Char Crust® Dry Rub Review & Giveaway

I received 4 boxes of Char Crust Dry Rub Seasoning in 4 varieties (Roasted Garlic Peppercorn, Ginger Teriyaki, Amazin' Cajun and All American Barbecue) to try out. Since I am a big at-home cook I was very eager to try it out. I decided to go with the All American Barbecue flavor. I really did not know what to expect. I am the type of cook that has an arsenal of seasonings. I literally use about 10-12 items for one dish. I figured I would grab some chicken and see what happens...

I opened the box and it contained a packet of the dry rub seasoning. I poured some onto a plate and pressed my boneless, skinless chicken thighs into the rub and coated them all over. There was a tiny part of me screaming to add some of my own flavors but I quickly shut myself up *ahem*

I had my trusty cast iron griddle heated up and coated the surface with some Canola oil. I added my chicken and let it sizzle for a few minutes. When I flipped them over a tiny bit of panic came over me because I thought I might have burned them! Turns out they were "charred" brown.. very brown! 

I transferred my chicken to a smaller cast iron skillet after browning them and popped them into the oven to be sure they cooked all the way through. I heated the oven to about 400 and cooked them for about 10 minutes. 

Now came the moment of truth. Tasting it. Oh my googlie goo it was so juicy and tender!! The flavor was a perfect blend of 'sweet heat'. I was so surprised and pleased with it and was I ever so happy that I opted to not add anything else. It has a great kick that I noticed intensified when it was reheated. Next time I cook the chicken like that I want some big, fluffy whole wheat rolls and some fresh crunchy veggies to make some sandwiches. I am already planning what types of dishes I will make with the remaining varieties. The great part for a busy mom like me? It was so fast and easy! It was interesting too that these rubs are one of the very few certified Kosher rubs and are low sodium. I was so happy to find out that one of the local butcher shoppes located about 5 minutes from my home carries Char Crust dry rubs! You can see if there are any locations near you here. You can also purchase them directly from the website. 

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I am so thrilled to be able to host a giveaway for 4 boxes of Char Crust Dry Rub Seasonings for one lucky Momfiles reader to win! 

**To enter (mandatory) just leave a comment telling me which Char Crust variety you want to try. 

For extra entries (leave a separate comment per entry method):

~ "like" Char Crust and Momfiles on Facebook

~ Write on the Momfiles Facebook wall letting me know you entered

~ Follow Momfiles on Twitter 

~ Tweet about this giveaway (once daily) 

Win 4 boxes of #CharCrust Dry Rub @momfiles and make your meats extra juicy! http://tinyurl.com/cprkzgk #food #giveaway

~ Subscribe to Momfiles via email

~ Follow Momfiles on Pinterest 

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on April 7, 2012 at 12:00 AM EST. One winner will be chosen at random. Please leave an email address in your comment if you do not have a Blogger profile. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck! 

I received free products for review purposes and all thoughts/opinions are 100% mine as always.

Mommy anxiety, do you have it?

For weeks now I have been starting posts and then hitting "backspace" and deleting everything I wrote. Anxiety takes over and I walk away from the computer. Is what I am about to write going to offend anyone? Is it interesting or thought provoking? Countless thoughts go through my head and I have to sit down and take a few deep breaths. I start thinking about everything... Am I doing enough with training William to become more independent? Am I giving the girls enough of myself to help them be better women? Am I a good enough wife? What do I cook today? Why have I stopped using coupons? I don't call people often enough. Why am I avoiding certain things? The grass needs to be cut and the house needs repairs. Why on earth am I feeling like backspacing this whole post? Where is all this stupid anxiety coming from anyway? Please pardon how poorly and very randomly written this post is. Maybe I just think too much! My brain needs a vacation :)

Do you suffer from anxiety? What tips can you share?

William is 4!

Our little guy just had a birthday and he is officially 4 years old! William has hit many milestones in the last year and we are so proud of him.

