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Saturday, September 29, 2012

HomeMade Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole


This is a recipe that my mom passed down to me, and my oldest son and youngest daughter both love it more then anything! On their birthday, I always make the kids whatever they want for supper.  Today is my Courtney's birthday!  My "baby" is 17 already! Every chance she gets to beg for my Broccoli, Rice, & Cheese casserole she does! So, this was part of our supper tonight.  This photo is before I popped it into the oven!

Shhhh.....don't tell anyone but I'm going to spill my "secret" recipe with you, just because I feel that all of you here on The Fibro Frog are my family!  

1c. thinly sliced celery

1c. diced onion

2 boxes frozen Freshlike brand cut, chopped broccoli (Freshlike brand is the only one around here that sells the cut/chopped broccoli)

1lrg. can cream of mushroom soup

4c. shredded mild cheddar cheese

2.5c. instant rice (uncooked)

Enough butter melted in a skillet to saute the onion and celery.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Saute the onions and celery until tender.  Open broccoli and put it in a strainer.  Run under hot water to thaw the broccoli.  Add it to the sauteed onions and celery.  Add the cream of mushroom soup, rice, and cheese.  Keep stirring until cheese is completely melted.  Make sure you have all of the rice completely mixed in and covered by the soup and cheese.  Put into a 13x9 baking pan and bake for approximately 45 minutes.  It will be a nice golden brown color when finished. For some reason the coloring in my photo is off.  It really isn't as brown as it looks in this photo.  I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as we do!





Exciting Giveaway Coming Up -Think VACATION!

How would you guys like to have Christmas In Branson?!  Right now, this is what the prize pack contains:

Christmas In Branson Getaway Giveaway


Welcome to the Christmas In Branson Getaway Giveaway. Current Prizes: 2 Night Stay Double Queen room @ Best Western on December 14 & 15 2 Christmas Show tickets to Dixie Stampede Gift Basket filled with razors, body wash, shampoo & conditioner, make-up bag Gift certificate for manicure from En Vogue Nail & Spa
 
Make sure to keep watching, because there may be even MORE prizes added!  This giveaway is going to be huge and is just the kind of R&R us fibromites need!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Review and Giveaway For Mediflow Waterbase Pillow

Mediflow Waterbase Pillow Review & Giveaway

Brought to you by: The Fibro Frog





I'm so excited to bring you this review and giveaway compliments of Mediflow!  If you're plagued by any type of neck or shoulder pain, then this is the pillow for YOU!  Mediflow actually refers to the waterbase pillow as a sleep system, rather then "just" a pillow.


The way the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow works, is that under the plump, soft, polyester fill it has a waterbase on the bottom.  The fill in the pillow, has a special finish on it to keep it plump and cloud-like and makes the pillow long-lasting and washable!  The waterbase on the bottom of the pillow, gives your neck continuous support that you can't get with a traditional pillow.  The great thing is, the user can adjust the amount of water for the unique support that their own body needs. After you get the amount of water adjusted, the system will support your neck and spine while you sleep, even as you're turning over or switching sides!


Now, if you're anything like me, you're probably wondering if trying to fill the pillow is a big hassle or not.  The day my Mediflow Waterbase Pillow arrived I was so excited to try it out that night, but I was also a nervous wreck that I wouldn't be able to fill easily.  I was afraid that I'd make a big mess.  You can see in the photo above, that the pillow comes with a little funnel type thing.  You stand the pillow upright on a chair, insert the funnel, and then poor in the amount of water that you've decided to try.  Once you have the water in the pillow, you run your hands down it until you hit the water area.  This pushes the excess air out. Then you just insert the cap to seal it shut.  By doing the step of removing the excess air, it keeps the pillow from making a "sloshing" sound when you turn over.  If you hear the water, then you don't have all of the air out of it!  That's it!  Filling it was super easy!  I studied the water chart and measured out the amount of water I thought I'd need, and then tried the pillow.  It felt amazing to me, but I still needed just a bit more support.  I just added a little more water and it was perfect!


You don't have to take my word for it though, nor do you have to just take Mediflow's word.  John Hopkins Hospital conducted a neck pain and quality of sleep study, and the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow ranked the best out of all pillows tested!  The Mediflow pillow helped to reduce pain patients felt upon waking, it increased their pain relief, and it also improved their quality of sleep!  As a person who suffers from a severe case of Fibromyalgia, I can attest how hard it is to get quality sleep when you do sleep.  Insomnia is a horrible beast of Fibromyalgia that plagues me.  It's also been proven that people with Fibromyalgia never get into a good sleep cycle.  In my honest opinion this pillow is worth it's weight in gold!  I'll never ever own another pillow again.  After just one night of sleeping on the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow, I knew that they'd convinced me!  Therefore, I'm excited to bring a giveaway to you all, so that you'll have a chance to win your own Mediflow Waterbase Pillow!

Giveaway will run from 12:01am September 27, 2012 - 11:59pm October 11, 2012.  Giveaway open to US residents.  This blog is not responsible for shipping the prize.  Prize will be shipped directly from Mediflow.  Winner will be listed on the Raffle Copter form when contest ends, and I will email the winner.  Winner will then have 48 hours to respond to me with their shipping info, or a new winner will be selected.

*I did not receive any cash compensation for hosting this review and giveaway, but I did receive one of the pillows to try out, and give my honest opinion of.  All opinions expressed are my own without any influence from Mediflow.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, September 22, 2012

FREE Blogger Opp!

This review and giveaway will run from Wed. September 26th to Wed. October 10th.  Please use the form below to sign up to help promote this giveaway.  This is the first one that's my own, and I need your help to make this a success!  =)



Education Is The Key


This represents me.  I will never stop advocating for research on fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions.  I will never stop trying to educate those who doesn't understand chronic pain conditions.  I will never stop trying to book my seminar, so that I can educate as many people as possible about the hell that we live with every day of our lives.  This is also me because this photo represents the beauty that I can capture with my camera.  Yes, I took this picture and many others.  I used to go out and take photos several times a week.  I was a freelance photographer.  I still take photos but nearly as often as I used to.  Now, when I do take them I can only do a few at a time because the weight of holding the camera up kills my neck and my arms.  Standing to take the photos, puts spasms in my back.  I've had times that I actually cry, because I want to take photos but my illness won't allow me to.  This photo, along with my own quote is what keeps me going.  We need to educate people about our lives living with this monster.  We need to demand more funding for research.  We have to have hope and  carry on.  So that we can someday hopefully get our lives back, and so I can start doing the one thing that brings me intense happiness and pleasure ....taking more photos of more sunsets reflecting off the water.  Serene tranquility.  Peacefulness.  Self worth.  Happiness.  Our normalcy and lives.  To get these qualities and more back, we have to educate.  If anyone has a contact that may be interested in booking my chronic pain seminar, please pass along my contact info.  If anyone knows of any businesses, groups, or even just regular people like you & I that would donate to my seminar fund, please pass this blog address on to them.  The donate button for my Go Fund Me account is on the right hand side of this blog, close to the top.  Even $1 adds up if every one contributes.  It isn't the amount of money donated, it's the volume of people who donate. Help me to help all of us. Please share this photo by sharing this blog post.  The more people who see this photo, the more awareness we're bringing to the issue.  Remember, education is key.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Win What YOU Want Up To $200 Giveaway!

Welcome to The Awesome Have It Your Way BlogGY Giveaway!

This wonderful event is brought to you by,

Jenn's Blah Blah Blog, Dishin' With Rebelle, and Contest 4 That,who will proudly be launching Pink Ninja Media in the next few weeks.

Special thanks to our wonderful co-hosts Zoes Printable Coupons, PrewChatterly Everything Girly, Capri's Coupons,

Simply Shawn & Jenn, Moms Vacation Spots, and Pink Ninja Blogger.

What a truly AWESOME giveaway this is! How cool is it that YOU can pick ANY prize you want up to $200?! Want a Kindle? Maybe a gas card? $200 PayPal cash? Whatever you want, as long as it isn't over $200 including the shipping!

Details:

  • Giveaway is open Worldwide.
  • Giveaway will start on September 20, 2012 at 12:01am EST and end on October 20, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.
  • One Lucky Person Will Win ANYTHING THEY WANT, valued up to $200 with shipping.
  • Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
  • We realize there's a lot of bloggers, so we added extra entries! Earn an additional 25 entries for completing certain tasks on the Rafflecopter. Remember you only have to complete mandatory entries to enter the giveaway, the rest are extra entries. Giveaway runs an entire month so you don't have to finish it in one sitting, remember to come back for daily tasks to earn more. You'll also be introduced to some AMAZING Bloggers, each blogger in this event is awesome and brings something special and unique.
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER CODE HERE

Disclaimer: This blog is not responsible for shipment of prize, Jenn's Blah Blah Blog will be responsible for shipping prize to winner. I did not accept any form of payment to help promote this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Who Wants To Win $200?! Enter To Win Here!

