I have always been one who loves to snack.  The problem is, I haven’t always reached for the healthiest of snacks.  My overall eating habits are pretty good but snacking is another issue.  Now that I’m older, I am on the lookout for healthier options, so instead of reaching for unhealthy options like ice cream or cookies, I am challenging myself to reach for healthier options by participating in the Healthy Snacking Challenge!

 Orville Redenbacher’s Healthy Snacking Challenge

Popcorn is already one of my favorite foods for snacking,but now, I am making a smarter choice by substituting  my former favorite brand with  Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop!.  I can now snack without all the guilt I normally fill after indulging in a less healthier snack.  The great thing about popcorn is that it is a perfect anytime snack.  I tend to eat it as an mid-afternoon snack or while watching a movie with the family. Not only is it good for me, it is also good for my husband and boys, making it the perfect snack for the whole family.

We usually have a family movie night at least once a week, so tonight was a great time to have the boys and my husband to give it a try.  Popcorn is hands down our favorite movie snack, so I was sure they would be up for the test!  What was surprising, is that they didn’t  even notice that Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! gourmet popping corn is 94% fat free.  Well..not everyone, my husband did notice something was different since he is used to the extra buttery taste.  He didn’t complain, just noted that he knew it wasn’t the usual.  I was extremely pleased about that because I have really been trying for him to make better choices as well.

Here’s why Orville Redenbacher SmartPop is a good choice!:

• snacking on 100-calories of low-fat healthy popcorn leads to less hunger and more satisfaction versus other snacks like almonds or pretzels
• popcorn is a good source of fiber, which fills you up and makes you feel less hungry
• Orville Redenbacher SmartPop! is low in fat and has zero grams of trans fats
• it’s also low in calories – just 100 calories for six cups
• one SmartPop! Bowl has 240 calories from 15 cups of popcorn.
• popcorn is a whole grain snack – just three cups of Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! provides an entire serving of whole grain

Convenience

Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! comes in fun, convenient Pop Up bowls.  Just pop your popcorn into the microwave and enjoy it from the same bag so you can get back to watching your movie faster!   Best of of all, you don’t have to worry about the dishes.  The pop up bowls, saves time, clean up, and is overall more convenient.

Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop is a hit with our family.  We can still snack and have flavor too! It is nice to know that we don’t have to give up on good taste to enjoy healthier and smarter snacking options.

You can buy Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! gourmet popping corn nationwide and on Amazon.com.  They are available in:

• Ultimate Butter flavor
  With loads of flavor and real butter, it’s no wonder why we call it the ultimate. And now it’s ultimate for sharing.
• Movie Theater Butter
  Sit back and enjoy the rich, buttery flavor—just like at the movies.
• Butter
  The Pop Up Bowl takes a new twist on a classic—a perfect balance of butter flavor and salt.

Learn more about SmartPop! by visiting Orville Redenbacher on Facebook. They also have a fun Pop Cam game that you can play, as well as a $1 off coupon for Orville Redenbacher.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Orville Redenbacher’s. I received an Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! product as well as a promotional item as a thanks for my participation.”

This Summer, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters will be be conducting a series of Basketball Clinics in 11 cities for boys and girls ages 6-14 where they will learn electrifying skills and tricks from the players themselves!  This is such a great opportunity for kids to have fun and be active!  The program is new and should be lots of fun for the kids.

• A free ticket voucher (valued up to $40) to see the Globetrotters during their 2013 World Tour
• Autographs and photos with the stars!
• 3-day trial pass to 24 Hour Fitness

When our dog “Spinna” first came into our lives, I knew it was going to be an adjustment.  We knew that by welcoming him into our home, we would have to treat him as part of our family, care for him, and satisfy his needs by giving him little tokens of affection.  Showering him with affection was the easy part.  My boys immediately took to him and they fast became best buds.  Spinna has brought lots of joy to our family that it is only fair that we give him the same in return.  So besides the daily walks and cuddle sessions, toys and treats are his next favorite things.

Spinna gets all excited when it’s “treat time”.  The problem we’ve had however, was finding a dog treat he really enjoys.  Whoever came up with the notion that dogs will eat anything obviously has not met my pooch and that could not be further from the truth.  Unless of course,  I just have one really picky dog who is very particular when it comes to his eats and treats.   I’ve actually gone through many types of treats and some of which he just refuses to eat.  One thing I’ve learned; however, is that he loves anything bacon flavored and I guess I cannot really blame him because who doesn’t love bacon, right?   So basically, when I find a treat he loves, I usually try to stick to it but still try the occasional new treat like the Cesar Cookie Crunchies.

We received the Rotisserie Chicken and Filet Mignon flavors to try.   Dog biscuits are his favorite and although he has tried chicken biscuits before, trying the Filet Mignon would be the first and I wasn’t sure how he would like them but the name alone was mouthwatering. The new Cesar Cookie Crunchies are only 10 calories each and come in three fun bite-size shapes…paw prints, hearts and  bones. They are crunchy, small-sized, and come with 130 pieces per bag in both Rotisserie Chicken Flavor and Filet Mignon Flavor.

Spinna loved them and now we realize he like some things other than bacon!  Pets gives us companionship, responsibility, joy and distractions while offering us a wonderful sense of fulfillment in our lives, so why not reward them with a treat you know they will love and enjoy!   Ceasar Cookie Crunchies are the perfect little treat for your furry companion. According to Spinna, these are the best dog treats eva!

This message is approved by “Spinna” who Loves Ceasar Cookie Crunchies

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Cesar and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Pampers, Lullabies, and Pandora

Pampers and Pandora have teamed up to bring you Pampers Radio!  On the new Pampers radio station, moms will be able to select either “Baby Lullabies” to help them sooth newborns or “Toddler Sing-a-Longs” to entertain little ones. You can find them by searching “Pampers” on Pandora.com or going to this link.

And what’s even cooler… by listening to either one of the Pandora Pampers Radio stations, you will receive limited-time on-screen offers from Babies”R”Us and Toys”R”Us.   You can simply listen and save all at the same time.  The Pampers Radio Station featured on Pandora and the limited-time Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us offers will only be available until August 12th.

Win It

To help celebrate the new stations, I get to give away $25 gift card that can be used at either Toys”R”Us or Babies”R”Us.

Required Entry:

What is you and your kids favorite lullaby or sing- a- long song?

Optional Extra Entries

Required entry must be completed before extra entries qualify. Leave an additional comment for the value of each extra entry.  Also please be sure to leave your email address with the first entry.

• Like Cocktails with Mom on Facebook and share this giveaway with your friends– 1 entry
• Follow  P&G on facebook
• Subscribe to Cocktails with Mom via email/rss (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)
• Grab my Button and post it on your blog – 2 entries
• Follow @MomCocktails  and  Twitter and tweet about this giveaway– 1 entry

I just entered to #win a $25 gift card to Toys”R”Us or Babies”R”Us to help celebrate the new Pampers radio station on Pandora http://goo.gl/fb/pzQNQ @MomCocktails  #giveaways

• Comment on any non-giveaway post on Cocktails with Mom. (just tell me what post you commented on)– 1 entry
• List this giveaway on any giveaway site, forum or Facebook – 2 entries

Rules:
Open to US only
Make sure to include email address with first entry
Winner will be chosen by random
Giveaway ends 5/24/11 at 11:59 CST
Winner will be emailed and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be selected.

Disclosure:Procter & Gamble provided the prize for your consideration, as well as any prize provided as part of the promotion.My opinions are my own***

Whether the floors of your home are clad with carpet, vinyl, floor boards or are tiled, the addition of a stylish rug can really add a warm and cozy touch. There’s nothing better than coming home, tossing off your shoes and being welcomed to a warm, inviting, deep, luxury rug.

Shopping around for this a fuzzy furnishing on the other hand might not be such an inviting idea. For a start it’s pretty hard to lug a quality floor piece from store to car to home and there are so many stores out there, how do you know you’re getting the best price without really trekking from pillar to post?

A simple online search to stores such as modern rugs can really cut the leg work out of acquiring your luxury item and best of all; they deliver straight to your door.

So how do go about picking the rug that’s best for your needs? Well if you’re looking for luxury and  cozy retreat from the outside world there is no better room than the lounge, especially if you have a roaring fire to relax in front of.

The classic addition to your fireside fun would be a thick luxury rug the best to go for would be one made of 100% polyester pile. This choice would give you a thick, comfortable indulgent rug that’s soft to the touch. A thick quality rug of this ilk may not be within the reach of many budgets but don’t let the price preconception put you off, you may be surprised as to what you can find for a more conservative price.

Now that the weather is warming up, you’re likely thinking of ways to escape your cell, er, cubicle and start enjoying the heat. But with the price of airline tickets, you might not be able to go quite as far on your vacay as you have in the past. In short, you might be contemplating a road trip with the family this year. But packing the kids in the car and heading across the country for a trip that is hours or days long could give you pause. Just the thought of listening to your children whine, cry, and scream in that small space is enough to make you cringe. However, there are ways to keep your kids occupied, no matter how long the trip is, and reach your destination without pulling out every last hair on your head. Here are just a few ways to ensure that the kids remain entertained (and you remain sane) on your summer road trip.
1. Games. The fallback of many a parent stuck in the car with kids who have an attention span about as long as the average commercial, travel games can offer a way for kids to interact with each other that is positive and far less messy than shooting spit-wads at passing vehicles (who knows what they’ll do to entertain themselves when you’re not looking?!). But if you want to avoid the mess that could come with board games, consider giving them handheld gaming devices like the PSP or Nintendo DS, or even downloading interactive games for all ages to your smart phone.

2. Movies. If your car has in an-vehicle monitor system and DVD player, you’re in luck because you can bring along your kid’s favorite movies and keep them quiet for hours. Of course, most cars don’t come standard with this feature. But don’t fret; you can still allow your children to while away the miles with the cartoons and Disney movies they love. By getting a portable DVD player (or one for each kid) on the cheap, you can have the same results. In fact, this method also comes with an earphone jack so that you don’t have to listen to their movies for the hundredth time.

3. Books. If your children are old enough to read (and it doesn’t cause them motion sickness), simply head to the library or the nearest book store to get them stocked up with enough literature to keep them busy for the duration of the drive. This could be a great way for them to catch up on summer reading for school, or if they’ve joined a summer reading challenge (such as the one offered annually by Scholastic) they can rack up some mad points on your trip. Younger kids might like audio books geared towards their age group (think Mother Goose).

4. Music. Your kids may be enamored with Raffi, The Wiggles, or even the children’s albums done by musicians like Jack Johnson and They Might Be Giants. So load up mp3 players and give them some headphones to head-bob their way through the many miles. Or try to remember some of the songs you used to sing on long road trips (99 Bottles of…um…Milk on the Wall…?) and get your kids to chime in.

5. Roadside attractions. With kids of any age, you’re going to want to arrange frequent rest stops for bathroom breaks, food, and stretching. But you can get more bang for your buck by stopping at roadside attractions. You’ll not only give your kids a much-needed break from sitting in the car; they’ll also be distracted from the trip and possibly even wear themselves out from the excitement of trying to climb the world’s largest frying pan (resulting in a nap for the next leg of the journey).

Sarah Danielson is a writer for The Truckers Report where you can read the latest trucking news, speak with other truckers in the owner operator forum and freightliner forum, or learn more about engines like the Cummins ISX.

Father’s Day is quickly approaching, and with it comes the annual realization shopping for your dad is impossible. While finding the right gift may not be the easiest thing in the world there are some personal and budget-friendly options out there. To explore these options and choose one best suited for your dad, consider the following cool and creative Father’s Day presents.

1. Power Tools

Your dad doesn’t even have to be the handiest man around to enjoy a good set of power tools. In fact, your pop may be putting off certain handyman work around the house because it’s impossible to get the job done right with dated and rusted tools in his toolbox. Contrary to popular belief, power tools can actually be a relatively inexpensive gift for Father’s Day, since many suppliers have incredible sales around the holiday. If you’re on an especially strict budget, you can even just invest in a few of the basics to add a quality foundation for your dad’s collection.

2. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi

He may not be the hippest and most cutting-edge dad when it comes to fashion and lingo, but your dad can show off his up-to-date ownership of the newest tech gadgets with Apple’s latest iPad 2. This innovative and feature-filled tablet can turn any Luddite into a believer with an all-new lighter and thinner design, powerful dual-cord A5 chip, and a remarkable 10 hours of battery life. You can stay in touch with your dad from near and far with two convenient cameras, which facilitate user-friendly FaceTime video calls, HD video recording, and fun snapshots with Photo Booth.

3. Pictures and Picture Frames

A good do-it-yourself idea to let your dad know you love and appreciate him is by collecting pictures of him both alone and with the family to preserve and celebrate these memories in a lasting way. For outdoorsy dads, Hilary Johnson of HGTV recommends a rustic wood frame that surrounds a picture of your dad doing what he loves best in the great outdoors. This simple, but thoughtful gift requires collecting several clean and sturdy twigs from outside and trimming them to a uniform size. Simply cover the perimeter of the picture frame with these twigs and secure them with a glue gun for a personal and unique gift.

4. The Recycled Tool belt

Another DIY Father’s Day gift idea is the recycled tool belt, which would go lovely with his new set of tools. To keep his tools handy for performing jobs around the house, a lightweight and bulk-free tool belt is just what your dad needs to perform his Mr. Fix-It duties quicker and easier. You can make this belt from items you have lying around the house. With some repurposed fabric and a little creativity, you can make your dad a fun and useful gift for his special day.

Now that you’re older, you can’t really get away with giving dad a finger painting and macaroni necklace for Father’s Day. However, this doesn’t mean you have to spend a bundle to make him smile and give him something that he’ll truly enjoy. With one or a couple of the items above, you can count on making this year’s holiday extra special for your dad.

About the Author: Kristine loves to write on the behalf of Sears, practice yoga and collect LOLCat pictures.

A Primo bottom loading water cooler has brought both convenience and style to owning an at home clean water system.  For anyone who has owned one of those 5-Gallon water coolers or has one at work, are all too familiar with the hassle of trying to lift those heavy jugs then trying to flip it over into place fast enough before water shoots out all over the place.  Also, many of the dispensers are just not appealing to look at and stick out like old relics. Primo has brought on a new era for water cooler owners.  Gone are the days of the lift and flip and the days of ugly and out dated water coolers.

The sleek design of the Primo bottom loading water coolers is definitely a plus for this cooler. The new modern look with contemporary colors and trim add a sense of style you don’t get with ordinary coolers.   You have a choice of  black and chrome, ultra white and chrome and even a pewter color. Most of the coolers also have a hot and cold dispenser option, which is very convenient. Then there is the biggest pro of all, the bottom load feature.  You simply slide the new 5-Gallon jug into place after removing the empty one.

In addition to the in-home water dispensers, Primo water also offers purified water that uses an exchange process to reduce the waste of single-use bottles and out 3 out of 4 consumers preferred over the nation’s top-selling spring waters! Water is filtered for particles and then tastes, odors, pharmaceuticals and microbes are removed. Next, the water runs through a softener and reverse osmosis to purify the water. Minerals are then added for “taste perfection”.

What I Love About The Primo Water Dispenser

IT TASTES GOOD

Primo water tastes pretty good.  In fact it tastes great.  I’ll have to admit that I was surprisingly pleased.  I’m not sure what I was expecting from the taste, but I sure wasn’t expecting it to taste so good.  In some cases surprises are not all that good, but fortunately for me-this was a good one!

DISPENSES COLD, WARM, AND HOT WATER

I really like the fact that this cooler dispenses water at different temperatures. I  really enjoy the convenience of fresh clean water that is either hot, cold, or room temperature at the touch of a button. Having the hot water so easy to access is probaly my favorite feature.  It makes making my daily cup of tea much easier to make whereas I don’t have to wait on water to be heated up.   If you have a concern of the hot water feature, no need to.  Although it’s easy enough for kids to dispense water, the hot water has a slide lock to protect them.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Another plus for me is the easy bottle exchange. For folks who are looking to become more environmentally responsible, the zero waste bottles are a great way to help us all become a bit more environmentally responsible.  Once you are all set up with your dispenser, you purchase your first bottle of Primo Water. Then, once the bottle is empty you recycle it at a Primo return center near you.  There are many locations across the country and I was surprised and also pleased to know that there were 3 right in my neighborhood.  For your return, you receive a ticket for a discount on your next purchase of Primo Water. You can then buy a new water jug with your reward ticket saving you money! And the Earth! Water jugs are sterilized and reused up to 40 times!

EASY LOADING AND UNLOADING

Besides the fact that the water dispenser works great and looks beautiful in my home, I like the fact that the water jug is neatly stored below the dispenser.  For some, a 5 gallon jug can be a bit heavy but with this unit the bottle sits in base for easy loading and unloading.

All in all, I really enjoy my new Primo Bottom Loading Dispenser and so does my kids.  I just have to remind them sometimes that its not a toy.  The good part about it… is that they seem to be drinking more water which is a plus!  I’m not sure if the dispenser has to do anything with it or the taste of the water. Either way, I am just glad that they are drinking more!

This is for sure a great buy for anyone’s home and or office. The option of hot and cold filtered water is at your fingertips. In addition, the back breaking task of loading the new water jug has been redefined. Now, you only have to push the new jug into place.

Primo Water offers four bottom loading dispensers styles including White, Pewter, Black and Chrome, Black w/ Chrome, and Stainless. They range in price from $189.99 to $229.99. Plus, when ordering through their online store you pay no shipping charges on their water dispensers!

WIN IT!

One Cocktails with Mom reader will win a Primo Bottom Loading Hot/Cold Water Dispenser!  ARV $189!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you tried BURGER KING’S expanded menu and new items?  If you haven’t had the chance, I’m here to tell you that Burger King is definitely  stepping up their game with their enhanced menu.  The new menu includes a variety of made-to-order Garden Fresh Salads, Snack Wraps, Real Fruit Smoothies, Frappés and Crispy Chicken Strips.

This is great news to me because although I don’t eat fast food all that much, it is nice to know that they have included new options that allow me to get something like the Garden Fresh Salad and smoothie made of real fruit!

Here is a list of the expanded menu:

Garden Fresh Salads: BLT, Apple and Cranberry or classic Caesar Salad varieties are made fresh-to-order, premium ingredients and topped with a choice of TENDERCRISP® or TENDERGRILL® chicken.

Chicken Snack Wraps: Honey Mustard Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap and the Ranch Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap are flavorful snack options with less than 400 calories each.

Real Fruit Smoothies: Tropical Mango and Strawberry Banana smoothies are made with low-fat yogurt, real fruit and juices, providing a full serving of fruit.

Frappés: Mocha and Caramel flavors are made-to-order with a hint of coffee and ice, topped with whipped topping and a swirl of fudge or caramel.

Crispy Chicken Strips: Premium Crispy Chicken Strips are made with white meat tenderloin chicken, marinated and lightly battered in seasoned home-style breading, served in three- or five-piece servings and perfect for dipping in one of our classic or bold new sauces, such as new Kung Pao and Roasted Jalapeño Barbecue sauces.

So far, I’d had the chance to try the Chicken Caesar Garden Fresh Salad and the snack wraps which I really enjoyed!  I was surprised just how tasty it was and it was a bit better than what you would expect from a fast-food chain.  The lettuce was fresh and crisp, not soggy or brown and the amount of chicken was quite generous.  The Chicken Caesar Garden Fresh Salad also consists of juicy tomatoes, home-style Parmesan croutons, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Everything was quite delicious, even down to the dressing!

I also tried the The Ranch Crispy Chicken Wrap which is basically strips of chicken, lettuce, cheese, and Ranch dressing wrapped inside of a flour tortilla.  I thought it was pretty good and the ranch dressing added a nice kick. The size of the wrap was just right and just enough for a quick snack!

On my next trip I will be trying out the  Strawberry Banana smoothie.  I love that they are made to order and made with low-fat yogurt, real fruit and juices.  Can’t wait to try it!  Be sure to check out Burger King on Facebook and Twitter to catch some good deals!

So what about you….Have you tried the new Burger King smoothies, salads, and wraps?

Disclosure: The coupons, product information, and additional gift pack have been provided courtesy of Burger King Corporation through MyBlogSpark

Do you love to Gift Cards?

I sure do!    In fact, I think Gift Cards Rock!  Gift cards make a perfect gift for anyone who loves fashion, music, art, and shopping.  The great thing about gift cards is that there are really so many options to choose from.

Stuck on what to get that teenager you see only twice a year for graduation? Graduates of all ages love gift cards for music, apps, and more. Get your graduate a gift card to iTunes plus some rockin’ treats to eat while the download completes.

And what about mom? We should let Mom know on a regular basis how much we appreciate her efforts. It’s never the wrong time to pamper mom, wash the dishes, or make dinner.  However, once each year, we choose to give greeting cards, gifts and other special mementos to the mothers we love.  You love Mom..She loves JcPenney.  So how about a JcPenney Gift Card!

Gift Cards Rock!  is an online community for people who love to give and receive gift cards. It is an online community where you express your love for gift cards and share great deals and exciting gift-giving tips.

I will also receive a JcPenney gift card for hosting this giveaway. I was not compensated in any other manner. The opinions expressed above are my own.