Change: A Powerful Song

I encourage everyone to listen to this awesome, inspiring song. Powerful!!! This is the perfect time for one act of kindness. Ask yourself will your child miss one gift under the tree in the pile of many? Teach your children about giving, one act of kindness will ( I repeat WILL ) change the world.

Change: Carrie Underwood

Will you do it? One act to help someone who is having a harder time than you right now? I assure you it will be the best holiday season for you and them!

Green Works Natural Laundry Blog Tour

Thanks to Mom Central I was able to try out two new products from Green Works. And they were products right up my alley. Has a mom of 3 young kids, boys at that... I live around my washer and dryer. In fact I do loads of laundry daily, no breaks for me. Between grass stains, mud stains, whatever they may have eaten for that day and of course the art projects they do at school that sents them home with clay all over their school uniform stains... I NEED a product that works. I don't have time to re-wash things.

Green Works a Clorox product, now has laundry detergent and spray stain remover. First, let me just tell you it smells dreamy!



The new natural detergent is dermatologist tested, safe on colors and made with natural, plant-based cleaning ingredients. Clothes washed in Green Works™ natural laundry detergent won’t leave a harsh chemical residue and are gentle on skin. Yet it still cleans with the power you expect from Clorox. For a dye-and-fragrance-free choice, try it in free & clear. Available in 30-load and 60-load bottles. Specially formulated for both standard and high-efficiency washers.


Fight your toughest spills and soils with natural stain-fighting ingredients that clean with the power you expect from Clorox. Their natural stain remover has the power to dissolve spaghetti sauce, chocolate, even grape juice – but is dermatologist-tested, color-safe and won’t leave a harsh, chemical residue.


Okay so I used the laundry soap first on the bed linen, and it worked wonderful and the smell of the sheets when I crawl into bed at night... TO DIE FOR!


Next up was the stain remover and I will admit, I wasn't so sure. I aimed the stain remover and the tough grass stains on my oldest sons jeans and than on the clay stains from his school uniform shirt and held my breath that I would not have to re-wash. It worked!! Next I used it on a ketchup stain on my youngest's white shirt. I decided since it was a play shirt I would try using less spray to see if it would still get it out, and it did!


I am sold on these two products!!


I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox Green Works and received a bottle of Green Works Natural Detergent and Stain Remover to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate.

Ronzoni Smart Taste Blog Tour

Mom Central asked if I would like to try Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta I jumped on board. Pasta is a staple in my household, can't get another of it.

I was told that, "It looks and tastes like regular white pasta, but Ronzoni Smart Taste contains added calcium and fiber, helping kids get their daily recommended value of both nutrients while still enjoying a favorite food. Other benefits for the whole family include lower calories and fat than traditional white pasta, and no sodium, preservatives or cholesterol."

Recently, I received a sample of the Ronzoni Smart Taste Spaghetti pasta to try out and this is what I made...

Pasta with Broccoli Alla Romana:

In large skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain thoroughly. Crumble bacon; return to skillet. Add onion and garlic; cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in RONZONI SMART TASTE SPAGHETTI sauce; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cook 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli to pasta cooking water during last 3 minutes. Drain pasta and broccoli well; toss with hot sauce. Sprinkle with cheese.


Ingredients:


1 pkg RONZONI SMART TASTE SPAGHETTI

4 lean bacon slices

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 jar RONZONI SMART TASTE

SPAGHETTI sauce

2 cups fresh broccoli florets

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Recipe was found on the back on the box.

Let me tell you, it was fantastic! We (Dh and I) were a little worried that the taste of the noodles would throw off the Monkey's from eating it, but they didn't even notice a change, and man they plowed through their dinner! Score!

A survey shows that more than half of moms of kids aged 3-12 find it challenging to feed healthy foods to their kids. I am one of these moms when it comes to 'J' and 'Baby M'. So in addition to their line of pasta, the people at Ronzoni created a funny, spoof video featuring the Smart Taste Supermom. So very funny, the thing us moms come up with to try and get our kids to eat healthy food. Check it out...

