I first heard about people going Gluten Free, but never knew much the reasons behind it or even tried any Gluten Free products.  Udi’s recently sent me a box of their breads to try and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how good they were!

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye that some people cannot tolerate – some reactions are more severe than others, but it is estimated that 1 in every 200 people is sensitive to gluten. Udi’s specializes in gluten free bakery products for those who eat gluten-free due to Celiac’s disease, gluten-intolerance, or by choice. Not only are Udi’s products gluten-free, but they are made with only high quality ingredients so they are as good for you.

As I said, I didn’t know much about the taste and textures of gluten-free bread, but as an avid baker, I knew how important gluten is to bread-making. The breads were smaller and more dense that I am used to, but I dove right in to start trying them!

Whole Grain Bread Loaf- I hadn’t made a Bread Pudding for quite some time and was having a craving. Adapting a recipe from Make It Fast, Cook It Slow, I whisked together 2 eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 t vanilla, 1/2 t vanilla, 1/2 t. nutmegs and a pinch of cloves. I grabbed my 2 qt crockpot and buttered the inside of the pot. Then I took about 7 slices of Udi’s Whole Grain bread and tore them to pieces and folded the bread as well as about 1/4 cup of raisins in to the egg mixture. I poured that mixture in to the buttered crockpot and let it cook on low for about 4 hours.  The result?  a bread pudding that nobody could ever tell was gluten free or “different” in any way!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread - this made the most AMAZING French Toast. The kids wondered why it looked a little different than their regular bread (I have 3 VERY picky eaters), and I told them to just try it! We ended up using the entire loaf for 1 breakfast because they just would not stop eating it! Beyond that, it is just amazing toasted with a little bit of butter on it!

If you are thinking about going Gluten Free (or have an upcoming guest who needs GF foods), Udi’s would be a great choice. Not only will you be meeting the needs of your guests, but they are products that anyone would find tasty after they leave and you are left with products to finish!

You can find Udi’s on Twitter and Facebook.

I was given a 6 pack variety pack of Udi’s bread to facilitate my post. This Post was written by me and was not edited by the sponsor.

Photo Credit

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

I recently had the opportunity to get together with some of my favorite Philly Bloggers as part of a campaign with Lawry’s.  We are participating in a national recipe contest as “Team Philly” and our challenge was to come up with some new recipes for a “Holiday Dinner”.  Seeing as it is still summer and we are in the heart of Grilling Season, we decided to design a couples-themed Labor Day party!

The requirements were to come up with an appetizer, a main dish and a dessert.  However, since this was also a get together with some of my favorite Philly Bloggers, we decided to go above and beyond and have a little extra fun!

The menu:

Cheesy Baked Artichoke Dip

Pineapple Salsa

Cedar Plank Salmon with Grilled Vegetables

Grilled Corn – see recipe below

Sweet and Spicy Peaches and Strawberries – see recipe below

Lawry’s Sweet and Seasoned Surprise – see recipe below

I have to admit, the thought of creating a dessert and our little “add-on” of a cocktail was a little strange to me.  When I think of Lawry’s, “sweet” is not a word that typically comes to mind.  I was pleasantly surprised by the Peaches & Strawberries and BLOWN AWAY by our cocktail!

Make sure that you check out Moms Need to Cook for the Cheesy Baked Artichoke Dip, Pineapple Salsa and Cedar Plank Salmon with Grilled Vegetables recipes

Corn on the Cob

• Remove outer layers of corn husks
• Soak corn in cold water for 20 minutes
• peel back husks and dribble olive oil and shake on Lawry’s seasoned salt
• push corn husks back around cob and grill for 20-40 minutes, turning every now and again
• remove corn and serve

Sweet and Spicy Strawberries and Peaches

• 1 lb strawberries
• 3 fresh local peaches
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 tbsp Lawry’s Balsamic Vinegar Marinade

1. cut tops of strawberries and slice peaches into slices
2. marinade in water, marinade, and sugar
3. place in foil and grill for 5-6 minutes
4. serve with vanilla ice cream or greek yogurt

Lawry’s Sweet & Seasoned Surprise

• 2 oz tequila
• 2 ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup frozen peaches
• Juice of ½ Lemon

1. Lawry’s seasoned pepper
2. Mix above in a blender.
3. Pour some Seasoned Pepper on a plate
4. Wet Margarita glass with a lemon and dip in Lawry’s seasoning
5. Enjoy this salty and sweet drink!

The Giveaway

Lawry’s is offering one reader a giveaway package with: 16 oz Seasoned Salt, Balsamic Herb Marinade and a Seasoned Salt Marinade. YUMMY!!!

To enter: Leave me a comment! Tell me which recipe we made that you would try.

This giveaway will remain open until Saturday August 20, 2011 at 12:00pm EST at which time I will pick a winner using the And The Winner Is plugin.

Disclosure:  I was compensated for my participation in this campaign

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Kids are funny.

I don’t know what it is about bread crusts that makes a sandwich “uneatable”, but Elizabeth REFUSES to eat any crust at all.  I have always known people with children who insisted that the crusts be cut off their PB&J, but never thought I would have one myself!  While I tend to make her PB&J at home, I like to keep a box of Uncrustables in the freezer for those times when we need to “grab & go”.

I was even shocked to visit Jonathan at school one day during his lunch period, only to find that his school offers Uncrustables as a lunch option (although it is a larger size than is available in the grocery stores).  It’s not that he is “anti-crust”…he just really prefers to eat those than the typical school lunch (except on Taco Day). Considering what I have been hearing lately about school lunches lately (thanks Jamie Oliver!), I would much rather he eat an Uncrustables than “mystery meat!  I also like that a recent addition is that they are available in a whole-wheat variety!

Right now Uncrustables is having a contest with the Grand Prize being a 5-day/4-night trip for winner and 3 guests to Yosemite National Park, CA, with round-trip coach air transportation, hotel accommodations and $4,000 cash! Just head to the Uncrustables site and upload your photo of your family that shows their unstoppable qualities in action, along with a short caption.

Of course, I am always looking for coupons for the products that we use, so make sure that you are following Uncrustables on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the latest promotions!

Have you tried Uncrustables?  What is your favorite flavor (I have to admit, they used to have a grilled cheese one that my kids loved…but I think they discontinued it!)?

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

When I was young, I was always a big fan of horror movies.  Now that I am older and have children of my own, it is the romantic comedies that tickle my fancy.  Life is stressful enough and sometimes you just want a nice light movie that makes you laugh.

