On May 8th and May 15 you can pick an item from the Buck & Under Menu for free.  The Buck & Under Menu includes 11 items for 50¢, 75¢ and $1.  There is a variety of tacos, burritos and drinks offered, including 3 new products.

• Mini Cheddar Quesadilla - new!
• Mini Bacon Quesadilla - new!
• Crunchy Chipotle Beef Taco - new!
• Regular Taco
• Value Bean & Cheese Burrito
• Jacked Up Value Bean Rice & Cheese Burrito
• Grilled Chicken Taco
• ½-Pound Bean & Cheese Burrito
• Double Beef Classic Taco
• Strawberry Lemonade with real strawberry slices
• Medium Size Brewed Iced Tea

On May 22nd and 29th you can get a free item (with any purchase) from the New Tastes Menu!  The New Tastes Menu has 3 fresh new items:

• Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Taco
• Chili Cheese Fry Burrito
• Fiery 6 Layer Burrito

“At Del Taco, all menu items are prepared to order using fresh ingredients including cheddar cheese grated from 40-pound blocks, hand-made pico de gallo salsa featuring ripe tomatoes, diced onions and fresh cilantro, lard-free beans slow cooked from scratch with Del Taco’s signature flavor, and marinated chicken grilled in the restaurants.”

With more than 550 restaurants in 18 states there’s sure to be a Del Taco near you!  If you haven’t been there before, now would be a great time to check them out.  To get you excited about their new menus, Del Taco is going to give one of you a $20 Gift Card to get your yum on!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a gift card in exchange for this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The post New from Del Taco – Buck & Under and New Tastes Menus {Giveaway} appeared first on Southern Yankee Mix | Dallas Texas Mom Blogger.

Last week the boys and I headed over to Ft. Worth and met up with some other blogging mamas.  Graco sent all of us their new FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect Stroller to try out.  Brittany, from Naturally Estes, was our gracious hostess and educator for the morning.

When we got to the park (after we got a little lost), I walked over to where all the other girls were and jokingly commented that it was like a stroller club where everyone had the same stroller.  Brittany added some fun to our pavilion by writing the event hashtag in sidewalk chalk and adding some cute bunting banners.  We got to just hang out for a bit and eat a delicious lunch from Zoe’s Kitchen.  Then, we got down to business and Brittany gave us a demo of all of the stroller’s features and how it worked.  Which, I have to say, is really intuitive and simple.

I, of course, procrastinated and didn’t even take the stroller out of the box until the morning of the event.  I’m only telling you that to tell you that it was super easy to put together.  It really involved popping the wheels on and child and parent trays on, and doing a few snaps.  So easy!  This stroller has a lot of great features, but right off the bat I had a few favorites.  First, it has a holder for your smartphone/iPod in the middle of the parent tray.  It makes it so it’s visible, but safely secured so it won’t fall or get lost.  (The only thing I was a little sad about, was that my iPhone5 wouldn’t fit into it in the vertical position.)

Second, I loved that the FastAction Fold Jogger offers a really great mix of features from both a jogging/all-terrain stroller and a classic stroller.  It is definitely built with a very sturdy frame.  It has big rubber air-filled wheels and the option to lock the front wheel for added control while jogging.  The stroller has a great large basket for storage on the bottom and even a pocket to tuck away the jogging safety strap so it’s not just hanging there.  For convenience, it works seamlessly with the Graco Click Connect infant car seat to create a travel system.  It has an awesome parent tray with 2 deep cup holders, a covered storage compartment, and the aforementioned smartphone cradle.  The child’s tray also has a cup holder and can pivot open or be completely removed for easy entry/exit and cleaning.

