Help a School to win!

Let's help one of these schools get brand new play equipment! 

 

Your vote can make a difference! Join Children's Claritin, the #1 pediatrician-recommended non-drowsy allergy brand, and KaBOOM! to help select 4 schools to receive Imagination Playground™ equipment. You can visit http://Facebook.com/Claritin between 8/1-10/31 to cast your vote for one of twelve finalist schools. The four schools with the most votes will win Imagination Playground™ equipment for their students.

 

Help bring these schools to the finish line!

 

1.    Chicago, IL – Hanson Park Elementary

2.    Cincinnati, OH – Pleasant Ridge Montessori School

3.    Joplin, MO - McKinley Elementary

4.    North Salem, NY – Westchester Exceptional Children’s School

5.    Union Town, PA – Menallen Elementary School

6.    Washington, DC – Sela Public Charter School

7.    New Orleans, LA – Audubon Charter School

8.    Spartanburg, SC – Spartanburg Charter School

9.    Willis, TX – Parmley Elementary Annex

10.  Vail, AZ – Sycamore Enrichment Center

11.  Santa Cruz, CA – Live Oak Elementary

12.  Spokane Valley, WA – St. John Vianney School

As a member of the Children's Claritin Mom Crew, I receive products from Claritin from time to time to share information with MamaBreak. We do not receive any other types of products. No items were received to promote this contest.

EasyCanvasPrints.com Review

I love decorating my home with photos. With 3 children, there is never a shortage of pictures I want to share. I recently received a canvas print from easycanvasprints.com and thought the quality was really good.

I ordered an 8x10 of my husband and I, as we do not have any photos up of just the two of us other than our wedding photo that was taken over a decade ago. The size was actually much smaller than I expected. It was 8x10 but without a frame, the 8x10 was actually quite small. The quality was amazing though!

I liked that they wrap the canvas, and the wrapped edge is a duplicate of the photo, so that even if you are looking at the photo from the side or bottom, it still looks professional. We have the photo hanging in our living room and receive tons of compliments.

You can check out all of the amazing canvas gifts at: http://www.easycanvasprints.com/

MamaBreak received a canvas print to review here on the site. We did not receive any other type of compensation. As always, our experiences and opinions are our own. 

Mmmm Monday!

Breakfast with Quinoa!  Thanks to Whole Living for the awesome breakfast recipe!


Delicious Egg, Spinach and Quinoa! We love adding this grain to breakfast!

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, sliced
• 5 ounces spinach, rinsed
• Coarse salt
• 1 carrot, peeled and julienned
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1/4 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar
• Red chile flakes
• 1 teaspoon minced chives

Directions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, about 1 minute. Add spinach and steam, covered, until wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt. Transfer to plate.
   
2. Rinse pan and fill with 2 inches water; bring to a boil. Add carrot and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to plate. Reduce heat to a simmer and poach eggs, 3 to 4 minutes.
   
3. Divide quinoa between bowls. Top with egg, spinach, carrot, and cucumber. Whisk vinegar and 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt. Drizzle over bowls. Sprinkle with red chili flakes and chives.
   

Exceptional Sheets Giveaway

ExceptionalSheets.Com
Luxury Egyptian Cotton Linens

Are you looking for amazing towels and linens? We have some amazing Exceptional Sheets towels, and using them is like being in a high-end hotel! We are loving the luxury!

Company Overview: ExceptionalSheets.com is operated our of Evansville, IN-- just down the street from where we used to live. This American company has spent time and effort to become one of the Internet's most trusted and successful specialty linen providers.

The mattress pad will revive any old mattress you have and make it comfortable once more! We have a memory foam mattress which is CONSTANTLY overheating me! I love that the mattress pad allows me bed to be nice and cool once again (not to mention soft as a cloud). 

Product Descriptions

5 Star Hotel Mattress Pad: The Regency mattress pad adds an extra layer of comfort to any bed. Found on over 125,000 Marriott beds across the U.S. and Canada, this cover uses unique polyester fiber clusters to provide an extraordinary level of comfort.

The fiber is gathered into small bundles which create a soft and comforting feel without lumping together. This exclusive and extraordinary fiber technology gives you the look and feel of down only better, and makes the cover 100% hypoallergenic and 100% washable. The expandable skirt allows the cover to fit any thicker pillow top mattress with ease.

900 Gram 6 Piece Towel Set Egyptian Cotton Towels: Superior 100-percent Egyptian cotton, absorbent 900 Grams per Square Meter towels. They are a beautiful update to ANY bathroom, and will not fade in the washing machine! Available in multiple colors and sizes.
6-Piece Towel Set Includes:
    Two bath towels (30" x 55")
    Two hand towels (20" x 30")
    Two wash cloths (13" x 13")


600 Gram 6 Piece Towel Set Egyptian Cotton Towels: Superior 100-percent Egyptian cotton absorbent 600 GSM towels. Beautiful update to any bathroom decor. Towels are available in various matching sets and available in 12 solid colors. Towels will not fade in wash
6-Piece Towel Set Includes:
    Two bath towels (30" x 55")
    Two hand towels (20" x 30")
    Two wash cloths (13" x 13")

Egyptian Cotton Terry Cloth Robe by ExceptionalSheets:  Terry Bath Robe Robe is crafted from soft, durable 100% Egyptian Cotton. Robe features terry belt, two front patch pockets, and fold back style sleeve. Available in a wide range of colors and sizes, these robes are sure to match your style while giving you the comfort of a spa at your own home!
UniSex Design
SIZES:
Small: 50" long x 52" wide - Belt 71"
Medium: 51" long x 53" wide - Belt: 71"
Large: 52" long x 55" wide - Belt: 72"
X-Large: 55" long x 63" wide - Belt: 72"

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Enter Below To Win

Open World Wide

10/1 - 11/1

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Be sure to Like ExceptionalSheets.Com on Facebook and Follow  @ExcptnalSheets on Twitter to stay up to date on current promotions and special offers!!

*Bloggers participating in this giveaway are not responsible for distribution or shipment of sponsored prize(s) Please read all terms and conditions of the giveaway. All opinions expressed belong to the individual blogger on each blog this giveaway is being hosted on.

Gorton's Wicked Good Seafood Review and Giveaway

It is starting to look and feel more like fall. Gorton's recently invited us to review some of their delicious seafood and we loved their delicious products and enjoyed looking at all of their new recipes!

Tonight we tried the Beer Battered Shrimp! It was a huge hit with the entire family!

My daughter loved how much it "crunched" and the taste was terrific!

For more information visit Gortons.com or click below for:
 recipes, The Wicked Good SweepStakes (with yummy prizes), coupons, explore their products.
Follow them: Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

 Enter below to win: 

Three $2 off product coupons, 1 Gorton’s-branded ship wheel keychain, an assortment of Gorton’s recipe cards and beautiful seaside/Gorton’s postcards. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Clue is in the Blue: Luvs Super Absorbent Diapers Review

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Luvs

Are you looking for a diaper that does more?? How about 15% more?? Luvs and SheSpeaks recently asked me to share a brand new product from Luvs, and I am SO glad i said yes!

Like most moms, I am constantly looking for ways to save money-- as a mom of 3, I know Luvs offers a great value AND a great product-- but that product JUST got better.

These new diapers labeled "Super Absorbent" are sold exclusively at Walmart and absorb 15% more than traditional Luvs!

Leaks at night? THESE are the answer!!! We are loving this diaper breakthrough! Oh and the best part? They are NOT thicker or bulkier. The same great fit, the same great diaper, only better!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luvsdiapers
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Luvs
Program Hashtag: #TheClueIsInTheBlue
Product: http://bit.ly/LuvsSuperAbsorbent

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Luvs. We received diapers and compensation for sharing this with our readers, but as always our experiences and opinions are our own!

