Friday Follow and Low Entry Linky

Happy Friday! I hope you'll enjoy your visit -- browse and add to our low entry linky below!

Previously Stephanie from The Ten Talents' shared her Low Entry Lowdown, but she's no longer doing that. So I'd like to list a few low entry giveaways (less than 100 entries) which end in the next 2 weeks. And link up contests in the blogphere that have less than 100 entries, ending in the next 2 weeks! Happy Winning!

• Big G Whole Grain Prize Pack 4/10
• Purex Complete Crystals, 2 winners, 4/6
• Scunci Bendini Clips 4/17

If I Won the Lottery...

Normally I don't think about these kinds of things often because it can lead me to a play I just don't want to visit . . . the black hole of discontent which continues to grow and feed on my negativity! But for a few minutes, I'll indulge!

Don't know how much Powerball is now, but I'm thinking an extravagant amount, which would allow me to:

1. Pay off the house -- no debt whatsoever would be great, right?

2. Put money into savings/retirement and college fund for the kid(s)

3. Build a house in Africa for our medical missionary friends

4. Purchase a home for my parents to retire in

5. Pay for others' international adoptions

6. Set up some kind of investment so that I can continue to have funds to help organizations whenever necessary

7. Take vacations to San Francisco, Asia, and maybe Europe.

8. Spend a little bit more and buy a few more adorable cloth diapers!



This post is part of the Blog Dare's Prompt: If I Won the Lottery
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Winner!

And the winner of the $25 eMommie.com GC is

Kimberly

Smart Consumers

I strive to be a smart consumer and realize there's so much that I've gleaned from the blogsphere but also people I interact with each day. In thinking about what encompasses smart consumerism, I've boiled it down to three points!

1. Find out what deals are available.
The internet is so helpful in matchups and the best use of coupons in conjunction with the sales ad! The way I see it, we really don't need to pay full price for the majority of things with all that's available to us.

2. Understand the value of the deal.
I struggle with this because I'm a deal-seeker! Some times the excellent deals still do not equal the value -- it's hard to admit, but I might still have to pay a little more than the deal found to get the best value for the product, because I'll end up with a better product. It's also good to remember that spending money, even if it's a good deal, is still spending money! And every little bit, in either direction, adds up.

3. See through marketing strategies.
Some times I deliberately avoid deals I find because I recognize the marketing strategies behind the sales pitch and cannot agree with what's happening. But I think part of this is also making sure that I'm not making emotional purchacs and buying simply to buy or because it makes me feel good!

In essence, a smart consumer is SMART. She or he will be thinking through the entire process and willfully makes purchases. Are you a smart consumer?



This post is part of the Blog Dare's Promp: How I am a smart consumer.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Beware of Food Dyes

Over a year ago, I remember our real estate agent telling us of how red dye in food products had awful effects on his young son, and both my husband and I were baffled that food dyes would be the cause. Last night, I read this article aloud to my husband about the dangers of food dyes and how they're found in so many of our American staples, like Mac 'n Cheese or breakfast cereals. And while we're not doing the 100% organic, because I can't get our budget wrapped around it, I'm leaning more and more in that direction. If you have time, read the article.

Image: Keattikorn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Scünci Bendini Clip Review and Giveaway

Looking for fun or elegant hair accessories? The Scünci Bendini Clip would be a great addition to have! Because of the three different sizes and the strong combination of the comb and the clip, the Bendini will work with almost any hair length and texture. Simply gather your hair in the desired style; then slide the comb into your hair; and bend and snap the Bendini securely, yet comfortably, for an all-day hold, perfect for special occasions or just plain pampering!

Personally, I like the Girl Benini' Clips even more!

Check out Scünci's Facebook page for other giveaways or enter one here!

Buy It!
You can purchase the Scünci Bendini Clip at drug, mass, and grocery store nationwide for $4.99 a pack.

Win It!
You can also win your own Scünci Bendini Clip by being a Google Friend Connect follower of this blog; just make sure you leave a comment with your email address. This is required and must be done before extra entries count!

Open to US only.

Extra Entries!
You can do any of these for a extra entries. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do, along with your email address.

1- For ONE extra entry, Follow Discovering the Me in Mommy on Twitter.
2- For ONE extra entry, Like Discovering the Me in Mommy on Facebook.
3 - For ONE extra entry, Like Scünci on Facebook.
4 - For ONE extra entry, Follow Scünci on Twitter.

Contest ends at 10pm EST on Sunday, April 17, 2011 when I will draw a winner at random. I will notify the winner, and s/he will have 36 hours to respond.


