Mommy's Multiple Mayhem

Fiber Fun For Kids: Fun Ways to Encourage Healthy eating

2010-01-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

As a Mom of 5 and chief caretaker of my 2, bustling toddler nephews, I have fought many a battle with finicky eaters. I am always on the prowl for new and informative ways to make meal time and snack time fun. I have to admit that a little mom-tuitive creativity goes a long way.
Parents know that nutrients like fiber are great for their kids and are an important part of their kids' diets, but finding ways to increase their children's fiber intake can be challenging.
"To get our kids to enjoy eating healthful foods, we often have to be creative in how we present them," says Cricket Azima, children's cookbook author and founder of The Creative Kitchen. "An increase of fiber to the cereals our kids request everyday makes breakfast an easy place to help them get the important nutrients they need without the battle."
To make breakfast a fun and easy place for kids to get the nutrition they need, Kellogg Company is adding a boost of fiber to some of its most popular kid cereals. With three grams of fiber per serving, Froot Loops and Apple Jacks cereals now have the same great taste kids have always loved and help make fiber fun.
Fiber provides children with a number of benefits, including helping to keep their digestive system healthy so it can absorb nutrients. However, like many adults, U.S. children consume less than half the recommended fiber each day.

Azima says a little creativity can go a long way towards getting kids the nutrients they need:
•Presentation is Key: Kids like foods that are fun! Entertain your kids with the presentation of the food and they will be more excited to eat it. Arrange bite sized food to look like a cute animal or a funny face. Shape sandwiches with a cookie cutter, use small or cut foods to make the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Arrange foods by color and make a rainbow on the plate. Have the kids help you in these efforts.
•Engage the Mind and the Mouth: Ask kids to count how many colors are in their bowl or on their plate. Challenge them to spell the names of foods. Think of creative ways to interest them in what they're eating. This engagement increases the likelihood of children eating well and ensures a healthy dialogue at the family table.
•Don't Skip Dessert: Fruit is naturally sweet and makes a wonderful dessert! Serve up a healthy fruit fondue by dipping skewered fruit into yogurt-based dipping sauce or make a fresh fruit salad exciting by adding a handful of Kellogg's Froot Loops cereal to each serving. Dessert has never been so nutrient rich.

For more information about Froot Loops and Apple Jacks cereals and Kellogg Company's commitment to fiber,

visit http://www.kellogg.com/.

FROOT LOOP SOUP

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups pineapple juice

1 1/2 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1/2 cup frsh orange sections OR mandarin orange sections, drained

1/3 cup sliced, fresh strawberries

1/4 cup fresh red raspberries

1/4 cup seedless, green grape halves

1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

2 cups Kellogg's® Froot Loops® cereal

DIRECTIONS

1.In medium bowl stir together pineapple juice and cranberry juice cocktail.

2.Stir in orange sections, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and blueberries. Ladle into 4 serving bowls. Top with KELLOGG'S FROOT LOOPS cereal. Serve immediately.

APPLE JACKS PARFAIT

INGREDIENTS

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

1 1/2 cups Kellogg's® Apple Jacks® cereal

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup chopped, dried apple slices

4 tsp raisins

DIRECTIONS

1.In two 12-ounce parfait glasses or clear glasses, layer half of the yogurt, half of the KELLOGG's APPLE JACKS cereal, half of the applesauce, half of the apple and half of the raisins. Repeat layers. Serve immediately.

*This post is strictly informational. I was not endorsed or compensated in any way for my opinions about Kellogg's products, I just like them and thought that you might, too.*

Tastey Thai Beef Salad Wraps

2010-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

I love Thai food, and being half Thai, I can certainly vouch for the authenticity of this tantalizing recipe. This dish has all the bright, fresh flavors and crunchy textures of a summer roll. The tortilla wrappers make it a satisfying main dish, but you can easily cut these in half and serve as appetizers.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 wrap)

Ingredients
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
1 cup cubed peeled cucumber
1/2 cup grape or cherry tomato halves
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
6 (10-inch) flour tortillas
12 Bibb lettuce leaves

Preparation

Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

Sprinkle the steak with salt and black pepper. Place steak on a grill rack coated with cooking spray, and grill 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let rest 5 minutes.

Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Combine sliced steak, cucumber, and next 5 ingredients (through cilantro) in a large bowl. Combine sugar, soy sauce, juice, and red pepper. Drizzle over steak mixture; toss well to coat.

Warm tortillas according to package directions. Arrange 2 lettuce leaves on each tortilla. Spoon 2/3 cup steak mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up.

Nutritional Information

Calories:399 (28% from fat)
Fat:12.4g (sat 4.3g,mono 5.6g,poly 1.1g)
Protein:22.4g
Carbohydrate:48.5g
Fiber:3.1g
Cholesterol:39mg
Iron:4.4mg
Sodium:760mg
Calcium:113mg

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T18:55:00.001-08:00

Its been a long December and there's reason to believe,

Maybe this year will be better than the last,

I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself,

to hold onto these moments as they pass.

To all of my readers, old and new...thanks for sharing with me and bearing with me as I tread the waters both here and at Mommy's Multiple Mayhem, and here's wishing 2010 to be the best ever! Be safe, be merry, be wise...enjoy your family and loved ones tonight. I'll be thinking of you as I keep watch over my hospitalized patients tonight........till next year!

Multiple Blessings to You and Yours

Celebrate New Year's 2010 With Cookies

2009-12-31T14:04:00.000-08:00

Orange-Glazed Cookies
It's the last day of 2009, why not celebrate with cookies? Here's one to try: Orange-Glazed Cookies, which happen to be hubster's favorite.

Makes 60 Total Time: 3hr 00m

Ingredients: Basic Sugar Cookies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for shaping the cookies
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions for Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated (the dough will be stiff). Shape into a disk and (unless otherwise specified in an individual recipe) refrigerate, wrapped, for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.

Directions

Divide the basic sugar cookie dough in half and form into 1-by-1½-inch rectangular logs (do not substitute slice-and-bake dough). Refrigerate until firm. Slice ¼ inch thick.
Bake at 350° F on parchment-lined baking sheets until just beginning to brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
Cool slightly on baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Dip tops of cooled cookies in a mixture of 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoons orange juice, and 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest.

The Best Bubbly Picks for a BYOB New Year's Bash

2009-12-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

When the clock strikes midnight, pop open one of these affordable bottles of bubbly.

Italian Zardetto Prosecco Brut is a crowd-pleaser. Fresh and lively with just a hint of sweetness, it has a fruity taste and a tangy, slightly mineral finish. It goes as well with prosciutto and oil-cured olives as it does with takeout Thai. To buy: $13, astorwines.com.

Spanish sparkler Poema Cava Brut has an Old World soul: You can taste the stony soil in its tiny bubbles, but they’re wrapped in green apple, bright lemon, and white peach flavors. Made in the expensive Champagne tradition (the second fermentation that produces the bubbles happens right in the bottle, not a big tank), Cava is the real deal. Serve it with these festive Spanish appetizers. To buy: $11, binnys.com.

When you’re ready to splurge, make it real Champagne. Deutz Brut Classic Champagne is vibrant and creamy―full of gentle lemon blossoms, pears, hints of stone fruit, and a touch of caramel apple. Delicious with crab or shrimp. To buy: $40, binnys.com.

Gruet Blanc de Noirs, a delicious pale pink wine from New Mexico, dances with the flavors of wild strawberries, bright cherries, and creamy citrus. Grapefruit and intriguing herbs give it a tiny edge, making it a lively match for hors d’oeuvres like chicken skewers and baked Camembert To buy: $14, astorwines.com.

Fashionable Holiday Handbags for Busy Moms – Coach Giveaway!

2009-12-13T19:15:00.000-08:00

Coach has partnered with The Fashionable Housewife and Fashionable Gals for an amazing giveaway! These two fabulous blogs are each part of Coach’s 30 favorite bloggers and have partnered with them for their Holiday Blog-a-Day promotion this year!

The Fashionable Housewife blog is so excited to be a part of such an amazing group of bloggers and have the opportunity to show their readers a few pieces from the Coach Holiday collection, and give one lucky reader the chance to win the fabulous Amethyst Texture Metallic Audrey Shoulderbag!!!

The winner on The Fashionable Housewife blog will receive the Amethyst Texture Metallic Audrey Shoulderbag as shown above ( ARV $398 )

The Fashionable Gals blog is also very excited to be a part of such an amazing group of bloggers and have the opportunity to show their readers a few pieces from the Coach Holiday collection, and give one lucky reader the chance to win the fabulous Poppy Sequins Mini Flap!!!

The winner on Fashionable Gals blog will receive the Poppy Sequins Mini Flap as shown above ( ARV $138)

If you visit www.coach.com/holidayblog each day during the promotion, you can read what read what this group of truly talented fashionistas have to say about Coach, including giveaways, reviews, pictorials and more!

The Fashionable Housewife: 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza

2009-12-13T17:27:00.000-08:00

The Fashionable Housewife

is celebrating the Christmas season

with their first annual

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza!

The first annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza started December 1 and will feature a new giveaway each day until December 12th. You’ll have a chance to enter each giveaway once a day until Dec 20th, 2009.

Clarisonic Mia

iS Clinical Innovative Skincare Regime

Danielle Nicole Leather Handbag

Emily Elizabeth Jewelry Giveaway

XCVI Cuddle Cape

Kooba Eve Handbag Giveaway

Sears Kmart & Lands’ End Gift Cards

Macy’s $50 Gift Card Giveaway

Sir Alistair Rai Khari Wrap Giveaway

EnviroVogue Shopping Spree

StrapDiva

HP Envy 13 Notebook

All giveaways end December 20th at 11:59pm ET. Click on each link and follow the rules to enter each giveaway. You have from now until December 20th to enter all the giveaways listed above on The Fashionable Housewife Blog.

Day 12 – HP Envy 13 Laptop with Windows 7

Sarah-Jean, the fashion forward editor from The Fashionable Housewife blog has partnered with HP for the last and final day of their 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza!

One lucky reader will receive the NEW HP Envy 13 valued at $1,899.99!!

❝The HP Envy 13 is super thin, weighs about 3.74 lbs. and is less than 1″ thin, and features a 13.1″ HD Radiance display with up to 410 nit/82% color gamut which is twice as bright as other notebook displays in its class, BluRay and Beats Audio make it an ideal device for experiencing music and video...❞

To learn more about this fabulous and totally fashionable laptop, visit www.hp.com/go/envy. Click here for more info about Windows 7.

Thanks to The Fashionable Housewife Blog and to HP

and all of the 12 days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza Sponsors!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza

【ツ】8 BlogHers try Tassimo and give you 1 of 8 chances to win your own Tassimo Brewer!

2009-12-13T16:36:00.000-08:00

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really ~~like~~ L❤VE BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

When everyone gets what they want, people come together. That’s the thinking behind Tassimo, the only home brewing system that gives everyone the drink they want. From coffees and teas to rich cappuccinos and lattes. Even hot chocolate. Tassimo offers more than 40 beverage and flavor varieties to satisfy everyone—from brands you know, like Gevalia, Maxwell House, Twinings and more. Tassimo even satisfies your premium coffee cravings with a great variety of Starbucks offerings -- including Starbucks Breakfast Blend and House Blend varieties.
Tassimo is able to produce more types of drinks through simple bar code technology. Each T Disc—the little round guys that hold the coffee—has a bar code on its back that tells the brewer the exact temperature, pressure and time it takes to brew a perfect drink. With the press of one button, you can make a whole crowd of people happy. Whether they’re into macchiatos or chai lattes, or just a good cup of joe, it’s that simple to turn your kitchen into the new gathering place.

There's more! Tassiomo gave 8 BlogHers a brand new brewer and coffee flavors to try. Read each review below and see what beverages they made. After you read the reviews, follow the instructions on each blog and enter to win your own Tassimo brewer and variety of beverage flavors!
Tarrant, from Retro Food, considers her Tassimo “very cost efficient when you break it down by cup and consider the no waste, no mess, and no special dishes to wash part.” She’s already ordered refills.

Sheila, from Xiaolin Mama, had “20 guests at a party this past weekend and the Tassimo churned out drinks like a champ.” She was able to offer an array of hot drinks without any waste.

Megan, from Megan’s Minute, is looking forward to using her Tassimo during the holidays “because it'll be nice to be able to offer a variety of coffee blends depending on the tastes of my guests”.

