Wahl Deep-Tissue Massager Review and Info on a Giveaway

I don't know about you, but lately, I seem to have a lot going on in my life and quite frankly, with that has come a lot of stress. When I get stressed, I definitely can feel it in my shoulders and back. I think this is a combination of things - both the physical impact of the stress itself and the side-effect of tossing and turning or sleeping in an awkward position at night (stress either causes me to be constantly moving and awake at night as my mind runs or it causes me to conk out not noticing that I am in a bad position for sleeping).

Sometimes, I can rely on exercise and stretching to help relieve some of this stress, but the deep down tension, sometimes that only remedy for that is a massage. I would love to have the time (and the money) to go for a therapeutic massage at the spa on a regular basis, but there just isn't time (or money) for that. So, sometimes, you have to find other ways.

Recently, I had the chance to try the Wahl Deep-Tissue Percussion Therapeutic Massager through MamaBzz. Wahl makes a whole series of massagers, including Deep-Tissue, Flex Therapy and Heat Therapy. They are currently running a Facebook promotion, where you can nominate a mom to win a mom relief package:

• Moms work hard all day, every day, and to thank them, Wahl - the company that invented the electric massager - is giving 50 massagers to 50 deserving moms this Mother’s Day.
• Through its first-ever Mom Relief Initiative, Wahl is providing the tools to help moms achieve the kind of sought-after relief that causes spas to book out Mother’s Day weekend months in advance, and why the spa is among the top gifts for mom every year.
• Wahl therapeutic massagers are serious pain management tools that offer powerful motors variable intensity control and interchangeable heads, allowing you to customize your massage experience.

Health Benefits of Massage
• Massage is not only an effective method of pain management, but it also contributes greatly to overall well-being.

• Massage can increase blood flow, which effectively reduces pain tension, relieves muscle tension and soothes inflammation.

• In addition to providing effective pain relief, massage can also greatly improve circulation, regulate blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and provide an immense feeling of relaxation, all of which contribute greatly to physical and emotional well-being.


For more on the health benefits of massage and the full line of therapeutic massagers, make sure to visit wahlmassagers.com. This new online resource is the first of its kind and provides consumers with information on chronic pain management methods tailored to fit their specific needs.

The massager features a 9' cord, allowing you to plug it in and settle yourself in some place to enjoy the massage.

The handle is designed so that you can use it to work out tension in your own back.

The massage intensity is controlled by a dial that allows you to adjust it to just the right intensity for you and even adjust it as you work an area if needed.

The massager includes four attachments, further allowing you to customize the massage experience. The first is the Deep Muscle Attachment. This attachment "thumps smoothly, creating a gentle, relaxing massage for all over general body use." The second is the Raised Bump Attachment, which has a "wide surface for an all-over muscle massage". Then, there is the Accupoint Attachment which "targets deep into tissue, great for pinpointing concentrated areas." Fourth, is the Four Finger Flex Attachement with "soft finger-like nodes" which "replicate a human touch massage."

One thing that I thought was really nice is that the directions provide information on massage techniques for everything from your shoulders and neck to your legs to your scalp.

Previously having owned one of those massagers that were designed to attach to the back of your chair, I must say that I really liked that with this Wahl Deep-Tissue Massager I was able to target a specific section of my back to work out the tension in a particular area. I also liked that it was useable to massage my legs and arms as well. I like that the design of the massager allows you to address your own tension, but you could still use the massager on someone else (which might be more relaxing).

Although the directions provide techniques for massaging the face and scalp, I found the percussive nature of the massager to be too intense for me to use on either of those areas, even on the lowest setting.

Would you like to win a "relief package" from Wahl? As I mentioned, they are currently running a giveaway on their Facebook page, here are the details:

• Beginning April 26 and running through May 13, those who like Wahl Home fan page on Facebook can nominate a mom to win a mom relief package from Wahl, whether it’s your mom, grandmother, wife, daughter, a friend or yourself.
• To enter the Mom Relief Initiative, simply post a comment explaining why the mom on your list deserves relief—maybe they’re a single mom who does it all, a working mom who never takes a break, a grandmother who’s always been there…every mom has a story and every story matters.
• Entries will be judged on their uniqueness and sincerity and the winners will be selected once the contest wraps up on May 13. Stories MUST be submitted before then in order to be considered.


No compensation was received for this post. A Wahl Deep-Tissue Massager was provided for the purposes of this review. Information was provided by Wahl, through MamaBzz about the product and giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

I'll be honest with you, when I first read the description for Night Road, I wasn't sure as a mother, that I could read the book. I was too worried that it would be "scary". (This is only a portion of that description, but I'm sure you will see the part that worried me as a mom.)

Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way. It has always been easy-- until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.

On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.

In part Night Road tells the story of a mother, Jude Farraday, devoted to her twin teenage children - Mia and Zach. In part, it tells the story of Lexi, who has led a difficult life as a child in foster care being bounced around with no family to call her own, who finally finds that she does have family, in the form of an Aunt she has never met, who lives in Washington. It tells how they become intertwined in each others lives through Lexi's relationship with both Mia and Zach.

In the early chapters, I was a little concerned that the story seemed to jump around. The first chapter gave us some of the back story on Lexi and then, on the Farraday family. In the second chapter, it is the first day of school Freshman year. It is here that Lexi first meets Zach in class and then, meets Mia during lunch. It gives a brief view into the start of the friendship between Mia and Lexi. Then, suddenly, in chapter three, we fast forward from Freshman year to Senior year. The book spends a few pages trying to catch the reader up with the Farraday family and then with Lexi. I was worried that skipping the three years and then trying to play catch up in a few pages would impact the development of the characters.

Turns out I was wrong. The author merely wanted us to understand where they came from and then wanted to really dive into the story she set out to share. The four main characters are wonderfully developed. There are a few ancillary characters that we get to know, but none as well as Jude, Zach, Mia and Lexi. The story is told by both Lexi and Jude, allowing the reader the unique opportunity to really get to know them and to understand each of their relationships with Zach and Mia.

I will admit that it took me a little longer to get into this book than some (probably my perception of the jumpiness didn't help), but the perseverance paid off. Once I was in, I was in deep - it took me a few days of reading to get through the first one hundred thirty-some pages, but I read the last two hundred fifty-some pages over the course of only a few hours. I found myself unwilling to put the book down. I was engrossed and entangled in their story. I found myself feeling like one with the characters, sharing in their emotions, in their highs and their lows. I sat at the kitchen table those couple of hours, not noticing how uncomfortable it was to sit in a wooden chair that long. I took breaks, only long enough to fetch more tissues and to get the kids their breakfast or start a movie. It was wonderful!

Night Road was such a moving story. To see this foursome torn apart by tragedy, was so difficult - I cried as a friend, a sibling and a mom. I cried not only at "the incident" but throughout the end of the story, as those impacted faced the consequences of the event, as they slowly recovered and learned to forget or at least forgive, as they realized how strong their love still could be and how that could help them to move on with life. I think that it shows how much impact some people that come into your life can have on the course of your life. How sometimes, those that cause you to hurt can also help you to heal.

I probably should stop talking (typing really, I guess), lest I share too much and ruin the reading experience for you. Because, I recommend this book (especially if you love a book that makes you cry - I do!) to you.

This was the first book that I read by Kristin Hannah, but based on reviews I have read for her other books, she is a story-teller and I look forward to picking up some of her other books in the future. Her website features 12 of her books (including Night Road), as well as 5 earlier titles. That should keep me busy for a while.

No compensation was received for this post. I received an Advanced Reader's Copy for the purposes of reading and sharing a review.

Toys 'R Us Openings - weekend of June 11 - 13

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I have partnered with Toys 'R Us to share about the upcoming Grand Opening/Re-Opening events across the country.

This weekend, June 11 - 13, there are three stores that will be having their Grand Opening/Re-Opening events.

Parma, Ohio
Chapel Hill, Ohio
Downers Grove, Illinois

Remember the first 100 shoppers on Friday morning of the Grand Opening/Re-Opening weekend will receive a gift bag valued at $100. You can head to the Grand Opening/Re-Opening site to print off your 'secret coupon' which could be good for 15%, 20% or 50% off any single item - your discount can be revealed when you shop on Grand Opening/Re-Opening Weekend.

No compensation was received for this post.

Toys 'R Us Mom Promotion

Toys “R” Us is inviting Moms (and Dads, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Friends) to join the I want to be a Toys R Us Mom Promotion!

They are opening over 50 new stores nationwide June through October 2010; from New York to California and Texas to Washington and want you to join the party!

I have partnered with Toys 'R Us to keep you posted on the upcoming Grand Opening/Re-Opening Weekends in your area. You can locate a Grand Opening or Re-Opening near you by clicking on www.iwanttobeatoysrusmom.com. While there, download your ‘secret coupon’ (could be up 15%, 20% or 50% off any single item) and redeem it on the Grand Opening/Re-Opening Weekend to reveal your shopping discount. Note, according to the terms, there will be up to a total of 2001 'secret coupon' per Grand Opening/Re-Opening Weekend (1,000 each for 15% and 20% and 1 for 50%). So, you might want to "look ahead" and print your coupon while they are still available for your nearest store.