****This is not a paid post. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Robin Leedy & Associates, on behalf of Scünci, who supplied the products for the review and giveaway!****

Friday Follow and Low Entry Linky

Happy Friday! I hope you'll enjoy your visit -- browse and add to our low entry linky below!

Previously Stephanie from The Ten Talents' shared her Low Entry Lowdown, but she's no longer doing that. So I'd like to list a few low entry giveaways (less than 100 entries) which end in the next 2 weeks.

• eMommie.com $25 Maternity 3/27
• Big G Whole Grain Prize Pack 4/10
• Purex Complete Crystals, 2 winners, 4/6
• $25 GC Lil Lainy Bug - custom kids clothes - Ends 3/26

Big G Whole Grain Weight Management Review and Giveaway!

I strive to bring the best nutrition for my family, and General Mills Big G cereals want to make that easier for all families. Reported in their press information,

Ninety-five percent of Americans do not get enough whole grain, according to the Report of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. In fact, the average person gets a little more than half a serving of whole grain each day.

Every Big G cereal contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving, with more than 20 Big G cereals delivering 16 grams or more. (At least 48 grams of whole grain are recommended daily.) A diet high in whole grain has been found to help with diabetes and weight management, and may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

General Mills wants to encourage better nutrition and weight management and is offering a prize pack, including a VIP coupon for one Big G cereal and a copy of The Lean Belly Prescription by Dr. Travis Stork, a host of the TV program The Doctors! For example, in his "Laws of Leanness," he writes:

• If you love to graze: Nosh all day long on your favorite fruits and vegetables to help keep your belly full


• If you love fatty foods: discover which fats can actually strip away pounds


• If you love soda: substitute more delicious drinks that can help you lose up to four pounds in four weeks.

You can also preview a few pages of The Lean Belly Prescription: The fast and foolproof diet and weight-loss plan from America's top urgent-care doctor here.

WIN IT!

This is open to U.S. To enter, let me know what you think about GM Big G cereals or Dr. Stork's book! This is required and must be done before the extra entries count! PLEASE leave your name and email address with your entry.

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do along with you email address.

1- For ONE extra entry, Follow me via Google Friend Connect.

2- For ONE extra entry, Follow me on twitter.

3 -For ONE extra entry, Like Discovering the Me in Mommy on Facebook.

Contest ends at 10pm EST on Sunday, April 10, 2011 when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address in your entry. I will notify the winner, and s/he will have 36 hours to respond!

****This is not a paid post. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. General Mills provided the VIP coupons, information, and prize packs through MyBlogSpark.****

Winners

Here are our winners for the Household Traditions Dishwasher Detergent

~dab

And Boiron Cold and Flu Care Pack!

Our Homeschool Reviews

7 Month Free Subscription Parents Magazine

Have you seen this?!?

Thanks to Huggies & Parents Magazine you can score a 7 month Free subscription to Parents magazine

Thanks Shining2Save!

Here Comes the Sun...round 2

Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I keep hearing it's Spring, and yesterday with the sun peeking through behind rain clouds and sixty degree temps, I was positive we'd be clear for a partly sunny afternoon. When the little one woke from her nap, I asked her, "Do you want to take a walk?" Often when I ask her, it's really a rhetorical question because the answer is, "Mommy wants to take a walk, so you need to come too!" But how could you pass up comfortable walking weather when winter seems to stalk the MidWest as if it were Alaska?

So I loaded up the little one, and we took our stroller out! Interestingly, the sky was sunny in front of us but seemed much darker to the right of us. Deciding that I shouldn't stray too far from the house as to get caught in scattered showers, I tried to keep within a 2-3 minute distance from the house. I swear, the sun was shining. . . I had my sunglasses on; little one was singing; we watched the kids unload off school buses. And . . . thunder. Not 30 seconds after I heard what I thought was a distant rumble, it started sprinkling. So I walked faster. And the sprinkling came down faster and harder. Hmmm. . . we were passing a friend's house, and I quickly debated seeking shelter there. But unwilling to invade on her children's time, as she was at work, I put up the cover on the stroller and started running. Hopefully no one I knew saw us running home . . . in the rain.

Once we got home and put the stroller away, the rain stopped, and the sun came out. And it didn't rain the rest of the day!

Friday Follow and Low Entry Linky!

Happy Friday! I took a few weeks off to get myself together again, but we're back to make more friends and hopefully share a few low entry giveaways! I hope you'll enjoy your visit -- browse and add to our low entry linky below!

Previously Stephanie from The Ten Talents' shared her Low Entry Lowdown, but she's no longer doing that. So I'd like to list a few low entry giveaways (less than 100 entries) which end in the next 2 weeks.

• Household Traditions Powdered Dishwasher Detergent 3/20
• Boiron Cold and Flu Care Pack 3/20
• eMommie.com $25 Maternity 3/27
• Paci-catchers 3/20
• Washer/dishwasher cleaning kit 3/22

Wordless Wednesday - Here Comes the Sun

Nutella®

Last week, we had some friends over for a play date and a Nutella® party, courtesy of Nutella®. It reminded me of the treat it was, as a little girl, to have some Nutella® for breakfast, and I found out one of my friends' child likes it on almost everything, even strawberries! It's a hit with anyone who likes chocolate -- check out this happy face!

Nutella® is a Hazelnut Spread, which contains no artificial colors or preservatives, but it's definitely a sweet treat with 21 grams of sugar. In addition to an omelet, fruit, and milk, I'll let my toddler have about half a slice of toast with Nutella®; some times we'll have a few pretzels with Nutella® for an afternoon snack. Read more about Nutella® and give it a try with this $1 coupon!

****This is not a paid post. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. I received a free sample and party pack from Nutella.****

Cloth Diaper Experience Concludes!

Wow! February flew by, and in addition to the new fluffy fun I've discovered, I'm thrilled to complete my first event here -- thank you so much for helping to make it successful! I met some new friends and was also introduced to great businesses with excellent products and production methods.

So where am I at in my Cloth Diaper Experience?!? I detailed how I came from the world of disposables into my fair-weather cloth diaper stage, and now, after making more purchases, I'm pretty much 100% into the fluff -- I still use disposables when we send the little one to the nursery, until I can get a feel of how the staff would react to cloth!

Many moms have their favorites, but I really do like most of the ones I've tried! I really like my FuzziBunz, Knickernappies, Monkey Toe, Thirsties, and Mother-ease diapers that I reviewed. I've also spent quite some time and money at Diaper Swappers (by the way, this is a great place to frugally try various brands and also sell when you're ready to de-stash. I also realized a lot of moms on there were using their 20% off or $10 off Amazon codes to get an excellent deal on cloth diapers!) to find that I also like the Blueberries and Bum Genius -- I still have a few more to wash and try, including fitteds! I bought a Flip because I loved the concept, but that's my least favorite right now -- little one soaks it up quickly!

And our final winners!

Super Skivvies Winner

Michelle_B

Wahmies Wet Bag Winner
Tandy and Jeff


And **Updated*** the Knickernappies winner
lisad33611

Wordless Wednesday

Busy Week

Image: winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My online presence has been lacking as we've been concentrating on the people around us! We had a very pleasant house guest stay with us the past week, and while it was hardly trouble housing this teen, a small part of me concentrated more Mommy-efforts towards her stay. We also hosted a family of 6, whom I haven't seen for about 5 years, for breakfast; followed by attending a baby shower; and delivering a meal to a discouraged friend! While I do enjoy time with friends, I'm I know I invested much time and energy in preparation and execution, but it is worth all the hard work! So I should be returning to my normal activities now!

And the winners are . . .

rebecca williams
the Thirsties Duo Diaper

judithelenore
the Mother-ease One Size Diaper System

My Ugly Moment...

Image: Liz Noffsinger / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I'm usually a pleasant person, but my sense of being right sometimes gets the best of me. And boy was that an ugly picture...

A few nights ago, dinner wasn't thawing out as planned, so we decided to use our BOGO Chipotle coupon (which is still good for a couple more days!). I tucked my coupon into the diaper bag, but for some reason, didn't fold it small enough to fit into the pocket. So upon arriving at Chipotle, I gave the coupon to my husband, since I had to unbuckle the little one out of her car seat and he would end up paying for dinner, and we joined the rather long line. After many minutes of waiting, passing our daughter back and forth, ordering rice, steak, and beans, we were to get our amazing deal. My husband quietly asked me for the coupon, and I was shocked! I must have been quite a little spectacle, but had little clue just how insistent I was that I had given him the coupon before I took the little one out of the car! There was absolutely no yelling, but my husband wanted to quickly pay full price, yet I was SURE we had our coupon. Then the manager who was working the cash register piqued up, "I'll honor the coupon. You don't have to fight."
Ugh. I didn't even realize we were fighting. . . because I was right! I still don't think we were fighting. . . anyways, I apologized to my husband for making a small scene. And the coupon . . . he found it in his pocket when we came home.

So, my question is this, is there a gracious way of telling someone you're right?!?