Breaking Disney on Ice news!

I got a ticket code for you! wohooooooo!

Use code MOM by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com to redeem your savings!
www.disneyonice.com
#FAMILY FOUR-PACK TICKET PRICE: $48 *$4 SAVINGS TICKET PRICES: $12 - $16 - $21
(Savings do not apply to Front Row and VIP seats. No double discounts. Service charges and handling fees may apply.) REGULAR TICKET PRICES: $16 - $20 - $25

how cool is that? 

Pop Chips winner!

thanks for entering my contest!  the get popped box goes to Brandy! yay! please send me your mailing information so i can get that box to you! 

thanks all for entering

I love POPCHIPS!

ok so you all know that i made some lifestyle changes right?  Well anyway i have changed what i eat and one of those things I started eating instead of greasy fried chips was Popchips!  These chips are not fried or baked at all they are so super duper yummilicious its not even funny!  So what makes these chips so special you ask?  Well here are the facts :  The chips are made with pressure and heat and pop a chip is born!  They only pop in flavor and you will not even notice its a healthy snack.  And here is some nutritional info :each single-serve bag of popchips contains just 100 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. And the popchips are made from all natural ingredients :)  how about them apples? 

plus they have all sorts of yummy flavors :
original potato
After one delicious chip, you'll get why we call it "original."

barbeque potato
The tangiest barbeque taste this side of the mason dixon.

sour cream & onion potato
Creamy onion dip plus crispy chip minus guilt trip.

cheddar potato
A bagful of reasons to smile and say, "cheese."

sea salt & vinegar potato
The tangiest paring of flavors since, well, ever!

salt & pepper potato
Sea salt & fresh ground pepper — the adam and eve of flavor without the guilt.

parmesan garlic potato
The ultimate marriage of rich cheese and roasted garlic.

So why dont you guys go over to facebook and "like" popchips.  And if you do i have an incentive to get you to like them.  IF you go over to facebook and click like i will enter you into a drawing for a popchips box.  What is in the popchips box you ask?  Well i got one and it had snack sized bags of popchips that i slipped into my gym bag for an after workout snack and it had a coupon book for a couple free bags of chips and a couple bogos and then a couple 1 dollar off coupons.  Seriously that is big.  So here is the facebook link  http://www.facebook.com/popchips?ref=ts&v=wall 
So go over there and like them then come back here and leave a comment so I can enter you into that drawing for a get popped box.   

And if you would like to get additional entries subscribe to my blog and leave a seperate comment telling me you did that.  and for an addtional entry follow me on twitter and leave a comment telling me you did that as well.  Anyway i have to tell you that  “I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of popchips and received a “Get Popped” box of popchips and a $30 gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”  I would have done it for free because I love these popchips!

So get poppin' enter this drawing.  i will pick a winner on Black friday!  so Good luck and have a happy Thanksgiving.  

Let's Celebrate Disney on Ice is coming to town!

 OK So I am totally excited about the new Disney on Ice show coming to the south land!  We love Disney and Disney on Ice is so much fun!  check out the show description and the dates and times at the different arenas below:

Make an ordinary day extraordinary when Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! brings more than 50 Disney characters to the Southland for one colossal party on ice! This all-new, high-energy show features a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivals from around the globe and is set to a blend of contemporary music and favorite Disney songs. Produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! is scheduled for performances throughout the Greater Los Angeles area including STAPLES Center, Los Angeles; Honda Center, Anaheim; Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario; and Long Beach Arena, Long Beach.
Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they as they celebrate “the most wonderful time of the year” with a winter wonderland featuring Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear; plus other fun-filled holidays including a Very Merry UnBirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; a Royal Valentine’s Day Ball with the Disney Princesses; Mardi Gras with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen; a Cherry Blossom Festival with Minnie Mouse; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch; a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains; and more in the celebration of the century! Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! will be a memorable and uplifting experience for the whole family to enjoy.

Los Angeles - Staples Center: Wednesday, December 15 – Sunday, December 19 1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 90015
o Wednesday, December 15 – 7:30pm
o Thursday,December16–7:30pm
o  Friday, December 17 – 11:00am, 7:30pm
o Saturday,December18–11:30am,3:30pm,7:30pm
o Sunday,December19–11:30am,3:30pm,7:30pm

Orange County - Honda Center: Wednesday, December 21 – Sunday, December 26 2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, CA 92806
o Tuesday, December 21 – 7:30pm
o Wednesday, December 22 - 1:00pm, 7:30pm
o Thursday, December 23 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
o Friday, December 24 – 1:00pm, 4:30pm
o Saturday, December 25 – 4:30pm
o Sunday, December 26 – 12:00pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Inland Empire - Citizens Business Bank Arena: Wednesday, December 29 – Sunday, January 2 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764
o Wednesday, December 29 – 7:30pm
o Thursday, December 30 – 1:00pm, 7:30pm
o Friday, December 31 – 11:30am, 3:30pm
o Saturday, January 1 – 3:30pm, 7:30pm
o Sunday, January 2 – 11:30am, 3:30pm

LongBeach-LongBeachArena: Wednesday,January5–Sunday,January9 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802-4825
o Wednesday, January 5 – 7:30pm
o Thursday, January 6 – 7:30pm
o Friday, January 7 – 11:00am, 7:30pm
o Saturday, January 8 – 12:00pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
o Sunday, January 9 – 12:00pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm


So that sounds fun right?  Well tickets are on sale NOW!  So get your tickets by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com
www.disneyonice.com

Stay tuned for more Disney on Ice news as I get it and I am going to the show :)

Listerine oral care challenge

Being that Halloween is right around the corner, Mom central sent out information about this oral care challenge that Listerine and Reach are doing to make October Oral care month and I said where do I sign up because I have been there done that with big dental bills.   Here is what I received from mom central as far as information goes:

Moms worry more about cavities. A night full of sugar and it's endless days of leftover candy may seem like harmless fun, but statistics show kids miss 51 million school hours each year because of dental-related illness, and pediatric dental disease is the #1 chronic childhood illness.

To help with the candy frenzy this month, Listerine and Reach created "October Oral Care Challenge" for kids 6 and older to take with their parents—a great tip to get kids to imitate good oral hygiene routines. To complete the challenge, kids and  Moms have to brush, floss and rinse every day, twice a day for three weeks—a key step in building a strong oral care foundation. We all hear about the importance of regular brushing and flossing for your oral care routine, but rinsing with a therapeutic mouthwash for 30 seconds twice daily, an additional but essential activity, helps reach those other parts of the mouth that harbor germs.

The makers of Listerine and Reach have also teamed up with America's Toothfairy to launch "Trick or Treat for America's Toothfairy," a campaign to raise awareness of pediatric dental disease and help provide life changing care to underserved children. You can visit www.AmericasToothfairy.org  to learn more. 




I know that there is a dentist here where I live that takes the candy kids bring in after trick or treating and will pay 1 dollar per pound of candy up to 5 pounds plus they get a toothbrush and the candy goes to our troops in Iraq.  How cool is that?  That is what we will be doing with our candy.  


As far as the Oral care Challenge, my kiddos and I have been competing to complete the oral care challenge where we brush our teeth twice a day.  We already have been doing that as per our dentists advice for the kids.  At the end of the three weeks, the people who have followed the challenge honestly will get a prize from mom and dad :).  Follow my lead and join the challenge and better yet trick or treat for Americas toothfairy too.  


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of LISTERINE and REACH and received products to take the Oral Care Challenge. Mom Central Consulting also sent me a Global Giving gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

DISNEY LIVE! PRESENTS MICKEY’S MAGIC SHOW COMING TO THOUSAND OAKS & LONG BEACH

I can't wait for this Disney live show!  We love Mickey Mouse a lot and the twins love him more now that they can appreciate who he is :)  if you want more information on this neat show coming to the Los Angeles area check out what Feld Entertainment says about this show:
 In a captivating combination, Master Magician Mickey Mouse and the always-dazzling Minnie join forces with professional illusionists for a magical production on stage.  Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show features grand illusions and favorite Disney characters, including Donald and Goofy; Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother; Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter; and beloved Disney princesses Jasmine, Belle and Snow White. 
From Feld Entertainment, the producers of Disney On Ice, this unforgettable production is performing at the Fred Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and the Terrace Theater, Long Beach. Tickets are on sale now.
From the breathtaking levitation of Minnie and Jasmine to the transformation of Cinderella’s rags into riches in a split second, Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show gives families a whole new way to experience Disney magic.  Adults and children alike will delight in this stunning spectacle that will keep them in awe from opening act to curtain call. 

