Jonas Brothers Build-A-Bear Dog

Introducing the newest addition to the lineup of customizable animals at Build-a-Bear Workhop: the Jonas Dog.

Do your kids watch the Jonas Brothers TV show on the Disney channel? If so they might like this cute little guy that comes complete with a Jonas Dog tag.

Did you know that Build-A-Bear is on Flickr and Facebook? Stop by and check them out.

From the company:
Any fan of the hit JONAS TV show is sure to love this cute dog stuffed animal. A truly unique gift idea, this plush puppy is soft and cuddly with a JONAS print design, and includes a JONAS dog tag necklace too!

In my opinion, Build-a-Bear and the Jonas brothers should donate a portion of the proceeds to the JDRF or ADA since Nick has Type 1 diabetes. (That's my soapbox moment!)

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: JONAS
Prize: One Jonas Brothers Build-A-Bear Puppy
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: On what television station does their TV show air?
Enter By: October 7, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more

Save the World (or at Least Halloween) with Little Capers

This anecdote is based on a true story; the story of how we fell in love with Little Capers and became a regular customer:

What happens when your child decides the week before Halloween to be a super hero named after herself?

You take her to three or four Halloween stores, but of course the super hero costumes fashioned after characters don't suit her because they are not her.

You remember that you saw a friend's child with some sort of cape a while back. You e-mail her. She says "Little Capers." You go online and find a shirt with detachable cape from Little Capers. You quickly order and then e-mail the company saying you are desperate because her school party is in five days and she has an entire alter ego created and must have a cape.

The company, run by a mom, of course, reassures you it will all work out.

Her final costume: Red Star Hero shirt with cape, black velour skirt, red tights, black books. Perfect!

And the best part? Besides the fact that she was absolutely thrilled that her vision came to fruition. The best part was that the shirt could be worn again and again because it was not some cheap Halloween costume.

And she wore her shirt every.single.day. for months.

She now has two short-sleeved shirts, one long-sleeved shirt, the tank dress, and a big cape. And they get serious play.

Her Star Hero shirt now fits her little brother and he too can save the day.

So my recommendation for a great Halloween costume that can be worn after the fact? Definitely the Little Capers Super Hero shirts and capes.

They also make great birthday and holiday presents.

Right now there is free shipping in the U.S. when you order two or more shirts. The long-sleeved shirts are on sale for $20 and they are practically giving away the big capes. Seriously, stock up for the holidays!

From the company:
Little Capers is the the perfect Halloween costume that will give kids the opportunity to create their own superhero persona - the sky is the limit! Parent's will love that Little Capers are non-commercial, have a detachable cape and are made of 100% cotton in the USA - and we offer many stylish and fun options. This is THE costume option that will be used long past Halloween.

Little Capers did not provide me with any product samples for this review (though we have received product in the past). I wanted to give my recommendation for a high quality product made by a mom-run company here in the U.S.

If you would like to hear more about the shirts and capes, read my reviews of the shirts with detachable capes, the big cape, and the tank dress.

Become a fan of Little Capers on Facebook.

And to help outfit a reader's child for Halloween, we are giving one away courtesy of Little Capers.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: LITTLE CAPERS
Prize: Choice of one shirt with cape from Little Capers
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: Who is your child's favorite super hero?
Enter By: October 5, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.



This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Her children love dressing up as super heroes.

Pirate's Booty

I'm always on the lookout for snacks for my two children that aren't full of sugar or artificial, well, anything. Look up and down the cracker and cookie aisle and you will be quite surprised to see the ingredients listed on labels of snacks marketed towards kids.

I mean do they really need high fructose corn syrup added to everything?

I also don't want my children to have sweet tasting food at every snack. Unless of course it's fresh fruit.

My kids love crunchy foods so they were excited when Pirate's Booty sent us a treasure chest full of their snacks. Not to mention that they have been playing with the cardboard treasure chest.

Pirate's Booty comes in a slough of flavors: Barbeque, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Bermuda Onion, Aged White Cheddar, Real Wisconsin Cheddar, Veggie, and Crunchy Corn Sticks. My kids liked them all, but I think the cheese and veggie varieties were their favorites. My daughter liked the salt & vinegar, but the flavor was too intense for her to finish her bowl. I will tell you that she wanted Pirate's Booty packed in her lunch box each day, that is until we ran out.

