Review NewAir AH-470 Flat Panel Micathermic Space Heater Perfect for Warming Up Indoors

Lifestyle

by Rebecca Elspas

Lifestyle Writer

This is a sponsored post

I received a NewAir AH-470 Space Heater for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

With the winter solstice right around the corner and all the rain we've had the past few days, it’s finally starting to get a bit chilly in L.A. You see, when the first hint of the winter breeze hits Los Angelinos, we break out our North Faces and Uggs—we are dying to warm up. 

Wet and Cold California Morning, MommyBlogExpert.com

Once we get home from a long day of work or school, there’s nothing a West Coaster loves more than opening their door to a home filled with warmth. So warm that you just want to throw on your cozy sweater, sweatpants and fuzzy socks and curl up just about anywhere to watch Netflix.

NewAir AH-470 Space Heater, MommyBlogExpert.com

There’s many ways to achieve that warmth we all love—the safest and easiest being a space heater, such as the NewAir AH-470. This super slender flat panel micathermic space heater fits just about anywhere, making it perfect for dorms, crowded apartments, or any room in the homes of people who want to conserve space. Just plug it in and with a simple flick of the switch and the tap of a button to set the temperature anyone is able to “bring on the heat."

With its extra safety precautions, if the NewAir heater accidentally tips over, it automatically shuts off. Likewise, when a room has heated up a too much, it turns off all by itself. Plus, if you’re feeling like you’d rather move into your bed to read a good book, this heater is super portable, with rolling wheels on the bottom to make it even more fun!

Also, with the NewAir space heater’s double-sided heat board, you can share the warmth with anyone you’d like! Oh yeah, and for those times when you are so comfortable you can’t get up (admit it, it happens to all of us), this heater, unlike most, comes with a special remote devices that allows you to control the settings without even moving a finger or toe. 

Tiny remote fits in palm of hand, MommyBlogExpert.com

Even pets love it, as you can see from my little dog Dexter who's comes over to chill whenever I turn this home appliance on. He looks as cozy as a bug in a rug, doesn't he?

MommyBlogExpert.com

Speaking of toes—just talking about this makes me want to run and get a hot cup of tea and my pink fuzzy socks to warm my toes up by my new heater…that just sounds like heaven on earth. Who cares to join me? As I said, there’s room for two!

MommyBlogExpert.com

For more information on the NewAir AH-470 Space Heater visit the official website. You can also stay up to date on everything NewAir is doing by following them on Facebook.

I received a NewAir AH-470 Space Heater for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

FTC Disclosure: This is sponsored post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

How to Get Kids to Eat Healthy for Holidays

Parenting

MBE partnered with Yahoo Parenting for this story

The Art of Hiding Nutritious Ingredients in Kid's Food

Since the beginning of time, it seems, getting your kids to eat foods that are good for them has been a concern and challenge for us parents. During the holidays it's an even bigger issue with moms and dads. Fueled by all the irregular hours, excitement and hyper stimulation, the temptations are everywhere for kids to chow down on excessive amounts of unhealthy stuff like candy and junk food.

 

Squash vs Candy Conundrum, MommyBlogExpert.com

Believe me, I'm a mom of four teens and we have been there and done that. Beyond taking your child to meet a good food role model like Martha Stewart, what's a parent to do? Cut out the candy and chips altogether and force the kids to eat all the vegetables on their plate? Or is there a better way?

My daughter meets Martha Stewart, MommyBlogExpert.com

I've always been a firm believer in both making sure my family maintains a healthy diet and in also allowing sweets and other empty calories in moderation. Life is way too short, not to treat your taste buds to something you really like once in awhile. The reality is, though, anyone who has ever cared for a child, especially a picky eater and hater of vegetables, knows living up to that sort of ideal can seem as impossible as a cow actually jumping over the moon. 

With a little creativity and a few healthful items in your pantry or fridge there is an easy solution. Amy Palanjian's 5 Healthy Foods for Your Toddler story nails it on Yahoo! Parenting. To keep things fun, interesting and nutritious, she often hides some healthy ingredients inside the foods her toddler daughter loves --  such as adding some kale and oats to her child's beloved meatballs. How ingenious is that?

