Listerine Oral Care Challenge

Our family will be taking the Listerine Oral Care Challenge! Through my affiliation with Mom Central, I’m awaiting a great box of Listerine products for myself and my family to use. As oral care is very important to us, we thought it important to spread the word!
 
 

 
Two great Listerine items that we already use for our children's oral care is:
LISTERINE® AGENT COOL BLUE® is a pre-brush tinting rinse. Used before brushing, it tints teeth blue so kids pay attention when cleaning their teeth; giving kids a sense of accomplishment that they are doing a good job and reinforcing the positive behavior.

• Tints teeth blue so children pay more attention to cleaning
• Makes brushing fun
• Helps your kids develop proper oral care habits
• Alcohol-free

LISTERINE® SMART RINSE® is an anticavity mouthwash for kids ages six and older that:

• Provides 12-hour cavity protection*
• Strengthens teeth 99% better than brushing alone*
• The MAGNETIC CLEANING ACTION™ works like a magnet to attract what brushing may miss*

We actually got started using these products through couponing. Of course we knew about mouth washes, but we were unaware of these two particular products until couponing. While we may not have known about it prior, once we tried the Agent Cool Blue, we feel it will assist them see and understand where they are missing.
The "October Oral Care Challenge" was intended for kids 6 and older. To complete the challenge, you and your child need to begin a routine of brushing, flossing and rinsing every day, twice a day for two weeks. This is key to building a strong foundation of good oral care habits and a great time for bonding while doing it together!
While this is intended for 6 and older, now is the time to start a routine regardless of your child's age! Once you establish a routine, it isn’t hard and just becomes a normal way of life. Since the kids are home for the holidays, this is an excellent time to start the routine, and with all those treats, you will want to make sure they are establishing good oral care habits! 
To learn more about good oral care, run by Listerine and get more information. Plus, as an added bonus, you can get started right now with a $1 off printable coupon on their site!
Now, you may have established a routine for yourself, but we can always learn something we may be missing. While we are teaching the kids better habits, we can learn a little something as well. Listerine can help with us as well! 

ORAL CARE TIPS

For a Cleaner, Healthier Mouth

A WHOLE MOUTH CLEAN™ IS AS EASY AS 1.BRUSHING + 2.FLOSSING + 3™.RINSING

You know the drill. You brush twice a day, you floss (some of the time), and you rinse—but occasionally you forget. You do many of the things you know are good for a healthy mouth. But you can do better! All it takes are small changes to your routine.

Here are a few other simple things you can do to get a healthier mouth:

• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months. Sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do as good job of cleaning your teeth. Keep a few extra toothbrushes, like REACH^® Fresh & Clean, on hand so you can easily swap the old for the new.
• Visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and oral exams. The more you go, the healthier your mouth will be–and those visits will seem less daunting.
• Keep your bottle of LISTERINE^® Antiseptic in a visible spot* in the bathroom so you don't forget to rinse. Rinsing with LISTERINE^® twice a day was shown in a clinical study to help reduce 52% more plaque and 21% more gingivitis than brushing and flossing alone. That's important when you consider that the majority of adult Americans get gingivitis in their lives–and don't even know it.
• Limit foods that are high in sugar. If you do give in to your sweet tooth, eat sugary foods with meals. Your mouth produces more saliva during meals, which helps neutralize acid production and rinses food particles from your mouth.
• Limit between-meal snacks. You know the ones. They call to you from the vending machine. If you indulge, chew sugarless gum afterward. It increases saliva flow and helps wash out food and acid that causes tooth decay.
• Maintain a healthy oral care routine. Make it a goal this week to brush and rinse twice in one day, and floss once. We'll bet that extra 30 seconds of swishing will make your mouth so clean and healthy you'll love the feeling. So you'll do it again the next day.

