Chiming in here just to say Hello and Hoping that everyone has had wonderful holidays and a Happy New Year to all.
I don’t know about some of you but this past yr. and actually the last part of 2010 to me I was just like drifting by. Just basically getting by on my blog to keep it alive and not doing too much. I have had a lot of medical problems and so on.

Anywho… I am now refreshed, feeling better (yay) and off to the drawing board with my blog. I am going to get it revamped and revv’ed back up to where I want it to be.
The past couple weeks while thinking about it, I have made a goal board, so I know what NEW direction I want to go and where I want to be by this time in 2013!

I am planning a couple conference’s to go to this year to get refreshed and get idea’s and also to see all my buddies. After all, I haven’t been to one in quite a while. If you have never been to one, you should try and make a budget allowance for at least one of the smaller one’s just to go and see what they are all about.(My favorite one, I must say is Type A Parent).

I am excited for the plans I have to come for 2012. I have dropped some other community involvement so I can concentrate and be more on board with the one’s I really care about, not that the other’s aren’t good, it is just like anything else in life. Changes are here for me.
I felt like I was spreading myself too thin the last yr. and 1/2 and bogged myself down, not doing well in any community. I have decided in my goal plan that I won’t be doing this anymore.

That the groups I join and the offers I take are one’s that are important, relevant, and I have knowledge of already. I am also excited to be trying out some new products.
I do not have babies anymore, so I am dropping that part of my blogs reviews and such. (My kids are always my babies, but age wise, they aren’t baby babies anymore). I will be focusing on area’s that have been meaningful to me in the first place.

My blog (http://www.theplussizemommy.com) came to be because I have a strong passion (actually part of the vein of my existence) toward making fashion better and more beautiful for the plus size woman (and teens). A woman who is not a size 7 but for woman like me, who want to be fashionably fun, fashionably savvy, and fashionably professional. One where people will look at us and know we too are a meaningful part of society and we want the classic fits, the gorgeous gowns, and just plain jeans and tee’s that fit us like they do a size 5, but made for us gals (or boys,girls,teens) who are plus sized. Clothes made to look like they are meant for us. Clothes that aren’t extremely uncomfortable, because we have to try and fit a size 22 into a 16 just because we want “That Look” (which the only look we get is that of a stuffed cabbage roll).

I created this blog, to make a difference in the fashion industry. To let clothes designers know that WE ARE HERE, and we want the same looks they make for smaller woman for us.

Being Plus Size isn’t anything new. We have been around forever, and we aren’t going away anytime soon.
Many pundits say we should lose weight, that we are unhealthy, that we need to lose our Curvaceousness. But like I heard on The Today Show‘s Dr. Nancy Snyderman yesterday, “I think we will have a chance for an Anti-Cancer vaccine sooner then curing the obesity epidemic”.(time – 2:25)

I have been battling weight loss for 25 out of my 37 years on this planet. I have tried everything under the sun. I have wanted to lose weight so badly that I underwent life threatening surgery (gastric bypass) over 10 years ago , with the mentality that if I am going to die being obese,I rather die trying not to be. And STILL didn’t lose weight, even after following all that I was told to follow. I have exercised, dieted, counted calories, and so on and to no avail, here I am 37 years young, and still obese.

It is funny because through this past year and half I have been diagnosed with MS and in a severe depression. I have been on so many med.’s (42 a day, at the height of it all) that I have felt like I am so doped up I physically and mentally cannot function.

Now do tell, how can someone on 42 medication’s a day (none of which were due to my weight, I remind you), where many/most of them say “may cause dizziness, drowsiness, etc.” how in the world can I be able to exercise? How can I even think to eat right?
And through all of this, my Doctors (all of them) say I am basically a really healthy person (minus depression,MS, and Obesity).

I have undergone heart tests, sleep apnea testing, MRI’s, CT Scans, pulmonary testing, have had ALL of the chemicals and vitamins checked in my body, have been tested for diabetes, have had my cholesterol & thyroid checked, and blood pressure, and they ALL tell me, I am basically a healthy person, cause ALL of these tests come back clean? HOW IS THIS? Seriously?

I am all about eating right, I have a small piece of meat, the size of the middle of my palm (as the dietitians tell me is a great guideline), I love fruits and vegetables, and I try not to have but a tablespoonful(or so) of starch. I am all about doing physical activity. I love to walk, swim, dance, hike, and more.

