2011 May — MomStart

Monday Mingle I’m still Sick

May 23, 2011 By Momstart 2 Comments

I haven’t done a true Monday Mingle in a few weeks. Last week I couldn’t hear at all and this week, I still have major ringing in my ears but the doctor promised that chewing gum will help, oh and he’ll drain my ears before I have to fly later in June. I haven’t had a trip invitation for a few months and now I have three different states to travel to in June and only one week. I’m pretty excited, and anxious to get well.

Oh wait, do you even know what Monday Mingle is? Just in case this is your first time to see it….

This is where we answer three questions every week over at Eighty MPH Mom on video or not you can just write them down in the comments section or on your own blog. Then we go link up and visit each other and learn about each other. This weeks’ questions:

Current questions {week of 5/23/11}:

1. What were your childhood pets and their names?

2. Favorite cartoon or comic as a kid?

3. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I had a few cats growing up and one was hit by a car and my grandmother paid for a cast to save it’s life. Her name was rainbow, I had a cat named Aransas and it had a crooked tail and we had a family dog named Pixie.

My all time favorite cartoon was Rainbow Bright. I also loved Wonder Woman and watched it every Saturday night with my dad.

My mom says I used to eat the wood right off the coffee table when I was a toddler. Other than that, Sushi is as weird as I go and I’m not big on Sushi.

That’s me in a nutshell.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Monday Mingle

Ty Pennington Announces Unsung Heroes: Dads Making A Difference Contest

May 22, 2011 By Momstart Leave a Comment

This is the second annual Dads Making a Difference contest. Here’s a video of Ty Pennington giving you the 411 on how to enter, and who you should nominate.

Last year Sears Blue Tool Crew held the “Dads Making a Difference” contest and it was a huge success. The winner had a wonderful opportunity to make an even bigger impact on his community.

"Last year’s ‘Dads Making a Difference’ contest winner, Charlie Muller, converted a run-down building into a center to feed children living below poverty levels in Albany, N.Y.," said Ty Pennington, Sears spokesperson. "I am excited to be working with the Sears Blue Tool Crew to hear more inspirational stories this year and encourage people to nominate deserving dads."

Because of the contest was so successful last year, they’ve decided to do it again. Beginning now through June 10th, you can nominate any dad who is actively helping out his community. To Nominate someone, you’ll need to put together a 250-word-or-less essay and submit a photo. A panel of judges including Ty Pennington, well select 10 finalists and America gets to vote on who will win a very special visit from Sears Blue Tool Crew to help with an ongoing project or new community project to make a big impact in the winner’s community. Each finalist will receive tools and resources from the Sears Blue Tool Crew, while the grand prize winner will receive $30,000 in services and assistance from the Sears Blue Tool Crew to help further advance his community work. Nominations should be for dads that use tools to better their communities.

You may also be interested in the DIT Traveling Toolbox. To help a neighbor assemble a swing set or assist with fixing-up your community center, raise your hand for the Traveling Toolbox. To be considered, Tweet your story to @BlueToolCrew including the hashtag #tweet4tools.

Filed Under: Announcement Tagged With: DIT, Sears, Sears Blue Crew

Chuggington Wooden Railway Over & Under Starter Set Giveaway

May 22, 2011 By Momstart 180 Comments

I have a little Chuggington Chugger on my hands now. Somehow my son knows all the names of the trains, ok, I know how, he is addicted to watching Chuggington. We received the Chuggington Wooden Railway Over & Under Starter Set from Learning Curve and just the anticipation of opening the box made his day. Wilson and Koko, a boy and a girl train both come in this wooden starter set and that was PERFECT for Zoe and Miles! (Zoe loves the Koko is purple)

Boys and trains, trains and boys, they just go together like peanut butter and jelly. If it’s got wheels, it’s in his hands and everything is a track, so it’s nice for mom when he has a track to actually play on. Plus this wooden track is so easy for him to put together and build his own circles that when the original shape happens to come apart, I don’t hear Mommy, Come fix it for me all day long. He’s content to play on his own.

I helped him assemble it the first time.

