How I am learning to provide cleaner air for my kids

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Several weeks ago, I posted about my new ally in my battle against my son's airborne allergies. I was sent a Philips 2000i Air Purifier to try, and I have been testing it in my 9-year-old son's bedroom for several weeks. I have been impressed with the unit and how it removes potential allergens from the air, and today I am sharing what I have learned in the hope that it might help you too.


As someone that has never had to deal with airborne allergens, it has been a bit of a learning curve for me. How do you battle something you can't see? The key for me has been the ease of use of my Philips 2000i Air Purifier. My new appliance lets me see what had previously been invisible (in two ways):

1) The Philips 2000i Air Purifier has a colour coded ring display (blue = good, blue-violet = fair, red-purple = poor and red = very poor) and a numerical display (1=good and 12=bad) that indicates the level of allergens and pollutants in the room. Then, the Philips AeraSense technology continuously monitors the air and automatically adjusts the fan speed when it detects a change in particles. (In fact, there are three modes on this appliance, so you can make it work for your particular needs. There is an allergen mode, a general mode, and a bacteria & virus mode.)


2) The AeroSense shows the air quality through a connected app. The app looks at indoor and outdoor pollutions and pollen and gives you a complete picture of air quality. It even gives you advice to help with your allergen management regimen.

The app also lets you know when it is time to change the filters, which is a huge bonus for me. One less thing I need to remember!  


My son is an active boy who spends a lot of time outside, which I love, but it makes it difficult to manage his allergies. There is very little I can do to limit his exposure to outdoor allergens, but I can control the air quality in his room while he is sleeping. The Philips 2000i Air Purifier senses, reacts, and visibly works to reduce the allergens in my son's room. (It also works to reduce odours, volatile organic compounds and even certain bacteria.)


As a mother, it is so comforting to know that I am doing everything I can to ensure that my son gets the best sleep possible. Lately, he has been sleeping well, and I haven't heard him coughing at night, so I am going to take that as a "mom win".

If you want to read more about our new Philips 2000i Air Purifier, you can do so here. You can also leave me any questions you have in the comments (below), and I will do my best to answer them.

Do you or your child who struggles with airborne allergens? What are your tips for managing indoor air quality? I'd love to hear what works for you.


Gina
(aka East Coast Mommy)


Disclosure: I have partnered with Philips Canada and have received compensation for this post. However, as always, all opinions expressed in this blog are my own. This post reflects my own opinions and experience with this product and does not necessarily reflect claims from Philips Canada.

HOCKEY Gift Guide 2018... including a giveaway for the hockey player on your list

**Note: This gift guide contains some products that I received for free and a few affiliate links. Please be assured that the opinions in this blog are 100% my own. Also, if you make a purchase using one of my affiliate links, you will not pay any extra, but I may get a small commission on your purchase. Thank you!**

My boys eat, sleep, and breath hockey. If they aren't playing hockey, they are watching it or talking about it. So at Christmas, it's no surprise "hockey" gifts are at the top of everyone's list. Today, I am sharing some of my favourite gifts for the hockey fan in your house. I have something for everyone in the family at every price point... and I have a giveaway at the bottom of this post too!

Here are some great ideas for hockey products that are sure to bring a smile to the face of the hockey player in your house.

Teags & Ry Hats - How cute are these unique hockey hats from Teags & Ry? My boys love them... and they are good quality too. Check out all the wonderful hat options from Teags & Ry here.



Gongshow clothes - My boys love the style and comfort of these high quality hockey clothes, and the hockey skate lace details are awesome. Gongshow has great clothes for kids, but hockey moms and dads will love the Gongshow fashions too. You can check out Gongshow clothing here.



NHL 19 - If your hockey fan loves video games, you probably already have the latest version of this game on your list. My boys LOVE playing this on their PS4, and you can order it here.


Gongshow sauceoff party set - The rink isn't always open, and Gongshow has some great games that can be played off the ice and any time of year. We love our Gongshow sauceoff party set, which you can find here.

Heating pad for cold feet - If you are shopping for someone that spends a lot of time at the rink, chances are they suffer with cold hands and feet... and this heating pad may be the perfect gift for them. You can order it from Amazon here.


Hockey Mom / Dad Survival Kit - If you are someone who likes to DIY, you might want to create your own gift basket for the hockey mom or dad in your life. Don't forget a warm blanket, warm socks, a coffee mug with gift card, and a tasty treat.


Gongshow bags - Everyone needs a good bag for hockey gear, overnight trips, and transporting school books, and Gongshow has some functional and fashionable options. My boys have the hockey bag and the backpack, and they love them... and you can buy them here.


Hockey stocking stuffers - There are many fun options for hockey-themed stocking stuffers, and I have included three of my favourites below.

     1) These sneaker balls are great for stinky hockey bags. 

     2) These custom ornaments (from Personalization Mall) are perfect for the hockey-lovers Christmas tree.

     3) And these cool Gongshow socks are great for chilling out and watching the game. 

Hockey-themed labels and wall decals from Oliver's Labels - Personalized labels and wall decals make wonderful gifts for kids. I've recovered a lot of my boys clothes because of name labels, and how cute is this large jersey wall decal?



Hockey bag and travel coffee mug from Teags & Ry - This duffle bag is the perfect gift for the hockey mom in your life. It's cute, and there is lots of room for all the rink essentials. It's a great overnight bag too! (And don't forget to get mom one of these cute travel mugs. A hot coffee will keep her warm, awake, and ready to cheer!) You can find tons of fantastic Teags & Ry products here.





