Have Chocolate Pirate’s Booty For National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month. To celebrate I’m giving my family chocolate, Chocolate, CHOCOLATE!

Chocolate Pirate's Booty

Now that I have your attention, let me introduce you to the new thing from Pirate Brands (drum roll, please) Chocolate Pirate’s Booty! So maybe that was a little predictable from my introduction, but what will really surprise you will be the way Pirate’s Booty’s chocolate flavor meets your chocoholic taste bud needs at a satisfying 140 calories per serving.

Pirate's Booty logoWe’re fans of Pirate’s Booty. My sons love the “original” white cheddar flavor, and I’ve turned them onto the veggie flavor as well. Now chocolate is adding a whole new dynamic to their line of Pirate’s Booty snacks. This new flavor, like all of the Pirate’s Booty flavors, is all natural baked rice and corn puffs snack that is gluten free. I love that they are also trans-fat free. These Pirate’s Booty are lightly touched with chocolate; the flavor is not over powering, but it gave me the satisfaction of eating chocolate. The key to this new flavor is the Fair Trade Certified Peruvian cocoa and Madagascar vanilla. YUM! However, my 4YO was disappointed because he was expecting a more dominate CHOCOLATE snack, which this isn’t. I think I’ll need to give him a little more time with a bag of chocolate so I hope to see them in a store near me very soon because unfortunate for him my family polished off the bag sent to us for this review. My 19MO liked them and had no problems challenging me to the next handful.

Child with Pirate's Booty

And believe it or not … I’ve already shared almost all the ingredients in chocolate flavored Pirate’s Booty! Here is what’s inside: Corn Meal, Rice, contains one or more of the following: Sunflower, Expeller Pressed Canola, or Corn Oil, Dextrose, Peruvian Cocoa (processed with alkali), Salt, Madagascar Vanilla. The only thing I needed to search Bing for was dextrose, which turns out to just be sugar in fruit and honey – well, that’s simple … LITERALLY!

Pirate’s Booty is also offered in the flavors of New York Pizza, Sour Cream & Onion, and Barrrrrbeque. The Pirate Brands also offer Potato Flyers, Smart Puffs, and Original Tings. All of these are healthier options for replacing those fried chips and cheese curls on your party menu, as a snack, or inside lunch boxes. (Side note: Where the Ages White Cheddar Pirate’s Booty offer a healthier alternative to puffed cheese chips; Tings offer an AWESOME alternative to crunchy Cheetos.) Pirate Brands has been making snacking healthier since 1987, so they know what they’re doing!

 

Summer received samples to facilitate her review.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Pottery Barn Celebrates The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day #Giveaway

VHC Bath MittRemember last week when I gave you all the details for The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day? Well just in case you forgot all about it, let me refresh your memory. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day is This Sunday! This Sunday, March 20 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., all Pottery Barn Kids stores will be hosting a series of fun free activities for your family, which will include story time, my kids love story time and ,a reading of the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle! Read about his adventure into becoming a butterfly. There is a Pottery Barn Kids located in Bellevue Square Mall in Downtown Bellevue for one. I think there is one in University Village too, but you should check to find a local Pottery Barn Kids for your area to be sure!

Now, in honor of such a fun and exciting day we’re hosting a very fun giveaway.

Enter to Win:

Copy of the Very Hungry Caterpillar book
Very Hungry Caterpillar bath mitt
Very Hungry Caterpillar bubble set

To Enter:

Tell me if you know where the closest Pottery Barn Kids is to you!

Extra Entries:

VHC BubblesTweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

RT @MomStart: Pottery Barn Celebrates The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day #Giveaway http://bit.ly/efAwms

Subscribe to MomStart
Comment on any non-giveaway post
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig, stumble, like or share on Facebook (or use any of the share options listed below)
Blog About this Giveaway (10 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
Follow me on Google Friend Connect

This giveaway ends March 29th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Another Krispy Kreme Not So Wordless Wednesday BANANAS

IMG_0415

Miles and I had another great visit to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and enjoyed some of their banana flavors.

IMG_0411

Now through April 24th if you visit Krispy Kreme, Miles says you should try the Banana Kreme Pie Doughnut with Banana Kreme filling dipped in white icing and topped with Nilla wafer pieces. He also suggests that you try the Banana Caramel Cake doughnut made with real bananas and glazed and if that wasn’t enough it is drizzled with caramel icing. I thought the Banana Caramel Cake doughnut was a little too sweet. I’m very sad to say that we missed out on the opportunity to try the Chocolate Krispy Kreme Chiller® and I was really looking forward to trying it, it’s described as “a chocolate lover’s dream” having a rich and creamy texture and topped with whipped cream. Oh yum!

