Mabel's Labels

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS VALERIE (NON-BLOGGER)!

Long before Mabel's Labels asked me to review their products, I've been a fan. Labels of any kind fit right in with my *cough* "obsessive labeling disorder" (I'm sure that must be a real disorder!) Unfortunately, the labels made by my trusty Dymo just don't stand up too well to wear and tear, especially the labels I put on my kids' sippy cups, snack jars, and school supplies. And I can't use them at all on clothing (essential for keeping track of their spare clothes and their coats in day care and school). That's where Mabel's Labels saved the day.

Their first category of labels is the "Famous Sticky Labels": "Mabel’s sticky labels are famous the world over! They withstand the dishwasher, microwave, UV Rays and hard wearing children. Customers tell us tales of four-year-old labels still holding strong! Classic Stickies and Skinny-Minis™ are perfect for toys, containers, cups, bottles and more. Our Shoe Labels will amaze you! Our Bag Tags are incredibly durable and stylish on backpacks, luggage and zipper pulls. Allergy Alerts ensure that anyone who comes in contact with your child knows to take extra care."

Let me tell you, these are not exaggerated claims. I've had the same labels on my kids sippy cups for over a year and they look exactly the same. And the Allergy Alerts are God-sends as I put them all over everything my son carries to school. With school almost over, they are still good as new. There are five sticker types in the category (click on the links to see more):

classic stickies, skinny-minis, allergy alerts, shoe labels, bag tags


I was sent sample Shoe Labels for both of my kids and I immediately put these in their shoes. I've washed their shoes, they've worn them in mud, mulch and sweat and the labels have not budged.

"Shoe Labels measure 1.5" in diameter and come in packs of 24. Each name order is printed in white text on your choice of red, lilac or ocean blue labels. They fit nicely into the insole of the shoe and are shipped with protective overlays to ensure durability. Daycare workers and teachers love these labels. At the end of the day, all those little shoes look exactly the same! The name can be whatever you would like to a maximum of 20 characters. Names are printed exactly as you type them."



Next up - Clothing Labels: "The way they grow, children go through hundreds of items of clothing in a few years. Protect that investment with our clothing labels. They resist the wear and tear of laundry and children beautifully! The Iron-ons are the classic choice for clothing labels. The Tag-Mates™ (stick-in clothing labels) are ideal for quick labeling – no iron necessary! And nothing withstands the heat of feet – except our Shoe Labels. Our Bag Tags are incredibly durable and stylish on backpacks, luggage or zipper pulls. iron-ons, tag-mates, shoe labels, bag tags"


I was sent tag-mates for my son and my daughter and I stuck them right on some of their clothes, on the tags. And washed them. Over and over. Those labels have not moved or faded or changed in anyway. It's amazing!

"Tag-Mates™ measure 13/16" x 3/8" (21mm x 10mm) and come in packs of 75 for $21.00. Each name order is printed in your choice of blue or raspberry text on white labels. These are a super-convenient way to label clothes, stuffed pets and just about anything with a tag! These no-sew, no-iron, stick-on labels are applied to the care-tag labels and withstand washing, drying and wear and tear! The name can be whatever you would like to a maximum of 15 characters. Names are printed exactly as you type them."


Category 3: Combo Packs: "Mabel’s Combos have been developed based on customer feedback and are designed to save you some money when you have many labeling needs. The Big Combo includes all the labels you need to really protect your investments. The Camp/School Pack is everything you need to get ready for summer camp or school! big combo, camp/school pack "

Category 4: Household Labels: "Mabel’s Household Labels will keep you as organized as your kids! The Neat Freak Combo is a huge selection of labels for storage, sundries and spices (bin, canister and spice labels). The Crafter Pack will help you store the scissors, brushes, paints and punches you have amassed. Cord Control Labels will give you just that: control over the mess of chargers and cords in your house. The Curbside Labels will help your neighbors return your bins that have rolled down the street!Our Household Labels are all based on customer feedback; we know you’ll love them! neat freak combo, classroom pack, crafter pack , cord control, curbsides, canister and spice labels, bin labels "

Finally, Stationery Products: "We have a warm-spot in our hearts for lost art of letter writing, and it seems many of our customers do too! Thanks to overwhelming demand, we are pleased to introduce Stationery Products. You may choose from the basics: Return Address Labels or a complete Kit! return address labels , write on stationery kit "

Refund Policy
All Mabel’s Labels purchases are backed by a satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied with any part of your order, return it to us for a full exchange or refund.

Bonus - something fun and useful on their site? A printable Summer Packing List for camp!

Try Mabel's Labels for yourself and discover how they beat all other labels, hands down! I give them 5 out of 5 binkies!

**Win it! I have a gift certificate for a Camp/Student Pack to give away to one lucky winner, worth $34.00 (courtesy of Mabel's Labels)! The pack consists of 15 Sticky Labels, 40 Iron-Ons or 50 Tag-Mates™ (your choice), eight Shoe Labels and two Bag Tags. This pack is perfect for summer camp or school. You may choose between the Standard Pack of red, green and blue labels, the Princess Pack™ in pink, lilac and raspberry, or the Ocean Colours of teal, purple and ocean blue! Iron-Ons are always printed blue on white. The name can be whatever you would like to a maximum of 20 characters. To win, just leave a comment telling me your favorite Summer Camp memory. If you didn't go to summer camp when you were a kid, just tell me your favorite summer time fun memory. LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH YOUR COMMENT OR YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED - I have to be able to contact you if you win. Giveaway ends midnight, EST, Friday, June 6, 2008. Good Luck!**

American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning's AccuClean™

This the season...for allergies and asthma flares.