Purex UltraPacks Plus Oxi Review

Are you looking for a faster way to do laundry? With 10-15 loads a week, I was thrilled to try out Purex UltraPacks Plus Oxi!

We love that the new Purex plus Oxi also contains Zout stain removes! These ultrapacks are small, and you just toss them into your washer!

The laudry pods even work in our HE washer and removes stains! This single dose laundry uses detergent capsules with concentrated detergent, so they save on making a mess in your laundry room while cleaning your clothes!

Visit www.purex.com for more information! 
Purex is having a fantastic sweepstakes right now! Find the red football jersey hidden somewhere on Purex.com and WIN $50! 10 Winners! Hint: Just toss and go! 
http://insiders.purex.com/FindTheRedJersey?id=4989

MamaBreak received laundry pods to review here on the site. We did not receive any other kind of compensation. As always, our opinions and experiences are our own.  

LeapReader Party from MommyParties

I received free LeapFrog products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own.

 We had such a blast with our LeapFrog MommyParty! We received tons of goodies to try out the new LeapReader, which was VERY fun!

My son is just learning to read, so he really got into the LeapReader. Even my daughter had a blast, as well as their friends. The books are very interactive, creative and fun!

The hit of the party was the 3D book from Monster's Inc!

Our party kit included enough glasses for everyone, but when you buy the book you get your own pair as well!

We love LeapFrog and thank them for sharing with us, as well as our family and friends!

I received free LeapFrog products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own.

It's Snack Time-- California Dried Plums

Are you looking for more snack ideas? We are loving California Dried Plums. We received a few packages to review, and they were so delicious!

I had never even TRIED a dried plum before, but they were so yummy! They were nice and plump still, and very filling even in a small snack sized bag.

We went them in lunchboxes this week as the fruit, and the kids loved the "special" surprise! They loved how great they tasted, and I loved that they were super nutritious!

You can check out more information at:
http://www.californiadriedplums.org/
Check them out on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDriedPlums

Go Go Squeez Review

One of our favorite go-to snacks is Go Go Squeez. This is our favorite thing to bring to snack day at preschool because it is simple, nutritious, and easy to clean up! Go Go Squeez recently sent us some pouches for review, and we loved trying them out.

If you are a lot like me, you know how hard it can be to bring snacks in the car. They leave SUCH a mess, but you want to provide something healthy for your kids on the go.

We keep a pack of Go Go Squeez in our car at almost all times. It is perfect for those times you are in the car and realize you forgot to bring a snack for after school (but before activities), and I love them for when we are on the road and someone announces they are hungry! They are a shelf stable apple sauce, and when you are done you just toss them in the trash!

Check out the full line of products on their website at: http://www.gogosqueez.com/
or follow them on Facebook (they always have SUPER giveaways!):
https://www.facebook.com/GoGo.squeeZ
Or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gogosqueez

We received Go Go Squeez to review here on the website, but we have been fans for years! we did not receive any other kind of compensation. All of our opinions and experiences are our own!

We purchase all of ours from Amazon, which are about $25 total for a pack of 48 with subscribe and save, which makes them super affordable for us! 

Kids Activities

Do you all seem overwhelmed by the start of school? Me too! My kids are in so many activities, it is hard to stay on track! When you have more than 1 child to focus on, things get complicated FAST! How many activities do you do?

We have 3 kids, and the oldest is in 4 activities (band, Tae Kwon Doe, voice, and bowling). My 6 year old is in 3 activities (Tae Kwon Doe, piano, and bowling). We are thinking of placing my youngest in 1 activity (gymnastics).

This leads to a VERY busy time for me!
How do I keep it all together? Calendar, Calendar, Calendar!!!!!
Each morning we talk about what day of the week it is, and what each person's lesson will be that day. We plan out all of our gear, instruments, etc so that they are already in the car after school.

And I never leave home without a snack! We are going to be blogging about some great snacks today that we LOVE to take with us on the go!

Ali Larter & Microsoft for Back to School Review

Are you looking for that must have back to school product? Microsoft is the perfect way to prepare everyone for back to school. We received Office 365 Home Premium to review and it was the perfect way for everyone to update their systems!



Office Premium 365 allows you access to all of the Microsoft Office products, and stores everything you need conveniently on the cloud! SkyDrive takes the guess work out of saving your documents, and since it is on the cloud you can conveniently share the link to your documents with anyone in one easy step!

MamaBreak received item(s) to review here on the site. We did not receive any other type of compensation. As always, our opinions and experiences are our own.

Purell Review

It is cold outside, and germs are everywhere! We receive Purell to review, and have been keeping germ free this cold and flu season.

There is nothing worse than walking into a store and your children touching everything! I always think about all of the germs they are coming into contact with. The past month a nasty stomach virus has been going around, and it just makes me want to stay indoors!! We love Purell because these travel sized bottles can easily attach to a backpack or diaper bag for on the go!

They have a pleasant scent and dry very quickly, which is perfect for children. Any time handwashing is not an option, this is my go-to item!

You can find all of the amazing Purell items at: http://www.purell.com/

MamaBreak received item(s) to review here on the website. We did not receive any other type of compensation. As always, our experiences and opinions are our own. 

Wordless Wednesday

My little blogging helper!

Burger King FAIL!

Visited a Burger King, and THIS is what was served to my daughter. Yes, that is a bite taken out of our burger. COMPLETELY disgusting!

Neater Feeder Giveaway

A friend recently tried Neater Feeder for her messy dogs and she loved it! This is what she had to say, 
"I put it together as soon as I got it which took like 2 seconds. I have 3 dogs and ones a boxer. Anybody that has ever had a boxer knows they are very sloppy drinkers. My problem was I had wood floors and there was always a puddle of water on the floor! With Neater Feeder I no longer have a puddle on the floor. It all goes in the bottom resivoir which is easy to dump and clean. The stainless steel bowls are also easy to clean and dishwasher safe. I did have to use the legs that just snap on, they also have rubber bottoms to prevent sliding. I knew it was working when my oldest son (20) walked by and said whose ever idea it was to get this new bowl is awesome!!!"
 And now we can to share one with MamaBreak fans!!!!
Winners Choice of size and color! 
Want to buy one? Check them out on Amazon here:Neater Feeder for Dogs, Dog Bowl, Large, Bronze 

Plenty more colors and sizes to choose from!!  
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/NeaterFeeder  
Twitter @NeaterFeeder  
You tube http://www.youtube.com/user/NeaterFeeder
Website http://www.youtube.com/user/NeaterFeeder

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fairies Fly and Go Seek Game Giveaway

 

How fun is this game for back to school! Disney Fairies Fly and Go Seek Game Search for treasures all over the house in this sweet, on-your-feet active game! Join Tinker Bell and her friends in a full body, active game. Pack up the beautiful tiles and Pixie Dust sand timer into the on-the-go Disney Fairies purse and bring the fun with you!  

In 2007 a small group of creative folks with a passion for children’s entertainment came together to develop extraordinarily fun, original, quality play experiences. Wonder Forge preschool titles celebrate the “can do” in all kids, engaging them physically, socially, and creatively. Our family games bridge generation gaps and build lasting family bonds. Today Wonder Forge offers more than 80 games, puzzles, and apps created in partnership with some of the industry’s top licenses, and honored with more than 130 prestigious awards for product excellence. Join Tinker Bell and her friends in a full-body, active game that’ll have everyone flying around the house searching for treasure triangles. Pack up the gorgeous tiles and Pixie Dust sand timer into the on-the-goDisney Fairies bag and bring the fun with you! Promotes: Active Play Matching Pattern Recognition Product Contents 1 Vinyl Bag 24 Treasure Triangle 58 Cards 1 Pixie Dust Sand Timer 1 Game Rules Manual

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where have you been . . .

Mamas,

We know we have been quiet lately, which is odd for MamaBreak. We promise we have lots of review, giveaways, and recipes coming.

Last week, our MamaBreak family lost one of our fuzzy members. It has been a very hard time for our entire family. My cat of 17 years passed away and it breaks my heart to even write it. We were so fortunate to spend the last 17 years with her, but my heart and soul misses her terribly.

I was never a cat person, so my mom giving my a cat for a birthday gift seemed a little off. She said the moment she saw the cat, she knew I needed her-- and it turns out I did. The moment I held her, something in me just clicked into place. I felt like my heart had finally found a home. She was so terribly small, and when I brought her home I discovered she could not eat solid food. For 2 weeks I hand fed her with an eye dropper and a bottle. I brought her to bed with me every night, and she slept on the pillow next to mine. She was my "baby" long before I ever had children, and even before I met my husband.

We went through a lot together. Heartaches, break-ups, graduate school, a thesis, a dissertation, countless moves to new homes and new states, a marriage, and the birth of my 3 amazing children. She stuck with me through it all and was always by my side. Always faithful, always loving.

Because I hand fed her, she believed she was a person. She refused to drink from a water bowl, only from the sink. She liked to be carried over the shoulder, and she loved "talking" with me.

I miss everything about her. Her smell, her snuggles, her greeting me at the door when I come home. She was my best friend and my first baby. She will be missed dearly.

Dangers of Lack of Sleep

familyvideocoupon.com

Mamas-- if you are as tired as I am, you NEED a good quality bed to sleep in. I have such terrible back pain, especially in my spine, and I know a better mattress could make my sleep more comfortable!
Lack of sleep not only makes us crabbier, but it effects our overall health as well. We love this article from WebMed which lists 10 negative effects of lack of sleep. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/10-results-sleep-loss. You know that plate you just dropped? Or that chair you just ran into? Did you know more accidents occur when you are tired??!!!
And as a mom, you are not just taking care of yourself, but of your family as well. Your health is important for a healthy family, and ABC News reports that health issues, such as obesity, can stem from a lack of sleep. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HeartDisease/health-problems-linked-lack-sleep/story?id=18276497
So purchase a good mattress, get better sleep, and be healthier for YOU and your family!

ToiletTree Professional Skin Care System Review

We love beauty products-- especially ones that make us look younger. We received this Water-Resistant Professional Skin Care Face and Body Brush System by ToiletTree Products Pink for review, and we absolutely love it!

The Professional Skin Care System can be used for a variety of skin care needs. From daily exfoliating of your face to making your feet smoother, this tool is a great solution to a lot of skin concerns!

I love using the smaller brush for my forehead, as I am already seeing fine lines and wrinkles in that area. The Professional Skin Care System left my forehead smooth and more youthful!

I loved that the system comes with batteries! Perfect for gift giving!

Find a huge array of ToiletTree products at: http://toilettreeproducts.com/

Twitter: @ToiletTreeProd

Facebook: ToiletTreeProducts

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/toilettreeprod/

Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/BJwXf

MamaBreak received a skin care system to review here on the site. We did not receive any other type of compensation. As always, our experiences and opinions are our own. 

A Smartphone for your Family!

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

If you have a tween at home, I am sure you have the same conversation as we do-- that indeed, she will NOT die without a smart phone, she is NOT the only one in her class without one (I am not even sure that is true any more), and I do not care what all of the other moms are doing. Sigh.

Well Republic Wireless just released a $19/ month smartphone! Yes! $19/ month! What do you get from your $19/month? All the talking, texting and surfing you can handle. And you get those things without a contract, without limits and without overages. Now that’s a smartphone plan that’s just smart!

How? Hybrid Wi-Fi Calling. The beauty of Hybrid Calling is that it lets you harness the power of Wi-Fi for calls, texts and data while also having full cellular capabilities.

The Motorola DEFY™ XT Smartphone:
Front-facing VGA Webcam
Rear-facing camera with auto focus/LED Flash, 4x digital zoom
Android operating system with wi-fi and Sprint® 3G Coverage with dual-band reception
Over 450,000 Apps through Google Play™
3.7 inch Corning® Gorilla® glass display
Dustproof, water and scratch resistant

I am getting ready to upgrade my phone and spending $19/ a month sounds so much better than $80/ month! I am checking this deal out RIGHT NOW and planning to get one for everyone in my family! What a great Christmas gift this would make for a tween or anyone needing a smart phone! Check out Republic Wireless!

 

Fuel Reward Code Giveaway

We all try to save money on everything we possibly can, well how often to you get to save money on fuel? Did you know that some of the purchases you make regularly can actually help you save money at the pump? Here is a few ways to help you save:  

• Get your FREE Fuel Rewards Network Card at any participating Shell station and activate it online at fuelrewards.com today. You can also request a Fuel Rewards Network Card to be mailed to you online during sign up for the Fuel Rewards Network program at fuelrewards.com.
• Become a Fuel Rewards Network Member - being a member of FRN lets you save on fuel at participating Shell stations nationwide by earning rewards on your everyday purchases.
• Then use your activated Fuel Rewards Network Card when you pay inside or at the pump and automatically save at least 3 cents per gallon on your fuel purchase (does not get any easier than that, but there are more ways to save.

  What I love about the Fuel Rewards Network program is that it can help you save as much as $1 to $3 per gallon or more on your next fuel purchase at Shell. This is the only program that I am aware of that allows you to combine multiple rewards offers for even bigger savings at the pump. You can use your rewards regardless of if you are using Shell V-Power® Premium Gasoline and Shell Diesel – at participating Shell stations. There is a limit 20 gallons per purchase, per vehicle.   Here are other ways to help you earn those rewards quicker - o Shop Online: Earn significant rewards on fuel by making purchases at nearly 700 brand name online merchants through the Online Mall. o Dine Out: Eat out at more than 10,000 participating restaurant locations nationally and earn fuel savings with your meal. Of course here is the best part - an easy way to save $1 per gallon up to 20 gallons (limit of 20 gallons, this card is only good for one use so if you do not use 20 gallons, you will lose the remaining value of the card). My Frugal Wife along with several other great bloggers have come together to give you the chance to win one (1) of five (5) Fuel Reward Network cards that are pre-loaded with $20 in savings! Thank you to our sponsor Fuel Rewards Network as well as all the bloggers that are helping to host this giveaway. For this giveaway there is only one mandatory and that is just to agree to the terms, all other entries are optional though they do increase your chances of winning! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter, GOOD LUCK to everyone who enters. My Frugal Wife is responsible for the shipment of the prizes to the winners.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disney on Ice Celebrates 100 Years!

Use code BLOG13 for $5 off
Disney On Ice 100 Years at the Chaifetz Arena September 26-29th

Join the celebration as more than 60 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!  You’ll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney Princesses.  Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!

Follow updates on Facebook!

Ultimate Life DVD Giveaway

If you loved The Ultimate Gift, you are going to love this movie opening on September 6th! A sequel to The Ultimate Gift, The Ultimate Life follows a man on his journey to find happiness.

Do you live life to the fullest? Take the quiz below to find out!




This fabulous prize pack can be yours!

Enter below!
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Diet-to-Go 5-day Giveaway

Want a a chance to sample some delicious, nutritious food? We are so excited to bring you a giveaway of 5 DAYS of diet-to-go! You get to choose the meal plan you want, list your allergies, and they will send you 5 days of amazing food! You can check out all of their amazing plans at diettogo.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway