Happy Halloween!

From our families to yours we hope you have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

Don't forget to grab a your free taco from Taco Bell tonight!

Do you like your Baby Einstein Videos?

Have you heard about all of the Baby Einstein lawsuit drama between them and several families? The lawsuit was bought about because their children did not become genius's from the videos! The videos are not meant to raise your child, they are to help with key points and development. I think that the Baby Einstein videos are wonderful and my son enjoys every single one we own. 

If you are disappointed there's good news...Baby Einstein is offering a free upgrade or money back gaurantee on any video purchased between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009. Visit their website for more information.

Thrifty Thursday

Boston Market Chicken Meal for $1

The Boston Market offer includes the chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread.

Coupon is valid until Nov 1 2009. Be patient coupon takes a few minutes to load.

Beech-Nut Starter Kit

To receive your free sample, you will need to register here for the Beech Nut mailing list, and they will occasionally send you additional offers.

I used Beechnut with my son from day one, he absolutely loved it from stage 1 all way to the cereal, and up to stage 3. I love how the cereal came in a ready to pour box, with no messes!

$1 off any Neutrogena Cleanser

Go to their site and register for your coupon!

Free Black Jack Taco

October 31st 6pm-Midnight only. No coupon necessary

*Makeup Giveaway*

Mascara is that one beauty item that will instantly make you look refreshed and awake.

Mommylikesstuff.com is giving away a free Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara and Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover every 4 months for an entire year! Good luck Mamas!
This contest ends December 31, 2009 at 6:00 CST. Winners will be posted on or about January 2, 2010 on the page titled “Mama Won It!”

Thrifty Thursday

L'Oreal Ever Pure System

Go here to request yours before they run out!

Free box of Always Infinity

Sign up here for Being Girl kit which includes:

 2 Tampax Pearl Tampons, 1 Compak Pearl Tampon, 1 Always Infinity Maxi-Pad, 2 Always Pantiliners, and 1 Always Feminine Wipe

Barnes & Noble: Free cookie & hot chocolate

Only on Saturday October 24th, you can take this coupon into a Barnes & Noble to get a free small cookie and hot cocoa. No purchase necessary.

Thank you Lori over at Moms by Heart!

Sephora's Friends & Family 20% Off

Now until November 2nd you can grab that beauty item you have been wanting so badly for 20% off using online coupon code FF2009. I picked up Juicy Couture Fragrance and love it!

Lacoste Fragrance Free Sample

Visit Lacoste and complete the online form for your sample. Ladies this is perfect to throw into your purse or select the men's fragrance and give it to your special someone.

Kodak EasyShare Z1015 REVIEW!

The Kodak EasyShare Z1015 IS is an affordable ultra-zoom point-and-shoot retailing for $299.95. Any other professional camera would range anywhere between $600-2,000. A 15x optical zoom for that price is certainly a deal, this camera features high resolution pictures with 10 megapixels. The user interface of the Z1015 IS is simple and easy to learn, and more advanced users will appreciate the full complement of manual controls available along with RAW support.

MY PERSONAL REVIEW: I absolutely love this camera, it is easy to camera and maneuver being that I have my son. I am able to hold my son and the camera and not have the fear of dropping either one. When my son is on the go the camera has a SPORTS or IN MOTION function where I can capture my little one in action.I am able to take my own pictures instead of paying an arm or a leg for studio pictures. I feel that if you are trying to get into photography or just want to have some great high quality pictures that this is the camera to use. I feel it was worth the cost!

Recipe: Sweet Italian Sausage Soup

Yesterday was our first really chilly fall day here in Virginia. My family needed a warm homemade soup. So, I decided on this one.

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  1/2 diced onion
  
  
  
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  1 garlic clove
  
  
  
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  6 sweet italian sausages
  
  
  
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  14 cups stock
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 cup uncooked rice
  
  
  
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  1 cup italian plum tomatoes
  
  
  
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  1/2 lb of destemmed spinach
  
  
  
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  2/3 cup any italian cheese
  
  
  

Recipe from http://www.recipecircus.com/

Directions:
Remove skin and cut sausage in 1/2 pieces and put into large pot. Add onion and saute' on low until sausage is golden brown. (I crumbled the sausage)
Add stock and simmer. Add rice and tomatoes and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is done. (I used 1 can italian-style stewed tomatoes)
Add spinach, salt & pepper to taste. (I added hot sauce to my serving)
Garnish each bowl with cheese before serving. (I also added homemade multi-grain croutons)

Verdict: This soup was okay. I think it's a great base to experiment and get rid of leftovers. You could add any pasta like orzo, tortilenni, elbow, or penne. Next time I would add more garlic, another can of tomatoes, white northern beans and veggies like celery, carrots and zucchini. Maybe even use half sweet and half mild sausages for more zip. However, this recipe was very economical.

Thrifty Thursday

Every Thursday we bring you our favorites coupons, freebies and giveaways!

$10 Off Honey Baked Ham -Visit their site for a coupon sent via email for $10 off a 8lb or larger ham.

ELF Cosmetics 27-pc Makeup Kit FREE with any $1 purchase using coupon code LOYAL at http://eyeslipsface.com/.

Victoria Secret Pink Panty-No purchase necessary. Print coupon here

Pearl Paradise Freshwater Pearl Hoop Earrings ($227 value) Giveaway

Visit A Giveaway Addicted Mommy's blog to get it!

Huggies Pure & Natural Free Sample & Coupon

Sizes Newborn & 1

Sign up here

Malachi's easy, affordable & fun 1st Birthday!

My son just turned 1 years old on Sept 28th. My husband and I could not come up with idea's for our son's birthday. Finally after about two weeks of thinking of an idea, we came up with a crayola theme. Every kid loves bright colors! I purchased a moon bounce on craigslist for $75 dollars, which it can be used for many years to come. I cooked hot dogs and chicken nuggets for the kiddies and for the parents they had chicken, pasta salad, fruit and veggies. I also found someone to do a home made cake for $50 dollars in the shape of a crayola crayon box! The cake was amazing I was impressed.

The weather was perfect and the kids loved doing side walk chalk ($8 dollars for a box of chalk). My son had a wagon and a lot of parents were giving the children wagon rides (Free). Last but not least I went to target and found Crayola felt bags and used as gift bags ($1 each bag), I put some little goods in the bag out of the $1 section in Target as well. Plus little odds and ends where purchased ( eating utensils, beverages, ect..)

The total cost of the party rounded to about $260 dollars - the moon bounce $185!

In gathering feedback from some of the other parents they were truly happy and impressed with the outcome of the party. They were amazed with some of the simple and cheap ideal's that the kids enjoyed!

Will your child get the H1N1 vaccine?

Smart, educated women want to know the facts before we make decisions regarding our family's health. There is no denying that H1N1 is real, and it can be dangerous--especially for our little ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that infants to age 24, pregnant woman and adults with underlying medical conditions are highly at risk. I can't help to wonder, was the vaccine rushed to production without adequate trials? Are there long-term side effects? Will the vaccine actually block the virus?

As a conscientious parent, my worst fear doesn't even relate to the H1N1 virus itself. The vaccine contains trace amounts of thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Mercury is said to stay in the brain for several years following the original exposure. It has been linked to the onset of cardiovascular disease, seziures, asthma and most controversally autism.

In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Public Health Service and vaccine manufacturers all agreed to reduce or eliminate thimerosal in vaccines as a “precautionary measure” Thimerosal re-emerges in 2009.

The majority of available doses of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine will be multi-dose vials that contain thimerosal. Single-dose units, which may be difficult to find, will not contain thimerosal as a preservative. Additionally, the FluMist® vaccine that is inhaled through the nose will be offered in single-dose units and will not contain thimerosal.

When available, will get my children vaccinated? I'm still on the fence. One school of thought is to help your children ward off illnesses by keeping their immune system strong. Could a blend of organic meats, vegetables, fresh fruit and juices be just what the doctor ordered? I doubt it...

What will you do?

                       

Herbal Essences Giveaway *Update*

So, after a few technical difficulties...the new start date for this giveaway is tomorrow, Thursday October 8th.

18,750 full size bottles or shampoo or conditioner will be given away for five days in a row!

Starts at 11:30pm EST at Herbal Essences Facebook page.

This is first-come-first-serve so don't be late!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

I Feel My Boobies. Do you?

October 9-16th, 2009

The "Are You Doing It?”® Reminder Campaign is the annual Feel Your Boobies campaign focused on the mission of utilizing unexpected and unconventional methods to remind young women to "feel their boobies". Find out how to self examine and get a free sticker at  http://www.feelyourboobies.com/

...Well do you?

It's Flu time MAMMA'S!

Calling all Mammas. Get your babies ready for that time of the year again. Flu season is here. My son just got his flu shot today. Thank goodness! As we were waiting in the doctor's office they had tons of calls for people with the flu. I have listed a few symptoms from the simple cough even down to acid reflux. Hope this helps.

Cold

Cough, congestion, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, decreased appetite. Possibly a low fever (less than 102 degrees F)

Croup

A deep cough that sounds like a bark; noisy, labored breathing; high-pitched noise on inhaling; cold symptoms. Frequently accompanied by a low fever.

 Bronchiolitis/RSV

Mild cold symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose, maybe a slight fever. May develop a harsh, nonproductive cough; fast or labored breathing; wheezing; bluish skin. You may notice the muscles between your baby's ribs moving inward when he breathes

Flu

Severe cold symptoms, dry cough, stuffy or runny nose, fatigue. Possibly fever over 103 degrees F, shortness of breath, wheezing, malaise, loss of appetite, vomiting. Onset is usually abrupt. Most common in winter.

