Pumpkin Pancakes at IHOP until January 3rd

For all the pumpkin lovers out there, IHOP has the perfect menu item just for you. Pumpkin Pancakes, IHOP restaurants’ most popular seasonal item, will once again, be available at participating restaurants throughout the country. Guests of all ages can enjoy this Halloween treat, made with real pumpkin, long past the end of the spooky holiday from now until they vanish – like ghosts – on January 3.

Each order of IHOP restaurants’ signature pumpkin pancakes, made with real pumpkin and spices, comes crowned with creamy whipped topping. Guests can order pumpkin pancakes alone, or as a combo served with two eggs, any way they like ‘em, hash browns, and a choice of crispy bacon, pork sausage links, or sliced ham.

And, for the first time ever, guests at participating IHOP restaurants can order a cup of piping hot pumpkin coffee that combines IHOP restaurants’ 100% Arabica International House Roast Original™ coffee with a touch of pumpkin syrup, made with real pumpkin, and then crowns the cup with whipped topping and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice sugar.

“Whether you carve or crave pumpkins, IHOP has you covered this Halloween season and throughout the New Year,” said Marie Grimm, Vice President, Menu Development and Innovation, International House of Pancakes, LLC. “The warmth and delicious, sweet flavor of our new pumpkin coffee with the return of our seasonal favorite pumpkin pancakes will have pumpkin lovers everywhere beaming – like a jack-o-lantern – with excitement.”

Both pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin coffee are available at participating restaurants until January 3.

Don't forget, IHOP gift cards make the perfect gift for any occasion!

6 Immunity-Boosting Herbs for Fall

Guest Post by: Dr. Christopher Hobbs Ph.D., L.Ac, A.H.G. from Rainbow Light

With cold and flu season only weeks away, below are 6 Immunity-Boosting Herbs for Fall from world-renowned herbalist, Dr. Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D., L.Ac, A.H.G of Rainbow Light. With over 35 years of experience in the field of herbal supplementation, Dr. Hobbs has compiled a list of the top powerhouse herbs and their health benefits that will keep you healthy and strong all year long.

Echinacea - Echinacea is a popular herb that has been identified to boost immunity. Combined with goldenseal, another herb, or enjoyed alone as tea, this member of the daisy family has been found to prevent and treat upper respiratory tract infections as well as the common cold.

Ginseng - This herb has many varieties ideal for boosting immunity and overall health. Its main active component, ginsenosides, has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Clinical research studies have demonstrated that it may improve immune and psychological functions as well as conditions related to diabetes.

Garlic - This spice has had a long history of medicinal value. Studies have shown that garlic promotes overall immune health, that it is active against specific bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, and that it may bolster the ability of the respiratory tract to defend against viral infection. What’s better? It’s also a great tasting spice to use while you cook!

Ginger - This herb has been shown to reduce inflammation, cardiovascular conditions, blood clots and cholesterol. Also a great ingredient to help aid digestion, we include ginger into many of our Rainbow Light products, such as the Women’s One and prenatal line of products, to help those with a frequent upset stomach.

Turmeric- This spice contains curcumin, which has notable antioxidant properties. It also has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and stomach soothing benefits. It reduces inflammation by stimulating the adrenal glands to increase the hormone that lessens inflammation. It is also used against headaches, bronchitis, colds, fever and menstrual problems.

Spirulina – worth a discussion, as this natural ingredient is often misrepresented as an herb. Although technically a marine organism, this ingredient is a powerhouse of immunity. Amino acids make up 62 percent of spirulina, making it a complete protein. It's one of the few known plant sources of vitamin B12 and it's full of amino acids, enzymes, and probiotics that help to enhance your immune system and digestive health. It’s a key ingredient in our Rainbow Light products – that’s how much we love it!

Dr. Christopher Hobbs, is an internationally renowned herbalist, licensed acupuncturist and botanist, has been formulating market leading natural supplements exclusively for Rainbow Light® since 1985. With more than 35 years of clinical experience in herbal medicine, Hobbs has authored 25 books, including Herbal Remedies for Dummies and Women’s Herbs, Women’s Health. He shares his knowledge of herbal medicine with consumers and educators all over the world through lectures, and utilized his expertise in this field to found the Institute for Natural Products Research. He also serves as a consultant to the herb industry.

