Ragú® Mom's the Word on Dinner

Ragú® Mom's the Word on Dinner

"I don't feel like eating dinner now!", "I want ice cream!"  For most Moms, these are all too familiar-- and all too frequent -- demands heard by kids everywhere around 5:30 pm. Yes, as Moms we face a set of dinnertime challenges nearly every night- challenges that only another mom can understand. That's why Ragú^® is launching "Mom's the Word on Dinner," an online community for moms to laugh, learn and share their take on what really happens at dinnertime.

Ragú® is teaming up with some familiar faces, including some of the fabulous ladies of Momversation™, to bring moms together to share stories and tips, celebrate the small wins and laugh about situations that only other moms can relate to.  Each month, this online community will be tackling topics from how to deal with picky eaters, to getting them to eat their veggies to what's being discussed at the dinner table, with some tips from parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba, and Registered Dietician, Dr. Felicia Stoler.

In addition to the ongoing fun and conversation, the Mom's the Word on Dinner community will feature videos, photos, polls, quizzes and dinner ideas with quick and easy recipes. With two full servings of veggies in every half cup of Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional pasta sauce, Ragú® provides nutritious meal options for parents to help them on their mission to feed their kids well. This wouldn't be a true community without interaction and Ragú^® wants to hear what happens at dinnertime in kitchens and homes across the country!  Moms can join the conversation and tell their story for a chance to be featured in a Ragú^® ad in PEOPLE magazine at Facebook.com/ragusauce.  

"Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Ragú® prize package in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place."

It's Almost THAT Time of Year Again (Summer!)

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It Is Almost THAT Time of Year Again (Summer!)

I know it is only March but summer will be here before you know it.  It seems like I was just recently shopping for a winter coat but Swimwear is already popping up in stores.

Prior to having our daughter, my husband and I loved to travel to Jamaica (we hope to visit again some day soon) for the warm ocean, sandy beaches and friendly culture.  I love the beach and while the West Coast beaches are not the same as the Jamaican beaches, we still love to hit the beach as much as possible with our daughter.  I am still working on getting my pre-mommy body back,but when I do, I have my eyes on the NEW Spring swimwear at Express.  

When I do get my beach body back, I am dying to try on the new Express tankini, it has a little extra belly coverage yet is still sexy with the V neck and halter style top and the tie side string bottoms. 

For trips to the beach grill or walks on the boardwalk, I would pair the above suit  or a number of their other new swim suits with the super sexy Express coverup.

While I wish my beach body were as great as these models', I am sure that with the right suit, I can rock the beach this summer.  Especially if I Accessorize with Express's spring essentials including sandals, tote bags, sunglasses and hats. 

The Express line of women's swimwear is available in always-popular monokini, sexiest string bikini and must-have strapless and halter bikini styles.

 

To celebrate the NEW spring  line, Express is entering everyone that signs up for Express e-mail into a contest for a chance to win one of ten $200 Express GiftCards.  sweepstakes rules

 

 

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Important Recall Information: Del Monte Cantelopes

Del Monte Fresh Poduce Voluntarily Recalls Cantaloupes Because Of Possible Health Risk

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (“Del Monte Fresh”) of Coral Gables, Florida is voluntarily recalling cartons of cantaloupes, packaged 3 cantaloupes in a mesh sleeve, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Panama

The cantaloupes were distributed through warehouse clubs in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

The recalled products consist of cantaloupes, with the Del Monte Logo and indication “3 count, Product of Guatemala” with 3 cantaloupes per sleeve and were available for sale between the 10th of March and the 21st of March, 2011. The cantaloupes, grown in and shipped from Del Monte Freshs’ farm Asuncion Mita in Guatemala. The cantaloupes have the lot codes: 02-15-24-10, 02-15-25-10, 02-15-26-10 and 02-15-28-10

Consumers who believe that they are in possession of uneaten cantaloupe affected by this recall should return it to the place of purchase for a refund and for more information may contact 1-800-659-6500 (operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week) or email Del Monte Fresh at Contact-US-Executive-Office@freshdelmonte.com

full details here

 

How to Make Your Child A Happy Easter Bunny!

