5 Simple Tips To Become (More Of) A Morning Person

***I received a Quaker^® Protein Instant Oatmeal product sample as a member of BzzAgent. I was in no way required to share the following info with you. All photos and opinions are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2015. The following is not to be taken as medical advice.

Momma Told Me: Ready or not, it's time to get up!

I am not a morning person. In fact, there have been very extended patches in my life where I would refuse to go to bed until the sun was just bout to come up. In my college years I would often sleep clear from sunrise to sundown on the rare days when I did not have work or school. 'They' tell you when you're younger that one day you'll yearn for the time when adults forced you to take extended naps in the middle of the day, and it's true. Such a reckless lifestyle ultimately led to horrible insomnia when I was once again to rejoin the living with a 9-5 job that demanded rosy social skills. While I am much better than I ever was, about rising on time and with a chipper disposition, it is still something I struggle with from time to time. There are a few simple things that can be done to help ease yourself into an early morning routine.

1. Sleep Sound: This may sound obvious but the biggest culprit to waking refreshed is interruptions in sleep patterns. While you may not notice yourself physically waking up during the night, your body likely experiences harsh interruptions to REM waves as it responds to outside stimuli. Similarly, if you do notice yourself a 'light sleeper,' and rise throughout the night to the sound of a car alarm or dog barking, you may benefit from noise conditioning as well. The key to making the most of your sleep, whether 3 hours or a full 7, is ensuring you fall asleep and stay asleep from eyes shut to eyes open. Invest in a white noise machine or noise filter application to help layer ambient noise that will better distract your sleeping mind from the distractions within the world just outside.

2. Think Positive Thoughts: As cliche as it sounds, there really is a right side of the bed to get out on. How you jump start your mental process, first thing in the morning, really does impact how your entire day unfolds from there. We all have chores and tasks we'd rather not awaken to tackle, so leave those thoughts for later. Begin your first few minutes of every day mentally discussing that which you are MOST looking forward to. The more you ruminate on the positives to come, the more endorphins your body will naturally release as you pull yourself from bed and work towards them.

3. Hit The Gym Early: While this is one tip I'm still trying to reshape my day to tackle, studies show that our bodies experience their peak performance sometime around mid-morning. Rising around sunrise and heading straight to the gym or workout room, for as little as 30 minutes, will also release those 'feel good' notions and kick start our systems for optimal performance during the day. If the promise of more energy and a sunnier outlook isn't enough, exercise before breakfast and see your morning calories burned near doubled!

4. Morning Showers Bring....: I tend to want to shower in the morning. Not only is it a sort of treat I look forward to when I first get up (see Tip #2,) but I feel it re-focuses my mind for the day ahead. Unfortunately as women, our hair is often one of the biggest time consumers in the daily beauty routine. Nothing can ruin the promise of a good day quicker than a bad hair day. Ashley Stone, of Beauty Entourage, suggests showering in the evening and placing damp hair in a lose braid. When you rise style your hair with a quick blow dry for instant volume without the fuss. And for those who simply must shower in the morning- consider a quick rinse, sans hair washing, for an immediate pick me up without the styling woes.

5. Pile On the Protein: You already know the saying 'Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,' and it truly does set the tone for how the rest of your morning will proceed. After a night's rest our metabolism and blood sugar are at their lowest. This means what you put into your body first is what will be consumed at the most efficient rate, as your body will quite literally be jump starting based on what nutrition you do or don't decide to feed it. I don't know about you, but I, personally, don't have time to make a gourmet breakfast in the morning. I need something that is quick, colorful, and appetizing, or I will find myself skipping breakfast all together.

Quaker's new Protein Instant Oatmeal is ready in just 3 minutes and offers a hearty bowl of deliciousness in 2 satisfying flavors; Banana Nut Bread and Cranberry Almond. Chocked full of 10g of energy producing protein, these delicious breakfasts can also be enhanced with a few slices of fresh fruit, and 'cooked' with calcium and protein rich milk substitutes such as soy or almond milk. Just one bowl of Quaker^® Protein Instant Oatmeal keeps me fueled well through the afternoon without a single tummy rumble, and that means I keep the morning grumps away!

