30 July 2011

Dream Big With Upromise

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPromise for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

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What Do You Dream For Your Children?

 

Upromise is celebrating its 10 year anniversary with a wonderful opportunity for you to win some cash!  All you need to do is share a story on the Upromise Dream Wall about how a parent has supported a child's dream!  10 lucky winners will each receive $1,000 and 1 grand prize winner will receive $10,000.  Upromise invites you to join this movement, share your experiences, and help encourage the dreams of other parents!

I love the idea of the Upromise Dream Wall and have already submitted my dream along with others!  The dream I posted was my hopes that my children will one day go off to college, and that by that time, I hope college will be more affordable for all.  Education is so important, and I want my children to be able to experience the benefits of a higher education.

I invite all of my readers to head on over to the Upromise Dream Wall at: www.upromisetodream.com and submit your dreams for your children!  I would also love to hear your dreams, so comment below and share!

* Make sure to check out the dream wall official rules

 

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5 Ways To Gain New Twitter Followers

5 Ways To Gain New Twitter Followers!


If you're like me, you are always looking to up your Twitter follower numbers.  After all, as a mom blogger the bigger your social network reach, the more attention your blog will get!  I wanted to share with my readers 5 ways that I think are key to helping gain new twitter followers.  I guarantee you will see results if you put in the time and effort by following these tips!

  1. I will start with a tactic many mom bloggers have been having success with for years now...Blog hops!  There are so many mom blogger Twitter hops out there, it is beneficial to take advantage of them!  If you don't know where to look to sign up for one, here are two websites I go to that list daily/weekly/monthly hops: SimplyStacie.net  and  Acts17Verse28.blogspot.com 
  2. Take advatadge of the great resource that your own current Twitter followers have to offer!  I have had success by checking out the followers of the people who follow me on Twitter.  I start following their followers, and I have many of them return the follow soon after.  Twitter lets you follow up to around 200 people a day so I recommend trying to do that, or close to that number.  You will see a return from your efforts.
  3. Get involved with the use of hashtags (#).  With so many other Twitter users and companies searching different hashtags every day, getting involved by using them in your tweets can get you a new crowd of followers!  I like to use the hashtags #mom, #review, #giveaway, #blogging, #recipe, etc. when appropriate to my tweets.  I would also recommend tweeting with one of the current trending hashtags at least once a day.  That alone will give you tons of exposure!
  4. Write a post on your blog's Facebook personal and/or fan page letting your blogging friends know where they can find you on Twitter, and that you would be happy to return any and all follows!  I have found that most mom bloggers are more than happy to participate in link exchanges.  It's a win win for both parties!
  5. Get involved in Triberr!  If you don't know what Triberr is yet, its the best thing since sliced bread for people who want to gain new exposure for their blog/website.  You start by joining a tribe, at which point all members of your tribe will automatically tweet out your current blog posts.  What does this mean?  Your blog posts will gain new exposure to your tribe's followers on Twitter!  I have only been on Triberr for a short time and already I am gaining new blog visits and Twitter followers by using this social media innovation.  Check out Triberr and apply for a tribe of your interest to get started!  I also have some invites available to those who want to join my {Mom Blogger} tribe.  Just comment below with your Twitter username and I will get one out to you!

28 July 2011

Funky Monkey T-Shirt Review



Funky Monkey T-Shirt Review!


With over 20 years experience in the screen printing industry, TShirtPrinting.net is the go to place to trust for all your screen printing needs!  TShirtPrinting.net carries shirts, sweatshirts, hats, hoodies, and work wear for everyone in your family!  They also can help you get a great deal on mass printing for your company or special event.

I had the wonderful opportunity to review a Funky Monkey T-Shirt from TShirtPrinting.net.  Mine was a gray tee with the monkey screen print logo displayed above.  I got a medium since I was informed they run a little big.  While the shirt was still a tad bit roomy, I stuck it right in the wash to shrink it a little, and it came out perfect!  

