Family Review Network | Product Reviews by The Experimental Mommy

Mama Wants Her Body Back DVD: Review and Giveaway

December 10, 2010 By admin

From the time I was born until about the age of 25, I was thin. I never had to watch what I ate mainly because I was a dancer and burned calories like crazy. I became pregnant with my first daughter at the age of 29 and managed to only gain about 20 pounds (thanks to gestational diabetes, ugh). However, even though I managed to take the weight off fairly quickly, my body was NOT the dancer’s body to which I was accustomed. After the birth of my second daughter in 2008, things continued to go downhill. My metabolism was never the same and my abs continue to be non existent. Guess what? This Mama wants her body back!!

Recently, I was introduced to the “Mama Wants Her Body Back!” DVD series and was more than willing to give it a try. Because I work outside the home, run this blog, and raise two children, I have little time for exercise. The fact that this series can be done from the comfort of my living room at a schedule that is convenient for me is ideal. A little about the program:

“Whether you just recently had a baby or have been carrying around extra pregnancy weight for a while, the new Mama Wants Her Body Back™ from mother and fitness instructor Lisa Druxman is your solution. Lisa’s takes her expertise in pre and post natal fitness to the next level and precision sculpts arms, abs and butts. This fitness program is intended specially for moms and addresses the biological changes to the body that occur throughout pregnancy.

The Mama Wants Her Body Back program includes three 20-minute total body workouts and a bonus DVD of three 10-minute abs workouts. To further help you practice a healthier lifestyle, a program guide and food journal are also included. The entire package is just $9.99+S&H and available at www.mamawants.com. Lisa Druxman, M.A. has been in the fitness industry for 20 years. She is the creator of Stroller Strides and Fit4Baby and the author of Lean Mommy.”

After my daughters were asleep, I decide to pop in the first ten minute ab workout video because I feel like this is what I need the most work on. I managed to get through the entire video (ok, I had to stop once, but it was a quick break). I love the fact that Lisa has assistants who demonstrate the various levels of difficulty so it is easy to modify the exercise to suit your needs. I was proud that I made it through the session and I didn’t feel very sore….until the next day! HOLY MOLY did my abs burn! So I knew that the exercises geared towards my lower tummy pooch made a difference!

I have been doing the 20 minute cardio and 10 minute abs for about 2 weeks now. I do not expect to see physical differences so quickly (I will spare you the pictures), but I can tell you that I can complete the exercises easier now than when I started. I am building endurance and burning calories! In addition to the DVD, you will also receive instructions on how to tailor the program as well as tips to eat healthy and a journal.

The DVD series can be purchased for $42.97! Much cheaper than a gym membership!

GIVEAWAY

Are you ready to get your body back?! One reader will win the entire DVD set reviewed here (ARV $42.97)!

How to enter:

1. Tell me what you hope to accomplish with this video.

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

6. Subscribe to my Feed.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 15th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This product review is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a different experience. Family Review Network supplied me with a sample for review, but all opinions are 100% mine. I was not compensated for this post.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: DVD, family review network, giveaway, Mama Wants her Body Back

The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack: Review and Giveaway

February 2, 2010 By admin 122 Comments

Being that I am a native New Orleanian, I absolutely could not wait to take my daughter to see the new Disney movie, “The Princess and the Frog.” The movie, set in New Orleans, is a modern spin on a classic fairytale creating hilarious moments as a frog prince attempts to become human again. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie! It was such fun to see our City in animation and we toe-tapped our way into the lobby and through the parking lot when the movie was over. The music in the movie made us feel quite at home here in New Orleans!

About the Soundtrack:

“The collection of magical songs from this amazing soundtrack features Anika Noni Rose(Dreamgirls), Ne-Yo(R&B music star) and Academy Award® winning composer Randy Newman. Set in the great city of New Orleans, the sounds of Jazz, Zydeco, Blues, Gospel and more are all present for an unforgettable musical experience the entire family will enjoy!”

Some of our favorite songs include “Almost There” performed by Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, the main character and “Down in New Orleans” by local artist, Dr. John. This is definitely a fun album for you and your kids!

Want to experience the Disney magic and win “The Princess and the Frog” soundtrack?
How to enter:

1. Visit Disney Records, listen to a few tracks and tell me which is your favorite!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on February 16th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for Walt Disney Records, who supplied the CD for review.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: Disney, family review network, soundtrack, The Princess and the Frog

Glade Candles Holiday Collection: Review and Giveaway

November 25, 2009 By admin 279 Comments

Glade Scented Oil Candle in Bayberry Spice will quickly fill the room with the scent of the holiday season and help get us in the mood for decorating the house (even though it’s still 70 degrees outside!).