What's your best tip for rising on the right side of the bed and staying energized throughout the morning?

What Daughter Says: You don't have to want to get up, you just have to get up. Start your day with positive steps to make the process easier.

MyMonopoly Makes It Hard To Say No to 'That Property'!

**I received a MyMonopoly game board as a member of BzzAgent. I was in no way required to share on my blog, consider the following my genuine and honest thoughts. Copyright Momma Told Me 2014.

Momma Told Me: It's your game, make your own rules.

True story, I did not learn how to play Monopoly until I was 16 and spending the Summer with my first sweetheart's family in Rhode Island. Why are these details important? Well, anyone who's ever played the gripping game of Monopoly (Disney Anniversary edition was my learning ground) knows that details do matter. Especially when it comes to House Tules- and this family had a lot of them! In fact, it may be safe to say I never really learned how to play Monopoly, because everywhere I encountered it since had their own slew of special circumstances and pre-determined perks. For instance, does your house double down when you land on Go? Does the youngest automatically get a player's hand when they fold, or does the bank?

A lot of the finer scruples of the game are up for debate, but the general spirit remains; after all, how many board games will you refuse to let die as it enters into it's 4th hour? And fewer board games have been licensed, or imitated, in as many themes and forms as Monopoly. Heck, part of the fun of the game is that every family member has their favorite cartoon character, or geekdom, board hidden in the closet. The real fun starts when the Death Star property makes it's way into The Simpsons board while playing with My Little Pony tokens! And that's the premise behind My Monopoly- for $15 you can print the included stickers and create your own spaces and tokens as unique as your family.

The concept is simple, and it's hard to gripe with the price, but there are some exceptions to the awesomeness of the idea. For starters, do not expect to sit down and have this board ready to play in an hour. It's likely you will spend a few hours slaving over the printing process and selection photos. My Monopoly has created an online landing page for users to create free accounts and select/edit photos for their space and player tokens. Unfortunately, while Instagram was an option, Instagram would not give me the option to connect so I had to week through thousands of Facebook Wall photos or upload my own. Next, the printing process is near impossible to align, even with the very simple instructions. I suggest you change your printing scale percentage by 5%, down from 100%, and print your sample sheet on plain paper before using one of the 8 included sheets.

In the end from unboxing to sticking the clocked time was 2 hours 45 minutes- something well worth it if you are creating a Monopoly to commemorate a celebration such as a wedding or 50th birthday, but not so much for general family play. My best suggestion, choose some real meaningful photos, and let your kids decorate/draw on the stickers for the remainder spaces/stickers. I also quickly realized that the stickers we placed on the special Chance/Community Chest cards covered the actual card reasoning (ie: Doctor's Bill, Building Loan Matures,) so DO use the MyMonopoly editing browser to add text to images you intent on putting on those cards. Go crazy, create your own events and ocassions!

In general, the affordable nature of this cool concept is evident in some more 'affordable' design options made by the brand; you will only get 4 token holders in your box and need to 'borrow' from other boards if you play with more than 4, the stickers would use a glossy finish or clear sticker cover to protect from water damage/scuffing/fading during play, and you will want to keep all the 'property' tiles in a bag when the game is in storage or I suspect they will disappear as fast as that final puzzle piece. One thing we DID especially like about the 'tile' format of the custom properties is that a player could 'collect' the tole when they bought it, making it easier to immediately tell whether a property was owned or still up for sale.

So the main point? You really can't complain for the price of this customizable board game. Whether you're grabbing one to make as a 'commemorative' keepsake for a lifetime event, or just to have a little more fun with a beloved family game, it's worth it. Just don't beat yourself up if the photos don't print exactly center on the stickers or a property mysteriously goes missing. However, if you're a mother, do expect, anytime you play you will feel the guilt of being expected to buy any properties your kids are on or involved in! It makes strategy just a little harder! MyMonopoly is in stores such as Walmart and Toys R' Us nationwide, and online at Amazon.

What Daughter Says: MyMonopoly brings new meaning to 'house rules'!