In our household, three of us have allergies and two also have asthma (did you know that allergies and asthma go hand in hand in many cases, and the prevalence of both is on the rise? According to the Centers for Disease Control, asthma has become the most common serious chronic disease in children and the third-ranking cause of hospitalization for kids under 15!)

So while we welcome the warm weather of spring, we also dread it's arrival because of the return of itchy eyes, sneezing and itching, not to mention wheezing! And something I found out from Mom Central? Instead of our homes being a safe haven from allergens and asthma triggers, it turns out that indoor air is four to five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency!

So what's a parent to do? For us, we change the air filters in the house all the time, which can really add up in cost. We also have portable air filters in just about every room in the house which is also pricey when you start adding up the cost of changing those filters. So when Mom Central told me about AccuClean, I couldn't wait to check it out. Of course, I've not seen this product first hand (it's a whole house system which needs to be installed so obviously, they are not giving out samples) but just the idea of it seems like something I need to check out!

"Nothing cleans your indoor air like the American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning's AccuClean™ whole home air filtration system. AccuClean can be attached to your existing furnace or air handler, so you don't need to renovate your home to install it. Once installed, AccuClean removes allergens from the air in every room of the house, as opposed to plug-in air cleaners that operate in only one room. It removes up to an unprecedented 99.98% of unwanted particles and allergens from the filtered air in your home. Standard 1" throwaway filters and ionic-type room appliances can't even begin to match that.

The health benefits to clean air are obvious, but how can up to 99.98% allergen-free air make you more comfortable? By removing allergens: AccuClean filters airborne allergens like mold, dust mites, pollen, even pet hair and animal dander, before they can land on your rugs, floors and upholstery. And by preventing odors: The majority of irritating particles like cooking grease, even smoke from burnt food, can be removed from the air. And now AccuClean™ is also proven to remove more than 99% of the common flu, or influenza A virus, from the filtered air in your home.

In summary, the American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning's AccuClean™ whole home air filtration system:

• Removes over 99% of the common flu, or influenza A virus, from the filtered air in your home.
• Removes up to 99.98% of allergens from filtered air
• Catches particles even smaller than .1 micron in size
• Is 8 times more effective than the best HEPA room appliance
• Is 100 times more effective than a standard 1" throwaway filter or ionic-type room appliance
• Delivers cleaner air, and more of it
• Reusable filter is easy to vacuum or wash"

Bonus? Hannah Keeley, one of the Mom Central consulting principals and founder of Total Mom, has been working closely with American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning over the past two years and has met with moms who have experienced, firsthand, the difference AccuClean can make in families' homes and lives. Hannah shared this with us: "Keeping the dirt and dust out of your house is easier said than done, and cleaning every day is simply not an option for today's busy families. AccuClean prevents unwanted dust and dander from continually circulating in your home, ensuring the indoor air your family breathes is cleaner and healthier."

To find out more about AccuClean and see Hannah's tips about keeping your home's indoor air clean and healthy, click here.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

I'll admit it. I'm just a bit, shall we say, anal, about cleanliness. Which is why it can take me 5 to 6 hours to clean my house. Part of the reason is, that is just who I am, and part is because of the severe allergies so many of us suffer from in my house. When any trace of the allergens peanuts, tree nuts, cinnamon, mold, dust, etc. show up in my house, I quick on the draw to pull out my Clorox® wipes. Why Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes? Because just like their advertising says, they are "the quick and easy way to clean and disinfect anytime and anywhere. Pre-moistened with cleaners and disinfectants, these handy household wipes are ready to use. Just wipe and let sit for 30 seconds to sanitize or 4 minutes to disinfect. Then toss and you're done."

And now they are even better! They've been re-engineered so they are now thicker and textured to cut through tough, sticky messes easily. Features of the new, wipe:

• Better cleaning
• Low-streak formula for use on shiny surfaces like glass and mirrors
• Effective against common bacteria such as Staphylococcus (Staph.), Salmonella, and E.coli
• Pre-moistened disinfecting wipes that kill 99.9% of germs including viruses that cause colds and flu (Rhinovirus and Influenza A2)

Clorox® and Mom Central Consulting were kind enough to send me a sample of the newest scent of Disinfecting Wipe - Lavender. Lavender is my all time favorite scent - in fact, I only use the uber-expensive brand name laundry softener that comes in lavender, I love it that much. So I was excited to see if these wipes held up to their promise as a new and better wipe, and smelled good too.

Well, they did. Like their other scents, these Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes are bleach-free and are safe to use on hard surfaces from glass and stainless steel to marble and granite. We even used them to wipe down the outdoor lawn furniture for the first time since last summer and they held up great. And they really did smell wonderful - a light lavender scent, not at all like your typical chemical smelling cleaner.

Bonus? Right now you can sign up for the Make a Clean Getaway Vacation Sweepstakes and you could win a Luxury Family Getaway to the Galapagos, mountain bikes, a year of Netflix and more!

Always read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products. Always store cleaning products out of reach of children.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Around the Table Games

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

CONGRATULATIONS "AMES!"

FAMILY TALK

from Around the Table Games™


May 27th is my 7 year wedding anniversary. Seven years and I'm still amazed at all I don't know about my husband yet. And don't get me started on how hard it is to get my kids to talk to us at dinner: "What did you do today?" "Nothing, I'm done now!" I know it's not going to get any better when they become teens either! Which is why I LOVE this new game called Family Talk. What a great family conversation starter for parents, children and relatives of all ages!

Three versions of the game, Family Talk, Family Talk 2 and Grandparent Talk™ are available (see below for detail - all three available on a clip or in a jar). “Our games are like taking the dinner time conversation with you, wherever you go,” explains Around the Table Games founder Beth Daniels, herself a working mom. “Because our games are made to be portable, the proverbial table discussions can now be held at the airport, during carpool, waiting in a long line or wherever people gather in the same place at the same time.”