One Limited Edition Glade Scented Oil Candle in Bayberry Spice and a home ready to be decorated for the holidays! About Glade:

“Longing for a great atmosphere in your home? Or for the flickering glow of a candle while you bask in a soothing scent? Glade® fragrances help you transform any room of your home, bringing you the perfect expression for any mood or occasion.

Whether the scent you crave is fruity or floral, spicy or sensual, Glade® has a fragrance to satisfy you. For more than 50 years, Glade® has been bringing quality, lasting, inspiring scents to the homes of families all over the world.”

I love so many things about the holidays: the lights, the weather, the time with family and the SMELLS of Christmas! Cinnamon, vanilla, pine, and pumpkin are just some of the smells that instantly remind me of good times spent with my family during the holiday season. Unfortunately, I RARELY have these authentic smells in my home because I am just not a baker. I would love to have the scents of fresh baked apple pie or warm pumpkin muffins, but realistically, it just ain’t gonna happen! LOL! So, when I received the opportunity to review Glade’s new Holiday Collection of Scented Oil candles, I was thrilled (hey, if you can’t bake, artificial smells are the way to go!).

The received two scented oil candles in a reusable holiday tin in the Bayberry Spice scent. The candle begins similiar to a tea light, but quickly melts into a scented oil filling the tin. The scent travelled throughout my living room faster than any candle I have previously tried and it smelled WONDERFUL! My husband immediately noticed when he got home from work and commented on how good it smelled!

The candle remained lit for about 3 hours, which would be great for a holiday party or a Thanksgiving dinner.

The new holiday collection of Glade Scented Oil Candles in limited edition tins are available in two scents, Bayberry Spice and Apple Cinnamon. These candles quickly dispersed a wonderful aroma throughout my home and stayed lit for approximately 3 hours. I loved the Bayberry Spice scent and would definitely purchase this product in the future.

Do you love the scents of the holidays, too? Glad has generously offered one lucky Not-So-Blog reader one Scented Oil Candle from the Holiday Collection of their very own! (you will not be able to choose your scent)

How to enter:

1. Visit Glade and tell me another product your family would love for the holidays!

Additional entries

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 9th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and SC Johnson, who provided the product for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: Candles, family review network, Glade, Holiday Collection

Munchie Mug: Review

August 5, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

The Munchie Mug will be a fabulous way to serve Aubrie her puffs and Cheerios without making a mess. It will also give her more independence.

One Pink Munchie Mug, some Cheerios, my 17 month old and a wagon ride. About Munchie Mug:

“Innovative in both concept and design the patented spill-resistant Munchie Mug eliminates snack-time messes for children 10 months and older. It’s ideal for use at home, in the car or anyplace when you’re on the go! Children love the colorful cup and soft fabric while parents like its convenience and ease of use. Munchie Mug is a must have for messy little snackers everywhere.”

This is quite possibly the best invention EVER for parents of young toddlers! From the moment I placed Aubrie’s puffs in the container, I was in love! Finally, I can hand over her snacks and not worry about the tears that will fall when the snacks hit the ground. The durable fabric on the lid of the Munchie Mug remains closed until your child wants a snack. It was very easy and not at all uncomfortable for Aubrie to reach in and grab one, two (or ten!) puffs! The little handle on the lid made the Munchie Mug very easy for Aubrie to carry by herself as well. I also loved that the Munchie Mug comes with an additional top that screws on tight to keep snacks fresh when the mug is not in use.

The Munchie Mug is a must-have for every toddler! The mug supplies not only 10 oz of dry snacks but provides a sense of independence for your little one as they are able to successfully feed themselves without creating a mess. Aubrie looked incredibly proud carrying her Munchie Mug and I love the fact that it is durable and dishwasher (top rack) safe. The Munchie Mug can be purchased for $12.95.

This product was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for Munchie Mug, who supplied the product for review.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: family review network, munchie mug

Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner: Review and Giveaway

May 28, 2009 By admin

Having a baby expands your life in many, many ways: your heart grows, your home grows, your pantry grows and the mess EXPLODES! Some days I am not sure why I bother to clean at all, but we all know it must be done. Because I want to maximize the time I have to spend with my family, I want the cleaning to be FAST and EASY.

So, when I am approached about the new Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner, I was excited by the possibilities! This single aerosol container can clean just about anything in your home from wood to windows, electronics to mirrors, is there anything this product can NOT do??

From the website:

“When your home comes together, it’s a beautiful place to be. But with so many different surfaces, it can be time-consuming to keep them all looking great. Now, with Pledge® Multi Surface, you can move from surface to surface, room to room, cleaning and dusting in no time at all. Get the streak-free clean of Pledge® Multi Surface and love all the surfaces in your home equally.”

I used the Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner to polish my dining room table on which I normally use Pledge. My table shined like I have come to expect from the Pledge brand. But then, I was able to take the SAME cleaner and move to the bathroom to clean the mirror. I actually prefer the new Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner over my brand of mirror cleaner because the aerosol can eliminated the streak causing drips. Finally, I used the Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner to wipe down my laptop! I like using this ONE can for MANY jobs around the house!

Want to try the new Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner? Print a Pledge coupon for $1.00 off the new cleaner! Better yet….win a FREE can!! Pledge and the Family Review Network has generously donated one can of Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner to one Not-So-Blog reader!

How to enter:

1. Visit the Pledge website and tell me one other product you would love to try!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog.

2. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited!

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on June 11th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: family review network, Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner

Review and Giveaway: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canisters

April 5, 2009 By admin

With two kids under age 4 who both attend daycare or preschool, germs are inevitable. And no matter how much I preach, let’s face it, infants and toddlers are not the most sanitary beings out there! So, I arm myself with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. These wipes have been a staple of every grocery visit and are stored in a cabinet (where the kiddies can’t touch, of course!).

Thanks to the Family Review Network, I have been introduced to Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Decor Canisters! Clorox has “redesigned clean” so those handy wipes do not have to hide in the cabinet anymore! The new packaging is so attractive and trendy that you can proudly display them on your countertops or sink where they can be easily accessed for clean ups.

Even though the packaging is different, the product you have grown to trust remains the same. The Clorox Decor Canisters still contain the same great formula that kills 99.9% of household germs but is now offered in 8 fashionable canisters. The improvements don’t stop at the attractive exterior! The dispenser system has had a remodel as well, which now includes a wider mouth for easier access and a single sheet dispensing system.

I received the Blue Squares Canister and it looks great on my bathroom sink! I really like the new dispensing system because it really is easier to grab just one sheet. With the old system (one roll of perforated sheets), I would sometimes pull out more sheets that I desired and placing them back in the container was next to impossible. I cleaned my bathroom sink and my kitchen counters with the Clorox wipes and found that they work just as well as the original.

Right now, Clorox is holding a contest where you can vote on one of ten finalists for the next canister design. By voting, you will automatically be entered in a drawing to receive a $1000 Macy’s shopping spree!

Want to win more? Clorox has given me 3 coupons for one FREE Clorox Wipes Decor Canister to give away to my readers!

How to enter:

1. Visit Clorox and tell me which design you would get with your coupon!

Additional entries (leave each entry as a separate comment):

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog.

2. Place my button on your sidebar.

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BridgetteLA) or tweet this giveaway.

4. Subscribe to my blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on April 11, 2009. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: Clorox, Decor Canisters, family review network

Review and Giveaway: Exergen TemporalScanner

March 27, 2009 By admin

Using an ear thermometer to take an infant’s temperature: difficult

Using an ear thermometer to take an infant’s temperature who has an ear infection: impossible

Finding the Exergen TemporalScanner: a godsend!

My girls are no strangers to ear infections. We have spent many nights in tears trying to get an accurate temperature reading with an ear thermometer. Fortunately, the Family Review Network introduced me to the Exergen TemporalScanner, a non-invasive thermometer which uses infared technology to measure temperature with one quick and easy stroke across the forehead. In addition to being easier, the temporal scanner has been proven to be more accurate than ear thermometers.

How is this possible? The process is explained at the website:

First it scans like a video camera, capturing naturally emitted infrared heat from the arterial blood supply at about 1000 “frames” per second, locking in the highest temperature it senses and;

Second, at the same time, a patented system measures the ambient temperature of the site where the temperature is being taken. The patented “arterial heat balance” (AHB) software then synthesizes the two separate readings to accurately determine and display body temperature.”

Using the temporal scanner was so easy. To use, you simply press the scan button and touch the sensor to the middle of the forehead. Keeping the button pressed, move the scanner across the forehead to the temple and release. Last week, Lily was sick with a stomach virus, so I had the opportunity to really test out the product. What I really loved is that I could take her temperature while she was sleeping without waking her up! Now that she has recovered, she agreed to let me show you how the temporal scanner works.

It really is THAT easy!

I also wanted to mention that when I took Lily to the pediatrician, I was surprised to see that the practice uses the very same Exergen Temporal Scanner! Now I KNOW that I will have the same temperature reading as my pediatrician.

Want to try it out? One lucky reader will win an Exergen TemporalScanner of their very own!

How to enter:

1. Visit Exergen and tell me why you want to try this product!

Additional entries (leave each entry as a separate comment):

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog.

2. Favorite me in Technorati.

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Follow me on twitter (@BridgetteLA) or tweet this giveaway.

5. Place my button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59CST on April 2, 2009. Prizes not claimed in 72hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: exergen temporal scanner, family review network