Certified #Organic Pasta And White Cheddar #HorizonMacAndCheese Dinner

**I received 2 packages of Horizon Organic macaroni and cheese as part of BzzAgent. All opinions and photos are original and copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2014.

Momma Told Me: That's for little kids!

There are few foods that can be considered a side dish or an entree for children; macaroni and cheese is one of them. Why? I've always wondered this when taking my nieces and nephews out to eat. Grilled cheese is almost identical, grain and cheese, yet seems much more substantial. Neither of them, as an adult, is a viable meal option for me, however; and I feel even more guilty when reading the labels and realizing I should be more concerned about all the 'extras' put into a dish that should be so simple.

Sabrina, now 11, has been raised on Macaroni and Cheese, it's one of her favorites. In fact, she happily grabs a 'blue box' from the pantry and begins prepping an after-school snack, or lazy weekend lunch. It's a process so simple we've begun trusting her to do it herself, under adult supervision. And as much as she loves building box robots out of the leftover packages from our, very cheap and affordable, blue box cubes; she is smart enough to ask burning questions like "Why is the powder neon?" Something I've taught her to ask when considering a food group's place in nature and the pyramid.

Let's face it, noodles and cheese should be a fun dish for kids; but why do I feel guilty when I sneak a bowl as an adult? Shouldn't the things we feed our children be as healthy, or even more high quality than that which we knowingly consume ourselves? So I recently embraced the opportunity to try a range of Pasta and Cheese shells from well known Organic Milk brand Horizon. The 3organic pasta shells with White Cheddar had Sabrina skeptical, after all, she was used to eating the neon brand.

As a compromise I made one box of the 'blue stuff' and one box of #HorizonMacAndCheese Pasta Shells with White Cheddar. As we added the magical 'flavor' powder into our cooked noodles, with butter and organic milk, Sabrina scrunched her nose. "Color means flavor!" she declared as the noodles turned a faint white. I could have tried to explain that the 'white' noodles have no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors; but I simply placed the two bowls in front of her and held up my end of the deal. If she did not like the 'new' stuff she would not have to eat it.

In fact, the idea of doing a taste test had Sabrina so excited, she willingly put a spoonful of the Horizon Mac in her mouth without further complaint. Even better, she finished half the bowl before coming up for air. When I asked if she wanted me to finish for her she was quick to tell me she could finish the bowl on her own; and that she preferred the White Cheddar organic over the blue box! Now, if only I can convince her to taste test different types of veggies mixed in with her macaroni and cheese! At least, with Horizon organic pasta boxes we both can feel a little less guilty eating like a kid again!

How do you compromise when it comes to your kids favorite foods to make sure they are more nutritious?

What Daughter Says: Bring fun back to your table without the guilt, choose high quality sides the whole family will love.

Make Suncare A Part Of Your Summer Routine, Know The Facts

Momma Told Me: Your skin will thank you in 20 years.

This past, holiday, weekend I spent some time at the local beach park with family and friends. I'll admit I'm the palest of the group, and I seem to burn just thinking about going outside for an hour; so I'm always sure to protect myself with various forms of skincare. You see, when you have fair skin, and are prone to burning, you don't think twice about protecting from the sun's rays. However, I was shocked to hear child after child tell me they 'don't need' sunscreen because they have 'darker skin' and don't burn. This alarming statement, which I can only deduce was inherited from the adults in their lives is quite possibly part of the skin cancer epidemic the current generation faces. Proper sun care is not about keeping an even tan, or avoiding nasty peeling, it's about safeguarding our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which we most of the time cannot detect at all.

I'm sure you've all heard the age old point that people can get burned, but most importantly, absorb UV rays, with an entirely cloudy sky. That's because the rays themselves are transparent, and even reflected off of surfaces in cloudy conditions. These powerful rays even make their way through clothing material, and with 1 in 5 Americans developing skin cancer during their lifetime, it's clear we're not doing enough to defend ourselves.

