Smashed Peas and Carrots

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Making Messes (and Memories) in the Kitchen


I know it's been said time and again that the kitchen is the heart of the home and I for one truly believe that is the case for us. Our kitchen is a place where we share meals together, where we gather after school while we eat a snack and I get to hear about the details of my kids' day at school, it's where homework is done, and a place where we work on crafts and art projects, it's also the place where we make food together.


Thank goodness, I tell you, for Clorox® disinfecting wipes. I think we need to buy stock in this company for the number of dirty sticky situations in our home that they helped me clean up. They are literally a mom's best friend. Just wipe and you are disinfecting as you clean. And the best part is that they go right in the garbage so you don't have to deal with washing any dirty rags which is especially nice come cold and flu season which is right around the corner.

I truly love bringing all my littles together to make something in the kitchen. It could be helping me make lunch, baking cookies, or even something as simple as the pouring of cereal into a bowl to make Rice Krispies treats. I love that we are doing something together I think making food is one of our best memory makers we have as humans. I love seeing their eager eyes as we pull out bowls, spoons, measuring cups, and ingredients. I love hearing their sweet little voices as we count out how many cups of this or that we need. I love that they fight over who gets to stir and who gets to add in one thing or another. I love that I can count on the fact that they always, always, always jump up and down begging to lick the spoons, beaters, or bowl once we finish the last step.

But with all that love comes something I don't love so much. I can't help it, I'm a mom. It's those darn messes, the stickiness, the goop, that dirty floor. It's enough to make me say, "I'll just do it myself" because hey, it's less mess for me to clean up in the end...but I don't. Cause that's no fun.

Instead I let them help, I let them make a giant mess. I let them dump a brand new container of sprinkles all over the table and the floor. I can't help it, I'm a mom. It's what we do.




We tend to keep a canister of them in the kitchen, the laundry room, every bathroom, and even in the car too. Anywhere we can get to them when we need a quick clean up.

We wipe down hot spots like doorknobs, light switches, TV remotes, faucets, and toys before and after we host get-togethers, especially during the holiday season. And don't forget that you can also put a stop to the spread of yucky germs this upcoming holiday season by washing your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds and by coughing and sneezing into your elbow instead of your hands. You don't miss out on any fun festivities or holiday parties!

Clorox® and BlogHer are giving away a $100 VISA gift card! Just leave a comment telling me, "How do you stay healthy during the holidays?"

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 10/30/2013 - 11/27/2013
Be sure to visit the sponsor's brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, however, my thoughts and opinions are my own. 

XOXO,


Labels: ,

78 Comments:

Blogger Liza said...

We keep healthy by finding ways to include yummy and nutritious snacks into the celebrations and lots of hand washing!

October 29, 2013 at 9:38 AM  
Blogger Chelsea Lords said...

I walk more! When shopping for presents, I try to walk as much as possible through the stores to get extra exercise!

October 29, 2013 at 10:34 AM  
Blogger Tammy said...

Being older makes it harder and harder to not pick up nasty colds. I use a netti pot to keep my nasal passages clean and using wipes when I go to the grocery store is a big help too

October 29, 2013 at 10:37 AM  
Blogger FrangiePani said...

I stay healthy during the holidays by increasing exercise a bit and watching what I eat and not overindulging.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

October 29, 2013 at 11:38 AM  
Blogger FrangiePani said...

2nd entry tweet - https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/395228154270195712
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

October 29, 2013 at 11:38 AM  
Blogger Cori said...

I carry my own pen everywhere I go. Whenever I sign a receipt, sign in at the doctor's office or school, etc. I know I am not picking up the germs of everyone else who used the pen provided at those places. This is a must for me during cold and flu season!

October 29, 2013 at 11:44 AM  
Blogger Grandma G said...

I exercise regularly, and I use Nasopure (.com) to wash the germs out of my nose every night before I go to bed.

October 29, 2013 at 11:58 AM  
Blogger kate said...

I wash my hands, use hand sanitizer wipes and use Airborne.

October 29, 2013 at 5:02 PM  
Blogger Jessica said...

exercise, drink lots of water, and try and get a lot of sleep!

October 29, 2013 at 5:40 PM  
Blogger Jessica said...

I tweeted too! https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/395319520312565763

October 29, 2013 at 5:46 PM  
Anonymous Kelly said...

Lots of hand washing here! And I try to sneak extra veggies into our meals. Shhh...

October 29, 2013 at 7:06 PM  
Blogger Mami2jcn said...

We try to stay healthy by taking vitamins and frequent handwashing.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

October 29, 2013 at 7:11 PM  
Blogger Mami2jcn said...

tweet:

https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/395342568843509760

October 29, 2013 at 7:13 PM  
Anonymous Jessica To said...

I try to keep eating healthy and wash my hands frequently.
reklaw422 at hotmail dot com

October 29, 2013 at 7:49 PM  
Blogger Elena said...

I eat healthy and take daily vitamins

elena150980@yahoo.com

October 29, 2013 at 9:00 PM  
Blogger Elena said...

https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/395370012484984833

elena150980@yahoo.com

October 29, 2013 at 9:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We use sanitizer and hand wipes.
vbi104 at hotmail dot com

October 29, 2013 at 9:57 PM  
Blogger mel said...

Wash hands a billion times! :)

October 29, 2013 at 11:58 PM  
Blogger mel said...

I tweeted it https://twitter.com/melantz/status/395416145768890368

October 30, 2013 at 12:06 AM  
Blogger Amy said...

I workout and wash my hands all the time.

October 30, 2013 at 12:09 AM  
Blogger akronugurl said...

im always washing my hands

freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

October 30, 2013 at 6:58 AM  
Blogger akronugurl said...

tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/395519818532536320 .

freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

October 30, 2013 at 6:59 AM  
Blogger blessnel said...

Hydrating and keeping the messes at home at bay!
blessienelson (at)gmail(dot)com

October 30, 2013 at 8:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

handwashing and clorox anywhere spray! :-)

rcg143 @ gmail . com

October 30, 2013 at 9:54 PM  
Blogger Tami Vollenweider said...

I always get my Flu Shot and I keep a lot of sanitizer around my house for whenever we need it!

October 31, 2013 at 1:52 AM  
Blogger The Fam said...

We're upping the probiotics!

October 31, 2013 at 8:00 AM  
Blogger One Frugal Girl said...

Tweet: https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/395980941006360576
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com

October 31, 2013 at 1:31 PM  
Blogger One Frugal Girl said...

We wash our hands every time we come inside. That really helps keep germs at bay.
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com

October 31, 2013 at 1:37 PM  
Blogger Madonna said...

we are like you and wipe everything down at the house. I carry wipes for when we are out in public.

October 31, 2013 at 6:43 PM  
Blogger Madonna said...

I blogged at http://lady-nightwater.blogspot.com/2013/10/3-giveaway-for-day-thursday-10-31-13.html

October 31, 2013 at 6:51 PM  
Blogger d schmidt said...

We wash our hands frequently, sanitize carts before touching and always use paper towels to touch door knobs in public places. I also sanitize my children's hands before eating or touching their faces when out. We also take vitamins to try to maintain health.
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

November 1, 2013 at 10:26 AM  
Blogger d schmidt said...

Tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/396297196649209856
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

November 1, 2013 at 10:27 AM  
Blogger karenmed409 said...

Love it when the kids are in the kitchen making a few treats. Keep up our good sleep habits so we don't get run down and catch a cold or the flu. We tend to over eat a bit during the holidays so we stay healthy during the busy holiday season by getting outdoors when the weather is nice to burn off those extra calories and stress.

November 1, 2013 at 9:55 PM  
Blogger susan1215 said...

I stay healthy during the holidays by washing my hands often, getting a flu shot and taking vitamin C

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

November 2, 2013 at 8:12 PM  
Blogger susan1215 said...

https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/396807226829991936

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

November 2, 2013 at 8:14 PM  
Blogger JC said...

I stay healthy by keeping up with exercise schedule and not overeating during the holidays
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

November 3, 2013 at 11:00 PM  
Blogger JC said...

-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/397226590939000833

November 3, 2013 at 11:00 PM  
Blogger erika said...

Lots of handwashing and vitamin C!

chambanachik at gmail dot com

November 4, 2013 at 7:51 PM  
Blogger ms-texas said...

i take vitamins and always get a flu shot

debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com

November 5, 2013 at 9:55 AM  
Blogger Tina said...

We wash hands often, Eat healthy, and be active.
tina19820115@gmail.com

November 6, 2013 at 7:50 PM  
Blogger Tina said...

https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/398266262196719616
tina19820115@gmail.com

November 6, 2013 at 7:51 PM  
Blogger LAMusing said...

I stay out of crowded places as much as I can during cold and flu season, and I try not to overindulge in holiday treats :adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

November 6, 2013 at 9:10 PM  
Blogger ms-texas said...

i posted a tweet:

https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/398637577801957376

debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com

November 7, 2013 at 8:27 PM  
Blogger cw said...

We wash our hands a lot and take vitamins
cgies25 at hotmail dot com

November 8, 2013 at 1:09 PM  
Blogger rachel said...

By trying to get enough sleep so we don't get worn out!

November 11, 2013 at 11:34 AM  
Blogger Amy said...

During the holiday, I stay healthy by washing my hands...and the kids hands very often. It really helps.
My kids love to hang out with me in the kitchen too...it's so much fun to make messes and memories together. :)

amy [at] utry [dot] it

November 13, 2013 at 11:37 PM  
Blogger Amy said...

tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/400860238577795072

amy [at] utry [dot] it

November 13, 2013 at 11:38 PM  
Blogger Kerry said...

We wash our hands A LOT and also use Clorox wipes.
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

November 17, 2013 at 4:24 PM  
Blogger Kerry said...

tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/402205197683814400
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

November 17, 2013 at 4:43 PM  
Blogger Ashley said...

Eating well, taking vitamins and drinking plenty of water
oldnavyash@aol.com

November 17, 2013 at 9:21 PM  
Blogger Ashley said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/smash906/status/402275222742503424
oldnavyash@aol.com

November 17, 2013 at 9:21 PM  
Blogger Wanda McHenry said...

I stay healthy by going the other way when I hear coughing people! Just kidding. hahaha No, seriously. I always make sure when I get in the car after I shop to use that Germ-X and I think that’s about it! I keep my house clean so no worries there.

November 18, 2013 at 12:41 AM  
Blogger Wanda McHenry said...

https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/402326261197832192

November 18, 2013 at 12:44 AM  
Blogger Jessie said...

We stay away from the most "germy" of places this time of year and carry hand sanitizer everywhere we go!

November 21, 2013 at 12:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am doing more walking and watching that I don't eat too many Christmas goodies.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

November 22, 2013 at 3:38 AM  
Blogger Harmony said...

Teaching the kids to wash their hands and sneeze in the elbow to avoid spreading germs. Of course cleaning too.
njharmonyg@aol.com

November 23, 2013 at 5:22 AM  
Blogger Harmony said...

tweet https://twitter.com/hburmeister/status/404208711763107840
njharmonyg@aol.com

November 23, 2013 at 5:24 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

I got my flu shot and frequent hand washing
thanks
aunteegem@yahoo.com

November 24, 2013 at 7:54 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

tweethttps://twitter.com/aunteegem/status/404609218637864960 aunteegem@yahoo.com

November 24, 2013 at 7:56 AM  
Blogger Erica best said...

dressing for the weather here in mi and daily vitamin

November 24, 2013 at 4:07 PM  
Blogger Erica best said...

https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/404730273096421376

November 24, 2013 at 4:08 PM  
Blogger sonyamorris (Sonya Morris) said...

I stay healthy by eating healthy, taking vitamins, drinking lots of water & washing hands constantly. I especially make sure to take care of my family by making them do the same. I also don't take my kids out unnecessarily on trips to the store during cold & flu season. sonyadmorris@gmail.com

November 25, 2013 at 8:22 PM  
Blogger sonyamorris (Sonya Morris) said...

Link to tweet:
https://twitter.com/catholicfanatic/status/405152679766134784
sonyadmorris@gmail.com
Have a healthy & happy holiday season!

November 25, 2013 at 8:24 PM  
Blogger Carmen N said...

We change hand towels often - especially if someone in the house is sick

November 25, 2013 at 9:51 PM  
Blogger Betty C said...

I try to get plenty of rest and avoid overindulging in all the non-nutritious goodies that are everywhere. The extra sleep I can manage but avoiding those treats is so hard!

willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

November 26, 2013 at 3:24 AM  
Blogger Betty C said...

Tweet - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/405265999705817088

willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

November 26, 2013 at 3:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I’ve been making lots of veggie snacks to counteract all of the treats we have over the holidays!
madelinebrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com

November 26, 2013 at 6:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/405320605961945088

November 26, 2013 at 7:02 AM  
Blogger Nicole Larsen said...

We use lots of wet ones disinfecting wet wipes and gel. We also make sure to take our vitamins daily!

pittsy82@hotmail.com

November 26, 2013 at 11:34 AM  
Blogger Nicole Larsen said...

tweeted https://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/405391121846525952

pittsy82@hotmail.com

November 26, 2013 at 11:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I try to eat healthy, walking and use lots of hand sanitizer

pokergrl8 at gmail.com

November 27, 2013 at 10:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

https://twitter.com/aes529/status/405737015322222593
pokergrl8 at gmail.com

November 27, 2013 at 10:38 AM  
Blogger angie lilly said...

#1 thing is to stay away from sick people. LOL Seriously, if I hear that someone I know is sick, I will cancel plans with them until they are better. May seem rude but it is better than being sick.
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com

November 27, 2013 at 12:16 PM  
Blogger angie lilly said...

I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/405761771908001792
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com

November 27, 2013 at 12:16 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

We eat healthy and take vitamins.

rounder9834 @yahoo.com

November 27, 2013 at 1:17 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/405777878836445184

rounder9834 @yahoo.com

November 27, 2013 at 1:19 PM  
Blogger Tabathia B said...

We eat less red meat, increase our vitamin c intake and keep hands washed

tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

November 27, 2013 at 3:41 PM  
Blogger Tabathia B said...

tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/405812600081903616

tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

November 27, 2013 at 3:43 PM  

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