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“Sweet Farts” Series Book Review and Giveaway

May 18, 2012 By 8 Comments

My Tween is addicted to reading.  Literally.  When she got in trouble at school I took her phone away – which she promptly shrugged off.  I took her computer away – no response.  I took her iPod away.  Nothing.  I took her Kindle…. the child went from a 77 in Math to a 95. I’d say that’s a win.

When I was asked about doing a review and giveaway for Sweet Farts – a new series by Raymond Bean – I asked the Tween who happily obliged.  I was after all, feeding her addiction even after than big glaring “C” on her report card.

Someone has been farting up a storm at school and everyone thinks Keith Emerson is to blame. Unfortunately for Keith, it has earned him the nickname “S.B.D.” (silent but deadly). To make matters worse, Keith’s dad is a self-proclaimed “Fart Machine” who really stinks it up at home. With the science fair quickly approaching, Keith decides he has had enough. He comes up with a science fair project idea to turn the foul smell of human gas into something sweet smelling. The idea lands him in the principal’s office, and in big trouble with his mom. With the help of his little sister Emma, his dad, his crazy grandma, and Benjamin Franklin (great American scientist), Keith will attempt to make the greatest scientific discovery of all time, the cure for the common fart.

Even my “girly girl” thought the Sweet Farts books were hysterical.   It did not take her long to read all three, and I even caught her sneaking the first one to school as apparently she was already lending it to her best friend Sarah.  She says they are not crude like the title lead me to believe and are instead funny and even somewhat educational.  “It has a bunch of Science in it, Mom.”  I’ll take her word for it.

The Sweet Farts books have been huge sellers though – constantly landing on the Top 100 Childrens Books list at Amazon.  In fact Raymond Bean has recently produced versions for Germany and Korea with other countries in the works.  Honestly I think anything that gets children to fall in love with reading is a huge win in my book…. even if Sweetening Farts is the subject matter.

GIVEAWAY

I am excited to give one of my lucky readers the 3-book set of Sweet Farts from Raymond Bean.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Clearly Fresh Bags Review & Giveaway

January 26, 2012 By

Photo Credit: www.ClearlyFreshBags.com

Sooo … you wanna know the not-so-great part about Eating Clean?   Trying to keep all those fruits and veggies fresh and tasting great more than a few days.     I do not like to go to the store more than once a week if I can help it, and my favorites like bananas, strawberries, and lettuce go funky after 2-3 days… leaving the rest of the week with nothing really “fresh.”   I have tried a couple bags from the store that claim to extend the life of foods with absolutely no luck, so I was a bit skeptical when I was offered a free package of Clearly Fresh Bags to review.

Clearly Fresh® bags are large clear zip bags (12” X 14”), with a breathable 3 inch square membrane on one side. Each pack contains 10 bags. These bags enable you to keep your fruits and vegetables fresher longer for less waste and more savings. Its large size, allows you to store an entire bunch of bananas or a whole head of lettuce with room to spare. PLUS the bags are re-closeable and recyclable.

My new favorite snack since beginning to Eat Clean has been avocados with Season Salt on them – sliced up like an apple.  They are FANTASTIC.  However… avocados are huge.  I can never eat an entire one in one sitting, so I am always putting a half back into the fridge.   Usually by the next day, the leftover avocado has gotten mushy (I like them really firm) and has these reddish brown lines in them.  I was SO impressed to see that two days after putting my avocado into the fridge in a Clearly Fresh Bag, it looked as fresh as the other half had been – just like that picture above shows!

I also used them for my bananas – which Mike likes really firm.. almost still green.   The Clearly Fresh Bags website says you can keep bananas fresh for up to nine days – well mine didnt last that long before they were eaten, but Mike normally doesn’t eat them past the first day since they ripen so fast, and he snacked on them until they were gone this time.

What makes Clearly Fresh bags unique is the use of BreatheWay technology. BreatheWay allows fresh fruits and vegetables to create their own ideal atmospheres for natural storage life extension. Simply place fresh produce items in the Clearly Fresh bag when returning from grocery shopping & store in your standard fashion (i.e.: lettuce in the refrigerator, bananas on the counter).

I am very impressed with the Clearly Fresh Bags and will be getting more to help keep my food fresh.    I am excited to offer three packages away to my readers, so you can check out first hand how long you can keep your fruits and veggies fresh!

