Haircut Coupon-a-thon! Back to School Savings for your Family!

This post brought to you by Regis Family of Brands. All opinions are 100% mine.
School starts for us next week. We just got the kids hair cut, but I know quite a few moms who haven't done it yet. If you're in that category, we can help you BIG TIME this year during the Haircut Coupon-a-thon.

Here's how: Customers can get these great deals for back-to-school: $7.99 or $9.99 haircut coupons ($9.99 in select markets) to help pinch those pennies this year. The coupon will be valid through 9/30/12. Fifteen salon brands in over 4500 locations across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico are participating, so finding a salon near you might be easier than you thought.

These brands are participating: Best Cuts,  BoRics, Cool Cuts 4 Kids (participating salons only), Famous Hair,  Fiesta Salons.  First Choice Haircutters (U.S. participating salons only),  Head Start Salons, HairMasters,  Holiday Hair,  Island Haircutting Co.,  MasterCuts.  Saturday's,  SmartStyle (located inside Walmart Supercenters),  Style America, and TGF Hair Salon.

All of these salons are full-service salons offering additional services like highlights, color, perms, waxing and more. Plus these salons all carry a wide range of professional haircare products from all your favorite brands: Biolage, Redken, Paul Michell as well as their own private label lines. These salon brands can help you (or families) get back-to-school-ready in no time....back-to-school starts here....and with a no-appointments-needed policy, customers can just walk-in.

And don't forget: these services aren't just for kids! The offers are available for adults, too. Why not take the kids out for a day, get them a fresh cut while you pamper yourself with a new `do too!

Want a coupon? All you need to do is select your preferred salon brand closest to you from the widget and click print. It’s that easy! On a mobile device? To redeem your coupon: Touch and hold to save coupon image. Show coupon to your stylist.

Trouble printing coupon? Email departmentcs@regiscorp.com with the salon brand you’d like to visit and they’ll send you a coupon.

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Miracle Gro Expand n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix

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

We have found it virtually impossible to make a garden successful in Florida. The dirt is just awful, and we've resorted to making table-top gardens, but have been unsuccessful there, as well.

I've recently been introduced to a new product from Miracle Gro, called the Expand ‘n Gro™ concentrated planting mix. Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix is different from basic potting and garden soils. Because it’s a unique blend of Miracle‐Gro plant food and coconut coir fiber, a compact, lightweight, easy‐to‐carry and easy‐to‐store bag of Expand ‘n Gro can do everything a big, heavy bag of soil can do, only better.

This concentrated planting mix expands up to 3 times when mixed with water, feeds plants for up to 6 months, makes native soil more workable and retains up to 50% more moisture than basic potting soil.

Coir is a lightweight, all‐natural material derived from coconut husk. Coir consists of 2 components: fiber (both long and short) and pith. Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, and Mexico are the top producing countries of coir. Harvesting coconuts begins with de‐husking. The copra (flesh) and milk of the coconuts are used as food, but the husk itself is also useful. First, long fibers are removed. These will be used in the manufacture of ropes, doormats, mattresses, automobile car seats, and garden pots. The remaining short fibers and the pith, which makes up about 70% of the weight of the husk, are by‐products of the fiber industry. Previously, these materials were disposed of, but now they are compressed and sold around the world as soil amendments.

Most native soil, whether sandy, hard clay, or somewhere in between, is not ideal for plants. Improving and then maintaining the condition of native soil can be a daunting task, and many soil amendments last only one year. Bags of traditional garden soil and amendments are messy, heavy, and difficult to transport and store. Lightweight, concentrated Expand ‘n Gro is easy to use, and helps ensure plants get the right amount of moisture and air they need to thrive. The honeycomb shaped, sponge‐like cell structure of compressed coir pith re‐expands when water is added. This permanent re‐expansion of coir offers several benefits for plant growth, including improved moisture control and bulk density. And because coir contains a great deal of lignin, a slowly decomposing organic polymer, Expand ‘n Gro continues to benefit native soil for multiple years after it is first added.

In pots or in‐ground, the absorbent coir fibers help ensure that water is used efficiently. Expand ‘n Gro retains up to 50% more moisture than basic potting soils and then releases water as plants need it, to help prevent over or under watering. Since moisture and nutrients must be able to reach plant roots, proper air space and circulation in soil is critical for plant health. Tilling this planting mix into native soil can reduce the soil’s bulk density – making it up to 40% lighter, and creating up to 90% more air space. The result is more workable native soil with better water holding ability, moisture distribution, and drainage, all of which ultimately creates an improved rooting environment for plants.

