The MamaZone

New Yoplait Trix Yogurt

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:16:00 +0000

My son begs me for Yoplait Trix yogurt every single time I take him grocery shopping. My answer has always been the same, as I pass it up for healthier yogurt that’s free of high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. Things were different the last time though, because now Yoplait Trix yogurt has been reformulated without the artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup that have caused me to pass on it before. It’s a win-win for both of us because he really loves the taste and I really love what’s not included.

I’ve allowed him to replace his regular lunch yogurt with the new Yoplait Trix and he’s also taken to it as an afternoon snack. This new recipe has really solved a problem for us. He gets to enjoy a product he’s wanted for a long time and I have the satisfaction of knowing it’s a snack that’s reasonably healthy for him.

The new recipe is a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D and available in 4-cup packs and five flavors: Strawberry Punch, Strawberry Banana Bash, Raspberry Rainbow, Triple Cherry, and Cotton Candy. I’d love to give you the chance to try it for free while you also enjoy this neat prize pack:

(1) VIP coupon for a free 4-pack of Yoplait Trix yogurt for kids
Insulated lunch tote
Ice pack
Backpack
Folder
Zippered pencil pouch
Pencils, erasers, and pencil sharpener

To win, follow the directions in the Rafflecopter form below and don’t forget to pop over and enter to win a chance to try Yoplait’s new lactose-free yogurt as well. The contest is open to U.S. residents only and I’ll choose a winner on March 10th at 11:59 p.m.

You can also earn reward points by using the Google +1, Tweet and Like buttons above this post!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received a sample product to review but was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

ToiletTree Fogless Shower Mirror

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:42:00 +0000

Here’s another fun review, especially if you’ve been looking for a little help in the shower. I’ve been using the deluxe Fogless Shower Mirror from ToiletTree Products, and I have found it to be completely helpful for making my shower time a little more productive.

If your guy likes to shave in the shower, he’ll be excited about this too. When you follow the directions, it is an absolutely fogless mirror and it will definitely help him get the job done. I’ve found it helpful for washing my hair and making sure I get all of the shampoo and conditioner out. It also makes it possible for me to apply my clay mask and do all of my facial grooming in the comfort of a warm, cozy shower, which happens to be one of my favorite place to get away! (If you’re a mom, you totally understand that).

Here are the specs:

This "Deluxe Version" of the mirror is 20% larger than the Original Fogless Shower Mirror.
The mirror is bordered by LED lights with 2 settings.
The mirror attaches to the wall with removable, soft silicone adhesive that will not damage tiles or shower walls.
The mirror detaches from the wall bracket so you can easily fill the reservoir before each use.
A cute little squeegee is included for quick clean-up.
It adjusts up and down/side to side.
It’s shatter proof.
There’s a small storage shelf.

Overall, I was very pleased with the mirror. Our shower stall is pretty dark, so the lights on the mirror made a huge difference. My 6 year old saw it for the first time and said, “There’s a TV in the shower!” No, son, no TV, just a little help to make sure mom gets all the shampoo out of her hair! While it’s super convenient, I am a little worried about removing it. I’ve had so many products promise removable adhesive, but I can’t tell you the nightmares I’ve had with that. I’ll update you on those results when the time comes. For now, on to my rating…

I’ve given it 4 1/2 mamas.

[1] I really like it. In fact, I’m only reserving that other half for when I need to remove it in a few months. [2] It’s kid and husband approved. It helps that he can adjust it to his height. [3] It works just as described. [4] The price is reasonable. You can purchase it for $29.95 on amazon.com. [5] It’s not a super unique product, but as far as shower mirrors go, it’s pretty cool.

Have it? I’d love to hear about it. If you want to know more, visit ToiletTree products on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Trial Zone is my place to tell you about the new and unique products I'm reviewing. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Join Me at (in)Real Life!

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:17:00 +0000

April 27th and 28th, I’ll be relaxing in my virtual beach house enjoying the (in)Real Life un-conference, hosted by (in)courage. (in)courage is one of the places online that I consistently find biblical inspiration to keep this mama going. I’m thrilled that they are making it possible for women to connect in real life without the encumbrances of travel costs or hotel accommodations.