Rhoda, from Southern Hospitality, “always thought having one of these machines around the house would be loads of fun!” She’s looking forward to having her guests “order up a special drink with dessert”.
Stephanie, from A Year of Slow Cooking, loves the simplicity of using her Tassimo and the water filtration system keeps her assured that her kids receive a freshly-purified cup of hot chocolate.
When Kim, from Petroville, made her first cup of cappuccino, she “felt like a barista as the machine steamed” and her milk foamed…see what her Thanksgiving guests thought too.
Grace, from More Women, thought in order to find “another nifty twist for a home appliance,” her Tassimo “would make the perfect gift for the workplace.” See what features her husband enjoyed the most.
Check back next week for one more review and another chance to win!

No purchase required. The sweepstakes runs from December 10, 2009 to December 31, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. Please be sure that your email address is up-to-date in your BlogHer profile so that we can contact you if you win! Click here to read the official rules.

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【ツ】BlogHers take the LOFT style challenge and give you 1 of 16 chances to win a $200 LOFT gift card!

2009-12-13T16:30:00.000-08:00

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really ~~like~~ L❤VE BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

LOFT is all about stylish advice for everyday, beyond the closet and into real life. We understand how women with a casual lifestyle live, and how you like to dress. We provide you with feminine, versatile, effortless pieces, and offer great style advice and ideas. We want to make your style aspirations attainable.
Live. Love. LOFT.
LOFT invited 14 BlogHers to visit the store for a LOFT shopping party and take a style challenge. Read each review below and see what holiday looks they loved and how they enjoyed their shopping experience. After you read each review post, follow instructions and enter to win a $200 LOFT gift card!
LOFT is also giving you two more chances to win. Visit the LOFT website here. Then tell us in the comment section below what your favorite look is, or what you would like to give as a holiday gift. Two winners will be randomly selected, good luck!
“From the time I stepped in to the store and for the hours after the event that I petted the pretty things I brought home, I was in heaven.” - Said Jessica from Sassafrass.
Serena, from Zip n Tizzy said, “I readily turned myself over to the stylist, Hailey, telling her that I wanted to break out of my “Mom Jeans” See how it worked out!
Olivia, a confirmed shopaholic, stepped in for Gen Pink to appease her addiction. Read about all the fun she had during her style challenge.
Steece’s Pieces said, “I'm tellin' ya, girlfriends---look no further! LOFT is exactly what I was looking for and caters to all the many different aspects of a woman's life.”

“Everyone should shop at LOFT because it will make you feel good about yourself (and more than a dozen chocolate doughnuts ever could)” - Said Leah from A Girl and A Boy.
See what looks the fabulous stylist helped Kari from The Karianna Spectrum come up with!
Holly, from Caleigh's Corner said, “I had an amazing time at LOFT. The stylists were wonderful and they totally helped little 'ole me out of a fashion funk.” Check out her new looks!
Michelle, from Honest and Truly, loved the star treatment she received “I got to dress up in my perfect party outfit”.
During her shopping challenge, Sheila from Xiaolin Mama, picked up several shopping tips. Check them out!
Julie from The Calm Before The Stork, stepped out of her comfort zone and tried the LOFT skinny jeans. Check out what other new trendy looks she tried.

“Nothing pleased me more than when I came out of my dressing room in a look that I had styled and the stylist exclaimed “Look at her- she doesn’t even need me!” -Said Slynnro.
Kelly, from Mocha Momma said, “Thanks to a personal stylist, I got to mix and match and use jewelry and scarves and belts and things that normally I wouldn’t pick up.”
“My first outfit was chosen as a holiday casual look, with the winter white color scheme offset by the shimmery gold blouse and faux fur neck warmer.” See how it looked on Devin, from Mom’s Happy Handful.

New to LOFT, Jamie from Oh! How Lovely was drawn to all of the colors and was hooked as soon as she walked into the store.

Wait there is more, exclusively for BlogHer readers, save 20% off your next full-price purchase at LOFT! Click here for the coupon!
^{Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. You must be registered at BlogHer, and}^{be logged in to the site, to enter this promotion. If you are not registered, it's free and easy! Simply click on the "Join Us" button in the box at the top right of this page, then come back to this page to enter your comment.}
^{This sweepstakes runs from December 10, 2009 to December 25, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. Please be sure that your email address is up-to-date in your BlogHer profile so that we can contact you if you win! Click here to read the official rules. Good luck!}

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【ツ】Have a funny holiday road trip story? Tell us for 1 of 9 chances to win $200!

2009-12-13T16:22:00.000-08:00

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really ~~like~~ L❤VE BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

Ever thought to yourself, in the midst of a family road trip, “maybe one day I will look back on this and laugh?” Sprint recently asked 8 BlogHers to share their unforgettable family road trip experiences. Check out each of their posts below to read the horrifyingly funny stories they shared.
Now is your chance to share a memorable road trip story. Read on to find out how you can win 1 of 9 $200 Visa gift cards!

See how chaos ensues during Meg, from Muses of Megret, childhood road trip from Louisiana to South Carolina when she coaxed her parents to let her bring a pet Betta fish along.”
Despite the family car being so packed there was, “no room for carry-ons or personal bags, barely any room for snacks, and shoulders squeezed together so hard I could barely move my arms,” Julia, from Sweet as Punkin Pie, scherishes the time her family spent together on long family road trips.
Read how Janet's, from Slice of Pink, impromptu travels plans and spontaneity left her standing in velvet loafers at the starting line of a 5K race on New Year’s Eve!
Busy Mom recounts how she and her family endured the worst of luck when they traveled to Christmas at her brother-in-law’s bachelor pad…needless to say Christmas is now celebrated at her house!
Recalling her first post-college attempt to make it home in time for Christmas, Michelle, from Honest & Truly learned to overcome her stubborn independent youth along with some valuable lessons in traveling.
Dara's, from CookinCanuck, family dog was able to provide a little comic relief during the annual 18 hour family road trip which included several treacherous mountain passes, a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride, and a pummeling snowstorm.
Barbara, from Long Hollow, made a family wedding in Mexico a perfect excuse to expose her children to a different culture allowing them to experience a different landscape, language, and cuisine.
Find out how the perfect cabin rental, close vicinity to a water park, and cheap price left Kristi, from Stepford Stories, husband asking, “did you know there was a train?!”

The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 from Sprint can help insure that your next road trip goes a bit smoother. With GPS to guide you right to your destination, this sleek and performance-driven device is designed to help you do all the things you need to do. It is music, email and web browsing capable, and also features voice activated dialing and Bluetooth® Wireless. Learn more about the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 from Sprint!
Sprint is also sponsoring BlogHer's Family Connections Group, where you can join BlogHer's community journalism project on digital parenting by talking about how you and your family interact with technology. Check it out!
After entering each of the BlogHers’ sweepstakes above, tell us about that wild family road trip that makes you look back and laugh. By sharing in the comments area below, you will be entered for a chance to win $200!
^{Each sweepstakes runs from December 9, 2009 through December 31, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. For Official Sweepstakes rules click here>>}

【ツ】HERSHEY’S® KISSES® Chocolates Holiday Recipe Sweepstakes with 8 ways to win $100!

2009-12-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really ~~like~~ L❤VE BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

HERSHEY recently invited 8 lucky BlogHer Reviewers to try out some of their HERSHEY KISSES holiday recipes. Once the bloggers were well stocked with not only the HERSHEY’S KISSES Milk Chocolate that we all know and love, but also KISSES Brand Candy Cane Mint Candies and KISSES Meltaway Milk Chocolates, they headed over to Hersheys.com to find the perfect recipes to share with family and friends for the holidays.

Look for HERSHEY’S KISSES in the new red bag this Holiday season!

Check out each of the 8 KISSES recipe reviews listed below to see which recipes each blogger chose, and enter each bloggers’ sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Visa® gift card!

For the first time, Gen from Quadville was able to include all four of her 3 ½ year olds during her holiday sweets baking! See how this mom and her young brood made a new family tradition.
Find out which peanut-free cookies were a hit with DeeDee, from Fiddledeedee, and her daughter to share during their holiday family dinner.
“When I told my mom we were going to bake Forgotten Kisses Cookies, she jumped right in. Suddenly, we had three generations of Puddings with whipped egg whites on their hands.” Check out all the recipes Angela, from Fluid Pudding, got her family to create!
“As an experiment I made some of the cookies with Meltaway Kisses---and I preferred them. The Meltaway Kiss had a softer texture even when the cookie was completely cool.” See what other cookie baking tips Kristen, from Swistle, dishes out for this holiday season!

Amie, from Life With The Boys, is sharing treats this holiday by making goodie plates for friends and neighbors. Luckily, she’s got a new “Go To Cookie” to wow them with this year!
When making the KISSES Macaroon Cookies, Jessica, from Oh The Joys, said, “it was only after I finished the actual baking part when I read that the recipe was supposed to yield four dozen cookies. I had made seventeen. [No wonder my jeans are getting tight.]”
Discover along with M3, from Salsa in China, which HERSHEY’S cookie recipes were an "easypeasy treat" for her girls to make.
"Once the house is decorated we get to the good stuff, the baking…if I could bottle the smell of Christmas it would be fresh baked treats mixed with eau de Christmas tree." See which HERSEY’S KISSES recipes Melanie, from Big Mama, whipped up to evoke the smells of Christmases past.

After reading about all those delicious holiday treats and entering each sweepstakes, head on over to Hersheys.com to find that must have recipe. You can also check out Hersheys.com/holidays for some holiday crafts that make great gifts, Holiday screensavers so even your computer is decorated for the holiday, and also Christmas cards and gift tags that you can personalize and print!
HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates even has a Cookie Exchange!
Celebrate the holiday season this year with HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates by letting us help you plan the ultimate cookie exchange. All holiday hosts are invited to become members of the HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates Cookie Exchange Web site, www.kissescookies.com; a social networking site for cookie exchange enthusiasts and a resource for party planning tips and delicious recipes! Browse HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates cookie recipes like the classic Peanut Butter Blossoms, ask other members for recipe suggestions, share and discover ideas for party games, decorations and more! Visit HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates Cookie Exchange at www.kissescookies.com, your one stop-shop for holiday entertaining!

^{NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. Ends 12/31/09 at 11:59:59 a.m. ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., 18 or older at the time of entry. Void in PR and where prohibited. To enter go to www.BlogHer.com (the "Web Site") and follow the online instructions to log in or register. Followers of participating Bloggers should then link to any of the eight (8) individual Blogger’s pages to post a comment (“Entry”) on the Blogger’s page regarding HERSHEY®’S KISSES® Chocolates to receive one (1) entry per Blogger’s site, into the Blogger’s Sweepstakes, during the Sweepstakes Entry Period. All comments must comply with BlogHer.com Editorial Standards and the Sweepstakes Entry Guidelines. Entries must be written in English and must be at least 10 characters. Limit one (1) online Entry per name/e-mail address. For prizes and full Official Rules click here.}
^{SPONSOR: The Hershey Company, 100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, PA.
© 2009 The Hershey Company.}

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【ツ】7 BlogHers try Arbor Mist and give you 1 of 8 chances to win $100!

2009-12-13T11:25:00.000-08:00

Arbor Mist was inspired to create new Sparkling Wine, to bring friends and family together for any occasion. That's why Arbor Mist asked 7 BlogHers to try the sparkling wine and create a themed party basket for one of their occasions. Read each review below and see what BlogHers created. Next, follow instructions on each blog to enter for 1 of 7 chances to win a $100 gift card.
For one more chance to win a $100 gift card, tell us how you bring friends and family together. Enter in the comment section at the bottom of this page. You must also include your DOB (day/month/year) in your comment to be eligible for this sweepstakes.
Update 12/10 New Bonus Review: Michelle Woo put the fun in wedding planning by creating “The Ultimate Wedding Stuff Making Party”- Read the review for entry instructions and rules.

Arbor mist inspired Yvonne from Joy Unexpected to create a “girls night in” basket to unwind from her busy holiday schedule.
To help friends get through a rough time, Oh! How Lovely created the “Breakup Survival Party” basket. Check out the feel good items she included.
Janet from Slice of Pink created a Parisian themed basket for a day of fun with her girlfriends. Check out what she included.
Megan’s Minute created her themed basket around game night. Find out what she included and get some ideas for your own game night!

“I knew right away I wanted my party to center around the idea of being a rock star. So I set off to create a box full of rock star worthy treats and décor” said Monique of Your Style Star.

Cat from Wishbone Clover loves to spend her winter with TV, her friends, and some sparkling wine. See what she put in her “ready to celebrate anytime” basket.

Turn an everyday occasion into something extraordinary – pop open a bottle of new Arbor Mist Sparkling Wine with natural fruit flavors. Available now in Peach Sparkle and Raspberry Sparkle. Learn more.
Nine winners (one per each review post, and one on this page), will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. You must be registered at BlogHer, and be logged in to the site, to enter this promotion. If you are not registered, it's free and easy! Simply click on the "Join Us" button in the box at the top right of this page, then come back to this page to enter your comment.
This sweepstakes runs from December 4, 2009 to December 31, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 21 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. You must enter your DOB (day/month/year) in your comment to be eligible. Please be sure that your email address is up-to-date in your BlogHer profile so that we can contact you if you win! Click here to read the official rules. Good luck!

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【ツ】BlogHers are giving you 8 chances to win a $100 Visa gift card and an Aquaphor gift basket!

2009-12-13T11:21:00.000-08:00

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really ~~like~~ L❤VE BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

What if you could work wonders against your baby’s diaper rash, drool rash and dry skin? Here's your chance! For over 25 years, pediatrician-recommended Aquaphor Healing Ointment has been trusted to soothe and protect your baby’s tender skin.
Aquaphor recently sent 8 BlogHer moms Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash and Shampoo to share with their babies.

Check out their reviews for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card and an Aquaphor gift basket worth over $118!
"Once I realized what a miracle salve Aquaphor was, I started using it for everything." -Kristy from She Just Walks Around With It
"I liked the clean, scent-free suds, as opposed to other kid-shampoos with scents so strong and cloying, it’s like I ran his head through a lavender field." -Mona from Kirida
"This stuff stays, but still feels light. And even more recently I’ve been using it as a face moisturizer. Which-Awesome! So basically we all love this stuff and we’re wondering why we didn’t have any before?" -Shanée from 1 Ideal Life
"It has a clean scent and makes bathtime at our house a little bit easier with only one bottle to have to grab." -Rachael from Little Bites of Heaven
"I will use no other product from now on it's worked so well for my baby and his rash issues. I was getting a bit desperate over in this neck of the woods am and relieved to have a solution." -Loralee's Looney Tunes
"I’ve noticed her skin is markedly softer when she emerges from the bath. Even though the product is unscented, somehow she smells awesome. You know, that clean baby smell. The smell that makes you want to devour babies whole" -This Northern Life
"You buy it because you want something that will condition and improve your baby's skin. The Healing Ointment is free of fragrances and preservatives on purpose, and that's not a feature a lot of baby products can claim" -Leah from A Boy and a Girl
"I have used it everywhere from her little face to her feet. I tried everything out there and this really helped more than anything." -Kelly from Kelly's Korner
To soothe, protect and help heal, visit www.AquaphorHealing.com
If you haven't entered yet, click here to tell your solution for soothing your fussy baby for the chance to win a $1,000 visa card.

【ツ】 Discover a new kind of PC this holiday season with Intel and enter for your chance to win 1 of 8 gadgets!

2009-12-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really LIKE L❤VE BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

Discover a new kind of PC this holiday season with Intel and enter for your chance to win 1 of 8 gadgets!

It's the holiday season and you're looking for that perfect gift idea, right? Well Intel® has some gift ideas for just about anyone - even for yourself! Check out these small but mighty gadgets called Mobile Internet Devices. We're giving you 8 chances to win one of the newest, innovative touch screen gadgets powered by the incredibly small Intel® Atom™ processor. So discover a new kind of PC this holiday season. Just check out the BlogHer reviews and enter for your chance to win on each blog!
The UMID mbook is the world's smallest PC --it's a technology accessory you can take anywhere. The mbook runs full Windows XP on an Intel® Atom™ processor. The five-hour battery life makes it great for all your favorites: Video Conferencing with your friends on Skype, accessing Facebook, uploading photos, downloading movies on iTunes, or even stay productive -- so next time you can skip taking the laptop whenever you're on-the-go!
The Viliv S5 is a 4.8" touchscreen media-on-the go device powered by the Intel® Atom™ processor. This touch screen device lets you take your digital life with you everywhere you go. You can take your music, HD movies, office documents, digital photos and more with you while you're around town, on vacation, at home or on campus. With 3G or WiFi connectivity options, the Viliv S5 gives you a full internet computing experience and long battery life into a portable device.
The Viliv X70 is a 7" touch screen mobile internet device that can literally change the way you use mobile computing in your daily life -- at home, or at work. With built-in GPS capabilities, you can use it for turn-by-turn directions. You can also access all of your favorite office applications or access your media library anywhere you go. With an integrated camera, you can use Skype for video conferencing with your family, friends or colleagues. You get the same internet experience you get on your PC -- all of this and more, now in a portable device!
Now check out what these BlogHers had to say for your chance to win!
"This little mobile device/small PC has made my life so much easier! Oh and it weighs nothing, I swear it's not much heavier than my phone! I have it in my purse all the time and I don't even notice it." -Tiffany from I am Style-ish
"...the applications seem limitless. I’m excited to try Netflix (you can watch films right there on the device), TweetDeck and the Live Photo Gallery." -Michelle from Michelle Woo
"I think it is an AWESOME gadget for folks who travel (having to lug a laptop through security is, well, annoying AND heavy) or, would like to Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Skype or read blogs favorite blogs [hint, hint] and generally surf the Internet on something larger than their cell phone." -Liz from This Full House
"Last night I took Miss Viliv to the local coffee joint so I could browse the internet, create a Christmas card list, and listen to Christmas music. Mission accomplished. PLUS, I was approached by three latte swilling cool kids who found Miss Viliv to be quite fetching." -Fluid Pudding
"The five-hour battery life is great for all my favorites: staying active on Facebook, Tweeting, uploading photos, downloading movies on iTunes, or even just to stay productive." -Hetal from Show Me the Curry
"...if you're a video and media junkie and want to download videos from a NetFlix account or from iTunes and watch them on the go, or if you want a GPS system for car, this is the device for you." -Megan's Minute
"In short, this thing is like a tiny little baby computer! I want to tickle it under its chin and ask it whoooooo’s a cute little mobile internet device, who, who, who?" -Holly from Nothing but Bonfires

^{The sweepstakes runs from December 8, 2009 to December 30, 2009 and is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person and per email address. Please see indiidual sweepstakes pages for official rules.}

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Special Offers

【ツ】HP TouchSmart 600 PC Reviews With 5 Ways to Win One For Yourself!

2009-12-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

*The following review was excerpted from BlogHer.com for your viewing and winning pleasure. Sadly, I was NOT compensated for this post, but I really ~~LIKE~~ L❤VE BlogHer.com & thought you might, too*

HP TouchSmart 600 PC Reviews With 5 Ways to Win One For Yourself!

HP recently gave 5 lucky BlogHer Reviewers the opportunity to try out the HP TouchSmart⁶⁰⁰ PC and share what they thought. This all-in-one computer has changed the way they use a computer becuase of it’s revolutionary touch screen interface. HP was even kind enough to give each of the bloggers another one to give away!
You have 5 chances to win one of your own!
Check out each of the five reviews below to find out how great touch screen access to info, entertainment and social networks can be, and to enter each blogger's sweepstakes of a HP TouchSmart⁶⁰⁰ PC!

Kelly, from Kelly’s Korner, loves how her new HP TouchSmart 600 has great photo editing, slide show and movie applications. Find out what other features have her blown away!
See how the HP TouchSmart 600 has brought Stephanie, from A Year of Slow Cooking, and her family together. “I’m excited that my husband and the girls are so excited, spending so much time playing together, and fooling around with all of the programs.”
Jen, from My Charming Kids, just hasn't been able to keep her hands off it—after all, it is a TouchSmart! “I have died and gone to computer heaven, my friends…there is a program that helps me access Twitter, photo storage and organization solutions that make an obsessive organizational freak like me salivate.”
Check out how the HP TouchSmart 600 has become a family favorite for NieNie, from The NieNie Dialogues. Her children “love how easy it is to do Barbie's make-up with their fingers on the screen.”
Sophie, from BooMama, adores the Recipe Box feature that lets her “add any recipe I happen to run across on the web and will even READ THE RECIPE OUT LOUD TO ME while I cook.”

As you can see, the HP TouchSmart⁶⁰⁰ PC has a whole suite of built-for-touch applications that make this all-in-one so revolutionary.

Instantly launch your favorite apps from HP TouchSmart Home
Experience the best of the Web—Hulu, Netflix, Twitter, Rhapsody, and more—in touch-enabled style
Import recipes from the Web; enter your own, and easily manage with HP Recipe Box
"Write" search criteria with your finger using the new search interface
Use touch to edit photos, and to choose songs and create playlists
Create and share collages with a simple touch using HP TouchSmart Canvas
Use your voice to zoom, rotate, and invert photos
Create professional -looking videos, slide shows, and movies
Watch HD movies on the Blu-ray player; burn and edit home videos
Bookmark favorite movie scenes
Watch, pause, and record TV with the included tuner and remote

Now, check out each of the reviews above to find out how you can win one of your own! Visit the HP site to learn more about the HP TouchSmart⁶⁰⁰ PC.

Easy-To-Do, Inexpensive Holiday Decorations

2009-12-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Don’t bite off more than you can chew this holiday. Pick up the ingredients for these deliciously simple decorations at your local supermarket.

What You Need

Two bags of fresh cranberries, red-and-white baker’s twine, scissors, craft needle, box of candy canes (you’ll need four canes per place setting), Velcro strips, place cards, marker

Three Easy Ideas

❶ Cranberry Garland

Popcorn? Not this year! String a few berries here and there on baker’s twine that’s appropriately peppermint-colored.

❷ Candy Stand

Upend canes and secure to make a place card holder that really earns its stripes.

❸ Sweet Centerpiece

Raid the candy aisle for a display that would make Willy Wonka proud.

Win A Little Einstein Bounce House for Christmas!

2009-12-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

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Win A Little Einstein Bounce House for Christmas!

Passion Parent and Bouncers Bounce House Inflatables will be giving away a FREE BOUNCE HOUSE to one lucky reader this holiday season, guaranteed to be delivered in time to sneak under the tree! (free shipping is only available in the Continental United States-will ship elsewhere if you are willing to pick up shipping costs).
An Inflatable Bounce House makes the perfect gift for all children ages 2 and up depending on the model! For the shy child or one full of imagination, children with special needs or just a child with a little too much energy, have one child or 5 children – then an Inflatable Bounce House will meet your child’s needs! They offer variety, exercise and hours of non-stop fun! Inflatable Bounce Houses are the safer version of the beloved “Tree House” of our youth. Kids can build there own little worlds and play till their hearts content, all in a safe and inflatable environment. And the best part – it’s exercise too! Do you have one of those children who you have to fuss with to go play, to put down the video games and get outside and play? Get them an Inflatable Bounce House and watch the transition take place. Whether it’s raining, snowing or a perfect sunny day, there’s no other childrens’ toy that will offer such variety of healthy entertainment. And let’s not forget portability and ease of set up.
WIN A BOUNCE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS!

WIN A BOUNCE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS!
Passion Parent and Bouncers Bounce House Inflatables are so excited to be able to play Santa and give away – COMPLETELY FREE, 1 Little Einstein Bounce House! They’ll be selecting one of reader as the lucky winner on December 19th, 2009. That way it gets shipped and under your tree in time to be unwrapped. W00t!

Become a fan of Bouncer’s Bounce House on FaceBook
Add www.BouncersBounceHouseBlog.com to your blogroll

Crocs Deal of The Day

2009-12-08T15:01:00.000-08:00

Crocs has some great deals going on all month long.Check out the Crocs.com Deal of the Day each day during the month of December. Along with the special daily deals, they are also offering free economy shipping on any order all month! Use these codes to save and stretch your hard earned dollars even more!

Code UEIMKRKY3ISA may work for 10% off.

Code N9DWZLKY3ISA will work for 5% off until December 18th, 2009.

I love Crocs, I used to only wear them to work at the hospital, but now they have expanded their styles and selections for men, women, and kids. They are always so comfortable and I was so excited to have scored 2 cute pairs of the cozy, lined Nanook ballerina flats. I'm gonna wrap them up and put them under the tree for myself. 【ツ】

HP TouchSmart 600 Desktop PC Giveaway!

2009-12-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

Can you imagine getting one of these under the Christmas tree this year? Well, for one lucky reader it would be a blessing! Jolly Mom Blog has been chosen by HP to offer a great HP TouchSmart 600 Desktop PC Giveaway, but hurry, it ends December 7th, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST.

