>U Mom Knows Best: August 2021

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Quick and Easy Healthy Meals With Huel Hot & Savory

Having a busy day at work? Being short on time does not have to mean skipping lunch or grabbing fast food.

I received samples of Huel to facilitate this article

 Most people lead busy days when it comes to their jobs. They are going non-stop and lunchtime rolls around. They have deadlines to meet so they keep working through their lunch break. That can mean grabbing an unhealthy snack from the vending machine or worse yet, picking up unhealthy food from a fast-food place. It can be hard to find time to eat a healthy meal. 

 Sure one can pack a healthy lunch to bring to the office but healthy meals take time to make. That means planning ahead. One needs to find time to head to the grocery store to buy healthy food. Then you have to make a healthy lunch and then remember to grab your lunch before you leave the house.

The best solution for quick and easy healthy meals

 I discovered a solution to "the finding time for a healthy lunch problem" and it is quite delicious. I tend to snack while I am working from home. I get busy with my writing and grab snacks from the kitchen, instead of taking the time to make a healthy meal. My husband can tell how busy my day was by the number of food wrappers near my desk. While I may start my day with a healthy breakfast of a protein shake, my lunch usually is grabbing a snack from the pantry.

Working from home as a journalist does not mean that I am not busy. Maintaining a website requires many hours of answering emails, doing research, writing articles, taking photos, and promoting on social media. It is a full-time job! Social media makes blogging look so easy and everyone thinks that they can become a blogger. Anyone can blog, but not everyone can successfully make money from blogging. 


 My blog is a full-time job and finding time to eat healthy meals is not always my priority of the day. So I am glad that I discovered Huel Hot & Savory complete meals. Huel is a plant-based meal that is ready in 5 minutes. The best part about Huel, after the delicious taste, is this high-protein meal can be stored in your pantry or your desk drawer. The Huel Hot & Savory meals are made by the same company that makes Huel Protein powder.

When lunchtime rolls around, you simply place 2 scoops of Huel into a bowl, add hot water and in 5 minutes you have a hearty meal that tastes so good. Huel Hot & Savory meals are 100% vegan and are available in six flavors including Mexican Chili, Thai Green Curry, Sweet & Sour, Spicy Indian Curry, and Tomato & Herb.

Huel is fast food that is healthy

 Huel may be fast food but it is not junk food. These delicious meals are plant-based food that gives you complete nutrition providing you with all 27 essential vitamins and minerals, plus it is gluten-free, contains no soy, lactose, or GMO, and includes 24g of protein. So you no longer have any excuses for not eating healthy meals while working.


 Huel Hot & Savory meals cost less than $4 a meal and can be easily stored at the office for those busy days. Each bag of Huel hot meals makes 7 meals and with six different flavors, lunch will not be the same boring meal.

 My favorite Huel Hot & Savory meal is Mexican Chili. The Huel Mexican chili is loaded with flavor and spice. This Huel meal is a smoky blend of peppers, beans, quinoa, and rice. This complete healthy meal also has plenty of texture, unlike a protein shake. I like to add additional vegetables to my Huel meal for even more flavor. 

 My garden is giving me plenty of tomatoes, so while my Huel meal is cooking in the microwave, I dice up a couple of tomatoes to toss into my Huel meal. I also love adding homemade sun-dried tomatoes to my Huel meals. Huel Hot & Savory meals are delicious as prepared or you can add more veggies for even more nutrition. If you want your meal to be more like soup, just add more water to the Huel mix.

A high-protein meal that keeps me satisfied for hours

 The delicious Huel meals keep my body satisfied for hours. So I can keep working without any hunger and unhealthy snacking. I really love how easy the Huel meals are to make. I just grab a bowl and place 2 scoops of the Huel into the bowl. I then add a cup of water and cook it in the microwave. If you have no microwave, you can add hot water to the Huel protein powder.

 The Huel protein powder Hot & Savory meals are made with whole foods, grains, and vegetables. These plant-based meals are also loaded with fiber and plenty of plant-based protein. These meals will be great for traveling. I will be able to have a warm and tasty meal without having to worry about all my food allergies. The Huel pouches are so easy to pack in my suitcase as they don't take up much room. 

Huel Hot & Savory meals are my favorite healthy meals when I don't have time to cook ~ Check out all the delicious Huel Hot & Savory meals HERE




Monday, August 30, 2021

Homemade Blender Free Freezer Smoothie Cubes

 Smoothies are a delicious way to get an abundance of nutrition but can be a pain to make. Ready-to-drink smoothies are expensive and usually loaded with sugar. So, learn how you can stock your freezer with smoothie cubes that don't require a blender.


 I am obsessed with my morning smoothie. While I love all the protein and superfoods that I get in a deliciously creamy smoothie, making smoothies is time-consuming. Sure you can make the smoothie, the night before but even that can be a pain. Then there is always the chore of cleaning the blender.

You know the smoothie routine ~ dig in the freezer for frozen fruit, add several powders like protein powder, greens, and other superfoods. Blend up the ingredients in a loud high-speed blender and then pour the smoothie into a glass. Then wash the blender. Then try to do all of this while trying to get the kids ready for school and yourself for work. Your perfect morning never happens, so you give your child a bowl of cereal or worse yet you head to the fast-food drive-thru. 

Prep the smoothie in Mason jars ~not!