Now, what does that look like?

Instead of a huge conference in one place, (in)courage is encouraging attendees to plan local meet-ups all around the country. Attendees will connect and watch the live (in)RL webcast from the comfort of their communities. They’ll be great content, fabulous giveaways and the chance to build relationships with women who live in your area.

I’ll be hosting a local meet up right here in Cary, so if you’re in the area, I’d love to see you face to face. After you register, look for a meet up in your area, and if you can’t find one, I’m totally pressuring you to host one yourself! Registration is just $10 and everyone who registers receives a cool t-shirt. You can find out all the details I missed on the FAQ page and if you’re planning to attend, leave a comment and let me know!

Getting Readers to Trust You

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

What does any blogger want more than a loyal following? I have yet to meet one serious blogger who isn’t looking for readers, although I’ve met many who have no idea how to acquire them or to care for them once they’ve arrived. In my limited blogging experience, I’ve discovered that it’s not the cunning, creative bloggers who gain and keep loyal readers; It’s those who prove themselves genuine and reliable. Each new visitor to your blog needs to establish whether or not they can trust you. Those who do will likely stay a while and then return. Those who don’t will take their loyalties and move on.

So what’s a blogger to do? Consider why you’re loyal to the media outlets you frequent. Haven’t they, on some level, proven to you that their content is reliable, their intentions are genuine and your “eyes” matter? Keep that in mind when you prepare content for your readers, and be sure you’re treating them with the same respect you expect from the media you enjoy.

Beyond that, I’d suggest being yourself, showing your human-ness and consistently offering quality content that benefits your readers. You also want to stay committed to your blog’s mission and authentic in your approach. When your readers trust you, they’ll support and share. When they support and share, their friends follow along. Do the hard work necessary to gain their trust and keep doing that work so you can keep it!

Saturdays are all about Blog Boosts around here. Have a blogging question? Leave a comment!

Monetize Your Blog!

Four Ways to Keep Your Credit Score on Track

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:14:00 +0000

You already know your credit score is extremely important, but you may not know exactly how to maintain and monitor it. Here are five tips to keep you on track. They're fairly easy to accomplish and will bring you favorable results.

Pay your bills on time, all the time--every time.
Watch your credit card balances and use as little of your available credit as possible.
Avoid credit card debt, only charge what you can comfortably afford to pay off at the end of each month.
Maintain a good mix of credit, including credit cards, auto loans, mortgage, etc., and manage them wisely.
Keep tabs on your credit.

If you need a little help with #5, you might want to try Credit Sesame. It's a personal finance credit and debt management tool that gives an instant view of your credit (including your Experian credit score) for free.

Take the stress out of managing your personal credit and find ways to lower your interest rates and save on your mortgage, loans and credit card payments. You'll also find debt analysis and personalized offers tailored to your credit needs and you do not need a credit card to use the service and there is no trial period.

Give it a try and let me know what you think. Know of other ways to keep your credit score on track? Leave a comment and share them with us.

You can earn reward points by using the Google +1, Tweet and Like buttons above this post!!

I'm an affiliate and I appreciate you using my links. I only recommend things I would or have used. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Savings Zone is where you'll find ideas on how to save, earn and manage your money. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Turn Your Photos into Canvas For Less

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:47:00 +0000

Enjoy these three great deals on a photo canvas from Canvas People...

You can earn reward points by using the Google +1, Tweet and Like buttons above this post!!

I'm an affiliate and I appreciate you using my links. I only recommend things I would or have used myself. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Bargain Zone is where you'll find great deals on useful products. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Yoplait for the Lactose Intolerant (WIN)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:19:00 +0000

Yoplait has a new yogurt especially for those of you who are lactose intolerant (or take care of someone who is). The new Yoplait® Lactose Free yogurt gives you the opportunity to finally say “yes” to a little dairy, without the uncomfortable side effects you’ve tried to avoid.

