Great Deals on Great Meals at Publix! *Plus $25 GIVEAWAY!* ENDED

One of the most important moments of my day is dinner time. Sure, I like food, (and so does my family), but that's not the reason why. I'm an old school mom, that really likes having the time around the dinner table to connect with my family. Learning about each other's day, planning the weekend together, laughing about silly things- that's what helps make memories.

I am a crazy busy mom. I have a child with special needs who hasn't "officially" "officially" been diagnosed- (don't ask)- a pre-k, almost-kindergartener-going-on-15 princess-in-training, am part of the PTA, SAC, Policy Council, am a Team Mom for tee ball, and needless to say, am stretched in many different directions. Especially now with end of year meetings, time for me to plan and prepare a meal are limited, and it's times like this where I love my Publix even more.

The other day I was walking up the aisle mumbling groceries I had in my fridge over and over trying to come up with some sort of a concoction to call "dinner". I could make a carbonara-type sauce, and pair it with a meat, but we were totally done with chicken, and I just couldn't think. (Bri would have blamed it on the sun, or the heat from practice.) I opened my sales flyer and voila, there was a recipe for the most delicious looking pork. I knew right there that I had most of those ingredients (or so I thought) but if not, I could totally do a carbonara type sauce over it and call it a day. In moments I went from lolly-gagging through the aisles looking like a crazy person mumbling ingredients to herself, to a person on a mission. Pork was on sale, so with even more zest in my step, my meal plan was done. 

What I love even more is that even if I can't figure out a meal- or if I don't resort to one of our 'staple' meals- I know I can always count on our Apron's booth for something tasty and usually quick. Thankfully, I have a family that loves trying new things. The best part is that it takes the "boring" factor out of dinner, because the family never knows what to expect. (Check out APRON'S here for more recipe ideas!)

So, if you've been following me on Facebook or Twitter you may have seen that recently I've begun couponing. No, it's not because of the crazy coupon show on TV- (remember, I don't have a ton of free time, people), it's because I just want to save money. I do not buy stuff I don't normally buy, unless it's insanely cheap, something that once sparked my interest as something I'd like to try, or free with my coupons. I mainly buy only the stuff I did before I started couponing. The only difference is that I'm saving a ton of money! Along with starting to use coupons, I started following the blog, AddictedToSaving.com. (I must say, if you live anywhere near a Publix, you should definitely be following that blog. You may not be a crazy couponer, or just looking to save a few, but how that site has helped me, you have NO idea!)

Four months ago, I thought that Publix had higher individual price points on items, which is why they could swing all of the crazy BOGO sales. Since following that blog, I've learned that their base price point is actually lower than many- if not all of their local competitors- on most items. I had no idea! I also learned that you can combine Publix coupons (you know the big coupon in the flyer or the bunch of coupons in the green and yellow advantage flyers that start with a PLU#.. OR the ones on the little kiosk thing floating around with savings on things like Yoplait, Cheerios, and more!) with manufacturer coupons (the coupons with a barcode), for even more of an incredible savings. I can officially say that for about 4-5 months, the majority of my grocery shopping is done at Publix because of these savings.

Now that we've settled into our new home a little bit better, our office is fully functioning and my son is almost '"officially" "officially"' diagnosed with something, I can start showing you all of the fabulous savings I'm raking in. Just a collection of random tid-bits gathered from online:

In 2007 a survey showed that 89% of the United States population used coupons to save approximately $2.6 billion dollars.

Manufacturers offered over $350 billion dollars in coupons that year – leaving over $347 billion dollars in coupons unredeemed.

The typical family saved 7% on their grocery bill in 2007 by using coupons – for a savings of $5.20-$9.60 per week. That may not sound like a lot, but with an average of $8 per week those savings add up to over $400 for the year- not bad for an average coupon user. Serious coupon users save much, much more, most of the time saving at least 75-85% of their bill.

To jump start you into saving money at Publix, check out GreatDealsOnGreatMeals.com to print out $10.80 in savings (the coupons expire on 5/29, so be sure to download them now)!!

Plus, through May 29th, stop by your local Publix to start your savings with a recipe for an easy Pasta Night at home! Make your own Pillsbury Ready to Bake! cookies for dessert, and stock up on some of the other featured products like Yoplait Yogurt, Honey Nut Cheerios and Progresso Soup!