Ideal for ages 4+, some of the questions from the Family Talk pack are: "If you could have chosen your own first name, what would it be?" and "What is your favorite story about you when you were younger?" Each deck of 100 cards is attached to a carabineer clip so a Mom or a Scout leader can clip the game to a backpack, purse or picnic basket. Anticipating a long wait at the airport? Whip out these questions and the time will fly. Stuck in traffic with the kids? Family Talk will encourage the kids to ask anything but “are we there yet?” And they are not just for your family! Use them with co-workers, teachers, church groups and corporate team building exercises.


Family Talk Clip $12.95

"Family Talk™ is the fun, easy and portable game that has families reconnecting through engaging conversation! Clip it to your purse, briefcase or backpack for portable family fun!

100 intriguing questions, such as:

What was dinnertime like when you were young?
What is one thing about each family member that makes you proud?

Family Talk is so uncomplicated that you can play it almost anywhere-around the dinner table, in the car or anyplace your family or friends congregates. Just draw a card, read the question and let the fun begin! Diverse topics reveal surprising answers - even from hard-to-talk-to teens. And with Family Talk, everyone's a winner!"



Grandparent Talk Clip $12.95

"Grandparent Talk™ is the fun and easy game that bridges generations while creating treasured memories. Clip it to your purse, totebag, or beach bag for portable family fun!

100 intriguing questions, such as:

Where did you hang out when you were a teenager?
What have you been able to do as a result of saving money?

Just draw a card, read the question and watch your family history unfold one question at a time. Grandparent Talk allows grandchildren and grandparents to learn more about each other while keeping family history relevant and alive! Diverse topics reveal how grandparents met the challenges of previous generations. Grandchildren and grandparents are often surprised to learn how much they have in common!"



Family Talk2 Clip $12.95

"Family Talk2 continues the fun, in an easy and portable game that has families reconnecting through engaging conversation! Clip it to your purse, briefcase or backpack for portable family fun!

Reconnect with your family using 100 intriguing questions, such as:

What is the most special day of the week in your home? What makes it so special?
Name some holidays that your friends may celebrate that you don't? Why is this so?

Family Talk2 is so uncomplicated that you can play it almost anywhere-around the dinner table, in the car or anyplace your family or friends congregates. Just draw a card, read the question and let the fun begin! Diverse topics reveal surprising answers - even from hard-to-talk-to teens. And with Family Talk, everyone's a winner!"

About Around The Table Games: Creator and owner of Around the Table games, Beth Daniels was blessed to have her grandparents and great-grandparents in her life for decades. Over the years, she realized that the more she learned about them, the better she understood herself. As a result, she treats the stories they shared as priceless gifts that she is determined to pass on to her own children. In fact, the first “version” Daniels made of her game was a simple pad of paper passed around the table at a Christmas family dinner where she invited everyone to jot down questions for Great Grandma. As an Occupational Therapist, wife and mother of two, Daniels understands all too well how active lives and busy schedules can prevent families from sharing the anecdotes and folklore that make a family a family. That’s why she created Family Talk and Grandparent Talk games as a fun way for families to reconnect. For more information, click on http://www.aroundthetablegames.com/

You can purchase these great games here and use code DYSTFMT for free shipping on their website

OR

**WIN IT! Win one of the games - you choose which of the three you want - just leave a comment here with a suggested question for future games or offer an idea for a future version of the game, and I'll pull a winner at random. LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH YOUR COMMENT. Giveaway is open until midnight, EST, Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Good Luck!**

The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS CATWOMAN!

The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book

by Marjorie Greenfield
Paperback: 584 pages
Publisher: Yale University Press; 1 edition (May 8, 2008)
List Price: $18.00

When I was pregnant with my first child back in 2002, I was working for a small non-profit company. We did not have enough employees to be covered by FMLA leave law but I was not concerned. Another woman had just had a baby and she saved up her sick and annual leave days and cobbled them together with STD to take 12 weeks off without a problem.

Then, half way through my pregnancy, my wonderful boss left the company, and her replacement (who happened to be a 40-something woman with no children and no plans for children, ever) told me to forget my plans. If I didn't come back to work 6 weeks post-partum, I was fired. It didn't matter I offered to work at home for those last 6 weeks of my 12 weeks off. I had to be physically in the office after 6 weeks. So I had no choice but to resign. And none of the pregnancy books available to me had helped me prepare for this reality. I would have loved to have had The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book at my side.

I'm not saying this book would have magically solved this crisis. But at least I would have been better prepared to face pregnancy, birth and the working mom/mother balancing act. It would have helped me again when I had my second child and ended up working at home the day after I gave birth and struggled to get work done while dealing with a baby with colic! Again, it wouldn't have solved that problem but I would have had some practical advice from a book that actually acknowledges that some women do (and must!) work outside the home.

The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book takes you all the way from pre-conception to post-birth in parts that read like a corporate strategic change manual:

Part 1: Strategic Planning (Before Conception)
Part 2: Mergers and Acquisitions (Getting Pregnant)
Part 3: Adapting to Change (Through Week 13)
Part 4: Going Public (Weeks 14-26)
Part 5: Double-Digit Growth (Week 27 until Birth)
Part 6: Exit Strategy (The Day of Birth)
Part 7: A Sea Change (Parenthood)

From the back cover: This up-to-date guide addresses all the subjects you would expect to find in an authoritative book on pregnancy plus issues of special concern to the 60 to 80 percent of women who hold jobs during their pregnancies:

· Is my workplace safe for my developing baby?
· When should I tell my employer that I am expecting?
· How can I handle the discomforts of pregnancy when I need to work?
· What laws will protect me when I take medical leave?

