Chili’s Grill and Bar: Shout Out to Eat Contest

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

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.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

American Heroes #3 Children’s Music CD

Educational Songs

It’s never too early for kids to start learning about American History!

When I was in high school, American History was a required subject in our junior year in order to graduate.  I passed the first time around – however, I do know some who had to repeat the course a second time.

I’ve had the opportunity to review Jonathan Sprout’s newest CD, AMERICAN HEROES #3. Jonathan Sprout is being touted by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for his album and had been nominated for the GRAMMY Awards in the “Best Children’s Album” category.  He’s done over 6,000 performances for children across the country, as well as received numerous national parenting awards.

The CD features upbeat songs about historical figures such as:

• Jane Addams
• George Washington Carver
• Jonas Salk
• Pocohontas
• Cesar Chavez
• Milton Hershey
• Thomas Jefferson
• Wilma Rudolph

I played the CD for the grandkids, who are 1 and 3.  ‘Lil Moomette really enjoyed listening to the story of Pocohontas.  While my grandchildren are pre-schoolers, I think that it’s a wonderful way to introduce older children who are at least school-age to history through music.

Sprout serves up children’s music and a history lesson, all rolled into one!  Why not educate our kids while entertaining them too?

Home school Moms – this CD would be a terrific way to introduce the kids to some American Heroes that they may not be familiar with!

Available on Amazon

UPDATE – Giveaway Cancelled as CD has been damaged.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Triaminic Thin Strips – Coupon

Sick Day Guideline

Cold and Flu Symptoms in Children

When my daughters were younger both were enrolled in family daycare while I worked. My daycare provider was a mom of grown children, and had plenty of experience in recognizing when my girls weren’t feeling quite up to par.

As any new parent or parent will learn, children are very susceptible to illnesses, in part because their immune systems aren’t quite fully mature.

Breastfeeding is a recommended way of providing some immunity to common illnesses, however with so many moms returning to the workforce, most children are weaned by the time they’re 1 year old.

Children also have a habit of exploring the world around them with their mouths and their hands. Anything that comes into contact with their mouth and hands can potentially cause an illness.

The good news is that the more your child is exposed the stronger their immune systems will become, and their ability to fight off infection in the future.

This past fall we’ve all heard about the H1N1 virus.

Now that winter is here, as parents and grandparents we also must recognize symptoms of illness in our children, and know when to take action.

Colds/Cough – Cold and coughs are usually caused by viral infections, thus must be spread by person to person contact, not through the weather alone. Common symptoms of a cold include a stuffy nose, cough, possible sore throat and occasionally a temperature. Colds can become more severe and result in bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections. Signs that a cold is becoming worse and may need medical treatment include green or yellow nasal discharge, fever lasting more than one day or a persistent and wheezy cough.

Flu – The flu is characterized by headaches, chills, muscle aches and a high fever. Respiratory symptoms may also develop, and a feeling of fatigue which may last for several weeks after initial symptoms. The flu is also spread from person to person contact usually with respiratory secretions of someone who is sick. Antibiotics can’t treat the flu.

Recently I heard through Debbie at We Speak Media about how Triaminic, a leader in children’s over-the-counter cold and flu symptom medication, has put together an online Cold & Flu Symptom Tracker, based on data from SDI Fan® (a source used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).  I checked for my state, and Hartford, Connecticut is currently experiencing moderate cases right now.

Triaminic offers a downloadable sick day guideline which can help parents whether to send their child to daycare or school, or whether to keep them at home.

When dispensing medication to children, remember to always read and follow medicine labels exactly, to ensure that the child receives the right dosage. Single-use products like Triaminic Thin Strips® provides a pre-measured dose of medicine that dissolves quickly on the tongue, so parents know their children are receiving the recommended amount for their age.

You can download a free coupon for $1.50 off TriamincThin strips, an easy way to administer cough and cold medicine to your child.

Visit Triaminic.com and to find out the level of cold/flu activity in the city nearest to you.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Toilet Training in Your Future? Ferdinand Uses the Potty – Book Review

Make Potty Training Fun

An Empowering Toilet Training Tale

My grandson, Slugger, is my second grandchild. He’s 17 months old and tries to keep up with his older sister, ‘Lil Moomette who is 3.

As with any second child, Slugger inherited quite a few of his sister’s toys and books, which he enjoys – most of the time.

When I had an opportunity to review Ferdinand uses the Potty, I was delighted.  I think this is just the right book for him to get introduced to potty training.

Most of my readers know I have two grown daughters, and of course, ‘Lil Moomette.  Helping to potty train Slugger will send me into unexplored territory – I don’t have the faintest idea how to potty train a boy.

Fortunately, a short interview with the author, Jay Tucker, explains why this book is a must-have for parents (and grandparents alike!):

Our journey with our son inspired me to write a potty training book called, “Ferdinand Uses the Potty.” The story is about a young frog named Ferdinand who wakes up one morning in a wet bed. He has no idea what caused it, but fortunately, he has a supportive friend who has been there before to offer him encouragement and advice. “Ferdinand Uses the Potty,” is written in rhyme so that children and adults will enjoy one of life’s earliest lessons. The book is illustrated by award winning artist, D.E. West.

The book, part of the Growing With Love Series, is colorful and beautifully illustrated.

Other books from the series include:

• Billy Had to Move

• The “O, My” in Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy – How to Prepare Your Child for Surgery

Put this delightful, humorous book on your list of  “must reads” or as a gift for any mom-to-be, daughter, daughter-in-law, daycare provider, homeschooling mom or friend who will be going through the challenge of potty training in the future!

Publisher: Loving Healing Press
Paperback
Author: Jay Tucker
ISBN: 978-11-932690-82-8
MSP: $13.95

For More Information Visit: Ferdinand the Frog

Related Articles:

• Kidorable Children’s Apparel Review & Giveaway
• Guide to Walt Disney World With Preschoolers: Review and Giveaway
• Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set Giveaway
• Toilet Training in Your Future? Ferdinand Uses the Potty – Book Review
• Disney: Winnie the Pooh A Valentine For You – Special Edition DVD

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Tags: Asian Salad, children, Chili, Chili's Bar and Grill, contest, family dining, food, giveaway, Shout Out to Eat

Sugar Scrubs and More: Sweetly You – Review

January 16, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)  
Filed under Product Reviews, Reviews & Buzz, beauty, health, leisure, lifestyle, shopping

5 Comments

Everything Nice

Ultimate Spa Treatment

I live in New England, and in winter, our furnace is constantly going.  We have gas, forced hot-air heat, which is really drying to your skin.

As much as I say I’m going to try, I don’t seem to be able to get to a spa for a pedicure, massage or facial.  Thus, I’m left to my own devices.  Keeping my skin moisturized is a constant battle, especially now that I’m a Baby Boomer.

Recently I had the opportunity to try some fantastic sugar scrubs from Sweetly You.

After using these scrubs several times in the shower, I feel like a new woman!

Kari and Justin Hoopes, the founders of Sweetly You, live in Cache Valley, Utah and have two toddlers ages 2 and 4.

Sweetly You offers an Essential Sugar Scrub that uses the natural power of Avocado Oil, Bees Wax, JoJoba Beads and raw cane sugar to leave rough, flaky skin touchably soft! Perfect to use during the harsh winter months. A great companion to our luxurious Foaming Bath Butter. Buff some life into your tired skin today!

I tried the Coconut Lime Verbena Essential Sugar Scrub, and matching Premium Body Lotion.  I also tried the Hawaiian Breeze Essential Sugar Scrub.  Talk about aromatherapy!

After locking myself in the shower for a respite, I used a loofah sponge and slathered on the sugar scrub.  Since I wear socks quite frequently (have to keep my tootsies warm!) sometimes it causes my skin to flake around the ankles and leg area.

This sweet-smelling sugar scrub exfoliated all that flaky skin away, and I applied the lotion on over moist skin afterwards!

Sweetly You has Scented Bath and Body products like Premium Lotion, Foaming Bath Butter, Sugar Scrub, Solid Perfume,and Dead Sea Bath Salts. Their unique Scents include Signature scents that are quite similar to those of Bath & Body Works, Victoria®s Secret any other divine scents you can imagine! You can also custom design your own bath and body gift packages.

Sweetly You’s shipping department goals are to keep shipping costs as low as possible for the customer.

Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day is coming up soon – or pick up a gift package for a Mom-to-Be!

For More Information Visit: Sweetly You

Related Articles:

• How Home Staging Can Help Sell Your Home Quicker
• Baby Everywhere: A Book and a Bag Review and Giveaway
• ABC Neckties: Affordable Fashion-Review and Giveaway
• Custom T-Shirts for Women from VistaPrint: Get Ready for your next Fundraiser or Blog Conference!
• Surviving Selling Online Through Better Communication

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Tags: Asian Salad, children, Chili, Chili's Bar and Grill, contest, family dining, food, giveaway, Shout Out to Eat

Disney: Winnie the Pooh A Valentine For You – Special Edition DVD

January 9, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)  
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Product Reviews, Reviews & Buzz, children, family, grandparenting, leisure, lifestyle, parenting, shopping, toddlers

3 Comments

Childrens Classics

New Release from Disney

My daughters grew up reading and watching all the classic Walt Disney movies, and among their favorites was Winnie the Pooh.  We still have one of their original dolls!

As my charming son-in-law is originally from Vermont, my daughter and grandchildren travel up there often to visit his parents.  For Christmas this year, Santa brought a DVD player for the car so that ‘Lil Moomette who’s 3, and Slugger, who’s 17 months, can stay entertained.

I recently had the opportunity to review the DVD, Winnie the Pooh:  A Valentine For You.  This is a Special Edition that was released by Walt Disney on January 5, 2010.

This is such an enchanting video – the animation characters and colorful scenes will hold everyone’s attention!  it’s definitely an totally enjoyable movie that can be watched by the whole family.

Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Rabbit are a tad upset when they find that Christopher Robbin has been bitten by the magical “Smitten,” (which is released from a bottle in the form of a glowing light) and becomes lovesick.  The story progresses along with delightful songs explaining the difference in girls and boys; and what happens when the Love Bug bites.

This special release came with Pooh-themed Valentine cards inside, and includes three Winnie the Pooh stories.

If you’re looking for a special Valentine’s Day gift for your children or grandchildren, this DVD is a delightful classic that they will want to see over and over again!

Sound: Dolby Digital Surround Sound

Language: English, Spanish, French

Related Articles:

• Kidorable Children’s Apparel Review & Giveaway
• Guide to Walt Disney World With Preschoolers: Review and Giveaway
• Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set Giveaway
• Toilet Training in Your Future? Ferdinand Uses the Potty – Book Review
• Disney: Winnie the Pooh A Valentine For You – Special Edition DVD

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Tags: Asian Salad, children, Chili, Chili's Bar and Grill, contest, family dining, food, giveaway, Shout Out to Eat

Telescopic Explosion Mascara By L’Oréal Paris

January 1, 2010 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)  
Filed under Buzz, Reviews & Buzz, beauty, health, leisure, lifestyle, shopping, womens health

Leave a Comment

Because Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Valentine’s Day Beauty Tips

If you’ll be hoping for a little, shiny “bling” and want to put on your best face, here’s a hot tip!

In yet another mascara first, L’Oréal Paris introduces Telescopic Explosion Mascara, the first mascara at mass with a spherical brush and smooth formula to lengthen and separate every little lash. Already a success in Europe, this breakthrough mascara revolutionizes the mascara application process, making it possible to apply from every angle to reach every last lash for a completely fanned-out explosive effect. Truly, size does matter: this small brush yields big lashes!

The Brush:
Telescopic Explosion Mascara offers a unique patented Flexi-Globe Brush that allows you to apply mascara from every direction – vertically, horizontally and even behind lashes. A first from L’Oréal Paris, this breakthrough brush reaches each lash individually, working in all directions for easy, precise, complete coverage.

• Spherical multi-angle brush reaches lashes at the roots to provide coverage along the entire lash

• Adapts to every eye shape, grabbing each lash – even the hard to reach corner lashes – and evenly applies color all over

• Round, it reaches every last lash, root to tip, from every angle

• Small, it reaches even tiny corner and lower lashes

The Formula:
Telescopic Explosion Mascara’s creamy, smooth formula works with the unique patented brush to build quickly, leaving a flexible deposit of color. With highly-blended fine particles, it goes on smooth from root to tip, for an even application that yields big, long lashes.

