It's time to Let Go of the past. 5 of my favorite ways to let go

I asked a question on my ask.fm, intended for today's top 5. I needed some deep thinking my question was:

"Because we're humans there are times when things in the past stay within our mind for way too long. What are some of your favorite tips for letting go of the past?"

I think we all go through those moments where it feels like we've been kicked in the gut in the past and then we relive that kick in the gut for what feels like forever. I loved hearing people's responses when it came to a question like that one, but because I'm still new to ask.fm and I don't feel that this question is my favorite starting point I'll only talk about my top 5 ways for letting go of the past. Just remember that no matter how you let go of the past is fine. Holding on to the past isn't fine.

5. Writing: I love to write, it's where the past can rewrite itself in a sense. Where some of my writiing is mirroring how I feel, most of the time it doesn't. When I write I escape the world that I have written on Libre, office it helps me let go.

4. Music: It's been debated if I can sing or not. I find that one song or band that gets my feelings. Right now it's Lzzy Hale and Device's version of if I close my eyes forever. It reminds me things won't stay the same if believe it or not. It's the way I escape my past.

3. Playing children's games: Games like Zap Zap Math, or Reading Kingdom, help me let go of my past by going back to times where things were easier. One of my other favorite games are Papa's Games from Flipline. I get to put together sushi, chicken, hamburgers, ice cream and tons of fun stuff. It stops my tough moments from the past in their tracks, and has me imagine I'm having some kind of job cooking for some colorful characters.

2. Being one with nature: Remember my bucket list? It's why I walk barefooted, and I did the last few days. If the weather was cooler I'd watch the stars outside, but for right now I can see them from my bedroom with hope's it'll cool down. I want to walk to the park, and enjoy the heat. Just not when it's 110 outside.

1. Blogging: Blogging helps me let go by helping other people let go. Helping other people let go is great, and sometimes starting a new blog like the one I'm going to be starting soon is going to to help me forget about the past with music! 

Today’s tag has a really interesting change. I found an old cosmo magazine back from February and they had one their celebrity Cosmo quizes because some of the questions don’t fit me, I changed them around a bit. In all honesty, I just wanted to see if I do something like this instead of the tag from the internet. Next time I get a Cosmo it’s going to be a digital video tag, I’m just not in the mood to it this month.

I will not fully answer some of the very personal questions like my full name and stuff like that. You’re just going to have been happy and take it for what it’s worth

Full name:

Jennifer Elizabeth

The last person I messaged was?

My husband

And it said:

I found our IR thermometer. Alec and Monkey are playing with it. Freya thinks Alec is stupid.

My best valentines day was

Many years ago. It wasn't something my husband did, but it was the kindness of my neighbors at the time. I was pregnant and the neighbor kids took the effort to make me cookies. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to eat it because it had red dye. But the thought was adorable.

My first celebrity crush was: 

Tom Cruise. I was probably no more than 3 years old and I thought he was handsome. I called him my woo-woo baby, whatever that means. I was young and strange.

Pinterest

First word when I think of these 5 random persons 

Source: Oprah 
Carry Underwood?
Sweetheart

Source:biography
Christina Augularia?
Powerhouse

Source:biography
Keanu Reeves?
Selfless

Source:biography
Johnny Depp?
Has been

Source:Hollywood Reporter
Lady Gaga?
Inspirationa

I'd love it if no one asked me this question again:

"You're really pale is there something wrong with you?"

My favorite part of my body is ________ because _______.

My eyes because humans eyes say a lot about them and the one thing that people love to compliment me on is my eyes. 

As a sidenote: The random person question in Cosmo didn't know too well so I used random celebrity generator to pick 5 different celebrities. 

Hey parents another giveaway! How about a Kidzlane Prize Pack?

With a post about less Monday's our kids need to get in on all the fun to don't they? They'll have no Monday's as well. So how about toys to keep them on their toes?

 

Welcome to the Summery Kidzlane Toys Giveaway!

