Keeping your family safe, one app at a time

When I heard about REACT mobile my first thought was WOW I know so many families who could benefit from this iphone and android app! My little ones are still too small for me to track them with it but I know that any growing family could use an easier way to keep track of their kiddos and themselves. I can't tell you how many times I felt compromised living in a heavily populated metropolitan area. REACT would have definitely helped me to feel more secure. Feeling safe is such a big part of being a mother.

 Did I mention that it's free!?

 React Mobile  helps you turn your smartphone into a powerful lifeline for your family. The app has a “Follow Me” feature, that let’s your self selected contacts track your whereabouts in real-time whenever you’re concerned for your safety. 

Perfect for running or walking alone early in the morning or late at night, keeping track of kids, or meeting a client for the first time, simply touch the “I’m Safe” button to let your contacts know when you’ve arrived at your destination safely. In an emergency, press the SOS shield on the app to send out a panic alert containing a link to your GPS location to select emergency contacts via text message and email, which can optionally be posted to Facebook and Twitter. Once the SOS alert is activated, you’re automatically prompted to dial 911. 

This app allows you to choose which country you live in (or are traveling to) from the settings tab and when an SOS alert is triggered, you will be prompted to dial the appropriate emergency authority depending on you’re geographic location.

Check out the video demo & download your copy!

· React Mobile Web site: www.ReactMobile.com

· Apple iTunes Download: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/react-standard-edition/id522851588?mt=8

· Google Play Download (available on select smartphones): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.reactmobile.lite 

· React Overview Video: http://vimeo.com/61906781

· React App Demo Video: http://vimeo.com/61927390

The Founder of REACT mobile shares his story:

Can you explain your inspiration for creating this app? What exactly happened to you? 

I’ve personally been the victim of a hostage situation while I was a college student and saw the need for a product that could be used to silently and discreetly alert the authorities and your trusted contacts if you are in trouble.  When we first came up with the idea behind React Mobile, we wanted to develop a tool to improve safety on university campuses. What we noticed is that institutions are actively installing and maintaining blue light emergency phones which help to create the perception of safety on campuses. Although these blue light emergency phones can be useful, they are very expensive to install ($7K - $10K on average) and maintaining these phones costs upwards of $60k per year. Furthermore, usage rates are low and these phones are typically used for crank calls pestering police and security officers. While there is no doubt that these blue light emergency phones serve a purpose, we wanted to develop technology that puts the power of an emergency blue light phone in the palm of every students’ hand, thus, arming individuals with a more effective safety tool that can be used on and off campus.

Since our launch we’ve found other markets beyond schools that can benefit from our app’s capabilities, and we’ve been gaining traction with parents, solo runners, travelers and lone workers.

This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Orange Creamsicle Greens & Protein Smoothie

Green smoothies... All the rage right now.

While I try not to follow "new miracle" food trends. There are a few trends that have really improved my over-all health and wellness. I try to drink a green smoothie every single day.

My energy level skyrockets and theyreally lift me out of that tired early morning grogginess. When do babies and preschoolers sleep through the night again? Never? Oh right...so I guess I'll be drinking green smoothies forever.

 I've learned what my body needs to function and what my cravings really mean. Since the addition of RAW Fit protein powder to my daily green smoothie my cravings have almost 100% diminished. Now, I am a woman after all so chocolate cravings will never disappear but they aren't controlling my diet any more.

 Green smoothies on their own shouldn't be a full meal replacement but adding RAW fit makes them more satisfying and adds even more kicked up nutrients.

 My Cacao Berry Blend Protein Shake uses RAW Protein in Cacao flavor. All protein powders are not created equal, in that post I show you all the junk found in your average protein powder.
Finding an organic and GMO free verified dietary brand was a life saver!


RAW Fit is a USDA Certified organic, RAW, plant-based vegan high-protein powder that is an easy way to increase your protein intake.

One of the "trendy" ingredients in RAW Fit, is Green Coffee Bean Extract- It helps you maintain healthy blood sugar, boosts energy and naturally increase fat burning capabilities.

Between the duties of being a stay at home mommy, my business and all of the other things life throws your way, I missed going to my Barre Fitness classes for 2 whole weeks! I still managed to lose 2lbs in those 2 weeks and I'd like to think its with the help of my smoothies!

One thing to always remember is to keep trying new ways to make your smoothies so you don't lose momentum . I always buy different kinds of fruits, greens flavor and yogurts to keep it interesting.

This smoothie recipe is my favorite and most used! It reminds me of an orange Julius but greener, healthier and without the sugar.

