Sunshine and Sippy Cups — Page 198 — Smart Solutions for Busy Moms!

Super Simple Meal Options for Super Busy Moms!

Are you a Super Busy Mom?

I am a busy mom. Like, super, duper, uber busy. I’m also trying to be a healthy mom. A mom who finally loses the baby weight – from the baby that I had a year and a half ago. {Everyone started out saying, “Don’t worry about it – It takes 9 months to put the weight on, give it 9 months to take it off too.” Then, it turned into, “Oh, most women lose the baby weight by baby’s first birthday.” Now, there is no excuse. Do I call it toddler-tummy? How long can I call it “baby weight”….} Anyway, like I was saying – I am always looking for new products that solve a problem in my life. So when I heard that Healthy Choice had a new line-up of Café Steamers that were inspired by the amazingly mouthwatering recipes from Top Chef – I knew I had to check ’em out.

Does that look totally delicious, or what?

We tried several of these new steamy and delicious meals – And while it’s hard to choose… this Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Vinaigrette Sauce has got to be my favorite! The texture of the noodles and the chicken were seriously perfect, the veggies were crisp, and the flavor of the sauce combined them all into a super delicious meal! Want to know why they’re so good? A few facts…

The unique steaming technology separates the sauce from the rest of the entrée to steam the meal in the microwave, allowing for crisp vegetables, tender meats and al dente pastas.
The line of great-tasting dishes features quality ingredients such as slow roasted garlic, asparagus and grilled eggplant.

And all of this at an affordable price, too! The meals are starting to appear in grocery stores nationwide right now – Look for the Top Chef Marking on the package. They sell for a suggested retail price of $2.75 – $3.50, which is waaaaay cheaper than going out for fast food, and way healthier too.

Check out Healthy Choice Top Chef Inspired Café Steamers Today!

These meals are so good, and such a life-saver. You’ll definitely want to stock up on a bunch of them, so you always have an easy, tasty, yummy dinner option, even on the busiest of days! And make sure to print the $1 Off Café Steamers Coupon – from the Healthy Choice website too. These meals are so quick and simple, but they’ll leave you feeling like you made time for a “real” meal. I like to sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on the top, and pair them with an easy salad, and maybe even a glace of wine. The exclusive new line includes eight delicious options – here are a few of my other personal favorites:

Barbeque Seasoned Steak with Red Potatoes
Chicken Fresca with Chardonnay
Chicken Linguini with Red Pepper Alfredo
Roasted Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms

Learn more:

Check out the other Healthy Choice products, and see some of your favorite moments from Top Chef!

You can also find Healthy Choice on Facebook and Twitter – where you can stay updated on new products and promotions!

{I received complimentary Healthy Choice meals to sample for this review – Hey, I can’t tell you about them if I haven’t tried them, right? But all options on the deliciousness of these Healthy Choice meals is totally honest and 100% my own, as always.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 29, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

HUGE Mompact Gift Basket Giveaway!!

As a Mompact Independent Consultant, I’m excited to be able to partner with them to bring you this great giveaway filled with some of Mompact’s best products! One lucky winner will get to choose between the Boutique Baby Shower Basket or the Kids Collections Basket. Win it to give as a gift, or keep it for yourself – it’ll be a tough choice. Winner will be selected on December 21st in time for Christmas Shipping!! Super exciting, right?

What is Mompact?

Mompact is all about supporting moms in business, and in daily life. All of the products you’ll find here are mom-invented, and solve some of the challenges we all face in our super busy daily lives. You know how much I love finding new “Busy Mom Solution” products to share with you guys – and some of the very best can be found on Mompact.com!

Boutique Baby Shower Gift Basket: You can purchase this amazing basket on Mompact.com – it would be a perfect gift for any new moms on your shopping list this Christmas! It retails for $99.95, and includes some of my favorite products – The super adorable Storytime PJ’s, packaged with a matching bedtime book, the HIPPMama Tool Belt, a Hot Joe Jacket to drink your morning latte in style, and more! And it’s all packaged beautifully in a gold basket, wrapped in organza, and tied up with a bow.