I truly truly in my heart believe that it isn’t a choice to be fat (just like it isn’t a choice to be Black, Too Skinny, Gay, a Woman, a Man, White, Asian, a Twin, have Cancer, be born unable to reproduce or anything else under the sun).
Do you really really think I would want to be ridiculed, teased, bullied, belittled, depressed, and so on all my life? Hell No!
But alas, as much as I would love to be that size 7, 12, 16, hell even a 22! I am not, I am just me.

What I am is a married mother of 4, who cares about so many people that they will never even ever know, I am loved, I am lovable, I am fun, I love food, I love to shop, and I CARE ABOUT AND WANT TO LOOK GOOD in the skin I am in! Is this too much to ask?
(And I am sure, you don’t want me running around naked)

I am tired of wasting my life, battling this and want to start living! I have just read one of my good friends Cecily’s blog posts and she seems to be with me on this in some ways, you may want to read her blog post as well – Body Acceptance to see her point of view on being fat.

So, as I am about to embark on some changes, there will be categories I will no longer be writing about, less reviews, more stories, still writing about things I love and my family love to eat, where we like to go, what we like to do, but the main focus on this blog will still and always be about a Fashionable fun Mommy, who loves to eat, spend time with my friends and enjoys great things, because that is what being a Plus Size Mommy is all about.

Peace Throughout The New Year and Beyond!

***Beth*** AKA The Plus Size Mommy

Thank you to Wikets for introducing me to this iPhone/iPad app. You can download Wikets from the App Store here.

On November 7, I was introduced to and able to review a new App. it is called Wikets. I love reviewing App.’s because I love finding out all about the cool and new things they do. And especially FREE app’s 9even better).
Wikets is a way of sharing things you love.places you love,App.’s you love,music and move and in return, you get rewarded!

When you sign up for Wikets, which is very easy to do you will see a bar at the bottom that shows FEED, EXPLORE, NEW REC, WISHLIST, and REWARDS.

FEED : This is the section where when you invited friends, and they join, and meet new friends, you will see a feed of all of their recommendations. Then you can put that rec on your wishlist, re-recommend it, and you may also comment on their rec’s.

Explore : by using the Explore tab you can search for what you like, example, if you like a certain song, you can put it into the search bar, and it will show you anything under that other people who posted. You could click Popular, it will show you popular topics under that search term.

You can click on Nearby, with this you will get a listing of places nearby where you are and you can choose from those that are in the list, to recommend off of that list.

And, if you click People, you will get a listing of people you can follow.

When you click on “Add A Rec” you will get 3 bars to chose from. Rec a Product, Rec a Place, and Scan a Barcode.

When you do Rec. a Product – it will take you to featured stores, such as iTunes, App Store, Best Buy, and more. Then you can add your Favorite Stores, for example I was able to add Petco,Gap, and any other store I may frequent and like to buy from.

Then when you have a Rec. to make, you can pull up that store and make your recommendation. So, for example, if I liked a song I could go to Rec.’s section, hit iTunes, and then click on the song I wanted to recommend.

For Recommend a Place, I could recommend places nearby where I am, places I have been, etc.

and for Scan a Barcode, you can take a product you have at home, or in a store, and scan the code, and then recommend it, AND OR add it to your wishlist! For a great example, Christmas is coming up, I could go to a Toy Store with my kids, and they could say, oh I want that or I really want this, etc.. and I can secretly scan the upc code and add it to my wishlist, and under Wishlist I can chose a category to put it under. For example, say I scan a toy for Bobby, and it is a book, I can add it to my Wishlist under book. Or a Barbie for Jenny, I can add it under gift idea’s.

The Wishlist topics are : Apps, Books, Food, Gadgets, Gift Idea’s, Home, and My trip to.

I can also add to my Wishlist things that my friends/others have recommended that I may want to get, or that I want to try out (like an App.) at another time. Then I am able to go back into my Wishlist at anytime.

And, now the cool part. The Rewards Tab! For every thing you use on Wikets, whether it is adding a rec., re-rec a friends rec., add things to your wishlist, bought, liked on Facebook, you earn points. After so many points, you can redeem them for rewards from many retail partners!
How cool is that?!

You can share your Rec.’s on Facebook and Twitter as well, to share them with an even bigger audience.
Also under Rewards, you are able to see your History, Your Top Rec.’s and also Your top friends.

It is a fun Social Media App. that pays you as you use it. If you would like to join me on Wikets, please use the code: PLUSSIZEMOMMY .