Moms Will LOVE the CND® VINYLUX® Holiday 2015 Aurora Collection- Giveaway

Are you a premium nail polish lover? I love a really good nail polish that applies well, looks pretty and lasts for longer than just a couple days. I cook, clean, type and do a variety of things that require the use of my hands for much of my day. I absolutely must use a nail polish that can stand up to all of that activity. CND® VINYLUX® Weekly Polish fits my needs. The formula is so good, not streaky or too thin, and it applies very evenly. My favorite part is that it dries super fast so I can go on with my day. Even if I decide to polish my nails 30 minutes before bedtime, my polish will dry and I won't wake up to creases on my nails.

CND® VINYLUX® has their Holiday 2015 Aurora Collection available in some festive and unique colors. I would have expected reds and golds, but the Aurora Collection is so much better. The colors this year are:

Aren't these colors gorgeous? I tried Glacial Mist on my nails since I have a love of blue polishes. I tend to have a lot of problems when it comes to nail polish containing glitter. I find that you get uneven color and the actual glitter is usually too clumpy or blotchy. This did not happen for me. With just two coats I was able to get the look I wanted and just love the sparkle and shine. This one will already be my go-to look for the upcoming holiday season. I have been wearing it for 4 days now and so far, no chipping!

VINYLUX is made to where you do not need a basecoat. It contains no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. It is activated by natural light and while other polishes start to break down, VINYLUX Weekly Polish becomes more durable! This is perfect for busy moms like me! You only have to change your polish once a week and sometimes can go longer.

Find CND® VINYLUX® Weekly Nail Polish at ULTA, CND online, and Loxa Beauty and retail for $10.50 per bottle. These weekly nail polishes would make a great holiday gift or stocking stuffer for the special ladies in your life; moms, daughters, aunts, sister, friends, neighbors and teachers.

One lucky Mom Files reader will win the Holiday 2015 Aurora Collection valued at $42! Go enter below.

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This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on October 1, 2015. One winner will be selected and contacted via email to claim prize. Be sure to follow all rules in Rafflecopter widget for entries to count. Good luck!

I received products samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always! 

Hair Loss: What is Hereditary Hair Loss and How Do You Treat the Condition? (Giveaway)

There are so many transitions women go through as they age and it's not always easy to deal with. I am officially over 40 and have had a rude awakening with getting older. Heredity has hit and I have been going through so many changes including hair thinning. Let me tell you about it--- I have always had tons of thick, luxurious hair. It has been one of those things that most people who knew me when I was younger, remembers me by. My hair was so thick that of you put your had on top of my head, you felt a blanket of hair to the point that you could not feel my scalp at all. Things have changed significantly. With being older and going through hormonal changes, my hair has thinned out a whole lot. Most people would disagree since my hair is still long. Trust me, I do not have the thickness I once did and fear it will only get worse. It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day, but anything over 150 can be signs of a problem. I'm guessing the fact that I can gather up almost enough hair from the floor, furniture and shower drain to make a full braid is an indication for me that I need to take action now.

Heredity hair loss has played a huge role in my hair changes. It turns out that hair thinning is not uncommon and 1 in 3 women will experience it in their lifetime, as early as their 20's. Most of the women in my family have thinning hair to where you can see their scalp, especially along the top where you part it. It takes a lot of creativity to style it so that you can fake like you have thicker hair. Thankfully there are products today to help fight the issues associated with hair thinning and hair loss. Women’s ROGAINE® Foam is the first and only FDA-approved once daily treatment with 5% minoxidil proven to regrow hair.

Women's ROGAINE® Topical Aerosol can be purchased without a prescription. It can be used on any hair type including those who color or perm their hair.

The application process is very simple. The foam can be applied once a day, morning or night. Just part your hair to expose areas that need it the most and apply and allow to dry. The foam is so lightweight and does not cause any buildup on hair.

The safety cap works well to keep kids away from it. I had a hard time getting it off at first.

The key to managing hereditary hair loss is treating it at the earliest signs with Women’s ROGAINE® Foam, which is clinically proven to regrow hair in 81%* of women with new hairs growing in up to 48%** thicker than before. There is a wealth of information about Women's ROGAINE on their website so be sure to visit. They offer styling tips and have videos as well. If you want to try the product out, be sure to grab a coupon here.

Giveaway: I'm so pleased to offer a giveaway for a full year's supply of Women’s ROGAINE® Foam (ARV $150.00) for one lucky Mom Files reader. Enter below...
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Products were provided by the Women’s ROGAINE^® Foam. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

How You Can Support Your School With Red Robin's Burgers For Better Schools ($75 GC Giveaway)

Closed- Winner is Saira H. Congrats! 

Are you a Red Robin Royalty Rewards member? I have been for about two years now and we enjoy the perks membership comes with. The fact that it's FREE is number one. I love seeing the number of entrees we have purchased add up to a freebie (every 10th item is free). It is really nice receiving email updates about daily meal deals and promotions. Oh, and let's not forget your FREE Birthday burger! Red Robin is a fun spot to celebrate birthdays.

Red Robin has recently added another perk to their Royalty Member card with their Burgers for Better Schools. By being a member, you can log into your account and add a K-12 school of your choice. A percentage of your dining bill will then be given to that school. This is such a great idea since so many families dine there regularly. This is like fundraising for your child's school without feeling like a chore. This is a win-win for parents and their PTO/PTA. I really encourage you to add your child's school.

Information about Red Robin’s Burger for Better Schools Program:

·Burgers for Better Schools is an extension of Red Robin’s loyalty rewards program. Red Robin Royalty provides members with added perks when they dine at Red Robin restaurants throughout the year, such as granting every 10th item purchased as free, a free birthday burger, exclusive surprises and more

·Burgers for Better Schools gives Red Robin Royalty members an opportunity to support local K-12 schools simply by dining at participating Red Robin restaurants and using their Red Robin Royalty member account. When a Red Robin Royalty member’s account is presented at the time of purchase, Red Robin will donate one percent of the total bill to their school of choice (excluding taxes, gratuities and gift card sales)

·Participating in Burgers for Better Schools is as easy as becoming a member of Red Robin Royalty. Red Robin Royalty members can sign up for Burgers for Better Schools on their account dashboard on Red Robin’s website or by visiting http://www.redrobin.com/betterschools. If you are not already a Red Robin Royalty member, sign up for free and select your child’s school BEFORE your visit!

· Through the Burgers for Better Schools dashboard, Red Robin Royalty members can select their school of choice to receive support, and change their school selection at any time throughout the year

· Members who have opted into Burgers for Better Schools can follow their progress in supporting a K-12 school of their choice on their Red Robin Royalty account dashboard. Details include individual contributions, how many others are supporting that school, and total donations raised by all supporters

· At any time, Red Robin Royalty members can donate an additional sum to the school of their choice by using the credit card option featured on the Burgers for Better Schools homepage

· Red Robin also makes it easy to help spread the word about the Burgers for Better Schools program at school, online and socially with a variety flyers, website banners and social media-friendly content in the online digital tool kit

We dined there on Labor Day to celebrate our younger daughter's 19th birthday. We had a party of 6 and as usual, we were well taken care of despite the restaurant being jam-packed. Their servers always seem to have a lot of energy and even with many tables to wait on, they never make you feel like they have forgotten about you. My daughter was thrilled with her complimentary birthday sundae and song. They put on quite show at Red Robin.

Our entrees were cooked to perfection and I can't ever say no to those bottomless fries. And the burgers? They are the BEST! I can't ever finish the whole thing because they are so big. In addition to its many burger offerings, Red Robin serves a wide variety of salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts and signature Mad Mixology® Beverages.

Be sure to connect with Red Robin on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

So what are you waiting for? Go sign up or sign into your Royalty Rewards account so you can add your child's school to help support them in a simple way. Also, one very lucky Mom Files reader will win a $75 Red Robin gift card! Go enter below:
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This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on September 25, 2015. One winner will be contacted via email to claim prize. Be sure to follow all rules in Rafflecopter widget for all entries to count. Good luck!

The Red Robin information and gift cards have been provided by Red Robin. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Effortlessly Add Flavor To Your Meals #PublixFlavorExcursion

Do you have a few go-to meals that you make all the time? Do you ever feel like they need to be kicked up a bit? By adding a couple of extra ingredients, you can really make your meal stand out. The first step is to keep your kitchen stocked with some basic staples so that you always have add-in ingredients on hand. Products like Ro*tel Tomatoes, Hunt's Tomatoes, Progresso Bread Crumbs, Kraft shredded cheese, Kraft dressings and even avocados from Mexico can transform any meal.

I just love to use Progress Italian Style bread crumbs in my favorite Italian Cheese-Stuffed Meatball recipe.

I make my meatballs with both ground beef and ground pork. Of course, you can use turkey, chicken or whatever you prefer. I seasoned my meats with finely chopped Italian parsley, jalapeno pepper, red onion and garlic, along with 1/3 cup of Progresso Italian Style bread crumbs, one beaten egg and a dash or two of my favorite dry seasonings. Once meat mixture is well mixed, I form them into balls and insert a small cube of cheese.

I put the shaped meatballs in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes to chill up and ensure that they stay in the round shape. I pan fry them in a tiny bit of canola oil until they are brown all over and continue the cook in a preheated 375 degree oven. These are great as an appetizer or even to drop into your favorite spaghetti sauce.

Another favorite meal I make is my stewed chicken and veggies. It sort of had a little Mexican-Italian fusion.

I start with washed and dried chicken wings that I season with garlic powder, Spanish seasoning and Italian seasoning. I brown my wings and drain the excess oil. I then add a can of Hunt's Diced Tomatoes in the Basil, Garlic & Oregano variety, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/3 cup water and one bag of frozen Gumbo mix veggies. I add additional seasoning to taste including a pinch of sugar for balance and some dried Italian herbs and Adobo seasoning. I let it all simmer until the chicken is completely cooked through and the veggies get tender. All you do is serve over your favorite rice and you have a hearty meal, perfect for a weeknight supper.

Be sure to visit your local Publix Supermarket for In-Store Savings.
Look for the in-store displays and recipe cards to find delicious recipe ideas and coupon savings. Offers available from 9/10-9/23

• $2.00 off Publix Produce with the purchase of Any Four (4) participating products 
Participating products: select Old El Paso items**, Ro*tel Tomatoes, Hunt’s Tomatoes, Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese, Avocados from Mexico
**Items include Dinner Kits, Seasoning Mixes, Enchilada Sauce, Refried Beans
• $2.00 off Publix Chicken with the purchase of Any Four (4) participating products 
Participating products: Progresso Bread Crumbs, Progresso Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth, Kraft Salad Dressing, Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese, Hunt’s Tomatoes
• $1.00 off Any Five (5) Ro*tel Tomatoes (10 oz.)
• $1.00 off Any Five (5) Hunt’s Tomatoes (14.5 oz.) 
• Save $1.00 on Avocados from Mexico when you buy three (3) Old El Paso products (1-31 oz.) 
• Save $1.00 on three (3) Betty Crocker casserole potatoes (4.5-5.1 oz.) 
• Save $1.50 on two (2) Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes (12.5-17.9 oz.) 

See store for more details including dates and specific products and sizes included in offers.

Cheap or Free Ways You Can Help Others

The inspiration for this post came from something I heard my 7 year old son say... "Wow, my dad helped the neighborhood and he helped the world". I wanted to share some ideas of how you can help people in little ways to make their lives better. This may spark something within them to want to pay it forward and help someone else.

• Volunteer at your child's school. 
• Getting rid of outgrown clothing from younger, school-age children? Consider donating them to your local elementary school's nurse's office. They always have the need for bottoms, underwear and socks. 
• Text a friend just to let them know you are thinking about them.
• Smile. A genuine smile triggers other people to smile. 
• Check up on your neighbors.
• Be a "Mystery Reader" for your child's class.
• Offer to help an elderly person in the grocery store.
• Hold the door open for someone.
• Compliment a stranger (within reason).
• When you get a buy-one-get-one free deal, why not share the freebie with a friend or neighbor.
• Offer to babysit for a new mom.
• Give your neighbor's dog a treat at the fence.
• If you are in a store and see someone purchasing something that you have a coupon for, offer it to them. You would be amazed at the joy $1 off can bring to someone.
• Be the Coupon Fairy. Leave coupons in front of the items they are for in a store. Someone will be very happy to save a little extra money. 
• Call someone out of the blue. 
• If you baked something, send in extra for you child's teacher.
• Always ask the cashier at the store you are at how their day is going. No matter the attitude they may give off, you can still show that you care.
• Tell someone that you love them. 
• If you get a gift certificate for purchasing a certain amount in a store, consider giving it to someone. My kids give me their $10 Kohl's cash certificates all the time and it makes me so happy.
• Hug someone.
• Make people laugh!
• Rake or blow leaves for your elderly neighbor.
• Do a chore for another person in your home. I love when my walk into my bedroom and see my bed already made up.
• Paying with a gift card and have a small balance left? Give it to the person behind you in line. 
• Saying, "good morning" or "have a great day" gives off a positive vibe. 
• A simple "thank you" is always in order.
• Allowing your inner happiness to shine can bring much needed light to others.
• Send in a special treat for your child's class or your spouse's co-workers.
• Write notes to your family members.
• Write a letter and mail it to a friend. Embellish the envelope with fun stickers.
• Let your kids eat dessert for dinner once in a while. There's nothing wrong with the occasional ice cream sundae dinner.
• Show gratitude and appreciation every day.

Sharing love is FREE! What will you go out and do today that will make a difference to others? 

CardNInja Smartphone Wallet Review #TossYourWallet

I don't know about you, but I am a sucker for gadgets that help make my life a bit easier. I'm a busy woman and I admit, I love convenience. I received a neat item called the CardNinja Smartphone Wallet. I have heard about it before and was curious to see it in action. I was so happy to get one in magenta. Isn't it pretty?

The CardNinja comes in 6 colors: black, steel, eggplant, gold, blue raspberry & magenta. So what exactly do you do with this thing? This sleek smartphone wallet has an adhesive back designed to stick to most phone cases. All you have to do is peel the paper backing off, position it on your case, cover or phone back itself, and you are ready to use it. You can store your license or ID card, credit/debit cards, cash, earbuds or a single key with ease. This means not having to carry a wallet or purse when it's not convenient.

This is the perfect item for me to take to my son's school on days that I volunteer. I usually take my license out of my wallet and put it with my phone in my pocket. This always had me so paranoid because I once dropped my license on the floor and a teacher handed it to me. With the CardNinja, I can easily keep my license in the pouch along with my car key and feel confident about not losing anything.

You can purchase the CardNinja Smartphone Wallet on their website currently for $9.99 (reg $12.99) or at select retailers including CVS and Walmart. I think this is a perfect back-to-school gift for high school seniors and college students. It's also perfect for moms or dads who are always on-the-go, and would be a good teacher gift or stocking stuffer for the holidays. I love my CardNinja and I know I will get a lot of use out of it.

Find CardNinja on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

I received a sample product for review purposes and all opinions are 100% mine as always. 

The Women's Roadmap To Health

National Girlfriends Day was earlier this month, but it's always a good thing to have a friend remind you about keeping up with your annual wellness check-ups. It's easy for time to pass you by or to just put it off. Joining forces with your friends can be the push you need to get things done. My doctor even has a group of girlfriends who all schedule their annual woman's check-up in the same week and get together in one evening for margaritas to celebrate each other getting their health screenings done. I think that is such a cute idea.

Check out the infographic below from Oscar Health Insurance Company for details on what specific screenings you should have done and when. They're a new company wanting to shake up the health care field and help their members be proactive about their health through their various incentives. If you're in these areas, check out their health insurance plans in New Jersey and New York. Feel free to share with your girlfriends and family members.

Go here for additional information. Be well! xoxo

Double-Dipped French Toast from IHOP (Review)

I recently stopped by my local IHOP to try out their latest menu item-- Double-dipped French Toast. They come in two flavors:  Lemon Strawberry and Cinnamon Sugar. I decided in the Lemon Strawberry because it screamed summertime. I had the bacon combo which came with 4 strips of bacon, 2 eggs and hash browns. I was definitely most looking forward to trying the French Toast first. The fact that they use brioche made me already know that it was going to be extra delicious. The entree came with two thick slices of French toast that was dipped in a vanilla batter, then dipped a second time in crispy corn flakes and oatmeal, griddled, then topped with cool lemonade cream and glazed strawberries. The actual French Toast had a very light texture and was cooked to perfection. For some reason, I was expecting it to be a bit crunchy on the outside and it wasn't. I'm glad! I think the texture was exactly what you would expect from perfectly cooked French toast. The lemonade cream was so smooth and creamy with a nice balance of both sweet and tart. The strawberry topping was delicious and the perfect pair with the lemonade cream. It was like summer on a platter. There was not a single bite left on my plate! 

This lemon strawberry French toast was not too sweet and oh so scrumptious! 

I plan to go back this weekend with my family to try the Cinnamon Sugar variety to celebrate the kids going back to school. The Double-Dipped French Toast at is available until September 20th, so grab your family and head to your local IHOP to try it out for yourself. I promise, you'll love it and will want it to be a permanent menu offering (hint, hint IHOP).  

This combo was fairly priced. Perfect for a family meal out. 

Be sure to stay connected to IHOP on their website, Facebook and Twitter for their latest updates and promotions. Don't forget, IHOP gift cards make great gifts for teachers, college students and as a "just because". 

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

NEW Softsoap Fragrant Foaming Collection Hand Soap Line (Giveaway)

CLOSED- Winner is Jacqueline A.- Congratulations! 

Softsoap has been a household brand name for many years. The brand has grown so much and offers a wide variety of products for bath and body. Their latest products are the Fragrant Foaming Collection Hand Soap line. What makes this line different from the others is the elegant bottle design and luxurious feel and fragrance. The scents include:

• Jasmine and White Cotton: Impress your guests with the fresh scent of Jasmine and White Cotton. Its airy aroma makes every hand wash sparkle, while lush foam gently purifies the skin. 
• Whipped Cocoa Butter: Pamper your skin with the rich foaming lather infused with real cocoa butter extracts. The decadent scent of Whipped Cocoa Butter makes every hand wash a treat.
• Kitchen Citrus Bliss: Awaken your senses and brighten your home with the crisp, sun-drenched scent of Kitchen Citrus Bliss. Its vibrant aroma invigorates every hand wash, while lush foam gently cleans and soothes skin.

These hand soaps are perfect to place in guest bathrooms, your kitchen or any where you have a sink. It's always nice to enjoy your hand-washing experience in my opinion. I love the pretty bottles. These hand soaps are just as good as the high-end boutique brands I have tried for a fraction of the price! I don't think I can pick a favorite scent, because they are all amazing. I think these hand soaps would make a great addition to your home or office and even make a nice little gift. I can see adding this to a housewarming basket or even for a teacher, coworker or neighbor gift. I know I would LOVE it if someone gave it to me.

Stay connected to Softsoap on the web and on Facebook for updates on the latest products and promotions.

How would you like to try the NEW Softsoap Fragrant Foaming Collection Hand Soap Line for yourself? Enter below: 

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This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on August 31, 2015. One winner will be contacted via email to claim prize. Be sure to follow all rules in Rafflecopter widget for all entries to count. Good luck! 

Break Out Of Your Flavor Rut With Cheerios #CheeriosFunFlavors ($20 Paypal Giveaway)

Next week marks our first week back to school and I am organized and ready for the busy months ahead. I do all I can to make things easier on myself so I don't lose my mind. Having planned out meals are important to help keep my family healthy and well fed. I get stuck in a rut when it comes to having enough variety sometimes. When it comes to breakfast and snacks, I do all I can to offer my kids healthier options. One great breakfast that is quick and requires no effort is Cheerios and milk. I recently found out that Cheerios makes a variety of flavors including favorites like Honey Nut, Original, Apple Cinnamon and newer flavors: Banana Nut, Frosted, Multi-Grain, Multi-Grain Peanut Butter and
Apple Cinnamon Cheerios.

I did not realize there was a Banana Nut variety and I could not wait to try it for myself. I'm pretty simple when it comes to cereal, so I either like it as is with milk, or dry as a snack. I think I may have found my favorite new flavor! I made the mistake of letting my husband and kids try it and now it is their favorite as well. Looks like I better stock up on a few more boxes. Speaking of which, right now you can print a Publix coupon for buy-one-get-one FREE of Cheerios. That's right, you can buy one box of your favorite Cheerios, and try a new flavor for FREE! Now is the time to really stock up with back-to-school season in full swing. Hurry and get your coupon while they are available.

Did you know that besides serving Cheerios in the more traditional ways, you can use them in fun recipes? Check out all the great Cheerios recipes that are sure to please your whole family. I plan to make some Cheerios snack bars for my little one's class as a surprise treat. I'm sure they will all enjoy it!

To help you stock up in Cheerios and take advantage of the BOGO deal, one Mom Files reader will win $20 PayPal cash. Enter below:
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This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents and will run until Sept 2, 2015. One winner will be selected and contacted via email address to claim prize. You must follow all rules stated in Rafflecopter widget for entries to count. Good luck!

