Springtime is here, and it’s been beautiful so far!!! We’ve been lucky throughout winter and spring so we’ve been able to get out quite a bit more than we usually have been able to.

With the warmer, sunny weather, one of our favorite family activities is taking a walk through our local Metropark. We take out the dog, and pick one of the trails to walk and away we go. This year I think though it’s time for mommy and daddy to get a bike and take bike rides with my girls since they seem to be really into that right now. I do love the nature walks though through the park, all the different birds, and a few deer that we see, or just talking a walk along the beach it’s just so peaceful and relaxing while we’re still being active.

What are some of your favorite outdoor activities to do with your family? Do you have one?

If you don’t or even if you do and are looking for new and fun activities to try out, you can check out the new program by Together Counts. Together Counts is a nationwide program that’s there to inspire families to be active and live healthy. They’re trying to promote what they call Energy Balance which is balancing calories we consume vs. calories we burn.

Together Counts brings together more than 195 retailers as well as food and beverage manufacturers, restaurants, sporting goods, insurance companies, trade associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as professional sports organizations.
We know there’s a huge focus on childhood obesity and promoting being active and eating healthy right now, Together Counts is just another avenue to help us and our families do it together!

For it’s 1st anniversary Together Counts is having a fun contest on their Facebook Page where you can win prizes such as gift cards, George Foreman Grills and even a membership to Anytime Fitness. In addition they’re also celebrating Child Nutrition Month with a Twitter Party on April 3rd from 8-9PM EST where you can win $50 gift cards. If you’d like to join in on the Twitter Party fun, you can visit resourcefulmommy.com to RSVP and find more information.

Follow Together Counts on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or visit their Website for more information on their program and mission.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Together Counts via Global Influence. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Of course I love the WWE, but we proved this week that I’m not the only one! There’s a lot of other Mom’s and female fans out there who love wrestling just as much as I do!

If you missed it, we had our very first #WWEMoms twitter party on Tuesday, it was a huge hit where we learned about WWE’s new Be A STAR Anti-Bullying campaign, as well as who we thought would win some of Wrestelmania 28′s matches.

Did you know that WWE also supports their military by offering free tickets to any WWE RAW or Smackdown live event (excluding Wrestlemania) when they show their military ID at any local arena box office the day of the event?

Well, tonight is the BIG night, it’s the superbowl of the Wrestling world, it’s Wrestlemania night, besides the Pre-Show which will simulcast live on YouTube, Facebook & WWE.com at 6:30 p.m. ET and the show being 4 hours tonight, we also have a few of our own #WWEMoms at the event who will be tweeting live!

Join them and the rest of us #WWEMoms starting at 6:30pm est as we chat about WWE and Wrestlemania!! Then as Wrestlemania is live on pay per view tonight, join us starting 7pm for our #WWEMoms Wrestlemania Twitter Party!

When: Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 7pm EST to 8pm EST
Where: On Twitter
Who: @lisasamples, @TheOnlineMom, @RachelFerrucci, @WrestlingAddict @SoberJulie @skconcepts
What: Come join us as @skconcepts and @TheOnlineMom tweet live from Wrestlemania
Prizes: An awesome WWE Video Game and a grand prize Xbox 360
We would love to see you all there! Tweet about the party early & RSVP!

In my own family and circle of friends, it seems like depression is something that runs through a lot of our lives, if not by ourselves than someone we know. Depression is often overlooked as something that will pass, and is swept under the rug, but it’s something that can drastically change someone’s life if left untreated.

There are so many different treatments and finding the best option isn’t necessarily the same as everyone else. Getting drug treatment is one of the first options people think of, and it’s something to try, but the dosage may not always been the right one the first time, it’s something that has to be monitored and evaluated and may take some time to find the right dosage for you. There’s also finding ways to help from a PCH Treatment.

Going to therapy may be another way to get through the hump of depression. Talking to a third party by yourself, or with group or family therapy may help, a place where you can learn to cope with things better than you have been without drugs or even with, may be a lot of assistance.

Other more natural ways to help with depression is massage therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, meditation, yoga, and exercise.

There are so many ways to get help with depression, and from my own experience of ‘sweeping it under the rug’ I can’t express how important it is to find a way to get help with it. Not only will your life change for the better, but those around you will find a new appreciation for your company as well.

Find the option that fits you best, or find the help from a PHC Treatment center that can help you with finding the right path for you to cope with your depression.

FROM DIRECTOR CAMERON CROWE COMES THE UPLIFTING TALE BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Featuring Family Friendly Audio Track The Whole Family Will Go Wild for this Heartwarming Adventure Starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson On Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download April 3.

This Easter, be unpredictable, do something crazy and embrace your wild side, go see a movie!  Check those cinema times and check out a new movie!

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents an inspiring adventure based on a true story of one man who brought a zoo back to life and family back together in WE BOUGHT A ZOO, arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download April 3.  Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire) and starring Matt Damon (Contagion, True Grit), Scarlett Johansson (Iron Man 2, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) and Thomas Haden Church (Easy A, Sideways), WE BOUGHT A ZOO is “a sweet-natured tale…that you’ll want to see with your kids” (Liz Braun, Jam! Movies).

Benjamin Mee (Damon) is a Los Angeles newspaper columnist and adventure writer who, as a single father, faces the challenges of raising his two young children.  Hoping that a fresh start and a new life will restore their family spirit, Mee quits his job and buys an old rural house outside the city with a unique bonus feature: a zoo named the Rosemoor Animal Park, where dozens of animals reside under the care of head zookeeper Kelly Foster (Johansson) and her dedicated team.  With no experience, limited time and a shoestring budget, Mee sets out with the support of his family and the local community to reopen the zoo.  Now, Benjamin is no longer reporting an adventure story; he’s living it in his own backyard.

 TOP ANIMAL LOVER FILMS

 The American Humane Association monitors the treatment of animals on-set for film, television and commercials, etc and every Screen Actors Guild productions are required to provide safety representatives unlimited access whenever animals are used.  If the production meets or exceeds the organization’s standards, the film is given the coveted “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer in the end credits of the film.  We Bought a Zoo is one of the films that earned this certification for their ethical treatment of animals.  To ensure the safety of the animals featured in the film, much of the action were filmed against a green screen, especially when predatory animals and humans were in the same scene together.  Those shots were typically filmed separately and then digitally placed together later.  In honor of the film’s DVD and Blu-ray release on April 3^rd, we will explore five films that have received the same high honor.

LASSIE

In the 2005 film adaptation of Lassie, starring Peter O’Toole, Samantha Morton and John Lynch, the Carraclough family is forced to sell their beloved collie to the Duke of Rudling due to economic hardships.  Suffering from mistreatment in her new home, Lassie runs away and embarks on a journey to go back to her family and loyal master.  In the film, two nearly identical dogs were used and were alternated during the film, according to each dog’s skills.  To ensure the dogs’ safety, all of the actors and crew were introduced to the dogs and received extensive handling instructions before production began.

MARLEY AND ME

Marley and Me tells the story of newlyweds John and Jennifer Grogan.  John surprises his wife with a new puppy, who grows up to become an energized but mischievous and naughty member of their family.  As the Grogan family expands and Marley grows older, the family picks up some valuable life lessons from their “clearance puppy.”  Several labradors were used for the role of Marley.  Before filming started, cast and crew were instructed on how to properly handle each dog.  During production, streets were closed off to traffic and all grounds and fences were inspected for safety purposes.

ENCHANTED

In Disney’s Enchanted, Giselle is a fairytale princess who lives in Andalasia, an animated fairy tale world where animals talk and happy endings exist.  When an evil queen throws Giselle into a portal, she ends up in the middle of New York City, where she finds herself being rescued by a handsome, but hardened divorce lawyer.  Several scenes called for numerous animals, sometimes of different breeds.  For instance, one scene involved several rats.  During rehearsals, stuffed prop rats were used.  For the scenes in Central Park, the dogs seen in the background were all on leashes and their owners doubled as actors.  In addition, the outdoor set was closed off to the public.

  WAR HORSE

In Steven Speilberg’s War Horse, a farmer’s son develops a bond with a horse that his father buys for their farm.  Young Albert trains the horse and calls him Joey and they become inseparable. However, when a rainstorm destroys the field, the family decides to sell Joey to a young cavalry officer in order to pay the overdue rent.  As World War I emerges, both Albert and Joey find themselves in journeys that eventually will bring them to cross paths again.  To ensure the safety of the animals in the film, animals were trained for weeks, some for months, for the action seen in the film.  In addition, costumed trainers were in the scene during the filming and trainers stood just off camera.

MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS

Mr. Popper’s Penguins tells the story of a businessman, Tom Popper, who’s sacrificed everything and worked his entire life to become the #1 real estate mogul in New York City.  In the midst of closing the deal of his career, he gets an unusual gift from his father – six penguins that will unravel life as he once knew it.   To ensure the safety of the penguins in the film, floors and props were disinfected each time before filming began.  Actors, in addition, carried fish in their pockets to entice the penguins to stay near them or to follow when needed.

Post is only by the opinion of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy, other views and opinions may vary, please see my disclosure policy for more information.

April 1st is the BIG DAY! It’s the SUPERBOWL of the year for wrestling fans! Wrestlemania XXVIII (28). Would it be a big shock to you to tell you that I’ll be watching? Yea I didn’t think so.. Will YOU be watching? In anticipation of Sunday night we’re trying to get all you wrestling fans hyped up during the week, so besides following us on Twitter with the hashtag #WWEMoms come join us on Tuesday night for a #WWEMoms Twitter party where you can win some great prizes and talk wrestling with other fans (and no, you don’t HAVE to be a mom to join in!).

When: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 8pm EST to 9pm EST
Where: On Twitter
Who: @lisasamples, @TheOnlineMom, @RachelFerrucci, @WrestlingAddict @SoberJulie @skconcepts
What: Come join us as we discuss WWE’s PG Family Entertainment and their awesome anti-bullying campagain be a STAR
Prizes: 3 awesome WWE Swag BAGS and a grand prize Xbox 360

We would love to see you all there! Tweet about the party early & RSVP below if you’ll be attending!