Chili’s Grill and Bar: Shout Out to Eat Contest
March 12, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)
Filed under Buzz, Reviews & Buzz, dining and restaurants, family, food, frugal, leisure, lifestyle, parenting
Family Friendly Dining

$9.99 Fresh Pairings
I’ve been cooking for the family for well over 35 years. Although my husband is talented in many areas, preparing food is not one of them.
Now that my daughter is married, we alternate Sunday dinners at her home or mine. Usually on Friday nights, the family likes to get together and dine out.
Chili’s Grill and Bar Restaurant has always been one of our favorite places to go, even before the grandkids came along. While my youngest daughter was in college, she worked as a server at Chili’s.
I recently had the opportunity to try Chili’s new line of freshly prepared recipe items.
Since I’m on a mission to lose at least 10, 15, 25 pounds so I can fit in my new dress for an upcoming wedding in Boston this summer, I tried their new Asian Salad.

The Asian Salad is prepared with Napa cabbage, crispy wontons, edamame, green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, Asian vinaigrette and a creamy peanut drizzle, along with your choice of grilled chicken, salmon or steak. I chose the chicken in my salad, and found the salad very tasty. I especially enjoyed the peanut drizzle, which gave it a subtle, yet unique taste.
The portion was generous, and I took what was leftover home in a container for the next day’s lunch.
Chili’s has a call-ahead policy which worked out great, as we brought the grandkids along, ages 2 and 3. Since we try to dine out before the dinner rush crowd comes in, we were seated right away. Chili’s provides a family atmosphere, and the kids were given crayons to draw with. Everyone’s favorite are the nachos and sauce, which were promptly brought to the table along with our beverages. Our server was attentive, and everything we ordered arrived as requested.
Stay tuned for the Chili’s “Shout Out to Eat” Contest, where contestants will be able to upload a 10-30 second video telling why they don’t want to cook tonight. A daily winner will be randomly selected and entered to win a gift card to Chili’s everyday.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Children’s Activities – Arts and Crafts Family Fun
February 8, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Promotions, children, education, family, frugal, grandparenting, kids, leisure, parenting
Snow Day Fun

I was babysitting my granddaughter last night while her parents were at a Super Bowl party and was trying to come up with some ideas to keep her entertained.
In my family room I still have a cabinet filled with arts and crafts supplies that my girls used for school projects.
It’s only February, but there’ll still be plenty of snow days off from school before spring finally arrives.
What are some fun ways to spend time together when the weather outside is dreary? There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to spend time with your kids. Reading a story to your young child is a wonderful experience. Listening to music and dancing together is also fun. Another fun activity is building forts with blankets and moving furniture together. Then bring in a flashlight and read a book to your child.
Play dough is also a nice creative way to spend time together. Roll it, mold it and create great works of art. It’s safe and can be used over and over again. You can make your own play dough and make different colors.
Here’s a nifty play dough recipe that I’ve used many times with my own kids.
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 4 cups water
- 4 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 cup cream of tartar
- food coloring (use this to create the colors of your choice)
Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook and stir over low/medium heat until play dough is completely formed and no longer sticky. Allow to cool slightly before storing in an air tight container or zip lock bag.
Shaving cream art is also fun and easy. Using a vinyl table cloth or plastic place mats just spray some shaving cream on and let them use like finger paint. I would recommend using the sensitive skin brand of shaving cream.
Another great favorite is collages. You’ll need a few craft supplies such as construction paper, some magazines, Elmer’s glue and safety scissors. You can find deals on craft materials at Create for Less. Have the kids cut out pictures of interest to them and glue them all over the construction paper. Once their project dries hang it proudly on your fridge!
These fun projects are also great for homeschooling moms or daycare moms!
Turn a snow day into a fun and exciting day with your child or grandchild if you’re babysitting while their parents are at work!
photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Guide to Walt Disney World With Preschoolers: Review and Giveaway
February 7, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)
Filed under baby boomer, books, children, family, frugal, giveaways, grandparenting, kids, leisure, lifestyle, parenting, toddlers, tourism, travel
Disney Tips for Traveling With Preschoolers

Plan a Magical Vacation That is Perfect For Your Family
I’ve had the opportunity to review a new book that takes all the guesswork out of planning for a trip to Walt Disney World with preschoolers in tow.
My oldest daughter fondly remembers our family vacation to Disney World when she was younger. I saved for almost a year, and paid for the entire vacation in cash.
The girls were 7 and 11 at the time, in 1994. We went towards the end of August when the rates were somewhat less expensive, and stayed directly on the grounds in Florida at the Polynesian Resort. I don’t mind the heat since I live in New England. Actually I thrive in it!
Now that my daughter has two toddlers of her own, she’s been making “noises” about wanting to revisit Disney with their kids, who are 1 and 3. Both my daughter and charming son-in-law are extremely close to both sets of parents. They’d really like that the grandparents can all join in together for a memorable family trip.
As a parent, you already know that you don’t want to have to carry your preschooler around in your arms all day. You couldn’t possibly make it through the day! You also can’t expect your child to walk all day long.
Beyond the Attractions: A guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers by Lisa M. Battista (BookSurge) is a definite must-read book.
Lisa Battista answers common and not-so-common questions in Beyond the Attractions such as advance reservations; the best time to visit; sleeping away from home and more that will assure that your family vacation is enjoyable and stress free:
Strollers – Strollers are not only welcome at Disney World, they’re highly recommended. In fact, Disney World rents strollers for a reasonable fee. My suggestion would be to tie something on the stroller, such as a brightly colored ribbon to help identify it from all of the other strollers in the park.
FastPass – You don’t want to spend your entire Disney World vacation standing in long lines. This can be avoided by using Disney World FastPass. FastPass can be obtained from kiosks located near the rides that accept FastPass. This doesn’t mean that you get to immediately move to the front of the line. It’s more like scheduling an appointment for the ride later in the day – at which time you actually will move to the front of the line. In the meantime, you’re free to go enjoy other sites and rides around the park.
Many other tips to help you maximize your hard-earned vacation dollars are included in this reference guide for parents, by a parent.
Start planning your next vacation!
On Twitter: @DisneyExplorer
Pages: 169
ISBN: 978-1-4392-5757-9
For More Information Visit: Beyond The Attractions
Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the book, Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers.
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) Tell me why you’d like to win this book.
This contest will run until February 28, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EST
For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes
Germguardian UV-C Mini Sanitizer Wand – Review and Giveaway
A Healthy Home
Safe and Natural
I have a sign in my house that says “Our Home is Clean Enough to be Happy and Dirty Enough to Be Happy.”
Actually, this saying may be a bit outdated, since I’ve been married for over 35 years, and times have changed. There’s so many Super-Bugs and diseases around now that we hadn’t even heard of in the 1970s, which are antibiotic resistant.
I’ve recently been asked to review the Germguardian UV-C Mini Sanitizer Wand.
The Germguardian is a product that promotes a healthy and natural way to sanitize your home without using harsh chemicals. It states the sanitizer wand kills up to 99% of bacteria and viruses, and also fights odors and reduces allergens like mold spores and dust mights.
Science was never my strong subject, but Ultraviolet light is used in hospitals to sanitize surfaces and kill germs.
The sanitizer takes 4 AA batteries. I inserted the batteries and had a difficult time trying to put the top back on. I held the button for the recommended 3 seconds, which turned the sanitzer on.
I ran it over my kitchen table and countertops. I can’t say with any certainty that it actually did anything, because everything looked the same to me.
The product comes with a black drawstring carrying case, which is good for business travelers.
I’ve been reading that many cities and hotels are experiencing infestations of bed bugs – so this might be a good idea for travelers to take with them and use on pillows and bedding after a visual inspection of the room.
The sanitizer is chemical-free, and recommended uses include:
- toilets
- phones
- computers
- sinks
- countertops
- bedding
- pillows
- shoes
Dimensions: 10.3″ L x 1.5″ w x 1.6″ h
MSRP: $79.99
Instruction Book Included
For More Information Visit: Germguardian
Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a Germguardian UV-C Mini Sanitzer Wand.
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 Germguardian and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.
This contest will run until February 17, 2010 at 11:00 pm.
For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.


Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Affordable Scarves – Review and Giveaway
January 30, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)
Filed under baby boomer, fashion, frugal, giveaways, leisure, lifestyle, shopping
Fashion Accessories
Scarves For Fashion and Function
Both of my daughters are the fashionistas of the family. Always uber-up-to-date on the latest fashion trends, I must have been given the wrong babies when I brought them home from the hospital. As a Baby Boomer, I now take my fashion cues from my girls.
Are you interested in updating your appearance, at least in terms of your fashion? If you are, you may not only want to examine the latest in fashion trends, as far as clothing, but you may also want to examine the latest trends in fashion accessories. Fashion accessories are rapidly increasing in popularity, although many still don’t know exactly what they are, or what to do with them.
When it comes to fashion accessories, you’ll find that a number of different products are included. Fashion accessories, like fashion clothing pieces, come in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles. You’ll find fashion accesories that are designed for all body types – average, petite, and plus sized women.
One of the many different types of fashion accessories available for purchase are Pashminas, wraps and scarves. Womens scarves come in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles. That’s one of the reasons why they’re often referred to as fashion accessories. There are scarves out there that are designed for wearing with a casual pair of jeans, as well as office wear and evening wear.
I recently had the opportunity to review a Pashmina wrap from Affordable Scarves. I chose (naturally!) The Hartford, in purple and gold. It’s made of beautiful 100% authentic pashmina, and is completely reversible. I liked how it looks very elegant, yet I can wear it with a sweater, or even a little black dress for evening! It measures 72″ L x 27″ W and has a 3.5″ fringe.
Affordable Scarves has a wonderful selection of styles - Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Seasonless. Selections include silk scarves, cashmere scarves, and pashmina scarves, loop scarves, knit scarves, and shawls.
They offer FREE standard shipping on all orders over $30, and have a Money Back Guarantee. Payment methods include Paypal, Google Checkout, most Major Credit Cards.
Fashion accessories are a great way to spice up any wardrobe, especially one that could use an updating, as well as extend your fashion budget.
Need to know how to tie one of these beautiful scarves?
Enter their How to Tie a Scarf Video Contest for other chances to win a scarf!
Now is the time to find the perfect gift for yourself, your teen, Valentines Day and Mothers Day!
For More Information Visit: Affordable Scarves
Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of one (1) Affordable Scarf.
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 Affordable Scarves and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and which one is your favorite.
This contest will run until February 15, 2010 at 11:00 pm.
For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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How To Sew A Button – Book Review and Giveaway
Back to Basics
Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew
When I was in Middle School I had to take a class called “Home Economics.” Only it wasn’t called Middle School back then, it was called Junior High, for grades 7-9.
In Home Economics, we learned basic cooking skills such as food safety and baking. We also learned basic sewing and ironing skills. We had to find a pattern and learned how to shop for the right of fabric and sewing notions. I think that Home Ec should still be a required subject in schools.
Although I really tried to pass on such skills to my grown daughters when they were growing up, they were much more interested in playing sports. Of course, before Title IX came on-board, competitive sports weren’t available to girls my age.
The girls were in for a rude awakening when they went off to college and set up housekeeping in dorms and apartments! They were on the phone with ‘Mom’ all the time asking questions!
Recently I had the opportunity to review a wonderful new book by Erin Bried, a Senior Staff Writer at Self magazine, called ‘How To Sew A Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew.”
In her book, Bried, who was featured on the “Today Show”, shares over 100 essential ‘must-know’ and ‘how-to’ skills that apply to both women and men. In preparation for her book, Bried interviewed over 20 grandmothers from across the country. My own mom and grandmother (who lived to be 101) grew up during the Great Depression, and because of that experience, learned to make do with what they had, as well as fix, repair and become creative. In fact, I inherited a cookie can full of thousands of buttons that my mom had cut off from garments over the years!
Some of my favorite chapters included:
- Omit Oopsies – How to Remove Most Stains
This is important, as any college student, mom, homeowner or apartment dweller knows. Want to know how to remove red wine, blood, lipstick or mud? It’s in here! If you’re a college student or apartment dweller who placed a deposit – these tips might help you get your deposit back when you move~
- Get Stoked – How to Build a Fire
My charming son-in-law is from Vermont. His family likes to have a bonfire or camp fire in a backyard pit. On one of my first visits up there, all the gals knew how to build, start and stoke the fire to keep it burning. I remember somebody saying that if you didn’t know how to build a fire up there, you wouldn’t survive!
- Use Your Imagination – How to Make Art Out of Pressed Flowers
Years ago we had a boat that we kept docked at a marina on the Connecticut River. In the fields nearby were tons of wild flowers. Many of my friends were getting married, so I used to pick the flowers and then dry and press them. I’d make a framed wall-hanging out of their wedding invitation. You’ll find plenty of tips in this chapter, as there’s definitely a trick to getting it to come out right!
How to Sew A Button is not only educational, it’s retro-chic and a wonderful read!
If you know a bride-to-be or a student going off to college, this book would make a special gift!
A Ballantine Trade Paperback Original
Published: December 15, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-345-51875-0
MSP: $15.00
For More Information Visit: How To Sew A Button
Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the book “How To Sew A Button”
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) Let me know a favorite tip you learned from your mom, grandmom or favorite elder.
This contest will run until February 11, 2010 at 11:00 pm.
For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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How To Keep Your Refrigerator Tidy
January 9, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)
Filed under Promotions, baby boomer, cooking, family, food, frugal, health, kids, leisure, lifestyle, shopping
Kitchen Tips

A Clean Home is a Happy Home
Since winter’s now setting in, if you’re like me, I intend to spend quite a bit of time in my kitchen cooking up a storm on those day’s when we have a Nor’easter coming our way!
If you’ve been putting off looking for new appliances, the post-holidays are a great time to look for some shopping deals. I could stand a larger refrigerator, and it would give me more room to store groceries and save trips to the store in inclement weather!
Take some time to review some of the basic steps that will help your appliance stay fresh and clear.
One of the first things that you have to remember to do is to keep your refrigerator and freezer clean and presentable. Not only does your refrigerator and freezer keep your food cold, but it also helps you organize your foodstuffs as well.
1. Buy a box of baking soda
A single box of baking soda will last you for about three months, and you’ll find that there’s no end to the uses you can have for it. Simply leaving the box open in your refrigerator can help kill odors and you’ll find that by making a paste of baking soda and water, you can scrub most stains and most smells out. Do keep in mind that the box might need to be replaced if the cardboard itself is absorbing the odors.
2. Take your vegetables out of the plastic bags
It’s an interesting fact that vegetables will brown and wilt a lot faster if they stay in the plastic bags. Take them out and put them into the clean crisper bins. You’ll find that this keeps them green a lot longer. If you are someone who won’t eat your vegetables unless they’re right in front of your eyes, leave them out if it will help you eat them before you go bad.
3. Regularly check your condiments
Next to vegetables, condiments can also turn without your noticing, sometimes, just when you need them for some cooking. A routine check of the back shelves of your refrigerator will stop you from getting any nasty surprises when you reach for the mayonnaise or cream cheese.
4. Eternal vigilance
Make sure that the minute that you notice a spill or a stain that you tackle it. Because the refrigerator can take things out of site simply by closing the door, it’s also possible that the mess will remain out of mind. Make sure that to clean thoroughly, you’ll remove the drawers and the bins, because this is where bacteria and stains that never get out can occur. To mitigate this, keep your food in closed containers; foodstuffs in open containers can get shoved to the back and be forgotten until someone upsets them.
5. Routine maintenance
Perform at least a perfunctory cleansing with a clean damp towel at least every week, but remember that your refrigerator needs to be thoroughly cleaned- everything removed, washed with soap or vinegar, rinsed and dried- at least every two to three weeks. This prevents grime from building up. Don’t neglect the outside or the handles as this is a popular breeding place for germs.
Follow these easy tips after you compare shopping prices to keep your investment in tip-top shape!
photo credit: ewen and donabel

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Nature’s Peak Frozen Fruit Giveaway Contest
Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes :

Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be two (2) winners of a coupon good for 1 FREE package of Nature’s Peak moomettesgramsrecipes.com, Premium Frozen Fruit, Jan 2010
You should read the whole article.
Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Hillshire Farm 75th Anniversary Cookbook Giveaway
Giveaway on Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes:
Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a Hillshire Farm 75th Anniversary Cookbook!
moomettesgramsrecipes.com, Cooking Meals at Home Saves Hundreds of Dollars a Year, Jan 2010
You should read the whole article.
Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Old Navy Weekly: $50 Off $100 Purchase – Coupon Giveaway
Holiday Bargains
Item of the Week
Now that my daughters are launched and spending their own hard-earned money on clothing, one of their favorite places to shop is Old Navy.
This past summer we were down the seashore and on a rainy day to pass the time we hit the mall for some “shop ‘till we drop” time.
My daughters knew that my husband and I would be taking a long-weekend getaway vacation in September to Olgunquit, Maine. Ever the fashionistas, the girls turned into my personal shopper and picked out some fashionable casual day wear for me!
Thanks to M80, I’ve been contacted by them on behalf of Old Navy and would like to let you know that I’m able to offer nine (9) $50 off of $100 coupons to my readers for some post Christmas Holiday shopping at OldNavyWeekly.com. This is Old Navy’s new weekly coupon hunting site!
As the coupons are electronic coupons in a PDF format, all the winners have to do is click and print)! What a great way to get some bargains!
The coupons are good only from December 25-31st.
The “Item of the week,” are Jeans! Adult jeans are just $15 (Reg. $29.50-$34.50) and kids and baby jeans are just $10 (Reg. $16.50-$19.50).
You can have fab jeans and great prices with Old Navy’s One Day Wonder sale (12/26 only). You’ll find amazing denim deals – adult jeans just $15 (Reg. $29.50-$34.50) and kids and baby jeans are just $10 (Reg. $16.50-$19.50), select styles only.
Coming up also is Old Navy’s One Day Wonder sale (in-store only) or this great offer: $50 off $100 when they talk about the One Day Wonder sale.
Please note:
- Coupons are valid for a limited time only. Old Navy and M80 cannot replace a coupon that was not redeemed in the correct timeframe.
- If a Sales Associate advises that code is not working, customer should ask them to key in the alpha-numeric code under the barcode (if the code is valid, and it’s just a question of the barcode reader having issue with the print quality of the code, then keying in should work – unless it’s already been redeemed then it will come up as invalid).
Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be nine (9) winners of one coupon code each for Old Navy $50 off of $100.
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 Old Navy and leave a comment about what the SuperModelquins are wearing this week at OldNavyWeekly.com. What’s your favorite look?
This contest will run until December 25 at 11:00 pm. EST (USA Only)
For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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