Kids Collection Gift Basket: Another super fun basket that is also available on Mompact.com this holiday season – This is a super fun family gift basket idea! It includes a ton of great products – The I Like Book, {one of my absolute favorites, hands down!} the super popular Kidzikoo Sippy Insulator, the Twooth Timer, Crayon Bungee, and loads more! Just like the Boutique Baby Basket, it’s packaged up pretty in a gold basket, wrapped in gold organza, and topped off with a festive red bow!

Shop Mompact This Week for big savings!!

25% off all gift items in the “Featured Collection” – includes the baskets and items on first page of shop site. Use code: HOLIDAYGIFT25

Win the basket of YOUR choice!!

Use the easy peasy Rafflecopter entry form to get your entry in today! And don’t forget to check out the amazing selection of high quality products for moms, kids, and babies – and save an extra 25% off all week. Happy Holidays – and Good Luck!

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 29, 2011 Filed Under: Giveaways | 2 Comments

How to Keep Your Fridge Clean and Organized

The kitchen is the one of busiest rooms in the house – which means it can also be the toughest to keep clean. And one of the biggest challenges in the kitchen during the holidays is the refrigerator – Between holiday baking, parties, and leftovers – that fridge is probably pretty overflowing! And since for many families food plays a pretty central role in celebrating the season, you definitely want your fridge to be ready – so you can keep your food fresh, your leftovers organized, and find everything else you need in a hurry. Watch this great video for a few tips…

Busy Mom Solution: Tips for your Fridge!

This video shares some great basic tips {can’t see the video? Watch it on YouTube} – and here are a few more of my favorites:

Get into a habit of cleaning the fridge each week before grocery shopping – that’s when it’s the emptiest, making it easiest to clean out! {I love those canisters of kitchen wipes – makes clean-up easy peasy!}
Speaking of clean-up: A few easy tips can help keep the mess to a minimum – Line your drawers with paper towels, to make it easy to clean them out each week. Always remember to wipe off bottles and containers before putting them back on the shelf. And always wipe up a spill when it happens – if you let it set, it’ll be twice as much work when you come back to it!
Use storage containers to hold similar items. Just like you keep all of the veggies together in the crisper drawer, or store all of your condiments on the same shelf, you can use clear storage containers to hold kids juice pouches, yogurts, string cheese, etc. This keeps things neat and tidy, and super easy to find!
Label those leftovers!! This is extra important at this busy time of year. We use a roll of white tape and a marker – When I’m cleaning up after a party, I put a strip of tape on each container, and write the date on it. Then everyone knows at a glance what’s still safe to eat.
Keep your fridge fresh! With the fridge getting such a workout during the holidays, it can be a challenge keeping it fresh – but you don’t want your guests reaching into a stinky fridge when they are grabbing drinks! That brings us to my next Busy Mom Solution Product – The Oransi Ionic Fridge Air Purifier! Keep reading to learn more, and get a chance to win your own…

The Oransi Ionic Fridge Air Purifier!

Why do you totally need one of these? Well, it gets rid of odors and bacteria to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh, and your food even fresher! It’s super affordable, fits easily into even the most crowded fridge, and is just plain cool. Read more…

Top 5 Reasons I LOVE the Oransi in my fridge!

It’s super easy to use. Even my mom, who still can’t figure out that darn VCR, figured out how to put batteries in this gadget and get it turned on and working.
It’s affordable – there are no filters to replace, and it runs on two AA batteries that only need to be changed a few times a year.
It works great! I live in a full house, with a bunch of extended family. So, I have two men, and two boys ages 5 and 8, in addition to myself, Abby, and my mother. Boys are messy and stinky – it’s a true fact. And they do NOT clean out the fridge. Ever. There is a totally noticeable difference in the freshness of the fridge now that I’m using the Oransi purifier – and that impresses me. A lot.
It’s smart! It’s super high-tech – read this, “Patented Piezo-electric technology allows for a high negative ion output to freshen your refrigerator without the harmful side effects of ozone that is found in standard ionizers.” – Sounds cool, right?
It’s got a great design! I love the look of this little gadget – very clean and modern, and totally fits into my super crowded fridge easily. Love it. When people see it, they ask “What is THAT?” – in an impressed and inquisitive type of voice, because they think it’s cool.