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 Infant Car Seat is one of my favorite infant car seats.  Its easy to use and, again, intuitive.  It has a large sun canopy that will meet with the sun canopy on the stroller to completely cover the baby if you want it to.   Securing the car seat into the stroller is so easy, too.  The stroller has a great reclining seat that you just squeeze and move up or down.  If you are putting the car seat in, you put it all the way down.  With Click Connect you then just put the car seat into the stroller, listen for the clicks and then you know it’s secure.  Getting the car seat back out is as easy as squeezing the handle on the back of the car seat and lifting it out of the stroller.  When you are done using the stroller the best part is the one-handed FastAction Fold.  You just grab the fabric handle in the middle of the seat and pull up.  In one movement, the stroller folds in on itself, rests on the front wheel and a kickstand that pops out when you’re folding, and the stroller will also lock.

{via Julie Harding Photography}

We all had a great time putting our new strollers to use and learning more about its features!  The Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect Stroller is definitely one of my favorites.  It’s really a great cross between my first two strollers I ever had – a Graco travel system and a heavy duty jogging stroller.

Graco’s NEW jogger is the ultimate crossover stroller, combining all the comfort and convenience features of a traditional stroller (FastAction Fold and Click Connect Technology) with performance and maneuverability of an all-terrain jogger.

As an added bonus, Graco’s innovative one-second, one-hand FastAction™ fold automatically locks & is self-standing.

This post is sponsored by Graco.

The post New from Graco – FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect Stroller appeared first on Southern Yankee Mix | Dallas Texas Mom Blogger.

I love that while the bed mats are disposable, they are still strong, and on the nights that there aren’t any accidents we can keep the dry mat on the bed for the next night.  Depending on how much tossing and turning they will last from a couple of days up to a week, giving that extra protection your child needs.  On the nights there are accidents, it’s so nice to be able to just peel off a bed mat and not have to change an entire set of sheets.

I wanted to share a few tips that I’ve picked up in this bedwetting journey.  Things that have helped me as a mom, and my son, have a better night, and in turn a better morning.

• Have your child stop drinking a few hours before bedtime.  I do let him have a drink of water before bed though.  And I mean, a sip or two, not a whole cup.
• Put a GoodNites Bed Mat on the bed before going to sleep.  If there is an accident it cuts down on the cleanup time – back to bed or on with your morning with much less fuss!
• Remember that bedwetting isn’t something your child can control.  Stay calm, reassure your child, and move on.  They will eventually grow out of it.  Until then, be supportive and loving.

I know they aren’t some huge revelations, but honestly, sometimes it’s the little things that help the most.  If you would like more education and tips for success when dealing with bedwetting, don’t forget to visit GoodNites website.  It’s a wealth of information!  Also, don’t forget, you can still get a coupon for GoodNites Bed Mats.  (It does expire 2 weeks after you print it, so be ready to use it shortly after you print it.)

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of GoodNites. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

The post Bedwetting – Tips for a Good Night appeared first on Southern Yankee Mix | Dallas Texas Mom Blogger.

So my four favorite people and I headed out for dinner.  Our local BJ’s restaurant is in Plano, TX and is always buzzing but doesn’t take long to get seated.  (Which is great when you have kids.)  We knew we wanted to try the Party for Two, but we took a quick look at the menu anyway.  We ordered up an appetizer to keep everyone happy while we waited on the “real” food.  The Santa Fe Spring Rolls were awesome for everyone – enough flavor, but not too spicy for the kids.

Nick wanted his favorite, so the kids and I decided to order the Party for Two for ourselves.  The Party for Two is only $19.95 and includes soup or salad for two people, a medium pizza, and BJ’s Restaurant’s famous Pizookie for dessert.  We got 2 house salads with Italian dressing – one for me and the kids split the other one.

For the pizza, you can get any BJ’s Restaurant Signature Pizza that you like, but we went with the deep dish that BJ’s Restaurant is known for.  The Buffalo Chicken Pizza in their menu looked amazing so I decided I wanted that on my side of the pizza.  We’ve been trying a dairy-free diet for Hanna for the past couple of months but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy pizza too.  We ordered double pepperoni, no cheese on the other half of the pizza.  The kids loved it!

