Mmmmmmmm, Dole fruit. I have always loved Dole fruit.  My kids love it, and even better,  it's good for them too.


DOLE Fruit Facts
Did you know by serving your kids pineapple you are providing them with an excellent source of vitamin C? Here are 5 more tips about fun and healthy snacking from the DOLE Nutrition Institute.

* For children who love to eat, let them eat their fill of DOLE Jarred Fruit, limiting only higher calorie foods.
* Fruit combats childhood obesity. Studies at Tufts and Baylor Universities link high fruit and vegetable consumption with lower childhood body mass indices (BMIs). Unlike junk food, which is high in calories and low in nutrients, fruit and veggies are low in calories but high in fiber, water and nutrients. Filling kids up with DOLE Jarred Fruit while meeting nutrient needs will make them feel more satisfied with fewer calories.
* Be creative with presentation. Give young children cut DOLE Jarred fruits and let them create funny faces or animals.
* If your child eats only a little dinner and then complains of hunger at bedtime, offer a piece of DOLE Jarred fruit as a tasty and healthy solution.
* Studies show that adequate vitamin C intake may help maintain a strong immune system. A food that is a “rich” in vitamin C contains at least 12 milligrams of vitamin C per serving.

Also when you purchase Dole Jarred fruit it comes with a few yummy recipes to try.  I made some Tropical Coconut Bites.  They are super easy to make (as is all their recipes) and very yummy.  My entire family loved them and were seriously bummed when they were gone.  I just made them this weekend and already my kids are itching for me to make some more.  I am thinking they will get their wish!!


At  www.DoleMagic.com you can find tips, hints and recipes on how families can incorporate more fruit every day as a part of healthy, fun diet. There you can also enter for a chance to win a trip for four to Maui, Hawaii for six nights with a 4-star hotel, rental car and $1,000 of spending money! Sixty daily prizes, 8 weekly prizes and 1 grand prize winner. Every time you log on you will have the chance to win a daily prize!


Remember – there's a NEW prize every day for 60 days so be sure to come back to www.DoleMagic.com every day now through October 21, 2009 for more chances to win.

Planning on winning a new GE appliance from the Strong as Steel sweepstakes, but not sure what to do with your old appliance if your win comes true? Consider helping those in need by donating your used appliance to these national charities…

• The Salvation Army: With thrift stores located throughout North America, The Salvation Army can schedule a pickup from the thrift store nearest you. Check with your local Salvation Army office to see if they accept appliance donations in your area. Learn more at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
  
  
• St. Vincent de Paul: St Vincent de Paul is a national organization with thrift stores throughout the country. Contact your local chapter to arrange for a pick-up or drop-off. The number will be listed in the Social Service Organizations section of your local yellow pages. Learn more at http://www.svdpusa.org/
  
  
• American Council of the Blind: American Council of the Blind has thrift stores in a number of major metropolitan areas. You can call them at 1-800-866-3242 or visit http://www.svdpusa.org/
  
  
• Habitat for Humanity: Habitat ReStores are retail outlets where quality used and surplus building materials are sold at a fraction of normal prices. For more information, call 1-800-HABITAT or visit http://www.habitat.org/

Don't forget you can enter DAILY for a chance to win and there is plenty of time left so enter NOW!!  See the top of my right sidebar and enter at the widget.  You can also go HERE to enter and for rules/regulations and what choice of appliances are being offered to the winner.  GOOD LUCK!!

I love fall for one reason only, and that is all the new television shows coming out.  I really am a television hound. I want to let you, my readers, know about one new show called "The Good Wife"   "It is a drama starring Emmy Award winner Julianna Margulies as a wife and mother who must assume full responsibility for her family and re-enter the workforce after her husband's (Chris Noth) very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail.  Pushing aside the betrayal and crushing public humiliation caused by her husband Peter (Chris Noth), Alicia Florrick (Margulies) starts over by pursuing her original career as a defense attorney.  Gaining confidence every day, Alicia transforms herself from embarrassed politician's scorned wife to resilient career woman, especially for the sake of providing a stable home for her children.  For the first time in years, Alicia trades in her identity as the "good wife" and takes charge of her own destiny."


This show's topic seems to be ripped from the headlines these days. A politician, a scandal and the wife by his side left to pick up the pieces.  Granted the show is pure fiction but I think a show about a wife/mother's life  in the shadow of a husband/fathers's very public scandal will make for some very intriguing viewing.




Please join me on Tuesday, September 22nd at 10pm ET/9pm CT for "The Good Wife" on CBS.  I would love to know what you thought of the series premiere so please come back here after the show and post your comments and opinions.

Some time back I posted about a Toy and Product Recall Finder that is on Parents.com.

Recently there were some more product recalls added that I would like to pass on to you, my readers.

• Children's hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings – posing a strangulation hazard
• Bonavita "Cabana" drop side cribs - slats can detach or break creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers
• Bugaboo Bee Strollers - One or both sides of the brakes can fail, causing a stroller to unexpectedly roll away on an incline

For a complete list of recalls please visit the Toy and Product Recall Finder and "Be Safe".

I love yogurt. If you do too, then you can save on something new. Click HERE for a $1.00 off coupon for Fiber One Yogurt. This yummy yogurt has only 50 calories and 0 grams of fat. Plus it's packed with 5 grams of fiber, and we all could use more of that in our diets. Enjoy!!

General Electric appliances has an ingenious idea just for you. Still putting off getting in shape for summer?? Well wait no more!!

Try the GE Strong As Steel workout. If you have a kitchen you can do this workout. To celebrate their now very affordable line of durable Stainless Steel Appliances, they’ve created a humorous take on workout routines entitled “Strong As Steel.” This exercise routine uses nothing but GE kitchen appliances as workout equipment! The video features The Biggest Loser’s very own Alison Sweeney.

Yes, it is that time again. Time to go shopping at Macy's!! Mother's day is coming up and this is the perfect chance to find that great gift. Macy's is having a big 6 day sale, April 29th - May 4th. In addition to the wonderful deals you will already be getting you can also take advantage of their "Friends and Family" 25% discount. So whether it's a gift for mom or maybe even a new bathing suit for you (summer is fast approaching) you are sure to find something great at Macy's.

If you prefer to shop online you can still use the coupon by using the promo code MACYSFRIEND at checkout.




Access coupon HERE or click on the coupon above.

I belong to several mommy message boards and visit mom blogs all day and it is a fact that there are some really cute kids out there. Us proud moms are always posting pics of our little darlings. Now we have a chance to get them on the cover of Parents Magazine.

This looks pretty fun for someone like me. Maybe some online tips, tricks, ideas and recipes will get me into cooking more. It isn't that I am a bad cook because I am not. I just have no imagination when it comes to cooking.

Well Betty Crocker has just introduced "The Mixer", and this is what it is all about.

When you join The Mixer online (IT’S FREE!) you will learn the ins and
outs of cooking and baking, while interacting with Betty Crocker
Kitchen experts LIVE during a class and connecting with an entire
community of people just like you. What’s great is that you can do it in
the comfort of your own kitchen whenever it best fits your schedule.

I could get into this. Something interactive and fun could just be what I need to get my creative juices flowing. I am always looking for new recipes to spice up the normal everyday foods we usually prepare.

They have The Mixer cooking video shown various times throughout the week so you are sure to catch one on your schedule. They also have great links like...
* recipes
* cooking
* baking
* entertaining
* how-to
* Community
* products
* Shop

Check out this short video to see what you'll be seeing and getting with The Mixer from Betty Crocker.



It looks fun and I am going to check out my first cooking video with them tomorrow (4/11)

It might just be your hubby! Parents.com is having a "Cutest Daddy" contest. It is about time daddy's get to be involved.

Up to six photos of your cute dad and kid can be submitted. The photos will be judged on overall appearance of the subject, adherence to the cutest daddy theme, and the quality of photo. Also, a week after the contest closes, you will have a chance to vote on the 20 finalist photos at the Parents.com website.

What will the winner get you ask? Well let me tell ya!! One (1) winner will receive a Canon - PowerShot 8.0MP Digital ELPH Camera, retail value $249.99.

What are you waiting for?? You only have until April 10, 2009 to upload your cutest daddy (and kid) photo/s HERE!

official rules

Do you ever wonder when your child doesn't feel well and if they are actually sick enough to keep home? I know, sometimes it is totally obvious, but other times your just not sure. I know with 3 boys I have had to make this decision many times. I have called my mom asking her, should I, shouldn't I send one of them to school? I mean she is a mom, my mom she has all the answers right? It is never that easy however.

I would like to pass on some information to all my readers. Triaminic in association with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) has come up with "Sick Day Guidelines". These Guidelines are aimed at helping parents decide when to keep their kids at home, or send them off to school.


One thing I like about Triaminic is their Thin Strips. They are a safe and convenient way to help ease my child’s cough and cold symptoms. Each strip provides a pre-measured dose of medicine that dissolves quickly on the tongue, so I know my boys are receiving the intended dose, every time (for ages four and older. Remember that it is important to always read and follow medicine labels exactly.) .

The Triaminic Sick Days site also has information on how to help your child feel better and things to do to help prevent your child from getting a cold. This time of year especially this is good info to know and have on hand.

On the Triamic website you can also download a coupon to save $1.50 off a box of the Triaminic Thin Strips. I know for me I always like to have cold meds on hand when the need arises.

I am going to print this info out and put it up on my refrigerator. For those of you who know moms that may not frequent the blog world I am sure they would find this information very useful too, so spread the word.

There seems to be plenty of recalls these days that sometimes it feels hard to keep up with them all. As a mom you need to be concerned, and informed, if that toy, stroller, crib or anything your baby/child uses is safe.

I myself have had a recalled toy in my house before. Anyone remember Aqua Dots? Luckily my kids didn't eat the dots and get sick, but gee how scary.


Parents.com now has a Toy and Product Recall Finder on their site. They make it pretty easy to find out if there is a recall on something you have or are concerned about, or just want to check out before you buy. You can do a search using product name, brand or model number and there are lots of categories to aid in the search. They also have the top ten most recent recalls listed for easy access.

So moms pass this along to your friends and family so they too can keep their children safe.

Inkheart is the latest movie with Brendan Fraser. This family-friendly fantasy adventure sends a father and daughter on a quest through worlds both real and imagined.
A young girl finds her father has the ability to bring characters out of books by reading aloud. Now they must stop a villain from destroying them all. It's in theaters nationwide on January 23th.

Inkheart is based on the best selling trilogy by Cornelia Funke.

This looks like a exciting movie and something all 3 of my boys would really like. This will be the first movie of the new year that we will be going to.

Don't forget It's in theaters nationwide on January 23th.

Visit the official movie site HERE.

That is what I like to do. And this year Macy's is making it even easier (and more affordable) for all of us to do just that.

Let all gear up for Macy's Friends and Family program. Macy's loves to share so much that this year they are sharing their employee discount with YOU!
Just click on the link below to print your very own Macy's Friends and Family coupon. Then just bring it to Macy's anytime starting Wednesday, December 10th Through Monday, December 15th and save 20%
Download the Macy's Friends and Family Coupon!

The coupon is also good for online purchases.
Macy's offers great brands like MAC, Lacoste, DKNY, Shisheido, Tommy Hilfiger and many others. There is something at Macy's for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Thank you Macy's for being so generous this season!!

Kmart is having some great saving for online purchases this holiday season. Here are a few of their great deals.

This is a beautiful 1/4ct tw Diamond 5-Stone Journey Pendant and Earrings Set in 10K Yellow Gold with Extra 10% off online only (search ID# 89270115)
I think any woman would love this pendant and earrings set. Time to leave a little note to your honey and let him know that you know exactly what you want.

I just love this Abbey Hill bedding Medallion Dream bedding collection – Extra 30% online only (search ID# 96096112)

The colors for this bedding collection are beautiful. A nice soft blue with a bold dark brown would look good in any bedroom. They have 3 different styles of throw pillows to mix and match in this collection. They are all cute, get one of each!!

Don't wait though, because these extra discounts are only available through November 26th. Also, discounts will be shown in the cart/checkout page and not on the product page.

Through December though Kmart will be having an additional 10% sale off items online in these categories.
- womens plus sleepwear
- womens attention brand
- girls tops
- ALL juniors
- boys tops
- mens shirts and bottoms
- big mens shirts and bottoms
- infant and toddler bedding

Also when you go to Kmart they will have hidden ornaments throughout the site every week through to Christmas that provides you extra savings on already great prices with a secret coupon code! You don't want to miss that!

I think this is so wonderful and awesome. Macy's is doing something great for the holidays.

We all love Santa, I know I still believe. Our kids like to write Santa ever year, but what do we do with those letters? We send them to the "North pole" somewhere or we tell our kids we mailed them.

Well this year Macy's has a much better idea. Just take those letters to Santa and visit your local Macy's store. They have special Santa mailboxes set up and for every letter that is put in one of their mailboxes Macy's will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

How many Macy's stores are there? How many letters are written every year to Santa? This could be very huge and to such a worthwhile cause also.

Macy's will also have a Believe Meter

set up to measure the belief and generosity of the human spirit this holiday season.

Please, everyone get the word out and stop by Macy's and show that you too "BELIEVE".

Go HERE to learn all about it.