Playtex Baby Facebook Contest

What did you least expect when you were pregnant or a new Mom? We all have great stories to share, and Playtex Baby wants to hear them! Starting April 16th Playtex Baby is holding a contest on their Facebook page, asking Moms to share candid, unexpected moments of pregnancy and motherhood. They will be selecting daily winners, as well as a grand prize winner who will be flown to LA for the premiere of What To Expect When You’re Expecting. The film will feature Playtex Baby products including the Playtex® Nurser with Drop-Ins® Liners and the Playtex® Diaper Genie® Disposal System! So what are you waiting for – log on and share your story today! https://www.facebook.com/PlaytexBaby/app_321062914616209 “I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Playtex Baby. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating”

Fraas stylish scarves for this Spring/Summer

Looking for a quality stylish scarf this spring/Summer? Fraas has the most beautiful scarfs. With Animal Print leading as a classic fashion look that is on trend for Spring-Summer 2012, Fraas has created an amazing scarves with animal print designs. I was sent this beautiful high quality scarf and I just love it!

About FRAAS This family business has always combined tradition with innovation – with great success. Today, V. Fraas is the market leader in the manufacture of textile accessories, which are appreciated for their premium quality by the most exclusive brands worldwide.


 YOU CAN FIND FRAAS AT SPECIALTY STORES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND MAY ORDER THESE STYLES DIRECTLY AT THE COMPANY BY CALLING 212-575-0191. SELECT STYLES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT fraas.com and amazon.com.

Coke with Meals through My Coke Rewards

I love to try new and fun recipes. So I was pretty excited when I was contacted by Coca-Cola and asked to try a featured recipe and how-to video from Chefs G. Garvin and Ingrid Hoffmann. You can find the new recipes on MyCokeRewards.com/meals, where you can also create a shareable cookbook of your family’s all-time favorites. You can also read and share tips on how to get kids, pre-teens and teens involved in the kitchen.

 After looking through all the great recipe options I decided to try the
PAN-SEARED CRISPY SALMON
INGREDIENTS
 4 6-ounce salmon filets, with skin
 Kosher salt
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
 2 tbsp diced shallot
 1 large leek, white part only, washed well and diced
 1-1/2 cups shelled fresh cannellini beans, cooked
2 cups white wine
 1 tsp unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS
1. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a sauté pan. Place the salmon, skin-side down, in the pan and cook (without moving the fish) until the skin is crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat, turn the salmon, and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
 2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in another sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, shallots, and leek; sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the leak begins to soften.
 3. Add the cannellini beans and the wine; bring to a gentle simmer. Add the but- ter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

I changed the recipe to suit our family as follows
I used Canned Cannellini beans ( didnt have time to soak and cook fresh ones)
We do not like onions so I left of the shallots and added a pinch of onion powder instead
 Left out the leeks all together

Here is my finished product

My thoughts
 This was a great recipe. I would give it an 8 out of 10. I will be adding it to my cookbook. The salmon turned out so good. everyone in the family loved it. I am looking forward to trying other recipes at MyCokeRewards.com/meals.

"Compensation was provided by Coca-Cola, but Coca-Cola is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this post. All opinions expressed are my own and not those of Coca-Cola."

They call him the BABY WHISPERER

Easter time means seeing the extended family and all the cousins. It started a couple of years ago when my family realized my husbands gift. He is amazing with babies/kids. Babies love him and he loves them. Many times when babies are crying, he is the only one that can calm them. Some of my cousins are very fussy when being picked up. They never have a problem letting Phil pick them up. They flock to Phil. So my family began to call him The BABY WHISPERER! Check out this picture of Phil and our 2 nieces Maddy and Faith from yesterday.

It's so cute. I cant wait to see him holding our second baby in August/September. I really am lucky to have such a great Husband. Oh and we had a great Easter. Shane had a blast playing with his cousins and collecting eggs on the Easter egg hunt.

Hope you all had a good Easter as well :)

JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES: PETER PAN RETURNS on DVD April 3rd

JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES: PETER PAN RETURNS was released on DVD April 3rd.

If you child is as big of a fan as mine I know you are very excited for this news.

Synopsis: Peter Pan is back––but his shadow is missing! When Peter loses his shadow while playing a game of Catch-Me-If-You-Can, he returns to Never Land to seek help from his kid pirate friend Jake. Embarking on one of his most daring and exciting adventures ever, Jake and his kid pirate pals, Izzy and Cubby, along with lookout parrot Skully, must use teamwork to find Peter’s shadow and return it to its rightful owner. However, their mission is nearly thwarted by the fiendish Captain Hook, and his bumbling first mate Mr. Smee. But bravery and justice win the day and Jake and his Never Land pirate crew once again reveal what it takes to become heroes, in Disney’s “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns.”

Episodes:
 1 – Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns
 2 – The Elephant Surprise!/Jake’s Jungle Groove
 3 – The Pirate Pup!/Pirate Rock!
 4 – The Sword and the Stone/Jake’s Home Run
 5 – The Pirate Princess/The Rainbow Wand
6 – Mama Hook Knows Best/Pixie Dust Away (Never-Before-Seen Episode) Bonus Materials: “Yo Ho, You Ready to Find Jake’s Shadow?” -
Taking a cue from Peter’s shadow, now Jake’s shadow has run off and disappeared. Help Izzy and Cubby find Jake’s shadow by discovering clues to where the shadow is hiding while learning about pirate lore along the way (just where did the name “doubloon” come from anyway?).

Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 (U.S.)/$24.99 (Canada)

 Shane loves this movie. He has asked to watch it every day we have owned it. Not only has he been enjoying the movie but we have been doing some fun Easter activities to go along with it. Shane had a blast coloring Jake and Cubby last night.

Here is the link to some awesome Jack and the Never Land Pirates Activities
 Grab a copy of the JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES: PETER PAN RETURNS DVD for your child. It would make a perfect addition to any Easter Basket this Easter.

Progressive Kitchen Tools Review and Giveaway

I own several Progressive Kitchen tools and love them. A couple of my favorites are their flour keeper and their fine grater. you can imagine how excited I was when I was contacted to review some of their great citrus tools. I was sent a Set of 4 Dip Clips, a Lemon/Lime Keeper and Lime/Lemon Squeezer. The Dip Clips

are a great way to separate your dip or pieces of fruit but still keep them on your plate. These clips are a great design that works with most plates even paper plates. They are 1/3 cup in size and dishwasher safe. The Lemon/Lime Keeper

is a great way to preserve fresh citrus. It has an Airtight domed lid that locks shut to retain fresh flavor and can be easily opened with just a twist. Sectioned bases store whole citrus, halves or wedges upright. The Lime/Lemon Squeezer

is a fantastic tool that makes squeezing lemons/limes so much easier. Press out fresh lime/lemon juice while leaving the seeds and pulp behind. Die cast aluminum and safe to use in the dishwasher. Check out their Facebook Page HERE to learn about all the great kitchen tools they offer. Progressive has been kind enough to offer one of you the same tools I received. Winner will get a Set of 4 Dip Clips, a Lemon/Lime Keeper and Lime/Lemon Squeezer.

GourmetGiftBaskets.com Baked Goods Review and Giveaway

I have had many Gourmet Gift Baskets and love them. Each one comes with quality items and wrapped so nicely. I would recommend them to anyone as they are a truly great gift basket company. Not to mention all the choices they offer.

I was surprised to learn recently that they also offer baked goods. I was super excited to try their Brownie Sampler. I was sent a brownie in each of these flavors
 · Belgian Chocolate Chunk
· White Chocolate Macadamia Blonde
 · Butterscotch Blonde
 · Cheesecake
 · Peanut Butter
 · Fudge Walnut

 Since I couldn't eat them all I shared with my family. My husband loved his peanut butter brownie and my favorite so far my favorite is the Butterscotch Blonde. They were fresh and very rich. exactly what should be expected from a gourmet brownie.

 On top of brownies Gourmet Gift Baskets also offers cookies and cake in their baked goods.

One of my lucky winners will win the same Brownie sampler I received with one of each of the following flavors Belgian Chocolate Chunk White Chocolate Macadamia Blonde Butterscotch Blonde Cheesecake Peanut Butter Fudge Walnut