Product Review: Oral-B Professional Precision 5000

Brushing your teeth is one of those things that you just do. It’s like washing your face and taking a shower. You just do it. I have to admit, I never really thought too much about it. I brush my teeth like everyone else, go to the dentist twice a year, and get my new toothbrush every time I go. It’s pretty much a no brainer. I never gave my teeth the royal treatment with a special brush, that is until now.

I recently had the chance to try out the Oral-B Professional Precision 5000 rechargeable power toothbrush. When I first took it out of the box I was a little overwhelmed by all the bells and whistles. I mean when you buy a regular old toothbrush at the drugstore you just take it out of the box and go. This had a few more parts. But I quickly got over it and started reading the instructions and found myself actually excited to brush my teeth.

 

The set up instructions were easy to follow. As I read on, I found the wireless smart guide to be a very cool surprise. This little gadget keeps track of how long you have been brushing and can even let you know when you are done with each quadrant of your mouth so you get the ultimate professional treatment. This was one of my favorite parts of this toothbrush. It takes the guess work out of trying to figure out if you’ve been brushing long enough.

While using the Oral-B Professional Precision 5000 toothbrush, I could actually feel my teeth getting cleaner when compared to my old school toothbrush. The oscillating and pulsating movements do make a difference when trying to get your teeth clean. This is something you’re not going to get from manually brushing. The only downside I found was it could be a bit messy. I’m the type of person who tends to walk around the house when brushing my teeth, especially if the kids are running here and there. That is hard to do, neatly, when you have a rotating toothbrush in your hand. But, if I stayed over the sink like a normal person, this wouldn’t be a problem!

 

A friend of mine told me once you upgrade to a rechargeable toothbrush, you never go back. I have to say I agree. I actually threw out the one from the dentist so my new Oral-B Professional Precision 5000 now has a permanent home.

 

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Modern Mom on behalf of Oral-B and received a product sample to facilitate my review."

                     

 

 

The 12 Days of Christmas...2012 Style

   It's a holiday classic...the 12 days of Christmas. We all know what our true love gave to us according to that song. But really, what modern mom really wants any of those things on that dated list? Okay, maybe we'd still take the five gold rings. I surely don't need eleven lords a leaping or a partridge in a pear tree, especially if its Danny Bonaduce... talk about useless gifts. French hens, and geese...just more things to clean up after. Twelve drummers drumming? Nope, that just equals more noise.

   Seeing that the old list is completely useless and impractical, I came up with my own little version that my husband and children could give to me this year. Some of these things are probably on your list too. Hope you like it! Feel free to sing it or add in the background track.

On the first day of Christmas, my family gave to me, one day at the spa.

On the second day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the third day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 5 nights of sleep, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 6 long hot showers, 5 nights of sleep, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my family gave to me 7 movies to watch, 6 long hot showers, 5 nights of sleep, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 8 maids of cleaning, 7 movies to watch, 6 long hot showers, 5 nights of sleep, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 9 books to read,  8 maids of cleaning, 7 movies to watch, 6 long hot showers, 5 nights of sleep, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 10 empty hampers, 9 books to read,  8 maids of cleaning, 7 movies to watch, 6 long hot showers, 5 nights of sleep, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the eleventh day of Christmas , my family gave to me, 11 Zumba classes, 10 empty hampers, 9 books to read,  8 maids of cleaning, 7 movies to watch, 6 long hot showers, 5 nights of sleep, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my family gave to me, 12 gourmet meals, 11 Zumba classes, 10 empty hampers, 9 books to read,  8 maids of cleaning, 7 movies to watch, 6 long hot showers, 5 nights of sleep, 4 hours of silence, 3 glasses of Pinot, 2 mani pedis, and one day at the spa.

Merry Christmas!

A $24,000 Playhouse for Suri...What?

   I was driving the other day when I heard on the radio that Katie Holmes was buying her daughter, Suri Cruise, a $24,000 playhouse for Christmas. I thought I was hearing things, so I had to come home and google it. Well, not only did I hear correctly, but I found out this "Suri dreamhouse" is equipped with running water, electricity, a sun room and eat-in kitchen. Not only is she getting this ridiculous house, but she is also getting a kids' version of a Mercedes that is worth nearly 10 large, as well as an iPad mini and a Chloe fur coat.

   After my eyes went back into my head, I had a WTF moment. With all that is going on in the world today, this really irked me (so, of course, I had to write about it). There are still Hurricane Sandy victims waiting to get running water and electricity. Heck, there so many homeless who would love to live in Suri's new play gigs. There are twenty children in Newtown, CT, just around her age who will not have a Christmas because they went to school one day and never came home. Their classmates who survived the mass shooting are surely going to be scarred for life. I'm sure a $24,000 playhouse is so far off their radar right now. I'm sure some of them will just settle for a good night's sleep without any bad dreams.

