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Sausage & Cheese Sandwich Recipe

August 10, 2011 By 17 Comments

I was in the mood for sausage sandwiches for lunch. We had leftover sausage patties from dinner the other night and I received some Whole Wheat Arnold Sandwich Thin Mini’s so I combined them with some cheddar cheese. Nom Nom Nom!

 

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Depending on where you live, Arnold has a few different names. Here in the Pacific Northwest Arnold is known as Oroweat. Based on the line of Sandwich Thins, the minis only have 50 calories each and are Whole Wheat. Whole wheat provides antioxidants, dietary fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium. It’s associated with reduced body fat and belly fat, plus a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Other Health Benefits:

  • 0g trans fat
  • 19g whole grains per serving
  • Cholesterol free
  • Excellent source of fiber
  • No high fructose corn syrup

    Now for the Sausage & Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

Ingredients:

Sausage Patties Cooked
Cheddar Cheese
Sandwich Thins Mini’s

Directions:

Toast the Sandwich Thins in the toaster
Heat up the Sausage Patties in the microwave, melting the cheese on top
Place on the Sandwich Thin mini’s and eat!

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Enjoy Speed! Try Verizon 4G LTE Community and Win

August 10, 2011 By 29 Comments

I received a new phone at Blogher this year, no it wasn’t from Verizon, it was from HTC, and I gave it to my husband. That was before I realized what I had in my hands. The phone I gave him is a 4G LTE phone and when I took my turn at playing with it, I was blown away with how fast it was. And wishing I kept it for myself.

On his 4G LTE phone, My husband can stream MP3’s from his Amazon Cloud player and we spent some time going through the MomStart Youtube channel looking at older videos of the kids. I’m quite impressed with the speed everything loads at. Do you even understand what 4G LTE is?

4G LTE is the fourth generation step in wireless technology. 4G is a faster data network that will initially be available to users on two USB modems and offer speeds much faster than the current 3G network that Verizon customers use with USB modems, MiFi units and smartphones. Do you have more questions?

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To further answer questions and support customers, Verizon created a new community fueled by consumers called Livin’ in 4G LTE. The initiative is centered on a dynamic, real-time microsite with everything you ever wanted to know about 4G LTE. It’s all here: tweets, reviews, news, and even videos from people like us, showing what happens when you live your life in Verizon 4G LTE.

I went to check it out for myself and you’ll find honest opinions about products, services, and needs from Verizon consumers. Maybe you just want to find a product review, or become educated before you buy. You’ll find the information you need in the Livin’ in 4G LTE Community.

In addition to engaging in existing content pulled from all over the web, you can submit your own stories, videos and photos showing how you would live life in 4G LTE. Even YouTube celebs have created videos showing how they would live their lives in 4G LTE.

Checkout Destorm and the Network Throwdown.

 

Of Course there’s a giveaway.

By submitting a video you could win a new phone, $500 in Verizon credits and more!!!!

Grand prize includes: Droid Charge by Samsung, Motorola Xoom, Motorola Xoom Otterbox, Defender Series Case, Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot, Jawbone Headset, Jawbone Jambox, and $500 in Verizon Wireless Gift Cards.

If you don’t want to submit videos or photos, you can still be entered into weekly prizes just by sharing and commenting on the existing content. The Grand prize will go to the entrant with the greatest number of votes.

 

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Night Geocaching with Coghlan’s Bug-Eye Headlight

August 10, 2011 By 16 Comments

It’s summertime and for our family this is a great time for camping and geocaching. When night falls though I have two people I need to take care of as they’re afraid of the dark – me and my 4YO. Good thing we have our Coghlan’s Bug-Eye Headlight for kids. (NOTE: I have a small head, but there was still room to be had in the adjustable band.) This is perfect for getting you around any camp site or night cache or other dark spaces.

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On a date my husband and I set out for our first night cache. I’ve wanted to do one for a long time and this one is right down the street from our house, so we finally did it. I wore the Coghlan’s Bug-Eye Headlight and then the goal is to look for reflectors like the white one on this tree trunk:

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If you’d like to find Coghlan’s online and check out the Bug-Eye Headlight for kids or other products, then check them out on their website. You can also join others like you, who are into survival and camping gear with Coghlan’s on Facebook.

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If you need one of your own, Amazon currently has only 5 Bug-Eye Headlights left with more on the way, but get it now before you’re on the wait list.

The Coghlan’s Bug-Eye Headlight for kids is also perfect for simply living in the Pacific Northwest. In the winter months the sun is not out too often. This is a great lamp to walk to school, use at the bus stop, take out the trash in the evening, walking the dog after school; you get the idea if it’s dark then Coghlan’s Bug-Eye Headlight for kids is a good thing!

