A graduation I will remember....

.

I remember the night as if it were yesterday. My then fiance (now Hubby) had just completed studying for his Masters Degree and the results had been announced....he had placed among the top 3 in his class. The news was exciting, exhilarating and relieving but at the same time there was a heavy sadness tinged in his emotions. Hubby's mother had been very ill (She went on to be with her Maker a few months later) and his father was by her side helping her through the difficult time, thus making it unable for both to attend his graduation.
My Aunt and Uncle knew what Hubby was going through, so asked if they could come in their place to cheer him as he received his postgraduate degree with honors. I know Hubby appreciated the gesture but it was still not the same.

The night of the big celebratory event was everything it had to be. The air was pungent with the buzz of euphoric graduates and there were camera flashes going off left, right and center. The graduating class was announced one after the other by name and everyone politely clapped for each proud candidate. It was Hubby's turn. His name was announced and as soon as he stepped onto the stage, that ballroom erupted into loud cheers and a deafening applause. A segment of undergraduates whom Hubby had taught the previous year even stood up to honor him with an ovation. What an incredible moment! I know I wept with pride into my beautiful burgundy wine sari (ofcourse, one will never have a tissue or handkerchief handy during such moments!) and my Aunty joined me with quiet sniffles.

Even though Hubby's parents couldn't be there for his big day, God ensured that it was a day like no other and yes, in just a few seconds, He orchestrated it to make it one filled with exceeding joy!



Tiny Prints Buzz:

Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique graduation stationery including graduation announcements, graduation invitations,and thank you cards for teens. When graduation season has come and gone Tiny Prints will still be here to fill all your stationery needs with their exclusive designs from the nation's top designers. You'll find summer party invitations, personalized greeting cards, thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations. Come try the easy card personalization, powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality for yourself! With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch!





** EBMR Disclaimer: Tiny Prints will be sending me a gift code, through the Global Influence Network, to thank me for this post. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Global Influence, Reflections, Reviews / Giveaways, Tiny Prints

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 11:55 PM 0 Comments

My first Mother's Day....one I will never forget.

I still remember my first Mother's Day as if it were only yesterday. Hubby was out of town on work and my sister had come to spend time with her brand new niece. The euphoria of being a first time Mom embraced me and to make the day a memorable one my sister made sure she'd bought me one of those "weepy Dottie to Mommy" cards and ensured she hit the waterworks button perfectly by adding that priceless touch-my precious 2 month old's footprint.

We didn't do anything spectacular on my 1st Mother's day but it's one I will never forget because it was my first one as a Mommy, an honored role I will never trade for anything in the world.
Sure I may not look like I just stepped off a fashion magazine cover nor can I speak the Stock Market lingo but I do know this, Bunny girl loves baked chicken and wants to grow up to be an inventor and my Bunny Boo's face lights up with pure joy when he sees me (and yes, like Bunny girl, his first comprehendable word was "Mama").

I'm blessed with two beautiful children and each time I look at them, I whisper with all gratitude to the LORD for choosing me to be their Mommy.

If you're looking for a special Mother's Day Card for a very special Mommy, check out the collection of over 576 cards on Tiny Prints.
Afterall, we all need a little help sometimes!


Tiny Prints Buzz:

Tiny Prints provides simple, modern and unique stationery from Father’s Day Cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations or photo birth announcements. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities.

With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch! They offer perfect party invitations for every occasion and memorable personalized photo-gifts like notebooks, photo books and calendars to commemorate the event.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Tiny Prints will be sending me a gift code, through the Global Influence Network, to thank me for this post. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Global Influence, Mother's Day, Reviews / Giveaways, Tiny Prints

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 12:19 AM 1 Comments

Tiny Prints....It's All About Love (Review Only)

When praying for my life partner, it was the cry of my heart that God would give me a husband who would clean a whole chicken and who would know how to cook.
Why?
Because I knew nothing about cooking and seeing a slippery, rubber feeling, cold plucked chicken on my chopping board was just not my "thang"!

God was good. He fulfilled the desires of my heart with Hubby and yes he can clean a whole chicken and whip up an amazing meal in the kitchen.

A few weeks after we got married, I decided I'd show Hubby how much I loved him by cleaning some fresh fish we'd bought just the previous night.
(Now if a raw whole chicken gave me the shivers, raw fish totally grossed me out....Ugh!).

Believe me when I say that gutting that icky fish with its jello-like insides was one of my biggest stomach churning moments as a novice cook!
((Sigh!))...It's All About Love!!

Oh yes Hubby was impressed but it cost me a lot of inner steel and that was the first and LAST time I've cleaned out a whole fish. (Thank God for cleaned fish fillets!)

Valentine's Day is coming up and you don't have to go through the torture of cleaning fish to express your love for your Hubby.
Just hop over to Tiny Prints site and get him a Valentine's Day card!

(They even have cards for the little munchkins, cards for the preschool class buddies, Valentine's Day stickers, gift tags and more!)


Tiny Prints Buzz:

Tiny Prints provides simple, modern and unique stationery from Valentines Day cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations.

Offering exclusive designs from the nation's top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities.

With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch! They offer perfect party invitations for every occasion and memorable personalized photo-gifts like notebooks, photo books and calendars.

** EBMR Disclaimer: Tiny Prints will be sending me a gift code, through the Global Influence Network, to thank me for this post. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Global Influence, Reviews / Giveaways, Tiny Prints, Valentines Day

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 8:25 AM 0 Comments

High Fructose Corn Syrup....What's It All About?

I'm not one of those mothers who always check the labels on the food stuff I buy.
In our home, canned food, sodas, candy et al are not stocked or stashed away in the pantry. Thankfully Bunny girl detests anything fizzy and candy is just not her thing, so it just makes my task easier. We try our best to eat naturally and that helps!

A while ago I was invited to listen in on a webinar conducted by the Corn Refiners Association detailing out the
'Role of Sugars in our Food...why they're added and how we need to moderate the same'.
The main 'buzz' centered around the heated 'High Fructose Syrup' controversy and why there's a lot of worry for nothing (According to the experts present).

Here's some information I jotted down that may interest some of you. To make easy reading I've arranged the information in a 'Question-Answer' format.


What is High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)?

It's actually "a kind of corn sugar that is handled by your body, the same as sugar or honey". It is half fructose and half glucose.

Why do manufacturers use HFCS instead of sugar?

It's a liquid alternative to sugar and easy to handle in a food plant. It is also cheaper than sugar.


I've heard HFCS in foods is not healthy and that I should replace it with foods with sugar instead. Is this true?

Replacing HCFS with sugar/sucrose will not reduce obesity or improve anybody's health. They're actually both the same.
You will be surprised to know that the amount of HCFS in most foods is very little.
Eg: In flavored yogurt, the amount in one serving is only 5 grams. It's basically added to stabilize the product.
To reach an unhealthy level of added sugars in your body you would need to eat 85 bowls of bran cereal or 30 bowls of salad dressing!


How can I reduce the consumption of HFCS in foods consumed by my family?

* Limit processed foods.
* Avoid foods that contain added sugar.
* Choose fresh fruit rather than fruit juice or fruit-flavored drinks. Even 100 percent fruit juice has a high concentration of sugar.
* Choose fruit canned in its own juices instead of heavy syrup.
* Drink less soda.
* Don’t allow sweetened beverages to replace milk, especially for children.

The purpose of the Webinar was to squash the misconception that HFCS is unsafe and an absolute health hazard. There was a lot of information provided and for anyone who would like to read more, please visit the links below this post.

I have to stress that not one of the Experts said you can consume foods with HFCS without a care in the world.
The stress from start to finish was on one word....MODERATION...and that's something I thought made sense considering HFCS is all over the grocery store!

Many are debating about whether HFCS is the best thing in foods or not. In the end it all boils down to this.....if you're taking the required steps as a family to eat natural foods and have everything, including your fruits and veggies, in moderation. If so, then your family is on the right track.

My Two Cents

I had someone ask me what my family's stand on HFCS is. I have to confess that Hubby and I don't buy that anything that is not natural and that is added to enhance food flavoring is safe. We would still not buy anything with HFCS knowingly, even if it is a fact that it's fine in moderation. We do our best to only buy food at its natural best....why settle for anything less?!



Additional Reading Resources

• Cornsugar.com
• Sweetsurprise.com
• Food Groups
  

Insights during the Webinar was provide by Experts from :

• The American Medical Association
  
• American Dietetic Association
  

** EBMR Disclaimer: The information in this post has been put together based on the Global Influence hosted Webinar conducted by the Corn Refiners Association and I will receive a GC for the same. The opinions of my family and/or self have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Corn Refiners Association, Global Influence, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Opinions, Resources, Sugars

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 10:12 PM 2 Comments

CLOSED:Baby Announcements and more at Cards Direct (+ 50$ GC Giveaway)

* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

I wish I'd found these Baby Announcements two months ago. Isn't this adorable?....


Cards Direct has 348 custom Baby Announcements that come with 100% free personalization and custom imprinted verses. Ordering these cards online while you're in your last trimester is easy peasy and if you're stuck during the process, just contact their customer service representatives and you will have all the 'cricks' ironed out in no time.

I love that they not only have Baby Announcements for the little ones from your womb but they also have a selection just for the little ones who've been birthed in your heart but outside your womb, through adoption.


Cards Direct has over 2000 designs under various categories that include Christmas cards, Birthday cards and (my favorite) Photo cards.

I'm seriously contemplating getting our Christmas cards done with this design, using a lovely 'holly jolly' family picture especially since it will be Bunny Boo's first Christmas.

So the next time you're looking for a great quality card that can be chosen from more than just a handful of designs and personalized easily, click over to Cards Direct and just watch how your ideas will get 'Personalized' 'Printed' and 'Delivered' with just a few effortless clicks!

Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a 50$ gift code that may be used to get 25 personalized cards on the Cards Direct site, upto a value of 50 US$.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Look through the Cards Direct site and tell me what you would use your 50 US$ gift code towards.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Sign up for the Cards Direct newsletter

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy Win a 50$ GC to Cards Direct at EBMR's (8/21) http://bit.ly/af3raK #win #giveaway #cards #personalized #baby #babyannouncement


3. Four additional entries: (1 entry each)-

-Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect, RSS feeds, email updates

- Fan me on Facebook.

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on August 21 2010 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Cards Direct sent me a gift code, through the Global Influence Network, to thank me for this review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Baby Announcements, Cards, Cards Direct, Global Influence, More giveaways, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 5:30 PM 136 Comments

Stride Rite's Twitter Party and Cyber Monday goodies

We all love great kids shoes and Stride Rite is one of those companies that bring out comfortable,great looking wearable shoes for our little ones.

It's always great to win prizes and well, Stride Rite has teamed up with Global Influence to host a fun Pre-Cyber Monday Twitter Party on November 29th 2009 from 9pm to 10 pm EST with Shannon Powell heading the fun hour long Cyber Monday discussions. (twitter id: @slpowell). You will need to remember to tweet with the hashtag #SRCyberMon.

There will be 7 Stride gift card prizes given out during the hour...so hurry sign up to RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/yfjucsj. (You can also find more details about the event right here!)

The prizes don't end there....Stride Rite is celebrating Cyber Monday, this November 30th 2009,
with a gala Fan Celebration Day on www.facebook.com/striderite. Stride Rite Facebook fans are invited to log on Monday, November 30th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST for giveaways every hour (that's right!). The prizes you can win include gift cards and gift bags from Stride Rite Children?s Group brands including Saucony Kids, Sperry Top-Sider Kids, and more.

There will also be a fan-only coupon for Cyber Monday shopping on www.striderite.com and a mystery prize valued at over $600 will be up for grabs for fans to enter to win throughout the day!

I'm going to make sure I'm in for both...woohoo!!!
Tis' the season to win great prizes fa la la la la.

Labels: Blogosphere Giveaways, Global Influence, Stride Rite, Twitter

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 7:13 PM 1 Comments