Review and Giveaway: Uncle Sam's Cereal

Finding a breakfast that is low in sugar for the family is not an easy task. I always worry about how much sugar Wyatt is ingesting before he heads of to school. Well, U.S. Mills has answered my concerns with their Uncle Sam's Original Cereal.

Uncle Sam's Original Cereal is a high fiber cereal and is made from a unique blend of toasted whole grain wheat flakes and flaxseed. Each bowl is full of powerful, heart healthy ALA Omega-3's from flaxseed, is low sodium and low sugar (with less than 1g sugars). Best of all, the toasted whole grain wheat flakes and flaxseed stay crispy and crunchy from the first spoonful to the last.


Uncle Sam's was nice enough to send my family a box of Original Cereal to try. Wyatt has just started eating cereal and was happy to try this one out. I did add a banana to sweeten it up some, which did the trick. He ate it up and I knew that he would stay full without the sugar rush when he gets to school.


Uncle Sam's cereal is available in Original and Mixed Berry. They also offer a variety of instant oatmeals. If you are trying to cut down on sugar for your family's breakfast, give Uncle Sam's a try.


Would you like to try a box of Uncle Sam's Original Cereal? One lucky winner will receive TWO boxes of Uncle Sam's cereal and a coupon keeper. Just follow the rules below for your chance.

How to Enter:
1) Visit Uncle Sam's and tell which of their products your family would like to try!

Additional Entries: (please leave a separate entry for each)
2) Subscribe to my blog.
3) Favorite me in technorati.
4) Follow me on twitter (whatmommiesneed) and tweet about this giveaway.
5) Blog about this giveaway and link back here to http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/
6) Put my button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on October 24th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.
You must leave a valid email to win(or have one in your profile)!

Falling Into Fall Giveaway #7 Bake Me A Wish

One of best things about Fall is all those yummy deserts that accompanies the season. Whether it be pumkin bread or sweet potato pie, they all have their special place with me. This is the time of year that I love to bake, because the oven warms the house along with all those pleasent smells.

So, when I found the Caramel Apple Crumb Cake from Bake Me a Wish, I knew it would be a perfect treat for Fall! This is the perfect treat for either a Halloween Party or Thanksgiving Day.

Bake Me a Wish! is the premium nationwide service for delivery of gourmet birthday cakes. Our cakes are made with only the finest, freshest ingredients by an award-winning family run New York bakery that also supplies pastries to some of Manhattan's most elite restaurants.

Through careful cost control and air-tight delivery systems, we are also happy to be able to bring you our fine cakes at an extremely affordable price. Now, whether it's your son in college, your trusted associate, your old friend, or your granddaughter across the country, you will always have a simple and wonderful way to remember them on that important day of the year."

Bridgette got a yummy crumb cake to try and this is what she thought:

When the Caramel Apple Crumb Cake arrived, I couldn't wait to cut into it! From the moment I opened the box, the aroma of cinnamon filled the air. The cake was not only delicious and moist, but was beautiful as well. The packaging was perfect and would make a great hostess gift for holiday parties.

This holiday season, why spend hours in the kitchen creating the perfect dessert when you can have it delivered to your doorstep? Bake Me a Wish offers many varieties of cakes including a Magic Bar Brownie Cake, a Red Velvet Chocolate Cake, and a Boston Cream Cake.

Want to try the fabulous flavors at Bake Me a Wish? They have generously offered one lucky reader their choice of a Carrot Cake or Caramel Apple Cake of their very own! All you have to do is follow the rules below, and then visit The Not-So-Blog and enter over there. That's right we are giving you double the chances to win! Entries will be combined before winner is pulled.

How to Enter:
1. Visit Bake Me a Wish and let me know another cake that you would love to eat!

Additional Entries: (please leave a separate entry for each)
2) Subscribe to my blog.
3) Favorite me in technorati.
4) Follow me on twitter (whatmommiesneed) and tweet about this giveaway.
5) Blog about this giveaway and link back here to http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/
6) Put my button on your sidebar.
7) Enter this giveaway at The Not-So-Blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on October 23rd. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only

Fall Into Fall: Giveaway #6 Warm Biscuit Treat Bag

Here we are with Giveaway #6 and it is a must have for your Trick or Treaters!

Halloween is such a fun time for my family! The weather is starting to cool off and we start pulling out all our fun decorations and pumpkin scented candles. We start discussing Halloween costumes and all the accessories that accompany them. This will be Blake's first year of trick or treating, so he needed his very own treat bag. I am always on the look-out for those cute personalized items for my boys, which is how I found Warm Biscuit.

