Missing My Mom

Today I felt "peely wally." Yes, I typed it right. I think. You see, "peely wally" is the term my mom would use when she thought someone looked tired, pale, sluggish, and over-all just exuded an air of pure yuckiness.

So maybe it's not a technical term, but it became the official declaration in our family when my mom sensed one of us kids needed some extra TLC. A little cup of tea. A tucking into bed with the tv on, a little bit of cake or some other sugary goodness to go with the tea. The best part was that you didn't have to be really sick. No fever required, or coughing or sniffles.

Peely Wally. That's my spelling anyway of a term I have not heard in years. And today that is just how I felt. So I made myself a little cup of tea. And missed my mom a bit more than I already do.

Valentine's Day Romantic Getaways

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

So I will definitely be here at home come this Valentine's Day, sigh, but for any of you lucky people that will be celebrating Valentine's Day with a romantic getaway, Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing are offering special weekend packages.

With the Romance Package, you’ll enjoy in-room sparkling wine or cider upon arrival, access to the hotel health club, pool and whirlpool spa, a full American breakfast for two in your room, and more. They are also offering a Hilton Bed and Breakfast Package where you get to enjoy the comfort of the Hiltons of Branson plus be pampered with a personalized Hilton Breakfast for two all weekend long!

Branson, Missouri is like the entertainment capital of the midwest. In between enjoying those braekfasts in bed, you can stroll around and check out the many shops, boutiques, restaurants there, plus enjoy a fabulous river walk (after all, you might want to burn off a few of those breakfast calories!) The new Payne Stewart Golf Club, managed by Hilton, is close by and features hole after hole of breathtaking scenery. There is also "live entertainment" available with the fourth annual professional ice sculpting competition, Master’s Trout Championship, the Tri-Lakes Building and Home Show, theaters and much more. Being within easy driving distance of Branson’s championship golf courses, lakes, museums, theme parks and 49 live entertainment theaters, makes the Branson Hilton Hotels great for families too. In case the kiddos want to celebrate Valentine's Day with you. Just saying.

Aloha Friday

TGIF! Because it's Friday and because it's fun, (and I am lazy today...shhh...) I am joining in "Aloha Friday" hosted by Kailini over at An Island Life.

So without further ado, here is my question :

What annoying habit of your spouse, best friend or significant person, would you love to change if you could?

For me, it is a toss up between the hubby tossing his dirty socks wherever he feels fit, and his snoring (but I suppose snoring doesn't really count as a habit per se, does it?)

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog, and head over to An Island Life to link up and read more Aloha Friday questions!

Caress Exfoliating Beauty Bars: A Giveaway!

Pampering myself with beauty treatments is something I don't get to do very often. But recently I did get to treat my dry itchy skin to the wonderful Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash and Beauty Bars from Caress! I am a lucky gal, I know!

" Caress Evenly Gorgeous, with burnt brown sugar and karite butter, gently exfoliates and lusciously moisturizes to reveal beautifully even-toned skin."

But before I could even get the chance to enjoy the lovely aromas of the body wash and the beauty bars, my 12 year old daughter got to them first. Oh the young are so much quicker than the old.

My daughter used the body scrub ( it just looks sooo thick, luxurious and heavenly that you cannot wait to try it, believe me!) in the shower, and came out smiling and telling me how much she liked it. She said it made her skin feel "so soft." And the scent left on her skin was downright yummy, might I add! Next was my turn. I opted for a luxurious soak in the bathtub with the lightly scented and soft beauty bar beside me. Between the light scent and the smoothness of the bar, I felt like I could have sat in that tub for a very very long time! My skin felt completely soft and moisturized, with no itchiness at all. Thank-you, Caress.

I have always enjoyed Caress products, and their collection of exfoliating body washes and beauty bars are no exception. I highly recommend getting one of the exfoliating body washes if you tend to have dry skin. And for a spa-like feel, the beauty bars are perfect.

WIN a Set of Two Caress Beauty Bars
Caress will send one lucky reader a set of two of their Beauty Bars! To enter: (mandatory entry requirement) Visit the Caress Skin Website and leave me a comment telling me which product you would most like to try. (please leave a valid email address with comment if you are not a current blogger)

Extra Entries:
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**Please leave a separate comment with each entry, and urls where applicable)
contest open to U.S. Addresses only
contest will end Feb. 15th, 11:59 est
winner will be drawn by random.org, notified by email, and will have 3 days to confirm or a new winner will be drawn.
"This review was done as part of a campaign for Caress through Family Review Network. All opinions are 100% mine."