We received samples for this review.

 

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.

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S’mores Create the Happiest Campers Giveaway

August 10, 2011 By 256 Comments

We went camping, and it rained and rained and rained. But the kids were still quite happy. Pitching the tent in the rain, riding our bikes in the rain, and sleeping in the rain, we got quite wet. The only thing that wasn’t dampened was the kids’ moods.

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Although we were unable to light a fire we stayed warm in our tent and we promised the kids that we would have s’mores when we got home. Seemed like enough to make the happiest campers in the world if you ask me.

This summer, the Hershey Company is encouraging families to create their own S’mores memories with the Say S’mores campaign. We already shared this photo of Zoe with them.

Zoe Smores

You are invited to capture and share your favorite S’mores moments on the Hershey’s brand Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/hersheys for a chance to win S’mores-themed prizes.  The prizes are awesome, the grand prize especially.

The grand-prize is a Canon Rebel Camera, slate marble outdoor firebowl, $250 SnapFish gift card, roasting skewers set and all of the ingredients needed to make S’mores, including Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars. Families who visit the Hershey’s brand Facebook page on or after June 15 can download the Say S’mores application to participate in monthly photo contests and receive a $1 coupon good toward the purchase of any two Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar 6-packs.

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What’s not to love? You know that around here at MomStart we’re big fans of S’mores. We already have a few different s’mores recipes to share with you.

You have to try the S’more Pound Cake Squares and the S’more On-The-Go Recipe.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Ashley H.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

This post is part of my participation in the Hershey’s “Say S’mores” Promotion. All opinions expressed are mine

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Flowers of San Diego Wordless Wednesday Photography

August 9, 2011 By 47 Comments

One thing I always love about going to California is that flowers grow like weeds. So while I was in San Diego I took lots of photos of flowers.

 

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How Listening to Christian Music Like Steven Curtis Chapman has Impacted Our Children

August 9, 2011 By 28 Comments

We listen to the local Christian Music station on the radio. I occasionally listen to pop/alternative music, but knowing that my children are listening really affects what I listen to. Those little ears in the back of the van are always listening and they are so impressionable. Zoe asks the name of every song lately, and it’s fun when she says, I know this song mommy and she starts singing along or in the middle of the day she’ll start singing a song about love.

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My son has just started following in her footsteps. I heard him singing one of the Christian Songs we listen to on the radio. It’s adorable hearing these powerful words coming from their lips. I’m moved through my children.

Jesus teaches about love all throughout the bible and that’s why so much of Christian music is about love. In Steven Curtis Chapman’s new CD Re Creation we are reminded that God is alive in us and can be present in every aspect of our lives. For children, at least for my kids loving God in every aspect of their lives is so easy. I often wish I had the simple view of life that my children do. Our children are little walking witnesses. They love to talk about God, they pray openly, and love everyone.

I wish I had the faith of my children.

Our children are so much apart of everything we do now. I was watching the video I embedded above listening to Steven Curtis Chapman talking about his new album Re Creation and how God is moving him in his life. He is reminded that his daughter that died is going to be apart of his future and he should focus on that instead of how she was apart of his past. He really feels that God is moving his life and he was inspired to re-create some of the songs of his past. I feel it’s like he’s moving forward, looking to the future, and moving ahead. I’m quite moved by his devotion to God and quite thankful for his wonderful music. If it wasn’t for artist like him we wouldn’t have a Christian radio station.

 

I received a copy of the digital soundtrack and was compensated for my time. My opinions are my own.

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

Exercise Equipment from Chin Ups to Hydration with Sport Line

August 9, 2011 By 15 Comments

Exercise isn’t a four letter word … don’t treat it like it is!!! By now the fad of the New Year have faded and if the summertime hasn’t brought you to fit, then you may have given up but don’t! Now is the time to get with the program of try a new ways to obtain your family’s goals that aren’t met yet.

Let me share with you some products from Sport Line to help you get fit and stay healthy from the summer into the fall so you can reach your fitness goals by the New Year and concentrate on other resolutions.

The HydraCoach Intelligent Water Bottle ($29.99):

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Featured in Better Homes & Garden and on Ellen, The HydraCoach is the world’s first interactive water bottle as it calculates your personal hydration needs, tracks your real-time fluid consumption, paces you throughout the day and motivates you to achieve and maintain optimal hydration. Doctors, Nutritionists and Fitness Trainers all recommend that we drink water, yet until now there has never been a device to help individuals adhere to the expert’s recommendations. The HydraCoach is the only product of its kind and an evolutionary leap in personal hydration monitoring. Get your own at SportLine.com .

