Parties are always a fun time to get together with friends and family and enjoy some tasty bites. Whether your celebration is in honor of a birthday, sporting event, holiday or theme party you want to host a memorable event for your guests. How do you spice up your parties and create an event that no one will forget? Farm Rich is bringing some heat to your parties with its popular line-up of frozen snacks and appetizers with the new Queso Cheese Bites – delicious, bite-sized snacks filled with creamy white queso cheese. Now you can enjoy bite-sized snacks at home with a slight ‘kick’ when you can’t get to your favorite Mexican restaurant.

I am a big fan of farm Rich products. I love Mozzarella sticks and believe me, I have tried just about every brand on the market. They are a perfect finger food and everyone loves them! I think most people think Mozzarella Sticks when they think Farm Rich. Those people are missing out! New Farm Rich Queso Cheese Bites are not too hot, not too cool, but just right. These little guys are creamy white, queso-filled, breaded, bite-sized happiness, packin’ just the right amount of heat to perfectly spice up any occasion. They come out of the oven or fryer in just minutes, crisp and toasty on the outside, meltingly tender on the inside, and ready to serve for an after-school snack, party appetizer, or just anytime hunger calls. The wholesome snacks also are a good source of calcium, and each portion contains just 180 calories.

Break out from the boring and classic “Chips and Dip” and put a little fun on your table. Anything involving the kids is always more fun with pigs in a blanket. Just a simple cocktail weenie wrapped in a crescent roll and baked. If I am feeling a little extra “daring” I put a little cheese inside. There is no better way to get together with friends and family than around food. I am Italian and Polish so you can imagine how important food is for entertaining. It is one of the things I missed most when moving into my apartment. (Which is ending soon! YAY!) I haven’t done a themed party in quite some time but they are always so much fun! My son had a Star Wars party one year and it was so much fun! We had everything from Light Saber pretzel rods to blue and green cupcakes. A good time was had by all!

Between March 19 and May 4, play Pesos 4 Quesos for a chance to win a $3,500 “Fiesta Grande” from Farm Rich. Visit the Farm Rich Facebook page and click on Pesos 4 Quesos to play and register to win weekly $200 gift cards plus the chance to take home the $3,500 grand prize—worth over 44,000 pesos! By reaching certain game levels, players can also earn coupons to try the new Queso Cheese Bites. The grand-prize winner will be announced on May 5.

About Farm Rich Queso Cheese Bites: Available nationally at Walmart stores and other Farm Rich grocery retailers for an average retail price of $6.99, each bag of Farm Rich Queso Cheese Bites contains 53-56 pieces. The bite-sized snacks come out of the oven or fryer in just minutes, crisp and toasty on the outside, meltingly tender on the inside, and ready to serve for an after-school snack, party appetizer, or just any time hunger calls. The wholesome snacks also are a good source of calcium, and each portion contains just 180 calories and 0 grams trans fat per serving. As the newest product from Farm Rich, Queso Cheese Bites join a line-up of popular frozen snacks and appetizers that includes Cheese Sticks, Mini Pizza Slices, Mozzarella Bites, Stuffed Pretzel Bites and more. To learn more, visit www.farmrich.com.

Check out Farm Rich on Facebook and be sure to Follow them on Twitter at @farmrichsnacks.

Disclosure: MAK Media wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Farm Rich blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media network that may be mentioned. This post is the sole property of MAK Media, LLC.  All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

Our mornings have become some what of a ritual. I learned a long time ago that even the littlest thing can make school mornings stressful. It USUALLY runs like clock work but there are those days when no one wants to get out of bed, when they kids change their mind at the last second as to what the want for breakfast or someone gets sick. On a typical morning, Royal is awake before everyone so he is eating breakfast by 6-6:30. Spencer and I follow him at 7:10. Teeth are being brushed by 7:30. dressed by 7:45, book bag packed by 7:50 and out the door at 8. I am loving the mornings that Spencer doesn’t wander our of bed until 9. I expect that this is a a temporary treat that I am receiving. But I am hoping like crazy it isn’t.

For as many years as I can remember, Tropicana is the only brand of orange juice that I buy. I used to be a huge fan for the Heavy Pulp style but as I get older, I seem to have a bigger taste for no pulp. On occasion I do like “some pulp”. If I don’t have time to eat breakfast, I always at least have a glass of nice cold OJ. I’ll be honest, I rarely eat breakfast. It is just one of those things I picked up from my Dad. I am never usually hungry but I feel like I should take in something.