You need:

8oz Organic 100% Orange Juice
4oz Organic Kefir  (I buy all different flavors but I've heard some amazing things about adding small amounts of pomegranate to your diet so I'd been buying the pom/acai blend
1 ripe medium banana(frozen) I let my bananas ripen and then freeze for smoothies. You can use a non frozen banana and add ice as needed instead.
1 scoop RAW Fit- Garden Of Life
1 individual packet/ 1 scoop Orange Blend Greens- Amazing Grass

Always add your wet ingredients first when blending with powders- otherwise it will taste grainy
add in fruit next and then RAW Fit & Greens

Blend on high until desired consistency. I prefer more of a juice beverage consistency but if you like more yogurty add more kefir, or Ice for a "granita" style =)

Drink up with a cute paper straw for added pizzazz :P

This Post was featured on Small Footprint Fridays

Healthy Mama Happy Baby Giveaway

I am BLESSED to live in a community where MOM owned businesses thrive and we all root each other on!

I've teamed up with some great ladies for a super fun giveaway!

1 week FREE @ Fit4Mom! check out their awesome program here: http://frontrange.fit4mom.com/
not to worry if you aren't in Northern Colorado, see if there is a Fit4Mom Franchise near you, Here: http://fit4mom.com/

Keep your baby happy while you exercise with a GORGEOUS teething necklace by Amber & Haze! Check out her etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EstanysFlame

And when you get home, work out that post baby mama belly with a tummy wrap from ITWorks! Check out the awesome benefits here: https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrapmeaway.net&h=pAQFSJjug

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Preschool Lunch Ideas and Organization with help from Sistema Plastics

Oh plastics....

One of life's many conveniences that are toxic to us and hard on our environment. But it's just too hard to give up, for now.

I am relatively new to avoiding BPA and we do try to avoid it as best we can. Especially in long term food storage.

All of this of course becomes even more substantial now that lil girl is in preschool this year! I've been trying to keep her lunchboxes interesting, fun, healthy and exciting.

She isn't the best eater and usually will have a better lunch if something is shaped like a flower, or a man or a tree, even a butterfly. Or in this case, A little man with carrot eyes and mouth!

I knew that because I have a "snacker" and not a foodie on my hands, I needed a BPA free, inexpensive version of a bento box.

This was lil girl's most recent preschool lunch. Sandwhich buddy and yogurt in the large bottom compartment, Apple slices and grapes in the top side compartment, cucumbers in the other and some Annie's chocolate bunnies in the smaller compartment. And guess what, it came home EMPTY! Victory!!

I've been purchasing food storage containers from Sistema since my first real apartment, 8+ years ago.
It keeps food fresh, is priced super reasonably and is very high quality.

Did I mention it goes in the dishwasher safely and comes out sparkling clean?

Because I always have so many ingredients on hand at any given time, even 20 cabinets wouldn't be enough. Things get piled high and I dig around for 15 minutes sometimes looking for the baking powder.

I am so embarassed to show you my cabinets before and after but here goes!

It was pretty much just boxes on top of bags on top of mason jars. I try to keep it as neat as I can but life gets away from you sometimes and you end up with that kind of mess.

Now check it out--

Between my combination of mason jars, tin buckets (targets $1 section) and beautiful Sistema containers, My cabinet is pretty much as neat as its going to get. You can see that most of the bags are now in my new Sistema baker's line(white) and my gluten free pasta, rices and other goodies are in the klip-it line(blue).

Did I mention this closet is right front and center of my dining room? And that the kids leave the door open ALL the time?

Sistema Plastics is one of the few brands that I feel comfortable reviewing and recommending to my beloved readers. With their BPA free materials, sustainable business practices and all around reasonable pricing. The House Of J family will definitely be buying more and more!

I'd love for you to check them out @ www.sistemaplastics.com and read there awesome story. Basically their company went from a small business, operating in someones garage in New Zealand. With what is now a huge factory warehouse, full staff and available at most of my favorite stores.


House Of J was sent these products gratis to review but the views and opinions expressed are 100% my own. House Of J is not paid in exchange for advertising.

Oktoberfest German Style Soft Pretzels

Pretzels...

Filled with flour and gluten and salt... NOT the healthiest treat in the world but delicious and great with a big stein of Oktoberfest beer.

Its an easy process but there is a lot of rising time. So be prepared to wait a few hours to eat your delicious pretzels. Real Authentic pretzels are actually made with food grade lye. But I rather not cook with things that you need to wear goggles and rubber gloves!

You need:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour 1:1
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 cup warm water plus 2 tablespoons
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 5 tablespoons butter, divided 3 tablespoons and 2 tablespoons
• Coarse sea salt 

* try using all organic ingredients if possible and full fat butter

Add yeast to the warm water. In the bowl of your electric mixer, add in flour and sugar and make a little well in the middle.

Pour your yeast/water mixture into the well and leave it alone for 15-20 minutes.

When you return to your bowl the flour will be risen a bit and the water will be very bubbly, mix with a slotted spoon or silicone spatula. 

Add in 3tblspoons butter and mix on low speed until dough comes together, you might need to add in 2 additional tablespoons of water. The dough should be just sticky enough to hold together.

Let the dough rest for 40 minutes to an hour.

