I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Aflac.
I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. 

This is where the Real Cost Calculator comes in. Aflac introduced this illustrative, interactive tool to show the average out-of-pocket expenses associated with a number of injuries and illnesses. Specifically, it includes the medical costs and living expenses not covered by major medical insurance for several types of cancer, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, broken leg, as well as common childhood ailments, pneumonia and asthma. These common illnesses and injuries can result in thousands of dollars in unexpected out-of-pocket medical costs and living expenses, and serious medical conditions like cancer and stroke can rack up costs higher than some mortgages!

For example:
• The average cost to treat a broken leg is more than $10,000. Deductibles, co-pays and rehab add up quickly.
• The average annual expense for people diagnosed with diabetes is $11,744. The glucose monitoring equipment doesn’t come cheap.
• Some of the newer cancer treatments can cost about $10,000 a month.

The calculator also includes everyday household costs… you’ll have to keep buying groceries and paying the mortage, even if you or your spouse ends up out of work! And what about after you leave the hospital? Expenses during recovery can include care giving and the burden of day care and everyday household costs like rent, utilities and car payments when a patient is unable to work. Then there are costs for things like transportation to follow-up medical appointments.

Try Aflac’s Real Cost Calculator out for yourself. It’s important to know about the real costs associated with medical emergencies so you can be financially prepared for the unexpected and proactive in how you plan to tackle these expenses. Start by taking better care of yourself physically. Consider joining a company wellness program, or getting a supplemental insurance policy. The fact is that there is no cap on the cost of health care, and you can expect medical costs to continue to increase as medical technology improves.

This post is sponsored by Gallo Family Vineyards.

I must admit, I don’t know much about wine – my husband’s the wine connoisseur in our household – but I can tell you that I like Moscato! It’s light, sweet, and only 9-10% alcohol by volume, so I can drink a couple of glasses and not have a terrible headache the next day. Gallo Family Vineyards make three – Red, Pink, and White – and over the past week I’ve sampled them all. I think I like pink the most. It’s not overly sweet, and when served really chilled, it’s SO refreshing!

Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato:
• Refreshing with flavors of peach, honey and ripe citrus to round out the light-bodied style.
• Pairs well with a wide variety of spicy dishes and the peach notes are a nice match for many soft and hard cheeses as well as everyday desserts.

Gallo Family Vineyards Pink Moscato:
• Light-bodied and full of fresh citrus and peach along, with hints of red berries and orange.
• Pairs nicely with sweet desserts or cheeses such as mahón and manchego.

Gallo Family Vineyards Red Moscato:
• Has lively flavors of sweet citrus and peach, with a red berry finish.
• Pairs perfectly with light cheeses, spicy cuisines or rich desserts. Best enjoyed chilled.

Gallo’s affordable prices make these wines accessible to everyone. It’s easy to have a few bottles on hand for those impromptu backyard cookouts! Here are a few party-planning tips from entertaining expert Robyn Moreno…

• Mix It Up: Gallo Family Vineyards offers three delicious types of Moscato – White, Red, and Pink. If you want people to get talking about the wine, try setting up different stations around the room. Feature tasting notes if you really want to get the conversation going.
• Not Your Ordinary Cheese Tray: Moscato pairs perfectly with cheese, such as Brie, Camembert, aged Parmesan and Pecorino Romano. Style up your cheese plate by making a slit in a wine cork and sliding in a card labeling the cheeses. The display is an easy and elegant way to let your guests know what they are eating.
• Spice Not Stress: Moscato and spicy food are the perfect combination and serving Paella is a clever, chic way to feed a crowd. Plus, since this flavorful rice-based dish can be made with almost anything – grilled meats, seafood, or veggies – everyone will be able to enjoy it and you won’t be tasked with making multiple meals.
• Decorating Couldn’t Be Easier: Create clever centerpieces from pretty items in your home. An old wine box or beautiful tray can become blossoming centerpieces when decorated with fresh fruit and a birdcage can become a glided candleholder with a pillar placed inside.
• Don’t Let The Party End: To enjoy another night of great wine, pour the remaining Moscato into ice trays that you can use later in sparkling water for a updated take on a “white wine spritzer!”

Did you know that today is National Moscato Day?

America sure loves this varietal – its sales last year went up more than 25%! The excitement around this wine led Gallo Family Vineyards to establish May 9th as National Moscato Day as a way to honor this delicious, fruitful wine and engage fans in wine conversations.

This Thursday, Gallo Family Vineyards (@GalloFamily) will be hosting the second annual National Moscato Day Twitter Party from 9pm to 10pm EDT. Throughout the party, participants will have the opportunity to share and gather hosting tips, food pairing suggestions and wine facts by joining the conversation using the hashtags #MoscatoDay #gno on Twitter.

To learn more, please visit:

• Gallo Family Vineyards website
• Gallo Family Vineyards’ Facebook page
• Gallo Family Vineyards’ Twitter account

Disclosure: Gallo Family Vineyards sent me three bottles of wine for review purposes. I am being compensated for writing this post and participating in the Twitter party as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network, but all opinions are my own.

Not only have I been introduced to some amazing authors through this fantastic blog hop, but you also have the chance to WIN more than 35 books for your favorite school or library! Be sure to read all the way to the bottom of the post for details about the giveaway. The following is an article by author Irania Patterson…

What is essential is invisible to the eye

When I was a child my favorite book was The Little Prince written by the French writer, poet, and pioneering aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944).

I have to admit that I did not like the fact that the main character, El Principito, was a boy; being a girl, I wanted it to be the Little Princess, La Princesita, instead.

The poetic tale is the most read and most translated book in the French language, and was voted the best book of the 20th century in France. Translated into more than 250 languages and dialects, it is definitely one of the bestselling books ever published.

The narrator, an airplane pilot, crashes in the Sahara desert. As he is worrying over his problem, he is approached by the little prince, a blond boy who comes from Asteroid B612. After his encounter with his love the rose, El Principito set out to explore other planets to cure his loneliness.

Before reaching Earth, he met some very odd people: a king, a conceited man, a drunkard, a lamplighter, a geographer… Finally on Earth he met the fox, who shared with him this words that up to this day live in me. “What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

The first time I read the book, I said to myself “I want to be a pilot girl to discover the world”

The second time I said “I want to become like the Rose in the story to learn to be loved.

The third time I really wanted to be like the fox in the story to learn to be a loyal friend.

The fourth time, now close to being a quinceañera, I wanted to understand the thoughts of foolish, narrow-minded adults, including the king in the book with no subjects, who believed himself the most admirable person.

Close to being recognized as an adult, and afraid to be judged as an immature being who still loved that “librito de niños”, I secretly read it again and again, reflecting on the Little Prince’s words:

“But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart…”

It was then that I knew I wanted to be a writer so I could see the life of others with a true heart.

Later, when I had my first child, I opened the old and torn book and found these words of treasure … “You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose,” said the Fox. Then I rediscovered my commitment to all children, and all readers who one day will be impacted by a story that embraces them forever…

I encourage all of you who love books, children and imaginary journeys to find during Día a story that allows you to see your own roses, foxes, the foolish in yourself and The Little Prince in us who travels to the human conditions to discover the wisdom of children.

Irania Patterson is an award–winning author, playwright, and seasoned storyteller. She is a native of Venezuela, is a dynamic and versatile performer who works with audiences of all ages. She has served as a consultant for many cultural organizations in the area of literature, education and the performing arts. Her bilingual children’s picture book Chipi Chipis, Small Shells of the Sea/Chipi Chipi Caracolitos del Mar (CPCC Press 2006) was an International Reading Association Children’s Choice Award for 2006. She is the author of Wings and Dreams: The Legend of Angel Falls. (Novello Press 2010). She is also a co-author of the bilingual musical play Mama Goose, adapted for the stage from the Alma Flor Ada original Mama Goose.

______________________________________________________

THE GIVEAWAY!