Overview…

A totally affordable gadget that is easy to use, works great, keeps my fridge and food fresh, and makes people think I’m just a little bit cooler when they see it in use? Awesome, right?

You can learn more about the Fridge Air Purifier, and all of the other cool Oransi products on their website.
Purchase the Oransi Ionic Fridge Air Purifier today on sale! Save $10 off the regular price – Get it for only $29.99 plus FREE shipping!

Win One for Your Kitchen!!

~~Use the easy peasy Rafflecopter Form to enter to WIN your own Oransi Fridge Purifier – and make sure to come back each day for the daily BONUS entries!! Good luck!!~~

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 29, 2011 Filed Under: Giveaways | 38 Comments

Busy Mom Solution: Switch your Sippy Cups from Plastic to Stainless Steel

The Challenge:

As moms, we want the best for our kids. That means the healthiest foods, the best new educational toys, and the safest products available. I’m sure you’ve heard the scary reports in the news about the potential dangers of the BPA that’s in many common plastic kids items – but maybe you’re not sure what your other options are. I mean, most sippy cups are plastic, the water bottles you buy at the mini-mart are plastic, and so many kids sports bottles are plastic too. Where do you find better products to switch to? That’s where Kid Basix come to the rescue!

Why Kid Basix is a great Busy Mom Solution:

“At Kid Basix, we started a revolution when we rethought the sippy cup and created the Safe Sippy™ no-spill bottle from clean, non-leaching stainless steel. But while BPA-free products are still important to parents, the world is changing. Safety, value, the environment – they are all important now. And Kid Basix will continue to be at the forefront of that conversation as we !rethink: EVERYTHING.”

7 Reasons we LOVE Kid Basix:

There is something for everyone! Kid Basix has the Safe Starter for babies from 0-6 months, the Safe Sippy and Safe Sippy2 for toddlers, and the Safe Sporter bottles for athletic kiddo’s ages 4 and up.
They are safe! You can read more about the possible dangers in kids plastic products, and why stainless steel is such a great option. A few important facts – Stainless steel oes not interact with the foods and fluids it comes into contact with; meaning that what you put into the container is exactly what you get out of it, no chemicals. Plus, it’s one of the most recycled materials on the planet, making it a great “green” choice.
They are fun! The Safe Sippy2 that we received to try out is Abby’s new favorite cup. It’s easy and comfortable for her to hold, and it’s cute as can be! Everywhere that we go, people ask us where we got it – most people aren’t aware that you can get stainless steel sippy cups.
They are convenient! I love that the Safe Sippy2 comes with a lid that snaps on secure – so that I can throw this in the diaper bag – and no leaks! And, because it’s stainless steel like my own favorite water bottles, it keeps drinks super cold. The outer sleeve helps keep little fingers from getting too cold when holding the bottle – and helps to keep it cold longer too!
They are easy to clean! The Kid Basix products are all dishwasher safe – I’d recommend using the top rack – and remove the small parts first. {Great tip: Pick up a Munchkin Dishwasher Basket for less than $5 bucks – makes it SO much easier to clean all of those little parts in the dishwasher!} You don’t even have to take the outer sleeve off – but you probably will want to remove it once in awhile, just to clean inside of it. {Toddlers get sticky stuff in the most amazing places, lol.}
They are budget-friendly! The Safe Sippy2 comes with a straw adapter – so when your little one is ready to upgrade to a straw-style “Big Kid” cup, you don’t have to run out and buy a new one.
They are parent invented! “Our founder created The Safe Sippy cup because he knows how dangerous plastics are, and it drove him crazy that he was giving his two year old son water every morning in a cup made from toxic chemicals.”

Where to buy Kid Basix:

Learn more about the great line of Kid Basix products on their website, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on cool new products and promotions, like their weekly weekly Fab Friday discount of 20% off select products from their website!!

You can order any of the amazing products from Kid Basix on their site, or find them on Amazon if you’re like me, and use your Swagbucks for Free Amazon Credits….

The Safe Starter by Kid Basix – Ages 0-6 months.

The Safe Sippy 2 – The one we have!

The Safe Sporter Bottle – Great for big kids.

Already a big fan of Kid Basix products?

Then be sure to leave a helpful comment on Amazon, to let other moms know what a great product these are, or stop by their Facebook page to tell them how much they rock!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 29, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Big Girls Don’t Cry – But Moms Do!

Big girls don’t cry – But Moms Do!

Not sure where this came from, since I found it on Facebook – so if you know the source, please leave it in a comment so I credit them. But – it’s just way too funny not to share, right? Abby’s not in school yet. But I can totally imagine this being me some day…

How about you?

Have you ever cried when dropping off the kids? Do they take it way better than you do?

Share your best-funniest-most-embarrassing stories in the comments.

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 28, 2011 Filed Under: Mommy Thoughts | 3 Comments

Busy Mom Solution: Swap Your Bottled Water for This!

The Problem:

You want your kids to eat healthy – and that includes not just the foods that they eat, but also the beverages that they drink. So, you switch from sugary soda and juice to bottled water. Problem solved? Nope, not quite. Bottled water uses a ton of resources, and causes some really big environmental problems. It’s also bad for your wallet too. You can read the full story about the negative consequences caused by the over-consumption of bottled water in my post about saving the world, {I’m like a super hero!} – but I’ll share a little bit of info here, to give you an idea of the real cost of bottled water.

What you’re really paying for bottled water:

For this example, I’m using an average family of 4, where each member drinks a couple bottles of water each day. Say they’re buying Nestle Purelife Bottled Spring Water, at $6.99 for a case of 24. That’s only .30 cents a bottle, great deal right?

Four people drinking 2 bottles per day = 56 bottles per week.
56 bottles per week at .30 cents each is $16.80 per week.
That’s $67.20 per month.
And a whopping $873.60 per year – just for some water bottles you throw away! How crazy is that, right??!!

The Solution?

Now that you know what the problem is, you need a Busy Mom Solution. And of course I’m here to bring you one – {didn’t I just tell you I’m like a super hero?} – the Filtrete 8-Cup Water Pitcher! Well, all of the Filtrete water products are amazing, but this one is my personal favorite. Read on to learn why…

Top 5 Reasons why I love My Filtrete Pitcher:

It’s Fast! It quickly filters my tap water and changes it into really clean, fresh tasting water that I can use to fill my other reusable water bottles. I drink a TON of water every day, so I love that this can be refilled super quick.
It Fits! The 8-Cup Water Pitcher is really slim – as you can see in the picture. It’s so much skinnier than of the other pitchers I’ve looked at – but still holds a ton of water. The slim shape makes it a great choice for mini-fridges – like in a dorm room, or in an office.
It’s Frugal! You can find the Filtrete Water Pitcher on Amazon for less than $25 bucks, with Free Shipping. Just a couple of weeks of not needing to buy bottled water will make up the price of the pitcher!
It’s Filtered! Our last pitcher took up too much room in the fridge, so I’ve been just filling most of our reusable bottles straight from the tap. I love that this slim pitcher makes it a breeze to filter our water – plus, the filter is easy to change, and really affordable too.
It’s Fun! Well, maybe not for everyone – but the kids looove watching the pitcher fill up and filter the water into the base. And I love anything that brings giggles instead of fits, you know?

Great Gift for the Holidays!

This would be a perfect gift for a college student, since it’s a great way to keep them healthy and hydrated, and it fits in those skinny dorm room mini-fridges. It’s also a great idea for anyone you know who’s trying to eat healthier – many of us grab a soda out of the fridge when we’re thirsty simply because it’s the most convenient option. But the Filtrete Pitcher makes grabbing a glass of great tasting cold water much easier and more fun. It’s a great gift for families, for singles, for couples – for everyone. Seriously. I love this pitcher!

