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Fat Is The New 30 by The Sweet Potato Queen #Giveaway

March 27, 2012 By

“Life isn’t always perfect.  In fact, sometimes it is downright crappy. But when things start going South (no pun intended) you can always lean on the Queen.  The Sweet Potato Queen that is.”

Jill Conner Browne is back with her ninth book in The Sweet Potato Queen’s Series.  Fat Is The New 30 – The Sweet Potato Queen’s Guide to Coping with (the crappy parts of) Life is one of the most hysterical books I have ever read.  Chock full of - what I would call - very useful advice, Jill tackles some of the crappiest life topics  many of us have had to overcome.

Jill expounds on the (non-existent) perfect mother, also known as the Mom I’d Love to Meet (M.I.L.M), those poor PPJTSTTs (Pitiful People Just Trying to Survive Their Teenager), and why spa time should be considered a life necessity with legislation introduced to provide it. In the chapter, “All We Need is Love and Maybe a Dyson” Jill reminds readers why four-legged friends are the answer for most problems. “Life is hard on a good day. It‘s just not safe to be dog-free.” And the section “Etiquette for Recessions / Depressions / Inflations,” is a must-read for all of us who feel like we “got next-to-no money, no prospects for gettin‘ any and what little we do have won‘t buy much any more.” Jill’s most poignant piece, the essay on caring for her dying mother with grace and humor, might just be the crown jewel of the collection.

The best part about this book for me is that I can totally see one of my crazy Aunts or Grandmothers giving this very same advice.   Since all of my family is from the South, advice like “Nobody can argue with nonsense” and “Good grief go put some lipstick on” is actually almost common place.   All followed with a good dose of “Bless her heart” of course.

I have not finished reading the entire book, because I mostly read at night and since this book will literally make you laugh out loud, I have had to put it down a few times for fear of waking the entire house.     I loved it so much though, that I have downloaded the other books to my Kindle already to read as well.  I had not heard of The Sweet Potato Queen before this, but you can bet I am singing her praises – and sharing her advice.   The “Divorce Vows” are not only one of the funniest things I have ever read, but should be spread among every divorced – or in process divorcees – women across the Globe.

Fat Is The New 30 is chock-full of advice on living—even when life is kind of crappy—from a woman who herownself, really does. Bless her sparkly little heart.

GIVEAWAY:

I am very excited to be able to offer THREE of my readers their very own copy of Fat Is The New 30 – The Sweet Potato Queen’s Guide to Coping with (the crappy parts of) Life.

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Comment below telling me one tip for how you deal with or have overcome some “crappy” parts of life.

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 copy of Fat Is The New 30 – by The Sweet Potato Queen from @moscatomom http://wp.me/p1FWxe-15U Ends 4/10 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 April 10th, 2012.


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Walmart Makes Christmas Cards Easy

December 5, 2011 By 1 Comment

A few months ago my neighbor called me over to check out a “photo collage” she had made at Walmart.com.  Because her Mother In Law lives overseas, she had created a full poster size collage with pictures of her family from the last year.   She had no idea she was creating a monster.

Walmart.com has an entire Photo “section” where you can upload your own pictures for cards, ornaments, posters, and even blankets all year round.    Some of the items have to be shipped and arrive in just a few days, while others – like my Christmas Cards this year – are ready in about an hour at your local Walmart Store.

Since it was on my “Life List” to get Christmas Cards done this year, I logged on to Walmart.com on December 1st and started surfing.   I had the worst time choosing which Christmas Card to use – as I knew I wanted to use a bunch of pictures, since we are a family of four plus three dogs… although I did include Sly on the card this year even though he passed just last month.  It didnt feel right yet to leave him off of it.

Once I finally settled on which card, I added all eight of our names, and chose the one hour processing option to pick up at our local store.  I was able to pay by Paypal so I felt secure, and even set up to receive a text message for when my order was ready.

I was super impressed at how they turned out – and at the PRICE!  These were only $.44 a piece – INCLUDING the envelopes!   And I loved being able to pick them up and get them in the mail right away.

It’s December 5th and for the first time EVER I have mailed all of my Christmas Cards to my loved ones, thanks to Walmart.com.  I know if I had had to go get cards, make them out, blah blah I never would have – and I wouldnt have been as proud of some store bought card as I am of these with pictures of my family.

I got a bunch of other stuff too, and even uploaded some images that I created with my Creative Memories Storybook Creator Software and picked up at the same time!  Now all I need is a frame and voila!   I cant show pictures of those yet of course, but I ighly recommend checking out everything you can do at Walmart.com.

PS – I wasnt compensated for this post at all – I just LOVE my Christmas Cards.  Strike another one of my Life List!


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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.