Thank you for joining me in the Wiket fun! I cannot wait to see your Rec’s and earn points with you.

The Plus Size Mommy

Thank you to Wikets for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about the app. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own. #CleverWikets #spon

I am excited to announce the winner of the Pork Prize Pack (The Prize Pack includes : a $25 Costco Gift Card, a Taylor Instant Read Meat Thermometer, and a USB Flash Drive with Pork info.) is :  JANICE COOPER ! Please email me your name, address, and phone # within 48 hours to win (11/1/11 3:20 EST. now)  and I will have the company mail the prize pack out to you!

My email is : plussizemommy@gmail.com please use Pork Prize in the subject line.

Thank you Very much for entering and ENJOY!

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure –  Prize are being sent to the winner at no cost to me. I also received the same items from the company.  I am not responsible for lost or broken prizes. Please email me once you have received your prize, so I know you have. Thank you. Thank you to The Motherhood.com and Costco for asking me to participate in this project.  I’m receiving compensation plus entry into a sweepstakes from Costco throughTheMotherhood.com in exchange
for my pork tenderloin post. All opinions are my own.

The week of October 17 (This week), Pork Tenderloin is on Sale for $2.00 off per package of pork tenderloin, in honor of National Pork Month at Costco. Pork Tenderloin is a wholesome cut packing tons of flavors, ounce for ounce, pork tenderloin is as lean as a skinless chicken breast.

This week I am in a challenge to create a “Family Favorite” recipe using this cut of Pork for my family. I will be posting that recipe, along with pictures, later this week plus a $25 Costco Cash Giveaway for YOU to try and win!

For even more recipes and tips please visit Costco’s “In The Warehouse” provides flavorful recipes and tips for preparing featured cuts of pork. Check back weekly for fun, new information on Costco’s featured cuts. You may also want to visit PorkBeInspired.com for info. on all of the different cuts of pork and about the best, healthiest way to cook Pork.

Things that stuck out at me as I read through the websites listed above were how many cuts of Pork there are (There are so many choices!). The many many ways you can cook pork.  There are also some great freebie cook books on there as well. So, you definitely will want to visit to grab those!

And did you know that Pork tenderloin is heart healthy & is endorsed by the American Heart Association?  Yep! It is true. The pages also tell the best ways to handle and store Pork, which I feel is a very important thing to know with any foods this information.

An Important Temperature Update: In May, the USDA reduced the temperature guideline for pork loins, chops and roasts from 160 to 145 degrees F, with a three-minute rest. This will yield a juicy, flavorful product that may be pinker in color than most home cooks are used to. Ground pork, like all ground meat, should be cooked to 160 degrees.

I hope you will all come back at the end of this week to see what Pork Tenderloin Recipe I chose as our Family Favorite. And also for your chance to win the $25 Costco Cash!

Happy National Pork Month!

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure: I’m receiving compensation plus entry into a sweepstakes from Costco through TheMotherhood.com in exchange for my pork tenderloin post. All opinions are my own.

On 9/23/11 I will be participating in a project with Libby’s and Habitat for Humanity. Fellow Pittsburgh Bloggers; Kim , Virginia and myself, will be building a house for people who need one in Pittsburgh. I was thrilled when I was asked to be a part of such an important project by Mom It Forward.

Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables are making family mealtimes a reality for 5 Pittsburgh families who will be moving into Habitat for Humanity Homes in the Pittsburgh area in 2011. Libby’s announced that they will be donating a dining set complete with place settings and a stocked pantry for each of the 5 families.

Meal time is such an important aspect of sharing the time with family. Libby’s is helping families stay connected and be able to enjoy good healthy meals together.

If you would like to participate, all you have to do is report to the Pittsburgh Habitat Office at 212 Yost Blvd., Suite A Pittsburgh, PA 15221 at 9 am on Friday September 23rd. The home blessing will take place at 10 am on Saturday September 24th at 317 North Evaline Street Pittsburgh, PA 15224. The more Volunteer’s the better

Also, I would like to share with you is the new Habitat ReStore shop at Edgewood Town Center. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore sells reusable house building and home improvement materials to the public. The store accepts donated goods which are sold at 30%-50% of the retail value. All proceeds from the sale of donations help place families in affordable shelter in the Greater Pittsburgh area. The ReStore provides an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials recycled while providing funding for Habitat’s community improvement work.

