Health, Beauty, Children and Family

Click Here for Current Product Review & Giveaways

2012-02-26T23:31:00.135-05:00

Current Giveaways:

Perrigo Nutritional Store Brand Formula New Baby Gift Pack Giveaway 3/11

2012-02-23T16:35:00.001-05:00

Buying baby formula is such a huge step in a baby's life because you want to give them the best yet you have to be able to afford the best. I know as a young adult, I would sometimes equate more expensive to being a better product but as I aged and gained wisdom, I learned it's not always the case. This holds particularly true with baby products as well. "A recent study* shows that only 30% of moms are willing to buy store brand products for their babies, but did you know that all infant formulas made in the United States must provide complete nutrition for growing babies and meet FDA requirements for safety, nutrition, and quality?" When you compare nutrition, store brand infant formulas, such as Perrigo Nutritionals, are nutritionally equivalent to similar national formula brands such as Enfamil or Similac, but cost half the price, which can save you about $600 a year.

Perrigo Nutritionals "Brand" New Mom Study found out more interesting information among other new moms:

Baby-related advertisements strike an emotional chord with moms – nearly one in four feel overwhelmed (23%) and one in five feel anxious (20%) or confused (20%)
53% of moms admit thoughts of their baby product budget plague them on a daily basis
37% of moms feel guilty if they cannot afford a specific product for their babies
Moms are willing to purchase store brand over the counter medicine for their baby (42%) and store brand pharmaceuticals (44%), but only 21% of moms are willing to buy store brand infant formula.

I definitely applaud us moms for wanting to do what is best for our children and those statistics definitely matched myself as I will purchase store brand over the counter meds but why have I been resistant to store brand formula? It makes sense to start using store brand formula especially since they are under the same requirements from the FDA.

What you may not know is Perrigo Nutritionals store brand infant formulas can be found at many retailers such as:

Walmart as Parent’s Choice
Target as Up & Up
Kroger as Comforts
Sam’s Club as Simply Right

Click here to hear about the benefits of store brand formula from one of the country’s leading pediatricians, Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg.

*All results are taken from the Perrigo Nutritionals “Brand” New Mom Study

The Giveaway:

Perrigo Nutritionals store brand infant formula - the formula looks just like the name brand formula and my reviewer took to it what no difference. She had no problem switching over
8oz baby bottle
Fleece baby blanket
Baby bib

Giveaway ends 3/11 (EST)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by Perrigo Nutritionals through MyBlogSpark

Joan Lunden’s NEW Eco Friendly Cookware Line at QVC

2012-02-22T12:34:00.000-05:00

Are you amazed with how great Joan Lunden looks? I am! I like to read little bits of information here and there to see if there is something she does or just has good genes or both. I like Joan Lunden because she just seems like an average person and doesn't have all this drama around here. I didn't know that not only is she an award winning journalist, New York Times best selling author and mother of seven Joan Lunden but she's also heading to QVC to launch pieces from her first eco friendly cookware line.

Created in partnership with The Cookware Company, the former Good Morning America anchor is scheduled to introduce pieces from Twiztt by Joan Lunden collection on March 14^th at 9 PM (ET) during QVC’s In the Kitchen with David show. Twiztt by Joan Lunden cookware is coated with Corona™, an innovative mineral ceramic non stick coating that is completely free of plastic synthetics and harmful PTFEs and PFOAs. This really is music to my ears because I still use the old silicone treated pans for things like eggs but I would love to have something more eco-friendly without the plastic synthetics and harmful PTFEs and PFOAs.

It would only make sense given Lunden’s healthy lifestyle and lifelong commitment to wellness, her mission was to create healthier and greener options for American families to begin cooking again. “As a busy mother, I always try to serve healthy and delicious meals for my family and friends. But for years I have been concerned with the safety of cooking with traditional non stick cookware,” said Lunden. “That’s why I was excited to learn about innovative Corona technology that offers a safe, new alternative for healthy cooking and the smart Twiztt design for the everyday, family kitchen.”