Warm Biscuit might be known for their selection of Kids Bedding, Fabrics, and Custom Sewing, but they have a great selection of holiday items as well. I found this awesome personalized Scaredy Cat treat bag for Blake and they have everything you need for your Halloween Party. From games and invites to decorations, this is one stop shopping.

Warm Biscuit's store has some great items available at some really reasonable prices. Be sure to keep Warm Biscuit in mind while Holiday Shopping this year, since they have a wide variety of classic toys for both boys and girls available in their gift shop.

Does your little one need a new treat bag? Warm Biscuit has offered one lucky reader the Halloween Bag of their choice from their store. All you have to do is follow the rules below, and then visit The Not-So-Blog and enter over there. That's right we are giving you double the chances to win! Entries will be combined before winner is pulled.

How to Enter:
1. Visit Warm Biscuit and tell me another item that you loved.

Additional Entries: (please leave a separate entry for each)
2) Subscribe to my blog.
3) Favorite me in technorati.
4) Follow me on twitter (whatmommiesneed) and tweet about this giveaway.
5) Blog about this giveaway and link back here to http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/
6) Put my button on your sidebar.
7) Enter this giveaway at The Not-So-Blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on October 22nd. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

Winners!!

Congrats to all the winners!!

Edward's Singles

Nancy S.
Here are your random numbers:

91
Timestamp: 2009-10-08 14:15:55 UTC

Stride Rite SRT Shoes

degood

Here are your random numbers:

104
Timestamp: 2009-10-08 14:21:05 UTC

Forte $30 Crate and Barrel Gift Card
Donna

Here are your random numbers:

286
Timestamp: 2009-10-08 14:22:50 UTC

Hasbro Games
cdziuba-Sweet Celebration Candy Land

staci-Spongebob Operation

Here are your random numbers:

87
15
Timestamp: 2009-10-08 14:24:54 UTC

Avon Fall Fashions

Linda K
Here are your random numbers:

1
Timestamp: 2009-10-08 14:28:28 UTC

Please claim your prize within 72 hours!Thanks to all who entered.

Fall Into Fall: Giveaway #5 Pumpkin Cookie Decorating Kit from Copper Gifts

I love to bake with my boys, especially when the holidays roll around. We have done turkey cookies and chicken cake pops, but we have yet to try something for Halloween. If you like baking with your kid, you have to check out Copper Gifts. They have the cutest cookie decorating sets and they come with everything that you need.

Bridgette reviewed the Pumpkin Cookie Decorating Set and here is what she thinks:

When I found this Pumpkin Cookie Decorating Set from Copper Gifts, I began to feel like maybe (I said maybe) I would be able to contribute something creative to her Halloween party this year. About Copper Gifts:

"The cookie cutter line offered by CopperGifts.com is unique in that every cookie cutter is hand-made and hand-soldered. The soldered seam makes for a permanent closure that food particles cannot get into. Pastry Chefs and Bakeries love these heirloom quality cookie cutters because they are strong, safe and hold their shape even after years of repeated use.

BRAMAN cookie cutters come in six various sizes ranging from tiny all the way up to huge. The larger cookie cutters all have handles. The tiny and the regular size cutters do not need handles, but bakeries often request them. CopperGifts.com is a family owned and operated company that operates on the principles of traditional craftsmanship and small town business ethics."

Armed with my Grandmother's cookie recipe, and the 5 piece kit which includes Copper Pumpkin Cookie Cutter No. 1, 4-1/4 x 3-7/8, 1 bottle of Orange Sanding Sugar, 1 bottle of Wilton Orange Icing Color, 1 tube of Brown Cookie/Candy Writer, and 1 tube of Wilton Green Icing Writer, I set out to make cookies with my 4 year old daughter that we could both be proud of.

The Pumpkin Cookie Decorating Kit supplied everything I needed to create the perfect cookie. The copper cookie cutter was first rate and the decorating supplies were very easy to use. Lily helped every step along the way and together we made memories that will last long after the cookies are gone.

I can honestly say that the pumpkin cookies came out WAY better than I ever expected. They tasted yummy and looked even better! Lily and I can't wait to bake another batch for her class party in a few short weeks!

Copper Gifts can supply you with all of your cookie cutters, decorating supplies and baking accessories to make your next class party, birthday celebration or baby shower a success!

