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Easy Side Dishes From All Natural Alexia Food Products {Giveaway}

January 26, 2012 By 236 Comments

One of my biggest downfalls in cooking is definitely side dishes.  It never seems to fail that I cook a nice meal for my family and 30 minutes before it is time to eat I remember I have nothing to go with the main dish I just prepared.  Alexia Foods has the perfect solution for all of your side dishes.  From their website:

“We love food as much as you. That’s why we make it exactly how you would: all-natural, gourmet-inspired, and absolutely delicious.

OUR BEGINNINGS: At Alexia, our creativity and passion for the highest quality side dishes runs deep in our roots. As a Manhattan chef, Alex always wondered why there weren’t quality side dishes that achieved the same discerning standard as the main entrée. He knew others would agree, and believed he could create distinctive and inspired convenient everyday side dishes that lived up to what he might create in his own Greenpoint kitchen. Alex started by hand selecting the finest all-natural ingredients and producing only small batches making Alexia a hard to find favorite. Whether seasoning his Beauregard Sweets and Yukon Gold Potatoes or baking the perfect artisan Ciabatta and Focaccia breads, Alex always used real ingredients and put quality and taste first.”

Never again will I have to settle for opening a can or cooking a side dish that comes in powder form.  The Alexia products were absolutely fabulous!  I felt like I was dining at a fancy restaurant instead of in my kitchen.  We received the Onion Rings, Sweet Potato Puffs, and Ciabatta Artisan Bread.  Each side item took less than 30 minutes from oven to table.  While we liked all of the products we received, by far the Sweet Potato Puffs were the biggest hit.  My husband and I like them and they were great for the kids, too.

The best part about the Alexia Foods is that everything tastes like it was cooked fresh, you would never imagine that the were from the freezer section!  Alexia has something for everyone from Sweet Potato Fries and Cheddar Bites to Vegetables and Breads.  The website also has several recipes from Tyler Florence for you to try that complement the side dishes.  Also visit their website to download $1 off coupon towards your next purchase and find out where Alexia Foods are available near you.

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive two coupons for a FREE Alexia Foods product!

How to enter:

1. Tell me which Alexia Food product you can’t wait to try!

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 and Alexia Foods on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on February 10th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Beth of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of he product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
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Spread the Love with Minted.com Valentine’s Day Cards

January 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

In an effort to be ahead of the game, I was strolling down the Valentine’s aisle at my local store.  Looking over the selection of candies and cards was fun but everything was just….typical.  There were your average cards featuring today’s pop stars, Disney characters, and cute baby animals, but I really wanted something more personal for my daughters.

Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the selection of kids Valentine’s Day cards at Minted.com.  We have been honored to try Minted’s Holiday cards in the past and were very pleased with the results, so we have high hopes for this Season, too.  When I first opened the classroom Valentine’s Day card selection, I immediately feel in love!  The cards are bright, cheerful, personable and above all, UNIQUE.   You can select to personalize the cards with your child’s name, photo, or message which really makes the card special.

My daughter and I selected to try the Work of Art Classroom Valentines.  This card allows me to add a picture of my daughter and leaves plenty of room for my three year old to draw a special picture for her friends.  She absolutely LOVES the color and draw so this card definitely shows her personality.  I have placed my order (I got 25 cards for $21!) and am waiting for the shipment, but the proof is absolutely adorable, don’t you think?

If you are looking for unique personalized classroom Valentine’s Day cards, look no further.  Get your order in at Minted.com no later than February 7th to ensure Valentine’s Day delivery!

This post is the opinion of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a product sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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A Picnic in January? {Review}

January 11, 2012 By 3 Comments

Here in Southeast Louisiana, we are all confused.  Is it Spring?  Is it Winter?  The temperature has been so inconsistent that most of us are suffering from allergy symptoms that we normally do not see in January.  Even my azalea bushes are in bloom!  Despite the negative, we are thoroughly enjoying the warmer temperatures which are allowing us to get outside and be more active than we normally can this time of year.  In fact, it’s time for a picnic!

After our meal, the kids decided to play on our swingset, so I broke out our new reclining camp chair from Picnic Fun in order to enjoy the beautiful weather and relax in style! About the chair:

“The Reclining Camp Chair is no ordinary camp chair. It features a folding steel frame that can hold up to 300 lbs., padded seat and back rest covered in durable 600D polyester canvas, 3 seating positions, adjustable armrests, an insulated drink holder in the right armrest, a large zippered pocket on back of chair, and a matching storage tote with carrying strap.”

