It Starts With A Playground...

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As parents one of the things we want to make sure our children have is a safe place to play, not only does that just mean in our homes or neighborhoods but also in our local playgrounds.

Today’s world is tough, and sometimes just plain crazy, there isn’t many places you can go today where you feel as safe as you used to, that includes playgrounds. I know my eyes and ears are always lurking and open to those happenings around us when we’re out and about having fun on swings and slides, it’s a shame really that kids just can’t enjoy playgrounds like we used to.

Thankfully there are some organizations who are dedicated to finding and creating SAFE play spaces within walking distance for children everywhere. Places like Mom Central have teamed up with a place called KaBOOM! A non-profit organization that has started a nationwide campaign to help communities across the U.S. find and build those places. There are so many children who have a lack of playgrounds/play spaces in their own neighborhoods where they can play and be safe. Honestly, I hate going to our local playground because I don’t feel safe there either.

KaBOOM! Is trying to map out 100,000 play spaces in 100 days online. Places like a playground, field, Skate Park, roller hockey rink, lake, dog park, community centers, basketball court or ice rinks, any place where kids can engage in unstructured play for free or a nominal fee. To place a play space listing on KaBoom! it consists of an address or cross street and a description, one photo and one rating, you can do this with a quick fill-in on their website, or even a twitpic from your cell phone.

For each play space entered into the KaBOOM! database on behalf of the Mom Central team, $1 will be donated to Jumpstart, a non-profit that brings at-risk preschool children and caring adults together to improve literacy.

Not only will KaBOOM! enable us as parents to find safe and fun places for our children locally, but when traveling and looking for a great place to take the kids, al you have to do is hop onto the KaBOOM! Website and check out the local spaces to find the safe and best place for your kids.

Why not add your favorite local play space today and help Mom Central and KaBOOM! inform parents and help kids be safe.

Thanks To: Mom Central

Daily Freebies...

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~ Seventeen Free Spray Tan for the first 5,000

~ Tom's Friend Free Coffee Mug

~ Walmart Free Root Awakenings Sample

~ ValueMags 7 free Issues of Saltwater Sportsman

~ My Virginia Memory Send a free Postcard (US & Canada)

~ Taste For Life Free Nordic Naturals Sample Pack

~ Carnation Free Sample of Breakfast Anytime (Canada)

~ Crest Free $1 Coupon for Pro-Health Enamel Shield Toothpaste

~ Nivea Free Nivea Creme Sample (UK)

~ Benihana Free Birthday Dinner Certificate

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Winners...

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Just shy of 200 entries. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are DA BOMB!!!! Yes my attempt to make cleaning cool, I don't think it works...

The four winners who will be receiving 2 coupons each for a Free Clorox Decor Disinfecting Wipes Canister are:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

140 105
80 122

Timestamp: 2009-04-29 18:27:35 UTC

Commenter #140: yyeres said...

to clean my bathroom. yyeres(at)gmail(dot)com

Commenter #80: Jackie said...

I like to use the wipes for quick cleanups in the bathroom...the faucet, sink, vanity top, toilet top and handle....Thanks for the review and giveaway!

Commenter #105: casey aubut said...

I would keep these in the bathroom- we are potty training my 2 year old son- enough said! :) cassandra@aubut.net

Commenter #122: mom2gabnnat said...

I would use the Clorox wipes to clean the bathroom counter and sink.

Congrats to the winners. I'll be contacting you via email shortly. Winners have 72hrs to respond to my initial email with their information. If I have not heard from winners within 72hrs they forfeit their prize and a new winner will be chosen.

Lubies take over the world!

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As most of my readers know I’m a big fan of Rocket USA and the fantastic retro, unconventional toys that you can find with them I’ve reviewed them many times in the past, and hope to keep featuring them in the future as they come up with even more great ideas.

Rocket USA recently told me about their new line called Lubies (pronounced Luh-Bees). Lubies are cute, adorable, and a little more ‘normal’ than their usual line of toys but as usual they’ve stopped at nothing to make sure these are loved. Lubies are cute little critters/animals shaped in the form of a ball, they’re a little roly-poly you could say, and so darn cute and soft! My girls are in love with them and have found creative ways not just to cuddle with them in bed, but to make them part of their playtime activities.

Their round shape and soft material make them enjoyable for everyone, not just kids. We’ve had many a nights here at home where we would play toss the Lubie around the living room for some great family fun and once bedtime hits, the girls take them up to bed and cuddle through the night with them.

Lubies currently have 27 different animals underway and also have some Major League Baseball Lubie Bears in their future branded with team logos, they’re also considering using all major sports leagues within the Lubie world soon. They’re about 12” in diameter and their retail price is about $8.99, Lubies are cute and affordable for just about everyone!