As far as wooden train sets go, I would have to say that the Chuggington Wooden Railway Over & Under Starter Set is a great value. The set comes with 25 pieces, one of them being a clock tower creating an two level play area for the kids to enjoy. The two train engines, Wilson and Koko are also wooden, it’s perfect for ages 3 and up, just right up Miles’ alley.

Of course it’s great for little girl Chuggers too!

The Chuggington Wooden Railway features a series of robust, brightly colored engines, starter train sets and innovative modular buildings and tunnels all constructed with classic, high-quality wood. Learning Curve was quite smart, or kind to parents I say when they made the decision to make the Chuggington Wooden Railway expandable and compatible with all other major wooden railway toys. Thank you Learning Curve!

Enter to Win:

Chuggington Wooden Railway Over & Under Starter Set from Learning Curve

To Enter:

Tell me about your Action Chuggers at home!

Extra Entries:

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

Chuggington Wooden Railway Over & Under Starter Set #Giveaway @MomStart http://bit.ly/jkJDUQ

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Comment on any non-giveaway post
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This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Chuggington, giveaway, Learning Curve, Train, Wooden Railway

Importance of Meaningful Memories in Your Morning Routine

May 21, 2011 By Momstart 5 Comments

You know, once upon a time before children, I had the luxury of sleeping in. Even before that once upon a time way back in college and high school, I found getting up in the morning easy and I got up EARLY. Now, sleeping in just doesn’t happen because my two little preschoolers have a morning routine that can not be altered. It’s very important for both of them for things to be almost completely the same every day.

Our routine during the week starts off with getting up really early to get dad off to the bus stop, because we only have one car. My kids have to get dressed first, otherwise I would have ten more minutes to sleep in every morning, and I really enjoy sleeping now that I have kids. So we get dressed, take dad to his bus, and get back home for breakfast. Breakfast varies every morning depending on their mood, we have cereal, oatmeal, bananas, milk and I have coffee. At breakfast, sometimes I’m not that good at sitting at the table with the kids. I like to use that 20 minutes to get the dishes done, clean the counters or check my e-mail. We usually have a much better morning if I put everything down and start off our day talking to them. Helping Zoe prepare for her day at preschool by asking her what she’s going to learn about is much more productive then not spending time with her. Even Miles loves to talk and I really enjoy his conversation skills. He’s quite the conversationalist these days. So I’m working to have more meaningful memories in our morning routine.

Florida Orange Juice suggests that meaningful memories be a part of every morning routine. Families spend too much time rushing to get things done and aren’t connecting as much before they start their day. But despite the hustle and bustle that weekday mornings often bring, finding time to briefly connect over regular activities can set the tone for the day ahead. I’ve certainly found that to be true with my children and their moods. To help families get the emotional and physical fuel needed to start their day off right, the Florida Department of Citrus recently partnered with parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba and nutritionist and author, Elizabeth Ward, to offer simple and healthy morning solutions.

One of the biggest suggestions is to use the morning time as “unplugged time”. And as you read above that’s difficult for me. Putting down my e-mail to give my children more of my time should be an easy thing to do, but it’s actually quite a challenge, but I am trying and I urge you all to try with me. We’re also working on not turning on the TV when breakfast time is over. Additionally, a nutritious breakfast has been associated with weight loss and weight maintenance, as well as improved nutrient intake, so sit down with your family around the breakfast table – you’ll help each person get a good start to the day.

To learn more about adding g a meaningful morning to your daily routine check out Florida Citrus’s Facebook Page

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Florida Department of Citrus and received an OJ Gift Pack and a promotional item as a thank you for my participation

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Florida, Mom Central, Orange Juice, parenting

Chicken Soup for the Soul Country Music Giveaway (3 winners)

May 21, 2011 By Momstart 137 Comments

As a Chicken Soup for the Soul blogger, I get a new book whenever they come out. It’s interesting to see just how many different versions of Chicken Soup for the Soul there are and how long they’ve been successful. This month’s Chicken Soup for the Soul giveaway is Chicken Soup for the Soul Country Music. I love country music even though I hardly ever listen to it. It probably has to do with the fact that my mother listened to it all the time. So yes, I have quite a love for all that great music and the artists who keep coming out with hits. Songs tell a story, and now many of country music’s most famous singers and songwriters are sharing more of the story! These artists reveal the inspiration, influence, and background, and when and why they wrote their most famous songs, in this fresh collection of stories. The book also includes great photos of the songwriters and lyrics of many of the songs. A great gift for anyone who loves country music!

