Freebies

Free sample of Natural Nibbles.

Coupon for free chips and queso at Chilis

Free sample of Eucerin Daily Skin Balance. It is on facebook.

Get a coupon for FREE Better Oats Oatmeal.

FREE Reusable & Waste Free Lunch Sack from Annie’s Homegrown. Enter the UPC’s of (2) Annie’s products purchase between 7/15/10 – 10/31/10.
These 2 worked for me:
0013562000043
0013562302277
Be sure not to leave any spaces after the numbers. They are available at WalMart and Schnucks in my area.

Nexxus free samples from Walmart online. They frequently have sample giveaways. They might have more now, s be sure to look.

Free Sample of Flix Sticks Interdental Floss.

FREE Charmin Extender toilet paper holder.

FREE sample of Sore No More.

Oregon Chai Twitter Party

Oregon Chai will host a Twitter party to celebrate its new 10-ounce canister product (The Original™ Chai Tea Latte Mix - Canister) on Tuesday August 10 from 8–9 p.m. EST. Wellness expert Peggy Hall will host and share Me Time tips and answer guests’ questions. There will also be plenty of giveaways and one participant will win the $100 Me Time Supreme prize!

Follow @OregonChai @oregonchaijulie and @PeggyHall to join in on the fun! The party hashtag is #Chaifor10.

I wrote this post to enter a contest sponsored by Oregon Chai.

Oxy Clinical Review

As we all know acne is very common. It is estimated that 96% of teenagers suffer from acne. Adolescence is particularly difficult time as teens are struggling with their changing bodies and changing roles. They become more concerned with their appearance, and acne can be devastating.

Usually acne diminishes over time and usually resolves or decreases by the early twenties. But for some people it can continue into their thirties and longer. Luckily, I have mostly outgrown it. But now I have kids that are just getting into their tweens/teens.

Recently we were given the opportunity to try the OXY Clinical Acne Solutions Pack.
Each Acne Solutions Pack contains:

OXY® Clinical Advanced Face Wash
ACNE TREATMENT
2% salicylic acid

OXY® Clinical Clearing Treatment
ACNE TREATMENT
5% benzoyl peroxide (micro-encapsulated)
Prescription-Strength Acne Bacteria Reduction

OXY® Hydrating Therapy
ACNE TREATMENT
0.5% salicylic acid

My daughter was happy to try it. It was easy to use. It really helped her acne, but her face became dry. The box said if that occured to decrease use to daily or every other day which helped.

If you or your teen is struggling with acne OXY Clinical Acne Solutions Pack would be very helpful. You can print some coupons and get more info about acne and their products at http://www.oxyskincare.com/.

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

Opinion Outpost

I recently joined a survey site called Opinion Outpost .

I did one easy survey so far. I have earned $2. Minimum payout is $5. It looks good.

Great Deals

Free personalized mousepad at ArtsCow.

JCPenney Get more for less! Take $10 off a purchase of
$50 or more or $15 off a purchase of $75 or more with our in-store coupon. http://bit.ly/WK25JCP1015

FREE Snikiddy Snack Coupon Also if you “Like’ Snikiddy Snacks on Facebook, you can enter their weekly sweepstakes to win a Snikiddy snack pack and an entry for a grand prize of a Jamis’ kids bike. Ends 7/30.

WIN FREE PRIZES just by searching the web. SWAG BUCKS are digital dollars that you earn just for doing the things you're already doing. You'll never need another search engine! Register now to get started. No credit card required! Click Here

Ten Tips for Ensuring a Healthy, Safe and Successful School Year

1. Get school physicals
2. Get your child a vision test and glasses if needed
3. See the dentist for cleaning
4. Get a good backpack
5. Buy school supplies on sale
6. Prepare a specific location for your child to do their homework
7. Set a homework schedule/routine for your child
8. Review school bus safety guidelines
9. Get into a regular bedtime routine a few weeks before school starts.
10. Get nutritious foods to pack for lunch

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Airwear blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, visit http://airwear.twittermoms.com/about

Making a Better Blog

I joined the SITS community on blog frog who will be taking ProBlogger’s Build a Better Blog in 31 Days Challenge. I wanted to take it, but I just found out it was starting today. You can still join in-just click on the link.

Today I am supposed to write an elevator pitch about my blog.

Hmmm....

What do say?

I like to talk about kids, food, travel, books, and alot of other things. I like to do product reviews and giveaways. I am very interested in preparedness.

Well, I am certainly going to have to work on that.