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Boudreax Butt Paste free sample offer, online now

 This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am pretty sure there is something in the water!

If you live in central Florida, you may want to drink soda for a little while, because I am not sure the tap is safe. Three of my dear friends are expecting a little blessing soon!! (I am very excited for them, I just don't want to catch it!! hahaha) I have been getting my fix of baby bellies though, gosh they are so cute!

Anyway, two of these friends are first time mommies and their dates are coming up fast. This means I have some shopping to do. I always make laundry basket gifts for baby showers, you know—a cute laundry basket filled with diapers, blankets, clothes, etc. So, I headed down to Wal Mart to get one ready for one of the girls.

Walking down baby aisles is so much fun, and everything reminds you of your own little ones when they were tiny. I was having way too much fun playing with socks and brushes when I went to get some diaper rash cream (a must for any diaper bag),and then I totally flipped- Boudreaux’s Butt Paste was on the shelf! When my little ones were still in diapers, I could never find this stuff! I had gotten it one time when we were out of town and it worked wonders, but I never found it again near me. I threw it in the cart as fast as I could!

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste isn't your run of the mill diaper rash cream--it was created by a pharmacist specifically to treat diaper rash. This is the Cadillac of diaper rash creams, (in my opinion), and I couldn't NOT get it for her.  Anyone who has had a baby with a horrible rash that doesn't respond to the other creams understands. My babies were horribly allergic to certain brands of diapers; I would have to get special cream from their doctors, until I found butt paste. It also goes AND comes off super easy--which is also a selling point when you’re talking about rash treatment!! It also works good for other skin irritations too.

They are giving out FREE samples (you know I love free stuff) right now, so I knew I had to share with you guys when I heard. Just head on over to the Boudreaux's Butt Paste website and get your sample. I know you'll love this stuff.

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NAVTEQ Updated Maps Make Holiday Travel (and shopping!) a Snap!

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

Who else stayed out until the wee hours of the morning on Thanksgiving night/ Black Friday?? Yes, I was one of them, and I know many people that did as well. With the holiday shopping season underway, knowing where the best deals and steals are is imperative. After the shopping is done, many families across the country find themselves faced with detours and headaches because the kids are hungry, or need a potty break, on their way to Grandma's house for the holidays.

For those of you who have an in-dash navigation system, do you know when the last time you had a map update ? Having an updated map in your dashboard system is will help make holiday travels a little easier. If you are unsure of whether or not you have an updated map, feel free to visit http://bit.ly/NAVMapUpdates for more information on the most recent update available.

Last year while we were holiday shopping, I remember bouncing around to many stores, one which we were hunting for for what seemed like forever. Then, after calling a very grumpy, over tired spouse, we realized that that store moved! No wonder we couldn't find it! Having a map update on our navigation system would have definitely helped decrease the stress in the car, because it would have pointed us to the direction of the new store, without a hitch.

An updated map makes a great holiday gift, especially for those people that seem to have everything, or people in your life that do a lot of traveling- whether for business or personal- and it's something that they could use all year long.

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The only bank worth investing in

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of CryoCell International.

All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you or a loved one expecting a little blessing soon? This can be such an exciting time for anyone; all to quickly plans start being drawn for the future--painting the nursery, putting together furniture- like jigsaw puzzles, and even college funds. Another thing that begins to cross your mind at an increasing rate is your child's health. One way to protect their future is to save their cord blood. Cord blood is truly a miraculous thing! Umbilical cord stem cells are known to treat over 75 diseases and have been used in over 12,000 transplants worldwide. Your baby is only born once, and that is the only time these stem cells can be harvested. It makes too much sense not to do this.

Cryocell International is the industry's family bank leader with more quality accredidations than any private bank can offer. Cryocell was established in 1989, three years before any other well known banks and registries, and are also FDA registered--so they are a name you can trust with your child's precious cord-blood.

I know in this trying economic time you may think that this may not be financially feesible, but it isn't as expensive as you may think. The total price for the first year fees of cord blood services at Cryo-Cell are only $1720! This is not much when you consider how beneficial securing this blood can be for your new child. Cryo-cell's costs beats the other cord banks prices by over $400, which means you will have more to spend on diapers, and toys, and cute little outfits!!