One of the biggest reasons American consumers do not 'lather up' with sunscreen is because they perceive it as inconvenient. Well, we've come a long way with skincare, baby! Coppertone's new Clearly Sheer range of sunscreen products are specially formatted to be light, yet effective, for moisturizing all day wear that can even be layered beneath cosmetics. They're even approved for sensitive skin and acne prone complexions, so you never have a reason not to protect that gorgeous face. And, if you're one of the millions of sunscreen consumers who skip protecting because you don't want to smell like a pool or beach, the Clearly Sheer line is specially formatted with a citrus inspired fragrance that is easy to wear and almost undetectable.

I keep a convenient 1oz Coppertone Clearly Sheer for Sunny Days in my glove compartment at all times. I never know when I will find myself outside for more than 15 minutes, or among company equally in need of UV protection. While I'm a 'spray' screen kinda gal, studies have shown that people are less accurate in fully covering their skin with such applications, so I reach for the light layering lotion with it's refreshing citrus infuse scent. And don't forget to protect those eyes too; be sure the entire family is outfitted with sunglasses this Summer!

What Daughter Says: Proper skincare starts with accurate knowledge, how much do you know about staying protected?

Starbucks Introduces Light Roast Blends For A More Developed Origin Flavor

Momma Told Me: The flavor's in the bean, not the bar.


If I asked a room full of people if they liked chocolate, the response would be pretty overwhelming. 'Chocolate,' like 'Coffee' is as much considered a flavor as it is a food or ingredient. That's because they both have been around for centuries. And, when I say 'Coffee' or 'Chocolate' there are likely some brands that instantly come to mind- Starbucks and Hershey's for example. But, while both of these brands manufacture these items, they are not the definition of them. In fact, as worldly popular as Hershey's is, and as premium as Starbucks is, real 'snobs' of these foods know there is much more than the mass production favored within these brands. Hershey's chocolate, you see, is actually 70% sugar, and less than 4% Cacoa (also called Cocoa).

Why are we discussing the purity of chocolate and coffee? Well, both rely on the distinct flavor of it's bean. A multi-origin bean product, whether chocolate or coffee, will have a less definitive flavor profile than a single origin bean which has had generations to take notes from the soil and environment it solely grows in. Fans of dark chocolate understand this concept very well- but did you know, in the coffee world, it is actually the opposite? A Light Roast coffee will often yield a stronger character and body of flavor than a darker roast. When the beans are less processed they tend to brew a more complex flavor that is actually higher in the bean's natural acidity, which many believe enhances coffee's inherent flavor.

Starbucks, which has long been hailed as a premium coffee brand, has also been criticized by coffee purists for over-processing their beans and delivering brews that are strong in flavor but muddled in authenticity. That is to say, you may love the Pumpkin Chai or Holiday Blend Starbucks Coffee, but you are really indulging in a brew equal to a flavored chocolate bar. It tastes delicious, but all of the 'extras' are really hiding the true flavor of the beans at the core. As an answer to this, the chain has introduced three unique Light Roast blends available in ground, VIA instant, and K-Cups. Don't be fooled, 'Light' Roast does not mean a less flavored coffee. In fact, while the drink is more mellow and better suited to cream sans sugar, the depth is actually more mature than your typical dark roast.

I had a chance to receive a box of the new Starbucks Veranda Blend as a BzzAgent and was immediately intrigued by the concept of a mellow coffee that revealed more flavor. My first sip of Veranda was quite surprising- I drink most of my coffee with lots of sugar, and had only used cream to balance out the acidity of the blend. I found the cup very drinkable, in fact it was actually preferred! There was a subtle nutty undertone and even a developed sense of cocoa I felt would actually go well over ice with a bit of honey. For someone who finds coffee too 'strong' to palette, this could be the perfect solution to a more mellow flavor that relies less on the sometimes bitter and charred taste of a darker roast.

What Daughter Says: Try coffee a little closer to what nature intended with the natural flavors of Starbucks Light Blends.