Sportline Qlip Any-Wear Pedometer ($34.99):

clip_image004Studies say those who walk fewer than 5,000 steps a day are more likely to be overweight…people walking 9,000+ steps daily are more likely to be of normal weight. Pedometers like the Sportline Qlip are a great way to get and stay motivated in your walking routine. It’s an advanced digital pedometer that can be worn (clipped) anywhere on the body and provides real-time feedback for individuals pursuing fitness and walking goals, including accurately tracking steps, distance, and calories burned. This Qlip Pedometer is available on SportLine.com [http://www.sportline.com/310-qlip-pedometer.html].

Sportline Men’s DUO 1010 Heart Rate Monitor ($119.99):

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The DUO 1060 offers the most advanced technology, allowing for both continuous (with included chest belt) and on-demand (with Any Touch Technology’s finger-activation) heart rate monitoring with zone and percentage of max indicators, ability to track speed, distance and strides with built-in accelerometer. This dual purpose water resistant (to 50 m) watch has a backlight, stopwatch, lap timer and countdown timer and tracks calories burned. It has a five year warranty and is available not only on SportLine.com but also at most sporting goods retailers.

Power Strip ($19.95):

clip_image008Why spend money on an expensive gym membership when you can have a full body workout at home? As a parent that’s wasted time when you’re traveling to a gym when you could be focusing all of it on yourself working out at home. The Power Strip provides 30+ exercises to build muscle and burn fat in the comfort of your own home. No gym required. It offers quick and easy set-up and adjustment anywhere on the door and securely fits on doors up to 32 inches wide. Ideal for travel or home use with interchangeable handles and ankle straps. A workout poster, written by the fitness experts, is included. The Power Strip is available at in store at Target and Sports Authority, as well as online at SportLine.com.

The BodyFit Executive Fitness Kit ($29.99):

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A total body strength and conditioning workout that chisels and strengthens abs, back and chest; and firms and tightens arms, shoulders and legs. The four piece equipment set engages core muscles while tightening and firming biceps and triceps. You can also build dexterity in hands, wrists and forearms. Perfect for home, travel and office, the set includes push up stands, sit-up strap, hand-grip resistance tube and travel bag. Available exclusively at Sports Authority in store or online.

The Everlast Multi-Function Chinning Bar ($29.99):

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Will keep you fit by building a powerful physique with the tried-and-true cornerstone exercises of fitness. Use your body’s own resistance to create maximum impact where it counts: pecs, biceps, abs and obliques. The portable Multi-Function Chinning Bar goes anywhere and is a great foundation for any training regimen. It sets up in several locations, including doorway, against a wall, or on the ground. Multiple grasp positions let you work muscles from several different angles. Available in store at Sports Authority, Academy, Modell’s, Big 5 and Champs or online at Amazon.

Though I’m done with my Warrior Dash I still have some weight to lose. These are some hot products on the market today to help you are your partner attain your goals. I own The Everlast Multi-Function Chinning Bar and my goal is to be able to do ONE pull up. I’m almost there; then I’ll try for two. I also use the bar to save my wrists while doing push-ups and other floor exercises. Good luck in attaining your fitness goals; I hope this has been motivating and helpful!

Samples received in exchange for this post.

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: , , , , , , ,

When Dinner Gets Tough: Ragu Mom’s The Word Giveaway

August 8, 2011 By 706 Comments

When Dinner Gets Tough in my house I turn on the TV so I have some time to think about what I’m doing. The kids can drive me nuts when I’m in the kitchen cooking. Usually, when my husband gets home from work, he will play with them, talk to them and help me out. But when he’s not home and I still find that I have to get dinner on the table.

I often try to make a meal plan, just having an idea of what to make every day saves me some stress at the end of the day. Because with one child on each side of me, I just can’t think. So yea, I use the TV. As far as coming up for dinner on the spot I often revert to something easy. Rice, Grilled Cheese, Burritos and Pasta are the number 1 fall backs when it comes to getting something on the table.

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I know that the statement when dinner gets tough brings different feelings to every mother. For some it’s about getting kids to eat. For me, that’s never been the problem. My kids love food as much as I do. So for me it is often about making something quick and simple. Pasta with the Ragu classic Alfredo is a known hit and so easy to prepare.

