Plan your next birthday party with SUBWAY Catering ($50 GC Giveaway) #SUBWAYcatering

**CLOSED** The winner is Sheena Tatum-- Congratulations! 

This post is sponsored by SUBWAY, but opinions are all my own.

Planning birthday parties can be a stressful task. There's the guest list, invitations, decorations, tableware, food and so much more. If your schedule is as busy as mine, time is precious. I love to offer my guests nice food and drinks and feel like that part of party planning is the most time consuming. Sometimes just coming up with a menu will make me crazy. I have been introduced to a great way to take the stress out of party menu planning and get back the countless hours I would lose. SUBWAY Catering is here to save your sanity. The website is very user friendly and you can order your entrees, sides, dessert and drink all with a few clicks of your mouse! I did it for myself and believe me, it was life-changing! I have been party menu planning the wrong way all my life. Let me break it down for you...

The first step is to go to the SUBWAY Catering website and find a location you would like you use. Some stores even offer delivery service for more added convenience. Next, you can view the menu items which range from platters & trays, giant subs, to-go boxed meals, dessert, sides and drinks. The offerings vary by store. Here is an example of what it looks like:

You can select what types of entrees you want. I went with the Classic Combo Platter and was able to pick which variety of bread I want, cheese or no cheese and all of the toppings and sauces. 

I went with the option of having a variety of breads and I am so glad I did! If your guests might be picky about toppings, you can opt for a toppings platter so they can pick and choose as they please. Once you finish with your order, choose your pick-up date/time, you then pay for it online. You can even use a SUBWAY gift card like I did. It's a very quick process and you will receive an email with your order number. I suggest signing up for an account because YOU WILL need it for future orders. The entire ordering process took me about 20 minutes. Imagine not having to make a shopping list, go to the grocery store, shop around for ingredients or stand in line to pay for it all. Oh and you are bound to forget something along the way! SUBWAY Catering really made this task so easy. 

I threw a mini belated birthday/you-are-doing-a-super-job in school party for my son William. We purchased some Power Rangers themed decorations, plates, napkins and cups from Party City. They had everything we needed and it was easy to get in and out of the store. I called ahead to my local SUBWAY store that I placed my order to make sure it would be ready for my 11:30 AM requested pick-up time. It turned out that my order was ready ahead of schedule. I made the quick five -minute drive and my order was handed to me right away. I had such a great experience with the staff and they even offered additional plates and napkins for my party. Everything was put together so nicely.

Here are some photos from our intimate little party..

Don't these sandwiches look delicious?!

It was so nice having a variety of subs that everyone found something (or several things) they liked. The cookies were very fresh and chewy the way my family likes. 

My son is my picky eater and he enjoyed his sub. I had to take the toppings off of his. The bread was so fresh and soft, so I think that encouraged him to eat it all. Our family enjoyed everything! This was truly the easiest party I have ever planned. I was discussing future events and already know that the menu portion is taken care of. I may never cook for a party again! SUBWAY Catering platters and subs are a great choice for birthdays, graduations, office functions, class parties, field trips, sporting events and more. I had a great experience and highly recommend you give them a try!

SUBWAY Catering has teamed up with Party City for an exciting new promotion! With any SUBWAY Catering purchase, from now until May 30th, you’ll receive a special link giving SUBWAY customers $10 off a $50 order at Party City. Be sure to connect with SUBWAY on Twitter and like them on Facebook for product promotions and updates.

To help you save time on the next birthday party you plan, SUBWAY has generously offered a $50 SUBWAY gift card for one very lucky Mom Files' reader to win! Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on May 21, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday- What Happiness Looks Like

This photo was taken at a recent field trip to the zoo with William's kindergarten class.

Red Robin introduces new Interactive Allergen Menu ($25 RR GC Giveaway)

May is National Allergy Awareness Month. Red Robin restaurant has come out with a new Customizer Hub for guests to to modify their food or beverage order to suit their taste or dietary preferences. If a guest has a food allergy, the Red Robin team member will ring in the order with an allergy alert and bright type so it is clear on the table order. The Customizer Hub is so easy to use and starts out by letting you choose your allergen-specific triggers. Here is what it looks like:

Once you pick the ingredients to avoid, you can go into specific menu categories or choose from suitable options to customize your meal. 

What makes this so great is that they offer suggestions on what is suitable and also foods suitable with modifications. My daughter was able to order a Teryaki Chicken sandwich and we requested it with no mayo. We have some good family friends who have food allergies and sensitivities that we frequently meet up with at Red Robin for lunch or dinner. I have introduced them to the Customizer Hub and they are thrilled with how much easier it is to order their meals. It helps to be able to know in advance what menu item ingredients are and what to avoid. 

Red Robin offers so many choices that are sure to satisfy any taste. I couldn't go to my favorite burger place without having an actual gourmet burger. I tried one of their newest burgers called the Black and Bleu. Oh my word, it was hands-down the BEST burger I have ever tasted. It starts off as a juicy, half- pound Black Angus burger {handmade and flame-grilled to order} and is topped with sautéed, blackened portobello mushrooms, grilled onions, house-made Bleu cheese sauce and Bleu cheese crumbles with Dijon sauce on a Ciabatta bun.  It says that it's a "fork-and-knife" type of burger. That is exactly how I ate it!

My husband was commenting how family-friendly Red Robin is. We noticed a lot of birthday gatherings as well as large groups while we were there. I highly recommend you give Red Robin a try if you haven't already. 

Information about the Interactive Allergen Menu:

·         Red Robin’s Customizer Hub on RedRobin.com allows Guests to test-drive different combinations of ingredients and enjoy their Red Robin menu favorites while keeping within their dietary restrictions. The Customizer Hub gives guest two options: “Customize Your Nutrition” and “Build a Customized Allergen Menu.”

·         Red Robin’s Interactive Allergen Menu provides order recommendations based on guests’ allergies and allows them to view a menu that is tailored to their specific dietary needs. 

·         Red Robin trains all restaurant Team Members to allow guests to modify their Red Robin food or beverage order to suit their taste or dietary preferences. If a guest has a food allergy, the Red Robin team member will ring in the order with an allergy alert and bright type so it is clear on the table order. 

·         This allergen alert appears in easily noticeable bright, red and bold letters on the order and notifies the kitchen that a special allergen kit is required for the order. Red Robin uses allergen kits to prepare all allergen orders. The kits include tools that are for use on allergen orders only and are purple to clearly distinguish them from other kitchen tools. Purple is the color of Allergen Awareness.

·         Red Robin provides the guest with information so they can make an educated decision on what to order themselves, whether it’s for food intolerances or food allergies.

**Just in time for Allergen Awareness Month, Omission Pale Ale will be available at participating Red Robin restaurants nationwide, beginning May 12. Omission Pale Ale, a gluten-free beer, is part of a delicious line of craft beers brewed with malted barley, but specially crafted to remove gluten. Red Robin believes it is important for Guests to have options and information to make educated decisions and is offering Omission Pale Ale on its Interactive Allergen Menu.

Connect with Red Robin on their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for product updates and promotions. 

Mom Files is giving away a $25 Red Robin gift card to one lucky reader. Enter below:a Rafflecopter giveaway  

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on May 17, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

I received a gift card to Red Robin for my family to test out the Customizer Hub. The Red Robin information and gift cards have been provided by Red Robin. All opinions are mine. 

Meet our new addition

Hi everyone! I wanted to introduce you to our new family member, Rocco Anthony. Rocco came into our lives last week and we are all completely smitten by him. He is a purebred long coat cream and tan chihuahua. He's only 11 weeks old.

Rocco's breeder recommended that we keep him indoors and away from people and other pets until after his next set of puppy shots. He weighs probably 2 pounds and is a great snuggler. Our family just wasn't the same since our beloved Milo passed away in January. The house has been too quiet and we have all been battling the blues and anxiety. Rocco has really turned things around for us emotionally and seems to fit right in with his new family. Funny thing, the breeder told us he had never put his ears up or even seen the light of day, so this would be a big adjustment for him. When we brought him home he shook out of fear for maybe 5 minutes and after that, his ears popped up and his tail wagged steadily. He adjusted immediately.

