I drink a lot of orange juice…particularly because I have cut out all dairy from my diet and am having difficulty finding food sources of Calcium and Vitamin D.  Tropicana is a brand that has been around a very long time…one we’ve purchased time and time again over the years.

Tropicana recently introduced their new Juicy Rewards Program.  If you drink orange juice (who doesn’t drink orange juice? hehe!), why not save money while doing it?  Specially marked containers of Tropicana Orange Juice contain a code for points you can enter on the site to redeem for discounts.  Each carton of Tropicana Orange Juice is worth up to $15 in savings.  The site contains over 20,000 ways to save on things like workout gear, services, classes, entertainment and more.  Partners include Adidas, Coleman, EA Sports, and Coleman.

If I can save money, while consuming something I already use, why wouldn’t I participate?  Stay tuned…I have lots more to share with you about Tropicana’s Juicy Rewards Program.

If you sign up on the site (it’s free), be sure to enter the code  “MOMCE-NTRAL” and you’ll receive one free point to get you started.

Right now, you can enter for a chance to win one of four trips to Las Vegas, New Orleans, Atlantic City or Lake Tahoe.

I wrote this review while participating in the Tropicana Juicy Insiders Ambassador program by Mom Central on behalf of Tropicana. I received 12 free Juicy Rewards points and a $50 Visa gift card to use in redemption of the points and to facilitate my review.

My husband and I opt for home-cooked meals whenever it’s feasible.  But there are some nights, when he comes home late or I’ve had a busy day with the kids, that just don’t feel like cooking.  Since eating out is expensive (particularly since we only eat out at quality restaurants) we try to reserve this for special occasions where we can splurge.  The alternative is some type of prepared meal.

We don’t usually eat frozen foods, but I would readily consider them if healthier options were the standard.  I’m starting to try different brands, in hopes of finding a healthy alternative for the nights we don’t want to cook.  Now that we have two children, it’s a bit more of a challenge to get meals on the table seven days a week.  And we could both use a break at least one day during the week.

Over the years, I’ve tried several products from the Healthy Choice line of foods.   What I like about the brand is that it aims to provide a healthy, balanced meal rather than a meal to help you lose weight.  Healthy Choice recently introduced 11 new entrées to its Café Steamers, All Natural Entrées, and Select Entrées product lines.  I tried the Lemon Garlic Chicken and Shrimp and the Grilled Vegetables Mediterranean, two of the brands Mediterranean Inspired Meals.

Café Steamers are microwave meals that utilize a DuoTray Steamcooker to keep your vegetables crips, your meat tender, your pasta firm, and your rice fluffy.  They’re made with wholesome ingredients including whole grain rice, whole grain pasta, and vegetables.  Most of the meals are under 300 calories and do not contain trans fats.  The only thing I noticed was that the sodium content is quite high.  Unfortunately, it’s really not noticeable, and if you don’t read labels, you wouldn’t necessarily know this based on the way the meals taste.

Regarding taste…they’re really good.  I could eat them once a week and be quite content because they include a generous serving of vegetables and whole grains and pack in a ton of protein.  They’re quite tasty, considering they’re frozen.  Very often, I’ll peruse the frozen dinner aisle at the grocery store, only to find shelves of boring meals laden with sodium, preservatives, calories and fat.  I like the ethnic influences that Healthy Choice attains with their use of ingredients and spices ad the fact that they’re preservative-free and relatively low in all of the above.

Healthy Choice is the only major brand in its category FDA-approved to call its products “healthy.” Each meal must be low in fat and saturated fat, have a controlled amount of sodium and cholesterol, and provide 10% of the daily value of three beneficial nutrients (calcium, protein, fiber, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C).

For more information about these new entrées, just visit their website.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Healthy Choice 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.

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.”

I’m surrounded by pregnant women.  Shanna, Jen, and Kara-Noel are 3 fabulous women I’ve gotten to know through my Orange County blogging connections.  They’re also going to be having babies sometime this year.

When I was pregnant with my son, 2 incredible women threw me a baby shower.  It was such a blessing to be surrounded by family and friends.  When our daughter was born, several people offered to throw me a shower, but we had so much from my son that I opted not to have anything formal.  Pregnancy is something to be celebrated.  Whether you’re a first-time mom, or an experienced mom, every pregnant woman should have a shower, because every baby should be celebrated.

Johnson’s recently introduced their Baby Bedtime Bubble Bath & Wash, designed to help babies sleep better. It smells lovely and is designed not to irritate a child’s eyes.  It’s formulated with Naturalcalm essences, a unique blend of soothing aromas to help babies sleep better.  Some of Johnson’s most popular baby essentials include their Pink Baby Lotion, Gold Baby Shampoo, Head-To-Toe Wash, and Desitin.   Many diaper cakes include mini versions of these products to get moms started with the basics she’ll need.  And many of their products can be used by moms as well.  I had no idea that their baby oil could be used in place of shaving cream (I must try that) or that their baby powder could be used as a dry shampoo.

On Febuary 23rd, Mom Central is hosting a Johnson’s Baby Shower Twitter Party at 3 pm EST to talk about favorite baby shower gifts, using Johnson’s Baby products to gift at showers and tips and tricks for new moms.  There will be prizes including Johnson’s products.  You can follow on Twitter using the hashtag #MCBabyShower.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Johnson’s and received samples of Johnson’s Baby products to facilitate my review.”

Between my active toddler, who manages to get dirt and juice and food all over his clothes, to my baby who is constantly spitting up, the laundry is getting a bit overwhelming.  If I can just get it done and put away I’m happy.  Forget about trying to get the stains out when they happen.  I’d  love to preserve some of my son’s cute shirts and my daughter’s adorable sleepers so that people don’t think I put my children in rags.

I recently tried OxiClean’s newest stain-fighting products…Max Force Power Paks and Max Force Gel Stick Pre-Treater.  Both products are brand new and won’t hit stores until mid-February.  The Power Paks can be added to any load of laundry to give your white and colored clothing a boost.  I’ve used them on the kid’s clothes and they definitely make them look bright and clean.  I like the fact that I can just drop them in without having to measure any powder or liquid.

The real stain removing power comes with the Gel Stick Pre-Treater.  It’s effective on tough stains, even those that have been sitting for awhile.  You simply rub the gel into the fabric (it rolls on like deodorant), let it sit for a few minutes, then throw it in with your regular load.  I tested both products out on my son’s clothing, since his shirts, in particular seem to be the most stained.  He had spilled berry sorbet on his shirt and I had left it there for 3 days.  By the time I had used the Gel Stick Pre-Treater, the stains were almost gone (and I hadn’t even thrown the shirt in the wash yet).  Here are the before and after pictures:

It’s a bit difficult to see but there are berry sorbet stains all over the front of this shirt.

After

Both of OxiClean’s new Max Force products include 4-in-1 stain fighting power to help remove grease, oil, dirt, etc.   They will be available mid-February at retailers nationwide (I don’t have pricing information at this time).

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of OxiClean 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.”

My husband and I often talk about what’s happening in our world today, and discuss how we can make a difference.  If you remember, I recently expressed how our hearts are broken for the people of Haiti.  Our hearts are also broken for the poor, hungry, and homeless right here in our own community.  There are so many in need, right here…in front of us.

I admire companies that use their influence for something greater.  This year, Pepsi is helping to make great things happen the Pepsi Refresh Project.  Pepsi will give away over $20 million dollars to fund projects that will help make communities better.  But they need and want your ideas.  Does a playground in your area need a makeover so that it’s handicapped accessible?  Does a park need upgrades to make it safer for children?  Does your community library need new computers?  Whatever need you think is important in your community, share it with Pepsi…they want to hear about it.

Every month (beginning today, Februrary 1), you will have the opportunity to submit a project in one of six categories: health, arts & culture, food & shelter, the planet, neighborhood, or education.   At the end of the month, Pepsi will post the top submissions on their website and let the public vote on who should win grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 (totaling up to $1.3 million dollars)

Head on over to the site to submit an idea to be considered for March’s grants or to vote on your favorite submissions (right now you can vote on February’s entries). For more information you can follow the program on Twitter or Facebook.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Pepsi Refresh. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Park days and Disneyland days with my son.

And that’s what Clorox is asking school groups across the country.  What would you and your children miss out on if they were to get sick?

I have to admit that I’m breathing a sigh of relief that the weather is warming up, there is no rain in site, and winter will be over soon.  Living in Southern California, we are afforded weather that most people only dream about.  But we still get lows into the 40’s and cold and flu season is as prevalent here as it is anywhere else.

I’ve written several posts about what we do as a family to avoid getting sick.  My husband and I both received the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines, wash our hands diligently, and try to eat and rest appropriately.  As a busy mom of two, it’s challenging enough to do everything that needs to get done around the house while taking care of them without adding sickness into the equation.  And everything I’ve read about H1N1 influenza makes me want to do everything I can to avoid it.  Getting sick means no play dates, park days, preschool, or Disneyland.  And staying cooped up in the house is no fun with an active toddler.

Clorox has teamed up with former American Idol finalist Danny Gokey to help spread the word about flu prevention.  They just launched a national campaign called “I Don’t Want to Miss…“  geared towards teens and their teachers.  The campaign features a contest that invites school musical groups to develop a video performance of a song written by Berklee College of Music student Will Wells, on what they don’t want to miss out on if they were home sick.  The winning school will receive a music class led by former American Idol finalist Danny Gokey.  For every entry submitted, Clorox will donate $100 (up to $10,000) to the Sophia’s Heart Foundation, a charity founded by Gokey in honor of his late wife, Sophia, and dedicated to helping children achieve academic success via musical traning.
Have you received your flu vaccine (both of them)?  The CDC recommends that children and teens over 6 months of age get flu vaccinations.  Handwashing and disinfecting surfaces also help in preventing the spread of influenza (my doctor’s office routinely disinfects doorknobs, countertops, and other surfaces).

For more information about the campaign, or to enter the contest, visit their website.  For the first 100 groups to submit an entry, the teacher will receive a wellness care package from Clorox.  And for more tips on influenza prevention, visit their Facebook page.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and received $20 thank-you gift certificate.

I fully admit that I’m not the most creative gal on the block.  I tend to think I’m left-brain dominant, which explains my inability to draw pictures of Dora or Thomas for my son.

Thanks to Mom Central, I was recently introduced to the new Out of Office blog from FedEx Office.  Here is where you’ll find an array of projects you can do from the comfort of your own home…no thinking required.  Some of the projects you’ll find include invitations, thank you notes, place mats, homemade gifts, and re purposing your child’s artwork.  On the blog you’ll find contests and giveaways, themed series, how-to videos and more.

Right now they have a New Year’s Resolution series, which features projects such as the Weekly Chore Schedule for kids.  It’s still relatively new, but I’m excited to frequent the site for craft ideas.  For more information, head on over to their blog.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of FedEx Office. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

I like to snack (and I probably do way too much of it, which is why I never lost all of my first pregnancy baby weight!). Chips and salsa are one of my favorite snacks.  I like organic, low-salt blue corn tortilla chips with mild salsa!  It’s a relatively healthy snack and it curbs my appetite in between meals.

Rosarita, a brand that has been around for almost 70 years, has just launched a salsa line.  There are three flavors available at this time, Mild Salsa Mexicana, Medium Salsa Verde and Hot Salsa Taquera.  I tried all of them except for the hot version (because I’m nursing and don’t want a fussy baby).  I like my salsa to have a bit of a spicy kick to it, and all three versions definitely live up to that.  Even the Mild isn’t as mild as most on the market. Rosarita’s new line of salsas are made in Mexico…which means they’re authentic!  I like the fact that they contain recognizable, natural ingredients.  I generally prefer mild to medium salsa and with a nursing baby, the only one I can really handle right now is the Mild variety.  My son has adopted my snacking habits and tried the Mild Salsa I was eating the other day.  I asked him if it was too spicy and his answer? NO!  I’m not certain I should let my two year old eat a ton of salsa but he does like it.

One of the things I’ve done in the past is use salsa to spice up chicken or ground turkey breast when I’m making tacos or quesadillas. In other words, I cheat, since you know how much I just love being in the kitchen.  Here is one of the recipes that I was sent.  It uses Rosarita Salsa and their beans and you can choose which variety you want, based on how spicy you like your food.  The only thing I would modify about the recipe is that I’d use whole pinto beans in place of the refried beans.

Recipe for Chicken Tostadas

Ingredients

• 2 cups of canned Rosarita refried beans
• Rosarita Salsa
• 2 packages tostadas (6-inch diameter)
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 4 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup Queso Fresco (fresh Mexican cheese)
• 1 large, firm ripe avocado, pared, pitted, sliced
• ½ cup sour cream

Directions

• Heat refried beans
• Spread onto tostadas
• Apply thin layer of shredded chicken
• Top with thin layer of lettuce
• Top with salsa
• Sprinkle cheese/garnish with cream and avocadoes

Right now you’ll only find Rosarita Salsa in Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, and Denver at select Walmart and grocery stores.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Rosarita 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.

I have to admit that I’m a bit bummed about the timing of this event, but we may actually end up going since it looks like this baby is going to wait a couple of more weeks.  And while the timing of this event isn’t particularly great for this 37 week pregnant mama, it is the perfect season to watch a performance of Disney On Ice Presents Worlds of Fantasy.  

There are actually 5 different shows, depending on the area of the country you live in.  Worlds of Fantasy includes four different Disney stories featuring stars from Disney/Pixar’s CARS, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Tinker Bell.  The entire show is performed on ice and it looks really neat.  My son is a huge CARS fan so I know he’d love this show.  Be prepared to be amazed by the skating, special effects, and characters your child has grown fond of.  Don’t forget to arrive up to one hour early to see a Disney princess and view a dazzling display of gorgeous gowns (free to ticketholders).  

Mom Central has an amazing offer that you should definitely take advantage of, if you’re planning on viewing the show this holiday season.  Be sure to check the box marked “MC Promotion” when you purchase tickets.  Here are the details:  

• *Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code “MOM” at select ticketing channels. Offer good on all weekday performances, which includes all weekday evening and Friday matinee performances; minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.
• *Offer #2: All weekend performance tickets will be $4 off the original price
• Offer #3: Get the best Front Row and VIP seats available – We have reserved seats in the Front Row and VIP sections just for you! No discounts available on these seats. Use the code MOM.

*Not valid on Front Row or VIP seats or combinable with other offers including opening night offers. Other fees may apply.

The above offers are good in the following cities:

• Los Angeles: December 17-20, 2009
• Toronto: December 18-27, 2009
• Anaheim: December 22-27, 2009
• Philadelphia: December 23 – January 3, 2010 *available for purchase on 10/12/09
• Boston: December 26-29, 2009 *available for purchase on 9/3/09
• Ontario: December 30 – January 3, 2010
• Cleveland: January 8 -18, 2009 *available for presale on 10/2/09

For more information, visit the Disney On Ice website.  

Disclosure:  I am a Feld Family Activator for Mom Central.  I received complimentary tickets to the event to facilitate my review of this experience.