Jolly Mom: Recipes | Crafts | Atlanta Mom Blogger | Brand Ambassador | Product Reviews

We bow our heads in silent grace;
Proud to stand upon this place.
To honor those who we love and lost;
Whose lives were taken at such a cost.
Through the pain and sorrow, for all the brave and true;
To always be remembered by me and by you.
To heal the minds and hearts, of those who still live;
Always remembering what they had to give.
Live your lives with pride in hearing what I say;
May God bless and keep you on this and every day.

Poem courtesy of FunMunch.com

Sometimes moms have to be a little bit sneaky to get our kids to eat healthy. Anyone that points a finger doesn't have kids. Period. Kids are finicky, strong-willed little beings. One day they love a food. The next they hate it. As moms we want our kids to eat healthy...so what do we do? Well, along with some bribery; we will often sneak in good foods without our kids realizing it. I do this with Lucas a lot. Smoothies are a big hit around my house so I have been known to throw in flax, wheat germ, maybe even a veggie into Lucas' beloved smoothie. He's none the wiser and I am happy that he's getting a nutritious meal.

Same can be said with whole grains. Many kids will only go for the white stuff, which we all know has little nutritional value. That's why I was really happy when I heard about Uncle Ben's new rice--Whole Grain White Rice. The rice comes in a variety of flavors from traditional Long Grain to Chicken, Broccoli Cheddar, Taco Style and Sweet Tomato. The plus is that while it tastes a lot like white rice, it is way healthier!

Nutritional Claims & Product Benefits

* Good Source of Fiber
* 45g Whole Grains per Serving*
* Low Fat
* No Saturated Fat
* 0g Trans Fat
* Cholesterol Free
* Made with Natural Ingredients
* No Preservatives
* No Artificial Colors
* Vegetarian
* No MSG
* Supports a Healthy Heart†

Thanks to Mom Central, we had the opportunity to taste the new Whole Grain White Rice and I have to agree that it is really good! However, the truth is that Lucas and the rest of my family already love brown rice so that wasn't really an issue for us. What really entices me about the new Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice though is that it takes about 15 minutes to cook! That is extremely quick compared to the 30 plus minute cooking time that regular brown rice requires. For me, this is wonderful for busy weeknight meals when you don't have 30 or more minutes to get dinner on the table. Another thing that I love is that the Whole Grain White Rice has twice the amount of fiber of brown rice!


I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Uncle Ben’s and received samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate

Thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for compiling the best deals at CVS this week! For the full list, please make sure you stop by Moms By Heart!

P&G ECB Deal: Spend $25 get $10 ECB
Charmin Big Roll 16-pk $9.99
-$1 from 5/16 RP
Final Price: $8.99

{Scenario}
(2) Charmin $19.98
(1) Duracell $5.99
= $25.97
-$2 coupons
-$10 ECB
Final Price: $13.97 for all three!

or stock up on toilet paper...
(3) Charmin $29.97
-$3 coupons
-$10 ECB
Final Price: 3/$16.97 or $5.66 each
that's $.35 per roll

Reese's Dark Peanut Butter Cups single serving $.89, B2G1 free
-$.55 from 3/14 SS, use three
Final Price: 3/$.13

Revlon cosmetics or beauty tools from $1.99 B1G1 50% off
-$1 from 5/2 SS - beauty tools
-$2 from 5/2 SS - cosmetics
Final Price: from 2/$.99 for beauty tools or from 2/$3.49 cosmetics

CVS Supreme diapers $5.99
-$2 ECB
Final Price: $3.99

Hallmark Cards ECB Deal:
Spend $15 get $3 ECB

Lysol spray 2/$5
-$1 from 5/23 SS
Final Price: $1.50

Air Wick Aqua Mist 2/$5
-B1G1 free from 5/16 SS
-$1 from 4/25 SS or printable HERE
Final Price: 2/$1.50

Reading Glasses from $9.99
-$10 ECB wyb two
Final Price: as low as 2/$9.98

Alice in Wonderland DVD $19.99 (available 6/1)
-$3 ECB
Final Price: $16.99*
*qualifies for $5 Organix rebate

Rimmel cosmetics from $2.99, B1G1 50% off
-$1 from 5/2 RP, use two
Final Price: as low as 2/$2.50

Cover Girl cosmetics B1G1 50% off
-B1G1 free from 4/11 RP (expires 5/31)
Final Price: one for FREE, one 50% off

Neutrogena Clinical, ROC Brilliance or Aveeno Ageless Vitality
-$10 ECB
-$5 printable and $15 rebate HERE - Neutrogena
-$5 from 4/25 SS and $20 rebate HERE - Aveeno
-$3 printable and $20 rebate HERE - ROC

Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap System $7.99
-$5 from 5/2 SS
Final Price: $2.99