We are working on the potty training and sleep patterns. It feels like we have a newborn baby all over again. Rocco is a good eater and seems to be growing overnight. We purchased a play yard AKA "dog condo" for him to have a safe place to be when we leave the house for extended periods of time. He's not spoiled at all ;-)

So far things are going well and we all are enjoying Rocco being a part of our family. He even barked for the first time yesterday. He enjoys playing with his toys and is going through the puppy chewing phase. William really enjoys having his own dog. We are happy he has one to grow up with just as the girls did with Milo. We look forward to making a lot of great memories and feel like a little bit of Milo's spirit lives in Rocco. I promise to go easy on the "crazy dog lady" posts. I wish you all a great week!

SPARQ Home Soapstone 16" Pizza Stone Review

I received a Soapstone 16" Pizza Stone from SPARQ Home for review. I have always wanted a pizza stone and couldn't wait to try this one out. I was so impressed with the way the pizza stone was packaged. It was wrapped with such care and detail that would ensure your stone would not be broken upon delivery to your home. 

The actual pizza stone is beautiful! I was wondering how on earth you are supposed to bake on it since it resembles something you can serve on. I decided to bake a frozen pizza last night. I preheated my oven and let the stone preheat for about 5 minutes before putting the pizza on it. The stone is very dense and heavy so it gets very hot. I was afraid that it would get too hot and burn the pizza crust underneath. I was pleased that it did not end up burning and my pizza had the most amazing crunch. Sometimes when I bake frozen pizza, the crust will brown too fast and the inner part of the bread will not bake enough. My pizza stone baked the pizza to perfection! It tasted like we got it from an authentic pizza restaurant. My family loved the texture of the pizza crust. I don't think I can ever eat frozen or homemade pizza unless it's baked on my Soapstone.  It was really easy to clean and because of how heavy it is, I will store it inside my oven.

Look at how gorgeous that crust is! Isn't the pizza stone so pretty too? 

Some details of the SPARQ Home Soapstone Pizza Stone: 

This Soapstone 16" Pizza Stone allows you to cook like a pro. Handcrafted from one solid block of soapstone, this durable pizza stone does wonders in baking with its even heat distribution.

The 16" is great for entertainers to host pizza night or can function as a cheese board to pass around the room. These stones are stain-proof, naturally non-stick, and can be used on the grill or in the oven to prepare that perfectly crisp, never burnt pizza you've been craving. All sizes are also available with a marble trivet, making these serving pieces oven-to-table.

Our 16" stone is handmade by SPARQ in Colorado by the guys who know soapstone and understand its amazing qualities. Plus, our pizza stones are eco-friendly because they are handmade with soapstone from factory excess.

The Pizza Stones come in 10, 12 and 16 inch sizes and can be purchased with a serving trivet. The 16" is such a good size and retails for $69.95. Once you use this stone, you will ditch your old pizza baking methods. I think I will try to bake cookies on it next. Any of these stones would make a great homewarming gift, hostess gift, wedding gift or even Mother's/Father's Day gift.

To find out more about SPARQ Home products, visit them online and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

I received a product sample for review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own.

SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks Over-Ear Headphones Perfect for Mom or Dad (Review & Giveaway)

**WINNER-- Thomas Murphy- Congratulations!**

As the month of April comes to a close, it's time to start thinking about Mother's Day and Father's Day. For so many of us, it seems like you run out of gift ideas for the special moms and dads in your life. I always look for something that they wouldn't necessarily purchase for themselves because they are always working hard and giving so much to everyone else. Mom and dad deserve to be spoiled! I have a great gift suggestion that is sure to please any mom or dad, SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks Over-Ears Headphones.

These headphones are the perfect to help mom or dad "get away" from the hustle and bustle of the day. They truly will change the way you listen to music! The Master Tracks are the most comfortable headphones I have ever tried. They have extra soft speaker pads for a more enjoyable listening experience. The sound quality is superior and really allows you to relax and enjoy your music without interruption. As a matter of fact, you will hear every single note! Oh my, truly the most amazing listening experience ever! You can easily plug them into your iPad, iPhone or iPod and zone out. These are prefect for me to take with me in the school pickup line and even comes with a convenient carrying case. Just a warning, these headphones can cause maximum relaxation and should be kept away from prying teenagers :)

Some product details of the SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks Over-Ear Headphones:

• Interchangeable Headbands
• Headband is virtually indestructible. Constructed of an advanced polymer compound, the FlexTech™ Sound Track headband is built to withstand heavy abuse. Twist it, bend it, drop it - it’s not going to break.
• SONICSOFT™ Speaker Pads- Listen In Comfort & Isolation Supple, noise-isolating ear cushions let you enjoy your music in comfort for hours.
• 3-Button Mic+Music Control- Adjust the volume, pause/resume/skip music and answer/hang-up calls. The high clarity mic captures every word possible. 
• X3 Sound Engine- Master Tracks X3 Sound Engine Speakers deliver an immersive music experience balanced with powerful bass, clear highs and supreme vocal accuracy.
• Comes in 3 colors- Electro Blue, Gunmetal and White. 
• Retail price: $199.99 

For the mom or dad on-the-go, you might consider the SOL REPUBLIC Relays. These ear buds are easy to put in and won't fall out. They would be great for the parent who is very active. Retail price is $79.99.

You can find SOL REPUBLIC products on their site and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for products updates and promotions.

How would you like to win a pair of these SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks Over-Ear Headphones? One very lucky Mom Files reader will win a pair!! Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on May 4, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

I received complimentary products in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation was received and all opinions are my own. 

What are Vinyl Wall Art Stickers?

One of the most inexpensive house decorations now is vinyl wall stickers and wallpapers. However, do you know much about this kind of stickers?

In chemistry, vinyl is one of the alkenyl functional groups. An industrially important example is vinyl chloride, precursor to PVC, a plastic commonly known as vinyl. So it can be widely used in our daily stuff and you don’t worry if it it harmful to our bodies.

The vinyl wall stickers are harmless, beautiful. Innovative and easy to apply. Nowadays, they are not any longer just used in our home. People have most public places or commercial areas pasted on some wall stickers to attract people’s attention or just play as a warning. It is even a special and joyful way for people to get information from the wall.

Mostly, buyers apply this easy wall stickers in the house decoration. Since there are plenty of patterns of this rising decor way, pasting some wallpapers can show your individualities to your guests and even make your life more interesting and beautiful. For instance, one of our top sales are the nursery decal series for kids. It includes some styles like cartoon animals and plants, growth chart, black chalkboard and alphabet. Your kids will be very delightful if their growth will be accompanied with such cute animals that can only be seen in the zoo. And the growth chart wall decals can make you witness your son  growing taller and taller.

Since its special texture, it can be used not only on the walls, but also in the windows or furniture. We have a lot of holiday-related wall decals that will make your family full of the holiday atmosphere, especially the Christmas theme decals pasted on the windows.

Don’t bother with the complex tools of pasting, our wall decals are very very easy for you to apply. You just need to peel of its cover and paste it. Your fingers can finish all the process. What are you still waiting for? Buying this easy wall stickers is definitely your best choice for decoration your house.

Trash to Toys: 10 Recycled Educational Toys #earthday

Earth Day is a yearly reminder to consider our role in protecting the
environment.    Parents can make a positive impact by creating fun, educational
toys from everyday items that may initially seem like trash, but can be
repurposed into teaching tools.

"Children are natural learners, and often see educational opportunities that
adults can miss," says Richard Peterson, vice president of education for Kiddie
Academy® Child Care Learning Centers.  "Anyone who’s given a child a new toy and
then found him playing with the box can appreciate a child’s gift for creative
play."