The answers to these questions—and myriad others—can be found in the pages of this practical and reassuring book. Dr. Marjorie Greenfield draws from her experiences as an obstetrician and working mom, and from more than a hundred interviews with mothers ranging from factory workers to high-powered attorneys, to create a unique resource for working women. Dr. Greenfield includes checklists for multitasking working moms-to-be, helpful illustrations, stories and advice from experienced mothers, and information on everything from planning a pregnancy to balancing life after the baby is born. The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book is an invaluable expert resource that will inform, reassure, and empower any working woman throughout the miraculous journey of her pregnancy.

Other opinions:

"The Working Woman''s Pregnancy Book reads like both a visit to the doctor and lunch with a sympathetic friend all at the same time. For any working woman who''s thinking about starting a family or already pregnant, this book is the all-inclusive pregnancy guide you''ve been looking for."-Stacy Debroff, founder of MomCentral

"This accurate, easy to read book includes answers to every question I have been asked during 25 years as an obstetrician, as well as answers to questions I had while working and pregnant! "-Katharine Wenstrom, MD, President, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

I highly recommend this book to any woman who is pregnant or planning on having a family and plans on keeping her job outside the home. The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book really is just like having a wonderful OBGYN on call 24/7, a knowledgeable big sister, and best friend, all rolled into one. 5 out of 5 binkies.

About the Author
Marjorie Greenfield, M.D., is a practicing, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and associate professor of reproductive biology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Greenfield has written hundreds of articles for the Web and currently blogs about pregnancy for Yahoo.com. She lives in Cleveland, OH. Visit her website for more information. Also by Marjorie Greenfield: Dr. Spock’s Pregnancy Guide.

**WIN IT - I'm giving away my gently used copy of The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book since I am DONE having children! To win, just leave a comment here telling me why you need this book (are you pregnant? planning on having a baby soon? Do you work outside the home?). That's it! LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS with your comment so I can contact you if you win. The give-a-way is open until midnight, EST, Tuesday, May 27, 2008. Good Luck!**

(my review excerpted here)

Mother Talk

You'd better Kirtsy when you meet the Queen (Bloggess)

By now you've heard the news...

By now, you know Sk*rt is now Kirtsy!

And the BEST post I have EVER read on the subject is up at The Bloggess's place. Go read. Be prepared to laugh outloud:

"And just so that you don’t get them confused…

Skirt! Mag = Assholes who probably have tiny penises.

Kirtsy = Fabulous website that you should be using to promote your own writing and to discover awesome crap and was started by these three chicks who I know in real life and who kick ass and do not have penises"

Girl Power!

Strange Wilderness

Strange Wilderness
Actors: Steve Zahn, Allen Covert, Jonah Hill, Kevin Heffernan, Ashley Scott (II)Directors: Fred Wolf (II)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
MPAA: Rated R for non-stop language, drug use, crude and sexual humor.
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: May 20, 2008
Run Time: 84 minutes
List Price: $29.99

"This ain't March of the Penguins."

Steve Zahn plays Peter Gaulke, the host of a wild animal television program called "Strange Wilderness," but the show’s ratings are plummeting (even at a 3 a.m. broadcast time). With two weeks before it is cancelled, Peter attempts to rescue the series by traveling to Ecuador in search of Bigfoot. Tagging along are his misfit friends played by Allen Covert, Jonah Hill, and Justin Long (famous now as Drew Barrymore's boyfriend) and one woman who is supposedly their travel agent (Ashley Scott). Sharks, piranha, pygmies, Mexican border guards, an insane tracker (played by Robert Patrick), and various other obstacles lay in wait, as well as a rival animal television crew who are also looking for Bigfoot.

The funniest parts of the movie for me where when they were filming "episodes" of the show.

One scene:

Peter Gaulke: [looking at napkin] This is it? Our entire voice-over for our show on bears is written on a cocktail napkin?

Fred Wolf: Yeah, we wrote it last night when we were at P.J. Mahoney's.

Peter Gaulke: [reading napkin] Bears are large and brown. Alright, come on. Not all bears are large. How about baby bears, huh? Bears derive their name from a football team in Chicago. No. It's the other way around. Jesus Christ Fred, come on. It is estimated that bears kill over two million salmon a year. Attacks by salmon on bears are much more rare. Right, that's got to be true, right? Alright, let's go with that one.

or this one...

Peter Gaulke: Bears are a proud people, although they're not people per-say. They're animals. Bears derive their name from a football team in Chicago. Bears have been known to attack man, although the fact is that fewer people have been killed by bears than in all of World World I and World War II combined. Brown bears bloves fishing. Brown... Brown bears bloves... God, why am I having so much trouble saying brown...

Fred Wolf: Maybe it's the two b's in brown bears. Try something different.

Peter Gaulke: I got it. I'm ready. Okay. Red bears love fish.

This movie kept my husband laughing the entire time while I just found it amusing. Of course, I think men are the target audience with this one, like most slapstick humor films. This is no "There's Something About Mary" in regards to humor, but it's a likable film.

I give it 3 out of 5 binkies.

(cross posted here)

Ragu Fresh & Simple Pouches

Ragú® Fresh & Simple Pouches

I'm pretty good about making a menu for each day of the week, for about a 10 day period at a time, allowing days for hot dogs or pizza. That's all well and good until I forget to take out the chicken or hamburger meat to thaw the night before. Then we get home from work and have to come up with dinner on the fly. And I'm looking for something healthier than carry out, delivery or drive through! Thank goodness, that's where Ragú® comes in.

Ragú's Fresh & Simple Pouches is sauce packaged in a 90 second microwavable pouch. Clip the corner, put it in the microwave for 90 seconds and pour it over your pasta. If you keep pasta made up in your freezer like I do, that means no pots to clean. And like traditional Ragú® Sauces, the pouches (available in Garden Vegetable, Tomato Basil, and Tomato, Garlic & Onion) have no sugar, no artificial additives or preservatives. They also contain only all-natural ingredients, along with Vitamin C, calcium, fiber, and protein.

Bonus? Ragú® has put together a free, down loadable recipe booklet that has a bunch of great time saving tips and meal planning suggestions for healthy meals for your family. The booklet includes recipes and tips from the Food Network’s Robin Miller, celebrity fitness trainer Kathy Kaehler, and last but certainly not least, Mom Central's very own Stacy DeBroff. You can download the booklet from http://www.feedourkidswell.com/. Also on that website are recipes you can look through and meal ideas. Here's one recipe that caught my eye - so simple!

BAKED CHICKEN FINGERS

Preparation time: 10 mins
Cook time: 12 mins
Servings: 4

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 Tbsp. Shedd's Spread Country Crock Spread, melted
3 cups whole grain wheat flakes cereal, crushed OR whole grain bread crumbs
1 cup Ragú® Organic Garden Veggie Pasta Sauce, heated

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. In large bowl, toss chicken with Spread, then evenly coat with cereal. On cookie sheet, arrange chicken. Bake 12 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve with Pasta Sauce.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 330, Calories From Fat: 60, Total Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 470mg, Total Carbohydrate: 37g, Dietary Fiber: 5g, Sugars: 7g, Protein: 31g, Trans Fat: 0g, Vitamin A: 15%, Vitamin C: 6%, Calcium: 4%, Iron: 15%

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Stuff for Sprouts

Stuff for Sprouts

Fun, natural skin care for kids. Because kids shouldn't crunch.

Stuff for Sprouts is fun, natural skin care for kids. These products bring together the best of natural ingredients to soothe and smooth dry, itchy kids (and their parents!) and combines them with fun flavors and fragrances that make it fun to keep your skin healthy!

Products include:

Cream for Extra Crunchy Kids - I was sent a small sample of the Blueberry Muffin Cream - also available in "Front Lawn" fragrance - just enough to put some on my hands and that smell made me hungry! It really smells like blueberries. And it kept my skin soft for hours.

Lotion for Crunchy Kids - available in Lemon or Beach scents

Lip Stuff for Crispy Kissers - Available in three fun flavors:

Chocolate (rich and creamy)
Frosting (creamy and sweet)
PB&J (no actual peanuts, but smells just like your favorite lunch!)

I received a small sample of the frosting. I loved the wide tube applicator - one swipe and I was done - great for my squirmy kids who hate to sit still for regular lip balm application! It smelled incredibly yummy too.

Gift Sets : "A great way to sample all of our great natural skincare for children (or really, anyone with skin!) All of the benefits of great natural ingredients with fun fragrances and flavors to satisfy your cravings for sweets!"

Sprout Stuff (toys, stickers...) Sprouticus Plush Toy or Bumper Sticker.

What I really like about Stuff for Sprouts is that the products contain Purified Water, Kid-friendly fragrances and flavors, and high concentrations of natural oils and butters that were "chosen specifically for their beneficial properties in healing and soothing dry, itchy skin" and they do NOT contain...Nut Butters or Oils, Mineral Oil, Soy, Paraben-based preservatives, Chemical Fillers, Artificial Colors, or Sparkles. "

And they do not do Animal Testing (as they put it, that would be "Gross.")

Stuff for Sprouts is so confident of their products, they offer a money-back guarantee. If you try it and don't love it - return it and they send your money back.

And coming soon will be "Sunscreen for Shady Kids: Mineral based sunscreen using natural sun-deflectors and the same great moisturizing ingredients as our Lotion for Crunchy Kids (Aloe, Apricot Oil, Evening Primrose) to leave skin soft and smooth. Feels light and non-greasy. Smells like the beach. "




BONUS? Stuff for Sprouts has partnered with First Book. 2% of Internet sales of Stuff for Sprouts will be contributed to support First Book's simple mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Since 1992 First Book has provided more than 50 million new books to programs serving children in need nationwide. You can also make an additional contribution to First Book while placing your order on Stuff for Sprouts. The money will go directly to First Book.

Stuff for Sprouts. Nothing gross. Nothing weird.

Just good stuff for dry skin.

Want to try Stuff for Sprouts? You can use the promotional code CPAMOM15 for 15% off anything at Stuff for Sprouts.com through the end of May 2008!

The Minivan Years - Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Motherhood

The Minivan Years: Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Motherhood

by Olivia Bruner

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Center Street (January 10, 2008)
List Price: $12.99

"Welcome to the Minivan Zone...Not long ago I crossed a line that shoved me into a whole new dimension of motherhood: Kurt and I brought home baby number four....it also meant saying good-bye to my standard automobile...And so, no matter how young, glamorous or hip I may want to appear, I am fated to dwell in a place known as the Minivan Zone."

And so begins Olivia Bruner's journey through the highs and lows of parenting four children. She says "it is the season when your needs go unmet and dreams seem unfulfilled." With that sentence, she had me hooked. Here was a woman who understood. But she goes on to say she is trying to make it a point to celebrate these hectic days "today rather than wait until they are mere memories." And with chapters like: Mini-Mishaps: Enduring Embarrassing Times, Mrs. Bruner has good advice for all of us moms in the "minivan zone."