 I remember when Pinterest was filled with premade smoothies made in Mason jars, that you store in your freezer. The concept was to grab a smoothie jar, add liquid, and place it on your blender, for a ready-made smoothie. Who has that kind of storage in their freezer? Who is brave enough to store glass jars in their freezer, that will break?


Then there was prepping the smoothie ingredients in plastic bags. That still involved using a noisy blender and having to clean the blender. All while trying to get out of the house. So the idea of healthy smoothies for your kids simply does not happen.

Quick and easy blender-free smoothies

The other day while I was on Instagram, I saw this video from a company that makes blender-free smoothie cubes. The video showed a person taking these colorful frozen smoothie cups and adding them to a jar with liquid. They shook up the jar and within minutes, they had a delicious nutritious smoothie. 

 I love my morning smoothies so I had to have those superfood smoothie cubes and I headed to their website. Only to find out that the smoothie cubes to make one smoothie was $5 and they did not ship to my state! The smoothie cubes also contained ingredients that I was allergic to. I then realized that I could make Homemade Blender-Free Superfood Smoothie Cubes.


 I could make the smoothie cubes with ingredients that I liked and were safe for me to eat. I could add my favorite vegan protein powder and the superfoods that I wanted. I could make several varieties of these ready-to-use freezer smoothie cubes and save money. The best part is I would be able to make a healthy smoothie on busy mornings without the mess.

Homemade Blender Free Superfood Smoothie Cubes are

+ Healthy

+ Dairy-Free

+ Easy To Make

+ Plant-Based

+ Loaded with Protein

+ Full of Fiber

+ Contain Superfoods

+ Vegan

+ Convenient

+ Great For Busy Mornings 

+ Allergy-friendly


Make-Ahead Smoothie Cubes

 The best part of these Homemade Blender Free Superfood Smoothie Cubes is how easy is to make a fresh smoothie with the frozen smoothie cubes. You don't even need a blender. You simply take the premade smoothie cubes and add them to your choice of liquid in a jar or smoothie bottle. I like using plant-based milk or even water. You let the cubes sit in the liquid for about 20-30 minutes and then shake it up. You have a ready-to-drink smoothie with no mess.

 Wait, I don't have time to wait for the smoothie cubes to thaw! The night before place the desired liquid into your shaker container and place it in the fridge. Then when you wake up grab the smoothie cubes from the freezer and toss them in the container. Set the container on the counter and get everyone dressed.  Then by the time you head out the door, the smoothie will be ready to shake and drink. So grab, shake and drink!

Ingredients needed for smoothie cubes

+ Fruit ~ Fresh or frozen

+ Veggies ~ Fresh or frozen

+ Plant-Based Protein Powder ~ I like Nuzest Vegan Vanilla Protein ~save 15% with my code MOMKNOWSBEST15 at https://bit.ly/2OWQyk7 

+ Peanut Butter Powder

+ Prebiotic Fiber Blend ~ My favorite is Regular Girl ~save 10% with my code MOMKNOBEST10 https://www.regulargirl.com/?rfsn=977462.eafead

+ Superfoods of your choice: Chia seeds, flax seeds, beet powder, etc

+ Green Powder

+ Red Powder

The concept of these cubes is simple: add all of your normal smoothie ingredients to a blender with as little water as possible to form a paste, then freeze into cubes. This way you’ll have all your favorite smoothie goodies in several frozen cubes. Then on a busy morning, all you have to do is add these cubes + water or plant-based milk to your container with a lid for a quick and easy smoothie.

This recipe is highly customizable, but here’s what I like to add to my Superfood Smoothie Cubes:

+ Frozen berries: strawberries, blueberries ~ for sweetness & antioxidants

+ Flax seed or chia seed: for omegas and fiber

+ Matcha Green Tea: for antioxidants and for energy

+ Fiber powder: to stay regular in the bathroom department save 10% with my code MOMKNOBEST10 https://www.regulargirl.com/?rfsn=977462.eafead

+ Plant-based Protein Powder: save 15% with my code MOMKOWSBEST15 at https://bit.ly/2OWQyk7

+ A Super green powder: for lots of green veggies

Blender Free Superfood Smoothie Cubes ideas

+ Bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate protein powder

+ Strawberries, beet powder, and vanilla protein powder

+ Peaches, green powder, and vanilla protein powder

+ Blueberries, frozen spinach, and chocolate protein powder

When you have an abundance of fresh fruit - make lots of smoothie cubes

When you have an abundance of fruit and veggies, don't let it go to waste. Blend it up and make freezer smoothie cubes. When my neighbor's apricot tree had plenty of fruit, I blended up the fresh apricots and made a fruit puree for my daily smoothies. I also froze apricot halves. Thankfully, I have 2 deep freezers so I can freeze plenty of fruit for my smoothies.

 Last year the prickly pear cactus plants had plenty of prickly pears and froze them. These frozen prickly pears would make great smoothie cubes. If your garden has plenty of kale, blend it up into smoothie cubes with your favorite fresh or frozen fruit.

What is your favorite fruit for smoothies?








Your Ultimate Checklist for A Smooth Cross-Country Move

 So, you’re moving. You’re making a huge, life-altering change and you’re nervous. I’d be worried if you weren’t. You’re sure you’re going to forget something or leave something undone. Well fret not, below is your checklist for all the little bits you may have forgotten before moving day. 

 Make a to-do list and stick to it. In the weeks leading up to the big move, keep a notepad handy or a checklist in your phone, but make sure you’re jotting down all the tasks you may be currently pushing aside, so you know for sure you’ve got them all in one place. 

 Get an early start. You may not be a morning person, but you only have to be this one day. It’s going to be long and hard, so get to bed early the night before, and try to get any heavy lifting finished early to avoid that midday heatwave that slows or stops everything. 

 Wear something comfortable. Hopefully, you’ll have hired a cross-country moving company to do the really hard work, but you’ll still want to be wearing something comfy for all the running around. Wear something breathable like cotton, and close-toed shoes in case you end up bashing into something (the chances are high). You can also check the weather forecast to make sure you’re dressed appropriately. 

 Lose the kids and the pets.  It’s pretty obvious you want the kids and pets somewhere safe where they don’t run the risk of getting accidentally packed in a box and loaded up (I kid) or hurt themselves on objects lying around, or just get in the way! Drop them off with their grandparents or a sitter so you can focus all your energy on getting the house cleared out. 

 Meet the movers. You got your online moving quotes, you picked your favorite company, did all the hard work and now it’s time to direct the play. Be ready with all the information like amounts, weights, and what’s packed and isn’t. You should be presented with a bill of landing and possibly a high-value inventory form. Read carefully and sign only when you’re comfortable. Anything you don’t want to be packed in the truck should be kept far away to avoid it getting mixed up and added to the bulk. 

 Finish up all the last bits. There’ll always be some last-minute stuff to take care of, so give yourself some extra time to deal with it. Pack a bag or box for the first night in your new home with all your essentials like toiletries, chargers, electronics, etc. Once you’re all packed up, take out the rubbish and try to leave your old home as clean as you can. ​

 Walkthrough one more time. Always go through the house one final time to make sure you haven’t left anything plugged in or valuables in cracks and corners. Turn off the lights and gas, and lock everything up. Saying goodbye is hard, but change is good, and always worth it. 

Lastly, get excited about your new home! You’ve done all the grunt work, put in the time and research, so all you have left to do is enjoy the journey and getting settled into your new place. I won’t mention the unpacking on the other side because I don’t want to bring you to tears. 

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

9 Simple Ways To Refresh Your Bedroom

 Check out these simple ideas that will make your bedroom feel brand new without a huge effort.


You know the feeling. Your bedroom looks outdated or you are just tired of the way it looks. Walking into your bedroom does not bring you joy. It may do just the opposite and you no longer get excited about spending time in your bedroom. You wake up every morning wishing that your room looked nicer. Then you realize the amount of time it would take to remodel your bedroom. So you don't change the look of your bedroom.

 Do you want to refresh the look of the room but you don't want to put in a lot of effort? 

 Changing the look of any room in your house can be done, without spending a huge amount of time or money. So before you start painting the walls or buying new furniture, check out these simple ways to refresh your bedroom space. 

1. Change your Sheets and Comforter

 Something as simple as replacing your bedding with new items may help the room look nicer. So change your sheets and blankets. You may have some sheets in your linen closet that you have not used in a while or you may want to purchase new bamboo sheets. Replacing your bedding does not have to mean spending a lot of money as you can buy a duvet cover to place over your comforter. Some places even sell sheet sets that include duvet covers. So replace your old bedding with new ones. While you are buying new sheets, take the time to replace your pillow. Pillows wear out and a new pillow may just help you sleep better.

2. Get a Rug

 The floor may be the first thing that you notice when you walk into a room. So adding a rug to your floor will make a huge difference. That rug can be as simple as a decorative throw rug or it can be a big rug that you place under your bed. Rugs are a great way to make old carpets and floors look new again.

3. Add Plants

 Plants and flowers always brighten up any room. It is like bringing the outdoors inside. Plants come in many different colors and will add a special touch to your bedroom. Some plants are also great for keeping the air clean. Don't worry if you don't have a green thumb. There are plenty of options for plants that don't need water or sunlight. A silk plant or a vase of silk flowers will still make your bedroom bright and cheery.

4. Swap out the Curtains

Over time curtains and blinds start to fade or collect dust. Your curtains may simply be outdated or you may no longer like them. So swap out the curtains in your bedroom with new curtains. Choose a pattern or color that makes you smile. When you wake up in the morning, the curtains are usually the first thing you see.  Bedroom curtains are an inexpensive and easy way to have a little fun with your bedroom decor. If you like your bedroom super dark when you sleep, then select blackout curtains. If you love waking up with the sun, maybe a sheer curtain would be best. 

5. Make some Shelves

 Adding shelves to the wall will not only refresh your bedroom but they will also give you some extra storage space. Shelves are great for showcasing all those small items that are special to you. You can also use a pair of shelves for books or to display photos. I like using shelves for plants and I discovered a way to make shelves from broken furniture. Shelving comes in many different sizes so think of what you want to display before you buy them.

6. Add Texture to a Wall

 So many people think that they have to paint walls to refresh their bedroom. Sure a new coat of paint in a different color will make a bedroom look nice but painting walls is time-consuming. Painting means moving furniture, covering up items with tarps, and taping up the walls.  Painting is an all-day project.

