Establishing Healthy Habits at Home #LISTERINEMom #ad

I received LISTERINE® Brand products and a Walgreens gift card from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® Brand Totally Taken Care Of program. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

This year I've had the privilege to serve as an ambassador for LISTERINE®, bringing you all the news on products to promote oral health and good habits. Earlier in the year, I talked about the LISTERINE® 21-Day Challenge, and followed up last month with some info on LISTERINE® Total Care Mouthwash---the rinse that helps prevent cavities, restores enamel, strengthens teeth, provides total mouth cleansing, and more. As the mother and homemaker in my family, it's my job to make sure everyone is totally taken care of---a big responsibility that I take seriously.

In addition to teaching my kids good hygiene habits and providing them with quality products to do so, there are other aspects to this "totally taken care of" thing. Another way I make sure their needs are met is by stocking the kitchen with healthy and hearty foods to make regular, sit-down meals with. I make it a habit to serve fresh, raw fruit with every breakfast and fresh, raw vegetables with every lunch. Of course, I include fruits and veggies in the meals I cook, as well, but establishing this habit years ago ensures that, even if I serve popcorn for dinner now and then, I know they've had some nutrient-rich food that day, as well. Tonight I made Touch Down Taco Dip for Father's Day. This is a healthy family favorite and can be served with corn chips, celery sticks, or cucumber slices to use for dipping.

Another thing I can do to promote positive habits in my family is to make sure we get some sunshine and exercise. We're not really the type of family to go for a run or a bike ride---too many age differences to make that feasible right now---but we love adventures. One of our favorite places to hang out is the Pea Ridge Battlefield just minutes from our home. There are miles of hiking trails and tons of history to keep our imaginations going strong! We also like to take basketballs, footballs, and scooters to the park at a nearby lake. That way there's something for everyone to enjoy.

In the past, I've wanted to come up with great strategies, routines, and plans to achieve our family's goals. I'm learning that a few goals at a time helps build regular habits and that we really do just need to take things a day at a time and give one another grace as we learn. What are some things you've implemented to keep your family totally taken care of?

Make sure to shop Walgreens for LISTERINE® Total Care Mouthwash and other helpful hygiene products and check out the 21-Day Challenge to help establish good rinsing routines in your family.

BBQ Elk Steak

 Intense stars lighted the way for a visit of an almost full moon. Wind in our faces, cobblestone streets and horse drawn carriages...

Good morning! Welcome to the Homemaking Party! Today my mom, Christy, is guest posting with a great recipe and some special memories.

Today I made bbq elk steak in my crock pot. The smell reminded me of my mother's kitchen. It is amazing how certain smells can bring back such wonderful memories.

Last week one of my little sisters found mom's favorite perfume on Etsy. She bought each of us 6 siblings a bottle of Avon's Moonwind in the original 1974 "Courting Carriage" glass bottles.                                     Even our brother got one! isn't that sweet?

BBQ Elk Steak
3 pounds elk steak (or beef steak)
18 ounces of your favorite bbq sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Cook on low in crock pot for 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours. Pull apart with two forks.

I am sure mom would be proud of my bbq elk steak served on a bun. It tastes delicious and smells even better!

Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party! Can't wait to see what you've got to share this week!

Caring for Our High Mileage 15-Passenger Van with Pennzoil #FuelTheLove #Ad #cbias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FuelTheLove #CollectiveBias

When Jamie and I were in the early years of parenthood, we joked that if God kept growing our family, we'd end up with a "church van" someday. Well, that day came sooner than we thought it would and we found ourselves the proud owners of a 15 passenger van after baby #7 came along! We bought a 1999 Ford Econoline that had been used by a local boy scout troop since being purchased new. That was five years ago and it's been more than just good luck that's kept this van running as long as it has. While we don't deny it's been a blessing from God from the beginning, some good vehicle maintenance on our part, including regular oil changes, has gone a long way in keeping it going with as many miles as we've put on it.

Our van has been faithful to transport us all between Seattle and Eastern Oregon numerous times, as well as on our cross-country move out to Arkansas a couple years ago. It's still going strong and dependably making sure we get to ballet, church---even the kids' first formal dance---safely and on time.

One way we keep it running smoothly is by getting regular oil changes using High Mileage oil from Pennzoil. We like Pennzoil because it cleans out yucky sludge that other oils might leave behind and it's designed to allow you to drive an extra 550 miles per year on a cleaner engine. On top of that, Pennzoil also offers a free warranty, covering fifteen engine parts that may fail due to engine wear or which take on abnormal wear from  friction. (For more information, check out the Pennzoil Warranty Site.) 

It's really convenient for us to take our van in to the Walmart Automotive Care Center every few months because the crew there can change our oil while we shop. Jamie took it out last night to have it done after work and by the time he finished his other store errands, they were done.  

The High Mileage formula comes in these brownish/gold bottles and can also be found near the Automotive Center for those in-between service times when your oil is running low. It is great for vehicles over 75,000 miles. This formula specifically helps to reduce leaks and oil use in worn-out or higher mileage engines and is uniquely designed for late model vehicles with over 75,000 miles.

Now through September 9, Pennzoil oil changes at Walmart will be on Rollback. The High Mileage change like we got is $35.88, compared to the regular Walmart price of $39.88, and the Platinum Full Synthetic oil change is $45.88, compared to the regular Walmart price of $49.88. 

I don't think they make them much bigger than 15 passenger but we've still got four spots left. I'm not sure if we'll ever fill them up, but we'll do our best to keep treating the van well and make sure it runs for a long time more---just in case.