All of her chapters begin with the word Mini, which assured me that anything challenging could be faced a little bit at a time:

Mini Morsels : Consuming Mealtimes
Mini-Prayers: Requesting Miraculous Times
Mini-Stress: Relieving Anxious Times
Mini-Joys: Creating Happy Times
Mini-Budgets: Teaching Financial Times
Mini-Hurts: Redeeming Painful Times
Mini-Sleeps: Revitalizing Bedtimes
Mini-Faith: Influencing Spiritual Times
Mini-Choices: Deciphering Uncertain Times
Mini-Charms: Celebrating Feminine Times
Mini-Sins: Correcting Errant Times
Mini-Enemies: Discussing Devilish Times
Mini-Jurisdictions: Being Responsible Times
Mini-Scholars: Choosing a School Times
Mini-Heroics: Living Sacrificial Times
Mini-Saints: Admiring Courageous Times
Mini-Perfections: Accepting Thankful Times
Mini-Losses: Grieving-Dying Times

(and each chapter ends with a "Mini-Tip" to summarize and apply the chapter's message.)

Throughout the book, Mrs. Bruner threads her and her husband's deep faith and "passion for helping families become intentional about creating a happy marriage and giving the next generation a strong heritage." Through the use of scripture and real life examples from their marriage and family life, Mrs. Bruner gives us inspiration and practical advice for every day life. I really enjoyed this book and give it 4 out of 4 binkies.

You can read more about Olivia and her husband Kurt at their blog Pointing Home or online at Bruner World.

(review cross posted here)

"Childhood Is Calling™: Celebrating Kids Just Being Kids"

Do you remember the first time you heard "Snap! Crackle! Pop!" or the first time you made Kellogg's® Rice Krispies Treats® for a sweet snack? Did you know the words Snap! Crackle! Pop!® first appeared in radio jingles and on Rice Krispies® boxes in 1932? That means Snap! Crackle! and Pop!® are more than 70 years old (you can go here to see how the boxes looked year by year beginning with 1932)!

Hearing that distinctive sound really takes me back to my carefree days of childhood. Days long gone for today's kids because so many of them seem to spend their time going from activity to activity in a never ending quest by their parents to make sure their kids are exposed to every enrichment activity under the sun. I've been guilty of it myself. I realized though, that I had to stop rushing them through their own childhood and let them embrace the joy of pure play, the way I did growing up.

With that in mind, Rice Krispies® and Playing for Keeps* have partnered to create Operation Spark. Using a panel of renowned parenting experts, Operation Spark provides insights and advice about how to strengthen the family connection and turn everyday moments into quality time. Part of Operation Spark is the "Childhood Is Calling™: Celebrating Kids Just Being Kids" report. The report offers expert and real-mom insight on the importance of savoring childhood and advice for families to find simple moments of joy and connection - it is an educational initiative devoted to providing parents with ways to create meaningful memories with their children.

You can access the full "Childhood Is Calling™: Celebrating Kids Just Being Kids" report, information on the Operation Spark program and tips on how to relish the everyday fun with your kids by visiting http://www.childhoodiscalling.com/. The Web site also provides games to play with kids, music (Ralph's World!), and recipes, including great twists to the old favorite Rice Krispies Treats® squares (I can't wait to make the Kellogg's® Rice Krispies Treats® with Real Strawberries Hearts with the new Rice Krispies® With Real Strawberries myself - after I buy it with the $1.00 coupon of course!).

*"Playing for Keeps is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1999 that exists to help bridge the gap between what researchers have learned about play and what parents and professionals who impact kids' lives on a day-to-day, hour-by-hour need to know to help nurture our precious children to their full potential. We are driven by our mission of improving outcomes for children through increasing their access to healthy play."

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Mia Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

CONGRATULATIONS JACKLYN!

My children are just at the perfect age for them to start learning the computer (3 and 5). In fact, in today's society, they may need to do a little catch up! So I've been looking around for good software that will engage them, keep them interested, and yet teach them at the same time. Recently, I was contacted by Kutoka about their learning software.

So I did a little research. What was Kutoka anyway? I found that the company was founded in Montreal, Canada in 1995 to develop multimedia titles for prominent third-party publishers such as Compaq, Fisher-Price and the Corel Corporation. Then in 1998, Kutoka launched its first self-published title "Mia's Reading Adventure - The Search for Grandma’s Remedy. 1998 - that means this year, Mia, the mouse and star of their award-winning "edutainment" software series will be celebrating ten years of adventures and learning!

To kick off the celebration, Kutoka launched a new title in the series: Mia Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs!

"Targeted at five to nine year olds, and developed by experts in education and in multimedia, The Bugaboo Bugs! focuses on literary skills by combining an exciting adventure with engaging educational activities that are in sync with the educational curriculum from kindergarten to grade three."

"Mia Mouse lives in a charming Victorian house where her family has lived for generations. The house has recently been invaded by pests.

Stinking, noisy, uncivilized, they are sure to be seen by humans! And if this is the case, the exterminators will be called! But then, Mia, her friends and family would be out on the street! The Bugaboos must go! And Mia needs your help."


"Mia's Reading Adventure has been designed to support a school’s curriculum from kindergarten to grade three, and includes 12 exciting literacy skills activities each with four distinct age-appropriate levels of difficulty. Topics covered include associating images to words, punctuation, phonics, rhymes, spelling, sentence structure, vocabulary, reading comprehension, word recognition, verb tense, adverbs, following instructions, and much more!

There is an easy to consult progress report and The Bugaboo Bugs! educational activities are seamlessly integrated into the story. There is also a feature that allows the player to go directly to the activities."

My children and I sat down together to view and play with the software. And let me tell you, Mia's 3D world is amazing!! I know that graphics and technology get better each year but this was incredible - it felt like we were watching a Pixar movie. It was a breeze for my 5 year old to navigate and although my 3 year old is still too young to play the game, she still asks to "watch the mouse, Mom" whenever she passes by the computer. I am excited that my son will be able to use this to help him prepare for kindergarten this summer: having fun and learning too - score!

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY Mia Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs! is available on a hybrid DVD-ROM for Windows and Macintosh and is available at TOYS 'R US, The Apple Stores, and other fine toys and computer stores with a suggested retail price of $24.99. You can also purchase it online at Kutoka.

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Windows XP (sp2), 2000 (sp4), VISTA; Processor: Pentium III - 1Ghz; RAM: 512 MB; Video & Sound: DirectX 9 compatible; DVD-ROM Drive: 4X; Hard Disk Space: 1.2 GB. Macintosh OS X, 10.4, 10.5; Processor: G4 - 1Ghz; RAM: 512 MB;Video & Sound: Standard Macintosh; DVD-ROM Drive: 4X; Hard Disk Space: 1.2 GB.

ABOUT THE MIA COLLECTION There are five titles in the Mia software collection, four learning adventures and a creativity tool called Click & Create. The four learning adventures cover math, science, reading and an introduction to foreign languages (French and Spanish). This multi award-winning series is available is over 40 countries in 14 different languages.

ABOUT KUTOKA Founded in 1995 and based in Montreal, Kutoka Interactive develops, produces and publishes high-quality interactive content. The company has won over 150 national and international awards for its highly acclaimed Mia and Didi & Ditto series. As well as distributing its own content, Kutoka has also been growing as distributor of 3rd party products since 2001. For more information call 877-8KUTOKA or visit http://www.kutoka.com/.

**WIN IT!! Kutoka is giving one lucky reader their very own copy of Mia Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs! To win, leave a comment here on which other Mia software you think looks interesting and who in your family will be playing with this software if you win it. IMPORTANT: LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE BODY OF YOUR COMMENT. This giveaway is open until midnight, EST Thursday, May 22, 2008, when I will use random.org to draw a winner. Usual disclaimers...see sidebar. Good Luck!**

RS Designs - get something free with your order!

I've posted about R S Designs before (where she designed a button for me for the March for Babies). I think Revka ROCKS! She did a wonderful complete re-design on my weight loss blog and it was so inexpensive too. She was very patient with me as I struggled to verbalize what I was looking for and she ended up just nailing it. I love, love, love my design over there. So much so, I'm hiring her to redesign this site as well.

Right now, she is running a special. If you place an order of $20 or more with RS Designs and let them know in your order e-mail that I (CPA Mom) referred you, you will receive a free surprise addition (a $10 value) to their order!!

Check out Client Testimonials here, their Design Gallery here, and their Products and Pricing page here. Then get on over and place an order! I know I am...

The Mothering Heights Manual for Motherhood, Volume 1

THIS GIVE-A-WAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS DANIELLE!

Mothering Heights Manual for Motherhood, Volume 1: What we wish we knew before we became a short order cook, shuttle driver, laundress Mother

"This achingly funny collection celebrates the modern mom with wit, wisdom and a whole lot of love."
-Jane Porter Mrs. Perfect, Odd Mom Out

"If motherhood did come with a manual, this would be it. The Manual for Motherhood is a must-read, must-share book for all moms."
-Carrie Williams Coast Kids Magazine

Real Moms Write about Motherhood in Debut Collection

LAGUNA BEACH, CA, APR. 26 – Mothering Heights Manual for Motherhood, Volume 1: What we wish we knew before we became a short order cook, shuttle driver, laundress Mother, a hilarious and poignant collection of essays on motherhood, debuts next month in time for Mother’s Day and summer reading. The book is a culmination of the 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Essay Contest held by Christine Fugate, the popular writer of the Mothering Heights column and blog. Twenty-nine essays and four poems were chosen from over one hundred entries from Israel, Germany, Australia, and thirty U.S. states.

“I wanted this to be a celebration of motherhood – and for readers to laugh,” says Fugate, editor of Manual for Motherhood. “But some of the essays were so powerful, they had to be included. While we moms need to laugh, we can also use a good cry.” The essays and poems offer stories, contemplations and advice about what it means to be a mother. Highlights include the mommy drive-by, not making meatloaf, and parenting with a coffee can. Serious topics such as finding an adoptive child’s birth mother, raising a Down syndrome child and recovering from post-partum depression are also featured.

Among the contributors are Us Weekly’s film critic Thelma Adams and novelists Patti Callahan Henry and Patty Friedmann. Fugate, a film and television Producer, is excited to also include writers who have never been published. “I started writing my column in an attempt to understand motherhood. I wanted to publish women who are not professional writers –they write because they want to make sense of motherhood.” Additional essays submitted to the essay contest are featured online in a Mother’s Day Anthology at MotheringHeights.net.

PERFECT GIFT FOR MOTHER'S DAY!!

AVAILABLE NOW FOR PURCHASE: Mothering Heights Manual for Motherhood, Volume 1: What we wish we knew before we became a short order cook, shuttle driver, laundress Mother, edited by Christine Fugate (trade paperback, $12.95 Mothering Heights Press, 2008) is for sale at MotheringHeights.net and Amazon.com

**WIN IT!! Because I love this book so much (seriously, I love it, and I'd say that even if I wasn't one of the contributors - but I am!!) I'm offering up one of my copies of the book for one lucky reader!! To win, head on over to MotheringHeights.net, read the wonderful entries in the 2nd Annual Mother's Day Online Anthology and email me the title of the essay you liked the best! Email me at cpamomva at hotmail dot com by midnight, EST, Friday, May 16, 2008. GET FIVE EXTRA ENTRIES for posting about the book or this contest on YOUR website (if you want these entries, include the website address of your blog in your email to me). Good Luck! And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Ocean Spray Cranergy™

I am exhausted. Not just today. Not just this week. Every.single.day. That comes with the territory when you work outside the home 40 hours a week (more during tax season), run a household of four, and all the other myriad projects I have going on at any one time. Throw in a husband working towards his degree so he's at school a few nights a week, and my 4 a.m. workouts and I could seriously use some more energy. Normally, I get that energy from coffee or diet Mountain Dew. Both of which I know are not the best thing to be putting in my body. And I know staying hydrated is important too (recent studies have shown that even a 5% reduction in body fluids can cause as much as a 30% loss of energy!) but the 64 oz. of water I chug a day can be boring.