For more information on CryoCell and to compare against other leading banks and registries, visit Cryo-Cell

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Get on your feet with PlayStation®Move

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PlayStation MOVE. All opinions are 100% mine.

The Developers over at Sony have done it again.  Most of us remember when the first PlayStation game console hit the market and revolutionized the gaming industry. Now, they have just upped their game, with the new PlayStation Move. Utilizing Camera technology, The new PlayStation Move's "Eye" adds a new level of Precision which is definitely lacking in current systems. The PlayStation  Move's Motion Controller is a rounded cylinder with a color sphere on the top.  The PlayStation Eye camera "sees" the position of the controller in the room including its distance, height, and its motion....-when paired with the sensors in the motion controller, a real time, precise gaming experience is  now a reality.

The marketers at Sony have put together bundle packages for current PS3 owners and for those ready to buy one. You can bring motion gaming exclusively to your existing PlayStation®3 for only $99 with the MOVE bundle package! The package includes the Eye, a Controller, and a game. Some regular PS3 games are compatible with the new PlayStation Move, however, these are some of the games specifically for PlayStation Move:

• Start the Party™
• The Shoot™
• EyePet™
• Kung Fu Riders™
• Sports Champions™
• The Fight: Lights Out™
• TV Superstars™
• Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘11
• Brunswick Bowling

So, if a genie appeared and delivered a PS3 and the PlayStation Move, my son would be so excited. We have another game system that recognizes your moves, but the kide get frustrated sometimes if it's not calibrated correctly. Out of the games listed above, I could totally see myself playing the Brunswick Bowling or TV Superstars, but as soon as I brought up EyePet and Start The Party in Google, the kids were all over me trying to see over my shoulder. We would use it a lot, and I (personally) would be eager to compare the two systems, and I would love to add it to our already existing family game night.

So...Who's ready for game night? The new PlayStation Move controller and bundle is available at many big name retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, Kmart, GameStop, Costco, or Best Buy.  It is available online as well, at the same locations, and also at Amazon.com.

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Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes: You + 100 Friends + Hampton= A Weekend to Remember!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years since I graduated from high school. My family moved just days before school started in 9th grade, and although I went to only one high school, I have extremely close ties to the high school I felt I should have graduated from. This year, I was invited to two high school reunions, but unfortunately I will not be able to attend either of them. I have two weddings I'm going to be in within two and a half months, and it's just not in my budget.

Thanks to Facebook, recently I have been able to reconnect with a whole nine years worth of old friends, and rekindled many friendships.. but it's not the same as being able to see them all.

I just learned about the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes and I can't even tell you how quickly I would take advantage of the grand prize-a free stay for me and 100 of my friends at a Hampton for one weekend. The lucky winner will also receive $5000 to help pay the tax for the weekend! Talk about a great way to catch up with old friends!

Entering only takes a few moments, but think of the possibilities. Friends and family that you haven't seen in forever-and-a-day, all at one location for two days. How fun! What I love about this contest, is it's not like other contests I've seen; anyone can enter, (not just Hilton Honors members), and it doesn't matter if you've never stayed at a Hampton. 

So, what are you waiting for? Enter the sweepstakes now, and share with me what YOU would do if you won!

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Charter On Demand Goes Beyond Movies

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Charter.
All opinions are 100% mine.

Date nights are far and few in between at my house, with kids at home who need constant attention. There's nothing like cuddling up on the couch with my husband and catching a movie like Couple's Retreat or Love Happens On Demand, after the little ones are in bed.

Charter On Demand offers so much more than just movies on demand, they offer thousands of television programs and shows for free, for everyone in your house. The sports enthusiast of the house can take advantage of programs from ESPN on demand, as well, so they never miss a beat. Kids can enjoy their favorite shows from Disney Channel or Nickelodeon. Catch a work-out on demand when getting to the gym just "isn't going to happen".

Whether you're looking for something to keep the kids occupied while you cook dinner, or you happened to miss the latest episode of ABC's Castle, you can press play anytime of the day or night. The great thing about the television shows on demand is that they are usually available the next day after the show airs, which makes it convenient and accessible, no matter how hectic your schedule is.

For me, watching my favorite programs On Demand means that I can usually make it through an entire episode without interruptions, and if I have to- I can pause it. (The biggest plus, for me!)

Be sure to check out the Charter On Demand home page for lists of their programs and movies available. If you like the idea of being able to catch your favorite movies and programs On Demand, then You will ‘Like’ their Facebook page as well.