Select Suave hair care and body wash 3/$6
-$2 ECB on three
-$.50 from 5/23 RP, use three
Final Price: 3/$2.50

Ban Invisible Solid Deodorant $2.99
-$2 ECB
-$1 from 4/18 SS or $.75 printable HERE
Final Price: as low as FREE

Colgate Max Fresh or Max White toothpaste 2/$5
-$1 from 5/23 SS or $.75 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.50-$1.75

Reach floss $1.99 B1G1 free
-$1 from 5/16 RP, use two
Final Price: two for FREE

Scope or Fixodent $3.99
-$2 ECB
-$1 from 5/2 PG
Final Price: $.99

Pantene hair care 2/$6.97
-$1 from 5/22 Parade magazine
-$2 ECB on two
Final Price: 2/$2.97 

Candy RR Deal: Spend $10, get $5 RR
{Scenario}
(4) Hershey Pieces @ 2/$5
-$1 from 4/18 SS, use four
-$5 RR
Final Price: 4/$1

Lifesavers 6.25-7.7 $2.29 B1G1 free
-$1/2 printable HERE or B1G1 free printable (no longer available)
Final Price: FREE - 2/$1.29

Lindsay Olives $.99 (with insert coupon)
-$1/2 from 5/2 RP or printable HERE
Final Price: $.49

Banquet frozen meals $.99
-$1.50/4 printable HERE
Final Price: $.62 each wyb four

Smuckers jelly 2/$4
-$.55 from 4/18 RP or $1/3 from 5/23 RP
Final Price: $1.45-$1.67 each

Campbell's Chunky Soup 4/$5 (with insert coupon)
-$1/2 printable HERE
Final Price: $.75

V8 Fusion 2/$5 (with insert coupon)
-$1 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.50

Select Glade products 2/$5
-$2/3 printable HERE
Final Price: 3/$5.50 or $1.83 each*
*SC Johnson rebate

Household cleaners RR deal: $2.99 each: $1 RR
Tilex, Clorox Wipes or 32-oz Clean-Up, Formula 409, Liquid Plumr
Final Price: $1.99

Select Oxi Clean $2.99
{Scenario}
(1) Oxi Clean Max Force Power Packs 10-ct (laundry booster)
(1) Oxi Clean spray, stick or Versatile powder
-Buy laundry booster, get pretreater free coupon from 5/23 SS
-$1.50 printable HERE - Max Force Power Packs, any
Final Price: both products for $1.49 or $.75 each

Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Dryer Cloths 40-ct $2.99
-$1 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.99

Coppertone sun care from $9.99
-$4 in-ad coupon
-$2 printable HERE
Final Price: $3.99

Nivea for Men body wash from $4.99 B1G1 free
-$4 from 4/25 RP
Final Price: two for FREE

Nair Hair Remover 2-11 oz from $2.50 (sale price)
-$3/2 printable HERE
Final Price: as low as $1 each

Cover Girl Blast RR Deal: Spend $10+ (before coupons) get $3 RR
Blast products $7.49
-B1G1 free from 4/11 RP (expires 5/31)
-$3 RR wyb two
Final Price: 2/$4.49 or $2.25 each

Pantene hair care 2/$8
-$2 RR on two
-$1 from May 22 Parade magazine, use two
Final Price: 2/$4

Oral B Advantage 1-2-3 toothbrush $2.49
-$1 from 5/2 PG (expires 5/31)
Final Price: $1.49

Reach toothbrush or floss $.99
-$1 from 5/16 RP - extras HERE
Final Price: FREE

Aquafresh or Aquafresh for kids $.99 (with insert coupon)

Select U by Kotex products $3.49
-$2.50 RR
-$1 from 4/18 SS (valid Sunday 5/30 only)
Final Price: FREE

Luster White 7 toothpaste $5
-$5 RR
Final Price: FREE

Ecotrin aspirin low dose 81-mg 45-ct $2
-$2 from 5/16 RP or printable HERE
-$2 RR
Final Price: FREE with $2 profit

Gillette Fusion Proglide manual or power razor $9.89*
-$5 RR
Final Price: $4.89
*available in-store 6/4

Cortaid Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Cream .5 oz $3
-$3 mail in rebate (prints out at checkout)
-$1 from 4/25 SS
Final Price: FREE with $1 profit

Walgreens A Thru Z Select multivitamins 60-ct $2
-$2 RR
Final Price: FREE

Rejuvicare Ultimate hair, skin or nail supplement $9.99
-$9.99 RR
Final Price: FREE

2-DAY SALE SUPPLEMENTAL AD
Valid Sunday-Monday only

Chex Mix $.99
-$1/2 from 4/18 SS
Final Price: $.49

Combos $.99
-$1/2 from June ALL YOU magazine
Final Price: $.49

Kingsford Charcoal 6.7-8.3 lbs $3.99
-FREE Glad/KC Masterpiece/Hidden Valley Ranch product with purchase printable HERE (must take survey)
Final Price: both for $3.99