Enter To Win:

Chicken Soup for the Soul Country Music Edition (3 winners)

To Enter:

Tell me who your favorite country singer is

Extra Entries:

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

Chicken Soup for the Soul Country Music Edition #Giveaway 3 Winners http://bit.ly/m8HVAB

This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup for the Soul, country music, giveaway

PetArmor Take A Hike [$110.00 Giveaway]

May 21, 2011 By Momstart 423 Comments

Today, I seem to be posting about spring time, as the sun was out last week here in Washington, I’m just inspired. I love when the sunshine comes out and we can go out and play every afternoon. The one negative thing about spring, is that the mosquitoes, flees and ticks come out and it’s important to protect your family, even your four legged friends.

I new generic brand wanted me to let you know about a product that can help keep your family (and your home) safe from fleas and ticks. New PetArmor™ offers the same effectiveness as the leading-brand Frontline® – but can be purchased at a significant savings. The product is easy to use, contains the same #1 vet-recommended active ingredient (fipronil), is available at Walmart and Sam’s Club, and will be sold at additional retailers later this year.

I’m a fan of the ASPCA and knowing that PetArmor is donating a maximum of $100,000, to help pets in need makes me a fan of them. PetArmor is all about providing greater access to affordable pet medications in support of better health for all pets. As an official flea and tick treatment of the ASPCA, PetArmor protection will be offered to dogs and cats in the ASPCA’s Adoption Center and clinic. Additionally, PetArmor is working with the ASPCA to launch the PetArmor Protection Pledge to create a community dedicated to better pet health. I encourage you to visit the PetArmor Facebook page to take the pledge. Each pledge taken triggers a $1 donation to the ASPCA, up to a maximum of $100,000, to help pets in need.

Enter to Win:

The “Take a Hike” gift pack is valued at ($110), and includes a three-month sample new PetArmor (a $25 – $35 value), as well as the below items:

Sling-style backpack
Aluminum sports water bottle
Sunscreen (Coppertone SPORT, SPF 50)
Travel-friendly pet water bowl
Custom-printed pet bandana (so they can hit the trail in style)
A waterproof digital camera (to capture the memories when hiking with your family)

To Enter:

Tell me what kind of pet you have and the size and weight.

Extra Entries:

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

PetArmor Take A Hike Gift Pack #Giveaway $110 @MomStart http://bit.ly/j8iN19

This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: giveaway, PetArmor, Take a Hike

Sam’s Club Memorial Day Picnic Savings Giveaway

May 21, 2011 By Momstart 429 Comments

It’s picnic season and Sam’s Club has you covered with LOTS of storewide savings, including a 10.00 temporary summer membership and picnic recipe ideas. Memorial Day unofficially kicks off Summer, most of the country is out of school so family get togethers, days at the pool and afternoon picnics become the daily norm. With all of the warm weather events to come, it can be hard to keep each summer soiree fresh and fun. This year, Sam’s Club simplifies the party planning by providing easy recipes, great outdoor items and a special summer membership that offers ten weeks of savings for just $10. That makes your membership only 1.00 a week. You’ll save more than a dollar by shopping at Sam’s Club.

Sam’s Club makes it easy to find all key entertaining essentials to spice up any outing without breaking the bank. This includes:

· Heinz® Picnic Pack ($7.98)
· K.C. Masterpiece® Barbecue Sauce ($5.87)
· Ball Park® Hotdogs ($6.78)
· Member’s Mark ® Mozzarella Garlic Chicken Sausage ($12.48)
· Stonemill® Kitchens Country Red Potato Salad ($5.18)
· Simply Lemonade® with Raspberry ($4.48)

For a nice chocolaty picnic treat, try these chocolate covered pretzels, aka Star Spangled Sticks

Ingredients

2 cups chocolate chips
24 pretzel rods
Decorative sprinkles
Wax paper

Directions:

In a microwave safe bowl melt 2 cups of Ghirardelli chocolate chips at 20 second intervals, mixing with a rubber spatula until just melted.

Continue stirring until smooth. Let sit for a minute to thicken a bit, as it will coat more evenly.