What do you think?

Do you think that the Filtrete Water Pitcher could be a great option to help your family stay healthy? Would you buy it as a gift this season?

Share some comments!

{I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Filtrete and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 28, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Black Friday Riot Videos PLUS Huge Cyber Monday Coupon Code List!!

That, my friends, is why I stayed home on Black Friday!! Craziness….

I worked in retail management and fashion merchandising for over 10 years – with almost all of those years being at mall stores – so I’ve seen the craziness of the Black Friday first hand. Now that I work from home, Cyber Monday and online shopping is muuuuch more my style. PJ’s and coffee, check. Not getting trampled over a $2 Waffle Maker, priceless. {Missed that one? Watch it: Walmart Riot over $2 Waffle Maker. Wow.} So, if you’re like me, and doing your shopping online – here is a HUGE list of coupon codes you can use today!! And make sure to share this on your Facebook and Twitter, so your deal-lovin’ friends can use ’em too. Because remember… Friends Don’t Let Friends Pay Full Price!

First – Start out all of your shopping at zuuzs.com, the newest – and BEST! – online shopping rewards site!! It takes less than a minute to sign up, and then you can start earning cash back on every purchase this season. BONUS — Encourage your friends and family to join you there too! When they earn cash back, so do YOU! And, when 5 new friends join, you earn DOUBLE CASH BACK! Sweet, right?

Shop Your Favorite Stores!

Once you’re at zuuzs, simply search for your favorite stores. Places like Target, Walmart, Lowes, and more. When you find your favorite, click to shop on their site just like you normally would… And magically see the cash back you’ve earned get deposited into your account in a few days. Love it! And use any of the coupon codes here to save even more – Happy Holidays!

Coupon Codes:

Kohls: 20% off your whole purchase plus free shipping with code CYBER20.
Macy’s: No Coupon Code Needed – Click to shop, see the deals, and get FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $75!
Snapfish: 50% off everything on their site {WOW!} with code CYBER50.
Plum District: Save 40% off on TOP of the deals – most are $25 bucks for $50 bucks worth of merchandise, tons of brands. Use code MOBILE40 when checking out on a mobile phone, and save 40% more!
The Mini Social: Some of the very cutest, and most affordable, goodies for babies, kids, and moms too! One of my very favorite new sites. Choose your deal, then enter code Cybership at check out for FREE SHIPPING.
Cookies Kids: Save an additional 10% off your entire purchase + Free Shipping with code CM2011. {And get a FREE $5 gift card at Swagbucks too!}
Old Navy: Get 30% off your full order with code HUGECYBER.
Gifts For You Now: Save 30% off on all personalized gifts using code CYBER30M.
Barnes & Noble: Save 30% off a single item (excluding the Nook) with code C9Y8K3H.
Home Depot: Save $5 off a $50 purchase with code CYBERHD.
Organize.com: Spend $75 bucks get Free Shipping with code BFSHIP79, or save 20% off on one item with code CM2011.
Roommates: Save an extra 20% on top of all sale prices on their adorable wall stickers and art – use code SAVE20. Plus, all orders over $49 get free shipping too!

More Great Coupons Available Today:

1 Hour Photo Processing – Buy 5 RiteAid photo cards and get 10 free cards!
Conair – $5.00 off Xtreme Instant Heat Hot Rollers!
Reynolds Wrap – $1.25 off ONE Reynolds Wrap® Product!
Chili’s – Print a new FREE Chips and Queso coupon!

Free Stuff Available Today:

Free Samples: Peppermint mocha, baby mag’s, Dove, and more.
Printable Coupons: Find coupons for Mega Blocks, Sally Hansen Crackle Polish, Walmart Wellness, and more.
Free Stuff : Free Roboform Software, Calendar, Reusable Shopping Bag, Cookbooks, Wine Guide, and Marlboro Hat, and more.