WIN!!

Our friends at General Mills are offering a $25 Publix gift card to one lucky reader!

Here's How:

What items are you most excited to find savings on during the “Great Deals on Great Meals” event at Publix?

Extra Entry Opportunities:

• Tweet about the Great Deals on Great Meals event or this giveaway. Please use the hashtag "#myblogspark" and "@4BabyAndMom" in your tweet. Post your link here.
• LIKE 4BabyAndMom (and the Great Deals On Great Meals link above) on Facebook and share this promotion with your friends.
• Do you share the same excitement we do for Publix? Share with me an experience, or something that YOU love about the store.
• Share with me your closest store location using the STORE LOCATOR button.
• If you use coupons, what's the best deal you've ever got?
• Tell me your favorite General Mills product. Not sure? Visit their site for ideas.
• Wish you could find coupons for THIS product? Tell me what that product is.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER!!!

As always, what you have read is strictly the opinion of 4BabyAndMom and your experience may differ. Special thanks to General Mills and MyBlogSpark for allowing me to participate in this promotion. Super huge thanks to General Mills for providing me one gift card to keep and one to give away, as part of the MyBlogSpark program. This contest will end Monday, May 30, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. One winner will be drawn using Random.org and then revealed on this post and the winner's page. The winner will also receive an email. Please add 4BabyAndMom at gmail dot com to your address book or label it "safe" so any communication won't be missed! Good Luck!

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Yoplait Kids-Affordable, Delicious Snack for Kids of All Ages! Coupon, Review + Giveaway

I have a crazy sensitivity to artificial sweeteners, most give me a migraine that could kill a cow. Seriously. My thoughts on the subject is basically if that's what happens to me, what are they doing to my kids??

So, I'm the crazy lady that stands at the grocers counter to read every single ingredient, until I found Yoplait Kids. With an excellent source of both calcium and vitamin D, a good source of protein and the delicious taste kids demand, Yoplait Kids is perfect for our family. It also contains 25% less sugar than the leading kids’ yogurt, and has no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners whatsoever.
What I love even more than the great health benefits, is that Yoplait Kids is a great value at just $2.00 for a pack of four, and it comes in three delicious flavors, including Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Vanilla. Kids will love finding their favorite friends, like Dora the Explorer, (Abbie's favorite!!), Lightning McQueen from the hit movie “Cars” and the Disney Princesses, on every cup.

I've yet to see the princesses on any of the packages in my area, but I'm willing to bet that you all will hear my little lady shreik when she finds them! I typically don't buy food items with characters on them for my kids (yes, 'mean mom', I know..) but honestly, most of "those" products are filled with zero nutritional value, and usually make my kids hyper. They know that if they do get something with characters on it, it's typically a treat. With the Yoplait Kids, they not only getting something fun, but they're getting something nutritious. No matter which way you look at it, it's a win-win. Plus, right now you can print out a $0.50 coupon here, and save when you buy a four pack.

Our friends at MyBlogSpark and Yoplait have put together a great prize pack to help encourage choosing healthy snack options for children, and offered one lucky reader  their chance to WIN!

GIVEAWAY:

One winner will receive a coupon for any variety of the Yoplait Kids yogurt products, along with a Yoplait Kids prize pack. Perfect for accompanying this fun everyday snack, the Yoplait Kids prize pack includes a coupon for Yoplait Kids yogurt, a foldable travel cooler (to take your yogurt on-the-go), a cool four-piece spoon set, a power magnet picture frame, trendy alphabet-shaped “Kiddie Bands”, a great big bounce ball and a “My First Scavenger Hunt” card game for some after-snack fun.

Here's How:

Share with us a great way that you help encourage healthy snacking. What kind of fun food creations do you make and serve your child? Can your child smell a veggie a mile away? Tell us!

Extra Entry Opportunities:

Please leave a separate comment for each entry & include your email address in your comment.

• LIKE the 4BabyAndMom Facebook Fan Page
• Visit Yoplait on Facebook and LIKE their page
• Grab our button and post it to your website or blog. **If you already have our button, please double check the code to make sure it directs to www.4BabyAndMom.com ** 5 EXTRA!!
• Write a post on your blog and link it back to our review. Leave the link so we can check it out and share some comment love! **5 EXTRA!!
• Create your own tweet or R/T the message below, or use the Share button at the bottom of this post to Tweet on Twitter (two per day, spaced out, please)

@YoplaitYogurt gives Kids Healthy Snack Options *Review*Giveaway*Coupon* http://bit.ly/gcMzNd Ends 4/8 #myblogspark

• Follow 4BabyAndMom publicly through Google Friends/Blogger, new friends only, please.
• Bookmark this giveaway on any social media bookmarking site and leave a link back.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER!!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US. One winner will be chosen using Random.org. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on the date specified. A Yoplait prize pack (including coupon) was provided to us by MyBlogSpark and Yoplait in order to facilitate our review, and will be supplying the winner an identical prize pack.

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General Mills Whole Grain Cereals Help Make Healthy Choices Easy!

From MyBlogSpark & General Mills:
According to the 2010 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, only five percent of Americans get the three full recommended daily servings – a shocking statistic.

With many Americans making New Year’s Resolutions to live healthier, it’s never been easier to get the whole grain you want without sacrificing taste. Every Big G cereal contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving, with more than 20 General Mills cereals delivering 16 grams or more. (At least 48 grams of whole grain are recommended daily.) Big G cereals are America’s number one source of whole grain at breakfast, providing America with more whole grain at breakfast than any other breakfast food from any other manufacturer.

Only whole grain gives you the vital nutrients from the complete grain. The health benefits of whole grains can’t be pinpointed to one particular component of the grain. It’s the “whole grain package” that makes the difference. In addition to fiber, whole grain contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients that help ensure a healthy diet. A diet high in whole grain has been found to help with diabetes and weight management, and it may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Get into the whole grain habit by just looking for the big white check on Big G cereals! Cereal is already one of the healthiest breakfast choices you can make, and the entire Big G cereal line is made with whole grain, making it a great choice. Big G cereals have the brands and flavor your family will love, including Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Honey Nut Cheerios®, Fiber One® and Total®.

To be sure the other foods you are choosing have the healthy whole grain you need, just follow these two easy rules:

1. Look for a whole grain symbol like the big white check on Big G cereals or the Whole Grain Stamp developed by the Whole Grains Council

2. Scan the ingredient list and choose foods that list a whole grain near the top of the list

Visit www.WholeGrainNation.com for more tips, additional information about the benefits of Whole Grain and how Big G cereals can be a convenient and tasty way to incorporate more whole grain into your day.

What are ways that YOU help incorporate whole grains into your diet? Which General Mills Whole Grain Cereals do you enjoy most?

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Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Review and LIVE Giveaway!

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 this photo below. Two identical organic cotton shirts were washed; one was washed in a conventional laundry detergent that contains optical brighteners and the other in Seventh Generation laundry detergent which does not use optical brighteners!

My daughter has sensitive skin, and if I switch detergent she usually breaks out in hives. Even some of those "clear" detergents don't work with her skin. I love Seventh Generation Laundry detergent because it not only cleans clothes well, but it doesn't make her break out in hives. Even the dryer sheets are great for her sensitive skin.

Right now, you can get a jump start on our LIVE giveaway tonight between 8-9pm EST on TWITTER and Facebook. We will be taking all entries received and announcing the giveaway winner at the end of the hour.

So, spread the word by tweeting this below and get your entries started!

Plz R/T: Join the party & Enter to WIN a @SeventhGen Laundry Prize Pack from 8-9pm EST TONIGHT with www.4BabyAndMom.com through #myblogspark

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. Additionally, you can click here to save $1 on the purchase of any Seventh Generation Laundry Product.


The prize packs and information were all given to us from Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

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Family Flick Night from General Mills! *Giveaway*

When was the last time you and your significant other went out on a date night? When was the last time you took the kiddo's too? Chances are, it's been awhile. Well, at least for us it's been awhile.

I wish we could go out on date nights more often, but financially, it's unrealistic for us at this moment. Our date nights used to be like the first date night described below, now the few times a year we do go, it's more like the latter situation.

