Yummy Mummy Winner

Congratulations to Hil'Lesha, who has won a copy of Yummy Mummy! Thanks to all who entered and for all the wonderful tips on how to stay "yummy."

Keep an eye out for a new contest (possibly more) this coming week. Have a wonderful weekend! :)

Contests!

A few contests for you to enjoy:

~The videos are now in for the Pond's Mamma Mia! contest. Head on over and vote for your favorite. By voting, you could win a chance to see a private viewing of the movie in your hometown with up to 200 guests! (I don't even have that many friends, lol) Click here to vote and enter.

Also, for a limited time, purchase any specially marked Pond's product and receive a free ticket to see Mamma Mia! The Movie or any other Universal Studios release. Click here for details.

~Hanes and Disney are Vacationing in Comfort! Hanes is offering families everywhere in the US the chance to "Vacation in Comfort"! “Vacation in Comfort” during The Year of A Million Dreams at Walt Disney World® Resort. Buy specially marked packages of Hanes products and you could win a Walt Disney World® vacation!

The contest runs from June through August 30, 2008 and seven winning families will be drawn on Tuesday, September 21. You can click here for additional details and to enter.

To help celebrate this promotion Hanes is also teaming up with Emily Kaufman, aka "The Travel Mom" to help spread the word. Starting next week she'll have some tips on that will help any family getaway be what it should be: fun and stress-free! Click here!

~Christine over at From Dates to Diapers is hosting a giveaway where you can win a Graco Pack 'n Play worth $129! Entry deadline is 9pm (PST) June 20th.

Good luck and happy entering!

Yummy Mummy Giveaway!

I'm a firm believer in being both a mom and being trendy. I've tried as hard as possible to not give in to comfortable sweats, ponytails and sneakers (on most days) no matter how hard it may be. It's my belief that if you feel good about yourself, you'll feel good as a mom.

Anna Johnson, author of The Yummy Mummy Manifesto (published by Random House), believes as I do; that us moms can be "yummy" while still being "mummy."

While there are tons of books out there devoted to style and trends, this is the first one I've seen geared towards moms. From pregnancy to toddlerhood, The Yummy Mummy Manifesto should be considered your fashion, health, beauty, home (and more) bible.

While the information you'll find in typical parenting books is important, this book will be your secret indulgence. The one that says it's okay to make time and take care of YOU (and how to do it) while taking care of your kids.

The book is as fun as it is informative. The sections are broken down into easy-to-read chunks for us busy moms. The book covers everything from healthy eats to naming your baby to decorating your home and nursery. I wish I could list each topic the book covers but there are SO many you just have to read for yourself. I promise you won't want to miss a word!

I'll give you a sneak-peek into my favorite part: "Blood-and-Guts Basics for Brand-new Mothering."

"Find small ways to baby yourself: soft-lined slippers, pretty comfortable clothes, a brand-new fashion mag on the nursing table, healthy snack bowls all over the house, and one really decent soaking hot bath (or shower with candelight) a day...or two."

and this, which I really loved:

"Ease up on your routine to meet your own pace. A dirty diaper is not the end of the world; make that cup of tea first if you really feel the desire."

Ahhh...no guilt parenting. Where was this book when my kids were babies????

I am sitting here getting so excited with each bit of advice I'm reading, wanting to share it all with you. It's that good.

Read what USA Today and The Daily News have to say as well.

I am giving away one copy of The Yummy Mummy Manifesto to one lucky winner! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here letting me know how you try to stay "yummy" in this hectic world. One entry per person, and there must be an email address for me to contact you should you win.

You have one week to respond to the winning notification email, or else the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be selected. US and Canadian residents only for this one. Sorry!

Deadline to enter is Friday, May 30. Winner will be announced and notified on Saturday, May 31. Good luck!

Spring Clean With Clorox!

I have always been a big fan of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. If we're having unexpected company or I only have five minutes to do a quick clean-up of the house, they are perfect for wiping down any surface. I especially love using them for cleaning the bathroom.