Not only is the monkey screen print design fun and adorable, I have already had people comment on it and ask me where I got it from!  If comfort is what you're looking for, I can say that the shirt I received is so soft and comfy!  Quality wasn't skipped over either.  I have washed the shirt a handful of times already since receiving it, and it is holding up perfectly, screen print included!  I would definitely recommend TShirtPrinting.net for all your screen printing needs.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

27 July 2011

Tips And Tricks To Get Your Child To Eat More Veggies!

Getting your kids excited about vegetables, let alone eating them, can be a challenging task if you don't know where to start.  As a mother of four young girls, I have definitely had my fair share of the veggie battle!  Here are ten tips and tricks to getting your child to eat more vegetables.




  1.  Take your child grocery shopping with you!  Letting your child have a say so on what veggies him/her would like to try gets them excited about the process and makes the chance of them eating them greater!
  2.   Try a different vegetable color group a week!  Make each week a colored theme such as yellow which would include squash, yellow bell pepper, etc.  It's a creative way to make food fun!
  3.   Cook with your kids!  The odds are that your child would love to help you out in meal preparation and that makes them feel excited to try their own creations.  Not only will they most likely eat their veggie dishes, they will be thankful to get some cooking tips!
  4.   Start a backyard garden!  Growing your own veggies in your own backyard offers a fun environment for kids to participate in.  You can make a habit of going to water the garden and try a little bite of your blossoming array!
  5.   Try jazzing up veggies with healthy dips and sauces!  My kiddos love to snack on vegetables dipped in low fat ranch dressing.  It's a great way to enjoy your veggies!
  6. Set a good example for your kids!  If you show a love for vegetables, your kids will be more likely to want to at least try them for themselves.  It's all about setting a good example!
  7. Don't push them to finish what's on their plate!  Encourage your child to at least try a bite before dismissing the vegetable but don't force your child to eat it.  This tactic will only bring on behavior that will give them a negative outlook on food.
  8. Work your dinners around trying new veggies!  For example, have a make your own pizza night with a healthy variety of choices, or put together you own salad night!  Make it fun because it works!
  9. Decorate up your veggies as you would see in a bento box!  Make faces or designs out of some different veggies and watch your child have fun with their food!
  10. Don't hide the vegetables!  While some have tried this tactic, it almost never turns out to be successful.  If your child discovers what you have done, they might develop some trust issues with you, and it also will almost surely backfire on the whole "liking" vegetables idea. 


Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Peas and Thank You blogging program for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

26 July 2011

Keep Your Family Connected With TracFone!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TracFone for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

TracFone makes it super easy and affordable for families to stay connected all year long!  TracFone is also a great way to monitor how many minutes your child uses, without having to worry about them going over and incurring additional charges.  Best of all is there are no credit checks, contracts, and no activation or cancelation fees!  TracFone makes owning a cell phone hassle free.  The way it should be!

 

Check out what these real TracFone customers are saying about TracFone!

 

Need to make international calls but worried about the charges?  No problem!  With TracFone you can call over 60 international destinations at no extra cost!

 

Interested in the different choices for adding minutes to your TracFone cell phone?

  • Choose a monthly 200 minute plan for under $30.00

  • Get a 50 minute reload card for as low as $9.99

  • With 1 year service cards you can receive Double Minutes for the life of your TracFone and 800 minutes for only $119.00

 

* Double Minutes is a deal that comes included with some TracFones. You can also purchase this option separately for $19.99 *

 

TracFone also features a variety of phones starting from your basic simple needs for calling and texting for under $10.00, as well as top of the line name brand phones that are packed with features like a full QWERTY keyboard!

 

For more information on how TracFone offers the best convenience, reliability, and coverage, check out what real TracFone customers customers have to say!

 

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22 July 2011

DuneCraft Review







"Bring Learning To Life!"

What Is The DuneCraft Difference?
DuneCraft products utilize terrariums that create a perfect growing environment for plants. With the ability to retain humidity and heat, this optimal micro-climate gives seeds the perfect sprouting chance!
You can also rest assured that DuneCraft uses only the freshest seeds and that every batch is tested to make sure that you will have a positive outcome!  Dune Craft offers over 40 different growing kits, and each kit comes with detailed instructions to help you along the way.


