Knott's for the Cure 2016!

It's that time of year again!

Knott's Berry Farm is teaming up with Susan G. Komen Orange County

to raise money for breast cancer awareness, services and research!

"Pink Tickets" are on sale now and limited edition T-shirts!

75% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen are used

to provide local services throughout Orange County:

- Breast cancer detection and treatment education

-Information and support for breast cancer survivors and families

-Funding for free mammograms for uninsured and underserved women

25% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen

support national research to discover the cure for breast cancer.

Two years ago I attended the kickoff to the very first Knott's for the Cure!

Little did I know that I would be diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer just a few weeks later.

 Last year I attended the second annual Knott's for the Cure

as a survivor and key speaker about my battle with breast cancer.

I truly came full circle from being there as a supporter, through cancer,

and back to stand and support with my fellow breast cancer survivors!

 Susan G. Komen was founded by one sister supporting another 

through her fight with breast cancer, 

and I was honored, humbled and blessed to be able to stand

 with my fellow breast cancer sisters 

to celebrate our victories and raise money to prevent 

and fight breast cancer for all the women in Orange County!

Come enjoy the park and support this important cause 

by purchasing your "Pink Tickets" now through April 1, 2016!

This special price of $40 is almost half off regular admission 

and a portion of the proceeds go to such a great cause.

All of us have been or will be affected by a loved one's battle with cancer.

I am so thankful for the chance I had to fight 

and the opportunity I have to be here with my family.

Get your "Pink Tickets" and fight with us today!

Follow Knott's Berry Farm on social media and share who you're fighting for with the hashtag #KnottsPink!

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The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, 

nor do I have any official relationship with them.  I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

Belicious...Real Food in a Pouch!

Recently I learned about a line of food in a pouch, the newest craze,

made entirely from real food...whole grains, fruits and vegetables!

Belicious was developed by a woman named Heidi Huntsman...

a woman with a story very much like mine.

Heidi was diagnosed with cancer at age 37, and when she beat it, 

she started learning more about the role of nutrition in preventing disease.

Heidi has a degree in molecular biology, and set about to develop something

that would benefit her own family, with a history of cancer, and all of us!

Belicious is a great answer for people with all sorts of dietary restrictions!

There are four different flavors, and they are all 90 calories, with only 2.5 grams of fat!

* Dairy Free

* Vegan

* Wheat Free

* Nut Free

* Soy Free

* GMO Free

Energize is a sweet potato, carrot and pear blend.

Revive is a balsamic, beet and spinach blend.

Strength is a spinach, kale and orange blend.

Vitalize is an orange, beet and ginger blend.

They also contain other whole foods included for your benefit, 

such as chia seeds, split red lentils, and banana.

They can be used as a snack on the go, or for a 3 day cleanse,

which is currently on sale on their website!

No matter what your motivation is, Belicious can help you reach your goals!

This year be healthy, be strong, Belicious!

The best news is you can WIN a month of Belicious 

& a $100 Whole Foods Market gift card! 

#BeFreeBelicious New Year Reset Runs 1/5 - 2/5. 

To be eligible to win, participants enter via Rafflecopter 

and tag us in a photo with the product.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Life After Stage 4 Cancer...My New Normal

September 11 took on a new meaning for me last year.

As the country remembered the horrific events and fallen heroes from 2001,

I was given the most exciting news...I was cancer free!

My oncologist was cautious, as she always is, but I was elated!

No evidence of disease, or NED.

It's as close to remission as a stage 4 patient will ever get.

Although, they can't detect any cancer in me with all their tests and scans,

there could still be microparticles too small to see.

Because of this, I will always be in treatment, but no more chemo for now!

I will receive the drug Herceptin by IV every 3 weeks.

The hardest part is finding a vein.

It is extremely painful, despite my best efforts 

to stay hydrated and pump up my veins before infusion.

I have become very good at NOT screaming.

I kind of have a reputation.

But I can take a few minutes of pain, as I have no side effects from this drug!