Off! Clip-On $7.99
-$1 from June coupon booklet, will scan twice
-B1G1 free printable HERE
Final Price: 2/$5.99

Dixie paper plates or bowls $3.99 B1G1 free
-$.50 from 5/23 RP, use two - plates
Final Price: 2/$2.99

Ball Park beef franks $4.49 B1G1 free
-$1/2 from 5/2 RP
Final Price: 2/$3.49 or $1.75 each

INTERNET PRINTABLE WALGREENS COUPONS
Tic Tacs big pack $.99 (with printable coupon)
-B1G1 free from 5/2 RP
Final Price: 2/$.99

PHOTO DEALS
Stop over HERE and upload pics then select in-store pick up! Use any of these coupon codes for sweet deals:
-FATHER20 - 20% off photo gifts
-PRINTFOR10 - $.10 4x6 prints
-HALFPRINT - 8x10 collage print half price (regular $3.99) 

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with their families and loved ones! It's time for another round of Weekend at the Movies so without further ado...

First up are two very cool DVD packs bi HIT Entertainment: Barney On-The-Go DVD Pack and Thomas & Friends On-The-Go DVD Pack. Each DVD pack comes with three full length DVDs jam packed with special features inside an adorable and easy-to-carry portable DVD carrying case! What's great is that each case can hold an additional nine DVDs so kids can take their favorites along on vacation, in the car, or to grandmas. These would make a wonderful gift for any Barney or Thomas the Train Fan!

Barney On-The-Go Pack DVDs:
Red, Yellow, Blue - Sing and dance through a color-filled day of learning as Barney and his friends search for red, yellow and blue objects in a celebration of primary colors. With Barney, this celebration of colors is primarily fun!

Barney’s Colorful World Live! - Barney has your ticket to adventure as he brings the magic of his colorful stage show to your very own living room! Join the purple dino-star and his friends on a magical, musical trip with 24 Tee-Riffic Songs!

Happy Mad Silly Sad - Love makes Barney’s world go ‘round and the huggable dinosaur encourages his friends to understand feelings and emotions - manners, sharing and caring. It’s always a happy day of fun and learning when you spend it with Barney and his friends!

Thomas & Friends On-The-Go Pack DVDs:
Hooray For Thomas: You’re invited to a celebration on the Island of Sodor! Watch as Thomas wins a medal for saving the day, children get a fun ride on the tracks, Edward rescues a brass band, and more! Let the celebration begin!

Trust Thomas: Take a journey to the magical Island of Sodor, where fun and adventure lie around every bend. Watch Toby as he trades in his branch line for a tightrope, and help the engines replant Henry’s favorite forest after a devastating storm. Join your friend Thomas on what he says will be a fun and exciting trip – and like the title says, you can always “Trust Thomas.”

Thomas, Percy & The Dragon: On the Island of Sodor even the bravest of engines have exciting challenges. Take Percy - he said that he's ready for anything! Help Thomas use the carnival Chinese Dragon to give Percy his greatest challenge yet.

Buy them where DVDs are sold or at Amazon.com for $17.99 each.

Another DVD that Thomas the Train fans will definitely want to own is Thomas & Friends: The Greatest Stories DVD. With 20 episodes spanning the 65 years since Thomas & Friends first aired, this 2 disc DVD set is truly a collectible! It even includes the very first Thomas & Friends episode and features the voice talent of George Carlin, Ringo Starr, Alec Baldwin and Michael Brandon as narrators. It is also loaded with special features, including a “Create Your Own Thomas Story” DVD-Rom game where children can place themselves right in the Island of Sodor with their name and favorite things! As if all of that wasn't enough, each Thomas & Friends: The Greatest Stories DVD will include a coupon good for one General Admission ticket to a Six Flags Theme Park for the price of a child/junior daily admission and $2.00 coupons towards the purchase of the DVD will also be distributed at “Day Out With Thomas” events.

Buy it where DVDs are sold or at Amazon.com for $12.49.

Also, from HIT Entertainment and delivering a positive message to preschoolers is Being a Friend. This DVD features Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam {one of Lucas' favorites!}, and Thomas & Friends as they embark on a series of delightful adventures and discover along the way that friendship is both a responsibility and a reward.

DVD SYNOPSIS: Thomas’ friend Emily learns that being kind is more important than appearances, Bob the Builder helps Lofty accept help to save the Banana Tree for the new Botanical Garden, Barney and his friends make a new friend feel welcome when she moves into the neighborhood and no friend will be left behind with Fireman Sam, in Being A Friend. Join the whole crew and find out what it means to be forever friends with these four episodes:

* Thomas & Friends – “Emily and the Garbage”
* Bob the Builder – “Lofty’s Banana Tree”
* Barney – “Making A Move”
* Fireman Sam – “Norm’s Invisible Friend”

Buy it where DVDs are sold or at Amazon.com for $14.98.

For the Barney fans, there's a brand new DVD out called Let's Play Outside. Now that Spring is in full swing, this is a great DVD that celebrates the fun of being outside and enjoying the sun while playing ball, skipping rope, and more!

DVD SYNOPSIS: Join everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur and his playground friends as they branch out under the sun and stars to fill each day with outdoor fun adventures in Barney: Let’s Play Outside. Whether it’s imagining shapes in the clouds, eating ice cream, fishing, singing songs around a campfire or catching lightning bugs, Barney, Baby Bop, BJ and the rest of the gang celebrate the warm weather and let their imaginations soar!

Buy it where DVDs are sold or at Amazon.com for $14.98.

One of Lucas' all-time favorite shows is the Wonder Pets so he was very excited when he received their brand new DVD, Wonder Pets!: The First Rescue for me to review! This is such an adorable show that teaches teamwork and kindness {and many more lessons} and this DVD is a must for all fans. You'll get to flashback in time with the Wonder Pets as they relive when they first met, tackled their first rescue mission and learned the importance of teamwork. Plus, it even includes two never-before-seen episodes: "Happy Mother's Day" and "Save the Sun Bear!"

Episode Synopsis:
How It All Began!
Linny tells Tuck, Ming-Ming and Ollie the story of how the Wonder Pets first got started. The episode flashbacks to see how Linny, Tuck and Ming-Ming met, how they discovered teamwork and where all those catchy songs come from

Happy Mother's Day!
It’s Mother’s Day and the Wonder Pets are taking cookies to Granny Ginny. On the way, they run into mothers from past saves and give them some cookies. But when they arrive at Ginny’s, all the cookies are gone!

Save the Sun Bear!
The Wonder Pets travel to Bali to save a Baby Sun Bear up on a statue. But a mischievous Monkey keeps stealing their things. The team must teach the Monkey not to take things that don't belong to him, and rescue the Sun Bear.

Save the Mermaid!
The Wonder Pets fly into a clay diorama to help a Young Mermaid who wants to be a pirate.

Save the Visitor's Birthday Party!
The Wonder Pets travel to space to attend the Visitor’s birthday party. But when Zorky the Intergalactic Party Clown cancels, it's up to the Wonder Pets to save the party and entertain the Visitor.

A Job Well Done!
To celebrate their hundredth save, the Wonder Pets watch a special home movie. However, the movie is interrupted when they find a Baby Mouse in the projector! They free the Mouse and make their hundred and first save.

Save the Rhino!
The Wonder Pets journey to Tanzania to help a lonely Baby Rhino find a friend. They encourage the shy Rhino to make friends with a Baby Elephant.

Buy it where DVDs are sold or at Amazon.com for $14.99.

Up next is one of Lucas' favorite new Sesame Street DVDs, The Firefly Fun and Buggy Buddies. This DVD, like all Sesame Street DVDs, is very educational and is made up of three episodes all about insects! Lucas was actually going through a bad case of bug phobia when we got this DVD and I actually think that learning about fireflies, worms, and other insects helped assuage his fears a little bit.

DVD Synopsis: In one story, join Telly and Baby Bear as they cheer up a sad firefly. In another segment, Nat the shelter worker at the Bug-a-Wee Bug Shelter, played by actress Molly Shannon, helps Oscar’s pet worm, Slimey, choose the perfect pet bug! Firefly Fun and Buggy Buddies also features an episode from Elmo’s World all about bugs in which actress Jenny McCarthy gives an educational and fun lesson about the word “insect.”

Buy it where DVDs are sold or at Amazon.com for $13.49 starting June 1st.

Another preschool favorite--the quirky but lovable--Wubbzy is back with another fun DVD titled, “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Escape From Dino Island”! Not only is Wow Wow Wubbzy hilarious, but Wubbzy, Widget, Walden, and Daisy teach kids valuable lessons about honesty, teamwork, and more. Plus, every child loves dinosaurs!

Synopsis: In the “Escape from Dino Island” DVD, Wubbzy and his best pals, Widget, Walden and Daizy, climb aboard Widget’s Wavy Wheeler 3000 and set out on an awesome adventure that takes them from their hometown of Wuzzleburg to the mysterious land of Dino Island. On their journey, the four friends discover the Wazumboo Jungle and tame a Doodleberry patch that has gone wow, wow wild! The fun-filled collection of larger-than-life episodes will have young viewers stomping, singing, dancing and learning – Wubbzy-style!

