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“Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons” Review & Giveaway!!!

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I am excited for Spring, Winter has its time but I look so forward to Spring!  I just shared a delightful little board book with my preschooler that tells about Winter turning to Spring.  Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons explains that when it’s Winter different animals do different things, the geese take flight for somewhere warmer, some animals move to warmer waters, others spend the winter hibernating while squirrels gather extra food.  All through the book Rabbit is there observing how other animals survive but when the snow melts and the grass gets green again we all know that Spring has sprung, especially Rabbit!

 

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As with Il Sung Na’s previous books, Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit is filled with rich illustrations, charming animals, and a simple, lyrical text—all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. It’s a gentle introduction to the ideas of adaptation, hibernation, and migration, and an exhuberant celebration of changing seasons.

Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons Board Book!  Thanks Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons Board Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter to win the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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The Complete Idiot’s Guide To: 200-300-400 Calorie Meals Review and Giveaway!!!

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We are nearing the end of February and if you made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight or eat healthy, how are you doing?  Are you sticking to your plan or have you already slipped into old habits?  If you are finding it hard to find options to trim the fat from your plate and your waistline, you will be interested in this review.  The Complete Idiot’s Guide To: 200-300-400 Calorie Meals has terrific meal plans and recipes that help you stick to your calorie and weight-loss goals.

Starting with Nutrition 101 and how to set yourself up for success, this book then lays out two-week meal plans for 1300, 1550 or 1800 calories a day. Then you will be turning pages through oodles of healthy low-calorie recipes for Unbeatable Breakfasts.  So many great recipes for Eggstraordinary Eggs like Eggs Florentine, Mushroom Frittata, Hearty Canadian Breakfast, and Huevos Rancheros Wraps to name a few.  Next, they take you to the griddle for more breakfast recipes like Strawberry-Stuffed French Toast, Waffle Ham Sandwiches and Blueberry Pancakes.  Great Grains keeps the breakfast section going with recipes for Steel Cut Oatmeal, Quinoa Porridge and Apple Cider Muffins.  Think breakfast is over yet?  Not a chance, there are recipes for Lazy Weekend Breakfasts and one of my favorites, Drink It All In has so many delicious smoothie recipes like Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie, Tropical Smoothie, Protein Power Smoothie and Raspberry Cocoa Surprise Smoothie.

Lunchtime!  Luscious Lunches starts off with Satisfying Soups like Chicken Ginger Soup, Roasted Squash Soup with Sage, Barley Soup and Vegetable Rice Soup.  Salads galore follows next with Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad, Red Cabbage Slaw, Cranberry and Walnut Chicken Salad and Green Bean and Fennel Salad among others.  Sandwiches like Marinated Portobello Mushroom Burgers, Open-Faced Italian Sandwiches, Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches and Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are followed by wraps like California Turkey Wraps, Italian Beef Wraps and Black Bean Hummus and Roasted Red Pepper Wraps.

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Delicious Dinners is next and Poultry Perfection will give you great recipes for Jerk Chicken, Chicken Picatta, Coconut-Curried Chicken, Chicken Cacciatore and Turkey Cutlets with Apple Compote.  Succulent Beef Dishes features Broiled Steak and Mushrooms, Smoky Stuffed Peppers, Hearty Sloppy Joes and Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry.  Under the Sea Suppers is full of great Seafood dishes like Crispy Baked Cod, Cajun Tilapia, Pineapple Ginger Salmon, Grilled Haddock with Lemon-Infused Couscous and Teriyaki Salmon with Spinach and Soba.  Vegetarian Delights features Grilled Summer Vegetables, Caponata, Vegetarian Spring Rolls, Vietnamese Fried Rice, Black Bean and Corn Cakes and Italian-Style Mac and Cheese.  Warming Soups, Stews and Chillies is full of warm you up favorites like Roasted Tomato Soup, Texas Chili, Goulash and Split Pea and Smoked Turkey Soup.  Tantalizing Slow Cooker Meals with recipes for Layered Beef Stew, Chipotle Chicken and Roasted Beef and Peppers rounds out the dinner section.