Lubies are for ages 0+, they’re great to cuddle with, great to play with and just irresistible! I even have my own Polar Bear Lubie that sits on my shelf. Lubies are available across the US as well as places like A Child's Place in Manitoba Canada.

You can also visit the Lubies website for more information on Lubies or to check out the fun games and activites they have for kids online by visiting www.lubieland.com. For more information on where to find Lubies check out the Rocket USA website.

WIN IT!!!

Rocket USA is happy to give away some really cool Lubies to my readers. Five lucky readers will be sent an extra special Gold Star Lubie which are limited to only 500 pieces. All you have to do to be eligible to enter is head over to the Rocket USA website and take a peek at the Lubies, then come back here leaving me a comment with which Lubie you think is the cutest.

This first step must be done in order for the entry to be eligible to win, once your first entry is done feel free to check out the additional ways to enter below.

For extra entries (please leave each extra giveaway in a separate comment, each will earn you an extra entry):
• Subscribe to or follow blog
• Add my button or text link to your site/blogroll
• Bookmark this giveaway somehow be it stumble, digg, etc using the drop down menu below...just let me know which one and your username
• Fave A Wrestling Addicted Mommy's Blog on Technorati (leave your username)
• Follow me on Twitter (wrestlingaddict), AND tweet about this giveaway: Win 1 of 5 Gold Star Lubies @wrestlingaddict http://tinyurl.com/cwnjdo (leave me your twitter name or the link)
• Follow AND Rate my blog on Networked Blogs via facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the direct link
• Become a fan of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy on Facebook

This giveaway is open to those with a US or CANADIAN mailing address ONLY!!! And is open to non bloggers, PLEASE just remember if your blog profile is private, or you’re a non blogger, leave an email address or your entry will be disqualified....Winner will be chosen via random.org

Giveaway ends May 6, 2009 @ 11:59pm est

Check out more great giveaways going on at the Ultimate Blog Carnival

Making Mother's Day Easy...

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Looking for Unique Gift Experiences & Experiential Gift Boxes for Mother's Day? Is your Mom a spa-going, massage-getting, coffee or tea-drinking, nail-polishing, food-eating, or wine tasting type of woman? If so, you need to check out Vivabox for your Mother's Day gift purchase.

Right now, Vivabox is offering 25% off ALL Vivaboxes (with the exception of the fragrance box) through Mother's Day. They're also running a "Thank Mom Twice" contest that closes this Friday May 1st, 2009.

The "Thank Mom Twice" Contest can be found by visiting the Vivabox blog and to enter, all you have to do is write an essay telling them why the mom in your life (mom/sister/grandmother/friend etc.) deserves an extra special gift this year. The winner will recieve two Vivaboxes for their special Mom (1 for Mother's Day and the other for their birthday).

So make sure to head over to Inside The Box the Vivabox Blog and enter today, you only have until Friday May 1st, 2009. And to make your entry EXTRA special, I'll be doing a giveaway and review of Vivaboxes very soon, just for entering the "Thank Mom Twice" contest over at Vivabox, you'll get an EXTRA entry into my Vivabox giveaway once it's posted. Just head over and enter yourself in the "Thank Mom Twice" contest and then come back here letting me know that your entered. Once my Vivabox giveaway is posted in a few week, I'll then count your entry here as well as an extra entry.

For more information, rules and to enter the Thank Mom Twice contest visit the Vivabox Inside The Box blog, and don't forget to visit Vivabox for your Mother's Day gifts.

Be on the lookout for Vivabox to be featured here with a giveaway soon.
GOOD LUCK!!

Mama is HOT in the kitchen....

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A great cook I am not, but with the help of Carolyn’s Kitchen I can at least look cute while attempting to make that perfect meal.

These super cute vintage-inspired aprons are one of my favorite things, and with their new line of Safari Inspired Aprons, I think I’ll be treating myself to my own little Mother’s Day Gift this year. The new line features four different safari style aprons in cheetah print and zebra print, and are just too cute for words! I can’t wait to get my hands on the Wildcat Red Apron (my favorite) but Lyric keeps trying to sway me to purchase the Rock N’ Roll Hot Pink Apron instead. I guess we’ll see when payday comes around which one is the actual winner!

Carolyn’s Kitchen provides fashionable cute aprons so that your style doesn’t have to end when you hit the kitchen and start slaving away at that hot stove. You can now get your housework and cooking done and look glamorous at the same time. With Mother’s Day fast approaching these have to be one of the perfect gifts for Mom this year. What’s better for the Mom who has everything? Even if you’re stuck for a gift, any Mom would appreciate the fashionable looks of Carolyn’s Kitchen Aprons.

Carolyn has definitely brought the glamour, sexiness and cuteness back into the kitchen with her new and improved version of the 40’s kitchen apron. You’ll find so many different, cute and sexy styles of aprons, matching gloves and even garters when you visit Carolyn’s Kitchen.

WIN IT!!!

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Carolyn’s Kitchen is offering one of my readers a chance to win a Hot Pink Sweetheart Apron. All you have to do to be entered to win is head over to Carolyn’s Kitchen and let me know which Apron you’d get for yourself or your own Mother for Mother’s Day!

Your first entry must be the above step to be eligible to enter. Once that step has been done, feel free to check out the many extra ways to enter below.

For extra entries (please leave each extra giveaway in a separate comment, each will earn you an extra entry):
• Subscribe to or follow blog
• Add my button or text link to your site/blogroll
• Bookmark this giveaway somehow be it stumble, digg, etc using the drop down menu below...just let me know which one and your username
• Fave A Wrestling Addicted Mommy's Blog on Technorati (leave your username)
• Follow me on Twitter (wrestlingaddict), AND tweet about this giveaway with the following: Win a Hot Pink Sweetheart Apron @wrestlingaddict Ends 5/5 http://tinyurl.com/dgznmv (leave me your twitter name or the link)
• Follow AND Rate my blog on Networked Blogs via facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the direct link
• Become a fan of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy on Facebook

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address ONLY!!! And is open to non bloggers, PLEASE just remember if your blog profile is private, or you’re a non blogger, leave an email address or your entry will be disqualified....Winner will be chosen via random.org

Giveaway ends May 5, 2009 @ 11:59pm est

Check out more great giveaways going on at the Ultimate Blog Carnival

Daily Freebies...

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~ Nicorette Free 20-Piece Starter Pack

~ El Pollo Loco Free Chicken and Tortillas until 8pm today

~ Walmart Free Sample of Crest Whitening Strips

~ Hallmark Free Paper Card for registered Members (Code: CARD4MOM)

~ Costco Free Sample of Dove Go Fresh Deodorant

~ Purex Free Sample of Purex 2X (Canada)

~ White Castle Printable Coupon for a free BBQ Pulled Pork Slider (Exp. 06/30)

~ British Condoms Free Condoms for joining the Newsletter (UK)

~ Riley Care Free "Pets Inside" Sticker

~ Gorgeously Green Free Packet of Thumbelina Flower Seeds

~ Mighty Dog Free Citizenship Kit with Dog Tag

~ PowerofSX Free Slim Xtreme Sample Pack

~ Dunkin' Donuts Free Original Blend Coffee Sample

~ Tena Free Tena Men Protective Underwear and Guard

~ iPoints Free Pampers Coupons (UK)

Facebook, the death of a real relationship?

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Facebook is one of the many places you can find me on any given day. I love Facebook, it’s a way for me to keep in touch with family and friends I don’t see much, and share updated pictures of the girls. It’s a fun way to keep people informed on what’s going on in my life.

The status updates though, sometimes kill me. I know I know I flood status updates like crazy whenever there’s some wrestling going on, I’m guilty as charged to my defense though, I’m on Twitter more than I am on Facebook and have attached my Twitter status to Facebook so whenever I ‘tweet’ my Facebook gets updated. I personally love seeing people who change their status updates frequently, even if it’s a status update about your latest acne skin treatment, I’m nosey, it makes me feel like I’m still part of my friends/families lives even though I’m miles away.

Status updates aside, I think the most annoying thing has to be the relationship status updates. Mine always stays the same, I’m married, but if I was to suddenly change my relationship status on Facebook there would be an uproar of questions, phone calls and emails about what’s going on. I’ve seen many of my ‘single’ friends relationship updates changed from week to week or month to month with all the overflowing questions of ‘what happened’ coinciding with the status change. The most pathetic use of it, is when there’s a fight, one changes their status as soon as they can get to the nearest computer to make the other person mad or jealous right away. Things change from “in a relationship” to “it’s complicated” to “single” in a matter of minutes sometimes.

I wonder what it is that makes the Facebook relationship status hold so much power. I mean are we not all supposed to be adults (at least within my circle of Facebook friends)? Do we really need to publically air our relationship ups and downs and ‘status’ via the computer and internet?

Is it a means of attention? What does it mean for the person who was just ‘dumped’? Is it fair for their relationship to be aired all over facebook if they’re not the ones to change up their status every minute of every day whenever they get into a fight?

It’s a unraveling cycle that happens once your relationship status changes, firs you get attention, then you get a reaction, then the other person gets questioned, then it’s all out on the world wide web what’s going on with your relationship and the gossip starts, the bashing begins and then, in a matter of hours or days, the fight is over and you work things out, then the status changes back again.

This becomes tiresome to those of us on the outside of the relationship, and eventually it’s just an inevitable thing that the relationship status has changed, once again and no longer surprising, so the attention wears off, the questions stop, and it’s just the ‘again?!’ comments that will flood your status change.

What do you think of the Facebook relationship status changes? How sick do you get of them if you have single friends who constantly change it, should it be there at all if you’re going to change it as much as you change your underwear?

Decorative Soap Pumps that don't break...the bank..

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Kids in the house means lots of hand washing is going on, and now with this Swine Flu outbreak there’s even more hand washing going on in our home. I think one of the things I hate more than a bar of soap to wash hands is soap pumps. My girls gravitate to them like nothing else, and they get soap everywhere and all over everything, including any pretty soap pumps I’ve bought to match my bathroom décor, then they just get ruined and that’s money out the window, those things aren’t cheap! I could buy just a generic soap pump that holds liquid soap but really, those are ugly and I like pretty looking things.

I can’t possibly get away from using soap pumps in the bathroom for hand washing, the girls have gotten better recently with putting soap all over the place, but I still haven’t gotten over the ugly soap pump that sits on my bathroom sink, until now. Softsoap has come out with their new Ensembles Hand Soap which is a great new concept, a decorative pump that’s not going to break your bank!

There are four different styles to choose from (with more being added) and they’ll match just about any décor in anyone’s bathroom and hey, a great thing with kids in the house, it’s not breakable! You simply buy the starter pump which comes with the soap base and wash away, when the bottle empties, simply save the pump and switch out the base for a whole new look! I also love the fact that there are NO SPLASHY LOGOS – this soap can really be a part of your home décor.You can change up the style every so often as well, it’s never the same base if you don’t want it to be and it’s much cheaper than buying one of those expensive breakable pumps, and easier too. No more pouring soap into the pump base just to have a decorative look. Recently Softsoap outfitted a Manhattan loft with ENSEMBLES™ and some complimentary accessories to show you the possibilities! Click here for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LicXlH0nG18.

I really love my new Softsoap Ensembles Hand Soap, not only is it keeping my bathroom a little more decorative but it’s moisturizing my hands and keeping them germ free! I’ve got one in my bathroom and another in my kitchen; they won’t be seen leaving my house anytime soon.

You can purchase the new Softsoap Ensembles Hand Soap at any local Grocery, Drug or Superstore or check out the website for more information and to see all of the various styles you have to choose from by visiting www.colgate.com.

WIN IT!!!

One lucky reader has the chance to win a Softsoap Ensembles starter set. You'll receive one starter set and one replacement base plus a coordinating blue votive. To enter, all you have to do is tell me where you'd put your first Softsoap Ensembles pump?

You must do this first step to be eligible to enter. Once the first step is done feel free to enter again with the multiple ways to gain extra entries.

For extra entries (please leave each extra giveaway in a separate comment, each will earn you an extra entry):
• Subscribe to or follow blog
• Add my button or text link to your site/blogroll
• Bookmark this giveaway somehow be it stumble, digg, etc using the drop down menu below...just let me know which one and your username
• Fave A Wrestling Addicted Mommy's Blog on Technorati (leave your username)
• Follow me on Twitter (wrestlingaddict), AND tweet about this giveaway by tweeting the following: Win a Softsoap Ensambles Starter Kit @wrestlingaddict http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com/2009/04/k-ids-in-house-means-lots-of-hand.html (leave me your twitter name/the link)
• Follow AND Rate my blog on Networked Blogs via facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the direct link
• Become a fan of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy on Facebook

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address ONLY!!! And is open to non bloggers, PLEASE just remember if your blog profile is private, or you’re a non blogger, leave an email address or your entry will be disqualified....Winner will be chosen via random.org

Giveaway ends May 5, 2009 @ 11:59pm est

Check out more great giveaways going on at the Ultimate Blog Carnival

Old World Style Sauce...

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The Italian girl in me is so used to homemade tomato sauce from Mom or Nonna. It’s so good, nothing can replace it, not even my own homemade sauce, something just isn’t right. Until my adult life, I’ve never tried ‘canned’ sauces like Ragu, and honestly I really don’t use them much now they were more of the type of thing I’d use in college when I needed something cheap and easy to prepare and didn't want to bother with taking the time to cook my own sauce.

Recently I received coupons to purchase two new flavors of Ragu’s Old World Style Sauces, Sweet Tomato Basil and Margherita. Being as this isn’t something we normally eat, I was a bit weary of what my family would think, but off to the store I went to grocery shop and to pick up my two free jars.
Pasta was going to be for dinner that night, which is always a family favorite but would they mind the not so homemade pasta sauce? I was looking forward to seeing how they would all react to this new flavor. I tried the Sweet Tomato Basil sauce that night and everyone ate it up without a word until I asked if they liked dinner and told them what we were eating. The girls don’t really know the difference but hubby was pretty pleased with the Ragu sauce, and truthfully so was I. For a jarred sauce I can say Ragu was pretty good, not as good as my sauce of course but it wasn’t bad at all!

One thing I can say I like having is the nutritional information at hand, makes things a lot easier for me when using a sauce in a different dish where I’m trying to figure out calories, and Ragu is perfect for using in other recipes, like using it as a pizza sauce which is what I think we’ll do with the next jar.

Ragu isn’t only trying to give us yummy meals but they’ve also got some great nutritional, parenting and time-management tips available with the help of Food Network’s Robin Miller and Registered Dietician Sylvia Klinger on their website www.Ragu.com.

Thanks To: Mom Central

IGIGI puts some spring in your step...

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Spring is here! That means time for a wardrobe upgrade, throw out those bulky winter clothes and step into something a little more sleek, stylish and colorful. It seems lately I’ve been wearing a lot of things out of my normal comfort zone, more specifically a lot of dresses.

One of the places I love to go to for great styles is IGIGI they’ve got the most stylish, beautiful dresses that any plus sized girl could ask for, not only are their models girls that would actually be wearing these dresses, but finding the perfect dress for your body type is as easy as ever.

There’s no more guessing, will this look ok on me? Will it fit me? IGIGI tries to get it right the first time and help you out by providing an ‘information’ page of sorts for finding your right body shape. Once you’ve done that, take a look at the dresses you’re interested in and you’ll find the symbols for all the different body shapes that dress is best for. It’s a big help especially when shopping online and not being in the store to try the dress out. So far IGIGI hasn’t been wrong with my shape size or dress style!

Checking out their new spring styles the dress that popped right out at me was the Daniella Print Knot Dress. With just a hint of color and a timeless yet trendy look, this dress is perfect for any playful or sophisticated occasion. The Daniella Print Knot Dress features a plunging V-neckline, a draped knot body, ¾ sleeves and is made from a silky jersey material. As soon as I got this dress I slipped it right on and it felt great on my skin, fit perfectly in all the right places, and I couldn’t wait to get out and show it off!

The Daniella Print Knot Dress isn’t the only dress I had my eye on, and IGIGI will be one of the places on my list for my next clothing purchase this spring and summer. Trendy looks that fit my budget, my style and my body, everything I could ask for all in one place!

To take a look at all that IGIGI offers you can take a look at their website located at: www.igigi.com

WIN IT!!!

As a special offer, IGIGI has opted to give my readers a chance to win the exact dress that I just love, the Daniella Print Knot Dress; you can look and feel beautiful this spring season in one great dress. IGIGI has created a special ‘landing page’ exclusively for A Wrestling Addicted Mommy readers on their website where you will have a chance to win the Daniella Print Knot Dress. All you have to do is head over to their website and fill out the special entry form. The giveaway is open until May 4, 2009 and the winner will be announced RIGHT HERE on May 5th.

**Remember you MUST enter on the IGIGI special contest page, comments left here will not be entered into the giveaway**

This giveaway is open to those anywhere in the world where IGIGI ships!!! Winner will be chosen via IGIGI and announced on my blog May 5, 2009.

Contest Ends May 4, 2009

Check out more great giveaways going on at the Ultimate Blog Carnival

Kentucky Grilled Chicken...

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I’m sure by now everyone has seen the new KFC commercials and the new product they’re offering as KFC evolves their menu to meet the changing needs that appeal to those looking for a wide variety, great tasting food and non-friend options. I know myself, on a diet, watching what I eat and eating healthier KFC is one of the last places on earth I’d go to eat.

With their new Kentucky Grilled Chicken commercials, I’ve been rethinking making a trip to KFC. But there are a few things to look at. Really how much ‘healthier’ is their new Grilled Chicken product compared to just taking the skin off your regular KFC piece of chicken?

Well, let’s compare. If you go to Kentucky Fried Chickens website www.kfc.com you can look up the nutritional information on most of their products. So the avid calorie counter I am went ahead and did this as soon as I saw their new Grilled Chicken.

Let’s compare the new Grilled Chicken breast vs. a regular piece of KFC chicken breast with no skin/breading. Serving size of the Grilled Chicken breast is 119 grams, serving size of a Chicken Breast with no skin/breading is 166 grams, the Grilled Chicken has 180 calories and the Chicken Breast with no skin/breading has 140 calories. Other things I’m concerned about is the calories from fat which is 35 for the Grilled Chicken and 20 calories for the Chicken Breast with no skin/breading. The total fat of each is 4 grams for the Grilled Chicken and 2 grams for the Chicken breast with no skin/breading.

Hmm, can we say marketing ploy? Honestly, getting a regular KFC chicken breast with no skin/breading is looking to be healthier for you than their grilled chicken. Saturated fat Grilled Chicken 1 Chicken Breast with no skin/breading is 2. Trans Fats for both are 0 and the grilled chicken wins with the sodium content of 440 vs. the 510 the chicken breast with no breading/skin.

So just be careful with all of these new ‘fads’ fast food places are going with their ‘healthier’ choices. Sometimes they’re not the best choice after all, but if you’re not really calorie counting or reading the nutritional information and just want some great Grilled Chicken, head over to KFC on April 27th for their UNFry Day and receive a FREE piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken, be sure to tell me how it tastes cause I won’t be getting it anytime soon.

Dropper Friendly Entrecard user...

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A lot of bloggers are pulling their EntreCard widgets from their sites because of the "paid advertising". Let me first tell you Don't do this!!! I love finding new blogs and following up on blogs via entrecard. There is a way to get those paid ads from not automatically showing up on your site. I did it, and now I reject ALL paid ads on my blog, rejecting them is no biggie, I'm just glad they don't automatically show up on my blog anymore.

Here's how you can change it so that you must approve/reject paid ads on your Entrecard:

• Go to your Advert Settings
• Make sure that Allow paid ads only if explicitly approved by you is checked
• Make sure anything else regarding the paid ads are NOT checked

That's it!

Now in order to advertise via Entrecard and making sure that you're dropping your card in places that are NOT accepting paid ads, be sure to look for the Dropper Friendly image....

Display this by your drop widget and let the remaining EntreCard members that you will not accept any more 'Paid Ads'. Seeing a Dropper Friendly image on a site lets you know that you can advertise on their site and not get booted for 'paid' advertising. I've already got this on my own blog here, and refuse to accept any Paid Ads from Entrecard.

Daily Freebies...

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~ Caress Free Sample of Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash

~ Walmart Free Schick and Poise Samples this Weekend

~ Teen Vogue Free Miley Cyrus Poster

~ RoadGear Free Subscription to Motorcyclist

~ Stonyfield Free Subscription to Organic Gardening

~ Eucerin Free Samples (UK)

~ ValueMags 4 free Issues of Wood Magazine

~ Pork Checkoff Free Ground Pork Recipe Brochure

~ Walmart Free Sample of Nivea Touch of Happiness Body Wash

~ Walmart Free Tena Sample

~ Schick Free Schick Quattro Titanium Razor

~ NatureMade Free Sample of TripleFlex Liquid Softgels

~ Iams Free Dog and Cat Food Coupons (Canada)

~ Sam's Club Free Huggies Snug & Dry Sample for Members

~ Pedigree Free Puppy Care Guide and $10+ in Coupons

~ L'Oreal Free Sample of Advanced RevitaLift

~ Walmart Free Zyrtec Sample

~ EAS Free Myoplex Bar or Shake

~ Eukanuba Free $5 Coupon (Canada)

Hallmark makes their mark...

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Holidays, Birthdays, and Celebrations, we have so many throughout the year. Honestly, I’m not one for greeting cards. I rarely give them, and I tell everyone not to bother with them for me or my girls, I just end up tossing them anyways eventually, yes even the Mother’s Day cards, Birthday Cards, even our wedding cards all ended up in the trash. I’m horrible I know, my own mother yells at me constantly for it. Besides the fact that I throw the cards out, they can get pretty darn expensive, just for a little card that eventually gets thrown away, why waste the money?!

I think Hallmark is trying to make its “mark” on me though with the really cool, colorful, and affordable brand new cards that they’ve been coming out lately. I mean come on, how can I possibly throw out a recorded message card with music, or even a photo card, I just can’t do that. And with their new affordable 99 cent cards, I can’t resist buying a card for any celebration, it’s more affordable than even printing up my own.

The newest rounds of cards are just in time for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. What’s more adorable than allowing your child to record a special message for their parent and having a cute song play afterward? I can’t think of anything, it’s almost like a gift in just a greeting card alone. Simply by pressing the button and recording your own voice, you’ve personalized a greeting card even more that it’s ever been possible to do before. What’s more is that Hallmark is trying to make them even more special by having some cards with a spot on the front where you can slide in your own picture in addition to the personal recording. This makes greeting cards much more personal and special to anyone who’s receiving one. Great for those with parents that don’t live close enough to them to see them for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day or any other holidays. Think of the surprised look on their face when they hear your voice or see your picture when they open up the envelope. We’ll be sending the recordable cards to both our parents this year since they live further away.

Have a celebration where a recordable or picture greeting isn’t necessary but you still want to send a card? The redesigned 99 cent cards from Hallmark are the perfect thing. From a Happy Birthday greeting to a card Just Because you’re thinking of someone, Hallmark’s 99 cent cards have something for everyone with a price that fits everyone’s budget.

Check out all of the new selection of cards by visiting hallmark.com or checking out the nearest store to you that carries greeting cards.

WIN IT!!!

Hallmark wants to make sure that you're all set for your holidays and celebrations that are coming up, so they've provided me the ability to giveaway to THREE (3) lucky readers a great greeting card giveaway pack. Each winner will receive two of Hallmark’s Mother’s Day Recordable Cards with Music; two Hallmark Recordable Cards with Music for Father’s Day, and four of the newly-redesigned 99-cent cards from Hallmark, which feature new designs and vibrant colors. (Eight cards total – a $32.00 value). To be eligible to enter all you have to do is tell me what it is you normally do with your greeting cards that you or anyone in your family receives.

This first step must be done to be eligible for an entry. After you've done the first step, feel free to enter additionally with the ways below.

For extra entries (please leave each extra giveaway in a separate comment, each will earn you an extra entry):

• Subscribe to or follow my blog
• Add my button or text link to your site/blogroll
• Bookmark this giveaway somehow be it stumble, digg, etc using the drop down menu below...just let me know which one and your username
• Fave A Wrestling Addicted Mommy's Blog on Technorati (leave your username)
• Follow me on Twitter (wrestlingaddict), AND tweet about this giveaway (leave me your twitter name or the link)
• Follow AND Rate my blog on Networked Blogs via facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the direct link
• Become a fan of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy on Facebook

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address ONLY!!! And is open to non bloggers, PLEASE just remember if your blog profile is private, or you’re a non blogger, leave an email address or your entry will be disqualified....Winner will be chosen via random.org

Giveaway ends April 30, 2009 @ 11:59pm est

Finally! Summer...er, umm SPRING has arrived!

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You won't be seeing any blogs from me today, at least until possibly tonight. It's finally turned to Summer Spring in Ohio!!! We've got a high of 82 today and it's already 73 at almost 11:00am. Needless to say, we'll be outdoors most of the day, doing some yard work, soaking up the sun and just having a nice day outside FINALLY! So my hiatias will probably be short lives, because let's face it, I live in Ohio and it's not even close to summer yet, this isn't going to last long, a few days at most....

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!!

Going Green with That's Caring...

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Earth Day isn’t over just yet, we still have about a ½ hour left of it to go, so I wanted to recommend one more ‘green’ product to you today.

A few weeks ago I got an outstanding package in the mail from a place called That’s Caring. This was no ordinary ‘review’ package as it was filled with lots of yummy food. Yummy and healthy at that. That’s Caring is a new type of company who are trying to not only give you options when sending gifts or gift baskets rather than just the usual chocolates and flowers type of thing, but they’re also a company who’s committed to going ‘green’.

When you receive your gift basket, you’ll notice the difference right away from other companies. Not only do you get a ‘unique’ array of items, but you also have a basket that’s not in the traditional sense. The “basket” is now a 100% recyclable tray/box and it’s made with 66% recycled material. The basket fill is made of 30-70% recycled material, and the wrap around it, 100% biodegradable and compostable and made of cornstarch, even the ribbon on your gift is made from 100% natural vegetable fiber, so you can see, this is a very unique company doing their part to go more ‘green’ with their packaging.

Once I chose my basket, That’s Caring shipped it quickly and safely. The basket and contents were in perfect condition when it arrived in my home. I couldn’t wait to open it up and see what we had. I chose the Heart Healthy Dinner, a basket that holds a complete heart healthy meal from appetizer to dessert. It included a four fruit preserve, Life of Provence Toasts, Whole Wheat Pasta, Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, Kardea Olive Oil, and (8) Dark Chocolate Squares. Our dinner for that night was set!

That’s Caring is the perfect place to get a gift for someone, it’s much better than the traditional baskets, you can actually cater to the person you’re giving to, or help them if say they’ve been sick by sending them a basket for dinner. That’s Caring carries bakery, gourmet, heart healthy, home &spa, pasta, pets, sweets & snack baskets so your sure to find something there to brighten anyone’s day. That’s Caring is also the perfect gift for Mom this Mother’s day.

For more information about That’s Caring or to order one of their baskets for yourself or someone else visit their website at www.thatscaring.com

WIN IT!!!

One lucky reader has the chance to win the basket that I picked for myself, a Heart Healthy Dinner basket. All you have to do to be entered is visit the That’s Caring website and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment about which basket you’d buy your mom for Mother’s day, or the basket you’d like to receive for Mother’s day.

To be eligible to be entered into the giveaway this first step must be completed, after that, feel free to check out the additional ways to gain an entry.

For extra entries (please leave each extra giveaway in a separate comment, each will earn you an extra entry):

• Become a fan of That's Caring on Facebook (let me know)
• Subscribe to or follow my blog
• Add my button or text link to your site/blogroll
• Bookmark this giveaway somehow be it stumble, digg, etc using the drop down menu below...just let me know which one and your username
• Fave A Wrestling Addicted Mommy's Blog on Technorati (leave your username)
• Follow me on Twitter (wrestlingaddict), AND tweet about this giveaway (leave me your twitter name or the link)
• Follow AND Rate my blog on Networked Blogs via facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the direct link
• Become a fan of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy on Facebook

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address ONLY!!! And is open to non bloggers, PLEASE just remember if your blog profile is private, or you’re a non blogger, leave an email address or your entry will be disqualified....Winner will be chosen via random.org

Giveaway ends April 30, 2009 @ 11:59pm est

A Life Transforming Idea...

