country, as a young girl. The company has always been committed to quality and freshness in their products so it is a natural pairing for the company to support No Kid Hungry, an amazing organization that fights to ensure every U.S. child can have a healthy, fresh, meal. Just $1 donated can help feed a hungry child up to 10 meals- that's a potential of 50 meals donated with a single gift purchase this holiday season!

As we practice and discuss our own family traditions, here in our house, giving back is at the top of our priorities. In fact, the very first thing I do when I begin seeing seasonal merchandise hit shelves is ask around and research where the local canned goods and toy drive collections will be for the year. For us giving back is more than a seasonal tradition, it's a year-round tradition. I begin collecting gifts and food for donations the very day after I drop I current collections off! It's not only something I am personally passionate about, it's a tradition that is contagious- and I love to see the new generations taking charge and getting involved too!

Whether your family has, or starts, their own Hickory Farm tradition, why not discuss the importance of giving with those who matter most? Even a discussion can help put the wheels in motion for something amazing. And, in this season of giving, isn't that really what it's all about? How do you or your loved ones like to give back during the holidays or year round? Is there an exciting program in your community that inspires you to give?

What Daughter Says: Give back this holiday season and help your traditions feel even more meaningful.

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review and to facilitate a giveaway.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hickory Farms. #HickoryTradition

The Definition Of Tradition- And Hickory Farms #Giveaway~ 11/30

Momma Told Me: Some traditions are full of flavor.

Tradition. Without it the holidays just wouldn't be the same.

Whether your family follows a strict ritual of gatherings, food, and entertainment, or enjoys a more relaxed and casual season, there's bound to be at least a few things that continue to return year-after-year. For example, every year since 1986 (and you can check their butt tags) our family has brought our a pair of beanbag reindeer in red flannel pajamas. They're small, handheld, plush characters I truly don't know much about, other than that they were added to our family's heirlooms the year I was born.

It may seem like such a small tradition, these little floppy reindeer, but they have been kept in impeccable condition, and they have made an appearance every year regardless of the situation. The year I spent the holidays with my grandparents back East, the year my mother boldly wore a bald head to Thanksgiving dinner just weeks after chemotherapy, the year I returned home after college, the year no other decoration went up or came out- those tiny reindeer sat on our couch a strong reminder of the love and memories we all have shared. It's such a silly thing, really, they do nothing more than sit there, and yet, it wouldn't be the holidays without them. I one day hope they will appear on my children's couch for their children to admire.

Tradition is a funny thing.

At the holidays, it is so often rooted deep in food. A special fruit salad your Great Aunt might make, the cookie recipe you first watched your grandmother make, the tradition of tho gets to carve the turkey. Why? Because food is such an easy way to connect. We come together at holiday celebrations and share life's triumphs, pain, and strangeness (there is a LOT of strangeness in my family, we like to have fun,) over delicious food made with love.

Growing up half of my family was always clear across the country. We tried to celebrate twice, but rarely was everyone all together at once. One way we shared memories and traditions across the miles was through Hickory Farms holiday gifts. Every year, early November the holiday Summer Sausages and seasonal gift boxes would appear in grocery and department store displays. Momma was always sure to grab a Summer Sausage for my father's stocking, and I would help pick out the perfect bundle of delicious Hickory Farms food to send to my grandparents in Massachusetts. Come Christmas morning I'd munch on some of dad's delicious treats; cheese slices on rich buttery crackers, while we listened to our family across the country open their presents in excitement. Grandpa never failed to feign surprise as he opened his Hickory Farms gifts!

The past few years in our family the holidays have been far from traditional, so it has been especially important to keep the traditions, flavors, and symbols of our family's traditions alive and present no matter the circumstance. My cousin is now married, and has begun a family of her own, and my nieces and nephews have moves several states away. I'll admit, sometimes I get a little sad to know that things are changing. However, I am confident in knowing that change can, while scary, can e great. One day soon I will be forging my own family traditions, and I know we will all reunite again as the big family my late grandmother so loved.

This year, for Thanksgiving, I will actually be traveling to spend the holiday with Momma. It will be the first holiday we're shared in a decade. I am, understandably, excited. It will also be my first holiday outside of Southern California in quite some time, and I am told I might even get to see snow- another first much long past a decade overdue! And, while the passing of time, and the reflection of memories might make me feel old, or even melancholy, when I look back at the years I've enjoyed so far, I am most excited about the years that lie ahead.

So, as I pack my suitcase to leave tomorrow I'm tucking a gift box of Hickory Farms favorites carefully into the bottom. Sure, Momma and I may be enjoying our favorites over wine, instead of milk, but the flavors and traditions remain rich and very much alive thanks to a brand that has been in our family since my own parents were children. Hickory Farms gift selection are available Holiday Market locations nationwide and online at HickoryFarms.com. Now, tell me, what are one of the first signs that the holidays have arrived for your family?

