My husband and I work very hard to ensure that on most nights, we have a home cooked meal.  But you know that I don’t like to cook.  And with two kiddos to look after, there are some nights when I get a little lazy and resort to take out or something that can be prepared in just a few minutes.

Banquet, a company that has been creating home-style frozen dinner meals for over 50 years, is giving away over $1 million worth of redeemable cash prizes through the month of April.  Just look for Banquet frozen-dinner meals with the “Thanks a Million” logo on the box.  Each of these boxes will contain a special game piece and your chance at one of 16,000 prizes worth $10 to $100,000 or a Banquet coupon.  This is the company’s way of saying “Thanks a Million” to their loyal customers.

I had not heard of Banquet meals until just recently, so we picked a few up to try them.  The varieties are typical American meals like Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Fingers, and Spaghetti & Meatballs for kids, and Sweet and Sour Chicken, Turkey and Gravy, and Lasagna.  They’re quick and easy to make and taste good.  The one suggestion I would make is that I’d love to see the company come out with lower sodium versions.

For information, just visit their site.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Banquet and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winners are Sharon R., Karen, and Kathleen S. Congrats!

One of my favorite casual, kid-friendly, and affordable restaurants to eat at is Souplantation (aka Sweet Tomatoes in some parts of the country).  As I write this, I’m craving their corn muffins and focaccia bread and chicken noodle soup!  February is Potato Fest Month at Souplantation and National Potato Lovers’ Month.  Oh how I love my starches and what a great excuse to eat them (along with the fact that I need an extra 300 calories these days).

Potatoes are actually quite good for you (sans the cheese, butter, and sour cream).  They are low in calories, fat and cholesterol free and packed with potassium.  I prefer them baked but you can also mash, boil, or steam them.  To celebrate, Souplantation has a potato-themed menu that sounds absolutely delicious.  Check out some of their offerings this month:

•          Roasted Potato Foccacia

•          Cream of Rosemary Potato Soup

•          Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon

•          Sweet Potato Corn Chowder

•          Bistro Potato Salad

•          Golden Yam Bisque

Be sure to check out the company blog, Facebook page or Twitter page for your chance to play “Hot Potato” and win free meal passes!

Win It! Three of you will win two passes each to Souplantation.  Simply leave me a comment with the name of a menu item from the site you’d like to try.  Comments will close on March 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.

Right before our daughter was born, my husband and I took a trip up to Northern California for a “babymoon” of sorts.  We knew it was going to be our last trip without children for awhile.  My husband and I love to travel, but we’re staying close to home these days because traveling with two children (especially on a plane) is difficult.

If you’re expecting a baby, I highly recommend taking a trip with your significant other.  It could be something elaborate and exotic or a simple staycation.  The point is that once the baby arrives, time for yourself is not longer as abundant as it is right now.  Right now, Bright Starts is giving away a luxurious 7-night babymoon vacation to three lucky couples.  Relax and reconnect at an incredible U.S. Virgin Islands destination – St. Croix, St. John , or St. Thomas.

Here is what 3 very lucky couples will receive:
·        Airfare for up to four from anywhere in the continental U.S.
·        Seven night’s hotel accommodations
·        Spa treatment for the mother-to-be
·        Dinner for up to four people
·        $500 spending cash
·        Choice of activities

The sweepstakes ends November 30, 2010 and they will choose one winner after each 4-month giveaway period.  You can enter to win at Bright Starts and visit their Facebook page for more details details.

I did not receive compensation for this post.

My friend Stephanie is wrapping up a fantastic giveaway (and I can’t believe I’m JUST now hearing about it).  Not only did she have an opportunity to review Sealy’s Posturepedic® Signature 11-Series mattress…she’s giving one away.

So what would I do with a new mattress?  Since I’m terribly sleep-deprived, I’m hoping the sleep I would get on it would be restorative.  I’ve never had a mattress with memory foam, and I could use some relief from the residual pregnancy back pain (dang hormones!).  The mattress has memory foam which is designed to relieve pressure on target areas of your body.

You only have until the 5th to enter Stephanie’s giveaway so hurry and head on over to her site!

As a busy mom of two, it’s not uncommon to find me out and about without makeup, hair pulled up in a clip, sporting jeans, a tank top, and flip flops.  This is my new reality.  And while I’m so happy to have two beautiful children, it’s definitely an adjustment to forego my previous beauty regimen because of time constraints.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be telling you about a fabulous (and all-natural!) makeup company called Bare Escentuals (I’m certain you’ve heard of it!).  Better yet, you’ll get an opportunity to win their bareMinerals SPF15 Foundation so be sure to come back!  I haven’t had a chance to try it out, however, the company states that it “feels completely weightless, but gives you all the flawless coverage you need.  Like you are wearing nothing at all.”

This past week, the company launched their new campaign, Rethink What Matters.  On their site, you’ll have an opportunity to share your opinion on a variety of topics and discuss what freedom really feels like.  By visiting the site and taking their short, five question quiz, you’ll be entered to win bareMinerals products (500 weekly winners).  Every week (on Friday) a new topic will be posted.  This week’s topic is “rethinking going bare in public”, and they’re giving away the Flawless Definition Mascara.

