The Sensible Mom

Food, DIY, Chicago Mom Blogger

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Transform and Filter Tap Water at Home with a Vitapod Machine!

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Thanks to Moms Meet for sponsoring this blog post for the Vitapod machine.

Transform and Filter Tap Water at Home with a Vitapod Machine

Do you want to filter tap water at home into a drink that tastes clean and refreshing? What about actually transforming your tap water? Would you like to do that?

If the answer to those questions is “yes!” then I think I can help you. ๐Ÿ™‚

Enter the Vitapod machine…

Transform and Filter Tap Water at Home with a Vitapod Machine

How to Use the Vitapod Machine

My family and I have been using the Vitapod to not only filter water but also transform it into various flavored water drinks that we can enjoy. The Vitapod machine makes it easy to do this and I’ll quickly explain how so that you can understand how to use the Vitapod in case you’d like to try it for yourself.

First, you fill the Vitapod’s water tank with water from your tap and the Vitapodโ€™s multipass filtration system purifies the water better than other market leaders. The water we filtered through the Vitapod actually tastes GOOD and my family is picky about our water (lol!).

But we like Vitapod’s water and you could literally just drink the filtered water plain without adding in any flavor at all and be completely satisfied if that’s how you like to drink your water.

But this post is about transforming your water so the next step is to place a pod into the chamber on top of the machine.

Transform and Filter Tap Water at Home with a Vitapod Machine

All eleven pod flavors are made of 100% natural ingredients and while I haven’t been able to try ALL of them, pictured below are 5 of them. These are the ones we currently have at home.

As you can see, we have a nice variety. My favorite so far is pineapple coconut but my daughter, Elisabeth, likes cotton candy. By the way, these pods contain vitamins, minerals, and plant-based antioxidants which makes you feel good about drinking them.

Transform and Filter Tap Water at Home with a Vitapod Machine

Next, Vitapodโ€™s mixing chamber blends the pod with water at 690 RPMs, which in case you didn’t know is faster than the blades of a helicopter! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

It’s actually fun to watch but don’t look away because it’ll be done mixing before you know it. It’s quite fast!

Transform and Filter Tap Water at Home with a Vitapod Machine

And that’s it. Your drink is done and I want to mention that the Vitapod machine cools the water to the optimal temperature for hydration, allowing the body to absorb water quicker than water thatโ€™s too hot or cold. Who knew?

However, if you like very cold water (like we do), you can add ice cubes to the water tank or simply add them to the cup ahead of time.

Personally, I think it’s easier just to add ice to the cup so that’s what I do.

Transform and Filter Tap Water at Home with a Vitapod Machine

And finally, you can choose from 3 different drink sizes depending upon your preference.

For example, I like to drink the more diluted “large” size while my daughter likes the “medium” size. We haven’t tried the smallest size in any flavor yet but we’ll probably experiment and try that size in the near future.

Transform and Filter Tap Water at Home with a Vitapod Machine

Oh, and the magnetic tray is insanely easy to adjust for the different drink sizes. You simply slide it up or down and you’re good to go.

Final Thoughts

So, overall, I recommend the Vitapod machine if you like tasty filtered or flavored water and I almost forgot to mention that clean-up is a breeze! That’s super important, right?

It only takes minutes to wash and wipe down a few pieces and then it’s ready for another spin. ๐Ÿ™‚

GET A DISCOUNT: Save $15 on a Vitapod Machine or Vitapod Machine Starter Pack at vitapodworld.com when you use code: MOM15. This code expires 9/30/2021.

Would you try the Vitapod? What’s your favorite way to drink water?


Manage Your Family’s Screen Time and Keep Kids Safe Online with the Circle Home Plus

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Thanks to Moms Meet for sponsoring this blog post on how to manage your family’s screen time and keep kids safe online with the Circle Home Plus.

Manage Your Family's Screen Time and Keep Kids Safe Online

Do you want to manage screen time for your family and keep your kids safe online?

Of course, you do. ๐Ÿ™‚

I do, too, so I’ve had subscriptions to a few different ‘screen supervision’ companies over the years, but one subscription, in particular, stands out from the others.