Our Visit To SEA LIFE Aquarium Charlotte-Concord #hosted

Last week, my family had the great pleasure of visiting SEA LIFE Aquarium in Charlotte-Concord, NC. Lucky for us, we live just an hour away, so getting there was not bad at all. SEA LIFE is located inside Concord Mills Outlet Mall, at Entry 7. When I heard they were building an aquarium inside of a mall, I thought it was a joke. Well, seeing is believing in this case. SEA LIFE Aquarium was impressive in so many ways.

The ticket counter/check-in process is a breeze and the great part about this aquarium is that once you get your tickets and hand stamped, you are free to return to the facility for the entire day. This made it convenient for us to step out for a bite to eat or to visit the other shops in the mall. At check-in, we were able to get brochures about exhibits, feeding times, and featured events as well as a Dive Log Book for the little ones. Tips: You will get the better rates if you pre-purchase your tickets online. If you live in the area, it might make the most sense to purchase a season pass if you plan to visit several times a year. Additionally, you have the opportunity to have your family photo taken before entering the actual aquarium, so be prepared for that. 

Although the actual facility is not as large as most aquariums I have been to, this one made great use of every square foot! Each exhibit (known as "Dive Stations") was put together beautifully and had a touchscreen nearby so you can identify and check out facts about each animal in the tank.

We all learned so much. The SEA LIFE staff members were very friendly and eager to answer any questions we had. At the end of each Dive Station, we were able to stamp our Dive Log Book which gets your little one a prize at the end of their visit. SEA LIFE really did a great job at keeping both children and adults engaged throughout the visit. My son is a self-proclaimed 'Animal Expert', so he wanted to lead us as if he was our personal tour guide. It's amazing how much you can learn from a 7 year old kid.

There was so much to see and I really loved the instrumental music that was playing in the background. It was really soothing and made the experience even better. There was a nice variety of fish, shark, sting rays, jellies, eel and even some crustaceans. The touchpool experience was awesome. We were able to touch live crabs and starfish. This was like a major nerd moment for my son.

At the end of the aquarium sits a cute gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and photos that are taken at the beginning of your adventure. Usually gift shops are very expensive, but SEA LIFE had so many great items at very affordable prices. We bought some cute plush sea animals for William.

On our second visit for the day, we overheard a SEA LIFE staff member telling another patron about a behind the scenes tour of the facility. We were told to join in and we are so glad we did! We got to learn how the aquarium is operated as well as seeing the different stations where animals are cared for if they get sick and how their food is prepped. We saw what the aquarium looked like from above. It was magnificent to say the least. There were locker rooms with dive equipment for the marine biologists who dive daily to clean the tanks and tend to the animals. They made about about how safety and cleanliness are an extreme priority and they work every single day to make certain the animals are fed and cared for.

I spoke with our lovely tour guide and told her how amazed I was that we are standing in a full-fledged aquarium that is in a shopping mall. It's one of those things you have to see in person to truly appreciate it. She was telling us that they have another 10,000 or so square feet that they will be expanding on and hopefully will get the papers in order to have a sea turtle tank. I sure can't wait to see all of that come together.

Before I forget-- if you have preschool aged children, SEA LIFE is featuring Disney Junior's The Octonauts from August 7-23

Participate in Octonauts Training Academy and learn what it takes to become a member of the crew. As cadets, they'll master the specialties of their favorite characters across 6 fun zones, meet Kwazii and Captain Barnacles in person and then be rewarded for completing their training with a very special Octonauts certificate! Check the website for more details.

As you can see, no matter the age, anyone is welcome to take a photo with their favorite characters. Also, they have some very cute Octonauts merchandise in the gift shop, so be sure to take a look.

We took away so much from our visit. The most important thing was the urgency to protect marine animals. SEA LIFE has provided a state of the art facility to not only showcase these animals, but also encourage better environmental practices to preserve these precious creatures. Although I have read reviews about people complaining about the cost to visit for such a small venue that doesn't take long to get through, I honestly feel like it is well worth the ticket price. You can go in as many times as you want for the full day of operating hours. I feel like we got even more the second time around by joining in the behind the scenes tour. The joy on son's face and seeing my husband and adult daughters behave like children were priceless. We fully enjoyed our time at SEA LIFE Aquarium and if you are ever visiting the Charlotte area or live in the vicinity, I highly recommend you check it out.

Be sure to visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium website for more information and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

I was offered media tickets in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own as always. Many thanks to Sea Life Aquarium for hosting us!