Triaminic Cold and Flu Thin Strips: Giveaway (1/31)

I love winter actually (I know I may be in the minority here, LOL) . I love fireplaces, cozy nights, rain (moderate...not stormy downpours) and chilly crisp mornings. What I don't like about winter obviously is that it brings us the cold and flu season. Now that my five year old is in Kindergarten, it seems the sniffy noses and coughs have increased in our house. I am keeping fingers and toes crossed that whatever cold and flu bugs come our way, they are mild ones, if any!

Triaminic has set up a National Flu and Cold Tracker which lets you know where the flu is hitting the hardest. Kind of cool. Our area is at the moderate level right now. They have also provided lots of useful tips for preventing the flu, and sick day guidelines as well, like helping you determine when and if your child should stay home from school (something I have had trouble with many times!).

Here's one tip they share:

Make sure your children get enough sleep. Too little sleep can make kids feel run-down and lower their immunity. Yet a National Sleep Foundation poll found that most children need 1 to 3 more hours of sleep than they're getting every night. How much should they be getting? Experts recommend 11 to 13 hours a night for preschoolers and kindergartners and 10 to 11 hours for school-aged children. How to make sure they get it: Establish an earlier-bedtime routine, because early awakenings for school or day care can cut short the sleep kids need.

Triaminic also has important dosaging updates on their site--

At Triaminic, we care about your child's safety more than anything.

That's why we wanted to provide you with the latest information on over-the-counter children's cough and cold products. The makers of these medicines are voluntarily changing the product labeling to read "Do not use for children under age 4". For products containing antihistamines, labeling will include the instructions "do not use for the purpose of making your child sleepy." These labeling changes are being made in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and out of an abundance of caution to help avoid unintentional consumer misuse of these products.
Triaminic^® products are safe and effective when used as directed and have been used to relieve children's cough and cold symptoms for more than 50 years. We care about your children's safety and want to assure you that you can continue to use Triaminic^® products as directed for your children age 4 and older.
Our focus is on re-labeling our Triaminic^® products to clearly reflect the new directions to help guide parents and caregivers on the safe and appropriate use of these products. In the meantime, it's possible that some products on store shelves may still have dosing information for children under 4. During this transition period, please follow these dosing instructions:

Directions

Children under 4 years	Do not use
Children 4 - under 12 years	Follow dosing instructions on package

Contact the poison control or medical center if you suspect your child has overdosed or taken medicine on his own.
If you have general questions about Triaminic^® products, contact the Triaminic Clinic at 1-800-KIDS-987.

Since Triaminic is a medicine, you should always check with your pediatrician before giving to your child.

You can save $1.50 0n Triaminic by printing the coupon on their site.

WIN A Triaminic Prize Pack. Each Prize Pack consists of four 14 ct boxes of Triaminic Thin Strips

THREE WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN. Each will receive a prize pack.


To Enter (mandatory entry) Leave a comment with your best tip for fighting the flu at your house.Please include valid email address )

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Open to U.S. residents.
Giveaway ends Jam. 31st
Winners will be chosen using Random.Org
Winners will have 3 days to confirm or new winner will be drawn.

Triaminic sent me free samples of the product. All opinions expressed are my own. Prize packages will be sent directly from Triaminic. Please check with your pediatrician before administering any medicine to your child. This is not a recommendation from me personally for Triaminic.

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Nadya Suleman's Bikini Body: Fact or Fiction?

Damn. How did this woman give birth to eight babies, and have a bikini-banging body a year later? 


Nadya Suleman, aka Octo Mom, and her ennie teeny red bikini are the cover story in this week's Star Magazine.


Suleman, who gave birth to her octuplets in January 2009, says she lost 150 pounds in nine months. And she says her weight loss was accomplished without any surgery, without a trainer, and without a meal delivery diet. Weighing in at 270 pounds prior to the birth, she is now back to her pre-pregnancy weight, and wearing a size two.

No surgery? Explain that to my stretch marks that refuse to leave my side. Or my stomach. Or my ....well, you can see where I'm going with this, right?

So how does Suleman account for her amazing weight loss and tight firm body? (and where did those stretch marks go?)

In the magazine, the OctoMom says she ate five small high-protein meals a day and exercised. That's it.

Sh****.

Now I am going to be jealous of Nadya Suleman. And her missing stretch marks.

Unless.....do you suppose .....could it be....Nadya has a bad case of 'mommy-brain,' and has forgotten a little nip and tuck and implanting here and there?