My pizza was so good!  BJ’s Restaurant menu says it’s, “For Buffalo Chicken Wing lovers! Diced celery, red onions and grilled chicken breast marinated in hot and spicy buffalo sauce, drizzled with ranch dressing and buffalo sauce.”  Really, really, good.

The pizza was a really good size, too.  We all had a couple of pieces, including Nick, who wanted to try one, and we still had a few pieces left over.  Then came the best part… The Pizookie!  What’s a Pizookie, you ask?  It’s a really big ode-to-deep-dish style cookie that’s topped with 2 big scoops of ice cream.  You get to pick between Chocolate Chunk, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Peanut Butter or Oatmeal Raisin Walnut.  We decided on the Peanut Butter, ice cream on the side.

The Pizookie was so yummy!  It had whole peanut pieces baked right into it.  The only thing that maybe could have made it even more amazing would have been a drizzle of chocolate.  (Peanut Butter and Chocolate – yes, please!)  I’m sure if I would have asked they would have brought me some.  But, we were too busy gobbling it down.

We had such a nice family night at BJ’s Restaurant.  Good food and great company always makes for a nice dinner!  We went to our local restaurant, but the Party for Two deal is happening at all BJ’s Brewhouse Restaurants from March 18 – April 29, 2013.  I would definitely recommend BJ’s Restaurant for your next date night or even family outing!

Want to connect with BJ’s Restaurant?  Keep up to date on all their delish food and great deals!

BJ’s Restaurant Website | BJ’s Restaurant on Twitter | BJ’s Restaurant on Facebook

BJ’s Restaurant on Pinterest | BJ’s Restaurant on Google+

Disclosure: This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Bj’s Restaurants  but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #Bjsrestaurants http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

The post BJ’s Restaurant – Party for Two! {or Five} #BJsRestaurants #PMedia appeared first on Southern Yankee Mix | Dallas Texas Mom Blogger.

When it comes to choosing a cereal I like to find something that makes everyone happy.  A perfect cereal for my family is something that isn’t sugar-laden, mostly healthy, and something my kids and I both like to eat.  One of our favorites is Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds – we all like the flakes, the crunch and the nuts.  So when I heard that Honey Bunches of Oats had a new flavor, Greek Honey Crunch, I was totally on board for trying it.

Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal has the light and crispy whole grain flakes that we love mixed with two granolas, real Greek yogurt, and a touch of honey.  Each bowl has 2/3 of your day’s recommended whole grains, with 33 grams per serving.  It makes me happy to know that it’s full of whole grains and Greek yogurt – simple and good.

Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal was such a hit in my house that the entire box disappeared before I got to take pictures of it.  We had to go out and get another box which has disappeared just as quickly.  Oliver, the one morning person in our house, gets super excited over the Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal.  When presented with a choice between the Honey Bunches of Oats and another cereal he points to the Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch and says, “That one! That one! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!”  The rest of us might not be that enthusiastic, but it’s still been the box of choice when we’re slowly getting into the groove of the day.

Connect with Honey Bunches of Oats and find out where you can pick up your own box of  Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal!

Honey Bunches of Oats | Honey Bunches of Oats on Twitter – @HBOats | Honey Bunches of Oats on Facebook

Disclosure: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and Honey Bunches of Oats partnered in support of this campaign. Honey Bunches of Oats compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The post A Great Start to Crazy Mornings with Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch Cereal appeared first on Southern Yankee Mix | Dallas Texas Mom Blogger.

Not only for my family, but everywhere, it’s been one of the worst cold and flu seasons in a decade.  So, this spring, LYSOL wants to encourage people to adopt a lifestlye change, and instead of Spring Cleaning, practice Spring “Healthing!”  One of the first steps to Healthing is understanding the difference between cleaning and disinfecting.  Cleaning and organizing are important, but killing germs on surfaces that are commonly touched by your family members can lower the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses.  Personally, I also love (LOVE) that LYSOL realizes that Healthing needs to go beyond just the home.  Just one of the ways they’re doing that is connecting with 65,000 schools to promote healthy habits and good hygiene.