I've found myself completely smitten with the built-in touch-optimized applications, including the all new Windows® 7.1 and the True HD experience when viewing HD content & playing HD games on the HP TouchSmart 600. Its so ultra cool and ultra techy right now.I would really love to win this more than anything as we are having serious computer issues here on the home front. When you have a routine and become reliant on it, its craziness when it suddenly isn't available or reliable. I'm talking livliehood here, seriously!

"If you've never heard of the HP TouchSmart 600, it is the result of a collaboration between Microsoft and HP. They came together to create best-in-class touch technology that melds the power of Windows 7 with HP’s revolutionary TouchSmart PCs. The HP TouchSmart 600 showcases this technology within its sleek design, HD widescreen, BluRay, adjustable webcam and more. The award-winning multi-touch PC features motions such as pinch, rotate, arc, flick and press and drag let users zip through applications...." It doesn't end there. You'll have to go to Jolly Mom Blog to read on further (its a great, informational review) and for your chance to enter. Good Luck! Thanks to Jolly Mom Blog & HP for the amazing review and giveaway!

Enter the Giveaway here

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies With A Diabetic Twist, Still Full of Taste

2009-12-01T09:41:00.000-08:00

My Hubby was newly diagnosed with Type II Diabetes last week. His blood sugars were so high, that he found himself dangerously bordering Diabetic Ketoacidosis, suffering terribly skewed vision, as well as profound malaise & fatigue. All this ultimately required a 4 day inpatient Hospital stay and an Insulin drip get to him back to normal. My hubby is scared enough now to adhere to a better diet and fitness plan and we are collectively, as a family, helping him along. That means making better choices for the entire family. The holidays are no exception, but you can still Celebrate the season with a batch of classic Christmas cookies. I've come across some great cookie recipes from resources such as Diabetic Living, from gingerbread people to sugar cookies, that have reduced the carbs, calories, and sugar—but kept the flavor—in many traditional, favorite holiday cookie recipes. Here's one of our family favorites.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

Servings: 36 cookies
Calories 66
Total Fat (g) 4
Saturated Fat (g) 1
Monounsaturated Fat (g) 2
Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 1
Cholesterol (mg) 6
Sodium (mg) 35
Carbohydrate (g) 7
Protein (g) 2

Diabetic Exchanges

Other Carbohydrates (d.e.) .5
Fat (d.e.) .5

Peanut Butter Cookies

The fascinating thing about these irresistible peanut butter morsels is that they contain no flour. For holidays, imprint them with cookie cutters to fit the season instead of the star-shaped cutter. The fascinating thing about these irresistible peanut butter morsels is that they contain no flour. For holidays, imprint them with cookie cutters to fit the season instead of the star-shaped cutter.

SERVINGS: 36 cookies

CARB GRAMS PER SERVING: 7

1	cup sugar substitute (we used Splenda® )
1	cup peanut butter
1	egg

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets and set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the 1 cup sugar, the peanut butter, and egg until well mixed. Using your hands, roll peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with a drinking glass that has been lightly greased and dipped in sugar substitute. Lightly grease a small star-shaped cookie cutter; dip in sugar substitute. Press into the center of each cookie.

2. Bake about 9 minutes or until edges are set and bottoms are lightly browned. Makes 36 cookies.

Baby Steps to Savings: Free Stuff & Great Deals

2009-11-24T23:45:00.000-08:00

Sweepstakes

Freebies

Coupons & Savings

Free Stuff & Great Deals

Who knew babies could be so expensive? BabyCenter's is a great resource and is here to help, with great coupons for baby supplies plus special discounts and savings just for you. Check out all the latest baby savings: baby coupons, free baby stuff, and fun sweepstakes for you and your family!

Featured offers:

Sweepstakes

Coupons & Savings

Freebies

The Key To Happiness

2009-11-24T07:46:00.000-08:00

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.

- James Oppenheim, short-story writer, novelist, poet

The key to happiness

The secret to happiness is not to get what you want, but to want what you already have. If you think about it, most discontent grows from want. We want more stuff, more excitement, more pleasure. When we don't get those things, we're resentful and unsatisfied. Take away the want, and you take away the unhappiness. When your quality of life is tied to your desires, fulfillment is a shadow that escapes your view. Like trying to imagine a new color, the harder you look, the harder it is to see. Does this mean you stop setting goals and striving for a healthy lifestyle and better life? No. It means you can appreciate life regardless of the outcome. It means you can relish the pursuit while accepting the possibility of failure. It means you can still enjoy the ride. Happiness is not a destination--it's a way of life.

Kmart Thanksgiving Bluelight Specials

2009-11-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

Bluelight Specials for 11/26-11/29 THURSDAY to SUNDAY from 1PM-6PM!

· Kids Route 66 Graphic Tees $3.99 (Reg. $7.99)

· Essential Home 7.5' x 9.5' Rug in a Bag $34.99 (Reg. $69.99)

· All Multi-Roll Wrap 50% Off (Reg. $7.99)

Don’t forget to follow @KmartDealsnNews and use the #KmartBLS hashtag for a chance to win every day! For more info & rules: http://tr.im/KmartBLS. Good luck!

Infant Care: Preventing Food Allergies

2009-11-22T15:03:00.000-08:00

As a Mom with several kids who have long lists of allergies, its important to be wary of the possibility of allergic triggers early on in life. Some babies are sensitive to certain foods. Therefore, when introducing a new food to your baby, offer one new food at a time. Wait 3-5 days before offering the next new food. During this time, watch for these reactions: rash, wheezing, diarrhea, or projectile vomiting. If you notice a reaction, inform your health care provider, and do not feed your baby that food until she is a year old. Most babies outgrow these reactions once their digestive and immune systems mature.

Before the age of 1, it is best to avoid foods that often cause food sensitivities, especially if there are food allergies in your family. These foods include:

Strawberries
Fish and shellfish
Peanut butter and nut butters
Peanuts, tree nuts, and seeds
Tomatoes
Egg whites
Chocolate
Citrus fruits and juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, kiwi, pineapple)
Wheat (before 6 months)
Honey (the bacteria in honey can make a baby very sick)

Although any child can develop a food allergy, the risk is higher in families who have food allergies. In an attempt to prevent food allergy in high-risk infants, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, and for nursing mothers to avoid allergens, such as peanuts and tree nuts. Delay the introduction of all dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt) for one year, eggs for two years, and peanuts, tree nuts and fish for three years. Ask your child's doctor for more information, or contact the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network at www.foodallergy.org or 1-800-929-4040.

Win a brand-new Kindle from Noobie!

2009-11-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

Win a brand-new Kindle!

"It's hard not to love Amazon's new e-book reader. For starters, it's gorgeous. Unlike its bulky predecessor, the redesigned Kindle is light, thin, and disappears in your hands. If you think there's no way you could ever get used to curling up with an electronic reader, you haven't given the Kindle a chance. Load up a good book and you'll soon forget you're reading plastic rather than paper. You'll also wonder how you ever did without it. The Kindle makes buying, storing, and organizing your favorite books and magazines effortless. You can take your entire library with you wherever you go and switch from reading the latest New Yorker to the latest best-seller without rolling out of bed. In my few days using it, I was won over: The Kindle is the future of publishing." - Farhad Manjoo, Slate

I just entered a contest to win a free, brand-new Kindle from Noobie (worth $259!) and I wanted you to have a chance to win one too, just in time for the holidays.!

Here's how to enter

All you need to do to enter is to click the link below or copy and paste it into your favorite Internet browser:

http://www.noobie.com/kindle-giveaway?ref=950583411

Be sure to read the email you get from Noobie after you register. You'll get your own unique link that you can use to earn even more entries in the drawing!

A perfect holiday gift for you or someone you love (valued at $259)

Noobie's Kindle Giveaway will end on December 10th, 2009 at 11:59 P.M. ET. The drawing for the Kindle will take place on or about December 14th, 2009.

*I was not endorsed or compensated in any way for this post. I like Noobie and thought that you might, too.*

Increasing Your Daily Activity One Step At A Time

2009-11-17T00:24:00.000-08:00

The Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week. As a busy Mom of 5 plus my 2 nephews FT, I know that its difficult to make a concerted effort to actually fit it in to an already busy schedule. But honestly, its only a minimum of 30 minutes. The idealology is that Moderate-intensity activity causes a slightly increased rate of breathing and increased heart rate. It is most accurately described as feeling "light" to "somewhat hard".

Easy ways to add this type of activity to your daily routine:

Park the car farther away from your destination.

Get on or off the bus several blocks away.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

Take fitness breaks instead of cigarette or coffee breaks. Walk, stretch or do some office exercises.

Perform gardening, yard work, heavy house cleaning, or home-repair activities.

Avoid labor-saving devices; turn off the self-propel option on your lawn mower or vacuum cleaner, and hide all of your TV remotes.

Exercise while watching TV. For example, use hand weights, a stationary bike or treadmill, stretch, or perform body-weight exercises such as crunches, push ups and squats.

Keep a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes in your car and office. You'll be ready for activity wherever you go!

Walk while doing errands.

Exercise Extra:
Regular exercise has been proven to lower blood pressure, improves cholesterol, and prevents Type II diabetes.
Walking is good for the body and saves Gas, which in turn saves you money.

Healthy Does It: A Daily Dose of Fruits & Veggies

2009-11-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

Fruits and vegetables are extremely important for a growing child’s daily diet – in fact, experts recommend five or more servings per day. Fruits and vegetables benefit good health in many ways – they are naturally low in calories and fat and are full of vitamins, minerals, water and fiber. They also have phytochemicals, which are what give fruits and vegetables their colors.That’s why it’s important to eat a variety of colorful produce every day.

I know that with the colder weather approaching, sometimes its hard to find seasonal fruits and veggies. Are frozen fruits and vegetables as healthy as fresh ones? Yes! And in many cases, frozens can have more nutrients than fresh when produce is frozen immediately after harvest. This process is called “flash-freezing”.
Ideas for serving more fruits and vegetables:

Make sure they are served at every meal.
Serve veggies and fruits with peanut butter, low-fat dips and cheeses.
Top waffles, pancakes and cereals with berries, bananas or other tasty fruits.
Enhance your lettuce salads with colorful fruits and vegetables like radishes, carrots, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower, apples, oranges and raisins.
Add finely chopped-up vegetables to pizzas, omelets, pasta and other foods you regularly cook (hard for kids to pick the vegetables out!)

A Great Way to Get Kids to Eat More Vegetables!

VEGGIE PIZZA

1 frozen cheese pizza
2-3 cups vegetables (spinach, peppers, mushrooms, etc.)

Preheat oven. Top frozen pizza with variety of vegetables. Sprinkle with additional cheese if desired. Bake according to package directions.
Serves 4.

Two Peas In A Pod But Not One And The Same

2009-11-14T10:13:00.000-08:00

As a Mother of 5 and the youngest being twins, I have taken great resource in the comfort of my local Mothers of Multiples Organization here in Virginia called Tidewater Mothers of Multiples.(There are many similar organizations across the nation in individual cities, take a moment to look them up) One of the major lessons that I have taken to heart since day one is to encourage individuality. Its a bit more easier said than done, but I find as they are getting older its more important than ever.

As babies, your twins may have been fed, clothed and bathed together to help simplify an extremely busy parenting schedule. But as twins grow older, most parents don't want their twins to be carbon copies of each other. How can their individuality be encouraged, and what can you do to help build it?

Try the following 10 tips to help you treat your twin toddlers like individuals and to help others avoid viewing them as a package deal.

Refer to each child by his single name. Avoid labels like "the twins," "the boys" or "the girls." Use each child's given name instead, like Liam and Lucas, for example. To prevent fusing the children's two names together and using it as one name (i.e. LucasandLiam), vary the order in which the names are used. Intermingling the use of "Lucas and Liam" with "Liam and Lucas" will also prohibit giving one twin top billing. I know it's easier to call them one name, but our kids are two separate people. We really try to encourage that by using their individual names

Avoid labels. Refrain from referring to members of your duo as "the smart one," "the artistic one," "the scientist," etc. Labels limit twins' potential.

Use identifiers to help others know who's who. Giving each toddler an identifying object such as different colored shoelaces can be an easy way to instruct others on how to tell your twosome apart. Knowing that Lucas has green shoelaces and Liam's are yellow, for example, will help discourage people from making their own comparisons based on appearance like, "He's the heavier one," or "He's the shorter one." Different colored bibs, pacifier strings, different haircuts or different hair styles such as one ponytail for one girl and two for another may also be used to help differentiate between toddler twins.

