Winners of my Disney Live! 3 Classic Fairy Tales and General Mills Whole Grain Cereal Giveaways have been notified (Check your emails- you have 24 hours to respond!)!

Thanks to everyone who entered- I’ve got some great giveaways coming up this weekend, so be on the lookout!

If you’re looking for a local (to the Dayton area) way to win on:

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Head over to DiBella’s Old Fashioned Subs

1191 Centerville-Miamisburg Rd.

Between the hours of 1:00pm-3:00pm they’ll be giving away free subs for a year every 15 minutes!

Join Toys R Us on Saturday, February 4th from 12-2pm for an exclusive Lego Friends Launch n’ Build event!

For each lemonade stand built, the Lego group will donate $1 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to support the fight against childhood cancer.

Words I live by:

• Do your window cleaning on an overcast day. The sunshine actually causes streaks and smears while you clean. By avoiding sunny days, you’re avoiding more work!
• Use vertical strokes on one side of the window, and horizontal on the other. That way, you can tell which side actually streaks.
• Remove dried-on paint and stickers with a safety blade or razor-type scraper. Always work in one direction (not back and forth) to avoid scratching your glass.
• Use newspapers, paper towels or lint-free dishcloths to wash your windows. All work great, and help keep smudges at bay.
• Have larger areas of glass that need cleaned? Head to your local dollar store and pick up a squeegee. Start at the top and work down- wiping the blade on a cloth to avoid streaking!

Do you have any tips or tricks on how to keep your windows looking their best?

photo credit: onlinefurnituredesign.com

The Star-Studded Season Two of the Hit Series Jake and The Never Land Pirates to Debut Monday, February 20! But before that- there’s going to be an amazing prime-time special…

The classic character Peter Pan makes his first-ever appearance in the hit series for kids age 2-7, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” in a primetime special presentation, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns,” premiering MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. Featuring six original songs, the special finds Peter Pan returning to Pirate Island to enlist Jake, Izzy, Cubby and Skully in finding his lost shadow. Adam Wylie (“Picket Fences”) voices the role of Peter Pan.

Generating excitement and demand among the youngest viewer category (kids age 2-5) and their parents, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” ranks as 2011′s #1 series launch in the demographic (kids age 2-5) and cable TV’s #1 series among Boys 2-5. Overall, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” is pacing as Disney Channel’s #1 preschool series of all time among Total Viewers (2.2 million), Kids 2-5 (1.03 million/6.1 rating), Boys 2-5 (648,000/7.5 rating) and Women 18-49 (424,000/0.6 rating).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CHnX5DtC-w

Season two will debut MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 with new episodes airing daily at 8:30 a.m., ET/PT throughout the week. Sharon Osbourne, Josh Duhamel, Jane Kaczmarek and Tiffani Thiessen star in recurring roles, joining the series notable voice cast including David Arquette, Tori Spelling, Lisa Loeb, Adam West and Ariel Winter.

Beginning Monday, February 6, DisneyJunior.com/PeterPan will feature “Jake’s Countdown to Peter Pan” and the debut of a new two-part game, “Shadow Shenanigans,” where players can take on the role of Peter Pan’s shadow to try to wake the sleeping Jolly Roger crew and then play a shadow matching game.

A full-length preview of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns” will become available via Disney Channel on Demand on February 6. Mobile providers Sprint TV and MobiTV will simulcast the special in conjunction with the television premiere on February 13 on Disney Channel. The special will be available the following day on mobile VOD for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon customers.

Based on Sir James Barrie’s classic children’s book, Disney’s Peter Pan was first seen on the big screen in the 1953 film “Peter Pan” and later in 2002′s “Return to Never Land.” A fan favorite of multiple generations, Peter Pan, the little boy who never grows up and has the magical ability to fly, has also been featured in a variety of Disney television specials and direct-to-video releases, as well as the popular video game series “Kingdom Hearts.”

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” introduces a crew of kid pirates – leader Jake and pals Izzy and Cubby - and follows their Never Land adventures as they work to outwit two infamous characters, the one and only Captain Hook and Smee, from Disney’s classic “Peter Pan.” The series, which emphasizes teamwork, features original pirate rock music performed by Sharky and Bones of The Never Land Pirate Band.

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” airs daily during Disney Channel’s Disney Junior programming block for kids age 2-7. The series stars Colin Ford as Jake; Madison Pettis as Izzy; Jonathan Morgan Heit as Cubby; David Arquette as Skully; Corey Burton as Captain Hook; Jeff Bennett as Mr. Smee and Bones and Loren Hoskins as Sharky. Rob LaDuca (“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”) is executive producer. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.

The Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior’s animated and live action series blend Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills.  Disney Junior is available on basic cable in more than 99 million U.S. homes (via a daily block on Disney Channel) and to millions of other viewers on 28 Disney Junior channels (fka Playhouse Disney channels) and free-to-air broadcast partners around the world. It is also seen via subscription video-on-demand and a broadband website, DisneyJunior.com. In 2012, Disney Junior will add a basic cable and satellite channel in the U.S.

MARVEL STUDIOS SPONSORS GLOBAL TWITTER CHAT WITH DIRECTOR AND CAST FOR FANS AROUND THE WORLD

PARTICIPANTS GET TEASE OF “MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS”

30-SECOND SUPER BOWL SPOT AND CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES

BURBANK, CALIF. (January 27, 2012)–Marvel Studios announced today that they will be sponsoring a Global Twitter Chat on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11 a.m. (PST) with cast members and the director of their highly anticipated action-adventure “Marvel’s The Avengers,” opening in theaters on May 4, 2012. The 30-minute live tweeting event features writer/director Joss Whedon and cast members Tom Hiddleston and Clark Gregg.

Fans around the world will be able to participate in the Q&A on Twitter by using the @Avengers handle and the #Avengers hashtag. Participating fans will have the opportunity to see a 10-second tease of the 30-second Super Bowl spot that will air during Super Bowl XLVI on February 5 on NBC. They will also have a chance to answer “Avengers” trivia for a chance to win “Avengers” prize packs.

International fans will be able to submit questions for the talent in their native language through a global translation tool provided by Ortsbo.com. The chat will be moderated by Marvel’s @Agent_M.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, NickFury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert DowneyJr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, JeremyRenner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson, and written and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Jon Favreau, Louis D’Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Follow @Avengers on Twitter for more details.

Prepare to step into a world of wonder where wishing is only the beginning and dreams really do come true in

Disney Live! presents Three Classic Fairy Tales.  Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as they bring the timeless fairytale adventures of Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (my absolute FAVORITE) to life right in your hometown at:

Dayton’s Wright State Nutter Center, on Friday, February 17th, 2012.

Show times are 3:30pm and 6:30pm.

You can use code Use code MOM4 to receive $4 off regularly $24 and $17 seating. Code MOM4 can be redeemed through the Nutter Center Box Office, online at ticketmaster.com, or by phone 1-800-745-3000.
**Disclaimer: Offer Valid Jan. 30-Feb. 17. Offer subject to ticket availability. Excludes premium seating. No double discounts. Additional fees may apply.
Service charges and handling fees may apply. Valid on up to four discounted tickets. Not be used in conjunction with any other discount, premium or rebate offer.

Featuring dynamic storytelling, award winning music, stunning costumes and glittering special effects, audiences will be captivated by the humor, fun and adventure of these spellbinding stories. Dream with the princesses, cheer for the heroes as they conquer evil villains, and marvel as these classic tales are brought to life in a theatrical experience that’s pure magic.

My family and I got to experience this in Cincinnati, and it was amazing! I have to say, it was well produced, and the stage scenery was incredible. You really felt like you were part of the action.

Now- for the magical giveaway!

I’m giving away a family 4 pack of tickets to a showing of your choice!

All you have to do is one or all of the following, just be sure to leave separate comments for each entry:

• Tell me who your favorite Disney Villain is, and why!
• Share this post on Facebook, making sure you tag (and like!) Domestic Debacle. You may do this daily.
• Share this post on Twitter “@DomesticDebacle is giving away a family 4 pack to Disney Live in #Dayton! http://tinyurl.com/6s8ufk9  “
• Blog about this giveaway for an extra 5 entries. But make sure you put more than a title and a link. I want to see creativity!

The winner will be chosen on Friday, February 3rd at 10:00am. They will have 24 hours to respond. Thanks for being a Domestic Debacle reader, and good luck!

Disclosure: My family and I were provided tickets to see Disney Live! in exchange for my posting of the events.

Okay, so ringing in the new year has caused me to re-think some of my eating habits. They certainly weren’t the best choices before, but I am no doing my hardest to eat right, and seriously watch my portion size.

With this new outlook comes the realization that whole grain is really, really good for you. So changing my diet is easy with General Mills Whole Grain marked boxes. Their products actually have whole grain listed as the first ingredient on the nutritional panel. THAT’S HUGE! So many other cereals make the claims on the front of the box, but rarely back it up where it counts.

What’s great about General Mills, is that they’re adding the white check to the boxes so it’s easy to spot:

With all the health messages facing grocery store shoppers, it can be confusing to translate what appears on food labels into nutritional needs, and hard to determine which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include:

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day´s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.
Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.
Don´t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don´t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

To help with choosing products with whole grain, General Mills developed “Fast Lane for Whole Grain,” an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check. Make a commitment to add more whole grain to your diet by simply pouring a bowl of cereal with the white check including Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Honey Nut Cheerios® and Total®. For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the “Fast Lane for Whole Grain” sweepstakes, visit www.WholeGrainNation.com.

Now, for the goodies! You can win this pack of General Mills Whole Grain Cereal:

All you have to do is one, or all of the following. Just make sure you leave a comment for each action you do:

• Tell me which of your favorite General Mills cereals with the white check will you kick start your morning this New Year?
• Share this post on Facebook, making sure you tag (and like!) Domestic Debacle. You may do this once a day!
• Share this post on Twitter “@DomesticDebacle #Giveaway #Win 5 General Mills whole grain cereals! #MyBlogSpark http://tinyurl.com/7gmw34w “ You may do this once a day!
• Blog about this giveaway for an extra 5 entries. Blog must contain more than the title and link. WOW me, people!

The winner will be chosen on Friday, February 3rd at 10:00am. They will have 24 hours to respond. Thanks for being a Domestic Debacle reader, and good luck!

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark

I’m not sure what happened there.
But the rest?

Looked and tasted pretty darn good.
Maybe I can do this afterall…
I mean, even miss picky was happy!

Sometimes I amaze even myself.