   I know Suri is not the only celeb kid that will be spoiled this Christmas, but since this is the only one I've heard about, I'm picking on her. Sorry, Suri. Maybe it's me, but I don't think all this stuff is necessary for a six-year-old girl. Come on, does she really need this? No. Does she want all this? Who knows. But, when you lay out this spread for this Christmas, how do you follow up next year? A Barbie penthouse, complete with a life size robot Barbie? I just don't know.

   I'm getting off my soapbox now, but I'm still fired up. When I hear things like this, my mind is boggled and I actually get kind of sad to think that kids need to be spoiled this way. This Christmas my kids are obviously not getting any houses they could actually rent to their friends, nor are they getting a better play car than my real car. I'm okay with that. They'll be happy with what they get. They'll be happy they have me. I'll be happy I have them. These days, that's all that matters.

How Do You Stay Slim?

   It seems to be a never ending battle. You gain weight, you lose weight, you gain weight…you know the drill. When you have kids, things expand easily, but the trouble is, they don’t shrink as easily. After having two kids, I can tell you that losing weight is one of the hardest things. I found after both pregnancies my secret weapon was breastfeeding. It shed the pounds quicker than anything else. The trouble is after you’re done breastfeeding, the weight starts to creep back.

   That’s when you hit the gym hardcore. I try to go as often as I can, but it’s hard when you have kids. They have those kids’ club babysitter things, but I don’t completely trust them to be honest with you! I know a lot of other moms who turn to Weight Watchers, while some try other means. Whatever you do, it’s always best to check in with your doctor too. Sometimes he or she can also get you on the path to becoming a slimmer momma. Here’s my advice, for what it’s worth…After having kids, I’ve come to realize that my body will never be the same again, and I’m okay with that. As long as I’m healthy for myself and my family, the size 4 jeans can stay on the rack.

--Kristina

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Flying with Kids

   Before having kids, planning a trip was as easy as having a plan, then making sure you had the money to pay for it. After kids, it became a bit more complicated. There are a lot more things to consider. Is the destination kid friendly? What kind of restaurants are there? And the big one…can we drive or do we have to take a flight?

   I know a lot of people who have taken flights with their little ones with no problems. In fact, they swear by it.  I have not yet been that adventurous. So far, we’ve only tried our luck with road trips and it hasn’t been so bad. I’m a little apprehensive to fly because of all the baggage and extra stuff that comes along with packing for kids. Car seats and strollers don’t exactly fit in the overhead storage bins! But, a lot of parents say they’re easy to check and retrieve. They also say the kids are so fascinated with flying that they actually behave pretty well. There’s also no stopping every five miles to go potty. That must be nice! One of these days we’ll take to the friendly skies with our kids. I’m sure they will be super excited!

--Kristina

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Finding the Best Diaper Bag

   It’s one of the most important things you will buy as a new mom. Is it a car seat? No. What about the crib? No.  Drum roll please….It is the almighty diaper bag! I never thought it was such an important part of the mommy experience, but it really is. Your life and your kids’ lives are pretty much in that bag 24/7. Diapers, bottles, formula, toys, clothes, wallet…you name it and its there.

   Some moms still carry a pocketbook along with their diaper bags. I ditch the pocketbook when I have the kids because it’s just one more thing to lug around. These days diaper bags are so trendy that you really don’t have to bring along the pocketbook. I’ve had some serious bag envy when I see other mommas with diaper bags nicer than any pocketbook that is collecting dust in my closet. Don’t get me wrong, some of these will put you back a few boxes of diapers. But, if you’re not going to carry a pocketbook, it may really be worth it. If you don’t want to shell out the cash, you could always put it on a registry or a little wish list too! You never know what people will buy for you if you just ask them!

--Kristina

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Finding the Right Fit

   As women, we have a lot more clothing options than men do. That’s part of the fun of being a woman. We have our skirts, our dresses, our different coats, and of course our underwear. Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you have to revert to buying “granny panties”. You know which ones I’m talking about…those ones you can buy in multi-packs in any old store. Can you say boring?

   I’m not saying we all need to or can afford to shop at Victoria’s Secret. But it’s ok to treat yourself a little bit too when it comes to bras and underwear. You don’t have to buy your underwear where you buy your shampoo. We all know how much our bodies change after having kids. Things start sagging and can get a little jiggly too. If they don’t, then you’re not human! Either that or you have extremely good genes and you should be eternally grateful! If you decide to breastfeed your kids, things may start sagging a little quicker too! That’s why it’s really important to find the right bra. Those suckers did some major combat, so it’s only right to reward them, right?

