Packing for the beach giveaway!

So this week we are getting ready to head to the beach in DE for our first summer vacation. As I begin to pack our bags, one thing I have put aside for our days on the beach are the Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars given to me from General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars are a delightful, 100% natural, combination of tastes and textures you’ll love. Now, you can get 25% more of the whole almonds, peanuts, raisins and cranberries in every bar! With no artificial flavors or colors and only 140 calories, Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Granola Bars also contain 8g of whole grain per serving.
Check out your local Club Store today for stock up packages of this delicious snack and more!

Not only nutritious, but convenient too, the club sized snacks are individually wrapped and ideal for throwing in your purse or beach bag (like me), just in case your little one’s tummy starts to rumble.

So now for the good stuff....I have been given the opportunity from General Mills through MyBlogSpark, to host another fabulous giveaway: “Sam's Club Sunny Day Snacks,” a prize pack that includes a stock-up sized package of the Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars (48 ct.) and a $25 gift card that you can use at Sam's Club!  If you are not a member of Sam's Club you can still go in and purchase products, they just charge you a 10% surcharge on your order : )

To win this prize pack, leave a comment below (with your email address) and let me know one must-have item you pack when going to the beach.

The giveaway will end Wednesday, June 30th at 11 pm, ET. I will post the winner here and contact you for your mailing address. Goodluck!

Thanks again to General Mills through MyBlogSpark for giving me this great prize pack, as well as one of my readers!

Mom's Recipe & Activity Guide

I am so excited to announce the launch of my good friend Teresa's book, Mom's Recipe and Activity Guide.

This book was written with a very special purpose in mind...To celebrate Teresa's mother's life. In eleven engaging chapters like "Recipes & Activities for Long Car Rides" Teresa offers kid-friendly treats like Let's Hit the Road Granola Bars and Feel-good Milkshakes. I have already ordered several copies to give to friends and family.

I cannot wait to start making the recipes with my son and daughter. We are always looking for activities to do together that BOTH kids will love (they are 3 years apart). This book makes a great gift at an affordable price point. It is a go-to resource for rainy days, snow days, our hot & humid days, and even under-the-weather days.

To purchase your copy and receive 30% off right now, visit this link for all details: http://momsrecipeandactivityguide.blogspot.com/2010/06/moms-recipe-and-activity-guide-now.html.

Summer dresses at affordable prices...

I hope you enjoyed the series of recipes that I posted from BJ's for the past month. If you didn't see them, the first recipe can be found here. f you are not a member of BJ's Wholesale club, no problem. BJ’s is still offering a Free 60-Day Trial Membership which can be activated between now and July 5. The risk-free, trial membership includes full member benefits including savings and no surcharge. A basic 12-month membership is $45. Click on this link to print out your free membership.

With that being said, did you know that you can find stylish, brand-name dresses for less at BJ's Wholesale Club? Bring in the summer with a wardrobe of affordable dresses for every occasion. Stay on trend and within budget by shopping BJ’s wide selection of dresses in pop-art prints, floral patterns and vibrant solids. Celebrate graduations and special events in cotton sundresses—choose an eyelet-style during the day and embellishments for a night time engagement—and for outdoor entertaining and barbeques, create a casual look with a selection of jersey and knit dresses in bright prints and solids. For a touch of fun choose a dress with cowl necks or ruffles.

Summer Highlights include:

Looking right to left...

1. R & K Originals Sundresses – Coral and brown floral pattern. Available in assorted silhouettes, colors and patterns. From sleeveless with stone embellishments to v-neck with eyelet detail. Sizes 6 – 16. $22.99 (Compare to $48)

2. AK by Anne Klein Sleeveless Knit Dress – Safari print. Available in black, white, coral or black and white safari print. Small to XXL. $17.99 (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price $59)

3. Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit Sundress – Yellow floral pattern. Cotton dresses in various silhouettes and patterns like halter-style and sleeveless with floral prints. Sizes 6 – 16. $17.99 (Compare to $36 at department stores)

4. Spencer Jeremy Solid Jersey Dress – Blue cowl neck with pockets and ruffle trim. Available in coral, blue and purple. Silhouettes include short-sleeves or sleeve-less, with details like ruffles, cowl necks or pockets. Small to XL. $16.99 (Compare to $28)

All of the above items are now available, with styles updated throughout the season. To start shopping visit www.bjs.com/locations to find a Club near you.

Happy Shopping!

I want to know....

Where are all the "save the gulf" concerts?

Where are all the TV benefits with celebrities and musicians giving heart felt speeches on the poor fishermen, wildlife, beaches, loss of income, and sabotaged gulf economy?

I find it rather strange how these people (including our own government) are so quick to help Haiti and other countries, but sit on their asses for this one....

How to feel OK about just being a 'mom.'

I had to post this after seeing this clip on my friend's facebook page. It is short but a great clip to watch. What are your thoughts?

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

Our last recipe from BJ's....

Lemon-Chicken Bowtie Pasta

A bright and flavorful dish that’s sure to please, especially since it serves 4 at $1.91 per serving!


8 oz. Barilla® Farfalle

4 Perdue® Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (1¼ lb.)

5 Green Onions, sliced

1 clove Garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. Wesson® Canola Oil

1/ 8 tsp. McCormick® Cayenne Pepper

1½ cups Progresso® Chicken Broth

2 tsp. Grey Poupon® Dijon Mustard

¼ cup fresh Lemon Juice

White Sauce (see above)



1. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Cut chicken into ¾" pieces. Set aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add green onions and garlic and sauté one minute.

3. Add chicken and sauté, turning chicken occasionally until cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.

4. Add pasta, toss and set aside.

5. Adapt Basic White Sauce recipe (as show in recipe #5): mix cayenne pepper into fl our before adding. Reduce milk by 1½ cups, substituting same amount of chicken broth. Add chicken broth-milk mix to fl our mix per recipe instructions.

6. While sauce is still hot, whisk in mustard and lemon juice, then immediately pour over chicken-pasta mixture; lightly toss to mix.

7. Garnish with sliced lemon and serve immediately.

I hope you've enjoyed these recipes each week as much as my family. If you haven't already taken advantage of the FREE membership trial at BJ's Wholesale Club, you still have time! Just click on this link to print out your FREE 60 Day trial membership...it's that easy.

If you have any recipes you'd like to share, please leave a comment.

FREE movie anyone?

Regal’s Free Family Film Festival is Now Showing! They have planned a fun-filled summer of select movies for kids and parents. Regal has proudly offered this free summer fun since 1991.

The Free Family Film Festival is a lot of fun and a great activity for kids on a hot summer morning. For those of you with little ones, it's an awesome opportunity to check out how the kiddos like the movies. If they're bored or just don't like the movie....no problem, it's free!

Selected G or PG movies start at 10:00am every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and are limited to theatre capacity.

Click here to see if you a Regal near year participates in this awesome program.