Selena Gomez is a huge name around our house.  Both my boys AND my daughter love her and when I showed them the trailer for Monte Carlo, they immediately asked me if we can go to see it.

Grace (Selena Gomez) is an ordinary girl who becomes an accidental heiress when a summer trip to Paris turns into the fantasy of a lifetime (although as far as I am concerned, just the trip to Paris is a fantasy of a lifetime!). After saving all her life in order to go to Paris, her dream trip is not all that it is cracked up to be…bad tours, crummy hotels and more plague her trip.

That all changes when she is mistaken for a British socialite named Cordelia. She and her friends decide to “go with it” and assume Cordelia’s life of privilege and they head to Monte Carlo.

Of course, what would a romantic comedy be without the romance?  Grace soon meets a gorgeous young Frenchman and there are love interests for her friends.  In between the chance-of-a-lifetime adventures, the three girls discover that the greatest adventure is finding out who they really are.

Monte Carlo has been added to my list of must-see Summer Movies.  It looks like a nice wholesome movie that not only entertains, but will teach pre-teens a valuable lesson about the importance of being true to yourself.

So head on over to Fandango to check movie times and grab tickets….this is going to be a hot movie this summer!  In the meantime, you can always head to the Monte Carlo Facebook page and chat with other Monte Carlo and Selena Gomez fans!

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Although I have been posting Walgreens coupon matchups for some time, it is only in the last year that I have had a Walgreens near me and been able to shop there.  Walgreens quickly became my favorite drug store.  While I am able to stock up on many items with coupons, there are oftentimes where someone gets sick or has a problem and needs a product that you just don’t have in your stockpile.

Of course, I am talking about Brads feet!

Brad recently came down with a bad case of athlete’s foot and asked me to run out to grab him something to get rid of it.  I headed to Walgreens (not only is it my favorite drug store, it also happens to be the closest one to me).

As I stood in front of the foot care section, I went in to “sticker shock”.  Not knowing what the difference was between the products, I grabbed a few, including TOLNAFTATE and went to ask the pharmacist for a recommendation.  The pharmacist pointed out to me that Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products contained the same active ingredients as the name-brands, at a considerable savings.  She also let me know Walgreens brand medications are 100% guaranteed so if it didn’t help Brads problem, I could get my money back.  That was enough for me and I headed home with the TOLNAFTATE.  Thankfully, it worked and Brad was back on his feet (pun intended) quickly!

Of course, I will continue to work the Register Rewards deals at Walgreens, but now I know that I can trust Walgreens-brand products for those items that we need.  Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products helped me to save money and the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ means that some of my purchase was donated to help others.

Have you tried any Walgreens-brand products?  Which ones have worked best for you?

Oh – and there are a few bloggers hosting giveaways of Walgreens gift cards.  Be sure to check them out!

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

There are not many things we splurge on in this household, but technology is one of them. Protecting those investments is very worth it to me, and considering the wear and tear that our phones, ipods, and now the newest ipad receives, having these cases be nearly indestructible is a worthwhile expense.

I was first introduced to Otterbox last year, getting a case for my Blackberry as well as a an iPad case for my mother-in-law. When I bought a new phone and an iPad for Brad for his birthday, there was NO QUESTION that we were getting Otterbox cases for them. With the kids always asking to play with our phones and iPad, we need them as protected as possible!  They have been dropped more times that I can count and, because they are protected, are still working great!

I love Otterbox’s Defender Series, and if you are a person on the go, or have children sharing technology with you, I highly recommend this series. It’s part of their most rugged line of cases, utilizing multi-layer technology and designed to withstand just about any environment. Don’t worry about losing any access or functionality in the Defender Series; they’ve designed it so you can use all of the features right through the case. The inner polycarbonate shell has a foam interior to protect the back from scratching, while the durable silicone skin works its magic by absorbing shock. If you are needing a waterproof case, there are cases that meet that need as well.

As part of our Father’s Day Bash Giveaway, two winners will have their choice of an Otterbox case , up to a $50 value, and trust me, if you enjoy technology, there is something for everyone.

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know what case you would buy for your technology.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Otterbox giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-a0W

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, December 13, 2010 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
Bargain Briana
Common Sense With Money
Coupon Cravings
Frugal Coupon Living
Mommin It Up
Passion for Savings
Saving Cents with Sense
Savings Lifestyle
Southern Savers
Stretching a Buck

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Otterbox gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Father’s Day is often one of the hardest time of the year to come up with original ideas, or ideas that will be within your budget.  Many dads see something they want and they just buy it…or when you ask them what they want, they answer “Whatever you get me is fine!”.  There are only so many ties and socket sets that you can buy for Dad before the gifts become just more clutter. One of the ways to avoid giving a gift destined for the back of the closet is to give a consumable gift!

1800Baskets has an amazing selection of gift baskets and there is one for every budget! Is Dad a golfer?  The Taste of The Tour Tote Bag & Snacks with its snacks, golf balls, tees and cooler would be a great gift!  Is Dad always trying to fix everything around the house?  Help him keep his energy up with the Handyman’s Snack Gift Set.

So many dads will spend Father’s Day in the backyard cooking on the grill, making the Happy Father’s Day Classic BBQ  Gift Set the perfect gift set for any dad!  Stuffed with Jim Beam® Spicy Bourbon BBQ Rub, Steven Raichlen® BBQ Rub, Robert Rothschild® Onion Horseradish Dip, Crisp Red Tortilla Chips, Smoky Cheese as well as some handy barbecue tools, Dad can “step out of the hamburgers and hot dogs box” and experiment with new flavors.  There is even an adorable Cheryl’s Cookie that looks exactly like a hamburger! The whole thing comes packed in a box that looks just like a grill!

If Dad prefers the sweet to the savory, you will want to take a look at Cheryl’s Cookies.  Cheryl’s Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good! Each cookie is baked fresh from the best ingredients and individually wrapped. Their seasonal buttercream-frosted cookie collections are always a big hit with any cookie lover!

One Moms Need To Know reader will win a Happy Father’s Day Classic BBQ  Gift Set AND a 12-count box of Cheryl’s Cookies, wrapped perfectly for Father’s Day!

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know which gift basket the dad in your life would love the most.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the 1800Baskets/Chery’l Cookies giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-a0D

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, June 13, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: 1800 Baskets gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Looking for a great gift for Dad for this Father’s Day?  Check out Red Envelope, the site has gifts for every dad.  With prices as low as $29.99, there is a gift to fit every budget.  Check out some of my favorites:

This gadget charger for the car will help out gadget friendly dad charge almost anything.  With 2AC outlets for laptops, DVD players, phone chargers, camera chargers, etc. and one USB power port for iPods, MP3 players and cell phones, it’s great for car trips!