And a healthier body:

• Exercise regularly, in addition to maintaining a healthy oral care routine. LISTERINE^® Antiseptic can help keep your mouth fit. Fit in workouts when you can to keep your body fit, too.
• Eat a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein. Avoiding those sugary foods isn't just good for your teeth, it's good for your health.

How about you and your family?
Won't you take part in the challenge? 
I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Listerine and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

MedImmune RSV/Preemie Awareness Blog Tour

I really wanted in on this Mom Central blog tour because it is a subject that means a lot to me.

Our little man has had a few tough illnesses for such a little guy. He just turned two in August and we have had to deal with Pyloric Stenosis and RSV! The nurses just loved him and always commented on what a good boy he is!  God must have been looking down on him because he never seemed to suffer as they poked and prodded and did the surgery.  Even though he seemed to do so well, watching him go through thee Pyloric and RSV was heartbreaking! But believe me, we know how lucky he is. With the RSV, they were able to send him home with the respirator.

What is RSV disease? Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, easily spread virus that almost all children catch at least once by the time they turn 2. RSV disease usually causes moderate-to-severe cold symptoms. However, for some babies, complications from RSV disease can lead to a serious lung infection.Call your baby's doctor if your baby has any of these problems:

• Coughing or wheezing that does not stop
• Fast breathing or gasping for breath
• Spread-out nostrils and/or a caved-in chest when trying to breathe
• A bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
• A fever (in infants under 3 months of age, a fever greater than 100.4°F rectal is a cause for concern)

Lungs, heart, and RSV disease
A baby may appear healthy, yet
still have injured lungs.

Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) is the result of a baby's lungs getting irritated or inflamed. Babies may need a machine called a ventilator to help them breathe. Pressure from a ventilator can sometimes irritate the fragile lungs of these babies, which can cause CLD. CLD may also develop in babies who have received high levels of oxygen for a long time or have had pneumonia.Because their lungs are not normal and may still be healing, babies with CLD are at increased risk for severe RSV disease.
What is RSV season?
RSV season is the time when your baby is most likely to catch RSV. In most parts of the country, RSV season runs from fall into spring. RSV activity in your area may vary season to season. RSV season might start and end at different times in different parts of the country.
Find out, based on CDC data, when RSV season started and ended in '08-'09 where you live. Then talk to your pediatrician about how to help protect your baby. In Florida, In the '08-'09 season, RSV season began in July and ended in February.
What can you do about RSV disease?
RSV spreads just like a common-cold virus. Taking a few extra precautions around your family and friends can help protect your baby.

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your baby, and ask others to do the same
• Don't let anyone smoke in your home, or near your baby
• Wash your baby's toys, clothes, and bedding often
• Keep your baby away from:
  - Crowds and young children
  - People with colds

Frequently asked questions
The more you know about severe RSV disease, the more you can recognize the symptoms of RSV disease and help protect against it.
What is RSV season?
Like the flu or common-cold virus, RSV is a seasonal virus. The start of the season varies from one part of the country to the next, but it usually starts in the fall and continues into the spring. In different parts of the country, the length of the RSV season may be different. To find out when the RSV season starts in your area, talk to your baby's healthcare provider.
Is my baby at high risk for severe RSV disease?
Most babies with RSV suffer from moderate-to-severe cold symptoms. But in some cases, RSV disease can be more serious. Preemies and babies born with certain types of heart disease and those with chronic lung disease are at high risk for severe RSV disease, which could lead to hospitalization due to serious lung infections such as bronchiolitis with or without pneumonia.
What are the symptoms of a severe RSV infection?

