Don’t miss Elf Training Camp at The Melting Pot, Littleton, Colorado*

December 24, 2016blogging, children, Colorado, family, foodgetcluedin

mplogofull If you enjoyed Fondue Fairytales, Superhero Sundays and fun-due Scarytales, then don’t miss out on Elf Training Camp at the Melting Pot, Littleton, Colorado! Saturdays and Sundays (Dec 3, 4, 10, 11, 17^th and 18^th) are for fondue fun with the whole family. Enjoy food, drink and elf-themed training, and you can meet Santa’s head elf!

doubledippingfun1 The melting pot is a great experience for kids and you can put those etiquette or cotillion classes into practice. Hold on to your skewer, this is the only place adults and children can indeed double dip, love every minute of it, and no one will complain. Adults pay $45, and children ages 4-12 are $25, with kids 3 and under free – this price includes the fun and food. Reservations are required and space is limited, so call 303-794-5666 to reserve your spot, and dip, dip, dip away! With four courses, each elf in your family, and the parents will leave here full and ready for holiday shopping. The entire four-course meal and fun took about 2.5 hours, so be ready for some food and fun for the kids. It’s so well-organized and paced just perfectly.

doubledippingfun2 Finally, please remember to dress in layers as the activities are in the tents outside, but honestly, it was so warm in there with the heaters, we were all comfortable and toasty. As you can see from the pictures, the kids had a great time, and it was nice to spend some uninterrupted time with them… okay, the elf interrupted a lot with a ton of activities for them but we thought it was good to keep the restless little ones busy and working. All in all, kids and parents were super happy.

Disclaimer: My family and I were compensated in exchange for posts/social media coverage of this event. We were compensated with free fondue for all of us. The views expressed here are my own. NOTE: This post was delayed due to a family/life emergency.

Veteran’s Day Freebies 2016 – in Colorado

November 10, 2016consumergetcluedin

Ahh… it’s that time again. Happy Veteran’s Day and thanks for your service. On Nov 11 and some places like Bed, Bath & Beyond are offering deals for Nov 10-13. Check it out. If you know of more places, please share.

Carmike Cinemas
On Veterans Day, those with a military ID will receive one free small bag of popcorn with the purchase of a movie ticket at the box office.

Chili’s is offering all US veterans and active duty personnel a free meal from a special menu all day on 11/11.

Texas Roadhouse invites veterans and active members of U.S. military to enjoy free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11. There will be a special menu available and the free lunch includes a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/ice tea or coffee during lunch. Proof of service includes military or VA card, or discharge papers.

Olive Garden restaurants will offer a free entrée from a special menu to active-duty military and military veterans on Veterans Day. The special menu features six of Olive Garden’s most popular items.

Applebee’s is offering veterans and active duty military a free meal on November 11.

Little Caesars is giving veterans and active duty military members one free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo all day on Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) at participating Colorado locations. No ID required. Combo includes four slices of Detroit-style deep dish pizza with pepperoni and one Pepsi-Cola 20oz. product. No ID needed.

Red Robin will give active duty military and veterans a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and fries on November 11. Proof of service required.

On The Border is offering veterans and active military service men and women a free Create Your Own Combo with a Choose 2 or Choose 3 selection. Free meals will be served from open to close with valid military ID or proof of military service. Good for dine-in only.

Hooters is offering veterans and active-duty military personnel an entrée on the house by presenting a valid military ID at any Hooters location across the nation. The Hooters Veterans Day Menu includes wings, a burger, a Buffalo chicken salad or Buffalo chicken sandwich.

California Pizza Kitchen is offering all veterans and active duty military a free entree from a limited menu on November 11. Dine-in only. Must be in uniform, show military ID or show other proof of service.

The Original Pancake House’s Cherry Hills and Denver Tech Center locations will offer free breakfast and drinks to any active duty or retired military on November 11. Must present a valid military ID.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk will honor veterans and active duty military personnel by offering complimentary lunch or dinner at its Centennial Buffet 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. Veteran’s Day. A veteran’s card or valid military ID should be presented to the buffet cashier to qualify for the complimentary meal; one per person. Complimentary meal valid for veterans or active duty military personnel only; companion meals at full price. Ameristar will continue to offer complimentary meals to veterans on the first Wednesday of every month as part of its popular Hometown Heroes promotion.