 There is an easier way to change the look of your bedroom walls without having to use paint. A wall mural is a simple way to refresh any room and it can add excitement to the look of the room. Adding a wall mural to one wall of the bedroom will brighten up your room in a big way. You can select any size for your wall mural. The mural can cover the whole wall or it can a pop of color to a smaller section of the wall. The best wall surface cover is one with texture. Surfaces & textures provide visuals that capture your attention and make the room look so beautiful. For some wall surface inspiration, check out https://www.photowall.co.uk/wall-murals/surface-textures  

7. Move Items Around the Home

 Giving your bedroom a new look does not always require a trip to the store or any money. It is as simple as taking a walk around your home. Look in the other rooms of your home for some items that may look better in the bedroom. That may mean a picture in the living room or a vase from the dining room just might add that special touch to your bedroom. Think outside the box. A teacup may be the perfect item to place on your bedside table to hold those small items. Even a piece of furniture from another room may have a different purpose in the bedroom.

 When considering adding a new piece of furniture to your bedroom, a stylish crushed velvet bed can be a game-changer in transforming the space. These beds, known for their luxurious texture and sophisticated appearance, can serve as the centerpiece of your bedroom, instantly elevating its style and comfort. Crushed velvet has a unique way of reflecting light, adding depth and richness to the room's aesthetic. Incorporating a crushed velvet bed can seamlessly blend with various decor styles, making it a versatile choice for those looking to refresh their bedroom's look with a single, impactful update.

8. Get Inspiration

Sometimes just looking at other bedroom ideas online or in stores, may give you the inspiration for your new bedroom. Head to Pinterest for ideas for bedroom remodeling. Other places to visit for inspiration are home decor stores. Some places have room displays that showcase the bedroom products. Magazines can also give you some inspiration for bedroom decor.

9. Remove the Clutter

 One of the best ways to make a room look new is simply the process of decluttering. All the extra items that you no longer use can make a room look cluttered. So, remove items from the top of dressers and take out furniture that you are not using. That exercise machine that you have not used in months or all those books on your bedside table are eyesores. Those eyesores could be making your bedroom look ugly to you. Even removing clothes that you no longer wear from the closet can refresh your bedroom. So take time to declutter.






Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Having Fun With Adventure Force Dart Blasters

 The new dart blaster season is here and my boys loved checking out the newest Buzz Bee Dart Blasters.

I received samples from Buzz Bee to facilitate this post

My youngest boys may be teens but they still enjoy having fun with dart blasters. A couple days ago the newest dart blasters from Buzz Bee arrived at my house. The blasters with darts arrived in a big box and my youngest was amazed over the size of the box. Of course, he wanted to know what was in the box. So I told him, something fun.

This mom, did not tell her boys that they would be reviewing the newest dart shooters. I wanted to surprise them. Usually, when a brand asks me if I want to check out new toys with my teen boys, I ask the boys first if they are interested in the toy. When the toy to be review is dart blasters or water shooters, I don't have to ask. My boys love having dart blaster fights and get excited when they get to review them.

 Sure my teen boys have a closet full of blasters with darts but we can always find room for more. It has been a while since we reviewed toys from Buzz Bee, the last blaster that my boys had amazing fun with was last year. You can see that toy review HERE.

Buzz Bee Dart Blasters are the best foam dart shooters

 I allowed my boys to open the big box that contained the newest dart blasters. My boys were so happy as these dart blasters had some new features on them that my boys were excited to check out. I let my boys look at the new dart blasters but since it was a school day, they could not play with them. I told my boys that we would open the boxes up on Saturday. Thankfully Saturday was only a couple days away.

After I took pictures of the dart blasters in the packaging, I let my boys have fun opening up the boxes. I enjoyed watching their excitement as they inserted the foam darts into the blasters. One son said, "Buzz Bee Dart Blasters are the best foam dart shooters," while the other one agreed and said, "they are better than Nerf." 

 These dart blasters had plenty of foam darts along with rapid-fire dart blasting. My boys loved that the shooters could hold an insane amount of foam darts. Even I was getting excited about playing with the new blasters. 

Adventure Force Triggerfire 30 Dart Drum Blaster

+ Rapid-fire dart blaster 

+ Auto advancing 30 dart drum 

+ Detachable scope 

+ Shoots darts up to 80 feet 

+ 30 long-distance darts


Adventure Force Tetrashot Dart Belt Blaster

+ Ultimate belt blasting action  

+ Auto advancing, 48 shell dart belt: each shell holds 4 darts

+ Shoots darts up to 90 feet

+ 98 long-distance darts


 Once my boys loaded up the Adventure Force Triggerfire 30 Dart Drum Blaster and Adventure Force Tetrashot Dart Belt Blaster with all the darts. It was time for some fun. I love that the darts are made from foam, so I did not have to worry about injuries. 

 It was easy to insert all the dart blaster darts into the devices but it did take a while as these blasters held so many darts. So that meant more action fun and less time reloading darts into the guns. 

 My boys decided to play with the blasters inside so they would not lose any of the darts of foam. I liked the boys thinking, even if that meant I would be finding darts everywhere in my house. Where is the strangest place you have found a foam dart from a dart blaster?

The Adventure Force Blasters are so much fun!

 These foam dart blasters were so fun to shoot. My boys were able to rapid-fire the foam darts at each other from across the room. The best part was not having to reload the blasters with more darts. In less than five minutes the floor was covered with tons of dart blaster foam darts.

 My boys had fun shooting at each other and I had fun watching them. They were having fun without electronic devices. I loved that these dart blasters did not need any batteries. When the boys were finished having fun with the blasters, I had to join in on the fun. 


 I loaded up the dart drum and dart belt blaster with the foam darts. Then I had fun firing the darts at my boys. My boys started complaining about all the darts all over the room and said, "mom, you have to pick all the darts up!" The boys had just cleaned up the mess of the darts and did not like the mess I made.

 After I had fun, I cleaned up all the darts from the floor and then place the Adventure Force blasters in the closet. I told the boys that these blasters are my favorite and they better watch out for mom having fun shooting the darts at them.

You can find these fun dart blasters in the toy section at Walmart stores and at the below online links

Adventure Force Tetrashot Dart Belt Blaster

Adventure Force Triggerfire 30 Dart Drum Blaster




Truck Accidents: Challenges with Insurance Companies

Getting injured in an accident is one of the worst things a person can experience. An accident victim will have to go to many medical appointments and they may have to undergo painful physical therapy. 


When a person in a car collides with a truck, there is a good chance they will not survive or their injuries will be very severe. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often not willing to pay claimants their due. According to the website https://1800injured.care/truck-accident/miami-lawyer/ many challenges can arise when a person tries to get compensation from an accident involving a truck. 

Sometimes insurance adjusters think they can get away with offering accident victims a settlement that is far less than the person's injuries are worth because the person is in a vulnerable emotional state. They try to take advantage of people who are not feeling well and want to get the settlement out of the way. It can be helpful to make yourself aware of the problems that can arise, in the unfortunate event that you have an insurance claim or a wrongful death lawsuit due to a truck accident. 


Big Companies have Highly Trained Lawyers

Some truckers are independent and work on a contractual basis. Many drivers work for large companies that are staffed with teams of attorneys.


If you have lost a loved one in a trucking accident and are considering a wrongful death lawsuit, it is important to get an auto accident lawyer who is well-versed in the laws in your state. An experienced attorney will be familiar with changes to the law and with nuances that may help you win your case. 


When filing a wrongful death case, you should be aware of the statute of limitations in your state. In the state of Florida, a person has two years to file a wrongful death suit. 

Collecting Evidence

When you have a collision with another passenger vehicle, you are supposed to call the police and wait at the scene. You should also try to get the names of witnesses and take pictures of the car and any circumstances surrounding the accident. 


If you are involved in a truck accident, you will be unlikely to be able to collect such evidence. Insurance companies, judges, and juries alike rely on evidence such as skid marks on the road, weather conditions, and accident reports to determine who was at fault. 


You should go to the doctor right after your accident even if you feel just fine. Insurance companies may deny your claim if you wait too long to see a physician. 


Be sure to make a copy of every doctor bill that you have that is related to the accident. You should also save the receipts from any medications that you have whether they are prescription or non-prescription.


You will want to get a letter from your employer stating the number of hours that you have missed from work. If you need assistance with cleaning or child care, you should save the receipts from those services as well.

Trucking Laws

There are certain regulations that trucking companies and truckers must follow. If a company failed to adhere to those regulations, you may be entitled to additional compensation. Both the federal government and the state government have their own regulations. 


Federal regulations for truck drivers were recently loosened. Drivers used to be limited to 12-hour shifts, but the new rules state that they can now work 14-hour shifts. A driver can now drive for a longer period during adverse conditions such as a traffic jam. A driver used to have to spend 8 hours in their sleeping berth, but now they only have to spend 7 hours there. 


Drivers may not use handheld cell phones when they are on the road. If a driver is going under 40 miles an hour, they must allow one second of distance for each foot of the truck they are operating. 


Florida’s trucking laws require that semis weigh no more than 80,000 pounds. Drivers are not supposed to be on the road for over 11 hours a day if they are carrying cargo and 10 hours a day if they are carrying passengers. 


There is a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drugs and a driver can have a breath alcohol level of no more than 0.4. 


You must have a class A CDL license to drive a semi in the Sunshine State. If a driver wants a CDL license they will have to pass several tests. They must be over 18 to drive on the interstate and over 21 to drive anywhere else.


If a driver causes an accident and the company they work for was not compliant with the law, they may be considered negligent. If you can prove that their negligence was extreme, you can seek punitive damages.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

The state of Florida has a no-fault rule when it comes to auto insurance. This means that a driver’s own insurance is supposed to pay for their accident-related bills no matter who is at fault. In the case of a truck accident, the injuries tend to be very severe and the cost will far exceed the amount of insurance the driver carries. In this case, they may file a claim against the trucker’s insurance company or sue the trucking company.


Big businesses will often have several different insurance policies with several insurance providers. This is where things may get a bit complicated.


In cases where the driver is an independent contractor, they may have their own insurance. If the driver works for a contracting company, the company may have its own insurance. The trucking company itself may have a different form of insurance.


A professional law firm will be able to research your case and find out which insurance company is responsible for paying your claim. You will want to find a firm that has time to devote to your case. Finding a lawyer can take a lot of research in itself. Fortunately, there are websites that can help you find the right attorney.


Getting injured in an accident is trying and painful. Getting the money you need, can help you move forward.

 

Authoritative Sources:


https://pixabay.com/photos/semi-accident-crash-truck-2659732/

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html


Saturday, August 21, 2021

Simple One Pot Recipes for Busy People


 Life seems to be growing increasingly demanding as the era pushes onwards. Work expectations are at an all-time high (both from employees’ perspectives and from employers’ perspectives), parenting standards are higher than they’ve ever been, relationships and health and personal development are all also becoming heavier burdens to bear. Sometimes we need to seek out simpler alternatives. The following will explore some easy one-pot recipes that can help ease at least one weight in your life.

What Is A One-Pot Meal?

 A one-pot recipe is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a meal that requires only one pot when cooking, meaning there’s only one thing to babysit and only one bigger dish to clean when the meal is over. Typically, one-pot recipes involve throwing all the ingredients into one big pot and letting it simmer on the stove. Lately, as the simplification trend has begun combatting the absurd busyness of modernity, one-pot meals have become quite popular. No longer do you need fifteen different dishes to create a great meal (and, you know, make companies money because now they can sell you fifteen dishes instead of one). 


One-Pot Taco Pasta

 Taco pasta is one of those meals that, once you introduce it to your family, will become a staple. This one-pot meal involves ground beef, tomato sauce, beef broth, taco seasoning, rosemary, and pasta. The beef goes in first, cooks till brown, and then all the other ingredients are added. You can sprinkle it with cheese at the end if that suits your fancy.


Pot Roast

 Believe it or not, you can cook a pot roast in one pot on your stovetop. Seek out a hefty boneless chuck pot roast that will fit in your pot with the lid on, onions, carrots, garlic cloves, potatoes, a little bit of olive oil, a dry red wine, and some beef broth. You’re also going to want to really emphasize the herbs and spices. Kosher salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and fresh rosemary (which is super good for you) add the flavor. You can mix some cornstarch with the juices when the meal is finished to make your own gravy.


Brunswick Stew

 This classic meal is a southern favorite and, though it has a lot of ingredients, it’s an easy meal to prepare and makes great use of any leftovers you might have. You’ll need butter, onion, garlic, diced potatoes, baby lima beans, corn kernels, chicken stock, diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chopped cooked chicken thighs, shredded cooked pork shoulder (or pulled pork or jackfruit vegan pulled “pork”, and your spices and herbs: salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. You might want to include some coleslaw or cornbread when serving.

 The above recipes should open your mind to the unlimited possibilities when it comes to cooking with a single pot. You can do this on the stove, in a Dutch oven, or in a slow cooker, or speed things up with an instant pot. Just be wary of using any products coated in Teflon or constructed out of aluminum, as both Teflon and aluminum flakes are absorbed by your food and cause serious health problems (it’s been linked to Alzheimer’s and other chronic illnesses).






Thursday, August 19, 2021

Could It Be Sleep Apnea And Helpful Tips

 Do you wake up gasping for air or coughing? Perhaps you are told that you snore. Keep reading to learn more about sleep apnea and some helpful tips.

This article contains affiliate links

 Many years ago when I was pregnant with my fourth child, I would start gasping for air in the middle of the night. It felt like someone was choking me and I could not breathe. This gasping-for-air sensation would make me immediately sit up and violently cough. It was a scary thing to not be able to breathe. After several minutes, that felt like forever, I was able to catch my breath. It was then that I learned about what sleep apnea is. 



What is sleep apnea? 

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. It causes you to repeatedly stop and start breathing while you sleep.

 These episodes of gasping for air in my sleep happened several more times throughout my pregnancy. Once I delivered my baby, I did not experience any sleep apnea symptoms for a while. So I thought that being pregnant had some effect on my breathing. Then several years later, I started having these gasping-for-air episodes again when I was pregnant with my 5th child. This time the sleep apnea symptoms did not go away.

 I continued to have nights of waking up gasping to catch my breath several times a month. So I started looking into being tested for sleep apnea. I did my research about the signs of sleep apnea and realized that I had several symptoms of sleep apnea.

Use code COMFORT10 to save 10% off any pillow at Cushion Lab 

Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

+ Excessive daytime sleepiness

+ Loud snoring

+ Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep

+ Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking

+ Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat

+ Morning headache

+ Difficulty concentrating during the day

 Life got busy raising two little kids and I never got tested for sleep apnea but I discovered some sleep tips that helped with my sleep apnea. I discovered that switching my pillow to a neck-supported contour pillow and sleeping on my side helped me not experience any sleep apnea breathing episodes. When I tried sleeping on my back, I would start coughing so I always went to sleep facing sideways. Having the best pillow for all sleep positions allowed me to sleep comfortably on my side. Using a pillow that is made for sleep apnea helps me avoid having to use a CPAP machine.

Use code COMFORT10 to save 10% off any pillow at Cushion Lab 

 Another symptom that made me question if I had sleep apnea was my difficulty concentrating during the day and being told that I snored. I also was tired during the day. I was in denial about the snoring as who wants to believe that they snore while sleeping. I also thought that my concentration problems and tiredness were due to raising 5 kids. My last two kids were 16 months apart and were not good sleepers. 


My youngest son started having sleep issues with coughing

 When my youngest son turned five, he started coughing in his sleep. This coughing would happen several times a night. When the nighttime coughing episodes lasted more than a month, I took my son to the doctor. The doctor looked at my son's tonsils and had me make an appointment to see an ENT doctor. My son had a sleep study and was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and had to have his tonsils removed. You can read more about my son's sleep apnea related to enlarged tonsils experience HERE

 My youngest son still has signs of sleep apnea like snoring and coughing in his sleep but having his tonsils removed has helped. Instead of having sleep apnea episodes on a nightly basis, they only happen a couple times a month. Things that help my son not have sleep apnea problems are taking his allergy medicine and using the best pillow for sleep apnea.