75 Percent of Us Do This Beauty "No-No!"

I do it. And apparently I am not alone, YAY! I just did it a few minutes ago, as a matter of fact. I bet you do it from time to time too. Sure you do. Just admit it.

Guess what "it" is. Come on. Just guess. (and no, it's nothing that involves a bed. or a floor. or a table. LOL.

Hint?

Ok. Here's one: It does involve your hands. (No, don't go there again. Seriously. I'm a nice Irish Catholic girl, after all.)

Wait, don't leave.....I'll spill........it's...........

.........wait for it..........waaaaait...........




picking at your skin.

Yep. According to a recent poll on TotalBeauty.com , nearly 75 percent of people pick at their skin. Now for many people it may be a pimple they are picking at, but for me......I am a stress picker. Yep. Kind of like a stress-eater but instead of stuffing oreos in my mouth I pick at my skin. I need a skin picking intervention.

What's that you say?

TMI?

Sorry. Let me make it up to you by sharing this video that tells us how to Pop a Pimple the Right Way. Seriously.



If the video doesn't work, here's the link just for you. Just because I am so nice.

Review: Ferdinand Uses The Toilet

With two munchkin boys, one potty trained but still prone to night time accidents, and one just beginning the journey into a "diaper-less world," this was definitely one fun book for all of us to read together! The book is full of the kind of wonderful illustrations that draw children's attention. The main character is Ferdinand, a frog.

Ferdinand Uses the Potty is written by Jay Tucker and beautifully illustrated by D.E. West. It a book about potty training of course, but is cute, funny and reassuring. Ferdinand is confused when he awakened one night after having an "accident." Luckily Ferdinand has support and encouragement from his friend as he faces his fears about using the toilet. Ferdinand ultimately finds he has the confidence to deal with his fear and uses the toilet.

The story is humorous, gentle and fun. The dialogue between Ferdinand and his friend is written in a rhyming fashion, which made my boys enjoy the story even more. It will,I believe, help kids feel more reassured when it comes to their own thoughts and challenges with potty training.The only thing my 5 year old wondered about is whether or not Ferdinand continued to have any more "accidents" at night. Maybe we need a "Ferdinand Sequel??"

"Baby Got Back?" Good News For Your Health!

A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford and Churchill Hospital in the United Kingdom suggests that people with fat in their thighs and backsides may live longer because the fat traps harmful fatty particles and actively secretes a helpful compound. The study even calls this fat "protective" against diabetes, heart disease , and other conditions associated with obesity.

And researchers say that a big bottom is much better than carrying fat around the waist, which tends to release more harmful fatty acids into the body. So basically,  fat around the hips and thighs is good for you but around the tummy is bad.

If this is true, I guess I have a good chance of living forever! Maybe I shouldn't worry about getting Eva Longoria's butt after all. Mine is waaay healthier, hehe.

Wordless Wednesday: My Daughter the Photographer

Isn't this a cool picture? My daughter took this sometime around the holidays, and I just love it! It is a picture of our dog, Lola, sunbathing on our living room floor. Note the cute Santa outfit!
For more Wordless Wednesday go check out 5 minutes for mom and 7 Clown Circus!

Breaking Up is Hard To Do (Bye Jack.)

My mantra (or at least one of them) should be : Stay away from Jack. Not all Jacks, mind you. Just the ones that look like clowns and have a pointy hat. We are a vegetarian family, and while you might think that would in itself keep us from over-indulging in fast food, sadly it does not.

I often find myself visiting Jack and ordering from the friendly guy those yummy Breakfast Jacks. Minus the meat. And Taco Bell lures me in with their bean burritos. And have I mentioned I love french fries. Almost as much as onion rings?

We are going to stop those fast food habits though. Seriously. This will be the year (because I know I cannot hope to get Eva Longoria's butt if I am stuffing nachos in my mouth.) because  I want my family to eat healthier and smarter. I want my kids to have clean clear arteries and healthy hearts. That goes for me and the hubbs too (though it may be too late for us. Thanks, Jack.)

So I need to break up with Jack, and hook up with my kitchen again. Yep, I need to start planning out some meals. If I don't plan, I won't cook. If I don't cook, we get hungry. If we get hungry, we look for the quickest way to satisfy that hunger. We go visit our friend named Jack. Or a close relative of his, like Ronald. I need healthy easy to make recipes. And I need them pronto.

Oh yeah, before I forget. Here is a list of the worst of the worst when it comes to fast food per The Cancer Project, a nonprofit cancer prevention organization that is linked with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine--just in case you want to go cold turkey on Jack with me--. The organization put their dietitians to work to determine what meals at the five biggest fast food chains are the worst offenders for our health, measuring the sodium, fat, and fiber content. Here are the five meals they deemed the worst of the fast and the cheap:

1.  Jack in the Box's junior bacon cheeseburger (23 grams of fat, including 8 grams of saturated fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol, 860 milligrams of sodium, 1 gram of fiber) costs $1 and is the organization's top pick for unhealthy fast food.

2. Taco Bell cheesy double beef burrito (460 calories, 20 grams of fat, and 1,620 milligrams of sodium) is 89 cents.

3. Burger King breakfast sausage biscuit (27 grams of fat, including 15 grams of saturated fat, and more than 1,000 milligrams of sodium) is available for one dollar.

4. McDonald’s McDouble (19 grams of fat and 65 milligrams of cholesterol) costs the consumer $1.

5. Wendy’s junior bacon cheeseburger (310 calories and 16 grams of fat) is the most expensive and the best of the worst, ringing in at $1.53.

I guess I should break-up with the pizza delivery boy too. Sigh.

Aloha Friday

Today is Friday and that means it is time for Aloha Friday! Answer my question here, post your own question on your blog, and hop on over to An Island Life and link up!

So my question is:

Can you name one thing your kids have taught you to appreciate that you would never have on your own?

For me, bugs. Yep, bugs. My munchkin boys are fascinated with bugs....they like to watch them move along the ground, and wonder where the bug has come from, where it might be headed, and if it has a little buggy family waiting for it somewhere. Now, I go out of my way to not step on any errant bug out for a walk, LOL. They just might be on their way home after a hard day at work!

Uh....Maybe I Shouldn't Browse Fitness Sites Anymore

Oh my. Not sure what else to say, but oh my.

I have been whining talking about exercising this year, and how maybe I should start doing some exercise program....like maybe Wii or better yet that cute exercise that promises me a butt like Eva Longoria's, and so I have taken up surfing around fitness sites to get motivated.

Uh, maybe I should stop. I came across this picture and had to steal it, borrow it, to show you 'cause I know you'd never believe it otherwise.

Doesn't he remind of you of that bubble wrap that comes in packages with fragile items in them? You know, that plastic bubbly stuff kids like to step on and pop?

Just saying.

FedEx Out of Office Blog : A Fun New Resource For Moms

The new Out of Office blog from FedEx Office is perfect for someone like me. That would be someone who could use a little extra uumph in the creativity/artistic department! The Out of Office blog will get you started with projects for everything from invitations and place cards to tips on how to turn your child's artwork into a notebook, large poster, or thank you notes. And in the future, the blog will feature contests and giveaways (yay!), themed series, how-to videos, and the creative insights of guest bloggers and customers.

The blog is new, but there are already some very cute, easy and kid-friendly projects listed there. Just like the place mat idea pictured above. Kids' creations laminated at the FedEx Office, and you have unique place mats to treasure forever. I love this idea, and am thinking of all sorts of things my kiddos can do that will keep them busy and happy, and make great gifts all at the same time.

I also enjoy the tips and ideas that other moms are leaving in their comments. Who knew there were so many creative ways to recycle Christmas wrapping paper?

A fun site to bookmark and check back often-- I am awaiting some Valentine's Day inspirations myself!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of FedEx Office. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

I Want A Collectible Medallion!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of iCoke.ca. All opinions are 100% mine.

So I want a medallion. Not just any medallion, mind you. I want the very cool and limited FREE Coca-Cola Collectible Medallion. If you live in Canada, and there is a Mac's convenience store nearby, you are in luck! You can receive one of three FREE Coca-Cola Collectible Medallions with the purchase of two (2) Coca-Cola 591mL products at Mac's stores, in celebration of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Maybe you could get an extra medallion, and send it to moi?? But please don't take too long-- this is an exclusive offer available only at Mac's stores, and will only be offered while supplies last. So please do hurry!

Since I love my diet coca-cola soooo much more than I probably should......I could so easily get my collectible medallion, if I only lived in Canada, that is. I admit I usually buy at least one or two coca-cola products every week when I go shopping,because my hubby likes to make ice cream floats with coca-cola for the kiddos sometimes for a special treat! Sigh. I guess I'll just have to beg incessantly wait politely for some very,very nice reader of mine from Canada to send me one.

How To Be Happy This New Year

Simple ways to feel happier in 2010 -- I came across this list of 15 ways to be happier this year (from intent.com), and loved it, so decided to share it so we can all feel happy and snuggly this year! I think my favorite is "Expect a Miracle."

Be your own BFF (best friend forever). Enjoy your own company. Embrace everything about you! Without a doubt, it's the most important step towards being a happy person.

2. Smile, giggle, snicker, or chuckle! Smiling releases serotonin in the brain, whi

ch instantaneously gives your mood a lift.

3. Dream big in every area of life. Set your life in motion and manifest your heart's desire.

4. Shut the doors and the windows tight! And then put on your favorite song and sing out loud. Let it rip!

5. Cook a healthy, delicious meal. Serve it up pretty and savor the flavor, one bite at a time.

6. Expect a miracle. Believe that something wonderful will happen for you today. The universe is waiting to shower happy blessings on you.

7. Meditate, pray and chant. Research shows that people who are spiritual tend to be happier and healthier than those who are not.

8. Pull up your best pair of warm socks. Wiggle your toes and enjoy a cozy kind of bliss.

9. Sleep baby sleep. Seven or eight hours each night should increase your energy and decrease your moodiness.

10. Count your blessings daily. Gratitude, the emotion of thankfulness, is one of the key ingredients for living a happy life. Make gratitude a habit and happiness will be yours.

11. Wake up early! Start the day off on a happy foot, with a happy thought. The morning hours are full of spiritual energy and prana (life force).

12. Let the sun shine in. 20 minutes of sunlight per day improves mood and wards of Seasonal Affection Disorder (SAD).

13. Take a hot bath. Feel the tension melt away as you sink into a pool of happiness.

14. Say "Good Job!" Give yourself permission to pat yourself on the back. Recognize your accomplishments and positive qualities.

15. Happiness is contagious! Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values, your goals and dreams.

Wordless Wednesday: Santa Love

Missing the magic of the holidays already. Sigh.

For more Wordless Wednesday go check out 5 minutes for mom and 7 Clown Circus!

Who Needs Wii When You Have Eva Longoria Butt Exercises?

Aha! Earlier I lamented my lack of motivation to get off my tush and rush to the nearest Target to buy myself a copy of the Wii exercise program (even though we got a new Wii for Christmas). But looky what I found while cruising around Woman's Day-- A way to get Eva Longoria's butt!!! Of course not literally ladies, but if we follow the exercise given, we can get our derrieres to look just like Eva's!!!!

Anyone in this with me? I think there may be some mention of including other exercise (blech) and eating right (no fun at all!), but I didn't pay too much attention after I read that I too could have a rear end like Eva's!

So. I am ready. New butt for the new year. My new resolution. Who is going to join me?? (**looks around for hands .....starts doing exercise alone, determined to have the best butt this side of the Internet in 2010!**)

A Way to Give To Those in Need in 2010

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Wheat Food Council. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am truly excited to share about a website, How Wheat Works.com. because it offers everyone a simple, fun and educational resource to help needy U.S. Troops and their families. When you visit How Wheat Works you can sign up and learn how to grow and harvest wheat, virtually! There are four phases – growth, harvest, milling/baking and the grocer’s aisle -each takes just a few minutes to complete, while the program spans the course of four days.
Interactive opportunities include the selection of the type of wheat to be grown and wheat flour to be milled.
There are activity suggestions at the end of each phase which allow participants to extend their learning experience through preparing wheat-based recipes, exploring wheat grown in their area through our state wheat commission member sites and viewing harvest videos from “America’s Heartland.” This sounds cool for 'kids' of all ages, young and old. The Wheat Foods Councilis extending this program to the youth through www.wheatfoods.org. as well.
But like I said, the very best part of doing and completing this interactive program is that for each participant, the Council will donate two pounds of flour, up to 90,000 pounds, to Operation Homefront, a non-profit that provides assistance to needy U.S. troops and their families.
This donation is made possible by members at ADM and ConAgra Mills, two of the world’s largest millers.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

 

Since it is a New Year and all, and I have slacked off in making any grand new resolutions, and since I was visiting over at Small Town Mommy, and since I enjoyed her Random Tuesday Thoughts Post so much, and since I wasn't doing much anyway......I thought I'd pop on over to vivit Keely at The Un Mom (as Small  Town Mommy suggested I do) and see just what this "Random Tuesday" thing is really all about!

So I did. And here I am resoluting (Is that a word? I think not, but heck, it works for me) to give this Random Tuesday thing a go.