Not only does the chair look pretty cool, it is incredibly comfortable!  The reclining feature is pure genius.  While you do have to get out of the chair in order to adjust the incline, the reward is totally worth it.  I was worried that reclining would negate the use of the cupholder, but my cup stayed level in the holder (it’s even insulated!).  I also love that the back of the chair has a zippered pouch to store items such as your keys, phone or wallet (making dragging a purse to a sporting event or picnic unnecessary).  I can’t wait to take our new chair to the upcoming Mardi Gras parades!

If you are looking forward to the picnics of Spring, get prepared by checking out the accessories from Picnic Fun (the picnic baskets are great). You can purchase the reclining camp chair for just $62.95!

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions are 100% mine.

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Gift Idea for Boys: Prime Time Toys Air Zone Blasters

December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This Christmas has been an awakening for me.  Long gone are the days of the “cutesy” toys for my son, who is almost 10.  He wants all things BOY.  100% testosterone.   The challenge has been finding things that are “cool” enough for him but safe enough for me!  One perfect solution is Air Zone Blasters from Prime Time Toys!

Ready....Aim....FIRE!

Sold exclusively this season at Toys R Us, these brightly colored foam blasters will catch everyone’s attention!  Affordably priced, Air Zone offers a variety of high-powered fun for your sharpshooters.  My son loved his Quickfire Twin Pack and had a ball recently in the backyard with a friend.  The foam darts mean that you can relax a little….they are soft enough to make play fun and safe, even indoors.  Best of all, the darts and clips in the Air Zone blasters are universal.  They will easily make the switch from one blaster to another.  This is a really cool feature as some other blasters have darts that only work in certain shooters, making organization somewhat difficult.  The bright colors mean they won’t get easily lost under the bed or in the bushes!

With two nephews that are close in age to my son, these will make perfect Christmas gifts for them too.  Each year it becomes more and more difficult not over-spend, and with many Air Zone blasters priced in the $20 range,  it’s easy to get a lot of bang for your buck!  Any boy on your list would love this fun gift!

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of The Experimental Mommy.  While a product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
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Sing Like a Rockstar with Voice Rockrz {Review}

December 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

My oldest daughter is definitely the shy one.  But give her a stage and she will perform with the best of them (I was the same way as a child).  Somehow, she loses her inhibition when given a microphone and a costume and will definitely dazzle you with her personality and smile.

She recently saw Voice Rockrz on a TV commercial and hasn’t stopped talking about it since.  I knew this toy would be right up her alley, so I was thrilled when I was contacted to test it out for ourselves.  Have you seen it?  About Voice Rockrz:

“Voice Rockrz is an innovative microphone that magically interacts with included accessories to transform your voice. Tap the accessories to the mic to unlock different voice effects: you’ll hit those soaring high notes with ease, hear your voice echo across the stadium, and transform into a rocking robot as the crowd cheers in amazement!”

After installing batteries in the microphone, both of my daughters were ready to sing!  Simply hit the on/off button to power up and belt out your favorite tune.  The unique thing about this microphone is that you can alter your voice by using the included accessories.  Tap the flower ring to the mic and your voice raises two octave levels to reach those sought after high notes (think Mariah Carey).  Choose to tap the bracelet to the mic and get an echo effect instead.  My daughters, however, liked the robot effect the best which can be achieved by tapping the ring and bracelet to the mic consecutively.

Notice the Justin Bieber shirt?

Want to sing along to your favorites hits (it’s all Justin Bieber all the time in my home!)?  Plug your iPhone or mp3 player into the mic and sing along to whichever tune you play!  Want an audience?  No problem….hit the FX button to get a drumroll or applause!

Both of my daughter’s love the Voice Rockrz microphone.  I think the voice effects are really cool, but as with any microphone, you need to be ready for some noise!  If you have a budding rockstar in your home, check it out!  I found it on Amazon for $24.99 (in blue, too!).

Don’t miss a thing by following Voice Rockrz on Twitter!

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  While a product sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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Waterpik Water Flossers {Review and Giveaway}

December 13, 2011 By 294 Comments

The entire time I was pregnant with both of my children, I prayed.  Of course, I prayed they would be healthy….but selfishly I prayed they would get their Daddy’s long legs and my teeth.  I was blessed with perfectly straight, healthy teeth.   Don’t be too jealous!  I still got the adolescent experience of wearing coke-bottle glasses, but I never had to have braces.

Well, God has a sense of humor, because both of my children have had teeth issues galore.  My son is currently in his first set of braces, with another set to come later.  We’ve also had the fun experience of having a palate expander.   Now, we all know how much fun it is to try and floss your child’s teeth, right?  Try flossing your child’s teeth with a mouthful of metal.  I’d rather walk on hot coals.  That is, until we got the Waterpik Water Flosser.  This product has literally changed my life.