Clorox has developed a new brand of wipes that are thicker and better textured to cut through sticky messes. Plus, they contain a streak and bleach-free formula so you can now use them for cleaning all hard surfaces, including mirrors, windows metal fixtures and more. Best of all, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria, including salmonella, E.coli and the flu virus.

I was able to review the new wipes in lavender scent and it smelled so good I was looking for excuses to wipe down surfaces! I use them all the time to clean up after our puppy who is taking forever to be potty trained. It's comforting to know that any bacteria that might have gotten onto the floor's surface will be killed with the wipes.

Visit Clorox to learn more about keeping your home clean with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes!

GO3 Winners and An Important Notice

Note: I have lost my Internet connection and am working from a temporary one for the time being. Thus, posts here will be less frequent until this is fixed. Thanks for your patience. :)

Congratulations to Hazel, mom2gabnnat, and Heather! They have each won a box of children's and adult GO3 Omega 3 Supplements!

Here's what each had to say about staying healthy:

Hazel: "I buy lots of fruit and try to make sure everyone eats enough fiber."

mom2gabnnat: "We have been getting a lot more exercise (especially with the high gas prices) and I have been making sure we eat healthier foods with plenty of fresh produce."

Heather- "I introduce healthy foods to the kids, and avoid buying sugary things (but I'm still working on getting the hubby to stop buying poptarts and ho-hos."

Great tips (and I giggled at the ho-hos). Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to GO3 for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway!

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

I can still remember leaning over my Rice Krispies as a kid, listening carefully for the "snap, crackle and pop" in the bowl. It was like magic to me as I really thought the Rice Krispies characters were in my cereal, hard at work making it sing to me.

Rice Krispies has been delivering such magical moments to families for more than 80 years! Today, there are so many more delicious varities to choose from than there were when I was a kid.

From fruity, to chocolatey, to classic, there's always a Rice Krispies to fit your mood.

Of course, we can take any of the cereals and make all sorts of delicious recipes with them, including Rice Krispies Treats, one of my favorite snacks.

No time to mix up a batch? There's a whole line of pre-made Rice Krispies Treats so you can just pick a box and go!

Head on over to "Childhood is Calling," the official Rice Krispies site, for special offers, music, games, and more. Enjoy!

Go For Gold With Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold!

With today's busy schedules, breakfast can be one of the most challenging meals of the day. But it's also the most important. Without a healthy breakfast, our children (as well as ourselves) can't get off to a good start. Energy, concentration, mood and more can all be affected.

Kellogg's recognizes the importance of a healthy breakfast and has a stellar reputation as a leader in breakfast foods. Their newest product, Frosted Flakes Gold, is yet another nutritious and tasty cereal with the added benefit of long-lasting energy. Even atheletes are turning to Frosted Flakes Gold as their breakfast of choice.

Frosted Flakes Gold is made with the same, delicious, crunchy flakes you've always loved, but these are baked in honey. Yum!

More importantly, they contain 10 g. of whole wheat per serving, ensuring long-lasting energy throughout your day.

Click here to "earn your stripes" and to learn more about eating right with Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold.

Cranergy

If there is one thing that moms need in abundance, it is energy. I feel like each child I birthed took a huge chunk of energy from me that I'll never get back (and it shows in them and in me!)

Unfortunately for me, my stomach is too sensitive to handle coffee, so if I wake up in a fog, I have to stay in it.

That's why I was thrilled to review new Cranergy by Ocean Spray. Cranergy gives you the energy boost you need without making you jittery or edgy.

The drink is all-natural and uses B vitamins and green tea extract to give you the energy you need. No harsh or artificial stimulants at all. There's also high levels of antioxidants (from the cranberry juice and green tea extracts) that help the body fight free radicals and stay healthy, as well as Vitamin C to help boost your immune system.

I found Cranergy to be delicious and my stomach was not bothered at all by the natural caffeine in the green tea extract. I did feel some extra vigor, and part of that could be related to hydration. Recent studies have shown that a 5% reduction in body fluids can lead to as much as a 30% loss of energy!