Things that help me manage my sleep apnea

+ Discovering my food allergies

+ Managing my asthma 

+ Sleeping on my side

+ Using a sleep apnea pillow

+ Using an air purifier

+ Allergy shot therapy

My son's experience with sleep apnea and being tested for sleep apnea helped me to better manage my sleep apnea now that I knew the signs of sleep apnea. Other things that helped me to reduce the amount of nighttime gasping for air-breathing episodes were first discovering that a dairy allergy was the cause of my severe asthma symptoms. It was through an at-home food allergy testing kit, that I discovered I was allergic to milk products. This allergy testing kit also revealed what plants I was allergic to.

 I am glad that I am able to manage my asthma symptoms naturally by avoiding things that trigger my asthma and clearing the mucus from my lungs. I have discovered several methods to best clear mucus from the lungs. If my asthma is under control so is my sleep apnea. I still have sleep apnea problems when my asthma is not in control. 

Best pillows for sleep apnea

 I think the one item that has helped most with my sleep apnea is using a quality memory foam pillow. Using a pillow that is made for sleep apnea keeps me sleeping on my side. A memory foam pillow also positions my head and neck in a way that keeps my airways open. Having my airways open helps improve my breathing. Breathing better alleviates my sleep apnea symptoms like snoring, coughing, and gasping for air. The right pillow means a more restful sleep for me. When my body is supported by a pillow that is made for sleep apnea, I get a more rested sleep. Check out my favorite memory foam pillow

Use code COMFORT10 to save 10% off any pillow at Cushion Lab 

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Stop Mindless Eating With Nucific

 Can stopping to think about eating help you can gain control of your health?

I received the mentioned products to review. With the information provided, you decide if they are something that you would purchase. 

 I am the first to admit that I enjoy eating. I love the taste of food and look forward to my meals. Food is delicious and meant to enjoy. Food also serves a purpose and it is to give our body nutrition so they can operate well. I like to think of my body as a car. When I give my body what it needs, I feel good and I have the energy to keep my body going. When I feed my body healthy nourishing food, it stays well and can fight off the germs that I encounter. Like a car, if I give my body junk food or in my case food that I am allergic to my body suffers. I may not have the energy or I may feel sick.

 So I do my best to listen to my body and feed it the food that it needs. I make sure to eat protein for my muscles, carbohydrates for energy, and the nutrients that keep my body healthy.  Since I have several food allergies, with a dairy allergy being the main concern, I have to spend time thinking about the food I eat. One bite of food that I am allergic to can cause an asthma attack. I have become a food label reader and select the places that I eat out at very carefully. That does not mean that I don't do the act of mindless eating.

What is mindless eating?

If you’ve ever eaten dinner in front of the TV, or scarfed down a bucket of popcorn while watching a movie in a theater, you’ve probably been guilty of mindless eating. If you grab the bag of chips with the intent to eat a couple and then eat the whole bag ~ that is mindless eating. 

  As I am writing this article, I am suffering from indigestion as I ate too many servings of a rice melody that I made. I made the package of the rice that contained 2 servings. Rather than placing a serving of rice on a separate plate, I placed my plant-based burger and greens in the dish that contained the rice. I told myself that I would eat only some of the rice. I grabbed the food and headed to the living room. So I could eat while I worked. Five minutes later, I realized that I ate all the rice. Fifteen minutes later, I had indigestion.

 Another way that I mindlessly eat, is eating before I go to bed. I am a late owl and go to bed later than the rest of the family. My bedtime routine includes cleaning the kitchen before I go to bed. If I don't wipe the counters down and place the dirty dishes in the sink, I will wake up to ants. So I quickly clean up the kitchen and then I grab a snack. Most of the time I am not hungry. It is being in the kitchen that makes me think of food. 

Nucific can help with mindless eating

Working from home has caused many people to put on the pounds. It is so easy to grab a snack as the kitchen is right there. When my husband was working from home, I did my work upstairs. Now that I am back downstairs, I have been noticing that I have been snacking more. 

I give into snacks even when I am not hungry. I get up to use the bathroom and then grab a snack. By the end of the day, I have a stack of dishes and wrappers by my chair. Then when everyone comes home, I am not hungry for dinner. So I have not been making dinner for the family. I think that I need to move my office back upstairs.

 When a company reached out to me to try their probiotic blends that can help with junk food cravings, I decided to try their products. I did not accept their products to help me lose weight as that is never my focus. My focus is on a healthy body. For those who may think they need to lose weight, I always give the advice to stay away from fad diets and instead focus on changing eating habits. 

So I like that Nucific Bio-X4 is a product that helps you control your cravings so you can stop to think about your food choices. The key ingredients in Bio-X4 and Nighttime Slimming Complex may help you stop the mindless eating and late-night snacking. So you can start making better food choices and start giving your body the food it needs to run properly. 

 Let me start by saying that there is not a product that will help you lose weight without you making changes to your diet and exercise. If you want to lose weight or have a healthy body, you have to put the effort in. Just like receiving a paycheck, you have to do the work. Losing weight is not an easy thing to do and will not happen overnight. Having a body that is healthy requires changing habits gradually so they stay with you.  The Nucific formulas are to help your body as you make lifestyle changes. My motto is to focus on healthy habits and not weight loss. If your body needs to lose weight, healthy food and exercise changes will help. Also, stay off the scale and don't let a number define who you are.

