My Nature’s Sleep Mattress has Arrived #NSAmbassador

“Nature’s Sleep provided me with the memory foam St. Thomas mattress to try out and give me honest opinion.”

 

Natures Sleep

Being a blogger I get packages often.  But I will have to say, this box was a little bigger than boxes I normal receive.

Nature's Sleep Mattress Arrived

When I was selected to be part of the Nature’s Sleep Ambassador program, I was thrilled.  I have a horrible back and last year underwent cervical surgery which needless to say can make having a good night’s sleep rarely possible.

When my friend Jennifer of Makobi Scribe started to talk about her mattress and how well she sleeps at night, my ears perked up.  She was basically telling me how her life has changed since using her Nature’s Sleep mattress.  I admit I was skeptical, I mean, I pretty much can not remember the last time I slept really good, and more than that I thought that overall, my 10 year old pillow-top mattress was still a great bed.

I. Was. Wrong.

When I arrived home the girls and Donnie were begging me to open the box.  But first we had some arranging to do.  Once I got my room situated, we removed the old mattress.  Unpacking the Nature’s Sleep Mattress is so fun!

 Nature's Sleep Mattress Arrived


As you can see in my video, you just remove the plastic packaging and then the bed will inflate on it’s own.  We opted to give the bed a full 24 hours to settle.  And then the moment came.  Donnie and I counted to 3 and laid on the bed at the same time.  Ahhh…yes!  OK, I have to say, it felt so heavenly to lay on the mattress.  But you as well as I know, you can’t determine how good a mattress is for your body until you get a good night’s sleep.  As the sun fell, the time for the ultimate test arrived.

Nature's Sleep Mattress Arrived

Donnie is a hard bed guy.  He is a light sleeper and rarely gets a good night’s sleep.  I am a softer bed kinda girl.  I can fall into a deep sleep, however, I tend to be restless, which is a problem when you are sleeping next to a light sleeper.  Having said that, the first thing we both noticed is that you can’t feel the other person moving.  The bed doesn’t move.  First plus.  Comfort level on this bed for both of us is a 10.  Remember, we both have different bed firmness differences, however, we both find this bed extremely comfortable.  The best way I can explain the way it feels to lay on the bed is what I would imagine laying on a cloud would be like (if it weren’t vapor).  You almost feel like you are floating.  You just don’t have any pressure points while laying on the Nature Sleep Mattress.

StThomasNew

Finally, what can I say?  We both slept.  Through the night.  Very comfortably.  Best night of sleep, for both of us, that we can remember.  And that was just the beginning.  I now have the girls, 13 and 15, wanting to just lay on the bed.  They now each want    Nature’s Sleep mattresses.  The are begging.  It’s so incredibly comfortable.  I look forward to sharing more as I get to enjoy the new mattress.

 

Here’s a Nature’s Sleep deal for you to check out today!

Dad50-Small

 

Get a pair of slippers 50% off with coupon code DAD50  from now until 6/27/2013

 

 

ContestBurstIconYes, that’s right!  Enter for your chance to win a Nature’s Sleep Mattress!

Like Nature’s Sleep on Facebook

Follow Nature’s Sleep on Twitter

“Nature’s Sleep provided me with the memory foam St. Thomas mattress to try out and give me honest opinion.”

 

 

Amazon Giveaway

amazon blast

Makobi Scribe and Sason and Pobi are bringing you this Amazon Facebook blast. The winner will receive an Amazon gift card for $100. The giveaway is open to Everyone :) Good Luck! If you are a blogger, you can sign up for this blast here.

THE LONE RANGER: On-the-Set Featurette “Cowboy Bootcamp”

 

The Lone Ranger

It’s no secret that Disney’s The Lone Ranger is a highly anticipated movie for summer.  Jerry Bruckheimer doesn’t disappoint, so I am sure this will be a summer blockbuster no doubt!

The second video in a series of on-the-set featurettes, “Cowboy Bootcamp,” from THE LONE RANGER. It’s another really cool behind the scenes look featuring an interview with The Lone Ranger himself, Armie Hammer!

Armie Hammer

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, comes Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “The Lone Ranger,” a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes.  Native American warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice—taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.
 
“The Lone Ranger” also stars Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter.
 
A Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films presentation, “The Lone Ranger” is directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski, with screen story by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and Justin Haythe and screenplay by Justin Haythe and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. “The Lone Ranger” releases in U.S. theaters on July 3, 2013.

“Like” THE LONE RANGER on Facebook

“Follow” THE LONE RANGER on Twitter

Visit THE LONE RANGER website

THE LONE RANGER rides into theaters on July 3rd!

*Disney provided this information for me to share with my readers.  All opinions are my own.  Photos courtesy of Disney.

 

Wordless Wednesday – Juicing vs Bacon

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Wordless Wednesday – Juicing vs Bacon

I have words about this…but not today. ;)

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort Announces a Father’s Day Challenge

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort Announces a Father’s Day Challenge

When I was in Phoenix last month I stayed at the beautiful Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort.  When I saw this event happening this weekend for Father’s Day, at their Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort sister resort, I wanted to make sure all my readers in the Phoenix area knew about this and to go check it out.

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort Announces a Father’s Day Challenge

This Father’s Day weekend Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort invites kids to challenge their dads in an exciting Man vs. Child throw-down hosted at the resort’s famed River Ranch. Families can treat dad to a weekend of fun and relaxation and a little friendly competition.

The festivities begin on Friday, June 14 at 6 p.m. on Slim Picken’s Patio with Reese’s Pieces Bingo followed by the week’s featured Dive-In movie, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, June 15, the Man vs. Child Challenge kicks off at noon with a basketball shootout, followed by a classic three-legged race. Next, test dad’s skills in a bean bag toss competition and a football toss. Great prizes will be awarded for each event. Families up for the challenge should register at the River Ranch entry building. In the evening, celebrate your victory with food and drink specials and music provided by the Joshua Stone Band, playing at the Hole-in-the-Wall, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Tocasierra Spa & Salon also invites kids and dads to flex their muscles with a fun 30 minute semi-personal training session for two, followed by a 20 minute Sports Massage available during Father’s Day weekend for $120.

Resort’s mascot, Yote the Coyote will be on hand to celebrate dad with breakfast at Hole-in-the-Wall and Rico’s American Grill on Saturday and Sunday 8:30-10:30 a.m. Other daily poolside and resort activities start at 11 a.m. while a DJ spins the latest grooves noon to 3 p.m.
Father’s Day weekend rates at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak start at $109 per night for a suite with a seven day in advance booking. Book online and by phone at 1-800-283-9230.

There are many things that I love about this hotel, but probably number one on my list is that it is such a fantastic resort for the whole family.  The River Ranch is a child’s dream (even the adult children).  With more than four acres of fun and activities for the whole family, it’s easy to see why this event will be one to remember.

 Follow Point Hilton Squaw Peak Resort on Twitter

Pointe Hilton

*I was given the information about Father’s Day Challenge from the Hilton.  I was in no way compensated for this post.  Photos courtesy of the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort.

The Lone Ranger – “Spirit Platform”

The Lone Ranger - "Spirit Platform"

The first video in a series of on-the-set featurettes, “Spirit Platform,” from THE LONE RANGER has been released! It’s a really cool behind the scenes look featuring an interview with The Lone Ranger himself, Armie Hammer!

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, comes Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “The Lone Ranger,” a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes.  Native American warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice—taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.
 

 

“Like” THE LONE RANGER on Facebook

“Follow” THE LONE RANGER on Twitter

Visit THE LONE RANGER website

THE LONE RANGER rides into theaters on July 3rd!

*Disney provided this information for me to share with my readers.  All opinions are my own.  Photos courtesy of Disney.

Amazon $100 Giveaway

amazon blast
Makobi Scribe and Sason and Pobi are bringing you this Amazon Twitter blast. The winner will receive an Amazon gift card for $100. The giveaway is open to Everyone :) Good Luck! If you are a blogger, you can sign up for this blast here.

Meet Paris Carter

I have some very exciting news. One of my very dear friends that I have known for close to 10 years has decided to accept my invitation to have her join Trippin’ with Tara as a contributor. Meet Paris Carter, the inspiration of my recent introduction of juicing. I asked her a few questions to help my readers to get to know her a little better.

Paris Carter

TwT: You weren’t always a good eater (I know, I’ve been VERY bad with you for years), why the change?

PC: No, definitely not. I was raised with a sugar iv in my arm, and back in the day, the gauge for health was weight (sadly, according to our culture). So growing up I wasn’t very in tune with food and its relationship to self.  

A few years ago I began to suffer with migraine headaches. On average, once a week. Although I was eating whatever I wanted, it did also include healthy foods, so I ignored my inner voice for some time and then finally said out loud that I needed to make changes. Once I say it out loud, it’s full force. Today, June 7th, is actually my one year anniversary to making major health changes, and I am happy to say I haven’t had one migraine since! I started with eating. I took a few weeks to really research food and the science of timing it with my work outs to have maximum benefit. And of course eating whole, natural foods.
I was still alllowing myself “cheat” meals. Then I realized I was doing exactly that; cheating *myself*. I then took a closer look as to the relationship of food and soul and realized that I didn’t need to cheat because so long as I was nourishing myself, I wasn’t sacrificing.

