This Full House Reviews

Backyard Camp Out

Disclosure:  I am a member of the NWF Founding Mothers Advisory Council -- just helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy nature, more.

I'm really looking forward to the summer for many reasons -- living in Jersey and all -- most especially, grilling outdoors, as my kids insist that, you know, mom is a MUCH better cook in the summertime!

Then again, they would be just as happy roasting hot dogs, over the fire pit, all summer long.

Although, I am not the greatest camper (4 babies, bad back, hate sleeping on hard ground, with bugs, etc...) 3 out of 4 of my kids want to pitch a tent and camp out, this summer (oldest hates bugs, worse than me) and I'm thinking...PHEW!...thank goodness we've got a big backyard!

Want to join us?

We're joining the National Wildlife Federation's Great American Backyard Campout on June 25th (so, there's plenty of time to plan) for a night of old-fashioned fun outdoors.

Why?

Well, it's been a looooong, hard winter (supposed to snow again, this week, here, in Jersey, it IS almost April, right?) so, it may just take us all summer to get over our cabin fever, right?

Can't make it on the 25th?  No problem!!!  Register (it's free, but there is an option to make a donation to NWF.org) and camp out whenever it is convenient for you!

As soon as you register at www.backyardcampout.org, you’ll receive a link to your personal online Participant Center where:

• You can start planning your camp out.
• You’ll also gain access to recipes, activities and crafts to make your night under the stars one-of-a-kind.
• Your family will have the opportunity to help raise much-needed funds for NWF's programs that connect kids and families with the benefits of nature, while helping American kids benefit from outdoor time

Register today at www.backyardcampout.org, mark your calendars and hope for rainless skies on June 25th, okay?

Either way, I'll be in my backyard, trying to convince my oldest daughter that nature is our friend and, you know, pretending to be asleep.

Thank you so much for visiting my shopping blog.  Please feel free to visit my parenting blog, ThisFullHouse.com and say "Hi," when you have time, of course!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment, product or any other consideation, besides a chance to get families (like mine) outdoors, was received for this blog post.

In the Kitchen: Meatless Meals Spinach Lasagna Rolls

 Guest post from Kraft Foods (I am a member of their Delicious Bytes blogger community)

It seems like everywhere you turn these days, there's a news story about the virtues of eating less meat. For example, Meatless Monday has become an interesting movement to empower people to reduce their meat consumption without sacrificing taste.

When trying to go the meatless route in your own home, sometimes the easiest step is just removing the meat from your favorite pasta dish and, voila, it's vegetarian.

Other times, why not be a little more adventurous?

Grains are a great alternative to white rice and pasta, though it sometimes seem daunting to know how best to prepare them.

Quinoa, for example, is healthful, satisfying and versatile, and a good source of fiber and protein without the added fat. Learn how to cook quinoa and you'll find it's a great option to include in your weekly meal plan.

And if those die-hard carnivores in your life just can't imagine a vegetarian dinnertime dish that's satisfying, they might just change their tune once you've served up one of these great veggie main courses:

Little Tikes Get Out 'N' Grill Backyard Barbecue Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  So, so happy to be able to share this awesome backyard grill with Nickie (comment #6) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

I am very excited and honored to be a featured contributing blogger for Kmart's NEW Playdate Place website!

It's really a great place for parents (like me) to hang out, spark conversation, share ideas about planning fun playdates, find recommendations for toys and take advantage of exclusive Playdate Place special offers, as well.

Today, I am thrilled to be able to feature one of my family's favorite brands, Little Tikes.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa, we've owned pretty much everything Little Tikes makes.  Some of our favorites lasted through all 4 toddlerhoods, in our house, including:

• Classic Cozy Coupe
• Picnic Table
• Basketball Set
• Turtle Sandbox

After a little cleaning up, we were more than happy to share them, in a yard sale, with other families in our neighborhood, too.

Aaaand, as a Playdate Kmart Playdate Parent, I get the chance to share really cool stuff with you, too, like the Little Tikes Get Out 'N' Grill Backyard Barbecue!

Want one?

Welcome to Our 79th Open House Blog Tour!

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses - especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...what the heck is going on over there?

Same thing with blogs, right?

So please, clean off a chair, sit down and feel free to share your links (PG-13, please) about any blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours and contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to a little shout out (HEY!) go for it!

Okay, I'll start [peeks into windows]:

GUILTY PLEASURE:  Patchwork Pattern Maker - has a cool online tool to convert any image into a patchwork quilt...so, so, cool!

NEW FAVORITE FIND:  123RF Stock Photos - royalty free images.  I used to it make my new blog header (see, up there, on top) what do you think?

FAVORITE FOOD FIND:  Fooducate for iPhone - my friend Rachel (A Southern Fairytale) blogged about this awesome app and, well, now all I need is an iPhone, right?

FAVORITE POST OF THE WEEK:  See You in New Jersey - my friend Kathryn Stone writes about attending the What Women Want Girls Night Out, the first ever event that will help benefit the awesome non-profit, Postpartum Progress!

COOL GIVEAWAY OF THE WEEK: My friend @Busymom is giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card - because, she's giving like that!

Now, it's your turn, link 'em if you got 'em:

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing and feel free to come back, to see what my blogging friends are up to, next week (there's an open house held every Thursday) we'll leave the porch light on for ya'!

Also, please feel free to clean off a chair, sit down, visit my parenting blog, ThisFullHouse.com and say "Hi," when you have time, of course!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

The Story of Chocolate: American Chocolate Week Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  Happy to be sharing in some chocolate-y goodness with you, Amy D (comment #104) please check your email for further instructions!!!

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin sold chocolate in his print shop in Philadelphia?

Okay, how about the fact that German chocolate cake was named for Sam German, who developed a sweet bar for Baker's Chocolate, and was not from Germany?

One more, ready, did you know it takes 400 cocoa beans to make 1 pound of chocolate?

[salivating]

Me, either.

Considering myself an avid chocolate consumer (seriously, with 2 teens & 2 tweens in the house, can you blame me?) I was interested to learn about a fun website called The Story of Chocolate, an interactive microsite created by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) Chocolate Council.

The Story of Chocolate is a first-of-its-kind site, including interactive videos, picture galleries and fun-fact libraries compiled from chocolate and cocoa experts, cacao farmers, boutique chocolatiers and even large manufacturers from around the world.

This website is filled with all sorts of useful information for school projects, student chefs, food historians, home cooks, or anyone who wants to learn all there is to know about chocolate.

Considering the week is half over (thank goodness!) I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Hump Day and offer up samples of some mighty fine chocolate, too!

Suave Professionals Sharing FREE Styling Product on Facebook

It's no secret, I have been a HUGE fan of the new Suave Professionals line of hair care products since 2009.

Aaaaand not just because I got to meet Suave Celebrity Hairstylist Luke O'Connor, who was kind enough to teach me a few styling tricks, using Suave (okay, that WAS cool, though, right?) or, the fact that he was super friendly and lots of fun in person too!

Yes, my hairdresser is okay with it (go ahead, ask her!) she knows that I have been a loyal customer of Suave Professionals, ever since.

Most recently, we put the NEW Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo to the test and it was a big hit with my oldest girls (they are 17 and 15) okay, me too!

Want to try some?

This week, the brand is launching "The Suave Challenge" and inviting consumers, nationwide, to put their product to the ultimate test.

Why?

To see if women (like me) can tell the difference between Suave Professionals products and top salon brands:

What: The Suave Challenge

When: Thursday -- March 24, 2011

Where: Suave Beauty's Facebook Page

Why: Suave is giving away a FREE full-size styling product to the first 200,000 visitors to Suave Beauty’s Facebook page on March 24th.

Additionally, consumers can visit CanYouTell.com to compare NEW Suave Professionals with top salon brands by putting them to the ultimate test:

Suave is so sure that you will not be able to tell, that they are giving prizes to anyone who can prove them wrong.

This, my friends, should be interesting, right? 

Go ahead, give it a try (what do you have to lose?) but, don't forget to come back, check out my giveaways page to see other stuff we're sharing, that you might like to try, too.

Also, please feel free to visit my blog, ThisFullHouse.com and say "hi," when you have time, of course!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment, product, or any other consideration, besides a chance to share cool opportunities I hear about, with online friends, was received for this blog post.

Sharing: Staples Minimate Shredder Also, Top Ten Tax Tips From IRS

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing with Cynthia C (comment #28) and Crystal F (comment #114) please check your email for further instructions!!!

We're nearing the end of tax season and many households (like ours) are preparing for this year's filing by getting rid of old tax papers.

According to the IRS, identity theft is on the rise each year and a reported one in 20 Americans are at risk for becoming a victim.

My husband, Garth (not is real name) and I both have had issues in the past and I can tell you that identity theft is a real P.I.T.A.

I was contacted by the good folks representing Staples regarding their new line of extremely small shredders, called The Minimate, that can sit right on your desktop and thought it would be a great fit for families (like us) with very little space and/or lots of privacy issues.

First, I thought it prudent to share some very important tips from the Internal Revenue Service to help protect your sensitive tax information:

Welcome to our 78th Open House Blog Tour!

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses - especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...WTH is going on in there?

Same thing with blogs, right?

So please, clean off a chair, sit down and feel free to share your links (PG-13, please) letting me and my online friends know about any blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours and contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to a little shout out (HEY!) go for it!

Okay, I'll start [peeks into windows]:

GUILTY PLEASURE:  Picnik.com - makes me feel like a grownup photographer (sort of!)

NEW FAVORITE FIND:  Burgh Baby Blog - speaking of photographs, Michelle is a GREAT photographer (the real deal!) and a smart kind of funny (damnit!)

FAVORITE FOOD FIND:  Apple Ginger Dutch Baby Pancakes...'nuf said!

FAVORITE POST OF THE WEEK:  On Inspirational Weblogs, One Note Wonders, And The Need to Trust My Gurus via @Schmutzie - actually, posted in February.  I followed a link via Twitter, yesterday.  You should, too; especially, if you, or you know someone battling depression!

COOL GIVEAWAY OF THE WEEK:  My friend @Busymom is giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card - because, she's giving like that!

Now, it's your turn, link 'em if you got 'em:

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing and feel free to come back, to see what blogging friends are up to, next week (there's an open house held every Thursday) we'll leave the porch light on for ya'!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Deal Alert: Save 15% on In Store Purchases at Payless.com

Wrestling season is over...[breaths sigh of relief]...however, spring track started this week and, so, of course, my son needed running shoes (because, apparently, wrestling shoes are not track friendly) so, my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I took him to Payless.

Because, he is 12 and, well, if you have a boyteen, then you know, they either grow out of, or lose, pretty much EVERYTHING, very, very quickly!

Long story, short, we found him decent athletic shoes by American Eagle and my husband picked up these pretty little Airwalks (kids swear it takes 20 years off of him!) each less than $30.00, plus taking advantage of their Buy One Get One 1/2 Off offer.

Aaaand, a little something, something for BlogHer '11 (get 'em when you see 'em, folks!) for under $30.00 each, having taken advantage of the same deal, as the guys.

Here's the really, really cool part of this shopping trip.

In the Kitchen: Sam's Club Seafood Splash Event Rosemary Garlic Salmon Recipe

I have a confession to make.  Ready?  My family and I sometimes go to Sam's Club for the food.

We love sampling all the stuff that I perhaps wouldn't normally buy, until the kids and I taste it and, well, then I'm just hoping it comes in a family-sized option.

If you're like me, and need visual, as well as taste...um...chew...able references, then, perhaps you'd be interested to know that there will be a Seafood Splash Event on March 19 to March 20 from 11:30am – 5:30 pm at your local Sam’s Club, where you'll be able to sample stuff your ownself.

FIND IT HERE:  http://www3.samsclub.com/clublocator/

In the meantime, here's an easy baked salmon recipe that  I am just itching to try.

 

NWF Moms: Celebrating National Wildlife Week

National Wildlife Week is a tradition that has been celebrated at National Wildlife Federation (NWF) since 1938!

This year's theme is "Wildlife That Moves Us" and to help families (like mine) celebrate, as well as learn a little more about wildlife, each day, NWF.org is highlighting different types of animals and providing posters and trading cards each day of the week.

Here are some of the highlights found at http://www.nwf.org/wildlifeweek:

Getting Kids Excited About Science: Virtual Science Fair Review & Giveaway!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this with you, Samantha (comment #32) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

Recycled Robot c. 2007

One of the challenges of raising 4 kids, attending 4 different schools (yes, in the same school district) is keeping up with all the science projects that come home.

One year, my husband Garth (not his real name) helped my son create this awesome robot, using objects recycled from around the house, and, well, I think it turned out GREAT and sort of looks like the robot from Lost in Space, right?

Keeping our kids excited about science is difficult - especially, dealing with the frustrations of when stuff just doesn't work out, as planned.

To help with these challenges, Scientific Explorer and Elmer’s have partnered to show kids just how easy and fun science, and science fair presentations, should be.

Have you never built a volcano?  Me, either.  So, you can imagine my apprehension in receiving a Lava Blasting Volcano Kit.

Turns out, with good reason, too.

Welcome to Our 77th Open House blog Tour!

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses - especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...WTH is going on in there?

Same thing with blogs, right?

So please, clean off a chair, sit down and feel free to share your links (PG-13, please) letting me and my online friends know about any blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours and contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to a little shout out (HEY!) go for it!

Okay, I'll start [peeks into windows]:

NEW GUILTY PLEASURE:  Try Handmade blog

NEW FAVORITE FIND:  RoomMates Wall Decals

FAVORITE FOOD FIND:  Banana Cream Pie With Chocolate Sauce & Toasted Coconut...'nuf said!!! (via @mominthecity)

FAVORITE POST OF THE WEEK:  New Hairstyle Equals New Outlook (via @ConnieFoggles)

Now, it's your turn, link 'em if you got 'em:

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing and feel free to come back, to see what blogging friends are up to, next week (there's an open house held every Thursday) we'll leave the porch light on for ya'!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Guest Post: Golden Wheat Irish Soda Bread

Guest post from Kraft Foods (I am a member of their Delicious Bytes blogger community)

Whether you make Irish Soda Bread every St. Patrick’s Day or you’re a first-timer, everyone can enjoy Kraft Foods' take on this traditional Irish recipe.

Try it out and feel free to share your own special tips:

Cookbooks for Kids: Teen Cuisine Book Review

Raising 2 teens and 2 tweens (yeah, I know, right?) I feel it safe to say that cooking with your kids is a wonderful adventure.

Getting them to eat, what I cook, now that they're getting older and can, you know, read labels, or understand animal anatomy a little better, not so much.

My 2 oldest girls, however, have recently expressed interest in wanting to cook dinner for the family, at least one night per week and I am MORE than willing to had over my wooden spoon, allowing them to go free range, in the kitchen.

I was contacted by the publicist for a new cookbook, Teen Cuisine by Matthew Locricchio and I'm thinking...YAY!...my turn -- sooooooo, what's for dinner?!?