To invest in the health of your teeth and gums is a no-brainer.  We all know that good oral health and hygiene takes time and daily commitment.  The Waterpik Water Flosser is more effective than string floss, and more fun, too!  A study at the University of Nebraska found that adding a water flosser to tooth brushing was up to 93% more effective at improving gum health than toothbrushing and string flossing. Whether using a manual or sonic-powered toothbrush, adding a water flosser resulted in better reductions in gum bleeding, gingivitis, and plaque, the common signs of gum disease.  That’s why I was overjoyed to test out both the Ultra Water Flosser and the the Water Flosser For Kids.

My son is diligent about using his Water Flosser. Hooray!

We recently spent an afternoon at the dentist and then the orthodontist the following week.  Both the dentist AND the orthodontist commented how clean my son has been keeping his teeth!  I was so excited as Nicolas has been in braces on the top for just about a year and I have been a nervous wreck about him keeping his teeth clean around the braces.  We have worked really hard on brushing, but until the Water Pik Flosser became part of his daily routine, I really don’t think our flossing was effective enough.  For one thing, it took so long I always felt like we weren’t thorough enough.   He loves the water flosser and I NEVER have to remind him to use it because he loves it.  He even commented how his mouth felt so clean!

Not to be left out, I have been using the Ultra Water Flosser and I love it.  With different tips for different jobs, my overall gum and oral health has never been better.  Water Pik products would be a perfect gift for anyone this year to show them you care about their  health!

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive the Water Pik Water Flosser for Kids and one winner will receive the Ultra Water Flosser!

How to enter:

1. Tell me which Water Pik Water Flosser you want to win!

Additional entries:

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

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @Waterpik 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 and Waterpik Oral Heatlth on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 27th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion Jennifer of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , ,

My Experience with 2nd.MD

December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Thank you to 2nd.MD for providing me with a $200 stipend to test-drive this revolutionary online medical service.

How many times have you had a medical question only to search online and become even more confused or scared?  Have you ever sought the advice of your doctor or been referred to a specialist only to have to wait weeks or months for an appointment?  There is nothing worse than having to wait and worry about your health or that of a loved one.

For years, after being given the run around by my general practitioner, I have wondered if I should seek the advice of a cardiologist.  After attempting to make an appointment, the next available date was well in to the New Year.  While I am sitting here on pins and needles, I was so excited to learn about 2nd.MD.  About 2nd.MD:

“2nd.MD connects you to leading doctors for medical advice, information, or peace of mind by providing online, one-on-one consultations from top-rated medical specialists. 2nd.MD is a revolutionary alternative, allowing you to access top medical specialists online when you need it. You will have access to hundreds of doctors and be able to speak face-to-face with them, without having to wait weeks or months for an appointment.”

The process was incredibly easy.  After filling out my profile which included symptoms I was concerned about, I could browse through the list of available specialists that may be able to answer my questions.  For each doctor, you can view their qualifications, a description, reviews and even ask a free question to see if they are the right doctor for your question.  You are also able to see the rate for that particular doctor.

I chose Dr. Ian Law, a Pediatric Electrophysiologist.  He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa, completed a Pediatric residency at the University of Michigan, and finished two fellowships at the University of Michigan in Pediatric Cardiology.  In addition, he had a host of awards and accolades.  Very impressive.

Dr. Law did not have any immediate appointments available, so I requested more slots to open via the 2nd.MD site.  Within 24 hours, Dr. Law opened up more appointment times and I was able to secure a spot.  I completed my profile which included the uploading any available test results and medications so Dr. Law could be prepared for our session.

That's Dr. Law!

I will admit; I was very nervous.  But the minute our video chat began, Dr. Law made me feel at ease.  He listened to my concerns and made his best conclusions and offered answers to my questions.  He even made notes about our discussion and sent them to me so I could follow up with my regular physician.

I could not have been happier with my appointment.  The cost of the session was $200 for a 20 minute video chat, which at face value is pricey.  But having the opportunity to talk face to face with a cardiologist in a relaxed setting (and not having to wait 6 months for an appointment) gave me a peace of mind that is truly invaluable.

2ndMD – Peace of Mind from 2ndMD on Vimeo.

Loved every second. 

Thank you again to 2nd.MD for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about 2nd.MD. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own. #Clever2ndMD #spon

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Stay Warm with Land’s End Outerwear

October 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The blazing New Orleans summers have recently given way to milder temperatures as we welcome Fall!  In fact, today ushered in one of our first cold fronts of the season and temperatures barely reached 65.  However, looking through pictures on Facebook today, I see that many Northern friends are seeing their first snowfall.  While we won’t be seeing snow anytime soon (or ever), colder temperatures are on the way!

