Embracing a Healthy Family

Blogmania 2010 is On! Enter to Win a $700 Prize Pack for ONE 9/15 and 9/16





It's here!  Are you ready to win thousands of dollars of prizes?  My site alone has a value pack at over $700!  


After you enter mine, head out to the next blog on the site at the bottom.


*If you are having trouble finding the comments section, scroll down to the last comment and you will find the "leave a comment" link.

You can click here to see the original post with all the pictures of what you will win and click on each of the pictures below to visit each of my sponsors sites directly. 


The pictures below don't show all the prizes that will be given.

If you like the prizes, please visit each of my sponsors to thank them!  This is just a portion of the prizes.




Find me on Facebook       Find me on Twitter


To enter (find the area to leave comments under the list of other participating bloggers):

Leave a comment that you want to win and follow my blog - use Internet Explorer if you cannot find it.

Extra Entries:
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily) - two entries
  • Like me on Facebook
  • Subscribe to my blog
  • Vote for me as Top Babble Mom

Giveaway ends 9/17 at midnight (EST) - winner will be notified within 72 hours.



    Fur and Feathers by Janet Halfmann Book Review


    In this complimentary delightful e-Book that I had a chance to review, I found another great example of how author, Janet Halfmann, can make learning fun with the use of animals.  Janet captures the magic of animals in such detail that it brings them into a whole new light.  I always enjoy reading the books by Janet and can't wait to read them to my daughters.  In Fur and Feathers, Sophia has a dream of great winds whisking the fur and feathers off all her animal friends.  Faced with what to do for these helpless animals, Sophia's creativity uncovers beautiful new ways to cover her friends and teaches a great lesson on sharing, giving and helping others.


    Another great feature of Janet's books end with a learning experience for children.  For Creative Minds further challenges children to learn in a fun way with four pages of fun learning activities at the back of the book.


    This book is recommended for ages 4-9 and is published by SylvanDellPublishing..


    Both my girls enjoyed the story as did I and I think you will too!


    You can purchase Janet's book online or any of Sylvan Dell Publishing books here.

    LIBERTY MUTUAL TO KICK OFF “NATIONAL CONVERSATION DRIVE” IN CHICAGO


    Liberty Mutual Insurance
    , the eighth-largest car and home insurer in the U.S., will kick off its “National Conversation Drive” at a day-long event at Chicago’s Millennium Park.  Members of the public will don movement-restricting “senior simulator suits” and wear special vision-impairing glasses to help simulate the effects of aging on driving ability; participants in the experience will also be asked to complete an online pledge to have conversations with their elderly parents and family members about senior driving safety, as well as transportation alternatives for seniors. 

    Also on hand will be representatives from ITNAmerica and ITNChicago, Liberty Mutual’s partners in providing safe, alternative transportation to seniors; and the Macklin Intergenerational Institute, which consulted with Liberty Mutual and specializes in intergenerational awareness and acceptance.

    TUESDAY, September 21, 2010 from 9am to 5pm at Millennium Park in Chicago.  

    For those that cannot make the event, online pledges can be made at www.LibertyMutual.com/senior-driving or on Facebook (a link can be found at that link). 

    Hellmann's Virtual Sandwich Swap 'n' Share: How You Can Help Feed Hungry Kids

    Hellmann's® / Best Foods® Sandwich Swap 'n' Share: To Benefit Share Our Strength® - No Kid Hungry. Help us donate $75,000 when you build and swap sandwiches with friends! We're proud to partner with Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit that connects children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Create your perfect sandwich, let us create one for you or choose a celebrity sandwich and we'll make a donation to Share Our Strength®. Plus, every time you swap with a friend, we'll make another donation! GET STARTED >


    Don't you just love back to school and thinking about what to make for lunch?  I always dread it as my one child is so picky so it's hard to make interesting lunches with better ingredients.  I always hope that the school lunch will be good even though I know my prepared lunch would most likely be better and healthier for her.  One thing that happened in our school system last year at the end of the year were notifications of a huge amount of back fees for unpaid lunch.  I saw it on our local FreeCyclers group and was taken back by the mean comments by those not understanding why a child may not have money to pay for lunch.  The truth is many people can't afford it then and more now.  This is where Hellmann's comes into play for this post.