  Jenn's Blah Blah Blog, Diva Fabulosa and Simply Shawn & Jenn are bringing you an awesome FREE Blogger Opportunity! They will be giving away $200, in their Have it your way event! How will this work? Whatever the winner wants, the winner will get! Kindle Fire, PayPal Cash, Amazing, Wal-Mart, Target! Who cares, they get just what they want! Blogger get FREE Facebook link with the option to purchase additional links! Jenn's Blah Blah Blog had a giveaway just like this called the Sizzling Summer Giveaway that was fabulous, so were going to bring it back over and over and over again! This time Simply Shawn & Jenn has decided to join in the fun to celebrate reaching over 10K fans! About the event
  • Prize: Whatever you want up to $200 (shipping included) Do you want a Kindle Fire? Maybe an iPod, hummm maybe gift card to Target, oh wait Paypal cash? We don't care we want you to have it your way! So let the games begin, and let's have some fun with this one!
  • Event will run from Sept 20th until Oct 20th.
  • Free Facebook
  • Additional likes $2
  • Daily Votes $3
  • Co-host spots $10. (with this you will receive your blog mentioned all blogs posts, FREE Facebook, and FREE Twitter! If you choose this please be sure to add your links in the assigned spots on the form below)
You can sign up for this event, HERE

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Pedigree GiveAway!

With two dogs in our house and one being diabetic, smelly breath is an issue with our dogs, especially with our Lab/Newfoundland mix named Shadow. So when I was contacted to review Pedigree's Dentastix, I jumped at the chance. Below you will see a picture of my Cocker Spaniel Sophie, eating her Dentastix mini. She absolutely loved them, and they did make her breath smell much better also. They worked really good on Shadow also but he just eats things so fast that I just could not get a picture of him doing anything but what looked like him snarling his teeth. I have given them these for a couple days before I made my decision on whether they worked or not and they do. Now, I can stand for Shadow to come over and breathe in my face to be petted. Thanks Pedigree!!



Have you ever wondered how the Dentastix works at cleaning your dogs teeth? Well in this video, you will see how that happens.




While you are over visiting Pedigree's website, check out the Denture Your Dog page and upload a picture of you dog and have fun with it.


This is what all came in my Gift Pack to review.

 
 THE GIVEAWAY

"Stay Clean and Fresh" gift pack for one lucky reader.
Each giveaway package includes:

* Dentastix Fresh Samples
* Two (2) packs Dentastix Coupons (Dentastix or Dentastix Fresh)
* NEW "Dogs rule" Gear
* Doggie Toothbrush and Toothpaste (brand to provide)
* Oral care tips for your four-legged friend

Open to US residents only.



I received the same gift pack in exchange for my honest review and giveaway. My opinion expressed are mine and mine alone (with the help of my 2 dogs on this one). I was not monitarily compensated in any way.

 siggy

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Could You Pass The Rootbeer, Please?



Early this past Sunday morning, I woke up and was swallowing over and over to try and keep from throwing up.  Thank goodness that it's only about 4 giant leaps from the edge of my bed, to my toilet.  I moved quicker then I have in years!  I ended up grabbing the trash can and taking it back to my bed.  It's a kitchen sized can, 13 gallon.  It was the perfect height to match the top edge of my bed.  

From that moment on, all I did was hang my head over, with my eyes still shut, and got sick.  Over and over and over.  At 4:30pm Sunday afternoon I finally managed to crawl from my bed, to my computer chair.  I was only up for 3.5 hours before I had to go back to bed.  To say I was sick, was an understatement. Honestly, I laid on my side, crying, and telling myself that death may be a welcomed distraction willing myself not to vomit any more.  I couldn't remember when I'd ever been so sick.  I vomited so much, and so hard, that I lost my voice.  All I could do until today, was croak out a soft, raspy whisper.  Even yesterday when my parents called to make sure I was still alive see if I was feeling better, they couldn't make out what I was trying to say to them on the phone.

So, we've all heard this talk about spoons.  Most of us have read The Spoon Theory (which is wonderful, btw) and understand that we only have so many spoons each and every day to work with.  With the roasting hot sweating, then chilling, then vomiting, then groaning, then having my hip or shoulder start hurting from laying in bed so long so I'd have to slowly move while demanding praying that movement didn't make me vomit anymore, my spoons were gone.  Quickly.  My spoons for Monday were also gone.  In the blink of an eye.  Pretty much I've figured out, my spoons for this entire WEEK are gone. 