Sassy Snacks is up next with Savory Bites like Classic Hummus, Spicy Sweet Potato Chips, Bruschetta Carprese and Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms.  Mini Meals has recipes for Loaded Potatoes, Steamed Artichoke with Aioli and Carmelized Onion Pizza while Grab and Go Snacks has recipes for Granola Bars, Cape Cod Trail Mix and Pumpkin-Spiced Popcorn.  Sweet Nothings offers recipes for Caramel and Chocolate Fondue, Angel Food Cake Trifle, Peach Shortcake and Apple Crisp.  Last but not least you need something to wash that all down with so Thirst Quenchers gives you options like Ginger Spritzer, Lemonade and Cherry Fizzy.

The Coplete Idiots Guide is  sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of The Complete Idiot’s Guide To: 200-300-400 Calorie Meals.  Thanks to The Complete Idiots Guide for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide To: 200-300-400 Calorie Meals Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Liberty Sport, Rec Specs Protective Sports Eyewear Review & Giveaway!!!

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You only have one pair of eyes, right?  You should do all you can to protect them.  T-ball, Baseball and Softball are going to be underway before we know it.  You may have already had sign ups in your area.  Even in T-ball a ball to the eye can cause damage to developing eyes, so I was thrilled recently when contacted by Liberty Sport to see if I would like to review their Rec Specs Protective Sports Eyewear.  With two little ones set to play T-ball this spring, these protective glasses make a lot of sense.  When we received them we were very impressed with the quality, you can see these are going to last and protect our sons’ eyes.

They fit both boys extremely well with the adjustable strap and will not fall or slip even during intense motion.  My five-year old who is obsessed with getting glasses even though he does not need them insisted on wearing them after the picture so that speaks volumes for comfort.  If you child does have glasses or contacts they can get these with prescription lenses.  We were sent 2 pairs of the MAXX 20 BASEBALL and they work for T-ball, Baseball, Softball, Handball, Paddleball, Racquetball, Soccer, Squash and Tennis.  The glasses come with a great zipper hard case that makes keeping them handy and safe a breeze.  Get your kids ready for whatever sports they are involved in and keep those precious peepers safe and sound with Liberty Sport!

 

Maxx 20 Baseball

  • Meets or exceeds ASTM F803 impact resistance standards for several sports.
  • *Meets or exceeds the ASTM F803.03 standard for baseball for children 8 years old and younger at speeds of 40 MPH and below.
  • Major League Baseball inspired team colors (Team Colors are representative of MLB colors and are not an exact match).
  • Patented (#6,890,073B) eyerim assembly allows for a wide range of prescription lens power.
  • Sizing allows for youth fitting.
  • Temples and bridge have soft inside padding for comfort and fit.

Comes with semi-rigid case & adjustable strap.

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Liberty Sport is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their choice of Rec Specs Eyewear (subject to availability).  Thank you Liberty Sport for the review pairs and for sponsoring this eye-popping giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Liberty Sport, Rec Specs Protective Sports Eyewear Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Disney’s Peter Pan Diamond Edition Blu-Ray Combo Pack Review!!!

Peter Pan has returned…
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Join mischievous Peter Pan, the young boy who refuses to grow up, his hot-tempered pixie pal, Tinker Bell and the Darling children as they soar away to the mysterious Never-Never land where childhood lasts forever in this magical, musical adventure!
Peter Pan: Diamond Edition will be available for a limited time on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy!

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My older kids loved Peter Pan, in fact one of my daughter’s favorite songs to sing when she was 2 was “Never Smile at a Crocodile.”  I could not wait when we received the Peter Pan Diamond Edition Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital Copy Combo Pack recently.  My littlest guy is obsessed with pirates now so this could not have come at a better time.  They absolutely love this movie and it is amazing how Disney movies just stand the test of time and delight generation after generation.  Be sure and get you Peter Pan Diamond Edition Combo Pack before they fly off to Never Land!

 

 


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Scholastic Storybook Treasures, “The Red Hen…And More Cooking Stories” DVD Review & Giveaway!!!

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THIS FEBRUARY, SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES™ SERVES UP A DELECTABLE BUFFET OF SCRUMPTIOUS STORIES IN AN ALL-NEW DVD!