• Lengthens, thickens and separates every little lash for a fanned-out eye look

• Formula clings to lashes, instantly lengthening and separating

• Formula is made of a soft-wax system of paraffin, jojoba oil and palm oil for soft texture and Pro-Vitamin B5 for lash conditioning

• Outstanding consumer use test results show no clumping, flaking or smudging

Additional Benefits:

• Ophthalmologist and allergy tested

• Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers

• All-day wear

Available in two shades:

• Black

• Blackest Black

Availability:
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Explosion Mascara is available  at www.lorealparis.com and also at Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Bed Bath and Beyond and food and mass market retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $9.49.

Related Articles:

• In Home Spa Treatment: Pamper Yourself
• 3 Tips For Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
• Reading Glasses Shopper – Review and Giveaway
• In Memory of Karissa – Prissy Green
• Telescopic Explosion Mascara By L’Oréal Paris

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Tags: Asian Salad, children, Chili, Chili's Bar and Grill, contest, family dining, food, giveaway, Shout Out to Eat

Winnie The Pooh: A Valentine For You Special Edition DVD – New Release

December 31, 2009 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)  
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Buzz, Reviews & Buzz, children, family, kids, leisure, lifestyle, parenting, toddlers, toys

5 Comments

New Release

For Immediate Release

WINNIE THE POOH:

A VALENTINE FOR YOU SPECIAL EDITION

“Catch the Love Bug” with Winnie the Pooh and Friends in This Special Edition

DVD January 5, 2010

–Three Winnie the Pooh Stories Including a New-To-DVD Adventure and Pooh-themed

Valentines Day Cards–

BURBANK, Calif., October 2, 2009 – On January 5, Disney DVD will release the beloved and heartwarming classic, Winnie the Pooh: a Valentine for You Special Edition. This Valentine themed animated collection features three Winnie the Pooh stories including a new-to-DVD adventure (“My Hero) a fun bonus feature (“Catch the Love Bug” game), Pooh-themed Valentines cards inside each DVD plus all features from the original.

In Un-Valentines Day, it’s that warm and wonderful time when Pooh and his pals like to show how much they care. But Rabbit wants to cancel Valentine’s Day because last year, he was up to his ears in the flood of cards that littered the Hundred Acre Wood. Reluctantly, everyone agrees — until someone anonymously sends Pooh a pot of honey. Suddenly, the Valentine rush is again out of control, much to the delight of all — including Rabbit. In A Valentine for You, Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Rabbit see Christopher Robin making a valentine for a girl and find he’s been bitten by a

“Smitten” and is lovesick. Worried that he’ll no longer have time for them, and hoping a second bite from the love bug will cure him, they set out on a wild adventure to capture the Smitten. My Hero is a new-to-DVD adventure that shows the lesson of two friends truly helping each other. When Piglet saves Tigger’s life, Tigger decides to repay the favor by being Piglet’s servant. But Tigger’s new job causes Piglet more harm than good. When Tigger saves Piglet’s life, his obligation to be the servant is erased and all is back to normal.

BONUS FEATURES

*”Catch the Love Bug Game” – Flying “Love Bugs” are on the loose in the Hundred Acre Wood and it’s up to the viewer to catch as many as possible

*Pooh-themed Valentine’s Day cards

Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You Special Edition is available for U.S. $29.99 (SRP), Canada $35.99 (SRP) from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

STREET DATE: January 5, 2009

Direct prebook: November 10, 2009

Distributor prebook: November 24, 2009

Suggested retail price: $29.99 US; $35.99 Canada

Rated: TV-Y

Run time: 60 minutes

DVD aspect ratio: Full screen (1:33:1)

Sound: Dolby Digital Surround Sound

Language: English, Spanish, French

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc and electronic distribution.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is a division of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

These press materials are available in electronic form at www.WDSHEpublicity.com

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Inc.

# # #

Related Articles:

• Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set Giveaway
• Valentine’s Day Giveaway at Skin MD Natural
• Winnie The Pooh: A Valentine For You Special Edition DVD – New Release
• Join the Carolers and Win: Carol-Oke and Help Toys for Tots
• Circus Ring from Playmobil

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Tags: Asian Salad, children, Chili, Chili's Bar and Grill, contest, family dining, food, giveaway, Shout Out to Eat

Next Page »