Monthly Archives: November 2012

Make Your Thanksgiving Day More Enjoyable With These 2 Laundry Tips

Cleaning & Cleaners, Contests, Giveaways, Holiday, , , , , ,

I know you love doing laundry. In fact I saw the results of a survey recently in which it was determined that Moms prefer doing laundry over vacuming. While I can’t find the survey now and I wouldn’t go so far as to agree with that, I do get a great deal of satisfaction out of taking clean, delicious smelling clothes out of the dryer.

Even if you don’t enjoy doing laundry, I highly recommend that you stay on top of laundry before and during Thanksgiving week.

One way I motivate myself to stay on top of laundry is by using a liquid laundry detergent that smells really good.


Holiday napkins are not used for cleaning!
Holiday napkins are not used for cleaning!

Scenario #1: Holiday Napkin Disaster

The kids don’t understand that holiday napkins are for use on special occassions like Thanksgiving & Christmas only. The kids use your holiday napkins to clean the bathroom or wipe the juice spill off the dining room floor, resulting in sticky, dirty napkins.

Tip:

Be ready to restock the holiday napkins with a spare set (yes, buy two sets of holiday napkins, at least) and while you’re using those, was the others with a detergent that is sure to make your house guests think that you just baked a delicious pie, Gain’s Apple Mango Tango liquid laundry detergent.


Scenario #2: Blanket Disaster At Aunt Betty’s

You visit Aunt Betty’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. The kids drag their favorite snuggle blankies all over Aunt Betty’s floor knowing that Aunt Betty has 19 dogs and 3 cats. Eeewww! Naturally, you find lint balls, dog hair, cat hair and who knows what else stuck to the kids blankets. But shoot! You didn’t bring laundry detergent to Aunt Betty’s house.

Sad blanket girl
This is how your child may feel when she can't snuggle with her dirty blanket on the way home from Aunt Betty's house!

Tip:

You never know what kind of laundry detergent a friend or family member uses, so I am a firm believer in BYOLD (bring your own laundry detergent)!

Just as importantly, you don’t want the kids to be snuggling with dirty blankies during the long drive home from Aunt Betty’s house, do you? All the more reason to take detergent with you and wash their blankets before driving home.

Aunt Betty would probably even appreciate it if you threw in a few napkins and hand towels with the kids blankies! 🙂

Gain Apple Mango Tango Liquid Laundry Detergent

Read more Thanksgiving Gain tips here on AtlantaMoms.com!

Win 10 Gain coupons valued at $10!

5 winners will be chosen.

Tell us what your favorite Gain liquid laundry detergent scent is in the comments below.

BONUS ENTRIES FOR EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN

8 Extra Entries:

Share a holiday chores tip with us in the comments below.

5 ExtraEntries:

  • Subscribe by email or RSS Reader
  • Blog about this giveaway as a separate post and link to TheMommyInsider.com. Leave the link to your post in a comment below.
  • Add a relevant comment to any (comment on up to 5 other posts) non-giveaway posts on TheMommyInsider.com.

2 Extra Entries per action:

  • Give me (@mommyinsider) K+ on Klout in Atlanta, Blogging, Social Media, or Moms and tweet about it. You can give me K+ for each topic 1x per day (up to 4 entries per day total). Leave your Klout name in the comments so I can give you extra entries.
  • Add me to one of your Google+ circles. Leave your Google+ name in the comments.
  • Follow me on Pinterest.

1 Extra Entry per action:

  • Leave a comment on The Mommy Insider Facebook wall
  • Follow me (@mommyinsider) on Twitter
  • Tweet about this contest (up to 4x per day – Subscribers can tweet every 2 hours or 12x per day).
    Tweet this: “I’m entered to win a Gain coupon booklet from @MommyInsider.com! You can enter to win too here: http://wp.me/plszx-3sU”.

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Giveaway ends 11/30/2012 at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will be chosen at random by random.org. Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US only. All entries must be properly recorded in the comments to count. Winner will be notified via email and must respond within 24 hours. If winner does not respond, a new winner will be chosen and notified.

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More Information About Gain

Other fabulous bloggers are sharing their Thanksgiving tips too!
(You can enter for more Gain giveaways on their blogs, too.)

Participating Bloggers Include:

 

Disclosure: I am participating in a paid Gain blogger campaign. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Not A Wine Connoisseur? Join The California Wine Club And Impress Your Holiday Visitors! | @CAWineClub

Contests, Food and Drink, Holiday, , , , , , , ,

The California Wine ClubMy father is still in the dark when it comes to my recent acquisition of wine knowledge.  He may event think that I have been studying on the subject of wine.  I have the most fabulous partner in crime, The California Wine Company who through their Premier Monthly Wine Club, sends me two bottles of wine along with a newsletter that educates me about different vineyards and the wines they sent so I appear be a wine connoisseur, every month.  You too can be a wine Connoisseur!  It’s easy and affordable through The California Wine Club.  With the holidays coming up, I’m sure you will have a lot of visitors at your home so why not make it easy on yourself and join the club and have wine delivered to your door?

