Operation Thin Mint®

“A taste of home and a note to show we care” for military troops

Since 2002, San Diego Girl Scout troops and their cookie customers have sent more than 1.6 million boxes of America’s favorite cookies and countless notes of support to deployed troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, Japan, Korea, and the Persian Gulf, Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Every dollar donated purchases cookies, since American President Lines (APL) generously provides free shipping.

Operation Thin Mint purchases are tax deductible donations.

Celebrating 100 Years of Girl Scouting.

*This is Yaya’s 1st year being able to sell Girl Scout Cookies as a Girl Scout Daisy. She is so excited and having so much fun.

For those of you who would like to support Operation Thin Mint, here is how you can.

How to get involved: Simply donate $4 to Operation Thin Mint by clicking the “Donate” button below. American President Lines will ship the cookies to the US troops for free.

In the message area, please include your address and I will mail you a receipt for your taxes. Please feel free to email me with any questions.

Disclosure: I was not compensated. For more information, visit http://www.sdgirlscouts.org/otm

Don’t let this cold/flu season keep you (or your family) in the house, miserable, suffering, or miss out on work or school.

For temporary relief of flu-like symptoms such as headaches, body aches, chills, fever, and fatigue there is Oscillococcinum.

Oscillococcinum Features/Benefits:

• Safe for people ages 2+
• No water needed and no chewing with these sweet tasting melt away tablets.
• No side effects such as drowsiness.
• No risks such as overdoes or drug interactions.
• Clinical studies have shown that Oscillococcinum helps reduce the severity of the flu symptoms and reduce the duration of the symptoms.
• *Works best when taken at the first sign of flu-like symptoms.
• Active Ingredients: Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum 200CK HPUS. Inactive ingredients are lactose and sucrose.

My thoughts:

What a great idea. The only thing worse then the symptoms of the flu is watching your children suffer from the symptoms of the flu. I can’t stand feeling helpless while waiting for the flu to run it’s course. Since there is no magic pill to immediately end the flu, it is nice to have Oscillococcinum to reduce the side effects and severity.

I like the taste, how easy they are to take, that all three of my kids are able to take it, the relief it provides (I haven’t had the flu yet thank goodness), the security I feel having it on hand at my house, and that there are no side effects or risks.

We have been very fortunate not to have had the flu this season (I feel very lucky, because everyone got it last year). I do like having Oscillococcinum at home ready in the event my family comes in contact with the flu. Any type of relief from the flu is very much appreciated and sought out.

Be prepared with Oscillococcinum.

Available at Walgreens, CVS, on oscillo.com,  and other local retailers.

For more information visit, oscillo.com

Stay connected with Oscillo on facebook and twitter.

Disclaimer: I received a product to review. I was not compensated. All thoughts are my own.

My kids LOVE fruit snacks. The problem is they are picky about which fruit snacks they will eat. We found one brand they like, but my son takes out two of the flavors he doesn’t like and will eat the rest. YAY  I was so excited to find a delicious fruit snack that my kids and I LOVE.

Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks:

• Available in 2 flavors: Berries and Cherries and Assorted Fruit (strawberry, grape, cherry, mixed berry).

• Made with real fruit juice and natural colors (from natural sources) and flavors.

• 80 calories, gluten free and contain 100% of the Daily Value of Vitamin C.
• Available with year round Double Box Tops.
• 10 .8 oz pouches

 Why my kids and I like Ocean Spray Fruit snacks:

• Great flavors.
• Soft and chewy small snack bites.
• My favorite is the Berries and Cherries, but both flavors are delicious.
• Each pouch offers a lot of flavor and a perfect serving amount.
• I like that I like the way they taste and so do my kids.
• Great for on the go and for school lunches. I also like to snack on them when I have a sweet tooth.
• I like there are 10 pouches in each box.

Overall great snacks that I look forward to keeping stocked at my house.

For more information visit, Ocean Spray’s Website: http://bit.ly/OceanSprayFS

Stay connected with Ocean Spray

Ocean Spray’s Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/OceanSprayFBFS

Ocean Spray Giveaway

4 Lucky winners will receive 6 boxes (3 of each variety) of Ocean Spray^® Fruit Flavored Snacks.

Open US

Ends 2.4

How to enter

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Ocean Spray^® Fruit Flavored Snacks, information, and giveaway have been provided by Ocean Spray^® through MyBlogSpark. I was not compensated. All thoughts are my own.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is now in theaters and in IMAX.

