You are here: Home / 2011 / Archives for July 2011

The Answer to No TV: EYE Q Picture Puzzler

July 4, 2011 By 6 Comments

“Are we there yet?” I know you too can here the whine from the back seat of the car or right beside you on the plane. Sometimes as a parent I lack a fun tool for my kids that doesn’t involve plugging them in. I want to say no to movies, or TV, or video games – but then what? Jamison, my 4YO, is too young to really sit and read a book. Eye Q Picture Puzzler solves my problem.

 

Eye Q Picture Puzzler

clip_image004The Eye Q Picture Puzzler book is eye spy meets picture puzzles. Jamison loves to play eye spy, but it’s hard to play in the car and airplane for too long. He enjoys reading Can You See What I See? books and I Spy books, but those can put a crick in my neck always looking around to read phrases and be sure he found the right thing. The Eye Q Picture Puzzler book is a step above as it provide questions which involve not only locating a target, but involve an activity around them: find 5 sets of twins, locate each treat with sprinkles, are there more orange or red berries. Brilliantly, though, anybody can improvise a new question for a fresh activity. The Eye Q Picture Puzzler book comes with a dry erase pen for marking answers; and as is characteristic of dry erase pens, it can be easily wiped from any page when an activity is complete.

clip_image006I also love that Eye Q Picture Puzzler can help keep you young child current in simple math over the summertime break with collages that involve children in finding, counting, sorting, and comparing. This book is designed for children over 4YO, and during market research Eye Q Picture Puzzler tested successfully with children in grades K-2. Jamison loves this book and this is on my “Take With” list for traveling. In fact later this summer we have a trip to Europe planned, and I know this will be a life saver on our 2 flights totally about 14 hours in travel time. Jamison won’t get bored either as each page is a new scene – candy, dinosaurs, bugs, dogs, shoes, balloons, the beach. There are 24 unique pages to hunt through.

clip_image008Eye Q Picture Puzzler is available for purchase for $11.99 from Downtown Bookworks Inc. and is actually on Amazon for $10.19 and if you’re not an Amazon Prime member you can get free shipping on an order of $25 or more.

You can find Downtown Bookworks on their website and on Facebook]. Mom Start has also reviewed The Do It Myself Kids’ Cookbook put out by Downtown Bookworks, Inc. Both are great summertime boredom busters. (My last Thursday Treat post was from The Do It Myself Kids’ Cookbook; Jamison and I made a modified Strawberry Tall Cake.)

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

About Summer:

Summer is very active in 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 while cooking up a storm.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: , , , , ,

Summer Fun & Protection Cars 2 Band Aid Neosporin & Fandango

July 4, 2011 By 561 Comments

Playing outdoors is something we do all year round. When it’s warm out though we have fewer clothes on and the kids seem to be more daring, or maybe it’s just because…whatever the reason when we’re outside in the summer time, the scrapes, cuts, bug bites and boo boos in general go up exponentially. So we have to stock up on band aids and Neosporin.

BandAidCars2

When we go to the store and I’m looking for anything on the medical isle the kids always notice the Band-Aid Brand bandages because of the fun characters they know and love. Have you noticed we’re a Disney family around here?

BandAidDisneyFairies

Getting bandages and medicine on the kids after a boo boo is often difficult at best. So having something that they enjoy makes the experience a little easier on mom and dad. Now I’m going to be honest here, the plain Band-Aid bandages are not my favorite. They don’t stick on long enough, but the kids sure do like them. So I think it’s a draw.

BandAidPhineasFerb

Cars 2 has been out and has been doing really well at the theater. Which means that kids’ love of them will be re-ignited, even though in our house the love of them never died. So yeah, Cars 2 band aids are always on the list for my son Miles. One fun, easy and affordable way to bring the characters home is with BAND-AID® Brand Decorated Adhesive Bandages featuring all of your favorite Cars characters and scenes.  Kids will love covering their cuts and scrapes with these Band-Aids.  They’re perfect to bring to the beach, camp or on a summer road trip!  In addition to Cars, BAND-AID® Brand has some newer character bandages out as well—Phineas & Ferb and Disney Fairies—that’ll make healing fun. 

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Joanne Schultz.

