Banana Boat

June 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As the weather warms up, kids and their parents will soon begin to set their sights on the start of the summer season.  But before the last school bell rings, Banana Boat® Sunscreen Natural Reflect Lotion is challenging parents to plan their summer a bit differently this year and take its 101 Days of Summer Play pledge, committing to enjoy fun in the sun with their families every day, all season long.  Each pledge taken will trigger a donation of one bottle of sunscreen to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the Connecticut camp founded by Paul Newman in 1988 for children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Throughout the summer, parents can take the pledge on the Banana Boat® brand Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bananaboatbrand).  For each parent’s commitment to outdoor play, the brand will donate one bottle, up to 10,000 bottles, of new Banana Boat® Natural Reflect Lotion SPF 50+ to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a nonprofit, residential summer camp with universally accessible programming and activities designed to help children experience a different kind of healing.

“The summer is all about making fun families memories outside in the sun,” said Banana Boat®Sun Care Senior Brand Manager, Hilary Daly.  “And we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the launch of our latest product line up – new Banana Boat® Natural Reflect Lotion – than to partner with The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and provide sun protection for the children of the camp all summer long.”

Banana Boat® Natural Reflect Lotion offers sun protection using naturally sourced sunscreen actives that reflect UVA and UVB rays.  Free of oxybenzone and parabens, the sunscreen actives in Banana Boat® Natural Reflect Lotion are 100% naturally sourced mineral sunscreens Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which are gentle on sensitive skin, water resistant and proven effective to protect against sunburn long-term skin damage.

“The safety of our campers is of paramount concern and our medical staff was happy to see that Banana Boat® Natural Reflect Lotion is gentle, yet effective, on sensitive skin,” said Ken Alberti, director of development at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.  “Our partnership with Banana Boat® Natural Reflect Lotion will help us ensure that the brave and beautiful children in our care have a safe summer filled with empowering moments that they will never forget.”

New Banana Boat® Natural Reflect Lotion is available in three varieties – Natural Reflect Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+, Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ and Natural Reflect Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+.  It is currently available and is found nationwide at mass, grocery, and drug retailers.  For more information about Banana Boat® brand sun care products, please visit www.bananaboat.com or www.facebook.com/bananaboatbrand.

 

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BBQ Swap

April 16, 2012 By 11 Comments

The weather is warming up, it’s time to dust off that grill and head outdoors.

Today I am going to share a great Swap for a healthier barbecued dessert.  Just because it is dessert doesn’t meant it has to be frosted or iced it just has to be yummy.

Grilled Angel Food Cake Kabobs

Ingredients:

1 cup (1-inch cubes) angel food cake,

1 cup whole strawberries,

1 cup peach slices,

1 tablespoon sugar,

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon,

1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Light white chocolate strawberry yogurt

 

1.   Heat gas or charcoal grill. Arrange cake cubes, strawberries and peach slices alternately on eight 6-inch skewers. In small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over kabobs.

2.   Place kabobs on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook kabobs about 2 minutes, turning once, until golden brown. Serve kabobs with yogurt.

I received no compensation for this post.  As a member of the Yoplait Light Swap Team I receive product and gift cards to facilitate recipes.

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Together Counts

March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Together Counts is a nationwide program inspiring active and healthy living. The principle behind their program is Energy Balance, which means balancing the calories we consume with the calories we burn.  What a concept.

It’s a first-of-its kind coalition that brings together more than 195 retailers, food and beverage manufacturers, restaurants, sporting goods and insurance companies, trade associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and professional sports organizations.

I  am by no means as active as I should be but I try to do as much as I can with the grand kids.  We enjoy going for a walk with the whole family, putting the twins in their wagon and Caitlyn on her bike.  We have a perfect “block” to walk around (as long as you aren’t creeped out that the block is actually the cemetery).

 

Together Counts is holding a fun sweepstakes on their Facebook page to celebrate their first anniversary. Prizes include gift cards, George Foreman Grills and a membership to Anytime Fitness. You can also find Together Counts on Twitter and Pinterest.

Join Together Counts as they celebrate Child Nutrition Month at a Twitter party on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 from 8-9 PM EST. Prizes include $50 same-as-cash gift cards. For more information and to RSVP, visit http://resourcefulmommy.com/8856/together-counts-twitter-party/.

ps. This is a compensated post on behalf of Global Influence.

 

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Healthier Cake

March 28, 2012 By 1 Comment

This recipe is from Yoplait Light as a part of their Yoplait Swap.

 

 

Strawberry Yogurt Cake

 

Ingredients:

Cake: 1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix, Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box, 1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Light Fat Free strawberry yogurt

Frosting: 1 container (8 oz) frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed, 1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Light Fat Free strawberry yogurt, 2 cups sliced strawberries

 

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray bottom only of 13×9-inch pan. In large bowl, beat cake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pan.

2. Bake as directed on box for 13×9-inch pan. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

3. In medium bowl, mix whipped topping and yogurt. Spread over cake. Top with sliced strawberries.

 

No compensation was received for this post.  I am a member of the Yoplait Light SwapTeam and try to swap out healthier choices throughout the day.

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Curious George Dance Contest

March 21, 2012 By 9 Comments

CG (R) & (C) 2012 Universal Studios and/or HMH. All Rights Reserved. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY.

Curious George is still celebrating the arts. He is now dancing up a storm and hosting a fun dance contest for kids! Who doesn’t love to dance? Not only is it fun but it’s a great form of exercise and self-expression.

I tried to get the twins to dance to the Curious George theme song for their new contest but they had other things on their mind.  Madilyn loves to dance, she will dance while eating, while watching TV, while reading, but Matthew he is a bit shier, he will only dance when no one else is looking.  If you pull out the camera Madilyn will run right in front of it and Matthew will run away.  So much for twins being alike. LOL

I found the music channels on the TV, I never realized there was a Toddler Music channel, so now that is what is on our TV most times.  I like cartoons and movies with them but music I much prefer music in the back ground while they play. 

The Curious George Dance Contest is a great chance to get your kids up and dancing.  the video they are looking for is to the Curious George theme song which can be downloaded for free from the contest website.  Then just follow the directions on the site and voila, you’re entered!

There are so many advantages to dancing for all ages!  Even us old fogies with bad knees and hips can groove a little.  (No you are not getting a video of me dancing, this post isn’t paying me enough for that.)  But I will give you a little video of Madilyn getting her groove on.

Now you need to get up off the couch, download the theme song and dance dance dance!

 

By the way, this post is sponsored in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and WGBH.

 

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Breakfast Project

March 6, 2012 By 9 Comments

I was afforded a great opportunity recently.  I got to enjoy a wonderful breakfast with Chef Ellie Krieger at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Beverly Hills and then see the unveiling of the latest Got Milk poster with Salma Hayek.

During breakfast Chef Krieger reminded us about the importance of breakfast everyday and the nutritional benefits of including milk in that breakfast.  She refers to milk as “liquid sunshine” because of the amount of Vitamin D you receive.

For me she was preaching to the choir.  I have never met someone (that I haven’t given birth to) that drinks as much milk as me.  It doesn’t matter what meal, or time of day, milk will always be involved.  When I pack lunches for work, I freeze a water bottle of milk over night so that by lunch time it is defrosted enough that I have a milk slushie to go with my lunch.

During breakfast I tried a Strawberry Banana Smoothie and I have to admit it was pretty good.  I may even venture to make some with the grand twins soon (Caitlyn doesn’t like strawberry).

After our breakfast we headed up to the unveiling where there was a ton of press crowded into a tiny room and us little ol’ bloggers squeezing in where we could to get a shot.  When Salma Hayek came out it was like nothing I had ever seen before.  I have lived in “Hollywood” for 20 years and yet I am oblivious to stars.  More than once someone has had to point out someone famous to me and then I was just kinda huh ok about it.  But these press people were going crazy for poor Ms Hayek “Salma, over here, no Salma over here, Salma right her for the ladies, Salma here for the Milk Drinkers, Salma look up, Salma look down!”  It was insane.

After all the hullabaloo she told us all that she has wanted to do a Got Milk poster for a long time but could never get a response from them.  Now finally that she is playing a cat (Puss in Boots – now available on DVD) they have asked her – coincidence?  Didn’t matter, she was happy to oblige.  She has also starred in the new Got Milk commercials both in English and Spanish.

Arm in arm with Salma Hayek

I received no compensation for this post, but I did receive a lovely gift bag with milk inspired products.

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What is the Metric Conversion of “Flash”?

February 23, 2012 By 8 Comments
English: Drops of sweat

Image via Wikipedia

I have spoken freely here about my peri-menopause, and today will be no different.

Something about my local target store triggers a hot flash in my every time I am there.  You would think with 4 other Target’s in a 5 mile radius I would shop elsewhere but I like this store for it’s service and selection and parking.  And it is in the same “mini-mall” where we have Sunday Breakfast.

Again, today was no different.

Shopping with Marisa and the Grand Twins and I start sweating.  Marisa immediately says “it’s you”, but I already knew it was me, my ankles were sweating.  I keep on moving and thinking it will be over shortly it’s a hot “flash” after all.

An hour later we get into our separate cars and head back to my house.  Thankfully she stopped along the way and I had time to get home and jump in a cold shower.  Even that didn’t totally relive me, when I got out I put on some shorts and a loose t shirt and walked around outside (it was about 50 degrees out) hoping to just find some cooling relief.

This damn “flash” lasted over an hour and a half!  Wh

at part of that coincides with FLASH!?

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A Little More TMI

December 6, 2011 By 5 Comments

Being a girl is a pain in the ass.

About 12 years ago I started getting hot flashes and my menstrual cycle got all out of whack and the mood swings were ridiculous!  Hot damn I thought, I am going to go through menopause early!  WHEEEEEE!  I was ready.  I was 31 and my kids were teenagers (almost).  I knew I was done having children and really there is no other use for those eggs, so I was gladly ready to wave buh bye to them all.

A visit to the doctor for a physical a few months later dashed all of my hopes.  Yes, she assured me I was experiencing the symptoms of menopause, however, I wasn’t going through it.  Peri-Menopause she called it.  ALL the bells and whistles of menopause but you also as an added bonus get your period every month! And as an added bonus it could go on for as long as 25 years!  WHEEEEEE – Wait what?!?!

Yep, for the last 12 years and for gah only knows how many longer, I get to experience the side effects of menopause and get my period.  Ain’t I lucky?  And lately it has been kicking my ass.

I used to be able to plan my cycle like clockwork.  I could pin it down to the day I would start and the day I would finish.  No I am lucky if I only have one cycle per month.  Last year in the 3 months of Jan Feb and March I bled for no less than 6 weeks intermittently.

Lord we won’t even get in to the stench.  During and right after I smell like a week old murder scene.  The Dr. warned me about this part and recommended some sprays and such.  But nothing I have tried has worked at all.  Friends (good ones who will tell me the truth) have said they don’t notice it (and have told me when they do), but I notice it all the time.  I hate using a public restroom because I feel like it permeates the stall.

Since I wrote the last post promoting EdenFantasys, they gave me a $55 gift certificate.  I used it to get some of their System JO Personal Feminine Body Spray.  Now, I am not one for “scents”.  I am allergic to most every perfume and cologne out there and while this one does bug me a bit I have to say WOW!  It works.  Of course it is a really sickenly sweet vanilla scent but hell it is better than old blood.  It is the only one I have found that doesn’t mix -in with the body’s scent but masks it entirely.

Hopefully this too shall come to pass and I can finally move into the real phase of menopause and be done with all this girl crap.  Is there anything boys go through that can come close to this?

Sex toys - EdenFantasys adult toys store
ps. I will be getting another gift certificate for this post.  Just so the FCC doesn’t come banging down my door.

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Raspberry Cheesecake Tart – Yoplait Swap

November 27, 2011 By 1 Comment

I needed a last minute dessert the other day and I needed to finally step up and make a Yoplait recipe instead of sending you to another bloggers site again.

I was perusing the Yoplait site to get some ideas and came across the Lemon Blueberry Tart.  I immediately knew I could switch that up and make it a Raspberry Cheesecake Tart and headed off to the store.  If I had any brain at all I wouldn’t have forgotten to get the last ingredient (fresh raspberries) and the dessert would have turned out much prettier.  But even without the fresh, it received rave reviews from all who tasted it.

 

Ingredients

1 box Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
2 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Light Raspberry Cheesecake Yogurt
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can (21 oz) Raspberry pie filling
1 cup fresh raspberries

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove pie crusts from pouches; unroll 1 crust onto ungreased large cookie sheet. Unroll second pie crust over first crust, matching edges and pressing to seal. With rolling pin, roll out into 14-inch round.
2. Fold 1/2 inch of crust edge under, forming border; press to seal seam. If desired, flute edge. Prick crust generously with fork.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
4. In medium bowl, beat yogurt and cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Spread evenly over cooled baked crust. Spread pie filling evenly over yogurt mixture. Top with raspberries. Cut into wedges to serve. Store in refrigerator.
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Yoplait Swap Idea

November 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Last month I received a case of Lemon Meringue Yoplait Light Thick and Creamy Yogurt to try and to make a recipe with.  then all hell broke loose in the house and my life and I didn’t do either.

I did pass along some of the yogurt to a friend who’s favorite pie is lemon meringue and while she said she liked it, she mentioned it would never take the place of the real thing for her. LOL

But some of my amazing blogging friends actually did do what they were asked and created recipes incorporating the yogurt.

Lemon Meringue & Citrus Ginger Honey Granita

Ericka Sanchez of Nibbles and Feasts created Lemon Meringue & Citrus Ginger Honey

Chocolate Lemon Coconut Mini Tarts

Granita.

Nicole Presley of Presley’s Pantry created Chocolate Lemon Coconut Mini Tarts.

 

I would love for you to go over to their blogs and take a look around.

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