Hockey picture canvas from Canvas Factory - It's easy to create unique artwork with your favourite hockey picture. Check out the cute canvas picture I made for my youngest son using a picture from a hockey camp he attended this summer. You can order your favourite photo here. 



And... because I love contests during the holidays, I am giving you a chance to WIN a canvas like the one I had made. Great, right? You can enter below. (Note: Contest is open to US and Canadian residents only.) LEAVE a comment in the comments section below (and click the box in the Rafflecopter widget... and don't forget the bonus entries!) 

update: WINNER CHOSEN


Do you have a hockey fan on your Christmas list this year? Is there something on my list that you are considering? I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Just send me an email or leave a comment below.

Happy shopping!


Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)


"HAND"ful of Candy... Halloween treats with free printable sign

Sometimes simple ideas are the best, and the Halloween treat bag I am sharing with you today could not be easier to make. You are going to love this easy and inexpensive Halloween treat idea that is perfect to make for your kids, friends, neighbours, and trick-or-treaters. I'm also sharing a cute piece of DIY Halloween decor that you can download for FREE!

To make these 'HAND'y treat bags, you'll need some plastic or latex gloves and a bunch of candy. Something to stick in the fingers is key. Rockets work well.


Then, you just fill the glove with treats and tie the top closed with a piece of curling ribbon. That's it!


To add a bit of extra fun, I designed this "punny" sign to sit beside my treat bags. You can download it for free, and print it really inexpensively at your local copy store. To download this 'HAND'y sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.


Doesn't the sign look cute in an inexpensive dollar store frame? It really makes the bags of treats look extra special.


The Halloween treats are simple enough to make for your kids and/or trick-or-treaters, but they would be great for a Halloween party too. Who doesn't love a simple and fun DIY? 


Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)


Halloween Teacher Treat Ideas

If you have a SPOOKtacular teacher in your life, you should get him/her a fun and unique Halloween treat. A simple treat with a "punny" tag is perfect. Today, I am sharing two easy and inexpensive ways to thank your favourite teacher for always giving you a helping hand... and I'm including free printable gift tags too!


This year, I found this adorable witch hand candle holder at the dollar store for only $4! I love the green hands and the purple nail polish, don't you? It's adorable with the addition of a flameless candle.


I added these adorable "Thanks for always being there to give me a helping hand." tags. You can download the tags I designed for free by: clicking on the picture below, right-clicking, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 4x6 photo.


Doesn't it look cute all wrapped up with cellophane and curling ribbon?


You can also use the tags to give a few edible goodies to your favourite educator. Fill a plastic or latex glove with candies, mini chocolate bars and trinkets, and add the tag to create a 'HAND'ful of treats. See what I did there?


What yummy and/or fun treats will you be sharing with your child's teacher this Halloween? I love these simple ideas, and they would be a great thank you gift for any helpful person in your life.

Happy Halloween!


Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)


15 Fantastic FAMILY GAMES (everyone will love)

I always enjoy a good family board game, don't you? It's a wonderful way for kids and parents to spend time together. Today, I am sharing a list of 15 fantastic family games that everyone will love (in no particular order). Which ones do you love playing with your family?

Note: This gift guide contains affiliate links (which means that if you make a purchase through this post, I will receive a small commission at NO additional cost to you).


1) Jenga - The rules of this one are simple... take a block from the bottom and put it on top (without making the tower topple over).



2) Skipbo - This card game is portable, and it is one of our family's favourites. It involves a little bit of school, but it is easy enough for children to play.

3) Uno - This is a classic card game that is sure to be a hit with parents and children of all ages. It's portable and fun!


And how cute is this Harry Potter edition?



4) Sorry - This is a classic board game with simple rules. The goal is to be the first person to get your men around the board.




5) Trouble - Who doesn't remember "popping the bubble" of a kid? This classic game has been around forever, anyone can play it, and it's lots of fun!


6) Sequence - This game combines a board game and a card game into a wonderful strategy game. It's recommended for ages 7 - adult... so it's family fun for all ages.



7) Clue - This is a classic mystery game where you try to find out the who committed the crime, where it was committed, and the weapon that was used. My boys love this one!


8) Spot it - Between two cards there is only one match. Spot it fast to win!



9) Battleship - This is a classic game that the whole family will love. Simply sink all your opponents battleships to win.


10) Blokus - The perfect fast-paced strategy game. It's easy to learn and great for families.


11) Yahtzee - This simple dice game is fun for families. Kids love shaking the dice and using the score pads.



12) Monopoly - Buy and sell your way to riches with this classic game that should be party of every board game collection. There are many versions, but I'm partial to the traditional one... though I hear the Monopoly Cheaters Edition is a lot of fun!
13) Wizard - This card game is inexpensive, portable, and fun. It's the ultimate game of bidding and winning tricks. 



14) LCR - This inexpensive dice game is so small you can pop it into your purse. Fun to play anywhere / anytime.


15) Pass the Pig - This game requires strategy, skill and luck. It's basically a dice game, but you are rolling "pigs". Fun, right?


Did your favourite board game make my list? Leave your favourite family board game in the comments. I'm always looking for recommendations and new ideas for family fun!


♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss any of the fun....