Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta- Whole Grain Goodness with White Pasta Taste!

Back in December, I did a review on Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta. The kids (and I!) were very impressed with the pasta, and loving the texture of the Smart Taste Pasta.  I love that it's got many of the qualities of whole grain pasta, and more. It's high in fiber, but low in fat, calories, and sodium; has no cholesterol, and is packed with calcium and vitamin D.

I love the recipes on the back of the box. I am always looking for new things to try with our pasta.. and the recipes on the back of the box are simple and conveinent. I've yet to find a recipe that asks for something an average person wouldn't have in their kitchen cupboards, fridge or freezer. If that was the case, I'd be willing to bet that the item would be not that difficult to grab on the way through the grocery store while you're whizzing through, trying to come up with a quick and easy meal for your family on the go.

Since my initial review in December, I have to admit that I have recommended this pasta to many of my friends and neighbors with children. Sometimes it's hard, not knowing if your child is receiving the daily recommended allowance of fiber, calcium, or vitamin D. It's great to know that with Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta you don't have to sacrifice taste or texture. My kids won't eat whole grain pasta, or whole wheat pasta at all. The texture makes them spit it out as if I was trying to pour dirt and weeds onto their plate. It's bad. I don't even have words that could stress how bad it is. I don't have to worry about that at all with Smart Taste pasta.. it's worry free.

Learn more about this fabulous pasta, by visiting Ronzoni online.  While you are there, be sure to take advantage of the printable coupon for $0.75 off of a box of Smart Taste pasta. What a great way to try it out for your family!

Special thanks to Ronzoni and Mom Central for allowing 4BabyAndMom the chance to review this great pasta, again. I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Ronzoni and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review and photo contest entry. In addition, I received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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Hanes Shorts $1.99- $9.99

The short story, Hanes shorts are on a HUGE sale!

Men's Jersey Knits are on sale for $3.99, Girls shorts are only $1.99, Boys shorts $2.99, and Women's Foldover shorts are only $9.99! Polos and tees are also on sale; stock up for summer or save them for school! Be sure to visit Hanes.com to take advantage of this sale. Plus, if you spend $50 or more, you get free shipping!!

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Summer Vacation

I cannot believe that the end of the school year is almost here. Wednesday is officially the last day of school, and I am starting to freak out.

My seven-year-old is getting restless and bored at the mere thought of summer vacation, and wants to go on vacations, and to camp, and to go stay at a friend of ours for two weeks as his mini vacation. Although some of these might sound like great ideas, there is no way we can swing any of those ideas, financially.

My four year old has been officially accepted into full day preschool (which starts in August!), and it feels as if she has been acting so horribly since we received the paper- there are no words. Screaming, crying, hitting, tormenting her brother.. Brian calls it payback, but I need your help.

How on earth do you survive summer vacation?

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VistaPrint Photo Book (Dads Like Photos too!) Giveaway!

With Father's Day quickly approaching, finding the perfect gift seems to be getting more difficult year by year. I mean, how many packages of socks can you really get the old man? Golf tees? 'World's Greatest' t-shirts that will only be used to mow the lawn and BBQ? Exactly.

This year, why not delight Dad or Grandpa with a 12x12 photo book from Vistaprint?

New dads, traveling dads, military dads, and experienced dads alike will really enjoy seeing their gorgeous child or children beaming from the 26 high quality pages. The hardcover, leather, or linen cover makes this a cherished gift made to last for years to come.

When I was younger, I had shoe boxes full of photos. Now that everything is digital, I unfortunately do not have great photo organization, outside of my computer. I do, however, have all of my photos uploaded onto several hosting sites because I fear a great computer crash, like the one predicted when we hit the new millennium. All I know is that if (God forbid) all of those sites crashed at once, you all would hear me scream.. no matter where you were located. I have photos from our wedding, through the birth of both children, all the way to our last family holiday or get together. I would honestly lose everything.. hence the need for multiple hosting sites.

My mother collects all of her photos on cds from the drugstore, as she's afraid to upload her pictures onto the computer or a hosting site. (Much like my unrealistic fear of a massive computer crash!) However, the only thing that scares me more is the thought that my photos might be lost forever because one of my children "accidentally" dropped it out of the protective sleeve, and now the disc has a gigantic scratch across it. The great crash the millennium never brought is much less threatening to me.

I've ordered photo books from other companies in the past, and honestly thought that Vistaprint was only for business cards. Little did I know that Vistaprint also offers such great products as Birthday Invitations, Custom T-shirts, and Personalized Mugs.

In an effort to make an impression on our readers, our new friends at Vistaprint is offering our readers an opportunity to win a personalized, 12 X 12 Photo Book. The winner can choose from hard cover, leather cover or linen cover. It includes 26 pages and a variety of layout and design options and free 14-day shipping. The value of the giveaway is over $50.

Here's How:
How do you organize your photos? Are you afraid you'll lose your photos? Have you ever ordered a photo book to share your memories with friends are family? Tell us all about it!

EXTRA ENTRY OPPORTUNITIES:
After the mandatory entry is completed, you may participate in our Extra Entry Opportunities.

• Show that you really LIKE us on Facebook- 4BabyAndMom and Vistaprint. Get exclusive offers, coupons or discounts, and never miss an article or giveaway! (2 extra entries)
  
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• 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 free 12x12 personalized photo book from @Vistaprint and @4BabyAndMom http://bit.ly/9aJAJw~Ends 6/8

• Follow 4BabyAndMom publicly through Google Friends/Blogger
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• Share this review on any social media or bookmarking sites. Feel free to use the Share tool at the bottom of the post.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US. This giveaway will end on June 8, 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 opportunity from Team Mom. I did not receive any compensation for this review. Any opinions expressed are 100% that of 4BabyAndMom. Your experience with these products, website and company 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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Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice Review

My children are usually very good when it comes to eating new foods. Unfortunately, they hate the way whole grain pasta tastes, and the texture of brown rice, so we find ourselves eating white bread, white pasta, and white rice all of the time. 

We've found a great solution for healthier pasta, but have found good alternatives for bread or rice until now. Thanks to Mom Central, our family has had the opportunity to try the new Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice.

Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice has the look and taste of traditional white rice, but the benefits of whole grains. The USDA reccommends serving your school aged child 6 ounces of grain every day (at least half should be whole grains).

The kids and husband had no idea that when I made my grandmother's arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) that it was made with Whole Grain white rice as opposed to traditional white rice. It made me happy because I was able to boost their meal with fiber, 4 grams of protein, and increased their overall daily intake of whole grains. The rice iteself is great consistency, and holds flavor really well.

Since the initial trial, I have made more rice as a side, and again- nobody knew the difference. My husband guessed that it was the "new" rice, but I think it's only because I was asking a lot of questions about it.

Uncle Ben's and Mom Central asked us to give out a few samples and some Uncle Ben's aprons, so during our Shrek party, we had a contest for the mom's to win some great prizes. Among two of the prize packs, Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice and aprons were included. The feedback that I received from our guests was just as great as mine. Both families told me that their children ate it up, and did not complain about texture or taste. Both moms agreed that the boost of protein, whole grains and low fat were very impressive.

Don't take my word for it, check out the new Uncle Ben's Whole Grain White Rice available at a grocery store near you. Click HERE to print out a coupon for $0.75 off of any 2 Uncle Ben's products.






“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Uncle Ben’s and received samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate." All opinions are strictly mine. My opinion has not been influenced by this campaign. Your opinion may vary.

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More about Cleveland-Baseball, the Arts, and an excellent sense of community!

The first day of my trip was exhausting because of the early morning flight and excitement I was facing. Continental was great; super friendly flight attendants, and an interesting neighbor made my trip all the more enjoyable. The moment I arrived, I was whisked away to begin my day. Here's a little of what I experienced:

Families vacationing in or around the heart of Cleveland can enjoy an Indians Baseball game at Progressive Field all season long. Enjoy a hot dog with Cleveland's own Stadium Mustard, a refreshing local brew or classic Bud, or Pepsi at one of the nations most beautiful ballparks. Prices range from $7 a ticket to $85, depending on seat location, special event, or who’s playing the Indians. Families and fans can take advantage of box seats, (starting at only $17/ ticket!), social media seating, the Indians Fan Cave, or suites at anytime. Make reservations or purchase tickets online at http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/.

Yearly, visitors and residents can take part in the Parade the Circle event, sponsored by the Cleveland Museum of Art. People come from near and far with their artistic expressions, costumes, floats, and mascots--all handmade and extraordinary to parade down the streets of Cleveland into the heart of the city at University Circle.  The museum offers the community a chance to come in and work on their projects or costumes year round with the staff and volunteers.

The Artistic Director Robin VanLear organized the first Parade the Circle in 1990, in prepararation of the Museum's 75th birthday. Twenty years later, the program has continued and delights the community annually, attracting local, regional and global artists and spectators alike. This year the Parade of Circle will be held on June 12th and as always, no matter rain nor shine.