If you are wondering, pieces from the Twiztt by Joan Lunden line include:

Twizt by Joan Lunden 11 Inch Square Nonstick Grill Pan

QVC Item # K36477

$40.00

Twizt by Joan Lunden Two Piece Nonstick Frypan Set

QVC Item # K36476

$40.00

Includes an Eight Inch Open Fry Pan and 10-Inch Toss and Turn Pan

Twizt by Joan Lunden 10 Inch Curved Skillet with Bowl and Cutting Board

QVC Item # K36478

$60.00

Pieces from the Twiztt by Joan Lunden collection will be available through QVC starting March 14^th at QVC.com or 1-800-345-1515.

*Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post.

LeapPad Giveaway Sign Ups & Giveaway Coming 3/5 - 3/20

2012-02-20T18:58:00.002-05:00

Sign ups are now open for the Leap into Spring LeapPad Giveaway hosted by Karma Media. Sign up fee for two links is only $5. You can receive a free link for advertising on your blog or you can buy extra links at $2.50 each or $2.50 for a daily entry! The event will start on Monday, 3/5 at 12:01 am and end on Tuesday, 3/20 at 12:01 am.

Click here to sign up! Prize – LeapFrog LeapPad!

Don’t miss out on this event! This giveaway is a great way to make new friends, increase your traffic, and have fun!

Sponsor fee MUST be paid PRIOR to the start of the giveaway via Paypal (as a gift or add $0.50 to cover Paypal fee). Payment must be paid in US Dollars. Note** You are not a confirmed participant until the PayPal fee is received to admin@karmamediateam.com.

Organizing and Storing Canned Food Easy

2012-02-20T18:07:00.001-05:00

I saw this on Pinterest and had to share it. I'm a pantry neat freak and I'm like Julia Roberts in that movie that is escaping my memory at the moment where everything had to be just right. I guess it's an OCD but when my food is in the pantry, I want to see the fronts of the labels and have them organized so. Something about being neat and organized gives me relief even if I don't practice it all the time. So there is a blog that teaches you all sorts of easy ways to organize that I love.

WhyNotDoItYourself has so many great ideas and I wanted to share this one with you:

All you need are these Stackable 12-Can Beverage Dispenser (White) (7 3/4"H x 6 1/2"W x 16 3/4"D) and they are available at Amazon for $9.35. I love the idea at how great it looks and it would be easy to make the next shopping list by a quick glance.

Share your storage and organization tips!

Shoppers: Check Out Become.com

2012-02-19T13:18:00.001-05:00

Are you an online shopper like me? I shop online for the convenience mostly just because I am also a bargain shopper so I can utilize the net to find the best deal. It's amazing what all you can find online and the sky is the limit ranging from clayton wood furnace 1602m to yellow and blue rugs to stainless steel bull bar to fit gmc yukon slt on ebay. The versatility online to fulfill all your shopping needs are amazing. This is one of the reasons while checking out www.become.com, I instantly liked it. It allows you to search and compare to ensure you get the best deal.

There is even a shopping blog to keep you up to date on the latest to include product reviews. We all know how invaluable product reviews can be especially when trying to purchase that right product or an expensive one. I like how you can search to shop or search to research as well. Being able to look at product reviews, buying guides, discussion forums and product details all in one spot is really nice. Once I'm done, I can then get the shop results to find the best price.

I tried a search for popcorn makers and when provided a list of sites that contained reviews. I then searched through the shop option and was able to drill down even further with the following options:

Brand
Price
Features
Material Type
User Rating
Store
Category

It's really a great feature to purchase items online especially for those products that you might prefer to purchase in person. I like all the details associated with the purchasing process and best of all, it's free. There is even a free iPad application too.

*Disclosure: I did not actually purchase anything to write this post but I did use the features to research a couple of products I already had or were interested in purchasing. Although this is a sponsored post, the opinions are of my own.

Giveaway for a Shirt of Your Child's Likeliness?

2012-02-16T16:51:00.003-05:00

I help a mompreneur with her business and wanted to get your idea on a giveaway for your child that would be drawn from a picture. The absolute likeliness might not be there but it's a fun way for your child to have a professional illustration made from them on a shirt.

Here is an example of my daughter:

Thoughts?

Clorox® Clean-Up® Recipes For Fun & Ultimate Mess Party Contest #RecipesForFun

2012-02-15T21:53:00.000-05:00

If you are like me, you are always looking for fun things to do with your children. I like to have activities because it helps them to develop and learn but also, it keeps them from being bored. Clorox® features a new site called Recipes For Fun along with an Ultimate Mess Party Contest where someone is going to win $10,000! What I like about the site is how it's indexed by Wacky Science, Arts & Crafts, Kiddie Cooking, Creative Cooking, Meet the Super Moms and Share Ideas.

It's a mega site for so many fun and educational things to do that I don't know where to begin. As a homeschooling mom, I particularly like offering variety to my children.

Courtesy of Pinterest

My girls have been craving some new arts and craft projects so it was a lot of fun perusing over 10 pages of various ideas. My girls are into princesses and fairies so it only made sense to choose Fairies in a Jar. I was surprised at how easy this project is as all you need:

Glow Stick
Jar with Lid
Diamond Glitter

Cut a glow stick in half and shake the contents into a jar.
Add diamond glitter.
Seal the jar with the lid and shake.

As you can see by the picture, you can use any color of glitter but a pastel color works the best. If you choose green, your little one will think of Tinkerbell.

I think one of the recipes we will try to tomorrow is our own cake pop recipe because it's fairly easy and there are a lot of steps the girls like to participate in.

Fairy Cake Balls

1 Box of Cake Mix - chocolate or vanilla
1 Tub of Cream Cheese or Chocolate Frosting
1 Container of White or Chocolate Dipping Chocolate
Sucker Sticks
Sprinkles, Icing or Other Decorations
Wax Paper

Prepare the cake mix per the box directions and allow to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, crumble the cooked cake.
Mix in 3/4 of the tub of frosting either with hands (kids will love and it will be very messy) or with a spoon.
Allow to cool in the refrigerator for about half an hour or where balls can be formed without leaving cake on the hands.
Using a waxed paper covered cookie sheet, start forming cake balls about the size of a bouncing ball.
Place back in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
Melt some of the chocolate and remove the cake pops from the refrigerator.
Take each sucker stick and dip about 1/2" into the melted chocolate and gently place on in each ball but do not stick it all the way through.
Once all sticks are placed into the pops, stick back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Melt the rest of the chocolate and carefully dip the cake balls into the melted chocolate. You can either submerge or use a spoon to help coat them but be careful as they can break.
Slightly tap to remove the excess chocolate and then finish decorating with sprinkles or any other candy. If you will put writing icing or drizzle another color, allow the chocolate to harden before adding the other icing.
Allow to harden and cool in the refrigerator.
Ribbons or other decorations like small pictures can be added to the ends.

There are so many different ideas that you could be kept busy for months having new fun whether it's science, cooking, crafts and more. I love finding great ways to have some family fun, some educational time or just some one on one kiddie time. Embracing activities encourages children to use their imagination and brain power more. If they get messy or mess up the house, who cares? It's always cleanable! I don't worry too much about that as I want them to have fun most of all.

You also don't want to miss out on the Ultimate Mess Party! Just by registering, you will receive one sweepstakes entry into the grand prize for a chance to win $10,000 toward an Ultimate Mess Party. If you Share your Recipe For Fun, you will receive 10 extra grand prize entries! Clorox will also thank you for sharing by giving you a $1.00 coupon on Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner for your first recipe! Each day, Clorox Clean-Up is instantly awarding FREE Clorox® Clean-Up® coupons and $100 gift cards from a variety of favorite retailers to random lucky users for just viewing recipes.

For more information visit: cloroxrecipesforfun.com

*Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox Clean-Up Recipes for Fun blogging program, for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on this program, click here and see the Terms link.

Receive a Complimentary $30 Benihana GC During Birthday Month

2012-02-15T18:26:00.002-05:00

When Benihana first opened its doors in 1964, it revolutionized the family dining experience. Today, Benihana continues to delight couples, parents, children and loved ones with a one-of-a-kind restaurant experience. Here's a quick video clip that captures the history and mood of the original Benihana:

Experience the Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWbn2LgqffI

Benihana fans can sign up for a complimentary $30 Benihana gift certificate during their birthday month here: http://profile.benihana.com/registration/.

Unfortunately, there isn't a Benihana near me and I can say that I've never ate there but heard they are good!

