Publix,  one of the most popular supermarket chains in the Southeast, is currently running a promotion where you can get a $5 gift card with any $30 purchase from one of the following brands (please see websites for specific product details):

General Mills

Charmin

Totino’s

Pillsbury

Betty Crocker

Tide

Crest

Aussie

Herbal Essences

Luv’s

Purchases must be made between May 16th and June 2nd to quality for the gift card.  Publix offers additional ways to save on their website, including an iPhone app.  One of the tips I like and try to stick to is purchasing store brands when feasible.  You can check out more ways to save on Publix.

Win It!  One of you will win a $25 Publix Gift Card. Simply leave me a comment with your best tip for saving at the grocery store.  Comments will close on June 2nd, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a @Publix Gift Card @rockinmama  ” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.

Rockin’ Mama Facebook fans automatically receive an extra entry

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

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

No compensation was received for this post. Publix gift cards for review/giveaway supplied by MyBlogSpark.

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Regardless of the amount of time I have in the morning, I ensure that we’ve all eaten breakfast, even if it’s simply a bowl of cereal.  Both of my children started eating Cheerios as their first cereal.  The toasted whole grain oat cereal is low in fat and sugar, packed with 14 vitamins and minerals, and perfect for babies & tots, children, teens, and adults.

This January, Cheerios is launching something new…Cinnamon Burst Cheerios!  You may already know that Cheerios actually comes in ten varieties.  Cinnamon Burst Cheerios is made with real cinnamon while maintaining it’s “whole grain goodness.”  It contains 20% of your daily fiber, has 9 grams of sugar, and is free from saturated fat and cholesterol.

Cinnamon has many health benefits, and I’ve often added it to my morning breakfast.  Now, I don’t have to with the new Cinnamon Burst Cheerios.  They’re not overly sweet and boast just enough cinnamon to be pleasant but not overwhelming.

Cinnamon Burst Cheerios will be in stores in January!

No compensation was received for this post. A product sample and a FlipCam were provided by Cheerios via MyBlogSpark.

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Cristina. Congrats!

Most days, I really don’t have the time to spend applying makeup.  If I’m lucky, I’ll brush a bronzer all over my face, add some lip gloss and a bit of eyeshadow.  As a woman, it’s important to me that I still make attempts to present myself well.  As a mom, I need tips and products that will make this quick, easy, and doable.

I will be honest in telling you that I typically purchase makeup from a department store, or a store that specializes in makeup.  I like having experts on hand to teach me how to use their products.  I like being able to try different colors and products before selecting the ones that accentuate my face.  What I don’t like is the fact that very often, the prices are higher than I would like. So, I decided to do something I’ve never done before (really!)…try CoverGirl’s new Smoky Eye Look Solutions.

Smoky Eyes are currently “in” and while I was at a media event a few months ago, I had my eyes done this way and it took a lot of time and a lot of makeup.  With CoveGirl’s Smoky Eye Look Solutions, there are just three products…a SmokyShadowBlast, a LineExact Liquid Liner, and a LashBlast Volume-Blasting Mascara.  In three simple steps you can achieve a Natural, Bold, or Glamorous look.  I tried all three looks, but decided that Natural is probably what I would use the most.  I definitely think I could wear this daily and not feel like it’s too much.

The first step is simply to stroke the browbone and inner corner of your eyes with the “Step 1″ side of the SmokyShadowBlast in the shade that comes with the look you desire.  Next, you smudge the outer corner and crease with Step 2 (which is the other side of the SmokyShadowBlast).  While the box doesn’t tell you this (and it’s simply my opinion), I liked using my finger to blend it a bit because I’m not used to using cream shadows and I like a blended look.  Once you’ve completed that, use the Line Exact Liquid Liner Pen to draw a thin stroke across the upper lash line, flicking the line slightly upward at the outer corner (make sure you have a steady hand).  This was probably the most difficult step because I’m not accustomed to using liquid liner (I use a brush with powder liner).  The look is completed by brushing the upper and lower lashes with CoverGirl’s LashBlast Volume Mascara.  You can apply a second coat (although I don’t like it to thick because it tends to clump on my thick eyelashes).  The box actually shows a picture of how the process is done, which was helpful.

I was surprised that the makeup lasted all day without smearing, as I’m not accustomed to wearing cream shadows or liquid liner.  I actually think it lasts longer because the products are not powder-based, which tends to rub off and fade at the end of the day.

While I found the process to be quick and easy, it did take some practice to feel like I achieved the look I wanted.  I definitely felt like the Natural Look suits me best and would wear the Glamorous Look for going out.  The Bold Look was too blue for me, but creates a striking look.

Here are some makeup tips, courtesy of makeup artist Molly Stern:

CoverGirl’s Smoky Eye Look kits are available at Walmart for $16.50.

Win It! One of you will win a $20 Walmart Gift Card to try out one of CoverGirl’s Smoky Eye Look kits.  Simply leave me a comment with the kit you’d like to try.  Comments will close on August 5, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

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

Follow CoverGirl on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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

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

No compensation was received for this post.  The review and giveaway items were provided by CoverGirl via MyBlogSpark.

Now that summer is nearly here, I’ve been actively cutting back on calories and getting out and about with the kids to lose the rest of this baby weight.  Weight is one of the most sensitive issues a woman will face and it’s one of the most difficult to approach head on.

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Lori A. Congrats!

Summer is almost here…can you feel it?  I’m excited about all of the things we’ve planned for our family including trips to local amusement parks, kids’s places and spaces, and New York City.  But going out with the kids is no easy feat (particularly since I do it without the hubby most of the time).  So how do I do it?  (I’m asked this ALL the time).

I make a plan.  Whether it’s a trip to the park or a day out at Disneyland, having a plan is essential.  I plan their meals, nap times, and activities.  It’s what helps keep all of us sane happy.

I anticipate their needs.  I make sure I have enough clothes, diapers, sippy cups, and snacks.  And I pack it all up in a single diaper bag so it’s easy to keep track of everything.

I listen to their cues.  Whether we’ve spent $70 or $7, I work hard not to exhaust my children.  I know that we’re not going to see and do everything in one day and I’m ok with that.  That’s what season passes are for, right?

Speaking of snacks, I think it’s important to have a supply on hand because inevitably, my son will be hungry at the exact time and place that is the most inconvenient.  If you shop at Sam’s Club, they offer bulk versions of your favorite snacks including Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars (which my son can eat since they’re free from dairy and eggs!).  I am very particular about what I buy in bulk because we are still a relatively small family and I don’t like to waste food.  Fortunately, these types of bars are easy to store and are individually wrapped.

Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars now contain 25% more whole almonds, peanuts, raisins and cranberries in each bar.  The bars are free from artificial flavors or colors and contain 140 calories and 8 grams of whole grains per serving.  Sam’s Club offers a variety of healthy snacks, available for bulk purchase.  While membership requires a fee, you’ll save on a variety of foods and products you most likely use on a regular basis.  I’ve seen some of the lowest prices at warehouse stores like Sam’s Club.

Win It! One of you will win a 30-count package of Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars and a $25 gift card to Sam’s Club.  Simply leave me a comment with another snack item you’d like to stock up on this summer for your family outings.  Comments will close on June 13, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

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

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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

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

No compensation was received for this post. This review/giveaway was sponsored by General Mills via MyBlogSpark.

I do a lot of driving.  I live in between Los Angeles and San Diego, and inevitably, much of what we do is in one or both of those counties.  Unlike most major cities, public transportation is difficult to rely on as a sole means of getting around.  The cities are spread out and utilizing public transportation would require extra time (instead of saving time) and planning for transfers.  The result is that our cars take a beating.  We still take one of our cars to the dealer for service and I never make it to the suggested time frame for a routine check up and oil change because I’ve exceeded the recommended mileage.

As a woman, I don’t see myself as the person in charge of maintaining my car.  However, my husband works erratic hours and there are times when my car would not get serviced if I didn’t take it in.

The average age of cars/light trucks on the roads today is nine years old (one of our cars is 13 years old, the other is 6 years old).   And it makes sense to say that taking proper care of your vehicle will only lengthen it’s lifetime.  If there was one thing my father taught me about cars, it was to be sure to change the oil regularly.  Motor oil prolongs the life of the engine and improves it’s efficiency.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to take care of your car, visit Motor Oil Matters.  The site was created by Penzoil and Quaker State to serve as a resource to consumers for information on motor oil and why it’s important to your car.  Did you know that…

The site also has a great Q & A section with information such as how often to change the oil in your car.

Speaking of oil changes, the car that we no longer service at the dealership is overdue for an oil change…

Win It! One of you will win a $35 gift card to Jiffy Lube which will cover an oil change!  Simply leave me a comment with one misconception about motor oil you put to the test OR something you learned from the site. Comments will close on June 11, 201o at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

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

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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

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

No compensation was received for this post. The review and giveaway gift cards were provided by Jiffy Lube and Penzoil , via MyBlogSpark.

What motor oil misconception did they have that was put to rest through the site’s info?

As an unofficial Pantenologist, I did a few tests to determine which types of hair care products are best for my hair.

1.  Curly Hair?  Yes!  According to the test, I have defined curls.

2.  Damaged Hair? Yes!  According to the test, my hair sunk to the bottom of the cup in a few seconds which means all the years of highlighting have damaged my hair

3.  Medium-Thick Hair?  Yes!  According to the test, the diameter of my ponytail is larger than the size of a coin (much larger!)

4.  Fine?  No!

Way back in high school, before I discovered salon hair care products, I used Pantene (mostly because I liked the way it smelled).  In many ways, their products have changed.  Pantene recently introduced customized hair care products, specific to the four major hair types (Fine Hair, Medium-Thick Hair, Curly Hair, Color-Treated Hair).  The company set out to understand the physical and chemical properties of hair structure to create the four solutions.According to the results of my hair tests, I can use three of their four lines, but I ended up sticking with their Curly Hair line.

There is a science to each of the four product lines.  Curly hair is subject to damage and can be difficult to control.  Pantene’s Pro-V Curly Hair Series possesses ingredients designed to control the movement of moisture in and out of the hair shaft and to lubricate the hair to minimize damage caused by fiber interactions.  There are two collections within this line:  Curls to Straight (which I have yet to try) and Dry to Moisturized.

My hair tends to get fluffy and frizzy if I don’t straighten it or put anything in it.  I really liked how soft and manageable my hair felt after using this particular line.  I did try the two others that would work well for my hair, but felt like the Curly Hair Series worked best.  I’m very interested in trying out their Curls to Straight collection, as I enjoy straightening my hair at least once a week.

To find your perfect hair solution, just visit the company website.

No compensation was received for this post.  Product samples and a gift card were supplied via MyBlogSpark to facilitate this review.

Last year, I had an opportunity to attend a blogger event at the General Mills Headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  On the last day of the event, we ventured into the Betty Crocker Kitchens for a HUGE taste testing of some of their latest products.  For the first time, I tried several Fiber One foods.  Fiber One is a line of a line of cereals, bars, yogurts, toaster pastries, bread, cottage cheese, and baking products high in fiber.  What surprised me was that the products didn’t really taste that much different than their conventional counterparts.

Consuming a high fiber diet may aid in maintaining digestive health and a healthy weight.  The recommended amount of fiber is 25 grams per day, but many of us do good to consume half of that amount.  Fiber One products can help achieve the goal of 25 grams a day.

Fiber One recently introduced their new yogurt which contains 50 calories, 5 grams of fiber and zero fat.  One serving provide 20% of the RDA for fiber.  It’s available in four flavors, strawberry, key lime, vanilla, and peach (all of which I like except key lime).  I like to eat yogurt because it’s a great source of calcium, vitamin D, and probiotics (live and active cultures).  The added fiber contributes to the benefits yogurt is already known for.  Despite the fact that the yogurt is high in fiber, it’s creaminess has been maintained.  Even the Hungry Girl likes it!

The only suggestion I have is that I would love to see the company use a product like Stevia in place of Aspartame.

You can purchase Fiber One at Safeway stores.

Win It! One of you will win a coupon for a free four-pack of Fiber One Yogurt (not valid in Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee) and a $50 GC to Safeway. Simply leave me a comment with a tip on how you maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Comments will close on April 5, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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

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

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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

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

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received a gift card and a coupon, courtesy of Fiber One and MyBlogSpark, to facilitate this review.

I’m certain you know how important breakfast is…how it’s the most important meal of the day…how it helps children do better in school and sets the precedent for healthy eating habits.  Breakfast is also my favorite meal of the day.  Most days I eat a bowl of cereal or oatmeal due to time constraints.  But on weekends, we have pancakes and eggs and orange juice.

Growing up, my mom made pancakes using Bisquick.  Today we still use Bisquick, albeit the Heart Smart version, for pancakes.  I like my pancakes on the thick and fluffy side, which is just how they turn out with Bisquick.  Plus, when I want a quick breakfast, I can make these with ease.

Have you ever been to a pancake breakfast?  Many non-profit organizations host pancake breakfasts as a fund-raising opportunity in their community.  Bisquick developed Bisquick Pancake Nation as a national effort “to inspire pancake lovers to unite through pancake breakfasts.” The site offers a variety of tools that will help you plan your event including invitations, placemats, signage, and more.  You can also apply for a $250 grant from Bisquick to help cover your supply costs (through May 31), locate a nearby pancake fundraiser, and post photos of your fundraiser.

Win It! One of you will win a Bisquick Pancake Nation prize pack that includes a box of Bisquick mix, a Lodge Cast Iron Griddle, a Cuisipro Deluxe Batter Bowl, and a Cuisipro Pancake Turner to create your own pancake breakfast at home.  Simply leave me a comment with the name of a local organization you’d like to help coordinate a pancake breakfast fundraiser with.  Comments will close on March 21, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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

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

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

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

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

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided by MyBlogSpark and Bisquick to facilitate this review and giveaway.

Now that the holidays are over, I’m looking forward to a tiny break when it comes to the kitchen.  While I’m not a huge fan of packaged foods, I do utilize them on occasion.  With two children and a husband who goes back to work this week, I’m on my own!

I have to admit that their are certain foods I’ve been eating since I was a child.  I remember my mother making Pillsbury Crescent Rolls for dinner on many occasions.  There is something about those flaky, buttery biscuits that won’t allow me to eat just one.  And I am perfectly content eating them as is (with a little butter, of course).  However, did you know that you can actually use them for appetizers and meals?  Their website contains several recipes using Pillsbury Crescent Rolls…recipes you and your kids will likely eat.  One of the recipes that stood out to me was their Veggie Pizza recipe.  I selected their Reduced Fat variety to shave some of the fat and calories off and they still tasted really good.

Easy Veggie Pizza
INGREDIENTS

2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® Place ‘n Bake™ refrigerated crescent rounds or Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup small fresh broccoli florets
1/3 cup quartered cucumber slices
1 plum (Roma) tomato, seeded, chopped
1/4 cup shredded carrot

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. If using crescent rolls: Unroll both cans of dough; separate dough into 4 long rectangles. In ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan, place dough; press in bottom and up sides to form crust. If using dough sheets: Unroll both cans of dough. In ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan, place dough; press in bottom and up sides to form crust.
3. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
4. In small bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, dill and garlic powder until smooth. Spread over crust. Top with vegetables. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours before serving. Cut into 8 rows by 4 rows.

Makes 32 appetizers

I like this recipe because it includes veggies and offers a variation on a meal (pizza) that my son likes and eats.  The site offers recipes for breakfast, dinner, dessert and appetizers.  Here are a few more you might be interested in checking out:

• Crescent-Wrapped Brie
• Crescent Bacon-Cheese Tartlets
• Crescent Holiday Tree

Most of the recipes on the site take about 20 minutes to prepare (plus cooking time).

Win It! One of you will win a Creative Creations prize pack, courtesy of Pillsbury which will include 2 VIP coupons and some serving platters.  Simply leave me a comment with the recipe above you’d like me to re-create (ooh!) and your favorite Pillsbury crescent appetizer creation from the site.  Comments will close on January 17, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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

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

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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

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

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Pillsbury provided the products, information and giveaway via MyBlogSpark.