Martina McBride: Shine All Night Tour-Discount Promo Code

Hit the REWIND Button

Country Music Star Martina McBride is a working mom who’s always juggling the demands of home and a successful career that takes her out on the road

Like most working moms, McBride has learned to prioritize work life and motherhood. She’s currently on the road with her SunnyD Shine All Night Tour.

Whether in my car driving doing errands, working, or relaxing around the house, I usually have the radio tuned to Country 92.5 FM. I’ve become a fan of Martina McBride and Country Music and joined the bandwagon a bit later in life – but I find the music relaxing.  And besides, I can understand the words to the songs.

As any mom or grandmom knows, even the most well thought-out plans don’t always pan out.

In this fun new video, Martina  has every woman’s fantasy: a REWIND button she uses to make her day turn out a little more like she’d like it!

I’m excited that Martina McBride will be touring in concert in Uncasville, Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Arena in March, and would really enjoy seeing the show.

If  you’d like to see her in the SunnyD Shine All Night Tour, you can get a discount of $5.00 off of your tickets!

Just go to Shine All Night Tour, find your closest show and when you are checking out, enter the code “MOMS” (without the quotation marks) to get your promotional discount.

MARTINA’S SITE: Martina McBride

TICKETS

MARTINA on TWITTER

TOUR TWITTER

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Thanks for visiting! Comments are always appreciated! This blog is Do-Follow Links!

Organic Batter Blaster: Making Breakfast Easy With Kids

Keep Cooking Simple

Cooking Teaches Kids Life Skills

Many families never plan menus. They go to the grocery store with no idea in mind or what it is they want to buy. Is it any wonder that there’s often nothing in the house to eat?

Menu planning isn’t a difficult task. It seems to take a lot of valuable time, but in the end it actually saves time in unnecessary trips to the store, and the nightly indecision of what the kids are going to have for breakfast in the morning.

When my kids were little, their favorite breakfast before heading out to school was chocolate chip pancakes and waffles.  I didn’t mind making them when I worked part-time.  I worked out of the home 3 days per week until they got older; so it was easy for me to do.

But on those days when I did have to rush out the door, I felt guilty about not making their favorite breakfast food, as preparation time is required.

I like to try something new occasionally, and my husband, who likes to poke through grocery stores,  brought home Organic Batter Blaster Pancake Mix!

On the days that I have to babysit ‘Lil Moomette and her brother, I can easily make pancakes for the grandkids and know that they’re starting off the day with a good breakfast! We pressed a few chocolate chips into the batter as it was cooking in the pan, and presto! It tasted just as good as if made from scratch!

Kids love to help when it comes to cooking. Getting them involved early is a good way for them to learn responsibility and a skill they can use in life.

Cooking with kids can also be a time of bonding for child and parent. Kids can help in various ways; age appropriate tasks are best. Your younger children can just point and blast the pancake mix into the pan!

Showing kids simple things they can do will make them feel important. It’s a way of having fun with your children, and the fun thing about cooking with your kids is that they’re learning a new skill, they just don’t realize it!

Cooking with your kids and as a family is a great way to connect with your children. Keeping them involved in activities such as finding new recipes and cooking lets them know you think they’re special.

Organic Batter Blaster has been featured on the Food Network and CBS, and is available in BJ’s and local grocery stores.

For More Information Visit: Batter Blaster

Note:  This is not a compensated post.

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Pillsbury Sweet Rolls and Gift Pack Giveaway

Sweet Sunday Mornings

Check out my Pillsbury Giveaway:

Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a gift pack which includes includes a VIP coupon for Pillsbury Orange Sweet Rolls as well as a photo album to help keep your family’s sweet Sunday morning memories close at close at hand.

Enter at Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes HERE Pillsbury contest, Mar 2010.

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Bean Appetit: Childrens Cookbook Review and Giveaway

Hip and Healthy Ways to Have Fun with Food

Bring Kookiness to the Kitchen

As any grandmom knows, kids learn through emulation – watching and imitating the actions of others.  That’s why it’s a good thing to always strive to be a good example.

For me, I learned to cook by watching my mom and aunts who passed down many of the traditional Polish recipes that I learned to love as a child.  I’ve since passed down those traditions to my own girls.

Recently I had the opportunity to review a new cookbook – Bean Appetit:  Hip and Healthy Ways to Have Fun with Food (Andrews McMeel Publishing) which was recently featured on Martha Stewart Radio.

The authors, Shannon Payette Seip and Kelly Parthen are co-owners of  Bean Sprouts Café and Cooking School.  They offer cooking classes for toddlers and grade school children.  The school lets the kids have fun with food while exploring new ingredients.  The authors are also currently developing a kids’ cooking show.

Bean Sprouts, a hip and healthy kids’ cafe, opened to much anticipation near Madison, WI in 2007. Bean Sprouts has drawn great media attention for providing a place for families that is both healthy and fun. Under the guidance of a child nutritionist, Bean Sprouts built its menu with the help and enthusiasm of Gale Gand–renowned chef, author, and Food Network star, who believes in Bean Sprouts’ mission.

One of my favorite chapters in the book was the breakfast chapter.  The meal that both of my grandkids, ‘Lil Moomette and Slugger, enjoy best is breakfast.  Soon they’ll be spending their first overnight with my husband and I, so I paid particular attention to finding recipes that would start their day off right!

Pancakes is a favorite of both grandkids, and “Stick Stacks” incorporates yummy fruit and skewers in an eye-appealing manner.

A great rule of thumb when it comes to cooking with children is keep it simple silly. Foremost, most children have relatively short attention spans. While they want to learn and help mommy out, they also don’t want to have enough time to get bored with the details. Use simple recipes when cooking with children and your chances for success will be much greater than with overly complicated or ingredient intense recipes.

The book is full of whimsical presentations, as well as food-themed games, crafts and activities.

Bean Appetit would like you to help them taste-test some recipes.  You can test online recipes for Bean-GO (a healthy twist on Bingo that gets kids to try to new tastes) found in the book. Feedback Form

Visit on Facebook

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the book, Bean Appetit.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Bean Sprouts and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and why you’d like to win this book.

This contest will run until March 15, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Win a Conference Pass to BlogHer10 in NYC: Giveaway

2-Day Conference in New York City

Win A Ticket

If you’re a veteran blogger, you’re probably familiar with all the conferences that take place throughout the year in various parts of the country.

If you’re new to blogging, Blog Conferences are a great opportunity to meet fellow mom bloggers, affiliate marketing bloggers and bloggers from all walks of life.  Together they share information and bounce ideas off of each other.

BlogHer is open to anyone and everyone who considers themselves part of the blogosphere; BlogHer is particularly focused on highlighting the skills and talents of women who blog. All genders, ages, ethnicities, and levels of blogging experience are encouraged to attend! We promise there’s something for everyone.  (And in case you’re curious, about 10-15% of attendees are men.)

Many of my readers know I was all excited about attending BlogHer10 in New York City this summer however I’m now unable to attend.

WIN my ticket! I’m hosting a Giveaway for a 2-Day Conference Pass to BlogHer ‘10 in NYC!!!!  (a $298 value for the 2-day pass) open only to my readers who are email subscribers!

Mandatory Entry Requirements.

Main Rule:   (remember if all of these rules are not followed and completed then no others will count)
1. Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment)

2.  Enter by writing  a blog post of approximately 200 – 300 words about why you would like to attend a blogging conference.  Let me whether you’ve ever attended BlogHer or similar conferences in the past, and how you benefited from them.

Choose one of the keyword phrases below and corresponding links to place within your post.

If you have more than one blog, you may write one post per blog url that you own.  Each post will count as an entry.  You will need to post your link here in a separate comment for each entry.

Your blog must have its own domain and have a Google rank of 2 or better.  Blogs not meeting these requirements will not count as an entry.

3.  Please use one of these keyword phrases within the context of your post, and make sure that the link is live, and works before submitting :

Link #1: “WAHM tips” and link to http://moomettesmagnificents.com/blog/backlinks-how-to-build-solid-traffic/

Link #2: “blogging resource tips” and link to http://moomettesmagnificents.com/blog/alexa-toolbar-benefits/

Link #3: “product reviews and giveaways” and link to http://moomettesmagnificents.com/blog/review-info/

Rules #1, #2 and #3 must be completed to be considered entered into the contest.

Submit a comment for each blog post, along with the live URL link to your post. If the post is done in accordance with the above rules, it will be counted as an entry in the contest to win a 2-Day Conference pass to BlogHer ‘10 in New York City.  Please ascertain that all links work before submitting your post.  Posts that are incomplete will be voided.

This contest will run until April 15, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EST

*No purchase necessary
*Open to USA and Canada Only 18 years and older
*Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.
*Winner will be contacted by me to transfer ticket. May not be re-sold or transferred to another person. Not exchangeable for cash.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.  Grab this banner to place on your sidebar, linking to this post, and it will also count as an extra entry.  Please leave your blog’s URL:

SUBMIT ENTRIES HERE FOR MY SPREADSHEET:

For a second chance to win, Visit Digital Mommy, who’s also hosting a BlogHer10 Conference Pass Giveaway!

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Vermont Snow Covered Mountains: Wordless Wednesday

Green Mountains

Before I met my son-in-law, I think I’d only been up to Vermont once to go skiing when I was in high school.  My husband and I would travel up Interstate 91 to go to New Hampshire for vacations, but we never really left the highway to see this beautiful state.

My oldest daughter’s husband is a Vermonter.  I’m so excited that I can now experience the beauty of the Green Mountain state’s four seasons through the eyes of locals, and not as a tourist!  My daughter’s in-laws know all the back roads with magnificent views!

This photo was taken on our way to a birthday party outside Montpelier, Vermont’s capitol.  My charming son-in-law’s cousins live atop this spectacular mountain!  The view will take your breath away!

Don’t forget to sign the Linky!

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

They’re Your Parents, Too! Caring For Aging Parents: Book Review & Giveaway

Sibling Rumble

How Sibilings Can Survive Their Parents’ Aging Without Driving Each Other Crazy

By 2030, there will be a record 71 million Americans aged 65 and older and the majority will need some sort of long-term care, according to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Several years ago I considered myself a member of what was referred to as the “sandwich generation.” Esteemed members are those who are parents of young children, yet are facing the responsibility of being caretakers for their aging parents. 

In my case, I became the caretaker of my elderly grandmother, who lived to be 101.  Yes, I come from a family with very strong genes.  My grandmother, born in 1901,  was the oldest of 9 children, and just about outlived them all.

My grandmother, who never spent a day in the hospital in her life, was quite independent, living alone in a senior citizen apartment until she was 95.  A good life, and natural aging caught up with her, and I had to apply to the probate court for conservatorship. Eventually she was admitted to a convalescent home nearby.

I recently had the opportunity to review an informative book by Francine Russo, “They’re Your Parents, Too! How Siblings Can Survive Their Parents’ Aging Without Driving Each Other Crazy” (Bantam Books, New York)

Francine Russo is a widely recognized journalist known for her alertness to developing trends, especially in her own boomer generation.  For nearly a decade Russo covered the boomer beat for Time magazine.  She brings a rich personal history to her writing as a daughter, sister, wife, widow, mother of two, and stepmother of three.  She has a Ph.D in English and lives in Manhattan.

In the book, Russo draws on her own experiences as well as those of dozens of families, healthcare works and assisted living experts to get to the heart of the matter:  what it costs – financially, physically and emotionally – to become your parents’ caregiver.

My daughter is currently a Marketing Director for an assisted living facility here in Connecticut and deals on a daily basis with the tribulations of adult children making life-altering decisions such as those described by Russo. Always close to her great-grandmother, as a teen she was quite aware of the tremendous pressure I was under.  I think this experience has aided in her success as a Director of the facility.

In the book, Russo addresses:

• Communicating more constructively to escape the “anger/built gridlock”

• How to reach consensus when siblings disagree about their parents needs:  overcoming denial and “distrusting the messanger.”

• How sibilings can be in it “together,” even long-distance, when one is doing almost all of the caregiving.

My brother lives out of state and caught up in his own career.  Although we consulted on what course of treatment was best for my grandmother, the bulk of the  responsibility fell on me –  a parent of two teenagers at the time, who also worked full-time.

Caring for dependent elderly parents or grandparents can be one of the most isolating experiences most people ever have to face. Becoming a carer can sometimes be rewarding, but it’s hardly ever easy. It can be a very lonely life, and friends can start to disappear when you’re not so readily available for evenings out, etc. Even those who stay the course can find it hard to listen to the things you feel the need to talk about, and you’re likely to find their conversation very trivial compared to what you’re dealing with.

