Scrubbing Bubbles® Action Scrubber

Confession time. What would you rather do? Pay bills, write thank you notes, sit in traffic, change a stinky diaper or clean your bathroom? If you are like me (and especially if you have men or toddlers in the house - ha!), cleaning your bathroom ranks the absolute lowest on your list. Even below stinky diapers. Why? Well for me its not just the mess but the inconvenience (using a spray, letting it sit, grabbing a sponge, then what to do with the stinky sponge) and how hard it can be to get the soap scum up too. I dislike it so much that every time I clean the house (a 5 hour job), I ALWAYS do the bathrooms last.

Now I found a reason to clean them first. Scrubbing Bubbles has come out with a new Action Scrubber that works in the shower and tub. It is also the first replacement of a trigger and sponge, so instead of having to spray and scrub, you can just wet and go. And when you are done, you just toss the pad away and store the clean handle in the storage tub it came in. Easy peasy. And you can use the Action Scrubber for Tile, Tubs, Shower, Shower Curtains, and Shower Doors!

From their website: "New Scrubbing Bubbles® Action Scrubber™ has a specially designed handle that's easy to grip and attaches quickly to a disposable pad. Each pad contains tiny scrubbing fibers and concentrated Scrubbing Bubbles® formula. As you clean, the concentrated formula creates penetrating foam that loosens, dissolves and lifts away soap scum and grime in your tub and shower.

Remove the pad from the handle to clean tight spaces, like in corners and around shower fixtures. Action Scrubber™ cleans without gritty chemicals, so it rinses away easily, leaving a brilliant shine.

When you're finished cleaning, simply toss the pad in the trash along with the dirt and grime."

The Starter Kit Includes:
1 Flexible, durable handle
1 Reusable storage tub
4 Disposable cleaning pads with concentrated Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner - 3-7/8 x 4-7/8 inch

- Powerful cleaning with less scrubbing
- Concentrated cleaners rip through soap scum and grime
- Easy-grip handle flexes for curves and contours
- No more spraying or messy sponge to store
- Cleans without gritty chemicals so it rinses away easily, leaving a brilliant shine

Scrubbing Bubbles® Action Scrubber. What's not to love?

BONUS! Go to their website for coupon you can print for $2.75 off!!

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Womens Health: Poise Passion Award

The dictionary defines Poise as :

1. a state of balance or equilibrium, as from equality or equal distribution of weight; equipoise.
2. a dignified, self-confident manner or bearing; composure; self-possession: to show poise in company.

How poised are you in everyday life? Poise is something that is hard to maintain if you are having health problems of any kind, not to mention ones associated with your pelvic floor. And so many women have these problems, particularly after having children. Too many women in my life have suffered, often silently, and so I wanted to help spread the word about the Poise Passion Award in their honor.

The simple fact that one in four of us Moms suffers from light bladder leakage (if you don't now, expect it the older you get - I know I can expect it - hello? I had a 10 lb. + baby!). Yet, we rarely talk about it - I certainly never saw any mention of it in my What to Expect When You Are Expecting type books! This condition is so common among women, yet it's still considered a taboo subject even with close friends and family. Recent research found that 80% of women who suffer from light bladder leakage are hesitant to talk to their peers about this sensitive topic for fear of embarrassment*.

I want to help change that. You too can help open a dialogue about pelvic health and reverse the stigma often associated with bladder and pelvic issues! How? Kimberly-Clark's Poise brand has joined hands with the Women's Health Foundation (WHF) to increase awareness of pelvic health and wellness. Recently, the Foundation held the "Below the Belt" benefit to raise awareness of the issues effecting women today and celebrate champions of the cause.

At the event, Poise presented the first-ever Passion Award to Linda Michael of Portage, Indiana because her story of personal triumph over pelvic pain and bladder control issues (only six minutes to watch and well worth your time) and her willingness to tell it - has inspired women and doctors alike to share their stories. Linda personally struggled with and overcame her own pelvic pain and bladder control issues after giving birth to her son and now works toward breaking down the stigma surrounding these and similar problems affecting many women.