All you movie thrill seekers out there. Take your movie experience to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL by watching in IMAX. I am not sure if it is the HUGE screen that fills your whole field of vision, the amazing clarity of the surround sound that you feel in your chest, or the exhilarating and added intensity of action in larger than life view. IMAX enhances every image, sound and dimension making each movie the ULTIMATE movie experience. After the movie is over, you are left thinking “How in the world did they do that” and “WOW what an amazing experience”.

Mission: Impossible Join Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team of rogue IMF agents, in this mind-blowing adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Seeing it in IMAX intensifies each action seen and keeps you highly engaged.

Tom Cruise does a great job (as always) of bringing Ethan Hunt to life and keeping us entertained. He has you rooting for his small and entertaining team. There is always something going on and the movie give you no down time. I highly recommend getting snacks and using restroom before watching, because each minute you miss, is a lot of action and keys to the movie.

Starting December 16th, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol played in over 300 IMAX theaters in North America, a full five days earlier than its traditional release.

• There are 30-minutes of scenes shot with IMAX cameras, fans will be able to enjoy certain sequences of the movie in larger than life, full-screen proportions.

• As an added bonus, IMAX will offer the first previews of the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, prior to Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.

Your mission, should you choose to take it, is to see Mission: Impossible in IMAX. Don’t let the opportunity to see this intense action packed movie in IMAX pass.

For more information on where to find an IMAX closest to you visit,

• IMAX Website http://bit.ly/IMAXmi

Stay connected with IMAX

• IMAX Facebook http://on.fb.me/IMAXfb

Disclaimer: The tickets and information have all been provided by IMAX through MyBlogSpark. I was not compensated. All thoughts are my own.

After having my son spend a great amount of time in the hospital, doctor’s offices, and in specialist’s offices the first year of his life, I realized how UNAWARE and educated I was on so many health issues that our children can be exposed to. After learning the hard way, I look back and realize I wish I would have been more educated. It is better to be prepared and educated, then to wish you would have.

That is why I wanted to share with you important information about Infant Meningitis. Your child may not have it or ever get it, but it is better to be aware so you can help educate yourself and others.

What is it:

Meningococcal disease, also called meningitis, is a sudden and very aggressive illness that can kill a previously healthy child within 24-48 hours of the first symptoms, which typically start out as non-specific and mimic symptoms of the flu. Infants younger than one year old are at a disproportionately higher risk for contracting meningococcal meningitis due to their less sophisticated immune systems. While vaccines exist to protect against this deadly disease, they are not currently universally recommended for infants. One out of 16 infants who contract the disease meningitis will not survive.  Among survivors, one in five will suffer seizures, blindness, amputation, paralysis or learning disabilities.  Successful vaccination programs have eliminated small pox globally, and cases of polio, measles, diphtheria and Hib are at all time lows.  The eradication of meningococcal meningitis is an achievable, pressing public health objective and vaccinating infants is an important step in that direction.

How to Help, Sign the Petition:

Meningitis Angels, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about meningitis and other vaccine-preventable diseases, is working to fight against meningococcal disease. One step in this fight is “Protect Infants Now” (PIN), a campaign aimed at encouraging the government to recommend the current meningococcal meningitis vaccines be given to infants. Through the online PIN petition, Meningitis Angels wants to encourage the CDC to include meningitis vaccines in the recommended vaccination schedule for infants.

 Educate yourself, while protecting your babies and helping others be aware.

Disclaimer:I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central and Meningitis Angels. This campaign was made possible in part through support provided by Novartis Vaccines. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name from Mom Central as a thank-you for participating. All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

For all the Garfield lovers out there comes a fun new DVD called Garfield Dinosaurs & Other Animal Adventures Show.

I remember watching Garfield movies with my oldest daughter when she was younger. She wasn’t the only one who enjoyed watching Garfield’s adventures (I did too). This was the first time my two younger kids had the chance to see (or should I say fall in love with) Garfield. What a great movie/s to start them off with. Not only were they able to enjoy fun adventures of Garfield, but learn about animals and some animal history.

Garfield Dinosaurs & Other Animal Adventures Show features 6 Episodes. So just when you think the movie is over, a new one starts. When we first watched it, I thought “Oh bummer it is over, I’ll have to replay it to keep them happy”. Then I hear Yaya yell “Don’t do that mom, it isn’t over yet”. Shows how much I know.

Garfield and his animal friends go on several animal adventures that include working with animals on a farm, digging up dinosaur bones, learning the history of dogs, and more.

Episodes include:

• Down on the Farm
• The Pet Show
• Bone Diggers
• Underwater World
• Fish to Fry
• History of Dogs

It is totally cute, fun, kept my kids engaged and wanting to watch more. I caught my kids  laughing several times and when it was over they wanted to re-watch the whole DVD. Needless to say my kids really like Garfield Dinosaurs & Other Animal Adventures Show, which means I really like even more.

Retail: $14.93
Available at local DVD retailers and online at Amazon.com ($11.99)

• DVD Release Date: January 10, 2012
• Run Time: 72 minutes

Garfield Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a DVD copy

Open to US

Ends 2.4

How to enter

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received a product to review. I was not compensated. All thoughts are my own.

My husband and I enjoy finding great movies with a good story, keeps us engaged, and I really like ones based on a true story. That is exactly what this movie is and does.

Thomas Kinkade Presents

A Mile In His Shoes

from the director of Angels in the Outfield.

Featuring Dean Cain and Luke Schroder

Retail: $14.93

• Rated: PG
• Studio: Vivendi Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: January 10, 2012
• Run Time: 91 minutes

Synopsis:

Only a miracle can help baseball coach Arthur “Murph” Murphy (Dean Cain) and his losing minor league baseball team. As Murph sets out to recruit new talent, he stumbles upon Mickey (Like Schroder), a young farmer with an incredible pitcher’s arm. However, Mickey’s parents are reluctant in allowing him to join the team because he has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. Murph convinces Mickey’s parents that life in the minor league will benefit their unique son, be he doesn’t realize just how much his new recruit will help the team’s game, and more importantly, their spirit. Based on a true story, A Mile In His Shoes is an inspirational film that celebrates faith, determination and the power of friendship.

My thoughts:

I really like movies based on true stories. I feel like it gives the movie more feeling and depth, which makes them even more enjoyable.

What a great inspiring family movie. You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy. Cain (Murph) does a great job showing his compassion, great eye for talent, patience, love for the game of baseball, and makes you want to cheer for the underdog team.  Schroder (Mickey) opens your eyes to the heart and abilities of those who may have a disability. He gives inspiration, makes you smile, and shows how gifted and talented he is.

A Mile In His Shoes has a positive message, positive feeling, shows the power of friendship, keeps you engaged, starts early (where some movies take a while to get your attention), and shows how sometimes things happen for a reason.

 Great family movie that I do recommend.

 Available now at retailers where DVD’s are sold and online retailers such as Amazon.com.

Disclaimer: I received a product to facilitate my review. I was not compensated. All thoughts are my own.

LOW entry giveaways (150 or less) PLEASE link up. Let’s share, promote, and enter.

Remember to enter the Name of your site, Giveaway name, and end date.

Good luck and have a wonderful weekend.

The Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing products with a whole grain listed as the first ingredient. Now every cereal with the white check has more whole grain than any other single ingredient, with the same great taste. You will see whole grain as the first ingredient on the ingredient list, indicating that whole grain is the first and most prevalent ingredient.

According to Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of “The Doctors,” identifying whole grain products can be challenging. Shoppers can look for cues on the front of the box, but they need to read the ingredient list to know if they are getting products with whole grain as the first ingredient. Ingredient lists detail ingredients in order of prevalence, and if the words “whole” or “whole grain” are followed by a grain like wheat or oats, it means the food contains more whole grain than any other single ingredient. Here´s how to determine if your cereals have whole grain as a first ingredient:

People really want to make healthy eating decisions, but there are a lot of messages vying for their attention in the supermarket. This can be especially true when it comes to determining which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include:

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

Tune into “The Doctors” on January 13th when the experts will discuss the importance of whole grain. Plus, check out Dr. Travis Stork in this brief video on how to find whole grain.

To help make it easier to find whole grain products, General Mills developed “Fast Lane for Whole Grain,” an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check.

In connection with healthier lifestyles, a diet rich in whole grain has been linked to healthier body weights, and it may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Make a commitment to incorporate more whole grain into your family´s diets by starting their day with a bowl of cereal with the white check, including Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Honey Nut Cheerios® and Total®. For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the “Fast Lane for Whole Grain” sweepstakes visit www.WholeGrainNation.com.

You can visit http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/d537/ to download a printable coupon for $1.75 off the purchase of any (2) cereals with the white check today!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated. Information provided through my affiliation with MyBlogSpark