Dip pretzel rod in chocolate and then coat with sprinkles. Place on wax paper to set. Continue until chocolate is used up.

Serve in an upright container such as a brightly colored bucket for easy grabbing. Wrap in wax paper for easy transport in your picnic basket.

Enter to Win:

A Sam’s Club picnic basket and a signed copy of Colleen Mullaney’s The Stylish Girl’s Guide to Fabulous Cocktails.

To Enter:

Leave me a comment telling me what you MUST have in your picnic basket

Extra Entries:

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

Sam’s Club Memorial Day Picnic Savings #Giveaway @MomStart http://bit.ly/mss1P0

This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway, recipe Tagged With: giveaway, Picnic Basket, Sam's Club, Star Spangled Sticks, The Stylish Girl's guide to fabulous cocktails

Brighten Up Your Ball Game OxiClean Giveaway

May 21, 2011 By Momstart 265 Comments

The nice weather finally hit Washington and it feels like Spring has Sprung. One of our family favorite past times in Spring and Summer is Baseball. I personally love going to watch a live baseball game at the stadium. With Miles getting older though, it won’t be long before he starts playing baseball himself, and with the constant rain in between the sunny days baseball means mud and grass stains.

For years, OxiClean has been the go-to stain remover to help parents get their kids’ dirty uniforms their whitest and brightest all season long. The brand is now helping to brighten up the season by asking parents to submit their own story and photo on the new OxiClean Facebook page on why their child’s softball or baseball organization needs help from OxiClean to clean up their game. From new uniforms, lights, equipment, or turf, to handicap accessibility or transportation – whatever the little ballplayers need, OxiClean will donate $10,000 to one organization in need.

This campaign OxiClean just launched nationally is called “Brighten Up Your Ball Game” and it’s a contest on Facebook. With sports funding and athletic programs being cut all over the country, the brand will donate $10,000 to one lucky youth baseball or softball organization in need of a little brightening up! OxiClean is also teaming up with Laura Posada, sports mom and wife of famed baseball player Jorge Posada, to help judge the contest. As an “OxiClean Umpire,” Laura is encouraging parents nationwide to enter the contest and she will help judge and pick the grand prize winner. For more details about the "Brighten Up Your Ball Game” contest including official rules and regulations, visit www.facebook.com/OxiClean.

Enter to Win:

3.5 lb tub of OxiClean VSR with a Max Force Gel Stick (3 winners)

To Enter:

Give me your best stain fighting tip in the comments section

Extra Entries:

Like OxiClean Facebook page

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

Brighten Up Your Ball Game OxiClean #Giveaway (3 Winners) @MomStart http://bit.ly/lGjzOZ

This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: baseball, baseball season, charity, contest, giveaway, OxiClean, sweepstakes

The Do It Myself Kids’ Cookbook

May 20, 2011 By Momstart 1 Comment

It’s nice to have some extra help around the house. Get your kids involved … making sandwiches; snacks; salad, dressings and dips; desserts; and drinks. My kids love to cook with me and we cook a lot. I like that cooking not only teaches them a life skill but it also has its true roots in math and science.

My only problem is when I hear, “I can do it myself!” No worries now though. Get your kids (and yourself) The Do It Myself KIDS’ Cookbook by Laurie Goldrich Wolf from Downtown Bookworks publishing so they can take part in their diet and get some of the work off your back. With 45 recipes kids as young as 4 years old can follow, the fully-illustrated step-by-step directions can be performed without needing to read in order to create dishes that look and taste as yummy as the finish photos.

I had my 4YO help me make dinner by mixing together some Honey Mustard Dressing/Dip from The Do It Myself KIDS’ Cookbook. The whole book can be made with “Nothing Sharp, and Nothing Hot!” The simple dressing was featured as a dressing to salad for mom and dad, and a dip for a plate of the same ingredients for the kids. Added to the Honey Mustard we had spinach, tomato, carrots, apples, mushroom, and chicken.

We’re so excited to make something else from The Do It Myself KIDS’ Cookbook and can’t wait to share another exciting adventure with you! We have 10 bookmarks of recipes we’ll be concocting soon. So whether you need help around the house, need to entertain your children during summer break or just need some new ideas for recipes — get your own copy.