Do you want to create delicious, beautiful cookies? Copper Gifts has generously offered one Pumpkin Cookie Decorating Kit (ARV $19.89) to one lucky reader! All you have to do is follow the rules below, and then visit The Not-So-Blog and enter over there. That's right we are giving you double the chances to win! Entries will be combined before winner is pulled.

How to Enter:
1. Visit Copper Gifts and tell me another product you love

Additional Entries: (please leave a separate entry for each)
2) Subscribe to my blog.
3) Favorite me in technorati.
4) Follow me on twitter (whatmommiesneed) and tweet about this giveaway.
5) Blog about this giveaway and link back here to http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/
6) Put my button on your sidebar.
7) Enter this giveaway at The Not-So-Blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on October 21st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

Review and Giveaway: Eucerin and Aquaphor

Aquaphor is one of those items that we use at our house daily. Due to Wyatt's outbreaks of eczema, we must keep him extremely moisturized and Aquaphor does the trick. We first started to use Aquaphor when it was recommended by Wyatt's dermatologist.





Aquaphor Healing Ointment, which is made by Eucerin, protects dry, cracked or irritated skin to help enhance the natural healing process and restore smooth, healthy skin. Aquaphor does this by creating a protective barrier which seals in moisture. It soothes and helps protect extremely dry, chapped or chafed skin and lips caused by winter weather and is fragrance-free, preservative-free, and non-irritating.


Eucerin products are made with high quality ingredients and are clinically-proven to help keep your skin healthy.


Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30 combines intensive moisturization with SPF 30 in a lightweight, non-greasy formula. It is easily-absorbed and provides 24 hour moisturization. It can be worn alone or under makeup and is fragrance-free, oil-free, non-irritating, and non-comedogenic which won't clog pores.


Eucerin Everyday Protection Body Lotion SPF 15 offers protection from incidental sun exposure and free radical damage while intensive moisturizers relieve your dry skin. It is formulated with a blend of sunscreens including titanium dioxide, and provides a broad spectrum of UVA/UVB protection to help prevent skin aging, long-term skin damage and skin cancer. Its non-greasy, moisturizing formula is clinically proven to relieve dry skin for 24 hours.


Both of these products are recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Eucerin was nice enough to send me samples of all three of these products to try. Since we are already huge fans of the Aquaphor, I can say that it is a great product for dry skin and eczema prone areas. It is greasy, but it does the job really well. I have not found another over the counter ointment that keeps Wyatt's skin healthy.


Both Everday Lotions are also really good. I have been using the face lotion on Wyatt mostly, but have also taken my turn trying it out. I find that both product leave my skin moisturized without being greasy and has not caused any breakouts on either of us. I would purchase any of these items for my family and think that Eucerin focuses on sensitive skin which is a huge must for my household.


Eucerin has offered one lucky reader a chance to win one bottle of Eucerin Everyday Protection Body Lotion SPF 15 and one bottle of Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30. All you have to do for your chance is follow the rules below.


How to Enter:
1) Visit Eucerin and tell which of their products would be most beneficial to your family!


Additional Entries: (please leave a separate entry for each)
2) Subscribe to my blog.
3) Favorite me in technorati.
4) Follow me on twitter (whatmommiesneed) and tweet about this giveaway.
5) Blog about this giveaway and link back here to http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/
6) Put my button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on October 21st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

You must leave a valid email to win(or have one in your profile)!

Wordless Wednesday: How Many Watts is your Bulb

My husband found these in our house and asked me if I saw anything odd about them.

Funny, I didn't know that light bulbs were sold in a 67 Watt variety.LOL

Review: Safety 1st Complete Air Car Seat

With Blake quickly outgrowing his current car seat, we went on the hunt for a new one. I had remembered seeing the New Complete Air Car Seat on display at BlogHer, so we did some research on this seat and this is what we found out.


The New Safety 1st Complete Air Convertible Car Seat with Air Protect Side Impact Technology is perfect for infants rear-facing from 5-40 lbs. and 19"-40" and toddlers forward-facing from 22-50 lbs. and 34"-45".

Air Protect Revolutionary Side Impact Technology is a breakthrough system that shields baby's head and immediately reduces side impact forces through the precise release of air. Their Quick Fit Harness System adjusts harness height from the front in one easy step without uninstalling from the car. And, one click LATCH installation system allows for faster and easier installation when moving between vehicles. This seat offers a 5-position adjustable headrest, which easily accommodates your growing child.