Bare Escentuals is a beauty brand that believes looking good is about enhancing what you have, rather than covering up imperfections with artificial products.  The company really wants to dialogue with women on what really matters when it comes to beauty.  You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook for more information about the campaign.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I am working with Bare Escentuals on their campaign who provided the information above.

While my time as a Frigidaire Test Drive Mom is officially over, I’ll still have lots to share with you from time to time about the company and the appliances I tested out.  The company has teamed up with Jennifer Garner to support Save the Children’s U.S. Programs, dedicated to helping impoverished children living in the U.S.  If you check out their new Spin & Win game you’ll have an opportunity to win gift cards for spending time with your children and a Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer.  Frigidaire’s new appliances are designed to give you more time for the important things in your life…such as reading, crafting or watching a movie.

Every time you “spin” to “win,” Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children as part of their $250,000 commitment to support Save the Children’s CHANGE program, dedicated to providing nutritious snacks and promoting healthier lifestyles for impoverished children living in the United States.  So head on over to the site today for your chance to win and make a difference in a child’s life.

In other Frigidaire news, the company announced their new consumer rebate program called “Paid to Upgrade.”  Frigidaire is offering an additional $150 on top of the government’s $3 million Cash for Appliances program when you upgrade your current appliances to select Energy Star appliances.  Frigidaire recently launched 250 new kitchen and laundry appliances with time, money, and energy-saving features.  Their new line of appliances minimize energy and water consumption which is in line with their commitment to a greener world.  Their Energy Star appliances are 10-80% more energy-efficient.  Be sure to visit their website for more information. Here are some energy-saving tips, courtesy of the company:

I can’t wait to tell you about all of the fun stuff LeapFrog has released just in time for the holidays.  However, there is a contest I think you might be interested in.  I try not to clutter my blog with press releases and “stuff” but this is a contest I definitely want to enter (and I want all of you to enter).

LeapFrog is hosting a $3,500 Star Wars Sweepstakes and one winner will receive an All-Out Star Wars Party Kit for their child and 10 guests, including

-          Costumes and light saber toys

-          Deluxe party kit, with life-sized wall graphic and R2-D2 trash can

-          Amazon gift card

-          And, of course, a LeapFrog Tag, Leapster2 or Didj system with Star Wars game or book

And….The winner will receive a Merry Maids gift card to clean up the mess!

For more information on LeapFrog’s products or to join in on some interesting topics such as children and learning, check out their blog!

I remember the days before I married my husband when I stayed up until 1 am chatting with a girlfriend over coffee or those spur of the moment weekend spa getaways. The freedom singlehood affords could never replace the joy and fulfillment of having a family. I would never go back. But as a working mom taking care of a household,  every now and then I need some time to rejuvenate…to laugh and connect with my girlfriends.

Entrepreneurs Lorrie Morgan Ferrero, Shannon Cherry, and Joanie Winberg are inspiring women to celebrate friendship with their Chocolate Spa Getaway Contest.  Chocolate?  Spa?  I’m soooo entering!  I know the perfect mama who needs this!  Here are the details:

In 300 words or less write about why YOUR FRIEND deserves a Chocolate Spa Getaway Weekend. (For example has she had some extenuating circumstances, struggles, challenges, or just plain needs a break? The contest is for all women- married, single or single again). COPY and PASTE your essay into an email (no attachments accepted) and send it to chocolatespacontest@gmail.com by midnight April 17th. Winners will be announced April 24. If your story is chosen, you get to go, too!  Here are the details regarding the weekend:

Win a Chocolate Spa Weekend Getaway at the Hershey Hotel from May 15-17, 2009. The Chocolate Spa Getaway Weekend includes:

- Air fare

- Limo service to and from the hotel

- A poolside room for three (3) days/two (2) nights at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

- Over $400 (four hundred) worth of Spa Treatments, including a Swedish Massage, a Facial, a Chocolate Wrap and Lunch in the Oasis- a lite lunch of salads, soups and wraps at the spa in your robe and sandals.

- Admission to the Hershey Gardens.

- Gourmet Dining
The winners can choose from the following:

Dinner in the Hotel’s renowned Circular Dining Room…

The Fountain Cafe (casual restaurant) or Room Service (includes tax & gratuity).

For more details, check out the website, GirlfriendGetawayContest.com.

Spring has arrived which means the weather is changing, flowers are blooming, and allergy season is here!  Do you suffer from seasonal allergies?  I do!  Every time it rains or the weather changes I start sneezing.  It’s severe enough to be bothersome and warrant the occasional Claritin. If you suffer from allergies, you know how important it is to limit your exposure to offending triggers.  Did you know that indoor allergens like dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander live in your pillow, mattress, and box spring (YUK!).  Limiting your exposure to indoor allergens, reduces the total amount of allergens you’re exposed to which may minimize your symptoms this spring.

Aller-Ease wants to help you get prepared this spring by giving away 50 cotton pillow protectors every day from now through April 6th.  Just head on over to the site and sign up.  And…if you have a truly horrible allergy story, submit it on the site.  You could win a complete Aller-Ease bedding makeover!

I know, I know…You’ve heard me say that a gazillion times!  Imagine my poor husband. Denver Mile High Mamas recently hosted a Wii Fit party and are giving away Wii and Wii Fit to one very lucky person!  Head on over before December 20 for your chance to win!