I would definitely recommend the Ronzoni Smart Taste Spaghetti for anyone looking to make a healthier version of a classic meal. For more information on all of the types of pasta available and nutritional info, go to http://www.ronzonismarttaste.com/.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Ronzoni Pasta and received a sample of Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate.

K’Nex review and contest

We were recently given the opportunity to review a couple items from K’Nex, thanks to Team Mom. The first item is the K’Nex 400 Pieces Tub (for kids ages 7 and up) and the other item is the Sesame Street *Police Car* Building Set (for kids ages 2-5).

About The K’NEX 400 Piece Tub:

Loaded with 400 parts, including bricks, for lots of open-ended fun and endless building and play opportunities! Includes instructions and ideas for 20 models or use your imagination to dream up your own creations. The convenient storage tub means there is always a place to put your parts or take the fun with you wherever you go! For ages 7+.

Suggested price is $20.99 for the 400 pieces tub, recommended age is 7+, and they are available at Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys “R” Us.

Our Review:

'D' had a blast with this toy, he loves to build things and this kept him entertained for hours. He build a few of the things in the directions but than he ventured off and started using his own imignation. They get used daily, and I have stepped on pieces daily. Ouch! LOL!

Product Description:

Your child can build the NEW smaller scale police officer Elmo - dressed in his blue uniform and police cap - along with his police car! A "Play & Learn" activity sheet filled with educational fun for parent and child, plus additional building ideas, is also included. This 19-piece building set pairs perfectly with the Neighborhood Collection Police Station Building Set and includes a convenient storage box. Look for all the Neighborhood Collection Building Sets so your child can build his own SESAME STREET Neighborhood!

Suggested price $9.99

Our Review:

My youngest who is 2 1/2 loved this, the block were big enough for his little hands to grasp. We made the elmo police car once and than he took it apart and made his own version of it.

I will say this about the two products I was sent. My four year old seemed to be lost in the middle of the two. Too young for the 400 tube which is 7+ and too big for the Elmo Police Car that was suppose to be for ages 2-5.

K’NEX is also holding a Make a K’NEXion contest. Now you and your readers have the chance to win over $1,000 worth of K’NEX Toys and be featured on the KNEX.com web site. How? Make a video and include select K’NEX products. The possibilities are endless. Construct your own story or showcase your child’s K’NEX building skills – use your imagination!

The 10 best videos will be featured on KNEX.com and the winning video will receive $1,000 worth of K’NEX Toys. You can see the Official rules HERE or HERE (PDF). The contest is from November 4, 2009 – December 7, 2009. Good Luck!

I was compensated with both a K’NEX 400 Piece Value Tub and a K’NEX Sesame Street Police Station by Team Mom. All of the views are my own.

Ultimate Party Meatballs Blog Tour!

Let me ask you something, do any of these statements sound familiar to you...

1. What's for Diner?

2. What are you bringing to the potluck

3. What can I cook that is simple?

4. I don't know how to cook, is this recipe easy to follow?

Surely you have heard one of the above statements, maybe even daily?

Well here is one answer for all the above statements:

Ultimate Party Meatballs!!

(and the crowd goes crazy)

3 ingridents and your done.. yes I said 3!

Here is the recipe:

1 14-ounce can Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce

1 12-ounce bottle Heinz Chili Sauce

1 2-pound bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail-size meatballs

Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally. Makes 30 appetizer servings.

I made my batch in the crockpot, served a few and decided to than throw them in the over to get a crisp coating to them.

Heinz and Ocean Spray have now set up a website devoted to the Ultimate Party Meatballs! Go to www.ultimatepartymeatballs.com to find recipes, entertaining tips, party enhancements, and even enter a giveaway for up to $3,000! (Deadline: February 15, 2010)

DISCOSURE: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Heinz and Ocean Spray and received the ingredients necessary to make the meatbealls to form an honest review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.