To help celebrate the release of “Escape From Dino Island,” the DVD launch will be supported by two exciting promotions! From June through December 2010, consumers who purchase one box of Minute® Rice and any Wubbzy DVD will be entitled to receive a Wubbzy toy free with a nominal S&H fee. In addition, from May through September 2010, consumers can purchase a Wubbzy DVD and any package of Joy Cone Company ice cream cones to receive two Wubbzy Scholastic books, A Tail of Tails and Special Delivery with a $2.00 S&H fee!

Buy it where DVDs are sold or at Amazon.com for $8.99.

Last and certainly not least is a DVD set that even the parents will enjoy, Peanuts 1970s Collection Volume 2. This is a great collection of beloved specials that were aired between 1975 and 1979--some of these episodes were either nominated for or actually were honored with an Emmy Award. I'm sure that many of you will recognize the titles! What's cool is that Snoopy and the gang sound and look better than ever! These six episodes have been completely re-mastered for beautiful picture and sound quality!

Featured Specials:
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975)
You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (1975)
It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown (1976)
What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown (1978)
It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown (1977)
You’re the Greatest, Charlie Brown (1979)

Buy it where DVDs are sold or at Amazon.com for $22.49.




The featured DVDs in the above post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturers or pr companies representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

If you're little one is ready to make the big leap from high chair to booster chair, you have to check out the boosterPOD by Prince Lionheart! This is a wonderful booster chair that not only looks great, but offers everything both parents and kids will want from their booster chair. It has a dual strap system that easily and securely attaches the boosterPOD to the chair it sits on. It also has a 3-point child safety harness to keep kids from falling out. This makes it SAFE, which is #1 in my book! With Lucas, we don't use the safety harness because he is almost 3 years old, but for younger kids it is a must.

The material the boosterPOD is made from is soft and cushy offering kids the ultimate in comfort. It is also non-toxic and waterproof, which means spills are just wiped clean and are not an issue at all. Plus, the seat doesn't have any of those dreaded nooks and crannies for food to get stuck in. That alone is probably my favorite feature of the boosterPOD! Another plus is that the boosterPOD is light and pretty compact so it's easy to travel with and even keep in the car to use at restaurants or trips to grandmas.

Want It: The boosterPOD comes in 6 modern colors and retails for $49.99. For more information, please visit Prince Lionheart.

If you're a mom, then you know that kids ultimately love the simple things. Give a toddler a present and 9 times out of 10; they will be enamored with the wrapping paper and bows rather than the actual toy. If there's a cardboard box lying around, kids will inevitably find some way to use it. As a fort. A castle. A spaceship. A school. A firehouse. The possibilities are endless. That's how a child's imagination works. That's why I--along with all moms--love and appreciate toys that encourage kids to be creative. That's also why I am loving KidsCraft Playhouses!

KidsCraft Playhouses are made in the USA using 100% recycled cardboard and even better--these playhouses can also be recycled after kids outgrow them! KidsCraft Cardboard Playhouses are available in either the Creation Cottage or the Shuttle Imagination pictured below. The exterior is a blank white canvas that is both sturdy and ready for kids to draw on.


Putting the Creation Cottage Playhouse together was pretty simple and took Mike about 10-15 minutes. Of course, the best part of these playhouses is the FUN that comes after they are put together! Kids can decorate them to their hearts content using crayons, markers, paint, stickers, and more. I think these would be wonderful to use for a children's birthday party. Set out lots of craft supplies and have the kids decorate the playhouse and then later play in it! We are actually in the middle of moving so we decided not to paint the Cottage yet. We're scheming up some playroom design ideas and plan on painting the Cottage to coordinate with the new room in a few weeks. Lucas says he wants the Cottage to be a Firehouse or Police Station so that's the plan! What I love about the Cottage is all the adorable features! It has a ton of windows, a mail delivery slot, a beautiful sun, and even a chimney--it is CUTE! The size is also nice and will fit 2-3 kids without a problem.

Want It: Both the Creation Cottage and the Shuttle Imagination Playhouses can be purchased online at KidsCraftUSA.com and are priced at $59.95 and $69.95 respectively.





KidsCraft sent me a complimentary Creation Cottage Playhouse to test out and review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Link up your giveaways!

Please make sure to link directly to the giveaway and list the name of the giveaway along with the expiration date. Don't forget to stop by Go Graham Go to link up over there as well!

Ladies, you'll want to head to your local maurices this weekend! They are running an awesome promotion that you won't want to miss! This weekend, when you spend $60 at maurices, you'll receive a FREE tote or pair of sunglasses. FREE. FREE. FREE. It's like music to my ears. Gotta love free.

In the meantime, of course there's a giveaway here too!