Beat the dough down and cut into 12 equal strips... I am not Auntie Anne so please excuse my uneven pretzel dough!

roll dough strips on the counter top to desired thickness. The skinnier bigger pretzels are more crisp and the smaller fatter pretzels have softer insides.

Once all your pretzels are shaped, lay them out on a parchment lined baking sheet and place in the fridge for another hour...I KNOW you are desperate to eat them already, but I promise this step is important!

After your last rise, bring a large pot of water to a boil (fill up a little more than half way full) And SLOWLY pour in 1/2 cup of baking soda.

Quickly, 1 pretzel at a time let pretzel soak in the water bath for 5 seconds per side, a wide spatula is the easiest way to flip!

After you dip the pretzel line them back on the parchment lined baking sheets, sprinke desired amount of salt and bake at 400 degrees for 12-17 minutes depending on your level of crisp desired, these were baked for 15 minutes. Use remaining butter (microwave for 20-30 seconds) and lightly brush your warm pretzels with butter, using a pastry brush or basting brush.

Eat with mustard or with House Of J Raw Milk Queso 

Raw Cacao Double Chocolate Baked Doughnuts

My darling hubby has been so good and so patient and understanding with our "no refined sugar treats" house rule, that it was time he had a special "daddy treat" as we call it.

No refined sugar and organic & natural ingredients that include raw cacao powder. If you aren't familiar with cacao, it is the purest form of the cocao bean aside from eating a bean off the plant.

Cacao has loads of health benefits and because it isn't cut or refined in any way, cacao powder keeps all those powerful attributes. Obviously baking them into a delicious doughnut is not the healthiest way to enjoy cacao, but everyone deserves a treat sometimes!

Check out this awesome resource for all things cacao. EnjoyDarkChocolate.com

On with the doughnuts!

You do need a doughnut pan. Mine is a cheapy one from the baking aisle at the craft store and it works perfectly.

You need:
1 C unbleached natural flour
1/4 cup pure cane sugar, granulated
1/3 cup raw organic cacao powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 + 3 tablespoons whole organic milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon full fat organic butter, melted
1 large organic egg

Start with all dry ingredients and whisk to combine. Add in egg, butter, vanilla and milk and whisk until smooth and creamy.

Spray your pan with olive oil spray or organic canola spray and fill each cavity half way up.
Bake at 325 for 13 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

While your doughnuts are baking, start on the glaze!

You need:
2 tablespoons organic sweetened condensed milk
3 tablespoons raw organic cacao powder
1 tablespoon strongly brewed coffee

whisk until shiny and creamy and dip your cooled doughnuts in for a light glaze. or spoon over your doughnuts for a thicker glaze!

Although sprinkles are awesome, I've omitted them because of the chemical dye factor =( if you know of any REAL sprinkles (not colored sugars) that do not contain any yellow blue red etc etc chemical dyes I'd love to hear about it :)

enjoy!

Real Food: Organic Raw Cacao Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate pudding...It's delicious, it's my hubbies favorite sweet and if you make it from a box. You are pretty much eating chemicals.

Sugar, Cornstarch, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Food Starch Modified, Contains Less Than 2% Of The Following: Natural & Artificial Flavor, Salt, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean And Cottonseed Oil, Calcium Carrageenan (Texturizer), Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1

Sugar, cornstarch, cottonseed oil and soybean oil is pretty much guaranteed to be GMO. Chemical colorants that are actually listed on FDA website to cause hyperactivity in children.

Carrageenan has no nutritional value and linked to inflammatory illnesses and ups the chances of developing diabetes.

Homemade real food chocolate pudding?
Cacao powder
Tapioca starch
Raw cane sugar
Egg Yolks
Milk
Cream
a little organic semi-sweet chocolate
a pat of butter
DONE

Ingredients you can pronounce. With healthy fats and protein. Oh and by the way...
Done in 10 minutes time. You can totally eat it right away (it's delicious) Or you can wait 45 minutes to let it harden a little.

I even made it 2 ways, regular refrigerated chocolate pudding (which is for the hubs) and pudding pops for me and the kiddos =)

For 8 servings...you need:
2 tablespoons raw Cacao Powder*
2 tablespoons Tapioca Starch*
5 tablespoons raw pure cane sugar*
2 egg yolks*
2 cups whole milk*
4 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips*
.5 tablespoons butter*

* organic ingredients

Whisk together all dry ingredients. in a medium sauce pan. Slowly pour in milk and yolks.

After all ingredients are fully incorporated, add in cream and bring to a slow rolling boil. About 8 minutes with continuous whisking.

Once pudding has thickened add in chocolate and butter and whisk to combine.

Pour into 8 ramekins or pudding molds.. Let set 45 minutes and up until over night and enjoy =)

PS:
If you are tracking calories this recipe is uploaded under "House of J: Real Food Chocolate Pudding" on Myfitnesspal.com

117 calories, 13.5g carbohydrates, 6.4g fat, 3.4g proteins,9.6g sugar, 38g sodium

xo-J