 

How to Make Your Child A Happy Easter Bunny!
by James Anderson

The Easter holidays are almost upon us and now is the time for you to start planning activities you'll need to keep your chocolate loving bunnies occupied. Especially when bearing in mind that April is a strange month for weather. The morning could be gloriously bright and sunny and you could find yourself strapping on your baby carrier to enjoy a day of daffodils and greenery but the afternoon could bring that gloomy tune, 'drip, drip, drop little April showers..' in which case it's craft time! Here's a range of fun activities that will see you through the holidays – what ever the weather.

1.           Create an array of Easter cards! This activity is a winner with children as they love to be creative. All you need is a stack of coloured cards – select the pastel shades which would be more suited to Easter and begin cutting and gluing to your hearts content.

A particularly easy way of creating Easter cards is to cut out large egg shapes and get your little ones to cover it in sequins, colours, feathers – what ever you have. They can then scribble their message on the back. This is a fantastic idea all round as grandparents love to receive these and it saves on the parents wallet as the card has been made – no need to buy.

2.           Easter Wouldn't be Easter without an egg hunt. It's fine to use your own back yard but it could be even better if you wanted to make a full day of activities.

Go out to a local park or if you want to show your young minds a little about history, choose one of the many rural stately homes which are open to tourists. They usually have huge grounds and beautiful gardens in which you could find a spot to nestle Easter treats in. Make sure it's large enough for you to find your own little area and if you have very young children, ensure the terrain is suitable for pushchairs or failing this baby carriers are a great option.

You could have a fun packed day filled with a picnic, a wander about the grounds an play on the climbing frames a treasure hunt, and a little bit of history and culture to boot.

3.           Paper mac-he Easter eggs are fun and cheap and keep your little darlings occupied over several days. Inflate a regular balloon and after creating a thick glue paste out of just flour and water, continue to layer the balloon in old strips of newspaper. After 4 or so layers, leave the balloon to set for a day and then create a small opening in the balloon and slip an array of sweets inside. Then all you have to do is reseal and begin painting the egg in any colour you wish. The bonus of this is viola - your little bunny has created their own little Easter treat for your partner!

4.           Camp out in the back garden! This is great fun for age 2 upwards. Set a tent up in the day and get your happy bunnies to help in their own special ways. They love to play in dens and have their own little space. Allow them to take their favourite toys, books and some old blankets. Get their friends round and let them have a little tea party in their very own little den. This could be left up for days as erecting a tent is a little time consuming. You'll need to get your wear out of it and it could be an activity you can go back to time and time again.

Author Bio

This article was written by James Anderson who is a proud father of 2, gadget freak, photographer and daddy blogger. James has been managing his own blog for a few years now. James enjoys writing articles for mums to be and parents of young children and currently writes for Baby Planet who are a leading UK retailer of baby equipment including pushchairs, car seats and cots.



**Disclaimer: this post was not written by Over Thirty Mommy, it is a guest post written by James Anderson** 

Over Thirty Mommy is Working Overtime to Support Our Troops

Over Thirty Mommy is Working Overtime to 

Support Our Troops

Interested in helping out? Send me an email and we can work out details. 

Over Thirty Mommy is working closely with a Delta unit stationed in Iraq to help keep up troop morale and provide them with a few of the basic comforts of home that they left behind.

Over Thirty Mommy is gathering together item such as snacks and coffee, clothing and accessories to wear when off duty (they do not always want to be in their uniforms), movies, entertainment items, reward items  (for when a soldier goes above and beyond, and even toiletries.

Over Thirty Mommy is personally working with  a senior member of the unit to provide unit members with items to help boost troop morale.  When speaking with a senior Delta team member, he told me that "Joe's appreciate just about anything" and  "that it would be great to receive things for Joe's to have fun with on their down time."