I get an echocardiogram every 3 months 

to make sure my heart is not damaged from the Herceptin treatment.

They will also scan my body every year 

and do blood work every 3 months to check for growth.

I also take an oral drug daily, and receive a shot in my belly once a month.

The needle is HUGE!

Every time they stick it in my belly, I think I'm going to spring a leak!

These keep me in chemically induced menopause.

Hooray for no periods, but boohoo on the hot flashes!

My cancer is estrogen fed, and so every effort is made to suppress it.

The side effects from these have been mild too; so blessed!

In October we took the trip of a lifetime to Hawaii!

I researched for months and made a list of everything I wanted to do and taste!

We had never been, and it was a dream come true to be in that beautiful place.

We swam with sea turtles, saw countless rainbows, and ate amazing food!

I want to go back every day!

We are so appreciative of all the wonderful bloggers 

who contributed money to make our trip extra special!

We are the luckiest!

As I approach the second anniversary of diagnosis,

and the year mark of the regrowth,

I am super, super excited to begin this year with no cancer!

This will be the first year since 2013 

that I will be able to celebrate my birthday without chemo 

and eat all the berries without food restrictions!

My 40th celebration will be epic!!!

I have a new appreciation for a whole, well body.

I still marvel when I do my hair without clumps falling out.

I can climb the stairs again without aching legs, well, one flight anyway.

I have been blessed with a doctor who meticulously walks the tightrope of treatment, 

carefully evaluating what will be the most effective and least harmful.

I do not take for granted the miracle of survival.

I know the fragility of life and the blessing of each day.

It is a new normal, but still so wonderful.

XO

Jaime

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Coloring Pages

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters in less than 2 weeks!

We are so excited to see the next chapter in the most epic movie series of all time!

In the meantime, you can keep your imagination alive with these coloring pages

inspired by the Star Wars characters new and old in The Force Awakens!

88-8

Storm Trooper 1

Storm Trooper 2

Finn

Kylo Ren

Poe

Rey

GIVEAWAY: Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train!

Can you feel the excitement??

It's that time of year again and we can't wait to visit the Irvine Park Railroad

for their annual Christmas Train and holiday fun!

The day after Thanksgiving, November 27th, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive!

They bring a whole park full of activities for the family,

including a magical train ride to see Santa himself!

Christmas Train tickets may be purchased to ride the train at a specific date and time — 

get in line and board the train any time during the hour for which you purchase tickets. 

Tickets may be purchased online ONLY and can be purchased beginning November 1st. 

Tickets may not be purchased in person. Visit www.IrvineParkRailroad.com for details.

Our best tips for coming to the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train include:

1. Come Early! It can get crowded and it's more fun to visit Santa without a line.

2. Bring a jacket! It's always nice weather, but the nights get chilly!

3. Don't forget your camera! There are lots of fun photo ops!

Of course there is always a photographer on hand to take your photo with Santa

and they will have 5x7 photos available for purchase!

You can also purchase your Christmas tree while you're there!

The Christmas tree ranch also opens November 27th and you can pick from a variety of trees!

They offer Douglas, Noble and Grand firs from 4' to 12' tall!

In addition you can purchase Christmas tree stands, preservatives, wreaths and garlands too!

Dates	Friday, November 27th through Wednesday, December 23rd
Hours	10:00 am - 8:00 pm daily
Location	Irvine Park Railroad Irvine Regional Park 1 Irvine Park Road Orange, CA 92689 The Christmas Tree Ranch is located in the Party Pavilions next to the train station.
Cost	Christmas trees are individually priced; all trees contain a tag with the cost for that tree.
Parking	Visitors may park in the Irvine Park Railroad parking lot which is next to the Christmas Tree Ranch. The parking for Irvine Regional Park is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends. Parking for the Christmas Tree Ranch is free after 5:00 PM.
More Information	For more information, please visit our web site at www.IrvineParkRailroad.com

And now for the best part!

You can WIN TICKETS to experience the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train!

GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway