Aquafresh; Little Steps that last a lifetime

Aquafresh Little Steps Program ~ Enter here. 

I received an email from Aquafresh informing me about a new program they have available to parents for kids! The Aquafresh Little Steps that last a lifetime program. It is a program specially designed around the oral care of and for children ages 0-9 years old.

They will send you regular emails based on the information you provide to them giving you valuable insight  and advice from their behavioral expert Dr. Abi Gerwitz  and other Aquafresh oral care experts.  They will also throw in coupons and special offers when they are available. 

They have sections on their site providing information For Moms and a EXCELLENT section for kids to learn all about good oral health through Games, stories, and more though the "Nurdles" which are little squirts that live behind your mirror and make toothpaste for all the children of the world. they also offer some great downloads and activities to encourage kids to brush their teeth twice daily. They even have videos and you can watch them on the Goodnight Show with Nina @ SproutOnline . Also find them on Facebook and "Like" them to show your support for good oral hygiene.

Don't forget to print out your Aquafresh coupons while your there (or here) by clicking on Special Offers and Coupons and save some bucks on both products for you and your children.

Upcoming Posts, Review, Giveaways, and Updates

Well, I had my c-sec on August 5th and had a beautiful baby boy. He weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces, 18 & 3/4 inches long and was born at 9:52 A.M. "Liam" is such a mellow little man and sleeps like all the time right now. My recovery is going okay. The fist few days were really tough as I was in some serious pain, but that has since subsided and I am up and mobile. I've been released to drive and in another 6 weeks I should be able to return to work with restrictions. His big brothers are handling his arrival quite well and spent a wonderful time with their grandparents camping the weekend I was "stuck" at the hospital. My now middle child is like a little male version of mother hen; so maternal; letting me know when little man get "all wild" and helping to gather diaper changing supplies and wanting to help feed him and bathe him. Big man Brad is still iffy about the little man- not sure he quite knows what to make of the little guy. Things look good though and that is what matters.

 

I've also received the opportunity to do a review on New Make+Print Your Own Stickers. I'm waiting to receive them in the mail yet, but I am really hoping to find out if these are a great alternative to purchasing pre-made sticker labels from another company. I cannot wait to see what the cost difference and quality will be like!

I've also been selected to review and tryout Mixbook 5x7 Custom cards or invitations which I am very excited about because they offer Birth Announcements! What is a better way to celebrate the birth of my new little man then to announce to friends and family  that he has arrived with a beautiful picture layout for everyone to see!

Vocalpoint has also given me the opportunity to review the new Swiffer Duster compared to the old version and write about how well it works and if it is truly a good investment and worth the upgrade. Swiffer does have a new line of "HD" products available and I'm looking forward to sharing this with you as well.



We also have a Infantino baby product review coming up as well- don't know what yet. It's a surprise.
They have made high quality baby products for awhile now and I remember my older guys playing for hours with their products.  So I'm very excited about this one too! 

We also have a few contests coming to an end on the 28th and 29th so don't forget to enter in those!

Enter Here for a chance to win 30 meals in One Day; a great product that is designed to take one or two days out of your busy month to prepare a months worth of freezer meals so that Dinner is always ready!

Enter Here for your chance to score one of seven coupons for $3.00 off a Ball Canning Discovery Kit- this product really does make learning to can a cinch.

So check back soon for new products as I receive them and try them. I am also on the hunt for great deals to share with you on other products and where you can get hooked up with some free samples.

Tastes from Home with Frito-Lay Recipe Contest and Reader Giveaway

Frito Lay recently sent me an email informing me about their NEW regional flavors and I am very excited to share them with you. They have even offered one LUCKY READER a chance to snag a surprise pack (variety pack of  Lay’s Regional Flavors potato chips)! 

Their NEW regional flavors include:

• Northeastern U.S. – Lay’s Honey Mustard
• Midwestern U.S. – Lay’s Creamy Garden Ranch
• Northwestern U.S. – Lay’s Balsamic Sweet Onion
• Southwestern U.S. – Lay’s Chipotle Ranch
• Southeastern U.S. – Lay’s Cajun Herb & Spice

I cannot wait to try these new flavors, luckily I have family all over so if I can't get it here; I can have someone send it to me so that I can indulge. 

Being a girl raised in Florida, having family in Georgia, South Carolina, and various locations all over the U.S. we have a very diverse sense of taste, but the one recipe that has always reminded me of home has been my Grandfather's Chili. I always liked mine topped with Fritos. So I would have to say that the Southwestern U.S. NEW Chipotle Ranch has inspired me to share his recipe as my Tastes from Home entry. I don't know the origins of this recipe, but I'm sure it all started when he was growing up in Indiana with a large family and feeding everyone wasn't so easy. My great grandfather was a man of the cloth and my great grandmother is a very religious woman with an amazing upbringing. Both of them have lived through some really tough times including the depression and being "thrifty" was a common way of living. Finding ways to feed and support your family had to be economical, creative, and must have made life a little bit harder. So here's the recipe and I wish that I could have posted my own picture of his chili, but I haven't been able to cook a "real meal" in a few weeks as I am currently recovering from surgery- not to mention my camera is having technical issues. 

This picture was taken from Sunset.com .

Papaw's Chili Recipe

Ingedients:

• 1 1/2 # Ground Sirloin
• 1 1/2 c. Picante Sauce
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 4 oz can Unsalted Tomato Sauce
• Dash of Oregano
• Dash of Garlic Powder
• Dash of Mustard Powder
• 4 Drops of Hot Sauce
• 8 oz. can of Oregano & Basil Diced Tomatoes
• 1-2 cans of Spicy Chili Beans

Preparation:

In a large pan combine all ingredients and bring to boil, once boiling reduce to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes. Second option is if you have a large enough crock pot you can simmer all day on low heat and serve with cheddar cheese and your choice of Fritos or crackers.

If I had the choice to choose any two regional flavors to try they would be the: Southwestern U.S. – Lay’s Chipotle Ranch & the Lay’s Cajun Herb & Spice because I love spicy/southern foods!

ENTER TO WIN: Mandatory Entry: 

Share the flavors or recipes that remind you of  home for a chance to win the variety pack of chips.

Extra Entries:
PUBLICLY follow my blog on GFC. (Found in the left sidebar.) Please leave your follower name and a VALID email address in the comments section below so I can contact you if you win! 
Follow me on twitter here. Leave twitter ID (2 entries)
Follow me on Networked Blogs and leave user name. Link in sidebar. (5 entries)
"Like" this post on Facebook. Leave user name. (1 entry)
Friend me on Facebook as well. (2 entries)
"Like" my Facebook fan page. Leave user name (1 entry)
Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall and leave me a link. (5 entries. Can be done once)
Tweet this giveaway. Write your own tweet, but it MUST link to this post and include  #FritoFlavors. (2 entries)
PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!This means if it says two entries leave two comments please. MUST complete mandatory entry and leave a vaild e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway will be open from 08/18/2011-09-15-2011 at 11:59 Midnight EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be posted here as well as e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize, or I will have to redraw. Open to legal U.S. residents 18+.


In the spirit of full-disclosure, Frito-Lay provided chips for my family and I to try and that my blog post is a form of entry for the contest . No payment was given and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Tomorrow is the big day; Having my C-section.

Tomorrow is the big day. I get to meet my new little guy in person for the very first time even though I feel like I already know him.

This has been the most strenuous and complicated pregnancy I've ever dealt with and as hard as it has been been it has also been a joy.

The road to recovery is going to be semi-long and enduring with my 5 and soon to be 4 year old not quite understanding what is going to happen. They know I won't be home tomorrow when they come home from school and they know that they won't see me for the better part of the weekend, but I don't think they REALLY understand what is happening.  The little guy is scared I think ~ I explained to them that mommy has to go to the hospital to have the baby and that I have to have surgery and that I will have a "big boo boo" and that mommy won't be able to the things that she normally does with them for awhile.

I also asked them if they would be good big brothers and help mommy take care of the new baby by helping with feeding the baby and bringing me diapers and maybe even helping with bathing. They both eagerly agreed to be "good big brothers" to their new baby brother.

It may take me a few days to come back online and start posting again as I have been busy preparing for my hospital stay and having had 4 doctor appointment weekly these last few weeks it's been tough, but I think I am ready for this. I have to be because tomorrow is the big day!

So keep checking back for new posts next week and have a happy and safe weekend!

In conjunction with National Breastfeeding Month~ Seven Slings and Udder Covers are GIVING AWAY Products just pay S&H, !

The code I am about to share with you is worth $32.00. The above pictured nursing set is priced @ $37.00 making it only $5.00 after the discount. The nursing set comes with 1  Udder Covers nursing cover, 1 set of 5 ply Udder Covers reusable (washable) breast pads, and 1 Milk Bands bracelet (if you don't know this is used on the wrist of the side you last breastfed on as a reminder to switch breasts). Overall I felt this was the best value for my buck. Once you add the nursing set (if you want to upgrade to this ~ you can get just the basic nursing apron for no charge to you except S&H) to your shopping cart the shipping will show as USPS 1st class shipping charging you $9.95 for a grand total of $14.95. If this offer is right for you then use discount code: BREASTFEEDING ~ All one word and capital letters for the word family. Here's how:

1.  Go to SevenSlings.com and/or UdderCovers.com.

2.  Click on "Shop Now" and select any baby carrier, nursing cover and/or breast pads you like.

3.  Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag. 

     Enter the promo code " Breastfeeding " and both companies have agreed to deduct 100% of 
     the cost of the carrier or nursing cover - all you pay are the shipping fees! 
Remember: the promo code is " Breastfeeding " and you can use it more than once - just open a new browser window each time you do.

Mom's Meet has selected my group for a second sampling opportunity! Kashi TLC Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars!!

Become a Mombassador today!

  Mom's Meet which a wonderful online community brought to us by Kiwi Magazine. Moms Meet is an online resource that empowers moms to come together in an informal setting and talk about the latest on raising healthy families and living green. They provide easy-to-read articles and discussion prompts on different eco-conscious parenting topics; think of it as an eco-themed reading club for your playgroup.  They also offer exciting opportunities for parent/mom groups to sample many great green products which leads me to tell you about ours:

Kashi’s all natural TLC Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars start with a chewy granola base made with peanut butter and peanut chunks for a nutty flavor. A thick layer of real soft fruit mixed with rich, dark chocolate tops the granola along with roasted runner peanuts and dark chocolate pieces for hearty, natural goodness you can see and taste. In addition, these bars are free of high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and preservatives. Each provides real nutrition from 7 grams of whole grains, 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein from peanuts and soy crisps.

A little bit about Kashi:

Founded in 1984, Kashi dreams of a world where everyone embraces natural health. As a natural lifestyle pioneer, Kashi is passionate about and committed to improving the health of people and our planet. By providing great tasting, healthy and innovative foods, Kashi enables people to achieve optimal health and wellness, while also leading them on a path toward embracing a natural lifestyle. Kashi’s products are natural, minimally processed and free of highly refined sugars, artificial additives and preservatives.

Get your FREE SAMPLE of Kashi TLC Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars here.

Offer valid until 8/28/11 or while supplies last. No product substitutions. Available to US residents only. Limit one sample per family, household, or address. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. 

Shutterfly; I really like these guys! Never thought I would cave and check them out though ~ Glad I did!

I had received a $20 gift card for Shutterfly in my goody bag from Target for creating my baby registry with them. I've been sitting on this gift card for quite some time now debating on what I wanted to do with it. I wasn't sure I wanted to use it, but I didn't know who I would give it to if I chose not to use it. I've also been sitting on quite literally over 1,000 Pampers GTG points (For 500 points I got 25 4x6 prints, 2 5x7 prints, and 1 8x10 print)  and have had no idea what to get ~ the gifts just aren't what they were 5 years ago when I first signed up ~ So I opted to spend my points on some shutterfly packages that they offered. I figured what have I got to lose? I have literally hundreds of digital pictures of my children and the places that we've gone, but no official prints that I could frame and hang. So I finally caved and crossed over to the Shutterfly side. I've heard plenty of great things about the company, but never felt the need to utilize such services until now. Family is very important to me and I want my children to see those precious memories plastered on our walls in frames with cute little reminders of how precious life and family is.  Also, right now is a great time to sign-up with Shutterfly because...

• You can enjoy free shipping on select orders when you sign-in for your promo code
• You can get prints as low as $0.09 when you purchase select prepaid plans
• Save up to 30% on prints with PROMO CODE: PRINT30
• Enjoy 1 free greeting card or 5x7 or 5x5 stationary card using PROMO CODE: CARD4U
• Receive 30 FREE PRINTS when you create a "Share Summer Site"
• Get 50 FREE PRINTS just for signing up for their services 
• Get FREE UNLIMITED safe & secure picture storage
• Receive up to 150 FREE PRINTS EVERY YEAR by referring family and friends
• & Pick up your prints at a local retailer/provider of Shutterfly services

Shutterfly makes it fun and easy to be thoughtful and creative with your memories.

From start to finish, Shutterfly makes it easy to enhance, share and store your digital photos. They also make memory-keeping and gift-giving easy with personalized Photo Books, Greeting Cards, and dozens of Photo gifts suitable for any occasion.

More benefits you’ll enjoy only at Shutterfly:

• Free online photo storage: Shutterfly has never deleted a photo.
• Free online photo sharing: Your friends and family can view pictures you want to share without having to log in or sign up. They just click on a link in your email and instantly view a slideshow of your newest memories.
• Express Uploader: Shutterfly Express Uploader is a free, easy-to-use software application that quickly uploads your photos straight from your desktop. You can also view and edit your pictures before uploading them.
• Photo borders: Enhance your prints for free with more than 400 colorful, festive and seasonal borders that range from new baby to birthday, wedding to so much more. You can even add personalized captions.
• Back-of-print messaging: Every photo you order from Shutterfly can be personalized for free with a short message on the reverse side. This ensures that you and future generations will always remember the who, what and where of special times

So don't hesitate ~ Sign-up today for all these wonderful benefits!