New Rewards Shopping Site: LoveSpoils

2012-02-15T18:22:00.001-05:00

A study conducted by American Express found that couples are fighting more than ever regarding household finances – and it’s possible the threat of an argument is prompting some of these couples to sneak purchases, sock money away in a secret bank account, or keep a credit card account hidden from their spouse or significant other. I'd never do that ... would you (wink wink)?

The thing is, women love to shop usually and men dread trying to find the perfect gift for us so what better way than with LoveSpoils! When they shop, we get points and vice versa for discounts on products you want.

Studies have shown that:

61% of couples confirmed that discussions about the household budget are turning into arguments
Couples who fight about money once a week are 30% more likely to divorce than those who only quarrel a few times per month
The more consumer debt a newlywed couple accrues, the unhappier they become
Nearly 90% of divorces are caused by financial differences
The average rate of divorce in U.S. is 58%

LoveSpoils (www.LoveSpoils.com) provides a solution that encourages personal shopping for the sake of rewarding your significant other. Both singles and couples can join LoveSpoils, either separately or in joint accounts, and accumulate reward points, called “LoveSpoils,” by purchasing items from a variety of online retailers. These LoveSpoils can then be used to purchase and/or apply toward discounts to exclusive items and promotions on the LoveSpoils site – ideally intended for their significant other. For example – if one partner goes online and purchases a set of golf clubs, their LoveSpoils reward points can be used by the other partner to obtain a discounted dress from Rent the Runway.

Just click on the site and you can request membership!

Master Lock National Random Acts of Kindness Week & Giveaway Coming Soon!

2012-02-13T12:58:00.000-05:00

February 13th - 19th is National Random Acts of Kindness Week and throughout the week, Master Lock will share a bit of kindness by distributing free gym locks at six area workout centers to inspire gym-goers to stick to their New Year’s fitness resolutions. If you live in Chicago, Los Angelos, San Francisco, New York, Dallas or Miami, be on the lookout! Research shows that by February, 36 percent of people have abandoned their resolutions, and by April, that total increases to 54 percent. I have stuck to my resolution and in fact, I started mine back in June of 2010 and have lost 30 pounds. I am now running daily and mostly watching what I eat. Head out to the Master Lock FB page and tell what your random act of kindness was!

As an extra incentive, Master Lock is going to help you "lock up" your fitness resolution by giving away the 1534D Password Lock AND gift certificates on their Facebook page during the National Random Acts of Kindness week.

Need some extra help in doing some good deeds? Master Lock has some suggestions:

Write It Down…and Share It. Simply thinking through your resolutions and storing them mentally isn’t going to ensure you stay committed. Having a list of goals in your organizer, smart phone, or social media profile that you can easily access and share will reinforce your promise to yourself and spur encouragement from your followers and friends.

Get the right gear. Whether your goals revolve around getting back in the gym or being more organized at home, having the right products to help you succeed is a must. For organization, the 7148D document storage box can help keep important documents safely filed away. To securely organize your digital life, register for a free account atwww.masterlockvault.com to safely store your user names, passwords and other confidential data for easy access anytime, anywhere. Getting good shoes, proper work-out wear, and a new gym lock such as the 1534D Password lock will help reinvigorate your enthusiasm to exercise.
Do it for a Month. In order for a new behavior to become a habit, you must stick to it for at least 30 days. Setting this small goal will make achieving your overall resolution more realistic. Plus, you can be encouraged when you’ve reached the one-month mark and assess your progress.
Keep a Journal. Commit to writing one to two sentences about your progress toward your goals each day. Keeping a written record of how you’re doing will keep your resolution top of mind and motivate you to continue to make changes.
One Step at a Time. Don’t set too many goals and then try tackling them all at once. Make one goal your priority and focus on changing your habits to achieve it. Once you’ve mastered it, set your sights on two additional goals, giving yourself realistic timelines to achieve them and go from there.

Coming soon is a giveaway of your very own 1534D Password Lock (pictured above) along with a review!

Leapin' for Leap Pad Giveaway 2/29

2012-02-13T00:06:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Leapin' for Leap Pad Giveaway!

This giveaway event is organized by ShePromotes and sponsored by a group of fabulous ShePromotes bloggers! We've come together to offer you one of the hottest children's products of the year -- the Leap Frog Explorer Tablet! Even better, as part of the event, you will have the chance to enter to win 1 of 2 Leap Frog Explorer Tablet prize packs! Yes, we are giving away 2 to 2 lucky winners!

How to enter

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter for your chance to win. The giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents, 18+ and will be open through 11:59pm EST on February, 29th. You have until the end of the day on Leap Day to enter for your chance to win! Please note that there are two separate Rafflecopter forms. Each prize package has its own form and its own entry requirements. You will earn bonus entries for entering on both Rafflecopter forms! Enter to win the other prize package here!

Good luck and get Leapin' for Leap Pad!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hoodie Hoo $100 PayPal Giveaway 2/13 - 2/20

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hoodie Hoo $100 Paypal Giveaway

Welcome to the Hoodie Hoo $100 Paypal Giveaway Feb 13 - 20, 2012

The Legend of the Hoodie Hoo:

Always on February 20! On this winter day, people go out at noon, wave their hands over their heads and chant "Hoodie-Hoo". It is a day to chase away winter and bring in spring. After all, everyone in the northern hemisphere are sick and tired of winter at this point and a little crazy being cooped up inside all winter and not seeing the sun.

Coupon Scribbles has teamed up with 20 bloggers to give away $100 in Paypal Cash!!!There will be one grand prize winner who will receive a$100 Paypal deposit of cash!!! The sweepstakes will run February 13th through 11:59pm EST on February 20th, 2012. To enter simply follow the instructions below. Winner will be notified via email on by February 25th. Good Luck!! Details $100 Paypal Giveaway Sweepstakes begins on February 13th and ends at 11:59pm EST on February 20th, 2012 Method of Entries: Rafflecopter Participating Blogs

Mamavation Mondays: Week Three

2012-02-12T20:55:00.001-05:00

I've had a bad couple of weeks where I became an emotional eater and slid off the good healthy lifestyle. This Valentine's Day, it's the girls and I and there were no chocolates for me since I would have to be the ones to purchase them. I steered clear of the temptation but I have been craving good ol' carbs. Bad carbs of course. Those horrible processed, addicting to taste, calorie laden carbs. I've still kept off the 30 pounds I lost but I wanted my last couple of weeks to be continuation of a healthy lifestyle with no slippages.

I long for Tuesdays as I love The Biggest Loser as it really inspires me to workout although this season seems to be full of some petty jerks. I also saw the video about Sam and his fall injuries which was very sad. I record the episodes so I can watch them the next day without commercials but I've had no desire to rewatch them mostly because of this batch's contestants. I dare say, Bob and Dolvett are worth coming back for though!

I have written off fast food hamburgers and chicken nuggets after watching that horrible video about how they are made. I am debating if I want to tell my kids about it as I suspect it will ruin it for them as well but then I worry about traveling and what I would give them on those 20 hour drives to Indiana.

All in all, I can pat myself on the back for the 30 pounds but I'm not done and will continue to pull the inspiration of the Mamavation moms to keep me going.

Delicious New Kraft MilkBite Bars

2012-02-10T16:50:00.002-05:00

I just received my complimentary KRAFT MILKBITE Bars and had to share! I really did receive them within the past 20 minutes and wanted to tell you how delicious they are! KRAFT MILKBITE Bars are a new, unique innovation in snacking made with real milk and calcium to provide the same calcium as an 8 oz glass of milk which is 30% of the daily recommended value. They also have 5 grams of protein and 7 grams of whole grains and since they are a good source for Vitamin D and fiber, I really love the fact that my girls love them. I'm on board with the whole Vitamin D thing so the more the merrier in my books.

KRAFT MILKBITE Bars are a wholesome alternative to existing bars and come in a variety so everyone can choose their favorites:

Chocolate
Strawberry
Peanut Butter
Oatmeal Raisin
Mixed Berry

KRAFT MILKBITE Bars found in the refrigerated dairy aisle which is not where you would expect to find them! I tried the chocolate flavor and I savored the roasted nuts flavor that came across perfectly matched with the chocolate granola. It was the ideal mix of flavors that made me want to get another one but I refrained. The chocolate bars only have 140 calories so that is not bad and their suggested price of $3.49 for a box is very reasonable.