Through the Premier Wine Club’s monthly newsletter and The California Wine Club’s website, I learn something new about wine and wineries every time I receive a monthly wine shipment.  The California Wine Club has been in business for 20 years and travels the California wine country to find the best wines before they make it to local stores.  The small vineyards that The California Wine Club gets their wine from produces the best wine California has to offer.

Since 1990, club owners Bruce and Pam Boring have traveled California’s wine country searching for limited-production wines from small, family-owned wineries dedicated to the art of making fine wine. Whether for yourself or a gift, CWC membership is an adventure in wine tasting that will not be experienced anywhere else.

The California Wine Club ReviewLast Month’s Wine Shipment

Last month, our shipment included two wines from the Robledo Family Winery.  We opened the award winning 2008 “Seven Brothers” Lake Country Sauvignon Blanc first as we had planned a light fish dinner that evening and I understand that this wine would go well with our dinner.   The mango and honeysuckle aromas blended with the taste of green tea citrus and lemongrass make this wine a rich wine that pairs well with fish and light salads.

The second wine we opened, a few days later, (we’re not lushes) is a 2009 “Seven Brothers” Napa Valley Tempranillo.  I enjoy the look of a red wine more than white.  There is something more festive and romantic about a red wine.  This Tempranillo has a rich cranberry, blackberry, cinnamon, spice, and toasted oak aroma.  The flavors of dried black fruit, toasted cedar, product a rich finish.

I prefer the sweet taste and aroma of the Sauvignon Blanc while my husband preferred the Tempranillo.

You can really impress friends and family this holiday season by offering them award-winning wine while being knowledgeable.

The California Wine Club newsletter is a great tool for a wine novice like myself.  For example, in this month’s newsletter a reader asked the owners “which wines have you featured in the past and how can I reorder them?”. Through the readers questions, I learned that each newsletter features a page of wines that have been featured in the past which can be reordered AND comes with a 100% guarantee.

Not sure what to order?

The California Wine Company encourages mixed case orders in increments of 6 or 12.  Creating and mixed case order will allow you to order at least 6 wines that your friends and family (over 21 of course) are sure to find a suitable wine for themselves to enjoy.

A membership for The California Wine Club’s Premier Monthly Wine Club makes a great gift!

Connect with California Wine Club:

Enter to win prizes from The California Wine Club!

At the end of November CWC will draw 52 winners and then at the end of December they will draw another 52 winners.Prizes include:
1) One of four, Three Month Wine Club memberships (A $150 value you can give as a gift, or keep for yourself)
2) One of 50 handy Two Bottle Wine Totes ($25 value)
3) One of 50 Red Tulip Music wine country CD’s ($15 value)Enter to win this California Wine Club page

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. All thoughts are my own.  I received a 2 month Membership to the California Wine Club for the purpose of this review.

Nonstick Ovenliner by Chef’s Planet – Never Clean The Bottom of the Oven Again!

Article, Cleaning & Cleaners, Food and Drink, New posts,

The other night for dinner I wanted comfort food..I NEEDED comfort food.  I don’t know what it was about that day..but it just wasn’t my day!

Tater Tot CasseroleI decided that I wanted to make yummy, so not good for me, tater tot casserole.

The problem is, its just SO messy! It gets all over the bottom of the oven and then if I don’t clean it up the next time I go to make something in the oven I am wondering why there is smoke coming out of it!Please tell me this has happened to you too..I can’t be the only one!   So, I would have to clean the oven.  Which, I just wasn’t really in the mood to do! And I knew that I wouldn’t be able to talk the hubby into cleaning it.

Then I remembered that I had a Nonstick Ovenliner from Chef’s Planet.  My hero! *sigh*

What I love about the Chef’s Planet Nonstick Ovenliner:

  • Its reusable
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Commercial-grade thickness
  • Fits ovens up to 30″
  • Made in the USA
  • Can be trimmed to fit smaller ovens

Chef's Planet Nonstick OvenlinerWhile my comfort food cooked I sat back and relaxed because I knew when it was done I could enjoy my food, wipe the ovenliner clean and go about my night and not have to clean the oven!

I’m sure you’re going to be baking a lot this holiday season so go head and buy a Chef’s Planet Nonstick Ovenliner today and save yourself time down the road.  You don’t really want to be cleaning the oven after baking that delicious apple pie Thanksgiving Day do you?  I’d much rather be eating the pie and playing games with my family!

Want to know how you easy it is to care for your Chef’s Planet Non-stick Overliner? Watch this video demonstration.

 

Chef’s Planet Nonstick Ovenliners are available here:

Chef’s Planet® Messy Recipe Contest!

To celebrate 10 years Chef’s Planet is hosting a messy recipe contest on Facebook! Beginning Monday, October 29 through Friday, November 30, we invite you to submit a one-of-a-kind, mouthwatering recipe to our Facebook page. We are seeking recipes that drip, crumble and spill… recipes that leave your kitchen screaming for a cleaning, but your family and friends begging for more.

Submissions should include an original recipe – one you created – and a photo of your delectable masterpiece. Submit main dishes, side dishes, appetizers and desserts. If you have a personal story pertaining to your recipe, we would love for you to share it.

Click here to enter the contest.  Good Luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe: Skippy® Spidery Peanut Butter Cookies | @Skippy

Food and Drink, ,
Skippy® Introduces Limited Edition Jar to Celebrate The Amazing Spider-Man's DVD and Blu-ray™ Release
Skippy Introduces Limited Edition Jar to Celebrate The Amazing Spider-Man's DVD and Blu-ray Release. (PRNewsFoto/Skippy)

With the recent release of The Amazing Spider-Man on Blu-ray and DVD, Skippy wants to get you and your family in on all of the superhero action! Released November 13th, limited edition Skippy jars featuring “Spidey” himself include a $4 savings coupon for The Amazing Spider-Man Blu-ray™ Combo Pack.

Makes: 5-1/2 dozen

Prep: 45 minutes, Bake: 12 minutes

  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose ­flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup Skippy® Natural Creamy or Super Chunk® Peanut Butter Spread
  • 12 Tbsp. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! ® All Purpose Sticks
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup ‑firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine ­flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl; set aside. Beat Skippy® Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® All Purpose Sticks in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in sugars, then eggs and vanilla until blended. Beat in fl­our mixture just until blended.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Arrange cookies on ungreased baking sheet, 2 inches apart

Bake 12 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove to wire rack and cool completely. Decorate, if desired, to look like spiders.*

*Note: If decorating like spiders, press a mini peanut butter cup into top of each cookie while still warm. When chocolate starts to melt, attach pretzel “legs” by sticking them into melted chocolate. Let cool completely then attach coated candy pieces for ”eyes” and sugar pearls for ”pupils” with peanut butter. Don’t have sugar pearls? White decorating gel also works.

To make movie night at home even more enjoyable, Skippy also is introducing new Spidery recipes, including Spidery Peanut Cookies, that the whole family will enjoy. For more information and recipes visit www.peanutbutter.com orhttps://www.facebook.com/Skippy.

Chuck E. Cheese’s Goes Gluten-Free! | @ChuckECheese

Food and Drink, ,

November is Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month, and according to the Wall Street Journal, 1 out of 15 children in the U.S. have some kind of food allergy.  With this many children around the country suffering from diet restrictions, like wheat products, Chuck E. Cheese’s is excited to announce the launch of its new gluten-free pizza and cupcake options on the menus of all of its store locations to accommodate guests with special dietary needs.

Chuck E Cheese's Gluten free pizza

As a result of positive feedback during its gluten-free pizza and cupcake pilot test last spring, Chuck E. Cheese’s has moved ahead on its journey toward offering these products to stores and families nationwide. Now, more families and children can enjoy the full Chuck E. Cheese’s experience guilt- and gluten-free!

“Given that gluten-free products are something we’ve wanted to offer for the last few years, it feels very gratifying to deliver a product that reflects our commitment to providing even our guests with strict gluten intolerance with a product that still tastes great and expands the Chuck E. Cheese’s experience from games to food and fun for so many families,” Elliot said. “It’s a great example of how we’re working towards consistent quality across the board to make all facets of guests’ visits more enjoyable.”

In addition to the new gluten-free menu, Chuck E. Cheese’s recently upgraded its traditional pizza recipe with dough made in-store as well as freshly shredded mozzarella and vegetables. In consideration of other food allergies, Chuck E. Cheese’s provides a comprehensive online listing of each ingredient for all menu items to help parents determine the most appropriate foods for their unique family’s dining experience.

The gluten-free cheese pizza can be purchased at more than 500 Chuck E. Cheese’s locations in the U.S. and Canada for $5.99, the same price as its individual size pizza with traditional crust. The gluten-free chocolate fudge cupcake is sold for $2.99 in the U.S. and $3.49 in Canada. Chuck E. Cheese’s encourages families to participate in Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month this November by tasting its new offerings and sharing their thoughts about dining out safely with food allergies on the company’s Official Facebook Page.

Chuck E. Cheese’s Does Gluten-free the Right Way With New Menu Options Nationwide: http://youtu.be/1LiXszmhRLQ