    Hellmann's® and Best Foods® Mayonnaise are putting the fun back into lunch this September with their virtual Sandwich Swap 'n' Share program.  Celebrity chef Bobby Flay and actress/mom Lori Loughlin are teaming up with Hellmann's® to help re-launch Hellmann's® virtual Sandwich Swap 'n' Share on the Facebook® application (Facebook.com/Hellmanns).  This virtual version of the beloved school lunch ritual of swapping sandwiches will benefit Share Our Strength®, the leading non-profit organization ending childhood hunger in America.


    When people visit Hellmann's® Page on Facebook®, they'll have the opportunity to create a sandwich on the application and, for every sandwich built, Hellmann's® will make a donation to Share Our Strength®.  What's more, when they share a sandwich with a friend, an additional donation will be made as part of Hellmann's® $75,000 commitment to support Share Our Strength®.


    Need some inspirational ideas for cooking?  Check out what is also on the Hellmann's Facebook site:

      

    • Chicken Or Turkey Gyros
    • Grilled Steak Sandwiches With Steak Sauce Mayonnaise & Romaine
    • Pimento (Red Pepper) Cheese-Bacon Burgers
     Many more great recipes here.

    *Disclosure:  I wrote this post and have been entered for a chance to win a gift as part of the Hellmann's® program via my participation with Moms Select.
    program.

    Last Hours for Blogmania at Health, Beauty, Children & Family!

    Hurry and enter to win a prize pack at over $700 for ONE winner!  AdorableBabyClothing.com is providing two infant Christmas sets, Ficklets has provided adorable eyewear charm huggers, Evelyn White has amazing handmade linens and so many more sponsors are providing this incredible prize pack for ONE!  


    Entries are low compared to other blogmania giveaways but your chances are just the same with a bigger giveaway!


    Enter before midnight tonight here!

    Easy Way to Help: Vote for September's Pepsi Grant Refresh Projects

    Just takes under 20 seconds to text vote for each these wonderful Pepsi ideas - text the number to 73774 (Pepsi):

    • Text 100236 Help fund a non-profit music organization (Ed Fest)
    • Text 101439 1p36 Deletion Syndrome in children
    • Text 101259 MS Dreams - Multiple Sclerosis
    • Text 101307 Build Community Courts for Libby
    • Text 100796 BeInstrumental
    • Text 100047 Ovarian Cancer Awareness
    • Text 101692 End Leading Cause of Child Disability (CMV)
    • Text 100585 Help a Community Build a Fitness Center (Buss)
    • Text 100527 Help a School Build a Playground (Hester)
    • Text 100214 Provide a Healthy Habits Tool
    • Text 102305 Build a Memorial Playground in Honor of 11 Year Old
    • Text 100899 Prevent Alcohol & Drug Tragedies
    You can also go to www.angels4epilepsy.org to vote online as well!  Two votes - easy!

    Juno and Company: Perfect for Your Children

      


    I was able to try out Juno and Company DVDs a few months ago and my three year old liked the songs and the bright characters.  I can say that my seven year old wasn't as enthused!  The stories not only teach but they entertain with easy to relate issues children face daily.  One of the other things I like about Juno is it was founded by mom and she is also a composer.  When I signed up to be a Juno Ambassador, it wasn't due to the perks that I might receive rather it was already a product we had in our house and one that I could wholeheartedly endorse with my own three year old.


    Here is a little more about Juno:


    All of our products are based on our lifelong love of music and our belief in its power to open hearts and minds. We firmly believe that by surrounding young children with beautiful music, we can engage their minds, inspire them artistically and nurture them emotionally.


    During this journey, we have collaborated with top researchers, artists and musicians to create an award-winning line of products. Our CDs, DVDs and books feature a cast of lovable characters that interact with your child, along with original music composed for and performed by live orchestral musicians. We are excited to be able to share our passion with you. Welcome to our family!