THOUSAND OAKS 
Fred Kavli Theatre at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza (2100 E. Thousand Oaks, 91362)
Friday, September 24 – 3:00pm & 6:00pm

LONG BEACH
Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802-4825)
Saturday, September 25 – 3:30pm & 6:30pm
Sunday, September 26 – 12:30pm
Ticket Prices:             $65.00 / $35.00 / $25.00 / $20.00
To order tickets by phone:     800-745-3000
Online:                 http://www.disneylive.com OR  http://www.ticketmaster.com

Breyers Ice cream that I can eat and not feel guilty about!

I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream!  That was the popular chant when I was a kid growing up!  Now that summer is in full swing, ice cream is something my kids have to have in the freezer at all times!  As I sit and watch my kids devour their ice cream which I have decided I do not need because I am trying to lose weight.  All I can think of is I want some!  But I do not want to have to add an extra workout to my 5 workouts a week to burn off the extra calories I take in from a small bowl of my favorite full fat ice cream.  Well I can now rest assured because Breyers aka my new best friend has come out with a great ice cream novelty that will aid in my calorie counting so i can be happy with ice cream again!  wohooooooo!

So here is the skinny:   Breyers Smooth and Dreamy ice cream bars and sandwiches

from the Breyers website http://www.smoothanddreamy.com 

Bars and Sandwiches that are so delicious and indulgent, you'll be amazed that
they have less fat and calories than regular ice cream bars and sandwiches. That's
right, flash that big happy smile because we’re bringing back the joy!

I searched every package in the store and found that they use real sugar not some splenda that tastes awful or some other fake sweetener!  That is why I have not been eating the ice cream or if I did splurge it was a 90 calorie bite size version of another ice cream novelty!  Now that I have tasted these ice cream sandwiches and I got the Chocolate Carmel Brownie Sandwiches and they were so good!  They tasted like they were full fat ice cream bars and they weren't!  I love them so much and i want you to love them too!  That is why I am giving away 5 coupons for the smooth and dreamy ice cream bars and sandwiches to 5 lucky readers of my blog!  So leave a comment on the bottom of the post for one entry and tell me what flavor you are looking forward to trying out or one entry.  For additional entries follow me on twitter, or subscribe to my newsfeed.  if you do the addtional entries make sure you leave another comment for each thing you do.

The contest is over August 20th and I will use random.org to draw the winners :)

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Breyers and received products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Wow I love this new Eggo product that is out

Eggo is one of the many things you will find in my freezer on any given day of the week.  Waffles are a common staple in the house and daddy has sometimes come to make them for dinner while mommy is at the gym :). 

Anyway, there is a new addition to the Eggo line of products:  Eggo Real Fruit Pizza!  Wow!  I know what you all are thinking, Whats on this pizza for breakfast?  Well they have fruit, granola and are on top of a cinnamon maple crust!  just think Cereal bar meets granola!  I was sent a sample of the two flavors that you will find out on the market and i can say they were good!  I loved the strawberry granola with only 400 calories which i am counting mine to lose the baby fat! The mixed berry was good too and has 390 calories!  My daughter loved this mixed berry one and my twins loved it too!  you totally need to check this out by going to the Eggo website and checking out what is new and signing up for updates on new products :).  i hope you guys enjoy them as much as we did because they are just so yummy!  Plus they have fruit in them and they are big pieces of fruit not some freeze dried fruit you find in your breakfast cereals. 

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Eggo Real Fruit Pizza and received a sample of the product and a $20 Amazon gift certificate to facilitate my review.”

Shamu and you walk thermometer

So i bet you were wondering about my Shamu and you walk thermometer on the right side of my page

Well here is the thing: 

last year a friend of ours baby had suffered major head trauma while in daycare and was in the hospital for months.  That hospital saved our friends baby seriously.  i do not want to comment too much about it because i want to respect our friends privacy.  However, we are doing the walk because it is a casue we believe in and we want to help out Rady's Childrens hospital San Diego anyway we can and we were asked to participate by our friend and we are on their team which makes it even sweeter.  So please donate or do a virtual walk to even post a link to my blog on your blog so others can help the cause.  for more info on the Shamu and you walk just click on my thermometer and you can read more

Nolan Robert Cosmetics OMG they rock!

OK so I have this person in my TKB classes that was on this show called Blush the search for the next makeup artist which I watched with my daughter who said that guy Nolan is going to win hes fun and does great makeup,  Well my daughter who was then 10 or 11 yrs old predicted the outcome and we did a boogie dance to celebrate someone from the town I went to high school and a person I talked to in passing winning!  Anyway Nolan has become a great entrepreneur by introducing his very own makeup line and it just launched.  I ordered some eye shadow, diamond dust,  lip sticks and the dream cream because I have heard how great it is from other people in the TKB classes I take.   I can say that shopping on Nolans site is so easy and after i finalized my order I received an email from Nolan himself thanking me for my purchase and suggesting one other product in the future, he also informed me that he will have a tutorial on how to use the eye shadow wheel I purchased, and he told me that a little goes a long way with the dream cream I purchased.  OK people you better not be doubting Nolan wrote it because if you knew him which i read his tweets and facebook a lot I know he wrote it.  And I got another email from Nolan telling me when my items would ship out.  Talk about service with a smile :) even if someone else wrote the email which I doubt it that made me feel special.  Its about the little things people! 

Anyway, my husband came through the door with mail in hand saying my Nolan Robert cosmetics came in and I was like wohooooo!  I opened the box and there was another box inside wrapped in bubble wrap which my kids will fight over later on who can pop them.  When i got the bubble wrap off the box I saw a cute black box signed by Nolan himself and a little Thank you Katherine on the box and the box was tied with a cute pink ribbon.  OK so then I opened the box and each of my lip glosses, lipstick and eye shadow were placed in these cute little pink bags with bubble wrap on the outside to keep them safe as they were wrapped in love :) after I unwrapped everything I took a pic to show you guys but hey my pics are not great as my canon was in the mini van glovebox so I used my Kodak here look so awesome! 

So the next time you need to order some makeup check out Nolan's makeup line at Nolan Robert Cosmetics also you can follow him on twitter Twitter.com/NolanRobert  and you can check out his facebook page and click the like button Facebook.com/MakeUpByNolanRobert.  Seriously people I did not get paid for my opinion and I was not sent anything to post it.  I just want people to try his makeup out because the colors are outstanding and me who hates to wear makeup loves the colors there is everything under the sun for every girl out there whether you like to wear your makeup to go out on the town or you are like me who goes for the natural look, Nolan's got you covered!  Go out there and check it out! 

The circus is back with a show that marks the 200th anniversary of the greatest show ever!

I am so excited that it is time for the circus to come to town!  yay my kids can't wait to see it again!  Aidan wants me to shield him from the human cannonball part of the show i do not get why but ok that will be our cue to get some nachos :).  Anyway I have been given a special coupon code for you to reserve your tickets as 2010 marks the 200^th anniversary of the birth of the greatest showman of all time, P.T. Barnum, and “Barnum’s FUNundrum” is a celebration of his living legacy. You and your family will LOVE the show!

I for one can't wait to see this as Barnum and Baileys circus has been a tradition in my family since I can remember.   

MOM Ticket Discount

The multi-ticket discount returns this summer, with a special $48 Family Four-Pack Offer on select performances or $4 off single ticket prices on select shows. The discount can be redeemed online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000 . To redeem, use the discount code “MOM” .

If you are in the Los Angeles Area you can Check out the show July 14-18 at the Staples Center 

For my friends in the Inland Empire you can check out the show at the Citizens Bank Arena July 21-25 

And finally if you are in the Orange County Area you can check out the show at the Honda Center  July 28 - August 8

And don't forget about the All Access preshow included with every ticket.  here is the info from www.Ringling.com

All Access Pre-show

An hour before show time, audiences can join Ringling Bros.^® talented performers and learn new circus skills at the All Access Pre-show, FREE with your ticket!

o At the Free All Access Pre-show, Ringling Bros. acrobats, clowns and other accomplished athletic performers show young and old alike an awe-inspiring and action-packed approach to daily health and fitness.

o Audience members can get up close and personal with Ringling Bros. performers to take photos, get autographs and learn circus skills at the All Access Pre-show.

o Circus-goers can meet some of Ringling Bros. majestic animals, see a pachyderm paint a portrait and learn more about Ringling Bros. commitment to elephant conservation at the All Access Pre-show.

o The All Access Pre-show is the only place where you can register for a chance to win a masterpiece created by one of Ringling Bros. artistic Asian elephants.

Speaking of the Circus did you know that Mothers cookies is back and available in a grocery store near you?

Oh my goodness I was so sad when I saw no more Mothers cookies on my store shelves.  I remember being a little girl and begging my mom to buy the cookies for me in that fun circus bag with the pink and white icing and sprinkles on them.  They were my favorite cookie by FAR!  I also remember the oatmeal iced cookies mmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmm Good. 

Anyway after they went away I stopped checking the cookie aisle for cookies and started buying store cookies from the bakery.  When MOM Central  asked me to spead the word about this blogtour I said YAY my favorite cookies are back and I can share them with my kids. 

Anyway for my friends in the Kansas area and the Midwest, you will get to see what I am talking about because Mothers cookies are coming to your store shelves very soon :) so don't delay check out Mothers Cookies and see for yourself the little cookie brand that was my favorite as a child and maybe you can make it your childs favorite too


I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mother’s Cookies and received two bags of cookies and a $20 Amazon gift certificate to facilitate my review.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus is coming to town check out the Barnum award NOW!

I was so excited to get the email to share this special award info with all of my readers because I love seeing what our kiddos can accomplish when they set their minds on something and make a difference in the community.  This award celebrates just that.  So take the time to think about a special kiddo to nominate for this awesome award!  The circus is coming to town so subscribe to my blog or follow me to get the details on when the Circus will come to the OC area and for a special offer for the mommies out there!  

THE BARNUM AWARD

Nominations are currently being accepted for “The Barnum Award,” a Southland search to honor three stand-out kids who are making a difference in our community. Attached is a flyer on how you and your readers can nominate a child between the ages of 8-14 who are demonstrating the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of P.T. Barnum. Nominating is easy, by answering a few brief questions on the online application at www.thebarnumaward.com. First, second and third place winners will receive cash prizes to continue their service. The award ceremony will be on opening night at the Honda Center, July 28^th.

Reinvented Dove Haircare :) I love it!

Oh my goodness I was asked to participate in a BzzCampaign for Bzzagent and this one is right up my alley because of my thin fine hair which can be weighed down really easily.  I started using the Daily conditioning treatment as soon as I got my Bzzkit and I noticed the shine and how my hair does not look weighed down and how it did not look dry anymore like it did before since we get dry heat here in Sunny Southern California.  Here is the skinny on the new Haircare line by Dove:

 taken from Bzzagent:

The benefits of a treatment in a conditioner
NEW Dove Daily Treatment Conditioners give hair the deep nourishment of a treatment in the time it takes to condition. Their innovative formulas penetrate deep inside to help repair hair internally and leave it more beautiful on the outside.*
Advanced care for all types of hair
With new technologies, fresh scents and packaging, the entire Dove Damage Therapy System has been reinvented with Fiber Actives to take care of the damage.** So, whether you curl, tease, or blow-dry, you can get beautifully smooth hair.
* vs. non-conditioning shampoo alone
** Refers to the signs of damage

Go ahead, get the hair you want. NEW reinvented Dove^® takes care of the damage.**
Daily Treatment Conditioners

• Next generation Conditioners with treatment inside
• Designed to give hair the deep nourishment of a treatment in the time it takes to condition
• Instant smoothness after just one use
• Dove's most advanced technology ever
• New to store shelves
• Available at most food, drug and mass retailers nationwide

Damage Therapy System

• Micro moisture serum helps protect and repair damaged hair**
• Premium packaging
• New fragrances
• Advanced care and repair for beautiful hair

See what women are saying about NEW reinvented Dove:
"After using this product, I could tell that there was a difference even when my hair was still wet. It visibly reduced the amount of frizziness that I usually have and made my hair look much healthier. I really like this product!" - BzzAgent C. Ganim
"I have pretty fine hair, so at first I was a little worried that an "Intensive"? conditioner would weigh it down. I was really surprised - it seemed to provide the moisture that my hair needed, but without sacrificing volume. My hair looks and feels great." - BzzAgent Dalina C.
* vs. non-conditioning shampoo alone
** Refers to the signs of damage

What do you do for beautiful hair?
Styling. Bleaching. Blow-drying. We're all guilty of hair damage, whether we realize it or not. But did you know that hair can be damaged on the inside as well as the outside, making it weak, porous, and prone to breakage and split ends? NEW Dove Daily Treatment Conditioners help take care of the damage** with a unique dual-action formula:

• Treatment with Fiber Actives penetrates deep inside porous hair to help reconstruct it from within
• Conditioner with patented micro moisture serum helps strengthen and nourish hair from root to tip

Learn more
For more advanced care, visit Dovehair.com. You can explore the entire line of NEW reinvented Dove^® products, or get expert styling advice that'll help you repair your damaged 'do.
* vs. non-conditioning shampoo alone
** Refers to the signs of damage
 So that is just the beginning of the Dove reinvented hair care line.  remember to hit up  Dove haircarere invented 
While you are on the Dove site reading up on the dos and don'ts of haircare you can request a free sample of the daily conditioners while supplies last of course so do not dilly dally get on there and get your sample before they are gone!  Like I said I was given the product to try out for BzzAgent and I was not paid to endorse the product and if you want to become a BzzAgent follow the bzzagent badge on this blog to find out how you can be a Bzzagent too :).  I know I am going to start using Dove daily conditioners forever!  They are so awesome! 

Unilever is my new best friend in the fight against a stinky tween

As you all know I have four kiddos and one of my little lovelies is a 12 year old girl!  Well anyway, I recently had to break the news to her that its time for her to start using deodorant.  And as a mom I wanted to do it the right way so I did not hurt her feelings as they are fragile at this stage of life and keeping their self esteem in tact while making sure they do not stink up the air in the process is something that is very important.  So when Mom Central asked people to step up to speak out about the topic of sweaty tweens and unilever's website called Don't fret the sweat I knew I could do this to help my other mommy friends find the resources they need to not be a victim to that BO our older kiddos are emitting into the air we all breathe.

When I first went to the website I thought this is so cool they have some FAQ's to help equip me with the knowledge I will need when my daughter asks the dreaded question of Why do I sweat so much?  or my own questions about my baby girl using deodorant like Are your products safe for her to use?  thank goodness the answers to those questions and more are found on that site.  The other part I like is the matchmaker quiz to find the perfect deodorant for my daughter to use which was the sample I received to do this blog and yes she loves it!  She is using Degree girl in friends forever and loves the scent.  I wish they had a website about this when I was going through my OMG moments  Plus after being matched with the perfect deodorant they let you print coupons to save some serious cash because all of us need a break in that department :)


"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Unilever and received the items necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
 

Kindercone they are so awesome!

Now that I have a Kindergartener next year he will be going into the first grade so when Mom Central told me about this blog tour of course I wanted to be a part of this.

Let me give you some information from the Kindercone website www.kindercone.com:

KinderCone LLC , is based on a German tradition dating back to the early 19th century. Oftentimes, the first day of school can be a bittersweet moment in a child’s life, but in Germany and Austria it is marked by a day of celebration and appreciation. On that day, families present their first grader with their very own Schultüte. Inside, the child finds little gifts, treats, and school supplies. KinderCone wants to inspire every family and their young children to enjoy learning by celebrating this special event in their lives.


After learning about what this tradition was all about I got so excited!  The cone came to the house and wow my son thought it was a Giant Ice cream cone!  I am going to give the cone to him on his graduation day from kindergarten which is coming up soon.  I did however get a peek inside the cone and it was filled with 5pencils ready to use, a cute little cat named Karli who can be clipped to a backpack or you can sit him anywhere you like such as a desktop and he has a little bag that you can place a little something in for your kiddo to enjoy , plus a journal called "Me, Myself and First Grade", some temporary tattoos and a limited edition certificate :).  I think what I like about this kindercone is that my son will love the little goodies inside of it and when he is done filling in the journal I will use the cone to store his keepsakes like his great drawings and the completed journal so when he has his own kids he can share the tradition as I did with him and his baby sisters 




I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of KinderCone and received KinderCone samples to facilitate my review. Mom Central also sent me gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Melba Toast mmmm mmmm Good

Now that I am on the road to recovery from having my Appendix removed a month and a half ago.  I started thinking about how I can change up my snacks.  Well I remembered these snacks my mom used to buy when I was in high school.  I remembered the Melba toast snacks my mom would get and she would make something to eat with them.  Then I was asked to do a blog about Melba Toast from MOm central and they sent me some melba snacks to test out.  Well anyway, I looked up the melba toast website to get some snack ideas and VOILA!  I found lots of healthy eating tips and recipes.  First I will give you the link to the website so you can go check it out.  While you are there you can enter the Dance your way to Hollywood sweepstakes from the website  http://www.toastforeverydayhealth.com/: 

Dance Your Way to Hollywood” will send one lucky winner and a guest to Tinseltown for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, including private dance lessons and tickets to watch the taping of a highly popular television show. The four-day, three-night, all-expenses-paid experience includes air travel and accommodations at a popular Hollywood hotel. Sweepstakes entries accepted March 17 through June 30, 2010.

You totally have to go enter that website so you can Dance your way to Hollywood.  Or Better yet you can check out the recipes like Chocolate Pistacio Crunch:

Chocolate Pistachio Crunch
Melba Snacks Sea Salt Yields 40
• 4 cups (2-12-oz. pkg.) of semi sweet chocolate dark chips (not milk chocolate) • 1 box Melba Snacks Sea Salt • 1 cup of pistachios, chopped and toasted
1. Stir chocolate in large bowl set over saucepan of boiling water until melted and smooth making sure that water does not touch bowl and that the chocolate does not get too hot.
2. Remove from over water. 3. Dip into melted chocolate to cover half the Melba Snack. 4. Gently shake off excess chocolate. 5. Place on baking sheet and quickly sprinkle with chopped pistachios. 6. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes.

Lemon Meringue Tarts
Melba Snacks Whole Grain Yields ~24 tarts
• 1 box of Melba Snacks Whole Grain • Lemon Curd • Meringue
For Lemon Curd Yield: 2 cups • 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemon zest • 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice • 1 cup sugar • 3 large eggs • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
1. Whisk together zest, lemon juice, sugar, eggs in a 2-quart heavy saucepan.
2. Add butter all at once and cook over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until curd is thick enough to hold marks of whisk and first bubbles appear on surface, about 10 minutes.
3. Immediately pour curd through a fine sieve into a bowl, then chill, covered.
For Meringue • 3 large egg whites, at room temperature 30 minutes • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1. Beat whites with cream of tartar using an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks.
2. Increase speed to high and add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until meringue just holds stiff, glossy peaks.
Assemble Tarts 1. Spoon cold lemon curd in a large zip lock bag and remove any air pockets; knead slightly.
2. Cut one corner tip off the bag which allows you to squeeze the cold curd onto the toast.
3. Gently squeeze the lemon curd bag onto the toast making sure to have a smooth, flat top.
4. Add a dollop of meringue decoratively over the filling.
5. Immediately bake until meringue is golden- brown, 8-10 minutes.

And as always I wrote  this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Old London Melba Toast and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. www.momcentral.com

What do our kiddos not want to miss out on while they are sick ?

If you did not already know, it is the flu season and you know what that means, sick kiddos spreading the germs throughout their daycares and schoolrooms across the country.  Anyway, since my son Aidan started school we all have been sick and it was no fun.  I know the one thing my son kept asking when I kept him home from school was "I want to go to school!  I miss my friends!"  Then when he went back to school, I picked him up before thanksgiving break and all the kids had these pilgram hats on except my son Aidan because he was home sick and he was in tears because he did not have a hat!

How do we prevent the flu virus?  Well the clorox company has a facebook page where you can find useful information and tips on how to prevent the flu from keeping you or your kiddos home and missing out on those important days :  http://www.Facebook.com/Clorox  here is an excerpt from that facebook page :  How many days did your students miss this flu season? At The Clorox Company, we know how important each moment is in school – and it starts with preventing the flu. That’s why we’re partnering with former American Idolfinalist Danny Gokey on a video contest that sings the praises of flu prevention. Your school could win a private music class!

Yes you read that right, the clorox company is having a contest called I don't want to miss.  here is the info on that contest:
The Clorox Company is calling on school musical groups nationwide to develop a video performance of a song written by Berklee College of Music student Will Wells on what teens would not want to miss out on if they were home sick and why prevention is important. School groups are encouraged to be creative and put their own spin on the song. Download song/lyrics under "Important Links." For more info on how to enter the contest check out: http://www2.schooltube.com/Contests/IDontWanttoMiss2010.aspx


As always, I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and received $20 thank-you gift certificate. www.momcentral.com

Making time for the hubby especially on Valentines day

As you all know I am one busy momma.  With having a 11 year old girl(a 6th grader who also partakes in soccer every season and girl scouts and a social calendar), a 5 year old boy(who plays t-ball and is in K this year), and then I have twin 18 mo old girls who are child actors to make my life more complicated and busy.  If you got exhausted reading about my life imagine how exhausted I am.  I think anytime I get a moment to myself I like to partake in relaxing on the couch with my cats and no kiddos!  But then the hubby comes home and well I have to make time  for him too right?  My husband and I take time out of our evening before we go to bed to talk about our days and watch our favorite programs after the kids go to bed.  Why am I sharing this with you guys you ask yourself?  Well the folks at mom central and K-Y Brand think its time us ladies make some time for our men.  And if you are like me you do not feel like doing anything but relaxing but to maintain a healthy relationship it is crucial to make time for your spouse.  Plus Valentines day is coming soon so we need to make time to spend time with our spouse.  Here is some info about K-Y Brands new site to help couples find resources to make their connection stronger:


After a long day, finding time for your spouse or partner – and making the most of those few moments – doesn't always come easily.  

It's important that all couples maintain healthy relationships, which can start with enhancing the short time they do have together by exploring fun, unique ways that celebrate their special connection.

This February, K-Y Brand is introducing its new Couples Place Web site,www.facebook.com/kycouples, a resource for couples looking to strengthen their connection.  The site will feature advice and commentary from the nation's leading relationship and sexual health experts. Site visitors can also enter in a contest to be selected as "America's Top Couple." The winning couple will receive a trip to New York City to participate in a professional photo shoot and be featured in a national magazine.

Additionally, in recent years K-Y Brand has launched intimacy enhancement products to further help couples make the most of their connection behind the bedroom door, like Yours + Mine couples lubricant and Intense arousal gel for her.

I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of K-Y Brand and received samples of the Yours + Mine and Intense products. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ALL!

Take the Neosporin 3 day challenge

The cold, dry air and brittle winds of winter inevitably leave our lips chapped, dehydrated, and damaged. Many of us dread this season as we come to expect uncomfortable lip-splitting and cracking, fading color and scaly texture. To help repair and protect lips from the harsh cold-weather elements, Neosporin introduces Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy and Neosporin Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy. Clinically shown to restore visibly healthier lips in just 3 days, these formulas help lips become more hydrated, smoother, and appear back to their normal tone.

I have had the chance to do the three day challenge where I got to use the daytime and nighttime product. The products made my lips feel so much better than they did. my lips were dry and cracked and the products helped moisturize them. Here is the rundown of the two products I was given to try:


NEOSPORIN® LIP HEALTH™ daily hydration therapy is clinically proven to restore visibly healthier lips in 3 days

Product Essentials
A patented combination of antioxidants and essential lipids
SPF 20 to protect against sunburn
Peptide and emollients to help strengthen lips
Glycerin to attract and retain lip moisture
Lightweight formula absorbs quickly
No parabens or other preservatives
No artificial flavors


NEOSPORIN® LIP HEALTH™ overnight renewal therapy™ is clinically proven to restore visibly healthier lips in 3 days

Product Essentials
A patented combination of antioxidants and essential lipids
Peptide and emollients to help strengthen lips
Vitamins and moisturizers to repair and nourish as you sleep
Occlusive formula designed to hydrate lips overnight
No parabens or other preservatives
No artificial flavors


Check out the website for yourself and while you are there you can print a money saving coupon for the Neosporin lip products. www.neolips.com

And as always I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Neosporin and received a sample of the Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy and the Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate.

www.momcentral.com

Music For Relief

have you seen my new widget to the left of this post?

Anyway it is Music for Relief which is a great cause. They are accepting donations for Haiti relief. You can download an album of songs not in circulation from artists like Linkin Park, Slash, Alanis Morrisette, All American Rejects, Enrique Iglesias and more! The download is free no matter if you donate 1 dollar or 1 million dollars they just would like you to donate.

Rosarita makes a salsa really?

HI guys and gals I recently was mailed some Salsa samples to try out and they are made by rosarita! You know Rosarita? The refried beans that are so yummilicious! Anyway they have three flavors coming to a store near you:

Mild Salsa Mexican - my daughter calls this wimpy salsa but It has some flavor and not much heat
Medium Salsa Verde - a green salsa
Hot Salsa Taquera - call 911 its hot! but my daughter does not agree

This was so good especially with my tostadas and bean burrito and taco nights. You know Rosarita has a nice website to find out recipes check it out for yourself www.Rosarita.com

If you live in the Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, or Denver areas, you can find Rosarita Salsas at select Walmart and grocery stores. Check them out!
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Rosarita and received a sample to facilitate my review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

www.momcentral.com

ultimate meatballs

wowie wow wow

I never knew that you could take 2lbs of cooked meatballs and mix them up with one can jellied cranberries and one bottle of chilil sauce and voila! you have the perfect party appetizer! so when you are planning your new years parties or your superbowl showdowns, make sure you keep ocean sprays ultimate meatball recipe in mind. check out http://www.oceanspray.com/news/promos.aspx for recipes and promotions going on

As always mom central sent me the cranberries and chili sauce to make my meatballs a hit and I got them at no cost to me in exchange for my review