* DuneCraft is proudly made in the U.S.A. *


I was given the wonderful opportunity to review both the Bananas Bonanza and the Grow Your Own Strawberries kits.  My four girls were so excited to get started growing their own fruit!  The instructions that came with the kits were super easy to follow.  I was truly impressed!  



My oldest daughter started off by pouring the nutrient rich soil mixture into the bottom of the terrarium.


The twins then took turns pushing the banana seeds into the soil 1/2 inch down.


Then my other daughter topped it all of with some water!

I put the lid on the terrarium and then set it in the window sill and voila, all done!  Wasn't that process easy?

I really enjoyed reviewing these wonderful DuneCraft kits with my kiddos and I would definitely recommend them!  My kids did so well with putting these kits together with minimal help, that I think they would make the perfect gift for any young child.  

* DuneCraft also sells fun kits such as Carnivorous Plants, and various Science Kits *


Click Here To See A Product Demo For Yourself!





Disclosure: I was sent the above described products from DuneCraft in exchange for my personal review.  My opinions detailed in this review are my true and honest opinions.

20 July 2011

BabyRockApparel.com Review

BabyRockApparel.com

"Hip Children's Wear With An Edge!"


~ The History Behind Baby Rock Apparel ~
 BabyRockApparel.com was founded in 2004 and continues to be a leader in trendy hip clothes for boys and girls.  You can find Baby Rock Apparel in over 200 boutiques in the United States, Canada, and Europe.  Baby Rock Apparel is also the manufacturer of the "Tinkle Tube" device that makes potty time for boys away from home a breeze!  This particular product has gained much media attention through numerous publications, television networks, and radio stations.

* Not only is BabyRockApparel.com a great place to find trendy and edgy clothes for your little tyke, you can also feel good buying from a company that donates a portion of their profits to The Pediatric Cancer Foundation *

Get the same T-shirt I reviewed here!

I was so excited to get the opportunity to review the above pictured girls tee from BabyRockApparel.com.  The wording on the front of the shirt says "Sorry boys, I only date Rock Stars."  I knew right away that this shirt would be perfect for my nine year old daughter!  When we received the shirt in the mail she couldn't wait to try it on!  I have to admit she looks super cute in it.  I'm very pleased with the high quality of design and fabric used.  My daughter is already asking me to buy her some more shirts from Baby Rock Apparel.  After trying it on she wanted to browse the website right away!  There really is so much cool stuff for little tykes on this site that you just have to see it for yourself! Also,if you are into the tutus for girls like I am, you must see their adorable collection of trendy,edgy tutus for your little princess!

BabyRockApparel.com also has this super cute similar T-shirt for boys that reads "Sorry girls, I only date models."  Too cute!


~ Get Connected With Baby Rock Apparel ~

Follow Baby Rock Apparel On Twitter!
Check Out Baby Rock Apparel On YouTube!

Stock Up On Back To School Clothes With A Special Discount Baby Rock Apparel Is Offering Exclusively To Textbook Mommy Readers!  Get 15% Off Your Purchase With Code: textbook 


Disclosure: I was sent the above described products from Baby Rock Apparel in exchange for my personal review.  My opinions detailed in this review are my true and honest opinions.

15 July 2011

Ways To Make Money Blogging




Blogging can be both a hobby and a source of extra income if you know where to look!  There are many different ways to get paid for blogging.  You can write review posts, sell ad space, market affiliate products, and the list goes on!  

I have participated in many different programs and have narrowed the field down (at least for myself) of what works, and what doesn't.  Currently I am not selling ad space like some other mom bloggers. I personally feel I need to grow my blog more before I venture down that road.  I do however write review posts, market affiliate products, and participate in some other profitable programs.

I wanted to create a list of what I have found works so that other bloggers out there can have a good idea of where to start as far as profiting from blogging.  While I'm in no way making a full time income, I am making enough extra change a month to make it worth my time!

