Author: Emily

Between my Droid X phone and my Xoom tablet, I’m finding that I use one or the other for just about everything. One of the most surprising ways I’ve integrated mobile technology into my life is in the kitchen. I pull up recipes on my Xoom and put it on my kitchen counter – it works perfectly. The Xoom makes it easy to zoom in and out, too, using two fingers, which helps me read some of the recipes.

Now, you all know how well I can cook… so believe it or not, from time to time I need a question answered. Having the internet right there in the kitchen is very convenient! I have googled everything from “how to cut a mango” to “how to unclog a garbage disposal.” I love having instructions, videos and conversion information right at my fingertips. The Xoom’s browser has tabs, which makes it easy to flip back and forth from reference material to a recipe.

The Android Market has hundreds of apps that are helpful in the kitchen. Here are a few that I’m going to check out:

Of course, I can use the Xoom’s camera to take pictures (or even videos) of the masterpieces I create in the kitchen…

Or I can use it to tweet/facebook the disasters I create, solely for the amusement of my friends and family.

Mobile technology FTW!

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Verizon Wireless hooked us up with a Motorola Xoom and 6-months of service as part of their “Midwest Moms” campaign.

A month or so ago, I had the opportunity to go to to the Brands and Bloggers Summit in Chicago as part of the “Midwest Moms” group sponsored by Verizon Wireless. It was a great trip – I met a lot of wonderful people and learned a ton of stuff. And I got to take a Motorola Xoom home with me to try it out and see how I could use mobile technology in my life.

I’ve gotta say, I love this thing.

Sadly, I’m going to have to fork it over to Jenny later this week, but I convinced her to let me hold onto it for our vacation last week. I’m glad I did – I couldn’t believe how often I used it for various things throughout our trip.

I used it to access Google Maps, and the 3G and gps technology tracked where we were and pointed us to where we wanted to go. I used it to watch videos (ok, I will admit – I got caught up on “Teen Mom” episodes on the way home from Michigan!), and I used it to read books. I love the Kindle app! Of course, I also used it for Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, email, and all the other various activities I am addicted to enjoy.

My very favorite thing about the Xoom, though, is the ability to make it a wifi hotspot. That means – are you ready for this? – that the kids and I could all three be using different devices and all be connected to internet as we zoomed down the highway. It was fantastic. Kate absolutely LOVED having access to Pandora (and I loved that she had headphones, ha!) throughout the trip, and the internet access came in particularly handy on the way home when the kids were bored to death – I was able to download new game apps for Sam and new books on the Kindle app for Kate (and me). It made the trip so much more pleasant!

I really enjoyed traveling with the Xoom, both on the trip with my family and on a trip by myself. Because the Xoom can do pretty much anything, it was all I took with me. I stuck it in my purse and hopped on the plane – no carry on filled with books and magazines needed! So, on that trip and our vacation, the Xoom really cut down on the clutter, which cut down on my stress level.

I have really enjoyed trying out the Xoom, and I’m anxious for Jenny to have a chance to try it out too (even though that means I will have to part with it). I’m curious to see how she uses it in her life.

What about you? What’s your favorite use for mobile technology?

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Verizon Wireless hooked us up with a Motorola Xoom and 6-months of service.

One of the things I’m dreading about back to school is packing lunches for Kate. I know it sounds silly, but it adds an extra step into my morning, and most of the time I don’t have time for that! Kate packs her lunch about half the time, I’d say, and honestly most of the time I’m scrambling to figure out what to throw in there. Mom of the year award, coming right up.

I’m determined to be better prepared this year, so I’ve done a little googling and found some good ideas to keep lunch interesting… something beyond the standard peanutbutter and jelly. Here’s my list so far:

— Bagel sandwiches
— Turkey and cheese roll ups
— Fruit skewers
— Sliced apples and caramel
— Yogurt and granola
— Homemade snack mix
— Muffins
— Spaghetti, soup or chili in a thermos
— String cheese

Or, my personal favorite, Ants on a Log.

Yum… I could eat that every day.

What am I missing? What do you pack in your kids’ lunch boxes?

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Country Crock via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Country Crock.