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Win a Weekend of Temptation in Las Vegas

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of KAO Brands. All opinions are 100% mine.

It takes just a couple of seconds to enter to win at the Temptation is Beautiful contest and giveaway. You can win daily prize packs stuffed full of some of your favorite bath and beauty products.

This contest actually started in March, but from now until May 8th, you can enter daily for a chance to win the daily tempting beauty basket, as well as the grand prize- a tempting trip to Las Vegas for you and 3 of your friends with $1,500 in spending money!

Take a mom getaway with your friends, a second honeymoon with your spouse and another couple you like, give it to your future sister-in-law as an exiting bachelorette party- the possibilities are endless.

If I won, part of me would want to take my husband, the other would want to make this a trip "just for the girls". Relax, play at some casinos (I love black jack!) and see some shows. I've never been to Vegas, so I would make the most of it. With $1500 spending money, I could even have room for a massage! 

While you're there, don't forget to take the Temptress Temperature quiz and share it with your friends for even more extra entries! I took the quiz, and apparently I was "Hot, Hot, Hot" in college!

If you take your Temptress Temperature, be sure to leave me a comment and tell me what you are!! This contest is open to residents of the US only. Good Luck, press your luck, and enter to win now.

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WellnessDaily.com- Simplify Personal Health and Wellness

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of wellnessdaily.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

Designed to provide the guidance and community support needed to begin or maintain a healthy lifestyle, www.wellnessdaily.com is a comprehensive, online destination to simplify personal health and wellness management. WellnessDaily.com, is a new, online community that collects the latest news, healthy living blogs, expert opinions, easy, nutritious recipes and videos on a variety of topics including weight loss, healthy eating, exercise and mental well-being.

From weight loss to stress relief to eating right, the site provides a central hub for anyone looking to get or stay healthy. WellnessDaily.com also enables users to create a customized personal health and wellness news feed so that they receive the most relevant news possible. To support WellnessDaily.com members in their journey to better health, Jennie-O Turkey Store, sponsor of www.wellnessdaily.com is providing a rebate for the purchase price of any one product (up to $5.00) for the first 25,000 registered users.

You all know that I am trying to lose weight and have actively been participating in our BLOG THE WEIGHT AWAY competition. The scale has not been my friend lately, but with all of the press Jennie-O turkey has had lately, I decided to buy a couple of packages last week when they were on sale. This rebate is a great way to jump start your weight loss journey!

This weekend my awesome husband fixed my bike. Finally the four of us can pack the bikes up and head out for a ride at the local park or trails. I think the kids would love it, and I know I would too! A big part difficult lifestyle change for me has been the ability to increase my intake of pure water. I drink a lot of soda. I struggle with it constantly and have tried everything from buying water in bulk to individual water bottles. But it always seems that I want that caffeine, or just the sweetness of it all. Plus, I really hate the fact that I can't just turn on the tap water and drink a refreshing glass of water- the water in Florida STINKS (literally!). I recognize that I have a problem with drinking water, but I've started using an aluminum water bottle and this weekend, I made my husband finally hook up the water to the fridge. I have a feeling that this minor adjustment might mean major changes in my refreshment choices.

So go visit wellnessdaily.com, sign up and take the pledge to a healthier life, come back here on Wednesday and participate in our Weight Loss Wednesday MckLinky as well. I know that this resource is going to be great during my weight loss journey, and will hopefully give me more tools and support to finally shed the abundance of unwanted pounds.

I would love to know ways that help YOU maintain a healthier lifestyle or any tips you have on making wellness a part of your life. Also, if you've visited WellnessDaily.com what tools or articles YOU found interesting.

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Healthy Tuna, Healthy You! Plus, My Recipe for MUSH

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of HealthyTuna.com. All opinions are 100% mine.


There is a lot of confusion about eating seafood during your pregnancy; many women find themselves wanting seafood, but worrying about which types of seafood are safe. While it's true that pregnant women should stay away from fish high in mercury (shark, mackerel, swordfish, tilefish), it is actually SMART to eat seafood during pregnancy.

In September of 2008, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study where "researchers followed over 25,000 Danish mother/child pairs to determine the overall effect of maternal fish intake during pregnancy on child development. Mothers were interviewed about how much fish they ate, and then about their children’s developmental milestones like crawling and putting words together. Compared with women who ate the least fish, women with the highest fish intake (2 ounces per day on average) had children 25% more likely to have higher developmental scores at 6 months and almost 30% more likely to have higher scores at 18 months."

You can read more studies and articles about how seafood, especially tuna, is great for you during your pregnancy and while breastfeeding at healthy tuna.com.

I love eating tuna and actually ate it throughout both of my pregnancies. My OB told me that tuna was a great source of protein, and my body craved it. I loved it as a sandwich but craved it so much, I needed to find other ways to eat it; it was then that I started experimenting and came up with my favorite tuna recipe.

My husband loved it and asked what it was called, and threw me so off guard that I called it "Mush".. 'Mush' has been a staple in our house, and a well rounded meal when you're short on time or finances.

Here is the recipe:

MUSH- Tuna, Noodles, and Veggies all in 1 Pan!

If you're looking for an affordable dinner to make that combines a great source of protein with starch and veggies, MUSH is a great meal to make for dinner!

Ingredients:

• 1 large can of tuna (or 2 smaller ones) ($2)
  
• 1 pkg. ramen-style noodles (w/o seasoning packet) ($0.20)
  
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped onion (+/- depending on preference) ($0.35)
  
• 1-3 cloves of fresh garlic ($0.20)
  
• 1 can of mixed vegetables ($0.80)
• 1 can of chicken broth ($1.45)
  
• EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, grated parmesan, to taste.
  

Total cost: approx: $5

Method:

Lightly coat the bottom of a large skillet with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil).
Gently sautee the onions and garlic; add the tuna, and break up the chunks.
Keep the mixture moving in the pan or it will burn. Add all of your seasonings- feel free to get creative, or stick to the basic seasonings above. Keep stirring until tuna starts to pale.
Remove from heat.
Drain the can of veggies, add half of the can to the pan, stir gently.
Take the seasoning packet out of the noodles, break the noodles up, and add to the pan.
Put pan back on the heat, and add the other half of veggies, plus enough of the chicken broth to cover the noodles. Do not over fill, or it will be soupy.

Gently stir and simmer on low until noodles are cooked ~8-10 minutes.


NOTE: The first time you make this you really have to play with the spices; everytime you make this, it will taste better. Most of the broth should be absorbed into the noodles, if it's not, you may need to keep simmering, or remove excess liquid. Noodles should be al dente.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. As with all of our recipes, if you make it, I'd love to know what you think.

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WEEKEND PROJECT by Punch! Software Makes Remodeling Easy

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Punch!. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have so many goals and dreams for my house. For me, it boils down to what I would do if I had some extra money laying around. I would want to put cabinets in the laundry room, pretty tile or wood floor in the playroom and bedrooms; then I would rip up the horrible tiles in my living room, dining area, and kitchen. Sometimes extra money isn't the only way you can redo your house.. sometimes all it needs is just a different color in the living room to make your house look completely different.

Punch! Software has released a new design software called Weekend Project featuring tips from TV personality Kristian Cunningham. This innovative program allows you to make the changes you envision for your room without the frustrations, and allows you to customize every detail so that your final decision is what you truly want.

My husband would have loved it if I had this program about 8 months ago when I decided to repaint the living room. I found the perfect swatch at my local home goods store, and low-and-behold, on the wall it looked HORRIBLE! I ended up changing it to a color I wasn't crazy over, and now it's my absolute favorite, but I've known many friends that have done the very same thing- multiple times. Not only is it a waste of your time and money, but it causes strain and tension and by the time you finally find the right color for your walls, you barely want to complete it.

WEEKEND PROJECT takes the frustration out of designing and makes it easy, so anyone can do it. Plus, you can change your mind a hundred-and-ten times without your bank account (or husband!) feeling the pinch.

Check out the example below for a sneak peek at how simple the software is:

For more information on WEEKEND PROJECT please visit:
http://bit.ly/3UGCWX
http://bit.ly/1Zq1s6

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Raising a Father by Arjun Sen - Do You Know Your Child?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Raising a Father. All opinions are 100% mine.

"When the child is born, every father signs this unwritten contract 
that for 18 years, I'll be there no matter what. 
Unconditionally, every moment, be present."~Arjun Sen

I know that I was a 'Daddy's Girl', and I know that the time I had with my father growing up was great when it was good, and not so great during the tough times.. but nonetheless, he was my father. My husband has a lot of similar traits- many of the good and a few of the bad- and it's been proven in study after study how a young lady's relationship with her father helps to mold her future relationship. 

It's amazing to me that little Maka called out her dad at only 8 years old, telling him how he's never there for her, and doesn't know her. How he spends more time on his cell phone than with her; that even when he's with her- he's not.