Paris Carter yoga

TwT: You’ve taken your health to a new level, first you began with yoga…well tell me the process, how’d you start?

PC:  Before yoga i actually started with working out 6 days a week.At that time I also needed a deeper physical activity- one that did more than sustain physical health and appearances. That is what led me to ashtanga yoga. Contrary to what some may perceive yoga to be (stretching), it is a practice that is physically challenging, but most importantly, a practice that leads me toward a higher consciousness. And that, for me, is the true importance of health.

TwT: Let’s talk a little about juicing, I am starting to really enjoy trying new recipes already. What’s your favorite morning juice?

PC: I tend to go to carrot juice in the morning, usually with ginger. However, my good ole faithful is kale with pineapple and celery. It is just so satiating, especially after a work out or yoga.

TwT: You have already impacted my life and the way I think about food, that is why I wanted you to consider being a contributor on my blog. What are your hopes for the people that take the time to check out what you share?

PC: I am super happy that you feel enough to make healthy initiatives! My mantra regarding health is “It affects everything you do, and everything you do affects it”. My hope for anyone who takes the time for what I share is that they just reflect on the same. We invest so much time in researching insurance, cars, hotels, etc…but we tend to take so little time investing in researching what we eat, and the relationship it has with not only our physical health, but our emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Take the time….

Paris Carter yoga

Working as a Fine Art Photographer, I find refuge from the life of wife and mother
to 3 busy athletes. As wonderful as the technological advancements of this day & age
bring, I find slowing things down invaluable. Our relationships deserve our full attention,
and by attending to our own health we foster all things positive!

Lover of Ashtanga Yoga, Plant strong nourishment, and a thirst for learning.
We’re all in this together, Namaste!

~Paris

I am so beyond excited to have Paris be part of my Trippin’ with Tara journey.  As my readers know, I am a food  BACON lover, so making huge changes in my life to be healthier, yet keeping it real is one of my goals.  I have a feeling as you get to know Paris and read her posts, you too may just get a bit inspired and try some things you may have never done to become healthier.  And of course, with balance.  Watch out for my post to come – Juicing with a side of Bacon. And Paris I believe will be complimenting that post with something to do with massaging kale.  ;)

Find Paris all over Social Media – http://about.me/pariscarter

Wordless Wednesday 6.5 #juicing

Wordless Wednesday JuicingWordless Wednesday #Juicing

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Wordless Wednesday Ju

So….juicing is coming to Trippin with Tara – stay tuned. ;)

Tell me if you juice?  Do you have a favorite site?  If so please share it with me below.  What’s your favorite juicer?

And Happy Wednesday!

Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios #StarWarsWeekends

 

 

Star Wars Weekends at Disney Hollywood Studios

Ok, have you ever been to Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?  This was my first experience and boy oh boy, this was super fun!

I was lucky to hop over to Disney Hollywood Studios for the day to see what all the hoop-la is all about.  OK, so I may not be the ultimate Star Wars fan.  I know, I know, this will be hugely disappointing to some, but that still didn’t keep me from having a blast spending the day with all the cool Star Wars characters as well as the craziest fans that are part of the 501st  Legion.  If you haven’t heard of these over the top fans, this is so awesome – they have their own parade during Star Wars Weekends.  Disney loves having the members there, so much so they have their own green room to hang out.  Seriously, like a celebrity in their own right.

OK, so I have some fun photos from the day, but more importantly I have this AWESOME and fun video that I did for Global Resort Homes!  Please watch, tell me what you think – I know I am a major dork, but once you get past that can you tell me if you can tell I don’t know much about Star Wars?  ;)

I got to meet a few of those Star Wars characters myself!

Star Wars Weekends meet and greet with Darth Maul

Star Wars Weekends meet and greet with Darth Maul

 

Star Wars Weekends with Kids in Costume

Even the little ones go all out!

The 501st Legion requires members to be at least 18, so these little ones are obviously product of their parents love.  So fun, right?

 

Star Wars Weekends meet and greet with Donald and Goofy

Star Wars Weekends meet and greet with Donald and Goofy

Disney wouldn’t be Disney without their characters in Star Wars garb.  Storm Trooper Donald Duck and Darth Vader Goofy (in his Mickey boxers lol) were two of the many to see.

Star Wars Weekends meet and greet with Mickey and Minnie

Star Wars Weekends meet and greet with Mickey and Minnie Photo Credit – Walt Disney World

 

So as you can see by my video  as well as the great photos, Star Wars Weekends is something you too should check out this weekend or you will have to wait for next year.

Check out more by following the #StarWarsWeekends on Twitter

I was in no way compensated for this post.  A co-worker and I spent a day checking out Star Wars Weekends at Disney Hollywood Studios and wanted to share the fun.