For the dad that loves to play golf, these good luck golf tees will bring him a little but of luck and also a chuckle.  Each one comes with a humorous good luck quote on it. Examples include, “May your ball have the wings of an eagle” and “When there’s a wood, there’s a way.”  Each set includes 100 tees.

This personalized poker set is a winning bet for the dad that loves to play the game.  The set comes with 300 top-quality composite clay poker chips, two sets of professional-grade playing cards, a dealer chip and five dice.

For the cigar aficionado, you can’t go wrong with this personalized cigar humidor.

This car trunk organizer would make dad and mom happy!  it includes a cooler in it, perfect for tailgating.  But the organizing compartments would help keep the mess in the trunk contained making mom happy.

If Dad just needs a little stress relief, get him a set of Bucky Balls!  I got these for Brad and he can’t stop playing with them!

1 Lucky Winner will win a $100 credit to shop at Red Envelope

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know what you would get if you won.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Red Envelope giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-a11

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, June 13, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Red Envelope gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Novica gives artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity.  They give people like us access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values!  NOVICA wants you to feel an attachment to the product you’re buying and and the hands that made it.  They don’t charge artists for posting items on their website and the artists remain fully independent.

With Father’s Day coming up, check out some of the amazing things they have.  You’ll be the talk of Father’s Day as everyone thinks you went to Africa just for dad’s gift! I love their hammocks!  They’re really unique and not terribly expensive.  I’m sure most dads wouldn’t mind hanging out on one of these this Father’s Day.  For the next week they are also offering FREE shipping on most items!

Don’t need a gift for Father’s Day?  Well – I can’t.stop.drooling over their jewelry!

Want to win? One lucky Moms Need To Know reader will win a $100 credit to NOVICA!

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know f you could travel somewhere just for their art, where would you go?.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Novica giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-a0I

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, June 13, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Novica gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Tanga is a great daily deals site offering 24 hour discounts at 7PM PST every day on Electronics/Gadgets, T-Shirts, Magazine Subscriptions and more.

If you are looking for hot Father’s Day bargains this year, you are in luck! Tanga is offering our readers 3 exclusive Win Giveaways Father’s Day Bash sales to help you with your Father’s Day shopping.

First up is a 1 year subscription to Golfweek Magazine for just $2.99!

Enter coupon code GOLF at check out to take advantage of this great deal.

If the man (or men!) in your life could use some new shoes, be sure to check out these Tommy Bahama Journey’s End Mens Shoes. Tanga is currently offering these comfortable and stylish shoes for $34.99 + $5.99 shipping – a savings of 70% regular retail price of $135.

Continue reading: #WinGiveaways: $100 To Spend at Tanga.com

Various Watch Functions Include:

• Time: time, date, month, day, 12 or 24 hour watch, daily alarm clock, and dual time zones.
• Heart Rate: use your finger to touch the watch and test your rate or use the strap that comes in the kit, workout memory, personalized heart rate zone alert, calorie consumption, etc.
• Timer: sound alarm, times up to 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds
• Chronograph: lap/split memory recall, up to 100 laps, times up to 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds
• Pedometer: measure strides, time, distance, and speed

Thomas (my oldest) gave this monitor a test drive in our home and even he was surprised with how light the belt felt on…even to a 10 year-old! The watch was sleek and sporty and deemed “cool”, especially with all of the information the face of the watch could share. Thomas has been using it almost every day, either while riding his bike or just running laps around the house and he loves to use the monitor to track his improvement in time and his heart rate!

If you feel as though you might be breaking the bank with this Father’s Day gift, Sportline also has Qlip Pedometer for $35 and The Men’s Health Power Strip at $20. Did you realize that men represent 45 percent of all fitness walkers? The Qlip has the ability to be clipped on to your clothing or is small enough to fit inside your pocket. It tracks steps, distance, calories and total time in activity. The Power Strip is your in home gym. Attach it to a door, and practice different moves toning different areas of your body. It comes with handles and ankle straps and can travel with you on the road. This could save dad the expensive costs of a gym membership.

Moms Need To Know readers can save 20% off any purchase on Sportline.com with code 4DAD. Code expires on Father’s Day.

One Moms Need To Know reader will win a DUO 1060 Speed & Distance Heart Rate Monitor.

Continue reading: #WinGiveaways: Sportline DUO Heart Rate Monitor ($120 value)

ZeroWater is an In Home Filtrations System that uses a Duel-Ion Exchange system to remove virtually all dissolved solids from Tap Water. In fact ZeroWater is the only filtered system that meets the FDAs Requirements for Purified Bottled Water and it’s considered just as effective as Reverse Osmosis in reducing chomium-6 levels in water. All ZeroWater products come with a testing meter that guarantees a 000 reading on Total Dissolved Solids. Plus, ZeroWater Pitchers & Dispensers are BPA-free and they offer a Filter Recycling Program to help you discard of used filters.

If you compare your Standard Water Filter which is a Carbon Based Filter to Zero Water you can see the difference in the total dissolved solids that remain.  I was actually very shocked at the amount of solids that remained in what is supposed to be the filtered water from my fridge dispenser!

ZeroWater has an option for just about every Size and Budget:

ZeroWater 23 Cup Filter Dispenser – This ZeroWater Dispenser offers a one-hand pull and pour button spout which allows you to easily fill up any cup or Bottle with water. The dispenser is 10 1/2″ Tall and only 6″ wide. The 23 cup dispenser also features a tapered top design to allow it to easily fit into the top shelves of your refrigerator. This ZeroWater product also features an easy access fill lid so you can refill your dispenser without removing it from your refrigerator. The ZeroWater 23 Cup Dispenser retails for just $39.99.

ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher – This ZeroWater product is a cross between the Pitcher and the Dispenser. It gives you the option to Pour the water or use the Dispenser on the bottom of the unit to fill water bottles and more. With a 10 cup Reservoir you get the benefits of both the Pitcher and the Dispenser with the added space saving benefit. The ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher is sold exclusively at Bed Bath & Beyond for $37.99.

ZeroWater 8 Cup Pitcher - The 8 Cup Pitcher contains an Ion Exchange Filter which removes the chlorine taste you typically get with Tap Water. It also removes any dissolved solids that may be in your water including Aluminum, Lead, Zinc, Nitrate and more. This ZeroWater pitcher is small enough to keep in your Fridge or on the Counter and contains a One-Hand Pull & Pour Spout to fill any Bottle or Cup. The 8 Cup ZeroWater Pitcher retails for just $35.00.

1 Lucky Winner will win all 3 of these ZeroWater Products plus a supply of 8 Ion Exchange Replacement Filters. A Value of over $200!

Continue reading: #WinGiveaways: Zero Water Dispensers, Pitchers and Filters ($200+ Value!)

I received an HP Photosmart Premium e-All-in-One Printer (model C310a) and I am already in love with it.  Why? Because you can print coupons from Coupons.com directly from the printer…you don’t even need a computer!  No fancy manuevering needed – the applications were preinstalled on the touchscreen (ok – maybe I am a little overexcited about this, but my printer has been giving me headaches lately to the point where I couldn’t print ANY coupons…it’s nice to be back in business!)

But the HP Photosmart C310a isn’t just about printing coupons.  Aside from the “regular” printing capabilities, you can print the Web right from the printer.  You can connect to your Snapfish account right from the printer to select, view, enhance and then print your pictures.  Once again – no computer needed!  There are a bunch of applications already installed and I am looking forward to exploring them more in-depth.

Setting up the wireless printing was as simple as can be (which is good because I was tired of lugging my laptop over to my old printer and plugging in via USB every time I needed to print something).  Within minutes, we had the 3 laptops and 1 desktop connected to the printer.  Easy Peasy!

Dual paper trays:  one thing that I LOVE is that there are 2 separate paper trays…one for regular copy paper and another for photo paper.  You don’t have to juggle paper when you want to switch from documents to photo prints.  You can keep both loaded and ready to go.  The quality of the photos that I printed was exceptional…they looked just like they had been professionally printed.

Ink: one thing that was “new to me” was that the color ink wasn’t just a single cartridge….is is several cartridges, each a different color that can be purchased individually.  No more having to buy a whole new 3-color cartridge just because the level of Magenta was too low.  When Magenta is running low/out of ink, you simply buy a new Magenta cartridge.  The old “3 colors in 1″ cartridges always seemed so impractical to me….this makes much more sense. Even better, right now you can get $15 off a $75 purchase from HP.com when you use the code 15SAVINGS …and ink qualifies for FREE next day delivery

And now the people at HP and Savings.com has given me an HP Photosmart Premium C310a printer ($199 value) to give away!

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know one way you save money on ink or one feature that you look for in a printer.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the HP Photosmart Premium giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-9Jq

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, May 16, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: The people at Savings.com and HP gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

This post brought to you by FRESCHETTA®. All opinions are 100% mine.

My family is boring.

My children only like cheese pizza and Brad only likes “Let’s pile as much meat as possible on a slice” pizza.  Me?  I like veggies, veggies and veggies on my pizza.  Yeah – it makes ordering out FUN!

Freschetta Pizza has introduced FRESCHETTA® By the Slice.  Not generally being a fan of “microwave pizza”, I wasn’t sure if I would like it.  But after trying it?  It has become the perfect solution to our “pizza night problem”.  The kids can get their boring cheese pizza.  Brad can get his “meat lovers” pizza.  And me?  I am in LOVE with the Chicken, Spinach & Mushroom pizza!

FRESCHETTA® By the Slice cooks up nice and crisp in the microwave.  It is also perfect for portion control.  Just add a salad and you have a great and satisfying meal!  It is available in the following flavors:

• BBQ Recipe Chicken
• Vegetable Medley
• Chicken, Spinach & Mushroom
• Six Cheese Medley

The Chicken, Spinach & Mushroom is my hands-down favorite.  It is rich in flavor and is completely different from most of the other microwave pizzas that you see at the supermarket!

Giveaway:  I have a FREE Freschetta by the Slice coupon as well as a 6 piece Freschetta storage set to give away to 1 Moms Need To Know reader!

To enter leave a comment telling me what flavor Freschetta by the Slice sounds best to you!

As a bonus entry, “Like” Freschetta on Facebook! and leave an additional comment letting me know you did so.

This giveaway will remain open until May 15, 2011 at 12:00pm EST at which time I will pick a winner via random.org.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

There are a few memories from childhood that will never fade….my mother dressing me in a plaid jumper with pigtails (I’m old), her reading me The Owl And The Pussycat, my father’s famous meatloaf recipe (which I think was beef + Lipton Soup Mix, but it was AWESOME),  my sister “accidentally” pulling my hair too hard each morning as she french-braided my hair so tight it gave me a facelift), me locking the school secretary IN to her office when I was in 6th grade (I still haven’t figured out how I did that, but BOY did I get in trouble)….and a popcorn tin at every family holiday gathering.

I’m serious about the popcorn tin.  Every.single.gathering.  It usually went like this:  8 grandchildren gathered around the tin fighting like wet cats in a bag to get the most caramel corn…then we split in to groups of 4 to fight over the cheese vs. butter popcorn.

(Far Too Many) years later, popcorn is STILL one of my favorite foods, but popcorn tins have come a LONG way since then. No longer are we limited to just cheese, butter and caramel corn (although the traditional flavors ARE wonderful).  We can have Jalapeno, Buffalo Ranch, Chocolate, Cinnamon and even Ginger Teriyaki…and The Popcorn Factory has all these and more!

The Popcorn Factory has a great selection of delicious popcorns that can be delivered in all sorts of ways….from a bare-bones “just give me my popcorn NOW” packaging, to a variety of decorative tins to celebrate any occasion….a birthday, a Thank You gift, college graduation, etc.  You name it!

Would you like to give The Popcorn Factory a try?  Well – I have TWO $40 Gift cards to give away!

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Check out The Popcorn Factory and leave a comment letting me know what product you would most like to try.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win The Popcorn Factory $40 giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://wp.me/pgD6z-9H4

This giveaway will remain open until Thursday May 12, 2011 at 12:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick 2 winners using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

If you are unfamiliar with Dave Ramsey, he is a financial adviser and radio star who has helped millions of people get out of debt and start saving. He is the founder of Financial Peace University, a series of classes held all over the country on a rolling basis that teaches people how to make the right decisions when it comes to their finances, to pay off their debt, start saving money for emergencies, retirement and college..and to start building wealth. When you purchase Financial Peace University, it includes a Lifetime Membership to the classes – you and your spouse can attend an FPU class anywhere, any time, at no extra charge.