L4LL has put together a wonderful collection of Latino children’s literature to be given to a school or public library. Many of the books were donated by the authors and illustrators participating in this blog hop. You can read a complete list of titles on the L4LL website.

To enter your school library or local library in the giveaway, simply leave a comment below.
The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Monday, April 29th, 2013. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and announced on the L4LL website on April 30th, Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros, and will be contacted via email – so be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment! (If we have no way to contact you, we’ll have to choose someone else!)

By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.

¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

The one appliance that I would love to replace right now – if we could afford it – would be our 15-year-old refrigerator. It’s running on fumes! I just entered to win one, though. Wish me luck!

How? h.h. gregg and Frigidaire have teamed up for the “100 Ways to Organize” Sweepstakes, which runs through Saturday, April 27th. The prizes? Four winners will be selected to receive a Frigidaire French-Door Refrigerator. Awesome. Three winners will be selected through the register-to-win sweepstakes, and one winner will be selected through the ‘100 Ways to Organize’ game on Facebook, iPhone and Android.

They’re also giving away $100 h.h. gregg gift cards daily! I just entered – make sure you do too before it’s too late!

I’m not sure how I did it, but I seem to have disabled my email newsletter a few weeks back and didn’t realize it. OOPS! It’s reactivated now, but since I’m not sure if they’ll go out in the next email, these are some of the posts you may have missed:

• A review of the new Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal – so good!
• Cleaning with Clorox Smart Tube Technology [and a Clorox giveaway!] – I extended this a couple of days since not many of you knew about it!
• Positively radiant with Aveeno Active Naturals - these products are great!
• Giving some thought to my toilet paper
• A review of DOLE Fruit Parfaits - yum!

Yes, a lot of sponsored content. I know. I’m trying to save up for a trip to Mexico this June for a family wedding so I haven’t had much of a choice – I have to take every opportunity I can get to afford the expensive airfare. That said, we’ve been super busy lately and I have tons of photos on my camera that I want to share with you all in the coming days – from the Cherry Blossom Festival, a tour of the White House gardens, and more! We’re blessed to live near the beautiful city that is Washington, DC!

What is it? New Honey Bunches of Oats Greek is comprised of two unique granolas that are made with Greek yogurt, crispy whole grain flakes and a little honey.

Nutritionists recommend eating at least three servings of whole grain foods per day, and with 33 grams per serving, one bowl of this provides over two-thirds of your day’s whole grains. With 230 calories and 5 grams of protein in a cup, I add a little almond milk and have a yummy breakfast (or lazy dinner!) at under 300 calories. Love it!

The Greek yogurt clusters are a nice touch. Not overly sweet or crunchy. My only complaint would be that maybe there isn’t enough… but remember, I’m the person that buys Just Bunches by the case!

What does the rest of the family think? My kids liked the Greek version more than the original, but this may just be the novelty of it, perhaps. Only time will tell. My husband is not a fan of change – he could eat the same thing every single day – and he didn’t notice the difference when I switched out the cereal. Men are so oblivious sometimes!

BUY IT!

No more worrying about what you’ll make for breakfast before everyone rushes off to work and school – the whole family will love this delicious, good-for-you cereal that is made with real Greek yogurt. It’s available now at grocery stores nationwide.

For more information, visit the Honey Bunches of Oats website, log onto Facebook.com/honeybunchesofoats
or follow Honey Bunches of Oats on Twitter @HBOats.

Disclaimer: Mom It Forward and Honey Bunches of Oats partnered in support of this campaign. Honey Bunches of Oats compensated me for my participation, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Clorox is one of those trusted brands that I’ve been using for as long as I can remember. I mean, it’s been around for 100 years so I’m sure we’ve all used it at one time or another! (And our mamas and grandmas, too!)Its namesake bleach is probably the most popular product, but I also use Clorox Bleach Gel, Formula 409, and Tilex Bathroom Cleaner, among other things. My husband, a contractor, swears by Clorox Clean-Up. He’s always stealing my bottle!