 



maurices provided me with a gift card to check out their Summer fashions to review. Review will be posted at a later date. All opinions expressed in this post are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Keeping a clean home is not always the easiest task. There are the daily clean up jobs that have to be done. You know--the laundry, sweeping, vacuuming, dishes, picking the Cheerios up off the floor, mopping up spills, etc. Then, there's the stuff you don't see. The bacteria, mildew, dust mites, and other gross stuff most of us would rather not even think about. Unfortunately, it's there whether we think about it or not though. Plus, you know what they say...a clean home is a healthy home. That means getting the house really clean...not just the dishes and the laundry. What I do to make that {daunting} task a little bit easier is to keep a checklist of "Cleaning To Do's" that I {or Mike} need to accomplish every month. This is where I list things like changing the air filters, vacuuming the mattresses, disinfecting the trash cans and refrigerator, etc. Throughout the month, I tackle one job at a time along with the daily chores. It's more manageable that way.

To keep your house clean and help make it healthier in the process, Healthy Housekeeper Laura Dellutri, author of The Overworked Mom's Stress Free Home Keeping, offers these wonderful tips:

Start at the Top: Ceiling fans, tall mantles and bookshelves, and the tops of door frames tend to subscribe to the “out of sight, out of mind” motto. These areas often harbor dust, so it’s important to wipe them down regularly to help remove dust buildup. Start at the top and work your way down, collecting all of the dust and dirt that falls to the floor while you’re cleaning.

Wipe Down Windows and Walls: Don't clean windows the old fashioned way – newspaper can cause ink residue and paper towels leave lint behind. Your best bet is to use microfiber cleaning cloths and a professional window squeegee to get a streak-free, spotless shine. To prevent streaks on shower doors and walls, apply lemon oil to the door twice a month. This will help repel soap scum and shampoo, while also adding a nice shine.

Think Horizontally: Dust mites are nearly everywhere. In fact, the American Lung Association estimates that roughly four out of five homes in the United States have detectable levels of dust mite allergen in at least one bed. Reduce dust mites by encasing your mattress and pillows, and wash your bedding in hot water about once a week. Also, since dust mites are microscopic, place strips of duct tape on the mattress case to prevent the dust mites from sneaking through.

Clean the In-between: While cleaning what you can see, don’t forget to clean what you can’t see – the air you breathe. Use a high performance air filter in the home, such as the Filtrete 1” Ultimate Allergen Reduction filter from 3M, to help capture particles such as pollen, smoke, dust mite debris and pet dander from the air that passes through the filter. Be sure to change your filter at the start of every season, or every three months.

Freeze the Fur: Stuffed animals can harbor dust mites so it’s important to pay special attention to them. Place stuffed animals in a large plastic bag and freeze them for four to five hours. Remove them from the freezer and plastic bag, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove any leftover dust particles.

Finish With Floors: To keep floors in tip-top shape, vacuum and clean them weekly. You can easily make your own floor cleaner by adding a few drops of mild liquid dish detergent to a gallon of water. Hot water can break down floor finishes after time so use water that is barely warm. Finally, don’t forget to clean the floor under large pieces of furniture, which may require you to temporarily move them elsewhere. Corners of rooms and the back of closets often are overlooked, so be sure to clean these areas as well.

Certain areas of the home, especially the kitchen, can breed and harbor germs that not only cause odors but can spread to family members. These low-cost cleaning tasks, when done regularly and properly, can be effective in making the home healthier for your family:

Trashcans: Trashcans should be cleaned monthly using a chlorine bleach and water solution. Simply combine one cup of non-chlorine bleach for every three gallons of water and pour the solution into the trashcan. Swish the solution around in the trashcan, and wait about five minutes for the chlorine to kick in and kill the germs.

Refrigerators: Cleaning the refrigerator monthly will improve the safety and quality of your food. If you are tired of cleaning spills and food particles from your refrigerator, then cover shelves with washable shelf liners. They will catch most of the food spillage, and will make cleanup quicker and easier. Once a month, throw them in the dishwasher for a good cleaning, and then place them back in the refrigerator once they are dry.

Sinks: Since bacteria can accumulate in cracks and crevices, pay extra attention to these areas when disinfecting. Also, stainless steel sinks can be tough to clean and can look spotty due to water spots and lime build up. To keep the sink shiny, use a soft buffing wheel to restore the luster. Then, use a cloth to generously apply mineral oil to the sink. Water will bead up and roll off the sink, keeping it shiny and helping prevent spots.

I have to say that one of the most important and easiest things that we can all do to keep a healthy and clean home is to change our air filters regularly. Not only will this keep your HVAC running smoothly during the Spring and Summer, but it keeps the air quality healthy. I have also noticed that the house gets dustier when we forget to change our air filter. For other moms like me that want to help make their homes healthier this Spring, 3M--the makers of Filtrete Filters, created the Clean Air Club. You can register to receive seasonal e-newsletters featuring money-saving offers, filter change reminders, better home living tips and more by visiting www.Filtrete.com.




I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Filtrete and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

One thing we love to do in the Spring and Summer is make pizzas on the grill. If you've never tried it, you have to! It is so easy to do and the results are truly the closest thing you'll get to an authentic pizzeria pizza. I've blogged about how to grill pizzas before, but today I wanted to share with you guys my new favorite pizza dough recipe made with mostly White Wheat Flour. It is delicious, healthy, and even people who aren't fans of whole wheat flour rave about it!

Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups warm water
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups white wheat flour
* 2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 package instant yeast
* 2 tablespoons honey
* pinch of sugar

Directions

1. Combine sugar, water and yeast in a measuring cup or small bowl.
2. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the center.
3. Pour yeast mixture, oil, and honey in well and stir into dry ingredients until you have a soft dough.
4. If dough is too sticky, add a little bit more flour.
5. Knead until smooth and dough bounces back when you press on it {about ten minutes or so if done by hand}. You can also use your stand mixer with dough hook {about five minutes or so. again look for smooth dough that bounces back when touched}.
6. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel and let rise until doubled.

IF YOU HAVE A BREAD MACHINE skip the above steps and just put the ingredients in according to the machine's instructions and use the "whole wheat dough" setting. This is the easiest way and how I make my pizza dough!

7. Punch down and let rest for 20 minutes. Then, roll out pizza crusts. After you roll them out, let them rest for another few minutes and then roll them out a little more to prevent shrinking.
8. To bake, top with your favorite sauce, cheese, etc., and bake at 450°F for 10-15 minutes or until crispy and cheese is bubbling. Or, do like I do and grill your pizzas! For a HOW TO, click HERE!

Makes 2, 12-14 inch pizza crusts.

Many of you may have already heard that Subway is now serving breakfast! This makes me so incredibly happy because as someone who is pretty much always watching my weight--I really need healthy low calorie fast food options. Healthy and low calorie are not words usually associated with fast food, but Subway has always been one of the few healthy options available for lunch and dinner--no breakfast options were available though. Until now!

Their new breakfast lineup includes the following sandwiches:
Egg & Cheese
Steak, Egg & Cheese
Double Bacon, Egg & Cheese
Black Forest Ham, Egg & Cheese
Western Egg & Cheese

You can get these breakfast sandwiches built how you like them so if you want low calorie--have yours made with egg whites only and have your sandwich served on a light wheat english muffin. If you're not worried about calories, then by all means go all out! Thanks to Subway, I got the chance to try the Western Egg & Cheese sandwich, which I have to say is pretty good considering it is very low calorie! It is made with egg whites, Black Forest Ham, green pepper and onion, with melted cheese on a light wheat English muffin. The best part? It only has 4 grams of fat and is under 200 calories! Pair that with fresh apple slices and a hot cup of joe and you've got yourself a healthy and yummy low calorie breakfast!

 


I was provided a $10 gift card to Subway so that I could check out the new breakfast sandwiches. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Crocs is searching for North America’s top five footwear fans to “share the love” and grab a chance to win cool prizes! Do you have what it takes? Are you vibrant, outgoing, confident, active and social? Then Crocs wants to hear from you!

Each winner will become a Crocs Ambassador and receive:

* a one-time cash prize of $2,500
* free Crocs™ shoes from the Spring/Summer and Fall/Holiday 2010 collections
* periodic prizes awarded throughout the year, including two domestic/international trips to attend Crocs-sponsored events or activities associated with Crocs Cares℠ philanthropy program
* additional small prizes, including a digital/flip camera

Entering is easy! From now until May 31, visit Crocs.com or become a fan of Crocs on Facebook (if you’re not already) and click on “Contest.” Then, simply upload a creative photo of yourself wearing your favorite pair of Crocs shoes doing whatever you like to do best. Write a brief, creative photo caption and explanation about why you’d like to be a Crocs Ambassador. For more info or to enter, visit crocs.com!

Now that Lucas is getting older, he is accumulating a lot of puzzles that come in boxes. The boxes take up a lot of space...space that I would rather use for something else. What I do is store the puzzles in zip top bags instead. This way the puzzles pretty much lay flat and take up way less space. Just cut the front off the box so that your kids can still reference the puzzle image and store that along with the puzzle pieces inside the bag as well.

Lots and lots of winners! I have announced winners for the following giveaways {click on the links to see who won}:


$50 GC to Merry Maids/other home service
FIVE Western Union $50 GC
My Brother Charlie Book-3 Winners
$50 Gift Cert. to Lipo in a Box
Keurig Special Edition Brewing Station
Hair Accessories by Hair Coverings
Flicka 2/Tooth Fairy DVDs: 2 Winners
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Products
$75 GC to 1-800-Flowers begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-800-Flowers      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.com
$15 Amazon.com GC
Merlin: The Complete First Season on DVD and Where's Spot? 30th Anniversary Edition on DVD
$25 Marshalls Gift Card

Congratulations to all of the winners! As always, all of the winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to contact me to claim their prize.

Thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for compiling the best deals at CVS this week! For the full list, please make sure you stop by Moms By Heart!

Select Kellogg's Cereals $1.66
-$1.50/2 printable HERE - Raisin Bran
Final Price: $.91

SoBe Lifewater B1G1 free
-B1G1 free printable HERE
Final Price: two for FREE

Pantene hair care 2/$6.97
-$2 ECB on two
-$1 from 5/2 PG - stylers
-$1/2 from 5/2 PG - shampoo or conditioner
Final Price: as low as 2/$2.97

M&Ms 9.9-14 oz $1.98
-B2G1 free from 5/2 RP
Final Price: $1.32 each wyb three

Lindsay Olives 5/$5
-$1/2 printable HERE or from 5/2 RP
Final Price: $.50 each wyb two

Unilever ECB Deal: Spend $10 on select products get $3 ECB
Ragu 3/$5
-$1.25/3 from 5/23 RP

Hellmann’s Mayonnaise $2.99
-$.75 printable HERE (IE) or HERE (FF)

{Scenario}
(6) Ragu $10
-$2.50 coupons
-$3 ECB
Final Price: 6/$4.50 or $.75 each

{Scenario}
(3) Ragu $5
(2) Hellmann's $5.98
=$10.98
-$2.75 coupons
-$3 ECB
Final Price: 5/$5.23 or $1.05 each

Arm & Hammer liquid laundry detergent or dryer cloths B1G1 free
-$1 printable HERE - dryer cloths, use two
-$1/2 printable HERE - laundry detergent

Purchase $50 dinner & a movie gift cards, get $10 ECB back

Kingsford Charcoal 9 lbs $4.99
-FREE Glad/KC Masterpiece/Hidden Valley Ranch product with purchase printable HERE (must take survey)
Final Price: two products for $4.99

Cover Girl Eye B1G1 50% off
-B1G1 free from 4/11 RP
Final Price: one for FREE, one 50% off

ROC products $3 off (prices starting at $4.99 after discount)
-$3 printable HERE
Final Price: as low as $1.99

Nivea ECB Deal: spend $15 get $5 ECB
-$4 from 5/2 RP - body wash
-B1G1 free coupon from June ALL YOU magazine
Final Price: FREE or nearly free

Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste or Oral-B 3D Advantage Toothbrush $2.99
-$1 ECB
-$1 from 4/18 RP - Crest premium toothpaste
-$1 from 5/2 PG - Oral B toothbrush
Final Price: $.99

Nature Made Vitamins & Supplements B1G1 free
-$1-$8 from 5/23 SS, use two*
*join Wellness Rewards to earn freebies for your purchases

ECB Deal: Old Spice or Gillette Body Wash $4 - get $4 ECB
-$4/2 from 5/2 PG - Gillette
-B1G1 free from 5/2 PG - Old Spice
Final Price: FREE with $1-$4 profit

I've officially found a new favorite store--Kirkland's! I must have been living under a rock because I had never heard of Kirkland's until a few weeks ago! However, they have over 278 stores in 28 states and are widely known as a leading specialty retailer in the United States. If you're living under that rock with me--here is a little background on Kirkland's:

About Kirkland's:
Kirkland's is a specialty retailer of unique home decor and gifts. They carry a diverse selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products. They also offer an extensive assortment of holiday merchandise, as well as items carried throughout the year suitable for giving as gifts. They strive to provide their customers with an engaging shopping experience characterized by a diverse, ever-changing merchandise selection at great prices.

One look at their website and I was truly in love! Kirkland's really does carry some beautiful and unique home decor items. Check out this Monogrammed Tea Cup Planter, which is only $12.99. So chic--I love it!

or, these cute Toile Wall Clocks for only $7.99...

or, how about this gorgeous Monogrammed Cutting Board for only $14.98?!

Kirkland's sent me one of their Sassy Aprons to review and it is adorable! The Sassy Aprons come in four styles that each feature a witty saying:

"Sexy Women Have Messy Kitchens" comes in black and white with coordinating polka dot patterns and turquoise trim.
"Perk Me Up" comes in lime green and brown with a coordinating giraffe print and hot pink trim.
"Everyone has their price, mine is chocolate" comes in hot pink and black with a coordinating zebra print and polka dot patterns.
"I wish I may...I wish I might...make the kitchen clean tonight" comes in lime green, hot pink and orange with a coordinating giraffe print, stripe and polka dot patterns.

Made from 100% cotton, the apron that I received is so comfortable and soft. It also has these adorable ruffles and a very useful front pocket. The best part...these Sassy Aprons are only $15.99!



Kirkland's sent me a complimentary Sassy Apron for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.