Some facts about William:

• He has gotten over his shyness and loves to be around other people! This is great since we are trying to get him prepped for kindergarten next year.  
• He is a very compassionate boy. If he senses you are in pain he will ask you if you are okay and offer to rub you or kiss it to make it all better. Sweet boy.
• William shows great discipline. I have to credit having a strong father for that one. It is amazing how well he will listen and pay attention. 
• I get told all the time what a mature little boy I have. Most people are amazed that he is his age and behaves the way he does. That makes me proud.
• William wakes up full of joy. He greets you with "good morning" and a lot of times starts the day singing the "good morning song" that his daddy taught him. 
• William shows how much he retains what you teach him. If you are caught doing something wrong he will be the first one to let you know "That's not a good choice". Trust me, I get told about my bad choices all the time!
• He loves animals, trucks, robots, all things Disney, fishing, playing outdoors and hanging out with his daddy. Daddy is his favorite person. I have becomes alright with that. Sort of.
• He is showing so much more independence and I have been working hard on letting him do things for himself. Operation un-spoil the child is progressing well so far. It turns out that he really likes doing things for himself! Again, I credit his father for that. He helps so much with the boy child. 
• William has become very talkative and asks a lot of questions. I love it! I love helping him learn and understand things. He asks some really good questions too! 
• William is into Scooby Doo, Phineas & Ferb and programs on Animal Planet/ NatGeo Wild. It is amazing how he really gets into some of these shows. He loves to go down to the man room and watch with his dad. The part I don't like... he puts his hand in the front of his pants like most men do. Gross. Of course his daddy is proud of that! 

Overall William is a vibrant and loving little boy. We are so excited to see all the new things he learns over the next year. We are so proud of him!

My Very Happy Birthday Review & Giveaway

Today is our little William's 4th birthday. Although he does not fully understand birthdays, it has not dulled his excitement! He is at such a fun and curious age. We were so thrilled to receive a personalized board book from I See Me! in the "My Very Happy Birthday" version... right in time for his birthday! William recognizes his name and squealed in excitement when he saw a book that was made just for him.

This sweet book has cute pictures and personal details throughout. The ordering process is so simple. You can take a virtual tour here. William really enjoyed listening to the whole birthday adventure that was all about himself. I love that he can have this sturdy book for many years as a keepsake that he can show his own children. This is such a neat gift idea for your own children, grandkids, family or friends and also for the kid who has everything. Right now you can sign up for the Refer-a-friend program to get $5 off for each customer you refer. There is no limit to how many people you can refer!

I am so thrilled that my friends at I See Me! are offering one lucky Momfiles reader a chance to win a personalized birthday book. Enter below...

*Mandatory- Let us know who you plan to give this book to if you are selected as the winner. What other I See Me! titles do you like? 

For extra entries please leave a separate comment per entry method:

~ Like I See Me! and Momfiles on Facebook

~ Share this giveaway on Facebook 

~ Follow I See Me! and Momfiles on Pinterest

~ Follow I See Me! and Momfiles on Twitter

~ Tweet this giveaway (once daily):

#Win a personalized #book from @ISeeMe_Maia and @momfiles  http://tinyurl.com/732d7nr  #giveaway

~ Follow Momfiles via GFC and leave the name you are following as.

~ Subscribe to Momfiles via email (upper right hand side)

This contest is open to US Residents only and will end on April 1, 2012 at 12:00 AM EST. Please leave your email address in your comment if you do not have a Blogger profile. One winner will be chosen at random. Failure to follow the rules will disqualify your entries. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

I received a book for review purposes. All thoughts/opinions are 100% my own.

Our experience with allergy shots

When my daughter Briahnna was about 7, she started suffering from severe headaches. It went from maybe 2-3 times a week to 24/7 over the course of a few years. We took her to the doctor and he recommended an MRI. It came out fine. He had her go through it again. Two tests later, nothing. He couldn't figure out what was causing it. He then sent us over to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. She has her first allergy test when she was about 10. Turns out she was suffering from all the elements in the air... dust, pollen, pet dander and everything else. She was put on allergy medication and it started to help. Her headaches stopped and she was feeling normal again. Well that lasted all of about 3-4 months. The ENT tried changing her meds and although it would work for a while, it eventually stopped. There was always the discussion about allergy shots and I was really not sure how I felt about it. I did know that I was really tired of seeing my child suffer like she was. Finally we gave in and started her on the allergy shot. She would go once a week and get check-ups to see how she was progressing every 3 months. Literally within her first 3-4 months there was a drastic change with the headaches. They were getting less and less. Now she has been going for the shots for about 3 years and lives headache free. It was one of the best decisions we could have made. I wish we did is sooner but like I said, I was very skeptical.

Do you or anyone in your family suffer from allergies? Do you get the shot?

Disney has ruined my kid!

You might recall reading a post about our family going to The Magic Kingdom a few months ago. Well apparently little William has not gotten over it. He is obsessed with all things Disney. He is, as I write this post, singing the "Happy Holidays" song that was being performed at one of the parades. He carries around a map of Disney in the house, the car, the store and asks to go to Disney World... several dozen times a day!

Dwayne recorded video of the parades and William watches them repeatedly. It also doesn't help that Disney commercial come on all day long!! When he meets new people he immediately tells them all about the "castle". SMH, I need to hit the lottery quick so we can take this boy back! I really thought he would have been over it by now. I guess the magic is still in him. I won't lie, I want to go back myself! Looks like it will be on the places to visit list in the next couple years.

They insist on growing up

I love my daughters. They are the most outstanding teenagers I have ever known. I don't say that because they are my girls, I say it because it is the truth! They don't act like the average teenager. They push themselves to be the best they can in school, sports and every other area of their life. They carry themselves like young ladies and are a best friend to each other. I am filled with happiness when I listen to some of the conversations they have with each other. My hope is that they always continue to be close and be there for each other.

The girls will be 16 & 18 later this year and Chardie is already looking into college applications. She informed me the other night that although she is a Junior, she has signed up for early application/early acceptance with the college she has dreamed of going to since she was 5. She will find out in November if she gets accepted. *sigh* Although I am so proud and I know that she will get in, I feel like she is half way out the door already. Did I mention that the college is local? She insists that she will always be around because she will still crave her mom's good cooking. Of course I will be there to indulge her! 

Now Brie has turned into this mini grown-up overnight. She stand about 3 inches taller than me and shows no signs of the looking like a little girl. She has really grown up so much not just physically but emotionally. Brie is our very intelligent, lively and colorful child. She keeps us entertained! She is also William's go-to person when he gets into trouble. He will go to Brie and explain what he did and tell her how much trouble he is in (very dramatically) Of course big sister eats it all up and consoles him. She doesn't like seeing him get into trouble but you better believe that if she catches him doing something naughty, she will correct him immediately. 

Little William is going to be 4 later this month. Although I have not missed a single milestone (being a stay-at-home mom) my heart still breaks a little seeing him grow up so fast. I am proud of that little boy though. He has met many milestones in the last year. It's funny, just when you think your kid will never do certain things they surprise you and do it BIG! I am trying to get him prepared for kindergarten. Some days I feel like I am doing a great job but most days I feel like I am not doing enough. That's another post for another day. 

I am just so proud of all my children. They are so inspiring and full of light. I take as much time as I can to watch them, listen to them and take in all the greatness they put out in the world. They are going to do very big things in their lives. I feel so fortunate to have such amazing children! 

You can't beat home cooking | Publix $25 GC giveaway

Like most busy families, meal time can be a challenge when time is limited. Luckily Publix knows that the best meals happen and home and are having their “Best Meals Happen at Home” event to find great savings on some of your favorite products. Be sure to visit BestMealsatHome.com to find fantastic recipes, which can be cooked in 30 minutes or less, and your family is sure to love. After all, who wants to be stuck in the kitchen for hours when that time can be spent with your family!

Take advantage of great savings on some of your favorite participating brands during the “Best Meals Happen at Home” event at Publix from March 8th through March 14th.   As of March 8th, look for in-store for coupons that will be valid through March 28th, 2012.  Visit BestMealsatHome.com to sign up and receive emails with weekly recipes and coupon offers that will help you save up to $200 this year!

I made these yummy lasagna rolls using General Mills Ragu brand pasta sauce.

Giveaway: One lucky Momfiles reader will win a $25 Publix gift card! Enter below in the Rafflecopter widget. 

LYSOL® No-Touch Kitchen System Review & Giveaway

Contest Closed

Winner# 67- Lisa Congratulations! 

I just love cleaning and household products. I was thrilled to get to test out the new Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System. I am a very active kitchen person so this was right up my alley. I received the starter kit in the fresh and fruity Sparkling Tangerine scent. Other scents are Sunkissed Lemon and Shimmering Berry.