We received samples to facilitate this review.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Happy Fourth Of July

July 3, 2011 By 6 Comments

Happy Fourth of July from the Bishop Family

image

Happy Fourth of July from Winnie The Pooh (in Theaters July 15th)

clip_image001[4]

Happy Fourth of July from Venettni

clip_image001

 

And I leave you with this song Yankee Doodle Sing-a-ma-jigs.

 

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: , , , ,

Paula Dean’s Chocolate Explosion Cheesecake Recipe

July 3, 2011 By 17 Comments
My husband made Paula Dean’s Chocolate Explosion Cheesecake recipe for me on my birthday and he documented the whole process with pictures so that I could share with all of you how he did it. It’s an amazing recipe, and I was terrified that I was going to put on 20 lbs by taking one bite.

chocolate explosion cheesecake

Now that you’ve seen the end result watch the Chocolate Explosion Cheesecake Recipe in photos all taken by my husband. And at the end you can print the recipe for your own use.

image

Oh he didn’t do it by himself, he had two cute little helpers with him.

image

Make Fudgie part

image

Make the cheesecake part

image

Add the caramel

image

Add cookie dough

image

Cover with the cheesecake part

image

Cook the cheesecake

image

Add Ganache
image

Paula Dean’s Chocolate Explosion Cheesecake Recipe
5.0 from 2 reviews
Print
Recipe Type: dessert
Author: Paula Dean
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 1 hour 30 mins
Total time: 2 hours
Too Yummy for words
Ingredients
  • Crust:
  • 2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • Chocolate Layer:
  • 6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Cheesecake Layer:
  • 1/2 cup caramel syrup
  • 1 (16 1/2-ounce) package refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
  • 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Chocolate Ganache:
  • 6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
  • 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
  2. Make the crust:
  3. Combine the cracker crumbs and sugar in a food processor
  4. Add the melted butter and run the food processor.
  5. Then press the crust into a 9-inch spring form pan.
  6. Bake for 6 minutes and let it cool.
  7. Make the Chocolate:
  8. Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time
  9. Stir in between each interval
  10. Whisk the sugar, eggs, and flour until combined
  11. Pour over the crust and bake for 15 minutes
  12. Make the Cheesecake:
  13. Spread the caramel as the next layer
  14. Cut the cookie dough into 1 inch slices.
  15. Place the slices over the caramel pressing gently to seal the edges
  16. In a large bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until creamy
  17. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time.
  18. Add the vanilla and flour until just combined
  19. Stir in the sour cream
  20. Pour the mixture over the cookie dough
  21. Bake for 1 hour
  22. Remove from oven and gently run a knife around the edges to release the crust from the sides of the spring form pan. Let cool completely.
  23. Make the Ganache
  24. Combine the chocolate chips and the heavy whipping cream
  25. Microwave 30 seconds at a time
  26. Stir between each interval until well mixed
  27. Spread over the cooled cheesecake
  28. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
Google Recipe View Microformatting by Easy Recipe

 

Filed Under: recipe Tagged With: , , , ,

Finish Quantum Challenge Jet Dry Gift Card

July 3, 2011 By 866 Comments

Time to do the dishes … it’s always time to do the dishes! On top of our normal meal dishes we always have cups and bowls floating around with snacks in them. I also like to throw all my bake ware in the dishwasher too. My family uses Finish products to clean our dishes and clean our dishwasher; I HIGHLY recommend Finish products for your dishwashing needs! I jumped at the opportunity to be the Mom Start contributors to try Finish Quantum and I currently use the Powerball tabs.

clip_image002

If you use Finish already you’re familiar with their red, white, and blue look; if you don’t, their red center ball is signature. Finish Quantum uses a 3-chamber technology that releases powerful enzymes to soften burnt-on food (blue), PowerMax Bleach to remove stains (white), and the Finish Powerball with rinse aid gel for an amazing shine (red). Finish detergent releases each component when needed during the dish washing cycle.

clip_image004

You can find all types of Finish products at retailers nationwide. Though all pricing decisions are at the sole discretion of the Retailer: a pack of 10-count is about $3.50, a pack of 25-count is about $6.50, and a pack of 45-count is $11.50. If you’re looking for a great price, try Amazon. Or at your favorite retailer, get Finish for less with these Finish coupons.

image

Finish is the #1 recommended brand of dishwashing detergent compared to its competitors. If you give Finish Quantum a try and don’t see the difference IT’S FREE! Like them at home? Then Like Finish on Facebook!