In my opinion, a happy soldier is a safe safer soldier.  They need these basic supplies to help keep their minds off of all they left behind.  If their minds are free of distractions, they are more focused on the tasks at hand and will be more alert.

We are collecting all items (excluding prohibited items such as alcohol, obscene material, pork or pork by-products, fruits, animals, and living plants).  

Interested in helping out? Send me an email and we can work out details.


Top requested items are:

FOOD, SNACKS AND DRINKS:

• BEEF JERKY / SLIM JIMS
• COFFEE (Ground or whole; instant or drip. Ground is preferred), Hot Chocolate and Tea packets
• POWDER DRINK MIX (Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light)
• SUNFLOWER SEEDS & PUMPKIN SEEDS
• TUNA & CHICKEN SALAD (in foil pouches, or ready-to-eat kits (no cans)
• PROTEIN POWDER & PROTEIN BARS
• CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS accepted from OCTOBER through MARCH (it will melt in high temperatures!)
• Cookies, Gum, Hard Candy (must be individually wrapped), Snack bars, chips, nuts, fruit snacks/rolls and trail mix (pretty much any snacks!)
• MICROWAVE FOOD (Popcorn, Chef-Boy-R-Dee, Mac'n'Cheese...)
• Caffeinated gum or candy (to stay alert)

TOILETRIES: NO HOTEL SAMPLES!
( toiletries must list all ingredients to avoid allergies. The military issues toiletries to our troops, however troops often miss their favorite brand of shampoo or soap.)

• BABY WIPES (travel size)
• HAND SANITIZER (travel size)
• Body Wash, Liquid Soap, Facial Cleanser
• Shampoo /Conditioner (travel size)
• Hair Gel (for female troops to pull hair back)
• Combs / Brushes / Bobby Pins (in original packaging, please)
• Deodorant (travel size)
• Razors (not electric)
• Shaving Cream in Tubes / Shaving Soap (No CANS of Shaving Cream, please!)
• Lip balm / Chap Stick / Carmex / Blistex
• Baby Powder & Foot Powder (travel size)
• Tissues (individual packs; travel size only)
• Hand & Body Lotion / Moisturizer (travel size)
• Sunblock, SPF 45, Zinc, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera Gel
• Bug Spray / DEET / Skin-So-Soft
• Mouthwash (travel size)
• Toothpaste & Toothbrushes & Dental Floss
• Breath Mints / Breath Strips
• Lozenges / Cough Drops
• Loufa Sponges / Buff Puffs / Washcloths
• Nail files / Emery Boards / Nail Clippers
• Cotton Swab
• s (i.e. Q-tips) - also used to clean guns!
• Cotton Balls
• Band-aids, Gauze Pads, First Aid Kits / Ace bandages, Icy Hot or Bengay cream
• Moleskin
• Shoe Insole Cushions (gel kind is best)
• Tylenol, Motrin, Advil or Aspirin Packets
• Eye Drops (i.e. Visine)
• Nasal Spray
• Vitamins (multi-vitamins are always needed!)

ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS:

• BATTERIES: (AA, AAA, C & 9 Volt are the most requested)
• DVD Movies (new or used - recent releases only, please!)
• Xbox Games, PSP, PS2 & PS3 Games (new or used)
• iTunes® Gift Cards
• RC Vehicles
• 35 mm disposable cameras
• Computer Flash Drives & Thumb Drives
• Portable CD players / head phones
• Electronic handheld games
• Pens & mechanical pencils, small note pads
• Stationery & Envelopes; blank cards to send home
• Game Books: (Crossword Puzzles / Word Search Books / Math Puzzle books / MAD LIBS / Logic Problems / Sudoku)
• Yo-Yo's, Dominoes, Playing Cards (new), Poker Chips & Mats, Dice
• Board games (UNO, Othello, Checkers - travel size is great, too!)
• Dart Boards (regular or magnetic - any size)
• Nerf Footballs / Whiffle bats, balls & Mitts / Sports equipment
• Frisbees / Hackey sacks

OTHER:

