Special K Protein Shakes (Review & Giveaway!) ***Updated with winners

**** Congrats to Encheva, Lisa, Angela R and justme.

I’m a Special K fan. As someone who's actively trying to watch her weight, I have been for a while. Their cereals, particularly the Chocolatey delight and Red Berries, have been mainstays in my pantry. It’s a brand I’ve come to know and trust. So you can imagine my excitement when I was asked to try Special Ks new protein shake.

The shake arrived in the evening and as much as I (and my kids) wanted to tear into it that evening I decided the true test would be to have it the following morning, on my way to work. On an empty stomach.

The shake was well worth the wait. With its rich, creamy, decadent chocolate flavor the shake felt like a real treat. The part of me that loves everything chocolate found myself craving another. Of course what I’m learning is that I need to be more in tuned to how I’m really feeling and not to just eat because something tastes good. And what I really felt was full. Surprisingly so. I really did not expect that a shake would make me full. I’ve tried other meal replacement shakes before and was hungry within five minutes. Not so here. The shake kept me full for a good couple of hours which was perfect for me because I tend to like to eat smaller meals and/or snacks every few hours instead of 3 large meals.

Each shake contains 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber (which I'm sure accounts for why they're so filling). The French Vanilla and Strawberry flavors are 180 calories, the Milk Chocolate is 190, which for you Weight Watchers folks like me is only 3 points.

Want to try the goodness for yourself? Click here for a coupon for $1.00 off of a 4 pack (good through 7/30/09). You'll find them in the diet and nutrition aisles of your local grocery store (I've seen them at drugstores too)

**And, the Kellogg’s PR folks graciously allowed me to give away shakes to 4 lucky people. Simply leave a comment telling me your favorite Special K or Kelloggs product and you’ll be entered to win. Winners will be selected at random from all comments received by July 7th.
Please be sure to leave a valid email address so that I can contact you if you're a winner

The Wiggles Live! - Review & Giveaway****Updated with Winner

***********Congrats to commenter number 1, Annie!

One of my favorite memories is of driving home after work with my not quite 2 year old twins watching the Wiggles DVD on the portable player. Although they had a rather limited vocabulary at the time, they would sing their little hearts out chanting "Go,Go,Go,Go,Go" and bobbing their little heads.

I got such enjoyment from seeing their delighted little expressions in the rearview mirror. And so began our love affair with the Wiggles. We had to start our weekend days after the Wiggles came on in the morning. Our DVD collection grew exponentially as did the Wiggles themed toys and gear.

On more than one occasion, I caught myself singing "Fruit salad, yummy yummy" or "Where's Jeff ?" at work. Truthfully, I think I got as much of a kick out of them as the kids did. They were songs we could all sing along to. It was good clean, wholesome family fun. Months later when I discovered the Wiggles were coming to the Tacoma Dome I was overjoyed and quickly purchased tickets for our family.

The day of the show, hubby and I were like teenagers about to attend their first rock concert. Seriously, we were so jazzed to be able to experience the Wiggles live with our little fans.

The stage was set amazingly,resembling the tv show to a tee. I was suprised at how excited I got when Greg, Murray, Anthony and Jeff (I know there is a new Wiggle now...forgive me) arrived on stage in The Big Red Car. We danced , we sang, we wore out our throats hoping Dorothy would come to us and get roses. It was great fun spending that family time being silly and enjoying the show.

And I'd like for one of you to share that same experience with your family. Comcast Arena has graciously offered four tickets for the July 17th, Wiggles Go Bananas show in Everett, WA. To enter: simply leave a comment with your favorite thing about the Wiggles. One winner will be selected at random from all comments received by July 10th,11:59 PST.

For extra entries (each counts for 1 entry)
1) Tweet about the contest
2) Blog,post to FB, or if you don't do either, email your friends and family about the giveaway

**Please be sure to leave a valid email address and comment for each entry method completed.

Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Program

I love that Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Program has given away more than 35 million children's books by distributing them in cereal boxes and partnered with First Book, a non profit organization that provides books to children from low income families.

In my book (I couldn't resist),Cheerios deserves major kudos for this. Thus I'm doing my part to support their efforts by bringing this contest to you.

Cheerios is hosting it's 3rd annual Spoonful of Stories New Author Contest. Entries are being accepted through July 15, 2009 and will be judged on appropriate story and content for ages 3-8 , emotional connection, writing quality, uniqueness and read-aloud potential(additional details can be found here

And whether you're an aspiring author or simply someone who loves to read aloud with your children I've got a cute set of books from the Spoonful library to offer including "The Great Dog Wash" from the first years winner.