Breakfast would not be complete without a glass of refreshing orange juice.  Tropicana Pure Premium 100% Pure Florida Orange Juice has a story to tell story about the Florida growers who provide the oranges that make Tropicana Pure Premium. Start your daily routine on a pure, fresh note. Take a moment to learn more about their story.

Head over to Facebook and “LIKE” the Tropicana page, enter the Tropicana sweepstakes for a chance to win 100 Florida prizes, including one-year-supplies of Tropicana (in the form of twelve 59 oz Tropicana Pure Premium containers) and a trip to Florida to visit an orange grove. Share the news about the sweepstakes with your readers! Ninety-nine winners will get a one-year supply of orange juice in the form of twelve coupons for (12) 59 oz Tropicana Pure Premium® containers. One winner will get a trip to a Florida orange grove and invite three (3) guests for:  Round-trip airfare for four (4) to Florida, three (3) night stay at a Florida hotel.The winner will have an exclusive experience at experience at a Florida orange grove. For official rules and regulations, visit the “sweeps” tab on Tropicana’s Facebook page.

Did you know that Tropicana is the single largest buyer of Florida fruit, purchasing approximately 11.6 billion oranges from Florida each year? They use groves in 22 different Florida counties, primarily in central and southern Florida. The different microclimates and soil types mean that fruit reaches peak maturity at different times, allowing Tropicana to harvest ripe fruit throughout the entire growing season. The two major orange types in Tropicana Pure Premium are Valencia and Hamlin. Valencias typically have more intense color and flavor, while Hamlins can be sweeter. They each add unique characteristics to the TPP blend. Many Florida growers sample oranges by cutting them into a cup shape, allowing for drinking juice directly from the fruit. Tropicana’s roots in Florida go back a long way. Some of its current grower relationships date to the 1960s. Oranges have been grown in Florida since the 1560s, approximately 147 years before any other U.S. state. WOW! Have you had your Tropicana OJ today?

More info on Tropicana: http://www.tropicana.com
Like Tropicana on Facebook

Disclosure: MAK Media wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tropicana blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic,click here. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media network that may be mentioned. This post is the sole property of MAK Media, LLC.  All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

Hey Moms! Are you trying to lose weight? Aren’t most of us? Have you tried diet after diet and nothing works? Have you heard of The Fresh Diet? Created in 2005, it is based on the 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins and 30% fats diet concept. It became the first diet delivery company in Florida to offer clients fresh daily-prepared meals that are never frozen, freeze-dried or vacuum packed. Instead, The Fresh Diet delivers fresh, healthy, calorie-controlled meals delivered daily straight to your door!

The Fresh Diet prepares your meals based on your specific dieting needs. You get 3 meals and 2 snacks delivered daily which includes free delivery. Outside the many fantastic things that the Fresh Diet offers, I am loving the no cooking, no counting, no clean up. Come on let’s face it, that would make dieting a lot simpler for most of us.

I can definitely see the benefit of this system. Many of us have tried measuring and counting everything. I bet more times than not, we mess that up. You forgot to count something, you get your “best estimate” on the calorie count or you measure your food incorrectly. They have daily caloric values to fit anyone’s weight loss or lifestyle goals. This system is for men and woman. There is a 1200-1400 calorie range for women and a 1400 – 2200 calorie range for men, however, they also can accommodate smaller and larger values too. The company has many different clients including past & current NFL & MLB players.

It is really simple to start losing weight with this plan. All you have to do is choose the plan that best fits you and your meals are cooked fresh every day using garden fresh premium ingredients, delivered in a temperature controlled thermally insulated refrigerated cooler bags. I did say every day right?

Are you a new Mom who has been eating for two for the last nine months? Now it’s time to re-train your body and your mind into eating the correct portions and foods in order to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight.  Get them all guessing how you shed your pregnancy weight so fast! Are you a working Mom? While you’re juggling a career and Motherhood, The Fresh Diet will count your calories, weigh your food, prepare your meals and deliver them straight to your door. Are you a single mom? When you are doing it on your own, it seems like there are so many “to-do’s” and mealtime can be a crazy time. The Fresh Diet makes mealtime so much more manageable for you and your little ones. It doesn’t matter who you are, The Fresh Diet I personally think can appeal to just about anyone.