I had to do it because I wouldn't want to deprive you of not knowing how the strawberry flavor is so my verdict is .... AMAZING! The same nutty, granola flavor with a hint of strawberries that was not overpowering. They are so delicious! They will hit the shelves February 13th.

Overall, I can state that I'm a new customer and will be purchasing these for myself and my girls. They have amazing flavor and are priced right.

Check out KRAFT's new character Mel:

*Disclosure: I received complimentary samples from the sponsor but the opinions are of my own.

Valentine's Day with My Cuties

2012-02-10T15:12:00.000-05:00

Photo of the girls after receiving FOUR bears from a wonderful lady I met online, Lynne. They were upset because I wanted to take a picture and they wanted to eat!

This year, it's just the girls and I for Valentine's Day and I'm excited about spending more one on one time with them. Not sure what we'll do but was thinking of taking them to get their nails done and maybe a hair cut. They are such giving little girls so a little pampering might hit the spot with them to show them how they need to take care of themselves too. My eight year old has a non-profit for helping children with epilepsy and my four year old helps. Both of my younger girls have chronic medical conditions so they understand the plight of going to hospitals and having many tests done. They take this and want to do good for others which I love. The other day when we were driving home from the store, there was a drop box for clothing donations. I explained to the girls what they were and Danielle, four, in her truest Little Women Amy form said, 'when I grow up, my boy (i.e. husband) will go to college and get a job and make yots and yots of money to give to everyone.' Jamie, 8, started listing her clothes she could give away.

Jamie is in the middle of writing a book about having epilepsy so we have begun a journey looking for an illustrator that is not too costly since we are a non-profit and I can say, it's not been fun!

I'm very proud that they think of others as they are very spoiled children. Having the blog, introduces more opportunities to spoil them since they get so much. I've let the blog take a back seat lately as I home school and look for a job. Moving is not fun but it appears it is on the horizon.

After eating two donuts (very bad), I have to go and run at least a couple of miles.

Valentine's Day Dinner at Home with Lasagna

2012-02-10T13:55:00.000-05:00

Are you one of the brave ones who goes out to dinner on Valentine's Day or do you put your culinary skills to work? I prefer to make my own meals even though going out every now and then is nice. This year, it's just the girls and I so I'm planning on making lasagna. I had no idea what I would make until I received an e-mail with this delicious sounding recipe for Johnsonville Italian Sausage Lasagna. I'm already drooling as I love sausage and I love lasagna. This will make the perfect family meal for myself and my two little Valentine's!

There is even a video to help you make this wonderful dish. Watch as Joe shows how incredibly easy it is to make a home cooked meal from scratch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHyBIO1EseI

Just click here for the Johnsonville's Italian Sausage Lasagna recipe or you can copy it from here:

Italian Sausage Lasagna

Submitted by: The Kitchen at Johnsonville Sausage

Makes: 6-8 servings

Cooking Time: 45m

WHAT YOU NEED:

lasagna noodles, uncooked
olive oil
(16 oz.) Johnsonville® Italian Ground Sausage
onion
garlic, chopped
(24 oz.) marinara sauce
ricotta cheese
egg
Parmesan cheese, grated
fresh spinach, lightly packed and chopped
mozzarella cheese, shredded
dried oregano

PREPARATION:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, lightly oil and set aside.
In a medium sauce pan, sauté the sausage, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink.
Add onion and garlic and continue sautéing for another 4 minutes until the sausage is cooked through.
Add marinara sauce to the sausage mixture and set aside.
In a medium bowl, blend ricotta cheese, egg, ó cup of the Parmesan cheese and the chopped spinach; set aside.
Coat a 9x13” baking dish with olive oil and spread 1 cup of the sauce mixture on the bottom.
Top with 3 lasagna noodles.
Spread the ricotta cheese mixture on the noodles and layer on 1 cup of the sauce mixture.
Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese over this. Repeat this process three more times starting with the noodles and finish with the remaining ó cup of Parmesan cheese.
Sprinkle with oregano.

Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 45 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

*Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this blog post.

Heart Shaped Grilled Cheese

2012-02-09T10:46:00.002-05:00

I don't know why but I was inspired this morning to make the girls an unconventional breakfast of heart shaped grilled cheese. I had a dream last night that I was mad at my youngest so perhaps those feelings made me want to make up even though I didn't do anything! Isn't it amazing the guilt us mothers can carry around? The girls loved them and my intended response was received and I heard a token bonus of, "Mom, I love you!"

I used two different shapes of cookie cutters which was perfect for one slice of bread for two hearts. It was so easy and then I added some Valentine's Day cookie decorations on the plate for color.

Publix Running Out? Run In $25 Gift Card Giveaway 2/29

2012-02-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

How many times have you reached for something and discovered your children used the last of it and didn't tell you? It happens every now and then with me and it can be frustrating especially if it's an essential or you need it for a recipe. The one thing I have always liked about Publix is how I can run in and run out in little time thanks to every thing being where I know it is and fast lane check outs. From February 9th until February 14th when you shop at Publix, look for the Running Out? Run In event to find some great savings on my favorite brands from General Mills and Procter & Gamble.

From Yoplait yogurt to Crest to Cheerios, they are usually on my list to pick up. Since Publix isn't uber big, I can run in and run out which sometimes I prefer. Don't forget to look for the in-store coupons for over $14 in savings on coupons valid from February 6th until February 25th. Who can't use savings, right?

When you shop and spend over $30 in participating products during the event from February 8th until February 25th, you will receive a $5 Publix gift card too! Simply look for the mail in rebate form found in-store or online at RunningOutRunIn.com along with your receipt(s).
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The Publix gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

The Lorax: Dr. Seuss's Inspiring Tale About The Importance of Preserving Nature

2012-02-08T17:54:00.004-05:00

On February 14th, Warner Brothers is releasing The Lorax (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + UltraViolet Digital Copy) for the first time to include an ultraviolet digital copy and two bonus Dr. Seuss animations! If you don't own a Blu-Ray player, you really are missing out on a vivid new way to watch movies and I'm hooked! I love the quality of the picture and watching one of my beloved favorite authors' stories is always a plus. I don't know who was more excited when our complimentary copy was received as the kids sort of looked at me funny.

In case you aren't aware of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, it's a story about a greedy villain named Once-ler. Once-ler strips the forest of all its Truffula trees bringing them to near extinction. Sound familiar? It's a tale of worry that even Dr. Seuss wrote about so long ago. Enter the Lorax who tries to tell Once-ler about the ramifications of his greed. Full of complimentary fun companions, the Lorax tries and tries to speak for the Truffula trees.

It's a great story for both adults and kids as it's entertaining, full of great characters and has a wonderful lesson to teach us about using our resources wisely. Who can write better than Dr. Seuss anyway? My girls LOVED the movie and have already watched it more than once. You can purchase it on February 14th and what a great family movie night it would make on Valentine's Day!

About Warner Home Video

With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc., commands the largest home entertainment distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Video and New Line Cinema.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to- DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD , electronic sell-through and VOD , and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles.

*Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy for the purposes of this review. The opinions are of my own.

The Cutest Pre-School & Other Homeschool Lessons

2012-02-07T14:59:00.002-05:00

If you are a homeschooling mom, you should check out this great site called the Enchanted Homeschooling Mom. Not only do you get to meet her family but you have a wealth of information ranging from printables, blog hops, link ups, storybook artists curriculum, Berenstain Curriculum and many other great resources. If you want access to some of the amazing lessons, you just have to read here to find out and it's free.

Since discovering the Enchanted Homeschooling Mom, we have had tons of fun with different Lego based preschool lessons and today, we completed Tangled. Tangled is one of my four year old's favorites and she just loved it! Each lesson utilizes many skill sets children need for entering school. From counting to measuring to cutting paper and more, it's an excellent and fun way to teach. Each lesson is full of so much to do and the way in which they were put together is so inviting for your little one. My eight year old even likes to partake in the fun and acts as a teacher to Danielle.

Even if you aren't a homeschooling mom, you can take advantage of these fun lessons with your children outside of school. There is so much great information from Jill that my post will never do it justice as you just need to go check it out!

Progresso "Souper You" Contest & Coupons #myblogspark

2012-02-07T12:45:00.001-05:00

The Progresso "Souper You" Contest entry phase will come to a close on February 22nd. Are you ready for a new look this New Year? Progresso^® has announced the return of their Souper You^® Contest giving you the chance to win an incredible makeover! By telling Progresso why you deserve a makeover and what you love about their soup, you could have the chance to win an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood this Spring!

Now that the ball has dropped and the confetti has settled, it's time to consider how you will stick to your resolution for the New Year and maintain your weight management plan, without sacrificing on variety or the taste of foods you love. Thanks to Progresso^®, you can have your soup and eat it too!

With 40 delicious soups with 100 calories or less per serving, Progresso Soup has a variety of offerings that help you beat diet boredom and satisfy your taste cravings, while helping you stick to your weight management calorie goals. Progresso soups are packed with hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, rice, meat and vegetables that suit your taste buds and make you feel good about including it in your meal choices.

Contest Details:

This year, the Souper You^® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season´s live finale of NBC´s The Biggest Loser
Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd
Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th
In addition, visit http://bit.ly/ProgressoCoup to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup today
Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c

Click here to watch this amazing video of the 2011 winner experience.

*Disclosure: The online coupon and information about Progresso Soup or the Souper You^® Contest was provided to you by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

Share the Love Giveaway Hop 2/7 - 2/14

2012-02-07T08:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Share the Love Giveaway Hop hosted by ShePromotes. This event will take place from 9am EST on February 7th and end at approximately 11:59pm EST on February 14th. There are lots of great prizes offered to share the love with you. The prizes are not all love or Valentine's Day themed, we just are simply sharing our love for great products with you! After you are done entering our giveaway you'll want to check out everyone else's AND enter for a chance to win the GRAND PRIZE Kindle Fire sponsored by Tweetalicious!

Each blog you stop and enter at will be another entry! Enter the Grand Prize here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Please note that Tales From the Nursery, “Share the Love” or the “Share the Love” bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. We will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. We will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.

One Winner $35 + 3 Winners Win $25 PayPal Cash Giveaway 2/13

2012-02-05T17:09:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't like Cash? I know we do! That's why Learning To Be Frugal and Suburban Coupon Mom have teamed up with several other wonderful bloggers to bring you this amazing 10K PayPal Cash Giveaway! We Love Our Readers and we are so excited to bring you this giveaway! There will be FOUR lucky winners! One Winner Will Receive $35.00 In PayPal Cash. Three winners will receive $25.00 In PayPal Cash! a Rafflecopter giveaway

thinkThin® thinkWellness Bars Giveaway 2/6 - 10 Winners

2012-02-03T20:04:00.000-05:00

If you are still sticking to your New Year's Resolution or just always watch what you eat, you will want to check out the thinkThin® thinkWellness Bars. thinkThin® thinkWellness Bars are delicious energy snacks with the quality ingredients in 12 great bars. All thinkThin® thinkWellness products are gluten free and are ready to go in convenient one bar packs. All of the 12 flavors have zero sugar and 20 grams of protein. I was able to try six different bars and there was only one I didn't like and it was the Cookies and Cream but I don't normally like products like that.

I had a picture of them but for some reason, I can't find the pictures and I already ate them so I can't show them.

Other than the Cookies and Cream, I tried:

Cranberry Apple & Mixed Nuts
Cherry & Mixed Nuts
White Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar
Peanut Butter
Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts Crunch Bar

I loved the other five flavors and felt better eating them due to the low calories. You couldn't tell they were good for you as they were nearly as delicious as candy bars. Just knowing they are better makes up for the goodness by far! My four year old liked them too and I had to share which wasn't fair (smile).

Since I'm trying to get healthier, this was a great alternative for that little sweet kick you need every now and then. You can click here for the latest promotions and coupons. Each bar is priced at $1.99 which is comparable if not cheaper than other bars of similar nature.

The Giveaway:

10 winners will receive one (1) Weight Wellness Sampler which includes 2 thinkThin® Protein Bars & 2 thinkThin® Crunch Bars for a total of 4 delicious bars.

To Enter:

Please use the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Disclosure: I received complimentary samples from the sponsor for the purposes of this review and giveaway. The opinions are of my own.