Allergies

Depending on the culprit, symptoms may include red, itchy, or watery eyes; stuffy or runny nose; sneezing. Also wheezing, difficulty breathing, hives, rashes, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting

Environmental irritant

Persistent cough and throat irritation, especially if exposed to cigarette smoke or pollution

Asthma

Wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest congestion. Coughing is worse at night. May also have allergies or a family history of asthma or allergies

Reflux

Frequent spitting up, vomiting more than twice a day, wheezing, coughing, gagging, excessive crying, weight loss.

Pneumonia

Symptoms will depend on the source of the infection but may include a cold that seems to be getting worse; persistent cough; fast, labored breathing. Also fever, chills, loss of appetite, fatigue

Whooping cough

Short, staccato cough; 30-second coughing jags followed by a struggle for breath; whooping sound while inhaling between coughs (although babies often don't make this characteristic sound). Also runny or stuffy nose; mild fever; red, watery eyes; loss of appetite; diarrhea; choking

SAHM's need Playdates too!

I recently joined a group called MOMS club through www.meetup.com. Their motto is "Being a mother shouldn't isolate you". They encourage mothers to bring their children with them to all activites. Children of all ages are welcome. No need to leave the group when your children enter school. Moms need support as our children grow.

This group has helped Malachi interact with other children. He's had the opportunity to learn quicker from following the older children during playgroups. I absolutely ENJOY this group. You can mingle with other mothers while your precious little ones play and experience the world with each other. Learn new lunch ideas and easy snacks on the go. Join one in your local area.

From One Mom To Another

COME AND GET YOUR FREE TREATS!!

Are you getting a free subscription to American Baby magazine? It's like a mini version of Parents magazine, only it's always free. And it's a great source for manufacturer's coupons. In past issues I've seen coupons for Earth's Best baby food, Desitin, YoBaby, KidsRUS and more! You'll get six issues a year of this free magazine sample. Yes I love, love, love this MAGAZINE great information and idea's for new moms as well as those experienced moms.

Hello everyone check out all of these GREAT FREE DEALS!
Apply to host a Kodak Gallery Photo Fantastic Holiday House Party and you and all your friends could get a free set of holiday cards plus the host gets a free photo book and photo mug. This is a great opportunity and I've heard from lots of readers who have hosted a House Party for other product brands and they had a positive experience (plus got lots of free stuff). The initial application is rather long, take your time, I feel it is worth it! Get your friends together and get started. I just applied and can't wait until i get my free holiday cards. I will let you all know how the cards turned out.

EOTD

We had a Princess theme today at the salon. We all wore adorable tiaras with glitter, rhinestones and pink fur on them. So we had that pink Barbie-esque makeup going on. Here is the picture of my makeup 14 hours after I applied it!

Original 88 palette, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, NYX Jumbo pencil in Milk, NYX eyeshadow in White, NYX eyeliner in Sapphire, Urban Decay 24/7  in Black, MAC Silver Dusk and Make Up Forever's Mist & Fix and Coastal Scents Pinky glitter powder.

Recipe: Lemon Meringue Pie

My Granny used to whip up this pie anytime we needed a quick treat. Back then I didn't appreciate the time she took to show me how it was made. I now know that a recipe like this is invaluable. It can be an easy, affordable and impressive dessert to throw together for dinner guests. I have scoured the web and haven't came across a recipe quite like Granny's. The buttery graham cracker crust coupled with the cool, tart lemon filling is so good. Completed with a light, marshmallowy sea of  meringue goodness.

Ingredients:

1 cup of melted butter

1 box of crushed graham crackers

2 cans sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of sugar

6 lemons, juiced

1 tablespoon of lemon zest

6 egg yolks

6 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Yeilds: 2 pies

For the crust you will need to combine 2 sticks of melted butter with 1 box of crushed graham crackers.

Most boxes contain 2-3 sealed packages inside. Use 2 packs. I just roughly crush with my hands in a plastic bag. I have used Honey, Cinnamon as well as store brand plain graham crackers for this recipe. They all taste great. Mixture should be soft and crumbly. Add more butter or crackers to get the needed consistency. Evenly distribute mixture between both pie plates and press into bottom and sides creating an even layer.

To make the filling, in a medium sized bowl beat egg yolks. Then combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, zest, and sweetened condensed milk. Pour into prepared pie plates.

It has taken me quite a few pies to get to my current meringue making level. I still have quite a ways to go. My Granny used to make these big beautiful elaborate swirls and curls. Hmph. Maybe one day...

I read somewhere that meringue acts accordingly when it's cold. So, I rigged up a little cooler for my egg whites. I place a few cups of ice into a square container and then rest my bowl inside.

I beat my egg whites and cream of tartar for what seemed like an eternity. I gradually added the sugar after it became foamy. A dash of vanilla extract right at the end. Finally when the mixture was thick and fluffy I plopped it onto the tops of my pies.

I use 2 different size spoons to create the swirls. Completely optional. It can all be flat or you can pipe it like icing. Make sure you have sealed the filling around the edges. Bake for 20 min at 375. Or just until you are satisfied with the browning of your meringue.

Chill in fridge for at least 3 hours before serving

Enjoy!