Buffalo Wild Wings is providing a complimentary, small order of wings and a side of fries to veterans and active duty military all day on Friday, November 11. Dine-in only. Taxes not included. Proof of military service required.

Denny’s is inviting active, inactive and retired military personnel to stop by for a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on Friday, Nov. 11, from 5 a.m. to noon, on Veterans Day.

Bout Time Pub & Grub in Arvada is inviting all veterans and active duty service men and women to one free meal. Simply show proof of service.

Golden Corral is offering a free dinner to any person who has served in the military on MONDAY, November 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dine-in only.

Old Country Buffet is offering veterans and active duty military a free buffet and drink on November 11.

OTHER FOOD DEALS

Outback Steakhouse is again honoring all active and retired military members with a free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage to those showing a valid military ID at participating restaurants on Nov. 11. Outback is also offering all Military Mates, including active or retired military members and their families, 15% off their check from Nov. 12 – Dec. 31.

Red Lobster will offer a free appetizer or dessert to veterans, active duty military and reservists with a valid military ID on November 10 and 11.

Carrabba’s is offering veterans and active duty military a free appetizer Nov. 7-13 with proof of service. You’ll need to mention this offer to redeem it.

IHOP is offering free Red, White, & Blue Pancakes to all veterans and active duty military from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Veterans Day at participating IHOP Restaurants. Select IHOP restaurants will also offer a combo of two eggs, hash browns and choice of two bacon strips or pork sausage links as part of the Red, White & Blue Pancake promotion. Veterans and Active Duty Military simply show proof of military service to receive their free Red, White & Blue Pancakes. Proof includes: US Uniformed Services ID Card, US Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e. American Legion, VFW, etc.), photograph of self in US military uniform, wearing uniform, DD214, military dog tags, and citation or commendation.

Lamar’s Donuts is offering a free donut and free coffee to Veterans. Yum!

Dunkin Donuts is giving one free coffee or donut (any variety) to all active duty or retired military personnel all day long on Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11). No ID required. Offer valid at participating Dunkin Donut locations throughout Colorado.

Ruby Tuesday is giving a free appetizer to veterans, active duty and reserve service members with valid military ID at participating locations on Veterans Day.

Bonefish Grill is giving all active and retired service members with a valid military ID a complimentary Bang Bang Shrimp at all Bonefish Grill locations on Veterans Day.

LongHorn Steakhouse will offer a free appetizer or dessert (no purchase required, no restrictions) to anyone showing proof of military service on November 11. In addition, LongHorn Steakhouse will offer 10 percent off for guests that dine with veterans on Veterans Day.

Rodizio Grill is offering a free full Rodizio meal free to veterans November 7-11, 2016 WITH the purchase of another adult full Rodizio meal. Proof of service or military ID required.

Mimi’s Cafe is offering veterans and active duty military a free entrée from a special all-day ‘Veterans Day’ menu on November 11 with the purchase of any non-alcoholic beverage. On Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13, veterans and active duty military will also receive their choice of breakfast, lunch or dinner entrees on the ‘Veterans Day’ menu for a special price of only $5.99 with the purchase of any non-alcoholic beverage.

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse is offering all military veterans and active duty personnel with valid military ID 50% off their meal on Veteran’s Day. Up to three additional guests will receive 10% off their meals, as well. Beverages, dessert, tax and gratuity not included.

Chipotle is offering all active duty military, reserves, national guard, military spouses, retired military with a valid U.S. military ID and veterans with ID, a buy one entree get one free special from 3 p.m. to close on Veteran’s Day.

Boston Market is offering all active duty or retired military personnel and their families one free brownie or cookie with any purchase on Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11). No ID required.

Panera Bread is offering all active and retired military personnel a free coffee and bagel with cream cheese on Friday, November 11 in Colorado. Just show military ID to receive the offer.

Starbucks hasn’t officially released its Veterans Day deal, but Starbucks is offering a buy one holiday drink and get one free special from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 to14.

Bed Bath and Beyond is offering Veterans with an ID Card 25% TOTAL purchase on November 10-13 (yes all weekend long). Happy Shopping!

OTHER FREEBIES/DEALS

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering free admission to all veterans and active duty members of the military, military reserve and National Guard to any Colorado state park on Nov. 11.