Speaking of bottles, my biggest frustration is when a spray bottle stops working. This usually happens when there’s just a little of the cleaner left, but sometimes the sprayer just gets clogged up or the trigger breaks. After a vain attempt at fixing it, I end up just taking the top off and pouring the liquid out directly. Or throwing it away. Ugh. It’s a big waste of time.

In developing their new Smart Tube Technology, Clorox decided to do something about this little problem. Now there’s a built-in tube that reaches all the way to the bottom of the bottle, which gives you the freedom from frustrating workarounds to get the last bit of product. The satisfaction of spraying every last drop…. ahhh. No more tilting, tipping, unscrewing, shaking, or pouring will make cleaning a little bit easier! As for the trigger problem, spray bottles equipped with Smart Tube Technology also feature a new, more durable trigger that provides better coverage and has a smoother pull so it should take less effort to dispense the cleaner. I haven’t quite gotten to the bottom of my bottle yet, but I can tell you that it’s the same great formula as always, and compared to older products, the new trigger is sleeker, and does take less effort, seemingly spraying better, too. You can see the difference in the bottles in the photo below. The built-in Smart Tube is visible in the new bottle, so you’ll be able to see that you really do use every last drop!

This post is brought to you by Clorox and The Motherhood, and I’ve been compensated for my time. However, all opinions are my own.

BUY IT!

Smart Tube Technology is available now, and can be found in the following products:
• Clorox® Clean-Up®
• Clorox® Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner
• Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach Foamer
• Clorox® Bleach Gel
• Clorox® Kitchen
• Formula 409® (Original, Lemon, Stone & Steel, Glass & Surface, Carpet/Pet)
• Tilex® (Bathroom Cleaner, Mold & Mildew Remover, Mildew Root Penetrator™)
• Clorox® Antihongos
• Clorox® Desengrasantes

Make sure to look for the bottles that have the yellow stripe and “SMART TUBE TECHNOLOGY” printed along the left-hand side! To see this new technology in action, visit www.sprayeverydrop.com, and be sure to log on to Facebook.com/Clorox or follow @Clorox to receive the latest product news, tips, offers and more!

WIN IT!

To win five free product coupons, please follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget and leave a comment below telling me about your biggest cleaning frustration.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is why I was thrilled to get the opportunity to try out a bunch of Aveeno products and tell you all about ‘em! Winter always leaves my skin terribly dry, so getting a package full of skincare products was a dream!

AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® COLLECTION

This line of facial skincare products targets the 5 Factors of Radiance – 1) tone 2) texture 3) dullness 4) blotchiness 5) brown spots. All issues we deal with every day that leave our skin looking tired and dull!

But no more of that! I’ve been using all the Aveeno products pictured above and love every one of them. In the mornings I’ve just been using a little of the daily moisturizer, or the tinted moisturizer if I’m going out. Later in the day is when I exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturize. After my evening skincare routine, my skin feels brighter, I look more awake, and I feel good that I actually spent a couple of minutes focusing on me.

AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® SKIN BRIGHTENING DAILY SCRUB
This scrub gently exfoliates to help improve skin tone and texture. It felt cool going on, and my skin felt a little tighter after using it. The unique formula combines moisture-rich natural soy extracts with smooth, round microbeads. I used to only use a scrub a couple of times a week, but I find that this formula is gentle enough for everyday use.

AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® BRIGHTENING CLEANSER
I never know whether to exfoliate or cleanse first. I figure if I exfoliate first the cleaner will be able to lift even more dirt away, right? So I’ll stick with that. This, like all these Aveeno products, is soap-free, oil-free, hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic.

AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® DAILY CLEANSING PADS
These are awesome! One side of the pad is textured to gently exfoliate, the other is soft, and it’s moistened with foaming skin-conditioning cleansers and natural soy extracts. Makes taking off makeup so easy! I like the round shape, and it’s thick enough to to tear while I’m scrubbing away! Oh, and the bottle is pretty. The cap is a lovely opalescent green that doesn’t look bad next to my bathroom sink. You know I look at things like that!

AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® TINTED MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 30
There’s nothing better than combining makeup and a moisturizer into one product! This tinted moisturizer may be my favorite new product. The Active Naturals® Total Soy Complex is supposed to brighten and even skin tone, and I think it does just that. It gives me a “dewy” look, which I can probably attribute to natural light-reflecting minerals, without feeling heavy, like regular foundation. Oh, and the fact that it’s SPF 30 is icing on the cake! Available in two shades: Fair to Light and Medium – I’m light-skinned, but found Medium to blend in just fine!

AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® DAILY MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 30
Just like the tinted moisturizer, this product contains UVA/UVB protection to help prevent premature aging. The natural light diffusers, mica and silica, give skin that radiant look I love!

AVEENO® Daily Moisturizing Lotion
This bottle up above lives on my nightstand. I like that it’s not greasy, absorbs quickly, and is fragrance free. The unique natural oatmeal formula helps prevent and protect dry skin for up to 24 hours. It’s my go-to lotion before bed! There’s also a version with SPF 15 (to the right), which is what I put on my girls before they go to school in the mornings. Even a few minutes of sun exposure every day can add up!

BUY IT!

Aveeno believes that nature has the power to make life beautiful. This is why the brand uses ingredients with oat and soy to soothe, heal, and maybe even transform you! Available for purchase at your local food and drugstores. For more information, please visit the Aveeno website.

And mark your calendar! We are having an #AVEENOActiveNaturals Bilingual Twitter Party on Monday, April 22nd at 6pm PST / 9pm EST. Please join us! You can RSVP on Facebook.

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and AVEENO. I received compensation, but all opinions are my own.

But now that the gears toilet paper rolls have been spinning in my head for a while, I can see how someone gets ‘attached’ to a particular brand. If you’re like me, you want something that feels nice on your bum, but is strong at the same time. And you want it to be a good value. And you never, ever want to run out! I hate to admit it, but I may even judge people based on the toilet paper in their bathroom [gasp!] Come on, you know you do it, too!

Ultimately, balance is what we’re always striving for, whether it be in our toilet paper or in life. That’s why I’ve been using Angel Soft 2x stronger and I like it. Even my daughters noticed the softness and butterfly pattern! Not only is it soft and pretty, but with its Softshield layers, Angel Soft is now stronger than ever to hold up better when wet. Stronger toilet paper means my kids will use less of it. Less paper used means I don’t have to buy it as often, so I can cross at least this one item off my weekly shopping list!

To learn more about how Angel Soft is an ideal balance of softness and strength at the value you love, visit Angel Soft on Facebook or on Twitter @AngelSoftLatino. Going shopping? Try it for yourself by downloading this coupon to save on your next Angel Soft purchase.

Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Angel Soft. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Convenient and always ready-to-eat, Dole Fruit Parfaits are naturally low in fat, cholesterol free, very low in sodium, and a good source of vitamin C, you can feel good about eating ‘em! The all natural fruit is similar to what you’d expect from other Dole products, like the cans of Dole pineapple that are a staple in my pantry.

DOLE Fruit Parfaits are available in three flavors – Pineapple and Crème, Apples and Crème, and Peaches and Crème. They’re all good, but pineapple is probably my favorite, my kids both love the peach variety, and my husband reaches for apple every time! Something for everyone. With their easy, peel-off lids and small size – and because they don’t require refrigeration,the parfaits have been perfect for my daughters’ school lunches or for afternoon snacks.

By the way, the girls used Dole Fruit Parfait cups to display their Easter eggs this weekend, covering them with green tissue paper! Nothing goes to waste and those little cups are too cute!

BUY IT!

DOLE Fruit Parfaits are available in the canned fruit section of select grocery stores and online for a suggested retail price of $2.79 for a package of four.

For more information on these yummy treats, please visit:

• DOLE Fruit Parfaits website
• DOLE Facebook Page
• DOLE on Twitter – @DoleFoods

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