If you are looking for healthier alternatives to the regular snack repertoire, consider Pirate's Booty. They are:

• Made from puffed rice and corn
• All natural
• Baked
• Trans fat free
• Gluten free
• Kosher
• No preservatives
• No artificial sweeteners
• Select varieties are vegan
• Peanut and nut free
• Rennet-free cheese
  

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: PIRATE
Prize: A Treasure Chest Stocked with Pirate's Booty
Number of Winners: One
Entry Question: What's your favorite pirate saying?
Enter By: October 2, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Her family has a particular fondness for all things pirate.

momAgenda School Years Book

After I got married, I spent so much time and money scrapbooking our wedding and honeymoon. I joked time after time that my goal was to finish the album before I had kids. Uh, yeah. Two kids later and it's still not done. Oh, and I started scrapbooking my first child's first year. Didn't finish that and didn't even start one for the second child.

I have really good intentions when it comes to preserving memories, but at the end of the day, I just don't have the time or energy.

My daughter began kindergarten this year and I am determined to preserve at least the basic memories. I was glad to come across momAgenda's School Years Book which will allow me to record every single year right in one place.

The School Years Book comes in three colors (aqua, sage, and rose) and retails for $25. Trust me, that's a lot, lot less than you would pay for the scrapbooking supplies that will sit there and never get used.

(From the company:)
School Years by momAgenda is a simple, effective way to archive items and information related to your child’s school career, from Pre-K through 12th grade.

• Organizing your child’s school milestones should not have to be an overwhelming task!
• We did the work for you by creating a separate folder for each year in school. Each folder is 7 x 9 and holds a report card, a class picture, maybe a writing sample or an art sample if you are so inclined.
• Each grade-level folder has writing space for information like your child’s age, height, and weight, plus extras like friends, sports, and activities for that year. There’s also space to attach your child’s school picture. Write in as much or as little as you want – it’s up to you!
• Just one book for an entire school career makes it easy to keep an archive of all your most important and treasured school memories, all in one place!
• High quality, durable construction means these books are designed to last a lifetime. Preserve it now, and later, pass it on to your son or daughter. In between, pull it out and enjoy with your child.

I think I can do this, I really do. And I wish that I had my school memories preserved in a format just like this because it would have been fun to show my daughter the momentos of my first year of school.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She's trying to be proactive organizing her children's school memorabilia. Trying.

Graze Organic Reusable Bags

I've been trying to green the lunch routine by using reusable containers, bags, and cloth napkins. I think we've been doing pretty well reducing the waste by-product that comes with packing school lunches.

Graze Organic sent me their deluxe set of 5 bags, which includes sandwich, veggie, fruit, snack & surprise bags.

(From their website:)
graze snack & sandwich bags give you the convenience of plastic bags without all the waste and environmental consequences. Our bags are soft, flexible and perfect for packing in lunch boxes. With the hook & loop closure along the top, it’s easy for the smallest of fingers to open and close. All our products are made in the USA from 100% certified organic cotton and hand silk-screened with water-based inks. There’s no plastic lining, just pure organic fabric. After a few uses, simply throw them in the wash, not in the trash. No trash, no waste. And we think they’re pretty great looking, too.

On days when we use the Graze Organics Reusable Bags, my daughter has fun finding something appropriate for each of the bags. Of course I fill the bag that says "surprise." At five she finds them really easy to open and close. She really likes having her after school snack in one of the bags because she can run around the playground, opening and closing it, and none of the snacks fall out.

What I don't like is that you have to wash them inside-out which exposes the velcro. I throw them in a mesh lingerie bag and wash them with the towels. They stick together. There is probably a solution to this I'm not thinking of. You also can't use them for moist or wet foods.

If you are looking for an eco-friendly alternative to using plastic baggies in the lunchbox, you might give these a go.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She is wondering just how many lunches she will have to pack between two kids during their school careers.

Litter Free Lunch Cloth Napkins

I've been trying to reduce our impact on the planet and one way is by replacing some of our disposable things with those that can be reused. Bit by bit we are finding ways to consume and waste less.

As my daughter started school this year I began looking for reusable products for her lunchbox. If you ask her, "every day is Earth Day," and she likes that she is doing good by reusing her napkins. (And yes, almost every single day she tells me that.)