• Coughing or wheezing that does not stop
• Fast breathing or gasping for breath
• Spread-out nostrils and/or caved-in chest when trying to breathe
• A bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
• A fever. (In infants under 3 months of age, a fever greater than 100.4°F rectal is a cause for concern)

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of the symptoms above.
How easy is it to catch RSV?
Like a common-cold virus, RSV can be spread by sneezing and coughing or by physical contact such as kissing, touching, or shaking hands. RSV can live up to 7 hours on countertops and other surfaces, and spreads very easily in daycare centers and crowded households. No wonder nearly all babies will have had RSV disease by the age of two.
What could put my baby at high risk for severe RSV disease?
Here are some of the main factors that can increase your baby's risk for severe RSV disease:

• Premature birth. Severe lung infections are more common in preemies born at less than 36 weeks.
• Having chronic lung disease. Babies 24 months of age or younger at the start of RSV season who have been treated for chronic lung disease within the past 6 months are at high risk.
• Being born with certain types of heart disease. Babies 24 months of age or younger at the start of RSV season who were born with certain types of heart disease are at high risk.
• Risk factors for premature infants may include:
• Young chronological age (≤12 weeks of age) at the start of RSV season
• Being around other children at daycare.
• Family history of wheezing or asthma.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke and other air pollutants. Never let anyone smoke around your baby.
• Multiple births. Twins, triplets, and other multiples are often premature and have a low birth weight.
• Low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds).
• Crowded living conditions.
• Pre-school or school-aged sibling(s).

World Prematurity Day

Honor the million babies worldwide who died this year because they were born too soon, and the 12 million more who struggle to survive. November 17 is World Prematurity Day and when we focus everyone’s attention on the serious problem of premature birth.
“Like” World Prematurity Day on Facebook. Read stories from around the world and share your own. Help spread the word by updating your Facebook status with a message on premature birth. Together we can raise awareness of this serious problem and help more babies start healthy lives.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Two ways to keep up with the latest  features: "Like" our page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Cheerios & USO sendCheer Campaign #sendcheer @MomCentral @GeneralMills @Walmart #military

  Supporting our military troops and their families is something that is near and dear to my heart.  I am amazed at the qualities exhibited by military personnel: a drive and dedication, and the loyalty and  selflessness, and their families. Their continual  fight to support our freedom and way of life inspires me. That is why, when I was presented with the opportunity to share the Cheerios sendCheer Campaign, I had to help.

 
Since my son-in-law is a disabled veteran, I know all too well how much he missed family, holidays, traditions, and our own culture. Everyday there are  men and women serving far away from what they know and love. But, it is also hard for the family members left behind, faced with  worry on a daily basis.

Throughout November, Cheerios and the USO want to bring Cheer to the families of the troops.  How?

Cheerios® and the USO are partnering to send “Cheer” to military families to thank and encourage them for their commitment to our country.  Specially marked boxes of Cheerios cereal will feature “Cheer” postcards, which can be cut out and mailed to military families through a partnership with the USO.  Even more, for each postcard received, Cheerios will donate $1 to the USO to help support programs for military families.  Cheerios has already donated $150,000 and will donate up to an additional $100,000 based upon the number of postcards received by November 30, 2012.

Cheerios invites you to show your appreciation by sending a simple “thank you” using the “Cheer” postcard found on the front of specially marked boxes of Cheerios in stores through mid-November.

How Does the Program Work?
Locate a specially marked Cheerios cereal box in your grocery store.  After purchasing the box, there are just 3 easy steps!

Cut out the postcard found on the front of the box.  You will see cut out lines around the “Cheer” in the Cheerios logo.

On the back-side of the postcard, write a message of encouragement or a simple “thank you.”

Add postage, and drop the pre-addressed post card in the mail.

Once the postcards are received, the USO will distribute them to military families on bases and in USO centers.  Sending your ‘thanks’ is a simple, personal gesture of appreciation that will mean so much for the recipient.

Read More about Cheerios sendCheer Campaign

What a better month to show our thanks than the month of Thanksgiving! Won’t you participate?

Share with us! Do you have a loved one in the military? How do you support the troops?

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Cheerios and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. 

Two ways to keep up with the latest  features: "Like" our page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Join The o.b. Share It Forward Program #obhuru @HuruKits

Huru International and  o.b. have teamed up for a wonderful campaign to raise awareness. Huru International, is a non-profit organization that provides at-risk young girls in developing countries with the resources and knowledge they need to complete their education and safeguard their health. 
Here, we have advantages we take for granted. One of those is sanitary protection. Did you know  it is considered a luxury item in developing countries? Many girls miss three to four days of school every month.

HURU International began with a simple goal: to ensure that all young girls have the tools they need to lead self-sufficient, healthy and productive lives.
We realize that poverty and education are localized issues with far-reaching effects. According to UNICEF, one in ten African girls either skip school during their periods, or drop out entirely. As a result, they miss important school lessons and risk compromising their futures.
An incomplete education almost inevitably leads to a lifetime of social and economic vulnerability. Lacking alternatives, many uneducated girls are drawn into prostitution, putting them at a far greater risk of contracting HIV. It is a widely overlooked problem with gravely devastating consequences.

HURU partnered with the Girl Child Network to launch a preliminary investigation into the condition of girls in Kenya’s Mukuru slum. The stories the girls shared were both remarkable and strikingly similar to one another. We learned that adults who were fortunate enough to find employment in Mukuru earned an average of $4 a day, spending nearly that entire sum on basic necessities like food. Standard sanitary napkins cost 40 shillings each – an expense that simply cannot fit into the hand-to-mouth existence that most Mukuru families struggle with.
The girls who cannot afford sanitary napkins uniformly described their periods as ordeals. They expressed feelings of discomfort, anxiety and isolation – unable to attend school, play with friends, or even leave the house. Some create homemade solutions out of bits of old clothing, scraps of mattress padding and even used pads found in the trash. More than just uncomfortable and inadequate, such unsanitary substitutes leave room for infection and disease.
Most girls simply choose to stay home, avoiding the stress, uncertainty and humiliation of makeshift protection. As a result, many reported that they always felt left behind in school, unable to catch up with the work they had missed. We found that these gaps in their education were almost impossible to overcome.
What we learned by interviewing girls throughout Mukuru only strengthened our belief in the urgent need to take action. In response to this crisis, HURU developed and began distributing HURU Kits. Each Kit is packaged in a drawstring bag that doubles as a backpack, and includes reusable sanitary napkins, underwear, soap, a storage bag and educational materials.

HURU Kits are designed to help girls stay in school, leaving them open to greater possibilities. Help a young girl reach her full potential today.
The driving force behind HURU International is a simple goal to empower young girls everywhere with the basic tools they need to lead self-sufficient, healthy and productive lives.
The results we have seen so far have exceeded our expectations. The follow-up interviews we conducted showed that recipients were alive with aspirations for a future that, until recently, seemed hopelessly out of reach. We gave them the means to take charge of their health, their education and their lives.
A teacher in Mukuru shared that, while attendance among her girls had been sporadic before HURU, it was now 100%. These recipients were now attending school regularly and realizing their true potential. Many of the girls were planning to go to college, which seemed like an impossible dream in days when they missed so many lessons they were unable to keep up with assignments or pass their exams.

DONATE

Each Kit comes packaged in a drawstring bag that doubles as a backpack, and includes:

• Eight reusable sanitary napkins
• Three pairs of underwear
• Soap to wash the sanitary napkins
• Waterproof bag to safely store used sanitary napkins
• Educational insert featuring information on proper sanitary napkin usage, and HIV/AIDS prevention
• Various other items [as suitable]

Your contribution will have far-reaching results. These girls are not just passive beneficiaries: they have become HURU’s most eager and eloquent advocates. The girls described how they excitedly told their friends about the Kits, and several have come to work at HURU’s production workshop in Mukuru. The work has enabled them to earn money and achieve independence, gaining skills that will help them to secure jobs in the future.
They are also able to fulfill their newly awakened desire to help other girls in their community, and to share with them the opportunity and hope that HURU has made possible. As Lillian enthusiastically explained, “What we produce, it’s needed by the community, and…by doing this we’ll help the community. And we’ll help ourselves, so it has a future.”
We want to spread that exciting optimism. That’s why we are creating a cost-effective solution that can be tailored to multiple cultures and implemented globally.