According to the National Institute of Health, avoiding dairy can create higher risk for osteoporosis and results in lower intakes of calcium and vitamin D, both of which are important nutrients for strong bones. Yoplait® Lactose Free helps you out with 50% of the recommended Daily Value of calcium and also contains vitamins A and D.

It’s available in four flavors—Strawberry, Peach, French Vanilla and Cherry. It contains no artificial sweeteners and can be used in several recipes, including chocolate crème brulee and strawberry cheesecake. I haven’t been able to track it down in my local grocery stores, but I want to give you an opportunity to try it. You can enter to win a free prize pack below and save $.30 with this coupon.

The Yoplait Lactose Free Prize Pack includes:

A VIP coupon to purchase Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt
Lunch tote
2 Gel packs
Individual bowl
Spoon

Enter to win using the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will end March 9th at 11:59. Find out more about Yoplait Lactose Free on their website, on facebook and on twitter.

You can also earn reward points by using the Google +1, Tweet and Like buttons above this post!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a sample product to review but was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Friends-Day Wednesday 2/22

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to Friends-day. Let's have some fun.

The goal of this hop is to give you a quick glimpse into some other great blogs and to give you an opportunity to share a glimpse of yours. Feel free to grab the button and blog hop code to add it to your site as well! Here's how it works:

It's not mandatory, but I'd love to have you follow me at The MamaZone, If Mama Ain't or at Daily Fast Fuel. If you follow me and leave a comment, I'll definitely follow you too!
Add your blog name and a short description. For example, "The MamaZone: great t.i.d.bi.t.s. for mamas!" Feel free to link directly to your blog, or to your favorite post.
FOLLOW AT LEAST ONE PERSON and as many other blogs as you'd like to have follow back. This is what makes FriendsDay work, so if you're not willing to follow, please don't link up.
Remember to leave a comment on the blogs you follow to let them know you found them here at The MamaZone, and if someone follows you, be sure to follow back.
(Optional) Take the WednesDay is FriendsDay button, and if you want to put the blog hop on your blog, click the "get the code here" link under the blog listings. Feel free to tailor your post to your blog rather than copying mine verbatim.
Tweet, blog and yell at your friends about this so it can grow more and more each week.

I'll repost every week, so be sure to return and link up with some new folks and if you're not listed on my Mama'z Friends page, make sure you add yourself now. Enjoy...

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE A QUICK DESCRIPTION OF YOUR BLOG

Fisher Price Printable Coupons

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:48:00 +0000

I'm an affiliate and appreciate you using my links. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Bargain Zone is where you'll find great deals on useful products. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Lose Weight With Breathslim

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:08:00 +0000

My weight is a challenge.

There, I said it.

I’ve tried this, that and the other thing to lose weight, but at the end of the day, I remain my biggest obstacle. I’ve encountered some great tools for losing weight, only to fizzle out way too soon. I’m thoroughly consistent at being inconsistent, and in the end, I end up putting things on the shelf before I see real results.

Enter Breathslim.

Have you heard of it? It’s a device that trains you to breathe correctly, in order to create more oxygen in your blood. The underlying principle is that oxygen helps to burn your excess fat. The better you breathe, the more oxygen you create, the more fat you can burn.

Many authors write about importance of deep breathing for wellbeing and weight loss, the idea is not new and is well proved already. The breathing exercises based on Breathslim Technology result in greater volume of the lungs and better delivery of oxygen into the blood. It is well known that the bigger the lungs are the more oxygen is breathed in. This enables a more efficient supply to the tissues and organs with the oxygen they need. Of course, this additional portion of oxygen is required for total oxidation of excess fat.

Breathslim was created to help you fully utilize the power of oxygen and learn to breathe efficiently to experience these benefits:

Weight loss
A boost in your metabolism
Increased energy
Increased sex drive
Decreased sleeping problems
Normalized digestive system processes
Better abdominal muscle tone

I was definitely skeptical at the start, but also oddly optimistic at the same time. I totally believe in the power of oxygen and I was eager to give it a try. It took a few days to get used to using the device, but the DVD was helpful, and I eventually got the hang of it. My challenge, as usual, was sticking with it consistently. I’d read that three weeks of regular use would lead to results, but I kept missing days and never made it that far.

Sigh.

I’m not giving up on it (or myself) though, because after just a few days, I noticed a marked difference in how I felt. My head was less “cloudy” and I felt much more energetic throughout the day. It was enough to convince me that this product may actually be an answer. The best time to use it is in the evening before bed, and for some reason, that was so hard to do. It’s good to know that it can also be used earlier in the day as long as it’s done on an empty stomach.

One of the hi-lights of the product is the accompanying Weight Loss Tracker site. There, you can track your start and end points, and use the handy timer to complete your breathing exercises. The timer program is essential to learning how to use the device. I started the exercises without it and it was very difficult to keep track of the time on a clock or regular timer.

Since I haven’t managed to give it the solid three weeks it deserves, I’m holding off on giving it a rating. I will tell you that I’m still optimistic about it and there are some very convincing testimonials on the site. Have questions? Visit the FAQ and watch the video below. I’ll keep you posted on my progress. If you want to try it for yourself, you can pick it up for $49.95 on the Breathslim site.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Trial Zone is my place to tell you about the new and unique products I'm reviewing. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Swagbucks Is Having a Party and You’re Invited

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:09:00 +0000

I just RSVPd for Swagbucks’ 4th birthday party and I’m inviting you to join me. 4 party goers will win $1,000, and I’m hoping one of us will be the lucky recipient!

New to Swagbucks? It’s a site that rewards you for searching the web, playing games, taking surveys and more. You can redeem your swagbucks for prizes and earning them is pretty easy.

Now, back to the party…

The celebration starts February 27th, but you’ll wanna RSVP now to be entered to win the cash. Visit again on the 27th to earn swagbucks for our group because the party that earns the most will be awarded a 10 Swag Bucks bonus for each of its participating partygoers. If we hit special goals as a group throughout the day, we'll reveal the image of our party piece by piece. Groups who reveal the whole picture before the 28th will have their team's bonus DOUBLED! Additionally, the top earner at each bash will get a bonus of 400 Swag Bucks, which also gets doubled if the image gets uncovered.

RSVP now, and if you’re a new user, use the Swagbucks code: BIRTHDAYBASH12 during the sign up process, and you’ll receive an additional 110 Swag Bucks for a total of 140 to start with. Write yourself a little note and remember to join me at the party on the 27th. I’m sure it will be big fun! See you then…

Support Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds: Great Needs Initiative

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:36:00 +0000

I am a Tyler Perry fan. I enjoy his movies, but I really follow and support his work because of his inspiring in-real-life story and his real and demonstrated concern for others. It should be no surprise that I’m excited to share his Good Deeds: Great Needs initiative to support Covenant House, a non-profit organization that provides for homeless youth. It’s launching in conjunction with Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds, which opens in theaters on February 24th.

Here are the details:

Through GiftCardGiver.com, Good Deeds:Great Needs will be collecting unused gift cards and donating them all to Covenant House. In addition, Lionsgate will be making a financial donation to Covenant House for every share of the GOOD DEEDS trailer (so make sure to watch and share the video when you’re done here). If you have gift cards lying around, gather them up and visit Good Deeds: Great Needs for donating instructions. You’ll find everything you need to participate in this campaign, including the opportunity to share it with your friends.

Don’t forget, Good Deeds opens everywhere on February 24th. The film stars Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, Brian White, Rebecca Romijn, Jamie Kennedy, Eddie Cibrian, Jordenn Thompson, and Beverly Johnson with Phylicia Rashad and Gabrielle Union. I’ll definitely be there on opening night to see Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry) perform the one good deed that “may finally spark his courage to exchange the life that’s expected of him for the life he’s always really wanted.” I hope you’ll join me in supporting the movie and the initiative. Now, go out and do a good deed (or two) today…

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Insight Zone where you'll find insight and inspiration to keep you going. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

BeeSavy Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day Winner Announced!

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:39:00 +0000

Congratulations to Cathy from Surrey, British Columbia! She was the winner of the Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet in our Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day Giveaway. We will be announcing our next giveaway very soon right here so please check back often!

If you’re not using BeeSavy yet for all of your online shopping, you’re missing out on valuable cash back. Even better, BeeSavy is the only cash back site that lets you actually earn money every time your friends shop online! Start earning money today by signing up at BeeSavy.com.

Skin Care for People of Color

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:50:00 +0000

I made a great new discovery this weekend that should prove helpful to other mamas of color who, like me, often struggle to find great skin care products. Makari De Suisse is a line of skin care products especially suited for our skin. There are great products for women, men and children, and I feel like I’ve stumbled on a well-hidden treasure that just might become a staple in our home.

I’ve started with their Night Lightening Cream. It’s just one in a series of lightening products they manufacture. Here’s why it caught my eye:

Rediscover the power of “beauty sleep" and wake up to younger-looking, blemish free, more even skin after just one application of this intensively nourishing and hydrating essential. This Night Cream was formulated to help balance the skin’s moisture level while erasing discolorations, dark spots, and blemishes. This cream helps soothe the skin while regulating sebum production.

I’ve only used it twice, but I think I’m seeing some changes. It’s enough to convince me to keep using it and to keep me optimistic about my results. (See how much I love you? I’ve posted my bare skin for all the world to see!). The only challenge is that it retails for just under $50. I would not normally spend that much on skin care, but if it works it’s, definitely worth it. I managed to save a bit by picking it up on Amazon.com and earning a little cash back from Shop Squad. So far, it seems it was money well spent.

Other goodies in the Makari line include caviar infused creams, hair care and skin care for the little ones. Their products are made from natural plant extracts and contain no bleach, no chemicals and no hydroquinone. You know how much I love all-natural products, so I’m excited that Makari’s line was created to “naturally heal and clear the skin.” I did, however, notice paraben as one of the ingredients in the product I used and that definitely means I’ll be cautious about long term use.

You can purchase Makari products from their website as well as Amazon.com. Remember to check for coupons and discounts before you shop if the prices are a concern. Find out more about my online shopping experience for the Night Lightening Cream when you visit my Google+ photo story, and check this post again soon for an update on my results!

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Earning Money From Your Excess Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:50:00 +0000

I'm willing to bet you have a ton of cash just sitting around your home.

Before you say I'm crazy, take a moment to look around your garage, closets and cabinets. You'll be surprised about the things you find that you haven't used in years. Start looking at those unused things as dollars that could be in your pocket, and you'll realize that although I am crazy, I'm dead-on about this.

You may not strike it rich, but this might be a way for you to put a dent into your debt, purchase something you've needed or simply sock away some savings. So gather it all up and decide if you'll have a garage sale, sell things on Ebay or list them on Craig's list. Any of those options could lead to a viable pay day, and you might also have some luck by just mentioning your stuff to your friends on Facebook.

However you choose to get rid of it, keep in mind that it might not be as valuable to you as it is to others. Don't price it based on what you paid for it and don't be so greedy that you miss an opportunity to sell. In the end, you'll feel better because you've earned a bit and managed to get rid of some of your excess. Fight the temptation to replace it all and be wise with the extra money.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Savings Zone is where you'll find ideas on how to save, earn and manage your money. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Bargains from Glade, Nature Made & More

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +0000

Here are some great printable coupons to help you save on Glade, Hormel, Nature Made and cereal this week. Enjoy...

Glade Coupons

$1.00 off any Glade Scented Oil Candle holder
$1.50 off TWO Glade Scented Oil Candle refills
$1.50 off on any TWO Glade 4-oz. Jar Candles

Cereal Coupons
$1.00 off 1 Honey Bunches of Oats cereal
$1.00 off one Pebbles Giant Size cereal
$0.75 off Dulce de Leche Cheerios cereal

Hormel Coupons
$1.00 off 1 HORMEL Refrigerated Entree
$0.55 off 2 HORMEL Chili products
$1.00 off HORMEL™ COUNTRY CROCK side
$1.00 off HORMEL ALWAYS TENDER meat
$1.00 off 2 HORMEL COMPLEATS kids meals
$1.00 off HORMEL COMPLEATS microwave meals
$0.55 off two HORMEL Pepperoni packages