Litter Free Lunch sent me the set of five bright napkins. I've been folding one and packing it with her lunch every day. She uses her napkin and places it back inside. (By "place" I mean she shoves everything back in and zips it up.)

I was a little nervous about white napkins, but I will say that so far they have come clean every time. Even the time that a blob of homemade pink goop was placed in her lunchbox after school and I was sure that the napkin would be permanently stained, but it came clean (probably an equal testament to our plant-based laundry detergent).

After a month of school lunches, we haven't misplaced one yet. You can write your child's name on the tag, but I figure if one gets lost, it's probably because it ended up in the trash can. Yes, the white napkins are stained here and there, but for the most part remain white. We will definitely continue using these napkins for as long as they last and for as long as they get put back into her lunchbox before running out to the playground for recess.

In addition to cloth napkins, Litter Free Lunch also carries lunch bags and stainless steel bottles and containers. Their cloth napkins are made in the USA.

Discount: Buy two or more sets of napkins and get 15% off w/ coupon code "litterfree."

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Wendy’s High School Heisman Program

Did you play sports in high school?

I managed to play sports, work a part-time job, and maintain good grades throughout high school. I know it's not an easy feat to juggle all of these at once and it seems like high school students these days have even more pressure to stand apart from their peers.

Wendy's would like to honor High School seniors who are balancing school and sports through the Wendy's High School Heisman Program.

High school seniors who have a 3.0 average or higher, participate in a school-sponsored sport and contribute to their community can apply at www.WendysHeisman.com, or a high school educator, guidance counselor, or coach can nominate them. As a little reward, the first 41,100 applicants will receive a free Wendy's gift card in amounts ranging from $5 to $50. One male and one female from each high school will win the award and continue on in competition for state and national awards. Twelve national finalists will participate in Heisman Weekend festivities during an all-expenses-paid trip Dec. 11-13 to New York City. ESPN2 will feature all 12 national finalists during the Wendy's High School Heisman Awards Ceremony, which airs Dec. 13.

If you are the parent of a high school senior who meets these criteria, I encourage you to have your child apply. And if you are an educator, coach, or counselor, please nominate a student for this award.

To help promote the Wendy's High School Heisman Program, we are giving away a gift certificate to Wendy's.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: WENDY
Prize: $20 gift card to Wendy's
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: What sport did you play in high school or what sport does your child play?
Enter By: Septemeber 28, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She loves the junior frosty and baked potato with sour cream and chives.

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Wendy’s and received a gift certificate to giveaway and to thank me for taking the time to participate."

How Can You Make a Teacher's Day Better?

Did you know teachers spend an average of $1200 of their own money on classroom supplies each year? That's $4 billion annually! That's why OfficeMax joined with Adopt-A-Classroom to create "A Day Made Better", a national cause event founded to erase teacher-funded classrooms. This year, "A Day Made Better" will take place on October 6 where 1,000 teachers will be surprised in their classrooms each with $1,000 worth of essential supplies from OfficeMax. That's more than one million dollars donated to help teachers! Principals at needy schools nominated the teachers for demonstrating dedication, innovation, and passion.

To pay-it-forward, OfficeMax and Mom It Forward have teamed up to create awareness about the issue of teacher-funded classrooms and to give you the opportunity to get involved and help a teacher in your community on behalf of the "A Day Made Better." Here's how:

The Full Mommy contributor Leighann is one of the OfficeMax's Max Moms team members. She is hosting a giveaway of a $100 OfficeMax gift card that you can pay forward to a great teacher. Simply nominate a teacher of your choice to win this giveaway by following the entry requirements. Be sure to check out the prize and criteria at Multi-Minding Mom.

Pouch! Picture Book

We have a ton of books, more than the public library it seems. Some picture books are okay. We read them once or twice and they gather dust on the shelf. Or we pass them along to someone else when we tire of them. Of course we check out a gazillion books from the library.

But I think we have a new favorite: Pouch! by David Ezra Stein.

When I read my daughter this story about a little kangaroo seeing the world around him for the first time, my daughter exclaimed, "Read it again!"

And I did. About five more times. In a row.

She giggled every time Joey yelled "Pouch!" and hopped back to his mama. She loved the expression on the little guy's face and how his anxiety was aptly illustrated.

