Thursday, January 26, 2012

They have a strap for that?

Have you ever discovered something that you never heard of, but once mentioned it, saw a need for it everywhere?
I have lots of great things that cross my plate at work or for product review, but recently a company called “mod.” emailed me and asked to review some of their new products. Well, of course, my first question was, “what is mod?” and found out they developed unique camera accessories like camera straps, bags and cap savers. Being that my favorite camera is my Iphone or my little compact camera, I figured I was not the best person to check out their product line. However, after I received the samples, I found out how wrong I was.
 Once my box arrived, I pulled out the items thinking, “These are really cute fabrics but what do I need with these items - a strap, a bag or a cap saver - since I’m not a professional photographer?” Once I opened the compact camera bag and matching strap, I became much more excited after I attached the strap to my camera. It was totally adorable and like when you get a new purse, I wanted to take it for a spin. So when my kiddo had an upcoming milestone I needed to record for the scrapbook, I brought my camera with me - now all decked out! As soon as I pulled it out, I received so many compliments asking where I got it and how cute it was.
It was later on in the day, I looked around the room at the other moms and their cameras.  I was surrounded by big professional-like cameras even though none of these ladies were professional photographers. However, that’s not all I noticed. No matter what brand of camera around the neck every mom in the room, every camera was attached with a big, black, ugly strap. Now, all of a sudden, I saw several moms I knew who could tell me exactly where my mod. samples could goJ
After my little experience that day, I took a look at the products in a totally different way. I saw how relevant they were for everyone, especially moms. The strap wrap with places for credit cards and i.d. cards as well as the cap savers seemed like it would make things so much easier like when you’re handling kids. Of course, with a huge selection of bright colors and soft fabrics, they appeal to anyone who spends any time with a camera – no matter the size.
If you think you’re ready to be strapped by mod., one lucky reader will win a special gift certificate for $40 towards any mod. products! Just share with us by commenting:  “what type of camera you use.” Also, please make sure to like my new Mama’s Game Plan Facebook page and the mod.’s Facebook page. to be entered in this contest. This contest ends will be given on 1/31 just in time for Valentine’s Day. SWEET!
Disclosure: I was provided these products for purposes of this review. However, the opinions are all my own.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Can This Yummy Make My Tummy Smaller?

New Year’s always brings hope of new habits, new changes and for me (and many other women) – a new (smaller) waistline. However, this year I have decided not to follow the newest celebrity diet, sign up for a “gotta eat my food” plan, or vow to never eat a piece bread again. I’ve gone nuts I know, but I’m going to try to eat healthy food that my family can eat and I can actually make without doubling my budget or my time in the kitchen. However, if it was that easy to say “let’s eat healthy” then my family would be in tip-top shape.
I have the knowledge about what is healthy, but there’s one thing that seem to get me most (in addition to pressing snooze for getting up to go to the gym) and that’s portion control. Lucky for me, I got a little help from the people at YumYum Dishes to help with figuring out portion control. I’ll admit I was skeptical about how a dish that was sectioned off with portion sizes could really teach me something new and even waited a few weeks before I used it. But I was surprised when I did.
As an experiment I actually didn’t use the YumYum 9Plate. I placed my dinner on a normal plate with what I thought was the perfect size. Then I took the food from the normal plate and placed it on the YumYum Dish to compare. I actually was off considerably. My carb portion was right on with the suggested guidelines, my protein was a little much and my vegetables were way under the recommended serving. Actually, I was allowed to eat more food! Not what I expected at all!
It was after this I realized the intent of the YumYum Dishes. For a few days I had tried to use the dish, but based on our dinner menu – spaghetti, chicken tortilla soup and salad – it was hard to really see how the dish worked. However, when you have a more traditional meal like a meat, rice/potatoes and a veggie, it really does help guide you with what you amount you should be eating. This should be a helpful tool for me as I relearn how to gauge portions! Now, I’m excited to start using the snack bowl and see if it helps me like it helped the woman who started the company, Tracy Adler.
All in all, this plate is a nice handy reminder about eating healthy. It’s still up to you to make good decisions and to wake up for spin class, but at least when you’re done with your plate, it does tell you “YumYum Time is Over.”
***Disclosure: I was provided a 9Plate and snack bowl from YumYum Dishes for the purposes of this review. The commentary and thoughts provided are 100% my own.