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Some Lucky Dog.

We received samples to facilitate this review.

 

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.

About Summer:

Summer is very active in 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 while cooking up a storm.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: , , , , , ,

I’m Piglet in Winnie The Pooh July 15th 2011

July 3, 2011 By 6 Comments

So in just a few short weeks, Winnie the Pooh is going to be returning to the big screen in a new epic adventure. He’s absolutely adorable as always and ready to find some honey and adventure with his friend piglet. Winnie-The-Pooh-Movie-Trailer

While I was attending the Cars 2 screening with Disney, they also showed me a screening of the new Winnie the Pooh movie. It’s very cute, and I already told you how much I adore the Winnie The Pooh music right? In Disney’s movie Winnie The Pooh, there is a scene where everyone is stuck in a whole except for Piglet as you can see from the photo above. During my stay with Disney, I had the opportunity to be Piglet. Hollywood here I come……

Ok, so honestly I’m not really ready for the big screen but it was a lot of fun pretending to be Piglet. It’s a lot harder than it looks you know. Yes the script is right there for me to read, but the timing is hard because I didn’t have the lines memorized. If you’re wondering who the guy is that I was talking to? Well that’s the producer Peter Del Vecho and he’s wonderful. He was very kind and helpful and is very excited about Winnie the Pooh coming out July 15th.

clip_image001

I can’t wait to take the kids to see Winnie the Pooh. They’re pretty excited too. Remember, Winnie the Pooh hits theaters July 15th.

 

Disney provided all expenses for the trip.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: , , , ,

Heinz 57 Sauce An American Classic Celebrates 100th Anniversary

July 2, 2011 By 628 Comments

Heinz 57 celebrates it’s 100th Anniversary of being an American Classic. As a topping, marinade, or ingredient Heinz 57 fulfills many satisfying purposes for food. My kids love to dip, they dip their carrots, their bread, their fingers in anything they can find, and while I was thinking about what I was going to write in this post, I realized, they get the dipping addiction from me. One of the reasons I love Heinz 57 sauce is because I love a good dip for my food. Meat is always better covered in sauce and Heinz 57 makes some really great sauces perfect for meat: Heinz 57 Sauce, Heinz 57 Steak Sauce, Heinz 57 Sauce with Honey. nom nom nom.

In honor of celebrating their 100th Anniversary, I wanted to share a Heinz 57 recipe I found on their website.

Heinz 57 Pulled Pork Recipe

pulled pork heinz 57 photoIngredients:

1/2 cup Heinz 57 Sauce
1/4 cup Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tbsp. Heinz Yellow Mustard
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder blade roast, trimmed and cut into 4 pieces

Directions:

  1. In a 5 to 6 qt. slow cooker, mix together 57 Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Mustard, sugar, tomato paste and onion. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Add pork, turning until well coated. Cover and cook on low heat setting for about 8 hours, or until pork is tender, turning occasionally.
  2. To serve, remove pork from slow cooker. Pull pork into shreds using two forks. Return pork to slow cooker and stir until well mixed with sauce. Spoon about 3/4 cup onto your favorite sandwich buns and serve immediately.
    Also in honor of their really fun anniversary celebration they are offering this really cool picnic basket filled with wonderful goodies. In fact the glasses you see there are really glasses. I’m quite enamored with the ice cream glasses.

IMG_0457

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Dara Nix.

We received samples to facilitate this review.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Our Community Charity Project Matched By Nature’s Path: Box Out Hunger

July 2, 2011 By 4 Comments

My local MOMS Club chapter held our third annual Box Out Hunger cereal box drive to benefit our community food bank in Maltby, the Maltby Food Bank. From the MOMS, the club collected 44 boxes of cereal. Nature’s Path Organics (a smaller family run, but international, company from B.C. Canada) matched us box-for-box … in fact, they actually sent 48 boxes as each shipping box contained 12 boxes. The idea for the Box Out Hunger cereal drive was formed from the knowledge that free and reduced breakfasts and lunches are no longer offered to local children during the summertime as meals are a school district program, and cereal and other foods categorized as breakfast items are expensive to purchase and not highly donated to food banks in general.

clip_image002A big THANK YOU to Nature’s Path for their generosity! In addition to finding Nature’s Path Organic on their website, you can find Nature’s Path on Facebook] and Twitter @NaturesPath. You can read more about Nature’s Path on Mom Start in our posts: Every Day is Earth Day, Hemp Plus Granola, SmartBran Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes Recipe, Manna Organics Bread, Love Crunch Cereal, and Ancient Grains Cereal.

