Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies

QUAKER SOFT BAKED OATMEAL COOKIE

Okay, you all know how much time I spend in the gym and how healthy I try to eat, right?  Well, we all have to allow ourselves a big little treat here and there to stay happy and I am no exception!  I love Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies.  There are a variety of flavors to keep the whole family happy too from Banana Nut to Chocolate Almond and Cranberry Yogurt in addition to the Oatmeal with Raisins that I tried.

Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies are not too sweet or to big for a nice treat.  The portion size is perfect whether it is for you as a mom or your little one.  I love the fresh cinnamon flavor and those soft raisins too!  Each yummy little cookie is individually packaged and made with Whole Grain Quaker Oats so you can feel good about eating them yourself or giving one to the kids!  Each serving has only 6g of total fat so go ahead you can enjoy without the guilt!


I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster.com.  All opinions and experiences are my own.

Cadbury Ice Cream Bars High Tea Party

Cadbury™ Ice Cream Bars

We had our Cadbury High Tea Party this past week featuring Cadbury™ Ice Cream Bars by Blue Bunny.   It was so hot outside that I decided to make iced tea to have along with our Cadbury™ Ice Cream Bars and bring the party outside so we could enjoy the cool water in the pool.  I made a beautiful caramel frosted vanilla cake from scratch and decorated it with M+M's and included a ton of sliced fruit to keep us cool as well.

Everyone enjoyed the Cadbury Ice Cream Bars but I have to say the the Chocolate Covered Vanilla Bars were the most popular of all!  There are a bunch of flavors to please any taste including the yummy Cadbury™ Double Chocolate Ice Cream Bars and  Cadbury™ Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Bars.  Each box has 8 bars so there is plenty for everyone.

It was something different and fun. I thought it was cute that several of the children that were at the party immediately recognized the Blue Bunny Cadbury™ Ice Cream Bars from tv commercials that they had seen.  That got them even more excited because they were telling us all about the tv commercial!

All in all we had a fun day.  I can't wait to pick up more Cadbury™ Ice Cream Bars to have on hand for the next hot weekend. There is nothing like a cold, creamy ice cream bar to cool you down on a warm summer day.
I received materials and ice cream as a complimentary service through MomSelect.  All the opinions and ideas were my own.

Be the first to view some of the stunning fashion photography and dreamy dresses featured in the Leon Max Collection Summer 2012 lookbook.  I love the Leon Max Collections for the Summer...they are always a spot-on look for me and the Summer Collection is so cool and refreshing. I love all the gorgeous colors! Let me know what you think...

Verizon Insider “Feed Your App-etite” Party

I was really excited to be selected to be a part of the Verizon Insider program through CrowdTap recently.  I was chosen to receive  a great package of goodies to use at a Verizon “Feed Your App-etite” Party in my home.  It was so much fun!  We really had a great party with lots of moms and dads and kids in attendance! We checked out some apps and picked up some new ones that we had really been coveting thanks to Verizon too!  I loved being the tech queen--I demonstrated a lot of the apps that my family has been enjoying for the guests and showed them how they worked--then we downloaded them to their phones thanks for Verizon!  Believe it or not, I was able to help some friends download a bunch of game apps that they didn't have yet like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja.  We also got some of the moms set up with a few great relaxation apps too--they needed that!  The dads all wanted crazy games so we had a bunch of fun downloading what we wanted thanks to Verizon.  I think several of the guests became a lot more comfortable with adding apps after my tutorials too--that was a great...now they can download all they want without a struggle.

We enjoyed some great snacks including a yummy cake that I baked, lots of fresh fruit and ice cream as well. It turned out to be a beautiful day perfect to be outside and in and out of the pool as well. We made sure all the phones stayed well AWAY from the pool area!

Have you checked out  Crowdtap yet? Crowdtap allows you to tap in online to engage with some great brands, test products and even share them with friends and earn cash while helping charities at the same time.  What could be better than that?

 I received a bunch of super goodies my party...a great FREE Verizon Swag Bag with the following items…

~ Party Guide containing great ideas

~One $35 American Express Gift card to buy refreshments
~One $50 American Express Gift Card to offset download purchases

If you are a Crowdtap member, login to your Crowdtap account and click on the “New Actions” tab frequently to see what you have available.  Remember that by simply signing up and logging in every day you will start to see more opportunities available to you!

Influenster Summer Mom VoxBox

I was really excited to be chosen by Influenster to receive a new round of VoxBoxes...this time it was a terrific Mom VoxBox!  There was a bunch of great items for me and my family to try and have some fun with during these warm summer days of July.  Here is a little peek into my Mom VoxBox:

IVORY SOAP

I received a full sized bar of Ivory Soap.  Now this is something that everyone can use.  I love using Ivory in the shower to really get all that spray sunscreen cleaned off my skin after a day at the beach. Unlike so many other soap bars on the market that strip skin of its natural moisture, Ivory's pure formula cleanses the skin thoroughly without unnecessary perfumes and lotions.  I also like to keep a bar of Ivory in the laundry room for laundry stains. I rub it on all kinds of stains and let them soak away in a little Rubbermaid tub while I relax and read a book.  When it is wash time, I throw the stained item right in the wash with the Ivory on it and the stain comes right out!

imPRESS-ON MANICURE BY BROADWAY NAILS

This is the best invention ever for busy moms.  I don't have the time that I used to for my nails and those time-consuming manicures but I still like to look put together.  Here is a way to get your nails looking shiny and chip free in a few minutes. These press on nails are truly easy as they sound.  All you have to do is peel off, press on, and just like that you are done.  Your nails look fantastic and so do you!  There are 36 colors and patterns to choose from including trendy brights, classic darks and funky animal prints.  There is something for everyone. 

STASH SUPERFRUITS TEA SAMPLER

Here is my favorite start to the day and sometimes even my escape from the day's stress!  You always have a good variety of teas with Stash Superfruits Tea Sampler. A wonderful blend of herbal tea and green tea fruits flavors are an easy way for any mom to relax naturally--it really works for me.  I really love that all Stash Teas are 100% natural--only botanical ingredients are in each tea bag. Who wants any thing in there that you can't pronounce anyway? I love the variety....I choose my flavors based on my mood too!

QUAKER SOFT BAKED OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE

Okay, you all know how much time I spend in the gym and how healthy I try to eat, right?  Well, we all have to allow ourselves a big little treat here and there to stay happy and I am no exception!  I love Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies. They are not too sweet or to big.  The portion size is perfect.  I love all the raisins in there too!  Each yummy little cookie is individually packaged and made with Whole Grain Quaker Oats so you can feel good about eating them or giving one to the kids!  Each serving has only 6g of total fat so go ahead you can enjoy without the guilt!

THE ORIGINAL DISH DRYING MAT

Who likes to be stuck drying dishes! The Original Dish Drying Mat is a better way than placing those dish towels on the counter when drying pots, pans, and dishes. It has a laminated design that provides incredible absorbancy and cushions your delicate dishware as it dries. Its machine washable and highly durable so you can use it over and over!  I have had one that I bought last year on my counter and it still looks like new after tons of washes.

DENTEK FLOSSERS FLOSS PICKS
I never thought that flossing could be so much for me my child.  Dental floss for kids?  Think again!  DenTek's Floss Picks are so different--they are uniquely designed with an easy to maneuver handle eliminating the hassle of flossing. The colors and flavors...so much fun for me my child!  The pre-strung floss slides comfortably between each tooth.. it lets you floss like a pro.  DenTek Floss Picks are specially designed for sensitive teeth and gums so no worries about getting hurt either.  Trust me, they will love the flavors and colors so much they will be flossing every day.


DINO LINGO
We have been having so much fun with Dino Lingo this past week. Dino Lingo is a fun and interactive way to teach a new language to your child. It was designed especially for families looking for children's language learning products to use at home.  What could be better than the comfort of your own environment to learn something new?  Dino Lingo uses interactive techniques that incorporate child's play and storytelling. They use colorful animations and entertaining songs to capture children and help them learn naturally. Dino Lingo is available in over 30 different languages so you can pick the one that is right for you.


If you are interested in checking out Influenster you can take a peek here. I have been a member for over a year a love it!

2012 ING New York City Marathon 30 Spots Plus Free Training!

Ever thought about entering the 2012 ING New York City Marathon, but needed a little extra inspiration to get you there? Or, maybe you tried to get into the NYC marathon through the lottery, but were one of the thousands who didn't get selected? Well, today might be your lucky day! The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to curing spinal cord injury and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis, is looking for enthusiastic, inspiring and committed people to run in honor of those who cannot. The Foundation has 30 coveted spots available on Team Reeve for the 2012 ING New York City Marathon, taking place on November 4, 2012. Participants are required to raise a minimum of $4,000 for the Foundation. To apply for a spot, simply visit http://tinyurl.com/82auwxs to fill out the application. Applications will be vetted by the Foundation, with winners being notified within approximately one week of submission. Additionally, Team Reeve has teamed up with exclusive training facility La Palestra in New York City, which will provide free coaching, strength training, nutrition counseling and training runs to all Team Reeve members. If you live outside of New York, the staff at La Palestra will provide tele-coaching. So, to all you runners out there...Go Far. Be Inspirational. Do Good. The MyBlogSpark Team The information was provided for this post by The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation through MyBlogSpark.

Almond Butter Balls - Savvy Chefs - Recipes - Naturally Savvy

 I just had to share this super EZ and healthy AND yummy Almond Butter Balls recipe with everyone.  If you enjoy almond butter it is for you!  Try it for a quick snack before the gym or on the go this summer! #NaturallySavvy


Almond Butter Balls - Savvy Chefs - Recipes - Naturally Savvy

Let's Be Honest...All About Moms Blog Contest

Purex recently shared with me some hysterical videos about  everyday life as a mom featuring funny lady Molly Erdman.  You have to check them out...they will have you laughing and totally relating as I did. There are a bunch of different videos about everyday life as a busy, crazy mom that you can totally relate to-trust me!  Don't forget to pass them on to your g-friends so they can have a good laugh too.  Sometimes I just need to laugh because it all gets so crazy--you know what I mean?

Check all of them out on the Purex website and don't forget to check out all the great new products that Purex has to offer.  You can also check out the Purex Let's Be Honest videos on Youtube as well.

Don't forget to report your favorite video back to me and post it here.  You can also get additional entries by liking, sharing and retweeting your favorites!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Review: Ecover Liquid Concentrate Laundry Detergent Sunny Day

I recently discovered Ecover Laundry Liquid 2.5X concentrate Sunny Day through NaturallySavvy.com.  It is a great everyday laundry detergent.   The most exciting part is that it is made by a trusted name, Ecover AND it is a totally green laundry detergent that works!  I try where ever I can to use natural products in my home and laundry detergent is no exception.  I am so particular about my clothes though, that I have been hesitant to use a "natural" or green laundry detergent.  

I always worried that my clothes would not be as clean, or as bright, or worse, that the stains would not come out.  You know, the things we all worry about. In the past it was always a tough choice, either you went "green" and nothing was as clean and bright or you used the standard commercially based detergents and felt guilty all the time and worried about he chemicals.  

 I found that Ecover Laundry Liquid 2.5X concentrate Sunny Day works really well on my clothes as well as my family's clothes. It gets my gym clothes fresh and clean too--that is a feat unto itself since I work out really hard in my boot camp classes.

 I like that it works with my HE machine and has a fresh, light fragrance.   Plus the Ecover site says that it is packaged in an innovative, 100% PlantPlastic bottle.  The bottles cut out the need for petrochemicals and are 100% Recyclable and 100% Renewable.  They are actually made from responsibly harvested sugarcane! Isn't that super?  The other  neat part about Ecover Laundry Liquid is that you use so little to get your clothes clean. It really is super concentrated. Check this out: 

1 cap = approx. 1 fl oz

	HE-machine	Standard
Medium loads	1 fl oz	1.5 fl oz
Large loads or Heavily soiled medium loads	1.5 fl oz	2.5 fl oz

• HE compatible
• keeps colors bright
• tackles tough stains
• fresh fragrance from plant-based ingredients

• no chlorine
• no phosphates
• no optical brighteners
• biodegradable
• suitable for septic tanks
• not tested on animals

I recommend you give Ecover Liquid Laundry Concentrate a try.   If you don't like scent, they have a "Zero" version with no scent.  There is also a powder formulation if that is your preference as well.

I was provided with a free sample of Ecover Liquid Laundry Concentrate through NaturallySavvy.com.  However, all opinions are my own.

Pillsbury Baguette Chips Review and Sweepstakes

I bet you might be looking for ways to spice up your snacking routines this summer. Pillsbury knows just how you feel and wants to awaken your taste buds with their new Pillsbury® Baguette Chips! They are super yummy and have 50% less fat than regular potato chips.  We enjoyed them instead of the usual hum-drum croutons on our cool composed salad this weekend and as an extra on our Broccoli-Cheddar Soup.  I love  the different flavors too-so delicious!  These hearty chips are sliced from oven baked bread and topped with savory seasonings.  There are two yummy varieties--Italian Cheese & Herb and Cheddar Sun-dried Tomato gourmet snack chips. The delicious flavors and perfect texture of both kinds crispy chips can help you make any recipe a little zippier!   Enjoy Pillsbury Baguette Chips for a all kinds of occasions: eat them alone, add a bit more flavor to your favorite dip, spice up soup, or add some crunch to your salad! Don't forget those summer BBQ's too! With 130 calories per serving (21 baguette chips), and 50% less fat than regular potato chips*, Pillsbury Baguette Chips are delicious snack chips that you can feel good about eating If that’s not enough to get your mouth watering, then check out these delicious chips for yourself.  To download a printable coupon for $0.75 off one package, you and your readers can visit http://bit.ly/PBCcoupon today! *Pillsbury Baguette Chips (5g fat per 29g serving); regular potato chips (11g fat per 29g serving).  See nutrition information for sodium content. www.Pillsbury.com|Also find Pillsbury on: a Rafflecopter giveaway  “Disclosure:  The product, gift pack, information, and additional sample have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Pillsbury Ready To Bake Shape Cookies (plus coupon!) in Disney Shapes featuring Phineas & Ferb

Whether you´re celebrating a holiday or simply spending time with loved ones, there´s always a perfect opportunity to make and enjoy Pillsbury® Ready to Bake!TM Shape Cookies. Complete with the magic of Disney and now featuring Phineas and Ferb, you and your family can celebrate any occasion with these delicious cookies. What´s even better is that they´re ready to enjoy in 8-10 minutes!

Visit http://bit.ly/PSCMDCoupon to download a printable coupon for $1.10 off any Pillsbury® Refrigerated Disney Shape® Cookies today!

The coupon was provided by General Mills through #MyBlogSpark.

Dry Idea Contest and Sweepstakes...best way to stay fresh and dry in the summer heat!

I recently re-discovered Dry Idea as a great way to stay fresh and dry every day.  It is a super combination of  effective antiperspirant and deodorant.  The days have really started getting warm and sticky in the mid-Atlantic area and I need something that is going to keep me dry all day long. Dry Idea has really been working for me.  I have to dress formally for work but I am in and out of offices all day long.  I always worry about making sure I am fresh throughout the day.  I have tried so many products that claim they are super antiperspirants and deodorants and I have have that nagging feeling...with Dry Idea I don't seem to have to worry at all. It has been working throughout the day.....and even the evening. One evening I had a client dinner right after work and didn't get home until 10:30pm.  I was fresh and lovely the whole time!!  


You can get more information on all the varieties and formulations at Dry Idea.  They have a formulation that is right for everyone from Clear Gel to Invisible Solid to Roll On.  The Invisible Solid protects for 48 hours too!  Sign up to be a big Dry Idea Sweepstakes winner by clicking here.  You can also sign up to win in my Rafflecopter contest on my blog below for an additional chance to win a free coupon for a Dry Idea AdvancedDry.  a Rafflecopter giveaway



Dry Idea provided a free sample of their Advanced Dry Roll-On so I could review it.  However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.