Community Coffee Father's Day Gift Set Review and Giveaway

Name of Product: Community Coffee Private Reserve Father's Day Gift Set

Community Coffee Private Reserve Father's Day Gift Set

Price of Product: $22.95

Where the Product May be Purchased: The Community Coffee Company.

Description of Product: This gift set includes 12 oz. House Blend ground coffee, 2 oz. Breakfast Blend and French Vanilla coffees completed with a Vintage Cap Saurage Collector's Cap. Everything comes wrapped in a red gift box.

About Community Coffee: Community Coffee Company invites you to enjoy the unique taste of Louisiana's most distinctive coffee. We start with only quality, 100% Arabica beans selected by the Saurage family. Then, through generations of roasting experience, we have perfected a full-bodied yet smooth flavor that reflects the extraordinary culinary traditions of Louisiana. Today, Community® coffee is served in the best New Orleans restaurants and is shared in homes across the South. To understand why, simply sit back and enjoy a cup.

Community Coffee Company is steeped in tradition as rich as our coffee. As the largest family-owned retail coffee brand in the U.S., our company grew from a small country store in Baton Rouge where more than 90 years ago, founder Henry Norman "Cap" Saurage brewed his popular coffee.

The Review: I selected the Private Reserve Father's Day Gift Set with Dad in mind. He does get a cool hat! However, for the purposes of this review, I wanted the opportunity to sample different flavors of the Community House coffee. This set includes the house blend, the French vanilla and the breakfast blend.

Grant and I agree that the house blend is terrific. I was not surprised to learn that this medium-dark roast is served in New Orleans style coffee houses. He enjoyed it black and I added a little soy milk and sweetener. The house blend wasn't too strong like some darker roasts can be and tasted much better than our usual morning coffee.

I am the only fan of flavored coffees, so the french vanilla was all mine. It was delicious - on par (if not better) with the coffee that I get through a certain drive-through on occasion. We have yet to try the breakfast blend, but knowing Grant's taste for a nice non-flavored, medium to dark roast, I am confident he will like it. For all of those coffee drinking Dad's out there, this gift set will be a much appreciated Father's Day gift!

The Giveaway: The Community Coffee Company is generously offering either the Private reserve Father's Day Gift Set (shown above) or the Traditional Blends Father's Day Gift Set (shown right). This gift set includes the popular 16 oz. Dark Roast ground coffee, a Community Coffee-Fresh Canister, Logo Coffee Scoop and a Community Coffee Premium Tumbler. Everything comes wrapped in a wooden crate. The price of this gift set is $24.95.

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by!

Mandatory Entry: 1. Become a fan of Community Coffee on Facebook and leave a comment stating that you follow. While you are there, you may want to enter their New Orleans Great Taste Giveaway!
Not on Facebook? Just visit Community Coffee and comment on what coffee you would most like to try.

Extra Entries - For the following entries please make sure to include your email and if appropriate your link.

2. Follow my blog.
3. Subscribe to my blog.
4. Follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/kristiannm) AND tweet about this giveaway (may be done daily).
5 Blog about this giveaway.
6 Grab my button for your site.
7 Post this giveaway on a linky or forum.
8 Follow me on Facebook.
9 Follow me on Facebook Networked Blogs.

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and the winner will be chosen by random.org. This giveaway is open until Tuesday, June 15, 2010; at 12:00 pm Eastern Time and a winner will be announced soon thereafter. If the winner does not respond to my email within 48 hours then I will pick a new winner. Good luck!

The product(s) featured in this giveaway were provided free of cost to me by the author, the manufacturer, or representing PR agency. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Blush Topless Undershirt Winner

Thank you all for entering the Blush Topless Undershirt giveaway. The winner is #30 - madwoman-doing-cartwheels.

Congratulations! I will be emailing you shortly.

Thank you for reading and subscribing to Moms Own Words.

Eat, Pray, Love - A Book Summary, Review and Movie Trailer

Eat, Pray, Love is Elizabeth Gilbert's very entertaining and enlightening book about her travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia. The much anticipated movie, starring Julia Roberts, will be released on 8/13/2010. If you haven't read the book and would like a brief summary (spoiler alert!) my 2 cent review and a peek at the movie trailer, read on!

Following her divorce, Elizabeth experienced a crushing depression resulting in panic, confusion, and weight loss. This is the story of her travels and explorations of three different cultures, in an effort to find balance in her life.

First, she experiences pleasure in Italy. She enrolls in Italian language classes and immerses herself in the beauty of this romantic language, and Italian culture. She has Gelati in the morning, discovers the best pizza in Italy, and shares Sardinian wine with friends. She experiences a soccer game in Italy, where the natives are the most passionate of fans, and deal with defeat by gathering at the bakery and eating cream-puffs. As she leaves Italy, she proclaims to be free from her gnawing depression, and not surprisingly, back to her normal weight.

She then travels to India where she practices hours of silent meditation at her Guru's Ashram. She does not reveal her Guru's name or the Ashram location, as to not publicize it. She especially thanks her Guru in the book's introduction.

Not claiming to be a theological scholar or the Ashram's official spokesperson, Elizabeth speaks of her experiences in India from her personal standpoint only. Her meditations start off in frustration, as her mind whirls with seemingly endless, cluttering thoughts. However, through hours of practice of silence at the Ashram, she has "seen" God in her meditations, and has learned that God is found within herself, and to find peace one must return-to-self. This is the most important account of her travels. Her time in India is described beautifully and honestly.

Elizabeth finds love in Bali, Indonesia. Elizabeth met Ketut, a ninth generation Indian medicine man, two years ago prior to this trip. She explained to him then that she wanted to learn to live in this world, and to enjoy its delights, but also to devote herself to God. He told her, "To find the balance that you want, you must keep your feet grounded so firmly on earth that it's like you have four legs, instead of two. That way, you can stay in the world. But you must stop looking at the world through your head. You must look through your heart instead. That way you will know God."

Ketut asks her to come to Indonesia to teach him English, and he, in turn, will teach her everything he knows. She fufills her destiny by living and learning with Ketut, in Bali, Indonesia, her final destination.

She meets Wayan, a Balinese healer, and Felipe, a Brazilian man who loves and adores her with "such single minded concentration." The reader can only share in Elizabeth's joy as her story comes to its conclusion with her finding a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.

This is a wonderful book of self-discovery that will nourish your soul!

Street Hockey Now and Then - Meetup Monday

Finally the beautiful New England weather is here! It was so nice to watch my son's street hockey game outside and enjoy a perfectly sunny day. This is the first year that my eight-year-old son James (#22)decided to try street hockey.

I remember playing street hockey in high school gym class and I loved it. I was pretty athletic way back then and dare-I-say a little aggressive! I remember constantly running after that ball with more intensity that a dog - banging into sticks and classmates along the way. My son James (although still young) is not quite as aggressive or intense, and as a matter of fact, he couldn't be more thrilled that he will play his last game on Wednesday. Here's the thing. The coaches do a lot of yelling and my sensitive guy is well.....sensitive, so the yelling was the deal breaker.

Here are some pics. of Saturday's game. His team (Saint Bernard's Saints) won 5-3. It was a great game.


Hello? 22? Where did that darn ball go? Notice the ball in mid-air and not one player appears to know where it is. Okay, I suppose those helmets do make it a little difficult to see the bright orange ball.



That poor goalie looked like he was dressed for a snowstorm and it was about eighty degrees. (I'll bet he is glad that Wednesday is the last game too.) Even Dad (Grant) helped out and did a little assistant coaching. A first!



Unfortunately, there was a little too much of this. Go get that ball 22!! (Opps...Sorry I yelled.)

I am so glad that I found Amy's blog Just Another Manic Momday. She has this great linky called Meet-Up Monday's. Here is her Meet-Up Monday's button. Go link up and check out some great blogs!



***The rules are simple!

1. Add a link to your main blog (or most current post)
2. Leave a comment on the blog above your name in the list.
3. Visit as many blogs as you can and leave comments and follow if you like.

Upcoming Reviews and Giveaways

I am so excited about two upcoming giveaways at Moms Own Words!

The first great giveaway item is Jenna Scott's Bohemian Wrap Bracelet. The bracelet that I am reviewing is made with brown leather cord and white Swarovski crystal pearls. It is stitched with thread and the closure is a flowery decorated brass button. Jenna (iheartjenna) sells her handmade jewelry on her Etsy site and can also be found at Artfirestudio. Jenna is offering one lucky Moms Own Word's reader one of these bracelets, so stay tuned!

Leather Wrap Bracelet: White Swarovski Pearl

The next giveaway is a call to all coffee lovers...and Dad's. I will be reviewing a Private Reserve Father’s Day Gift Set from Community Coffee. For this giveaway, Community Coffee is generously offering one Mom's Own Words reader a choice of either the Traditional Blends Father's Day Gift Set or the Private Reserve Father's Day Gift Set.

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Top Five Rules for Finding Perfect Work -Guest Post by Laurie Beth Jones

Have you ever had one of those Ah Ha moments that Oprah (for one) is always talking about? I had mine as I was reading Jesus Career Counselor: How to Find and Keep Your Perfect Work by author Laurie Beth Jones. Here it is - While I may not be perfect at writing (I'm the only editor I've got!) writing is my perfect work. I am currently reading Laurie's book and it has helped me to officially come to that realization.

Stay tuned! Jesus Career Counselor: How to Find and Keep Your Perfect Work is one of my upcoming book reviews and giveaways. In the meantime, please enjoy this article by Laurie Beth Jones and good luck finding your perfect work!

Top Five Rules for Finding Perfect Work

By Laurie Beth Jones,

Author of Jesus Career Counselor: How to Find (and Keep) Your Perfect Work

Rule #1) Ask yourself "What did I come to this world to do?" What kind of daily work would excite you in the very marrow of your bones? In order to get true alignment, you must establish a clear, written-down mission statement.

For example, mine is "to recognize, promote and inspire divine connection in myself and others." I have 3 verbs, or action words, a core value, and a tribe. This begins the clarity process, and becomes a filter for everything you do.

Rule #2) Know your personality type. Do you love to take risks and take charge, like Fire? Do you bring order and structure naturally to everything you do, like Earth? Perhaps you are more like Water, going with the flow, and rushing to serve those in the lowest place. Or maybe you love to inspire others and bring in fresh ideas, like the Wind. The workplace needs all of these qualities, and you have been gifted especially in one or two of these elements. Find out which ones are most like you. For example, I am a Wind/Fire combination, specializing in Fast Results. Find your special elemental combination.

Rule #3) Sit down and draw a Talent Shield, showing your four highest gifts in symbol form. Ask your friends and family "What do I naturally do well?" My four greatest gifts are my love of God (heart symbol), my ability to speak (mouth), ability to write (pen) and freedom to do all of the above (wings.)

Use your Talent Shield as a filter for any job opportunity before you, asking "Will this work allow a 100% match in my gifted areas?"

Rule #4) Write down a vision of your ideal work day. If all things were possible, what would you be doing on a Monday morning, at 9 am? Who would you be talking to, about what, wearing what? What would your workspace look like?

Fill your vision with details that include not only what is sitting on your desk (if you have one) but also the feelings you are having as you go about your day. This becomes the model you work from as you begin to sculpt, identify, and create your perfect work.


Rule #5) Share all of the above with everyone you can. Network with those who are doing the kind of work you wish you could be doing. Research the industry. Read biographies. Attend workshops. Get educated. Put yourself in the arena of the work you want to have. Show up even to volunteer. Begin to live your mission every day, and you will indeed find, and keep your perfect work.

© 2010 Laurie Beth Jones, author of Jesus Career Counselor: How to Find (and Keep) Your Perfect Work

Author Bio
Laurie Beth Jones, author of Jesus Career Counselor: How to Find (and Keep) Your Perfect Work, is an internationally recognized bestselling author, speaker, inspirational life coach, and trainer; and she offers small group, online, and one-on-one training. Laurie Beth's books on the workplace have sold more than one million copies and been translated into sixteen foreign languages. Some of these titles have spent more than thirteen months on the BusinessWeek bestseller list and have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time magazine, CNN Financial, and more.

Recently named one of the top thirty leaders in the United States by an independent research firm, Jones has been featured in major media outlets and been invited to speak in all pillars of society, such as business, education, health care, government, faith and service organizations, the mass media, and the disenfranchised.

A business-development coach and consultant to CEOs and organizations, Laurie Beth has conducted training or provided leadership products for major companies, including Tyson Foods, Purina-Nestlé, Neiman Marcus, Pfizer, CitiFinancial, and American Express.

For more information, please visit www.lauriebethjones.com and follow the author on Twitter: twitter.com/LaurieBethJones.

Usborne Jigsaw Puzzle Book Winner

Thank you all for entering the Usborne Jigsaw Puzzle Giveaway. The giveaway ended today with 57 comments. The winner is #12 One Frugal Lady. Congratulations! I will be emailing you shortly.

Thank you for reading and subscribing to Moms Own Words!

May is National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month

Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the plight of hundreds of thousands of children and youth in the foster care system. The campaign raises awareness about the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get involved.

The following is a Guest post from Adopt Us Kids -

Did you know it would take less than 1% of the U.S. population to provide a family for every child in foster care?

May is National Foster Care Month and there has never been a greater need to bring attention to children waiting for forever homes. More than 463,000 children are currently in foster care and 123,000 children are waiting to be adopted.

Children in foster care are loving children. They are children like Shaquane and Edlina and Albert. Every child deserves to have a home with caring and supportive parents.

Help us spread the message this month to reach all Americans and teach them about the love and joy that foster care adoption can bring to your life.

Visit www.adoptuskids.org to learn more about fostering and adopting. You can also join our online communities on Facebook and Twitter.

Check out "Children in Foster Care" - This video is from The Road to Adoption and Foster Care, a film produced by Rich Newman in association with AdoptUsKids.

For more information and to find out how you can get involved click here.

Join Adopt us Kids on May 27 at 2 p.m. EST on Twitter for an #AdoptUsKids one hour chat to get the message out about National Foster Care Month.

I wrote this post while participating in a blog campaign by Global Influence on behalf of Adopt Us Kids. No monetary compensation was received and opinions expressed are my own.

Playtex Bra Makeover in New York 10 Winners!

Playtex is offering you a chance to win a bra makeover!

Info on the Playtex Bra Makeover from Mom Select-
Do slipping straps, riding up backs, or not enough support have you ready to write a Dear John letter to your old bras? Apply for a Bra Makeover from Playtex! Seven out of 10 women are wearing the wrong size bra, which can result in an ill fit for the rest of their outfit, back and shoulder pain, as well as bruising and digging.

We know that busy moms don't always have time to update their bras or even check to make sure they are wearing the correct size. That's why we wanted to let you know about this contest from Playtex! Playtex recently launched http://www.playtexbramakeover.com, a site where women can go to apply for a bra makeover or nominate a friend. If chosen, the winner will be flown to New York to receive a Bra Makeover with style expert Alison Deyette. Deyette is a fashion and trend lifestyle expert who has been featured on Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker and TLC's Ten Years Younger, as well as in print publications including Good Housekeeping, The Washington Post, and O Magazine. Apply for your chance to win a Playtex Bra Makeover today. The last day to apply is Friday, May 21st, 2010.

The 10 winners selected for a Bra Makeover will also star in their very own webisode wherein a makeover candidate will receive a fitting with Deyette and walk away with the perfect Playtex products. A new webisode will premier on www.PlaytexBraMakeover.com every two weeks.

For more information, please visit http://www.PlaytexBraMakeover.com.

Full Disclosure - By posting this information, I am entered into a contest to win a free bra from Playtex. I did not receive any compensation for this post and thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Our Impossible Dream – Selling Our House

Today was a first. Not only did we entice one potential buyer to come and look at our house, but we managed to get two interested buyers to take a tour of our four bedroom two bath, w/ garage, w/ pergola, w/ privacy home at exactly the same time! This alone is nothing short of a miracle. I can hardly wait to get the feedback from my real estate agent. Actually, I am wondering what new reasons these buyers will come up with for not liking our house.

Our for sale sign says, “impressive” - but so far, no one has really been too impressed with our impressive house. After three seasons on the market, I am starting to take offense with what some of these buyers are saying. In this crazy real estate market, buyers expect perfection at bargain prices. Sellers like us might as well be wearing a big "L" for loser on our foreheads.

Last summer, we finished our basement adding a bathroom and a fourth bedroom – no not for us, for the buyer! We also finished our laundry room and finished a little workshop area that is attached to the garage. One buyer liked our open concept upstairs but didn’t like the downstairs. She expected more of the same open concept as we have upstairs. My advice to her is this - Bedrooms and a bathroom don’t lend themselves to the open concept concept. Impossible. Next!

One couple was divided over our house. She really loved it - loved the yard, loved the layout of the house – loved it, loved it, loved it! We made special arrangements (special arrangements!) to be out of the house that evening so she could bring her boyfriend for a second showing. According to my real estate agent, “He did not like the house at all.” Apparently, when they left the girlfriend was sulking. My advice to her is this - Girl, it’s all about you and what you want and if you’re not getting what you want then kick him to the curb. Next!

One older gentleman, who recently had a hip operation, came for a tour of our house. He and his wife would like to move to Ashburnham to be in the same town as their grandchildren. Awe! How nice! It sounds perfect doesn’t it? It turns out because of his “bad hip” he doesn’t feel he could manage to get up the driveway and up the stairs into our raised-ranch (code for split level). My advice to him is this - Well sir, you drove by so you knew about our driveway, and you’ve seen pictures, so you knew about the stairs to get into the house. Next time, try to make your decision based on this type of criteria before you waste my time! Getting this place ready for a showing is torture! Next!

One single mom came for a house showing a few weeks ago and really liked the house! She liked the upstairs. She liked the downstairs. She had no hip issues so getting into the house is not a problem. Here’s the big but. B-U-T…. she felt the house location is too remote. Hello? This is our major selling point! (Or so we thought.) Privacy! My advice to her is this - You can run outside buck-naked and no one would see you! My husband did it! I’m not kidding! Don’t you want to be able to do that? Next!

We thought we would sell this house easily. We’ve had the house staged and we finished our basement. What is left?

I think only Oprah can help us now. She could ask Nate Berkus to do a total interior re-design. People would flock for miles just to see our home. We would have bidding wars! I would have all of these buyers on the hook and I would tell my real estate agent, “Sorry, we decided to keep the house!”

(Oprah, if your reading this, I’m kidding. We would still sell the house and hopefully be able to borrow Nate to help us design the interior of our new house. Our lot is right next-door, so it would be pretty convenient. Thanks!)

Update! Just heard from our real estate agent. One of the two buyers canceled. I knew it was too good to be true. The good news, that one buyer did like our house, but I'm not holding my breath....yet.

Feel free to tweet this post with "Oprah she needs your help to sell her house."

Walmart Gift Card ($25) Winner

Thank you all for entering the Cascade/Walmart Gift Card ($25) Giveaway. The winner is #78 Imurley2000.

Congratulations! I will be emailing you shortly!

Thank you for reading and subscribing to Moms Own Words.

Prime-Time Health (Dr. William Sears, Dr. Martha Sears) Book Review and Five Book Giveaway

About the Book – Prime-Time Health. Copyright 2010. Published by Little, Brown and
Company - Hachette Book Group. ISBN – 978-0-316-03541-5.

(From the Book’s Dust Jacket) About a decade ago, renowned family practitioner Dr. Bill Sears was diagnosed with cancer. Like many people, he wanted –and needed to take control of his life, so he created the Prime Time-Health plan, which he and his wife, Martha (co-author) follow to this day. Now, in perfect health, they share this program with you so that you can make your prime time the healthiest and happiest time of your life.

Prime Time-Health uncovers the secrets to aging well. Whether you are a fifty-year-old in the prevention mind-set or a prime timer already in repair mode, with the Prime-Time Health plan you will:

Understand how your body changes during prime time.
Prevent disease and help each body system – including the heart, brain, gut, lungs, joints, eyes and skin – age more healthily.
Stay lean and healthy with sixteen super-foods….and more.

Based on twelve years of scientific research and a lifetime of medical expertise, Prime-Time Health is your road map to a prime time filled with health, happiness, and vitality.

About the Authors – (From the book’s Dust Jacket) William Sears, MD, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, received his training at Harvard Medical School’s Children’s Hospital and Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. He has practiced pediatrics for thirty years and is an associate clinical professor at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Martha Sears is a registered nurse, childbirth educator, and parenting and health consultant. They are the authors of more than thirty books and live in South California.

The Review - Prime-Time Health is a comprehensive plan for living a longer, healthier life. Dr. Sears’s guidelines for Prime-Time Health cover everything I would need to know (literally from head to toe) to feel younger and to be in the best of health as I approach (gulp) middle age.

Much of the healthy aging program recommendations are similar to what I’ve heard, read and seen throughout the years – eat healthy real foods like fruits and vegetables and lean proteins, move more via exercise and reduce stress and get enough sleep. However, I learned quite a bit of new information, such as ways to improve my Eye-Q, my hearing, improve my joint function and have smoother skin. (Turmeric is a healthy anti-inflammatory for the skin! Who knew?)

Here is a list a partial list of his “Prime-Time” plan at a glance.

Have a healthy heart, page 31
Stay smart, page 61
Be good to your gut, how to eat, page 85
Improve your Eye-Q, page 107
Tune up your hearing, page 114
Enjoy super foods: what to eat, page 189
Be good to you gums, page 132
Cut your chances of getting cancer, page 321
Enjoy better sex, page 259

Prime-Time Health is thoughtfully set-up for quick reference. At the end of each chapter, Dr. Sears gives his Rx (prescription for Prime-Time Health.) For example here is his Rx for prime-time skin health:

Drink lots of liquids
Don’t smoke
Humidify the air
Use mild soap
Don’t scrub harshly
Get the right amount of sun for your skin type
Eat fish
Eat fruits, vegetables and spices
Strengthen underlying muscles

Dr. Sears made the analogy that many of us are concerned about saving money, but not enough of us are concerned about saving our bodies. He talks about his friend Jim who watched too much TV, smoked cigarettes, ate lots of red meat, drank a lot of booze and thought exercise was a waste of time. Here is how Jim’s life turned out: At 50, he got diabetes, at 55 he had a coronary bi-pass; at 62 knee replacement surgery. He has to take pills for his highs – high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar; and also for his lows, depression. For Jim, prime time is sick time. Reading about Jim was a wake up call for me to improve upon the healthy eating and exercise habits that I already have and to take Dr. Sears’s new information, recommendations and prescriptions and put them into practice.

Dr. Sears sums up longevity with his acronym LEAN:

Lifestyle: how we live
Exercise: how we move
Attitude: how we think
Nutrition: how we eat

Putting Dr Sears’s practical, easy to understand 8-week healthy aging program into practice, would benefit anyone’s health in the years to come. His plan is scientifically proven - how could I not recommend such an important book?

Check It Out -

Buy it - Prime-Time Health is available on Amazon for $14.25.


Win It - Anna from the Hachette Book Group is generously offering five copies of Prime-Time Health to my readers.

THE RULES:

--U.S. and Canadian residents only. --NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--One comment is needed for each entry.--Include your email address in your comments.

To Enter is easy, just one mandatory entry.

Mandatory Entry:

1. Name one thing that you already do that you believe will lengthen your prime time.

--Include your email address (if not public in a profile) so I can contact you if you win.

Additional optional entries: Eligible after completing mandatory entry above: You can do any or all of the following for one entry each. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done.

2. --Follow my blog (see the right side bar to sign up) Already a follower, just leave a comment saying that you are a follower.

3. --Subscribe to my blog (see the right side bar to sign up) Current subscribers are eligible too.

4.--Follow me on Twitter . Current followers are eligible too, just leave a comment saying that you are a twitter follower.

5.--Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet (Can tweet once daily).

6.--Post my button on your blog and leave a link to your blog.

7.-- Follow me on Facebook.

8.--Follow me on Facebook Networked Blogs.

--FOR 5 EXTRA ENTRIES - Write a blog post about this giveaway, with a link to my blog. Come back and leave the link to your blog post. Post FIVE separate comments that you've blogged about this.

Giveaway ends on June 3rd at 11:59 PM EST. Open to US and Canadian addresses. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by email. Please respond in 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. To be fair to everyone, comments not meeting requirements will be deleted.

Many thanks to Anna at the Hachette Book Group for providing the review copy and giveaway copies!

The product(s) featured in this giveaway were provided free of cost to me by the author, the manufacturer, or representing PR agency. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Prevention's Picks for Healthy Pre-packaged Foods on the Today Show

As a busy mom of two, I can appreciate the convenience of pre-packaged foods. After all, who has the time to cook from scratch every-single night? Not me. I also like the fact that many of these foods come in single-serving packages, which helps me stick to the correct portion sizes. However, figuring which pre-packaged foods are the healthiest options can be a challenge.

Prevention magazine has evaluated several brands of pre-packaged foods based on fat, sugar, sodium content, taste and price. After a thorough evaluation, Prevention has determined their top picks for the healthiest pre-packaged foods. Prevention highlights the winners in the following Today Show video clip.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I have never seen the Mann's sweet potato spears nor the Hagen Daas mango puree - two items I will certainly be looking out for. According to Prevention, these pre-packaged foods are reasonably priced as well.

Coincidentally, you could win a case of the Campbell's Select Harvest chicken and vegetable soup from Buythecase.net (if that's what you would like, it is your choice!) This is my current $50 gift card giveaway! Enter to win here and good luck!

Buy the Case Grocery Products $50 Gift Card Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by!

Buying grocery items in bulk from warehouse stores can have cost saving benefits, but it has its drawbacks too. Big warehouse stores require membership fees. They may not be conveniently located, costing you extra time for that extra trip and money in gas just to get there. Once you’ve shopped, you have to lug big bulky items from the store to your SUV and once you've packed it all in, you realize you have no room for the kids!

BuytheCase.net is a service that delivers cases of products to household’s businesses, government agencies, community groups and US diplomatic and military personnel living abroad. Buythecase.net offers great savings on brand name groceries and so much more. Browse paper and plastic goods, pet needs, office and school supplies, arts and crafts, toys, books and more. What about the shipping costs? While BuytheCase.net charges a small handling fee, for many ship to zip codes there are no delivery fees!

From BuytheCase.net - “Our name really says it all. When you buy products by the case, you get the benefit of lower prices, plain and simple. In addition, by shopping online, you avoid all the hassles of dealing with the large discount warehouse stores. There are no club membership fees, no mammoth aisles to get lost in, and no endless checkout lines. Best of all, we deliver right to your doorstep, helping you to put a little extra time back into your life.”

Giveaway – Danielle, from Buythecase.net is offering one lucky Moms Own Words reader a $50.00 “gift card” to use toward the purchase of one case or more of any product you choose!

Please note that the winner will be given a promo code worth $50, which he or she will apply toward their purchase. A credit card is required for checkout.

Mandatory Entry-

1. Follow BuyTheCase on Facebook or Twitter. Please leave a comment telling me which one and your email address. (Follow both for two entries and comment twice!)


Extra Entries - For the following entries, please make sure to include your email and if appropriate your link.


2. Follow my blog.
3. Subscribe to my blog.
4. Follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/kristiannm) AND tweet about this giveaway (may be done daily).
5 Blog about this giveaway.
6 Grab my button for your site.
7 Post this giveaway on a linky or forum.
8 Follow me on Facebook.
9 Follow me on Facebook Networked Blogs.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and the winner will be chosen by random.org. This giveaway is open until June 1, 2010; at 12:00 pm Eastern Time and a winner will be announced soon thereafter. If the winner does not respond to my email within 48 hours then I will pick a new winner. Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by!

The product(s) featured in this giveaway were provided free of cost to me by the author, the manufacturer, or representing PR agency. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Honored on Mother's Day

I was honored when I caught this on the news. I guess I am quite the celebrity!

Want to surprise your Mom? Click here to create your own customized video, courtesy of momsrising.org.

CSN Stores $50 Gift Card Winner

Thank you all for entering the CSN stores $50 gift card giveaway.
The winner is link # 14 sphinx63 -
14. possibilitiesandponderings.blogspot.com/2010/04...
I will be emailing you shortly. Congratulations!

Thank you for reading and subscribing to Moms Own Words!

Stay tuned for another $50 giveaway for buythecase.net. At BuyTheCase.net you can purchase top brand grocery products in case quantities - and they ship right to your door!

Scandle Body Candle Winner

Thank you all for entering the Scandle Body Candle Giveaway. The winner is #58 Janet Faye. Janet also won the Beyond Blue Book Giveaway! True Randomness! How lucky! I will be emailing you shortly Janet. Congratulations!

Thank you for reading and subscribing to Moms Own Words!

Blush Topless Undershirt Review and Giveaway

Name of Product: Blush Topless Undershirt

Price of Product: $15.00

Save:You can save 20% when you purchase two or more blush undershirts by using the coupon code: “welovebloggers” at checkout.

Where can the product be purchased: The blush topless undershirt is available in many stores and online.

Description of Product: “Blush Accessories welcomes you to a product that helps adjust the clothes you already have to fit you perfectly. This is a shirt that is to be worn like a tube top, but around the waist. Our product is made of a poly/rayon/spandex blend, allowing a huge amount of stretch and great support."

"For Everyone - If you love the look of layering without adding the extra bulk and straps, this is a product for you. Unlike a tank top or long shirt, it does not have straps, which cause your undershirt to constantly ride up."

"For Maternity- Make any shirt a little long with a Topless Undershirt. As your shirts start to fit smaller over your growing belly, you can add this layer to keep covered."

Review of Product: I can’t tell you how many t-shirts that I have that are too short for me to wear comfortably. Imagine my surprise when I read about the blush undershirt! Rachel sent me a chocolate brown topless undershirt for this review and coincidentally, I wear a lot of browns, so the color is perfect for me. (Check out the Blush website to see the eight available colors.)

This topless undershirt looks like a tube top. I put it on, over my head and placed it so it covered my hips. I put my lighter brown, short t-shirt over it and the results were impressive! The poly/rayon/spandex fabric blend is perfect for this application. The topless shirt stayed in place, with just the right amount of stretch, and it did not create a bulky look.

If only I had this product when I was pregnant - I could have used it to keep my expanding tummy covered! This is one of those clever products that makes me wonder, why didn’t I think of that?

Giveaway: Rachel from Blush is generously offering one (1) lucky Moms Own Words reader their own Blush Topless Undershirt.

Mandatory Entry – Follow Blush Undershirt Twitter and become their fan on Facebook. Please leave a separate comment for each (2 entries!)

Extra Entries - For the following entries please make sure to include your email and if appropriate your link.

2. Follow my blog.
3. Subscribe to my blog.
4. Follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/kristiannm) AND tweet about this giveaway (may be done daily).
5 Blog about this giveaway.
6 Grab my button for your site.
7 Post this giveaway on a linky or forum.
8 Follow me on Facebook.
9 Follow me on Facebook Networked Blogs.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and the winner will be chosen by random.org. This giveaway is open until May 25, 2010; at 12:00 pm Eastern Time and a winner will be announced soon thereafter. If the winner does not respond to my email within 48 hours then I will pick a new winner. Good luck!

Free Online Tools for Bloggers

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is this saying - why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free? This little saying is easily applicable to online tools. If your searching for online tools to improve your blog or website, put your wallet away, make sure you plug in that four letter word “free” in the search box, sit back and enjoy your “free milk”.

Free Email Marketing Software

When I worked with Jane at Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, I helped her to set up her email marketing software. She used 1shoppingcart.com and then made the switch to Benchmark.com. Both email marketing software programs charge a monthly fee for use. I assumed all of this type of software would require a monthly fee. When I did a search for “free email marketing,” I was pleasantly surprised to find mailchimp and email marketing pro, each are free email marketing software solutions.

Email Marketing Pro

“Email Marketing Professional 2.0 is free email marketing software that allows you to create and send promotional emails in seconds. Seconds after installing, you will be able to send promotional ads, newsletters, coupons, and more. This powerful software has all the features of the top commercial email marketing software on the market today.”

Mailchimp offers a free service that allows you to store up to 500 subscribers, send up to 3,000 emails per month. There are no contracts or credit cards required.

Free Wordpress Templates

I’ve been toying with the idea of changing over from Blogger to Wordpress for months now. According to everyone in the blogging world, this is something that I must do for several reasons. Why pay for a template if you or I can find a versatile template for free? Check out these sites for free Wordpress templates.

Wordpressthemesbase.com

Top Wordpress Themes

Freethemelayouts.com

Free Photo Images

While the selection of images may not be as impressive as istockphoto.com, you may find just the image for your blog post or article at any of these free photo/image sites…did I mention that many images are absolutely free? I tested the sites myself. There is no sign-up required. Just navigate to the images and download!

freephotosbanks

stockvault free

openphoto free

turbophoto

freedigitalphotos.net

Freedigitalphotos.net requires acknowledgment of photographer.

Image: Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Keep in mind free images are considered public domain. There are other images on these sites that are not free.

Free Tools for Improving your Writing Skills

I never claimed to be a genius when it comes to writing. I rely on my spell and grammar checker and still question whether or not I need a comma there, or not :)

The article by Vitaly Friedman - 50 Free Resources that will improve your writing skills -contains great free resources like the Grammar Girl - on her blog you will find quick and dirty little tips for better writing. Wordweb is a one-click English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows.

Free Virtual Notes

Now that every service/industry is going paperless, why shouldn’t I? Instead of having the clutter of post-notes and papers all over my desk, now I can have small virtual sticky notes neatly placed in my upper right corner to keep me organized and on task. Well organized anyway…To get your free desktop notes, check out Inbox.com.

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