Join “Friends of Krispy Kreme” or interact with Krispy Kreme on Facebook  and www.twitter.com/krispy_kreme for updates on special promotions, exclusive offers and local events.

We received samples from Krispy Kreme to facilitate this Wordless Wednesday!

Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, & Judy Garland Warner Archive Giveaway

Classic movies that make your heart melt, mood swing, and dream big involve those big named actors that we all know and love, and if you don’t know them, you need to know them. Gene Kelly was an American classic if there ever was one. Kelly was known for his energy on screen and his athletic dancing style, of course his good looks and that he played lots of likeable characters.

See Gene Kelly in Invitation to the Dance:GeneKelly

Another very well known leading man with quite the reputation is Fred Astaire. Fred Astaire was known for his Broadway productions, stage dancing, choreography, singing and acting. His career spanned for 76 years during which he was in 31 musical films.

See Fred Astaire in Yolanda and the ThiefFredAstaire

Now, Judy Garland, she makes me cry, her career was way too short for me even though it spanned for 45 of her 47 years, she could have gone one forever. She won many awards and is most well known for her role in The Wizard of Oz.

See Judy Garland in Little Nelly Kelly and Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry.

JudyGarland

Today, March 15, the most legendary stars of the MGM musicals come together on the Warner Archive in four long-awaited and never before released on DVD films you can buy all the movies in the Warner Archive on-line.

Enter to Win:

Gene Kelly in INVITATION TO DANCE, Fred Astaire in YOLANDA AND THE THIEF, and Judy Garland in LITTLE NELLY KELLY and THOROUGHBREADS DON’T CRY.

To Enter:

Tell me which actor you like most in the comment section

Extra Entries:

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

RT @MomStart: Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, & Judy Garland Warner Archive #Giveaway http://bit.ly/fvmZXY

Subscribe to MomStart
Comment on any non-giveaway post
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig, stumble, like or share on Facebook (or use any of the share options listed below)
Blog About this Giveaway (10 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
Follow me on Google Friend Connect

This giveaway ends April 4th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Green and Eco Cleaning with Simple Green Household Products

It’s hard to clean, seal, and polish stone and stainless steel. It’s not the elbow grease really, it’s the smell! As a stay at home mom always having the kids around is quite a deterrent to get beyond the multi-purpose clean because I know I must be inhaling poisonous death fumes from detailing products, and of course this affects my children’s and pets’ bodies so much more than mine. I was ecstatic to find Simple Green (a company I personally love) now offers nontoxic detailing products to help me get the clean my kitchen and bathrooms need without the stink. There is now a non-abrasive Simple Green Stone Cleaner which is perfect for everyday use, streak-fee Simple Green Stone Polish which brings out luster and shine, and streak and smear free Simple Green One-Step Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish.

Simple Green Stone Cleaner Simple Green Stone Polish Simple Green Stainless Steel Cleaner

These new products are specially formulated especially for high-end surfaces and materials found in modern homes. The Simple Green Stone Cleaner and Simple Green Stone Polish are safe for marble, granite, and other natural stones as well as other materials such as Corian. The Simple Green Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish is ideal for stainless steel and chrome refrigerators, ovens, grills, faucets and other fingerprinted surfaces. Also unlike other products that require there toxins to stay on your surfaces, Simple Green’s products are basically spray and wipe and don’t leave behind chemicals and build-up.

You can order these new Simple Green products directly for the Simple Green website in 16oz and 32oz bottles or at major home improvement and hardware retailer stores nationwide. I just saw them at Home Depot today:

home depot simple green

I like using the easy new Simple Green line. They’re right for my lifestyle of trying to be as green as I can married with working smarter not harder. My kitchen is sparkling and clean (not toxic) smelling with a simple spray, wipe, repeat.

Simple Green is the marker of the original green cleaner, since 1975. If you wish to learn more about these Simple Green products or other products they have on the market then check them out on online at Simple Green, “Like” Simple Green on Facebook, or track them on Twitter @SimpleGreenNews.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Enter to Win:

No PO Boxes
Must Live in US
Must be over 18

The same three Simple Green household products that Summer received.

To Enter:

Visit Simple Green and let me know what products you like from there.

Extra Entries:

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

Green and Eco Cleaning with Simple Green Household Products Review & #Giveaway http://bit.ly/fRvpys

Subscribe to MomStart
Comment on any non-giveaway post
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig, stumble, like or share on Facebook (or use any of the share options listed below)
Blog About this Giveaway (10 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
Follow me on Google Friend Connect

This giveaway ends April 4th, Summer received samples to facilitate this review. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Disclosure – The product featured in this review was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Let MomStart Represent Your Brand: Seeking Sponsorship for BlogHer11 and Evo

MomStart has been growing at such a large and exciting rate this year that I brought on a few contributors to help keep up with everything. MomStart has lots of things going on bringing readers more recipes, green content, and staying true to Mom Start’s beginning, savings giveaways, and product reviews.

