Enter the #BILOfreegroceries Giveaway #AD

BI-LO is giving away $75,000 worth of free groceries to customers in some of the Southern states. Fifteen (15) BI-LO customers in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee will win FREE groceries for a year, valued at $5,000 each, by entering the Great Grocery Giveaway. Additionally, every person who enters the giveaway will automatically receive a $10 off $100 purchase coupon. I love this since we use the BI-LO fuel perks. Everybody wins!

Customers can visit http://www.bi-lo.com/freegroceries now through June 16 for official rules and to enter-to-win the Great Grocery Giveaway. Can you imagine how much $5000 for a year of groceries would help your family? I encourage you to enter if you live in any of the states listed above-- you have nothing to lose! It took me less than a minute to enter (just have your BI-LO bonus card number handy) and you will receive an email to validate your email address. Two minutes of your life that can be worth a year of FREE groceries!

How would you like to win a BI-LO gift card? Three (3) lucky Mom Files readers will win a $25 BI-LO gift card each! Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open until May 30, 2015 to U.S. Residents only, but remember, the #BILOfreegroceries Giveaway is open on their site until June 16. Be sure to leave a valid email address so you can be contacted in the event you win. Good luck!

Thank you BI-LO for sponsoring today's giveaway.

Grilled Rib-eye Steaks and Colorful Peppers Recipe

Grilling season is here and probably never ended for some. We grill year 'round since grilling doesn't always mean outdoors. If my husband isn't around to man the charcoal grill, I take matters into my own hands with my trusty cast iron stove-top grill. We are very particular when it comes to the quality of our meats, specifically beef. We love the selection available at our local Sam's Club. They have everything from T-bone, Rib-eye, Strips, roasts and stew beef. I'm a sucker for a thick rib-eye and Sam's Club steaks never disappoint! Their beef is so good that they don't require a lot of seasoning at all. That says a lot coming from a Guyanese woman who believes in her seasoning. The flavor of the beef is comparable to what you get at the finest steak houses.

I tried a recipe provided from to me courtesy of beef check off. I did make a couple of changes and used Rib-eye steaks instead of T-bone steaks and used an indoor cast iron grill instead of an outdoor charcoal/gas grill.

Grilled Beef Steak and Colorful Peppers

Ingredients

2 beef T-bone steaks from Sam’s Club
2 small bell peppers, quartered

Parsley Pesto:
½ cup packed fresh Italian parsley leaves
4 large cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Place pesto ingredients in food processor or blender container. Cover; process until parsley is finely chopped, stopping and scraping side of bowl as needed. 2. Spread pesto generously on both sides of beef steaks and bell peppers. Place steaks and peppers on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 16 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 15 to 19 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness and until peppers are tender, turning occasionally. 3. Remove bones; carve steaks into slices. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Serve beef with peppers.

I made some cheese and spinach stuffed mushrooms and grilled some asparagus to go along with the rib-eyes and it was a meal fit for a King (and Queen). My husband was so impressed by how flavorful the beef was and showed appreciation for it by not using steak sauce. We all enjoyed the juicy, tender goodness and look forward to making this again real soon. If you haven't purchased beef from Sam's Club before, you are missing out. Go check them out soon. You won't be disappointed!

Look at all of this glorious beef! Insert all the heart-eyed emojis :)

As a Cargill Beef Ambassador, I accept complimentary products to try, but opinions are always 100% my own.

My Hair Is My Best Accessory #HairfinityStyle #ad

I am a Niche Parent Network & Conference Influencer. Thanks to Hairfinity for sponsoring today's post.

I can remember the days of being a little girl and being forced by my mom to get my hair cut in that bowl-shaped bob or those awful home-cut bangs. I hated it! All I dreamed of was having long, flowing hair. I went through so many hairstyles and phases throughout my middle and high school years. I grew up in the late 80s/early 90s so I wore all of the big, poufy hair styles. If you grew up in that time frame, you probably did some dramatic things to your hair whether it was hair color, a permanent wave or overuse of hair products. I was the Princess of hair spray in high school. I wore that signature "fan" on the top of my hair and teased it to make it extra big. I now look back and think; thank goodness the 80s are behind us!

I have always believed that stylish hair is my best accessory. I didn't always have body confidence, so my hair was my main focus. As long as I kept it cut or trimmed and took a few extra minutes each day for "primping," I would look more put together and feel confident. I take great pride in caring for my tresses and have grown to love my hair! I keep it relatively long so that I am able to toss it up into a messy ponytail on those bad hair days.

I have learned some great hair care tips over the years that I incorporate daily. I believe that drinking water is the number one most important thing. On the flip side, over washing is a big no-no. I try to go a day or two between washing to preserve my natural shine and fullness. If I wash it too often, it looks dull and lifeless. Proper diet is also key to fabulous, healthy hair. You must eat a good balance of fruit, vegetables and protein every day. If you can't stick to a healthier way of eating, a vitamin supplement can help. Hairfinity Hair Vitamins help encourage healthy growth from the inside out. Who wouldn't want that?!

The famous reality show sisters, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, have teamed up with Hairfinity Hair Vitamins. They certainly have the hair and style so many of us aspire to have.

Please join in on the #HairfinityStyle Twitter party on 4/26 from 10:00-11:00 PM EST for a recap of the Keeping up with the Kardashians episode and to talk all things hair and fashion.

There will be prizes so make sure you RSVP here and  follow the #HairfinityStyle hashtag. I hope to see you there!

Unlock the last video in the Bruegger's Bagels #BehindtheTaste Series ($25 GC Giveaway)

Earlier this year I talked about the Behind the Taste video series from Bruegger's Bagels. These videos take you behind-the-scenes to showcase the authentic approach the bakery takes when selecting and creating its bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon. April 1st marks the final video to be unlocked and this one discusses their Sun-dried tomato spread (YUM). If you haven't eaten at Bruegger's Bagels, you are truly missing out! We go there at least once a month and are never disappointed in the superior quality of the food and the very personal touches their staff adds to your experience. Who wouldn't want to dine in a place that?

Here is a little recap of the videos, but you don't want to miss out on coupon opportunities so be sure to go to the Behind the Taste site for the full experience.

Behind the Taste Launch

Authentic Bagels

Cream Cheese

Smoked Salmon

Sundried Tomato Spread

As you can see, Bruegger's takes great pride to find the best ingredients for their bagels, cream cheese and other menu items. Be sure to check out the Behind the Taste website and follow Bruegger's on Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates.

Giveaway: Two lucky Mom Files readers will each win a $25 Bruegger's gift card! Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was compensated for my time to share this post and host a reader giveaway. All opinions are my own as always. 

Getting Teens To Talk About Their College Goals #CokeMiniMoments

The Coca-Cola Company provided promotional consideration for my participation in this program

Parenting is a tough job, we all know that. No two kids are the same and each one requires a different approach to really reach them. I have two older daughters and I think the years between 13 and 16 were the most challenging. My younger daughter, Briahnna is a high school senior and over the years, she has been a little harder to really talk to in general. She’s a high achieving IB student and is very involved in extracurricular activities, but when it comes to serious topics, she seems to want to hide inside her shell. My older daughter was the complete opposite and would want to talk about anything and everything. Over the last few years, I figured out that the drive to school and back home were great times to catch up and chat. We sometimes listen to the radio and do a little car dancing which ends up leaving us in tears from laughing so hard. This is usually a great ice breaker and gives us a few minutes to discuss school-related things. There has even been times when I bring her favorite snack or drink as an after school treat to help lighten the mood after a long day of classes.

Briahnna applied to four colleges and we had to stay on her about making sure she didn’t wait until the last minute. She’s the type of student that cranks out outstanding work although her work area is almost always a complete mess. Organized chaos seems to work for her. I have to come to the point that I really don’t waste my breath sweating the fact that she is messy. I more focus on working with her to make sure she is achieving and even exceeding her goals. I have recognized that she likes to have her personal space, but also respects my time when we need to be serious. Chatting in the car seems to take some of the pressure off of her instead of doing it in her messy room or with all of the rest of the family around. I am sure there are times that she wants me to shut up, but as an old family friend and mother figure told me many years ago, “Always talk to your children. Even when they act like they don’t want to hear it, talk to them anyway.” I have taken this advice to heart and you know what? It works!