THE RED HEN…AND MORE COOKING STORIES

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Families hungry for something to sink their teeth into will have their appetites sated when Scholastic Storybook Treasures™ releases an all new DVD featuring delectable tales about food with THE RED HEN…AND MORE COOKING STORIES!  Highlighted by the eye-popping take on the story of a red hen and her adventures in baking by the Caldecott Award winning father-daughter team of Ed Emberley and Rebecca Emberley, the brand new DVD also features other stories about cooking including “Bread Comes to Life”, a live action film narrated by Lily Tomlin, Jane Yolen’s modern day classic “How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?” and the hilarious tale of pastry run amok in “Arnie the Doughnut”, narrated by Michael McKean.

In the Emberley’s sparkling version of a classic tale, Red Hen finds a recipe for a Simply Splendid Cake and asks her friends the cat, the rat, and the frog to help with the preparations. But it seems as though her friends want no part in the cake until it’s ready to eat. Will they decide to pitch in, or let Red Hen do all of the hard work?  Find out in this highly enjoyable adaptation, which is joined by three other classic tales, as well as a Read-Along function which highlights the words as they are spoken, allowing young viewers to follow along with the narrators, who include such celebs as Tomlin (“Desperate Housewives”, “The Magic School Bus”) and McKean (“Homeland”, Spinal Tap, “Laverne and Shirley”). 

BONUS FEATURES

 ·         Easy-to-follow recipe for how to bake your own splendid cake!

·         Read-Along captioning

Do you ever feel like the Red Hen? I think as moms we feel that way more than once in a while.  In this new version of a classic tale you will be able to share with your kids just how it feels to have no one help with the work and only want to enjoy the fun part of eating.  Then you can follow the recipe and make your own Splendid Cake where everyone helps in the making and the eating!

Scholastic is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own THE RED HEN…AND MORE COOKING STORIES DVD.  Thank you Scholastic for the review DVD and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Scholastic, THE RED HEN…AND MORE COOKING STORIES DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Strawberry Shortcake Berry Friends Forever Coloring Page!!!

A New Strawberry Shortcake film, Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Friends Forever,  is coming to DVD March 5th!!! In anticipation we are pleased to bring you a Strawberry Shortcake Coloring Page.  We also want to let you know that we will be having a giveaway for a copy of the new Strawberry Shortcake DVD very soon, so make sure you subscribe so you do not miss it!

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To get the free Strawberry Shortcake Berry Friends Forever Coloring Page Click HERE!!!

 


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Glee Gum, Make Your Own Chocolate Kit Review and Giveaway!!!

Glee Gum

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!!!  What does everyone associate with Valentine’s Day?  Chocolate of course! Okay maybe you said love or roses, or sweethearts but chocolate has to be in the top 5!  So, what better review for Valentine’s Day then a Make Your Own Chocolate Kit from Glee Gum.  This kit is fun and educational, it lets kids see how chocolate is made.  It comes with organic cocoa butter that you melt either in the microwave or on the stove, cocoa beans you can have your kids rub between their hands to remove the shell and show them how it smells and if it tastes like chocolate, starter crystals, paper liners, thermometer, powdered sugar and cocoa powder.  It’s easy to make the chocolate by first melting the organic cocoa butter and then adding the sugar and cocoa, letting it cool and stirring it until it reaches 94 degrees F. and then adding the starter crystals and pouring in the candy liners that you could add mix ins to if desired.  The chocolate is good quality and tastes great.  It is a great activity to do with your kids, scout troop or in a school setting.

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The Ingredients

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Organic Cocoa Butter

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Melted Organic Cocoa Butter

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After Adding Cocoa Powder and Powdered Sugar and Heating Again

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Put the Thermometer on the outside lower part of the bowl and stir, stir, stir until it cools to 94 degrees F.

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At 94 degrees F. you can add the starter crystals.

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Pour the melted chocolate into the candy liners.

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Rubbing a Cocoa Been between his hands.

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The Chocolate is hardened and set.

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Finished Chocolate

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Yum!

