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	<title>Rockin Mama &#187; Giveaway</title>
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	<link>http://rockinmama.net</link>
	<description>Motherhood, Giveaways and Product Reviews</description>
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		<title>Valentine&#8217;s Day Gift Idea: A Windows Phone&#8230;For Two! *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2012/02/valentines-day-gift-idea-a-windows-phone-for-two-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2012/02/valentines-day-gift-idea-a-windows-phone-for-two-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:13:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Valentine's Day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smart Phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows Phone]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=30276</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re about a week from Valentine&#8217;s Day!  Do you know how you&#8217;ll celebrate that loved one in your life?  I love getting flowers and candy, but I tend to be very practical when it comes to gifts I&#8217;d like to receive.  I tend to opt for gifts with lasting value if I&#8217;m asked for suggestions. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright  wp-image-30303" title="SamsungFocusFlash" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SamsungFocusFlash.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="209" />We&#8217;re about a week from Valentine&#8217;s Day!  Do you know how you&#8217;ll celebrate that loved one in your life?  I love getting flowers and candy, but I tend to be very practical when it comes to gifts I&#8217;d like to receive.  I tend to opt for gifts with lasting value if I&#8217;m asked for suggestions.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re still in search for the perfect gift this month, why not get that special person something they&#8217;ll use every single day?  I&#8217;ve come to rely on my smartphone for everything from organization and social networking to multimedia and information gathering.</p>
<p>You might remember me sharing some information about how my husband and I use our <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/buy/7/details.aspx?id=1724&amp;pid=7&amp;backurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.microsoft.com%2fwindowsphone%2fen-us%2fbuy%2f7%2fdefault.aspx" rel="nofollow" >Windows Phone</a> to stay <a href="http://rockinmama.net/2011/08/organized-and-connected-with-windows-new-smart-phone/" rel="nofollow" >organized and connected</a>.  But there is truly so much more that we can do with the smart phone.  Here are just a few Valentine&#8217;s Day-inspired features that make a Windows Phone a unique gift idea for a loved one this month and might just make it a bit easier to plan the perfect day.</p>
<p>Need a Valentine&#8217;s Day card in a flash? This photo app will allow you to select from one of 40 romantic <a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/6eed2b07-352a-e011-854c-00237de2db9e" rel="nofollow" >Valentine Card </a>templates that can be personalized with photos and messages.</p>
<p>Looking to plan the <a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/1d8efaa1-7556-4a9d-a5de-a1e15647743a" rel="nofollow" >perfect date</a>? Check out this app which offers over 100 unique ideas for celebrating with that special person in your life.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re planning to celebrate with a fancy meal, be sure to make reservations ahead of time on <a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/4568013a-72ca-df11-9eae-00237de2db9e" rel="nofollow" ><span style="color: #0000ff;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">OpenTable</span></span></a> to minimize wait times.</p>
<p>Looking to round out date night with the latest film? Check out <a href="http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/7dc02baf-a7d6-df11-a844-00237de2db9e" rel="nofollow" >Flixster</a> for the latest trailers and reviews.</p>
<p><em><strong>Win It!</strong></em>  I have a VERY QUICK giveaway but it was too awesome not to share so get your entries in quickly!  One of you will win the following:</p>
<p><strong>Two</strong> <a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SGH-I677DAAATT" rel="nofollow" >Samsung Focus Flash Windows Phones </a></p>
<p>1 month of service</p>
<p>His and hers SkinIts</p>
<p>To win, simply tell me your best Valentine&#8217;s Day story!  Comments will close on Friday, February 10th at 8 am PST and I&#8217;ll need the winner&#8217;s address that day!</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/rockinmama" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">Follow me on Twitter</a> and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a @windowsphone from @rockinmama ”</p>
<p>Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry</p>
<p>Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>No compensation was received for this post. Giveaway item provided by Windows. I also reviewed a Windows Phone last  year, which was also provided by the company. </em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			<wfw:commentRss>http://rockinmama.net/2012/02/valentines-day-gift-idea-a-windows-phone-for-two-giveaway/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>22</slash:comments>
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		<title>Five Things You Can Do For Your Heart Right Now *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2012/02/five-things-you-can-do-for-your-heart-right-now-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2012/02/five-things-you-can-do-for-your-heart-right-now-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:03:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heart Disease]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heart Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Restaurant Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women's Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=30243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, several of us kicked off February by wearing red to increase awareness and lend support to the fight against heart disease.  Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, according to the CDC and does not discriminate&#8230;we are all at risk.  Often called the silent killer, it is important for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright  wp-image-30281" title="GoRed1" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/GoRed1-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="179" height="240" />Last week, several of us kicked off February by wearing red to increase awareness and lend support to the fight against heart disease.  Heart disease is the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">leading cause of death in the US</a>, according to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">CDC</a> and does not discriminate&#8230;we are all at risk.  Often called the silent killer, it is important for women of all ages to be aware of the risk factors and take the necessary steps to mediate them.  So what can you and I do right now to protect our hearts?</p>