Thank you Linda and thank you Poise and the Women's Health Foundation, for bringing a voice to this oft neglected and so important topic.

Missy Lavender of the Women's Health Foundation, Linda Michael recipient of the Poise brand Passion Award, Amy Attenberger Poise brand manager:

*The National Women's Survey on Aging was commissioned by Poise Brand and fielded online by Alan Newman Research through its partnership with e-Rewards. The sample of 1,014 women ages 40 - 65 has a maximum statistical error of + 3.1 percent at the 95 percent level of confidence.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Rock Your School with Box Tops for Education!

Box Tops for Education is a program dedicated to helping schools raise money to develop programs, purchase books, and buy school supplies. We've all seen them on our favorite store products. Me? I've been clipping box tops out for local schools for years - even before I had children of my own (I sent them in with nieces and nephews). Now that I have kids in school, I'm doubly devoted to clipping - so my own children's school can benefit from the technology, books and equipment that Box Tops can bring. So I find myself buying the brands at the store that have the box tops when I have a choice between brands. And I'm constantly surprised how many products have the box top on them now (like Kimberly-Clark brands Huggies, Cottonelle and Kleenex).

And now Kimberly-Clark has partnered with Box Tops for Education and to celebrate, they've launched a nationwide contest called "ROCK YOUR SCHOOL" - that offers us parents a chance to win 100,000 Bonus Box Tops, plus an exclusive concert featuring Radio Disney star Jordan Pruitt for our child's school!

100,000 Bonus Box Tops could go a long way at our school! Here is what 100,000 of them could mean to the average classroom:

• Technology Upgrades: A mobile cart complete with 20 laptops with wireless capabilities to allow travel from classroom to classroom.
• The Necessities: Enough No. 2 pencils that, laid pencil to eraser, would stretch across the length of more than 145 football fields.
• Hands-on Learning Outside the Classroom: A class trip for 20 students in Los Angeles, Calif. to visit Washington, D.C., including airfare, hotel accommodations and admission to the Smithsonian Institution.

In addition to the 100,000 Bonus Box Tops prize, the winning school will also receive a concert featuring pop singer Jordan Pruitt. Pruitt will perform songs from both her new album “Permission to Fly” (set for a July 15 release) as well as her debut album “No Ordinary Girl.” Pruitt, 16, is no stranger to the stage. In her three-year career, she’s opened for the Jonas Brothers, the Cheetah Girls and Vanessa Hudgens, and even performed at the White House’s annual Easter Egg Roll earlier this year.

How to Enter
Parents of students in grades K through 8 can enter the sweepstakes daily June 28 through Sept. 15 via tear pads in participating retail stores or online at http://www.rockbacktoschool.com/. More than 1,000 winners will enjoy prizes, including 1,000 Bonus Box Tops and autographed copies of one of Pruitt’s CDs. One grand prize winner will win a Jordan Pruitt concert at their child’s school and 100,000 Bonus Box Tops. Winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries on or around Sept. 22.

Look for Box Tops on Kimberly-Clark brands like Huggies diapers, Scott tissue, Viva paper towels and Poise pads, and stock up on these items to help live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life. For fun ways to organize Box Tops collected over the summer, visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/.

For complete sweepstakes details and rules, or to enter the Rock Your School Sweepstakes, visit http://www.rockbacktoschool.com/.

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people -- nearly a quarter of the world's population -- trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 136-year history of innovation, visit http://www.kimberly-clark.com/.

About Box Tops for Education

The Box Tops for Education program began in 1996, as more and more schools struggled to make ends meet. Each year, all enrolled schools receive a complete program kit to help them build their own comprehensive fundraising campaign. Most schools designate a program coordinator to develop ways to encourage students, parents, school staff and community members to clip Box Tops from participating products and bring them to school.

After the collected Box Tops are sent in to General Mills, the school receives a check, equivalent to 10 cents for every Box Top redeemed. Schools can earn up to $60,000 per year, up to $20,000 respectively from the Clip, Shop and Book Club program components, to spend on anything they choose. Thousands of schools have used the money from Box Tops for Education to purchase items such as computers and computer software, library books, art supplies, and playground equipment.

“Schools are continually challenged to fund the technology, text books, equipment and many programs that students need,” said Laura Keely, Director of Kimberly-Clark’s Consumer Promotion Marketing. “As a proud partner with Box Tops for Education, Kimberly-Clark is committed to providing parents with effective tools to raise funds for our children’s classrooms. This promotion offers a chance to earn even more for their schools.”

Box Tops for Education is open to any accredited public, private, or parochial schools for grades K-8 in the United States that have a 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt designation and to any United States military schools, for grades K-8, worldwide. The program is also available to accredited home school associations, K-8, in the United States that have a 501 (c)(3) or 509 (a)(1) tax-exempt designation and have 15 or more students.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Preserve Toothbrushes

I've been a recycler for many years now, and I'm lucky enough to live in a city that has had curb side recycling for all these years. I fill that curbside can up to capacity each time it goes out to the curb - with newspapers, plastic bottles, glass containers, and yes, even yogurt cups. But I have never once given another thought to what happens to all that recyclable trash. Until now.

Thanks to MomCentral, I now know that Preserve, a green home products company, takes recycled BPA and phthalate-free plastic, including yogurt cups, and re-recycles them into stylish, affordable, and eco-friendly toothbrushes. Toothbrushes. Seriously. And they sent me two of them to try out so my husband and I each took one with us on our vacation last week.

I absolutely loved this tooth brush because of that curve in the neck of the brush. I find it's incredibly easy to get to those hard to reach places with this more natural hand position. And I am really impressed with the option of sending the toothbrush back to Preserve so it can be recycled again! And you don't even have to pay the postage - you can print out a pre-paid postage label from Recycline's website, send the used toothbrushes back to them and the plastic will live on as a deck, picnic table, or boardwalk.

Unbelievably, the toothbrushes are sold at Target stores nationwide for only $2.04! And you can visit Recycline’s coupon page to download or receive a $1.00 off coupon for the toothbrush in the mail.

Their personal care line also includes Preserve Jr. toothbrushes for kids, with animal colors and shapes, making it easy for us to get our kids off to an early start when it comes to promoting eco-friendly habits. And Recycline Preserve also has a whole line of other recycled and recyclable products - I've got my eye on those razors myself -

and those food storage containers are adorable!

Recycled, inexpensive, works great. What's not to love?

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Strawberry Fields Forever

As American as Baseball and Apple Pie...at least they are to me! I love strawberries and so does my 3 year old daughter. My husband and I took her and her 5 year old brother strawberry picking for the first time this year. Then I made jam like I always do (click the link to see a picture tutorial on making jam). Of course, when strawberry season is over here in Virginia, I know I can still get tasty strawberries at the store that are shipped in from California!

Did you know that California provides 88% of the nation's strawberries, and the region is experiencing an incredibly bountiful harvest this year? With over 35,000 acres of fields across California, the growers will be picking nearly 6 million crates of delicious, ripe strawberries this week to deliver to grocery stores nationwide. My mouth is watering already thinking of what to do with those berries! Fresh Bisquick strawberry shortcake, sliced thin on breakfast cereal, or simply eating them plain for a snack during my dreaded 3 o'clock afternoon slump! You can find HUNDREDS of strawberries recipes online here too!

And strawberries aren't just delicious. Did you know that strawberries contain powerful antioxidants and rank second among the top ten fruits in antioxidant capacity: one serving of strawberries contains more Vitamin C than an orange?! Strawberries may also help reduce the risk of heart disease, fight some types of cancer and lower blood pressure. Also, the antioxidants in strawberries also aid in memory performance and may help prevent Alzheimer's disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, two key factors that can cause age-related diminished brain function. Sounds like great reasons to buy some more strawberries to me!

Of course, our kids could care less about that. But they might find it fun to know this: If you lined up all of the strawberries grown in California in one straight line, they would wrap around the entire Earth 15 times. I bet they don't know that there are about 200 seeds on the outside of each strawberry and that California harvests over a billion pounds of strawberries annually. One acre of land (about the size of one football field) grows about 50,000 pounds of strawberries - that's the same weight as 4 elephants! Find more facts like these at Strawberryville, an online destination for kids full of interactive games, activities and kid-friendly recipes - and be sure to stock up on your California Strawberries at the store now!

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Beaches WonderFALL

I know where I want to go on MY next vacation: Beaches Luxury Included® Family resort located in Turks and Caicos! Labeled by Parents Magazine as a "Top Ten" family beach resort, Beaches Resorts seems like it would be perfect for my next family getaway. With four all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, all set upon the most gorgeous white sand beaches in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, the hardest part will be deciding which Beaches to choose!

And what do you get for your money? Unlimited dining from a variety of gourmet and specialty cuisine restaurants serving great breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not only are the standard meals included, but kids and parents have access to "anytime snacks" and beverages. During the day you can play tennis, golf, or just go to one of their state-of-the art fitness centers. To take advantage of the beautiful water setting, Beaches offers snorkeling and scuba diving with all equipment and instruction included. From wading pools for the littlest tots to awesome Pirate's Island Waterparks sure to keep the big kids entertained, and amazing pools that feature swim-up bars where parents can relax with friends, Beaches has something the whole family can enjoy.
When the sun sets, families can get together and enjoy nightly entertainment and stage shows or parents can schedule a nanny for the kids, while you enjoy some adult time at the piano bar. At the end of the night everyone can collapse and rest up for the next day in beach side top-notch accommodations, from ocean view and beachfront rooms to lavish one and two bedroom suites, some including your very own personalized Butler Service. Even roundtrip airport transfers, hotel taxes and all gratuities are included.

Not only that, there are also some amazing programs at Beaches Resorts your children will love! From spending time with Elmo and friends as part of The Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street® and story time with Elmo, baking with Cookie Monster, dancing with Zoe, exploring with Grover, making music with Bert & Ernie, to Sesame Street stage shows, character parades and character breakfasts (for a nominal charge). Supervised kids camps for all ages are available, from newborns to tweens and teens, the Crayola Art Camps and an Xbox 360® Game Garage, featuring the latest video games the entire family can enjoy. All makes me wish I was a kid again and certainly reassures me that the kids will be well entertained while my husband and I enjoy some adult vacation time!

I know what you are thinking...worried about summer crowds? Don't be! Beach Resorts has just announced their "WonderFALL Celebration" which takes place during the off-peak season months of September and October! During WonderFALL, you can save up to 45% off published rates and get 2 Nights Free (on stays of 7 nights or more). And as part of this WonderFALL Celebration, Beaches has a great fall line up of special events and activities. From even more Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street® that includes the premiere of a brand new stage show and a new activity with Abby Cadabby, exclusive Gordon and Elmo live performances and special parenting workshops hosted by Sesame educators, to Dive In Movies, "Baby You're A Star Photo Contest"( where your little one could win the chance to be featured in the next Beaches brochure) and even a celebration for Grandparents, it's all happening ONLY this FALL at Beaches family resorts! Be sure to check out their website for all the cool promotions!

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Keeping Safe This Summer

Ah, summertime. Kids everywhere have given rousing shouts of glee when the last school bell rang and the carefree days of summer began. Even my 5 year old sang his "school time is over" song with gusto as he graduated preschool this year. And it's our job as parents to make sure that summertime is as carefree as it can be for our kids. That means addressing safety issues from insects bites to sun burns to keeping hydrated in this heat (over 100 F here today already!) And I'm delighted to share with you some ideas for keeping safe this summer (in conjunction with Mom Central, The Clorox Company and the MommyDocs):

Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. Look for products that provide "broad spectrum" coverage to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Use this sunscreen routine with your child--daily application 30 minutes before going outside and reapplication every 2 hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating). Creating a routine will establish good habits for the future. In addition, don't forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, and sun protective clothing.