If you aren’t ready for the full-blown Financial Peace University, Dave has a fantabulous Starter pack.  This includes the book The Total Money makeover, a Money Answer Book, the Cash Flow Planning and Dumping Debt DVDs, as well as the Designer Red Envelope System.  This is pretty much the same package that I purchased when I got started!  Dave covers his Baby Step plan in-depth, shares testimonies from other people, and teaches you step by step how to set up a cash flow plan and pay off your debt in a way that really works for you.

Dave doesn’t just teach adults how to manage their money.  He has a whole line of products, including a Kids Monster Pack,  designed to teach children how to manage their money.  It is geared towards children ages 3-12 and includes Financial Peace Jr., all 6 of Dave’s illustrated kids’ books, plus the NEW Junior’s Adventures 6 CD Audio Set.

Thanks to Dave Ramsey, 1 winner will receive a Financial Peace University Lifetime Membership, a Kids Monster Pack, a starter special, and a 6-month subscription to My Total Money Makeover. What makes this prize package so special is that you can keep everything for yourself or, if you have a friend or family member who could use some help, Keep Financial Peace University for yourself and give the Starter pack to a friend. What a GREAT gift that would make!

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know why you would like to win this prize package.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Dave Ramsey Prize Pack giveaway @mindicherry at http://bit.ly/egIZfc

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, March 29, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

• Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Bargain Briana
• Common Sense with Money
• Frugal Coupon Living
• Moms Need to Know
• Passion for Savings
• Saving Cents with Sense
• Southern Savers
• Stretching a Buck
• The Savings Lifestyle

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Dave Ramsey and The Lampo Group gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

This post brought to you by Victor Pest. All opinions are 100% mine.

For many, Spring Cleaning is about more than just washing the windows and airing out the house…it’s also about getting the “critters” out of the house as well!  Our home backs up to a field and we have had an off and on problem with rodent control for years, especially in the warmer months when the kids are running around outside and the garage door is left open for most of the day.

The problem is, I can’t stand the traditional methods of rodent control.  Mousetraps require constant monitoring and with 3 children and a dog in the house, I am not particularly interested in having poisons spread around the house (especially since you never know if a mouse is going to NOT make it back outside before it dies and instead die behind the drywall in your house, first stinking up the home and then rotting until your house is infested with flies…take it from personal experience:  that is very UNfun!).

Recognized as a world leader in the rodent control category and as a trusted brand name since 1890,Victor® revolutionized the rodent control market 100 years ago with the invention of the spring-based Victor® Mouse Trap. Today, they continuously strive to manufacture innovative, quality products that keep families safe from the dangers rodents pose. Their current product offerings are targeted to meet the varying needs of the consumer! So, whether you are attempting to prevent a rodent infestation or trying to fight one, there is a product to fit each and every situation.

Right now you can get the Victor® Protect Your Space Combo Kit for just $99.99 with FREE shipping!! The kit includes the following:

(1) Victor® Sonic PestChaser® Heavy Duty Sonic

(2) Victor® Sonic Mini PestChaser® Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent

(2) Victor® Electronic Mouse Trap.

To find out more about Victor and the special promotion, visit: http://bit.ly/dLXcEg

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

I think the GelPro site says it better than I can:

GelPro mats were created with one goal in mind: to make the time you spend standing in your home more comfortable. Everyone knows how painful it can be to stand for any length of time on hard flooring – whether you’re cooking, doing laundry, or even getting ready in front of the bathroom mirror. Simply preparing meals in your kitchen can result in lower back pain, heel pain, and overall fatigue.

There have long been products available for commercial and industrial kitchens to combat this problem, but even if you were to buy one of those, they aren’t the most attractive looking things.  GelPro has created a line of floor mats that can be customized to fit your decor while providing unbelievable comfort.

With 9 styles, 12 sizes, and 50 color designs, you have over 200 possible combinations for your home! Currently at GelPro, there is a Buy One Get One FREE sale. You can get a FREE 20″ x 36″ mat when you buy any mat. Choose any color, any pattern.  Sale end 3/31/2011. Amazon also has a nice selection of GelPro mats available at this time.

I am excited to share that one Moms Need To Know reader will win a 20″ x 36″ GelPro Floor Mat. Fabric and color are your choice. Price ranges from $99.95 to $149.95.

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know your favorite color and style.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the GelPro mat giveaway @mindicherry at http://bit.ly/eFBij3

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, Monday, March 29, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

• Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Bargain Briana
• Common Sense with Money
• Frugal Coupon Living
• Moms Need to Know
• Passion for Savings
• Saving Cents with Sense
• Southern Savers
• Stretching a Buck
• The Savings Lifestyle

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: GelPro gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

There is something about Spring that makes people want to spruce up the house.  For most, this means cleaning like crazy and for many (including myself), it means changing the look or feel of a room.  Sometimes just a “pop” of color can do wonders for changing the look of a room.  Our entryway tends to be fairly boring…off-white walls, hardwood floors and not enough room for a kicky accent table.  One of the main ways that I liven that area up is through colorful rugs and mats.

Now that the children are playing outside more and more, I need mats by the door that are both attractive AND functional. FoFlor creates flooring made to meet the tough demands of today’s active lifestyle in unique colors and designs. I have been using the mats in my home for about 2 weeks ago and they are tough enough to stand up to my 3 kids…and I love them! They soak up the water and dirt and because the rubber backing, they stay put!  They almost feel like a mousepad, but they sure don’t look like one!

FoFlor Flooring Features:

• Standard and Large sizes have rounded corners, Runner and Area sizes have 90-degree corners
• Color-fast designs are permanently dyed
• Rubber backing adds skid resistance and “memory” so the rug lays flat every time
• Machine-washable and dryable
• Rugs can be cut-to-fit (with scissors) for smaller or unusual spaces, without fabric unraveling
• Made in the USA

And now I have a great FoFlor.com giveaway package for 1 lucky reader!  The package includes:

• 25 x 60 Runner Beachcomber – $77 Value
• 25 x 60 Runner Whitewash – $77 Value
• 23 x 36 Accent Hunter Green – $44 Value

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know your favorite item from FoFlor flooring.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the FoFlor flooring package from @mindicherry at http://bit.ly/hKVYli

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, Monday, March 29, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Visit my fellow Win Giveaways teammates and enter their Giveaways too!

• Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Bargain Briana
• Common Sense with Money
• Frugal Coupon Living
• Moms Need to Know
• Passion for Savings
• Saving Cents with Sense
• Southern Savers
• Stretching a Buck
• The Savings Lifestyle

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: FoFlor.com gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

It’s time for another Giveaway bash and we at the Win Giveaways team are proud to present a Spring Bash filled with ways to get your home clean and organized!

The fun starts Monday, March 21, 2011 with a whole new group of cleaning and organization-related giveaways.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to announce that our major sponsor for this Bash is Dave Ramsey!  As many of you know, I am a HUGE Dave Ramsey fan…he literally changed my entire financial outlook.  I am overjoyed that he was willing to work with us to provide an INCREDIBLE prize package.  If you need help getting your finances under control or know someone who does…this is one giveaway you do NOT want to miss!

For the few of you who don’t know who he is, Dave Ramsey has been one of the leading personal financial advisers in the country for several years.  I got to meet him and tour his offices last year when I was in Nashville for a conference and he is a wonderfully down-to-Earth guy.

Be sure to follow Win Giveaways on Facebook and @wingiveaways on Twitter for more info.

Participating Blogs:

• Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Bargain Briana
• Common Sense With Money
• Frugal Coupon Living
• Moms Need to Know
• Passion for Savings
• Saving Cents with Sense
• Southern Savers
• Stretching a Buck
• The Savings Lifestyle

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

This post brought to you by Family Dollar. All opinions are 100% mine.

As you know, I am a huge advocate of using coupons to get name-brand products cheap.  However, I fully realize that many people don’t have the time or desire to work the “coupon deals” and just want to get in the store, get their food and get home. Or maybe you are an avid coupon user and just need to save on those items for which there are very few coupons.

But no matter what kind of shopper you are,  there is one thing that you don’t want to do…and that is sacrifice quality for just to save money. Enter  Family Gourmet

Family Gourmet is available at Family Dollar stores and the products have been quality tested to match national name brand products,  Family Dollar is so confident that their  customers will like Family Gourmet, if they are not satisfied they offer a 100% Guaranteed or money back within 30 days for a refund or exchange with receipt!

Here are some of the savings that you can expect to find with Family Gourmet products:

• Family Gourmet Ground Roast Coffee 34.5 oz vs. Maxwell House Original 34.5 oz ($2.50 savings)
• Family Gourmet Non Dairy Creamer 16 oz vs. Coffee Mate Creamer 16 oz ($1.25 savings)
• Family Gourmet Apple Juice 64 oz vs. Motts Apple Juice 64 oz ($0.60 savings)
• Family Gourmet Buttermilk Pancake Mix 32 oz vs. Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake Mix 32 oz ($0.85 savings)

To make the savings even better, Family Dollar often offers coupons on their site for  products.  Right now I am seeing coupons for an additional $1 off Family Gourmet Coffee, and additional $0.25 off Family Gourmet Apple Juice!

With households needing to save money and the typical savings of 30% over name-brands, there couldn’t be a better time to try Family Gourmet and save money.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

I adore smoothies. When I just had one child, heading to the mall and getting a smoothie was one of my guilty pleasures.  Now that I have 3 children and heading to the mall is roughly as easy as performing root canal on myself, I need to find a new way to get my “smoothie fix”.

Enter Yoplait Frozen Smoothies.

Yoplait Smoothies are a great way to get your fruit servings in to your diet, and with them  being only 110-120 calories per serving you can avoid the calorie disasters at the mall (seriously – look up the nutritional info at your favorite smoothie place and you will be SHOCKED at the number of calories in those so-called “healthy drinks”)

To make a low-calorie Yoplait smoothie, all you need is a blender and some skim milk (well – and a package of the Yoplait Smoothies). Each package makes 2 servings and usually goes on sale for about $2.50.

Make your smoothie even sweeter (heh heh!  get it?) by using the $1/1 Yoplait Smoothie coupon from Facebook.

Yoplait Smoothies are available in several flavors:  Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Mango Pineapple, Triple Berry, and their new flavor Blueberry Pomegranate. My personal favorite is the Triple Berry!

How would you like to try the Yoplait Smoothies out for yourself?  One lucky reader will win a KitchenAid 3 Speed Blender + a coupon for a FREE Yoplait Smoothie package of their choice.

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know what flavor is your favorite, or what flavor you want to try!

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Yoplait and KitchenAid Blender giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://bit.ly/hXfwyL

This giveaway will remain open until Monday, February 14, 2011 at 2:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Yoplait and KichenAid gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.  Words and experiences are mine..that’s just how I “roll”.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

What is Savings.com? They are an online coupon portal where you can find codes and discounts for all of your favorite retailers. If there is a code available – you can be sure that they have it. They even get a bunch of exclusive-to-them coupon codes…ones you can’t get anywhere else

Savings.com is also so much more than coupon codes. They have a whole “Ask, Answer & Save” section. Want to know who has the best deal on a new netbook? A recommendation on a new digital camera? Just ask your question and someone will surely chime in with help.

There is no reason to ever pay retail for anything…and if you are looking for a wonderful place to find the best and most current discounts and codes for online shopping…Savings.com is it!

And now Savings.com has given me a $50 Kiehl’s gift card to give away! Kiehls.com has luxury skincare, haircare, and baby care items.

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know your best strategy for saving money online.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Like Savings.com on Facebook and then leave a separate comment letting me know
• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Kiehl’s $50 Gift Card giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry and @savings at http://bit.ly/hMNqrg

This giveaway will remain open until Tuesday, February 7, 2011 at 1:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good Luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

This giveaway is part of the Valentine’s Giveaway Spectacular.
Be sure to visit the other blogger’s participating for a chance to win over $7000.00 in prizes:

• This Frugal Life
• Saving Money Plan
• The Prudent Patron
• Cuckoo For Coupon Deals
• Freebies 2 Deals
• Consumer Queen

Full Disclosure: The gift card is being provided by Savings.com.  I received no compensation for this post.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Oh yeah - there is product to go with it! Toaster Strudels!

Toaster Strudels are always a big hit in our home. Brad loves them, the kids love them and I love knowing that we have a “running out the door” breakfast in the freezer at all times.  While I personally don’t like sweet things for breakfast, my children do (as does Brad).  They love the flaky crust, they love the sweet filling and they love that they can use the icing packet t make whatever design they like…they can “Doodle on a Strudel”.  I typically like to give them a breakfast of whole grain cereals, homemade whole wheat pancakes or homemade muffins.  I HAVE to throw them the sweetness of Toaster Strudel every once in a while.   It makes me the “Most Awesome Mom In The Whole Wide World”!