You can follow us on Twitter using hashtag #LibbysGiving, We will be tweeting and taking photos throughout the day!

You can also find out more info. by following Libby’s on Facebook, Twitter, and Online.

and

You can Learn more about Habitat for Humanity by following them online, on twitter, and also Facebook. And if you are in Pittsburgh and would like to know more specific information from our local branch, you can learn more HERE.

Pray and Wish me luck so I don’t nail my finger to a board or something!
Have a Wonderful Day!

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure ~ I am being compensated by Libby’s for my participation in this project

What it the hardest part of managing the household? Is it driving the kids all over to take them to sporting events, activities and school? Or is it cleaning up after everyone and trying to make sure the house is in order? Why am I the only one who knows where everything is? I guess to answer that one; it is because I have to put everything away.

Well, one thing that is easy for me is doing our shopping. Now, I am not talking about the grocery shopping since I still find it difficult with clipping coupons, using my grocery reward card and trying to make sure to maximize their weekly savings. Online shopping is the key. No kids, no lines, no sales people, only me and the computer. I can search for what I am looking for and come up with several options.

The other great part is that so many sites offer daily deals, clearance section and online only specials. I can grab my laptop and search online when everyone goes to sleep. I frequently check out Kmart to see what item they have for my household. Typically I can find $5 off or 15% off Kmart Coupons to save on my purchase.

Also, their parent company Sears has a great website and they offer the deal of the day. It really makes you check back everyday because the offers are so great. Plus, you can use Sears Coupons to increase your savings.

As a mom, I have limited time and I just want to find the easiest way to do my shopping and get the best price. Try to find the best price on a toaster oven by going from department store to department store with 3 kids. You probably spend more money on gas and snacks than the appliance is worth. Good luck and let me know what you find.

Happy Savings!

Shared By: The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure – I was compensated for this post.

“BULLYING: WORDS CAN KILL,” TO BE BROADCAST ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)

As a new school year begins across the country, more than 160,000 children will stay home every day because they are afraid of being bullied. That is just one of the startling facts in the CBS News/48 HOURS presentation “Bullying: Words Can Kill.” Reported by correspondent Tracy Smith, the program airing Friday, Sept. 16 (8:00 PM, ET/PT) reveals how the explosion in technology is only making bullying worse, as victims cannot find relief from their tormentors in a 24/7 digital world. The report, with links to the CBS Newswebsite, will have important new information for parents, educators and legislators about how bullying affects children and how to address it. Plus, viewers can join the conversation online on http://www.facebook.com/#!/48hours and Twitter.

For six months, producers and camera crews were allowed in-depth access to the classrooms, cafeteria and gym at a Rhode Island middle school that is one of the few in theUnited States that has openly acknowledged it has a bullying problem and has taken action to address it. The 48 HOURS special documents the real lives of students at that particular school, and has the powerful stories of other young people and their families from around the country who have felt the impact of bullying firsthand.

One constantly harassed 13-year-old told Smith, “They got inside my head. They did it because they knew it would hurt.” His mother said dropping him off at school was like “sending him off to war.” Tragically, more than 150 children have taken their own lives in recent years because they were victims of harassment in school and online.

Among those featured in the broadcast:
Dara Genovese, 13, bullying victim: “If you have ever been bullied, harassed, tortured, which I hope you haven’t, let me tell you, it is the worst. I mean, worst feeling ever.”
“You’re laying in bed and you’re just thinking, like… what would it be like if you’re not here? Like… would it be better? Or, like, would people be happier – or just – just you wonder, you think a lot of questions.”

Johnny Cagno, victim of bullying who attempted suicide at age 14: “When you’re tortured every single day, it gets to you. I was very, very scared to go to school every day.”
Lisa Cagno, Johnny’s mother: “He was hurting himself. He was cutting himself, and he would just (say), ‘I hate myself, I don’t want to live anymore. I hate my life. Nobody likes me, no one cares about me.’ And I just – I would just have to constantly just reassure him. I couldn’t get those feelings out of his head.”

Cynthia Logan, a parent who lost her daughter because of bullying: “We have principals in our schools and superintendents who don’t want to acknowledge the problem. They don’t want it to be their problem. I did as much as I could do as a parent, knowing as little as I did.”

Parent’s Please Don’t turn away, don’t ignore it, and don’t act like it isn’t happening, because it IS!

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The Plus Size Mommy