--Kristina

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Time to Play Dress Up

   New Year’s Eve is almost here. If you’re lucky enough, maybe you have plans to go to a party where crayons aren’t a staple. If you are, then you better take advantage and play dress up. If you have little girls you probably play dress up all the time. No matter how old you are, there’s something magical about slipping on a dress and some high heels, especially if you’re usually walking around in jeans and sneakers. It really makes you feel like a woman.

   If you’re not used to dressing up, you may actually find yourself at a loss for what to wear. I remember going shopping last year for post maternity clothes. I felt like I needed my own personal shopper. Sometimes you get so caught up with being a mom that you forget what’s hot and what’s not, all you know is that you are falling under the “not” column more often. I found the best bet is to check out some popular stores and see what you “should” be wearing and then modify it for what you can wear and afford. As long as you don’t get stopped by the fashion police, you should be alright!

--Kristina

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Ready, Set, Shop!

   I love to shop. I know a lot of women out there are with me on this one. I think there’s just something in our DNA. Whether its jeans, shirts, dresses, or jackets, there’s just something about buying a new item. If you’re lucky enough to do it without kids, it takes on a magic of its own. If you can’t swing that, online shopping really isn’t a bad way to go. I have to admit before kids I never really bought clothing online. But, once you have kids, you do a lot of things you never did before.

   To be honest, online shopping is really not bad and is so much easier when you have kids. You don’t have to lug around the stroller. You don’t have to stop at every potty in the mall, and you can browse for as long as you want without a salesperson bugging you or your child having the meltdown of the century. I’ve really come to like it, especially around the holidays when the stores are so crazy with super long lines. If you’re lucky enough to get free shipping, there’s really no reason not to try it. A warning though…once you do, you may get hooked.

--Kristina
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Holiday Shopping Ideas

   What do you get for the person on your holiday shopping list who has everything? Lord knows they don’t need another scarf or sweater or a pair of slippers. These are the people who you usually buy gift cards for so you don’t have to drive yourself nuts, right? Well, not necessarily. There are actually a lot of cool gifts out there if you just take the time to look. I know, I know, who has the time? But, if you actually take the time, you may make some new best friends! I’ve seen everything from cool gadgets, to dolls, to even some interesting candles just waiting to find a new home with that person who has everything.

   Once again, if that’s still not your thing, sometimes gift cards are the best route to go. I know I’m doing a lot of those this year. Not because I’m being lazy (really), but because I know people will really enjoy them. They will definitely be the right size, won’t need a gift receipt and won’t need to be returned. Sometimes it takes a little of the hustle and bustle out of the holidays, and we could all use a little of that every now and again, right?

--Kristina
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Getting on Board with Technology

   When it comes to phone technology, I think I was the last person on the planet to get a smart phone. I was walking around with a “dumb phone” for ages. I think Fred Flintstone had better technology than I did.  With that said, I have to admit I don’t know how I lived without my little iPhone! I have formed a special relationship with this little piece of technology. I take her everywhere I go, and she even goes to sleep with me to recharge her batteries!

   Besides the actual phone, there are also a lot of cool accessories. Let’s start with the case. There are some really cool ones out there when it comes to the iPhone or any other phone out there. You can pretty much get any design. There are even some you can personalize with pictures of your loved ones. Once again, all this smart phone stuff is really new to me. There is even technology that allows you to fly a helicopter. Now that’s cool! I don’t know if I can get on board with that, but that is definitely cool! I know a lot of people who would love that for a Christmas gift, or any other gift for that matter!

--Kristina
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Cooking with Spices

   I’ll be the first to admit, when it comes to food, I’m a pretty boring eater. I kinda like to stick with what I know. With that said I envy people who are adventurous when it comes to their food. You know who you are. You’re the kind of people who always order something different when you go out, even if it is at your favorite restaurant. You always like to try something new. Yeah, not me. I’m the type of person who usually has a favorite and sticks with it. I guess you can say I don’t fall under the category “variety is the spice of life.”

   When it comes to spices, there are a lot of people who really like to turn it up a notch. There is nothing too spicy for their palates. Again, I applaud you. There are also a lot of people who like to go the sweet route.  I’m more of a plain old salt and pepper girl myself when it comes to spices. I know, I know..boring. Maybe that’s why I’m not the best cook either! My husband always asks if we have certain spices in the house and I just look at him like he has three heads. Maybe it’s time to kick it up in the kitchen!

--Kristina
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Ready, Set, Print!

   Before my daughter learned where I keep the printer paper, it used to last me forever. One package could last for months and months. But now, that is not the case. Somehow, she is using more of it than I am. She seems to be turning into a Picasso who likes to create several pieces of daily artwork. God forbid she uses the same piece of paper more than once. Don’t get me wrong, I love her creativity and would much rather she does this than sit in front of the TV. But, coloring in a coloring book wouldn’t be so bad either.