Today is the first day that I've felt slightly human again.  Good news, right?!  Well, I thought it would be good news, but no.  Now, I've been fighting a headache (possibly a sinus headache) the entire day and night.  It starts getting late and my crappy insomnia rears it's ugly head.  My neck and shoulders are throbbing.  I walked out to the kitchen to get a glass of ice water, and my mid-back had me blinking back tears of joy pain all the way back to my computer chair.  -Don't forget, my computer chair is the only seat I have in this entire house that doesn't kill my back to sit in.  My knees make me cuss under my breath holler a loud "OUCH" every time I stand.  The front of my upper legs, are throbbing with pain. I just took two Tramadol pain pills, and two Tylenol.  I also took 100mg of Amitriptyline.  Why am I whining and complaining telling you all this?  I'm telling you all this, because I'm sick of it.  Come on, I couldn't have ONE dang day and night where I didn't hurt so bad that I could lose my mind scream?

Same crap, different day.  Horrible pain flare.  Horrible insomnia flare.  I can't lie, I have had a few days here and there since April where I wasn't in excruciating, mind blowing, blood curling pain, but I've had a ton of flares, that last and last before getting a break.  Insomnia, on the other hand, has been a horrible, vile, viscous monster since April.  Every night, I sit here so tired I could literally cry.  I sit here in pain.  I take 100mg of Amitriptyline then sit and wait for it to ever kick in so that I may get a few hours of sleep.  I take the tramadol and most of the time either Tylenol or Ibuprofen in addition, then sit and pray that it at least dulls some of the deep muscular and joint aches and pains, so that I can fall asleep when the Amitriptyline kicks in. My fibro fog has been so bad this week, that I've forgotten my daytime meds two or three times.  I'm just sick to death of it all!  I feel like all I do is eat pills, sit and wait, pray they work.


Do you want to know something else that pisses me off makes me mad?  No matter what it is that someone in my household gets, I get it a hundred-million-trillion times worse then they do.  If one of my kids has a mild cold, I get bronchitis.  If one of my kids gets bronchitis, I get pneumonia.  No joke.  I sick so much easier, and so much worse, then anyone around me.  I swear, every time that I go somewhere that's super crowded I get sick.  It doesn't matter how many times I wash my hands.  It doesn't matter how many gallons bottles of hand sanitizer I use, I get sick.  A week ago Saturday we went to Fort Rapids Resort and Indoor Water Park.  We left for home Sunday, late afternoon.  One week later, this past early Sunday a.m. is when I started vomiting from some nasty bug.  


This 3am bs crap?  Yeah, it's 3am when I'm lucky, has got to stop.  I know that's part of my problem.  Did you realize insomnia lowers your immune system?  Yep, it's true. It really does.  If you do a google search on the topic, you'll get more information about it then you'd ever believe you could.  Just for a quick reference though, check out THIS link for some information on it from The Mayo Clinic.  Did you also know that studies have proven that insomnia causes depression?  Check out THIS article from CBS News.  


Now that I'm done whining like a 2 year old about my miserable, crappy life, I'll go on to a more upbeat, positive approach.  EDUCATION IS KEY!  May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, but September is Chronic Pain Awareness Month and anyone with Fibromyalgia knows that chronic pain is a huge part of their daily lives.  Having all these "awareness" months honestly seems like a big ole bottle of hog wash to me. If you're going to advocate and try to spread awareness, why in the heck would you just do it one month out of the year? Hmm ....something to think about, isn't it?  If we don't educate the community, the health care workers, the politicians, the pharmaceutical companies, our own FAMILIES & FRIENDS, then how will change ever come about?  We have to stand up and make everyone understand what it's like to live just one week; heck just one day, in our lives.  If anyone knows of a church or a company, an organization or a conference, or even a community, that would be interested in being educated about living with chronic pain & fatigue from a patients view, please send them to me.  I wish I could present my chronic pain seminar somewhere every single weekend.  Even if I had to crawl to the front due to a pain flare, I assure you I'd be there anyway!  Also, if you know of any person, group, business, or organization that would be willing to donate to my chronic pain seminar fund, please give them THIS link.  I'm trying to raise funds to rent conference rooms at large hotels, and advertising money, to present this seminar.  

Thank you all for listening to my whining and ranting.  It feels good to know that I'm not alone out there, but at the same time I hate to know that there ARE people out there who knows where I'm coming from and how I feel.  I hope & pray that someday in the near future we'll have a cure for chronic pain and fatigue disorders.  Or at the very least a standard, universal treatment plan that actually works!  In the mean time, since I can't have a real beer due to all of my meds, could you please pass me a root beer to drown my sorrows in? 



Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Hidden Treasures Candle GiveAway!!

Welcome to the Hidden Treasure Giveaway!

This wonderful giveaway is hosted by Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog, Diva Fabulosa and Pink Ninja Media. Special Thanks to our fabulous co-hosts What’s Up?! Contest, Freebies and Everything Nice, Coupons and Freebies Mom, Money Saving Lisa, The Frugal Free Gal, Pink Ninja Blogger, and Moms Vacation Spots

How many of you love candles?? Personally I'm all about scents to help me relax so they're a staple in my house! Hidden Treasure Candles are even more exciting!

About our Sponsor - Hidden Treasure Soy Candles:

Have you heard of Hidden Treasure Soy Candles? If not, you’re going to love this giveaway! In each candle you’ll find Hidden Treasures. Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog was lucky enough to review one of these amazing candles. Read her Hidden Treasure Candles Review.

You never know if you could be the lucky person to find a candle with an iPad3, Le Vian Necklace, or Tiffany & Co. Pendant. Regardless, there's a awesome treasure in each candle and they smell amazing.

Hidden Treasure Candles are reasonably priced and offer a variety of candles. Every candle that you order will have a beautiful gold-plated or silver necklace buried beneath the soy wax.

Either way you're a winner when you choose Hidden Treasure Candles.

About the giveaway:

  • 5 Winners will receive 2 Hidden Treasure Soy Candles.
  • Winner chooses candles (cannot be layered candles).
  • Event will end on Oct. 5, 2012.
  • Must be 18 years of age, and is open to US residents Only.
  • Use the Rafflecopter form to enter!

Good Luck!

ADD RAFFLECOPTER CODE HERE

Disclaimer: This blog received no money for promoting this event, nor are we responsible for shipping the prize to the winner! Hidden Treasure Candles is responsible for shipping candles to the winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Want To Win A $200 Amazon Gift Card?

Welcome to the $200 Instant Bucks Amazon Giveaway!

Thank you for stopping by another fabulous event hosted by,

Jenn's Blah Blah Blog and Diva Fabulosa! This time we bring you the $200 Instant Bucks Amazon Giveaway!

Check out our wonderful co-hosts Parsimonious Pash, SmartySaver, Colleen's Book Nook,

Mom Always Finds Out, and Mukhang Pera.

We would also like to thank every blogger that is taking part in this event!

We couldn't do this without everyone! Thank you to all our fabulous readers for allowing us to bring you these awesome events! It's because of you that we do what we do day in and day out! A HUGE Thank You to our Amazing Readers!

Who would like to win this? I know I would! This would really help take the sting out of Christmas this year!!

About our Sponsor: Instant Bucks - If you haven't heard of Instant Bucks, keep reading and we'll fill you in! Instant Bucks launched in May 2012 in Southern California. Instant Bucks is a consumer loyalty site that offers amazing rewards for completing research surveys, online shopping and so much more! They strive to bring you new daily opportunities to earn online rewards and save money. Instant Bucks is an online community that rewards you for doing things you're already doing online. Why not get rewarded? With Instant Bucks you'll earn online rewards for completing tasks such as:
  • Easy Surveys
  • Watching Videos
  • Sampling Products
  • Shopping Online
  • Coupon Clipping
There's a variety of ways for you to earn online rewards. They also offer a fast turnaround on rewards and plenty of opportunities for you to earn those awesome rewards. As a member of the Instant Bucks Community you'll:
  • Earn virtual currency called "Instant Bucks"
  • Refer family and friends and earn. There's no limit on what you can earn from referrals
  • No limits on reward redemption
  • High paying offers
Once you build up your "Instant Bucks" you'll be able to trade them in for great prizes such as:
  • Gift Cards - Wal-Mart, Amazon, Restaurant and more!
  • Hotel Stays
  • Airlines
  • PayPal Cash
  • Shopping
  • iTunes
  • Coupons
A special thanks to Instant Bucks for making this event possible! They're generously offering one lucky person the chance to win a $200 Amazon Gift Code! Thanks, Instant Bucks! About the Giveaway Giveaway will run September 1, 2012 12:01am EST - October 1, 2012 at 11:59pm EST. One lucky person will have a chance to win $200 Amazon Gift Code, a Rafflecopter giveaway must be at least 18 years old to enter, and is open to US residents. To enter use the Rafflecopter form below, GOOD LUCK!

Disclaimer: This blog is not responsible for shipment of prize, nor did I accept any form of payment to promote this event. All entries will be verified.