Dress similarly instead of identically. My friend Kristen, is the mother of 3-year-old fraternal twins Ethan and Evan. She feels purchasing the same outfit in two different colors for her sons have helped them become aware of their individuality. "Dressing similar teaches my boys that they are unique and that they have some things that are their own," says Kristen. She's also observed that it's helped introduce the concept of sharing. "If Ethan wants to wear Evan's dinosaur shirt instead of his own truck shirt, I'll tell him it belongs to Evan and that he has to ask him," says Kristen. Its been my experience and it's been easier to dress twins alike and that toddlers usually want exactly what another child has anyhow. At the toddler age, parents can start giving them a choice. Separate drawers for each twin's clothing can also promote the concept that some items are personal property.

Go solo with each twin. The chance to be alone with each twin separately can enrich the whole family. A toddler may enjoy a trip to the park or playground with just Mom or Dad. While one twin will receive your undivided attention, the other may bond with other family members or friends. Its a good idea to have one or two compact strollers in addition to the side-by-side stroller for easy use on those solo excursions. Alternating which child goes with which parent on solo outings will help family relationships develop.

Carefully observe each child's interests. Providing structured and unstructured playtimes will help you see each child's strengths. Let them tell you what they prefer.Don't try to force them into what you think is the image of twins. Parents can save themselves a lot of grief if they watch for these cues. I also found it was helpful to avoid forcing each child to do what his twin was doing. One of my sons loves coloring, and the other pretends the crayons are logs and uses them as cargo in his toy trucks. Instead of forcing him to color, I eventually realized he was being creative in his own way.

Provide individual praise and affection, and make sure both children receive their fair share. Foster both verbal and nonverbal one-on-one communication. Touching, hugging, smiling and eye contact are areas where equal may not be the same. A parent tries to respond to the real needs of each child at a particular time.

Incorporate each individual into the dual birthday celebration. Twins will always share a birthday, and toddler twins will probably share a birthday celebration. Over the years, my friend and I have used the following ideas to allow each of our twins to enjoy that special day that he shares with a sibling:

Provide each twin with his own cake in whatever flavor and theme he chooses.
Sing "Happy Birthday" twice with each twin taking a turn to blow out his own candles. Some moms even record in a notebook or journal which twin is sung to first. Writing this down will help ensure that next year the order is reversed.
Give separate presents and cards for each child to open to help develop the individuality concept, too.

Use humor to divert comparisons. Despite all your attempts to emphasize the individuality of your twins and to educate extended family members, comparisons are inevitable. Well-meaning strangers are usually the worst offenders. Keeping your sense of humor can help you respond. For example, a mom's light-hearted response to "Which one is smarter?" might be "I think I am!"

Enjoy your twin toddlers and remember to nurture the natural bond between them as well as to encourage their individualism. If you try to discourage that bond, you'll likely hurt them more than help them, because it will be confusing.

Parents of Twins can relish in the fact that Twins are their own entertainment committee!

Wordless Wednesday: Just Another Mountain View

2009-11-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

WW hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom
WW hosted by SevEn cLoWn CirCuS
WW hosted by 3 Kids and Us

WW hosted by Trisha at MomDot

Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!!

Rainy Day Comfort Food: The Best Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake

2009-11-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

The Best Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake

Ingredients

Butter, for pan
Flour, for pan
7 sweet dinner rolls (recommended: King's Hawaiian)
1 box (1-pound, 14-ounces) cinnamon swirl coffee cake mix (recommended: Pillsbury)
3/4 cup hot water
1 teaspoon instant espresso
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon sugar

Directions (Cook Time: 45 minutes, makes 12-16 slices)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 10-cup bundt pan or square baking dish. Slice 1-inch off tops of rolls. Tear tops into 1-inch pieces; set aside. Place bottoms of rolls, cut side up, in prepared pan. Combine coffee cake batter mix (reserve cinnamon swirl packet), water, instant espresso, oil, and 2 eggs in a large bowl. Beat until well blended. Pour half of batter over rolls. Sprinkle with contents of cinnamon swirl packet.

Whisk remaining 1 egg, milk, and sugar in another bowl to blend. Add reserved roll tops to milk mixture; set aside until milk mixture is absorbed. Pour bread mixture over cake batter in pan, and then pour remaining batter over. Using a skewer or wooden chopstick, swirl batters together. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a cooling rack for 25 minutes. Invert cake onto cooling rack; remove pan. Place cake right side up on a platter and serve warm. For a cute presentation, serve slices in coffee mugs.

Sunday Sweet Treat: Peanut Butter Brownies

2009-11-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
4 large eggs
3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
kosher salt
8 large Reese's® peanut butter cups, cut into pieces
Serves 24 Hands-On Time: 15m Total Time: 50m

Directions

Heat oven to 400° F.
Melt the butter and chocolate in a pan over low heat.
Using a mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until pale yellow and fluffy. Lower speed and pour in the melted chocolate and vanilla. Mix in the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Fold in the peanut butter cups.
Scrape into a buttered 9-by-13-inch baking dish or specialty brownie pan. Bake until the tip of a knife comes out clean, about 35 minutes.

ENTER TO WIN A KEURIG ELITE B40 BREWER prize package from New York Chica and Shoffee.com !

2009-11-05T06:10:00.000-08:00

I Just entered to win, and you can ENTER TO WIN A KEURIG ELITE B40 BREWER prize package from New York Chica and Shoffee.com !

New York Chica is offering one lucky reader the chance to win The Keurig Elite B40 Brewer. The Keurig Elite B40 Brewer is a single-cup home coffee brewing system. It's patented system includes a wide range of features like; patented one-button technology for precise brewing, two available brew sizes--7.25 oz and 9.25 oz., removable resevoir and removable drip tray.
The Elite B40 Brewer is is a great single-cup brewing system for your home. This elite model offers discerning coffee drinkers a wide range of options for brewing.

Where to buy:

You can buy a Keurig Platinum Brewer or any of the other Keurig models for a great price right on Shoffee.com . They have an impressive catalog of K-Cups so you will be able to find your favorites.

One New York Chica winner will receive a Keurig Elite B40 Brewer valued at $99.95, plus 2 boxes of assorted of K-Cups (winners choice) and Two (2) Shoffee.com travel mugs so your fabulous Keurig coffe can be portable and on the go!

Click on this link to ENTER TO WIN A KEURIG ELITE B40 BREWER from New York Chica

Fangs, Fur, and Fey Happy 3 Year Anniversary contest!

2009-11-03T23:52:00.000-08:00

Fangs, Fur, and Fey Happy 3 Year Anniversary contest!

Its an Anniversary celebration where you can win the prizes! Fangs, Fur, and Fey is holding a Happy 3-year FFF Anniversary contest!

Here are the fabulous prizes:

Grand Prize - One (1) lucky winner will receive a Kindle Reader, retailing for $259.00, more info about the Kindle Reader here:

Other prizes - Twenty-two (22) lucky winners will receive a gift card in the amount of $20.00 from one of these five book retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-A-Million, or Powell's - winner's choice

Read all about the contest rules and regs and enter the contest here

Contest started October 30th, and will close on Friday, November 13th, at 11:59 pm EST

Good luck to all, and here's wishing a very Happy Anniversary and continued success to Fangs, Fur, and Fey!

Food Safety Alert! Ground Beef Recall

2009-11-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

Go check your ground beef because it may be contaminated with E.coli. Two deaths and 26 other illnesses may be linked to tainted fresh ground beef.

Ashville, NY, Nov. 2, 2009 — Fairbank Farms issued a voluntary recall for approximately 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef on October 31. The product, which was produced between Sept. 14 through Sept. 16, 2009, is possibly linked to E.coli O157:H7. The fresh ground beef was distributed in September to stores on the North Eastern Mid-Atlantic States. The meat could be in the form of meatloaf and meatball mix to hamburger patties.

While the recall was for distribution centers in eight states, Fairbank Farms has learned that some of its customers may have redistributed potentially affected ground beef into other states.

The recalled products are now past their expiration date by 23 to 32 days. This means they are no longer being sold as fresh product in supermarkets.

The products were sold at many stores, including Trader Joes, Price Chopper, BJ's wholesale Club,Giant, Shaw's, Lancaster and Wild Harvest, and Ford Brothers supermarket chains . Symptoms of E.coli infection include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea that can turn bloody within two to three days. Dehydration and kidney failure can occur. Symptoms typically show up three - four days after eating the contaminated food but can be up to eight days. Contact a doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms.

See below for details on stores and meat that may be affected.

Trader Joes

1-pound packages of "TRADER JOE'S BUTCHER SHOP FINE QUALITY MEATS GROUND BEEF 85/15."
1-pound packages of "TRADER JOE'S BUTCHER SHOP FINE QUALITY MEATS GROUND BEEF 80/20."

NOTE: The sell-by dates for the above two products may be October 6 or 7, 2009.

1-pound trays of "TRADER JOE'S BUTCHER SHOP FINE QUALITY MEATS GROUND BEEF PATTIES 96/4 EXTRA LEAN."
1-pound trays of "TRADER JOE'S BUTCHER SHOP FINE QUALITY MEATS GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85/15."

Price Chopper

1- and 2.5-pound trays of "PRICE CHOPPER MEATLOAF & MEATBALL MIX."
1-pound trays of "PRICE CHOPPER EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF 96/4."
1-pound trays of "PRICE CHOPPER FRESH GROUND BEEF CHUCK FOR CHILI 80% LEAN 20% FAT."

Lancaster and Wild Harvest

1-pound trays of "LANCASTER BRAND 96/4 EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF."
1- and 2-pound trays of "LANCASTER BRAND 90/10 GROUND BEEF."
1-pound trays of "WILD HARVEST NATURAL 85/15 ANGUS GROUND BEEF."

Shaw's

1- and 2-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF 93/7."
1-, 2- and 3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF 80/20."
1- and 3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF 75/25."
1.3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND SIRLOIN BEEF PATTIES 90/10."
1.3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND ROUND BEEF PATTIES 85/15."
1.3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80/20."
3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND BEEF PATTIES FAMILY PACK 80/20."
1-pound trays of "SHAW'S ANGUS GROUND BEEF 85/15."
1-, 2- and 3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND ROUND BEEF 85/15."
1-pound trays of "SHAW'S 90% NATURAL GROUND BEEF."
1-pound trays of "SHAW'S 85% NATURAL GROUND BEEF."
1-, 2- and 3-pound trays of "SHAW'S FRESH GROUND SIRLOIN 90/10."
1-pound trays of "MEATLOAF & MEATBALL MIX."

BJ's Wholesale Club

5-pound trays of "FRESH GROUND BEEF, CONTAINS 15 % FAT" patties.
3- and 5-pound trays of "LEAN GROUND BEEF, CONTAINS 7% FAT."
2.5-pound trays of "MEATLOAF & MEATBALL MIX."

Ford Brothers

3-pound trays of "FRESH GROUND BEEF, CONTAINS 20% FAT" patties.

Giant

1-pound trays of "GIANT EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF 96/4."
1-pound trays of "GIANT MEATLOAF & MEATBALL MIX."
1-pound trays of "GIANT NATURE'S PROMISE GROUND BEEF."
1-pound trays of "GIANT NATURE'S PROMISE GROUND BEEF PATTIES."

Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection or on the nutrition label. These products were packaged on September 15 and 16, 2009, and may have been labeled at the retail stores with a sell-by date from September 19 through 28, 2009, unless otherwise noted above.

Thanks to Jen from ModernMoms !

Want it? Win it! Dick's® Sporting Goods Gift card Giveaway

2009-11-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

I know how precious your time is and I thank you for spending some of it with me. I hope you enjoy yourself and find some good reads here and participate in the first GIVEAWAY on Mommy's Multiple Mayhem one month debut;

but first--here's a bit about me.....

Name: Tanya aka @Twincere, author of this blog Mommy's Multiple Mayhem and my main blog, Multiple Blessings.