That subscription is our Circle Home Plus subscription, which also includes a fabulous Circle Home Plus device that connects to our home router and pairs with our home Wi-Fi network and allows us to control ALL of the internet-connected devices in our home.

It’s pretty great! I’ve never had this level of control over every internet-connected device in our home. From computers to gaming consoles to Smart TVs, the Circle gives you the power to filter what type of content is allowed and what’s not allowed.

Protect Your Family Online with the Circle Home Plus and app

Basically, after you’ve connected the Circle Home Plus device to your home router and installed the Circle Parental Controls app on your phone, you can get started by creating a profile for each family member. This is actually fun.

You’ll set filters for various categories of content and limits based on the age and interests of your child as well as your preferences as a parent. You’ll also assign each device in your home to the person that uses it so that you can get the most accurate information about how and when a device is used.

I personally love the Internet Bedtime feature and use it to completely shut the internet off of all my kids’ devices from a certain time of night until morning. This helps to keep my kids accountable and helps them to get a better night’s rest.

Set an Internet Bedtime for Each Member of Your Family

For devices like Ring cameras and Smart TVs that aren’t used solely by one person, they can be assigned to ‘Home’ in the Circle app. You can keep track of their usage that way without assigning them to one specific family member.

Filter Content on all internet-connected devices in your home including gaming consoles

The other feature I love is being able to start and stop the internet for each individual device in seconds through the Circle app. It’s fantastic! You can literally pause the internet for your entire home in one quick click or you can pause the internet on a single device with one click. Talk about power.

Overall, I love the Circle Home Plus and I know it’s working to keep my kids safe from millions of inappropriate sites and even content I, as a parent, just don’t feel they need to have access to.

Once our current 1-year subscription is up, I can definitely see my family getting a Lifetime subscription to Circle because it’ll save us money in the long run. And even the 1-year subscription actually costs LESS than what we used to pay for a 1-year subscription to another popular ‘screen supervision’ service called Covenant Eyes. While we liked Covenant Eyes and used it for years, when we compare it to everything the Circle Home Plus offers, it falls far short.

Circle Home Plus is the clear winner when it comes to keeping my family safe online and giving me power as a parent to decide what they see and when they can see it. ๐Ÿ™‚

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Save 20% on your purchase of a Circle Home Plus device + 1-year app subscription or Circle Home Plus device + Lifetime app subscription with promo code: MOMSMEET2021. This code is valid until 10/15/21. One promo code use per person. To purchase, click here.

How do you manage screen time for your family? Would you use the Circle Home Plus and app?


Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker Unboxing PLUS How to Use it to Make Deliciously Fluffy Waffles

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Today, I’m unboxing and reviewing the Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker that my husband got me for Christmas! PLUS, I show you how to use it to make deliciously fluffy Belgian waffles. I hope you enjoy the video, and, as always, thanks for watching! ๐Ÿ™‚

BELGIAN WAFFLE RECIPE FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:

This is a delicious Belgian Waffle recipe! Check it out!

Belgian Waffles

Sandra
This is a fluffy and delicious Belgian waffle recipe.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp fine ground cornmeal
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk (or I used 1 3/4 cups of milk mixed with 2 tablespoons of vinegar -- left standing for 5-10 minutes)
  • pinch cream of tartar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the waffle maker.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, sea salt, and baking soda together.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and melted butter. Then add the buttermilk to that mixture.
  • In a third bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
  • Pour the buttermilk mixture into the large bowl with dry ingredients, and gently whisk until just incorporated (some lumps should remain). Then fold the whipped egg whites into the batter.
  • Spray the waffle maker with cooking spray to keep waffles from sticking.
  • Pour the prepared batter onto the waffle maker and cook through, about 3 minutes per waffle. (I use a measuring cup to measure out 1 cup of batter at a time and then pour it over the waffle maker) *You can keep waffles warm in a 200-degree oven or serve one at a time.

NOTES:

Here is the Bella Belgian Waffle Recipe video that I mentioned in the above video, and here is the other Belgian Waffle Recipe that I’ve shared in the past on my blog.

Find this Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker on Amazon using my referral link here.

Also, please feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel as I publish videos there before they make it on the blog. Oh, and I share a lot about food, family, and more in my Instagram Stories, so you may want to follow me there as well.

This is a delicious Belgian Waffle recipe! Check it out!


7 Things I Learned from the Book: 52 Things Kids Need From a Mom

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7 Things I Learned from the Book: 52 Things Kids Need from a Mom #motherhood

Motherhood is hard work.

But it can also be a beautiful journey — even when there’s pain involved.

In my own journey as a mom, I’ve experienced many, many joy-filled moments. It’s truly a blessing to have five children. There’s laughter and comedy going on in our home all the time.

But…there’s also a lot of pain that’s been written into my personal story as a mother. The most terrifying night of my life happened this past year as I held my then 4-year-old son in the pediatric intensive care unit.

I thought he was dying right in front of me. As the tears filled my eyes, I thought he was dying even as I held him up in my arms struggling to help him in any way that I could while the nurses and doctor did their job to save his life.

By God’s grace, David survived and ultimately underwent a bone marrow transplant. He’s doing well now, but there are bumps along the way. And these little “bumps” that at times steal my joy because of their ability to turn into “mountains” are hard to live with.

But I’m not in control.

God is steering this ship.

I was reminded of that and so many other wonderful things about motherhood and what our kids need from us as moms as I read through the book by Angela Thomas, 52 Things Kids Need from a Mom.

After I finished reading this particular book, I thought it would be a good idea if I shared a post about the tips and ideas that I walked away with and started putting into practice in my own life.

Here’s My Top 7 List:

1. The little things matter. Turning down beds at night. Talking to your kids like they are fascinating. Getting to know their friends and treating their friends like family. Touching your children. It all makes a difference. Seemingly tiny acts of love can speak volumes to those on the receiving end of it. The little things matter.

2. A private family blog is a great idea. Why did I not think of this sooner? Instead of hoping your kids will remember important facts, special events, and even fun stories about your family, why not document it for them in a private a family blog?

Birthdays, where you were born, your family tree, and that vast wealth of knowledge you’ve gained over the years…why not put it all into a blog? A blog that is NOT public. A blog that is only for your family’s eyes to see. When I read about this concept in Angela’s book, I thought: this is genius!

3. You set the tone in your home. It’s true. Our children do not set the tone and frankly, they should not be allowed to set the tone in our homes. They’re kids. They should be following our good example. Yes, as moms and human beings (and sinners!), we will fail at this sometimes, but ultimately, setting the atmosphere in our homes is our responsibility.

4. Share your family’s “highs” and “lows” around the dinner table. This idea wasn’t one of the “52 things” but it’s something that Angela’s family does that really stuck out to me.

Basically, you go around the dinner table, and have each member of your family share one high point and one low point about their day. Our family has started doing this, and we now look forward to hearing each person’s response. You may even be surprised by what you hear.

5. Just keep praying even when you there’s no such thing as “quiet time” in your home. When I only had two kids, it seemed like having quiet time with the Lord was relatively easy. I could read seven chapters a day in my Bible. I had a PRAYER CLOSET that I would visit often. I had it together. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Then I had my third child…and the wheels fell off.

Truthfully, since then, I haven’t been able to get back to the place that I was at with my quiet time as when I only had two children. And that’s perfectly okay. Angela reminded me of this and encouraged us moms to just keep praying around our kids. Praying in the same noisy room that they’re in (just because they want to be with us) is sufficient.

6. It’s okay to do something extra-special for your kids every once in awhile. Plan an over-the-top birthday party for the birthday child, even if it’s just your immediate family that’ll be celebrating with them. Make a homemade Valentine’s Day card. Go on a special outing. The possibilities are endless, but remember, this is only an every-once-in-awhile event.

7. Make much of God, and your kids will notice. In Angela’s words, “Our kids need moms who will teach them that no matter what and no matter where, God is a really big deal.” My greatest joy in life would be to see all of my children come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that they’d each walk with Him.

So that’s it. Those are 7 things I took away from reading the book 52 Things Kids Need from a Mom — a book that was given to me by my mom. ๐Ÿ˜‰

I’d love to hear anything you’d like to share from your motherhood journey!

This blog post was originally published in 2014.