One of my Momversation friends and participants in the Ragu Community, Audrey McClelland, hosted a discussion (Ragú Monday night (8/8) at 8PM ET on the Ragu Facebook page) because, Ragu wants to hear about when dinnertime gets tough in YOUR household! Make sure to drop in at Facebook.com/ragusauce to share your stories and questions! Be sure to watch the “When Dinner Gets Tough” video with Audrey whenever you have time. 

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Jacob LaFountaine.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

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Hellmann’s Build Your Perfect Sandwich Sweepstakes & $50 Giveaway

August 8, 2011 By 932 Comments

About six months ago, I was asked to come up with two different sandwich recipes for a recipe contest. Then I went and competed with quite a few other moms and my favorite part of the experience was seeing all of the different sandwiches and how they were made. We were even given a class on how to build your sandwich to make it photo ready. WOW, I learned so much about sandwiches that day. So when I was asked to be apart of Hellmann’s Build Your Perfect Sandwich Campaign, I had to say yes.

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According to the new “Hellmann’s® State of the Sandwich” Survey*, a majority (84 percent) of American sandwich eaters say that how a sandwich is made is just as important as the ingredients used to make it. Makes me wonder which way is more popular. I honestly grew up thinking making a sandwich was as simple as applying the condiments, then adding the meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles in whatever order they were on the counter. Apparently, it depends on how you want your sandwich to look, and there are ways to put your sandwich together so that things don’t fall out of it as you take your first bite.

To help celebrate America’s passionate preferences for building the perfect sandwich, Hellmann’s® and Best Foods® are partnering with Chef Bobby Flay (who doesn’t love Bobby Flay) to show families how to make real, simple, delicious sandwiches and to uncover unique and personal sandwich-making techniques.

You think you know the best way to put a sandwich together? You think you know exactly which condiments go together? If you do then you need to head on over to Facebook.com/hellmanns to share your sandwich-making tips, tricks, techniques and secrets. By doing so you will have the opportunity to build your perfect sandwich and enter the Hellmann’s® Build Your Perfect Sandwich Sweepstakes for a chance to win great prizes including a kitchen essentials bundle, grocery gift cards and Hellmann’s® and Best Foods® products.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Geoff K.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

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When You Go See The Help In Theaters Wednesday August 10th

August 8, 2011 By 4 Comments

When you go see the Help in Theaters Wednesday August 10th bring all your friends with you. I watched The Help back in June with a group of my mommy blogger friends and needed them dearly after the movie. The movie The Help is based on a novel by Kathryn Stockett and directed by Tate Taylor. Tate grew up knowing that life was like this movie.He used his experiences to keep the movie true to the book and the era. And for me, knowing these things happened and that women were so nasty ripped me apart. I needed my friends to give me a hug, and I needed to know that I wasn’t the only one that was mentally exhausted with red eyes from sobbing.

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When you go see The Help in Theaters Wednesday August 10th bring a box of tissues. I still haven’t had a chance to read the novel yet, but I can tell you that I started crying from the opening scene of The Help. “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s,  who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. In that opening scene, Skeeter is interviewing Aibileen about her experience working as a Nanny and maid. Aibileen cares very deeply for the children she watches, having lost her own son. The Help had me crying from then until the very end of the movie. I was crying so hard and so disturbed, and so angry, and so miserable that I wanted to get up and leave the theaters. I had a great deal of trouble holding myself together. Am I saying that the Help is a bad movie, no! I often cry at movies, I’m a sap. I cry. In The Help, I bawled. I Sobbed. My entire body was shaking with tears and it took everything in me to keep semi-quiet. The Help emotionally moved me to a place I’ve never gone while watching a movie.

THE HELP

When you go see The Help in Theaters Wednesday August 10th be prepared to be shocked. Perhaps if you’ve read the novel you won’t be that shocked. In one scene, Skeeter, who happens to be the newsletter editor for the women’s group (a group of women who only accept Skeeter because she comes from a family with money, because Skeeter is an outcast in a way just as The Help is). She gets angry at one of her so called friends and puts a purposeful “typo” in the newsletter asking everyone to bring their old used toilets to the President of their chapter’s house. Everyone in the town rushes over to see the toilets in her yard. In this moment watching the movie you’re laughing at how Skeeter got even. In what happens next, I was ripped up emotionally as one of the children at a potty training age gets on the potty and goes. The child’s mother is mortified, and spanks her daughter for going potty. She yells and makes Aibileen deal with the crying child. The child gets no love from her mother. It even seems like her mother doesn’t love her child. I just couldn’t believe that any of these women deserved to be mothers.

When you go to see the Help in Theaters Wednesday August 10th you’re going to see a masterpiece.

Filed Under: Movie review, review Tagged With: ,
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