Happy Thanksgiving from President Lincoln

courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

I'm hoping to go see Lincoln over the holiday weekend, seems appropriate! Have you seen it? I'd love to hear what you thought!

Smart Rinse Challenge Results

At the beginning of October my family started the Smart Rinse Challenge. Listerine challenged us to change our families' dental routine by incorporating Listerine Smart Rinse. I always knew we needed to do more than just brush our teeth, but I had no idea how much difference a mouth rinse would make. I've always brushed and flossed. My children brush their teeth well, but I wouldn't call them champion flossers. From Listerine, "Brushing, Flossing and rinsing with a mouthrinse like Listerine Smart Rinse is an essential combination for maintaining a healthy mouth and protecting your child's teeth against cavities. It is especially designed for kids, provides 12-hour cavity protection, and strengthens teeth 99 percent better than brushing alone."

Did you know that on average it takes about 66 days to form a habit? (I think it takes less time if the habit involves chocolate.) There was a moment when I realized I had developed a habit of using the Smart Rinse mouth rinse. I had to travel out of town for a short trip. I packed my carryon bag and completely forgot to pack a travel bottle of Smart Rinse. When I brushed and flossed my teeth before bed I felt incomplete. I missed the Smart Rinse. My teeth didn't feel as clean. I tried to use the mouth rinse available in the hotel gift shop, but it didn't feel the same. I had been hooked. My Smart Rinse habit has been formed.

My children have also been hooked. Mouth rinse is an easy sell for them. They might not be excellent flossers yet, but I think the Smart Rinse is making a difference. So many products in the dental care area only appeal to children or adults. Smart Rinse appealed to my tween and my teenager.  I can help my children develop healthier habits, I call it a win. Fortunately for us, Smart Rinse made a difference for my whole family.

Disclosure: I received products from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE SMART RINSE Sweet Smart Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

Maple Pumpkin Custard from Spoonful.com

I like to think I'm adventurous in the kitchen as far as what I will try to cook, but custard is one of those dishes I've always shied away from. I'm not sure why, but it always seemed a little fiddly and complicated. This week I noticed a recipe from Spoonful.com that seemed yummy, Maple Pumpkin Custard. (If you haven't checked out Spoonful.com, you should. They feature family friendly activities, including cooking and crafting.)

photo by Amy Hodges

By some minor miracle, I had all of the ingredients at hand. I'm not sure at all why I had both Heavy Cream and Light Cream? The custard was easy to prepare and the recipe was easy to follow. In a short time I had some lovely custards. Some of us weren't patient and tasted them as soon as they cooled to room temperature. My husband held out and waited until they had cooled in the refrigerator. They were super yummy. I love pumpkin, and who doesn't love maple? It's one of the first recipes I've tried from Spoonful and it won't be the last! 

photo by Amy Hodges

I was not compensated in any way for this post! (except with yummy custards and a renewed confidence in the kitchen.)