This month, our family will be taking Listerine’s Oral Care Challenge along with a fabulous group of bloggers and their families. I honestly feel really good about the challenge because I think we’re already on the right path. We recently put up a Responsibility Chart to help my son remember things like picking up his toys, being kind to others, and brushing his teeth.  The visual reminder, as well as the reward system, have been extremely helpful for all of us as we seek to instill these important habits and character qualities within my son.  Since both of my children actually enjoy and look forward to our toothbrushing sessions, my goals this month include helping my son learn to floss (per his dentist’s recommendations) and teaching both my son and my daughter to brush properly.

Last week, I gleaned some oral care wisdom as I sat in on a webinar hosted by The Motherhood.  Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the US (CDC)?  Or that 50 percent of children will have a cavity or filling between the ages of 5 and 9 (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry)? We are a country with access to more resources than I can count, yet oral care is still a struggle for many families.  Cost, time, and lack of knowledge all factor in to these statistics. Interestingly enough, it doesn’t take but just a few minutes each day to begin or improve your oral care routine.

Because brushing alone may miss germs in 75 percent of a person’s mouth, flossing, rinsing, and routine cleanings/screenings are an integral part of a person’s overall oral care routine.  We’re about to embark on a month long journey towards better overall oral health. Will you join me?

Stay tuned as I’ll be sharing updates on what we’ve learned and accomplished over the next month.

This is part of a compensated campaign with The Motherhood and Johnson & Johnson.  Products were provided which helped facilitate this challenge.

1. How much does it weigh?

2.  How easy is it to fold and store?

3.  Will it fit in my trunk?

4.  Does it recline for naps?

5.  Is the sunshade large enough to protect my child from harmful UV rays?

6.  Does it offer adequate storage space for a diaper bag?

7. Can I use it for both an infant and a toddler?

8.  What accessories are included or available for purchase?

TONIGHT (9 pm EST), Totsy will have launch an incredible sale on Zooper’s Twist stroller.  I don’t personally have this stroller, but from the looks of it, I’m impressed.  The very fact that it weighs less than 20 pounds is compelling.  The combination of an all-purpose canopy and foot muff offers a unique kind of protection against the elements, and not one I’ve seen in other strollers. It’s versatile and accommodates both infants and older children, offers a number of accessories, and folds/stores compactly.  The retail value of this stroller is $199.99 but tonight, Totsy will offer it at an amazing discount (stay tuned for pricing).

For more information, just visit Zooper and Totsy!

Need an invite to Totsy?  Please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Win It! One of you will win a Zooper Twist Stroller in the Mountain Flowers Print. To enter, you must visit the Zooper sale on Totsy and comment with your favorite one listed on the sale site.  Comments will close on February 28th at 11:59 PM PST.

On March 2nd, which would have been Dr. Seuss’ 108th birthday, Universal Pictures will release the computer animated film, adapted from the book which was released more than 40 years ago.  Without fail, my children always reach for a Dr. Seuss book at bedtime, thus you can imagine the excitement and anticipation they’ve been exhibiting as we near the film’s release.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”  -The Lorax

The very first time I read the book, I could not stop thinking about how forward thinking Dr. Seuss was.  His timeless message about the importance of conservation could not be more relevant, given the current plight of our environment.

The book follows the story of a boy who has traveled to “the far end of town” in hopes that a being called the Once-ler can provide insight on what has happened to the trees.  After receiving payment, the Once-ler tells the young boy how he happened upon the forest of Truffula Trees, in all of their beauty.  Captivated by these trees, the Once-ler chops one down to knit a “Thneed”, a highly versatile and necessary garment.  As soon as the first tree has fallen, The Lorax, an advocate for “the trees,” appears from out of the tree stump.  The Once-ler, who cannot see past his own ambition and greed, ignores The Lorax and chops down tree after tree.  Bearlike creatures known as Bar-ba-loots are forced to find food outside of the forest, the Swomee Swans are unable to sing because of the smoke that is being emitted from the Once-ler’s factory, and the Humming Fish can no longer hum because their waters are being polluted with a “goo” that is being dumped into the ponds by the machines used to make the “Thneeds.”  I remember the first time I read the book, thinking, this is what we’re doing…right now…to our air, water, and wildlife.  As the story goes, the Once-ler chops down the very last tree, resulting in the cessation of his “Thneed” business.  As the Lorax departs the once Truffula Tree-laden forest, he leaves behind a small pile of rocks inscribed with the words “Unless.”  It isn’t until many years later, as the Once-ler is recalling his encounter with the Lorax, that he finally realizes the meaning of that single six letter word.  He proceeds to toss the boy the very last Truffula seed, entrusting and empowering him to make a difference…to plant a seed…to grow a forest.  The message is profound…