We all want our children to enjoy happy playtime that is safe, age-appropriate, educational, affordable, and loads of fun. And at KidzLane®, we meet each of these benchmarks in every one of our toys.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

1 Winner

Prize:

Kidzlane Kid’s Metal Detector & Automatic Bubble-Blowing Machine

Hosted by: Home Jobs By Mom

Sponsored by:

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ TWITTER ~ YOUTUBE

See the review HERE

Available on Amazon

Rules: Use the Giveaway Tools form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 08/02 and is open to the United States. Entrants must be 18 years old to enter. Winner will be notified via email.

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Good Luck! Enter Below

Entry-Form

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Also we all “love it if you follow us” on Instagram so we can continue to bring you great giveaways!

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ONE entrant will be selected by the entry form to win a Kidzlane Prize pack. Open for entry in the United States, 18 years and older from 07/02/19 thru 08/02/19. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media networking site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. Once a winner is drawn and confirmed, the name will be announced on the GiveawayTools form. Kidzlane will be responsible for sending the winner their prize.

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Are you a blogger? CLICK HERE to get a FREE link added to one of our giveaways. Just post and report!

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If you have any questions or are a brand/company and would like to work with Home Jobs By Mom please contact me. Also, to be informed of new giveaways and blogger opps CLICK HERE.

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Thank You So Much For Visiting Today!

Giveaway: $500 Cash Givewaway

I know Amazon Prime day has left. I missed it too! It's okay though! I have something a bit cool. A $500 Cash Prize. There's a reason for my madness. At least I think there is.

Welcome to the Less Monday More Summer $500 Cash Giveaway!

Who doesn't need some extra cash? Imagine winning $500 just in time for back to school or to celebrate whatever you want. The winner of this awesome giveaway will be able to do just that!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

1 Winner

Mondays suck but that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy every bit of what summer has to offer. So kick back, relax, and enjoy something cold while entering this giveaway.

Home Jobs By Mom is super excited to of teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring to you this cash giveaway event worth $500 PayPal Cash! Take advantage of this wonderful giveaway and enter today!!

Host is Home Jobs By Mom

Co-Hosts are JBH Media One, Deliciously Savvy, Java John Z's, Sweet Southern Savings, View from the Beach Chair, Michigan Saving and More, Eclectic Evelyn & Readeropolis

Rules: Use the Giveaway Tools form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 08/15 and is open worldwide. Entrants must be 18 years old to enter. Winner will be notified via email.

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Good Luck! Enter Below

Entry-Form

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Also we all “love it if you follow us” on Instagram so we can continue to bring you great giveaways!

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ONE entrant will be selected by the entry form to win $500 PayPal Cash. If for some reason the winner can't do PayPal they may select a $500 gift card to Amazon, Walmart, or Target instead. Open for entry worldwide, 18 years and older from 06/01/19 thru 08/15/19. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media networking site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. Once a winner is drawn and confirmed, the name will be announced on the GiveawayTools form. Home Jobs By Mom will be responsible for sending the winner their prize.

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Are you a blogger? CLICK HERE to get a FREE link added to one of our giveaways. Just post and report!

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If you have any questions or are a brand/company and would like to work with Home Jobs By Mom please contact me. Also, to be informed of new giveaways and blogger opps CLICK HERE.

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Thank You So Much For Visiting Today!

I found the fountain of youth with this giveaway!!!

Who wants their skin to look fabulous? Better question who wants their skin to look fabulous and save money in the long run. If you're raising your hand. Fill out the give away below to try and win anti aging stuff from Skin nation

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

2 Winners

Prize:

Skin Nation Anti Aging Bundle

Hosted by: Home Jobs By Mom

Sponsored by:

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ TWITTER

See the review HERE

Available on Amazon

Rules: Use the Giveaway Tools form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 08/01 and is open to the United States. Entrants must be 18 years old to enter. Winner will be notified via email.

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Good Luck! Enter Below

Entry-Form

Also we all “love it if you follow us” on Instagram so we can continue to bring you great giveaways!