Here's some programs you may want to check out!


Social Spark- This is my favorite program right now for getting paid to post reviews.  The pay is good and you pick which opportunities you want to write about. You also don't need a high ranking blog to join.

Sponsored Reviews- This is another program I recently joined that seems to be working well for me.  Depending on the ranking of your blog, you can earn some serious cash for blog reviews.

Sponsored Tweets- You can sign up with this program to get paid for tweeting out sponsored messages through Twitter.  You pick what you want to tweet and you get paid per click on the link.

My Likes- This program works the same way as Sponsored Tweets, but also has the option to promote sponsored messages through your Facebook, YouTube, Blogger, Wordpress, and various other accounts in addition to Twitter. 

Commission Junction- This seems to be a very popular affiliate program among website and blog owners alike.  It is an affiliate program similar to Google Affiliates, but this site seems to be working better for me. I like that some of their affiliates will pay you for leads, not necessarily just sales.

08 July 2011

Fun Summer Craft Project: Pillowcase Dresses

A couple months ago I came across a craft article on how to make pillowcase dresses.  I thought it was such a cute idea, as well as a simple enough project that even the most sewing challenged like myself, could grasp the pattern!  These dresses are just adorable and they are perfect for the warm summer months.  I finally decided this weekend to try my hand at making some for my own girls!

Pillowcase Dresses



                       *Here's an example of a finished pillowcase dress


I also found out that there is a charity out there that accepts handmade pillowcase dresses for girls in Africa.  The group I am speaking of is called Little Dresses For Africa.  These dresses are distributed to girls in orphanages, churches, and schools in Africa that are in need.  It's such a worthwhile charity for those who love to craft for a good cause!




Here is a link to the simple pillowcase dress pattern from the Little Dresses For Africa website!  Click HERE!









07 July 2011

Save Big $ On Your Grocery Bill

SavingsAngel.com


If you love to save money on your groceries by using coupons like I do, you may want to check out Savings Angel!  This site is super easy to navigate and all the coupon information is laid out nice and simple.  They offer a huge list of stores to scan for their current deals and promotions.  After you click on your store of choice, you are then shown the sales going on by product, and how you can save even more on that product with coupons!  If it is a newspaper insert coupon, they will give you the date that coupon came out.  If it requires a printable coupon, they provide an easy to use handy link to print! 

With a household of six, saving money is always a plus!  We spend on average $800/month on groceries alone.  Hearing that Savings Angel can help cut your grocery bill in half prompted me to check out what they had to offer!  

Here is just a few of the awesome deals I came across when searching for my local Albertsons store:

  • Nivea Body Wash: Final Price $1.00 w/Savings Angel coupon link
  •  Benadryl Itch Relief Stick: Final Price $0.28 w/Savings Angel coupon link

*Disclosure- I was offered a trial membership to SavingsAngel.com in exchange for my personal review.  The opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. 

01 July 2011

A Yummy Recipe You Must Try

The other night I made a new recipe for the first time that turned out so good that I just have to share!  Even my pickiest eater gave it two thumbs up!  I found it through the Betty Crocker Droid app I just recently put on my phone, and let me tell you, there are so many good recipes to try on it! 


The recipe I made is called: Easy Chile Relleno Bake

Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon of salt (optional)
1/8 teaspoon of pepper
2 cups of original Bisquick mix
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup of milk
2 cups of shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend
1 can of Old El Paso mild diced green chiles

Directions:
1) Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 11x7 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray
2) In skillet: cook beef, onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper over medium-high heat until beef is thoroughly cooked; then drain
3) In medium bowl: mix Bisquick mix, eggs, and milk with whisk until only tiny lumps remain. 
4) Pour half of batter into baking dish
5) Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese
6) Spoon beef mixture evenly over cheese
7) Add drained can of diced chiles
 8) Sprinkle with your remaining cup of cheese
9) Pour remaining batter over the top
10) Bake uncovered 25 to 35 minutes or until topping is a light brown, enjoy!

* Makes 8 Servings *

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