The MomStart Twitter account has grown to almost 9,000 followers, The MomStart Facebook fan page is steadily growing, and we have over 2700 subscribers. Our monthly unique hits are at 30,000 with almost 1,000 unique visitors a day which is sure to help your company make a splash in the world of social media.

BH11-150-Sparkle_0

How Can I Help You?

Last year I represented Healthy Choice, in the Better for Blogher program. I participated in an on sight session at Blogher and then shared my weightless experience over the next 3 months writing 5 total posts using Healthy Choice. I was proud to work with them as I lost 20 lbs following their tips and guidelines and I would be happy to brainstorm with your brand and find a unique way we could show off your stuff before, during and after the conference.

Maybe you are interested in twitter and need someone to walk you through a twitter party. I have experience organizing and putting together twitter parties. I would be happy to arrange one for your company right before the conference to raise awareness of your presence there, or to just shout out to everyone following the #Blogher11 hashtag that your brand is out there. I would also be more than happy to have all my tweets mention you during the conference weekend.

I am also more than happy to give you an in depth look at behind the scenes of what happens at BlogHer events and why you should have representation at BlogHer or other conferences every year.

The one thing that I can hand out to others at the conference is business cards, and I do need new business cards, I could just add your brands name to my business cards showing everyone who sponsored me.

Other Ways I Can Meet Your Needs

Here is one possible way I can represent your company in exchange for full sponsorship for this event.

  • Include a banner (your company logo) under a "BlogHer Sponsors" section on my blog from the time payment for sponsorship is made until one month after the event and for last minute sponsors we can work out an advertisement spot for six months on my site (500.00 value)
  • Blog and tweet about your company thanking you for sponsorship
  • Brand Promotion by wearing clothing, hats or carrying tote bags with your company logo during the conference
  • Blog promotion about your upcoming events, sales or other advertising needed throughout the year
  • Live tweeting at the event referencing your company

I will be sharing a room with Crystal from Simply Being Mommy (who is also looking for sponsorship) at Blogher11 to cut down the cost of the conference. We will be networking together bouncing ideas and ways to help brands grow off of each other. Now, I already paid for my ticket so all I really need is about 750.00 to cover the rest of the Blogher expenses flight from Seattle to San Diego and the cost of the hotel for three nights. 

I would also consider a full sponsorship in which I would do all of the above, plus advertising space above the fold for 1 full year. Other negotiations will also be considered. Please email me if you are interested in sponsoring me for this event. I can be reached at louise@looksblue.com I am also willing to discuss over the phone. So e-mail me and request an interview.

I’m happy to discuss possible payment increments and what exactly it is that you need.

Book Review: We Love the book, My Name is Not Alexander

My Name Is Not AlexanderI have a 4 year old son and we were both captivated by this book. I love, Love, LOVED My Name is NOT Alexander!!! This book is one of the best new books I’ve read in a long time. We read a lot of children’s books … daily … and the combination of excellent writing from Jennifer clip_image003Fosberry and superior artistry from Mike Litwin will automatically draw readers into the book. I feel My Name is NOT Alexander embodies the creativity and fickle-minded characteristic of children.

My Name Is Not Alexander is all about a boy exploring great men in history. When he wakes up in the morning he isn’t himself, Alexander; he’s Teddy Roosevelt. Throughout his day Alexander also becomes Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire, Jackie Robinson, and his father before becoming himself again to fall asleep that night. Clever text and pictorial context clues give your child hints as to who each historical figure was and what part they played in America’s history.

My Name is NOT Alexander continues beyond the story with a brief biographical excerpt on each featured man. I had a fun time reading each piece and helping my son to relate to the featured men, such as Teddy Roosevelt on his horse outside the Natural History Museum in New York City (where we took a vacation this summer) and a mini guessing game of how something Thomas Edison invented is in his room RIGHT NOW.

clip_image004This is a great book for young children. I’d HIGHLY recommend this as a present for birthdays, or end of year present for your teacher/classroom. Your child will love this book if they like A Mouse Told His Mother. Though I think this book is not just for boys, the original idea by author Jennifer Fosberry was presented in a girl version called My Name Is NOT Isabella. My sons love to read all sorts of books and I’d love to give My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream? a go with them too (especially the 4YO).

 

Summer received a copy of this book to facilitate this review.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Bare Escentuals New BareMinerals Use RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex

Bare Escentuals Logo

It’s always fun to be the first to know about and try new products! So when Bare Escentuals asked us at Mom Start to introduce our readers to their new line of bareMinerals Skincare Deep Cleansing Foam and Purely Nourishing Moisturizer AND help them give a set of the foaming cleanser and moisturizer to two of our readers we said, YEAH!

So here’s the deal:

The Bare Escentuals company is taking the guess work out of skincare by making it natural using virgin soil which is full of minerals to promote skin cell regeneration. The bareMinerals line contains NO synthetic fragrances, NO artificial oils and NO parabens.

 

The secret in bareMinerials NEW line is their RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex. In the cleanser you’ll find it removes makeup (gentle enough to even remove your eye makeup*), dissolves impurities and rebalances. For the moisturizer you’ll discover it keeps your skin hydrated using its unique electrolyte delivery system while antioxidants help protect your skin from outside stressors. The result is a soft, smooth complexion.**

clip_image005clip_image003These bareMineral products are high-end without breaking the bank. If you want to join the bareMinerals Skincare revolution you can find the Deep Cleaning Foam ($20, 119g/4.2 Oz) and Purely Nourishing Moisturizer ($28, 50mL/1.7Fl.Oz) as well as their other beauty products online at their site Bare Escentuals or at Bare Escentuals locations close to you!

You can also keep up with the Bare Escentuals company by Liking them Bare Escentuals on Facebook or tracking them on Twitter @BareEscentuals.

 

* Use products only as directed by instructions on the products.
**For best results use the products twice daily – once in the morning and once in the evening.

We are receiving samples to use as a donation.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Annie’s Costumes Giveaway! Easter Edition

I’ve been wondering if you like to dress up as much as I do? Do you? Yes I’m taking to each and every one of you. Ok, so I’m not going to nag you that much. Perhaps you are interested in seeing all of the Easter Options available at Annie’s Costumes? She has quite a selection of bunny outfits for young and old with the cutest baby bunny outfits. The Baby Bunny Easter Costume is ADORABLE, with a capital A. image 

Annie’s Costumes

Annie’s Costumes is part of the Extreme Halloween Network. The amount of costumes to choose from is the largest that I’ve seen around.

Since 1996, we have provided customers the most unique adult costumes, children costumes and costume accessories that add detail and will make your costume so memorable! We have thousands of costumes to choose from. Our child costumes range from size newborn to teen. With every kind of costume from Care Bears to Nickelodeon characters to Disney characters and, of course, those classic costumes such as fairy princesses, pirates, witches and cowboys, we sell children costumes they will play dress-up with all year! Our adult size costumes range from petite up to 3XL. Adult selections include costumes from every period in time from biblical to the futuristic fantasy realms, movie and television characters and every costume style in between.

Enter to Win:

Kid’s Cozy Bunny Costume

 

To Enter:

Tell me what you do for Easter!

Extra Entries:

Become a Fan of Annie’s Costume on facebook

Follow Annie’s Costumes on Twitter

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

Annie’s Costumes #Giveaway @momstart & @anniescostumes Easter Edition http://momstart.com/2011/03/annies-costumes-giveaway-easter-edition/

Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to my blog
Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (5 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar (3 extra).

This giveaway ends April 4th, All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Be Safe on St. Patrick’s Day, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

My husband and I have quite the opinion on drinking and then getting behind the wheel. We don’t do it! Not in the slightest! Whenever we go out, party, restaurant or anywhere, if one of us has anything to drink, the other one drives. One drink, one sip even, we don’t drive. My husband and I are not drinkers and we are very sensitive to the effects, but we honestly feel that no one should drink at all and then drive.

We’re certainly not going to ride with you or allow you to drive our children after you have had something to drink. It’s not worth the risk!

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out for drinking and celebrating with friends and family.  Unfortunately, some of these people might also be driving home from their festivities and therefore, the night out has also become potentially dangerous.

buzzed-StPattys-poster_approved

Do we believe that people should have the opportunity to let loose and have some fun?

Of course we do, and I’ve been known to drink myself! I just ask that you plan ahead.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

So this year on St. Patrick’s Day, PLAN AHEAD. Please find someone to drive for you before you arrive at the party, or have a party at someone’s house who is willing to take the keys when you enter. Know the number of a taxi company and call them to come pick you up. Be ready to take a bus or some other form of public transportation, just do not get behind that wheel after you have been drinking.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that in 2009, 1,119 occupants of other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, so pay attention to others on the road.  And remember, you don’t have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. Even a few drinks can impair driving…and a buzzed driving crash has the same consequences as a drunk driving crash.

 

I wrote this as part of an UNPAID campaign with Global Influence.