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“Recipes For Life” by Linda Evans *Giveaway*

October 17, 2011 By

When I was a young girl I remember sitting and watching Dynasty with my grandmother.  Linda Evans played Krystle Carrington, in a role that would win her five Golden Globe nominations, a Golden Globe in in 1982, five People’s Choice Awards, and an Emmy nomination.  I remember sneaking into the bathroom trying to fix my hair like hers - wondering how she got such perfectly whispy bangs.

I knew Linda Evans only as Krystle, the beautiful, young oil tycoon’s wife; handling fear and stress with a fierce grace and elegance.  She was even known to hand out a few slaps when necessary…but Alexis deserved them!

In her new book, Recipes for Life, Linda opens up about her life, loves, work, and other “ingredients” that have made her the woman she is today.

“Linda has joyously combined her two passions in life – people and food – into a mouth watering memoir.  And just like the lady herself, it’s Delicious!” ~ Kathie Lee Gifford, TV Personality and New York Times Best Selling Author

I had the pleasure of checking out an advance copy of Recipes for Life and I am not sure which I enjoyed more – the humorous and heartwarming stories of her life, or the amazing recipes that accompany her stories.  The “Lose Your Figure Potatoes with Cheese and Garlic” sound absolutely amazing, and will be making a debut on our Thanksgiving Table this year for sure!

You can see an excerpt of the book, along with the recipe for the “Lose Your Figure Potatoes“  here.

Recipes for Life  includes 40 of her favorite recipes that she has collected from world renowned chefs, celebrities, and friends.  You will also see more than 75 photos – most of which are from her own personal collection, not that of a hired photographer.   From the heartbreak of losing her father when she was just 15 to the high profile romances in the public eye, Recipes for Life has it all.

“entertaining … a madcap fairy tale filled with magical moments, romantic adventures, friendships with the rich and famous, and personal challenges … with applications far beyond Hollywood and the kitchen.” ~Publishers Weekly

I really enjoyed this book and getting to see a more personal side of Linda Evans, someone I grew up admiring so much as a child.   I am excited to order the book now that it is available (released October 11th!)  for my Grandmother for a Christmas gift.   I know she will enjoy this book just as much as I did!

Now for the Giveaway!

BUY: You can purchase Recipes for Life, My Memories by Linda Evans from Vanguard Press Books.

GIVEAWAY: THREE lucky readers will win their own copy of Recipes for Life, My Memories by Linda Evans.

MANDATORY ENTRY: To enter, subscribe to MoscatoMom via the subscribe button on the right sidebar.

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 copy of Recipes for Life, Linda Evans Memoirs http://wp.me/p1FWxe-Fj Ends 10/31 US Only #giveaway“
  • “Like” Linda Evans on her Official Facebook Page {1 extra entry}
  • 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, October, 31, 2011.

Disclosure:  I received an advance readers copy of Recipes For Life.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions are 100% mine.


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Response Able : The Book For a Better Life

October 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Making A Difference In Life By Becoming Part Of The Solution Not The Problem

San Antonio, TX, September 29, 2011 – The key to any significant transformation, according to Hagee, is a refusal of the sense of entitlement often associated with Gen-Y and Millennials. Instead, Hagee argues that readers should embrace self-reliance and acknowledge the individual’s God-given ability to respond in a positive manner, regardless of the circumstances.

“One of the most valuable lessons my father taught me was to focus on what I can do, rather than what I cannot,” says Hagee. “If your life is on a course that you would indeed like to change, you can change it. No matter what.”

Matthew Hagee, the son of global evangelist John Hagee, serves as Executive Pastor of the 20-thousand member Cornerstone Church founded by his father in San Antonio, Texas. The elder Hagee launched the church more than three decades ago, growing it into one of the most influential and charismatic Christian communities in the country. The companion TV ministry now reaches almost 100 million homes in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa and New Zealand.  Matthew Hagee, the heir-apparent to the church and TV ministry, uses many lessons taught by his father as the framework of Response Able.

With some parents working two jobs or both parents working more than 40 hours a week, Hagee wants to help parents break the cycle of shrinking family time in America. To do this, he has issued a provocative challenge to the parents in his flock. He calls it the 707 Challenge and he wants parents to sign up for this ongoing campaign that requires moms and dads to commit to spending at least seventy minutes per day with their children, seven days a week, for seventy days.

“The time has come for this generation to take responsibility for tomorrow,” says Hagee, “and the response begins with you.”

Hagee’s book offers faith-based insight and guidance on initiating powerful change in personal, social, financial, educational and political arenas. Hagee bases his premise on a conviction that principle should be the compass by which to guide one’s life, and not passion.

“Principles are powerful,” says Hagee. “They will make men out of boys and instill a foundation in future generations that cannot be shaken.”

Other foundational concepts offered in the book include:

Responsible people submit to authority, namely God

Declare war on the status quo

Invest in others, primarily children

Patience rewarded

Gratitude

The joy of giving

And many more concepts chiseled into his character by his father’s loving guidance. For more information on this remarkable man and his new book, visit: www.response-ablethebook.org.