Glee Gum is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their choice of Glee Gum’s Make Your Own Chocolate, Make Your Own Gummies or Make Your Own Gum Kits.  Thank you Glee Gum for the review kit and for sponsoring this delicious giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Glee Gum, Make Your Own Candy Kit Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Mauviel M’cook, 1.9 qt Stainless Steel Saucepan & Lid Review and Giveaway!!!

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We like to cook at our house and believe in investing in quality cookware because it  cooks better and lasts.  Mauviel Stainless Steel Cookware has a 5 ply construction that works on all cooking surfaces.  The 2.6 mm thickness allows for even heat distribution for fast, uniform and controlled cooking.  Handy pouring rims eliminate drips when pouring liquids and the handles are fixed by sturdy stainless steel rivets.  The oversized handles are great for easy and safe lifting.  Designed for both household and commercial cooking M’cook products are oven safe up to 680 degrees F.  Each piece is handcrafted in France and has a lifetime guarantee for household use.

I tried the 1.9 qt. Stainless Steel Saucepan with Cast Stainless Steel Handle.  You can tell this pan is quality from the first time you hold it in your hands, it is exquisitely crafted and beautiful.  It performs splendidly with even heating and handle and spout that make pouring hot liquids a breeze.  The stainless steel is easy to care for and cleans up like a charm.  If you are looking for some great stainless steel quality handcrafted cookware, you should take a look at Mauviel M’cook.

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Features

  • 5 ply Construction – High performance cookware, works on all cooking surfaces, including induction.
  • 2.6 mm Thickness on all shapes – even heat distribution (fast, uniform, controlled cooking).
  • Pouring rims on all shapes – eliminates drips when pouring liquids.
  • Handles fixed by sturdy stainless steel rivets.
  • Available in cast stainless steel, cast iron, or bronze handles.
  • Oversized handles – for safe lifting of stew pans, roasters and other large pots.
  • Professional diameters and heights – M’Cook products have high sides and are designed for both professional and household cooking.
  • Oven safe to 680° F.
  • Dishwasher safe.
  • Each piece handcrafted in France by Mauviel – manufacturing cookware since 1830.
  • Lifetime guarantee. (Warranty not valid for commercial use)

 

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Mauviel is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own 1.9 qt. Stainless Steel Saucepan & Lid ($150.00 Value)!  Thank you Mauviel for the review saucepan and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Mauviel M’cook, 1.9 qt Stainless Steel Saucepan & Lid Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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“Bear In Love” by Daniel Pinkwater Review and Giveaway!!!

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Bear in Love is such a great story for little ones especially during Valentine’s Day.  It is a very unlikely love story that is born out of kindness between a big bear and a little bunny.  It really shows that love is blind and that kindness is a beautiful thing that can be extended to another regardless of size.  It has adorable illustrations and is a heartwarming read to share with your children.

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One morning, the bear finds something just outside his cave. It is orange and long and pointy and has bushy green leaves at one end. And it’s sweet and crunchy! Where did it come from? Then there are two more of the sweet crunchy things the next morning! The bear knows that someone nice is leaving him these treats. If only he could discover who it is! Should he leave something tasty in return? With the help of Will Hillenbrand’s endearing illustrations, the inimitable Daniel Pinkwater spins a charming little mystery about unexpected kindnesses—and finding that extra-special someone.

Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of Bear In Love!  Thank you Candlewick Press for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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Get Some Great Tips On Capturing Better Baby Photos!!!

One of the most common things moms ask me when they see some of the portraits I have taken of my children is for tips on how to take good pictures of their kids. Photographer, author and educator Erin Manning provides her Top 3 Tips for capturing better baby photos. Erin gives you advice on setting the scene and getting close to the baby for those perfect images, as well as using a SanDisk Ultra SDHC card to make sure she never misses a shot.

I can tell you sitting on my desk right now are multiple SanDisk Ultra SDHC Memory Cards.  It is truly a product I use and I mostly by the 32 GB cards because I don’t ever want to be out of room when I am shooting.  These cards give me beautiful high quality images that I can easily transfer right to my computer for editing and sharing.

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“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom CentralConsulting for SanDisk. I received a product sample to thank me for participating”
 

 

 

 

 


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