Here’s some of my favorite tips for Healthing from LYSOL:

• Use a disinfectant product, like LYSOL^® Disinfecting Wipes, to help ensure you’re killing germs as you clean, and think beyond the usual places. Be sure to clean even the smallest surfaces, such as light switches.

• Make it a family activity and tailor tasks to specific age groups.  Give younger children simpler, one-step tasks like dusting or picking toys up off the floor, and save the more complex jobs, such as vacuuming, scrubbing, and disinfecting for older members of the family.

• Remember to practice proper hand washing as well after you clean, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer. Hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to prevent illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  

Ready to learn more about Healthing?

In select US markets, LYSOL and Giuliana Rancic have partnered together to visit YMCAs to demonstrate Healthing.  At each location attendees will get hands-on education about products and steps to improve hygiene habits in their houses.  (They will make sure it’s fun and relatable to kids, too.)  LYSOL will also provide educational information and products to the local YMCAs and donate a one-year membership to a deserving family.

You can also find out more about LYSOL’s Healthing Initiative by connecting with them online:

• LYSOL.com
• LYSOL on Facebook
• What is Healthing? Guidebook

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for LYSOL^®. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.

The post Beyond Cleaning: Healthing appeared first on Southern Yankee Mix | Dallas Texas Mom Blogger.

Did you know that bedwetting and potty training don’t have anything to do with each other?  It’s true.  Potty training is when you are teaching a young child to use the toilet, where bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is involuntary urination while sleeping after the age that bladder control normally happens.  Because keeping dry at night isn’t something that’s taught, but rather something that’s outgrown, make sure you give your child the support they need when an accident does happen.  Check out this infographic for more great facts about bedwetting – you might just learn something new!

If you want to learn more about bedwetting there is a ton of great educational information on the GoodNites website.  Also, if you are ready to give GoodNites Bed Mats a try, grab this special coupon offer!  (Please note – the coupon expires 2 weeks after the date that it was printed.)  I’m looking forward to sharing one more post with you about how GoodNites Bed Mats have been working for us, as well as some of my personal tips on bedwetting.

Did you learn anything new about bedwetting?

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of GoodNites. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

The post Bedwetting – Facts vs. Fiction appeared first on Southern Yankee Mix | Dallas Texas Mom Blogger.

My favorite thing is discovering other people’s purchases and adding them to my wishlist. There are so many things that I’ve saved to my computer as bookmarks, yet I end up forgetting about  them most of the time. With Find, you have your own wishlist page where you can save photos as direct links to purchase pages. When you’re ready to purchase, just go to the wishlist page, select the item, and hit the find tab in the top right corner of the picture. You’re taken directly to the item’s website. Viola, it’s that simple!

 

I was able to explore other people’s profiles and add quite a few things to my wishlist. People post all kinds of amazing things, from clothing items, to home goods and lots of stuff for kids.

I do want to mention that in the beginning I had a few technical difficulties. When I tried to post pictures to the app, it wouldn’t work. I got an error message every time, but within a few days it seemed to fix itself. The other issue was not being able to invite people to the app. On some apps when you connect to Facebook, it pulls your friends list up and you can send invitations. This app doesn’t let you do that, but hopefully it’s a feature that they will add in the future.

With that being said, I love everything else about Find. It’s great to be able to share my purchases with other people.  I’m also a fan of how the personal profile works.

Find is giving away a $100 gift card every week to one of its users!  To qualify, you have to have posted at least once that week and have 3 or more followers. For each find you post each week will give you an extra entry into the weekly giveaway.

You can download Find in the app store for free:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/finds/id593238150?mt=8

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Finds mobile app. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

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