About Me: I'm 33 years old and married to my best friend David (ahhh the second time around was the charm for me) & I'm a Mom & Auntie extraordinaire of 5 kids + twins= 9 reasons 2 wake up everyday! While the they are all my children, I acquired & adopted two wonderful daughters when I remarried, Brandy (age 21, disabled & dealing with Asperger's syndrome & Bipolar disorder) and Amber (age 11), my biological kids are: Kayla (13, living with scoliosis) Liam & Lucas (9, referred to as the identical twins, dealing with ADHD and dyslexia) and my most beautiful nephews, whom I am just slightly more than half-raising at the moment; Nick (4) and Jake (1). Somewhere in between all that I work part time at a local hospital as an Orthopaedic (Medical-Surgical) Staff Nurse, night shift specifically. I am also a self described un-domesticated laundry hating, opportunity loving Diva!
I started my Blogs as sort of a personal tome & release to get my write on, and to re post contests and links to blogs that I found interesting. In the little spare time that I have (which is mostly at night, when not working at the hospital and when DH and all the kiddies are fast asleep) I love to of course hang with the family, read, write, run my mouth, sleep, volunteer (classroom Mom and Junior Troop Girl Scout Leader) and enter/ tweet about contests (I'm a member of Online-Sweepstakes.com, aka GonnaWinBig). I'm not going to lie, I love free stuff and great bargains, and I love stretching our hard earned dollars since we have a huge family to provide for. As a matter of fact, I was blessed enough to win 3 Dick's Sporting Goods® Gift Cards over the last several months. I used 2 of them for equiptment and various sporting gear for the kids and some fun stuff for the hubs and new kicks for me! Now, I'd like to pass on the extra blessings to a reader and want to get it out to the winner in time for the holidays. Yeah!

Here's the bottom line.

comments closed. Thanks to everyone for entering and Congrats to:

agordon10 said...: i follow

Here's the deal: I need more comments from you. The more comments you make, the more I know about you, my dear readers, and what you like about Mommy's Multiple Mayhem so I can keep it coming. Also, and let's not take this too lightly, the more comments I get-- the more giveaways you get. So it's win-win. I want to hear from you folks!

I have one $100 Dick's® Sporting Goods Gift Card to give to one lucky reader!

*This giveaway is an incentive to encourage my readers to participate on my blog posts. *I was not compensated or endorsed by Dick's Sporting Goods® in any way to promote their products, but I really like Dick's Sporting Goods® & I thought you might, too* I appreciate all of my Multiple Blessings and Mommy's Multiple Mayhem readers and followers and your thoughts are important to me. Your privacy is and will always be respected. Please read my disclosure at the end of this post*

How to Enter the Giveaway

You MUST Follow me by doing do one or both of the first requirements listed below, include the info in your initial comment, this MUST be done accordingly before all other additional entries will be considered because I will be checking, thanks in advance! If you do not have a blogger account with an active email on file, please leave your email addy in your comment, (like this: Twincere(at)gmail(dot)com--it prevents spam bots from picking it up). If I can't contact you, how are ya gonna know you won? Winners will be notified via email and have 24 hours to contact me (so I can mail it to you ASAP in case you're gifting this) or risk forfeiting the prize and another winner will have to be chosen. Good Luck! Deadline to enter is 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. ! Winner will be chosen via Random.Org

REQUIRED

1 Entry–Follow @Twincere on Twitter and leave a comment on this post with your Twitter name so that I can verify that you are a real person. Real people are cool. Spambots suck. If you follow already, you know that we're cool, just remind me! 【ツ】

AND/OR (since I know that not everyone is on the Twitter bandwagon--please do both of the following. If you already follow on Twitter you can still do the following for the entries as well).

1 Entry– Follow Mommy's Multiple Mayhem on blogger/google friend connect & tell me about how you're really feeling about the upcoming 2009 holiday season.
1 Entry– Follow Multiple Blessings on blogger/google friend connect & tell me your favorite holiday meal or recipe.

After you’ve completed one of the above steps, you can earn bonus entries by leaving separate comment entries for each that you choose to do. Please follow the directions carefully, or your comment will have to be deleted (sorry--its happened before) Here’s how:

1 Extra Entry for each Tweet about the contest unlimited entry opportunity, leaving a separate comment on this post linking to each tweet. Please do not spam your twitter followers though, okay? You can copy this if you'd like: @Twincere has a $100 Dick's Sporting Goods® Gift Card Giveaway here http://tinyurl.com/ybr3kzk #free #giveaway #contest
✰Big Bonus Linky ❤: 5 Extra Daily Entries for each of these that you choose to do– ❶Follow my friend, Dee's blog ; Bella So Savvy on google friend connect (trust me--you'll ❤ it) ❷ Follow Dee's blog ; Bella So Savvy on Facebook Networked Blogs ❸ Follow Dee on Twitter, here
2 Extra Entries –for each non-giveaway or current giveaway post you visit on either of my blogs and comment on, please leave the name/title of the post that you commented in 2 separate comments in the comment section of this post below. Epigrammatic comments with “enter me", “me too”, or “count me in” and so forth will not be considered eligible and will be deleted. unlimited entry opportunity
2 Extra Entries- Tell me what you're gonna do with this $100 Dick's Sporting Goods® Gift Card (if you were to win), or better yet--visit the Dick's Sporting Goods® website here and tell me what your favorite must have's are.unlimited entry opportunity
✮ I ♥LOVE♥ Online-Sweepstakes.com! I love to win stuff and want my readers to win, too! If you happen to be one of my OLS peeps, leave me your OLS screen name and friend me on OLS (I'm GonnaWinBig) for 5 additional DAILY entries. Please leave 5 separate comments each day! ✮
5 Extra Entries- for displaying my button on your blog. Get 15 Extra Entries if you decide to display both of my blog buttons on your blog and/or blog about this giveaway on your own blog. (button codes are in the left hand column, please include the links to your blog for verification)
10 Extra Entries-enter to win Noobie's Kindle contest via my personal link here http://www.noobie.com/kindle-giveaway?ref=950583411

Winners must be 18 or older and this contest is open U.S. residents only. Void where prohibited. If you win and laws or rules prohibit your prize to be shipped to your address, another winner will be selected immediately.

Make sure you leave a VALID email address.
I will not search beyond your profile to find you.That is a part of entering and following rules. Thanks.
You have 48 hours to respond to your winning email.
When entering a giveaway, you MUST follow the Required Entry.
Epigrammatic entries with “enter me", “me too”, or “count me in” and so forth will be deleted.
All negative comments such as “This item is not even worth winning” will be deleted and you will receive ONE warning. Should you violate that warning you will then be banned from the site.

I allow entries Per Email address.
So long as you follow the initial rules and guidelines, you may enter using one or all of your email addresses.
If you have questions about these rules or any other questions/comments, please email me: Twincere(at)Gmail(dot)com

*General Disclosure: As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide my opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may have received compensation for content/review posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions based on my own thorough research, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this site are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the company, provider or party in question. As the owner of this site, I respect my readers and contributors privacy, and will NEVER spam, sell, or rent any aspect of readers/contributors personal information. EVER.

Think QuicK Time & Money $avers! Easy Entertaining Ideas On The Cheap

2009-11-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

No Tricks, Just Treats

Put your loads of leftover Halloween candy to work. Melt those leftover chocolate bars in a saucepan and you can dip strawberries, marshmallows, pretzels, (you name it) for a fun and super cheap fondue dessert night or tasty treat that puts a chocolate-y spin on those same old lunch box snacks.

When Life Hands You Lemons

Next time you have leftover lemons or limes from a party, squeeze the juice into an ice cube tray. Then, when a recipe calls for fresh lemon or lime juice, you'll be all set. These also come in handy to add an antioxidant zing to chilled water, seltzer, tea and cola.

Candle Cleanup

To remove the last of the wax from votive candle holders, place them in the freezer for 15 minutes. The wax will shrink and pop right out, no mess, no fuss!

The Early Shopper Gets the Bird

Try to do your Thanksgiving meal shopping in the early morning or late evening at least one week prior to the holiday. Stores get more crowded as the holiday grows near, and you might find your favorite brand of bread crumbs have sold out. This especially is true on the busiest shopping days of the month, usually the first of the month and the 15th of the month. Most enlisted Military folks get paid on these days and Social Security recipients also receive their benefits on or around the first of every month as well.

Keep the Club Close

Keep club soda on hand to help pre treat any stains that might occur during holiday dinners.

Budget Entertaining

When picking out the food and/or recipes to serve at a party, consider the cost of the recipe ingredients. You may be able to pick different—but still tasty—recipes that will be a little more kind to your pocketbook.

Enjoy a Night In

Instead of going out, plan a cozy night in with your sweetie. Fondue makes a romantic appetizer for two. Curl up on the couch after dinner with a good movie. You'll save money and enjoy more quality time together. Plus, you can enjoy a stress free glass of vino or two without worrying about a designated driver.

Food Allergy Advice

Planning a party can be tricky if a guest has a food allergy. Avoid problems by communicating to find out the specifics, and by using designated cookware and utensils to avoid cross contamination when preparing your dishes. And don't be offended if a guest asks to see labels or avoids foods altogether—she is just trying to stay safe.

Quick Clean for Guests

Last-minute guests on their way over? Don't worry—not everyone maintains a perfectly put-together living room at all times. Grab an empty laundry basket, fill it with any clutter, and store it in an unused room. Then dim the lights and light a few candles to transform your room from cozy-but-cluttered to company-ready.

Kids'-Table Coup

Hosting a dinner party with kids in attendance? Keep them from getting bored at the kids'-table by covering their table with white drawing paper and providing a big box of crayons as the centerpiece. Once everyone is finished eating and the adults are chatting, the kids can entertain themselves by decorating their table.

Settle the Spice

Serving dishes with a little kick to them? Have some easy ways on hand for guests to calm the spice sensation. Milk, yogurt, and bread are great to help cool a peppered palette.

Save the Wine

Have some leftover wine after hosting a party? Try freezing it to use in marinades or sauces for future dishes.

Sensational Salad in a Snap

Restaurant-style salad—think gorgonzola cheese, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds—is easy to come by these days. Just look in the produce aisle near the bagged lettuce for pre-packaged salad kits. Guests appreciate the extra touch, and it's less work than a simple vegetable salad.

Sweet Treats

2009-11-02T15:23:00.000-08:00

The skinny

112 calories per tartlet
7 g fat (2.8 g saturated)
11.3 g carbs
0.5 g fiber
1.7 g protein

enjoy this guilt free sweet indulgence!

Chocolate and Pecan Tartlets

The only thing better than the fusion of chocolate and pecan in this tasty tart is finding out that two of them have only 225 calories!

Makes 24 tartlets

Ingredients

Crust
5 tablespoons butter, softened, plus 1 tbsp melted butter
4 oz light cream cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Filling
3/4 cup light-brown sugar
1/3 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup chopped pecans

Preparation

For crust
Mix softened butter and cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Blend in flour, a bit at a time, confectioners' sugar and 1/8 tsp salt. Form dough into a disk. Cover in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 3 hours. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Divide dough into 24 balls; press into two 12-cup mini muffin tins, pushing dough up over edges. Refrigerate.

For filling
Mix brown sugar, chocolate, egg, melted butter, vanilla and remaining 1/8 tsp salt in a bowl until combined. Divide half the pecans among muffin cups; top with brown sugar mixture; sprinkle remaining pecans on top.

To assemble
Bake 20 minutes or until dough is lightly golden around edges. Let sit 5 minutes. Run tip of knife around cup edges to loosen. Remove when cool enough to handle; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Taking Time For Yourself

2009-11-01T14:46:00.000-08:00

Taking Care of You

You're a parent, school volunteer, Little League coach, and trusted assistant to your boss. You rose at 6 a.m., made breakfast, packed lunches, cleaned the house, chauffeured the neighborhood kids, helped with homework, read bedtime stories, and finished extra work from the office. It's 11:30. You're exhausted. And, in about six-and-a-half hours you'll begin the whole 24-hour cycle...again.

If you find yourself saying ‘Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off!' you're not alone. Most of us -- especially women -- have at some time found ourselves at the bottom of the heap when it comes to taking care of our needs.

The problem with that is that if we don't take care of ourselves, sooner or later we won't be of much use to anyone else--or to ourselves. Just as the airline attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask in an emergency before helping a child with theirs, you must take care of your own basic needs before you can attend to the needs of others. What's more, being busy is not necessarily the same as being productive with meaningful activity. (Do the workaholics you know really accomplish that much more in proportion to the time they invest?)

If "putting yourself first" (a common admonition) sounds too selfish or too hard, try something simpler: Put yourself on an equal footing with those you love and tend to. Do you insist that they get enough sleep? Start making that a priority for yourself, too. Do you give them time for fun and socializing with friends? Then you do the same! Remember Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Human beings must meet their basic needs before they can move on to higher-level goals.