Want to feed your child’s imagination, while helping the environment?  Kiddie
Academy (www.KiddieAcademy.com) offers the following ideas for creating recycled
educational toys:

Computer Keyboard:  An outdated keyboard is a perfect teaching toy, as it
includes the entire alphabet to assist in early literacy exercises.  Challenge
your child to sing the ABC song while locating each letter on the keyboard.

Shoebox to Mailbox:  Children love getting mail.  Reinforce both reading and
writing skills by creating a family mailbox from an old shoebox.  Encourage your
child to write notes to family members, and leave notes for them as well.

Water Bottle Instrument:   Fill a clean, dry plastic water or soda bottle with
rice, bells, beans or coins and shake them to hear a variety of new sounds.
Glue the top on to secure the contents.

Junk Mail:  Instead of immediately sending your unwanted mail to the landfill,
allow your child to play with the envelopes and letters.  She can pretend to be
a postal carrier while getting additional exposure to printed words.

Magazines:  Glossy photos in magazines are perfect for creating collage art that
provides fine motor skill practice with scissors and glue.

TV remote:  Children love pushing buttons.  An unused television remote control
can be used for number and math play.  Simply remove the batteries and ask him
to find the numbers as you call them out.

Clothing:  Dramatic play is an essential teaching tool that allows children to
explore social roles, practice problem solving and language skills.  Add no
longer needed pieces of your own wardrobe to the toy chest to encourage your
child’s imagination.  She can literally “try on” a different role by wearing
your skirt, hat or shoes.

Linens:  Your child can use a worn out sheet or towel as a cape, picnic blanket
or as the roof to a play fort.

Toilet Paper Tube:  Empty TP tubes are a favorite art tool in classrooms.  Save
a box of them, and give them to your child along with a few craft supplies to
see what he can create.  Binoculars, stamps and creatures are popular choices.

Boxes:  While it’s tempting to immediately recycle a box, your child can have
hours of fun using an empty box for creative play.  What seems like trash to you
could become a school bus, secret hideout or magic castle.

Purex No Sort for Colors (Review & Giveaway)

Laundry is a never-ending task. I think it is impossible to ever see the bottom of my laundry hamper ever again. I take any steps I can to help reduce the time I spend on laundry. Purex has come out with a new formula that features a breakthrough Anti-Color-Transfer Technology™ which traps loose dyes in the wash, and prevents them from settling onto other fabrics—leaving your clothes bright and clean without color bleeding accidents. Introducing new Purex No Sort for Colors detergent.

This was especially appealing to my teenage daughters who apparently don't think sorting is really necessary. Of course if you have a brand new bright red t-shirt, I wouldn't recommend that you just freely throw it in a wash with light colors for the first wash. We gave this new Purex No Sort a try on a load with assorted colors. I took a chance with my husband's light grey dress shirt and some bright orange, blue and green shirts that belong to my son. The end result is that everything came out bright, clean and fresh. What more can you ask for? The even better part is that Purex detergent is about half the price of other brands. With the cost of everything these days, that's a big help! I like the fact that I don't have to waste time, electricity and water on one extra little load anymore because of the major color difference.

Right now you can enter in the sweepstakes The Rules Have Changed with NEW Purex® No Sort™ for Colors Detergent!

Enter for your chance to WIN $1,000 & a year’s supply of this game-changing NEW detergent, so you can avoid extra laundry loads.

I have 2 coupons to give away to 2 Mom Files readers. Enter below for your chance to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on April 28, 2014. Two winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

The Purex brand provided me with a sample of Purex No Sort for Colors detergent in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast & "Morning Toast" Beverages at IHOP for a limited time

Now, IHOP restaurants are bringing guests another delicious choice with the introduction of Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast-- Three slices of thick, rich brioche bread dipped in a lightly-sweetened vanilla batter, grilled to golden perfection, layered with cinnamon roll filling, then topped with cream cheese icing.