The film, which opens in theaters nationwide on March 2nd, is an inspirational, musical adaptation of this beloved book.  To preserve the integrity of Dr. Seuss’ book, the filmmakers/screenwriters decided to explore what might have happened before and after the young boy’s visit with the Once-ler, as opposed to rewriting the story.  Filling in these gaps was not an easy feat, as they “[wanted] to stay true to the material and honor it.” The book has such an important legacy and message and it was imperative that the team “find a way to tell the story in a way that [honored] the underlying work Dr. Seuss created.”

Unlike the book, the film expands on the young boys reasons for seeking out the Once-ler.  Ted (voiced by Zac Efron) is a 12 year old boy in search of a real Truffula Tree to win the affection of Audrey, his dream girl (voiced by Taylor Swift).  He ventures outside of Thneedville, a city which is completely artificial), on a journey to find the Once-ler, who he believes can help him bring home a tree for Audrey. Inspired by the young boy, the Once-ler sheds light on the isolated city of Thneedville. With the last Truffula seed in hand, Ted sets out to inspire his town to take care of “the trees.”

The film, with it’s colorful, immersive 3D world, brings Dr. Seuss’ beloved story of The Lorax to life on the big screen.  The filmmakers broach the topic of conservation in a way that is meaningful to adults and children alike.  Despite the seriousness and importance of the underlying message, the film is upbeat and lively and I found myself tapping my feet to the musical score.

Many years from now, the message will still be as powerful as it is today. With my own children, I plan to utilize the film as a way to reinforce some of the environmental principles my husband and I have already been instilling within them.  I recommend that parents read the book with their children prior to seeing the film so that they have a basic understanding of the story.

The Lorax boasts an incredibly talented cast which includes Danny DeVito (The Lorax), Zac Efron (Ted), Ed Helms (The Once-ler), Taylor Swift (Audrey), Rob Riggle (Mr. O’Hare) and Betty White (Grammy Norma).  See it in theaters March 2nd, 2012.

No compensation was received for this post.  I was invited to The Lorax Press Junket, courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Photo Credit: Universal Pictures

Screenings in LA are always filled with a touch of glamour and a touch of creativity. The “Tranformers Rescue Bots” Season Two Screening Premiere was no different. The fabulous people at the HUB Network decided to give us attendees a treat…and maybe give the kids a little learnin’. Why? Because this fun screening event was held at The Hollywood Fire Museum located in the heart of Hollywood.

Photo credit: HUB

Photo Credit: HUB

You may be wondering what an old LAFD Fire Department has to do with Transformers. Well, as it turns out, one of the new Rescue Bots is a Fire Truck/Fire Fighter himself! The Rescue Bots consist of Heatwave (the firetruck), Boulder (the bulldozer), Blades (the rescue helicopter), and Chase (the police car). The bots are placed under the care of the Police Chief and his family, but only the chief knows the truth about them. In the meanwhile, the bots must “pretend” to just be robots under the command of each respective family member-an engineer (Graham- voiced by Shannon McKain), a rescue pilot (Dani voiced by Lacey Chabert), a cop (Chief Charlie voiced by Maurice LaMarche) and a firefighter (Kade- voiced by James Marsden).

