For the past month, my husband and I committed to an oral care routine that includes twice daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with Crest’s brand new Pro-Health Clinical Line which includes the Plaque Control Toothpaste, Rinse, Pro-Flex Toothbrush and Protection Floss.  According to the company, when all four products are used together, they significantly reduce plaque and help to keep it from coming back.

I used to think that the right toothbrush was the most important factor to consider, but I’ve realized that equal weight should be given to the type of toothpaste, floss, and rinse used.  I tend to be heavy on the hand when it comes to brushing, so a soft brush that doesn’t wear my gums down is vital. Oral-B’s Pro-Health Clinical Pro-Flex Toothbrush is soft, flexible, and gentle on the gums. It’s flexibility is unique in that it contours to the teeth and gums, removing hard-to-reach plaque.

I’m not overly particular about my toothpaste, so long as it’s minty and refreshing.  It’s also important that my teeth look and feel clean after brushing. The Crest Pro-Health Clinical Plaque Control Toothpaste protects against plaque while whitening teeth and freshening breath.

Floss is another product that I don’t necessarily pay much attention to. In fact, it wasn’t until I started testing out Oral-B and Crest’s new line that I actually started reading the packages of floss in stores and in my cabinet. Not only does the Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss remove plaque and food particles in between teeth (which is what causes cavities), it actually works to help reduce gingivitis (takes approximately 2 weeks).

I’ve never really been committed to using a fluoride rinse, mostly because I don’t enjoy the burning sensation that often results from using certain brands.  And conventional mouthwash only freshens breath for a short amount of time which hardly justifies the time or expense. The new Crest Pro-Health Clinical Rinse is actually quite pleasant to use and it’s effective at killing the germs that cause bad breath.  I also appreciate the fact that it reduces and prevents plaque, and prevents/reverses gingivitis.

For more information on Crest and Oral-B’s new line, just visit their site. You can also read my tips on oral care from last month here.

 I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Crest and Oral-B and received product samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central Consulting sent me a promotional gift to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Hickory Farms has a long, 60 year history of making it just a bit easier (and snazzier) to gift gourmet food baskets. The company is known for their sausage and cheese-focused baskets, however, you’ll find an expansive selection of gifts that include everything from fresh fruit and nuts to peanut brittle, cookies, sauces and spreads.  What’s nice about the baskets is the fact that they come wrapped, which makes gift giving practically effortless.  In addition to gifting a basket, you could use the items for a holiday party (either one you are planning or attending).

This year, Hickory Farms will donate $5 from each Party Planner gift box sold to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign. The nonprofit organization works to end child hunger in America, and each donation helps children receive access to 50 meals. If you’re interested in donating directly to the organization, you can do so online.  The company is also offering free shipping to military addresses on select products.

While you’ll find free shipping on a variety of baskets priced over $35, be sure to also check out the special they have for $3 3-day shipping. Simply order before 3 pm EST and you’ll have your order in 3 days.

For more information about Hickory Farms’ Gourmet Gifs, visit their website.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a product sample to facilitate my review.

I’ll be completely honest…I don’t know that I would have sought out machines with features like Precision Dispense (for laundry detergent), Advanced Moisture Sensing, and Laundry Apps (to name a few).  However, these machines have changed, and are changing the way I do my laundry.  Even after 2 1/2 months, I’m still learning about my machines. I’m also discovering functions that I didn’t know existed.  I’m not a manual reader and learn best when I get hands-on.  But in the short amount of time I’ve had these machines, I haven’t really had to read a manual apart from the initial wash and dry cycle.  The machines are intuitive, and if you need help, you can simply inquire within the machine.

Thanks to Whirlpool’s new Laundry Duet Pair, my laundry regimen is smarter, more efficient, innovative, and practically effortless.  Because this is my first experience with High Efficiency machines, I wasn’t sure how they compare to other machines in the same category.  Features like Precision Dispense Ultra, which can hold enough detergent for up to 36 loads, are not inherent in most HE washers.  6th Sense is a technology specific to Whirlpool and protects clothes by controlling the temperature and amount of water used to wash clothing.  This technology also means that the washer will sense your load and manage the precise release of detergent, fabric softener, etc. for optimal fabric care and cleaning.  In the dryer, built-in sensors monitor air temperatures and moisture levels within the drying cycle so that when all items are dry, the machine shuts off thereby saving energy. Additionally, both the washer and the dryer possess a number of different cycles not traditionally seen in HE machines, such as a Hand Wash Cycle which uses innovative technology to mimic washing in the sink and steam wash and drying cycles.

Whirlpool took many factors into consideration when designing these machines.  Knowing that I often leave clothes in the dryer for hours days, they included an Enhanced Touch Up Cycle to get those wrinkles out.  Knowing that sometimes, my husband doesn’t iron his work shirts, they included a Quick Refresh Cycle.  Knowing that I often struggle with which stains to pre-treat or whether washing in cold or hot is more effective for specific stains, they’ve included a suite of built-in laundry apps.  Innovative!

Last week I gave you a quick video tour of Whirlpool’s Duet Washer.  This week, I’m showing you my favorite features of the dryer, including the steam cycle options available when you hook it up to a water line.

Have you ever thought about innovation when researching appliances?

Stay tuned! I have one more post to share with you and it’s a good one!  It’s all about the apps inherent in the Duet Washer and how to troubleshoot your laundry regimen.

I wrote this review while participating in a test-drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Whirlpool and received a complimentary Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer to facilitate my review.

Vtech recently introduced two new phone systems, designed to make answering the phone a little bit less chaotic. Vtech’s DS6421-3 Connect-to-Cell phone system includes three handsets (I don’t think I’ve ever seen a home phone system with 3 handsets) and offers the ability to register up to four cell phones and connect 2 of them to the system at one time.  The phone system uses Bluetooth technology so that families without landline service can use their mobile phones both at home with the system and on the go.  I think this system would be very useful in a larger family, particularly one with teens and tweens.  You can read more about the system here.

Since we have and utilize our landline regularly, I opted to review Vtech’s LS6475-3 multi-tasking phone system which includes 2 handsets, a DECT 6.0 cordless headset, and a conventional headset for hands-free phone communication.  Our previous phone system was quite outdated and so far, I’m highly impressed with it’s clear reception and range, functionality, and the multi-tasking options.

My sole purpose in choosing a wireless phone system with a hands-free option is the fact that I’m often too busy to stop what I’m doing with one of the kids to answer the phone.  In seconds my daughter can get into trouble, so if I don’t have a handset with me, I wear the headset.  Functionality is vital when selecting a phone, and I like the fact that the system offers a 500 foot range.  Previous systems would not allow me to step too far away from the base without incurring static.  While our house isn’t terribly large, at just under 1400 square feet I’ve yet to find a spot where static or sound are troublesome since I’ve strategically placed one system upstairs and the other downstairs.

Some of my favorite features include the ability to push a button to make the handset a speakerphone (which is actually quite clear on both the caller’s and the receiver’s end) and Voice Announce Caller ID.  I don’t have to look at the handset to know who’s calling, which is very convenient.  Additionally, the system has a built-in answering machine, however we are not using that answering system because our provider offers this service.

As far as appearance goes, the system is sleek and stylish with it’s universal color scheme and design.  And at just under $100, I think Vtech’s LS6475-3 multi-tasking phone system offers families much in the way of innovation, style, and functionality.

For more information about either phone system, visit Vtech.

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of VTech and received a product sample to facilitate my review.”

For the past 2 months, I’ve been testing out Whirlpool‘s new Duet Laundry Pair.  My first impressions of the machines were that they made doing the laundry “practically effortless.”  After several more weeks of use, I’ve come to notice that my machines are definitely smarter than I am.  How many appliances tell you when the detergent is running low?  Or when it’s time to clean them? My Whirlpool Duet washer does both and so much more.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Precision Dispense Ultra allows me to add HE detergent to the dispenser and I don’t have to worry about it until it runs out (which varies depending on which cycles I’m using to wash my clothes). No measuring means no waste!  Once the detergent is running low, I receive a message alerting me to the fact that I’ll need to add detergent soon. I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever waited until it completely runs out but I am a bit curious if the machine will run without detergent.

Most appliances require some kind of maintenance or upkeep.  Whirlpool’s Duet Washer actually notifies you when it’s due for a cleaning.  And thanks to Affresh, cleaning simply involves running the Clean Washer Cycle with one tablet whenever the washer indicates that it’s necessary.  In the 2 months I’ve had the washer, I’ve had to clean it twice.  This correlates with the recommendation to clean the washer every month.

But telling me when my detergent is low or when my machine needs to be cleaned is really just touching the surface of how smart these machines really are.  The cycles alone have been driving how I sort and wash my laundry.  No longer do I sort and wash by darks, whites, and towels.  In fact, I always keep that gem of a tip I learned in August about sorting clothing by weight at the forefront of my mind.  I then think back to my machine and each of the cycles so I can sort clothing and other items according to those cycles.  The cycles I use the most (apart from the Normal/Casual cycle) include Hand Wash (so convenient and much more effective), Jeans, Whitest Whites, and Heavy Duty (for my kid’s dirty clothes!).  But it doesn’t stop there.  Once you’ve selected your desired cycle (or you can create one of your own),  you can then adjust the temperature, soil level, and spin speed, pretreat, delay, add an extra rinse cycle or deep clean.  There are so many different variations to help you get your clothes cleaner while ensuring they last as long as possible. Smart!

In my next post, I’ll share some more information about tackling touch stains. If you have a particular stain you’re having difficulty removing, you can leave a comment and I’ll go back to the Whirlpool Team for some advice.

I wrote this review while participating in a test-drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Whirlpool and received a complimentary Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer to facilitate my review.

Photo Credit: Whirlpool

I recently talked a little bit about my trip to Benton Harbor/Chicago to visit with Whirlpool.  We took a deep dive into the brand and talked about a variety of the company’s sister brands and appliances.  As part of my involvement in the Whirlpool Moms program, I received a Duet Laundry Pair to test out.  I’ve had the appliances for about 4 weeks now, and in a word, my laundry routine has become practically effortless.

I have had front-load laundry appliance envy for years.  But I will be completely honest and up front in saying that it was not something we thought we could ever afford.  Whirlpool’s new Duet Laundry Pair is the industry’s most resource-efficient laundry pair which could save it’s consumers as much as $3,00 in lifetime energy costs.  Being the eco-conscious woman that I am, I’ll have an entire post dedicated to it’s efficiency.

Effortless…that is exactly how I would describe my new laundry regimen.  Yes, I still have to sort the laundry (by weight and color), fold and put it away.  But there are so many intuitive features that have not only simplified my regimen, but have made it more efficient and effective.  Like the Precision Dispense Ultra, which adds detergent over the course of the washer’s fill time and repeats detergent dosing over the course of the wash cycle so that clothes are cleaned using the precise amount of detergent.  Simply add HE detergent to the dispenser, choose your wash cycle, and hit start. I can’t tell you exactly how many wash cycles I complete before having to fill the dispenser because I vary the cycle depending on the type of clothes I’m washing. But it’s nice not to have to measure or add detergent each and every time I do the laundry.

The Duet’s 6th Sense technology, present in both the washer and the dryer and exclusive to the brand, features 16 wash cycles that adjust to the cleaning needs of each load and built-in sensors to monitor air temperature and moisture levels throughout the drying cycles so that when everything is dry, it shuts off.  Effortless.

If you were to purchase a high efficiency laundry appliance, what questions would you have?

I wrote this review while participating in a test-drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Whirlpool and received a complimentary Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer to facilitate my review.

I haven’t spoken a lot about BlogHer because I’m organizing my thoughts and the content I gleaned into information I hope you’ll find valuable.  I’d much rather put together something of value then to simply recap the sessions and events I attended.  One of my favorite “events” was an afternoon playdate hosted by Mom Central, Step2, and Infantino.  The event was held in a private house out on beautiful Coronado Island with scenic views and a cool ocean breeze. This brings me to my first tip, inspired by the day’s event:

A beach playdate perhaps?

1. Location is everything!  Think about the age, gender, and interests of the children attending the playdate.  Think about the time of year and the season. You may decide that an afternoon out at the park is perfectly suited for 4 year old boys while an afternoon tea party with dolls would be ideal for 4 year old girls.

Healthy treats are definitely called for but this is a cute idea!

2. Have kid-friendly snacks and lots of them! If your child is anything like my children, they’re hungry all. the. time. That’s because they’re running and jumping and splashing and playing.  They’re also learning and growing.  In today’s society where food allergies abound, be certain to speak with the parents of the children attending to ensure that each child can enjoy the snacks provided.

3. Be prepared with kid-friendly activities.  If your playdate is at a venue, then you may skip this tip altogether. But if the playdate is at your home, you’ll want to think about the kinds of activities that will engage children so as not to get bored which equates to mischief.

4. Give them something to remember the day.  It could be as simple as the art they created during the playdate or a photo snapped during the playdate.  They’ll be talking about the fun they experienced long after the playdate is over.

I thought that the afternoon playdate theme was perfectly suited to showcase the latest from Infantino and Step2.  You may remember that about a year ago, I partnered with Infantino and Mom Central to test out and showcase some items from their new baby collection. And my son has been a huge fan of Step2′s outdoor toys, play kitchens and outdoor toys.

On display were products from Infantino’s new Comforting Play Collection, designed to calm and soothe babies.  Blogger teams worked together to create gift baskets that were then donated to families in need.

Step2 also had several of their products on display, including their new ride-on toys (which we JUST reviewed), play kitchens (which we are currently reviewing), and activity tables.

Not only was the event highly interactive and engaging, I walked away with some tips and information about the brand and a sense that I had made a difference by helping to put together gift baskets for needy families.

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to an “afternoon playdate” hosted by Mom Central, Infantino, and Step2 and received a gift bag.

Did you know that Starbucks offers an entire line of ice cream inspired by your favorite drinks? You probably guessed that I’m very familiar with the line.  I often purchase out of familiarity and never actually stopped to realize that there are seven varieties, 3 of which are coffee-free.  Since the line was introduced, I’ve tried four of the seven flavors, all of which are equally delicious.  I prefer the varieties that contain coffee because it’s one of my favorite types of ice cream.

If you’ve ever attempted to read the list of ingredients in your favorite ice cream, you probably had some difficulty.  Starbucks Ice Cream is simply milk, cream, sugar, and a few other ingredients you can pronounce and identify.  Despite the fact that the ice cream is free from things like artificial colors and high fructose corn syrup, it’s still prudent to remember that ice cream (in any form) is a treat and should be consumed as such.

I am quite content to enjoy a scoop of Java Chip Cappuccino as is. However, the site offers several recipes inspired by the ice cream. Here is the one I’d most like to attempt:

Java Chip Sandwiches

4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

1 pint Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino Ice Cream
8 pizzelle cookies

Remove lid from Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino Ice Cream. Carefully cut through carton, with a serrated knife, to make 4 even slices; peel off carton.
Arrange 4 cookies on platter, layer each with an Ice Cream slice, then top with remaining cookies. Sprinkle, if desired, with confectioners sugar.

Starbuckcs Ice Cream is sold in the freezer department of your local grocery and retails for $3-$4/pint.

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Starbucks and received coupons and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

For the last few weeks, I’ve been using affresh cleaner’s Dishwasher and Disposal Cleaner.  The tablets, which are activated with water, remove odors from surfaces such as hoses and pumps. They also work in your disposal to remove stuck-on particles which can create odors.

Prior to using affresh, I had not actually cleaned the dishwasher or disposal, although I had every intention of doing so. One tablet in the disposal (which takes about 5 minutes) and two in the dishwasher (which requires one dishwasher cycle) render my disposal and dishwasher clean with a fresh scent.  Once the dishwasher is clean, it’s more efficient at cleaning dishes, particularly dishes that have been sitting for awhile.

Depending on your needs, you may be able to simply use affresh once month, which is what I found to be sufficient.  At present, only one scent (lemon) is offered and I’d like to see the company offer a variety of scents and an unscented version mostly because the scent will linger after you’ve cleaned the dishwasher and disposal. Using affresh is easy and hassle-free.

affresh cleaner’s Dishwasher and Disposal Cleaner retails for approximately $6

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of affresh and received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

This afternoon, my son and I had a wonderfully relaxing day together at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa! We lounged and splashed and generally enjoyed one of the first warmer days of the season in Southern California.

Our summers in Southern California tend to start out mild with several days of June gloom, and by July and August we’re scorching.  And while it would seem that we would only need to protect ourselves on those bright and sunny days, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds on a cloudy day.  I strive to ensure that at the very least, I have protection on my face every single day.

If you’re planning on being in the water this summer, Neutrogena recently introduced their new Wet Skin Sunblock, available for adults and children.  Unlike traditional sunblock which must be applied on dry skin and allowed to remain dry for a period of time before entering water, Neutrogena’s new line can be used even if you or your child haven’t dried off from a swim.

While I don’t mind lotion for myself, it’s rather difficult to apply to a squirming toddler.  Neutrogena’s new Wet Skin Sunblock can be sprayed on both wet and dry skin, won’t drip or look white, and is available in SPF 30, 50, and 85 for adults and SPF 70 for kids. As important as the amount of protection is how often sunscreen is applied (the current recommendation is every 2 hours).  The product makes it easy to apply and reapply, particularly with regards to small squirmy children.

One question I do have about the product is whether or not the an SPF above 50 is really that much more effective?  I remember reading an article which concluded that sunblock with an SPF above 50 provided only minimal increased protection.  I also need to do some research on the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database to determine it’s safety.  Stay tuned…

For more information or to download a $2 off coupon, just visit Neutrogena.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Neutrogena and received sunscreen and other Neutrogena products as a thank you for my participation.