Assembling the system was so simple. It comes with batteries so all you have to do is remove the tab where the battery compartment is and peel the sticker off the bottle of product. Snap product on the top of dispenser and you are ready to go.  The unit dispenses just the right amount of formula automatically and it is wonderful that it is hands-free! When you cook everyday you will find that you don't always want to put your food covered hands on your dish liquid bottle. This is a winner for me!

I tested to see how many glasses and tumblers I could wash with one no-touch "squeeze". I did a total of 13 and I did not think that was half bad! I am a dish liquid over-user so I am hoping this system will keep save me overall. I have washed sink loads of dishes including pots, pans and bake ware with this new product. The formula works wonderfully on breaking up grease and loosening up stuck-on food particles. The Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System was not made just for dish washing. It is also good for cleaning surfaces. Another winner for me since I make a huge mess on my stove daily. It cleans my counter tops, stove top and even cabinets very well and leaves that fresh scent behind. You can also use this product to wash your hands. To say it kills bacteria, it is very gentle on your hands. The best part about that? My husband will and I will get along wonderfully when fishing season comes back (pretty soon too). He just LOVES going out back to the pond to catch his "big" fish and of course ends up catching babies and has to throw them back in the water. This means he has fishy, stinky hands. Of course he generally comes straight into the kitchen to wash his hands. I am thrilled to know that he can get his hand cleaner without touching any bottle! Another winner for me!! So can you guess my overall opinion of the Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System? You are right, it's a winner!

You absolutely have to go check out the Lysol Kitchen System Undercover Challenge for a chance to win a Grand Prize Kitchen Upgrade and also weekly chances to win the Lysol No-Touch System. You should play, it's fun! I totally stink at it though but you better believe I entered for my chance to win the kitchen upgrade *fingers crossed*

So do you want to try the Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System out for yourself? One lucky Momfiles reader will win a starter kit. Enter in the Rafflecopter widget below.

Lemon Cheese Danish Recipe

I was playing around in the kitchen the other day and tried to figure out what I could do with some crescent roll dough I had in my refrigerator. I found cream cheese and fresh lemon. I tried searching for a Danish recipe and couldn't find what I was looking for so I made up my own filling using my favorite cheesecake ingredients. I came up with these cuties. I thought I would share the recipe...

For pastries:
2 tubes of Crescent Roll dough
1 package of cream cheese
1 egg
1/2 cup of sugar
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For glaze:
1 tbsp melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk (more or less according to desired consistency)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Heat oven to about 350 degrees. With a hand mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar and egg until smooth. Add lemon juice, zest and extract. Separate crescent dough at the perforation. Place a heaping teaspoon of cream cheese mixture on top and fold corners over. Place pastries on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for about 16 minutes or until nice and brown. While pastries are baking mix all the glaze ingredients together. It should be thin enough to drizzle over the top. When pastries are completely cook, dip a fork in glaze and drizzle desired amount over the pastries.

That's all. My family loved these so much and I think they would make a great brunch item. They are way better than the store bought Danish pastries. If you try them let me know how you liked them. Enjoy :)

My newest favorite thing

If you know me personally or even through Facebook or Twitter then you know how much I love to cook. You also might know how much I love household gadgets and cookware. My latest addition to my kitchen is my dual-sided cast iron griddle/grill.

My hubby surprised me with it after I might have advertised all over Facebook how badly I wanted one. I squealed when I opened the box! I have already cooked up so many yummy dishes on it and have plans for so many more. One bad thing is that it weighs 16 pounds. It puts a lot of strain on my shoulders from cleaning it. It's worth it though. There is something so special about cooking on cast iron. I am wondering why it took me so long to learn this. I am going to the store either today or tomorrow to purchase a mini pan for cooking eggs and small things. The other evening I cooked up a couple dozen pancakes and my hubby told me they tasted like they came from a pancake restaurant!

Forget shoes and bags, bring on the cookware! Do you own any cast iron cookware? What are your favorite things to make?

Save at Kroger with Cart Busters {Rafflecopter Giveaway}

Beginning the week of February 26th, 2012, shop the Kroger Co. Family of Stores biggest-ever promotion and find the hottest prices around on more than 35 brands, across more than 60 categories from General Mills, P&G, Pepsi, Nestle, Kraft and Kroger Banner Brands. During the Cart Buster Savings Event, you’ll find great savings in almost every department at the Kroger Family of Stores. Be sure to check your local store to confirm dates of the Cart Buster event.

This is such a good time to stock up and combine coupons for added savings. I am running low on a lot of household items so this is one of those sales that I take full advantage of!

Looking for even more ways to save time and money? Visit CartBuster.com beginning 2/26/12 to find money-savings digital coupons, shopping lists and more. And starting 2/29/12 you can participate in the “Deal of the Day”! How does the Deal of the Day work? 


* During seven days of the Cart Buster Savings Event, 2/29/12 - 3/6/12, there will be a super hot, exclusive offer good on one participating Cart Buster item. Each offer will be exclusive and available for one-day only – but the offer will be good for the duration of the entire event. 
* You’ll see savings of up to and over 50% with the Deal of the Day offers – maybe even some freebies - and that’s on top of the already-low, low prices that Cart Buster has to offer! 
* Look for seven days of “Deal of the Day offers” beginning 2/29/12. The Last Deal of the Day offer will be up on 3/6/12. But don’t fret - the Cart Buster event will continue even after the Deal of the Day ends. Check your local store for the exact end date for the Cart Buster Savings Event.

Giveaway: One Momfiles reader will win a $25 Kroger gift card, good at any of the Kroger Family stores. Enter below in the Rafflecopter widget:

This contest is open to US Residents only and will end on March 12, 2012. Please leave your email address in your comment if you do not have a Blogger profile. Failure to follow the rules will disqualify your entries. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

I really need to do better

Most people think I am the most organized person they know. This might be true in some areas in my life but lacks so badly in others. I have been doing a really bad job with my food/household item spending. I think from watching Extreme Couponing and seeing all of the people in the stores with monster-sized binders I have become very turned off by it all. Strange huh? Usually shows like that and seeing people save a ton of money should be motivating. It's just not the case for me. I have decided that I need to take action and maximize my dollars. I am starting with picking one day a week to do grocery shopping. I will make an organized list and use coupons accordingly. This will mean meal planning. I think I can only meal plan for up to a week. I have been noticing the popular trend of "freezer meals". I need to look into that. If I stick to that plan maybe it will keep me out the store more and save not only on impulse purchases but also fuel.

Speaking of fuel, I was startled to see that some cities have already hit the $5 and some change bracket. That scares me since I do a lot of local back and forth driving. We decided as a family that we will not be doing much dining out or even attend birthday parties of other social events that can add up. It sounds like we are being cheap but the bottom line is what the heck do you do if an emergency hits? I know that I plan on keeping my rainy day fund! I have been very free with my spending lately and I know I need to do better. I had to go on Budget Billing with our power company since the weather has been so wacky. To say that we have not had too many freezing days I still have seen so higher than normal bills. Maybe I cook too much? Wash too much? Who knows, I just figured if I publicly talk about what I need to do I might feel pressured to keep at it.

Do you have any strategies in place to keep your finances in check? Do you have any meal planning sites you can share? Thank you, I need all the help I can get!

Go AWAY Spring!

I know everyone will think I am insane but I feel royally ripped off that winter really never happened this year. I really enjoy chilly days, sipping hot beverages,  wearing boots and sweaters and sitting by the fireplace. We burned one fire this year. One. I feel like I have to refrain from turning on the air conditioner because it is getting too warm in the house. If I open the windows we all start sneezing from all the pollen that is blowing in. I can't win.

I won these super cute boots by Crocs (who knew they made boots?) from Army Wife 101 and I don't think I will get to wear them this year. As a matter of fact I actually purchased some gorgeous black boots and have worn them maybe 3 times so far. I am truly a cold weather lover. I love open-toe shoes but it seems wrong to be wearing flip flops in February. I guess I better not complain. It beats being stuck in winter storms, right? I am so not looking forward to what the summer will be like. It scares me to think how hot it will be. Hopefully before the actual winter season is over we will be lucky enough to get a few cold days.

So what's the winter been like in your city?

Seventh Generation "Lorax Approved" Giveaway

There is a new arrival of products from Seventh Generation that are gentle on your baby or toddler, safe for the planet, convenient and most importantly, "Lorax approved"! In partnership with Universal Studios’ motion picture debut of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax* also known as the “Speaker for the Trees” who brings environmental truth and ecological hope to all, Seventh Generation will feature limited edition Lorax prints on all their diapers and training pants. These prints are intended to remind parents and caregivers of the lessons of The Lorax, and encourage family reading and environmental awareness while creating a few smiles.

The Seventh Generation family of Free & Clear baby products continues to deliver on your needs as it expands in March, with the addition of NEW Overnight Diapers. Moreover, Free & Clear diapers have been redesigned with new, improved tabs for better fit while Free & Clear training pants now have an absorbent core that is made with more renewable materials.

As a MyBlogSpark member, I received a prize pack containing a pack of  Seventh Generation Free & Clear Training pants and a copy of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax storybook. These training pants are so cute and are free of chlorine processing, free of fragrances and latex and are also very absorbent. We still use training pants for our son at night so these are great! William is completely into all things The Lorax so he is enjoying the cute designs. Starting March 2, you can register for a free The Lorax scrapbook with the purchase of any three Free & Clear diaper products, until supplies last

We are LOVING our copy of the book The Lorax as well. I read it to my son last night and he was completely drawn into the story. He has been convincing his big sisters to read it too him too. I love that the book is printed on recycled paper.  The Lorax storybook is a fun way to teach our little ones how important our planet earth is.

How would you like to win a Seventh Generation Diaper Product and a copy of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax storybook? One lucky Momfiles reader will win this cute prize pack. Just enter in the Rafflecopter widget below:

Wordless Wednesday

One perk of being a review blogger... lots of empty boxes to play in!

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Prize Pack Giveaway

DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX will be in theaters March 2! We are looking forward to it especially because our almost 4 year old son shows great interest in it. I just love the story behind The Lorax. Recycling, repurposing, reusing and being kind to our environment is important to my family. Hey, I want a Truffula Tree and would love a hug from a Bar-Ba-Loot! :) From the looks of the trailer, I am sure the movie will be amazing! I showed it to my teenager daughters and they want to see it as well.

If you are a Facebook user, you are encouraged to join The Lorax in speaking for the trees and to add a Truffula Tree to your Facebook profile picture. Your participation builds awareness for the reforestation efforts taking place with The Atlantic Forest in Brazil, which has been generously supported through a contribution made to The Nature Conservancy by Universal Pictures. I very proudly changed my profile picture to show my support :)

Bar-Ba-Loots are adorable bear-like creatures who live to play games and eat sweet fruits in Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a 3D-CGI comic adventure from the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss. Credit: Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment

Check out the trailer:
 

About the Film

Genre: 3D-CG feature 
Cast: Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle and Betty White 
Directed by: Chris Renaud 
Co-Director: Kyle Bald 
Written by: Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio 
Produced by: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy  DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX will be in theaters March 2!
Executive Producers: Audrey Geisel, Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio 


From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes the 3D-CG feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, an adaptation of the classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a 12-year-old as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic youth who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams. Rob Riggle will play financial king O’Hare, and beloved actress Betty White will portray Ted’s wise Grammy Norma. 
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Hop). 
www.theloraxmovie.com

Stay connected with Dr. Seuss' The Lorax on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

For the giveaway:
One (1) winner will receive:
• Lorax T-shirt
• Lorax Tote Bag
• Truffula Tree Pencils
• Lorax Mustache
• Lorax Activity Card
 Prize Pack valued at $30, courtesy of Universal Pictures

Enter in the widget below and be sure to complete the mandatory entry to qualify for extra entries.

Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals Juice Review + Giveaway

I received a couple bottles of Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals juice to try out in the Cranberry-Grape and Cranberry-Raspberry varieties. I was a bit hesitant to taste the juices because it is a "reduced calorie" drink. It is naturally sweetened with Truvia and I just wasn't sure what I would think. Truvia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that is made from the stevia plant. Since it is natural there is no effect on blood sugar or glycemic index. This is good news since I have found that "diet" drinks make me put on weight!

I tasted the Cranberry-Raspberry and to my surprise it was very crisp and refreshing with the right amount of tart/sweet balance. I served some to some guests that visited my house over the weekend and I asked them if they liked it. Everyone said that it was good and had a nice flavor. When I told them it was sweetened with Truvia they thought I was lying! Even my hard to fool husband was impressed with the taste and did not notice the difference from the regular blends.

You might already know that cranberry juice is a great source of natural vitamins and minerals that are very effective in the treatment of urinary tract, bladder and kidney infections. Cranberries are also packed with antioxidants that help protect against heart disease and cancer. I think with all the benefits cranberry juice beverages provide and the fact it is naturally sweetened and lower in calories is a winner for me and my family. You can check out this link to find a store near you that carries the Old Orchard brand.

Would you like to try out the bold and delicious taste of Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals juices for yourself? I have coupons for FREE 64 oz size bottles for 2 (two) Momfiles readers to win. The prize is 2 coupons for a FREE bottle as well as 2 money saving coupons for 50 cents off. You can enter in the widget below. Be sure to complete the mandatory entry so your extra entries count.

Publix Italian Days Giveaway

Hey guys! Publix is having their 'Italian Days' beginning today, February 16th-29th. During this time you can save big on items to make all your favorite Italian themed dishes. Participating brands include: Progresso, Green Giant, Muir Glen and others. There will also be coupons in-store to maximize your savings. We are planning an Italian night on Saturday and we will have the Meatballs and Twisters pictured below. I already know my family will love it!

While visiting Italian Days at Publix from February 16th through February 29th, you can also enter the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes for a chance to be 1 of 500 shoppers that will win a $100 Publix® gift card, sponsored by General Mills.


To enter to win the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes and download great coupon savings and delicious recipes, look in-store or follow the instructions below:


Click – Stay up to date with the latest General Mills promotions happening at Publix, by visiting ClickCallMail.com. Once you’re registered and logged in, you can participate in any the current promotions.
Call – If you’d prefer to enter the sweepstakes and participate in other promotions via telephone, feel free to call the General Mills hotline, at 1.800.627.6059, and be sure to say that you want to enter the 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes. Please be sure to provide your complete contact information (Full name/address/zip code/phone #).
Mail – If you prefer to participate via mail-in entry, print and mail your complete contact information (Full Name/address/zip code/phone #) to 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 44257, Atlanta, Georgia 30336.

Giveaway: One lucky Momfiles reader will win a $25 Publix gift card! Enter below in the Rafflecopter widget. Please complete the mandatory entry to make the extra entries count.

Bringing Sexy back to laundry | Review & Giveaway

Okay, okay well maybe laundry is not all that sexy. I tell you what though, it can be with some help! I received the latest Gain products to test out. Of course I am a cleaning supply freak so I was quite excited to say the least. I got the Gain Dreamy Desire fabric softener, Gain Fireworks In-wash scent booster in Sweet Sizzle and Gain Forget Me Not dryer bar in Flirty Fresh. Do you see where I am going with the whole sexy thing?

These scents are insanely wonderful! I won't lie... although I had already done laundry the day before, I created loads of towels, sheets and miscellaneous things around the house to get to test out these new items. I know, I need to seek counseling or something for my strange addiction :-)

My thoughts are as I expected them to be...LOVED them ALL! The Dreamy Desire liquid fabric softener has such a smooth and seductive scent. It left my sheets static-free and quite soft and fresh. I might or might not have also added a shake or two of the Fireworks In-wash booster... I won't tell! It might or might not have me still sniffing my sheets and pillowcases. Last but not least, the Forget me not dryer bar. What can I say? Gain products are addictive. I can't get enough of it! I wonder if the family would notice if I used them around the house for other things rather than laundry? Actually, the teenagers might not mind because they are just as obsessed as I am! hehehe

Guess what? My friends at Gain want one lucky Momfiles reader to experience the freshness, softness and lusciousness for themselves. You can win the same products I received (pictured above). Enter in the Rafflecopter widget below. Be sure to complete the mandatory entry method so that your extra entries will count.

#MyBlogSpark Big G Retro cereal Rafflecopter Giveaway

A few days ago I received a fun prize pack from MyBlogSpark that really took me back to being a kid. I got 2 boxes of General Mills cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cheerios in very funky retro boxes. I also received a $10 gift card to Target to purchase the other participating Big G cereals in the "throwback" boxes as well (participating items include: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cheerios® (18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz.)) as a code to download "Atari 80 Classic Games in 1". Remember Asteroids, Centipede and Gravitar? Oh man, those are the true classic games right there! The 80's were amazing and this prize pack will surely take you there!

It is Atari’s 40th Anniversary this year. Be sure to check out GrocerySavvy.com and test your online Atari gaming skills at Asteroids while also entering in a sweepstakes for chance to win Target gift cards and Atari merchandise.

How would you like to win one of these Big G Retro prize packs? One lucky Momfiles reader can win one. Enter at the widget below and please be sure to complete the mandatory entry in order for the extra entries to count. 

I love them

This photo warms my heart...

Celebrate family night with Coca-Cola & American Idol {Giveaway}

Although it may not feel like winter, there is still enough of a chill in the air that most folks are staying indoors, especially for family time. At our house we have been enjoying more comforting meals with plenty of Coca-Cola and watching a lot of football, basketball  and some of our favorite shows or movies together. Some days we just hang out and talk for hours. 

This winter, as a sponsor of American Idol, Coca-Cola is looking to spice up the colder months with the Coca-Cola Family Night initiative on MCR.com. At MCR.com/family, you can find exciting contests, instant wins, rewards, recipes and games—with many fun American Idol based activities for your family! 

My daughters are big American Idol fans and have been watching for years now. I checked out the site and found some neat game ideas that our family would love like, "The Silent Game". Hey, it can get rowdy and loud with 5 people in the house so something quiet would be nice for a change :)

I was thrilled to receive this fantastic American Idol themed prize pack that came with (1) Handheld Camcorder (1) American Idol – The Hits Volume 1 CD (1) Coca-Cola and Pringles coupon. This prize is valued at over $100 and we LOVE it! The mini camcorder has some great features including a ruggedized exterior, 2.3" screen, full HD 30p (1920x1080), waterproof, shockproof and dustproof. It is VERY nice! The girls love the CD especially since they know and love all of the songs. We also will gladly enjoy getting $1 off Coca-Cola and Pringles. We are big snackers at our house!

I am so excited that Coca-Cola is providing the same prize pack for one lucky Momfiles reader to win! Don't you want this prize?! Entering is easy, just follow the directions below and make sure you complete the mandatory entry method first.

Running out? Run in. | Publix Rafflecopter $25 gift card giveaway

Contest Closed- Winner is #440 Omeisha Jones. Congratulations!

Do you ever go to grab something and realize you have run out? It always seems to happen to me all at the same time. Well Publix is running a great deal with the "Running Out? Run In." event at your local Publix store taking place, February 9th through February 14th. The deal is that you receive a $5 Publix® gift card to use on your next shopping trip when you purchase $30 or more in participating items during the event (2/8 – 2/25); simply mail in the rebate form found in-store or online at runningoutrunin.com along with your original receipt(s).

From Feb. 9th through Feb. 14th, look for the “Running Out? Run In.”event at your local Publix store and “run in,” to take advantage of the great savings available on some of your favorite brands from General Mills and Procter & Gamble, including Yoplait yogurt, Cheerios, Charmin, and Crest. Also, don’t forget to look in-stores for over $14 in coupon savings – coupons are valid Feb. 6 through Feb. 25. I am going there tomorrow after school to get some much needed laundry detergent, toilet paper and toothpaste.

To help you take advantage of these great savings, Publix and MyBlogSpark is providing 1 lucky Momfiles reader with a $25 Publix gift card. Enter below:

And it hit me...

I was just blow-drying my hair when I glanced over at the burgundy velvet box that was sitting on the dresser. Inside the box are the most gorgeous gold hoop earrings my husband bought for me as an anniversary gift. I love them so much that I decided I would only wear them for special occasions and if I am not wearing them, they would be tucked safely away in the box. Then I thought to myself...wait... why am I not wearing them right now? Last time I checked, EVERY day is a special occasion! I decided that I will wear the earrings as often as I want and enjoy them fully! What good do they do me if they are sitting in the jewelry box? I challenge everyone to eat your weekday dinner on that fine china that sits up on a high shelf. Grab those crystal goblets and drink Kool-aid out of them! Forget the holidays, silverware can be everyday ware! Why keep the special stuff locked up when we can be enjoying them NOW!