• LINENS: Pillow cases, twin sheets, towels
• T-SHIRTS: new (Sizes: M, L & XL)
   [Note: The DOD banned "Under-Armor" shirts due to its material being potentially flammable & bad reactions to open wounds.]
• FLASHLIGHTS - SMALL (battery operated. Surefire Brand preferred)
• AIR FRESHENERS (standalone-not plug-in. Car types are also good)
• SOCKS: Black, Olive Green & White (cotton or wool)
• Gift Cards to send home to loved ones (for Restaurants, Supermarkets)
• Small toys (Beanie babies) & school supplies for Iraqi & Afghan children
• Black or Green duct tape, small tool kits, dust masks, carpentry tools, Fly swatters, fly paper, mosquito netting, bug repellent in plastic pump bottles only. (NO AEROSOL CANS, PLEASE!)
• Paint brushes, adhesive wall hooks, sponges
• Gun cleaning supplies (lube) such as Militec-1 & CLP
• Sunglasses (Ballistic, black only. No "mirror" types)
• Alarm Clocks (Small in size; wind-up or battery-operated)
• Small, portable heaters & fans (110 voltage okay)
• Water Bottles, Travel Mugs & Thermoses with Lids, (for Coffee, Tea & Soup)
• Coffee Makers & Filters (110 voltage okay)
• Microwave Ovens (55 pounds max; 110 voltage okay)
• Hot Pots - Small
• Elixir & Water Purification Tablets for Camelbaks
  
• K-9 items:
  Dog treats, toys, shampoo, flea collars, etc.
  

 Interested in helping out? Send me an email and we can work out details.  

The Best Convertible Car Seats: Let’s Clear Up the Confusion

The Best Convertible Car Seats: Let’s Clear Up the Confusion

by Robin Newsome

If you’re looking at purchasing a car seat for your baby, you’ve probably looked at some of the best convertible car seats.  You want to make the best decision possible but there are so many choices.  Let’s clear up some of the confusion.

 

First of all what is a convertible car seat?  A convertible seat will convert from a seat that is rear facing to a front facing seat.  This means you only need to buy one seat instead of two.  Are they right for everyone?

The number 1 priority in any seat that you buy is safety, safety and more safety.  There is no compromising when it comes to your child’s being safe.

The convertible seats are usually rear facing from the time your child is a newborn at 5 pounds until they attain a weight of 40 pounds.  Then the seat is turned around to face forward until your child weighs around 70 pounds depending on the seat.

What I really like about the best convertible seats is being able to keep your child facing towards the rear until 40 pounds.  Many infant only seats face the rear but will only fit your baby until they reach the weight of 20 pounds.

Why is this important?  It’s critical to have your child facing the rear as long as possible.  That’s because in the event of an accident, injury to the child is minimized when they are rear facing.  

If the child is thrown forward, their back would take most of the force of the crash and that is a much stronger part of their body than the neck.  When they are facing the front the crash force causes their weak neck to snap forward and back which can result in serious neck and spinal injury.

So is the convertible the best choice?  Personally I believe that convertible seats are a great buy.  However there is an exception.

If your baby is a preemie or a very small baby, you could be better off with an infant only rear facing seat.  These seats are smaller and probably will give your baby a tighter and therefore safer fit.

A convertible will be more expensive but they will last longer and you only need one seat instead of two.  I really like the Britax Boulevard Car Seat.  It’s highly rated for safety, comfort and durability.  It’s also rated high in user ratings.  

Always remember that when buying a car seat for your child, seat safety is the number one feature.

***Disclaimer: this post was not written by Over Thirty Mommy, it was a guest post written by Robin Newsome***

Dora the Explorer and Friends Magazine Review and Giveaway

Dora the Explorer and Friends Magazine Review and Giveaway

For any one that knows my daughter (or any 2-8 year old girl for that matter) you know that she LOVES anything Dora the Explorer.  We have multiple movies, have the show set on our DVR never to miss an episode and even had a Dora party for her 2nd birthday in January.