How can YOU help?

The o.b.® Brand wants to give you the chance to partner with them to help raise $25,000 for Huru International.  Simply share this message of Huru International with your facebook friends and o.b. brand will donate $1 to Huru when you Share-It-Forward!

• Go to o.b. mighty small Facebook page and LIKE them.
• Then “Share-It-Forward” by entering your state, agreeing to the terms, and hit “click to share”
• You are done! Tell your friends and family to do the same!

Please take a minute to Share-It-Forward. o.b. brand will donate a minimum of $10,000 up to $25,000.  Please spread the word and tell your friends!

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of o.b. and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

October Extravaganza Underway!

 Love giveaways?

Stop by my Facebook page for the October Extravaganza!

Several shops with an item in my giveaway.

Here is our latest giveaway sponsor :

Tulle Krazy

Item: One tutu, made to your child’s size, in green, purple and white.

THQ UDRAW: YOU DRAW YOUR CITY SWEEPSTAKES

With several schools cutting their arts programs, it is important now more than ever to help our children get these activities. It is important to allow them to express their creativity and imagination. In our home, we utilize many items so that they may express their creativity.
Our kids have always loved to draw and create. It can be as simple as using items you may discard (toilet paper rolls) to creating their own jewelry to simply drawing their own creation. Our family also has a uDraw GameTablet and everyone from young to old has used it!
THQ uDraw Your City has launched a nationwide art contest, in which young artists  ages 6 to 17 years old have the chance to share what they love most about their city through art. 

Creativity and imagination can be found in every city, town, and community all over the world. Everyone can be an artist – no matter who you are or where you come from! We want you to embrace that creativity and artistic inspiration to show us “What your city, your town, or your community means to you.”
Maybe it’s a drawing of your favorite landmark. A painting of you and your friends at the park? A picture of your hopes and wishes for your community? You are the artist, so the sky is the limit!
uDraw and THQ invite you to take part in a nationwide competition for young artists from 6-17. Create an original piece of art on the competition’s theme, and send it in to us for a chance to win $10,000 and a $10,000 donation to your school’s art program.
The submission entry period lasts from September 1st to October 31st, 2011. So what are you waiting for -- let’s celebrate creativity in all the cities and communities across the world together!



What can you win?
GRAND PRIZE:

• $10,000 cash prize that can be used toward a college scholarship
• $10,000 for the winner’s school of choice (to help with the school’s art program)
• a 62″ 3D HGTV
• a video game console (Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii)
• uDraw game tablet
• a host of uDraw games
• a $750 Game Stop gift card

(3) Runners Up: (ARV $3,020)

• each winner will receive $1,000 cash prize
• a uDraw art studio package
• a uDraw game pack
• 1 game system (Wii, Xbox 360, or PS3)
• 45″ HGTV
• $250 Game Stop gift card

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of THQ and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

REAL STEEL Giveaway

This Disney film was released on October 7th, 2011. Be sure to take your kids to see it this weekend!

Many thanks to DreamWorks Pictures. The company has generously offered the following as a prize pack to one of my lucky readers:

- REAL STEEL t-shirt (in adult sizes of S, M, L, or XL)

- REAL STEEL bottle opener

- REAL STEEL stickers

- REAL STEEL temporary tattoos

              

                

Halloween Express Review & $75.00 Gift Card Giveaway

Do you have your Halloween costumes yet? Halloween will be here before you know it!  C’mon! You cannot wait until the last minute. Imagine how your kids will feel when you take them in and they are all picked over! I know, I know, you are putting it off because you don’t want to take them to the store. Well, you don’t have to!

No need to drag the kids to the store and look over picked at costumes. Use HalloweenExpress.com and there is not only plenty of time, but they have an awesome selection! And from the costume we received, they are high quality and an excellent array to choose from! There is also a great selection of infant and toddler which seems to be an issue with other retailers.

They make searching a breeze by allowing you to search costumes by price, etc.  Typically, when I shop online, I first narrow my search by price and then further narrow. Any retailer that allows searching by price is a plus in my book! They also offer a 110% price back guarantee, however, I am sure you will not need it. 

So, why drag the kids out??? Sit down with them and select costumes based on YOUR price range and choices! And the fabulous folks at Halloween Express want you to save even more! They have provided a code– EXTREMEMEASURES – good for 10% off site wide NO minimum order (excludes gift cards, personalized and special order items), valid now through 12/31/11.Now, how great is that????

So, not only will you save your sanity (from hauling the kids to the store), and gas, but now you will also save 10%! 

 

While you are there, also check out the decorations and even  pet costumes. Besides the costume, we ordered three Halloween decorations for our upcoming Halloween party. I can say that I was quite surprised by the wide array of selection, and by the quality upon receiving our order. They really have everything you could possibly need for Halloween at Halloween Express.

You thought that 10% savings was great, right? Well guess what? Those super amazing folks at Halloween Express are giving one EPM reader a $75 virtual gift card! Woo-Hoo!

Share this giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MmVmYWU3NTdlZjI3NzIzZWZmODcwMTY1OWM5YTFlOjE=/

Dove Chocolate Discoveries (and a giveaway!)

 With October being Women’s Small Business Month, DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES™ and Mom Central gave me the opportunity to review and to host a giveaway of a DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES™ Starter Kit, just like the one in the picture above! Quite frankly, I jumped at the opportunity to review CHOCOLATE!

I’m sure most of you are familiar with direct sales and have probably even researched at least one of the many home business opportunities that are available from home and holiday to jewelry, cosmetics, candles, and more. Now what if you had the chance to run your own business and get to tell others about something you love?

If you are looking to work from home, DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES™ provides a great opportunity!  Did you know that last year alone, Americans spent more than $16 billion on chocolate? Well, now I can see how DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES™ products seem to just sell themselves. Give people a taste and they are sold! Unlike other direct sales products, chocolate is a consumable and you will leave them wanting more!

Thinking about hosting? You can have a DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES™  Tasting party, invite your friends to try delicious new treats and a variety of ways to enjoy the products. A Chocolatier can show you chocolate in a whole new light, from chocolate martinis, an amazing  5-minute chocolate mousse, even a chocolate chai tea that can also be made into a dip!

Dove is already a household name with over 100 years of experience, now they want to share that experience and knowledge and help you develop and grow your own business. Joining a Chocolatier team allows you to sell something you love, make money, and meet new people!

I was sent the Dove Chocolate Discoveries Chocolatier Starter Kit, the same one new Chocolatiers receive when they sign up. You should have seen me when it arrived! Like a kid in a candy store, I tell ya! Inside, was a delectable array of Dove baking products (Dark and Milk chocolate bars), a Truffle Fudge Brownie Mix, Chocolate Chai Tea, Cashews & Almonds with Milk & Dark Chocolate, and (WOW!) Chocolate Martini mix! They even sent the Heart-Shaped Chocolate Fondue Set!

So, to help you achieve your  own successful opportunity, DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES™ is letting me host a giveaway of an amazing DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES™ Starter Kit! Just enter using the Google Doc below. This giveaway starts today and runs through Sunday, October 16th!  

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of DOVE Chocolate Discoveries and received a Starter Kit to facilitate my review.”

BRAND NEW Cookbook…the October Feather Your Nest is Here!

Gooseberry Patch, an obsession of mine, has a new cookbook!

	Say hello to the newest title in our 101 Photo series. 101 Hearty Recipes  is here! The warm, homestyle dishes inside are perfect for this time of year, but we know you'll find yourself coming back to this cookbook all year 'round. Because some days are busy and other days are more relaxed, you'll love our two takes on mains and sides...one chapter filled with 30-minutes-or-less favorites and another that's full of slowly-simmered dishes that are guaranteed to be worth the wait. We've even included some clever packaging ideas for the dishes that are good for giving as well!

Enjoy this recipe from the Fun & Filling chapter of 101 Hearty Recipes... Hot Chicken Sandwiches Kelly Patrick of Gallipolis, Ohio shared this tried & true recipe with us. She writes, "I found this in an old garden club cookbook and have been making it for at least twenty years. People think it sounds strange, but when they taste it, they want the recipe!" 6-oz. pkg. chicken-flavored stuffing mix 6-oz. pkg. herb-flavored stuffing mix 12-1/2 oz. can chicken, drained and flaked 10-3/4 oz. can cream of chicken soup sandwich buns, split In a stockpot, prepare stuffing mixes as packages direct. Mix in chicken and soup. Increase heat to medium; cook and stir until heated through. Serve on buns. Serves 8 to 10.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

We will be trying at least one of the 20 available recipes and posting on Facebook! Keep a watch on that!

Activia Selects

You’ve heard me say it a million times…I’m a busy mom. With a family, a career, a commute and a busy blog, I have very little time but that busyness means I MUST take care of myself.  Often, I don’t have TIME to eat right. Even though I am limited on time and usually have to grab something, often that something is yogurt. And I am always on the lookout for new options. So, when I was given the opportunity, from the great folks at Mom Central, to try new Activia Selects, I jumped at the chance.   While I am a yogurt eater, I had yet to try their new versions and was quite excited!

For me, I can eat yogurt all the time! And with all the options and flavors available, Activia Selects will be my brand of choice! Typically, I have yogurt for breakfast on weekdays and find the Activia Selects Parfait to be my option of choice because of the granola. It allows me to watch my weight, grab it on the go and have a little crunch of granola.  

Not only do I use yogurt to maintain healthy lifestyle in my busy life, I also serve it to my family. My kids love it and see it as a treat. Sometimes, like this past weekend, one of them falls sick and when they are, they are so picky. Well, I tried and tried to get my sick little man to eat. He was hungry but didn’t want anything I gave him. Finally, I thought to myself, let’s try the yogurt! That did the trick! While being a healthy option and he felt like it was a treat, it was also smooth going down in case his throat was also hurting.

Yogurt is great to have on hand for both adults and children because it is a quick snack item and is portable, nutritious and delicious. Activia’s  new styles, such as Parfait, French, French with Fruit Bites, and Greek, that will satisfy your sweet cravings.  It will also help regulate your digestive system by consuming Activia daily for two weeks as part of a healthy lifestyle.  Activia Selects contain an exclusive probiotic culture Bifidus Regularis and helps you feel good inside.  The silky French and creamy Greek varieties prove nutritious and tasty options for those who have a texture preference.  I want to try their Greek style next.

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Activia and received a coupon to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Made A Difference In My Home!

 As a wife of a do-it-all man (mechanic, etc) and mom of three little ones, our home is stain central. I never got the stain removing gene either. I swear, all my mother in law does is look at a stain and it magically disappears. I am ashamed to say, we would have a ‘I cannot remove this stain’ pile of clothes for her to do her magic.

So, when I was presented with the opportunity to review New and Improved OxiClean VersatileStain Remover, I was skeptical and imagined myself being the one to throw OxiClean a curve ball with my less than stellar stain removing skills.

The weekend I had gotten the OxiClean was a particularly messy one. Hubby worked in the yard and on a car so his clothes were a mess. And I don’t know what happened to the kids that weekend. It was as if the OxiClean people spoke to them and said ‘Make as much mess as possible’ because they sure did. They were messy eaters and I think all three had blow outs (need I say more?).

Well, the OxiiClean and MomCentral people kindly provided me with a full size container of the OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover and a generous sized bucket for soaking. It certainly was put to the test! I immediately filled the bucket with water, and after reading the directions, the appropriate amount of OxiClean. I let the items soak and went about the rest of my day. Ummm, I have to say, I forgot about it. There was no swishing of the mixture, no scrubbing of the stains. It simply sat in the OxiClean water mixture. When I went to do the laundry, I didn’t even look at it. I grabbed the stuff and added it to the wash. But, I did check it before the dryer. I was completely amazed that ALL of the stains (including yard and blow outs) came out with minimal added work. I mean really, all I did was fill a bucket with water and the OxiClean. I now add OxiClean to every load of laundry. And, as a busy mom I miss some of the stains. I don’t have time to check every article of clothing. I have found that I am not having stains and my clothes are whiter and brighter.

Oxiclean Versatile Satin Remover does much more!  It's great around your home for things from carpet stain removal, pet stains, etc.  I consider Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover a must have around our home. Thanks to OxiClean, there is no longer a ‘I cannot remove this stain’ pile of clothes sitting around!

*I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of OxiClean and received OxiClean items to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Spookamole

My family has avocados quite often. They are great in a variety of ways from sliced on burgers to guacamole, on of our favorite snacks. While we love the taste, avocados are full of health benefits.  About 75% of an avocado's calories come from fat, most of which is monounsaturated fat and they have 60% more potassium than bananas! They are rich in B vitamins, as well as vitamin E and vitamin K with one of the highest fiber contents among fruits. Avocado intake has been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Health Benefits

1

HEART HEALTHY
Avocados fit into the American Heart Association's guidelines for a diet that provides unsaturated fat and is low in saturated fat. Avocados contain no saturated fat or cholesterol and are virtually the only fruit that provides good-for-you mono-unsaturated fat.

2

LOW- CARB
Diabetics and others who must watch their carbohydrate intake can enjoy avocados often. A one-ounce serving has only 3 grams of carbohydrate.

3

LACTOSE INTOLERANT
Add avocados to smoothies, sauces, soups and salsas for creamy flavor and texture without the dairy!

4

WEIGHT-LOSS
Recent research indicates that a diet that contains 20-30% calories from "good fat" like the oils found in avocados, not only supports good health but aids weight loss and maintenance.

Our favorite way to serve our avocados is guacamole, and since it makes quite a bit, there is enough for everyon to enjoy!  Around here we find any excuse to make our guac, from watching a football game, a party, or just to watch our favorite show with our favorite snack. 

So, when MomCentral asked if I wanted to represent  Avocados from Mexico, who is having a recipe contest featuring avocados: Spookamole, welllllll, we just had to add our  guacamole recipe. 




With Halloween coming up, and being one of our favorite holidays, w were excited to participate! Can you come up with your own Spookamole recipe or idea using avocados?  Avocados from Mexico are available year round, so make that party a hit! To top it off, Avocados from Mexico is giving $1,000 to the best Spookamole recipe and $250 each to 4 other contestants!  


For our Spookamole project, we made fresh bread dough in the shape of a mummy and filled with our special Guacamole recipe. Enjoy!

Guacamole
Ingredients:
3 ripe avocados
Juice of one lime
1/2 cup red onion,diced
1 medium tomato,diced
1 garlic clove,minced
1 jalapeno pepper,seeded,finely diced
1.2 cup cilantro,chopped
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Preparation:
Squueze lime juice into a small bowl and set assid. Prepare all remaining ingredients except the avocados, mix together and set aside.Slice avocados in half, remove pits and scoop out flesh and place in a bowl. Pour lime juice over avocados and roughly mash and mix into the other ingredients.


**I wrote this review while participating in a Spookamole blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Avocados from Mexico and received avocado items to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.