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TWO entrants will be selected by the entry form to win a Skin Nation Anti Aging Bundle valued at $184.80. Open for entry in the United States, 18 years and older from 07/01/19 thru 08/01/19. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media networking site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. Once a winner is drawn and confirmed, the name will be announced on the GiveawayTools form. Skin Nation will be responsible for sending the winner their prize.

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Are you a blogger? CLICK HERE to get a FREE link added to one of our giveaways. Just post and report!

---

If you have any questions or are a brand/company and would like to work with Home Jobs By Mom please contact me. Also, to be informed of new giveaways and blogger opps CLICK HERE.

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Thank You So Much For Visiting Today!

Another minor change: Back to my Bucket List

Back too my bucket list some revamps and some more of my list to say I've completed!

I never thought I'd correct my summer bucket list this late in the game and change it around, it almost makes me feel like I should have known better about writing the list But after this change, I like it better.

Items number: 26, and 6 are now removed from the list. I don't think dumpster diving is going to be a good idea right now because of the heat and some of the insanity that's going on around my town. Penny shopping is great and may stay but I'm combining it with secret clearance items at Walmart.

Long story short. I was watching a video last night about secret clearance items at Walmart and my mind went into overdrive. Why on earth am I going to go around climb in a trash can in a dangerous town right now? I'm not sure I want that.

This guy right here, this guy and his wife made me change my bucket list around a bit. Let me reword that this guy didn't personally tell me "Hey Jen, you blogger lady with a bucket list to save money here's something that can help." I was one of those "Suggested for you YouTube videos."

At first I wanted to take him and my wife to Walmart to shop with me so I could do. I even dreamed about it after watching this video. I know that sounds weird and creepy. But what happens when I learn something new and I know I need to be doing something. Sorry folks if my weirdness bleeds through here.

Now I thought about it and said, "I don't need this guy's help" I need to study more and scratch the idea of dumpster diving for the summer and hold off and just find secret clearance deals at Walmart. I can do this all on my own with tips from the people who do what he's doing and the internet.

If you want to check his YouTube out. If you want to follow his stuff like he says to in his video check out his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram


Be prepared that in the next two weeks with my very first break down for my first "Money Saving Monday" with some tips to penny shop at Dollar General and how my Walmart trips are going. :) And as Super Unsexy and his wive believe, people should know these things. I don't know these folk but If I can share the knowledge I have now I will do it!

If you wait too long, you'll miss the sun rise

It's time for a deep thoughtful post. I really need to do more deep reflection posts. They're therapeutic for me and hopefully therapeutic for others.

I don't know if it's dog days of summer, my new medication, or something else, I've just felt so unmotivated. So tired. You know one of those blah moods that you have no reason for having. It's how I've felt the past few weeks.

That was until today. Today I was reminded that I haven't done my gratitude journal entry for today. The question that turned my day around was, "Have I missed any chances to show gratitude today?" And it all made sense that we don't always get the opportunity to show we're grateful for what we have.

I'm thinking about all the changes I had today. Chances that I could tell someone or remind myself I'm grateful. For instance, as much as I love my pets. I never been more grateful that they've shown me, love. Freya's sitting on my wrist as I write this post. I'm grateful that she doesn't judge me for my past, my present or my future, all she cares about is getting a pet and getting fed.

Because life is all about chances, I don't want to miss this chance again. I'm grateful for picking up a book to get me to feel more grateful about things. I stopped my daily gratitude journal for a while, but now I see how much I need it. I don't want to miss my chance to be happy.

For those of you who are stuck in a rut like I am taking time out of your day, it doesn't have to be more than five minutes. Reflect on what you're grateful for, and what you can do to remind yourself about being grateful. This is your life, don't miss the chance. Because if you wait too long, you'll miss the sunrise.

6 tips to keep your pets safe this Summer

Now that Alec is part of our family, nobody has stepped up to claim him yet. I'm hoping they'll eventually realize that their orange tabby kitten is missing and see all the ads that I've posted on all the pages online, but all I have to do now I wait.

Freya says, "Be safe or you'll die!" 

What can you do to keep your pets safe in the heat of the summer?

Alec and Freya reminded me that I should have posted this post before the holiday rush, but it's better late than never.

1. Make sure your pet is microchipped: Collars can fall off, and your dog or cat can be collarless, if someone finds your pet, most veterinary offices, your local animal control, shelters or even the ASPCA, can check to see if your pet has a chip and if they have a chip they'll be returned. 

2. Do not take your pets on car rides to the store: Never leave your pet in the car when you're running into the store, even if the air is on. The air conditioner can stop working and your pet may possibly die. My rule of thumb happens to be, if it's too hot for you to wear a coat, it's too hot for your pet to be in the car.

3. If you walk your pet walk it in the morning or evening: If you walk your pet in the early morning or the evening, it isn't as hot out, and the less heat for both you and your furry friend the safer it is for both of you.

A melted cat is a cool cat

4. Make sure your windows have screens: This tip came from Freya herself. She says to make sure all windows that your cats sit in have screens, especially if you want to open your windows in the summer. You don't want your cat to run out or fall out of the window.

5. Always have fresh water available for your pet: Animals can overheat and dehydrate very quickly, it's a good idea to make sure your pets always have fresh, clean water.

6. Keep an eye on your dog in the water: Not all dogs can swim well, so it's best that you keep an eye on your dog. 

Remember to stay cool, and safe this summer. Alec, Monkey and Freya love you.

Friday Favorite 5: My 5 favorite Snacklebox ideas

I've been trying to figure out what on earth I'm going to do for a snacklebox, and I've been trying to figure out what tastes the best and what I'd actually include. When I thought about it, I never thought I'd have so many interesting contenders and very little room. It's why I haven't posted a box yet, I wanted the perfect box with the perfect number of compartments and the perfect number of snacks for the week. But I have found 5 contenders that I know must be included in my box. 

5. Panda Bear Puffs: I don't care how childish it seems but even at 32, and an adult, I love eating cereal right out of the box. Peanut Butter Panda Puffs are great. The box says everything I need for it to say, "No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives" They're even non-GMO and gluten-free! So I know all I'm getting is yummy peanut butter puffs, even if it is in an adult's tacklebox. 

4. Oat Peanut Chocolate Chip Whenever Bars: I actually went to the store that day to find something that I could eat when I'm going through one of my, "I'm not hungry but I need to eat something to take my medicine." Type of moods. That's when I found the "Whenever Bars By Pamela's Products" in the gluten-free section of the store. And when I saw the bar, I was thinking about all of my other options. They looked better than a "Whenever Bar." But I figured it had all of the stuff I love oat,s peanut butter, and chocolate chips. Yeah, as you would guess it, I loved the bars. If I put one of these bars in my box for the week, I know it's going to be a great week!

3. Homemade peanut butter cookies
My weakness, peanut butter cookies, especially peanut butter cookies that are hot right off the cookie sheet. Nobody can stop the taste of homemade right out of the oven cookies. The best part is knowing that my cookies are both vegan and gluten-free! Because I had my hand in the cookie making process!

2. Vive Cookie Bites
Of course I had to include Vive's Cookie Bites on my favorite foods for my snacklebox. They're so addicting, and they taste so good. I really could turn a snacklebox into just a Vive Cookie box, but I need a little bit of variety don't I?

1. Homemade Blueberry Muffins

The day I asked my husband to help make blueberry muffins was probably one of the coolest days ever. Warm, homemade blueberry muffins. There are no magical ingredients to get me hooked unless blueberries are magical. Are they? They could be. If I wanted to make these fit into a snackle box, I'm going to have to invest in mini cupcake tins, just so I can enjoy muffins and enjoy eating gluten-free and healthy.

Happy Summer Reading: My Tag for Summer Books

Happy 4th of July and Happy Summer

It's summertime and because I promised all free books this summer and I have my list down, I'm just trying to polish up the books I plan on reading, but until then here's a Summer Book Tag! The lady who's a video I got the tag from, her name was Jen also, so you know it makes it even more exciting to use a tag from someone who is also named Jen.

1. What three books do you want to read this summer? 

The three books I plan on reading are Secrets Holywood Life by Jen Colinta, The Devil's Waltz by Anne Stuart, and Queen of the Likes by Hilary Homzie.

2. Which character most embodies the traits of summer?
When I think of summer I think of someone who's free-spirited and ready to take on the world. Summer, especially when you're younger is you against the world right? Time to understand why things happen the way that they do. Curiosity makes summer the way that it is for me. I don't care if someone says differently. My choice of summer traits would be Kaitlin Burke from Secrets of My Holywood life. While the book is talking about her going to a public school rather than have a tutor, she's taking on life the way that I want to take on school, with an open mind. 

3. What book do you most associate with the physicality of summer?
As long as I've been alive there's been two books that remind me of summer. Both are children's books but they bring me back to summer every single time I think of them. The first book is Just Grandma and Me by Mercer Meyer. From the second he dropped the hot dogs in the sand to the time he got tired on the way back from the beach reminded me of how it felt when I was younger and how I enjoyed summer

The second book is Barney's Sandcastle, written by Stephanie Calmenson. Barney is a young raccoon, at least I think he's a raccoon, on an adventure at the beach, he's finding all of the perfect things he needs to build his sandcastle. I always wanted to build a sandcastle as amazing as Barney's, but I never got lucky. I had to go home before it was built, or I was missing all some of the cool pieces

4. What kind of books do you like to read on holiday? 

When it comes to reading books during vacations, I don't have a 'kind of book' that I like to read or even a choice of books, whatever book I read is up to me. I've never been one to be picky and choosy when it comes to books anyway. Why be choosy? 

5. Any books that hold memories to certain places?
Nope, not really. I don't have any books other than the ones I mentioned above to have strong memories of summer. I had my mom reading to me almost every night in the summer though. I'm sure my mom misses reading to me. 

6. If you could you go on holiday with any author, who would you go with and where? What would you want to know?
Hm, that's a tough choice, but I think I'd probably pick a children's author like Mercer Mayer, or Eric Carle, those two people are who I grew up on. I'd really love to learn what makes them tick, and how they go about writing their books. The place? Um wherever they're more comfortable to write at. 

7. What's your book of the year so far?
The Girl He Used to Know by Tracy Gravis Graves. It's been one of my favorite's this year because never once have I been able to relate to a character. Never once have a read a book about someone who's on the autistic spectrum ever. The Girl He Used to know was that book that made feel less alone. Less like I was some kind of weirdo. I could actually imagine what it was like to be a chracter Annika was written perfectly.

8. How did you spend your summer holidays as a child? What are your plans this summer?
When I was a kid, I was the bookworm, it was between reading books, going to the beach and playing outside. What I really loved was when my mom would sign me up for some of those summer reading clubs through the book orders they had when I was a kid and I'd get a cluster of books every month to read. I'd read, read, read until I couldn't read anymore. It's another reason why I want to read books this summer as I've stated on my bucket list. I want to be that kid again. 

Time to go to the Kingdom of Reading; Reading Kingdom Review

Let's spill the tea bit about reading. Better yet let's spill the tea about reading and making sure your child retains what they've learned over the summer. Both as a parent and a former student (yes I once got my education to believe it or not).

We all know how much I love educational games and apps. So I'm going to talk a bit about the Reading Kingdom, a website to help your kids learn to read.
I've been playing along as Freya. Freya can't read nor will she ever read. She's a cat, but I wanted to get a feel of the site before handing it off to my stepdaughter or my youngest son. It's the kind of parent I am. Not because I think games are dangerous, but because I, want to feel that if a site or app holds my attention, and I have a really short attention span that the game/app is worth it to share with my children and it should be able to hold their attention for at least a little while.

It's better than YouTube right?

So here's the site...

You have two options when starting the game on the website take the placement test or start at level one. In my case, I chose, to take the placement test.  During the placement test you're going to have both a reading test to do and a typing test. Both are great for young minds when they're using a computer.

Freya didn't fair too well during her placement test, so she'll be starting on level 1. That's great! I can show you exactly what goes on during this game, and I can then tell you what I think of the game pretty cool right?

When you're taking these tests and learning along you're learn a new word. One of the first level words is the word kid. K-I-D. Your kid is going to learn how to build the word, and what letter belongs where.

This one of the advanced parts of the first level. Do you know what two letters will spell the word kid? I'm not telling. 😆

Every day your kid has a new session to complete. It's not going to be same old questions that were asked the day before! You're kids going to grow and hopefully learn after they're done with the session.

The Important Questions you may be asking

If I was a child this is what I would have thought of the game

Of course, taking off my adult hat and pretending to be a 7-year-old girl wasn't an easy task while I was playing this game. But I stepped back and imagined being a child, and when I imagined being a child the game made more sense and if you gave my 7-year-old self this game as a child, I may have enjoyed it.

It reminds me a lot of Reader Rabbit, a game I played when I was a kid, both my grandma had the game on her computer and so did my teacher! I would sit and play Reader Rabbit every chance I got and it didn't grow with me, so I gave up after learning to spell words. The Reading Kingdom actually grew with me! I would have been really happy if someone bought the game for me.

How much is the game and was it worth the price?

The price for the game is $19.99 a month or $200 a year, but you get the first month free. In my opinion as a parent and as someone who believes reading is fundamental, I actually loved this game. It's worth the $19.99 a month, to get your child the leg up that they need for either homeschooling or for summer reading.

A bit about the customization

The game even customizes itself to help your child. All children learn at a different page Reading Kingdom knows that. Reading Kingdom gets me as a parent and as someone who enjoys educational games.

Oh did I mention that we also have some bonus games as well, they have a memory game, a typing game, and a game called Word Fish, where you're swimming around looking for the letters? I myself loved the memory game the most. It wasn't just words there were symbols that I had to remember and remembering symbols isn't as easy as I thought it would be.

My final thoughts

Before I go, I need to say, that this game may not be the right fit for every family. But I enjoyed it and I'm sure there are some kids that would really enjoy the game. Like I said earlier there's a 30-day trial, if you and your kid don't like it, you can move on to something else.

#12 Post a video: One item off of my Summer Bucket list done

I apologize for being MIA again for a while, but with both a eustachian tube problem and being with the internet for a few weeks made things difficult.

I never thought I'd be saying it but I'm marking something that was my scariest item on the list it was making a video. I wasn't planning on ever doing a video. It's not even a Thursday video, but more or less just a video talking about food, but it's what my goal actually was. To get over my fear of talking in front of the camera.

Bucket List item #12. Record a Thursday Tag video instead of writing them out

A little bit of a backstory/review is in order in case you don't want to sit and watch my video:

As you all may know, I'm trying to reinvent my diet. It's scary going gluten-free. I did and still have many fears. Mainly most revolve around snaking and not overeating. I'm one of those folks, that has a bit of a sweet tooth, and I don't think it's going to change much. So I've noticed a trend in my Facebook Celiacs and Gluten Free groups. The idea is called a snackle box. It's exactly what it sounds like, a snack box with snacks. 

I'm still on the search for a box that I'd like to use, and trying to figure out the best food for the box. I don't want to stick something in the box and go, "Yuck, I won't eat this garbage." So as of right now I'm in the preliminary stage of picking what I like and don't like, so I'll be more organized. And as seen in my previous posts, one of my biggest vices are cookies. I'm sure if Pennywise (the Clown from It) could get me to go into the sewer if he offered me gluten-free cookies. Really, I'm that bad! 

That's when it dawned on me, I needed to find myself gluten-free cookies. I came to a very possible solution for my snacklebox, which will be talked more about on Friday for my top 5. So what was the answer? Vive Cookie Bites I realize the photo isn't the best, but my new phone is quite good. That's why I also have a video of me eating them.

Ignore the part where I'm eating the bites and I make a weird face when I said I wasn't supposed to make a weird face. It's usually just something I do when I take the bite of something.

With that said, feel free to watch my Vive video, and allow me to check it off of my list of things to do this summer. I may eventually post this video on YouTube, but for now, I posted it both here and on my Instagram.