This Full House Reviews

#CostcoPork Recipe Challenge & Giveaway: Slow-Roasted Rack of Pork, Served Good JuJu Style

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  So happy to be sharing this awesome prize with you, Elena (comment #37) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Earlier this week, I shared some great ways families (like mine) can save on the very extravagent looking, yet budget-friendly rack of pork at Costco.

Throughout the month of October, bloggers (like me) have been challenged by TheMotherHood, Costco AND the National Pork Board to create a recipe, using different cuts of pork.

Today, I had the pleasure of preparing Sunday dinner for the grandparents and tested out my recipe -- YES!  I warned them, ahead of time AND they decided to come over, anyway!

Now that the dishes are done (mostly) and in celebration of National Pork Month, I'm very happy to have the chance to share with you my recipe for Slow-Roasted Rack of Pork with Honey Mustard & Balsamic Fig Glaze.

In keeping with my Hungarian roots (my parents immigrated to America in 1956) I will be preparing it again, during the holidaze, as pork is traditionally served on New Year's Day for good luck!

Heaven knows we could ALL use some extra good JuJu, right?!?

Plus, I'm hosting a $25.00 Costco Cash Giveaway to one (1) of our online friends, because we roll like that!

Kmart Party Crew and Playdate Place Update: Thank Goodness, It's Almost Halloween, Charlie Brown!

Only 3 more sleeps until Halloween and, yes, THANK GOODNESS!  Is anyone else ready to start stressing over another holiday?

Aaaanyway, it's not too late to get your hands on some last minute Halloween stuff:

Kmart Halloween Party Crew has an awesome campaign going on.

Attack of the 50 Ft. Party is helping families (like ours) put the fun back into Halloween.

Done With Trick-or-Treating? Go Ghosting, Instead! (via my post @playdateplace) bit.ly/uhRYxv

Check out these great ideas for fall events, this weekend (via my post @playdateplace) bit.ly/ns5gli 

In the meantime,  thank you for visiting Gone Shopping (sharing family-friendly reviews since 2007!)

Be sure to visit and/or subscribe to my home blog, ThisFullHouse.com (when you have time, of course!) or stop by and just say, "Hi!"  We'll leave the porch light on for you, just in case.

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I am a featured blogger and Kmart Playdate Place Parent.

Incorporating DHA Omega-3's into Your Holiday Baking: Apple Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

 

Thanks to Horizon Dairy for sponsoring my writing about incorporating Omega-3's into everyday recipes. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a $500.00 grocery shopping spree (WHOOT!)

Have you seen those milk and/or egg cartons with the DHA or Omega-3 label on them?

"Will it cause me to grow a third nipple, or something?"

Sorry, my husband, Garth (not his real name) was trying to be funny and, honestly, I couldn't help but start giggling, right there, in the dairy aisle of our supermarket.

However, as parents, we both realize the importance of knowing the foods our children are getting and, at the very least, be able to find out what in the heck those labels really mean.

Thanks to my partnership with Horizon Dairy, I had the opportunity to do so and, although I am NOT a food and/or nutritional expert (don't worry, my family already knows and is totally okay with it) I am more than happy to share what I've learned about the DHA Omega-3.

Apple Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

Also, share a recipe featuring our favorite go to Omega-3 rich foods: eggs and milk.

What is DHA?

Levaqua Digital Showerhead Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome prize with you, Kimberly B (comment #117) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

CONFESSION:  I have a thing for bathrooms and, as a mom, raising 4 children, I feel it safe to describe it as a parent's personal place of refuge.

Especially, when checking into a hotel room, one of the first things I do is throw my suitcase in the corner and hit the bathroom.

For obvious reasons (that last flight to San Diego, from Jersey, was a REAL looooooong one!) and some hotels just have the coolest bathrooms, right?!?

Just like the one I had, while attending the Bloggers Retreat at The Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ.

With it's beach-y colors and spa-like feel, yep, I could live here!

I was contacted by the good folks representing Levaqua about their new digital showerheads and, well, did I mention how much I love taking showers, too?!?

What really caught my attention: the Levaqua OneTouch digital showerheads have automatic timer settings (5, ten10 and 15 minutes; depending on the model) to help parents to easily regulate and monitor kids’ showering time.

Did I mention, I have teenagers?!?  Want to see what one looks like (a digital showerhead, I mean, since teenagers can be real scary in the morning) check it out:

National Pork Month at Costco: What IS the Right Temp for Rack of Pork Anyway?