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 while cooking up a storm.

Summer put this thank you piece together, but I wanted to take a moment to say thank you as well. It’s an amazing opportunity for us to provide high quality organic food to our food bank. Something I’m sure they don’t see very often. Thank you Nature’s Path!!!

Filed Under: charity, personal Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Notice The Dosage Changes for Infant Liquid Acetaminophen

July 2, 2011 By 1 Comment

Summer and I both feel it’s really important that parents realize that now that Children’s Tylenol is back on the shelves in the pharmacy isles that parents realize why it’s back. You need to pay attention to how much you are giving your child. For the Full Press Release see the Press Release on Dosage Changes for Infant Liquid Acetaminophen Posted on May 4, 2011 on OTC Safety.

children's Tylenol

Basically:

Caregivers, be advised over-the-counter acetaminophen medications, such as Tylenol, are are changing to one strength of liquid concentration starting this month. This is to help prevent any over dosage

Be advised and clear with your pediatrician “prescribing” acetaminophen which bottle you are currently using at home. Either throw out older medicine before expiration to stay current with this development so there isn’t any confusion, or be sure you know the proper dosage to be administered for the concentration you have in your medicine cabinet. If you are at all concerned refer to the label on the bottle and/or contact your pediatrician before administering.

For all bottles of acetaminophen the concentration will be that of the current children’s concentration (160mg/5mL) for ages 12 years and under. The change will directly affect infants’ acetaminophen products as 80,mg/0.8mL and 80mg/1mL bottles will no longer be sold. This new concentration directs caregivers to ask a doctor for proper dosage information for any child under 2 years of age, but provides dosing directions for children 2-3 years old. For more accurate dosing, acetaminophen will come with a syringe for more exact oral administration.

CLIF’S NOTES – THE CHANGE:

· No longer different concentrations between infants’ and children’s acetaminophen, all concentrations are the same

· Bottle will provide administration dosages for any child 2-12 year old

· Dosage for children under 2 year of age should come from a doctor

· A syringe will come with bottles for more accurate dosing and flow restrictions

I thank Summer for putting this piece together.

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 while cooking up a storm.

Filed Under: Announcement Tagged With: , , , ,

A Dash of Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad

July 1, 2011 By 13 Comments

I was looking in a magazine for recipe ideas while making my meal plan this week and inside of Cooking Light I found a recipe for Strawberry Spinach Salad. Strawberries are in season right now so I quickly added it to my meal plan.

The salad of course needed a few changes, everything always does. I didn’t exactly have all of the ingredients that it called for. It called for Raspberry preserves, well I forgot to buy some, plus I wasn’t really interested in buying them for one recipe. It also called for 1 Tbsp. of Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper Blend (because it was an advertisement for Mrs. Dash) and I couldn’t find the Lemon Pepper blend anywhere. I even looked at three different stores. So I gave up and just used an Italian seasoning blend of my own.

The fun part of the salad was getting to make my own dressing. I’ve never made salad dressing before and actually thought it might be difficult to do. It was so easy and tasty that I can’t wait to make it again. The dressing did call for Rice Vinegar which isn’t something that I usually have in my pantry; however, now that I’ve been properly introduced to how easy it is to just SPLASH on your every day foods to pump up the flavor and make dressing with it’s going to always be in my pantry. (Plus I’m a NAKANO ambassador, without them telling me to give it a try I’m not sure I would have, and now that I have I’ll be using it again and again.)

NakanoRiceWineVinegars

So here is my version of the Strawberry Spinach Salad with a Splash of Rice Vinegar Recipe:

Ingredients:

Salad:

1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
1/3 lb. Spinach leaves washed
1/2 pt. fresh strawberries sliced
4 fresh tomatoes sliced
1 kiwi peeled and sliced
1 Tablespoon Almond Slivers

Summer Strawberry Salad

Dressing:

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning Blend
1 Tablespoon Strawberry Jam
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar

Directions:

Place salad ingredients in a bowl
Make dressing by mixing the ingredients together stirring
Toss the spinach mixture with the dressing and serve

 

Spinich Salad

“Nakano provided compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.”

Filed Under: recipe Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »