Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year


Happy New Year everyone! Have a wonderful evening and be safe! I'm so happy to welcome in the New Year this year because 2009 was a bit of a rough one for me. Best wishes and prosperity to all in the new year.
On another note its the end of a decade... Best wishes to all my readers in 2010 and beyond.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Ways to Make Your "Get Green in 2010" New Year's Resolution Last All Year


"For those looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious, installing Panorama window film in the home can make a lasting difference in energy savings," says  Kathryn Giblin, Vice President of Global Marketing and Technical Services for Bekaert Specialty Films. "Panorama window film helps your home consume less energy by rejecting up to 79%  of solar energy, keeping interior temperatures lower and rooms more controllable  – lowering the need for air conditioning.  Window film also keeps your lighting electricity use low as it lets through the natural light while rejecting heat and cutting glare, unlike other window treatments that block out natural light while reducing heat forcing you to turn on artificial lights on a sunny day.”

Many of us will welcome December 31st with a fresh list of New Year’s resolutions. We may vow to get in shape and to save more money… and as the weeks of January wear on, our resolves often wears out. This year, let’s strive to make a commitment that benefits everyone and lives beyond that last glass of champagne; a commitment to “get green” in 2010! Pledging to do our share to help the planet is a resolution worth working to keep. Getting the whole family involved makes it easier and fun. Recycling, composting and remembering to turn off the lights are all things kids can do. To save energy all year long, install Panorama window film on your home. Window film helps keep the home at a stable temperature, thus saving energy by reducing the need for air conditioning. Window film can also reduce electricity use by filtering natural light, cutting the glare and heat that makes you draw the shades and turn on artificial lights on a sunny day. With lots of ways to “get green” in 2010, forsaken New Year’s resolutions will be a thing of the past.

-Courtesy of Panorama

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Winners!


And the winners of the Dean's Dairy Dip giveaway are... Comment # 20, valerie2350, Comment #6 abby, and Comment #16, Stephanie! Congrats to the winners. I will be emailing you shortly. I had to draw an extra winner since valerie2350 had 2 winning comments. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

20, 21, 6

Timestamp: 2009-12-27 18:57:31 UTC

valerie2350 said...


blog follower

abby said...


Voted for you


Random Integer Generator


Here are your random numbers:

16

Timestamp: 2009-12-27 18:59:15 UTC

Stephanie said...


I like just the regular old classic french onion dip

thegrants(at)live(dot)com

And the winners of the You Can Make This e-book bundle giveaway are... debbiejackson and Laursink. Congrats! There were only 2 entrants so they both won. I will be emailing you both shortly!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!


I wanted to post this now because we're going to Houston tomorrow to visit with family. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or whatever tradition you celebrate! Spend some time with family and friends and eat some good food.
I've had such fun posting on this blog over the past few months and look forward to more fun in the new year. Thanks to all my sponsors and thanks to you guys for reading 512 Kidz!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Kmart Bluelight Special for 12-26 to 12-27


 

Don’t forget!: The last day to enter the #KmartBLS sweepstakes is December 23rd - So keep the tweets coming and use the #KmartBLS hashtag before the contest is over!  All those following @KmartDealsnNews on December 23rd will be entered to win the Grand Prize of a $500 Kmart shopping spree!  The winner will be drawn on the 30th. For full details, make sure to check out http://tr.im/kmartbls Good luck!
 
Last minute Holiday shopping?  No worries, Kmart has extended their shopping hours to 6am-12am through December 23rd and 6am-10pm December 24th.  Use the following link to tweet about the new shopping hours and enter yourself for the daily drawing! Shop @KmartDealsnNews extended Holiday hours: 6am-12am until 12/23 and 6am-10pm on 12/24! #KmartBLS.
 
Here are the Bluelight Special teasers for this weekend 12/26 - 12/27:
·         Gen gemstone earrings (reg.$ 39.99) sale $9.99  


·         Mushabellies (reg.  $24.99) sale $7.99  


·         Digital Photo Keychain (reg. $19.99) sale $8.99 ( 65% off )  

Holiday Guide: DIAPER BAGS from Radley London handbags


HOTmilk Maternity Lingerie, designed to reveal the beautiful woman inside the loving mother, crafts soft sensuous cotton nursing nightwear for moms to enjoy while cozying at home all year round. Radley London, Britain’s #1 selling handbag line, has a chic, practical diaper bag for moms on the go, fully equipped with a changing mat, Velcro-ed  removable pouches and an adjustable buggy strap. Both collections are affordably priced options for moms seeking high quality and comfort without sacrificing style.

A very British Summer from Radley - Spring Summer 2010

Radley’s Spring Summer collection continues to highlight their home grown love of British traditions, by introducing two new quirky themes. Drawing inspiration from ‘The Good Life’ and the British seaside, the collection encompasses graphic prints, expert detailing and luxurious finishes. It mixes humour with creativity whilst staying true to the brand’s origins of producing timeless, classic and exceptional quality designs.

Radley’s premium leather bags are seen in classic styles, oversized shoppers and totes, which are kept simple with subtle embellishment and stitched detailing. This season sees the introduction of flapover ziptops (Barnstaple) and slouchy hobo styles (Sherborne). Styles are decorated with chunky wooden beads, floral patchwork detailing and woven strap details.
The ever-popular Grosvenor bag is fast becoming an iconic bag for Radley. This season sees a gentler palette of warm pomegranate red and classic tan emerging and the addition of a classic tote and structured music bag.

New for this S/S are non-leather collections, made from light-weight fabric with polka dot and colored stripy prints (Skipton). Linen duffel bags (Winslow) evoking memories of the British seaside add a quirky, kitsch touch to the season’s must-have handbags. Radley’s new oil-skin range, with bold graphic prints of sweet pea patterns and illustrations of vegetables and gardening tools (The Good Life) relates to a simpler way of life whilst keeping with Radley’s fun and innovative style.

Splashes of ice-cream colors from pale yellow to aqua blue, are blended with soothing hues of ivory and rose pink, to make Radley’s Spring Summer collection as desirable as it is timeless.
Fun, playful small leather goods (SLG’s) including wallets, coin purses and cosmetic pouches have been reintroduced again into the collection this season. Innovative new designs are captured in both vibrant and relaxed color combinations of green and lavendar. SLG’s are made with subtle creative details that add style and charm to any woman’s handbag. Also being updated for Summer are the range of umbrellas and recycled foldaway shopping totes, which feature fun seaside illustrations.

With it’s unwavering nod to everything British, the Radley range has once again captured a true Summer feel. It’s the season to kick back and relax with great accessories, and Radley’s new collection delivers just that.

-Courtesy of Radley London

Holiday Guide: The Precious Club




Wanted to tell you about The Precious Club - an irresistible new line for baby fashionistas and pop culture lovers alike! Their tees and onesies are screen printed with fun, unique designs that are just as precious as the children that wear them.

Kourtney Kardashian just picked up a few for her new baby Mason Dash!

Thought your readers may like to know that The Precious Club is offering FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING up until Christmas. Perfect for last minute gifts!




To view the complete collection, please visit www.thepreciousclub.com.


The Precious Club is an irresistible new line for baby fashionistas and pop culture lovers alike. Their tees and onesies are screen printed with fun, unique designs that are just as precious as the children that wear them. They run from 6 MOS - 4T and come in both t-shirts and onesies!

Celebrity fans include Kourtney Kardashian and Jessica Alba.

-Courtesy of The Precious Club




America's Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction


All Moms would agree that the joy that comes from having a new baby is priceless! The sweet sounds of cooing, chubby cheeks and the intimate bond between parent and child can make any family feel rich with love. But, as any new parents can attest, raising children can have an impact on your checkbook, as well as your heart. In fact, the typical family spends more than $221,000 raising a child through age 17.

Because we love to bestow gifts on new moms, MomSelect is thrilled to pass along the news of a fun contest that might lighten the load of one lucky family! Thanks to TurboTax®, one "last-minute" baby will help his or her parents save a bundle.


TurboTax® the nation's No. 1 rated, best-selling tax preparation software from Intuit Inc. is conducting its third annual nationwide search for America's Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction. The parents of one lucky baby, born in December 2009, will win $5,000.


To enter, parents or legal guardians should submit a photo of their baby born between Dec. 1-31, to www.cutesttaxdeduction.com. The deadline for submissions is January 7, 2010. Judges will select 10 finalists, and America will determine America's Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction and the $5,000 grand prize winner!



http://cutesttaxdeduction.com/ 


Courtesy of TurboTax & MomSelect

Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta Review

Getting children to eat healthy foods brings challenges
to the table, survey finds

Nearly Half of Parents Have Difficulty Tempting Their Kids With Nutritious Options, Finds Ronzoni Smart Taste ® Poll


A healthy, balanced diet – it’s every parent’s goal for their child. But a new survey finds that when it comes to getting kids to eat healthy, moms and dads have their plates full.

According to the Ronzoni Smart Taste® Family Table Survey[1] nearly half of all parents[2] (47%) of kids ages 3-12 have a difficult time feeding them nutritious, healthy foods. Older moms (ages 45-54) have the hardest time (57%). Parents from the western part of the country seem to have an easier time than those in other regions[3]. Dads find it slightly more difficult than moms to interest their children in healthy meals (49% vs. 45%). Only 26% of parents find it very easy to feed their kids healthy meals.

There are many reasons why kids resist nutritious options, the survey finds. Parents say taste (32%) is by far the biggest reason healthy foods are rejected. Looks (10%) and texture (9%) follow.

And which good-for-you foods rank among the most offensive to children? Sardines top the list at 63%, followed by liver (59%) and beets (50%). Coming in closely behind are Brussels sprouts (49%) and okra (48%). Among the least offensive foods are carrots, with only 15% of parents saying their children find fault with them.

To dramatize the everyday challenges that moms and dads have in getting their kids to eat healthy foods, Ronzoni Smart Taste has created the video “Supermom.”  The piece depicts the stunts one health-conscious mom goes through to sway her skeptical kids at the family table.  The video can be found at

www.ronzonismarttaste.com for further information.






Stop busting mom’s “pork” chops! A new survey* finds that more than half of moms of kids aged 3-12 find it challenging to feed healthy foods to their kids.  The top three “yuck factor” foods of kids (aged 3-12) out there are sardines (63%), liver (59%) and beets (50%).  Close runners up are Brussels sprouts (49%) and okra (48%).  Despite the nutrient packed punch these foods deliver, kids everywhere are wrinkling their noses at the plates before them.
 
Check out one mom’s story of the great lengths she goes to in order to get her kids to eat healthy, and how she solves the dinner dilemma.  We think you can relate. 
 
 



Penne with Quick Meat Sauce

Ingredients:
1 pkg RONZONI SMART TASTE PENNE RIGATE
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp dried basil or oregano leaves
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
In large skillet, cook meat until browned; drain. Add onion; cook until tender. Stir in spaghetti sauce, parsley, basil or oregano, salt and pepper; simmer 5 to 10 minutes. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Toss hot pasta with meat sauce; sprinkle with cheese, if desired.



Chicken Vegetable Saute

Ingredients:
1 pkg RONZONI SMART TASTE ROTINI
1 clove garlic minced
1 small thinly sliced zucchini
1 cup thinly sliced fresh mushrooms
1 thinly sliced onion
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 can (14 oz) tomatoes, undrained, cut in small pieces
1 cup cubed cooked chicken or turkey
1/2 cup water
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions:
In large skillet, cook garlic, zucchini, mushrooms and onion in oil until tender, but not brown. Add remaining ingredients except pasta; simmer 15 minutes. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Serve chicken and vegetables over pasta.



Pasta with Broccoli Alla Romana

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
 Instructions:
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.





-Courtesy of Ronzoni

***

I was so happy to review Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta! I'm Italian and love my pasta. Sometimes I eat it up to three times a week. I received two kinds of pasta to review, Penne Rigate and Thin Spaghetti. I have made the Penne with Quick Meat Sauce Recipe (which is above, and also on the back of the Penne Rigate box) twice now, so I'm actually almost out of Penne Rigate!
I loved the Penne with Quick Meat Sauce Recipe, it was delicious and easy to make. The great thing about Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta is that it has three times the fiber of regular pasta, but it looks and tastes no different that the regular kind!
The Bottom Line: There's no easier way to slip more fiber into your families diet than by eating Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta. Pick up a couple of boxes today!

 *I received 2 boxes of Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta to facilitate my candid and honest review. No other form of compensation was or will be given. All views are my own!

Funky Monkey Snacks Review



All Natural, Freeze-Dried
Funky Monkey™ Snacks Now Certified Organic

100% Real Fruit Meets USDA Natural Organic Program (NOP) Standards

Funky Monkey™ Snacks, makers of Fruit That Crunches!®, today announced that its Bananamon®, Purple Funk® and Jivealime® all natural, freeze-dried fruit have been certified organic according to Natural Organic Program (NOP) standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

To meet NOP mandates, products must be produced, harvested, processed and handled using all-natural methods and substances.  As a general rule, all-natural (non-synthetic) substances are allowed in organic product and all synthetic substances are prohibited.  What’s more, produce must be raised without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers.

After extensive evaluation by certifying agents, Funky Monkey Snacks’ Bananamon, Purple Funk and Jivealime varieties were approved for the “organic” label, meaning that at least 95 percent of the products’ ingredients are organically produced.  The Company’s fourth variety, Carnaval Mix™, will carry the words “made with organic banana and organic pineapple” on the label.

“The Natural Organic Program certification process is a rigorous examination of every step in a food product’s life, from the field or orchard to the finished product,” said Matt Herzog, president of Funky Monkey Snacks.  “It’s great to be able to officially assure our customers that Funky Monkey Snacks are not only respectful of the environment in every step of production, but also are grown and manufactured using organic methods.”

Funky Monkey Snacks are made with 100% real fruit and contain no added sugar, preservatives, colors or flavors.  Using an original and proprietary freeze-drying process, about 97% of the moisture content of the fruit is removed, producing a crisp, crunchy, go-anywhere snack that contains three of the four daily recommended servings of fruit.

Funky Monkey Snacks are gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free and are certified Kosher-Parve.  The snacks are ideal for kids and grownups on-the-go who are looking for a crunchy, delicious, fun and healthful alternative to chips or candy.  To learn more about Funky Monkey Snacks, visit www.FunkyMonkeySnacks.com.

About Funky Monkey Snacks:
Funky Monkey Snacks are all-natural, real fruit made using a proprietary freeze-drying process that creates Fruit That Crunches! while retaining fruit’s natural goodness.  Funky Monkey Snacks are 100% fruit with no added sugar, colors, flavors or preservatives.  Each 1 oz. bag contains three servings of fruit, providing a delicious and nutritious snack choice that helps support healthy living.  For more information, visit www.FunkyMonkeySnacks.com.

Almost 17% of American children are considered obese, so although lunches are traditionally stuffed with candy and cookies the snack/side- this year, parents might want to consider a bit healthier alternative:

"Funky Monkey Snacks" are freeze dried fruit - all natural, with no added sugar, preservatives, colors or flavors. They are gluten-free, wheat-free and dairy-free. They come in four delicious flavors: Bananamon (banana and cinnamon - a personal favorite of mine), Carnaval Mix (banana, pineapple, apple, papaya and raisins), Jivealime (pineapple and lime juice) and Purple Funk (banana and acai berries). The bright and colorful packaging appeals to children and the healthy choice makes parents feel better.

Funky Monkey snacks are healthy snacks for kids and parents alike – they are gluten-free, sugar-free and preservative free – nothing but three servings of fruit in each bag. Funky Monkey has just released three new flavors to check out: Applemon, Pink Pineapple and MangOJ. The snacks are perfect for those on the go and are a healthy alternative to chips or candy.

-Courtesy of Funky Monkey

  ***
I have tried Funky Monkey snacks a few times so I was happy to review them again. They have 4 original flavors- Bananamon, Carnaval Mix, Purple Funk, and Jivealime. But they just came out with 3 new  flavors! Applemon, Pink Pineapple, and MangOJ. My favorite original flavor is Bananamon, and my fave new flavor is Applemon. I like cinnamon!
I love that Funky Monkety snacks are so good but so healthy. Inside is 100% real fruit, the product is 100% fat free, no sugar added, and Funky Monkey snacks are gluten free. As well as being all natural, vegan, and a raw food item! You can't go wrong with delicious freeze dried fruit snacks. 
The Bottom Line: With so many unhealthy snacks available it feels good to know that Funky Monkey snacks are healthy and yummy too. Kids and parents love 'em!

* I received 3 Funky Monkey snack samples to facilitate my honest and candid review. No other form of compensation was or will be given. All views are my own!




FREE and creative recipes and decorating ideas on Scribd



Are you looking to gather holiday recipes online rather than buy cookbooks? Maybe you want to find creative ways to decorate and wrap presents without breaking their increasingly penniless piggybanks.

The 2009 recession has been hard on many families' pocketbooks. U.S. unemployment has hovered around 10% for the past few months, bringing the total unemployment tally to 15.4 million total. Luckily Scribd offers FREE and creative recipes and decorating ideas just in time for the holidays!

In 2009, the Scribd community published more than five million free and for-purchase works, ranging from research papers to storyboards. (By comparison, the entire U.S. publishing industry published 275,232 books in 2008, down 3% from the previous year -- source: Bowker.) As a result, Scribd houses an abundance of difficult-to-find Christmas-themed recipes, coloring books, Harvard American holiday anthropological analysis, instructions for creating homemade candy wreaths, wrapping boxes, knitted scarves, and much more.

RECIPES
CRAFTS
-Courtesy of Scribd.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Holiday Guide: E is for Ethics Book Review


“A gem of a book.” – Library Journal

“E is for Ethics: How to Talk to Kids About Morals, Values, and What Matters Most”
by Ian Corlett
is on sale this week!

It is an entertaining family discussion book for parents to read to and with their kids.

With stories constantly hitting the news about out-of-control kids and teenage violence (Chris Brown, for one) –
the subject of how to teach ethics to kids, especially when they’re young, is particularly timely and relevant to modern parenting.

“E is for Ethics” helps parents take the time to engage their kids on these issues.
Geared towards kids 3-10 years old, as they are testing behavioral boundaries and learning how to be good citizens,
“E is for Ethics” features 26 simple stories about Elliott and Lucy, two precocious kids who confront ethical dilemmas.
The stories are followed by discussion questions for parents to work through with their kids.

About the Book:

Parents are thirsting for ways to imbue strength of character and compassion in their children, and are searching for help and ideas on how to give their kids a head start on the journey to becoming well-adjusted, responsible, and perceptive adults.  An entertaining family discussion book for parents to read with their kids, “E is for Ethics” serves as an essential tool for parents to teach their kids how to be strong, moral adults. 

Beautifully packaged, the book has 26 simple, clear stories that feature Elliott and his little sister Lucy.  Each story centers on a particular positive ethic, such as honesty, kindness, charity, and integrity.  Each story culminates in a series of questions that will foster discussion between parents and their children about the ethic and its implications.   It’s a lively and charming book that is designed to be read and discussed as a family.

Praise:

Corlett, a veteran in children’s television programming, hits a home run with this small (but pricey) gem of a book. Using 26 one-page stories, accompanied by darling full-color illustrations, this read-as-a-family book presents common and realistic situations where children are faced with an ethical dilemma, such as fairness, forgiveness, tact, etc. Instead of resolving the circumstance, however, the stories end with discussion questions, e.g., "How could Lucy show forgiveness?" or "What might have happened if Lucy hadn’t forgiven Elliot?" It is incredibly difficult to write these books without pontificating, and any kid’s spidey sense will tingle at the mere hint of pedantry, but Corlett avoids that trap with ease. Enthusiastically recommended.” – Library Journal, starred review

“When their two children were young, kids’ TV writer and animator Corlett and his wife initiated a weekly family after-dinner discussion to explain and foster ethical and moral values. Admitting that he is a plain old dad and not a Ph.D. in ethics, Corlett nonetheless felt obliged to address the void in moral education left as school and even Sunday school curricula stopped routinely teaching ethics for “it seems no one wants to touch the subject of right and wrong anymore.” He developed two charming and lovably humorous characters—Elliot and his sister, Lucy—and 26 story situations that take place in families, at school, in team sports and in the community, each of which demonstrates a different ethic ranging from honesty and understanding through forgiveness, courage and perseverance to loyalty, gratitude, fairness and acceptance…this charming, interactive little book is appropriate for kids preschool to tween age and their parents.Publishers Weekly

About the Author:

Ian James Corlett
has had years of experience in communicating with young children—not only is he a father of two, he’s also an award-winning animated film maker in his native Canada, writing for such shows as Rolie Polie Olie, Rainbow Fish, and The Adventures of Paddington Bear.  E IS FOR ETHICS is his first book.  R. A. Holt is a Canadian-based illustrator, designer, and artist.

-Courtesy of E is for Ethics

 ***

I accepted an invitation to review E is for Ethics: How to Talk to Kids About Morals, Values, and What Matters Most: 26 Read-Aloud Stories because I thought my daughter could get some use out of this over the years. In a culture where many families no longer attend religious services, and schools no longer teach ethics, where are kids to learn these important lessons?
Ian James Corlett, childrens TV creator, writer, and voice actor had the perfect idea. When his children were young every Monday night they would have 'Family Fun Time'. This was a time when they would discuss ideas, parables, issues of the week, and Dad (Corlett) would tell stories about 2 children. These weren't ordinary stores about 2 curious kids, each story had a fun moral theme to it. And those stories inspired E is for Ethics!
This hardback book is beautifully illustrated and bound, sure to teach your kids for years to come. I love the ideas this book inspires and in the world we live in today, what parent wouldn't want to pick up a copy of E is for Ethics?
The Bottom Line: Though a bit pricey ($22 USD), your sure to get your money's worth out of this sturdy hardback book. For children aged 3-10, you could get 7 years of inspiration. Pretty good deal in my book! I certainly recommend E is for Ethics!

* I received one copy of E is for Ethics to facilitate my candid and honest review. No other form of compensation was or will be given. All views are my own!

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