Pillsbury is also giving you the chance to win Toaster Strudel pastries for a month through the “A Million Morning Smiles” sweepstakes. With over 2,000 winners per week, simply visit http://strudelsmiles.pillsbury.com/ and enter to win four boxes of Toaster Strudel from now through February 7, 2011.

The people at MyBlogSpark and Pillsbury have give me a a “Million Morning Smiles” prize pack to give away. It includes a Pillsbury^® Doughboy^® Giggle Doll, along with a smiley face-themed mug, placemat and stress ball.

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know how you manage to get breakfast in your kids (or yourself) when you are pressed for time.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Pillsbury Toaster Strudel giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://bit.ly/ezOmYg

This giveaway will remain open until Tuesday, February 7, 2011 at 1:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: The product, prize pack, information, and giveaway were provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

This Sunday (and hopefully next Sunday as well), I will be cheering on My Beloved Steelers as they continue on their road to the Superbowl.  As has seemed to happen each Sunday this year, we will have friends to our house to watch the game and, there will be plenty of food……and TABASCO® Original Red will be in or on most of it!

I have been using Tabasco for as long as I can remember.  Many people think that Tabasco only provides “heat”, but it does so much more.  It enhances the flavors of your foods and really makes them come alive. Want to make the perfect breaded chicken cutlets? Add some TABASCO® Original Red to the egg wash before you coat the chicken with breadcrumbs.  Believe me, it won’t make them hot and spicy….just delicious!

As we wind down to the end of football season (sniff sniff), the next 2 Sundays will be HUGE “pizza days”, whether you are making it, having it delivered or pulling a box out of the freezer.  Take those pizzas to the “next level” by checking out the Pizza Perfected page.  There you will find great recipes for homemade pizza and ways to make an ordinary cheese pizza something very special.  I think we will be making the Carmelized Onion pizza (in the “delivery” section) this Sunday!

Pizza isn’t on your football menu? Never fear.  Head on over to the Game-Day Party Menu page for a TON of great recipes as well as a coupon!

What are your favorite recipes with TABASCO® Original Red?

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

UPDATE:  Congrats to winner Jennifer R (j1man1r66@xx.xx)

Did you know that the laundry detergent you may be using could contain little-known chemicals called optical brighteners?  According to scientific research, these can cause allergic reactions, are toxic to small fish and other aquatic life, and can pollute your waterways.

When ultraviolet light hits optical brighteners coating your clothing, the brighteners convert UV rays into visible light to create an optical illusion. This tricks the eye into thinking the clothing is whiter and brighter, and therefore cleaner than it really is.

So how can you avoid these optical brighteners? Seventh Generation makes it easy because their laundry detergents are not only free of optical brighteners, but they’re also non-toxic . In addition, because Seventh Generation liquid laundry detergents are both hypo-allergenic and biodegradable, you can rest easy knowing you made a considerate choice for your family and the environment.

When washed in a conventional laundry detergent that contains optical brighteners, clothes appear to glow under a black light. When you use Seventh Generation liquid laundry products, you won’t see the same glow on your clothing. Take a look at the experiment in the photo below. Seventh Generation took two identical organic cotton shirts and washed one in a conventional laundry detergent that contains optical brighteners and the other in Seventh Generation laundry detergent which does not use optical brighteners.

The people at Seventh Generation also sent me their laundry products as well as organic cotton shirts and a black light so that I could conduct the same experiment myself…and I saw the exact same results (although I couldn’t get a good picture). It’s nice to see yet ANOTHER chemical not being included in my laundry detergent!

For more information about Seventh Generation laundry products, please visit www.seventhgeneration.com/no-glow, or sign up for their newsletter at http://www.seventhgeneration.com/community. Be sure to visit Seventh Generation on Facebook and on Twitter to “Like” and “Follow”, so that you can keep up with the latest news from Seventh Generation.

And now Seventh Generation has given me the prize package you see at the top of this post to give away!

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know how you have or plan to adjust your laundry practices to protect their family and the environment..

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Seventh Generation giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://bit.ly/gZ24fh

This giveaway will remain open until Wednesday January 4, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Seventh Generation and MyBlogSpark gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

As for Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters? That has been my absolute favorite cereal for some time and it continues to be….to the point that I don’t like any other raisin bran cereals!

The people at Fiber One and MyBlogSpark asked me to try the 3 revamped flavors and I have to say, they were pretty good!  I didn’t think it was possible to improve the Raisin Bran Clusters, but they did!

• Fiber One Honey Clusters have a brand new flake! Every one-cup serving is full of tasty honey clusters, antioxidant vitamins A and E, and 13 grams of fiber.
• Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters now contain crispier, lightly sweetened whole grain flakes. With plump, juicy raisins and crunchy clusters it packs 11 grams of fiber and antioxidant vitamins A and E into every serving.
• With rich chocolate chips and a new and improved taste, Fiber One Oats & Chocolate chewy bars are a good source of calcium and contain 9 grams of fiber in each bar.

Would you like to try the new Fiber One products? One winner will receive: coupons good for one free box of Fiber One cereal and one free box of Fiber One bars, in addition to a $25 Safeway gift card (also valid at Dominick’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Vons, and Genuardi’s)

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know your favorite Fiber One Product.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Fiber One/Safeway Gift Card giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://bit.ly/icqePY

This giveaway will remain open until Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 3:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Fiber One and MyBlogSpark gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Red Envelope is a fantabulous gift-giving site (or just getting a little something for yourself!).  I ended up buying my young-adult sisters gifts from there this year (a beautiful gemstone bracelet for one, and a simple yet elegant sterling necklace for another).  What I noticed most from the RedEnvelope site is that they seem to specialize in “mommy jewelry”.  I take great pride in wearing my booties on a long chain, and there is no better way to say “Thank you for allowing multiple children to be ripped from your body” than with sterling silver (seriously – I wear those booties as a badge of honor!  We moms get so little credit for the physical stress our bodies go through.  The LEAST we can get is some bling!)

And then there is ProFlowers…Obviously Pro Flowers specializes in  flower creations! Anything you can think of, it seems that it’s there!! If you want to send a “Just Because” bouquet you can search specifically for that type of arrangement (or any other event that you can conceive!).