Cranergy comes in two delicious flavors: Cranberry Lift and Raspberry Cranberry Lift. Each contain only 35 calories per eight-ounce serving, so you need not resort to calorie-laden beverages when you need a boost of energy. Just reach for Cranergy instead! I will from now on.

Click here for a coupon and to learn all about Cranergy. Use their "energy meter" while you're there (I'm "The Balancer"...see what results you get....the quiz is really fun). You can also check out energy tips, find recipes, and join the Cranberry Club.

Enjoy!

Ragu to the Rescue!

I hate to cook. Even more than cooking, I hate to clean. As a busy mom, I don't have the time or energy for either, but I still have to do it of course.

I had the chance to review a product that I am SO happy to have found and has made cooking and cleaning a little bit easier! New Ragu Fresh & Simple Pouches make dinner simple and convenient. You simply snip off the corner of the pouch and heat for 90 seconds in the microwave. "Clip it, pop it, pour it!"

No messy pots or pans to clean! How great is that?

Our family loved the tomato, onion and basil sauce the best. We've always been a Ragu family. It's been our favorite brand for years. The Ragu Fresh & Simple Pouches have the same great taste our family has always loved. And just like their traditional sauces there is no sugar added, no artificial additives or preservatives, and each pouch contains Vitamin C, calcium, fiber and protein.

We added the Ragu Fresh & Simple Pouch sauce on top of rigatoni pasta and topped it all off with parmesan and mozzarella. A healthy and easy dinner....that everyone loved! What more could a mom ask for?

For more information, visit the "Feed Our Kids Well" website, and while you're there, check out tons of great tips, meal ideas and more!

G03 Giveaway - THREE Winners!

Ummm....two words: David. Beckham. Got your attention? :)

Mr. hotness Beckham is the new spokesperson for GO3 Omega-3 supplements. His message is, "Put goodness in to get a head start. Go for it!"

I had the opportunity to review both the children's and adult GO3 Omega-3 supplements and I can say with the utmost assurance that this is a high-quality product.

First of all, the children's version is chewable. I know what you're thinking. Chewable fish oil? But the makers of GO3 have miraculously taken out any "fishy" taste and instead it is strawberry flavored. So kids will actually enjoy getting their recommended daily allowance of healthy Omega-3 oils. My kids loved them!

I tried the adult version and it did have a bit of a fishy aftertaste (you swallow the adult ones), but I found if I took it with food, I couldn't taste anything at all.



The American Heart Association recommends 2-3 servings of fatty fish per week, but most Americans are too busy or too concerned with the amount of mercury in many fish so they opt out of Omegas. But Omega-3 fish oils are important and provide several health benefits:

~Supporting a healthy heart, circulation and joints

~Fighting inflammation (now considered one of the top skin-agers)

~Improving general mental health and cognitive performance in normal aging

Pretty important, wouldn't you say?

Want to try it out for yourself? GO3 is giving away a box of adult AND children's supplements to THREE lucky winners! (That's a value of $44 for each winner!)

To enter, simply leave a comment here and let me know what you do to keep you and/or your family healthy. One entry per person. Deadline to enter is Tuesday, May 20 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

For a bonus entry, link to this contest and to GO3 on your site, then leave a separate comment here with the link so I can give you proper credit.

Winner will be selected at random using random.org and announced here on Wednesday, May 21 (winner will be contacted by email as well, so be sure to leave a way for me to contact you or I will have to discard your entry...sorry!)

You have two weeks from the date of notification to claim your prize. If the prize is not claimed, I reserve the right to select another winner.

Good luck to all!

First Juice

As moms, we all want our children to have the best, most nutritious diet available. Convenience is sometimes put aside in order to accomplish that, as many "convenient" foods/drinks are often unhealthy.

That is why I was so impressed by First Juice, an organic fruit and vegetable juice for toddlers that contains nothing artificial and is low in sugar and calories. Plus, it comes with a convenient, removable sippy top so that you can grab a bottle on the go.