Do you know your child? Does your husband? What's your child's favorite color? Who's their best friend?

The author, Arjun Sen, explains in his book how he took a sacrifice to save the most important relationship in his life. The relationship between him and his daughter, and the eight year journey he's been on in his book, Raising a Father.

Reviewers state that the stories in this book are moments most of us share with our own families, but the author has a way of bringing out the life lessons in the event that opens our eyes to truly enjoy and experience the moments in ways we've never seen before.

As I clicked through Arjun Sen's blog, I took note to an article written called, "10 Ways to Give the Gift of Time This Season". This top ten list provides a great start to those looking to enjoy more minutes with their families, and even how to go "the extra yard".

Reading the other articles on his blog and on the Raising a Father website, as well as listening to the videos on the blog and YouTube, has really encouraged me to want to read the entire book and share it with my husband.

I can see the way my daughter worships my husband now, at only three and a half, and can only pray that their friendship and relationship continues to grow, mature, and strengthen as they get older.  I think that this book may have the tools needed to relate, and appreciate, all of the "little things" so many of us let slip away.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.. Watch this video below, and let me know if this book might be something your family could use, or if you know of a man who would be blessed learning more about this product.

Special thanks to Social Spark and Raising a Father for providing me with the opportunity to review this website, author and book. 

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Lawsuit Declares that Store Brand Formula is As Nutritious as Enfamil

PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula.

If you've been reading my blog over the past few months, you may have noticed that I've written about the battles between store brand formula and 'name-brand' formula companies before. Finally, a judge and jury in Virginia deemed these PBM Products to be as high-quality and nutritious as Mead-Johnson's.

This lawsuit has the potential of forever changing the $3.4 billion infant formula industry in the United States and saving parents significant money each year.

In a ruling announced yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer supported a November 10 jury verdict and in his written ruling permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making future false advertising claims against PBM and store-brand infant formulas. Mead Johnson has made claims based on nutritional superiority over store brand formulas, as listed in the release below. PBM successfully argued that its formulas contain the same nutrients at the same levels as the Mead Johnson brand Enfamil® LIPIL®.

As you will also see in the release, PBM’s store-brand formulas (including those of sold at leading retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, and many others) cost up to 50% less than Enfamil® LIPIL® and allow parents to save as much as $600 per year on their formula purchases.

With the holidays approaching, I take comfort in knowing that struggling families can catch a break with the cost of infant formula, by simply choosing store brand formula over the more expensive, and often misleading name brands.



This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Lost Mentor, Lost Friends, Lost Love- Reconnect with MyLife.com!

Teenage years are tough, but when you have a teacher or a coach or someone special look at you and tell you that they believe in you & that anything you put your mind to you can achieve, it sticks with you. It stays with you through all of the ups and downs of the college years, and pops back into your mind when you get that promotion or get your dream job. They may have written you a letter of recommendation for college, and you may have even traveled back to the school after you graduated to visit, but all of these years later you wonder how they are and if they know just how much they touched your life.

For me, Ms. Linda Murray-Wilke was that teacher. She was an English teacher in Newfield High School. I heard she retired shortly after I moved to Florida, and I was heart broken. She was talented, and had a rapport with many children at the school, and the best teacher I ever had. She coached me through some very difficult teenage moments, and encouraged me. She told me that I could accomplish my dreams, and I believed her.

The idea to look for Ms. Murray-Wilke came to me when I first learned of MyLife.com back in September. I typed in her name, hypen and all, and came up empty handed. I searched for 'Linda Wilke' and also got nothing. I just searched for 'Linda Murray' and got over 400 people to search through! I would love to find her and let her know how I am, the person I've become and the things I've acheived because she believed in me.HOW IT WORKS:

MyLife.com takes all of the hard work and simplify it to a click of the mouse- all you need is the person's first name, last name and approximate age. They search thousands of sources, and even completes a reverse search to see who's been looking for YOU!

This service would be great helping to reconnect with long lost loves, old classmates, teachers, mentors, coaches and friends!

Check out MyLife.com now, and let me know if they helped you find the person (or people!) that you wanted to reconnect with the most. Good luck, and have fun searching!

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Walmart’s Parent’s Choice Infant Formula ON SALE! 2 Cans for $10

Both of my babies were both formula and breast fed. Did you know that you could save over 50% on your formula costs *just* by purchasing store brand formula instead of name brands?