Nature Made Coupons
$1.00 off Any Nature Made Vitamin B
$1.00 off Any Nature Made Vitamin D
$2.00 off Any Nature Made Fish Oil
$1.00 off Any ONE Nature Made Product

This post contains affiliate links and as always, I appreciate you using my links! My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Trial Zone is my place to tell you about the new and unique products I'm reviewing. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Bargain Zone is where you'll find great deals on useful products. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Idea Zone is where you'll find clever ideas to enrich your life and make things a little easier. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Tip Zone is where you'll find insider tips on where you can win and save big. Look for promo codes and links to great contests. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Savings Zone is where you'll find ideas on how to save, earn and manage your money. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Insight Zone where you'll find insight and inspiration to keep you going. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Let Me Reward You!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Have you noticed the new widget in my sidebar? It’s a great points system that allows me to reward you for visiting and interacting on my blog. Earn great prizes like gift cards to Barnes and Noble, Groupon and more for simply visiting, tweeting, liking and clicking the +1 button.

It’s one way I can say thanks for reading and sharing my content with your friends. Visit and earn points daily on my site and any other site that has the PunchTab rewards system installed. It shouldn’t take long for you to earn those great rewards, and when you do, I definitely want to hear about it.

Thanks so much for hanging out with me at The MamaZone. I hope you’ll enjoy this new feature!

Reward Your Readers

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:48:00 +0000

If you’ve visited much in the last few weeks, you probably noticed the “Rewards by The MamaZone” widget in my sidebar. it’s a new feature I’ve been testing out in an effort to reward my readers, and so far, I’m really enjoying it.

It’s powered by PunchTab, a “loyalty platform,” which rewards readers for visiting, tweeting, liking and plus one-ing your content. I love it because once you sign up for an account, using Facebook connect, you earn points for visiting any site that has PunchTab installed, including the PunchTab site and your own.

The points can be exchanged for rewards, which currently include a $5 AMC gift card (8,500 points), a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card (15,000 points), a $15 Groupon gift card (20,000 points) and a $25 Restaurant.com gift card (30,000 points). PunchTab provides the rewards at no cost to you, but you can also set up and provide your own rewards. The rewards change periodically but seem to always include gift cards your readers will actually want. There is also an "Achievements” component that rewards readers with some neat badges.

All in all, I’m pleased. It has been glitchy on occasion, but seems to always keep an accurate count of the points I’ve accumulated. I’ve chosen to include the widget in my sidebar, but that’s an option you don’t have to add. It appears to me that my readers are enjoying this little incentive for engaging my content. Using it? I’d love to know what you think…

Saturdays are all about Blog Boosts around here. Have a blogging question? Leave a comment!

Monetize Your Blog!

Your Favorite "Grammy" Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:17:00 +0000

Grammy 2012

2012 GRAMMY Nominees CD

Keep your favorite "Grammy" music playing with this cd, which features 22 songs from the nominees. Click the image to discover and enjoy a little Grammy fun. #Ad

Friends-Day Wednesday 2/15

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:50:00 +0000

Welcome back to Friends-day. I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

It's not mandatory, but I'd love to have you follow me at The MamaZone, If Mama Ain't or at Daily Fast Fuel. If you follow me and leave a comment, I'll definitely follow you too!
Add your blog name and a short description. For example, "The MamaZone: great t.i.d.bi.t.s. for mamas!" Feel free to link directly to your blog, or to your favorite post.
FOLLOW AT LEAST ONE PERSON and as many other blogs as you'd like to have follow back. This is what makes FriendsDay work, so if you're not willing to follow, please don't link up.
Remember to leave a comment on the blogs you follow to let them know you found them here at The MamaZone, and if someone follows you, be sure to follow back.
(Optional) Take the WednesDay is FriendsDay button, and if you want to put the blog hop on your blog, click the "get the code here" link under the blog listings. Feel free to tailor your post to your blog rather than copying mine verbatim.
Tweet, blog and yell at your friends about this so it can grow more and more each week.