 Nucific created the Nighttime Slimming Complex to help create a solution to late-night snacking issues. The product contains 5 potent probiotic strains (to help with smoother, more comfortable digestion), butyrate (to help soothe gut lining and strengthen healthy gut bacteria), ashwagandha (supports a healthy thyroid, and promotes better sleep), and their unique fat-fighting blend to ensure 24/7 calorie burn.

 Nucific created Bio-X4 to help with daytime snacking issues. The product combines 4 formulas into one capsule. An advanced probiotic blend, a powerful "junk food" craving helper, potent digestive enzymes, and a metabolic-boosting blend. 

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

 So I decided to try the Nucific products to help me with my bad eating habits of mindless snacking. I was not focused on losing weight as I don't step on my scale as I know that that number on the scale can fluctuate. I rather focus on getting daily exercise and feeding my body the nourishing food that it needs to be healthy. I also focus on keeping my muscles strong. Did you know that as we age our muscles lose strength? So weightlifting is beneficial to older ladies. So I wanted help from Nucific to change my eating habits. So I would be able to say no to my unhealthy food cravings.

How Nucific Bio-X4 and Nighttime Slimming Complex work

Manages “Junk” Cravings* ~ Bio X4 contains Caralluma Fimbriata, which has been shown to help ease unhealthy food cravings — a major step toward achieving the body you want. This cravings-control compound helps you say “no” to those snacks and unhealthy foods that can wreck your diet — and your waistline. 

 Promotes Weight Management~ Nucific Bio X4 also contains EGCG — a natural compound found in green tea, which has been shown in numerous studies to boost your metabolism and help your body burn more fat. This potent metabolism booster can help you achieve a slimmer, lighter body — while giving you the energy to enjoy every minute of every day. Nucific Bio X4 also contains EGCG — a natural compound found in green tea, which has been shown in numerous studies to boost your metabolism and help your body burn more fat. This potent metabolism booster can help you achieve a slimmer, lighter body — while giving you the energy to enjoy every minute of every day. Nucific Bio X4 also contains EGCG — a natural compound found in green tea, which has been shown in numerous studies to boost your metabolism and help your body burn more fat. This potent metabolism booster can help you achieve a slimmer, lighter body — while giving you the energy to enjoy every minute of every day. Nucific Bio X4 also contains EGCG — a natural compound found in green tea, which has been shown in numerous studies to boost your metabolism and help your body burn more fat. This potent metabolism booster can help you achieve a slimmer, lighter body — while giving you the energy to enjoy every minute of every day.

Supports Smoother Digestion* ~ Bio X4 contains 12 billion CFUs, from 5 powerful Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains, to help ensure smoother, more comfortable digestion. This specially-designed probiotic blend helps soothe your digestion, providing relief from gas, bloating, and other gastric issues.

The product also has 3 key digestive enzymes — amylase, lipase, and bromelain — to help break down the foods you eat, unlocking the nutrients and easing digestive issues. These potent enzymes help you break down food more efficiently, so you get more of the nutritional benefits from the foods you eat — and can enjoy better head-to-toe health.

Boosts Metabolism* ~ The unique probiotic formula in Nucific Bio X4 helps balance your gut bacteria, which can affect your metabolism and energy levels. EGCG — the potent compound in green tea — has also been found to boost metabolism, supercharge your digestive system, and help you enjoy more energy.

*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.

Check out Nucific Bio-X4 and Nighttime Slimming Complex https://nucific.com/

Save 25% off any product on the Nucific website with code NUCIFIC25

Change your focus to eating mindfully  

Instead of following a fad diet that restricts your food and sets you up to fail, change your focus to mindful eating. Think about the food that you are selecting, what will it do for your body? How will it make you feel? Before you eat take a deep breath and think. First, ~ am I hungry or bored. Then reach for a glass of water as you may just be thirsty. Below are some other ways to eat mindfully, to make eating beneficial to your body.

+ Become aware of the nutritional value of the foods that you eat.

+ Focus on where you eat. Avoid eating in front of the TV or a device.

+ Portion out your food on a plate instead of eating directly from a bag or box.

+ Carve out an actual mealtime and eat slowly and deliberately.

+ Determine whether you are hungry or just practicing emotional eating.

+ If you are on the go, use your smartphone to map out healthy places to eat rather than showing up to the first place you find.

+ Avoid multitasking while eating and do not eat at your desk.

+ Maintain smaller portions by using smaller plates and bowls (and drinking from tall, skinny glasses) 

Shift your focus from body weight to well-being

Your body did not get the way it is overnight. Changes take time. Every day is a new day to focus on a healthy body. Give yourself grace when you fail. Changing the way you eat will take time. Your taste buds are not used to the new foods that you are eating. So keep trying the healthy food. Keep trying the new habits. Be active every day as exercise helps your body and mind. Don't give up, focus on the end goal of a new you.

Check out some other products that Nucific carries for healthy digestion and energy.


Start your day with a delicious glass of Morning Boost — our first digestion-enhancer to combine premium superfoods with potent antioxidants and probiotics. This formula was designed to give you powerful slimming results, youthful energy, and the nutrients your body needs to thrive.

Enjoy youthful, long-lasting energy — without the jitters or crashes of caffeine. Daily Energy Boost combines 4 renowned energy optimizers with natural fat-burning ingredients — to help elevate your natural energy, and help you feel more vibrant every da



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