An Easy AND Delicious Weeknight Meal! #BertolliMealSoup

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Okay, so who is not looking for a quick and easy, but still delicious weeknight meal?  Three kids, homework, dinner, baths, and bedtime. Does this sound like a typical weeknight at your house? How do you break the pattern and make a weeknight special? First, you have to find something the kids will actually eat. Second, it must be easy to fix and with little preparation and easy clean up. This allows for that extra evening time with the family you’ve been searching for!!

This is why I was so excited to try the new Bertolli Meal Soups. You can find them in the frozen food section. There are 4 flavors: Chicken Minestrone, Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta, Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken, and Tuscan-Style Beef with Vegetables.

I chose the Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken. It was delicious!!! The Tortellini is filled with cheese…need I say more! Wow…like a little piece of heaven in your mouth! And most importantly the kids liked it! Yay!!! Score one for Bertolli! We added crackers and grilled cheese sandwiches on the side and we had a terrific meal. The family was happy, and we were all able to sit down and watch one of our favorite shows to together.

To find out more about Bertolli you can find them on facebook, twitter and their website.

I was compensated by Bertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge; however, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.




Filed Under: Review

HeroHuggers Review and Giveaway!

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

My daughter loves her new belt from HeroHuggers. I love that HeroHuggers are made by Moms in the USA! Not only that, but they are affordable. HeroHuggers are high quality belts available in tons of fun colors and patterns. You have the option for a velcro closure for your little ones or the D-ring closure for a more stylish look for the older kiddos. My daughter (age 9) chose the Caribbean Calypso Kids Belt with the D-ring closure. We got her the Large (size 9/10) and it fit perfectly.

They offer 3 size options:

Small – for waists 18″ – 22″ (up to size 3T)

Medium – for waists 22″ – 25″ (up to size 6T)

Large – for waists 25″ – 28″ (up to size 9/10)

Another reason you’ll love purchasing from HeroHuggers is their 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy for any reason, you can return the belt for a full refund. (Although, I’m sure you and your child will just love HeroHuggers.)

Right now, my readers can use the Promo Code: Society10 on the HeroHuggers website to get a 10% discount (even on sale prices)!

Want to win one HeroHuggers belt?  Just enter using the rafflecopter below. One winner will receive a code good for one HeroHuggers belt along with free shipping. Good Luck!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (http://momblogsociety.com)

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Filed Under: Giveaways, Review

Rock N Learn DVD Review & Giveaway!!

January 26, 2012 By 7 Comments

I am so excited to tell you all about Rock N Learn.  I don’t know about you, but because my kids love to watch TV and play games on the computer, I am always looking for something that will actually help them learn while they are having fun. Well, that is why I was really excited when Rock N Learn contacted me about their products. They sent me the Rock N Learn Letter Sounds DVD pictured above which is for ages 4-7. This was perfect for my 5 year old daughter and my 4 year old son. My daughter is beginning to read while my son is still learning the letters and their sounds.

I love that this DVD is so upbeat and interactive. My kids are repeating the letters and the sounds, and learning so much about phonics all while have fun! I love seeing my daughters confidence level rise when she gets the words correct. This DVD contains the following segments:

  • The New Alphabet Song
  • Learn the Sounds
  • Letter Sounds Quiz
  • Name That Letter!
  • Reading Words
  • Consonant Combinations
  • Spell It!
  • Swap the Sounds
  • Common Sight Words
  • Reading Sentences

Rock N Learn has a large line of award winning DVDs, CDs with Books, and Apps for Preschool and Kindergarten; Phonics, Reading & Writing; Math; Science and Social Studies; and More!! ( I’m so excited about the Apps!!)

Right now Rock N Learn is offering Mommy’s Money Saving Madness readers a 25% discount!! Just use coupon code: JQ7711 at www.RockNLearn.com.

And that is not all… One reader will receive one Rock N Learn DVD or CD of their choice. Just enter using the rafflecopter form below.

 

 


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Filed Under: Giveaways, Review

My Thoughts On “The Secret Holocaust Diaries”

January 9, 2012 By 2 Comments

I’d mentioned to you all last week about the 3 e-books Tyndale Publishing was offering for FREE right now. I decided to download The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister. I sat down yesterday morning and decided I would look through the first couple chapters and see if it was a book I thought that I could handle reading. And I say “handle reading”, because I’ve tried to watch Schindler’s List…and ummm…nope never made it through that movie. So I read through the intros and the first 2 chapters, (which are heartbreaking) and I thought about putting it away, but then I began to read chapter 3 and I was hooked. I literally couldn’t put the book down, and I wouldn’t have except the family insisted they needed to eat lunch and dinner. I finished the entire book in one day, and I can’t say that I have ever done that before.

I’m sure you have all heard about some of the horendous things that took place during the Holocaust, but to hear of the events as they unfolded through the eyes of a little girl is truly something I will never forget.  This is the true story of Nonna Bannister as told through her diary entries. Nonna’s husband and children knew nothing of her past until a few years before she passed away. Nonna only told her husband after she had spent years translating her diary to english from the many different languages in which it was written.

So why did chapter 3 pull me in? Chapters 1 and 2 are really parts of the story that are yet to come, but chapter 3 takes you back to Nonna’s childhood, well actually to events that even occurred before she was born. She made sure to include in her diary as much information as she had been told about her ancestors. What fascinated me the most was hearing the happy stories of her childhood, the horrible events that took place during her teen years, and then seeing the amazing strength and forgiveness she expressed as a young adult. It still boggles my mind to even try and comprehend how things went so terribly wrong for so many people during that time, but Nonna credits her faith in God carried her through and far beyond those days.

Right now you can still download a FREE copy of the book from Tyndale Publishing.




Filed Under: Review

Book Review: Lead for God’s Sake!

January 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I have to admit when I requested this book, I thought it was non-fiction. Having said that, it truly felt real. Author Todd Gongwer, did an amazing job creating “real life” characters. As I read the book, I felt that I could envision every scene. The story is about a coach trying to lead his basketball team to victory; however, things keep falling apart. Coach finds wisdom in the most unlikely source – the school’s janitor, Joe.  Joe is someone I wish I knew… he was a true life coach. This story will take you on a journey, and not just a high school basketball team’s journey.  It will truly make you think about your own life’s decisions, and how you can be a better leader for God’s sake!

Disclosure: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a copy of Lead for God’s Sake!; however, all views expressed in this post are that of my own.




Filed Under: Review

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The BEST Live Tour Ever!! (Show Review)

December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

How would I describe Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The BEST Live Tour Ever!? AWESOME!! Yep, that’s right…it was awesome! It was packed with all your favorite Phineas and Ferb songs from the show, including Backyard Beach, Busted, Squirrels In My Pants, and sooo many more. Perfect for keeping the littlest of audience members totally engaged into the show.

 

It was truly a cartoon come to life, as Phineas, Ferb, Candace, Isabella, Baljeet, Buford, Jeremy and friends plan to make the most of the last day of summer! The show was in true Phineas and Ferb fashion complete with an invention like no other you’ve seen before. Oh, and don’t worry Agent P sprung in to action to take down Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his evil plan to control the audience.

The action packed show got 5 thumbs up from my crew! My 5 year old even said, “I wish it never had to end.” If you are thinking of attending Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The BEST Live Tour Ever! you will not be disappointed.  There are 2 more shows today at the Theatre for Performing Arts at the River Center in Baton Rouge. One at 3:30 pm and one at 6:30 pm. Mommy’s Money Saving Madness! readers can still Save $3 off with code SAVE3 – Valid on all performances at the Theatre for Performing Arts at the River Center in Baton Rouge on Dec 20-21 only. Not Valid on VIP seating. No double discounts. You can buy tickets online here.

The tour doesn’t stop there. Go here to see if Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The BEST Live Tour Ever! will be coming to a town near you!

 

I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows; however, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.




Filed Under: Family Fun, Review

#OralBCrestFORME and Cars 2 MommyParties!!

December 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

I was SO excited to be selected to host a MommyParties sponsored by Crest and Oral- B Pro Health FOR ME complete with a viewing of Cars 2!!  My son, Lightening McQueen’s number one fan, was so excited with the Cars 2 items that arrived in the party kit, including the Cars 2 DVD!! It literally was on continuous play for the first couple days…yeah, number one fan! The awesome party kit pictured above included Oral-B Stage III Toothbrushes, Oral-B Stages Flossers, Pro-Health FOR ME Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Floss Picks and Rinse, Cars II Gummy Vitamins, the Cars 2 DVD, party invites, balloons, popcorn with boxes, guest bags, and Oral-B coupons.

My daughters, had a wonderful time helping me set up for the party. We packed the guest bags with the sample products, hung balloons, and popped popcorn for the guests. Once the guests arrived, we had the popcorn ready, and everyone was able to select a box of theater candy. All the guests loved the movie especially my son who was equipped with his cars to reenact all the racing scenes.

After the movie, we played the Yucky Mouth vs. Healthy Mouth Activity, which the kids really enjoyed. Then, all the guests were able to try the Crest Pro-Health FOR ME Rinse, and all gave rave reviews. One child said it tasted like “strawberry marshmellows” and another simply said “yum!”   The moms tried the rinse as well, and we were all pleased with its very pleasant and refreshing taste.

Everyone had a wonderful time viewing Cars 2, learning about oral health, and sampling the products. All the guests were very excited to take home their gift bags with their new toothbrushes, toothpaste, and more. Thank you Crest, Oral-B and MommyParties!!!

Disclaimer: I received complimentary products from Crest Pro Health FOR ME, Oral-B, and MommyParties for hosting the party; however, all opinions expressed in the above post are 100% my own.




Filed Under: Entertainment, Review

Christmas Cookie Recipe Blog Hop & Giveaway!!!! (Community Coffee Holiday Duo Gift Pack)

December 12, 2011 By 1 Comment

 

Welcome to the Christmas Cookie Recipe Blog Hop & Giveaway!! 15 bloggers have come together to bring you some great recipes and some awesome prizes. It’s a cookie exchange party – online style! [Read more...]




Filed Under: Giveaways, Review

Oh What Fun It Is To Have… A Keurig Mini Plus Brewer!!! Hey!

December 5, 2011 By 9 Comments

Dear Santa,
 
Thank you so much for the early delivery of my brand new Keurig MINI PLUS Brewer.  I LOVE it! No more fumbling around in the morning with coffee filters, and coffee grinds. Seriously, it takes about 30 seconds to get my cup ready for brewing, and there is no mess to clean up. You just pop out the used K-cup, pop in another one, add your desired amount of water and you are ready to brew another cup!!  AND there are HUNDREDS of flavors of coffee, tea and hot cocoa to choose from, but you probably knew that already. I’m sure the Keurig elves have shared lots of flavors with you. (But in case they’ve been holding out on some, you must try the Gloria Jean’s Butter Toffee. I’m sipping on it now…Yum!)
 
Where was I? Oh yeah, this Keurig MINI PLUS Brewer, has really been a lifesaver. My husband and I both like to drink coffee, in fact, we have a cup together EVERY afternoon, when he gets home from work. It’s our time to reconnect after a long hard day.  Now that we have the Keurig, we can skip right over the argument conversation about which coffee flavor we are going to have, and no more deciding on how big of a pot we are going to brew. Now, instead of having to let hubby have his way compromise, we can just each pick a flavor and because the Keurig MINI PLUS, has 3 cup options (6 oz, 8 oz or 10 oz) we can each choose our own cup size. This allows us to jump right into the conversation of our day’s adventures.
 
Thank you again, Santa, this is the best gift ever!
Sincerely,
Tracy
 
P.S. Since you’ve already given my husband and I the best gift ever, and we don’t need or want anything else, please bring all my family and friends a Keurig MINI PLUS Brewer for Christmas. Our only Christmas wish is for each of their Keurig dreams to come true!

 

Dear Santa,
 
Thanks so much for sending my wife the Keurig MINI PLUS Brewer for Christmas. We are both very excited now that we can choose our own flavor and cup size. No more, discussing  arguing over what flavor we are going to have every time we drink coffee together. Before the Keurig, I had to compromise, let her pick the flavor we were going to have, but now, I can finally have the darker roast that I prefer and she can have the medium roast that she prefers. The Keurig elves are geniuses. Tell them to keep up the good work!
 
Sincerely,
Tracy’s Hubby
 
P.S. Since my wife already has all she wants for Christmas, I thought I could ask for something a little more expensive this year, like that boat I’ve been wanting.  You know the one, I’ve sent you the picture of it for the last 3 years. Oh, and if you want to get Tracy anything else, I did hear her mention something about wanting that new fancy mop, or maybe it was a vaccuum…either will do! Thanks Santa!

 

Disclaimer: Keurig (not Santa) really provided me with the Keurig MINI Plus B31 platinum brewer in exchange for my review; however, all opinions expressed (in my letter to Santa) are 100% my own. While my letter expressed really how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new Keurig MINI PLUS Brewer, hubby’s letter was written by me purely for your entertainment. Please visit the Keurig website for more information on this brewer and their other brewing systems.




Filed Under: Review