So I was excited when Ocean Spray sent me samples of their new Cranergy™ drinks. Low calorie fruit juice that helps restore my natural energy? Sign me up.

Cranergy™ is made from Ocean Spray's cranberry juice, enhanced with natural energizers like green tea extract and B vitamins. Bonus? Made with Splenda® brand sweetener, Cranergy™ has only 35 calories per eight-ounce serving (Weight Watchers Points = 1)! There are two variations of Cranergy™:

Cranergy™ Cranberry Lift - "a clean, crisp, refreshing drink, made from the finest Ocean Spray cranberry juice blended with natural energizers including green tea extract and five B vitamins. It also has Vitamin C to help boost immunity." This was my favorite - I love cranberry juice anyway and this had a great taste, not tart at all.


Cranergy™ Raspberry Cranberry Lift - "The sweet taste of raspberries and the tart taste of cranberries combined with green tea extract and B vitamins. It also has Vitamin C to help boost immunity." This was my husband's favorite - he loves all things raspberry and this really hit the spot for him.

Visit http://www.oceanspray.com/ for more information. Online coupons will be available at http://www.cranergy.com/ on May 12th.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold™

Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold™
"Crunchy Flakes made with Whole Grain and Baked with Honey"

They're GR-R-REAT!(TM) and Good for You

When I was growing up, my Mom would not buy any cereal that had over a certain amount of sugar in it. I think her cut off was 11 grams. I sure hated that rule! While clever on her part, it made me long for the days I could eat a bowl of Kellogg's® Frosted Flakes™. How I longed to see Tony the Tiger™ on my breakfast table. Well, now I can.

Did you know that Tony the Tiger™ turns 56 years old this year? And he is still going strong, now on the box of the new Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold™ cereal. Kellogg Company provided me with a sample box to review and I loved it! With 10 grams of whole grain and three grams of fiber in each serving, it not only tastes good, it's good for you too (the cereal is baked with honey to give it a sweet taste). And for those of you on Weight Watchers like I am, a 3/4 cup serving is only 2 points (110 calories, 1/2 gram fat, 3 grams fiber)! And Mom, if you're reading this? It's only got 10 grams of sugar!

"Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold(TM) offers better-for-you nutrition that will satisfy moms and a great taste that kids will love," said Jennifer Garrett, Director of Nutrition Marketing, Kellogg Company. "As a good source of fiber and 10 grams of whole grain, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold(TM) is not only a nutritious choice, but it also gives kids energy at breakfast and snack time."

Bonus? To encourage kids to be more active, eat right and work hard to achieve their goals, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes® created the Earn Your Stripes™ program. As part of this program, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold™, in partnership with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), Little League® International and Girls on the Run International, created the Five Golden Rules of Sportsmanship to give coaches and parents the tools they need to help kids succeed on and off the field. The Five Golden Rules advocate being a winner no matter what the scoreboard says, treating coaches, officials and opponents with respect, being a good teammate and finding good in the game.

"The Earn Your Stripes(TM) program helps kids with confidence as they deal with both challenges and accomplishments in athletics," said Jud Rogers, senior marketing executive, Little League(R) International. "We worked with Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Gold(TM) to create Golden Rules and give coaches and parents the tools they need to teach their kids about good sportsmanship on and off the field."

Five Golden Rules of Sportsmanship:

1) Play with a smile. Don't worry; you don't have to grin throughout the whole game. Playing with a smile means playing with passion, confidence and self-respect; being gracious in victory and defeat and most of all having fun! Play for your love of the game, not just the trophy.

2) Be a winner. You can be a winner no matter what the scoreboard says. Winners lead by example -- always playing their best, being humble and acting in good character. Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating right and exercising. Bring your game to the next level by practicing hard and learning from your mistakes.

3)Show respect. Playing fair and following the rules is a big part of sportsmanship. Always consider your safety and the safety of others. Also, treat your coaches, officials, parents, fans, teammates and opponents with respect both on and off the field.

4) Be a good teammate. Remember that you're part of a team. Whether you're running track, running down the soccer field or running the bases, playing sports involves others. Being part of a team means showing up to practices and games on time, cooperating with players and coaches and being a trustworthy and loyal teammate.

5) Find good in the game. Instead of focusing on missed opportunities, focus on the positive points of how you and your teammates perform. Play with a commitment to the game -- don't quit when things aren't going your way. Be gracious by cheering on good plays by your teammates and opponents and congratulating effort as well as success. And never forget that you're there to have fun!

About Kellogg Company
With 2006 sales of almost $11 billion, Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) is the world's leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, frozen waffles, and meat alternatives. The company's brands include Kellogg's, Keebler, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Cheez-It, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies, Murray, Austin, Morningstar Farms, Famous Amos, Plantation, Ready Crust and Kashi. Kellogg products are manufactured in 17 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, visit Kellogg's Web site at http://www.kelloggcompany.com/.

Ingredients: WHOLE GRAIN CORN, SUGAR, RICE, CORN BRAN, WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT, MILLED CORN, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, HONEY, SALT, MALT FLAVORING, NATURAL FLAVOR, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), NIACINAMIDE, REDUCED IRON, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, BHT (PRESERVATIVE), FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN D, VITAMIN B12.

Allergen Information: CONTAINS WHEAT INGREDIENTS. CORN USED IN THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS TRACES OF SOYBEANS.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.