As for Personal Creations?  Well, I am LOVING the “man cave” line.  Brad (also known as “that Poor Guy Who Has To Deal With Mindi”) gave up 50% of his “man cave” to LEGOs and KNEX many years ago…and his pool table has become a display area for Playmobile.  With this line, he can retake some of his “guy stuff/space”

And now I have a $50 Gift Card to each site to give to give away – one site credit will be given to (3) different people. (note:  the winners will be picked in the following order:  the first to respond will get the Red Envelope, the second will get ProFlowers and the third will get Personal Creations)

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment sharing what item you would select at either RedEnvelope, Personal Creations or Pro Flowers

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Red Envelope/ProFlowers/Personal Creations giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at http://bit.ly/glM6Fh

This giveaway will remain open until Sunday January 2, 2011 at 8:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: RedEnvelope gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

As my regular readers know, I absolutely love wearing high heels.  At 5’2″, it’s one of the things that keeps me from looking like a Hobbit.  But there are many times that heels just aren’t practical and just as many times when I wore a cute pair of heels when they weren’t practical and my feet need to take a break and I NEED to wear practical shoes.

Aetrex Berries are made of a mixture of memory foam, spandex and stretch fabric – the blend makes them VERY COMFORTABLE! Berries come in three different styles – clogs, slip-ons and mary janes (my favorites.) The styles come in 9 colors including Raspberry, Gooseberry, Mulberry, Blackberry and more.  They are great for occupations where you are on your feet all day – waitress, teacher, etc.  I have a friend who is a nurse and I wore them when I took my daughter over for a playdate and my friend went NUTS for them….saying that they would be perfect for her at work.  The fabric is lined with Aegis Microbe Shield which is one of the most effective Anti-Bacterial/Anti-Fungal technologies for footwear. The shoes are available in sizes 5 – 13 and their suggested retail value is $99.

Aetrex Berries shoes are incredibly comfortable.  Not only would they be a great shoe for people who spend a great portion of their day on their feet, they would be perfect for a day of sightseeing, a day at the amusement park, or really any time you are going to be out and about….they have a nice thick sole that feels like you are walking on a thick memory foam. They come in many different colors and three different styles so you can style them to your wardrobe and look.

One important thing:  these shoes DO tend to run small.  I would order a half of a size larger than your normal size…perhaps even a full size larger if you intend to wear thick socks with them.

One Moms Need To Know reader will win a Aetrex Berries shoe of their choice (color, style, size.)

To enter to win (each counts as a separate entry, so leave a separate comment!)

1. Leave a comment letting me know size, style and color you would choose from the  Aetrex Berries Line.

To increase your chances of winning, there are optional entries available for you, which are:

• Subscribe to my feed via Reader or email subscription to get all of the deals that I post and leave a comment that you have subscribed. If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a separate comment letting me know.
• Follow @mindicherry on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway!
• “Like” Moms Need To Know on Facebook and tell your friends about the chance to win!

:: Quick Message to Copy and Paste on Twitter or Facebook::
Enter to win the Aetrex Berries giveaway sponsored by @mindicherry at  http://bit.ly/dFvV2j

This giveaway will remain open until Sunday January 2, 2011 at 8:00pm (EST) at which time I will pick a winner using the Comment Contest Plugin and notify the winner by email

Good luck!

(and don’t forget to check out my other open giveaways!)

Full Disclosure: Aetrex Berries gave me a set for review purposes along with another to give away.

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!

Last week, I had the unique opportunity to be invited to Hershey for 2 days for a “cookie swap”.  There will be more on the Cookie Swap tomorrow (along with a giveaway), but I have to get this post up now…because what I learned in my time at Hershey has honestly changed my life.

Hershey – you think it’s a just a chocolate bar and some kisses..right?  Yeah – you are wrong!  Hershey is help.  Hershey is hope.  Hershey is saving children!

Let me ‘splain…no there is too much….let me sum up (snaps if you know the quote!).

When Milton Hershey was alive, he couldn’t have children with his beloved wife, so they decided to start a school for orphans to give them a chance at life.  More than 100 years later, the Milton Hershey School helps at-risk children and change lives for the better!

(yeah Min – that’s the PR pitch…why are you writing about this?)

As part of my Hershey trip, we got to have a Cookie Swap with children from the Milton Hershey School.  I have heard of the school before but never had the full details.  Then I spent some time with the children of the Milton Hershey School. The children I met, talked to and cuddled with?

One was at the school because their grandmother could no longer look after them after their father was incarcerated for killing their mother

Three boys were the children of a mom who legally immigrated here from one of the “Diamond slavery countries” and told her children that if they screwed this chance up, they would have to return to Africa and see what REAL suffering was.

Ethan (the boy that I became most attached to, because everything about him reminded me of Jonathan), told me that he heard his sister was trying to get in to the school and he hoped she did because he hadn’t seen her for 2 years and he really missed her.

Yeah – I only cried a little! (where “a little” = heading to the bathroom for a tissue every 15 minutes)

The Milton Hershey School is awesomeness.  They provide free tuition, food, clothing, medical and dental and housing to at-risk children.  AND, if a child graduates from the MHS with at least a 2.5 GPA, you know what they get?  A $80K scholarship to college!  What they are doing for children is nothing short of a miracle.

Best of all?  Nothing in this post can be construed as a fundraiser for the Milton Hershey School.  You could be a gadzillionaire and offer to donate $10 million to the Milton Hershey School and they would have to turn your donation away.  The way the Trust was set up, the ONLY way to support the school is through purchasing Hershey products.

The strangest thing?

We were talking to the PR guy for the MHS and he was talking about going on “recruitment drives”.  The first thing in my head?  “What do you mean, you have to have recruitment drives?  With what you are doing for in-need children, you should have a waiting list!!!!” Well, it turns out, not enough people know about the incredible opportunity that is the Milton Hershey School. You can learn more about it here.

Ethan will stay in my mind forever….

…….and he is the reason that I will stick to Hershey products from now on!

Full Disclosure:  Hershey paid for my trip to Hershey and never requested that I write a single post.  In addition, my numbers may be a little off.  I posted that you get a $80K scholarship for a 2.5 GPA, but it may have been a $88K for a 2.0 GPA.  I’m tired and too lazy to look up if my stats are NOT as good as I reported….get over it! Hershey is the most awesome company that I have ever worked with and I can’t wait to work with them again! (Ahem – no offense to the other PR companies that I have worked with…but you CAN take a lesson from Hershey!  Get an Ethan of your own and you will inspire the same loyalty in me!)

Get all the codes you need for your online shopping at my Online Coupon Database!