Photo Credit: HUB

When Chase has had enough of Chase’s ego, he is ready to abandon the mission and leave, but then he meets Cody… who makes him believe that not all humans are so bad. So Chase stays…and good because soon the island they all live in is under attack of a malfunctioning electrical dinosaur. Will the Rescue Bots succeed? I can’t tell you that! What I can tell you is my husband and I were extremely entertained and thought that Transformers Rescue Bots is entertaining for the whole family. Our daughter even loved it!

After the screening we got a look at the museum and were assigned tour guides to take us around and teach us a little about Fire Department history. The tour guides were each retired firefighters, and boy did they know their stuff. Our tour guide also was a bit of a history buff and he was able to tell us a little background info on just about everything from the trucks, to the suits to the miniatures. He was a fantastic tour guide and you could tell he loved his job.

Photo Credit: Yolanda Machado

Photo Credit: Yolanda Machado

Photo Credit: Yolanda Machado

Photo Credit: Yolanda Machado

Photo Credit: Yolanda Machado

If you are ever in the Los Angeles area, take a couple hours to check out the Hollywood Fire Museum. It’s not often you get to see an authentic piece of old Hollywood and learn a little about how the LAFD began.

Also, make sure you check your local listing for the HUB network and catch Transformers Rescue Bots every Saturday. Make sure you follow the HUB on Facebook also- http://www.facebook.com/hubtvnetwork !

Yolanda keeps it real over at Sassy Mama in L.A. Check out her site for mom-focused lifestyle features including the “it” things to do in LA.

No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

While we likely have several weeks left of winter, spring is approaching and with it, a new season for fashion!  Earth Footwear, a wellness-based company that designs and manufactures shoes that are comfortable and good for you, recently introduced a brand new line, perfect for the coming Spring and Summer months.  The Earth line features shoes that are comfortable, stylish, affordable and designed for the working woman.  As opposed to their Kalso line, which features a “negative heel” (aka they’re flat), the Earth Line features a “positive heel” (aka heels of varying height).

Because I prefer an open-toed, sandal-type shoe for most occasions, I’m loving the new Camellia shoe with it’s lattice, wrap-around design and chunky but comfy wedge heel. The wrap-around design features a leather-wrapped heel strap to ensure a snug, secure fit.  To ensure your feet feel as good as they look, the shoe features cushioning, reinforced arch support, and a padded heel.

The open-toed, sandal design of the shoe works well with both casual and more dressy attire.  I would likely wear these with a sundress, a flowing skirt and matching top or a pair of skinny jeans.

Heels and wedges, if not made properly, can wreak havoc on your feet. Fortunately, the company has put thought and effort into ensuring that women will “step into wellness” with their new line of shoes.  For more information, or to enter their spa sweepstakes, just visit their website.

I was compensated by Global Influence as part of a Bookieboo LLC campaign with Earth Footwear.

The hit children’s action series recently launched a brand new video game for Nintendo’s Wii and DS gaming systems and debuts a brand new season today, February 18th, 2012.  The show, which is one of my son’s favorites, follows a team of young people who have been recruited and trained to “morph” into superheroes.  Friendship, positive play, teamwork, helping others, fitness, humor and responsibility are central to the storylines.  The new season will bring kids even more action while still emphasizing teamwork and debuts on Nickelodeon at 12n/11c.

A few weeks ago, we were treated to a special preview/demo of the brand new action-packed game, currently available for Nintendo Wii and DS.  I had a chance to speak with some of the developers of Power Rangers Samurai who stated that their goal was to make the game feel like the show to maintain consistency.  And just like the show, the game encourages cooperative play and does not contain violence.  While the official recommended age is 10 and up, “even 3-4 year olds can play if they watch the show.”

After a quick demo, my son picked up the Wii remote and began playing the Wii version.  Power Rangers Samurai was developed by Namco Bandai Games and their goal was to offer children and players of all ages a new, immersive way to experience the iconic series.  While I demo’d the game with my son, I started thinking about how much fun it would be to play the game on Kinect for Xbox 360.  It’s actually quite a physical game and I told the developers that I thought it would lend itself well to the Kinect platform.  They must have listened to me, because on March 30th, Power Rangers: Samurai will be released for Kinect!

Power Rangers Super Samurai premieres today at 12n/11c on Nickelodeon today, February 18th, 2012.

Win It! One of you will win a copy of Power Rangers Samurai for the Wii and one of you will win a copy for the DS!  Simply leave me a comment with one thing you like about the show and the preferred platform.  Comments will close on March 4th, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a Power Rangers Video Game @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/79tgfnp” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.

Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments

No compensation was received for this post.  I attended a media event and products for review and giveaway were supplied.

“Once you have a child, it changes your world view forever,” stated Will Arnett who voices Pod, the “stern and steady hand” in the newly released film The Secret World of Arrietty.  Earlier this week, I had an opportunity to chat with the actor and comedian best known for his role on Arrested Development.  Arnett, who is a father himself, focused on “trying to be the steady partriarch” in the Japanese film originally produced and released by the legendary Studio Ghibli.  Pod has “this inner calmness to him,” stated Arnett. “He understands the reality of their situation [as Borrowers and little people] and where they fit in the world.”  Arnett drew from his experiences as a father and would not have had the same perspective and approach had he not been a parent at the time.

The Japanese animated film is based on the book, The Borrowers by Mary Norton, and details the story of Arrietty, a young Borrower living beneath a typical human household.  While Arnett was not familiar with the book prior to working on the film, he had some familiarity with Studio Ghibli’s iconic productions and jumped at the opportunity to be part of The Secret World of Arrietty, which has “a universal theme and a touching story.”

If you’ve read my review, then you know that I was captivated by the depth of the story and themes presented and blown away by the beauty of the animation. When asked what he hopes audiences will take away from the film, Arnett believes that the film depicts important messages of tolerance and friendship.

Arnett is currently working on a mini-series and film based on the TV series Arrested Development and can be seen on NBC’s comedy Up All Night alongside Christina Applegate.

The Secret World of Arrietty is currently in select theaters nationwide.

No compensation was received for this post. 

This Friday, February 17th, Walt Disney Pictures will release The Secret World of Arrietty, a Japanese animated fantasy film based on The Borrowers (Mary Norton) and originally released in Japan in 2010.  While it’s always helpful to read the book which the film was based on, the story is easy to follow.  In the film’s opening scene, a young boy named Shawn has just arrived at the home where his mother lived as a child, to spend some time resting before heart surgery.  As he approaches the house, he spots Arrietty, a bold, curious 14 year old girl seeking adventure, who just happens to be 10 cm (4 inches) tall.  Arrietty and her “little” family, live in the recesses of the home, and rarely venture out save the occasional covert mission to bring back items they need to survive.  They’re borrowers…and they “take only what they need,” particularly items not likely to be missed by humans.

In one of the early scenes of the film, Arrietty and her father Pod, embark on the young teen’s first borrower mission to obtain a single cube of sugar and square of tissue.  I absolutely loved the attention to detail and stark contrast between the size of Arrietty and her father and the human world in this particular venture, as she picks up a hairpin and stows it away as her first weapon.  As Arrietty and Pod are completing the last of their mission, the young teen is spotted once again by Shawn, who’s suspicions about the “tiny people” living under the floorboards of human homes are confirmed. This scene holds much significance for the progression of the story, since the survival of these little people depends on remaining unseen.  As you watch the film you’ll notice a quietness to it, which makes both tense and meaningful moments and scenes that much more profound.

While Arrietty is in many ways mature beyond her years, she is curious and naive about the outside world. She doesn’t quite grasp the seriousness of being discovered by humans and ventures out once again to visit Shawn. What ensues is an unlikely friendship that could prove to be dangerous for Arrietty and her family. When Pod and Homily (Arrietty’s mother) learn that she has been seen, they make the difficult decision to leave the home they’ve come to love.

The film is breathtakingly beautiful, with it’s hand-drawn animation and scenes straight out of a watercolor painting. The film is a visual masterpiece from the legendary Studio Ghibli, which produced and released Spirited Away and Ponyo.  As I mentioned above, much attention to detail was placed on even the ordinary natural world elements. There is a scene where Shawn is lying down outside, deep in thought, and I was just taken aback by the beauty of the outside world with its vibrant colors and serenity and how infrequently I take time to stop and appreciate nature.

Unlike most animated films, filled with nonstop action, The Secret World of Arrietty intersperses quiet moments of introspection, moments that are powerful in terms of story progression.  The filmmakers have also paid as much attention to compelling audiences to be immersed in nature audibly as they have visually.  Not only do you see it raining…you hear it raining and you’re forced to, for a moment, focus on nature… The ordinary ticking of a clock, background noise we tend to ignore, is suddenly loud…almost deafening.

At the heart of the film is the story, simple, yet filled with so much meaning and depth.  The friendship between Arrietty and Shawn is pure and innocent, crossing “cultural” barriers (in this instance the little people vs. the “beans”).  It’s a film about growing up…about change.  Arrietty is a powerful female lead and will likely be looked up to by young girls for her bravery, kindness, loyalty, and sense of adventure.

The Secret World of Arrietty opens in theaters February 17th, 2012.

No compensation was received for this post.  I attended a screening and press junket for the film which helped facilitate this review.

We don’t have a Publix store in our area, however, my in-laws do and our bi-annual visits often include a grocery run to the regional chain.  During this two week time period, you’ll find competitive pricing, coupons, and savings on the brands you love to compliment your favorite Italian dish.

Be sure to visit your local store or the website to enter the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes, download coupons and find Italian recipes. Speaking of recipes, you know how much I love discovering new ones so I’ll leave your mouth watering with this one (courtesy of Publix):

Home Style Minestrone

Ingredients
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 medium cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups finely chopped yellow onions (2 small)
1 cup diced celery (2 medium stalks)
1 cup diced carrots (2 medium)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme leaves
1 can (15 oz) Progresso cannellini beans, drained
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups diced green or yellow zucchini (5 small)
1 cup uncooked tubetti pasta or other small tube pasta (4 oz) e
2 cartons (32 oz each) Progresso reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, if desired

1.  In 6-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until garlic begins to brown. Stir in onions, celery and carrots; cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
2.  Stir in rosemary, beans, tomatoes, zucchini, pasta and broth; heat to boiling. Reduce heat.
3.  Cover; simmer about 20 minutes or until pasta is tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with cheese.

Win It!  One of you will win a $25 Publix Gift Card. Just leave me a comment with your recipe from the site.  Comments will close on March 1st at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win an @Publix gift card @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/7pdue6t ” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.

Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments

No compensation was received for this post. Gift cards for review and giveaway supplied by General Mills via MyBlogSpark.

Because our weather is so temperate, I don’t really have a lot of winter wardrobe options.  On days like today, I wish I had more than one of these cozy cashmere sweaters from Lands’ End.  The online lifestyle retailer has a diverse selection of winter essentials including cashmere scarves, hats, and gloves, fleece flannel shirts, cardigans, rainwear, outerwear, and more.  Additionally, it’s one of those brands who’s style works well for adults and children.

Here are just a few items I handpicked for the winter season:

Women’s SunShower Coat

Men’s Regular Outrigger Anorak

Girls’ Sportswear Fleece Jacket

Girls’ Softest Fleece Glove

Boys’ Rain Jacket

Boys’ Microfleece Gloves

This is just a very small sampling of all Lands’ End has to offer to keep you warm and dry this winter season.  Beyond the fact that the brand is committed to providing quality clothing items and accessories at affordable prices, they manage to maintain a unique and trendy stylistic approach to their designs.  I can’t tell  you how many compliments I’ve had on this Stripe Cashmere Funnelneck Sweater.  It’s warm and super soft, which I would expect since it’s made from 100% Inner Mongolian cashmere.

Check out Lands’ End‘s winter essentials online!

No compensation was received for this post. A product sample was provided which helped facilitate this review.