Your life should be like a checking account, balancing out on a regular basis so that you always have assets to draw upon. By making even small deposits -- taking care of yourself with a 10-minute walk or a nutritious meal -- you'll be amazed at the interest you'll reap.

Here's a Great Reason To Fall Back To Sleep

2009-10-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

Set your clocks back an hour tonight and you can catch a few extra winks on Sunday morning!

Daylight Saving Time in the US begins on the first Sunday in November. Set your clocks back an hour to move an extra hour of daylight to the morning.

Listen up, Halloween partiers: you can howl at the moon extra long on Saturday night. You’re getting an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning, thanks to Daylight Saving Time.

It’ll be an early risers’ paradise for the next four months, with an extra hour of daylight moving to the morning. Night owls will just have to wait for their moment in the sun until March, when we spring forward and move that hour back to the evening.

If you're not sure how to change the time on your electronics or kitchen appliance, download owner's manuals for your electronics and appliances on managemyhome.com

Let Daylight Saving Time serve as a reminder for several other things you should do around your home, including: changing your smoke detector batteries; tightening loose fuses in your fuse box; replacing your furnace filter; installing storm windows in place of your screens; and checking that your carbon monoxide detectors are operable.

One last thing you should do: mark the spring forward date on your calendar; it’s March 14, 2010.

Steps

1. Before you go to bed on the first Saturday in November, locate everything in your house, garage and car that keeps time, including clocks, watches, DVD, microwave and range.
2. Set each timepiece back an hour.
3. Sleep in on Sunday morning!

Searching for Something To Love: The Perfect Cookie Recipe

2009-10-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

I have a chocolate chip cookie problem. I have been on a quest to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. I have tried many. I think the answer is…it’s personal. What may be the perfect cookie for me may not be for you. Let us not forget there is the soft & chewy vs. thin & crispy controversy.

After baking a gazillion cookie recipes, I think the determining factors are flour, salt and butter. I seem to gravitate toward salty, buttery cookies. I have also learned that appearance may be deceiving. I have made some cookies that look mouth watering. They may not be the tastiest but the site of them, all bumpy, cracked in all the right places, and gooey, triggers a Pavlovian effect. In that case, who cares about the taste? Bite in and be visually satisfied.

Another personal issue is the chip to dough ratio. WHOA this is a major one! If you are like me, I put half the amount of chocolate chips in my cookies. It’s all about the dough with a sparing surprise bite of chocolate. I don’t want that chocolate overwhelming my cookie. I also think nuts actually disturb the cookie. In my cookie, nuts are unnecessary and complicate things. Some people load up their cookies with “stuff.” This is a hotly contested issue. So many variations.So little time to eat them all.

I do have some advice. Whatever the chocolate chip cookie recipe, using high quality vanilla and chocolate (I've been told that French chocolate is divine) makes a big difference in the end product.

Chocolate chip cookie issues to consider:

soft & chewy vs. thin & crispy
brown sugar vs. granulated sugar
butter vs. Crisco
salted butter vs. unsalted butter
chocolate chips vs. chocolate chunks
(if you are a minimalist like me, small chips used sparingly)
chip to dough ratio
nuts
other inclusions/disruptions

Any ideas on the perfect cookie? Please share your favorites

OK, Its A Not So Wordless Wednesday, + A Recipe, Too!

2009-10-21T05:57:00.000-07:00

So this ~~Wordless~~ Wordful Wednesday Meme is Motherhood.
Motherhood incorporates many different aspects and attributes, one of which is helping to guide and teach your children. Here is my post and and a fun project that I helped guide and supervise my daughter on. She's so independent, and I had to remember to be a good Mom and let her do this on her own. Admittedly, it kind of pained me to see her being so grown up in the kitchen...sniffle sniffle.

My youngest daughter is in the sixth grade, and she had a been assigned a fun project from her Teen Living Class. Her assignment was to find and prepare a healthy recipe that used at least 6 ingredients. Stipulations included no salads or smoothies.

Mom’s Review of Amber’s Chunky Chicken Noodle Casserole:

I was impressed with Amber’s choice of recipe (original basic recipe was from Campbell's® kitchen website, but we tweeked it a bit ) for many reasons. It was great that we had all of the ingredients on hand (yes!) and were able to substitute Fat Free ingredients without sacrificing the taste of the casserole. I love the fact that its a relatively balanced meal that had made enough for everyone to have seconds and was able to be put away for left overs for another day.
Prep: Amber was well organized with getting all of the necessary ingredients out and pre measured accordingly. Amber said that it was easy, and she handled it all on her own very well.
Cooking: Amber waited for the water to boil and cooked the Egg noodles as directed. She followed the tweeked recipe exactly and combined all of the ingredients in the casserole pan and baked it for 25 minutes. Amber even remembered to set the timer, which was also impressive.
Taste: We have a large family, so this was a great, frugal recipe. It was well balanced and really appealed to everyone, from the youngest picky eaters to health conscious Dad. It has been a long time (that I can remember) that the family has actually been excited about having leftovers.
Clean Up: This was very minimal and easy for Amber to do all on her own, without any complaints! All of the ingredients were utilized, so there was no waste.
The Verdict: Success! We would honestly love to make this again. It’s an easy enough recipe that all of our kids could help participate in the prep!

Amber's Chunky Chicken Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® 98% Fat Free Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® 98% Fat Free Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
1 and 1/4 cups Skim milk
4 cups frozen mixed peas and carrots, slightly thawed
4 cups cubed, cooked, skinless chicken breast ( easy enough because we used Berkley & Jensen brand canned Chunky Chicken In Water)
8 cups medium Fat Free Egg noodles, cooked and drained (we used No Yolks)
1/3 cup grated Fat Free Parmesan cheese (We used Kraft)
1 teaspoon Fresh ground black pepper
1 and 1/4 cup Fat Free Shredded Cheddar cheese (We used Crystal Farms)

Directions:

Pre-Heat the oven to 400°F. Stir in the 2 cans of soup, Parmesan cheese, black pepper and the milk together in a Large mixing bowl. When it is mixed well, gradually add all of the chicken to the mixing bowl and continue stirring and mixing to coat the chicken well. Combine the mixed peas, carrots and egg noodles in a large, lightly greased casserole dish/pan. Scoop all of the chicken mixture into the casserole dish/pan, mixing everything well with a large wooden spoon.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the casserole is hot and slightly bubbling. Stir the cooked casserole well. Sprinkle the Fat Free Shredded cheese generously over the top of the casserole mixture. Let it stand until the cheese is melted. Serve warm.

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Easy Peasy?! This cookbook is it! Make It fast, Cook It Slow

2009-10-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Author Stephanie O’Dea, the author of the foodie blog A Year of Slow Cooking, really used her crock pot every single day in 2008 just for the practical purpose and creative driving force behind her new cookbook, Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking, published by Hyperion. I have been reading and enjoying Stephanie's blog for quite some time. Her recipes are creative, innovative and interestingly palate pleasing. This is a great guide for those hurried and harried Moms like me who might have been fresh out of ideas for dinner. Admittedly, I was in a rut and our meals were getting redundant and boring. The variety and versatility of the recipes and everything that one can effortlessly create with a Crock Pot is functionally fantastic! Stephanie's fun and creative recipes really convey a strong message that "your crockpot is not your mother's crock-pot anymore."
This book enlightens and enriches the reader in tried and true crock-pot favorites like; delicious soups, meats, side dishes, appetizers, dips, and desserts. I am actually beyond excited about using the crockpot for holiday appetizers, like the buffalo chicken dip described on page 25. It would provide a nice bite of competition in regards to the same old salad dressing dip. I love how this cookbook kind of breathes life into the Crockpot, and even family fun activities like creating Crock Pot caramel apples would make any Mom the coolest mom ever! There is even a recipe for recycling old candles to make new ones. Yes, candles, in the crock-pot!
Stephanie's wit and her willingness to try anything are what initially drew me in to her website in the first place. I was vapidly searching for Gluten-free recipes as my kids fare well on this type of diet. Stephanie also has a child with Celiac Disease, so all of her recipes are Gluten-free or have been tastefully adapted to be gluten-free.Well many of you might be thinking, What is Gluten? Gluten is a special type of protein that is commonly found in rye, wheat, and barley. Therefore, it is found in most types of cereals and in many types of bread. Not all foods from the grain family, however, contain gluten. Examples of grains that do not have gluten include wild rice, corn, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, quinoa, teff, oats, soybeans, and sunflower seeds. Gluten essentially helps make bread elastic, providing it with that chewy texture it has when eaten.
Celiac disease is an incurable but manageable disease which impedes the digestion of gluten. This autoimmune disorder affects adults as well as children. Individuals with Celiac disease must eat foods that do not contain gluten in order to prevent severe illness, which causes a severe immune system reaction. Celiac disease, is a chronic inherited digestive disorder, which can cause damage to the small intestine. It is estimated that one in 133 Americans suffer from Celiac disease – 3 million adults and children are living undiagnosed with this autoimmune disorder, that can be effectively managed by adhering to a gluten-free diet.
I also think that one of the best parts of her blog are the verdicts, and she incorporates them into her book as well. It's nice to know all the recipes have really been authenticated--tried and tested. This is an extremely useful tool in helping the reader easily pick out which recipes will work for their family. Some cookbooks have fancy and eye appealing photos, but it's difficult to discern whether or not its actually going to taste good.
I have been sending people to her website ever since I stumbled across it, and will highly recommend this book to friends and family. I plan on ordering multiple copies to give as Christmas gifts. Out of the vast conglomeration of slow cooker cookbooks that I own, this one is clearly a cut above the rest. IMHO, its the only one you'll ever need.

* The views and opinions expressed in this post are my own. I was not endorsed, compensated, or provided a product or service for my opinions stated herein*

Mommy's Must-Have Moments: Iced Coffee

2009-10-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

Which iced coffee drink contains fewer calories?

Iced blended coffees seem to be increasing in popularity, and why not? They're sweet, refreshing, and give you a little pick-me-up. But unlike plain coffee, they're also full of sugar, fat, and calories. These two cool coffees sound similar, but which one won't tip the calorie scale?

The Low-Cal Winner
Dunkin Donuts Iced Mocha Swirl Latte

By choosing the Dunkin Donuts drink, you'll save 350 calories and 15 grams of fat. Their 16-ounce Iced Mocha Swirl Latte contains 240 calories and 8 grams of fat--not bad as an occasional treat. DQ's Mocha MooLatte will have you saying, "Moo!" With a whopping 590 calories and 23 grams of fat, you'd likely blow your calorie budget for the rest of the day. Make any coffee drink healthier by choosing skim milk instead of cream and holding the whip.

Hygiene Drive with Giveaway Repost

2009-10-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

Such a great cause--I'm going to gather some extra toiletries when I go grocery shopping and dig through my extra school supplies to help support this great cause!

Hygiene Drive with Giveaway- Repost this on your blog. 【ツ】

There are many people here in the USA that do not have the resources or money to purchase necessities such as hygiene products.

This Christmas, Beauty From the Earth will be sending Hygiene Kits out to the needy. These kits will be handed out to many men, women, and children who are not as fortunate as many of us.

Last year we were only going to send them to homeless but we found that there are many people out there that can not afford the items that are not homeless. These may include mentally handicap persons or the victims of domestic violence.

Our goal is to send at lease 200 kits out.

We are still in need of many more items.

We would like to invite you to participate in this event.We need the following items-
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hand lotion
Bars of soap
Dental floss
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Tampons
Sanitary napkins
Diapers
In addition of these items we will also we collecting color books and crayons for children.

If you would like to donate please mail your items to -
Beauty From The Earth
PO Box 315
Syracuse, Kansas 67878

Every person who sends items for the cause will get 20% off their next order at http://www.beautyfromtheearth.com/
and will be entered to win a 100.00 gift certificate also from Beauty From The Earth.

Let's keep this going! Post this on your blog. I bet we can send out many more than 200 kits!

You can see the original post at-
http://beautyfromtheearth.blogspot.com/2009/10/there-are-many-people-here-in-usa-that.html

Win a Wedding Ring from J.CrewAholics & Tungsten Rings Online

2009-10-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

My girls and I love the timeless, classic clothing separates from J. Crew. But did you know that J. Crew has wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses? It’s fun to get a glimpse of how brides integrate J.Crew into their special day.

J.CrewAholics ( the fab J.Crew Blog) along with Tungsten Rings Online is hosting a special Giveaway that will run until the end of October! Two lucky J.CrewAholics blog readers will each will a ring. They can choose from a Tungsten ring, a Ceramic ring (without an inlay) or a Titanium ring, valued up to $120.