Mini Meatballs With Kale, Photo Credit: Amy Palanjian

Each of these recipes Amy has created are healthy and kid-friendly

• Crunchy Wild Salmon Cakes
• Corn Meal Muffins With Yellow Squash & Raisins
• Whole Grain Mini Meatballs With Kale
• Cheesy Oat Crackers With Rosemary
• Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies 

All those meal items sound really delicious, don't they? Amy's clever healthy recipes masquerading as typical not-so-healthy children's fare have been tested by her whole family and are clearly worth trying. 

What's more is that they're also inspiration for thinking of other yummy foods you can sneak onto your kid's plate to create your own original recipes. For example, how does a kuri squash and sweet potatoes dish with no added sugar, sound?

My family loves Roasted Squash, MommyBlogExpert.com

I'm making the aforementioned Squash and Sweet Potato Casserole I dreamed up while writing this post for dinner tonight and my guess is there won't be any complaints from my kids, much less leftovers. 

You get the idea. The children's healthy menu options you can make for your own family are endless for the the holidays and year-round: Just let your creativity run wild. And don't worry, your taste testers won't be all the wiser.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

FTC Disclosure: This is a #YahooParenting #CleverGirls sponsored post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

12 Ways to Banish Holiday Blues - Minimizing Anxiety & Depression

Lifestyle

Editor's Note: According to an Anxiety and Depression Association of America poll, more than half of the respondents said the holiday season increased their anxiety and/or made them feel depressed. In this guest post, the author offers advice to thwart off holiday stress and remain mentally healthy through the season. 

Guest Post 

by Terry Barnett-Martin
Marriage/Family Therapist and Author, Tending Fences 

The holidays are upon us and for many it can be joyous and exciting. For others, however, this can be an emotional time when the winter blues set in and dampen the joy in their hearts. The winter brings cold weather and shorter daylight hours which can cause many of us to slow down and pull in. 

MommyBlogExpert.com

Add the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and many of us can feel overwhelmed and stretched to the limit. It is so important to listen to the wisdom of your body and give yourself extra time, space and nurturing, especially during this time of the year. 

If you feel like the holiday blues are settling in, here are 12 easy ways to lighten your heart and lift your spirits 

Get into the light whenever possible 
Light is essential to your mood. Every sliver of daylight you can take in will do you so much good. Even the holiday lights and decorations can make you feel better. 

Be sure to Play! 
Take time on a regular basis to goof around like kids do. Most often the blues take hold when you take things too seriously. No matter what age you are, find something fun to do with your friends or your kids. 

Take time to exercise
Exercise, not for any reason except that it changes the chemistry of your brain and lifts your mood. For 10 or more minutes a day dance around your home to your favorite music, take a walk around the block, go to the gym. Your mood will be noticeably lifted and your body will feel so much better.

Go gently into the holidays 
Honor your physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Say YES to things you really want to do, and NO to anything that drains your energy. Take extra special care of yourself by choosing how and when you want to celebrate the holidays. Make it work best for you.

MommyBlogExpert.com

Pet therapy
Pets like dogs or cats can have a calming effect and a therapeutic love value in your life. Animal shelters are always looking for caring people to adopt dogs and cats, so if you have room for a pet in your home and life, consider visiting a local shelter. There is nothing more gratifying than a sweet and funny dog or cat greeting you at the door.

Build good relationship fences 
Build fences that both connect you to the people in your life with whom you feel safe to be yourself, and protect you from people who drain your energy or cause pain. For those with whom you feel safe, build a simple fence in your mind’s eye…a place where you can meet and chat. With people who drain you, build your fences taller and stronger to let things slide off so as not to get to you. 

Do one intentional act of kindness daily
It's as simple as holding the door open for someone, or as big as finding someone in need and doing something specific to help. Acts of kindness truly change everything for you and the other person. 

Love yourself
Wink and smile and say, “I love you, kid!” out loud to yourself whenever you pass a mirror. It might feel funny at first, but after you have done this several times, you will feel more confident, more loved and lovable, happier and filled up. 

Dress the way you feel
Wear your favorite clothes, the ones that feel good against your skin and in which you feel comfortable and attractive. 