I'll repost every week, so be sure to return and link up with some new folks and if you're not listed on my Mama'z Friends page, make sure you add yourself now. Enjoy...

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE A QUICK DESCRIPTION OF YOUR BLOG

Digital Valentine's Day Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:02:00 +0000

If you didn't make it to the card store for Valentine's Day, it's not too late. Send a digital card now, for FREE and still earn brownie points for showing that you care.

I use Punchbowl regularly for sending digital cards for all sorts of occasions. One of the other hats I wear is admin for our church choir. Punchbowl is my go-to tool for sending every member a card for birthdays and anniversaries, and it's so convenient because I'm able to schedule the cards in advance and walk away.

There are some other great services available for a fee, including additional customization and getting rid of ads. You can't go wrong either way and you can also find everything you need for planning parties and events.

Have you tried it? Let me know what you think. And if you need that Valentine's Day card, get over there NOW. Happy Valentine's Day. Enjoy it...

I appreciate you shopping through my affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Idea Zone is where you'll find clever ideas to enrich your life and make things a little easier. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

No Cost Tax Filing at H&R Block

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:54:00 +0000

Here's another option for filing your taxes online. Visit H&R Block online and complete your federal tax return for free. (FYI, state returns are an additional fee.)

I appreciate you using my affiliate links! My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Savings Zone is where you'll find ideas on how to save, earn and manage your money. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

The Nokia Lumia 710: Making Mama’s Life Easier (WIN)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:46:00 +0000

My only goal in life is to make your life a little easier.

Well, that may not be my ONLY goal, but when it comes to my life here at The MamaZone, it’s my primary concern. It’s the reason I search for unique products and opportunities and I get so excited when I find things I believe will enrich your life. Here I am with another one and a chance for you to win and you’re gonna love it!

The Nokia Lumia 710 is the first Windows Phone from Nokia. It’s a snazzy, yet inexpensive smartphone, which can help you manage your schedule, stay on top of your social networking and have a little fun online. I’m sacrificing in a huge way for you here, as I give my iPhone a rest to put the Nokia Lumia to the test (nope, didn’t mean for that to rhyme!). Here’s my list of the top 10 features that caught my eye:

At $49.99, it’s extremely affordable. If price has prevented you from owning a smart phone, this might be your shot.
It has a 5-megapixel camera with several shooting modes and image effects.
It’s available in black or white, but instead of going out and purchasing a case, you can customize your phone with one of the available colored backs. (Love it!)
The screen is a 3.7-inch ClearBlack WVGA scratch-resistant (a.k.a. kid-resistant) display.
It’s light weight, at 4.43 oz. (lighter than my iPhone).
Nokia has a new program called SmartStart, which gives users a one on one setup tutorial. This is great for you tech-shy mamas!
The People Hub gives you easy access to the people in your life via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Hotmail and Gmail.
Use voice activated search on Bing to quickly find what you’re looking for.
It comes equipped with Microsoft Office Mobile, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and One Note.
It includes turn by turn navigation with Nokia Drive.

And, here are my thoughts:

There are a number of neat conveniences on this phone. Having Microsoft Office Mobile and access to your documents anywhere is a HUGE (and very convenient) plus. It’s very easy to access and update your calendar using “Agenda” or “Daily” view. If you’re running late, you can open the appointment, tap “Late” and send an email letting attendees know.

Other conveniences include syncing your contacts, email, calendars, pictures and videos between your computer and phone. You can also use “Speech” to make calls, text and give commands. Access emails, play games and get all the apps your little heart desires. You’ll find all the things you’d expect in a smart phone, wrapped in this cute little package.

There are also lots of features that won’t matter much unless you’re a social networking fan. For instance, your Facebook events show up on your home screen and in your calendar--a great tool if you use Facebook a lot, not so much if you don’t. You also have to set up a Windows Live ID to utilize the phone, if you don’t already have one. And, while I like that the People Hub helps you stay updated on all the people in your life, there are so many people I follow on Facebook that I don’t necessarily need listed in my contacts.

Okay, enough.

If you’re looking for an affordable smartphone, the Nokia Lumia 710 gets my recommendation. You’ll need to spend some time walking through the set-up instructions, but the phone is very easy to customize. You’ll probably find quite a few pre-loaded items you won’t want, but uninstalling them is not difficult at all. I’ve given it 5 mamas.

Wanna win it? Send me a tweet telling me why/how the Nokia Lumia 710 could simplify your life. Don’t have a Twitter account? You can leave a comment (but if you’re gonna win this phone, you might as well sign up for twitter now!). Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter, but be sure you complete the tweet by filling in the blank or your entry won’t count. The contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 p.m. on March 3rd.

Please note, the phone is only available on T-Mobile!

*If you have to leave a comment instead of a tweet, click “Do It” and just type, “I commented” in the box.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a Nokia Lumia 710 to facilitate this review, but I was not compensated in any other ways. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy

You’ve Been Sentenced to Family Fun (WIN)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:09:00 +0000

Well mamas, I’ve dusted off the “Mama’s Faves” button and carved out a spot for it at the bottom of this post. We’ve added another unique product to our list of family favorites, and I am certain your family will be jumping on the bandwagon too! This time, we’ve discovered a game that has turned our family game night on it's head. Get ready to hear about our fun and to enjoy a chance to bring that same fun to your house!

(Cue the drumroll and spotlight…)

You’ve been Sentenced is an absolutely unique game. On the surface, it might appear to be another run-of-the-mill educational game, but inside that shiny red pentagon, you’ll find a box-load of sentence building fun. The goals are simple: create sentences and justify the most ridiculous ones to the other players. Reach 200 points and you win. We had an unbelievable time getting familiar with game and we were not only building sentences as we played together, we were building our little family.

Here are the basics:

The game is for 3-10 players, ages 8 and up.
There are 540 cards with over 2,500 words to create TONS of sentences, making every game fresh and preventing repetition.
Players begin with 10 cards and use as many words as possible to create justifiable sentences.
If players object to a sentence, they become the jury and vote on whether the sentence should be scored.

Here’s what we enjoyed:

The rules are easy. Although my son is six, he was able to play with a little support.
Scoring is easy, thanks to the score sheets included in the box (and on the site as a pdf).
Laughter is guaranteed. I’ve never seen my kids work so hard to put words together and it was hilarious watching them try!
The game is expandable—there are 6 add-on card decks available.
The game is easily extended with the list of other methods of play available on the website.
The game can be used in classrooms to teach grammar and sentence structure and there is even a lesson plan on their site.

My only suggestion is that they create an add-on deck with sight words for younger kids. This would expand the age range of the game and give the little guys a chance to play and practice key words while they're playing.

Of course, we’ve given it 5 mamas: [1] I love it. [2] It’s kid approved. [3] It works just as described. [4] At $24.95, it’s reasonably priced. [5] It is a very unique game that balances fun and education quite well.

Win it!

I’m so thrilled to offer you the chance to win a You’ve been Sentenced prize pack, which includes the game, plus copies of the six, themed add-on decks (Brain Buster, Sports Highlights, Pop Culture, NASA Space Terminology, Sci-fi/Fantasy and Gourmet Cuisine). The prize value is $75 and entering is easy (just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below). If you don't want to wait until the contest is over, you can grab the game at Amazon.com where it's on sale for $20.59!! Have fun entering, and I especially hope you'll like their page on Facebook. All the best...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a sample product to review but was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

Crayola Washable Crayons

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:30:00 +0000

I just discovered new Crayola Washable Crayons on Calyp today (another app I use for recommending products and finding new recommendations). I'm totally wondering where these were when my son was small enough to write on the walls, and a bit envious that those of you with small kids get to enjoy this luxury!

The 16-pack pictured is large enough for little hands and only $5.27 at Amazon.com. I'm tempted to grab a set just to enjoy the pleasure of washing the crayon marks off the wall! I'll depend on you to tell me all about it, instead, so if you decide to test them out, come back and let me know what you think!

This post contains affiliate links, and as always, I appreciate you shopping through my links. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.