And the simple text is great. Not only because I can read it to both my preschooler and kindergartener, but also because I can have her spell some of the words (bee, rabbit, etc.).

I think Pouch! is a very cute book and one that I am happy to have on our bookshelf and read again and again.

Pouch! is available beginning Spetmeber 17, 2009 from Penguin.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

(Penguin sent this book in advance of the release date for our family to read.)

Learn to Read with LeapFrog Tag

This week at The Full Mommy, we are bringing you some great new products from LeapFrog that can help promote literacy and learning. In fact kids probably won't even realize they are learning!

My daughter loves her LeapFrog Tag Reading System. She's a beginning reader who devours books. And while I read to her all the time, she enjoys the freedom of reading books on her own with the Tag. What's more, the sounds and games bring the stories to life and take the books to the next level.

I like how interactive the books are. Whether it's reading the words aloud or narrating the entire story or the neat sound effects. And she doesn't have to ask again and again "What's that word?" because she can find out for herself.

My only criticism remains that the Tag won't store all of our books. I keep hoping they have an upgrade that allows more data storage on the pen.

Read my original review of the Tag Reading System and stay tuned this week for my review of one of LeapFrog's newest products for even younger children: The Tag Junior.

If your child is a beginning reader like mine, you may be interested in two new sets of books for the Tag Reader.

Learn to Read Phonics Book Series: Short Vowels
(From LeapFrog:) Children explore short vowels and more beginning reading skills in six stories featuring lovable LeapFrog characters. Introduces: - Short vowels - Phonics skills - Word recognition - Reading basics

Learn to Read Phonics Book Series: Long Vowels, Silent E and Y
(From LeapFrog:)
Introduces: - Long vowels - Phonics skills - Word recognition - Reading basics

Each of these sets includes six books, each focusing on a particular skill.

Learn more about LeapFrog's products, including the Tag, on their website. And don't forget to hook your child's toys up and take advantage of the Learning Path.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: LEARN TO READ
Prize: LeapFrog Tag and both Learn to Read book sets
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: What's your child's favorite book?
Enter By: September 21, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Atkins Penne Pasta

Since one of my family members has carb restrictions, I was intrigued when asked if I wanted to give an Atkins product a try.

The Atkins Penne Pasta was quite good. I like to serve whole wheat pasta, but sometimes it leaves a little to be desired. The Atkins pasta cooked up nicely. I served it to my family, including two- and five-year-old children, with our favorite marinara and a little garlic bread. Everyone ate their serving.

Unlike some whole grain pastas that are heavy, I really liked the texture.

My verdict: Give the Atkins Penne Pasta a try if you are looking for an alternative to traditional white pasta.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Atkins and received samples to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

New Releases Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins & Disney Princess

Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams Limited Edition

I don't know what it's like to have a little one who is obsessed with princesses, but I know many of our readers do! Just for your little princess, comes the latest release from Disney- DisneyPrincess Enchanted Tales. which features not one princess, but TWO princesses; Jasmine, from Aladdin, and Aurora, from Sleeping Beauty.

Disney animation never fails to entertain and this one has great music. Bonus Features Include: an exclusive look at Disney's newest princess from The Princess and the Frog, two never before seen music videos featuring Cinderella and Mulan.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland
The classic favorite, Mickey Mouse is back with the gang including Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck. One of my favorites makes an appearance in this one as well- Professor Ludwig Von Drake. ( I think he's Donald's uncle if I'm not mistaken.) Donald loses his present to Daisy for her birthday, so Mickey and the gang go to retrieve it, which has fallen into a strange, yet child-friendly Wonderland-like world. This one is sure to spark your kids imagination.

Little Einsteins: Fire Truck Rocket's Blastoff
I am a big fan of Little Einsteins, for many reasons, but I especially love the music. I think it's brilliant of Disney to incorporate classical music into the episodes and movies and I'm always very happy when a new Little Einsteins movie comes out.

This DVD includes 4 episodes; The Fire Truck Rocket's Blastoff is new, but there are 3 more as well from the series including Melody the Music Pet, Carmine's Big Race & Mr. Penguin's Ice Cream Adventure. I think this is some of the best animated entertainment around for your kids and I think you will too.

Thanks to Disney for sending me copies of these movies to watch with my family. I hope you get the chance to watch them with yours!

Scotch-Brite Greener Clean

No matter how eco-friendly I try to make our household, I just can't seem to wean my family off of paper towels. We use washcloths for house cleaning, dish towels in the kitchen, and even cloth napkins. But we go through roll after roll of paper towels to clean up after dinner preparation and to clean up after the kids.

I was so glad to see that there is a better choice for what were once use-and-toss cleaning aids. Scotch-Brite's new line called Greener Clean uses renewable and recycled content to make reusable cleaning products. Even the packaging is made from recycled materials.

Of the entire line of products, I think my favorite are the sponges and absorbent cloths. The biodegradable expanding sponges are cool because they take up so little space before using. That means less packaging and more room under your sink. And I love the absorbent cloths because they can be washed and reused. Each one is supposed to replace 16 rolls of paper towels. Do you know how much money 16 rolls of paper towels cost?

(From the company:)
The Greener Clean collection of reusable cleaning products combines the cleaning power consumers have come to expect from the Scotch-Brite brand with eco-conscious natural and recycled materials. That means there’s no need to spend extra money on disposable cleaning products like paper towels and cleaning wipes, saving consumers a bundle throughout the year.

• Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge and Scour Pads are bio-degradable, reusable, and outlast 30 rolls of paper towels (offering a savings of over $55!).
  
• Soap Loaded Scrubbers are made from recycled plastic bottles. One 12oz bottle has enough fibers to make 6 scrubbers.
• Natural Bamboo Cloths are made from 100% natural materials including 60% bamboo, a fast growing and renewable resource.
• Absorbent Cloth is washable and reusable, with one cloth outlasting 16 rolls of paper towels (offering a savings of over $30!).

Check out the Scotch-Brite website for more details about the Greener Clean collection and shop for them at major retailers such as Target.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails Movie

Nothing has been more anticipated in our home than the release of the brand new Thomas movie Hero of the Rails.

I know I tell you over and over that my two-year-old is Thomas-obsessed. But what amazes me again and again is how much my five-year-old daughter enjoys watching with him.

When Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails began playing, my daughter exclaimed, "Thomas sounds different. And so does Toby. Oh, I love how Toby sounds!"

My daughter loves dancing to the "Go, Go Thomas" Karaoke Music Video, which you can watch over and over in the bonus features (it also appears at the end of the movie).

This DVD has an updated look and feel thanks to CGI animation. But I also like the old-time cartoonish opening credits that feature very simple animation.

(From the DVD:)

See Thomas & Friends™ like never before in this new action-packed movie. Follow Thomas as he discovers Hiro, an abandoned engine from a faraway land. Fearing that Hiro will be scrapped, Thomas enlists the help of many friends, but mishaps, mistakes and one boastful engine could foil their rescue plans. Watch and find out if they can work together to help their new friend in the most heroic movie of the year!

Available on DVD September 8, 2009.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: THOMAS HERO
Prize: Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails Movie DVD
Number of Winners: One
Entry Question: Who is your child's favorite engine besides Thomas?
Enter By: September 15, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Also available from HIT Entertainment beginning September 15, 2009 is Barney: Jungle Friends.

(From the DVD:)

Grab your safari hat and get ready for a one-of-a-kind musical jungle adventure! Join your best friends, Barney, BJ™ , and Baby Bop™ as they laugh, dance, and sing through an enchanted rainforest and learn about all of the amazing plants, animals, and insects that call the rainforest their home. Watch and learn as kids play with monkeys, collect butterflies, and search for the legendary Higgledy Piggledy Pear Tree in this super-dee-duper™ tale of friendship and fun!

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. DVDs were supplied by Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment and I was not paid for my review.

EASports Active: Three Full Mommies "Weigh In"

You may have seen EA Sports Active mentioned once or 100 times around the blogosphere. Our contributor Mona reviewed it for BlogHer and Cathy reviewed it on her fitness site. Leighann also received a copy to test out and here is our review for The Full Mommy. Plus: see below for a chance to win your own!

First some quick facts & background on the game:

• Requires Nintendo Wii console, Wiimote, and nunchuk
• Compatible with Wii Fit balance board
• Includes resistance band and leg strap with nunchuk pocket
• Cardio exercises include running, walking, in-line skating and dancing
• Upper-body strength moves (using resistance band) include bicep curls and shoulder presses
• Lower-body strength moves include squats and lunges
• Sports-based drills include baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and boxing
• Use preset workouts or combine any of the above to develop your own custom workout
• All exercises can be performed at varying levels of intensity

LEIGHANN'S TAKE:

I have had the Wii and Wii Fit for a while. (Read my review of the Wii and Wii Fit.) I use it off and on, but can't say that I was dedicated to it. The Fit is fun and my daughter enjoyed doing some of the ski jumping and other games. One improvement that I can see is being able to do a series of yoga poses, instead of having to return to the menu after each one. I love the stepping game and hula hooping definitely works my abs and hips. But I needed more.

Enter the EASports Active. When I received the box, I was still skeptical that I would actually see a benefit. But I did. I started with the 30-Day Challenge and I have to say it kicked my butt. Day after day I woke up sore from the previous workout. But day after day I came back for more.

Why? Two reasons, really.

First, I was really getting a good workout. The variety of exercises kept me engaged. Many of them didn't even feel like exercising (my muscles would tell you otherwise). I saw as the days went on that I was able to run around the "track" with greater ease and for longer periods. And I kept coming back to see what new sports would be introduced. Boxing, volleyball, inline skating, basketball, dancing. Fun, fun, fun!

I even curse at this particular "person" that seemed to always pass me on the track. But I am happy to say that by about day 15, she no longer passed me!

Second, accountability. The fact that I was participating in a prescribed 30-days of workouts kept me motivated to return. I enjoyed seeing the calendar with the days checked off. And I completely appreciated that it was two days on, one day off. The 30-day challenge kept me honest.

Ask my husband. I would get up before everyone else and work out. If I couldn't get my work out done in the morning, I would do it in the evening. I did it. And it felt good to actually accomplish this.

Did I lose weight?

Yes and no. I didn't change my diet, though I will say that I thought a little more about what I ate. I lost a few pounds, but the big difference I saw was that my clothes fit better and some were actually loose.

Unfortunately I badly sprained my wrist (not while working out, but I slipped on a wet floor) and wasn't able to finish the entire 30 days. But I definitely want to start a fresh 30-day challenge. The great thing is that you can do it over and over and even increase the level of difficulty.

What I loved:

• The accountabilty that kept me honest.
• The varied workouts kept me interested.
• That it automatically selected my workouts for the day to give a good blend of cardio and strength.
• That my pants are loose and my stomach feels a little less jiggly.

What I didn't like as much:

• I thought some of the upper body work was a little awkward with the bands, especially the shoulder presses.
• I didn't like switching back and forth between the band and nunchuck, taking it in and out of the leg strap. Though I got used to it.

Would I recommend EASports Active? If you have a Wii and want a little more, then definitely give it a try.

CATHY'S TAKE:
Like Leighann, I have been using and enjoying Wii Fit for awhile, but I didn't find it to be an especially challenging workout--more just a fun game, with a side benefit of some physical activity. I also didn't like having to click through a lot of screens in between each activity. EA Sports Active solves both of these problems. The moves are a lot more difficult (and you can try them in easy, medium, and hard levels of intensity) and they can easily be joined together into a seamless workout. You can do the 30-Day Challenge, as all three of us did when reviewing the game. Or you can choose one of many other preset workouts that come with the game--emphasizing sports drills, upper body, lower body, etc. OR, you can create your own workout by putting any of the individual moves together into a custom circuit.

I did find it kind of ironic that I'd be running on a virtual track or playing tennis on a virtual court while the sun shone right outside my TV room windows. But I have a lot (A LOT) of winter to get through where I live so I know I'll be taking full advantage of this workout program during those days months.

I also tested Daisy Fuentes Pilates for Wii. Especially when compared to EA Sports, this one isn't nearly as successful. It only comes with 10 exercises, and it's much harder to follow. The trainers on EA Sports (see images) demonstrate and explain what you need to do very clearly, and your Wiimote and nunchuk offer good feedback. Not so much on Daisy's Pilates. I tried and tried to follow the moves exactly, and my feedback would show that I hadn't done a thing! Totally frustrating. If you do achieve success on Daisy's game, you can earn points and track them. I preferred EA Sports Active's method of checking off your workouts on a calendar and showing you throughout the workout how many calories you're burning.

MONA'S TAKE:

Having the ability to work out at home has also eradicated any excuse I have to just lay on the couch and whine about how fat I am, how tired I am, how full of excuses I am. In the time I usually wasted on watching a reality show rerun or superpoking people on Facebook, I am able to make great strides toward my goals, to burn calories instead of accruing them. The small time I spend working out gives me the energy to spend the rest of the day feeling alive. (Read her full review at kirida reviews.)

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: EA SPORTS ACTIVE

Prize: One EA Sports Active game (includes game disc, leg strap, and resistance band) + one Daisy Fuentes Pilates for Wii (game disc). You need your own Wii console!


Number of Winners: 1
Entry Question: What is your favorite Wii game?
Enter By: 9/14/09
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more; and Cathy, the mastermind behind Mayberry Mom and About Family Fitness.

Green Your Laundry with Clorox Green Works

I tend toward what I call "responsible" products. By responsible, I mean products that have a smaller impact on the environment in some way. When there is an affordable, greener alternative, that's where I will put my money.

One area where I think a family can really make an impact is in the laundry room. For about five years now, I have been purchasing plant-based laundry detergents. For the longest time I had to make a special trip to our natural foods store to purchase my plant-based detergent or I would order online.

I am so happy to see that plant-based detergents and cleaning products are going mainstream and are being stocked side-by-side with traditional cleaners on the shelves of large stores such as Target. Not only will people be more likely to choose the greener option if they can grab it on their weekly trip to the big box, but prices have come more in line, making them more accessible to the masses.

And what plant-based detergent do I see on the shelves now? Clorox Green Works.

I've been purchasing Green Works products since their launch. I love the all-purpose and the multi-surface cleaners. I was eager to try the new line of laundry detergents.

Clorox sent me a bottle of the Green Works Natural Laundry Detergent and I think it works as well as any traditional detergent. I have not noticed a difference in how clean our clothes are. What I mean by this is that I am totally satisfied with the performance. It's like those old commercials..."We have secretly replaced your detergent with Clorox Green Works and your family can't tell the difference." (And I would definitely tell you if I thought it wasn't getting our clothing clean!) It even gets my husband's dirty work clothes clean.

It's available in three scents: free & clear (my preference), original (a lemony scent), and lavender. They also offer a stain remover spray.

According to the Green Works website:

Now your clothes, linens and towels can get the Green Works® treatment. Our new detergent is dermatologist tested, safe on colors and made with natural, plant-based cleaning ingredients. And clothes washed in Green Works™ natural laundry detergent won't leave a harsh chemical residue and are gentle on skin. Yet it still cleans with the power you expect from Clorox. For a dye-and-fragrance-free choice, try it in free & clear. Available in 30-load and 60-load bottles. Specially formulated for both standard and high-efficiency washers.

And you may ask what "natural" means to Clorox. Natural mean that they use renewable resources, they are biodegradable, are sustainable, use minimal petrochemicals, and are not tested on animals. (See below.)

Instead of throwing that humongous bottle of petroleum-based, non-biodegradable detergent in your cart next time, why don't you reach for the Clorox Green Works and give it a try. They even have a money-back guarantee! (See their website for details.)

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She loves finding affordable, natural cleaning products.

What natural means to Clorox:

A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate that's equal to the rate of consumption by humans. The plant and mineral-based ingredients in Green Works™ cleaners use materials that come from a resource that is renewable.

A biodegradable material is something that has the ability to safely and relatively quickly break down biological into the raw materials of nature and disappear into the environment. Much of the ingredients used in Green Works™ natural cleaners are biodegradable helping to minimize the impact on the environment.

A sustainable product is something made from renewable resources, which means they can grow back quickly and can be harvested with minimal harm to the environment. Our goal with the entire line of Green Works™ natural cleaners is to use materials that are renewable.

Petrochemicals are chemical products made from raw materials of petroleum. Green Works™ natural cleaners minimize the use of petrochemicals and are 99% petrochemical free.

Animals were not used to test the safety and efficacy of Green Works™ natural cleaning products.

Payless: Affordable Shoes for Back-to-School

So here's the deal: I'm a total shoe snob. There are two brands of shoes that I buy for myself on a regular basis, and they set me back a pretty penny. I'm guilty of buying my kids expensive shoes that get worn once or twice and are still in pristine condition when they are outgrown.

But as my daughter entered kindergarten this year, I realized that I needed shoes that were functional, comfortable, and a lot less expensive for her to wear to school.

And the thought of buying $30 or $40 sneakers to be left in her locker only to be used during P.E. really made me cringe.

Payless told be about their affordable back-to-school options for kids and sent me a couple of pairs from their Smart Fit line so I could see for myself.

What girl doesn't need a cute pair of Mary Jane's? I have to say I was impressed with the quality for the price of the Smartfit Mary Jane. I never imagined that a pair of shoes priced at$12.99 would be cushy and well constructed. In the past I have restricted Mary Jane's to dress up occasions because I didn't want them scuffed. But I will let my daughter wear these whenever she wants, even on the playground.

My daughter has a pair of sneakers that she wears at home, but they have laces, which she can't tie. I appreciate how easily the Smartfit Savy Track sneakers go on and off, without help from a grown-up. At $14.99 you can buy that second set of sneakers that are left in the school locker. The funny thing was when I opened the shoebox, my daughter said they were Rock Star shoes.

Payless' line of Smart Fit shoes for kids include the following features:

• Quick on, quick off
• Wiggle room for toes
• Easy on/easy off
• Durable design

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She owns way too many pairs of shoes.

Alice.com: Did I Order TP? (Read to Find Out)

I told you about Alice.com when they first launched. I finally had a chance to try it out.

What is Alice.com? Alice is an online shopping service that carries many of the items I am sure you fill your shopping cart with each and every week.

And you don't have to leave the house!

What I like about Alice is that when you create an account you create a list of products. You can order them right then or save them for later. And they are always there for a quick reorder.

You can even set it up so that products are automatically delivered at intervals that you set.

I tend to be online shopping late at night. I like that I can place an order at any time of day. I placed my order at about 9:30 on a Friday night. The site told me that I could expect my delivery in 1-2 business days. When I came from from work on Tuesday the two boxes were there waiting for me.

I am a stickler about excess packing material. It drives me nuts to get a tiny item buried in mounds of packing peanuts and placed in a huge box.

I have to say I was impressed with the efficiency of the packing. I did have two boxes of different sizes and they were the perfect fit for my two largest items. (If only they could teach the bagger at my local grocer how to pack so neatly!)

I also appreciate that you receive free shipping when you order any six items. Any six. They don't have to be expensive.

So did I order toilet paper? Why yes, I did.

I also ordered shampoo, Band Aids, moisturizer, face cleanser, natural popcorn, postage stamps, eco-friendly tableware, paper towels, baby wipes, two kinds of toothpaste, one toothbrush, and eco-friendly drain cleaner.

Quite the variety!

If you sign up for an account through this link, you will receive a $10 credit once you spend $50.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

(Alice.com did not sponsor this post in any way. I actually won a gift certificate to the site and wanted to share my experience with you.)

Pillsbury Simply Cookies: Simply the Best

Pillsbury asked if I would like to try their new simply cookies. They didn't have to ask twice!

So I bet you're asking, "What's so special about these, aren't they just another refrigerated cookie dough?"

Uh, no.

The name simply comes from the fact that there are only a few ingredients. No trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Nothing that you wouldn't put into the mixing bowl if you were making them from scratch.

They come in two flavors: classic chocolate chip and peanut butter. I tried the chocolate chip. They tasted like homemade. Remember that episode of Friends where Phoebe lost her grandma's cookie recipe and she and Monica spend like a week trying to figure it out and it turns out it was the recipe off of the chocolate chip bag?

Yeah, those don't even compare. I'm totally sold. I am going to start reaching for these when I buy refrigerated cookie dough.

The ingredients include only:

• wheat flour
• brown sugar
• water
• eggs
• baking powder
• salt
• pure vanilla extract
• all natural semisweet chocolate chips
• peanut butter
• sugar
• skim milk

These are simply the best refrigerated cookies I have ever baked.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: SIMPLY
Prize: Pillsbury Simply Cookie prize package including a tote bag, cookie jar, and coupon for a package of cookie dough
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: What's your favorite type of cookie to bake or eat?
Enter By: September 8, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She loves cookies fresh out of the oven.