<p>1. Know your numbers.</p>
<p>2. Get and stay active.</p>
<p>3. Eat a heart healthy diet</p>
<p>4.  Manage your stress</p>
<p>5. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack</p>
<p><a href="http://www.goredforwomen.org/hcu/index.aspx/" rel="nofollow" >Go Red For Women</a> is an incredibly resourceful site that actually provides targeted information about heart disease for women in all ages and stages of life.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-30282" title="GoRed2" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/GoRed2.jpg" alt="" width="382" height="512" /></p>
<p><a href="http://mimiscafe.com/" rel="nofollow" >Mimi&#8217;s Cafe</a> is the first restaurant to support the movement and is raising awareness for heart disease all month long.  You can lend your support via donation at the restaurant and for every $1 donation, guests can post a red heart-shaped tribute card on the red dress display inside the restaurant. For every $5 donation, guests will also receive a commemorative red dress lapel pin.  Guests who donate will also receive up to $35 in savings.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-30283" title="GoRed3" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/GoRed3.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="550" /></p>
<p><em><strong>Win It!</strong></em>  Two of you will win $25 gift cards to Mimi&#8217;s Cafe. Simply leave a comment with something you learned about heart disease from the site.  Comments will close on February 20th, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/rockinmama" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">Follow me on Twitter</a> and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a GC to @Mimis_Cafe @rockinmama  ” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.</p>
<p>Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry</p>
<p>Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>No compensation was received for this post. Gift Certificates for review and giveaway provided which helped facilitate this review.</em></p>
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		<slash:comments>27</slash:comments>
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		<title>Jockey and Purex Team Up To Provide a Solution For Softer, Fresher Performance Sportswear *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/jockey-and-purex-team-up-to-provide-a-solution-for-softer-fresher-performance-sportswear-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/jockey-and-purex-team-up-to-provide-a-solution-for-softer-fresher-performance-sportswear-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:39:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jockey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Purex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Laundry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports Bra]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=30094</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As someone who is very discerning about the products we use, I&#8217;ve often found that in some instances, there is no natural or environmentally-friendly alternative.  Right around the time when we learned that I was pregnant with my son, I stopped using conventional cleaning products, and over the years have slowly replaced our personal care [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As someone who is very discerning about the products we use, I&#8217;ve often found that in some instances, there is no natural or environmentally-friendly alternative.  Right around the time when we learned that I was pregnant with my son, I stopped using conventional cleaning products, and over the years have slowly replaced our personal care products with eco-friendly substitutes.  In most situations, I&#8217;ve been able to make the eco-switch, however, it&#8217;s taken me years to find a <a href="http://www.purex.com/products/softeners/purex-complete-crystals" rel="nofollow" >fabric softener</a> I feel comfortable using.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30101" title="PurexCrystals" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PurexCrystals.png" alt="" width="280" height="315" /></p>
<p>After reading about Purex Crystals, and even speaking to a member of their social media team last year at a conference, I finally decided to test out this innovative new way to soften and freshen clothes.  Before I agreed to test the product out, I made sure that it was safe for use in my Whirlpool Duet Front Load Washer.  Because the product is primarily sugar crystals, they dissolve during the wash cycle and therefore don&#8217;t have to be placed in the designated fabric softener dispenser and you don&#8217;t have to wait until the rinse cycle to use them.</p>
<p>Purex Crystals are available in Fresh Spring Waters, Lavender Blossom, and Tropical Splash and a 28 ounce bottle retails for approximately $5.  When I first received the product, I was concerned the scent would be overpowering.  I decided to try the softener on a load of towels just in case it was too strong.  Once the wash and dry cycles were complete and I pulled the towels out, I really only noticed a light scent. Towels are really the perfect item to test a fabric softener out on and they actually came out nice and fluffy from the dryer.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30100" title="PurexJockey" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PurexJockey.jpg" alt="" width="293" height="434" /></p>
<p>One of my husband&#8217;s main complaints with line-drying our clothing is the fact that they come out stiff and crunchy. I line dry when I can and ensure all of my delicate clothing (i.e. bras, nice shirts, etc.) do not make it into the dryer.  <a href="http://www.jockey.com/" rel="nofollow" >Jockey</a> and <a href="www.purex.com/jockey">Purex</a> recently teamed up to have a few bloggers test out their brand new <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.jockey.com/" rel="nofollow" >Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra</a>, in combo with Purex Crystals, and since I&#8217;ve been working on being more consistent with my workout regimen, the timing was perfect.</p>
<p>I am one of those gals that really needs to wear a sports bra, and at times is quite lazy about it.  Jockey&#8217;s new sports bra is lightweight and supportive, and features breathable mesh panels, a soft bottom band for support, and a key pocket (nice!).  One of the most desirable features in any workout clothing is moisture-wicking which helps to keep you cool and dry.  Fabric softener is not recommended, because the oil that&#8217;s present actually interferes with the moisture-wicking process. Purex Crystals, unlike most fabric softeners, do not contain oil and are safe to use with performance sportswear.</p>
<p>Right now, you&#8217;ll <a href="http://www.purex.com/jockey" rel="nofollow" >save 20% on your next Jockey order</a> by visiting their website.</p>
<p><em><strong>Win It!</strong></em>  One of you will win Jockey&#8217;s latest Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra and a bottle of Purex Crystals. Simply leave me a comment with either a Purex product or a Jockey product you&#8217;d like to try.  <strong>Comments will close on January 30th, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/rockinmama" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">Follow me on Twitter</a> and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a sports bra from @Jockey and @Purex @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/6s8ojf8 ” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.</p>
<p>Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry</p>
<p>Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>No compensation was received for this post. Products for review and giveaway provided which helped facilitate this review.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jockey.com/" rel="nofollow" ><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-30105" title="innerCircleBadge" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/innerCircleBadge.gif" alt="" width="141" height="141" /></a></p>
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		<slash:comments>65</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Valentine&#8217;s Day Gift Idea: Signature Totes and Storage Solutions From Thirty One Gifts *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/valentines-day-gift-idea-signature-totes-and-storage-solutions-from-thirty-one-gifts-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/valentines-day-gift-idea-signature-totes-and-storage-solutions-from-thirty-one-gifts-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:35:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Boutique Totes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Catalog Shopping]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=30061</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Can you believe that Valentine&#8217;s Day is just 2 weeks away? I feel like it was JUST Christmas!  While I absolutely love getting traditional gifts like flowers and chocolate, I&#8217;m also appreciative of more practical gifts that I&#8217;ll get use out of long after the day has ended. Most of my shopping is done online, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Can you believe that Valentine&#8217;s Day is just 2 weeks away? I feel like it was JUST Christmas!  While I absolutely love getting traditional gifts like flowers and chocolate, I&#8217;m also appreciative of more practical gifts that I&#8217;ll get use out of long after the day has ended.</p>
<p><img class="alignright  wp-image-30088" title="Thirty-OneGifts" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Thirty-OneGifts-231x300.jpg" alt="" width="125" height="162" />Most of my shopping is done online, mostly due to the fact that it&#8217;s just easier than braving the stores with two small children.  I also shop the occasional catalog for brands that don&#8217;t have an online presence.  Recently, I was introduced to <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/" rel="nofollow" >Thirty-One Gifts</a>, a company that offers &#8220;fun, stylish, functional products&#8221; for women and their families.  The company was started by a mom who wanted to give women access to boutique-quality items so they could shop at their leisure. Inspired by the Proverbs 31 verse, Thirty-One&#8217;s mission is &#8220;to celebrate, encourage, and reward women&#8221; by also offering them an opportunity to become business owners.</p>
<p>I spent some time browsing their online catalog this week and happened upon several chic, stylish totes and purses:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-30087" title="Thirty-One-Gifts" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Thirty-One-Gifts.gif" alt="" width="534" height="154" /></p>
<p>Because the company is strictly catalog-based, you&#8217;ll have to find a consultant or attend a party to place an order. The prices are affordable, given the boutique, fashion-forward designs.  And each season, the company comes out with new products to stay current and on-trend.</p>
<p>Each month, you&#8217;ll find promotions and discounts on select products. This month, Thirty-One Gifts is offering Thermal Totes for just $10 (regularly pried at $20) and Cinch-It-Up Thermal Totes for $15 (regularly priced at $20). Ditch the brown bag and opt for this stylish, reusable tote that will keep foods warm or cold.</p>
<p><em><strong>Win It!</strong></em>  One of you will win a $100 gift card to Thirty-One Gifts. Simply leave me a comment with another product you&#8217;d like to own from the <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog" rel="nofollow" >catalog</a>. Comments will close on February 12th, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/rockinmama" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">Follow me on Twitter</a> and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a GC to @ThirtyOne Gifts @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/7dzwkzx ” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.</p>
<p>Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry</p>
<p>Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>No compensation was received for this post. Products for review and giveaway provided which helped facilitate this review.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em> Photo Credit: Thirty-One Gifts</em></p>
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		<slash:comments>99</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>The Most Talked About At Home Fitness Workouts *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/the-most-talked-about-at-home-fitness-workouts/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/the-most-talked-about-at-home-fitness-workouts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:54:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shine by Yahoo Get It Guide Insider]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[At Home Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Biggest Loser]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bob Harper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DVDs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jackie Warner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zumba]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=29845</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Every year around this time, I aspire to develop some type of regular exercise routine.  Before I got married and had children, I enjoyed running and taking fitness classes at our local gym.  At that time, it was easy to get to the gym without having to worry about child care or another person&#8217;s schedule.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Every year around this time, I aspire to develop some type of regular exercise routine.  Before I got married and had children, I enjoyed running and taking fitness classes at our local gym.  At that time, it was easy to get to the gym without having to worry about child care or another person&#8217;s schedule.  Of all the resolutions, this is the one I find most challenging as it requires incredible amounts of discipline, support from my husband (in the form of child care), and personal motivation.</p>
<p>Many years ago, at home fitness programs were outdated, unchallenging, and a bit cheesy.  But with many women and moms looking for ways to stay in shape without having to secure childcare or work around schedules, these types of programs are regaining popularity, particularly as creative, engaging workouts are developed that are right on par with classes you might find at the gym.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29862" title="Most Popular Fitness DVDs" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Most-Popular-Fitness-DVDs.jpg" alt="" width="609" height="228" /></p>
<p>Last week, the latest <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/getitguide/shine-guide-review-most-popular-fitness-dvds-024251790.html" rel="nofollow" >Yahoo! Shine Get It Guide</a> topic was released.  Women are searching for and talking about the best at home fitness programs available today.  So which programs are generating the most buzz and being hailed as the best at home fitness programs?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity.do?gclid=CLX4jaat0q0CFasaQgodV1JdmQ&amp;code=SEMB_GOOGLE_SAN&amp;extcmp=gd05bbe2dc2c4090&amp;ef_id=uBNOMQdW0WgAAEE-:20120115153418:s" rel="nofollow" >INSANITY Fast &amp; Furious: 20 Minute Maximum Fitness Results Workout DVD</a>:  Get ready to &#8220;dig deep&#8221; as you&#8217;re pushed beyond your comfort zone to achieve real results in just 20 minutes each day. No weights&#8230;no equipment&#8230;. Personal trainer Shaun T takes you through plyometric drills on top of nonstop intervals of strength, power, resistance, ab, and core training moves. From the looks of it&#8230;the workout, and the results are insane! : )</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jackiewarner.com/" rel="nofollow" >Personal Training with Jackie: Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs</a> &#8211; If there is one area of fitness that many women struggle with, it&#8217;s strengthening and toning their abs. Can you really attain the abs you want without doing a single crunch? Celebrity fitness trainer and author Jackie Warner believes you can.  Sculpt your abs and strengthen your core with 15 minute workouts that are performed standing and on the floor.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mytrainerbob.com/" rel="nofollow" >GoFit Kettlebell with Bob Harper Training DVD</a> -   The Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper obviously knows a thing or two about fitness and strength training. His innovative techniques incorporate the use of kettlebells to build lean muscle and burn fat through precision targeted strength training.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.zumba.com/en-US/shop/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_term=zumba&amp;utm_campaign=G_US%2BBrand%2B-%2BZumba%2BAlone%2BEX" rel="nofollow" >Zumba Fitness</a> &#8211; For those of you who enjoy dance-based fitness classes, Zumba is fun, effective, and the program I&#8217;d be most inclined to stick to.  This Latin-inspired dance-fitness program blends upbeat international music with easy-to-learn dance steps to form a ’fitness-party.’  Since it&#8217;s debut in 2001, it&#8217;s become the world&#8217;s largest and most successful dance-fitness program with over 90,000 classes in more than 110 countries across the globe.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-30098" title="zumbafitness" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/zumbafitness.jpg" alt="" width="576" height="384" /></p>
<p>Since I&#8217;ve always had an affinity for dance-based workouts, I decided to try the Zumba Fitness Total Transformation System DVD Set which includes 4 DVDs and two toning sticks. This is a total body workout that&#8217;s both engaging and fun. The dance steps are easy to learn (be sure to start with the Basics Workout to learn the steps) and the music is lively and inspirational. Despite the fact that it looks more fun than effective, the workouts can be quite challenging physically.  I also find that there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to your fitness level and you can workout as intensely as you feel compelled to.</p>
<p><em><strong>Win It!</strong></em>  One of you will win a $25 Amazon gift card to check out the at home fitness program that piques your interest. Simply leave me a comment with your favorite from the <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/getitguide/shine-guide-review-most-popular-fitness-dvds-024251790.html" rel="nofollow" >Yahoo! Shine Get It Guide</a>.  Comments will close on January 30th, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/rockinmama" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">Follow me on Twitter</a> and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win an Amazon GC @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/7xdqpfm” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.</p>
<p>Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry</p>
<p>Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>No compensation was received for this post. Products for review and giveaway provided which helped facilitate this review.<br />
</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/getitguide/" rel="nofollow" ><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29863" title="gig_badge_insider" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gig_badge_insider.jpg" alt="" width="125" height="125" /></a></p>
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		<slash:comments>127</slash:comments>