J.CrewAholics & Tungsten Rings Online are hosting a fabulous ring giveaway during the month of October! Two lucky J.CrewAholics blog readers will win a ring valued up to $120.
How to enter? Blog about the giveaway! Make sure to include which ring you would choose: Tungsten, Titanium or Ceramic.

I would love to win a new Ceramic wedding band for my Father-in-law who lost his wedding band years ago, and really doesn't have the financial resources to replace it. I think the Ceramic wedding band is very modern, high tech and stylish looking! I was shocked to find out that " Ceramic wedding bands are one of the strongest materials out there for jewelry, in fact they score a 9 out of 10 on the MOH’s hardness scale and are guaranteed to retain their deep, pure finish."!

Stay Sharp!

2009-10-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

More than 80 percent of seniors worry about memory loss, according to a recent survey. For many of those, complaints about poor memory begin early in middle age. Yet only 20 percent of elderly Americans will ultimately suffer from memory loss severe enough to inhibit their daily activities.

How can you stay in that happy majority that doesn’t suffer from memory loss? Here’s what the experts recommend:

Stay physically healthy. High blood pressure and high cholesterol have been found to play a role in memory loss.

Don’t ignore mental health concerns. Depression and anxiety can interfere with memory function.

Get plenty of sleep. Insomnia or an overloaded schedule will impact both your memory and cognitive abilities.

Exercise daily. Aerobic exercise improves circulation and helps you relax. It can also reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol, which are known contributors to memory loss.

Eat right. Good nutrition is imperative to good brain function. Blueberries, strawberries and spinach are among the antioxidant-rich wonder foods that promote good memory. Also, avoid excessive amounts of alcohol.

Manage your stress. Stress can zap your memory and recall skills. Get plenty of rest, meditate, work out or do whatever it takes to reduce your stress. Laugh as often as possible.

Stay social. Social isolation, particularly among the elderly, can contribute to memory loss because of a lack of mental stimulation. Leisure and volunteer activities with others keeps you focused outside of yourself.

Challenge yourself. Learn a mentally challenging task, such as a new language or how to play chess.

Be organized. Make lists, write things down and have a system for your daily activities. Don’t give yourself a reason to waste your mental energy by worrying.

To improve your memory today, try these tricks:

Be fully attentive and observant. If you are distracted by the phone, social networking, your to-do, etc., it’s harder to learn or remember something new. Pay full attention to the new information at hand. Take a mental picture and reflect on it.

Know your learning style. If you learn by hearing, repeat the information out loud. If you learn by reading or writing, put it in writing and read it a few times.

Use frequent reminders. Frequent exposure to information helps it work its way into your long-term memory. Don’t expect to remember a lot of detail after one exposure to a new concept.

Use mnemonic devices. Use clever tricks to help yourself remember. A common mnemonic device is the acronym (Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge for the notes on the musical scale, or My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos to remember the planets in the solar system). A good way to remember names is through imagery. If your new neighbor is named Dr. Winter, picture him walking through some deep snow in the depth of winter – perhaps wearing a lab coat and stethoscope.

Question: What do you do to make sure your memory stays sharp?

In The Classroom: Are You There To Help or Hover?

2009-10-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

With school budgets under ever increasing stress, and cuts happening in even the wealthiest of school districts, volunteering in the schools is more important than ever. Assistants and aides are often some of the first positions on the chopping block (in addition to supplies), so teachers need help in the classroom with everything from set-up to photocopying to leading small group activities. If you have the time and inclination, it's very much worth your effort to be a classroom volunteer.

It is with this in mind that I went straight to the volunteer sign-up sheet at all 4 of my school aged kids open houses. So did most of the other parents who were there. This will be a good year, I thought to myself. The teachers will have appropriate support.

Fair to whom?

During the presentation portion of the evening orientation, one of my twin son's elementary teacher, a well-regarded teacher with over three decades of experience, said she would make sure she was fair to all the parents about getting into the classroom, and make sure she got through the rotation evenly.
This sounded off to me. Why does the teacher need to be fair to me? She needs to be fair to my son, her student, of course - but me? I wanted to be there to support her and her efforts and do what she needed to be done; that she was thinking she had to be "fair" to me seemed like an undue burden during her efforts to educate this group of children.

I asked around a couple of moms I knew from town. I asked why they planned to volunteer. I was shocked at the responses of some of them. They said their main goal in volunteering was so they could keep tabs on what is happening in the classroom and make sure their child was getting what they think the child needs - and so they could step in early if they needed to. One mother said she'd refuse a volunteer assignment that included photocopying or anything not directly with the kids.

Holding on tightly

Okay, I was shocked. I suppose that as the parent/caretaker of children ranging in age from 1 to 21, and having been through Elementary education in this town before, I have a different perspective and probably a little more trust. For a parent experiencing a school system for the first time, I can see how the desire to maintain some control over the child's day can come about. You're used to having much more control over what they see and do - letting go, even just a little, can be hard. And if your school district is struggling at all, it might be very appropriate to have that in-class oversight.

But, really, we need to let the teachers do their jobs. It's kind of like the "innocent until proven guilty" philosophy of our judicial system: until given proof that my child's teacher is not meeting his needs, I need to give that teacher the space to teach, and not hover, micromanaging every instructional day.

Support, not control

I can't change how the other parents approach volunteering, but I can make the best of my volunteer time. I've resolved to do those volunteer jobs the other parents avoid - the scut work, essentially. The photocopying, the cleaning up after whatever project or class party when the kids are off at the playground working out their pent up energy and/or sugar. I've let both of my son's teachers know that they can call me for this kind of job - and that they don't need to worry about being "fair." Both of these teachers seemed so relieved.

Maybe in one of my kids' classes my reasons for volunteering will change. I hope not, but I'll deal with that change when it comes about. Until then, this very clear support role - not control role - is just fine for me.

Food For Thought: The Top 10 Worst Restaurant Salads

2009-10-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

This is an original content post from my main blog, Multiple Blessings. I thought I'd share it here as well.

Everyone loves a top 10 list and many of them provide a good chuckle or two. Here is a more serious top 10 list that instead of a chuckle, may make your gasp. Why? Here are 10 seemingly innocent salads that contain more than 1,000 calories each!

Number 10

Romano's Macaroni Grill Chicken Florentine Salad – 1,020 calories/17 grams/2,830 mg sodium

Number 9

Quiznos Chicken Caesar Flatbread Salad – 1,020 calories/69 grams fat/2,120 mg sodium

Number 8

Quiznos Roasted Chicken Flatbread Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing – 1,070 calories/71 grams fat/1,770 mg sodium

Number 7

Chili's Boneless Buffalo Chicken Salad – 1,070 calories/77 grams fat/4,380 mg sodium

Number 6

Chili's Southwestern Cobb Salad – 1,080 calories/71 grams/2,650 mg sodium

Number 5

Ruby Tuesday's Carolina Chicken Salad – 1,129 calories/71 grams fat

Number 4

Baja Fresh Charbroiled Steak Tostada Salad – 1,230 calories/63 grams fat/2,380 mg sodium

Number 3

Chili's Quesadilla Explosion Salad – 1,390 calories/89 grams fat/2,710 mg sodium

Number 2

Chevy's Fresh Mex Grilled Fajita Salad made with Chicken, Carnitas, Shrimp or Steak - 1,450-1,620 calories/27-37 grams fat/1,570-2,530 mg sodium

And the Number 1 worst restaurant salad you may be eating is….

Chevy's Fresh Mex Tostada Salad with Chicken, Carnitas or Steak - 1,550-1,720 calories/37-47 grams fat/2,480-3,310 mg sodium

Sometimes you eat at restaurants that do not provide nutrition information for their recipes. You can evaluate how healthy a salad is based on the ingredients it includes to help you make a wise choice.

Be honest – which one of these salads have you had? Are there any on the list that surprised you? Are there others over 1,000 calories that were missed?

Bake Sale-Ready Desserts:Get creative for a school fundraiser with these money-making treats

2009-10-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

This is an original content post from my main blog, Multiple Blessings. I thought I'd share it here as well.
I know that my phone has been ringing off the hook from the my local school PTA's ~~begging~~ asking for my assistance in various school functions, etc. I came across these great recipes from Woman's Day online. They have some great recipes that will surely have you nominated for Bake Sale Mama of the year!

As your little one’s next school fundraiser rolls around, don’t settle for bringing the same old brownies (or, worse, those store-bought processed goods). Instead, wow the crowd of fellow parents and impress the students with these unexpected goodies—from perky Pink Lemonade Bars to seasonal Black Bottom Apple Cupcakes. Or, if you crave the classics, try one with a twist—like Chewy Chocolate Sandwich Cookies Recipe. Any of these desserts will make you the star of the class—at least on bake-sale day.
Bake Sale Recipe Ideas:
1. Chewy Chocolate Sandwich Cookies Recipe
2. Soft Chocolate Chunk Cookies
3. Pumpkin Spice Muffins
4. Little Lemon Drops
5. Snickers Brownie Bites
6. Black Bottom Apple Cupcakes
7. Double Berry Tarts
8. Pink Lemonade Bars
9. Little Carrot Muffins Recipe
10. Orange and Cream Cupcakes

Mommy's Multiple Mayhem

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Tastey Thai Beef Salad Wraps

Happy New Year

Celebrate New Year's 2010 With Cookies

Ingredients: Basic Sugar Cookies

Directions for Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe

Directions

The Best Bubbly Picks for a BYOB New Year's Bash

When the clock strikes midnight, pop open one of these affordable bottles of bubbly.

Italian Zardetto Prosecco Brut is a crowd-pleaser. Fresh and lively with just a hint of sweetness, it has a fruity taste and a tangy, slightly mineral finish. It goes as well with prosciutto and oil-cured olives as it does with takeout Thai. To buy: $13, astorwines.com.

When you’re ready to splurge, make it real Champagne. Deutz Brut Classic Champagne is vibrant and creamy―full of gentle lemon blossoms, pears, hints of stone fruit, and a touch of caramel apple. Delicious with crab or shrimp. To buy: $40, binnys.com.

Fashionable Holiday Handbags for Busy Moms – Coach Giveaway!

The Fashionable Housewife: 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza

Day 12 – HP Envy 13 Laptop with Windows 7

Thanks to The Fashionable Housewife Blog and to HP

and all of the 12 days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza Sponsors!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza

【ツ】8 BlogHers try Tassimo and give you 1 of 8 chances to win your own Tassimo Brewer!

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Easy-To-Do, Inexpensive Holiday Decorations

What You Need

Three Easy Ideas

Win A Little Einstein Bounce House for Christmas!

Win A Little Einstein Bounce House for Christmas!

Crocs Deal of The Day

HP TouchSmart 600 Desktop PC Giveaway!

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies With A Diabetic Twist, Still Full of Taste

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

Diabetic Exchanges

Peanut Butter Cookies

Baby Steps to Savings: Free Stuff & Great Deals

Free Stuff & Great Deals

The Key To Happiness

Kmart Thanksgiving Bluelight Specials

Infant Care: Preventing Food Allergies

Win a brand-new Kindle from Noobie!

Win a brand-new Kindle!

Here's how to enter

All you need to do to enter is to click the link below or copy and paste it into your favorite Internet browser:

A perfect holiday gift for you or someone you love (valued at $259)

Increasing Your Daily Activity One Step At A Time

Healthy Does It: A Daily Dose of Fruits & Veggies

Two Peas In A Pod But Not One And The Same

Wordless Wednesday: Just Another Mountain View

Rainy Day Comfort Food: The Best Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake

The Best Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake

Ingredients

Directions (Cook Time: 45 minutes, makes 12-16 slices)

Sunday Sweet Treat: Peanut Butter Brownies

Ingredients

Directions

ENTER TO WIN A KEURIG ELITE B40 BREWER prize package from New York Chica and Shoffee.com !

Fangs, Fur, and Fey Happy 3 Year Anniversary contest!

Fangs, Fur, and Fey Happy 3 Year Anniversary contest!

Food Safety Alert! Ground Beef Recall

Want it? Win it! Dick's® Sporting Goods Gift card Giveaway

comments closed. Thanks to everyone for entering and Congrats to:

I have one $100 Dick's® Sporting Goods Gift Card to give to one lucky reader!

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When Life Hands You Lemons

Candle Cleanup

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Keep the Club Close

Budget Entertaining

Enjoy a Night In

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