In addition to the coupons, the first 100 people though the door Friday morning of opening weekend will receive a free gift bag valued at over $100!

No compensation was received for this post.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of you Mothers, I would like to extend a wish for a Happy Mother's Day.

I am looking forward to spending a day with the family and will catch up with everyone later.

Have a great day.

Time for Mom

As a working mom, I value the time I have with my kids in the evenings and on the weekends. When they were younger, I struggled to allow myself to go out in an evening - to the grocery, with friends, etc. - without them. After all, my time with them was more limited because I worked full-time.

I would take my kids everywhere (which is good for them becoming well mannered and flexible) with me. I took them to dinner, to the grocery, to meetings, to the mall, pretty much anywhere that I went. Over time, I began to recognize that while I was away from them when I was at work, it was not me time. Other than my lunch hour, I didn't have time to do things for myself, catch up with friends, or hang out with my husband.

I knew that I needed me time to be a good mom, I needed better balance. I started to carve out me time in the morning - mostly dedicating this time to exercise - before I got ready for work. I also started to leave the kids home with my husband occasionally, so that I could run out to the store and shop, hang out with friends and attend work functions. This gave me a chance to feel a little independent again. We started using a babysitter occasionally (frequently my parents, but also a couple of high school girls over the years) so that my husband and I could have some couple time - both alone and with other couples.

We still take our kids to dinner, out with friends and to the occasional meeting, but I feel better balanced by having created some me time. I also no longer feel guilty about occasionally leaving my kids behind so I can be a grown-up. I know that this me time makes me a better mom when I am with them. Plus, I remember being a child - I loved spending time with my grandparents and I reveled in the idea of a babysitter coming to the house (somehow the rules were never quite as strict with grandparents or babysitters) - I think they like their alone time too.

This post shared at Works for Me Wednesday.

Time for Mom

It used to be that I would get up in the morning at that last possible moment to allow me to get out the door on time. Once I had my son, my perspective on this changed. Suddenly, it became important to get up in plenty of time in the morning. I even flipped my morning routine. I had always been one to go from bed to the shower, get dressed and ready, head downstairs for breakfast and sort of work my way towards the door. After my son was born, I started coming downstairs and getting breakfast and packing my lunch and such, before heading to the shower. This was a necessity so that I could have some me time and let him sleep as late as possible.

As my routine changed, I came to really enjoy the morning hours. I am up almost 3 hours before I walk out the door for work. I am able to get a lot done during this time. The first couple of hours are quiet, as everyone is still sleeping. So, it really is my time to do what I want, without interruptions.

I come downstairs, do laundry, empty the dishwasher that I generally run overnight, wash pots and pans from last night's dinner, do my exercises, pack lunches, eat breakfast, and spend some time online. Then, I head upstairs to get my shower and get dressed. About this time, the kids wake up and they start to get ready for their day.

This really works for me. After a busy day, I just don't have the energy or the desire to do many of these activities. In the early evening, I want to spend as much time as possible with the kids before they go to bed. Once they are in bed, I just want to unwind and head to bed. So, it is nice to be able to accomplish so much in the morning. Plus, exercising in the morning leaves me energized and ready to start the day.

To read more tips and tricks, check out Works for Me Wednesday over at We Are THAT Family.

Mommy Blog Carnival

I am participating in the Mommy Blogger Carnival hosted by Sisterly Savings this week.

According to A Modern Mother, who organized the carnival, "A carnival is a blogging event and "The Best of the Mommy Bloggers Carnival" takes place every two weeks and features recent posts from the cream of the mommy blogger community."

You will find featured in the carnival, 25 blog posts from the mommy blogger community on topics ranging from couponing to meal prep to decluttering your home. Be sure to stop by and read more at this week's carnival.

Returnships

Today, while reading some articles in an e-newsletter I receive, I came across this article from Forbes titled "Sara Lee Launches Internships for Would-Be Returnees". The article talks about "Returnships", which are internships offered to people returning to the workforce after leaving to spend more time with their families. The article indicates that the program is not limited to women, but the general context seems to indicate that they expect a number of moms, who made the choice to stay home with their young children and are now ready to reenter the workforce, to make up the majority of the applicant pool. The opportunities are expected in marketing, accounting, sales, finance and the legal department.

As a working mom, this sounds like a great opportunity. I wasn't in a position to stay home when my children were born. I do have a number of friends who were fortunate enough to be in a position to leave their jobs (or reduce their schedule to part-time) to raise their families. Many of them have said that they would like to return to the workforce full-time when their children are older. A program like this, which based on information in the article, doesn't always guarantee a full-time job, does at least give those wanting to return a chance to polish up their skills and refresh their resume.