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		<title>Making Resolutions You&#8217;ll Actually Keep *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/making-resolutions-youll-actually-keep-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/making-resolutions-youll-actually-keep-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:12:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Foodie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chocolate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Claire Robinson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dove]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food Network]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Year's Resolutions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=29776</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[2012 Resolutions&#8230; 1. Cut out all sugar from my diet.  Eat less sugar. 2. Buy all organics. Do my homework and buy the organic versions of those foods that are most important. 3. Work out 3-5 times a week.  Start going to the gym. 4. Lose weight. See number 1 and 3. 5. Get more [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>2012 Resolutions&#8230;</p>
<p>1. <del>Cut out all sugar from my diet.</del>  Eat less sugar.</p>
<p>2. <del>Buy all organics.</del> Do my homework and buy the organic versions of those foods that are most important.</p>
<p>3. <del>Work out 3-5 times a week.</del>  Start going to the gym.</p>
<p>4. Lose weight. See number 1 and 3.</p>
<p>5. <del>Get more sleep.</del> Get uninterrupted sleep.</p>
<p>6.  Spend more time together as a family.</p>
<p>7. Travel more.</p>
<p>8. Worry less.</p>
<p>9. Slow down.</p>
<p>10. Simplify.</p>
<p>11. Give more.</p>
<p>12. Spend less.</p>
<p>These are just SOME of the many &#8220;resolutions&#8221; I have for 2012. I could honestly double that list if I sat here long enough.  There are so many things I want to do, want to change, and stop doing.  January is the month where, in theory, we all start out with a clean slate.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t know about you, but come Spring, I&#8217;ve already either forgotten about, failed to keep, or changed the direction of my New Year&#8217;s Resolutions.  Apparently, I&#8217;m not alone.  Every year, nearly half of Americans make New Year&#8217;s Resolutions, yet by the end of the month, 36 percent of those have been broken. There has to be a better way to make and stick to those goals for the new year.</p>
<p>So why even make a resolution? Because studies have shown that those who make resolutions are still 10 times more likely to eventually achieve their goals as opposed to those who don&#8217;t.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29797" title="Claire Robinson" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Claire-Robinson.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></p>
<p>Last week, I had a chance to chat with Food Network star Claire Robinson, who&#8217;s popular show 5 Ingredient Fix features tasty, eclectic recipes made with just five ingredients. She had some pretty fabulous tips on making resolutions that you will actually keep, how to make healthier eating choices, and focusing on what&#8217;s important for the coming year.</p>
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<p>In summary, Claire Robinson suggests that those looking to keep their resolutions should avoid drastic decisions that may be impossible to sustain long term and create a built-in reward system to celebrate those small victories which help keep you motivated towards achieving those long-term goals.</p>
<p>Do you remember what Claire Robinson&#8217;s resolution is for 2012?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-29796" title="Dove Gift Basket" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Dove-Gift-Basket-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="614" /></p>
<p> Win It!  Simply answer the question above and you&#8217;ll be entered to win a <em>sweet </em>Dove gift basket which includes the following:<em></em></p>
<p>3- 3.3 oz. Dove silky smooth 71% cacao dark chocolate bars</p>
<p>3- 3.3 oz. Dove silky smooth dark chocolate bars</p>
<p>3-3.3 oz. Dove roasted almond silky smooth dark chocolate bars</p>
<p>2- 9 oz. Dove dark chocolate silky smooth promises bags</p>
<p>Comments will close on January 27th, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/rockinmama" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">Follow me on Twitter</a> and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a @Dove_Chocolate gift basket from @rockinmama http://tinyurl.com/6ruayvr” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.</p>
<p>Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry</p>
<p>Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>No compensation was received for this post. Products for review and giveaway along with the interview were made possible by Dove.</em></p>
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		<slash:comments>148</slash:comments>
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		<title>Win a Trip to Palm Springs *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/win-a-trip-to-palm-springs-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/win-a-trip-to-palm-springs-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:59:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Southern California]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=29736</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Having lived in Southern California my entire life, I often overlook the beauty that surrounds me. Just a few miles to the south lies the Pacific Ocean and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Drive approximately 2 hours northeast and you&#8217;ll find a slew of ski resorts. And directly east? Pure bliss! [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29758" title="IMG_0445" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0445.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="480" /></div>
<div></div>
<div>Having lived in Southern California my entire life, I often overlook the beauty that surrounds me. Just a few miles to the south lies the Pacific Ocean and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  Drive approximately 2 hours northeast and you&#8217;ll find a slew of ski resorts.  And directly east? Pure bliss!</div>
<div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0790.jpg" rel="nofollow" ><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29757" title="DSC_0790" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0790.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="320" /></a></div>
<div></div>
<div>Over the holidays, my husband and I managed to sneak away for 2 nights to Palm Springs for a mini staycation.  The desert city is home to a number of luxury resorts and offers everything from golf and tennis to swimming, horseback riding, and hiking.  And whether you&#8217;re looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation for two or an adventure-trip for the whole family, the area does not disappoint.</div>
<div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29756" title="DSC_0611" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0611.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="321" /></div>
<div></div>
<div>Just some of the more family-friendly activities include jeep tours with Desert Adventures, a visit to the Palm Springs Air Museum which houses one of the nation&#8217;s largest collection of World War II flying aircraft, a visit to The Living Desert which is the only zoo and botanical garden in the area, a ride aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway which is the World&#8217;s Largest Rotating Tramcar offering spectacular views of the area, and a visit to Indian Canyons which offers hiking and views of Native sites.</div>
<div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29759" title="DSC_0906" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0906.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="319" /></div>
<div></div>
<div>Trekaroo, a site offering &#8220;the inside scoop on traveling with kids,&#8221; gives us the 411 on <a href="http://blog.trekaroo.com/2011/06/17/palm-springs-with-kids/" rel="nofollow" >traveling to Palm Springs with children</a>. You can check out reviews of each family-friendly activity, including their <a href="http://www.trekaroo.com/hotels/hyatt-regency-suites-palm-springs-palm-springs-california" rel="nofollow" >review of the Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs</a>, which you&#8217;ll definitely want to know more about because&#8230;</div>
<p>I have partnered with <a href="http://www.trekaroo.com/" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Trekaroo</a>, <a href="http://www.visitpalmsprings.com/" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Visit Palm Springs</a>, and <a href="http://daytrippingmom.com/" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Daytripping Mom</a> to offer a fantastic giveaway! Here are the details:</p>
<h2><span style="font-size: small;">Win a trip for four to Palm Springs, CA including lodging and several great family friendly activities!</span></h2>
<h2><strong>Details:</strong></h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Two nights at the<a href="http://palmsprings.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?src=agn_dtc_hr_lclb_gplaces_palms" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank"> Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs </a></li>
<li>Desert jeep tour for four (2 adults, 2 children) with <a href="http://red-jeep.com/" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Desert Adventures</a></li>
<li>Four pack of tickets (2 adults, 2children) for the <a href="http://www.pstramway.com/" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Palm Springs Aerial Tramway</a></li>
<li>Four Pack of tickets to the <a href="http://palmspringsairmuseum.org/" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Palm Springs Air Museum</a></li>
<li>Four Pack of tickets to the <a href="http://www.livingdesert.org/" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Living Desert</a></li>
<li>Entry for four to <a href="http://indian-canyons.com/" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Indian Canyons</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h2>How to enter:</h2>
<h3>Entering to win is as easy as 1-2-3-4!</h3>
<p>This palm tree lined giveaway will take you to four different stops.  Each stop is another opportunity to enter to win!</p>
<h3><span style="font-size: small;">Submit your first contest entry at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trekaroo?sk=app_121121694568521" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Trekaroo&#8217;s Facebook page</a></span></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: small;">Then keep going and get more entries by following the link to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/VisitPalmSprings" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Visit Palm Springs</a>,<a href="http://www.facebook.com/daytrippingmom" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank"> Daytripping Mom</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rockin-Mama/296829598089" rel="nofollow"  target="_blank">Rockin&#8217; Mama</a> on Facebook.</span></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: small;">Remember, to grab all 4 chances to win!</span></h3>
<p><strong><em>Rules and guidelines: </em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>18 years of age or older</li>
<li>US Residents only</li>
<li>Lodging good for Sunday through Thursday stays only. Valid for one year after issuance.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Deadline to enter: </strong>Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 11:59PM PST</p>
<p>Have you visited Palm Springs?  What is your favorite family-friendly activity?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>No compensation was received for this post. Giveaway sponsored by Visit Palm Springs.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo Credit: Trekaroo</em></p>
</div>
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		<slash:comments>11</slash:comments>
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		<title>DIY Pizza Party Night! *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/diy-pizza-party-night-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2012/01/diy-pizza-party-night-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:09:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foodie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ragu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gluten Free]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pasta Sauce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pizza Party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vegan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=29674</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s Friday night and nobody wants to cook.  After shopping, prepping, and cooking meals all week, the very last thing I want to do on a Friday night is whip up something elaborate.  It&#8217;s way too easy (and definitely more expensive) to stop at one of our local restaurants and pick up dinner after a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s Friday night and nobody wants to cook.  After shopping, prepping, and cooking meals all week, the very last thing I want to do on a Friday night is whip up something elaborate.  It&#8217;s way too easy (and definitely more expensive) to stop at one of our local restaurants and pick up dinner after a long week.  But with the new year ahead, I&#8217;m sticking to my goal of cooking a majority of our meals at home, regardless of how simple or complex they are&#8230;or what night of the week it is.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-29749" title="PizzaParty6" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PizzaParty6-1024x753.gif" alt="" width="614" height="452" /></p>
<p>As to be expected my children love pizza.  It&#8217;s one of those foods that is quick and easy to make (even if you&#8217;re going all out and making the dough from scratch).  Given the fact that my son has food allergies, we&#8217;ve had to be creative with something as basic as pizza.  Fortunately palatable, vegan cheese alternatives like <a href="http://www.daiyafoods.com/" rel="nofollow" >Daiya</a> exist.</p>
<p>Since I&#8217;m always cognizant of the reality of food allergies, I decided that a night where everyone could create their own pizzas was in order. I laid out a few different types of pizza crusts, including these <a href="http://udisglutenfree.com/products/Pizza_crusts" rel="nofollow" >gluten-free pizza crusts</a> from <a href="http://udisglutenfree.com/products/Pizza_crusts" rel="nofollow" >Udi&#8217;s</a>, dairy and vegan cheeses, a selection of fresh cut vegetables and little bowls of <a href="http://www.ragu.com/index.php/homemadepizza" rel="nofollow" >Ragu Pizza sauce</a>. I served it with a salad (which my son just loves, proving he is definitely my son) for an added veggie boost.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-29681" title="PizzaParty3" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PizzaParty3-1024x755.gif" alt="" width="614" height="453" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-29680" title="PizzaParty2" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PizzaParty2-1024x653.gif" alt="" width="614" height="392" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-29679" title="PizzaParty" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PizzaParty-1024x657.gif" alt="" width="614" height="394" /></p>
<p>Children, particularly those around my kid&#8217;s ages, enjoy being in the kitchen, however they often lack the patience necessary to prepare and cook even a simple dish.  Prepping everything ahead of time and arranging a &#8220;work station&#8221; allows children the freedom and autonomy to create their own pizza in a controlled environment.</p>
<p>Tips for hosting a DIY Pizza Party Night:</p>
<p>But the smaller, individual sized pizza crusts</p>
<p>If you opt not to purchase shredded cheese, do so and then place it in individual bowls</p>
<p>Chop up all veggies ahead of time and also place those in individual bowls</p>
<p>Portion off the pizza sauce to minimize clean up due to spills</p>
<p>Offer meat and vegetarian options</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t forget the cooking spray. I like the Olive Oil one because it&#8217;s healthy and goes well with pizza</p>
<p>Have you ever hosted a pizza party night? What are your best tips? Share them below!</p>
<p><em><strong>Win It!</strong></em> One of you will win  a $300 American Express Gift Card for your very own pizza party. Simply leave me a comment with a recipe you found on Ragu&#8217;s site using one of their two <a href="http://www.ragu.com/index.php/homemadepizza" rel="nofollow" >pizza sauces</a>. Comments will close on January 20th 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/rockinmama" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">Follow me on Twitter</a> and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win an @americanexpress GC from @ragusauce @rockinmama http://su.pr/1HNZGh #momstheword” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.</p>
<p>Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry</p>
<p>Answer the question above : )</p>
<p>Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Disclosure: This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program. Visit www.facebook.com/ragusauce to join the conversation.</em></p>
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		<slash:comments>1036</slash:comments>
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		<title>Resolutions&#8230;Sleep Better! *Giveaway*</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2011/12/resolutions-sleep-better-giveaway/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2011/12/resolutions-sleep-better-giveaway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:32:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mattress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sleep]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=29438</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who would have thought that having a child would be so disruptive to one&#8217;s sleep? Even after four and a half years, I&#8217;m still struggling through nights of interrupted sleep.  Fortunately, those interruptions are temporary! Sleep is truly a complex physiologic process, influenced by a number of different factors. Some, like children who wake up [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Who would have thought that having a child would be so disruptive to one&#8217;s sleep? Even after four and a half years, I&#8217;m still struggling through nights of interrupted sleep.  Fortunately, those interruptions are temporary!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29501" title="MattressTopper2" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MattressTopper2.jpg" alt="" width="373" height="376" /></p>
<p>Sleep is truly a complex physiologic process, influenced by a number of different factors. Some, like children who wake up at 2 am, aren&#8217;t easily fixed.  Others, like a mattress that is too hard or too soft, are more readily corrected.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sleepinnovations.com/" rel="nofollow" >Sleep Innovations</a> is transforming sleep through it&#8217;s line of mattresses, toppers, and pillows. They believe that comfort is essential to sleep, and I tend to agree.  Through the use of advanced memory foam technology, they aim to help you sleep better and in essence live better.</p>
<p>Our house isn&#8217;t small, but it&#8217;s not overly spacious either. We could host a couple and they&#8217;d be comfortable in our spare bedroom, except for the fact that the mattress is probably 10-15 years old.  Despite how old the mattress is, I paid quite a bit of money for it and it&#8217;s crafted by a reputable brand, so I tend to err on the side of keeping it.  And with the addition of <a href="http://www.sleepinnovations.com/toppers.php" rel="nofollow" >Sleep Innovation&#8217;s 2 inch Gel Memory Foam Topper</a>, the bed is practically brand new once again.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29500" title="MattressTopper1" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MattressTopper1.jpg" alt="" width="377" height="376" /></p>
<p>If you&#8217;re not ready to invest in a mattress or simply want to make the one you&#8217;re currently sleeping on more comfortable, a mattress topper is an affordable option.  Sleep Innovation&#8217;s Mattress Toppers combine a variety of technologies to assist in relieving painful pressure points, providing superior airflow, and creating a balance of comfort and support.  There are actually three different types of mattress toppers offered by the company: SureTemp Foam, Gel-Memory Foam, and Luratex Foam and available in two or four inch layers.</p>
<p><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-29502" title="gel-mem" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/gel-mem.png" alt="" width="153" height="128" />We received a two-inch Gel Memory Foam Topper that is actually more comfortable than I expected it to be.  You have to wait a few days after unpacking the mattress topper to fully realize it&#8217;s plushness.  One of the things I specifically appreciate about gel memory foam is it&#8217;s enhanced breathability (so many people I know get too warm at night which can also interrupt sleep).</p>
<p>Two of my concerns regarding the use of a mattress topper was ease of cleaning and whether or not it would slip.  Fortunately, the topper comes with a cotton cover that&#8217;s easily removed for cleaning and a stretch to fit skirt to secure the topper in place, preventing slippage.  I like the two-inch option because it&#8217;s thick enough to realize a noticeable difference without being too thick, plush, soft or hard.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re looking to improve your sleep and you&#8217;re not ready to invest in a mattress, a quality-made mattress topper is an affordable option. For more information on Sleep Innovations, just visit their website.</p>
<p><em><strong>Win It!</strong></em> One of you will win a 2” Gel Memory Foam Topper (retails up to $459.99, depending on size)!  Simple leave me a comment with another product you like from Sleep Innovations.  Comments will close on January 14th at 11:59 PM PST.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/rockinmama" rel="nofollow" rel="nofollow" >Follow me on Twitter</a> and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a mattress topper from @ChooseSI @rockinmama ”</p>
<p>Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry</p>
<p>Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>No compensation was received for this post.  Products for review/giveaway supplied by Sleep Innovations.</em></p>
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		<slash:comments>183</slash:comments>
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		<title>Rockin&#8217; Recipes: Fresh Veggie and Ground Turkey Pasta Arrabbiata</title>
		<link>http://rockinmama.net/2011/12/rockin-recipes-fresh-veggie-and-ground-turkey-pasta-arrabbiata/</link>
		<comments>http://rockinmama.net/2011/12/rockin-recipes-fresh-veggie-and-ground-turkey-pasta-arrabbiata/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:48:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>caryn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Foodie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Giveaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ragu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pasta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vegan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://rockinmama.net/?p=29405</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Aisha. Congrats! Like most children I know, our kids could eat pasta every single day and not tire of it. Pasta is a staple in our household, and my &#8220;go-to&#8221; meal when I don&#8217;t want to make something elaborate or it&#8217;s time for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em>This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Aisha. Congrats!</em></span></p>
<p>Like most children I know, our kids could eat pasta every single day and not tire of it. Pasta is a staple in our household, and my &#8220;go-to&#8221; meal when I don&#8217;t want to make something elaborate or it&#8217;s time for a grocery run. By incorporating a low-fat protein, such as ground turkey breast, and some veggies, I can achieve a complete meal.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-29414" title="VeggiePasta" src="http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/VeggiePasta-1024x679.gif" alt="" width="614" height="407" /></p>
<p>Since I&#8217;m always looking for a unique way to serve this household favorite, I decided to come up with a recipe that not only incorporates fresh veggies and a lean protein source, but has a bit of a spicy kick.  My husband and I LOVE a good pasta arrabbiata and this one we created is flavorful, healthy, and easy to prepare.</p>
<p>Ingredients:</p>
<p>1 pound fresh ground turkey breast</p>
<p>2 tablespoons olive oil</p>
<p>1/2 yellow onion, chopped</p>
<p>1/2 green bell pepper, chopped</p>
<p>1/2 red bell pepper, chopped</p>
<p>1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped</p>
<p>1 carrot, sliced</p>
<p>2 cloves garlic</p>
<p>salt and pepper</p>
<p>1 jar <a href="http://www.ragu.com/" rel="nofollow" >Ragu</a> sauce (I recommend Garden Veggie or Tomato&amp; Basil)</p>
<p>1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes</p>
<p>Fresh grated Parmesan cheese</p>
<p>Whole wheat Linguini</p>
<p>In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion, peppers, carrots, and garlic until soft. Add turkey breast and cook until heated to 165 degrees F using a meat thermometer.  Add sauce and red pepper.  Serve atop whole wheat linguini and adorned with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.</p>
<p>Kid option: Omit the red pepper flakes and use shells or wheels since kids love pastas in various shapes.</p>
<p>Vegan option: Omit the ground turkey breast and substitute <a href="http://www.daiyafoods.com/products/mozza.asp" rel="nofollow"  rel="nofollow">vegan mozzarella cheese</a> for the Parmesan cheese.</p>
<p>This month&#8217;s dinnertime topic is on the subject of kids and how they behave at home v. other places during mealtimes. In our family, our children&#8217;s behavior, particularly during dinner, primarily depends on how hungry and tired they are.  I will say that if we&#8217;re at a restaurant, I know that I&#8217;m likely going to be struggling with at least one of my kids, who either wants to run around or get into something he/she is not supposed to. On the contrary, if we&#8217;re having dinner at someone&#8217;s house and they have children, very often my own kids will be on their best behavior, particularly if they enjoy spending time with that family and want to return at a later time.  Want to weigh in? Just visit the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ragusauce?sk=app_225222734170709" rel="nofollow" >Facebook</a> page!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Disclosure: This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program. Visit www.facebook.com/ragusauce to join the conversation.</em></p>
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