Here is some information from the Safety 1st site: 1 in 4 car crashes involving children are side impact collisions. They are by far the deadliest type of collision for children, accounting for 1 in 3 child fatalities; nearly all of which are caused by head trauma. Safety 1st engineers designed Air Protect™ using next generation testing methods that simulate the most violent types of side impact crashes, those with vehicle intrusion. Using this advanced methodology, Air Protect™ was engineered to defend your child in two vital ways. During a crash, the system immediately shields your child's head from the impact. In a second layer of defense, Air Protect™ allows air to escape from the headrest: channeling crash energy away from your child, creating more ride down time. It is this double layer of protection that makes Air Protect™ technology unique.


Safety 1st was nice enough to send us a Complete Air Car Seat to try in Harvest to review. First of all, I love the color, especially the brown on the headrest, which won't show sweat stains. I was impressed with how easy this seat was to install in the forward facing position. My favorite feature is the Quick Fit Harness system, which is awesome for fast growing babies! Blake really likes his new seat and here he is showing it off.

There are a few things that I recommend to Safety 1st for this seat. First, I would like for their to be either an elastic strap or Velcro to hold the straps when baby is removed from the seat. Second, I would like the bottom piece to Velcro in, as I found that it moves to easily from its position. And, lastly I would like the seat to come with strap covers for the neck area that would match the seat.

Overall, we are very pleased with the seat, and the suggestions that I have are for mostly cosmetic and ease of use reasons. I would recommend this seat to others and love that it actually accommodates kids till they are 50lbs as mine seem to hit that weight early.

Safety 1st Complete Air Seats are available at Babies R Us and retail for $249.99

Review and Giveaway: YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals

I have shared with you all before Blake's love of YoBaby Yogurt. He eats his yogurt daily, which was why I was so excited to see that they had developed these new 3-in-1 meals.

YoBaby Meals are organic, 100% natural and it’s packed with fruit, veggies and essential nutrients. These meals consist of YoBaby yogurt on top, and an ounce of fruit and veggie puree on the bottom. Each cup provides more than a 1/3rd of your toddler’s daily protein & calcium needs, plus other essential nutrients like Zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin D.

YoBaby meals are available in three varieties:
Pear & Green Bean
Peach & Squash
Apple & Sweet Potato

YoBaby was nice enough to send use some of their new yogurt meals to try. I don't think Blake has turned down a food yet, and these were no exception. He ate them up just like his regular YoBaby yogurt, without even knowing he was also getting a dose of veggies. I tasted the apple and sweet potato blend since I was curious, and I thought it tasted really good. Here is Blake enjoying his daily treat!

I did have trouble finding the new YoBaby meals in my area, but if they become available I would definitely put these into our yogurt flavor rotation.

YoBaby has offered one lucky reader a prize pack consisting of a YoBaby reusable bag, an Eric Carle growth chart, an organic YoBaby bib, a YoBaby travel bowl with lid and utensils, and 5 FREE YoBaby 3-in-1 meals coupons(pictured below). All you have to do for your chance to win is follow the rules below.

How to Enter:
1) Visit YoBaby and tell which of meal blend your kid would love to try!

Additional Entries: (please leave a separate entry for each)
2) Subscribe to my blog.
3) Favorite me in technorati.
4) Follow me on twitter (whatmommiesneed) and tweet about this giveaway.
5) Blog about this giveaway and link back here to http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/
6) Put my button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on October 18th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.
You must leave a valid email to win(or have one in your profile)!

Review: Word World

Word World is a series on PBS Kids that takes learning to read and spell to a whole new level. This show challenges kids to build words, learn what these words mean, and how they sound. Word World does this through a fun cast of characters that are actually words. If I am confusing you, look below to see what I mean.LOL


Aren't they super cute!! Wyatt absolutely loves this show, and with him just starting to read on his own, it has been wonderful to watch him sound out the words when viewing this program.


NCirlce Entertainment was nice enough to send us a copy of the Word World: Lots of Letters! Box Set Collection to review. Wyatt has watched both discs multiple times already, and he even chose it for movie night last week! In our house that is a huge honor.LOL I think this might be his new favorite show and PIG and ANT are his two favorite characters.




Word World: Lots of Letters! Box Set Collection was just released on September 29th and is a two disc set, which has a running time of 3 hours! This set includes the following episodes: Join the Word Friends for three hours of learning fun! This set includes 16 episodes full of Word World fun! You can purchase this set from NCircle Entertainment for only $22.99!

I would definitely recommend checking this show out and my family gives Word World two thumbs up!! This show is a must see and would make a great gift for any kid. Be sure to check out all the Word World titles available from NCircle Entertainment.