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast joins these two current favorites:

·         Bananas Foster Brioche French Toast: Three slices of thick, rich brioche bread dipped in a lightly-sweetened vanilla batter, grilled to golden perfection, topped with a classic New Orleans Foster’s sauce made with sliced bananas caramelized in a buttery brown sugar glaze, then crowned with powdered sugar and whipped topping.

·         Berry-Berry Brioche French Toast: Three slices of thick, rich brioche bread dipped in a lightly-sweetened vanilla batter, grilled to golden perfection, topped with blueberries and glazed strawberries, then crowned with powdered sugar and whipped topping.

Guests may enjoy three slices of Brioche French Toast à la carte, as a delicious indulgent treat, or two slices as part of an IHOP Combo that includes two eggs, done the way they like them, a choice of crispy bacon, pork sausage links or a grilled ham slice, along with IHOP restaurants’ signature golden hash browns.

Guests can also lift a glass to spring with the addition of three new refreshing “Morning Toast” beverages:

·         Mango ’Mosa: Premium orange juice, sparkling lemon-lime soda and tropical mango syrup garnished with an orange wheel.

·         Orange Grapefruit Breeze: Premium orange juice, sparkling lemon-lime soda and grapefruit syrup garnished with an orange wheel.

·         Spicy Tom: Spicy tomato juice served with a lemon wedge and a crispy, hickory smoked bacon strip.

Both Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast and the new Morning Toasts will be available for a limited time, through May 25, 2014.

Life is Good Coffee Review & Giveaway (2 winners) CLOSED

CLOSED-- Winners are Atasha M and Sharon H. Congratulations! 

Every single morning, I start my day with coffee. Even if I only have one cup, it is a must-have. I was so happy to receive 3 of the new coffees from Life is Good. Just the name alone makes me feel lively. Life is Good coffee comes in 5 delicious flavors--Light Hearted, Happy Medium, Dark & Daring, Banana Bread Bliss and S'more to Love. They are UTZ Certified for sustainable farming and 10% of net profits go to helping kids in need. How can you not feel good about that? 

The 3 flavors I received to try are: Happy Medium, S'more to Love and Dark & Daring. I let my hubby pick which flavor we would try first. We went with Happy Medium. We are big fans of a medium roast and this one was really good! It is the perfect well-balanced blend, very smooth yet rich at the same time. We plan to try the S'more to Love flavor this weekend. It sounds amazing!

Check out the website for coffee specials. You can also see if there are any stores in your area that carry it. I am so happy that my local Publix supermarket carries Life is Good coffee. I even saw them on sale last week. Be sure to connect to Life is Good on Facebook and Twitter for product updates and promotions. 

I am so thrilled to offer a giveaway for two lucky Mom Files readers to win 3 bags of Life is Good Coffee each. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on April 17, 2014. Two winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. *Prizes may vary. Good luck!

I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. All opinions are mine as always. 

Marco's Pizza Review #MarcosFreshSpinach

This is a sponsored post in partnership with The Niche Parent Network & Conference and Marco’s Pizza. All opinions are my own as always.

Do you and your family love pizza, but get tired of the same old traditional varieties? Marco’s Pizza has come out with two great varieties that are sure to please your taste buds. Introducing the new Grilled Chicken Florentine Pizza. This pizza has tender grilled chicken, Parmesan garlic sauce, four cheeses, fresh spinach and sliced tomatoes, with chopped red onions on dough made daily. I really love the Mediterranean flavors including my favorite cheese, Feta! The crust is really light with the perfect chewiness. I judge all pizza by the crust and Marco’s certainly passes with flying colors! My whole family enjoyed the crust right down to my picky six year-old. I love that all of the vegetable toppings are fresh. The tomatoes are sweet and ripe, the red onions still have a bite to them and the spinach is my favorite! I very seldom find spinach as a topping choice, much less fresh spinach.

Speaking of spinach, the Marco’s Cheese Pizza topped with fresh spinach was the family favorite. It was perfect in every way. It almost reminded me of cheese bread since there was no tomato sauce on it. That is the way we like our pizza on occasion. Even my husband enjoyed it. He is a very traditional pizza eater. He goes for either cheese or pepperoni. This made me so happy that he liked the spinach. At least now I can get what I want and please him as well as the kids at the same time. This pizza should be hashtagged: #youhadmeatfreshspinach 

It’s funny, I have heard of Marco’s Pizza before and we just got two new locations in my area. The newest store is still in the grand opening stage and the other one has an actual dining room for if you want to eat in. The ordering process is simple with the option of making your order online or by phone for delivery or carryout. 

I feel like we have been missing out for too long. I did a little search to see if there is a location in our favorite beach town, Myrtle Beach and I was thrilled to see that they have a new store opening soon. My daughters have already said that they want Marco’s Pizza when we visit the beach next time. To find a location near you, go here. Be sure to connect with Marco’s Pizza on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for product updates and promotions. 

Smartfood® Delight Popcorn Review

For many years since my daughters were little, I remember them always being a big fan of Smartfood popcorn. They often took their extra money and would buy a bag from the "treat lady" at lunch time. Now Smartfood has come out with a lighter version of their delicious popcorn called Smartfood Delight. It comes in Sea Salt and White Cheddar flavors. 

What makes this version different from the original? This lighter version has only has 35 calories per cup. The best part? They taste is just as good as the original. It's nice to know that you can feel good about snacking with fewer calories. I guess this means it's okay to have a beer or glass of wine with a cup of this snacking goodness! My teenagers are so surprised that the white cheddar popcorn is a lighter version. They love it. My husband is a big fan of the sea salt. It's not too salty and it satisfies that snack craving.

Smartfood Delight contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is gluten-free, 100% whole grain and is air-popped. 

Smartfood Delight Sea Salt popcorn: Sea salt brings out the delicious air-popped popcorn taste, making Smartfood Delight Sea Salt popcorn a great snack any time of day.
Smartfood Delight White Cheddar popcorn: With the right combination of delectable white cheddar cheese and a satisfying crunch, this classic flavor has 50 percent less fat than regular Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn.

Smartfood Delight Sea Salt popcorn is available in 5.5 oz bags for a suggested retail price of $3.99 and Smartfood Delight White Cheddar popcorn is available in 6.5 oz bags for a suggested retail price of $3.99. Be sure to stay connected to Smartfood on Facebook and Twitter for product updates and promotions.

I received complimentary samples in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% my own. 

Helpful Tips for Introducing a New Pet to Family or New Baby

To answer questions every pet owner should be asking when it comes to preparing for a new pet or for baby, Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of Camp Bow Wow, North America’s largest and fastest growing pet care franchise and INC 5000, has some very helpful tips.

Tips for Introducing a New Pet to Family

1. Get everyone in the family on board – It is important that all of your family members are ready for the responsibility of a dog. Prior to bringing your new dog home, determine who is responsible for walks, feeding, etc., so once your pup is in the home, you are ready to get started on the right paw.

2. Head to the store – You will want to purchase items you will need for your pet prior to them coming home. You will need food, dishes, toys, cleaner for accidents, a leash and collar and more. You want to ensure that you have as much as you need.

3. Let your pet settle in – When you bring your dog home, give them time to settle in and relax, especially if you have child. It can take a new dog a few days to acclimate to their new surroundings, so give them time to de-stress.

4. Get your pup on a schedule - Dogs are very schedule-oriented, so ensuring that you get them on a routine as quickly as possible will help them understand potty times, feeding, walks and more. This will help the transition of having new pets in your home easier for the dog and your family.

Tips for Introducing Pet to Baby

1. Get started right away – Start working on helping your dog get prepared for the new little one’s arrival as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you wait until the last couple of months, you will have less time to devote to helping get your dog ready for the baby’s arrival. It will also help your dog by not overwhelming them with too many changes at once.

2. Take a training class- If your dog has not been to training in a while, it is important to take a refresher course. There are many commands that will be extremely helpful for you to use when the baby arrives. You want to ensure that your dog is able to understand your requests and respond in a timely manner once your baby arrives, so a refresher course will help both you and your dog.

3. Put the baby gate up now - You want to start teaching your dog boundaries, especially at the door of the baby’s room. You want to ensure that your four legged family member starts getting used to not being able to come everywhere with you. Practice going into the baby’s room and closing the baby gate so your dog can’t come in with you so they get used to seeing that behavior before your baby arrives. By the time your baby arrives, your dog will see it as a normal behavior and not something that is occurring just because of the little one.

4. Put baby items around the house – Start bringing in items that will be around the house when the baby arrives. Put a bouncy chair on the floor, bring in a high chair and other items. This will allow your pup to get used to seeing them. It is also a good idea to get a CD of a crying baby and baby noises and have your dog get used to hearing those.

5. Let Fido adjust to new smells – Dogs have a very keen sense of smell so it is important to bring in items that are going to be used on the baby. Purchase baby powder, some diapers, and any other items you know you will be using that have a distinct scent. Your pup will acclimate to them and they will be part of their everyday experience before the baby even arrives.

6. Quality time - Spend a minimum of 10 minutes a day doing something with your dog that they enjoy. Play fetch in the back yard, go for a ride in the car, or simply spend time petting them.

7. Buy a baby doll - You will want to practice having your dog respond to commands and displaying good manners when you are holding the baby, so there is no better way to practice than to carry a baby doll. Sit on your couch and hold and talk to the baby doll and make sure your dog sits on the floor and doesn’t try to jump up, put the baby doll in the bouncy chair and get your dog to lay down next to it. Getting your dog practicing manners right away is a must.

Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts "Mother’s Day Girlfriend Getaway Package"

My family will be headed away to Grande Shores Resort in Myrtle Beach very soon for a much needed getaway. I wanted to share the latest promotion from Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts.

Spring is finally here! The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming, which means Mother's Day is right around the corner.  Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts is offering the ultimate "Mother's Day Girlfriend Getaway" package including oceanfront accommodations, shopping and dining on the world-famous Grand Strand.

Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts (MBSR) – operator of the area’s premier oceanfront condo-hotel and vacation rental properties – announces the “Mother’s Day Girlfriend Getaway Package” featuring oceanfront accommodations, daily breakfast, dinner and a Tanger Outlet coupon book.

Starting at $279, the ultimate vacation for mom includes two nights in an oceanview room at any MBSR property, a daily Southern breakfast buffet for two, dinner for two at one of the resort’s acclaimed onsite restaurants, as well as a welcome wine and fruit basket. The package also includes a coupon book valued at up to $1,300 in savings to the area’s premier shopping center, Tanger Outlets.

Rates are based on double occupancy in a one-bedroom suite over Mother’s Day weekend. Price includes all taxes and resort fees. Additional nights and guests can be added. Package is available May – December 2014.

Myrtle Beach is within a half-day’s drive of population centers like Washington D.C., Raleigh, Charlotte and Atlanta. Moreover, Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is conveniently located to all Seaside properties. Serviced by Delta, Continental, Spirit Airlines and US Airways, it features daily, nonstop flights to over 25 destinations including Philadelphia, Baltimore, Newark and Chicago.

All lodging options provide easy access to dining, shopping, sugar sand beaches and other area attractions on the world-famous Grand Strand.

For additional information and reservations: Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, 888.571.4104

About Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts

Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts is a collection of six oceanfront and ocean view condo-hotels in North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Avista Resort, Prince Resort, Horizon at 77th, Grande Shores, Seaside and the Towers at North Myrtle Beach all provide the comforts of full-service resort hotels with the space and luxury of condominiums.

Each property features modern décor that reflects a coastal lifestyle and breathtaking views of the pristine northern region of the world-famous Grand Strand. Elegant yet affordable, units are spacious one to three bedrooms with fully-equipped kitchens, washer / dryer, and private balconies. Most hotels have fitness centers, an array of indoor and outdoor pools, on-site dining and access to world-class beaches.

For additional information: Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, 888.571.4104