So I am contemplating giving up one or two of my various blogs this year, so maybe I can concentrate on only one. Or two. But then I get all misty-eyed at having to select the ones to go (even though they are alot like husbands--requiring much more attention then they give back.) So I will probably relent and just keep them all. We'll see,

I watched The Bachelor last night. Sorry, but this post is about random thoughts, right? And I am randomely wondering why I can't seem to stop watching the show that makes women look needy, clingy, pathetic and driven to win themselves a man at all costs. Well, not all of the women. I hear that one of the "chosen" hopefuls will soon have a fling with a stage crew guy-- apparently competing for Jake's heart became too muvh for her.

My 5 year old and 12 year old will go back to school next week. I alternate between sad and giddy at the thought. Sad usually wins though. Why do these munchkins get the best of me??

So my daughter wants to be able to lock her computer so as to keep all little brothers away from it. I told her no. It was not a pleasant scene. Am I wrong? Would you say yes? The munchkin boys can be persistently a pain in her neck, but still, no way am I letting her lock her computer. Tell me straight...am I wrong here or what?? 

We got a Wii for Christmas. I wonder if I should get fit and healthy this year with the exercise program that everyone raves about. I should be doing cartwheels all the way to the store to buy Wii Fit (isn't that what it's called?) but instead I sit on the part of my anatomy that could truly use the workout, truly, and just think about it. Guess I need someone to kick me in that part of my anatomy. I bet I could convince the hubbs to do that.

So that is about all the random thoughts I can muster this Tuesday. Maybe I am feeling slackish because my three year old kept me up most of the night with a cold he got because daddy let him ride in his new jeep he got for Christmas when it was far too cold outside>. Btw, said dad slept like a baby last night.

So if you want to make a resolution to have some fun this year, head over to the Un-Mom and find out what random thoughts are being shared today!

Rosarita Salsa: A Most Delicious Review!

Oh my goodness, do I love salsa! LOVE IT. Can Never get enough of it!! One of my most favorite ways to enjoy salsa is mixed in with my scrambled eggs in the morning (yes, I am Irish....but do not mess with my salsa, ok??)

So when I was asked to review the new line of Rosarita Salsas...well, try to imagine how fast I was clicking away on my keyboard as I replied back "Yes!!" LOL.

The delicious Rosarita salsas come in three ranges of mild to hot- Mild Salsa Mexicana, Medium Salsa Verde and Hot Salsa Taquera. When eating salsa straight with chips, I go for the mild usually, or a mix of mild and medium. But when using salsa in cooking, I go straight for the hot stuff! So I was delighted that we received all three salsas to try out!

A super easy yet delicious recipe is boneless chicken breast combined with Salsa Verde in the crock-pot. You can pretty much combine ingredients as you like, but here is a recipe as well that I happily recommend:

• 2 cups of canned Rosarita refried beans
• Rosarita Salsa
• 2 packages tostadas (6-inch diameter)
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 4 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup Queso Fresco (fresh Mexican cheese)
• 1 large, firm ripe avocado, pared, pitted, sliced
• ½ cup sour cream

Directions

• Heat refried beans
• Spread onto tostadas
• Apply thin layer of shredded chicken
• Top with thin layer of lettuce
• Top with salsa
• Sprinkle cheese/garnish with cream and avocados if desired. We skip the avocado here, and substitute vegetarian-style chicken for the real chicken as well. But it is fantastic and oh so easy!

Rosarita has a great well-known line of products, especially their number one selling refried beans, and I am delighted with their new salsas now. But take note--Their new salsa is only available in four cities — LA, Dallas, Phoenix, and Denver — at select Walmart and grocery stores currently. If you do not live in those cities, I am so sorry but I cannot send you any of mine (remember, hands off my salsa!!) LOL.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Rosarita 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.”

Nora Jones: The Fall

I recently was given the chance to listen to Nora Jone's new CD, "The Fall," recently released by Blue Note Records, and I am so happy I was able to! I admit I was not too familiar with Nora Jones before I listened to her latest CD, but I can say that I am now a bonafide fan!

I would describe Nora Jone's music as upbeat, with a couple of spoonfuls of jazz and a dash or two of pop mixed in. Norah has sold almost 40 million albums worldwide, half of them copies of her debut LP Come Away With Me, which I now want to buy -- and has a very large and loyal fanbase. According to Nora, her early influences were artists such as Billie Holiday and Willie Nelson.

You can enjoy Nora's music video for "Chasing Pirates" on Hulu and see for yourself why I am Nora's newest fan!


This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for Blue Note Records, who supplied the CD for review.