Keep Pests off Your Little One: In the summer, many insects can bite or sting your child. For pesky mosquitoes and ticks, consider a DEET containing insect repellent. Apply sparingly to exposed skin (avoid backs of hands and around the eyes and mouth) and/or to clothing once a day. As the percentage of DEET goes up, the duration of action increases. To prevent unnecessary exposure, always use the lowest percentage that will last for the planned length of time spent outdoors. Never go above 30% or use on children under 2 months old.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools provide a great way for kids to have fun and cool down when the temperature rises, but they can also harbor germs, such as bacteria. To keep the pool free from unwanted "swimmers," after each use disinfect it with bleach by cleaning with a solution of ¾ cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse well and dry thoroughly. Safety must: Always supervise children regardless of age when they are around any water; whether it's a bucket, a small backyard plastic pool, or the local community pool.

High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure may cause your child to experience a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. How to prevent this: take breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink! Make sure your child is taking in plenty of fluids before he become thirsty.

Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: Running through the yard in bare feet, taking a nature walk on a trail, and picnicking in the park are some of the joys of warmer weather. But all of this outdoor activity can expose your child to a host of plants including those which cause poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. If an allergic reaction occurs, ask the pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine. If the rash is extensive, looks infected, or is not getting better, call your doctor right away.

About Mommy Docs: "We are 2 moms, 2 docs, with 2 husbands, 4 children, 2 dogs and 2 silver minivans." You can "meet the mommy docs" here and peruse their site here for even more great summer time safety tips. Their website contains a wealth of information in various formats: podcasts, videos, a separate blog with even more questions & answers, and FAQs on specific ailments. Or you can even e-mail them your medical questions! I have bookmarked this page - Mommy Docs really fills a gap in for me now that my children have outgrown my Dr. Sears Baby Book (my "other" bible). Just remember to keep this in mind:

About The Clorox Company: The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2007 revenues of $4.8 billion. With 7,600 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in 25 countries and markets them in more than 100 countries.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Schlage Electronic Keypad Locks

Who has a key to your home? Your cleaner? Your neighbor? Multiple family members? How does that make you feel? Not very secure I bet. I know I used to worry all the time about all the keys that are out there - what if someone lost one? How do I get them back from cleaners I've "let go" and did they make a copy first? And what about you moms of older "latch-key" children? Do you worry about them keeping track of the key every day?

I'm not the only one with concerns. Take a look at this recent Mom Central survey:

➢ 80% of Mom respondents reported that stories of local crimes encourage them to rethink their current locks.

➢ 70% of Moms have given keys to people who are not members of the household and when asked to consider how many non-residents have keys to their homes, 86% reported feeling at least moderately concerned.

➢ 84% of Moms have experienced a child, babysitter, or housekeeper entering a designated "off-limits" area in the home, sometimes with serious consequences.

➢ Almost half (48%) of survey Moms said they would like to leave a spare key hidden outside of the house but don't feel comfortable doing so.

➢ 84% of respondents reported that house members have been locked out of their home at least a couple times per year.

Schlage Locks has found a way to address all those concerns with a new electronic keypad lock and deadbolt. The keypad allows access via a four-digit code that can be customized so members of your family, guests, nannies, and service providers can all access your home using different codes. Each code (up to 19 on each lock) can be easily set up for a new person or deactivated if you no longer want someone to have access to your house. No more keeping track of spare keys, sending your children to school with a key around their necks, or changing the entire lock if your keys get lost or stolen. No more worrying about you or your child being locked out of the house! Brilliant!

The locks come in a variety of models. The lock I was sent to try out was the Plymouth Design: "The timeless solid brass Plymouth design is a simple and elegant complement to any entry door. FINISH SHOWN: 505 Bright Brass MODEL NUMBER: BE365 PLY 505"

Features and Benefits:

• Innovative Turn Lock feature allows you to lock & leave without a key
• Provides the convenience of keyless access; customizable to fit your security needs
• Ideal for front doors, side & back doors, garage entry doors, etc.
• Easily replace most existing deadbolts with a screwdriver in about 30 minutes
• Ready to use right out of the box - 9 volt battery included
• No programming required; preset with two user codes so it's ready to use right out of the box

My husband installed the lock on our front door and he agreed - it was incredibly simple to do so. Within the advertised 30 minutes, we were up and running. And I love not having to have a key to leave the house. For instance, when I leave in the morning, juggling so many things in my hands like we all do, I just touch the SCHLAGE keypad and turn the outside deadbolt and that's it. When I return, I just enter my code and turn the deadbolt back. No need to carry a key on our evening neighborhood walks! No need to search the bottom of my purse for a key when I get home from work with two hungry kids ready to get inside already! (If you are worried about the battery dying and being stuck outside, the locks come with an actual key as backup - that was MY first question).

I highly recommend Schlage Electronic Keypad Locks. Purchase one yourself for your own peace of mind.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

Norton 360 version 2.0

My "to-do" list is a mile long. Seriously. I already get up at 4 a.m. Monday through Friday and don't stop moving until 10 p.m. And you don't want to know how busy the weekends are. And I know I'm not alone. Can I get a "right on" from everyone reading? So you know that maintenance on my computer (de-cluttering and back up) and keeping my security updated, is not exactly high up on my list and probably not on yours either, even though it should be. Especially in this day and age of identity theft!

That's why I was so excited to get the email from Mom Central Consulting about Symantec's newest software, Norton 360 version 2.0 (Symantec send me a full version sample to try out). This awesome software includes all the usual great security and antivirus protections you'd expect, but also goes a step further and helps you back up and de-clutter your computer too!

As you'd expect from a Symantec product, Norton 360 version 2.0 :

• Defends your PC against a broad range of threats
• Safeguards against online identity theft
• Protects important files from loss
• Keeps your PC tuned up for peak performance
• Provides a hassle-free user experience
• Protects against the latest online threats
• Has one-click access to expert support right from your Norton 360 product
• Gives you 1 year protection for up to 3 PCs

So what's "New & Improved" about it?

• Enhanced performance including faster scans and browse speeds, faster start-up times and more.
• Identity Protection securely manages all your user names, passwords and sensitive information when you shop, bank and browse online. Automatically completes forms on trusted Web sites with stored data.
• Browser Protection defends against malicious programs that use vulnerabilities in your browser to insert malware on your PC.
• Network Monitoring protects your home network against unauthorized access by detecting whether your connected wireless network is secure or not secure, providing you with a visual picture of your network and each device that is connected to it and let’s you view the security status of the Norton protected computers on the network.
• Backup provides for new backup destinations including HD-DVD and Blu-Ray disc and iPods® , while continuing to support the widest range of mapped and networked storage drives and an included 2GB of online storage, providing more options for backup than any other product in its class.
• Registry Cleaner helps optimize performance by removing unneeded Windows registry files to help keep your computer healthier and running more efficiently.
• Phishing Protection for Firefox: Phishing Protection guards online attempts to steal your personal information using real-time analytics to identify and block fraudulent web sites, and now supports both the Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers.
• Industry-Leading Layered Security helps protect you against advanced threats through a combination of definitions and heuristic and behavioral technologies give you confidence that your PC is secure.
• Diagnostic Report provides a convenient system snapshot for easier troubleshooting and problem diagnosis of any PC issue by collecting detailed system information including operating system, installed applications, startup applications, hardware configuration, and more and delivers it to you in a viewable, printable format that you can save or email to whomever you go to for help.
• Fast, Easy Access to Settings and Tasks means that although Norton 360 does all the work for you automatically and quietly in the background, you can choose to do things manually such as run a scan, modify a backup job, query status, check for the latest updates, or just do some cleanup and optimization.

(please note: at this time, Norton 360 is only available for PC computers and will not work for Macs).

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows® XP Home/XP Pro/XP Media Center Service Pack 2 or higher, Windows® Vista Home Basic/Home Premium/Ultimate/Business/Starter Edition
• Phishing Protection feature requires Microsoft® Internet Explorer v6.0 or higher or Firefox v2.0 or higher
• Email scanning supported for POP3-compatible email clients
• Online backup feature requires high-speed Internet connection
• Additional Windows Vista Requirements - Must meet minimum Windows Vista operating system requirements. Phishing protection feature available only on 32 bit Explorer.
• Hardware Requirements
  300MHz or higher processor
  256MB of RAM minimum
  300MB of free hard disk space
• REQUIRED FOR ALL INSTALLATIONS
  Standard Web browser
  DVD or CD-ROM drive
  Internet connection (high-speed connection required for Online Backup)

This MUST HAVE software is available for purchase for $79.99 here as well as at your usual office supply stores.

This review was sponsored by Mom Central Consulting.

Kellogg's® Wild Animal Crunch Cereal

Kellogg's® Wild Animal Crunch Cereal
Vanilla-Chocolate Flavored Whole Grain Cereal

Kellogg's has done it again - another great tasting cereal that is nutritious too! Kellogg Company's new Wild Animal Crunch™ cereal is vanilla and chocolate flavored (yum!) and still provides 14 grams of whole grains and 3 grams of fiber per serving. And for those of you on the Weight Watchers plan like I am - a 3/4 cup serving is only 1.5 points - add some fruit and you've got a great breakfast. Kellog's sent my family a box to try and it has quickly become a favorite in our house.

Bonus? Kellogg's has partnered with Animal Planet on Wild Animal Crunch™ cereal to provide children with fun facts and games on every box so they can learn how animals survive in the wild. In four different collector's packages with real animal photographs, Wild Animal Crunch™ cereal also tells families about Animal Planet's R.O.A.R. program (Reach out, Act and Respond). And the cereal itself is shaped liked animals - fun! I highly recommend this cereal.

NUTRITION:

Size: 11oz

Ingredients: WHOLE OAT FLOUR, SUGAR, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, YELLOW CORN MEAL, CORN BRAN, INULIN, MOLASSES, PALM OIL, SALT, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SODIUM ASCORBATE AND ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), RED #40, NIACINAMIDE, YELLOW #5, REDUCED IRON, ZINC OXIDE, BLUE #1, YELLOW #6, 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.

Special K Bliss™ Bars

Special K Bliss™ Bars

(two flavors: Chocolatey Dipped Raspberry and Chocolatey Dipped Orange)
PER SERVING (1 bar):
90 calories, 2g fat, 70mg sodium, 17g carbs, less than 1 gram dietary fiber,
POINTS® value 2

In January, my husband and I embarked on a new life. We decided that 2008 was going to be the year that we got fit and healthy, once and for all. To do so, we equipped our garage with gym equipment, stocked up on exercise videos, renewed our subscription to Weight Watchers magazine and started counting points again (following the weight watchers plan without attending meetings).

One of the hardest parts of sticking to this new lifestyle for me is finding healthy snacks that still taste good. I'm not a big fan of the regular Special K bars - they are tasty but just not quite what I'm looking for. I had high hopes for the Bliss bar - what's not to love about a layer of chocolate?? I picked some up at the store a few months ago, and Kellog's was gracious enough to restock me this week with a box of each flavor.

Let me tell you, these bars did not disappoint. They taste like a fruity chocolate bar. And at only 2 points, I recommend these bars as a good morning or afternoon snack to keep you going. They are easy to slip into your purse or gym bag to take along f