The National Park Service is waiving entrance fees for everyone on November 11. Active duty military members and their dependents can pick up a free military annual pass at any national park that usually charges a fee. A free lifetime pass is also available to disabled veterans. Read more about the passes here.

Metro Express Car Wash (Santa Fe Drive and Oxford in Sheridan) will give veterans and current military service personnel a free car wash on November 11 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Great Clips is offering veterans a free hair cut on November 11. Don’t need a cut right now? Stop by on November 11 for a free haircut card to use later.

Denver Friends League is waiving the adoption fees for all pets for military members on November 11. While the fees are waived, your pet still gets sprayed or neutered, vaccinations, microchip and an office visit with a vet for free.

Westgate Resorts is giving away 1,000 free vacations to current, active duty military personnel who have served in combat and their families on Veteran’s Day. The 3-day, 2-night vacation must be taken May 5-7, 2017 at Westgate Town Center in Central Florida. Learn more and eligible candidates can register at www.WestgateSalutes.com starting at 9 a.m. EST on Nov. 11. In addition to the 1,000 complimentary vacations, Westgate Resorts will offer a special 25 percent savings on Veteran’s Day for rooms across their entire portfolio of 28 properties for all U.S. military veterans.

American Family Care (AFC) is offering military veterans free flu shots on Friday, November 11.

Suburban Propane is offering discounts to existing customers and new customers who are veterans or are currently active in the military.

Gordmans is offering all active duty, reserves, guard, retirees and veterans a $10 Gordmans Savings Card with any in-store purchase on Veterans Day. In addition, they will receive 15% off their entire purchase. This 15% discount is on top of Gordmans’ everyday discounts. Those who wish to receive the Savings Card and discount are invited to show their military ID or to shop in uniform.

JCPenney is offering a five percent discount from Nov. 10-13 to current and former military personnel and their immediate family members with valid military or VA identification provided in-store.

Why you should buy a Toll Transponder in Florida, Colorado, California, etc.

October 29, 2016Colorado, consumer, moneygetcluedin

If you are a frequent traveler like I am and renting cars everywhere you go, you are probably heading to places that have toll roads, and if your extended family lives in a state that has tolls galore, be sure to look into toll transponders and buy one. California has a monthly fee – I used to travel there a lot and got one, but the $2.00 a month minimum charge is a turn off, if you are traveling infrequently.

Regarding transponders, I can speak for Colorado, California, and Florida. If you go more than once a year to a place that has toll roads, and there are no fees (Colorado and Florida have no minimums or fees), it’s wise to get a transponder or look into the rules for the toll roads where you go. Here is what I discovered:

For the past few years we travel to and from central Florida a lot and each time e went, the rental care companies got super rich off of us- even if we used the toll roads for 2 out of our 5 day rental, we got charged $3.95 per day no matter what IF we used even one toll road – this is maxed at like $20.00 generally but that adds up. Plus you pay all your tolls too! So, at $20 per trip (convenience charge), it is better to just buy your own transponder at Walgreens, Turnpike Service Centers, or Publix stores. You reload them, add your rental vehicles as you rent them, and you can also share the transponder among family members and friends. So, it can go in any vehicle in the state. In Florida and Colorado, there are no monthly minimums or service charges, making the transponder a must have! And, in Colorado, your toll rates are discounted if you have the E-470 pass, so it is certainly worth having, just get the one that you can move from vehicle to vehicle, unless you live there, of course.

Happy traveling!

My break up with the Mirena IUD one year ago- must read

October 29, 2016children, family, marriage, medicalgetcluedin

Required disclaimer: I may wear scrubs each day but I am not a medical doctor, and this is my personal experience and opinion. Every one of us is created different and your body may react differently, but this is my story….

My experience with the Mirena IUD didn’t start off bad, nor go poorly, but I always felt more bloated and like I just couldn’t lose the weight despite working out, eating right and staying healthy. Since we were not sure whether our family was complete yet, neither my husband nor I considered more permanent options and since I heard people used the Mirena for a long time, I assumed it was safe. But last year, we changed all that.

After about 5 years of having it, I started experiencing vertigo and other symptoms and tests ruled out tumors or other causes so I wasn’t sure what was causing them. Last year, around Halloween, I was experiencing these symptoms again and was the heaviest I had been since having the kids or getting married. Despite a solid work out routine, I felt unhealthy and had a huge gut. At a mere 61 inches tall, 133 lbs. is a lot to carry around and a very unhealthy BMI. I had tried giving up soda and alcohol and didn’t shred a pound. By January of 2015 I had already replaced the Mirena once, so last year, I went in and had it removed and completely changed my diet at the same time. I reduced sodium and sugar from my diet and eliminated all microwave meals which are super high in sodium. I was told by the doctor to give it one year to see if the Mirena was the culprit for my weight and symptoms.

It’s now a year later and for the past 3 months I have reintroduced Chinese food (without MSG), normal salted foods, and maintained a healthy diet and the weight is not back. But I remain true to my habits- more fruits and vegetables, smoothies, protein, and replacing soy sauce and canned foods with healthier alternatives or home-made options. My gut that was pretty prominent is gone and I feel better. Once 132-133 last year at this time, I am now 115-116. I was wearing size 10 shirts and large size t-shirts but now am back to small shirts and size 4 pants. I was wearing size 8 pants at this time last year. I even squeezed into size 2 earlier this year and was so excited- I have never worn size 2! I still don’t drink soda but I drink wine and beer in moderation and eat a balanced diet and I haven’t felt period pain and experienced spasms and cramping like I did on the Mirena.

Think about it – something that stops your periods completely over time just isn’t natural and naturally your body responds by retaining water and fluids, or other things. For me that fluid retention was very harmful and resulted in unhealthy conditions. Again, will you lose the weight and the gut I did if you break up with our IUD? I am not sure, but I do know that the Mirena IUD was simply not right for me, and now that I am hormone-free, I feel much better and more energetic. I have not done anything with my eating habits to lose weight, nor diet, and I am still keeping the weight off. There are other life stressors for me now, but going natural without hormones or any artificial things inside my body has been the smartest decision I made. I have a friend who tried Essure (two of them) and it didn’t go well either. Some others swear by it. For me, I prefer nothing inside me that is unnatural or unhealthy and do not want any more surgeries or artificial options. If you are lucky to have a husband who can shoulder the permanent birth control option, I urge you to do research, consult your doctor, and make informed choices.

Wilderness Aware Rafting – Amazing family fun!

July 19, 2016blogging, Colorado, consumer, culture, family, travelgetcluedin

Rafting 2016 July 16 We went rafting as a family for the first time. The last time my husband and I went rafting was when we were still engaged to be married, so this was truly a treat. Wilderness Aware (WA) is a great company, located in 20160716_123242 Buena Vista, Colorado., and they do more than just white water rafting. WA offers full-day and half-day rafting trips, a dinner float (this one is so cool), multi-day trips, including camping or B&B stays with rafting included. You can also book zipline tours, horseback riding, and bike trips through WA. Their website is great, easy to use, and offer discounts when you book on-line.

SAM_0647 WA facilities are great! The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. Once you arrive on-site, you can change there, buy water, and apply sunscreen (they provide this). If you do a full day rafting trip, breakfast is provided on-site too! You meet your guide and get your gear, and then receive a safety demonstration. We had Isaiah as our guide and he really hit it off with our kiddos. SAM_0654 He even let my eldest row with him. She loved it!

It was their first time, and the half day lower browns canyon (Class I and II rapids) really made them feel comfortable. They are actually ready for Class III and IV now. But mom and dad may not be, just yet. The dinner float was assembling when we returned to Buena Vista, and it looks so interesting – You float down, and eat at a grill, and then return back. The views SAM_0660 are breathtaking on the raft, and Colorado is so scenic, so I can imagine how much more amazing it would be to have a nice dinner and a glass wine along the Arkansas river while admiring the view. We had fun rafting as a family, and I know we will return next summer, if not sooner, to take in some more of the fun. We want to try zip lining as well, and Wilderness Aware is a great company to book trips through. DCIM101GOPRO They are organized, and made us all feel special. They sent us information before the trip and kept us well-informed on construction in the area, best route to take, and what to leave behind in the car. All in all, our first rafting trip as a family was a huge success, and we are looking forward to a return trip very soon – thanks Wilderness Aware for an amazing whitewater rafting trip.

Disclaimer: I was compensated with a free family half-day Lower Browns Canyon raft trip in exchange for promotion and this post. The review is honest, and the opinions expressed here in are my own.