When she moved up to a big girl bed, I made her a really cute Dora headboard and for her birthday her Grandma A, made her the most gorgeous (and snugly) Dora blanket.  You can not see the detail in the blanket but Grandma embroidered the outlines of the colored flowers and ferns.

We have Dora clothing, Dora tableware, Dora dolls, Dora books, A Dora poster on her door and even Dora Easy-Ups for potty training.  It was only a matter of time before she spotted the Dore the Explorer and Friends magazine at the grocery store.


About Dora the Explorer and Friends Magazine
Published but Titan Magazines, the new Dora the Explorer and Friends magazine is printed four times a year.  Each issue is filled with stories, puzzles and other activities to keep your little one entertained. Each magazine is loaded with pages of stickers, a poster, color pages and fun crafts for you to do with your child.  The magazine follows in the bilingual way of the Nickelodeon Dora and Diego shows and teaches your children Spanish.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts about the Dora Magazine

The second I opened the the envelope, containing the first three issues of the new Dora magazine, my daughter went crazy.  She was so excited, look how happy she is with her new magazine.  She is a little young for some of the games but we love to read the stories together and she is having a field day with all of the stickers.  I can not count the number of times we have "read" the three magazines, she can not get enough of them.  She is looking forward to finishing all the color pages so that we can put up the posters in her room.  It is also nice that the magazine has Diego in it as well.  

Dora the Explorer and Friends Magazine Giveaway

WIN IT! 
One Over Thirty Mommy Reader will  be randomly chosen to receive the first three issues of the new Dora the Explorer and Friends Magazine.

 

How to Enter: Mandatory

To enter the giveaway please leave me a comment telling me what is your child's favorite Nickelodeon cartoon

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy  on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy (leave a link to your post in comment) (3 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile.  

Giveaway ends midnight PST on March 19th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received a copy of the first three magazine issues for the purpose of this review .  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**   

Bloom Avenue Flower Service Review and Giveway

Bloom Avenue Flower Service 

Review and Giveaway

About Bloom Avenue Flowers

Bloom Avenue is located in New York City but the online nature of their business makes it possible fort hem to be virtually everywhere. The mission at Bloom Avenue is to help you express your sentiment through beautiful flowers, priced right and delivered on time. Their goal is to be the best in the flower industry not necessarily the biggest.  Bloom Avenue strives to to exceed each customers’ expectations every time they order and to make sure you know you are appreciated every step of the way.

Bloom Avenue Flower Service Guarantee

Bloom Avenue has an Unconditional Guarantee (how often do you get one of those?)

If your order falls short of your expectations in any way, email or call them and they will make things right. This isn't a policy—it's a commitment.   

They want you to be happy. They want to be your go-to florist.

It's that simple.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts about Bloom Avenue Flower Service

What girl doesn't love getting flowers?  My husband is great but he is anti-flowers so it is a very rare occasion that I receive a flower delivery.   My Bloom Avenue flowers arrived the Saturday after Valentine's day and with some pruning and thinning, I still have some very pretty flowers sitting on my dining room table.  The bouquet was beautifully arranged and smelled wonderful.  It was so nice to have fresh flowers in the house in the middle of winter.

Bloom Avenue Flower Discount

Bloom Avenue is offering all Over Thirty Mommy readers (and their friends and family) 15% off all purchases when they use the code 'Over30mommy' at check out.

Bloom Avenue Flower Bouquet Giveaway

WIN IT! 
One Over Thirty Mommy Reader will  be randomly chosen to receive a You're in My Heart Bouquet.

 

How to Enter: Mandatory

To enter the giveaway please leave me a comment telling me which Bloom Avenue Bouquet is your favorite.

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy and Bloom Avenue on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy on Facebook (1 entry)
• Purchase a bouquet using the code 'over30mommy' and save 15% (10 entries)
  
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Bloom Avenue (leave a link to your post in comment) (3 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile.  

Giveaway ends midnight PST on March 17th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received flower bouquet for the purpose of this review .  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**