Some of the great benefits to The Fresh Diet are:

• Lose 10 pounds this month with The Fresh Diet (average weight loss is 1-3 lbs. per week)
• Cooked fresh daily in state of the art local kitchens
• The easiest way to have fresh, nutritionally balanced meals  for healthy weight loss
• It’s the perfect way for busy people with refined palates to lose weight and get healthy
• It’s as convenient as having your own chef
• Never processed, vacuum packed or frozen
• Choose from hundreds of meal selections
• 4 choices for each meal plus 6 choices for 2 sides and 2 snacks each day
• Unlimited food dislikes
• Rollover days
• Use your days to suit your lifestyle
• Includes daily delivery
• Taste, variety, convenience, weight loss
• Sinfully delicious yet astonishingly healthy

Right now you can Receive 3 days free with the purchase of a 31 day plan at $29.99 per day. The promo code is: semommar29

Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was compensated for this post. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media network that may be mentioned. This post is the sole property of MAK Media, LLC.  All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

The authors are specifically concerned about the use of birth dates and Social Security numbers on travel orders and military ID cards. IT is also becoming a concern that it is a requirement for troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign posts to provide their Social Security numbers to cash personal checks.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson was recently appointed chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, and he said the panel will review the study’s findings. The potential problems stemming from identity theft are particularly great for deployed troops.

LifeLock is proud to partner with Relativity Media in the upcoming theatrical release of “Act of Valor,” one of most authentic action movies ever made.  That’s because “Act of Valor” was filmed using actual Navy SEALs, weapons and tactics – giving you a glimpse into the fast-paced, adrenaline fueled world of America’s elite military.

Just like there is no better protector of our country than the Navy SEALs, there is no better protector of your identity than LifeLock – which offers the most comprehensive identity theft protection service available.  Armed with advanced technologies and world class member service, identity thieves don’t stand a chance. Since touring the LifeLock HQ this summer, talking with everyone and learning so much about identity theft, it is amazing that everyone doesn’t have LifeLock protecting them.

I have never seen this movie which is surprising to me because I thought my Dad and I had watched every Military movie on the market! Here is a little breakdown.

An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs in a powerful story of contemporary global anti-terrorism. Inspired by true events, the film combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the minute battlefield technology and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure.

Act of Valor takes audiences deep into the secretive world of the most elite, highly trained group of warriors in the modern world. When the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., a team of SEALs is dispatched on a worldwide manhunt. As the valiant men of the Bandito Platoon race to stop a coordinated attack that could kill and wound thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to country, team and their families back home.

Each time they accomplish their mission, a new piece of intelligence reveals another shocking twist to the deadly terror plot, which stretches from Chechnya to the Philippines and from Ukraine to Somalia. The widening operation sends the SEALs across the globe as they track the terrorist ring to the U.S.-Mexico border, where they engage in an epic firefight with an outcome that has potentially unimaginable consequences for the future of America.

WIN TICKETS TO THE PREMIERE!

Visit the Act of Valor tab on the LifeLock Facebook page where they can enter to win 2 tickets to the world premiere of the film. The prize includes one trip for two (winner plus guest) to Los Angeles for the premiere. (Included is round-trip air transportation, ground transportation between the airport-hotel and the hotel-premiere event, hotel accommodations for for two nights, and $1,000 spending money for the winner.) Approximate retail value of the grand prize is up to $3,500. After entering to win, theyou can also write a note to a U.S. soldier!

Want a second chance to win? Delightful Chaos is giving away a set of tickets to a reader! If a screening is not available in the winner’s area, the winner will receive movie vouchers.

Disclosure: I’m a LifeLock Brand Ambassador and this is a sponsored post. Any views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor. You can read more about our Disclosure Policy here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I’m a Mizkan Blogger Advocate and this is a sponsored post. Any views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive post. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

This year seemed to blow by for us and Christmas is just around the corner. It’s amazing to even say that! Of course that means here comes holiday shopping. The large amount of spending over such a small period of time, can increase the chances for identity theft and identity fraud. Simply being a smart shopper can reduce your chances but, it doesn’t necessarily ensure you have done enough to reduce all the risks surrounding identity theft during the holiday shopping season. Sometimes drastic times calls for drastic measures (I know this all to well) and this season might be the right time to go above and beyond the normal “tips and suggestions” that we hear about.