Great Deals for 7/16

Groupon is a free program where you get notices about local deals where a group discount rate has been negotiated for a day or two. It is customized to your location.

Another similar free program with local discounts is BuyWithMe.

At GraveyardMall
The daily deal is the Pearlessence Color Changing Spa Mist instant aromatherapy.
Many Disney watches and bracelets - most $4.99. (Click on Disney)

Mom's Masterminds Discount Membership

I just signed up for Mom's Masterminds. So far it looks very good. They are continuing their $100 lifetime membership special until midnight tonight. I have been thinking about joining for a long time, and this is the best deal I have seen. But hurry!

Great Deals on Movie Tickets

My children have been wanting to see The Sorcerer's Apprentice. According to the synopsis I read, they are fighting evil. But I haven't seen it yet, so I can't give a review.

I want to tell you about some great ticket deals at Fandango. You can buy one ticket to The Sorcerer's Apprentice and get one free by using the code APPRENTICE.

I went there to check it out, and they had an offer for a free movie ticket by trying one of their offers. They had several listed. I got a free T-shirt for postage only. They immediately sent me a code for a free movie ticket. Score! Three tickets for the price of one!

Barilla Share the Table

We all have busy lives with work, school,and other activities, but it is important to sit down together for meals. Barilla knows it is important for the family to "Share the Table" and they have the following recommendations:

Enjoy More Frequent Family Meals
Family meals are about more than just eating. Use these precious opportunities around the dinner table to connect with your family. Get to know one another better and keep up with what's going on in each other's lives. The more often you gather together for family meals, the easier it will be to strengthen that connection.

Allow Fewer Distractions at our Family Meals
Dinnertime shouldn't be TV time, or cell phone time. Tuning out the outside world means tuning in to quality time with those around you.

Better Interact as a Family During Dinnertime
Through Conversation and Lingering at the Table
Once you get your whole family together, focus on creating a welcome environment for talking and sharing comfortably.

Get the Whole Family involved in Creating
Meals, Including Shopping, Cooking, and Cleanup
The best family moments are when everyone is involved. Getting everyone in your household to participate is a wonderful way to make dinnertime feel more special

Improve the Kind and Quality of Food We Eat
at Dinnertime
New tastes are the key to keeping dinner exciting. Encourage everyone in your family to bring fresh ideas and ingredients to the table

There are many Mario Batali recipes featured on the new Share the Table site. In addition they have more tips and sweepstakes. I look forward to trying more of the recipes.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Barilla and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review.

Osteoporosis Information

Do you or someone you know suffer from osteoporosis? You can get more information about it.

Pampers Gifts to Grow

Are you a member of Pampers Gifts to Grow? They have a rewards program where you enter product codes to earn points. Those points can be used to get rewards. Currently I have my eye on one for a $10 Red Robin Gift Card with Free Kids Meal. They also frequently have sweepstakes and coupons.

Here are some free codes to get you started:

GTGFIVEMONTHS10 10 pts
GTGGETREADYSOON 10 pts
4thFacebook2010 10 pts
FACEBOOKJUL2010 10 pts

I will keep looking for more free codes and post them here.

Cheerios "Do What You Love" Contest and Blog Giveaway

What do you love to do? Swim? Scrapbook? Blog?

Cheerios cereal is having a great contest. You could win the trip of a lifetime just by telling them what you love to do!

Cheerios is partnering with country music superstar Martina McBride and professional athlete Cal Ripken, Jr. for the "Do What You Love" Contest. McBride and Ripken will recognize two lucky people with great prizes.

One winner and guest will tour the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum with McBride, hang out with her in her recording studio - the world famous Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tenn. - and even get VIP tickets to one of her upcoming concerts.Another winner and guest will have the chance to hang out and play catch with Ripken and to tour the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, Md., with the "Iron Man" of baseball himself. In addition, the winner will throw out the first pitch at the Cal Ripken World Series and sit in Ripken´s reserved seats at a Baltimore baseball game.Now through July 23, 2010, you can submit your 150-250 word original story and photo, telling them about what you love to do. For a chance to win visit http://www.cheerios.com/love today!



Blog Giveaway

Cheerios through MyBlogSpark provided me with a gift pack which included a box of Cheerios and a $25 gift card. I like Cheerios because they are made with 100 percent whole grain oats, and they taste great!
And I have great news! You can win the same prize pack!

To enter- Tell me what you love to do.
Please, leave your email address, so I can contact you if you are the lucky winner.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.

1. Like Cheerios on facebook and leave a comment that you are entering the contest on Donna's World.
2. Subscribe by email or feed
3. Follow my blog
4. Post my button on your blog (Leave link)
5. Post this giveaway on your blog (You get 2 entries for this, so leave 2 comments please.) Leave me the link.
6. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link. You can do that daily.
Use your own tweet, or here is one you can use:

Enter to win a great gift pack including Cheerios and a $25 American Express® Gift Card. http://tinyurl.com/2dqo3vv #mbsspark

Open to US. Expires 7/30 at 11:59 PM CST.

Winner of Touch'd Giveaway

The winner of the Touch'd giveaway is Nelsby. She said:

Nelsby
I *Like* Touch'd on Facebook

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

16
Timestamp: 2010-07-13 08:22:14 UTC

She was emailed. Thank you all for entering.

Milano

Online School Solutions

I think school choice is very important. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to education. My children attend a Christian school, but it only continues to the 8th grade. Also, there have been some academic problems. For many reasons I have been exploring homeschool options. But I have some worries. What if I don't remember much about the subject? How could I teach it?

One good option is online learning. I recently found out about KC Distance Learning (KCDL). They have online learning options to fit various types of students and learning situations for grades 6 - 12.

I spent a few hours evaluating their programs. I liked the fact that students can enroll full time or just take one course. They have certified teachers that do the instruction online. They also offer ways for the kids to communicate with their peers online. One way is with the chat function.

Their programs aren't just for homeschoolers. Other reasons are the following:
Credit Recovery (to make up credits for graduation)
World Languages (to have more foreign language options)
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP Exam Review
Some schools use their online classes to supplement the traditional classes they offer.

To get more information go to http://www.blogger.com/www.onlineschoolsolutions.com, and then click on your state to find the KCDL online school serving your area.

To experience the curriculum offered by online learning, click on the following link - http://aventalearning.com/aventa-capabilities-demo. Once there, select the green button that says "view multi-media demo."

Students today are known as the "iGeneration". They have never known life without the Internet. It just makes sense to use the Internet to assist in their education.

I wrote this review through the MomSelect program, and they are to send me a gift card for my participation. The opinions are my own.

Yoursphere

My children still love Yoursphere. My daughter won a gift card recently, so the contests certainly are winable. They are learning how to set up a blog. My son has learned how to post videos and pictures. They are both learning alot about online social networking, and I love it because it is in a safe environment.

I can certainly say that I recommend Yoursphere for tweens, teens, and younger children. There are potions that will appeal to all those age groups. And remember it it free!

Anyone who uses my code to register on Yoursphere.com will be entered into a weekly drawing to win a $50 gift card. The code is YSMC-0055.

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

Magazine Deals

7/5 Budget Travel 1 Year $4.39

7/6 Family Handyman 1 Year $9.49

7/7 Parents 1 Year $4.29

7/8 Readymade 1 Year $5.39

7/9 Woman's Day 1 Year $4.39

7/10 Automobile 1 Year $4.39

7/11 Whole Living 1 Year $5.39

Also, you can save more by using discount codes.
Take An Extra 15% Off Most Titles
Code: PXCJ711 Offer Expires July 11, 2010

TAKE AN EXTRA $5 OFF $30 ORDER COUPON
Code: MNDCJ711 Offer Expires July 11, 2010

TAKE AN EXTRA $7.50 OFF $40 ORDER COUPON
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TAKE AN EXTRA $10 OFF $50 ORDER COUPON
Code: MQPCJ711 Offer Expires July 11, 2010

Splits for a Cause

Usually when we hear the word "split", we think of news of celebrity break-ups, splashed across the cover of tabloid magazines. Well, leave it to our favorite celebrity/brand team to prove that a split can be a good thing!

Kelly Ripa and Electrolux are joining forces once again to celebrate the launch of Electrolux Appliance's new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer. And they're bringing in the "Emperor of Ice Cream" Stephen Bruce, owner of Serendipity 3, the landmark New York City restaurant and dessert spot, into the mix.

Kelly and Bruce teamed up earlier to make banana splits for a cause. At www.Kelly-Confidential.com you can build your ultimate banana split using virtual ingredients from classic whipped cream to caramel sauce to rainbow sprinkles. For each "split" Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its $750,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.

Everyone who logs on to the site and builds a split will be automatically entered for a chance to win the daily prize - $50 towards sweet summer treats - and the grand prize: the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux.

I posted this to enter a contest thought MomSelect.

Summer Safety Tips by Underwriters Laboratories

DIVE INTO POOL SAFETY WITH UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES

As the weather heats up, families will seek refuge in the cool waters of their neighborhood or backyard pools. Although there’s nothing like a quick dip on a hot summer’s day, pool season doesn’t come without potential risks. In fact, approximately 4,200 people go to the emergency room every year due to pool or spa-related injuries. This summer, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading product safety testing organization, is providing useful tips to help you and your “little minnows” stay safe.

POOL SAFETY AT HOME
• If you have a pool at home, install a fence. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child's reach.
• Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove chairs or ladders from the pool area to prevent children from climbing over the fence that surrounds the pool.
• Keep grates and drain covers in good repair and secured in place. Alert your family and guests to stay away from these devices, as the suction from drain outlets can be strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, which can potentially cause a person to drown.
• Make sure you know infant and child CPR if you own a pool.

BE SAFETY SMART WHILE SWIMMING
• Supervision is a must. Follow the 10/20 rule when you’re at the pool. The 10/20 rule states the supervising adult needs to position themselves to be able to scan the pool every 10 seconds, and reach the water within 20 seconds.
• Always have rescue devices, such as UL-LISTED life preservers, nearby.
• Flotation devices, toys and inflatable swimming aids are not safety devices. They are toys and can easily puncture and deflate.
• Always drain wading pools after children are done playing. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water.
• Have a telephone nearby and appropriate emergency numbers posted.
• Remove all toys when you leave the pool. Toys may attract children to the unattended pool.

UL has teamed with Disney to make a cute video with Timon and Pumba called Wild About Safety. It was designed to teach students in kindergarten through third grade the importance of always being on the look-out for safety problems.

UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES HELPS FAMILIES PLAY IT SAFE THIS SUMMER

From backyard tree houses, to jungle gyms, to neighborhood playgrounds, kids will be climbing and swinging all summer long. However, it’s important for parents to be aware of the potential dangers associated with play sets. Each year, more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger go to the emergency room for play set-related injuries. That’s why Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading product safety testing organization, is providing easy-to-follow safety tips to help families “play it safe” this summer.

BEFORE INSTALLING A BACKYARD PLAY SET…
• Make sure your backyard is large enough for playground equipment. The site must also provide good visibility and security. Before setting up equipment, look out for obstacles, such as the garage, tree branches, utility poles and wires.
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions when setting up play set equipment. Be sure your child's weight and age fall within the manufacturer's recommended limits for the equipment.
• Install protective surfacing, such as rubber tiles or mulch under the play set, at least six feed in all directions, to prevent serious injuries should a child fall.

BEFORE HEADING OUT TO PLAY…
• Carefully inspect backyard playground equipment. Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed and bolts are not protruding.
• Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs. These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
• Always supervise children on play set equipment to make sure they are playing safely.
• Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play set equipment. If used improperly, they can be potential strangulation hazards.
• Watch for potential trip hazards, such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings. Make sure you’re children are aware of them as well.
• Do a sandbox check. Before letting your child dig in, rake through the sand to check for debris or sharp objects. Also, inspect for any animal contamination or insect problems.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Underwriters Laboratories. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Summer Reading

Do you have a hard time getting your children to read during the summer? I know I do. We are compiling a list of ways we get our children to read during the summer, so they don't lose some skills while on summer break. Do you have tips that you used to teach your children to read? If you have tips to share or would like to see what others are doing check out the TwitterMoms discussion.

I try to make reading a game in the summer. There are many programs to get kids to read.

Join reading programs
1. Local Library- At our local library the children get tickets to enter contests for reading a certain amount. Last year my daughter won $50!
I think most local libraries have summer reading programs.
2. Barnes and Noble -read 8 books get one free.
3. Borders -read 10 books and get one free.
4. Half Price Books has started their summer reading program.

HarperCollins Children’s Books wants to make sure you are aware of the number one beginner reader series in the country. I Can Read! is the open door to a child’s adventure with the most beloved characters in the history of children’s literature. It a proven series for encouraging young readers from early reading together to advanced reading alone. The series debuted in 1957 with the introduction of a familiar favorite, Little Bear. It was one of the first ever easy-to-read books that children could read independently, and has been in print ever since. Now with more than 6 million I Can Read! books sold, including 200 titles, I Can Read! books is the best series to take children step by step into the wonderful world of reading on their own.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get an "I Can Read!" book. For more information on how you can participate, click here.