Eat your favorite healthy foods
Choose fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible for the healing and life force energy they give your body and mind. Splurge a bit on holiday goodies, but be mindful to watch your sugar intake, less is more. Sugar can have a profound effect upon your mood and your whole body. As with sugar, so it goes for alcohol -- less or none are good options.

Change the pattern
Just changing a routine can help to open up new avenues for feeling better. For instance, drive a different way home from work, listen to a different radio station, get up earlier in the morning and go to bed earlier at night, try a new food, or reach out to someone in need. Small changes in routine can give you new perspectives and breathe new solutions and ideas into your mind.

Remember to breathe 
Go easy on yourself. If the holiday blues really lower the light in your life, make a promise to yourself and those you love to get through the holidays without putting too much pressure on yourself. If you still find it gets to be too much, reach out and talk to a friend, a family member, or a therapist.

MommyBlogExpert.com

Be kind and caring to yourself during the holidays, especially if you have a touch of the winter blues. Lead with compassion when dealing with other people, and let light, cheer and goodwill fill you up and keep you healthy. 

About the Author
Terry Barnett-Martin, M.S., LMFT is a relationship counselor in private practice in Southern California. She is an openhearted, intuitive practitioner and writer who is dedicated to helping people find the purpose and path in their life and relationships. Her book Tending Fences: Building Safe and Healthy Relationship Boundaries; The Parables of Avery Soul can be purchased from www.amazon.com and through major booksellers. For more information visit the Tending Fences website.

FTC Disclosure:  Terry Barnett-Martin provided the content for this post. However, no payment or other compensation was exchanged in connection with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Giveaway Snoopy Peanuts Yard Inflatable Home Holiday Decoration #CBXmas

Giveaway

This is a sponsored post

Don't miss the story of how Technicolor remastered this classic for 2014

Continuing the celebration of Peanuts Worldwide and the 50th airing of the TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas on December 2 and again on December 16 on ABC, I couldn't be more excited to be hosting another fabulous giveaway. This time, you're invited to enter to win a giant Peanuts Snoopy inflatable from Gemmy to decorate your home or yard for the holidays. These inflatables feature Snoopy in a variety of fun Christmas poses and settings. Keep reading for a chance to win.

Snoopy

Holiday Inflatable

GIVEAWAY

Enter DAILY - Ends 12/11/14

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MommyBlogExpert's Charlie Brown Holiday Collection Giveaway ends December 11, 2014 at 12 am PT and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Peanuts will award ONE (1) Snoopy
Inflatable by Gemmy to winner - Snoopy styles vary and prize may be different than pictured. Winner of this MBE contest will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 24 hours to claim their prize.

Good Luck!!!

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ENTER Them All HERE

Thanks to Online Sweepstakes for including this contest in their directory of giveaways

About A Charlie Brown Christmas

Since 1964, A Charlie Brown Christmas has touched the lives of millions of fans around the globe. In 2014, Peanuts Worldwide kicks off a year-long celebration of 50 years of A Charlie Brown Christmas. December 2014 marks the 50th time the beloved special airs on television on ABC. In December 2015 it will be the 50th year since it was created, produced and debuted.

FTC Disclosure: I disclose that I am a 50 Years on TV Peanuts Brand Ambassador. I received a Peanuts prize package to facilitate this giveaway and the associated interview post with Ron Smith of Technicolor, who was involved in remastering the animated classic film. Peanuts is also providing the prize package and shipping for the winner. However opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Remastering Iconic A Charlie Brown Christmas - Ron Smith Technicolor Interview #CBXmas

Entertainment

This is a sponsored post

4th Post in a #CBXmas Series

Enter to Win

Holiday Snoopy Inflatable Giveaway

This post series celebrates the 50th airing of A Charlie Brown Christmas which aired earlier this week and runs again on ABC on Tuesday, December 16 at 8 p.m. ET. My interview with Ron Smith, Account Executive Mastering and Restoration at Technicolor -- the fourth involving people closely connected to the iconic family animated picture was absolutely fascinating. I think you'll agree, especially considering that for every film that gets restored, there are 1,000 more that haven't been preserved and protected.

Ron Smith of Technicolor

How was today's cutting-edge technology including 4K scanning and finishing used to make the 50 year-old classic look as fresh and new as the day it first aired? Read on and you'll learn all about the editing room magic, not in techie language but in everyday words that are easy to understand for all us non-filmmakers. 

Smith has worked on Peanuts specials over the years in three different positions: first at CBS, which was airing the Peanuts series at the time; then at Paramount, which was distributing the show during that period, and now at Technicolor. 

"One of the things that really struck me," relates Smith, "when we started working on it here at Technicolor was that I discovered I wasn’t the only one with a special relationship to the material. The colorists here, grown men and women, were fighting over the project. That’s how fondly it’s remembered by so many people."

From a personal perspective Smith is equally touched by the privilege of being involved in the project. "A Charlie Brown Christmas is probably my favorite Christmas show," he says. "If the Linus scene doesn’t get you all choked up, then nothing will. My kids like it, and my daughter has a child who just turned 5, and she loves it."

Who can forget that scraggly tree in A Charlie Brown Christmas? Image from Peanuts

Now for some highlights from my conversation with Smith...

What 4K means to Peanuts

"You’ll see a richer image that’s closer to the original film than any previous digital version of the special. There are more pixels per inch, so the picture quality is better than ever before on any television screen. Peanuts is at the forefront of this technology, which “future-proofs” A Charlie Brown Christmas and the other Peanuts specials for the day when ultra-high-definition TVs are the standard in every household. And the soundtrack has been cleaned and restored, too, providing the perfect sound for home theaters.

From the viewer’s point of view, what’s the first thing we’ll notice now that the special is in 4K?

"That it actually fits on your widescreen television! The picture is now designed for that screen. All the other presentations are designed for the old 4x3 screens."

"You’ll also notice the soundtrack and music have been upgraded for modern viewing: it’s in stereo surround 5.1 We’re lucky that the original negative exists for these shows, and all the original soundtracks and magnetic tracks. We were able to go in, separate those tracks, and clean them up, along with the sound effects. You’ll get that nice stereo music in your surround speakers. So the special not only looks better, but sounds more current, too."

Is there any scene in particular where we’ll notice the difference?

"When I watch one of the shows at home, everything looks kind of small. Particularly any of the group scenes, the skating in the beginning, the rehearsal scenes for the Christmas play, they all look kind of distant. Now you’ll be able to see it much more clearly."

Image from Peanuts Worldwide

What are some of the dos and don’ts of restoring classic animation? Is there a danger that it can it look “too good,” so you lose the charm of the hand-drawn originals?

"There are some classic mistakes. It can look too sharp or over-enhanced. With the Charlie Brown stuff, you have to embrace the original look. The picture changes from frame to frame. You’ve got to realize you can’t fix everything. You’ve basically got to take the show as a whole, not nitpick it, then go back and smooth it out."

"We were lucky to have the original artwork, the original cels, so we could see what the original colors were for characters and what they wore. Everyone in Peanuts family has been involved in this in some way, and they’ve been very helpful."

If you are as huge a Peanuts fan as I am, you'll likely be intrigued by MBE's other posts in this series based on interviews with Mr. Schulz's daughter Jill Schulz, actress Sally Dryer who, as a child, voiced Violet in the iconic Charlie Brown TV special that first aired in 1965, and David Benoit, the composer, arranger and musician behind the music CD 40 Years of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

 Giveaway - Enter to WIN

Giant Snoopy Holiday Inflatable

Next up in this A Charlie Brown Christmas I'll be interviewing the legendary Lee Mendleson. In 1965 he produced A Charlie Brown Christmas which won an Emmy and a Peabody and went on to become one of the most beloved animated films appealing to multiple generations ever made.

About A Charlie Brown Christmas
Since 1964 A Charlie Brown Christmas has touched the lives of millions of fans around the globe. In 2014, Peanuts Worldwide kicks off a year-long celebration of 50 years of A Charlie Brown Christmas. December 2014 marks the 50th time the beloved special airs on television on ABC. In December 2015 it will be the 50th year since it was created, produced and debuted.

FTC Disclosure: I disclose that I am a 50 Years on TV Peanuts Brand Ambassador. I received a Peanuts prize package to facilitate this post and the associated giveaway. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.