Living in New Orleans, we don’t need snow pants or down outerwear.  But layering definitely serves us well as we brave cold temperatures on the parade route at Mardi Gras.  I have purchased many items from Land’s End in the past and have always been happy with the quality and performance so I was thrilled to receive a women’s ThermaCheck 200 Parka to review. About the parka:

“Our parka is destined to be a valuable layering piece. The superior performance of ThermaCheck®-200 fleece blocks the wind, keeps you warm and toasty. Parka’s styling details include a zip front with an adjustable hood and drawcord waist. Zippered side pockets.”

The first thing I noticed about the parka is the softness.  It is by far the softest jacket I own!  After putting it on, it seems to be true to size and I love the princess seaming and drawcord waist which give the garment more shape than a typical winter piece.  I also love that it has a hood which will be great for blocking the wind!

The ThermaCheck 200 Parka is rated for temperatures between 10° to 30° Fahrenheit, but if your climate gets colder than ours, you definitely need to check out the selection at Land’s End.  My sister in law, who recently moved to Canada, loves the lightweight silk layering piece to hold in body heat. Or why not accessorize with a pretty scarf?

As I expected, I love my Parka from Land’s End.  I can wait to snuggle up in it’s softness just as soon as the temperatures dip a bit more.  Don’t miss any great deals by “liking” Land’s End on Facebook!

This post is the opinion of Experimental Mommy.  While a product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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Mercado Mexicano Line from Tea Collection {Review}

October 22, 2011 By 1 Comment

As a Mom of two girls, I am always looking for adorable (and functional) clothes.  Believe it or not, it is harder than it sounds!  I am generally searching for clothes that easily mix and match to provide many outfit options, excellent quality so the items can be passed on to little sis, and of course….a decent price.

On a recent trip to my friend’s home, she received a package of clothes for her daughter from Tea Collection.  I was immediately taken by how cute the pieces were and how every item coordinated with the next.  I needed to learn more!  Fortunately, Tea Collection approached me about reviewing one of their new Fall lines, Mercado Mexicano.

For those of you unfamiliar with Tea, they create fashions for boys and girls ages 0-12 years as well as the recently added women’s garments, too.  The designs are inspired by their travels around the world to fuse culture with modern fashion.  On a trip to Mexico, inspiration struck again and the Mercado Mexicano collection was born!

“We came back home ready to try our own hand at mixing contemporary kitsch with Mexican folk art and layering floral and plaid patterns and textures with embroidery. We took sarape patterns and brought them to life in striped splendor on ponchos and hoodies. The magic of Mexico came back with us in two-tone azul patterns, flower prints and colorful graphics with a Mayan and pop culture spirit. We know you’ll love how it comes to life in our back-to-school clothes.”

To welcome Fall, we were sent a few outfits to see what we thought of Tea.  When we received the package, I was immediately drawn to the color palette of the line and the softness of the material.  My daughters could not wait to try them on and then didn’t want to take them off!  Our favorite pieces, including the Artsesana Floral Dress ($45) are pictured in the above collage.  The pieces are perfect for our New Orleans weather!  The Skinny Pointelle Leggings ($25) provide coverage without being too heavy for our climate and come in many colors to coordinate with just about anything.

After washing our Tea Collection pieces, they just get softer and are holding up in construction and color very well.  The outfits are easy to wear and move with my active girls, but look “put-together” without being too fussy.  For items that will last for quite some time, the prices are reasonable, too.  We highly recommend Tea Collection!

Don’t miss any sales and updates from Tea!  Follow them on Twitter and “like” Tea on Facebook to be in the know!

This post is the opinion of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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10Plus The Brain Game {Educational App Review}

October 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With a first grader in my house, we are no strangers to math drills. We have been practicing addition math facts every night and the novelty is wearing off quick. Our flash cards are losing their luster and I am in desperate need of a new way to inspire my daughter to practice her math skills.

I was happy to learn of this new iPhone App, 10Plus The Brain Game, that may be the solution to our problem.  The game is similar to word search but with numbers!  Simply scan the grid for a combination of numbers which add up to ten, drag your finger across the numbers and watch them disappear as you gain points.  Once this skill is mastered, you can increase the difficulty adding to 20, 30 or even 60.

I tried the game first before introducing it to my daughter.  I thought the graphics were fun and the game was addictive.  When my daughter first tried the game, she had some trouble because she is only used to adding two numbers at a time (instead of a series of numbers).  Fortunately, she did not get frustrated and continued to try the game.  She is getting better at it, and I like that the game will give her a hint if her time takes too long.  I am hoping that this game will help her improve her speed when performing math drills because there is no time to count on your fingers!  I do think this game is perfect for kids around the 3rd grade level.

Want to learn more?  Watch the video demonstration of 10Plus The Brain Game!

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  While I was compensated for my time, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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