It's Not Oatmeal- It's Granola! Quaker's New Breakfast Revolution

Momma Told Me: It's more than a meal

As a young girl I favored cereals over pastries and oatmeal for the unique contrast in texture they would offer while jump starting my morning. Today I am ashamed to admit my breakfast regimen is much less complicated and usually involves a protein shake or nothing at all. Let's face it, by the time the kids are dropped off at school, the floors have been scrubbed, the laundry is in the dryer, and the groceries are unloaded it's after 1PM and it's time to head back out again to pick up the rugrats. Now, more than ever adults are leading busy lives that require a strong balanced breakfast that will fuel the day ahead. And, not too surprisingly, more and more of them are like me; skipping the most important meal simply because they feel stopping for breakfast is too much work.

Aside from the occasional bowl of Malt O' Meal with a swirl of brown sugar, warm breakfasts such as oatmeal were often my least preferred. I do, however, recall a brand of Quaker children's oatmeal pouches that included dissolving sugar eggs that revealed tiny colorful dinosaurs. The novelty of this breakfast seems to have stuck with me and still finds the product creeping into my adult shopping cart from time to time. So, when I heard about a new range of Quaker warm breakfasts, Quaker Warm and Crunchy Granola, my interest was piqued. Honestly, without the word crunchy, I would have overlooked the product as another type of oatmeal; which it is not.

This unique warm-serve granola product is currently made in 3 flavor varieties; Cranberry Almond, Apple Cinnamon, and Honey Almond. Retailing between $4-$5 a box, each Warm and Crunchy Granola box features 6 individually packaged servings. However, I've found that an adult such as me requires 2 pouches and a banana to satisfy me completely on a busy day. Thankfully it is no more of a hassle to prepare two or one; adjust the added milk to create the texture of your choosing and pop the bowl in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. It truly couldn't be any easier to enjoy a sweet, heart healthy, breakfast that has plenty of texture.

While I typically use a 1/4 C of fat-free milk for two pouches (half the suggested amount), I find that the bottom half of my granola softens quite nicely, and the rest stirs in well for a delightful crunch. Remember, this is not an oatmeal, and because of such some younger family members may not care for it as much as those with a more developed palette. Personally, Quaker Warm and Crunchy is a home run for me! I love how easy it is to toss a pouch in my purse and even enjoy one at work. The process is simple, and the flavor isn't overly sweet- making for the perfect encouragement to start my day right! Have you ever eaten warm granola for breakfast?

What Daughter Says: Start your day right, don't skip breakfast- it's the fuel for your day!

My Hair Had Triple The Damage- Now It's Triple Repaired, My Secret

Momma Told Me: I think the bleach has gone to your brain.

Have you noticed my new haircut? Some of you may recall me saying, adamantly, how I have not cut my hair in length since becoming an adult. I've told the story of the 'bowl cut' incident several times here on Momma Told Me; the event which set the tone for my hair styles over the next 15 years. So, it goes without saying, the Trimpocalypse of 2014 was not intentional. In fact, it was much more of a breaking of hair than a manual trimming. In just an hour, with a friend I still wholly trust to color my hair, we both had missed a crucial timing point that turned a lightening into a 'thinning.' She has just found out, quite surprisingly, that she was pregnant 11 years since her first child, and I was not being as studious as I should have about the treatment time. We have almost all been there. Even professional screw up, and even you, with ordinary cleansing and styling can put excess stress and damage on your hair.

As soon as I realized the timing was running too long I run to the shower to rinse the frothy bleach off the tips of my hair, but all hope was lost. Almost a foot of my prized locks were damaged so bad they only curled up in knots against each-other. There were tears shed, then I picked up the scissors, put on a brave face, and watched as I lost 7" of hair. At the time, I was unwilling to loose all of the lightened hair, so I left 2" of blonde to try and build up with treatments of color. The first week was dubious; I'd lose dozens of strands in my hand washing and draining the water from my hair, even gently. When the hair would dry it would kink on the ends and tangle.

Many of my readers see me discuss a product and assume I am under an obligation to do so. I receive many items to try for free, yes, but many of them I am only compelled to provide the company with direct feedback and share consumer reviews and social media shares. What makes it to my blog is only the best of the best. Make no mistake, I am telling you about Neutrogena's new Triple Repair (3 part) System because I have been blown away by my hands on experiences.