According to the National Retail Federation, 212 million US consumers spent an estimated $45 billion over the Black Friday weekend in 2010.

• Leave your Debit card at home and use only a credit card or a gift card. If you don’t have a credit card, consider purchasing a pre-paid credit card to limit the amount lost if you are victimized. If you’re the target of an identity thief, you’re not losing your money but the lenders. Don’t give the criminals direct access to your funds.

• Smarter Savings –Don’t open store credit, even if they are offering you 20% savings. By opening store credit you are creating more opportunities for your personal information to be exposed and/or lost and chances are good that you can find a similar discount code just with a few clicks online.

• What’s Your Frequency? If your card has the volume symbol on the front or back, your card is emitting signal just looking to connect (radio frequency identification) to a card reader– and a thief knows this. RFID credit cards reduce the need for the consumer to scan their card, instead the card just connects. Identity thieves are creating devices to electronically pickpocket you if you’re carrying and RFID card in your purse or wallet. Call your lender and request a credit card without the RFID chip.

• Swipe in Style – Don’t swipe your credit card at the checkout, instead, hand it over to the cashier to run through on the register. Identity thieves are compromising point of sale terminals and capturing your personal information.

• Wi-Fi Worries – When browsing online, avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi networks and shared computers. You cannot guarantee the security of the computer and you are placing your personal information at risk whenever you use a public or community computer to make a purchase online.

What are some other ways you can protect yourself? Check out a Company called LifeLock. In 2005, LifeLock set out to provide proactive identity theft protection to a growing member base. As chairman and chief executive officer of LifeLock, Todd Davis has committed the last five years to building an organization that is at the forefront of helping to combat identity theft crimes. I had the chance to sit down to lunch with Todd and his staff back in August and all were extremely helpful in educating me on just how easy it is to have your information stolen. Many times I found myself sitting there with my mouth open, in disbelief that people actually came up with some of these ideas! Want to give LifeLock a try at no cost? Enter my giveaway below!

Some articles worth reading :

ComScore-Cyber Monday 2010$1.028 Billion Spent online, up 16% from 20099M total online shoppers17.1M transactions

Cyber Monday 2010106.87M expected shoppers (76% increase over 5 years)

National Retail Federation- Black Friday 2010Total Spending $45 BillionOnline & in-store- 212M shoppers

This giveaway is for one year of LifeLock Service that is good for one adult and up to three children and is valued at $275!!

Disclosure: I’m a LifeLock Brand Ambassador and this is a sponsored post. Any views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive post. You can read more about our Disclosure Policy here.

It’s a crazy week around here and the weekend has proved to be no different.  My boys come home on Sunday so I am trying to get a few dinners prepped, beds changed, clothes washed and tons more! You would think with them being gone there would be a bit more down time. Yea right! Only thing that changes is not waking up at 6 am (No complaints!)

By the time I get home and settled, I really don’t feel like making anything big and I am really tired of ordering in or eating out. Enter Sun-Bird Seasonings.  Asian cooking with authentic seasoning mixes and sauce mixes. Adventure awaits you tonight. Sun-Bird authentic Asian seasoning mixes and sauce mixes are the quick and easy way to experience the exotic flavors of the Far East. Transform any meal with the excitement of true Asian cooking from Sun-Bird. Back in September I made the General Tso’s Chicken and it was a hit! It didn’t take me that long at all.

Because Sun-Bird Seasonings knows that you have a busy life too, they have given me a $50 gift card to help make your week a little easier! Want to know how to enter? It’s super easy! Just use Rafflecopter below and Good Luck!

Gift Card will be in the form of a Visa or MasterCard.

Disclosure: I’m a Guenther Blogger Advocate and this is a sponsored post.  Any views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive post. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

Find hope. Be inspired. Know you are not alone. Join the 2011 Pink Together™ campaign – now in its fifth year of celebrating hope – by visiting PinkTogether.com to connect with a unique online community of people who have been touched by breast cancer and share a passion for the cause. Individually we are strong, but together we are stronger.