What Daughter Says: It's not the food that makes the memories flavorful, it's the people with which you share them.

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review and to facilitate a giveaway.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hickory Farms. #HickoryTradition

Hickory Farms

The Doctor Will See You Now- Try Urgent Care Teleheath Service at Home With Amwell!

Compensation was provided by Amwell via Momtrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not indicative of the opinions of Amwell or Momtrends.

Momma Told Me: Quit your bellyaching. It's just the doctor.


I do not do doctors.

It is absolutely not joke that I experience extreme anxiety, and even physical symptoms that result in discomfort when I am in a medical situation. You didn't know that about me, did you? It's true, and it's commonly referred to as 'White Coat Syndrome.' If you think I'm crazy, and it's all in my head, my blood pressure has not been recorded under 170/90 in a medical office in nearly 10 years. Before you get alarmed and tell me I should go to urgent care right away, I promise my blood pressure is monitored and that is an event triggered occurrence (not an everyday thing!)

There are a lot of reasons why the modern American doesn't want to go to a doctor. While I've been told my particular unease, to it's extremity, boils down to some very traumatic events as a toddler involving my mother and her battle with cancer- you likely experience some of your own anxiety when considering whether or not to see a physician. For example, cost, and even lack of insurance coverage is sure to raise blood pressure and even detour a perfectly rational adult from seeking care.

And then there's the issue of scheduling- who wants to work around trying to sneak into an appointment on a lunch break or in between dropping off and picking up the kids? I know my primary physician often has appointments booked up as far as 3 weeks in advance! That's much too long to sit on seemingly benign symptoms, worrying!

And, let's face it, all of that time spent avoiding seeking professional medical advice often winds us up in....yup, Urgent Care. But what if you could cute most of the stress of Urgent Care, and potentially some of the costs, by choosing to complete your Urgent Care visit online?

Thankfully we live in a wonderfully advanced technological time where 'Telehealth' exists. Telehealth is the practice of using the internet to conference and consult certified physicians from the comfort of your own setting and on a schedule that fits your time. This is precisely why Amwell, the nation's largest Telehealth provider, is about to become your preferred Urgent Care Online provider. That's right, Amwell connects your with Board Certified doctors 24/7 for your Urgent Care needs. You can even save on your first Amwell Urgent Care visit here: https://bit.ly/33ZkleH

It's as simple as downloading the Amwell app from your Apple or iOS application store, creating a quick patient profile, and selecting the available Urgent Care doctor you'd like to consult. When I first logged on, in the middle of the afternoon, there were 9 primary care physicians available for immediate consult. I could easily browse their professional background, specialties, and even a mini profile, before selecting the doctor I felt was the best fit. Next, you'll have the chance to enter any insurance information- though, if you happen to be uninsured, it's only a flat $69 fee for an Urgent Care visit (and remember to Save 25% when you click here). That's half the price of my most recent uninsured Urgent Care visit; and several hours less of a wait!

Once I'd chosen a doctor I was shown a little introductory video, and informed of my place in line. In this case the doctor I'd selected decided my particular patient file was better suited to another Amwell physician, and I was instantly referred to a better fit. The woman who appeared on my screen a few moments later was very well versed in treating insomnia, the topic of my particular visit that day. Thanks to the magic of telehealth technology, we could hear each other, and I could see her. Whether or not I wanted to turn my camera on and become visible was entirely up to me. However, keep in mind that the camera can be a vital diagnosing tool in many cases!

As we entire the height of cold/flu season I practice prevention diligently, but there simply is no way to guarantee one doesn't end up off their feet with cold/flu complications, pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies or more. And, with time, and money, being ever so vital this season- proper preparation should definitely include having a good Urgent Care telehealth option on hand. No more struggling to deal with holiday hours or traffic while feeling your worst, no more watching your child have a mega meltdown in a waiting room. A large variety of common prescribed Urgent Care prescriptions are even available right through your Urgent Care Amwell visit (in 43 of the United States.)

My Amwell Urgent Care call lasted about 10 minutes- we actually got cut off by the system's timer, but the physician was quick to call me on my phone to finish her advice and I received a follow up email with her notes and suggestions. I have to say, it didn't feel like I had just seen a doctor at all, and my blood pressure was in check the whole time! Not only can I feel at ease knowing I no longer have to stress over what I will or will not consult a doctor about in Urgent Care situation, but the doctor will always be ready to see our family, thanks to Amwell. I was on my way to feeling MUCH better and back to choosing a complimentary Ugly Sweater to match Jay. Have you ever sought professional medical advice online or through an application? If not, would you consider it?


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What Daughter Says: Say goodbye to the stress of offices and appointments with Urgent Care online services from Amwell.