Simply leave me a comment letting me know your favorite children's book and you'll be entered to win. One winner will be chosen at random from all comments received by June 15th at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Applied Labels : Review and Giveaway!

As a mom of two kindergartners, I find that stuff that is sent to school often gets misplaced, lost or forgotten. Easily. From gloves, to jackets, to glasses. I almost had a coronary when my son "lost" his $300 glasses. Sure we'd written his name inside the case but over time that had worn. Fortunately, they resurfaced a few days later in the lost and found. We were lucky... that time.

Enter Applied Labels. At first glance these labels appeared like something that could be done on any laser printer. Honestly, I was a little hesitant to review them. But when I received my packet I was clearly proven wrong.

Not only do they have a completely professional appearance, these suckers are indestructable.

Applied Labels, a company started by a chemical engineer turned mompreneur produces such high quality labels they withstood sweaty kid feet, several washing machine cycles, rain and snow. They are easy to apply and a challenge to remove, which is exactly what I like. The twins loved putting labels with their very own name on their coats, shoes and backpacks. In fact they loved it so much I've found Applied Labels on socks, dolls,toys and on food packages in the pantry. I know...but what can I say - my kids totally got a kick out of them.

I loved the peace of mind they gave me that my kids would return home with the items they'd gone to school with.

Ideal for daycare, preschool or camp, Applied Labels come in your choice of 4 fonts and can be ordered in quantities of 30,60 or 90.

And because I found them so useful, I'd like to share them with one of you.

One lucky winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Applied Labels. Go on check 'em out. Then come back and leave me a comment telling me how you'd use your labels. One lucky winner will be selected at random from all comments received by 04/10.

*For an extra entry, Tweet the contest using @twinmomoftwinz.

Good luck!

"One" terrific way to increase your fiber intake and enjoy doing it - A Giveaway ***Updated w/winners

Congratulations to Kathy55439,Melissa and Amy. You 3 are the lucky recipients of a Fiber One Spa Break gift basket.

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Ever since my daughter, J was told she needed to be on a high fiber diet in order to regulate her digestive system it's been a constant quest to add more fiber to my family's diet. We've tried just about everything.

Nothing has been quite as satisfying as Fiber One Chewy Bars. Seriously. They're like eating candy bars without all the fat and calories plus there's the added perk of getting 35% of your recommeded daily value of fiber in each bar.
We got the opportunity to try out the new mocha flavor recently and if you're a fan of coffee flavors you will absolutely enjoy them. While my daughter didn't love this flavor as much as she does the Oats and Chocolate, I enjoyed it's rich decadence.

Still wondering what all the fuss is about fiber ? Did you know that in addition to helping keep your digestive system on track , fiber helps satisfy your appetite and research suggests that people who have high fiber intakes have healthier body weights. Who's not for that, right?













Well guess what ? Three of you have the opportunity to win your very own Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Chewy Bars Spa Break gift basket: complete with a coupon for a box of Chocolate Mocha Chewy Bars, a bath pillow, chocolate scented soap, lotion and bath salts and a coffee scented candle.


Simply leave a comment telling me your favorite Fiber One product and you'll be entered to win. Three winners will be selected at random from all comments received by Tuesday, March 10 11:59 pst.

Yoplait Does it Again!

A few months ago I had an opportunity to review Yoplait's cake inspired yogurt flavors .

In a word they were incredible. At just 110 calories I remarked that they were perfect for those afternoon and evening sweet cravings and don't come with the guilt of having had that slice of cake or worse yet, that full bag of cookies.

This month, Yoplait does it again with the introduction of two new flavors from their Light,Thick and Creamy line.

The new Cinammon Roll and Cherry Cobbler flavors are decadent and delicious and allow you to indulge without the guilt.

Fat free,100 calories and containing 20% of the recommended daily value of calcium and vitamin D, these gems are perfect for those of us that are waistline conscience or anyone simply wanting a healthy sweet treat.

My fridge is now stocked with them. Wait 'till you try them. You'll want to do the same. Ooh and here's a little coupon love to entice you to go and get some.

Personalized Fruit Rollups Winner **Edited

Congrats to The Student! She was lucky number 12 (drawn via random.org)

****My deepest apologies to The Student,who graciously emailed to let me know I am a fool and didn't realize these couldn't be shipped to Canada. Sorry!!

I've selected another winner. McGann, you're it. Congrats.