• Visit PinkTogether.com to share your personal story and messages of hope and read about others’ personal journeys. To encourage personal connections, General Mills will donate $1 to the Komen organization for each Message of Hope that is sent to someone who has shared their story on PinkTogether.com (up to $25,000) during October. This is in addition to a $2 million donation General Mills is making to the Komen organization.
• This year, for the first time in its five-year history, at PinkTogether.com consumers can choose how $1 million of this donation will be shared between two important Komen programs: the Treatment and Assistance Program, which assists women in securing care they otherwise may not be able to afford, and Prevention Research, which helps unlock the keys to preventing breast cancer. Visit PinkTogether.com from September 19, 2011 through April 14, 2012 to make your choice. Results will be announced on Mother’s Day 2012 – Sunday, May 13.
• Meet the 2011 Pink Together Survivor Ambassadors, and hear their amazing stories of courage and survival on Pink Together and the Pink Together YouTube Channel.
• General Mills will also be turning the packaging of participating products pink in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.

• PinkTogether.com (on Facebook) http://bit.ly/PinkTogether
• Pink Together YouTube Channel http://bit.ly/PinkTogetherVid

ENTER TO WIN A PRIZE PACK!

• A 16 oz. box of Total cereal
• VIP coupons valid for one box of Cheerios and Multigrain Cheerios cereal and one cup of Yoplait yogurt
• Betty Crocker Living with Cancer Cookbook Pink Together Edition, which includes a collection of more than 150 delicious recipes with complete nutrition information and a 32-page Pink Together Survivor Ambassador bonus section that shares inspirational personal stories of survival as well as recipes
• Water bottle and removable silicone awareness bracelet
• Drawstring sport backpack
• Rhinestone ear buds

Disclosure: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did receive product for my testing purposes by General Mills through MyBlogSpark .  The views and opinions expressed in this blogs content are solely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product should be verified by the above mentioned manufacturer, PR Agency or product designer. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to twitter, facebook or any other network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

I am blessed with children who do not get sick very often. I would like to take all the credit and say it was because I nursed them but I can’t be sure of that. I am just grateful for whatever the reason. Sadly for some, it seems their children are always coming down with something.

The fall and winter is approaching quickly. It is our job as parents to keep our children healthy and minimizing the impact of cold and flu season is top of mind. Germs can spread easily when kids are in school sharing lunches and school supplies, playing with friends, and participating in extracurricular activities. It’s important to keep your kids healthy so they can stay active, alert and not miss any school. The experts at Lysol recommend getting a flu shot, washing your hands with soap and water and scrub thoroughly for 20 seconds, and routinely clean and disinfect surfaces to help stop the spread of germs. Lysol Spray and Lysol Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on hard non porous surfaces.

Here are some things we don and don’t do to stay healthy during the cold months.

1. One thing we do NOT do in our home is get flu shots. I have never had one and neither have my sons. Many many years ago, my then boyfriend, went to get one and he became sicker than you can imagine. I don’t think he left bed for more than 5 or 10 minute stretches. I have seen this happen to other people as well. I am just not willing to do that.

2. The amount of hand sanitizer around here is crazy. It’s in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, my purse and my jeep. My son even has one attached to his back pack! We use it frequently.

3. Public restrooms: this one always makes me laugh. We go in, we use the bathroom, we wash our hands, we touch the door handle and leave. How many people before you did not wash their hands and touched that door handle?I used to feel like I was some kind of germaphobe but I have seen A LOT of people doing this.. Wash your hands and then use the paper towel to open the door, hold the door with your foot or elbow and throw the towel away. I do this every time. I can’t say the boys always do but I know I have seen them do it.

4. I walk around the house several times a week with Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and wipe down all of the door knobs, remote controls, the phone and especially the video game controllers. I also wipe down frequently played with toys.

5. I sanitize our toothbrushes regularly to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria, germs and viruses. We have a sanitizer machine that uses  ultraviolet sterilizing lamps to sanitize the toothbrush, killing harmful bacteria and viruses. If it is not in your budget to buy one, soak your brush for about five minutes once a week in mouthwash to sanitize the brush of germs and bacteria.

More info on Lysol: http://www.lysol.com/mission-for-health

Lysol on Facebook

I would love to hear how you keep your home a little more germ free!

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” The views and opinions expressed in this blogs content are solely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product should be verified by the above mentioned manufacturer, PR Agency or product designer. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to twitter, facebook or any other network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor.You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

Help me settle this debate between my friends and I! I won’t tell you my answer until later so there is no favoritism, I now you would of course all side with me