All infant formulas marketed in the United States are subject to the same exacting standards of the FDA, pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980 and the subsequent LSRO report commissioned by FDA in 1998. This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formulas sold in the United States meet minimum and maximum nutrient specifications.

In English, this means that store brand formulas have to pass the same high-quality, rigorous testing that expensive name brands have to go through from the FDA, and are in fact, nutritionally equivalent!

This information is now more important than ever for many mothers because of changes in the Women, Infants and Children program. As of October 1, 2009, a new WIC initiative aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates among families reallocates funding for all currently provided foods, including infant formula, baby foods, juices, and fresh fruits and vegetables. This program could mean a reduction of up to 20 percent in infant-formula subsidies; parents who previously had most of their formula paid for by WIC may now have to purchase formula on their own.

Right now for a limited time, Parent's Choice Infant Formula is currently on sale at your local Walmart! You can choose from either the Parent’s Choice Milk Infant Formula (15.5 oz can), or the Parent’s Choice Gentle Infant Formula for babies with fussiness or gas (12.9 oz can), for only $5 each or two for $10!

Two cans-for only TEN dollars. A normal can costs over $10 from the other name brand formulas- a sale like this is unheard of! So run, don't walk, to your nearest Walmart and stock up now!

For more information on Parent’s Choice Infant Formula, visit www.parentschoiceformula.com.

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Are You a Trust Agent

This is a sponsored guest post written by Chris Brogan on behalf of Trust Agents. Post powered by Sponzai

 

Want to know about our book, Trust Agents? My co-author, Julien Smith, and I want to know if you are a trust agent. What defines a trust agent? Here are the six main secrets of being a trust agent. Do any of these sound like you?

 

Make Your Own Game

You can do what’s come before or you can take a unique swing at the world. If you’re Hugh McGuire, you’re working on Book Oven, a whole new way to look at books and reading. You’re someone like Perez Hilton, who took on People magazine and won, as far as we’re concerned.

Are you making your own game?

 

One of Us

Maybe you’re the person in your industry who’s come to the larger online conversation, like Leslie Carothers is to the home industry. Perhaps you’re the next Matt Cutts, who represents Google to lots of us. He’s more Google than Sergey or Larry, because he’s here. He’s one of us.

Are you one of us?

 

The Archimedes Effect

Understanding leverage is what separates the hobbyists from the professionals. Do you understand how to take what you’re doing in one instance and extend it out into something bigger or better elsewhere? This is what brought Madonna from just another singer into being a worldwide brand. Leverage is behind all the most powerful people in the world, but it all starts somewhere. Gary Vaynerchuk leveraged his wine store into his video project and took that into his media project and his book deal. Gary bleeds leverage.

Do you understand the Archimedes Effect?

 

Agent Zero

Connecting and networking and building relationships is what moves you from an individual contributor to an interdependent kingmaker. Learning how to be a core element of several networks is where we think a trust agent works best. Take Robert Scoble. He went from being a guy talking about Microsoft to a guy on a mission to be moved by what he saw around him. Robert connects with people all over, and finds himself at the core of many important networks.

Are you Agent Zero to several networks?

 

Human Artist

There’s a world of difference between knowing how to build relationships with people and coming off as “that guy.” You know who we mean: that person who shows up with a bullhorn to promote her projects, to blurt about her interests, and then to leave before you get a chance to say anything about you. A human artist is what we call the people who interact well in this new world, and who know how to build nurturing relationships. People like Liz Strauss and Terry Starbucker are human artists.

How do you relate to others?

 

Build Armies

Working solo is easy. Do you share what you know to promote larger interactions? Can you create resources to help you and then thread your efforts into theirs? Building an army, especially a loosely-joined and flexible group of people from many disciplines, is the key to being an advanced trust agent. People like Danny Brown, who started a social good movement know the value of armies. Ze Frank turned entertainment into a massively multiplayer online experience, one that has yet to be replicated successfully. The implications to business are obvious.

Are you ready to build armies?

 

If You Answered Yes to Any of the Above

You are definitely in the mindset of trust agents. Your examples might be different. You might not do as much of one of the six secrets as others (I’m still not very good with leverage, for instance). But at your core, you’ve caught on that these new online tools require a different type of person, and that not just anyone can get the most from the experience. You, however, are in the perfect position to be a trust agent.

If you are a trust agent, Julien and I want to meet you over the coming months. We’re traveling the US (and sometimes abroad), and we look forward to connecting with as many of you as we can. Why? Because that’s what we do.

I’m excited you’re part of the experience. We’ll appreciate your help, your input, your support, and your own experiences as part of the project. It’s how we do things. Thanks in advance. You’ve already made this all very much worth it.

If you haven’t joined the Trust Agents Community, swing by. And if you want to buy a copy of Trust Agents, you can get it here.

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You could win a 2010 Camaro 2SS with Charter!

Charter was giving away a laptop every day for two months, and has now switched to giving away a new Camaro! And not just any Camaro, the hard to get 2010 Camaro 2SS. (Sales Tax is included in the prize.) The Camaro Sweepstakes runs from September 15 through November 26 at noon.

In addition, you can get a $100 gift card when you buy 3 Charter services, $50 gift card for 2 services, and $25 gift card when you buy 1 Charter service. Gift Cards are from major retailers in clothing, home and accessories, restaurants and more!

At Charter, they love fast. And this new 426 hp Camaro is one of the fastest and hardest cars to get in North America, and they’re giving it away free! Charter services have always brought your home to life, now they’re bringing your garage to life. Visit charter.com/camaro to register today and to view the complete rules, specifications on the Camaro and more. Be sure to visit Charter on Facebook or Charter on Twitter, so you never miss a new contest, sweepstakes, or update.

Charter continues to outpace the industry in creative and newsworthy contests from giving away an HDTV every day to Xbox 360s to a Hybrid Car last year, and now the opportunity to enter to win a beautiful 2010 Camaro 2SS! What are you waiting for- If I lived in a Charter area, I would have entered already. Good Luck!

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Kmart Brings Back Bluelight Specials- Just In Time For Back to School!

I remember shopping for back to school with my mom at our local Kmart. The manager would get on the overhead speaker and exclaim, "BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL!! Right now we have a BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL in the Patio Furniture department- Head over there for great savings...", and a mad rush of people would flock to that side of the store to see what was on drastic discount!

I was just telling my husband that I would love to see some back to school supplies on Bluelight Special this weekend, as last weekend we scored some amazing deals. As if Kmart heard my request, this weekend Kmart is bringing back Bluelight Specials, just in time for back to school!

This Saturday, August 15 only, you'll find:
* Kids Backpacks (Athletech, Route 66 and Licensed) reg. $19.99 – Bluelight $8!
* American Fare Vita-Water 2 for $1
* All Patio Furniture 70% off! (+ an extra 20% off during Bluelight!)
* 70 count Notebooks – Buy 2 Get 1 Free
* Diamond Jewelry extra 10% (Diamonds are already 70% off this week!)

There are over 40 great Kmart Bluelight Specials through the day in-store AND other great offers will also be online at Kmart.com ONLY this Saturday. Now I can only hope and pray that Leapster Games go on Bluelight Special next week, so I can start stocking up for Christmas!!

Make sure you don't miss this! Get the insider's peek by following Kmart on Twitter and never miss a deal!

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Canadians- Win With Stouffers "Where does your taste take you?" Contest!

Most of my readers are from the US, but this is a special offer just for my Canadian readers!!

Stouffers Panini is celebrating the launch of four new varieties: Bistro Meatballs & Peppers, Bistro Chicken Souvlaki, Lean Cuisine Grilled Vegetables & Goat Cheese, and Lean Cuisine Mango Chicken Tikka. If you haven't tried these yet, they are more than a sandwich- they are hot and crispy panini's grilled to perfection in the microwave.

Visit the Stouffer's Panini website and register for your chance to win one of three $10,000 cash prizes, one of 12 Sony Digital Camcorders, or one of many instant prizes! After you're registered, return with UPC codes from Stouffer's products to enter every day for each individual code you have!

Here are the details:

- 3 Grand Prizes: Choice of India, Greece, Italy and France destinations ($10, 000 Gift Card)
- 1 of 12 Secondary Prizes: Sony Digital Camcorders (Value of $500)
- Daily Instant Prizes: Free Stouffer’s Product coupons
- The registration process allows you one free entry
- One unique UPC code entry per day
- Offer is available to Canadian residents only

A chance to score Stouffer's products, a Sony Camcorder or a destination vacation- I'm jealous, and wish I could enter!! Where would you choose to go for your getaway, if you won? Don't forget to register here for your chance to win, and return with UPC codes to enter once per day for the length of the promotion. See the website for more details, and good luck!

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