Kids LiveWell at a Restaurant Near You!!

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the National Restaurant Association. I attended a live event and received a gift bag and promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
  

I was recently invited to attend the National Restaurant Association
Show for a Kids LiveWell Event.  I was so excited, and not just because I got to enjoy an afternoon without my children, who I love dearly, and no not because I got to leave work early.  Well these are all added bonuses I was most excited about all of the yummy food!  Delicious, healthy, meals prepared by fabulous chefs and you don't have to ask me twice.

The Kids LiveWell program was introduced to help provide healthier meal options for kids while dining out at restaurants.  I know one of my biggest pet peeves when going out to eat is a kids menu that consists of chicken fingers and mac & cheese.  Now you don't have to submit to the same unhealthy options.  With over 120 brands the LiveWell program is now in more then 33,000 locations across the United States.  You can find menu options in some of my favorite restaurants such as IHOP, Denny's, Corner Bakery, Red Lobster, Chili's and many many more.  To find a restaurant near you that participates in the program simply go here and punch in your zip code or download the Kids LiveWell app. You can easily tell if an item on the menu is part of the LiveWell program by the apple icon next to it.

While at the event I got to hang out with celebrity chef Marc Murphy.  We also got to taste all of the winning recipes in the 2013 Kids Recipe Challenge.  The unique thing I loved about the winning recipes was that they were all chosen by kids!  Who better then kids themselves to choose the recipes they love.  I tried a delicious Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash, a Chip Chicken with Sweet Potatoes, but my favorite was Qdoba's Lil' Pulled Pork Naked Burrito.  They are all recipes I am sure my boys would love.

The next time you go out to eat with your family make sure to look for the little red apple next to menu items.  With recipes that emphasize lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy, as well as meet stringent nutritional criteria it takes the guesswork out of finding healthy options for your family.

For more information please be sure to check out the Kids LiveWell program:

Kids LiveWell App: in the Android Market and iTunesapp store
Kids LiveWell on Facebook and Twitter 
Participating restaurants: HealthyDiningFinder.com
 

The World of Eric Carle ~ Review

We are huge Eric Carle fans in my house so I was really excited to have the opportunity to review some of the great products from The World of Eric Carle line.  If you know me personally you will know that we even had a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme for Chris's 2nd birthday party.  I remember the Very Hungry Caterpillar book from my childhood and as something that I always enjoyed I introduced my boys to Eric Carle by reading them his books from the time they were born.

The one thing that draws me in to his books besides great stories is the fun bright illustrations in the books.  This is carried over to the toys with many fun bright colors and designs.  I can always spot an Eric Carle toy by its signature designs.  You can check out my video review and descriptions below and be sure to check out The World of Eric Carle on facebook as well here.  Be kind as this is my 1st ever video review!!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Wood Stacker (Ages 6-24M) – The wood stacker is a must for your child. Standing 7.5 inches tall the caterpillar has four green “segments” that can be stacked onto the base and felt antennas for a softer touch. Available for $20 at Babies ‘R’ Us and Amazon.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Stroller Cards (Ages 0-3) – These 5 die-cut, shaped stroller cards featuring the beloved illustrations from Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar are easy to attach to a stroller, backpack, or diaper bag. The engaging art and touch-and-feel elements make them perfect interactive entertainment for babies on the go. Available for $9.99 at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Developmental Plush Blue Horse (Ages 0+) – The Developmental Horse is unique created based on accepted research of how babies develop within the first two years of life. But most importantly, your little one will find this so much fun! This horse has a sound chip, a bell rattle, ribbon tags, and textured fabric to get all your babies senses going. It also includes multiple teethers, rings and a bead rattle to relieve those aching new teeth and a satin streamer and knotties for the tail to play with. Best yet you can take it anywhere with the on-the-go caterpillar clip! Available for $18 at Kohl’s and Amazon.

Both of my sons loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar Wood Stacker even with a two year age difference.  Nick especially loved the Developmental Plush Blue Horse.  I think any or even all three of these toys would make a great baby shower gift.  Hope you enjoyed my first ever video review!!

Disclosure:  I was given the products mentioned in exchange for a review and video post of them.  All opinions are my own.

Sweepstakes to Celebrate Crayola's 110th Birthday!

Crayola is turning 110 this year and they are having a huge celebration!  I cannot believe they have been around for so long but I remember my favorite box of crayola crayons when I was little and as soon as my son was old enough to color I bought him his very own box as well.

"The original eight crayons are throwing a birthday bash at the new fun-omenal Crayola Experience, the world's only interactive Crayola family attraction."  For your chance to get in on the fun and join them on opening day this May you can enter on their facebook page here.  "Your family could be the first to experience the fun, along with a three-night, all-expenses paid stay. It's an experience your kids will never forget – and neither will you!"

Sounds like an awesome time.  I know my boys would never want to leave.  Make sure to enter daily! 

Disclosure:  This information was provided to me by Crayola.

MommyParty with Ridemakerz

I was given a great opportunity to host a MommyParty courtesy of Ridemakerz.  I received the Deluxe Batman sets for the boys to build their custom cars.  My son was so excited when the box arrived he asked me to open all the kits for him-not even about to happen.  Then he asked Dad, um no Dad not even one lol.

You can see why they were excited.  These sets are very cool and besides the obvious, that they are Batman, they come with lots of interchangeable parts to customize your ride.  Our party was the next weekend so he didn't have long to wait.  The boys really enjoyed putting together their batman cars.  I enjoyed seeing how each of them choose to customize it.  It was very easy for the boys to put them together and once together they already wanted to change the parts to match their friends cars.

After they all customized their Batmobiles they all had so much fun racing them everywhere.  They had fun zooming them around on the hardwood floors and making tunnels out of the couch cushions.  The boys played with their cars for a good hour straight crashing them and racing them all over the house! 

Make sure you check out the Ridemakerz website here.  You can also purchase these sets as well as many others at your local Toys R Us. 

Disclosure:  MommyParties provided me with Ridemakerz for my party.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Soft Scrub 4 in 1 Toilet Care Review & Giveaway

The bathroom is my least favorite room to clean and I avoid the task at all costs.  Especially the toilet.  Living in a house full of boys, one of which is just using the big potty for the first time makes it a pretty gross job.  I was given the opportunity to try Soft Scrub's new 4-in-1 Toilet Care and was in love with it before I even got it.  Who wouldn't love something you just place on the toilet and forget about for an entire month?

It is very easy to use.  Just open the package and hook it to the side of your toilet bowl.  I have had it there for about a week and it stays in place very well.  It has definitely kept the toilet cleaner overall.  Normally I have to scrub the orange ring that developes around the edge of the water and in the bottom of the toilet weekly and there has been no sign of it yet so I can tell that it is working at preventing future build-up.

It comes in two scents Alpine Fresh, the one I got, and Sapphire Waters.  The scent is a tad strong when first placing it in the bathroom but after a couple of hours it wasn't that overpowering and gave the bathroom a much better scent overall.  At a cost of less then $2.00 for a month of freshness and a cleaner toilet I am highly impressed.

Soft Scrub has once again sent me some coupons to share with my readers so you can try it for yourself.  Enter in the rafflecopter below for a chance to win a FREE Soft Scrub product coupon!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Disclosure:  The Soft Scrub brand provided me with a sample of Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Dial Kids Body & Hair Wash - Review & Giveaway!

I have always been a huge fan of Dial products and their body wash line is one of my go to products for me personally.  Even my husband loves using Dial for Men so you know I was excited when I saw the new kids line of Body and Hair Wash products.

The new Dial Kids Body & Hair Wash comes in two different age-appropriate variants which have specialized formulas for children ages 2-5 and 6-10.  They come in three great scents, Peachy Clean for ages 2 and up, and Watery Melon and Berry Cool for ages 6 and up.  I was able to try Peachy Clean on Chris and he was excited to be a part of my review!

Chris loved the sweet peachy scent he told me he was going to eat it lol.  (He did not want his picture taken at all as you can see from his expression)  I loved the scent as well which was not overpowering but subtle enough to enjoy.  I also love that it was developed with pediatric dermatologists to provide ultra gentle cleansing.  I have always felt that Chris had outgrown his baby wash products but wasn't yet ready for adult washes.  Dial Kids Body & Hair Wash is that perfect next step for him.  Another huge plus for me is that it is a hair & body wash product in one.  This means one less bottle in the bathroom and less chance for dad to be using the body wash as shampoo or vice versa.

Make sure to check out Dial on their facebook page here where you can enter their sweepstakes for a chance to win one grand prize of $1,000!  250 additional winners will receive a free product coupon.

Dial has also given me some FREE product coupons to offer to my wonderful readers so make sure to enter in the rafflecopter below for yet another chance to try Dial Kids Body and Hair Wash for yourself:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure:  The Dial brand provided me with a sample of Dial kids Body and Hair Wash in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Purex with Crystals Review and Giveaway!!

I love doing laundry. Love may be a strong word but out of all the chores in my home to me laundry is the most enjoyable.  Once all of the laundry is done I feel a sense of accomplishment for about 5 minutes and then the basket is usually full again! One of the most important attributes of a great detergent after cleaning ability is scent.  I love the smell of fresh, clean laundry.

When I first got my bottle of Purex with Crystals fragrance the first thing I did was open up the bottle to see what it smelled like (I am the one in the store opening every bottle to check out all the scents).  I loved the smell which was like a field of beautiful flowers.  I also noticed that this bottle of Purex has Dirt Lift action and living in a house full of boys we are not lacking in the dirt department.  That's not all though, it also has fabric softener.  This is a do it all kind of detergent.  One easy step and you can't forget anything.

I have since washed about ten loads of laundry and they have all come out smelling fresh and I am impressed with how clean even our dirtiest clothes have come out.  I am a fan and at nearly half the cost of the leading brand of detergent I am sold.  This can save the average family up to $45 a year-yup that's one more pair of shoes you can buy for yourself ladies and gents.

I would love to offer the chance for you to experience Purex with Crystals as well!  Just enter in the rafflecopter below, open to U.S. residents only:


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure:  The Purex brand provided me with a sample of Purex detergent plus fabric Softener with Crystals Fragrance in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.