    Juno has a variety of products to include CDs, DVDs, plush dolls, toys, books and apparel.  You can even get a free downloadable online narrated by Brooke Shields.


    Stay tuned for more information!




    Sign up for the Juno Newsletter to learn more here.

    Newest Coupons to Print & Getting Ready To Expire

    Newest Coupons
    (All links already contain your tracking link, just copy/paste)

    Last Chance To Print
    (Date is when coupon will no longer be available to print, but may return at a later date)

    The New Adventures of Old Christine



    Have you had a chance to watch The New Adventures of Old Christine with Julia Louis-Dreyful?  It seems to fall a successful trend of shows geared towards us wonderful women no longer in our 20's and even possibly out of 30's.  Women starting anew, with careers, children and no husband.  I think it is successful because so many women are on that same path for whatever reason so why not find humor in every day life struggles?   How many women don't use a sleep aid to help get to sleep from time to time?  Julia's character resorts to Nyquil.  She also leads a life that is typical being the single parent and also having a relative co habitat with her and her son.


    Watching shows like this always provided real life humor from the friend that is so different from us, the family member that needs our help and the ex who tries to stay on.  The humor found is so parallel to most lives that it helps to show we aren't that out of the ordinary and who doesn't need a laugh anyway?


    I always like the tongue and cheek humor that shows like this has.  Probably the biggest draw for me is how she is struggling with taking care of everyone else and it seems no one takes care of her.  One scene has her brother coming and inquiring to what she is doing.  With sarcasm, she responds ironing.  He follows up with something like 'I would have thought so but the iron is unplugged.'  I can't remember how many times I've done things like that just due to multi-tasking.


    Give it try and see The New Adventures of Old Christine.


    "I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.

    Buzz Lightyear Costumes

    Disney Light-Up Buzz Lightyear Costume for BoysToy Story - Jessie Child Halloween Costume (4-6)


    My seven year old has a thing about dressing up as boy characters every Halloween.  She's been a Stars Wars Storm TrooperStar Wars Darth VaderSmallBumblebee Costume Transformers and this year, she wants to be Disney Light-Up Buzz Lightyear. To avoid the rush, I preordered and we received it already from an online vendor.  My youngest wants to be Toy Story - Jessie.  The Buzz costume is too small so I have to come up with a helmet alternative as I don't like to send things back.  I saw some great tutorials on how to make a space helmet but most were expensive.


    Aeromax Jr. Astronaut Helmet with sounds


    I'm thinking of getting this Aeromax Jr. Astronaut Helmet with sounds from Amazon. I think with some stickers of Buzz and maybe some green and purple paint, it might work.  I'm really surprised that Disney didn't market a matching helmet given the popularity of Buzz.

    Weight Watchers' Lose-A-Palooza One Day Event 9/14 to Help Fight Hunger





    Who doesn't want to pay it forward especially when it costs you nothing than a little bit of time?  I'm always looking for ways to help others and I especially love this type of campaign that raises awareness, raises money and raises good humanitarian spirit.  Weight Watchers is hosting a Lose-A-Palooza and I bet you are wondering what that is!


     Lose-A-Palooza is a one-day social media event created to encourage participation in the Lose For Good® campaign to benefit Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.  As part of the Lose For Good campaign, Weight Watchers will donate $1, up to a maximum of $60,000, to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger for each approved mention, acknowledgment or action related to “Lose  For Good” made on September 14th through blogs, Twitter, Facebook and  check-in via foursquare.




    Important note: there is a difference between Lose For Good and Lose-A-Palooza. Lose For Good is a 7-week campaign, Lose-A-Palooza, on the other hand, is a one-day event as part of the Lose For Good campaign. The event runs one day only – September 14th – and its objective is to drive as much social media awareness as possible for Lose For Good. Every time Lose For Good is mentioned using an approved method on 9/14, Weight Watchers will track the mention and donate a dollar – up to $60,000.