Now that Briahnna has gotten accepted into her college of choice, she is in full scholarship application mode. Since our older daughter already has nearly two years of college under her belt, we use her experiences to help Brie have a better understanding of how it all works. Brie even mentioned the other day how one of her friends was trash talking a smaller dollar amount scholarship that she deemed a “waste of time”. Brie said she will keep on applying no matter how small the amount might be. She sees how much a little amount can really add up. I guess those little chats in the car are really working.

Do you need some help talking with your teens about their goals for college? Check out the Coca-Cola Pay it Forward Mini-Moments to get some great tips to help engage in positive conversation. You can download a PDF to your computer as a guide. This specific one,  Let's Talk:  Encouraging your teen to open up about their goals and how you can help achieve them is tailored to help open dialogue with your teen. They are very simple to follow and are a great resource.  While you are on the Pay It Forward site, be sure to take a moment to nominate your teen for an amazing opportunity to attend the Coca-Cola Pay it Forward Academy and also win a $5000 scholarship. You can see the complete contest rules here.

Now crack open a mini can of Coke and get the conversation started! #CokeMiniMoments

Nominate a deserving teen for the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy #CokePayItForward

The Coca-Cola Company provided promotional consideration for my participation in this program


If you have been a Mom Files reader for the past few years, you might recall me talking about the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program. Well, this year is bigger and better, with Mr. Steve Harvey back for a second year as the celebrity ambassador and co-host. I participated in a Twitter chat with him last week, discussing a few ways we can connect with and encourage our teens with the college application process. It was really refreshing to see how many caring parents offered up some great advice. This year, the program has expanded to include the all-new Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy. The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program is a movement, primarily targeted to moms, to uplift and help pay it forward to the next generation.



You’re probably wondering what exactly the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program is and how it works. Here are some facts:

• The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program is a movement to uplift and inspire the next generation of African American teens to realize their dreams through education, unique mentorship experiences and scholarship.
• The program works through a nomination process, where moms, dads, relatives, neighbors or teachers nominate high school teens in grades 9-12. Nominators or nominees must be 13 years of age and older and eligible teens can even nominate themselves. 
• Nominations are done on Coca-Cola’s Pay It Forward website. 
• Up to twenty winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and a trip from their hometown for them and their mom/legal guardian to attend the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy July 24-26, 2015 in Atlanta, GA. See full contest rules here. 

Nominations are open until March 31, 2015.

The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy is a three-day educational development experience, structured to offer valuable resources for moms and her teen(s). Moms will receive helpful tips like how to help her teen(s) be successful in school now, and how to financially prepare them for college. For teens, the programming will focus on topics like personal branding, higher education and alternative career paths.



Besides Steve Harvey joining for the second year as the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program celebrity ambassador, Coca-Cola has partnered with Get Schooled and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to assist with the development of the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy programming. You can listen to this audio clip with Steve Harvey interviewing the President and CEO of The United Negro College Fund, Dr. Michael Lomax, to help get a better understanding of the program.

I nominated my high school senior tonight and it was a very quick process, it only took about 2-3 minutes. I know the experience will be so valuable to the deserving teens that will ultimately win. It would certainly be a memorable summer! So, what are you waiting for? Go nominate a deserving teen now. Be sure to spread the word and encourage your family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors to nominate a teen as well. Who will YOU nominate?

Visit coke.com/payitforward to nominate, and for complete rules and eligibility requirements. Join the conversation online using #CokePayItForward.

New at IHOP Criss Croissants-- A must-try!

I had the absolute pleasure of sampling the latest menu item from IHOP. The all-new Criss Croissants. Breakfast lovers the world over have long enjoyed the unique taste and texture of the classic French croissant—that delicate, buttery flaky pastry that practically melts in your mouth.  Now, IHOP restaurants introduces a brand new way to savor that treat—by taking that distinctive dough and baking it in a waffle iron so that you have the luscious taste of a croissant with the distinctive criss-crossing of the waffle iron pattern, and voila!  Criss-Croissants!

Oh boy, these are out of this world! Criss Croissants are available in two irresistible flavors: Strawberry Rhubarb and Blackberry Lemonade. I'm a strawberry gal so I knew that was the one I would want to try first. I won't lie, I anticipated that the cream would be too sweet for my liking. To my surprise, it wasn't at all. It was lightly sweet and the fruit was bursting with a sweet and tangy flavor. It was the perfect combination. I had mine paired with the bacon and egg combo and I ate every last bite. My husband tried it too and enjoyed it as well. We noticed that many people sitting around us were ordering the same thing. I don't blame them :)

Strawberry Rhubarb: A warm waffled croissant filled with perfectly sweetened cream cheese, and crowned with a strawberry rhubarb topping.

Blackberry Lemonade: A warm waffled croissant filled with refreshing lemonade cream and topped with sweet blackberries.

Criss Croissants are available as part of a breakfast combo at participating IHOP restaurants through April 5. If you can make it out to IHOP, you must try Criss Croissants. You won't be disappointed! Be sure to check out IHOP on the web and follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

I received a gift card to try out the latest menu offering in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

Liberte Mediterranee is truly #YogurtPerfection $15 PayPal giveaway

Thanks to Liberté Méditerranée for sponsoring today's discussion

Have you ever heard of or tried Liberte Mediterranee yogurt before? I was introduced to it from a friend almost two years ago and I have been completely hooked ever since. My friends and family often call me a food snob for good reason, this yogurt is premium perfection that exceeds my standards. I have tried almost all of the flavors except the two newest ones: Caramel and Cappuccino. I have been stalking my local Publix supermarket in hopes they will start to carry them.

In the meantime, my all-time favorite is the coconut flavor. The first time I tried it I had a moment. I closed my eyes and felt like I was eating freshly grated coconut mixed into the creamiest, richest yogurt I ever tasted. It was absolutely divine! It's made with whole milk and has no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. I have converted many yogurt lovers into Liberte Yogurt lovers.

I mostly enjoy my yogurt as is, but on occasion I will add some granola on top for breakfast. Another yummy way to take my Yogurt Perfection to the next level is with one of my favorite Liberte recipes, a fabulous fruit smoothie. I take my favorite fresh and frozen fruits, ice cubes and a container of Liberte Mediterranee and blend it into the most gorgeous (yes, gorgeous) smoothie ever!

Right now you can print a coupon to save 20 cents on a cup of Liberte at Publix. They are almost always on sale 10 for $10 and trust me, if you haven't already tried it, you will buy 10 at a time. You should check out their interactive page that tells you the story behind Liberte-- it's awesome! Just one thing, please don't get mad at me when you get hooked on Liberte. You definitely want to take advantage of the Liberte Publix coupon ;)

To help you stock on Liberte yogurt, one lucky Mom Files reader will win $15 PayPal cash. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on February 25, 2015. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email to be awarded prize. Good luck! 

3-Ingredient Jalapeno-Ranch Deviled Eggs for your Super Bowl Party #NaturallyFresh (Giveaway)

This post is part of the blogger program by Naturally Fresh® and The Motherhood, who compensated me for my time and the development of this recipe. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

There has been so much excitement all over the country with the football playoffs and the long-waited event of the year, the Super Bowl. We love watching The Super Bowl together as a family and I go all out with yummy game food and drinks. I have been playing around with some better-for-you recipe ideas and wanted to share one of them with you. 

Of course, a party isn't a party without the deviled eggs! I can't think of a more simple and delicious finger food, and I always include them on the menu. I came up with a tasty version for our upcoming Super Bowl party that only requires three ingredients. Can it get any more simple than that? These jalapeno-ranch deviled eggs are sure to please your guests. 

To make these scrumptious eggs, all you need is:

• Hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
• Naturally Fresh Classic Ranch Dressing 
• Pickled jalapeno pepper rings (you can use the tamed version if you don't like spicy) 

All you have to do is separate your hard-boiled yolks in a medium size bowl and mash them finely with a fork. You then add the desired amount of Naturally Fresh Classic Ranch dressing until you reach the correct consistency you are looking for. At this point, you can add a little cracked pepper to taste if you like. Next step is to simple scoop your egg yolk mixture into you egg whites or pipe it in using a large star tip like I did. Add a half of a jalapeno ring on the top and sprinkle with paprika to make them look fancy. That's it! So super simple and you can even use the Light Ranch if you want to cut out some extra calories. 

Naturally Fresh makes their ranch dressing with their very own buttermilk and the Lite Ranch is made with their nonfat buttermilk (half the calories of the original). Naturally Fresh is a line of high-quality, homemade-tasting salad dressings and dips with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. These dressing and dips are always sold in the refrigerated section of your grocery stores because they don't have any artificial flavors or preservatives. Naturally Fresh does not use MSG either. 

You really can taste the difference in these products. You really can't go wrong with wholesome ingredients packed with flavor. Find Naturally Fresh products at most Publix or Kroger stores and you can also find other locations using the free mobile app. Their website offers plenty of recipes too!

Enter to win one of five coupons for one FREE 12 ounce bottle of Naturally Fresh Dressing below:a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on January 26, 2015. Winners will be contacted via email to claim prize. Mom Files is NOT responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Behind the Taste with Bruegger's Bagels #BehindTheTaste #spon $25 GC Giveaway

Do you ever crave certain foods and insist that it must be authentic? You know, the real deal. No shortcuts, no substitutions. This is how I am with bagels. Living in NYC as a kid, you know you don't mess around with certain foods. A proper bagel is a must and anything less won't cut it. Bruegger's Bagels are certainly the real deal with that signature texture and chew that really sets the bar on bagel quality-- truly authentic New York Style. Lucky for us, Bruegger's bagels is not just exclusive to NYC residents. They have locations in various parts of the U.S. so you get a chance at having the real thing. Yes, even in South Carolina, I get to experience a fine New York Style bagel. I tell ya, there's nothing like it! I was excited when I found out that they were launching their new "Behind the Taste" website. There is a new video each month through April that you can "unlock". *Hint: there might just be a little surprise at the end!

Bruegger's Bagels has a really nice breakfast and lunch menu that offers something for everyone. I tried their Pastrami, Egg & Swiss breakfast sandwich and it was delicious! I love how much care goes into preparing your order and that you can watch the magic happen from behind the counter.

Check out this short video to see how Bruegger's keeps tradition alive and what makes their bagels so unique.

If you haven't experienced Bruegger's for yourself, you are truly missing out! Go here to see of there is a location near you. And again, be sure to check out their brand new "Behind the Taste" website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for product updates and promotions.

Bruegger's Bagels have provided me with 2 gift cards to give away to my lovely readers. Each winner will get a $25 Bruegger's bagel gift card. Enter below:        a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on January 16, 2015. Two winners will be picked at random and mandatory entry will be verified. Mom Files is NOT responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged prizes.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own as always.

SOL REPUBLIC 100-day Money back Guarantee on Tracks Air (Holiday Gift Guide) Giveaway

CLOSED- Winner is The Attic Girl, Shelly D.! Congratulations!

Have you ever had that moment when you have your headphones on and you're jammin' and about to multi-task when suddenly, BAM! Your headphones come flying off your head because the cord got stuck somewhere. Yep, you know it has happened to you. Annoying, huh? I finally found the answer to my problem; SOL REPUBLIC Tracks Air Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are helping me break free from wires.

These headphones do not disappoint. They still give you the same amazing sound quality you get from the standard corded headphones. It's a step above with not being tied down with wires. Now you can do those tasks without being held back! They are great for taking with you when you are on-the-go, traveling or anywhere you want to enjoy the freedom of listening to music, audio-books or video wirelessly. Tracks Air come in 4 colors and have up to a 15 hour battery life. Another great thing is the SOL REPUBLIC Tracks Air 100-Day Money Back Guarantee.

Tracks Air comes with 100-day Money Back Guarantee, so you can go from 0 to 100% Wireless with nothing to hold you back.

The Guarantee applies only to Tracks Air wireless headphones purchased on or after October 15, 2014 directly from SOL REPUBLIC via the official Web Site at www.solrepublic.com. Tracks Air headphones must be returned within 100 days following purchase to be eligible for a refund. See full details here.

You can purchase the SOL REPUBLIC Tracks Air Wireless Bluetooth headphones directly from the website or Radio Shack for $199.99.

Be sure to follow SOL REPUBLIC on Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates.

Giveaway: One very lucky Mom Files reader will win a pair of Tracks Air to put the 100-day money back guarantee to the test. Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on December 18, 2014. One winner will be picked at random and mandatory entry will be verified. Winner will be emailed for mailing information. Mom Files is NOT responsible for prize fulfillment or for any lost, stolen or damaged prizes.

Disclosure: I received the same item described in this post from SOL REPUBLIC. All opinions are 100% mine as always. 

Try out Bojangles' Seasoned Deep Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving (Giveaway) #TisTheSeasoning #ad

I have always wanted to have a deep fried turkey for Thanksgiving, but I am scared to death to actually cook one. I think I have seen enough horror stories on the news to keep me from every attempting it on my own. Did you know that Bojangles' offers seasoned deep fried turkeys for the holidays? Bojangles' wants to do the hard work for you by cooking your turkey so you can have more time with your family and friends. After all, isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?

You can pre-order Bojangles’ Seasoned Fried Turkeys by visiting one of the participating stores. Customers who take home the turkey the same day their order is placed will also receive a bonus $5 Bojangles’ gift card. Those who’d like to pre-order and wait to pick up their tasty turkey can wait until as late as noon on Thanksgiving Day. Bojangles’ Seasoned Fried Turkeys are a customer favorite—often they sell out even prior to Thanksgiving day so the sooner the order is placed the better! The turkeys are sold for $39.99. Each turkey weighs in at 10 to 13 pounds and feeds six to eight people. The turkeys come ready to cook—customers can simply take it home, heat and serve.

All Bojangles’ locations offering Seasoned Fried Turkeys can provide a full Thanksgiving meal, complete with made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits and family-sized fixin’s such as mashed potatoes, mac ‘n cheese, green beans, Seasoned Fries, Cajun Pintos ® and Dirty Rice® and sweet desserts like Bo-Berry Biscuits®, Cinnamon Pecan Twists and individual Sweet Potato Pies.

Customers can find out if their Bojangles’ is offering the popular Seasoned Fried Turkeys by visiting the bojangles.com/locator and calling their local store. In addition to Seasoned Fried Turkeys, customers can add the delicious taste of Bojangles’ seasonings to every holiday meal by purchasing Bojangles’ pre-packaged French Fry Seasoning at participating locations beginning Monday, Nov. 24. This makes me so happy because I am a huge fan of their seasoned fries! Customers and enthusiasts are invited to share their Bojangles’ seasoned dishes and holiday memories with the hashtag #TisTheSeasoning.

I think the Bojangles' offerings are perfect for office parties, potluck suppers and of course, at home with your family and friends. To get you prepared for Thanksgiving, the folks from Bojangles' have provided me with a $20 gift card to give away to one lucky Mom Files reader. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on November 21, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes.

Disclosure: I received complimentary items from Bojangles' to help promote their holiday offerings. All opinions are my own as always.

Haribo Pink Ribbon Bags for Breast Cancer Awareness Month #PinkBears

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Haribo and helps to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation. I was compensated for this post, but chose to donate a portion of my compensation to the NBCF to provide hope and inspiration to those affected by breast cancer through early detection. Find out how you can help raise awareness at the bottom of this post! 

As everyone should know by now, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. You can see pink ribbons everywhere you go and even on your favorite athletes. I believe that almost every person has some sort of connection with a breast cancer patient, survivor and those who lost the fight against the vicious disease. Now that I’m 40, my doctor told me it is very important that I start getting an annual mammogram. Although breast cancer does not run in my family, I can’t take any chances. I have it on my calendar to call my local radiology center to get one set up. My husband has a coworker who won the fight against breast cancer and her check-ups have been excellent. We continue to pull for her and pray the cancer never comes back.

Haribo is the world’s largest gummi, licorice and marshmallow candy manufacturer, and the maker of the original Gold-Bear gummi bears you find sold in the gold bags. They have proudly partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and you can find their a pink ribbon emblazoned on the gold bags of the Original Haribo gummi bears. My family can't resist the classic taste and chew of a Haribo gummi bear.

NBCF provides hope and inspiration to those affected by breast cancer  through early detection, education and support services; and will receive  a portion of Haribo pink-ribbon bag sales during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

NBCF provides free mammograms to women in all 50 states through our network of hospitals, and is one of the most recognized and respected breast cancer charities in the world. Since 2003, NBCF has received the highest 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator. For more information on NBCF, please visit nbcf.org

Haribo Gold-Bears pink ribbon bags will be sold in select Target, Kroger and retailers across the nation at a suggested retail price of $1.09 - $1.69.
For more information on Haribo, please visit www.facebook.com/HariboUSA

I was provided with 2 bags of yummy Haribo gummi bears to give away to one sweet reader. Enter below:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on October 31, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes.

VTech Smartwatch Sweepstakes

Does your child have dreams of becoming the next Mozart? Next President? Or a secret spy? Do they leave you in stitches or keep you constantly on your toes? I know my little one does! I find myself always thinking, "I should have recorded that moment".

Kids love to show off their playful personalities and so do their parents! That’s why VTech® wants parents and caregivers to share their “that’s my kid” moments on social media. Using the hashtag #smartwatchsweeps, parents and caregivers can share and submit images of their children showing off one-of-kind kid moments, for a chance to win a VTech Kidizoom® Smartwatch of their very own!

How to Enter:

Take a pic/video of your kids showing off their silly antics for a chance to win a VTech Kidizoom® Smartwatch! You can upload your photo to http://www.vtechkids.com/smartwatchsweeps to submit your entry or tag your photo with the hashtag #smartwatchsweeps when posting it to Twitter and/or Instagram.

At the end of every week, five entries will be selected at random to receive a Smartwatch and will be highlighted as one of VTech’s “Smartwatch Kids of the Week” on their social media channels. You can find all details and official rules to the VTech Smartwatch Sweepstakes here.

Be sure to check out my Smartwatch review here.

The information and gift card have been provided to me by VTech

How LISTERINE has helped make oral care easier for my family #MC #sponsored

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

You might recall a post I did last week about my family's struggles when it comes to oral care and how LISTERINE products can help. I wanted to follow-up with some thoughts since using the products for a couple weeks now. First of all, I am most impressed with my six year old son. Ever since he tried the SMART RINSE, he has become more interested in taking care of his teeth and mouth. He gives no trouble in the morning and night to brush and rinse. As a matter of fact, he reminds me that he needs to rinse. I think the fact that it is so easy and to dispense, makes it an enjoyable experience for him. He feels like such a big boy pouring his rinse into a cup and being able to swish and spit without swallowing. He also makes it a point to smile and show off his pearly whites. This makes me so happy since he doesn't always brush properly to remove all of the extras that might be lingering in his mouth. The LISTERINE SMART RINSE gives added peace of mind. And I just love fresh kisses at bedtime. If you have a little one, I really do recommend this product.

I am really loving the LISTERINE® HEALTHYWHITE GENTLE Sodium Fluoride Anticavity Mouthrinse and the Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss. I like that I can enjoy the benefits of having a clean and fresh mouth, with added whitening, but without the burn of some mouth rinses. I have noticed the whitening more with using it twice a day. I will have to check my local wholesale club to see if I can buy it in a bulk size. I'm also really pleased with the Gentle Gum Care Dental Floss since it is really super gentle on my aging gums.

We plan to continue using LISTERINE oral care products to help keep our mouths healthy. Be sure to check out the LISTERINE website to find retailers of where to buy products. Check out their YouTube page as well.

Does your family sometimes struggle with keeping up good oral care habits? Do you have a favorite LISTERINE oral care product? Feel free to leave any tips or advice in the comments.