Think about it- a baby sitter ranges from $5-12/hr depending on where you live, dinner at an Italian restaurant costs roughly $30-45, and then a movie is at least $24 in tickets alone, plus popcorn, drink and snacks, you're looking at over $100 for Scenario 1. Sure, date night could be less expensive (scenario 2) if you ask grandma to watch the kidlets, and you attack the dollar menu, then raid your drug store and buy the $1 boxes of Good 'n Plenty and hide them in your bag, but even that way it's at least $35- excluding the gas and time to drive the kids to gramma's and back home again. If you decide to take the kids, add another $10/child to the totals above.

Unfortunately, my hubby and I usually resort to scenario 3- popping on the television and renting a movie from one of those boxes at the grocery store and diving into a bag of microwave popcorn. Family movies usually consist of me and the little ones while my hubby works late. It's not ideal, but it works for us.

This November, General Mills Big G Cereals are offering a fourth scenario to encourage Family Flick Night.
Now you can earn a FREE movie ticket when you purchase two specially marked packages of Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Trix® (14.8 oz) and Reese´s Puffs® cereal (18 oz.).


After purchasing two participating cereals, visit generalmills.com/moviecash to enter the unique code found inside each box of cereal and then print your free Movie Cash certificate (good for one admission of up to a $12 value at participating theatres). To find a participating theater in your area, log onto http://emoviecash.com/dis_locator/.

General Mills (through My Blog Spark) sent our family a Family Flick Night Gift Pack in exchange for our review, and would also like to provide one of our readers with the same gift pack we were given!

One lucky 4BabyAndMom reader will receive 2 boxes of General Mills Big G cereals plus 4 Movie Cash certificates!

Here's How to Enter:
Which cereals are you looking forward to purchasing to earn e-movie cash? How do you like to make movie nights special for your family? Share with us!


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER!

Please Refer to our WINNERS PAGE for more information on how to claim your prize!!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US.  This giveaway will end on November 30, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, and all winner information will be posted on our WINNERS PAGE and on this post. After winner validates entry, the gift code will be emailed directly to the winner. Please include a valid email address and your user id in your comment. If we cannot find a way to contact you, we will not, we will choose another winner. We do try to email all winners, but due to the volume of giveaways offered on our site, delays can be expected. If you catch your name before we email you, please feel free to contact us first. :) Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn accordingly and at the discretion of 4BabyAndMom. Special thanks to My Blog Spark and General Mills for extending this opportunity to us. As always, what you have read is strictly the opinion of 4BabyAndMom. Your opinions may differ.

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Seventh Generation "Back to School" Disinfecting Kit *Review + Giveaway*

'Back to School' brings more than just the return of pencils and books, unfortunately it also marks the return of all things icky. Schools are a hub for runny noses, cough, sneezes, and germs up the wazoo. Help your child pick up only the ABC's this year and hand your child's teacher some disinfecting wipes from Seventh Generation during orientation.

From Seventh Generation:

With nearly 22 million school days lost each year due to the common cold and flu (CDC) and as many as 2.7 million bacterial found per square inch on common school surfaces (NSF International), it´s no wonder that 82 percent of parents with kids in grades K-5 fret about the germs in their children´s classrooms (according to a survey conducted by Seventh Generation).

This school year, Seventh Generation is sharing tips from best-selling author and pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene, to help parents protect their child´s health during back-to-school season. Dr. Greene suggests taking the following precautions:

Optimize the immune system:
Reap the benefits of probiotics like those found in yogurt. A recent study showed that children who received enough probiotics daily throughout the cold and flu season had a significant reduction in the number of illnesses they had and, when they did get sick, the symptoms were both milder and didn't last as long.

Be sure your child is getting plenty of vitamin D from the sun, from food, or from a supplement.

Build a strong foundation. Good food, good sleep, and good physical activity all help the immune system to flourish.

Be wise about reducing unnecessary exposure to harmful germs
Teach children the key times to clean their hands in the classroom. The most important times include after sneezing, coughing or using the restroom, upon leaving "high-risk" places (recess, naptime, play stations) and before meals or snacks.

Sixty percent of teachers surveyed said that they request that parents donate disinfecting wipes to the classroom. Seventh Generation´s disinfecting wipes kill 99.99% of germs* naturally using the active ingredient thyme, a component of thyme oil which is derived from the herb thyme.


Stress the importance of not touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Demonstrate to your children how to cover their mouth and nose for every cough and sneeze. This simple maneuver has spectacular results in decreasing the spread of viruses and bacteria floating about the room, waiting to be inhaled.
*Refer to disinfecting product labels for full details

Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Seventh Generation, I was able to review a "Back to School Kit" that included a Seventh Generation backpack, two canisters of Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes (one for home and one to donate to your child´s classroom), disinfecting multi-surface spray cleaner, facial tissue and paper towels. The arrival of these products came at the most opportune time- right after I was starting to get over a horrible case of strep throat! I put the disinfecting products to great use, going over any surface I could think of where germs are easily spread.

I love the fact that Seventh Generation products are natural cleaning products, and that it's safe for me to have the kids help me disinfect, without exposing them to harsh chemicals. The both of the kids didn't particularly care for the scent, but they both have learned that when they smell Seventh Generation cleaners, mommy's 'killing bad germs'.

According to the label, the disinfecting wipes and multi-surface cleaner kills over 99.9% of household germs, specifically Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Influenza A on hard, nonporous surfaces.

Teachers could really benefit from having the disinfecting line of products from Seventh Generation in the classroom to help kill the flu dead in it's tracks. Along with the tissues and baby wipes, pencils and crayons, this year we'll be including some Seventh Generation disinfecting products in our 'Back to School' supplies.

Our friends at Seventh Generation have offered one lucky reader their chance to win the same Back to School Disinfecting kit for their home or school!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US. This giveaway will end on August 22, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, and all winner information will be posted on our WINNERS PAGE and on this post. Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn accordingly and at the discretion of 4BabyAndMom. Special thanks to Seventh Generation and MyBlogSpark for allowing us to write about this promotion. The prize pack above was given to me at no cost to evaluate and to thank me for posting this review. As always, what you have read is strictly the opinion of 4BabyAndMom. Your opinions may differ.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER!

Please refer to our WINNERS PAGE for more information on how to claim your prize.

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Sam's Club Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Brownies Make Picnics Perfect!

Originally this brand new product from Pillsbury was pitched to us as a great bake sale item for those last minute bombs that children tend to drop on us, but honestly this product is so much more than that.

Most schools don't allow you to sell anything that you make at home, but the great part about these brownies, is that they come ready to cut and serve. Available exclusively at Sam's Club, the Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Brownies are simply delish. They are coming with us to a picnic and bar-b-que tomorrow afternoon, frosted like an American Flag to celebrate the 4th of July. The brownie package also hosts six bonus Box Tops For Education, which is always a plus for moms of school aged children. (I'm already saving my stash for next year!)

Most people that know me in real life, know that I love to cook and more specifically, love to bake. I usually don't mind having to whip something up, and generally have the ingredients to pull some sort of cookie together for a ladies night, meeting, or special event. The truth of the matter is that there are just times that I don't want to make the mess, and feel that I have to sacrifice the taste and quality of home made baked goods when I buy store-bought items. It wasn't the case when I found these new Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Brownies.

At first, we had a little bit of a problem finding them at our local Sam's. Nobody seemed to know what they were, or where they were located. The bakery area brought me to the fridge section, who then brought me to the mix aisle, who then brought me to the freezer section insisting that "it wasn't ready to serve, but it would be cool if it was", until I left exhausted- twice. The third time I returned, I returned wiser. I contacted the sponsor, and asked if we could physically check if my Sam's carried it, and sure enough they did. They gave me an item number so I could actually check myself, and then if I couldn't find it, I could give it to an associate and they could tell me where they have it.

The most important piece of info to take with you, is that these are found on the pastry tables at Sam's Club. The same place that they have the pies, near the bread.

Anyway, back to the review. The brownies themselves are scrumptious. Not super sweet, chewy and chocolate-y with chunks of chocolate throughout. Serve it plain or frosted to honor any holiday or event. This is truly perfect for the Cheerleading meeting, volunteer luncheons, birthday parties and even bar-b-ques. They are available for about $7 and change in my area, but are totally worth not having to prepare and make (and dirty oodles of pans) your own brownies, or when you're really in a jam.

Our friends at MyBlogSpark sent me a Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies gift pack that included a $25 Sam's Club gift card to use to purchase the brownies, Betty Crocker frosting, a decorating kit, and a large container for transporting the brownies.

The best part is that they have offered one lucky reader their chance to win a gift pack of their own!

Here's How:
In celebration of the holiday weekend, leave a comment about a situation where the new Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies would be the perfect treat to have!

After that you may take advantage of our extra entry opportunities.

EXTRA ENTRY OPPORTUNITIES:

• LIKE us on Facebook- 4BabyAndMom.
• Follow 4BabyAndMom on Twitter.
• Create your own tweet or R/T the message below, or use the Share button at the bottom of this post to Tweet on Twitter (two per day, please)
  
  
  

  Win a Sam's Club & Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies gift pack http://bit.ly/aaR2AW ~Ends 7/6~ @4BabyAndMom

• Follow 4BabyAndMom publicly through Google Friends/Blogger
• Subscribe by Email, so you never miss a giveaway or article. (leave your email address, please)
• Leave a comment on a post which is NOT a giveaway & tell me which one.
• Enter any of our other open giveaways.
• Share this review on any social media or bookmarking sites. Feel free to use the Share tool at the bottom of the post. Leave the link in your comment.
  

This giveaway is open to residents of the US. This giveaway will end on July 6, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, and all winner information will be posted on our WINNERS PAGE and on this post. Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn accordingly and at the discretion of 4BabyAndMom. Disclosure: I received this gift pack from Pillsbury and MyBlogSpark. Any opinions expressed are 100% that of 4BabyAndMom. Your experience with these products, website and companies may differ.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Please refer to our WINNERS PAGE for more information on how to claim your prize! Congrats!

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Seventh Generation Review + Giveaway

Thanks to MyBlogSpark, the 4BabyAndMom team was given the opportunity to try the new Seventh Generation Disinfecting Cleaning Kit. The cleaning caddy came packed with Multi-Surface Disinfecting Spray, Wipes, Bathroom Cleaner, two rolls of recycled paper towels, and the book,The Conscious Kitchen.

Seventh Generation is a 20 year old company based out of Burlington, Vermont that is notorious for their all natural non-toxic cleaning products. They not only give back to their planet, but they give back to their community.

I hate to clean, but with two kids and a dog, I find myself cleaning almost all of the time. The choices I make reflect on my household, and recently I've been trying to take the steps to a "greener" home. Choices that are healthy and safe for my family and my pet. One of the struggles I've had is finding products that kill germs, because my kids touch everything, and tend to have their fingers or hands in their mouths often.

Seventh Generation has created a line of naturally disinfecting product recognized by the EPA using the oil from thyme, Tymol, to kill germs that lead to common colds,influenza, salmonella, H1N1, and more. They disinfect as you clean, and leave no harmful residue on any surface germs can get to.

Most "green" cleaners say they cut grease and grime just as good as the products our mother's used, but I can honestly say that I was very impressed with the quality of clean left behind. The Multi-Surface cleaner I abused all over the kitchen, and the wipes were heaven-sent. The bathroom cleaner was great on the tiles in the tub. I liked the paper towels because of the fact that they were made from 100% recycled paper, and that they were unbleached. They worked relatively well for cleaning, but weren't tough enough for my kids spills or dog accidents- which is the major use of regular paper towels in my home.

The scent is very strong in this line of products. For me, it wasn't unbearable,  but for Marissa it was completely different. It has a very strong "ben-gay" style scent, which she found very overwhelming. I used my products in moderation and spread out, so I wasn't overwhelmed, but I could definitely smell it. We both would prefer trying other scents if made available.

The book, The Conscious Kitchen by Alexandra Zissu gives great tips to be good to both the earth and your body. This book covers topics like cutting energy bills, avoiding pesticides in food, and recipes for tasty, healthy meals.

From the book & MyBlogSpark:

• Change is Good Choosing cleaning products without indoor air pollutants like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, is a simple and effective way to reduce your indoor air pollution. If you´re not prepared to switch everything overnight, start by swapping out the one product you use the most, and moving forward from there.
• Think before you spray Residues from cleaning products can last on a surface for longer than we we´d like to know and travel to areas that we sometimes don´t intend them to. Don´t contaminate your food by prepping it on a surface that may contain harsh chemical residues - rinse cleaning products from food preparation surfaces carefully or use botanical disinfecting cleaners that do not require a rinse step.
• Home is Where the Clean Is Your standard cleaners are good for removing soils and dirt from kitchen surfaces, but to tackle germs you need a cleaner that is effective against microbes like bacteria and viruses. Many cleaners contain ingredients that have antimicrobial properties such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, but the germ killing power of these is not necessarily guaranteed. To be sure you are killing germs, use an EPA registered disinfectant. Seventh Generation tapped into the disinfecting power of the common garden herb thyme, to provide a disinfecting cleaner that kills germs* naturally.
• Make the Old New Again Think twice about the items that you´re using to clean and dry your kitchen equipment and dishes. Use rags (like old t-shirts and washcloths) instead of paper towels. If you aren´t prepared to kick your paper towel addiction just yet, use only recycled versions that are unbleached or haven´t been whitened with chemicals containing chlorine and see how long you can make a roll last.
• The Writing is on the ... Sponge Be sure to read the fine print on sponges and only purchase those that do not contain antimicrobial pesticides. Remember to store sponges in a dry place and frequently clean them by popping plastic sponges wet in a microwave for two minutes or boiling sponges for three minutes in water.
• Mom Was Right, Wash Your Hands Wash your hands with soap and water before and after prepping food, and always before eating. So much of what can be potentially harmful in a kitchen can be reduced by this simple act that doesn't require any harsh chemicals whatsoever.

*Refer to product labels for full details 

Our friends at MyBlogSpark is giving one of our lucky readers the opportunity to win a prize pack of their own!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US. This giveaway will end on April 25, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, and all winner information will be posted on our WINNERS PAGE and on this post. Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn accordingly and at the discretion of 4BabyAndMom. Disclosure: I received this product to review at no cost from MyBlogSpark and Seventh Generations to review and share my own opinions on. I received no monetary compensation for this review, and any opinions expressed are 100% my own. Your experience with this product and company may differ.

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BJ's Wholesale Club Makes Holiday Entertaining Easy! Free 60-Day Membership + Enter to Win a $25 Gift Card!

I love to entertain. I long for the day that I have a house big enough to host parties where there is plenty of room to mingle, enough chairs to sit on, and where everyone can drink out of real glasses that match...

In the meantime, in my little house I entertain all year round during all of the holidays. I cook for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, Easter, and the 4th of July. Sporadically in between those major holidays, we host BBQ's, birthday parties, and miscellaneous ladies night get togethers.

I often find that shopping at a wholesale club, like BJ's really helps to simplify the event because it provides me with one-stop shopping and some of the best prices on quality, name brand items.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun it is going to a wholesale club like BJ's. One-stop shopping packed with aisles and aisles of the highest quality items, and best of all-most of the products are at a savings of more than 30% over supermarkets! Plus, BJ's accepts all manufacturers coupons to make your dollar stretch even further.

BJ's Wholesale Club also has all of the toys you need- for moms, dads, and children, as well. Whether you're looking for electronics, a giant doll house, decorations, or just the perfect cookies for Santa, you'll find something for everyone on your list this year at BJ's.

A membership to BJ's has many perks; if you take advantage of the special new-member *paid offer for $45, you'll receive a $10 coupon, two extra months of membership, plus a Member Savings Book (with more than $1,000 in coupons and instant rebates), "Sign up and Save" coupons worth $117 in savings, 2 cards (one for you and someone else in your household), and a no risk 100% money back guarantee on the fee if you are not satisfied.
* Paid offer may vary by store.

Some of the brand new items you might find on the shelves this holiday season are:

• Nature Valley Nut Clusters - 100% Natural, bite-sized clusters with granola, nuts and a touch of honey - and a resealable package which makes it great for sharing
• Progresso High-Fiber Soups - This 6-pack of soup is a great way to get your fiber with the great taste you know and love from Progresso
• Green Giant Complete Skillet Meal - A convenient and great tasting solution for a quick and delicious dinner for the family
• Pillsbury "Big Deluxe" Chocolate Chip Tub - Perfect for entertaining or as an everyday treat (or to leave out for Santa!)

WANT IT?
Download your coupon for a FREE 60-Day BJ's Wholesale Club Membership and find a BJ's Wholesale Club location near you to start saving money now. Make sure to bring your coupons, and reusable shopping bags!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER!

Please read the WINNERS POST for more information on how to claim your prize!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and will end on December 11th, at 11:59pm EST. One winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. Disclosure: A $25 Gift Card was provided to me, at no cost, by MyBlogSpark.com. I did not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about this experience, and all opinions expressed are my own.

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