Intended to mend split ends, strengthen brittle hair, and prevent damage such as breakage, the Triple Repair system consists of a fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner paired with a Leave-In Treatment. All three products have a very light fragrance that is salon inspired and natural. The Leave-In Treatment is lightweight and easy to apply and does not interfere with styling or leave hair 'gunky.' In fact, it protects hair during styling practices that reach temperatures up to 400F!

Neutrogena claims that their Triple Repair Shampoo and Conditioner repair up to 97% of split ends within just one use of using the products together. That advertising claim is a bit hard to believe, and not something I can speak to as I had to trim my hair after the lightening fiasco. However, I noticed an immediate difference in the texture of my damaged hair (tips) within 3 days, and an immediate increase in volume and vibrancy on the remaining 'healthier' hair in just 1 use. Within a week of using all three products together I stopped seeing hair loss in my palm, pillow and towel all-together.

I can't speak to the studies and claims but I can tell you, without a doubt, I would recommend this system to anyone with moderate to severely damaged hair, from chemical or heat treatment. I have been thoroughly impressed with the transformation of my hair's volume, manageability, and strength and intend to continue using the system once my initial product has run out.

What Daughter Says: Don't let damaged hair defeat you, if my hair can come back, so can yours!

Turtle Brownie Cookies Now Served In A Grocery Bakery Near You!

Momma Told Me: Have some cookie with your ice cream.

Fresh baked goods hit the spot all year-round, but few things satisfy like a warm cookie and a cold glass of milk; or Cookies 'N Cream, or Cookies and Ice Cream. In our house all three are a big late night indulgent for the other half. Somewhere between an hour to two after the last fork had been set on a plate, just as dinner has settled, a craving kicks in for something indulgent and sweet. And, since we only enjoy 'dessert' on Mondays and Fridays, per our 2013 instated health goals, the more sinfully indulgent, the better. So, when Kroger asked me, as a BzzAgent, if I wanted to try yet another Private Selection product, I was ecstatic to learn said product was a range of gourmet cookies.

Unfortunately, there was some initial disappointment when I hit the bakery department and saw only two of the four varieties were available, neither of them allergen friendly; White Chocolate Coconut Almond and Turtle Brownie. At just around $5 a box for 6 cookies, these were certainly priced at gourmet, and the most expensive snack per weight or pieces in the boxed fresh baked department. It appears these gourmet Private Selection cookies are also likely baked in house and packaged regularly, as many of the Turtle Brownie cookies had ribbons of bubbled over caramel that had oozed out, and were not very picturesque in shape. Filled with gooey caramel and pecans, and the stronger of the two options for ice cream sandwiches, we picked up two boxes (yes, I bought a second box) and headed home to enjoy an afternoon treat.

To be honest, we'd expected more of a n aroma when we lifted that Private Selection box, and certainly for the cookies to be softer; like a Pepperidge Farm treat. Unfortunately, perhaps due to the caramel, these were quite stiff, though not crumbly. I popped a Turtle Brownie Cookie in the microwave for 15 seconds on High and we were soon back in business. Not only was there now a wonderful aroma wafting through my home, but the softened cookie was just as enticing as if it had been pulled right from the baking rack at the store. The texture was chewy, like a brownie, and worked splendidly with the chunks of pecans for extra texture. A few times I even experienced some caramel running down my face.

Since these particular Private Selection cookies were a bit stiff, they didn't work too well as ice cream sandwiches, like I'd planned. The cookies hardened even more with the chilly ice cream between them, and the caramel acted as a glue to keep the cookie from snapping beneath a bite. The sandwiches were soon deconstructed for cookie sundaes. Sabrina especially liked that these store bought cookies looked 'home made,' though, as a consumer, I rather found this slightly less premium for the price. Private Selection has two other varieties I'm trying to hunt down; White Chocolate Macadamia and Ultimate Chocolate Chunk. In all, the cookies hit the spot, but the price point was a little too high for something being prepared by employees with varying quality control. I'd be happy to indulge in box for around $3.75-$4.

What Daughter Says: Eat the cookie and the ice cream, just be careful of the texture when you put them together! (Especially if there's caramel involved!)