Did you know that October is National Pork Month?  Me, either.  To think, we ALMOST missed it (snort!)

Honestly, pork is one of the few meals that ALL four of my kids will eat (on purpose!) it's budget-friendly and pretty easy to cook, too.

In fact, barbecued pork pulled sandwiches is my family's favorite go to meal and I've got a great recipe for cooking a pork loin dinner, in about 30 minutes, in the microwave.

Throughout the month, bloggers (like me) have been challenged by TheMotherHood, Costco AND the National Pork Board to create a recipe, using different cuts of pork.

[pulls up sleeves, blows bangs out of eyes]

I've accepted, thinking, no problem, then was assigned Rack of Pork and was, all, like, what?!?Did you know that pork rib roast is also referred to as rack of pork (it also may be labeled center-cut pork loin or crown roast) and okay, so, they're like, unchopped pork chops, right?!?

[sound of crickets, chirping]

Yeah, THIS should be fun. Later this week, I'll be sharing my recipe for rack of pork, you know, when, hopefully, I'll have come up with one (DOH!) and a $25.00 gift card to Costco, as well.

In the meantime, here are some really great pork recipes, tips and the 15 other #CostcoPork bloggers I'm competing against, this week:

Our 13 Kid-Friendly Favorite Halloween Party Games & Halloween Prize Package Giveaway

Unlike the Middle School, my 17 and 15 year-old girls were allowed to wear their costumes to school, last year.  I know, I know, but these were the tamest of the bunch available to teens, trust me!

Only 13 more sleeps until Halloween! My youngest (she's 10) has her costume put together (mostly!) while, my middle two (they're 12 and 15) are undecided on whether or not they're done with trick-or-treating.

My oldest? She's preparing for the SATs. Enough said.

Then, mixed in with the holidays, it's birthday time: my 3 oldest will each be adding another candle in November, December AND January (no, I don't know WHAT we were thinking either!)

PHEW! I guess you can say that our family celebrates this time of year in a fevered-pitch, eh?

This year, I will be attending my 13th Halloween Parade, however, it will also be the last time I'll be able to participate in my children's class parties.

They don't like admitting they know me, in middle school.

It's a bittersweet moment, to be sure, thankfully we have lots of great pictures to help us remember their elementary school years (okay, mostly me!)

I'm very proud to partner with The Blog Frogand Fanta in sharing Our 13Kid-Friendly Favorite Halloween Party Games, played at class parties, for the last 13 years (SOB!)

Along with a chance for you (yes, YOU!) to win one of 15 Halloween Prize Packages (each worth $100) from Fanta (WHOOT!)

Okay, ready, here we go:

Impulse 4G by Huawei Review: Overcoming My Smartphone Envy

Recently, I had a bit of a disagreement with my 10 year-old over her being the ONLY kid, in her 5th grade class, who does NOT own a cell phone.

The fact that a few of them own iPads was more than just a little disconcerting.

Because, the cost alone would feed my family for 1 month (conservatively speaking and if I don't buy meat) not to mention, yet ANOTHER $$ per month for data plan AND I don't even have a smartphone, DAGNABIT!!!

Yes, she really DOES exist.  I ran into the AT&T phone fairy at BlogHer in San Diego, this summer (literally, she's just a tiny little thing!)  she was passing out phones to people who needed them, including friends of mine with broken, lost and/or stolen cell phones.

How awesome is that, right?!?

Last week, I received an Impulse 4G by Huawei, launched in September 2011, as AT&T's budget-friendly alternative for smartphone shoppers (like me!)

Seeing as this is my first (smartphone, I mean) the prospect of actually being able to use my phone for home, work AND play, was very exciting, indeed.

So, the BIG question(s):  is it functional, what does it cost and how smart is it?

5 Simple Steps to Surviving Back-to-School Night

A lot of parents look forward to attending their child’s Back-to-School night.

I am NOT one of those parents.

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com where we are sharing tips on how to make your Back-to-School night as successful as possible.

When you have time, of course!

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/10/5-simple-steps-to-surviving-back-to-school-night/?intcmp=PlaydatePlace 

NEW! THIS HALLOWEEN:  My friends at Kmart.com have launched Attack of the 50ft Party, an online social hub to help families (like mine) find some great deals, blog posts, costume information, sweepstakes and much more!

This week's AND next week's special deals are:

October 9 to October 15:  30% off featured Halloween Costumes, plus FREE shipping on orders $39.99 and over http://kmrt.us/qHRXMU

October 16 to October 22:  40% Off featured Halloween Costumes http://kmrt.us/qHRXMU

Thank you for visiting Gone Shopping (sharing family-friendly reviews since 2007!)

Be sure to visit and/or subscribe to my home blog, ThisFullHouse.com (when you have time, of course!) or stop by and just say, "Hi!"  We'll leave the porch light on for you, just in case.

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I am a featured blogger and Kmart Playdate Place Parent.

Danimals Rally for Recess: Share Your Recess Memories For a Chance to Win $20,000 For Your Elementary School Playground

Hope, showing off her multi-tasking skills, picking up litter, while playing with her best friend on the monkey bars at their elementary school.

Luisa, Shirley and Wendy were some of my best friends in elementary school and we used to LOVE playing Charlie's Angels, together -- hiding behind corners, underneath benches and behind the dumpsters, keeping an eye out for the playground bullies.

We grew up in an urban neighborhood, in an industrial town, surrounded by factories and spent our mid-days, playing on the school yard, in the shadow of the Staten Island dumps.

Not very picturesque (I know) still, after a while, you sort of grew used to the smells and, well, quite frankly, we were too busy having fun, just being kids, to even notice that our playground was made of concrete.

A lot has changed since I was a kid. I still miss the old neighborhood (sort of) and, well, there's a teeny-tiny part of me that will always be partial to the smell of garbage.

Still, I believe it's important that kids be allowed to get outside and blow off a little steam -- most especially, during recess.

Our Favorite Oscar Mayer Bacon Creation Week Recipe & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  I am SO HAPPY to be able to share this awesome package with you, Meg (comment #110) please check your email for instructions, thanks!!!

In celebration of Oscar Mayer's Bacon Creation Week (hey, it's bacon, why not?) I was challenged to re-create our favorite family recipe, using bacon and, personally, it didn't take me long to decide on EXACTLY which one to share with you!

Bacon-wrapped Tenderloin of Beefy Goodness a la Garth (NHRN)

Considering, this meal is totally:

• One of my husband Garth's (not his real name) specialties
• Elegant enough to serve for any special occasion
• Yet easy enough to put together, just because
• Or, whenever beef tenderloin goes on sale at our supermarket.

Also, "beefy" (as my kids used to call it when they were little-er) is the one food they will ALL actually eat, you know, on purpose.

Not to mention, we also get to share a one year supply of Oscar Mayer Bacon along with a $125.00 AMEX gift card with one (1) of our online friends, too!

How cool is that, right?  Want some?

Kmart Halloween Party Crew Weekly Specials & Giveaway Winner!!!

Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing how the Kmart.com and the Kmart Halloween Party Crew came up with an awesome campaign they're calling Attack of the 50 Ft. Party to help families (like ours) put the fun back into Halloween.

Feel free to read the rest of my post, here (when you have time, of course!)

http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/2011/09/stuck-for-halloween-ideas-me-too-kmart-halloween-party-crew-can-help.html

This week, I have the EXTREME pleasure of announcing the winner of the $75.00 Kmart gift card.

We received 260 entires (WOW) and, gosh, but it feels SO GOOD to pay it forward.

Oh,  and sharing this week's special offers with the rest of our online friends (yes, YOU!) too.

[drum roll]

Extreme Home-Do-Over: Decorating With Purple, Yes, No, Maybe Not So Much?

Hurricane Irene ripped us a new one here on the Jersey shore (literally) the wallpaper by the front door is peeling and we've got cracks in the ceiling.

We're hoping to start repairs soon (i.e. at the mercy of Mr. Insurance Adjustor) or, at least, before, you know, it starts snowing (UGH!)

So, I'm looking into different design options and...SHEESH...who knew there were THAT many colors on the color wheel, eh?

Still, I know what I like (sort of) and, when stuck for color choices, I just grab my camera, get outside and refer to nature for inspiration.

I captured this pretty little thing, yesterday.

I love the way these purple mums, with their warm orangey-yellow centers, make this white moth's wings pop and you can still see it's slightly tinged with gray.

Husband shot this butterfly (figuratively speaking, of course) while visitng a cousin-law's house, last month.

Add some yellow, perhaps a little blue and some really dark accents and, well, I wondered how this would ALL translate into a livable room design?

According to Better Homes and Gardens (next to Pinterest, it is my time suck of choice): decorating with purple  is a versatile color that looks great in most rooms -- I love the really dark walls and bright accents of this livingroom.  Jury's still out on the leopard chairs, though.

Suprisingly enough, I love the fresh, airy and totally modern look of the purple and white used in this dining room.

Being one for natural, neutral and burgundy tones, this is going to be a bit of a stretch for me.

Trying to convince my husband that purple is the new black?  Stretch-ier.  Wish me luck!

What about you?  Could you do, would you do, purple?

© 2003 - 2011 This FULL House

Disclosure:  No payment was received for this blog post.  Just sharing stuff we like or haven't managed to break, yet.

Encourage Kids to Clean - Or, Just Share Your Thoughts For a Chance to WIN a House Cleaner, Instead!

  You HAVE been warned!

Over the years, my husband and I have learned to expect less than favorable opinions from folks (most especially, other parents) upon learning that we have 4 children.

Then, they find out I have 3 daughters, who ALL share the same bedroom, the shock sets in and, well, yes, it is just as complicated and delicate of a situation as anyone can imagine.

If you've ever used a public ladies room...[shiver]...then, yes, you're safe to assume the girls' bedroom could probably use a really good cleaning, right about now, too.

Now that they are older (17, 15, 12 and 10) I'd be hard-pressed to convince my kids that singing the clean up song will make their chores go any faster, or easier, seeing as I don't view cleaning as very much fun, either.

Unless, it's the weekend, there's a really great Maroon 5 or LMFAO song playing on the radio and the kids need a ride, or something.

"Sure, I'll take you, AFTER you clean your room, FIRST!"

At our house, encouraging our kids to clean means that there will almost always be a compromise of some sort and, well, it's not easy being the parent, either, right?!?

Hopefully, we're helping our kids learn how to make choices and, ultimately, better use of their free time, give or take a few chores.

What about you?

Want to hand over cleaning to the experts? Leave a comment here (yes, that's it!) telling us how you have taught and encouraged your kids to clean and be entered to win one of two prizes:

Sponsored Post & Giveaway from Don't Fret The Sweat: Talk to My Kids About Puberty, Instead!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome prize pack with you, Diane F (comment #171) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

My middle girl, freaking OTHER parents out, during her Goth stage (c. 2007)

I know what you're thinking [cringe]:  but, I've got 2 teenage girls, a precocious 10-year-old and a 12-year-old man-boy.

[shiver]

So, I feel it safe to say that talking to tweens and teens about puberty is perhaps one of the most delicate subjects that you will ever have to face, when raising kids, EVER!

You see, I know, because my youngest daughter got tired of waiting, asked her brother where babies came from and he, you know, told her.

I, on the other hand, remember being herded out in the middle of health class, with the rest of the girls and learning about (ahem) a woman's menstrual cycle in a very clinical-type film, locked away in a smelly locker room, sometime around 4th grade, I think. 

My mom and I never spoke about our bodies on such [clears throat] intimate levels -- frankly, not sure if I really would have wanted to -- until I became pregnant and started having kids.

Today, I feel it safe to say that BOTH my parents would most likely agree with me (yes, on purpose!) that referring to online resources is a refreshing way to help moms (and dads) learn how to start the conversation about puberty.

Maybe even with their kids, too.

That's why I am proud to partner with BlogHer in sharing information about Unilever (the makers of Degree® Men, Degree® Women, Degree® Girl, Dove® and Suave®) and Don't Fret The Sweat on Facebook, helping to ensure parents and kids remain cool, calm and confident -- especially, during life's sweat-inducing moments.

Snapware Fall Solutions Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing some really awesome stuff with you, Ferriz (comment #186) please check your mail for further instructions, thanks!!!

To be honest, with ALL the wet weather and Hurricane Irene wreaking havoc on our ceiling AND roof (UGH!) I'm sort of glad summer is over.  We're hoping to be able to get started on repairs, you know, before the snow comes.

[knocking on wood until knuckles bleed]

Yesterday, our 2 year-old water heater crapped out and, well, see tagline, in blog header, above (double-UGH!)

Needless to say, like most families, I'm continually on the look out for budget-friendly ways to better organize This Full House of cold showers and leaky walls.

My friends at Snapware sent us an awesome “Snapware Fall Solutions” kit with some of the brand’s latest (not even in stores yet!) re-usable, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe AND microwave-safe products.

Want to see?