Downtown Bookworks’ mission is to keep kids actively engaged by learning, making things, and exploring. You can find The Do It Myself KIDS’ Cookbook and other kid center titles on the Downtown Bookworks’ kid’s site. You can also keep current by Liking Downtown Bookworks on Facebook.

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.

Filed Under: recipe Tagged With: cook book review, Cookbook, Cooking, DIY, do it yourself

Mezzetta Napa Valley Bistro’s All Natural Amatriciana with Pancetta & Sautéed Onions [Giveaway]

May 20, 2011 By Momstart 397 Comments

I’d resigned to the fact that making my own sauce was the only way to get what I desire from a pasta dish. I’m usually quite disappointed with what I get out of a jar; there is usually too much sugar and/or not enough sustenance. Pasta dishes are supposed to be easy, not lack-luster and from my experiences these terms are synonymous. But Mezzetta has changed my mind!

My family had the privilege of trying Mezzetta Napa Valley Bistro’s All Natural Amatriciana with Pancetta & Sautéed Onions. The sauce was chunk with bites of meat and a little spicy for my husband, and was tomato-y enough for me. This was truly a simple meal with all the flavor of homemade sauces.

For this meal I boiled pasta, drained, stirred in sauce, heated, and served. I even had time on this rushed evening to make some garlic toast (which my husband loves but I ALWAYS forget to do) and blend a fruit-veg smoothie. I didn’t have to add anything to this sauce to have it appeal to my family, even my 21MO loved it.

The Mezzetta family really knows what they’re doing, but they should as they’ve had their company since 1935. Now in the fourth generation, the Mezzetta family is continuing their commitment to bring the highest quality foods available to their customers. Mezzetta sources the finest fresh produce from the sun-drenched soils of California, Italy, Spain, France, and Greece and prepares their products according to their Italian family recipes at state-of-the-art production facility in Napa Valley.

I would highly recommend Mezzetta to your family. You can find Mezzetta in your local grocery store or you can get Mezzetta products with a simple click as they offer convenient internet ordering which ships right to your front door. You can find exactly what you’re looking for with only a few simple clicks – peppers, olives, oil capers, pickled vegetables, cocktail garnish, specialty items, Kona Coast products, pasta sauces, and gift packs. You can even sort by deli sliced items and organic products.

Trying a gift pack will help introduce you to Mezzetta if you’ve never had their brand before. You have two ways to win. One of MomStart’s luck readers will be getting their own gift pack worth $25+ by entering below. You can also enter to win a second gift pack from the Mezzetta site by filling in their simple survey; this contest is on-going monthly.

You can keep up with Mezzetta on their website, on the Mezzetta Facebook page and by tracking them on Twitter @Mezzetta_Foods. Then you’ll be the first to know about their brand new products such as Mezzetta’s Amatriciana Pasta Sauce, Italian Garden Vegetables, and stuffed olives: California Habanero Jack, Vermont White Cheddar, Bleu Cheese, or Feta cheese.

Enter to Win:

A Mezzetta gift pack worth $25+

To Enter:

Visit the Mezzetta website and tell us which product you’re most interested in trying.

Extra Entries:

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

Mezzetta Nappa Valley Bistro Fancy Food Assortment #Giveaway http://bit.ly/jcmqpn

This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

About Summer:

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Bistro, giveaway, Mezzetta, Napa Valley

Monday Mingle I’m still Sick

Ty Pennington Announces Unsung Heroes: Dads Making A Difference Contest

Chuggington Wooden Railway Over & Under Starter Set Giveaway

Enter to Win:

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

Importance of Meaningful Memories in Your Morning Routine

Chicken Soup for the Soul Country Music Giveaway (3 winners)

Enter To Win:

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

PetArmor Take A Hike [$110.00 Giveaway]

Enter to Win:

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

Sam’s Club Memorial Day Picnic Savings Giveaway

Enter to Win:

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

Brighten Up Your Ball Game OxiClean Giveaway

Enter to Win:

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

The Do It Myself Kids’ Cookbook

Mezzetta Napa Valley Bistro’s All Natural Amatriciana with Pancetta & Sautéed Onions [Giveaway]

Enter to Win:

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

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