Embracing a Healthy Family

The Winner of Blogmania 2010 is ...



I was going to write another Congratulations type message on the top of the Blogmania post but when I verified the winner's information and saw she has 11 children, I wanted to provide an extra post!


Becky Jane of My Eleven Reasons has a blog and as you can see, one big beautiful family!



CONGRATULATIONS!
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Activeion ionator HOM™ Review and Giveaway 10/8 - WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

BARBARAWR!

An e-mail has been sent and she has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected by random.org.

Thanks to all those who entered and if you didn't win, you should really get one of the ionators!  I LOVE mine!


Ever struggle between wanting a clean house but not having the time or energy?  I really, really want a clean house but it's so hard to be motivated with so many other tasks.  I have about every type of cleaner you can imagine on my shelf but since blogging, I became worried about the chemicals and other harsh ingredients added to different cleansers.   I first made the switch over to one of those steam mops that uses steam in my first attempt to be more eco-friendly too.  That was one way to clean a particular area but I still had to figure out how to clean the other 70+% of areas that needed to be clean.  This is where the Activeion ionator HOM™ came into my life.

If you haven't heard about it, it's the up and rising superstar featured on PBS, Forbes.com, The Doctors and other shows  to include many other endorsements.  The ionator HOM™ works using two scientific concepts of electrolysis and electroporation.  Activeion is the first to combine both technologies into one hand held device.  The benefit to our families and ourselves is you get an eco-friendly, non-toxic, chemical free cleaning product that will also save you money!


When I first received the ionator HOM™, it arrived ready to go.  All I had to do was release the small reservoir tank, fill it with water and start using it.  The only draw back is it does use water fast so you have to refill it frequently for large jobs but on the flip side, it assures you don't leave water sitting in the tank long.  It was so easy, my seven year old was using it and actually liked it since it looked like something from Star Wars (her words).
Activeion ionator HOM Portable Cleaner and Sanitizer
We experimented with cleaning the shower area which desperately needed cleaning and the tub.  The pictures don't do it justice but it was amazing to see how water did such a great job cleaning!  It worked just as well as some of the other name brand cleaners I usually use without the harsh chemicals or ingredients.  I had to try it out so next I went to the kitchen garbage area and tried it out on the doors nearby and it was amazing how clean they were.   Tomorrow, I plan on using it on the inside of my car as it needs a good cleaning!



It's really so easy:
  1. Fill tank
  2. Spray
  3. Wipe
It's definitely my new favorite cleaning product and since we are trying to save money, it will also help with not having to buy anymore cleaner.  I would recommend this to anyone wanting an eco-friendly product, a better choice for their family or to save money.  It's a great product!
New Before and After shots of cleaning my car:




It cleaned the interior so easily and the wheels were a breeze!  No chemicals, no other product other than water!  
The Giveaway:
One winner (US) will win their very own ionator HOM™ !
To Enter (requirements are a little more than normal but you will love it if you win):
  • Follow my blog
  • Visit www.activeion and return here to leave a comment on something you learned about Activeion and/or tell me how your family would benefit from winning the ionator HOM™ .
  • Like Activeion on Facebook, leave a comment that "Health, Beauty, Children and Family sent you" and how the ionator HOM™  would benefit you or your family (example: Ø  My family would benefit from the time savings of using an ionator HOM.  I just entered to win one at Health, Beauty, Children and Family! You can too: http://bit.ly/cfLGuS).
  • Follow Activeion on Twitter and post a tweet that includes @activeion, @stayingyoung2, the link to this giveaway and the hashtag of #green, #chemicalfree, #nontoxic or #ecofriendly (example: Activeion cleans & sanitizes your home using tap water. No chemicals! @activeion @stayingyoung2. Win one: http://bit.ly/cfLGuS #green).
Extra Entries:
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Like me on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
  • Always check home page for more opportunities for bonus entries.
Giveaway ends 10/8/10 at midnight (EST) - US only and winner will be chosen by random.org.  Winner's information to include Twitter handle, Facebook profile and e-mail will be provided to the sponsor.
*Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary product for the purpose of this review and giveaway.  The opinions are of my own.

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Border's Suess-cal Celebration 9/18

Seussical Celebration Event Sept 18

On Saturday, September 18, at 11:00 a.m., participating Borders will host a free Suss-ical Celebration. Though there won’t be any costumed characters, there’ll be storytime, games, & more during the event.



  
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Wonderful Customer Service at aBaby.com

Every now and then, you experience extraordinary customer service and it makes you feel good.  It's funny when we experience poor quality, rude customer service agents or just a bad experience, we will report it.  When you have exceptional customer service, it really can set the tone of your own mood.  I can't recall how many times I went shopping and my mood was lifted just based on friendly, sincere and caring cashiers.  


I purchased a less than stellar bassinet for my daughter at a really great price but the fabric was ugly and of low quality.  When I saw a very expensive one at another store, it made me want to hunt down something better as my first grand baby deserves it.  So off I went shopping online as that's my favorite way to shop via Amazon.  I saw the Embossed Damask Creation Liner -skirt & Hood - Color Ecru - Size 16x32 and had to have it!  I placed the order from aBaby.com in hopes it would make it in time for the shower but there was a problem.


Embossed Damask Creation Liner -skirt & Hood - Color Ecru - Size 16x32


The customer service agent contacted me inquiring about the size of this and the petticoat I ordered.   I didn't know the size and wasn't feeling well so I just gave her the product description of the bassinet.  She responded back asking for the precise measurement to ensure we get the right item.  I was surprised at the over and beyond effort she made in delivering us what we wanted.






We received it today and love it and thank you Esty at aBably.com!
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Live Chat with Avon's Tippi Shorter 9/22 and Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield


Like Avon's new product Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield or have you had a chance to try it?  I have and love it!  I have the hair that likes to curl but it also likes to frizz.  I like to straighten my hair and have found Avon's new product truly does help prevent the frizzies.  Click here is my past post on it.


ADVANCE TECHNIQUES Frizz Control Lotus Shield


Next Wednesday you can take part in an exclusive live chat with Avon's Global Stylist Advisor, Tippi Shoter from 12 to 1 pm (EST).   On September 22nd, Tippi will share her insider access to the hairstyles from the Cynthia Steffe show, Avon's revolutionary treatment product, Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield, upcoming trends and will field your questions.


You can RSVP on Avon's Facebook Events page.




WHEN: Wednesday, September 22nd from 12PM-1PM EST
WHERE: http://www.facebook.com/AvonProductsInc (Livestream tab) 

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It's a Social Parade - Follow on Fridays

Smart and Trendy Moms

Social Parade Follow on Friday Blog-Hop is a weekly link-up hosted by Smart and Trendy Moms. 
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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.



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    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.

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    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). 
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    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.
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    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!
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    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!
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    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.
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    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)
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    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.
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