Giveaway:

I am excited to offer three readers of MoscatoMom.com a package of ten Clearly Fresh Bags!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Comment below telling me your favorite fruit or veggie snack that you would put in the Clearly Fresh Bags if you win them!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

  • Follow MoscatoMom on Twitter {2 extra entries}
  • Tweet about giveaway {up to 3 times per day 1 extra entry each tweet} –
    “Win a pkg of ten #ClearlyFreshBags from @moscatomom #food #storage #eatclean http://wp.me/p1FWxe-U7 Ends 2/9 US Only #giveaway“
  • Follow me on Stumble Upon and stumble this post {1 extra entry}
  • Comment on another post on MoscatoMom.com {2 extra entries}
  • Become a “Fan” of Clearly Fresh Bags on Facebook

Make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry to get credit!! Contest ends February 9, 2012.

Disclaimer: I received a package of ten Clearly Fresh Bags for the purpose of this review and no other compensation was received.  All opinions and thoughts are 100% my own.

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JumpStart 3D Online World Giveaway

December 7, 2011 By

My girls are as crazy about technology as I am – each sporting iPods, a cell phone, Kindles, and even their own computers.   But when it comes to the internet I am super strict about what I will allow them to see or play.    Lately Taylor has gotten bored with what I have allowed and says it is “too baby” for her….  *sigh* 

I was excited to find JumpStart has a 3D Online World which can be played online, but that with a membership you can also download thousands of other games to your computer to play whenever you want!  (Oh how I wish I had this for those long drives we have taken lately!!)   We have been fans of JumpStart for years with their computer games and iPad/iPhones apps so I knew she would love getting to play online.

JumpStart is a magical online world packed with friends, games and adventures! From training dragons to exploring lost islands, JumpStart.com includes thousands of games and activities for kids ages 3-12. But what really sets JumpStart apart is our commitment to education. We believe that learning should be an adventure, not a chore. That’s why the games at JumpStart.com are specially designed to make math, reading and critical thinking fun! After all, there’s no stopping a kid with a JumpStart!

The first thing we got to do when we logged in was create our own avatar – which we named Taylor GoldenTurtle.  (she LOVED that!)  We probably spent 20 minutes just laughing putting on different hair styles and hats.   She liked that she could style it herself and I liked that she didnt have to choose a screen name!  On another site we must have spent 30 minutes trying “names” until we got one that was available. SO annoying! 

It took a bit to get used to the arrow keys moving “Taylor” around, but once she got the hang of it she was zipping around like crazy, playing games, “talking” to the other players, and performing tasks to advance levels.  She also made me a few “Masterpieces” in the Art Gallery, which she said was her “favorite part.”

As a Mom I am excited to find something that I can feel 100% confident with her playing.  JumpStart is not only an educational software, but the game is actually played in a “safe browser” so you do not have to worry about advertisements or pop ups leading your child off to another site.

Over the past 20 years, the JumpStart brand has earned the trust of over 30 million parents by providing safe, age-appropriate games for kids. JumpStart.com is no exception. Our parental controls, canned chat and pre-programmed names ensure that kids are completely safe and cannot share any personal information.

Taylor played on JumpStart for hours, and has asked to get online with it every day since.  With so many things to explore in the 3d World I am sure she will be playing this one a very long time.

GIVEAWAY:

I am very excited to be able to offer one of my readers a free 3 month membership to JumpStart 3D Online World. 

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Comment below telling me who you would like to win this for.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

  • Follow MoscatoMom on Twitter {2 extra entries}
  • Tweet about giveaway {up to 3 times per day 1 extra entry each tweet} –
    “Win a 3 month membership to #JumpStart from @moscatomom http://wp.me/p1FWxe-Nb Ends 12/21 US Only #giveaway“
  • Follow me on Stumble Upon and stumble this post {1 extra entry}
  • Comment on another post on MoscatoMom.com {2 extra entries}

Make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry to get credit!! Contest ends December 21, 2011.


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GIANTmicrobes – Who Knew Germs Could Be So CUTE!?!

November 9, 2011 By

What IS a GIANTmicrobe?

GIANTmicrobes was founded in 2002, by Drew Oliver, a father of 2 and the mission  at GiantMicrobes Inc. is to produce unique and interesting gifts for children and adults alike. Whether your interest is educational, medical, or just plain old entertainment, they are  your number one source for all things microbial.  GiantMicrobes are “giant” versions of all kinds of germs, bacteria, and microscopic critters.   From Salmonella to Strep Throat each GiantMicrobe is… well, so ugly its cute!

GiantMicrobes come in a variety of sizes, with over 75+ to choose from!  They even have Christmas Boxes – with smaller GiantMicrobes all dressed up for the season.

NEW! Christmas Stocking Box includes:
Penicillin, Salmonella, Red Blood Cell, Dust Mite and limited edition Green Amoeba! Festively adorned with decorative puffs, embroidered holly, snowflakes, reindeer nose and antlers, and cute scarf and ear muffs!

The girls both went bananas over these little guys, and I have had to fight to keep them from toting them to school to show off to their friends.  The Tween headed straight for Google and pulled up the real images of the microorganisms, and we were all impressed with just how much they really do look alike… minus the ear muffs and scarves of course.

GiantMicrobes are such a funny and unique gift for anyone this holiday season. You can purchase GIANTmicrobes directly from their website. Most microbes come in 3 different sizes the Original $8.95 (5-7″ plush doll), the Petri Dish $12.95 (3 mini microbes), and GIGANTICmicrobe $29.99 (15-20″ plush doll).  They also have nine new Vinyl Figure Microbes!

GIVEAWAY:

I am very excited to be able to offer one of my readers their choice of one of the GiantMicrobes below:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Visit the GiantMicrobes Site and comment below telling me which GiantMicrobe you would order if you win!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

  • Follow MoscatoMom on Twitter {2 extra entries}
  • Tweet about giveaway {up to 3 times per day 1 extra entry each tweet} –
    “Win a GiantMicrobe Plush Toy from @moscatomom and @GIANTmicrobes http://wp.me/p1FWxe-Jf Ends 11/23 US Only #giveaway“
  • “Like” GiantMicrobes on their Official Facebook Page {2 extra entries}
  • Follow GiantMicrobes on Twitter. {2 extra entries}
  • Follow me on Stumble Upon and stumble this post {1 extra entry}
  • Comment on another post on MoscatoMom.com {2 extra entries}

Make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry to get credit!! Contest ends Wednesday, November 23, 2011.


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Itty Bitty HeartBeats *Giveaway*

October 18, 2011 By

As a mom of two daughters I am always on the lookout for toys and entertainment that I can feel good about letting my girls watch.  Unfortunately most “kids shows” these days are filled with messages and innuendos that seem more appropriate for adults that children.   And don’t get me started on the music   Yes, I admit it.  I am that Mom.

I discovered Itty Bitty HeartBeats through a Blogger friend of mine and had to check it out.  Well, actually – I put it to the test by setting the Toddler up with it… and this is how she sat… silently…. for over an hour until I MADE her give it up.

Itty Bitty HeartBeats is an Award-Winning web based animated series geared for children ages 2-6.   Focusing on valuable life lessons, the Itty Bitty HeartBeats take your kids on fun adventures all around Heartland – with songs that wont send you screaming for the door.

“Through humor, friendship, and original songs, the Itty Bitty HeartBeats help children solve problems and do things “from the heart.”

The Itty Bitty HeartBeats emphasize three core values:

  •  Living a healthy, nutritious lifestyle
  • Having a healthy heart, both physically and emotionally
  • Teaching positive life lessons

I also love how they stress the importance of positive thinking, something I am a very strong believer of and feel many kids struggle with even at a young age, especially when they are exposed to so much negativity in the media.   I work with my girls daily on always finding the “silver lining” in things, and teach them to assume the best about people, not the worst.  It was nice to find a kids tv show that went along with my beliefs.

According to the National Association of School Psycholologists, during “these times of upheaval, uncertainty and stress,” we must teach each children “to be peaceful and loving to himself and others…The more loving, peaceful, calming and spiritual you can make your children’s environment…the more empowered, joyful, mentally healthy and hopeful your child will become.”

You can view the entire series online on their website, and they even offer all kinds of toys, clothing, and home accessories in their Itty Bitty HeartBeats Shop!   I let Santa know about the nightlight for the Toddlers stocking.

GIVEAWAY:

I am very excited to be able to offer one of my readers an Itty Bitty HeartBeats Prize Pack including a DVD, stickers, and a plush doll of one of the Itty Bitty HeartBeats characters!   This is the perfect gift for any child in your life – and just in time for the holidays!

MANDATORY ENTRY: To enter, visit the Itty Bitty HeartBeats website and come back and comment which Itty Bitty HeartBeats Character is your favorite!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

  • Follow MoscatoMom on Twitter {2 extra entries}
  • Tweet about giveaway {up to 3 times per day 1 extra entry each tweet} –
    “Win an Itty Bitty HeartBeats #Childrens PrizePack from @moscatomom http://wp.me/p1FWxe-FG Ends 11/1 US Only #giveaway“
  • “Like” Itty Bitty HeartBeats on their Official Facebook Page {2 extra entries}
  • Follow me on Stumble Upon and stumble this post {1 extra entry}
  • Comment on another post on MoscatoMom.com {2 extra entries}

Make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry to get credit!! Contest ends Monday, November 1, 2011.