    What do you have to lose?  On September 14th, Tweet, blog, post on Facebook and check in via foursquare to help raise funds to fight against hunger in the US!


    Other great ways you can help:






    • Leave a comment on my post with "Lose for Good" in the comment to help maximize the donation.
    • Write a post in the Weight Watchers Community at weightwatchers.com with "Lose for Good" included.
    • Post about "Lose for Good" yourself!



    • Like Weight Watchers, Share our Strength or Action Against Hunger pages.
    • Comment or Like any of the Weight Watchers' "Lose-A-Palooza" updates throughout the day on 9/14.
    • Add a Lose-A-Palooza Twibbon to your profile picture on 9/14 (available on 9/14)


    • Follow @WeightWatchers, @ShareStrength or @acfusa
    • Tweet or RT using hashtag #LoseforGood
    • Add a Lose-A-Palooza Twibbon to your profile picture on 9/14 (available on 9/14)


    • Check in to a Weight Watchers meeting room

    *Disclaimer:  My participation may result in winning a gift card or other prizes.


    Thank You for the Babble Votes!


    Babble has the best of the best and right now, you can vote for me under stayingyoung2!  I was honored that Cynthia from AdorableBabyClothing.com nominated me so if you want, vote and if you have, thank you!


    I'm in the top 10!

    PERDUE® and Crayola's National Contest


    School is back and who has time between working (if you do), chores, errands, extra curricular activities and so forth to fix dinner every night?  I know I struggle and feel bad when I take the easy, less nutritious way out by stopping for fast food.  I try to find simplified meals at times for my little picky eaters and one common staple in our house is PERDUE® chicken.  


    I received a complimentary package of PERDUE® breaded chicken breast nuggets from their Whole Grain breaded line for review.  The PERDUE® Whole Grain product line are made from PERDUE® premium all white chicken with whole grain breading.  I like that they are trying to make the chicken healthier by using whole grain breading and it tastes delicious.  My two chicken nugget experts know a good chicken nugget when they taste it!

    Another convenience about PERDUE® packages are the easy-open and close zipper bags which means less money and waste in storing the extra servings.  My girls will eat PERDUE® chicken nuggets for a snack or a meal as they don't care as long as they get them!

    "The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend that all Americans make half or more of their grains, whole grains. Each Whole Grain PERDUE® product features the Whole Grains Council's Stamp indicating that each serving provides at least one half-serving (8g) of whole grains.:

    If you want to know more about Whole Grain chicken, click here:



    As an extra incentive to encourage families to make meal time fun, Perdue and Crayola are hosting a  national contest encouraging families to enter an original picture of how they bring fun to the dinner table for a chance to win valuable prizes including a cruise package, a year's supply of PERDUE® Frozen Fully Cooked Chicken and a prize pack of Crayola and PERDUE®  products. Additional information about the contest can be found here.

    More about the 
    PERDUE® brand:

    The PERDUE® brand is the #1 brand of fresh chicken in the Eastern United States.  Ranked third in sales in the poultry industry, Perdue Incorporated is a leading international food and agriculture business providing quality products and services to customers in more than 70 countries.

    Privately held and family-run for three generations, the company employs more than 21,000 associates and partners with 2,200 independent farm families -- all who share in the commitment to quality, service and reliability that has guided the company since its founding in 1920. For more information, visit 
    www.perdue.com®

    All in all, we love PERDUE® chicken!  Next time you are at the store, try some if you haven't already and while you have a chance, try your luck at winning a year's supply of Perdue as well as the Crayola products!

    Click here to try some new recipes like this one:

    Chicken Cutlets with Bruschetta Topping




    Ingredients
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    4 large plum tomatoes, chopped
    3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
    3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
    2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
    1/8 teaspoon black pepper
    1/2 cup (2 ounces) Parmesan cheese, shredded (optional)


    Instructions
    1. Heat chicken according to package directions.
    2. Meanwhile, mix tomatoes, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, pepper and olive oil in a large bowl.  Spoon tomato mixture evenly onto heated chicken.
    3. Top each cutlet with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, if desired and serve warm.