My kids are well beyond the toddler stage but they LOVED the juice. They were a little reluctant to try anything with the word "carrot" in it (we tried the banana/carrot and apple/carrot flavors), but they were pleasantly surprised by its delicious taste.

First Juice is running a "Drink Outside the Box" campaign, where they are asking moms to try the juice out with their friends. Simply visit their website and the first 50 moms who sign up will receive a free CASE of First Juice sippy-top bottles to share with their friends, family and their toddlers.

If any of those whom you share the juice with provide their feedback on the site, you will receive an additional case of 32. oz bottles free!

Simply click here to sign up. Enjoy!

Suri Cruise Ladybug Skimbaco Shoes Winner

Congratulations to Cindy who won the Suri Cruise Ladybug shoes giveaway, sponsored by Skimbaco! And thanks to Katja at Skimbaco for sponsoring the awesome giveaway!

Thanks also to everyone who entered and linked. I wish you much luck in future contests!

For a very inspirational story, you must stop by Katja's blog to read her entry on what this experience (Tom Cruise showing and mentioning the shoes from her store on the Oprah show) has done for her.

Katja is one of those selfless, giving people who takes an opportunity and creates something amazing out of it. She has been through so much lately, yet she still remains positive.

Instead of simply basking in the publicity on her own (which she would have every right to do), she instead has decided to create a charity to help other bloggers and mompreneurs garner publicity themselves. She is simply amazing.

Click here to read all about her new venture and if you're in need of a little PR, Katja is your go-to woman. Good luck and congratulations, Katja! You totally rock!

Mother's Day Book Extravaganza Winner

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom readers out there! I hope you're having a fabulous, fun and relaxing day.

The lucky winner of the Mother's Day Book Extravaganza Giveaway sponsored by Hachette Book Group USA is....

~Bebemiqui from Young Mom in the Big World. Congratulations!

And many thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway!

If you didn't win, don't worry. There are always tons of fabulous contests going on here, with lots more coming up this week. So keep an eye out and good luck!

Pizza Hut Tuscani Pasta Winner

First of all...wow! There were over 370 entries into the Pizza Hut Tuscani Pasta Giveaway! Thanks to everyone who entered.

I discovered a glitch in the set-up of this site during this contest. When you go directly to the contest page, only the first 200 entries show up. I will be contacting my blog designer to fix that, but I wanted to assure everyone who entered that EACH entry was counted (I simply clicked the "post a comment" button to pull up all of the entries...Haloscan entries were also counted, of course).

So without further adieu, the winner of the Pizza Hut Tuscani Pasta Giveaway is...

~Trishden (non-blogger)! Congratulations, Trish! I will be emailing you with info on claiming your prize. Enjoy!



Many thanks to Pizza Hut for this awesome giveaway, and thanks again to all who entered. If you didn't win, don't worry. There are always lots of contests going on here, including these current giveaways:

~Click here to enter to win Suri Cruise's favorite shoes from Skimbaco.

~Click here to win FIVE hip and fun chick lit books from Hachette Book Group USA.

There will be another fantastic contest announced soon, so keep an eye out. Good luck! :)

Mother's Day Book Extravaganza Giveaway!

I have a very special giveaway in celebration of all mothers. Thanks to Hachette Book Group USA, I am giving away not one...not two...not three...not four...but a bundle of FIVE fabulous books to one lucky winner:


~The Woman Who is Always Tan and Has a Flat Stomach by Lauren Allison and Lisa Perry.

"Allison and Perry take on soccer moms, video dads, rabid gardeners, and grating couples in this collection of short, punchy essays. Less-than-perfect moms and dads everywhere will be sure to relate to the authors' portraits of the most annoying people around!"

~Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter. (Read my review of this book here)

"Can this ex-urbanite remain uniquely herself without alienating the inner circle of smug, cookie-cutter executive wives? And when push comes to shove, can she stop being the proud odd mom out and take a chance at something frighteningly-and tantalizingly-new?"

~Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter (sequel to Odd Mom Out).

"As a young California girl growing up in a blue collar neighborhood, Taylor Young dreamed of being popular, beautiful, and acquiring a wardrobe to die for. Not to mention marrying a handsome, successful man and living happily ever after in a gorgeous house with three wonderful children. Now, at 36, Taylor has reached the pinnacle of her dreams, but is it all about to unravel?"

~Names My Sisters Call Me by Megan Crane.

"When her longtime boyfriend proposes, Courtney decides it's finally time to call a truce and bring the three sisters together. After all, they're grown-ups now, right? But it turns out that family ghosts aren't easily defeated--and neither are first loves."

~Carpool Diem by Nancy Star.

"...when an obnoxious co-worker conspires to force Annie out of her job, she finds herself out of work and face-to-face with her family, who, it turns out, isn't quite as well-adjusted as Annie thought."

I have to say, I am personally in love with Hachette Book Group USA. They put out THE best chick lit! You will not be disappointed! And with this bundle of books, you'll be set for weeks for the best poolside reading you've ever experienced.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite book of all time is. For a bonus entry, link to this contest on your site, then leave a separate comment here with the link so that I can give you credit.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 10. Winner will be selected at random using random.org and announced on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11. Good luck and happy reading!

Win Suri Cruise's Favorite Shoes!

Note: This post will stay at the top of this site for the next few days. Scroll down for newer entries. Keep an eye out for a very special Mother's Day giveaway that will appear here on Tuesday. Thanks!

Did any of you catch Tom Cruise's interview on Oprah? How about the adorable lady bug shoes that Tom said were Suri's favorite?

Well, guess what? Now YOUR baby can win the EXACT same pair from the VERY SAME store that Suri's shoes came from!



I am proud to say that my blogging buddy Katja owns the store, Skimbaco, that Suri's shoes were bought at!

Here's the scoop: Katja's friend is close friends with the Cruise/Holmes family (Tom, Katie and Suri) and came to Katja for help in putting together a gift basket for them. The basket was filled with the most luxurious and popular goodies from Katja's boutique Skimbaco.

Katie received several gifts, and Suri received even more! The whole family received Blume Girl personalized products and DeAnna Cochran designer jewelry.

Little did Katja realize that one of the gifts, the Monkey-Toes Little Ladies ladybug maryjanes, would become "Suri's favorite" according to Tom Cruise. The shoes got a close-up on the Oprah show as Tom touted them!



Click here to see the video (the shoes are shown at the 1:38 mark).

Now these shoes are the talk of the town and a must-have for hip babies everywhere!

Want to win a pair for the little girl in your life? Simply visit Skimbaco and take a look around at all the fabulous products they have to offer. Then leave a comment here letting me know what your favorite Skimbaco product is.

For a bonus entry, link to this contest and tell your readers that Suri loves her ladybug shoes from Skimbaco (please link to Skimbaco as well). Leave me a separate comment with the url of your post so I can be sure to give you credit for a bonus entry.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 11. Winner will be selected at random using random.org and announced on Monday, May 12. Good luck! :)

That Baby CD Winner

Congratulations to Britt from Sparkled Vintage Charm! She has won a copy of That Baby Cd!

Thanks to everyone who entered and if you didn't win, don't worry. There are always lots of fabulous contests going on here. Keep an eye out for a Mother's Day Extravaganza giveaway (coming today) that you won't want to miss!

Norton 360 - Protection You Can Count On

There are several computers in my home, all networked. And each one has had at least one deadly virus. I lost a laptop not long ago to a virus it couldn't recover from. And my teenage daughter seems to pick up a new virus everyday as she surfs such virus-laden sites like MySpace.

So I was like an eager kid in a classroom raising my hand yelling, "Pick me! Pick me!" when an offer went out from Mom Central to try Symantec's new anti-virus software, Norton 360 vs. 2.0.

This software is the creme de la creme, people! We have not had a virus since installing it. And the installation? Super easy.

Norton 360 vs. 2.0 has all of the protection you've come to expect from Symantec plus added features that make you wonder how you ever got along without it before:

~You can set it up to automatically scan for viruses and backup your files (including photos, MP3's and videos) and it runs while your computer is idle. No more pop-up security screens interrupting you when you're surfing the net!

~There's now "Norton Identity Safe," that protects your passwords and online id's...no more worrying about hackers obtaining your personal information if you're shopping online or using online banking.

~Convenient automatic form-filling capabilities and one-click log-in to trusted sites and safeguards against phishing sites.

~Registry File Cleanup which optimizes PC performance by removing unneeded files automatically.

~Parental control and anti-spam packs available for download at no extra charge.

The best thing about all of these features? You have the ability to pick and choose which ones you want to utilize and which ones you don't. If you'd rather not have a certain feature run, you simply say so on install (and you can always change your mind later).

And because you can set up your favorite features to run automatically, it's one less thing for busy moms to have to worry about. It's like having a round-the-clock bodyguard protecting your computer. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about losing all of my files to a virus ever again!

You can protect up to 3 computers in one household, another feature that was important to us. We are so impressed with this software and how it has protected us that we won't ever be without it again. There are some things you can skimp on to save money. Security should never be one of them.

Please note: Norton 360 vs. 2.0 is only available for PC computers at this time and will not work for Macs.

For more information on Norton 360 vs. 2.0, including how to purchase, click here.

Win a Spa Trip and Jonas Brothers Tickets

How many mothers reading this have had at least one crazy morning with their child/children? Show of hands please.

All of you? That's what I thought.

Yes, we've all had those mornings. A shoe suddenly goes missing, only to be found chewed up in the dog's mouth. Or your kids decide to tell you that morning that they have nothing left to wear because you haven't done laundry.

The makers of Breakfast BREAKS understand, and that's why they've created quick, easy and nutritious prepackaged breakfasts so that giving your children a proper breakfast is one less thing you have to worry about in the morning.



Now, Breakfast BREAKS has teamed up with Denise Jonas, mom of the hot new band The Jonas Brothers, in search of "Mom's Craziest Morning."

Log on to the Breakfast BREAKS contest page and enter your "craziest morning" story (200 words or less) for a chance to win four tickets to one of the The Jonas Brothers' summer concerts. And as a reward for all those crazy mornings you've spent with your kids, they're also giving moms a "BREAK" by throwing in a $150 Gift Certificate to Spafinder.com! (you can choose among 4,000 spas!)

The "In Search of Mom's Craziest Morning" essay contest runs from now until June 15th, and one winner from four regions of the country will be selected. Good luck!

Pizza Hut Tuscani Pastas Giveaway

I am thrilled to announce that I got to be a food critic for a day!! You should've seen me here at my home as Pizza Hut delivered their new Tuscani Pasta to my family to review for this site. I was all sophisticated, tasting each bite carefully as if I were a world-renowned food critic. Fun!

So, now I pass on my sophisticated feedback on Pizza Hut's new Tuscani Pastas (yes....you can now have delicious pasta delivered right to your door).

OMgosh! Delicious! Tasty! Had-to-have more! How's that for sophisticated? :)

Seriously, I am actually very picky when it comes to my food and so is my family. And we all loved it. We chose the Tuscani Pasta in Meaty Marinara (they also have Creamy Chicken Alfredo). It comes hot and fresh and is served with scrumptious breadsticks.



The sauce was thick and tangy, with lots of meat mixed in. The pasta was tender without being watery. We were all fighting over who go a bigger portion and vowed to order it again as soon as we could.

But don't take my word for it! One lucky winner will get a Pizza Hut Tuscani Pasta dinner for four (including 5 breadsticks) delivered to their door!

Simply leave a comment here to be entered. For a bonus entry, blog about this contest on your site and leave a separate comment here letting me know you've done so (please include the link to your post). Contest open to U.S residents only. Deadline to enter is 11:59 on Thursday, May 8.

Be sure to enter our contest for a free "That Baby CD" while you're here. Just click here to enter. Good luck!