   Of course, I’ve tried to tell her to only take one or two at a time. But, how well does a three-year-old really listen? I think you know the answer. So, naturally, when I’m ready to print some coupons, because like I’ve said before, I’ve never  met a coupon I didn’t like, I find myself searching for paper. There are plenty of scribbles. Excuse me, I meant to say masterpieces…but those won’t cut it. So, that usually means a trip to the store, to pick up some more paper. Just add it to the list! A mother’s work is never done!

--Kristina
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That's a Wrap!

   So the presents are bought (well almost), and now it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty and do some wrapping before the big day. If you’re lucky, you only have to wrap them once and stick a nice name tag on them all and decide whether to put on a green or red bow. But, for a lot of us, those packages have to go a lot further than just under the tree. That means a trip to the post office for some shipping.

   I’ll admit, I don’t usually have to send out a lot of packages. So, I guess you could say I’m lucky. But, when I do, there are usually a lot of supplies to get…the boxes, the special paper and sometimes even some special tags and tape.  Once you have it all ready to go, it’s time to ship those packages off. Here’s a word to the wise mommas…don’t take your kids along if you can help it. Every time I go to the post office, I always have some type of kid drama. The lines are usually a little longer too this time of year, which doesn’t help the situation. So just remember, wrap, pack, and go it alone (if you can!).

 

--Kristina
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Different Gift Ideas for Kids

   I’m sure this Christmas plenty of Barbies, trucks, and board games will find new homes under plenty of people’s trees. But, sometimes, gifts like that can get boring. Sure, they’re an easy buy, but honestly, they’re boring. There are a lot of other cool gifts out there for kids; you just have to look a little further than just down the toy aisle that blinds you with different shades of pink. You know what I mean?

   I’ll admit I fall into the boring and easy trap just as easy as the next momma. I’m always jealous of one of my friends who always buys the most unique gifts whether it’s for me or for my kids. You will never find her picking up a toy at a big box store. I know she shops local a lot and sometimes finds some cool stuff online too. Gifts like that also have a more personal feel to them.  I honestly wish I had the patience and time to do that. While many things get lost in toy land, it’s very rare that one of those unique gifts will get a one way ticket to the bottom of your child’s toy chest.

Giving Back with Charity Christmas Cards

   ‘Tis the season for giving, we all know that. If you’re like me, you’ve probably gotten a lot of things in the mail from charities over the past month or so. Mailing labels and cards are always a biggie this time of year. I don’t know about you, but I always feel guilty about keeping those things without sending a little bit of money back. Cards and labels cost money to make and I feel like I’m taking from those who they are trying to help by not giving a little something back in return.

   Sometimes it’s nice to know that you are actually helping others by just sending a Christmas card their way. It’s especially nice because we all know where a lot of those cards end up at the end of the season…in the trash. So, if people are just going to throw them away, you might as well not waste money by just buying them at any old store. The way I look at is that if you’re going to spend money on cards and take the time to write them all out, you might as well help people in the process. After all, isn’t that what the holiday season is all about?

Let's Give a Hand for Special Gifts

   As a parent, I’m sure many of you out there will agree that homemade gifts from your kids are the best thing ever. As a child, I remember how excited my Mom and Dad were to get my one- of- a- kind goodies and now I know why. Anyone can take your little one to a store to buy you a gift, but it really means so much more when those gifts are from the heart and made from their little hands.

  Besides getting homemade gifts from your kids, it’s nice to get other special presents that someone made by hand, rather than something mass produced in some factory. We all know, it’s the thought that counts. That’s why when someone thinks about getting you something different, it really does count. There are places you can go to get gifts made by hand or there are other gifts you can do yourself. Before I had kids I had more time to be crafty, but now that is definitely not the case! So, I do admire you mommas out there who can still be Martha Stewart while wearing your Mom hat! For those of you who can’t (like myself), there are plenty of other hands out there that can make those homemade gifts this year and still give it a unique flair!

Give the Gift of Food

   If you’re like many people this time of year, you’re in the middle of the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. With that comes the daunting task of finding the “perfect” gift…if there is such a thing. Sometimes you search and search in hopes of tracking down the one thing that will put a smile on even the pickiest person. Even when you think you’ve found that “it” gift, you get an “oh, this is nice” as a response, when you know what they’re really thinking is, “where in the world did they come up with this gem?”

   Sometimes the best way to avoid all that awkwardness is to gift to give is food. I mean, really, who doesn’t like to snack? If you say no, then I really don’t think you’re human. After all, we all need to eat! If you don’t know what to choose, there are a lot of yummy snacks out there that are also good for you too. Not everything you put in your mouth automatically has to earn you an hour on the treadmill! There are a lot of places to choose from too, you just really have to decide which way to go. Think about it this way…the gift of food always fits and you never need a gift receipt!