The author touches on topics that siblings of aging parents need to know that it’s essential that primary caregivers get some time off. This is absolutely vital, and not likely to be offered unless you make a point of saying that you need it. It’s no reflection on your abilities as a carer, or your love for the person that you’re caring for, but you need to take at least some care of yourself if you’re going to take effective care of anybody else.

Caring for someone can very tiring, both physically and emotionally, so you need to be able to recharge your batteries as often as you can, in order to avoid falling victim to depression yourself.

You have a life, as well, and the right to some enjoyment.

The author further discusses opportunities for reconciliation even when sibiling tensions still simmer after parents die, while reinventing the family and sustaining the family connection into the future.

I highly recommend this book, and suggest that if you’re currently in a position with aging relatives, to read it and circulate it to your family members.  Oftentimes it’s easier to make a subliminal point rather than have a face-to-face confrontation over responsibilities.

I’m going to make certain that my own adult children read it.

ISBN: 978-0-553-80699-1
Pages: 286
MSRP: $26

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the book DO IT OR AGE QUICKLY: 60-Second Practices to Live Better, Stronger, and Longer by personal wellness trainer and martial artist JB Berns.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Share whether you or someone you know will be or has ever experienced the responsibility of caring for aging relatives and how you or they were affected by it.

This contest will run until March 8, 2010 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Custom T-Shirts for Women from VistaPrint: Get Ready for your next Fundraiser or Blog Conference!

Market Your Brand

One of the most common ways of introducing yourself to new clients is by distributing a business card.

Those who attend blogging or marketing conferences probably have received many such cards.  Even moms with children in daycare, preschool or playgroups hand out mommy cards!

My husband owns his own business and one of the ways he markets and rewards his customers is by distributing custom-printed t-shirts, caps and sweatshirts.

I have all my business cards printed at Vistaprint, and was delighted to find out that they now offer Custom-Printed T-Shirts for women!

What a fabulous way to market your brand and blog at conferences such as BlogHer10, tweet-ups or affiliate marketing conferences!

I received three custom printed ladies T-Shirts: a long sleeved one and two short-sleeved shirts.

Here I am wearing the long-sleeved version with my Moomette’s Magnificents logo.  (Cosmetic makeup and hair products were also previous reviews!)

Cindi - Moomette's Magnificents

Although my blogs may be very familiar to readers in the blogosphere, now I have a way to show off my Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes and Moomette’s Magnificents logos when I go to the grocery store, and possibly an opportunity to then hand out my business card!

All T-Shirts are:

• 100% preshrunk cotton T-Shirt

• Easy to design and order

• Available sizes are: S, M, L, XL and XXL

If you’re going to be in a bridal shower this wedding season, have some made up for the bridesmaids in the wedding party, or as a gift for the bride-to-be for her bachelorette party!

Order for your next PTO or sports team fundraiser!

To design your own Custom Printed T-Shirt visit: Vistaprint

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Link Building Through KeywordLuv: Blog Tips

Improve Your Blog Links

WAHM Tips

My latest tweak to my blog to make it more reader and user friendly has been to install the wordpress plugin, KeywordLuv.

In addition to CommentLuv and the wp DoFollow plugin, as a blogger or internet marketer, KeywordLuv benefits you by improving not only your own SEO links, but those of your readers as well.

When you go to leave a comment at the bottom of a post that has the plugin installed, you’ll see a notation that says KeywordLuv enabled, and instructions to leave your name @ your keywords that you would like to link to.

Gail from GrowMap writes on business blogging topics and offers a more detailed explanation of the benefits of link building in a recent post.

You can download the wordpress plugin to use on your blog at KeywordLuv.

UPDATE March 4, 2010 I have deactivated Keyword Luv as it was my intention to help my WAHMs and bloggers and I am receiving too many comments that I must manually moderate.

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Connecticut Farm Barn and Pasture – Wordless Wednesday

Off The Beaten Path

Earlier this month there was a tragedy at a clean energy power plant being built in Connecticut along the Connecticut River.  My husband and I were out for a ride in Portland, just across the narrowest part of the river from Middletown, where the plant was located.   We were able to see the remains of the plant from the road.

Along the way with nothing in site except a small baby eagle, soaring overhead looking for dinner, we passed this quaint farm barn.

I didn’t have my digital camera with me, so this was the best I could do with my cell phone.

Next month I’m giving away a ticket to BlogHer10 in New York City. If you win, you might want to stop by and visit New England and see my neck of the woods! Check out my post for more info!

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Next Page »