Take the Money and Run $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

On May 13, 2012, in Giveaways, by Glenda Embree

Busy-at-Home has teamed up with Jen, from My Crafty Life and a group of awesome bloggers to bring you the third Take the Money and Run! Monthly Giveaway Event. Each month, Take the Money and Run, will bring you a new type of giveaway. You can expect PayPal Cash, Gift Cards (iTunes, Walmart, Amazon to [...]



Busy-at-Home has teamed up with Jen, from My Crafty Life and a group of awesome bloggers to bring you the third Take the Money and Run! Monthly Giveaway Event. Each month, Take the Money and Run, will bring you a new type of giveaway. You can expect PayPal Cash, Gift Cards (iTunes, Walmart, Amazon to name a few) and other fantastic prizes.


May’s Take the Money and Run Prize will be: A $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash, winner’s choice! All you have to do is follow each blogger’s social media link and you will be entered to win an awesome prize!

Rules:

*Follow each blogger/sponsor’s link please. Links are found in the Rafflecopter form.  This is mandatory.

*You must have a valid email.

*Please indicate on the form whether you would like your prize emailed or sent via the postal service.

*US or Canada only please. 18+

Sponsors:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This event is brought to you by My Crafty Life Events


Tagged with:
 

Kid Basix Sippy 2 and Safe Sporter : a Review & Giveaway @KidBasix

Stop to consider the plastics that touch your family’s mouths and food every day — plastic bottles with water, soda, juices, sippy cups, baby bottles, plastic dinnerware, serving bowls, cereal bowls, drinking cups, coffee mugs, the containers we buy food in at the store. If those items all have a measure of BPA and the [...]

Stop to consider the plastics that touch your family’s mouths and food every day — plastic bottles with water, soda, juices, sippy cups, baby bottles, plastic dinnerware, serving bowls, cereal bowls, drinking cups, coffee mugs, the containers we buy food in at the store. If those items all have a measure of BPA and the very low doses are what may lead to problems with endocrine system function, we all have a lot to consider in how we, and manufacturers, handle our food and beverages. Many companies are getting on board and making responsible decisions even before any legislation might be passed to force the issue. Others are pioneering new product technology and offering great alternatives for us. One such company is Kid Basix.

Kid Basix sippy 2

We reviewed the green Kid Basix Sippy 2, complete with straw adapter for older kids.

I was pleased to have the opportunity, recently, to test the Safe Sippy 2 and The Safe Sporter, from Kid Basix, with my own family.  The company also carries the Original Safe Sippy and The Starter, a baby bottle.  All these products are BPA and phthalate free.

grandson

Our grandson tested the Sippy 2 for us. He's checking out the spout, since it's different from his other cups.

The body of the Safe Sippy 2 is made from light-weight, food-grade, 304 stainless steel, which means it’s non-leaching and toxin-free.  The shape of the spout is designed to prevent physical and speech difficulties as tiny mouths and teeth develop.  The Safe Sippy 2 has a tapered waist with ribs at the top of the thermo-plastic rubber sleeve, to make it easy to grip when your “big boy or girl” decides they are too grown up for the removable handles which are included.  The thermo-plastic rubber sleeve helps to insulate the beverage inside, protect the cup from dings and dents if dropped and to protect little fingers from feeling the cold temperature of their drink conducted through the stainless steel.    The Safe Sippy 2 also includes a dust cap to keep the spout clean,  a travel plug to prevent leaks, a sippy valve and a straw adapter.  Quite frankly, the design is ingenious!

tippy cup

He is very possessive of this cup whenever he visits. I love that it is safe and easy for him to use and can be cleaned up lickety split in the dishwasher. The dust cover is great for keeping the spout clean when you have to toss the cup into the diaper bag.

Our grandson really likes this cup.  We started out with the straw adapter in place, but at not quite 2, he is still used to tipping his cup up to drink, which resulted in some dribbling, so later we added on the handles and switched to the sippy valve.  It was a hit!  Eventually he will graduate back to the straw adapter and I anticipate getting years of use from this sturdy little cup.  He is very upset if I offer the Sippy 2 to any of the other grandkids.  “Mine” is well established in his almost two-year-old vocabulary.  :)

 

Kid Basix Sporter

This is the wonderful Sporter that I tested for this review.

I also received and tested The Safe Sporter, in marigold.  It was a great help to me on my mission trip to Kansas City, last week.  I spent four, very warm days being able to help out in a soup kitchen down there.  I would leave The Sporter in the the reach-in cooler and refresh myself with a cool drink, whenever I had a break.  The construction is very similar to the Sippy 2, with a stainless steel body, wrapped in the same thermo-plastic rubber sleeve to protect fingers from the cold and give a good gripping surface.  It also has a hinged mud cap that easily flips back out of the way when drinking and an easy-pull sports spout.  The one difference I noticed was that with a plastic bottle you can squeeze it to dispense the liquid.  Since this bottle is stainless steel, you definitely need to suck the liquid from the spout, which isn’t necessarily an issue, just something to get used to.  I got so busy during the week that I didn’t get a picture of myself using The Safe Sporter and as it turns out, I left it behind with someone who is currently without a home and has a greater need than I do for its sturdy construction and generous 16 oz. capacity.  I was blessed to be able to share it with them.

Kid Basix is generously sponsoring a giveaway of one Kid Basix product of your choice for a lucky Busy-at-Home reader.  If you can’t wait and you want to add some of these high-quality, BPA beverage containers to your kitchen, right away, I encourage you to visit their website and place an order.

 

Giveaway Rules:

You must be 18 or older and a US resident to enter.  Mandatory entry must be completed before any optional entries will be counted.  Winner will be selected in a random drawing using random.org.  Deadline for entry is midnight (CST), Sunday, July 3, 2011.

 

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Kid Basix and in a comment below, tell me which style and color of Kid Basix cup you would choose if you are the giveaway winner.

Optional Additional Entries:

  1. Like Kid Basix on Facebook and leave a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
  2. Follow Kid Basix on Twitter and leave a comment with your Twitter handle to let me know you did.
  3. Follow Busy-at-Home on Twitter.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  4. Like Busy-at-Home on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  5. Follow Busy-at-Home on Google Friends Connect.   Or click the Join Button in the right-hand side bar.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  6. Subscribe to the Busy-at-Home Newsletter with this link or in the right-hand sidebar.  You will receive an email confirmation with a link that must be clicked to confirm your subscription.  Once you click the email link to confirm your subscription, leave me a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
  7. Tweet this giveaway (maximum of 1x per day, please).  Win a colorful, durable and BPA-free sippy cup or sport bottle  from @ Kid Basix  and @busyathome  http://ow.ly/5odh3 Leave a comment below with a link to your tweet.
  8. Post this giveaway on your Facebook pageYou’re careful about what your kids are drinking.  What are you serving them in?  Win a colorful, durable and BPA-free sippy cup or sport bottle  from @ Kid Basix  and @busyathome http://ow.ly/5odh3 Leave a comment below with a link to your post.

 

Warnings about BPA (Bisphenol A) in plastics have been ringing louder and louder in the past year or so.  Certainly the scientific community has championed the alerts for nearly 25 years, but it is more recent that the truth about endocrine disruptors in plastics has been known or at least understood by the general public, and parents, in particular.  Having two children who are affected dramatically by endocrine system issues has piqued my interest and concern over this subject.  With the flood of plastics that bombard us in our daily lives, it is overwhelming and frightening to think that we may have unknowingly created a situation that will be difficult to remedy.  When something is hard, however, it’s not the time to bury our heads in the sand.  Even the smallest steps forward are still forward, and cumulatively, over time, can help to make improvements for both health and environment.   Parents around the globe have discarded BPA plastic baby bottles, teethers and drinking bottles, but there are many places we haven’t been made aware that BPA is still lurking in our everyday lives.  I am not a scientist and have no medical training, so I urge you to do some research on your own.  You can always find pro and con articles on any topic and I encourage you to read both, then consider the source.   This is not a topic that affects only a few people.  The reality is that every person is likely affected, in some measure, by daily exposure to these plastics.  For detailed information on the chemical BPA, its use in plastics and its effects on the human body, there are many articles I would encourage you to consider.  Here are just a few to get you started.

  1. National Geographic Magazine
  2. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
  3. California Lyme Disease Association

 

I received a Kid Basix Safe Sporter and Kid Basix Sippy Cup 2,  in order to test them and conduct this review.  No monetary compensation was received and a positive review was not required.  As always, the views and opinions expressed are wholly my own.

 

HP TouchSmart 310 Computer Giveaway at Dear Crissy!

On February 22, 2011, in In the Kitchen, by Glenda Embree

I just entered a great giveaway at Dear Crissy and I wanted you to know about it, too.  Crissy has done a review of HP’s new TouchSmart 310 computer and one of her readers will win one, too!  I love the big touch-screen and the slim profile!  That would be perfect on my kitchen desk! [...]

Win a Laptop!

I just entered a great giveaway at Dear Crissy and I wanted you to know about it, too.  Crissy has done a review of HP’s new TouchSmart 310 computer and one of her readers will win one, too!  I love the big touch-screen and the slim profile!  That would be perfect on my kitchen desk!   The giveaway ends on March 13 and you won’t believe all the entry possibilities.  “Throw your name in the hat” for this random drawing, as many times as you can.  I can’t wait to see who wins!

What’s Next? Wilton, Zojirushi & a Wedding on a Frugal Budget

On February 14, 2011, in Budget-wise, Family Circus, Giveaways, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

Happy Valentine’s Day, Everyone!  I just wanted you to know I haven’t forgotten you and that I appreciate you all so much!  Our family has been really under the weather, lately.  Seriously — we’ve had bouts with bronchitis, pneumonia and pleurisy.  Oy!  I think we’re all about back on our feet, though, so I will [...]

Happy Valentine’s Day, Everyone!  I just wanted you to know I haven’t forgotten you and that I appreciate you all so much!  Our family has been really under the weather, lately.  Seriously — we’ve had bouts with bronchitis, pneumonia and pleurisy.  Oy!  I think we’re all about back on our feet, though, so I will be back to a regular posting schedule, soon.

We have several exciting things happening in our house over the next few weeks.  The top priority is our second daughter’s wedding, April 2.  If you’re interested in how to do a great wedding on a frugal budget, you’ll love our upcoming posts, not to mention a fabulous giveaway from Wilton, who has generously provided tools to test and make the wedding cake, here at home!

Want to be one of the first to learn about Zojirushi’s new Umami Micom Rice Cooker?  We’re going to test it out in our kitchen, share some delicious recipes and one lucky Busy-at-Home reader will win one of their very own!

Be watching for some great money saving tips and ideas, that will not only stretch your budget, but help you get more organized in 2011, in our new series, “The Cost of Saving Money”.

I’m looking forward to sharing so many informative posts and exciting products.  Have a blessing-filled Valentine’s Day!  I hope you’re surrounded by all the people you love and some unbelievable sweets!

–Glenda

Jump Start Virtual World: A Review & Giveaway

I’m a pretty tech savvy person and I enjoy learning opportunities that can incorporate computer use into our homeschool activities.  I also like when the time spent at the computer, can have some educational value.  The past couple of weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to explore and use Jump Start’s new online Virtual World with [...]

I’m a pretty tech savvy person and I enjoy learning opportunities that can incorporate computer use into our homeschool activities.  I also like when the time spent at the computer, can have some educational value.  The past couple of weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to explore and use Jump Start’s new online Virtual World with my nine-year-old and two granddaughters, ages 3 & 4.

My first confession has to be that as tech savvy as I may be, virtual world video games are usually not my cup of tea.  Before sharing this fun site with my favorite small people, I logged on and browsed around by myself.  I quickly learned that I needed a guide. – lol – After a cursory circle of the game map, I honestly had convinced myself that maybe this wasn’t going to be as great as I had first anticipated.   For me personally, there was so much going on that I was overwhelmed.  Having already created characters for each of the girls, I decided to go ahead and call my nine-year-old to see what she thought.  She slid into the chair beside me and within minutes, had taken over my laptop.  She was screaming through the virtual world, visiting ant farms and answering science trivia questions.

The hatchery where kids can care for their dragon egg until it hatches.

She adopted an “egg”,  which she promptly painted pink and purple and later hatched into a dragon (I think), in a place called “The Enchanted Sanctuary”.  :)   She absolutely adores JumpStart.com and finds something new to do each time she visits.

Once hatched, the dragon provides children with several interactive play opportunities.

Main Street is the starting point for all the adventures.  Exploring there will take you to gateways and doors leading to a variety of fun and educational experiences.

An overhead view of Main Street. Each building is a new place/game adventure to explore.

At first glance, I was afraid this was just another video game, but as I spent time watching our daughter roam through the various points of interest in the game, I realized there is a great deal of educational value packed into all the fun.  JumpStart.com definitely helps to fine tune small motor skills, as well as eye-hand coordination.  Every activity requires patience, strategy and even some analytical thinking to complete the puzzles or quests.  I was simply amazed at the speed with which the girls’ minds adapted to each new challenge and they began whirring through the game.  It was impressive because I know with great certainty, that this middle-aged brain, in concert with my less than nimble fingers, could never wrap around some of the motor skills they handled with ease.

A view of the Ancient World in Future Land. Students can also visit Industrial Land for other challenges in Future Land.

I say “they” because I also turned my four-year-old granddaughter loose in “Storyland”.  She has had the opportunity to “visit” there several times, now and becomes so engrossed in the activities that even after an hour or more of play, cries when it is time to log off.  She has the opportunity to practice letter and number recognition and practice other educational skills, all while playing her way through the fun virtual world.  As with my daughter, she finds something new to do with each visit and can’t wait until the next time she can play.

This is the Pet Playground in Storyland.

The Paint Program in Story Land.

Identifying the pictures that match the number 9 in Story Land.

JumpStart.com continues to grow and add new areas, too.  Currently, there are tons of Valentine themed options: rides like a heart-themed skateboard, hippity hop bounce ball or a magic carpet or the new swan ride in the Love-ly Swan Ride Fun Zone.  Your puzzle lovers will like the challenge of the new Box of Chocolates Maze.  There is no doubt in my mind that the site will continue to grow and add even more challenges, over time.  Seasonal options continue to pop up and as one is about to “close”, so the new one  can open, the Jump Start blog makes the announcement, as well as there being notices posted in the game world.  (The blog is a great place for parents to learn more about JumpStart.com and get any updates about new activities, plus tips on learning and using technology to support education.)

Valentine themed magic carpet ride.

Kids can take a swan ride in the new Love-ly Swan Ride Fun Zone.

As with any online, virtual world, parents will want to participate and know how their children are interacting with the game.  Get involved and watch your child learn in exciting new ways.  It’s an amazing and wonderful thing, but they still need you to be a part of it.  They have the opportunity to interact with other kids in this game.  That option has to be set up, in order to use it, and of course, you will want to know who they are learning with.  Kids collect coins and stars as rewards for completing challenges and puzzle levels.    We haven’t personally done too much with them, yet, but I understand they can be “spent” in the various shops scattered throughout Jump Start’s virtual world.  Your students can also win ribbons and trophies for their achievements in the game.  You can also connect JumpStart.com with your Facebook account to be automatically updated about what your kids are doing and achieving in their virtual world fun.

Screen shot of part of the Achievements section of a child's profile.

Two players racing in Ship Wreck Lagoon.

I have watched both girls learn various skills and information in the subjects of math, reading, language arts and grammar skills, science and history while being so engrossed in a game that they hardly realized they were learning.  They learn computer skills, art and critical thinking.  I witnessed the use of fine motor skills and strengthening of eye-hand coordination.  I also got to watch them have tremendous fun while doing it.  As with the Jump Start software and programs that our family has been pleased to use, previously, Jump Start’s new virtual world has educational AND entertainment value.  For kids who are so in tune with the technological advances of our modern day, it’s a most logical way to learn.  JumpStart.com will definitely be put to regular use in our household.

Screen shot of the Quizinator. This one is for science and students can select the "level" that is age-appropriate for the difficulty of questions they will receive. Younger children can answer things as simple as matching games, while older children are challenged with harder questions.

You can go, right now, and join JumpStart.com, so your family can start enjoying the great learning fun.  When you do, you will set things up in the Parent’s Area.  You have your own password to enter there.  It’s where you will add kids to your account and create individual passwords for them.  It’s also where you will decide whether or not to allow them to interact with other kids in the virtual world and if so, to create their “buddy list”, the only people they will be able to interact with.  When you sign up for a membership, it includes access to JumpStart.com, Learning Adventure’s other virtual world, MathBlaster.com AND four downloadable games to play right on your own computer.  You can try it out and explore JumpStart.com for free, but to use all the areas, levels and other worlds, you’ll need a membership.  The membership is good for up to six kids and you can decide if you want to take part month-to-month (only $7.99/mo), annually ($74.99/yr) or the best value, a lifetime membership ($149.99).

One Busy-at-Home reader is going to receive THREE FREE MONTHS for their own family, due to the generosity of the great folks at Knowledge Adventure!

Giveaway Rules:

You must be 18 or older and a resident of the U.S. to win.  Mandatory Entry must be completed for any other entries to count.  Winner will be selected at random from all verified entries, using random.org.  Deadline to enter is midnight (CST), Sunday, February 27, 2011.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit JumpStart.com and then leave me a comment  telling me something you really liked or something new that you learned about the site.


Additional Optional Entries:

  1. Follow JumpStart.com on Twitter and leave a comment, below, letting me know you did, as well as your Twitter handle.
  2. Like JumpStart.com on Facebook and leave a comment, below, letting me know you did, as well as your Facebook Name.
  3. Follow Busy-at-Home on Twitter.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  4. Like Busy-at-Home on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  5. Follow Busy-at-Home on Google Friends Connect.  Use the “Join” button in the right-hand sidebar.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  6. Subscribe to the Busy-at-Home Newsletter with this link (or in the right-hand sidebar).  You will receive an email confirmation with a link that must be clicked to confirm your subscription.  Once you click the email link to confirm your subscription, leave me a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
  7. Post this giveaway on your Facebook pageEnter to win THREE FREE MONTHS for your kids at JumpStart.com!  Learning is extraordinary fun there!  Enter the giveaway at Busy-at-Home. http://busy-at-home.com/blog/jump-start-virtual-world-a-review-giveaway/ Leave a comment below with a link to your post.
  8. Tweet this giveaway (1x daily) : Enter to win 3 FREE MONTHS at JumpStart.com! Learning is extraordinary fun there! @busyathome @JumpStart_Erin #giveaway http://ow.ly/3UmyP Leave a comment below with a link to your tweet.


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Disclosure: I was provided with a JumpStart membership at no cost by Knowledge Adventure in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.

There’s A SHELF in the Front Hall Closet??!!??

On January 22, 2011, in Giveaways, Home and Garden, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

“Mom!  Where’s my shoes, dance bag, mittens, lunch box…?”  (You fill in the blank, because I know you know just what I mean.) “It’s on the shelf in the front hall closet.” “There’s a SHELF in the front hall closet??!!!??” Houston, we have a problem.    I love our new home and am so happy [...]

“Mom!  Where’s my shoes, dance bag, mittens, lunch box…?”  (You fill in the blank, because I know you know just what I mean.)

“It’s on the shelf in the front hall closet.”

“There’s a SHELF in the front hall closet??!!!??”

Houston, we have a problem.  :)   I love our new home and am so happy to be settled, but like most houses it has a few little quirks.  The depths of the deep, dark abyss that is our front hall closet is one of them.  It’s actually quite lovely, if you could see it.  An expedition with a flashlight will reveal two full-width upper shelves above an ample coat bar and to the right, four more shelves built into the side-wall.  It really is fairly spacious and abounds with storage space, if we could only see it.  But alas, as with many homes of its generation, the builder did not think to install a light.  The closet is near the front door, but situated at an angle where no natural light is received for the wonderful two-and-a half-foot deep storage shelves along the side wall. That means that some of us are not aware that we could be storing things on the closet shelves and SOME of us can’t find the things we already tossed into that place where all lost mittens and mismatched shoes go to retire.

Wireless Ceiling Light

Mr. Beams Anywhere Ceiling Light

Imagine my delight when I received an opportunity through Mom Spark Media, to review a Mr. Beams Anywhere Ceiling Light.  It is completely wireless, running on four C batteries.  It emits a brilliant, white LED light that is motion activated.  I love that!  It pops on the minute I open the closet door and shuts itself off after 30 seconds with no movement.  That’s better than a light switch!  It also has a photocell that prevents the light from turning on if there is sufficient daylight without it, so it is designed to really protect your batteries.  Never having to replace the lightbulb is another amazing feature.  The light even came with it’s own mounting plate and screws.  It was an easy install and if I was willing to give it up (I definitely am not!), it would be easy to take down and move into some of the other ill-lit spots in our home.  Best of all, I can’t believe how much light comes from that small fixture!  I’m so pleased.

wireless ceiling light diagram

Mr. Beams Anywhere Ceiling Light Features

Mr. Beams Anywhere Lights are weatherproof, so they can be installed indoors or out.  Use them to light up a shower stall, decks, porches, entry ways, closets, stairs, garages, attics or crawl spaces.  The possibilities actually seem limitless, too me.  As a matter of fact, we will likely add one or two more to our collection of no-light closets.  The great thing is that Mr. Beams has provided Busy-at-Home readers with a 20% discount off your orders by using our exclusive coupon code, MRBEAMS36. Now, you can save money and try out these fabulous lights for yourself!

pantry shower

Use suggestions. Photos supplied by Mr. Beams.

Plus, Mr. Beams has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway of one of these fabulous lights for a Busy-at-Home reader!

Giveaway Rules:

You must be 18 or older to enter and reside in the U.S.  The mandatory entry MUST be completed for any optional entries to be counted.  Winner will be selected by random drawing using random.org.  Deadline to enter is midnight (CST), Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Mandatory Entry:

In  a comment below, tell me where a Mr. Beams Anywhere Ceiling Light would be perfect to light up the dark in your house.

Additional Optional Entries:

  1. Follow Mr. Beams on Twitter and leave a comment, below, letting me know you did, as well as your Twitter handle.
  2. Like Mr. Beams on Facebook and leave a comment, below, letting me know you did, as well as your Facebook Name.
  3. Follow Busy-at-Home on Twitter.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  4. Like Busy-at-Home on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  5. Follow Busy-at-Home on Google Friends Connect.  Use the “Join” button in the right-hand sidebar.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  6. Subscribe to the Busy-at-Home Newsletter with this link (or in the right-hand sidebar).  You will receive an email confirmation with a link that must be clicked to confirm your subscription.  Once you click the email link to confirm your subscription, leave me a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
  7. Post this giveaway on your Facebook pageEnter to win a Mr. Beams Wireless Anywhere Light at Busy-at-Home! http://busy-at-home.com/blog/theres-a-shelf-in-the-front-hall-closet/Leave a comment below with a link to your post.
  8. Tweet this giveaway (1x daily) : Enter to win a Mr. Beams Wireless Anywhere Light at Busy-at-Home! @busyathome @MrBeamsLED  #review #giveaway http://ow.ly/3IgeR Leave a comment below with a link to your tweet.

.

.I was provided a Mr. Beams Anywhere Ceiling Light, through Mom Spark Media, in order to test the product and conduct this review.  A second light will be provided for the giveaway prize and shipped directly to the winner.  No monetary compensation was received and a positive review was not required.  The views and opinions expressed are wholly my own.

Progresso Soup and a SOUPer New You! Review & Giveaway

On January 18, 2011, in Budget-wise, Giveaways, In the Kitchen, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

I don’t buy many canned soups.  I’m more of a scratch-cooking kind of girl, but I do keep some on hand for those hectic nights when I need something warm and quick for a family supper.  When our kids were small, the skinny noodles with an occasional cube of “chicken” would cut it, but my [...]

I don’t buy many canned soups.  I’m more of a scratch-cooking kind of girl, but I do keep some on hand for those hectic nights when I need something warm and quick for a family supper.  When our kids were small, the skinny noodles with an occasional cube of “chicken” would cut it, but my hearty-eaters definitely need something a little more substantial, nowadays.  Progresso soups have chunks of vegetables and meat, they’re well seasoned and they taste good.  They are a better option for our family, at this stage of life.

Progresso wants to help us meet our "shaping up" goals for 2011.

I recently received the opportunity to review some Progresso Soup flavors that we hadn’t tried before.  I had no idea that they actually sell 40 different varieties, so it was a treat to try them.  The soups I received were “light”, meaning they had fewer than 100 calories per serving.  They are being promoted as part of Progresso’s Souper You™ Debut” contest!  From January 3rd through March 16th, you can visit Progresso on Facebook to enter for the chance to win a full makeover in New York City.  I could definitely use that kind of pampering and an all new look.

The soup flavors we tried were: Light Chicken Noodle, Light New England Clam Chowder, Light Vegetable Noodle, Light Santa Fe Chicken and Light Beef Pot Roast.  My husband is the only person in our household that eats Clam Chowder and it MUST be the New England variety.  He is picky about his chowder and he gave this one two-thumbs up, so I was very impressed.  He told me that being light, it was not as thick as the clam chowder he is used to, but the flavor was spot on.  The other  flavors were polished off in no time, for lunches, over a few days when I wasn’t feeling well and not doing much cooking.  There’s no question these soups aren’t homemade, but there is also no question that  Progresso soups far exceed the average canned soup fare.  We were well-satisfied.

Great Progresso Prize pack. (Note that one can of soup is included in the prize, though two are pictured.)

To help motivate you for a “Souper New You” and to help you with your goals for shaping up in 2011, Busy-at-Home readers can PRINT A $1.00 off 4 cans coupon for Progresso Soup, plus thanks to My Blog Spark and Progresso, one lucky reader is going to win a prize pack, to help them shape up in 2011, containing:

  • a VIP coupon for a free can of Progresso soup
  • a yoga mat with zippered, mesh case
  • water bottle
  • set of aerobic bands
  • sport headband
  • two sport wristbands

Giveaway Rules:

Entrants must be 18 or older and a resident of the United States.  Mandatory entry must be completed before optional entries will be counted.  Winner will be selected in a random drawing using random.org.  Deadline for entry is midnight, Sunday January 30, 2011.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Progresso online and in a comment below, tell me which of their many soup flavors you would like to try.

Optional Additional Entries:

  1. Like Progresso on Facebook. Leave a comment below letting me know you did.  Be sure to include your Facebook name, so I can find you in their fans list.
  2. Follow Busy-at-Home on Twitter.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  3. Like Busy-at-Home on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  4. Follow Busy-at-Home publicly on Google Friends Connect.  Use the “Join” button in the right-hand sidebar.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  5. Subscribe to the Busy-at-Home Newsletter with this link (or in the right-hand sidebar).  You will receive an email confirmation with a link that must be clicked to confirm your subscription.  Once you click the email link to confirm your subscription, leave me a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
  6. Post this giveaway on your Facebook page. I want to win Progresso Soup and a shape-up kit with a yoga mat, water bottle, set of aerobic bands, sport headband and wristbands!  Thanks Busy-at-Home, Progresso and My Blog Spark!
    Leave a comment below with a link to your post.
  7. Tweet this giveaway (1x daily) : Win Progresso Soup & a shape-up kit with a yoga mat, water bottle, set of aerobic bands, & more @busyathome! http://ow.ly/3FwIc #giveaway Leave a comment below with a link to your tweet.

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I received 5 cans of Progresso Soup and the shape-up kit described, above, from My Blog Spark and Progresso, in order to conduct this review.  No monetary compensation was received and a positive review was not required.  Views and opinions expressed are wholly my own.

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Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion Review and Giveaway

On January 11, 2011, in Giveaways, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

Before the holidays, I was approached to review Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion.  After visiting their website and reading about the product, I gladly accepted the opportunity.  My husband has suffered with eczema on the knuckles of his hands for the last several years.  They often get to the point of cracking and bleeding.  The [...]

Skin MD

The Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion we reviewed.

Before the holidays, I was approached to review Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion.  After visiting their website and reading about the product, I gladly accepted the opportunity.  My husband has suffered with eczema on the knuckles of his hands for the last several years.  They often get to the point of cracking and bleeding.  The patchy, scaly skin is itchy and can make him so miserable, at times.  After seeing the pictures and testimonials at the Skin MD website, I was anxious for him to try the Shielding Lotion.

I never even got a chance to take a “before” picture of his hands.  When the package arrived, he was so anxious, he opened and tried it before I was aware we had received it.  He started experiencing relief from the itching with the first application and within a day, his knuckles were less inflamed.  After using it for several weeks, now, he is a die-hard fan.  His eczema has not gone away completely, but it is barely noticeable, only one small patch on one knuckle, and he has not experienced any of the discomfort or severe dryness and cracking that was a part of his every-day life, before.

I’m neither a doctor, nor a scientist, but I do know when something works.  The explanation of just how is thoroughly detailed on the Skin MD website.  Their explanation of what our modern environment does to our skin is magnified in my mind when I think of the machinery and stresses my husband’s hands are exposed to in his work.  He has remarked several times that Skin MD was not greasy, but that it seems to form some sort of barrier over his hands, protecting them from the damage of the elements.  This makes sense with the website’s explanation of how Skin MD Shielding lotion actually bonds with the skin to increase the skins ability to form a protective layer, which we are constantly stripping away with soaps and cleansers.  However it works, Skin MD Shielding Lotion is exactly what we’ve been looking for to relieve the discomforts of my husband’s eczema.  We realize it can’t be “cured”, however we are content with the comfort and relief of symptoms that no other product has provided.  We can highly recommend this product for others seeking that same relief.  So, whether you have a more serious skin condition or just need to rescue your skin from the dry winter air, check out their website and see the benefits for you and your family.

You can purchase your own wonderful Skin MD Shielding Lotion by visiting the store on their website or using the store locator on the same site to find a local retailer or pharmacy where you can pick up a bottle.  Plus, Skin MD has generously offered to award a full-sized bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion to a lucky Busy-at-Home reader!  Enter the giveaway, below.

Giveaway Rules:

You must be 18 or older and a resident of the US to enter.  The mandatory entry must be completed for any other entries to count.  The winner will be selected by random drawing using random.org.  Deadline for entry is midnight (CST), Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit the Skin MD Natural website and leave a comment below describing one new thing you learned about the product or company.

Optional Additional Entries:

  1. Like Skin MD on Facebook.  Leave a comment below to let me know you’ve done it.
  2. Follow Skin MD on Twitter. Leave a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
  3. Follow Busy-at-Home on Twitter.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  4. Like Busy-at-Home on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  5. Follow Busy-at-Home on Google Friends Connect.  Use the “Join” button in the right-hand sidebar.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  6. Subscribe to the Busy-at-Home Newsletter with this link (or in the right-hand sidebar).  You will receive an email confirmation with a link that must be clicked to confirm your subscription.  Once you click the email link to confirm your subscription, leave me a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
  7. Post this giveaway on your Facebook pageEnter to win Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion! http://busy-at-home.com/blog/skin-naturals-md-review-and-giveaway/
    Leave a comment below with a link to your post.
  8. Tweet this giveaway (1x daily) : Enter to win Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion @busyathome @Skin MD Natural! http://busy-at-home.com/blog/skin-naturals-md-review-and-giveaway/  #review #giveaway Leave a comment below with a link to your tweet.

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I received a full-sized bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion in order to conduct this review.  No monetary compensation was received and a positive review was not required.  The views and opinions expressed are wholly my own.


Noritake Colorwave Bakeware Review and Giveaway! Another Fabulous “A Homemade Holiday” Sponsor!

On November 8, 2010, in Giveaways, Home and Garden, In the Kitchen, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

… This Giveaway is now closed.  Congratulations to #525, Sandra! I have some great news!  Noritake Colorwave Bakeware is wonderful!  Some even better news? –  Noritake is another “A Homemade Holiday” sponsor.  I had a chance over this past weekend to bake and serve with their Colorwave Bakeware and I am incredibly excited.  This stoneware [...]

Three beautiful pieces of Noritake Colorwave Bakeware in Raspberry.

This Giveaway is now closed.  Congratulations to #525, Sandra!

I have some great news!  Noritake Colorwave Bakeware is wonderful!  Some even better news? –  Noritake is another “A Homemade Holiday” sponsor.  I had a chance over this past weekend to bake and serve with their Colorwave Bakeware and I am incredibly excited.  This stoneware from Noritake is microwave-, oven- and dishwasher- safe and it comes in great color options — blue, chocolate, graphite, green and raspberry.  I received a 2-quart covered casserole, a 9½” round baker/pie plate and a 1½-quart square baker in order to conduct this review.  They are lovely, with a matte raspberry finish that makes them perfect, not just for baking, but for serving.  I think that may be one of my favorite things about Colorwave Bakeware — they make your food and table look so beautiful!  For Thanksgiving and Christmas meal preparations, they will be excellent — oven to table or fridge to table — you won’t be disappointed, no matter how you decide to use them.

I love cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas – anytime, actually; but especially when friends or family will enjoy a meal along with us.  Every family has traditional foods and dishes that they prepare for these special holidays and we are no exception, but I also get excited to “mix it up” a little and try something new.  So,  I’ve been trying new side dish and salad recipes that might be a yummy addition to our (and your) holiday menus.  I can’t wait to share them with you.  There’ll be three new recipes, this week, all prepared in my fabulous new Noritake bakeware.  Each recipe will be an individual post with its own step-by-step tutorial.  I can’t wait for you to see how delicious and beautiful they look!

The best news of all is that one Busy-at-Home reader will win this same set of three Noritake Colorwave Bakeware pieces in Raspberry for their own holiday baking!  Read the details below and enter the drawing.

Giveaway Rules

You must be 18 or older and a U.S. resident to enter.  Winner will be selected by random drawing using random.org.  Deadline to enter is midnight (CST) Sunday, November 28. Mandatory entry must be completed for any optional entries to be counted.


MANDATORY ENTRY:

Visit the Noritake website. Look around at their dinnerware, bakeware, drinkware and giftware.  Pick something other than the Raspberry Bakeware already reviewed and tell me what would you love to have?  Leave a comment below to let me know your favorite product there.

Additional Optional Entries:

  1. Like Noritake on Facebook.  Leave a comment below with your Facebook name to let me know you’ve done it.
  2. Follow Noritake on Twitter.  Leave a comment below with your Twitter handle to let me know you’ve done it.
  3. Follow Busy-at-Home on Twitter.  Leave a comment with your Twitter handle letting me know you’ve done it.
  4. Like Busy-at-Home on Facebook. Leave a comment with your Facebook name letting me know you’ve done it.
  5. Follow Busy-at-Home on Google Friends Connect.  You can use this link or click the join button in our right-hand sidebar.  Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
  6. Subscribe to the Busy-at-Home Newsletter with this link or in the right-hand sidebar.  You will receive an email confirmation with a link that must be clicked to confirm your subscription.  Once you click the email link to confirm your subscription, leave me a comment to let me know you’ve done it.
  7. Post this giveaway on your Facebook pageI’m entered to win a fabulous set of Noritake Colorwave Bakeware (retail value $200+) from Busy-at-Home and Noritake!   http://busy-at-home.com/blog/noritake-colorwave-bakeware-review-and-giveaway-another-fabulous-a-homemade-holiday-sponsor/ Leave a comment below with a link to your post.
  8. Tweet this giveaway. (one x daily). I’m entered to win a fabulous set of Noritake Colorwave Bakeware (retail value $200+) from @busyathome & @NoritakeChina   http://ow.ly/36vy8 Leave a comment below with a link to your tweet.

I received the three bakeware pieces pictured and described above, from Noritake, in order to test them and conduct this review.  No monetary compensation was received and a positive review was not required.  As always, the views and opinions expressed are wholly my own.  Noritake will provide the same set of bakeware to one Busy-at-Home reader at the conclusion of our giveaway drawing.

***Christmas at Home: A Celebration!!!*** Blogmania 2010 is Here!

On September 15, 2010, in Giveaways, Reviews, by Glenda Embree

The day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived!  Get out your comfiest computer chair, some snuggly jams and a BIG glass of iced tea or your favorite coffee mug.  The next 48 hours are going to be unbelievable!  At the final countdown, there are 168 blogs with nearly $40,000 in giveaways!  Here [...]

The day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived!  Get out your comfiest computer chair, some snuggly jams and a BIG glass of iced tea or your favorite coffee mug.  The next 48 hours are going to be unbelievable!  At the final countdown, there are 168 blogs with nearly $40,000 in giveaways!  Here at Busy-at-Home, alone, you can win nearly $1500 in giveaways!  We have the most amazing sponsors offering all of you some tremendous prizes!  I’m going to remind you of each sponsor and prize, give you our Blogmania Giveaway Rules and then you can submit one, single, required entry to be entered into ALL of our fabulous giveaway drawings!  After that, I will link you to every participating blog, so that you can enter giveaways to your heart’s content!  I’m SO excited for all of you!  I can’t wait to send the emails that say, “You’re a Winner!”

Our Busy-at-Home Blogmania Sponsor & Prize List

  1. Gift Package #1 that includes:
    • Aunt Joy’s………………………………..Handmade Personalized Christmas Stocking in the Tall Tree Design (app. value $30)
    • Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies……………20 cookie assortment box (app. value $25)
  2. Gift Package #2 that includes:
    • Aunt Joy’s……………………………….A second Handmade Personalized Christmas Stocking in the Tall Tree Design (app. value $30)
    • The Two Savvy Sisters……………….Printable Party Collection of your Choice from their Etsy shop (app. value $25)
  3. Gift Package #3 that includes:
    • Balsam Hill……………………………………….36″ lighted Noble Fir Christmas Wreath (app. value $130)
  4. Gift Package #4 that includes:
    • Bodycology………………………………………Brown Sugar Vanilla Christmas Gift Basket Set. (app. value $50)..
  5. Gift Package #5 that includes:
  6. Gift Package #6 that includes:
    • Cake Pan Lady…………………………………..Custom engraved 9×13 Cake Pan in your choice of colors & design (app. value $33)
  7. Gift Package #7 that includes:
    • Hard Candy………………………………………Fabulous makeup gift basket & makeup bag (app. value $50)
  8. Gift Package #8 that includes:
    • Keurig……………………………………………..Keurig Special Edition Brewer & 4 Assorted Boxes of K-Cups (app. value $200) (…
  9. Gift Package #9 that includes:
    • Lenox……………………………………………..8 Place Settings of “Winter Song”, their 2010 Christmas china pattern (app. value $688)
  10. Gift Package #10 that includes:
    • Lil’s Garden Shop……………………..Stick Horse Head of your Choice from Lil’s Etsy shop (app. value $24)
    • Lollipop Patch Kids…………………..His & Hers Christmas-themed Shirt Saver Bibs from their Etsy shop (app. value $12)
    • Poppin’ Dot’s Boutique………………Pillowcase Dress of your choice from their Etsy shop (app. value $9)
  11. Gift Package #11 that includes:
    • Scentsy…………………………………………..$50 gift certificate
  12. Gift Package #12 that includes:
    • stella & dot………………………………………$100 gift certificate

Giveaway Rules:

  • You must be 18 or older and a U.S. resident to enter.
  • One entry per day Sept 15 and one entry per day Sept 16.  Duplicate daily entries will be deleted.
  • Winners will be selected by random drawing at random.org, when our Blogmania Giveaway concludes at midnight (CST), Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010.
  • Winners will be notified by email on September 17 and have 48 hours to submit shipping info.  Winners who have not responded to the email by 6 pm (CST), Sept. 19, 2010, will be disqualified and a new winner will be selected at random.org.

Blogmania September 16, 2010 Entry Form:

To be registered in each of the drawings listed above, you only need to register one time. One entry puts you into the drawings for all 12 gift packages.

You MUST CLICK HERE and Follow Busy-at-Home on Twitter and submit the comment form below, letting me know you have done it.  That’s it!  Super simple!

(I realize some of you may not have a Twitter account [ummm...why? - lol], so, if you don’t you may alternatively follow Busy-at-Home on Google Friend’s Connect.  Again, just indicate which you have done on the form below.)

Easy, easy!  Have fun!  I can’t wait until midnight!

Thanks so much for entering.  The entries are now closed and the Entry Form disabled while we draw for the winners!  Have a great night and watch for the winner list announcement, tomorrow!

Other Participating Blogmania Blogs! 48 Hours to Win BIG!!!

Busy-at-Home does not endorse or police the content of any website other than its own.  I do want to encourage you to be vigilant as you leave our website to visit other blogs.  All the blogs listed below are registered participants in Blogmania 2010, and most I would consider friends and I actually frequent their blogs, myself.  That being said, I do not own this list and so am not able to edit the list or remove blogs that I would not visit myself.  I have visited each site, prior to posting this list, and while none would be qualified as explicitly obscene, there are several that in my estimation, are NOT family-friendly.  So, I urge you to use good judgment as you visit these sites.  I want you to have a great time and win prizes that are relevant to you and your family, but I also feel an obligation to ask you to use caution as you leave Busy-at-Home.

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