It is so important to plan ahead for your families safety.   We take the time to baby proof the whole house down to the last electrical socket.  We take the time to teach our children safety, but a lot of people don’t think about planning in case of a tragedy.

“Did you know that half of Americans say they are under-insured? That’s 58 million* of us. And 70%* of people with kids under 18 say they would be in serious trouble if something happened to the primary breadwinner.

Experts say a good rule of thumb is to insure 5 to 10 times your income. It sounds like a lot, but it’s really not. Think about what you’re really worth.  Life insurance will help cover the cost of your mortgage, medical & funeral expenses, continuing childcare, living expense and college tuition.

How many people would have to be hired to do all the things you do for your family? Salary.com estimates the average stay-at-home mom would earn $117,867 per year if she were paid for all the work she does.

Most people feel overwhelmed when they think about this stuff. Your local Allstate agent can talk you through your situation and help you plan for the future today. Allstate and their agents have been helping customers protect their families for over 50 years.”

It is so important to have life insurance.  It is how your spouse/significant other will be able to get by without you.  I take great comfort in knowing that my husband and I have life insurance.  Especially if something were to happen to both of us we know that Bug will be taken care of financially.

Other great ways to protect your family is to teach everyone safety drills.  Fire, Earthquake, Tornado, etc…make sure your family knows what to do in case of these emergencies.  Don’t forget to set up a place that you will all meet should you not be together at home.  Your home is ideally the best place for this to be.  But no matter where it is, at least everyone will know where you plan to meet. 

Another important thing is to have a list with all emergency numbers, fire department, gas company, etc…most of us use our cell phones or computers to find numbers these days but if your cell isn’t working it’s a problem.  It is also a good idea to have a prepaid phone card in case of such an emergency.

Having a plan of action in case something bad happens can give you a great peace of mind.  Knowing that your family will be protected just in case is a great feeling of comfort.

I would love to hear your ideas for keeping your family nest safe…do share!

About Allstate Life Insurance
The Allstate Corporation is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies and Allstate Personal Financial Representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

More information on Allstate Life Insurance:
Allstate Life Insurance on Facebook.

Follow @allstate on Twitter

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Allstate blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

““Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” is a heartwarming children’s book that explores the touching relationship between a young boy and his working mom.

Told from the young boy’s perspective, the whimsical narrative reflects a child’s imaginative interpretation of why mommy goes to work, and the beautiful bond that develops as a result.

Bringing simplicity and lightheartedness to an emotional topic, “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon” fosters a child’s appreciation for a working mother, while simultaneously easing the minds of moms who balance the difficult responsibilities of financially supporting their household and raising the children they so dearly love.”

Times have definitely changed and it isn’t just dads going to work.  Moms everywhere are bringing home the bacon and it is so impressive!  I was thrilled to learn about this new children’s book “Mommy Brings Home the Bacon”.  It is a great way to teach your child about how mommy has to go to work and bring home the bacon.  It is a really cute story and 3 year old Bug loves having it read to him.  If you or someone you know is a working mom, I recommend this children’s book about working moms.

You can purchase this book by visiting www.mommybringshomethebacon.com or on Amazon.

Mommy Brings Home the Bacon gets Bragging Rights!

Nikita and Alex grow and become a team as the show progresses, but aiding Nikita could mean death for Alex if she’s ever found out. I am really impressed with Alex.  She is loyal and so brave and truly a real friend being willing to put her life on the line for Nikita.  My husband is my best friend and I would do anything for him, just like Alex I would put my life on the line for him. I know he would do the same for me.  I am so lucky to have my husband as my best friend. 

Buy Nikita The Complete First Season on Blu-ray & DVD http://bit.ly/qLjOxO!

I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote Nikita Season 1 on DVD.

“Bee Free Honee is a unique sweetener with a slightly tart flavor. It is “apple honey” in that it is made from apples rather than by bees! We use only three all natural ingredients, apple, pure cane sugar, and lemon juice. There is nothing artificial, no added color and no corn syrup. Just as you would have more than one flavor jam in your refrigerator, this gives you a new flavor for your pantry.  It is an apple syrup for your pancakes as well as an all natural sweetener.  It is great for kids and it is Minnesota made while strictly using Midwest apples.  It is Bee Free Honee and if your co-op or grocery doesn’t carry it, then please be sure to ask for it!“

Have you ever heard of honey made from apples? I had never, until I was able to review Bee Free Honee. It’s vegan honey, made from midwest apples instead of bees! I love that not only is it honey made in the USA, it’s made in Minnesota! {My home state.} The bottles and caps, labels, boxes that they are cased in are all from the Twin Cities. This product is as local as we could make it. How great is that? I love that it can be used interchangeably in recipes calling for regular honey- easy as pie. Ok, so the big question you’re asking is if it tastes good. Well, I have to admit I’m not the best taste tester, as I don’t actually care for honey… =) BUT my husband is a honey connoisseur, so he stepped in as a “Bragging Daddy”. He really liked the taste, and said he would definitely use it interchangeably with traditional honey. I love that I can use it with young kids, because there’s no fear of botulism. Be sure to try out a bottle for yourself!

“Bee Free Honee can be used in BBQ sauces, hot and cold beverages, vinegarettes, granola, cakes, breads, basically…if you use traditional honey in the recipe, you can use Bee Free Honee interchangeably.

Pour it on your pancakes, waffles, or french toast, it makes wonderful apple syrup. It’s “apple honey” on your morning toast, yogurt, or oatmeal. Use Bee Free Honee any way you can imagine…but most importantly, enjoy it.

What makes this even more exciting is the fact that it is made in Minnesota, using strictly Midwest apples. The bottles and caps, labels, boxes that they are cased in are all from the Twin Cities. This product is as local as we could make it.

Thank you for your support and remember…Bee Free & Natural!”

Things that are Brag Worthy:

• Made in Minnesota
• Can be used in BBQ sauces, hot and cold beverages, vinaigrettes, granola, cakes, breads
• Can be used interchangeably in almost any recipe that uses traditional honey
• Only three all natural ingredients, apple, pure cane sugar, and lemon juice
• Great for:
  • Vegans
  • Small Children, as there is no fear of Botulism
  • Those allergic to traditional honey
  • Foodies looking for a new flavor

Visit www.beefreehonee.com to learn more about this awesome product!

Bee Free Honee gets Bragging Rights!

Bee Free Honee is generously giving away 1 bottle of Bee Free Honee to TWO lucky readers!

How to enter: Leave comments below with your qualifying entries. Leave a Separate comment for each entry telling us which you qualify for.

MANDATORY 1st entry- Visit Bee Free Honee and let us know your favorite feature!

1st Mandatory Entry must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted.

• 1 entry- “Like” Bee Free Honee on Facebook
• 1 entry- Follow Bee Free Honee’s Blog
• 2 entries- Grab The Bragging Mommy button and put it on your blog. Leave a link.
• 1 entry for each- Follow The Bragging Mommy via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, subscribe to emails, subscribe in reader.
• 2 entries- Blog about this giveaway. Leave a link.
• 1 entry per day- Follow Bee Free Honee on Twitter & Tweet this giveaway using & @braggingmommy. You can use this:

#Win a bottle of Honey Made From Apples ~ Bee Free Honee {2 winners!} from @applehonee & @braggingmommy! http://tinyurl.com/3gv2rtn {ends 9.12}

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

You can enter this giveaway until September 12 @10:00 am MST. The winner will then be chosen at random, verified and contacted via email. The winner will have 48 hours to email us back and claim the prize, if prize is not claimed within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you agree to The Bragging Mommy Full Disclosure. You must be over the age of 18 and live in the Contiguous US to enter.

Best Bottom Diapers: New Decade. New Diaper.™

“After years of experience, Nicki the owner of Nicki’s Diapers created a new diaper taking the pros of all the different diapering systems and eliminated the cons. This resulted in the Best cloth diaper system available – trimmest fitting and highly absorbent! To help reduce early confusion and the overwhelming feeling when researching cloth diapers, the Best Bottom diapers has simplified cloth diapering while making one of the most economical systems. The Best Bottom one size diapering system is not a pocket diaper, not an all in one, not a fitted diaper and not a prefold system…it is the best of all types!”

I have been cloth diapering for about 2 years now. I loved it right from the get-go. Some of the huge motivating factors for me were money, and being a little more eco-friendly. I mean, THINK of how many diapers my two kids could put in a landfill in their lifetime… crazy to think about. Once you’ve decided to cloth diaper, it’s all about finding the right diaper. They are an investment, and you want to make sure you pick the right one. I ABSOLUTELY recommend the Best Bottom one size diaper system. I love using inserts, and Best Bottom Diapers have the best. They are super easy to snap in and out, and the outer shell stays dry for an amazingly long time. They are easy to wash and dry, too. They are trim, and I haven’t had any leaking issues. Their website has SO much information, be sure to check it all out!

Things that are Brag Worthy:

• Really adorable colors and prints
• Fast drying
• Trim
• Really easy to use system
• Inexpensive

How Does The Best Bottom System Work:

Simplify, simplify, simplify! Many may start researching cloth diapers, get overwhelmed and quit. Best Bottoms are YOUR solution! So easy to use yet comes with lots of options so you can get a customized system for your baby.

1. Adjust front snaps to achieve the size needed.
2. Snap insert into diaper.
3. Put diaper on baby and go!
4. When baby needs a diaper change snap out soiled insert and snap clean one in.
5. Put diaper on baby and go AGAIN. The Best Bottom shell is wipe-able and can be used multiple times before washing but you may want to air dry between uses but it is not necessary.

We recommend getting as many shells as your baby poos in a 2-3 day time period (for newborns count how many explosions they have!!). We have found that poo does stay on the insert most of the time but in some cases it may not (but it will stay in the diaper cover avoiding an embarassing mess!) Three different size inserts in several different materials available. We don’t believe in a one size insert. Newborns and toddlers are not the same size so in order for a one size insert to absorb enough for a toddler it will be HUGE on a newborn. Y ou may not need all three sizes of inserts and can skip the middle size – it is all up to you! We recommend approximately 24 inserts per size.

So to make it SIMPLE you will need approx 8-10 shells and 18-24 inserts per size. How easy is that?!

Visit www.bestbottomdiapers.com/ to learn more!

Best Bottom Diapers Cloth Diapers gets Bragging Rights!