The Cleveland Museum of Art offers a wide array of collections from Ancient Art, to African Art, to Contemporary Art and Photography and Prints, and everything in between. Family programs are offered to locals and on specific event days throughout the year. Although the Museum was going through renovations when I visited earlier this month, of the collections I experienced, it was exquisite.

Don't let the cover fool you, The Children's Museum of Cleveland is jam packed with fun stuff for children from birth up to age 7 to discover and learn. Young children will enjoy endless opportunities to explore, create, and play while learning with their family and new friends while at the "Splish Splash!" water tables downstairs, or while pretending to farm at the "Big Red Barn".  Be sure to explore their current exhibit, "Healthier Ever After" and learn all about proper portion size, exercise, and the food pyramid like never before!

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History provides a great display of my son's ultimate favorite- DINOSAURS like T-rex and "Happy" (pictured above)- as well as a hall of gems, a planetarium, an outdoor habitat and garden, a hands-on Discovery Center, and so much more. Learn about the discovery of "Lucy", a 3.2 million year old ancestor of man, and how she has provided key evidence into the evolution of man. This summer, experience the Wild Music: Sounds and Songs of Wildlife exhibit, which demonstrates the songs and sounds of some of natures biggest and smallest creatures. Enjoy animal sounds from the city, ocean, and forest, and learn about the difference between the human voice and the sounds animals use to communicate and sing.

After exploring the arts and museums, unwind while strolling down Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights. The small-owner operated storefronts welcome tourists and passer-bys with quality service and smiles to all.

Big Fun is one of the stores on Coventry Road, and holds true to their name.. the store is truly "Big Fun"! Head "Back to the Future" as you walk through the doors and experience toys and collectibles from your youth, and perhaps even from your parents youth. As you weave through the store, shoppers of every age seem to squeal as they recognize a childhood favorite toy. From Star Wars to Shrek, to Trolls and Mad Libs; to stickers, bumper stickers and Garbage Pail Kids trading cards; to the A-Team, GI Joe, band memoribilia, and more- every nook and cranny holds a new and exciting surprise.

Finish off the day with dinner at Tommy's Restaurant and one of his 'famous' milkshakes. (My strawberry milkshake was phenominal- seriously the best shake I have ever had in my life!!) The menu caters to palates of all walks of life. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, 'meat-a-tarian', kosher, or can't eat glueten, you'll find something on the menu that will make you happy. The home cut french fries are out of this world, and you can taste the freshness in all of the food. Learn more about the history of some of the menu items, and how Tommy's supports local farmers and dairies in our interview clip on YouTube.

The rooms at the Doubletree Hotel in Cleveland were clean and inviting, with a beautiful window view of the lake- perfect for watching the gorgeous lightning, as a storm rolls through. The bed was super comfortable, and the shower refreshing and clean.

For more information on hotels, lodging, accomodations and tourism in the greater Cleveland area, be sure to visit Positively Cleveland or contact their visitors hotline at 800.321.1004.

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New Freschetta Flatbread Pizza Review +$1 off Coupon!

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

We are pizza eaters. We order delivery, we make some from scratch, and we buy frozen brands to keep in the freezer for busy nights. Typically, I love flat bread pizza. Unfortunately, most frozen brands I've tried in the past seem to taste like cardboard.. or concrete. They are either flavorless, or super hard and I've never repurchased them. When I was given the opportunity to review the new 12" Freschetta FlatBread Pizza from Freschetta and Social Spark, I was excited, but wary from my past experiences.

With the coupons I received to try this product, I chose the Zesty Italian flat bread pizza, and the 5-Cheese pizza. The "plain" pizza, as the kids called it, was anything but plain. The thin, crispy crust baked evenly and quickly; the cheese was a perfect blend of mozzarella, asiago, romano, parmesan and provolone, which my picky eaters seemed to devour in minutes.

The Zesty Italian was topped with pepperoni, sausage, Genoa salami, mozzarella and asiago cheeses, with a zesty red sauce.. perfect for my husband and I, who like a little "extra" on our pizza. The ingredients taste fresh and the flavors meld wonderfully; best of all, the pizzas are made with REAL, all-natural cheese.

Freschetta Flat Bread Pizzas are available in four different varieties: Zesty Italian, Roasted Garlic & Spinach, Pepperoni, and 5-Cheese. All in all, I was very impressed by the fresh, flavorful ingredients, and the well-baked crispy flat bread.  Don't take my word for it, print out your $1 off coupon and try out your new favorite flat bread pizza now!

If you're on Facebook, be sure to "Like" the Freschetta page to join in on the discussion, get tips on turning your pizza into a delicious calzone, and more!

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