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Decisions, Decisions! That’s what life is made up of, but what about those decisions you make that sometimes you think about and later regret and wish you could turn back time to reverse. What happens when you make those decisions?

Parenting is hard, let’s face it, it doesn’t come with an instruction manual and sometimes the stress of being a parent and the stress of actual life over top of that can become overwhelming and can have us making some of our not so best decisions. But what if we had just a little bit of help? A small tool per say that could enable us to use our brains and think through the choices and decisions that would impact our lives.

Best-selling author Suzy Welch who’s a mother of four and a columnist for BusinessWeek and O, The Oprah Magazine has written a book called 10-10-10: A Life Transforming Idea. This book provides mothers with a decision-making practice that is as simple as it is profound. Suzy shows us how to use the 10-10-10 method to remove the emotion and uncertainty of decision-making.

This method can help you dramatically change how you make both big and small choices in your life. She tells us that all we need to do is consider our options and their consequences in ten minutes, ten months, and ten years then compare them to your own set of values.

It’s not easy idea to apply to life, I can tell you, I’ve read through the book and have yet to try the concept, but it claims to enable Moms to think things through in a more significant way, explain them clearly to others, prepare for the consequences of their decisions, and feel confident about their choices.

Suzy shares her own experiences as a mother in the book through humor and candor along with stories of others who rely on the 10-10-10 method. The ways this method can be used to serve as a powerful tool to utilize within our families is fascinating, now if only I could put it to use.

The book gives intriguing insights into the life of an extremely dynamic and successful woman and is full of anecdotes that you will relate to. 10-10-10 is a great read, maybe it can help out you and your family with their decision making.

You can view more information about the book by visiting suzywelch101010.com or you can purchase 10-10-10: A Life-Transforming Idea at Amazon.com.
Thanks To: MotherTalk

Same Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Easy Dispensing!

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What’s the day of a mom without a day of cleaning? A perfect day, that’s what I say! But we all know that the cleaning doesn’t get done on its own, so it’s up to us to find easy and fast ways to get it done.

One of my MUST HAVE cleaning products are those handy little disinfecting wipes. I swear I use them for everything and anything and I go through them like crazy. They’re the perfect cleaning product for just about every situation. What I do find myself doing though is leaving the ugly canisters out in the open and sometimes forgetting to put them back where my other cleaning products go. An easy thing to do, but an embarrassing thing to do when you have company come by and there sits your canister of cleaning wipes on top of your TV stand.

That’s until now. Clorox has figured out a solution to the ugly wipe canister problem in our households by coming up with the Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Décor Canisters. With eight different designs to choose from there’s no reason to feel embarrassed when you mistakenly forget about leaving that canister out in the open. Heck, with how cute the designs are you just might want to keep them out for some easy go to cleaning. My favorite thing about these canisters though isn’t the design, but the wider opening that they have for the wipes as well as the single sheet dispensing system. There’s no more digging around to get that first wipe out and then screwing up the entire rest of the roll inside, they come out perfectly every time, almost like a tissue box.

These are my new MUST HAVES for cleaning products; it makes life so much easier! You can find out more information about the Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Décor Canisters by visiting www.redesignclean.com.

Thanks To: Family Review Network

WIN IT!!!

Four lucky readers will win two (2) coupons each for One new canister of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (retail value $5.49, expires 5/31/09). All you have to do to be entered to win is tell me what you use (or would use) your disinfecting wipes for?

This first step must be completed to be entered into the giveaway. After the first step has been completed check out the extra ways to win!

For extra entries (please leave each extra giveaway in a separate comment, each will earn you an extra entry):
• Subscribe to or follow blog
• Add my button or text link to your site/blogroll
• Bookmark this giveaway somehow be it stumble, digg, etc using the drop down menu below...just let me know which one and your username
• Fave A Wrestling Addicted Mommy's Blog on Technorati (leave your username)
• Follow me on Twitter (wrestlingaddict), AND tweet about this giveaway (leave me your twitter name or the link)
• Follow AND Rate my blog on Networked Blogs via facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the direct link
• Become a fan of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy on Facebook

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address ONLY!!! And is open to non bloggers, PLEASE just remember if your blog profile is private, or you’re a non blogger, leave an email address or your entry will be disqualified....Winner will be chosen via random.org

Giveaway ends April 28, 2009 @ 11:59pm est

Big Ben ding DONG'S all night long...

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**Disclaimer: Some images and content may not be appropriate for younger viewers. This post is for Adults 18 years of age and older and may not be safe for work viewing**

Doc Johnson’s is probably one of my favorite manufacturers of “Adult Toys”, you can never go wrong with a Doc Johnson, not only do they carry the widest variety of toys but they’re probably one of the best providers of ‘dildos’ on the market, at least in my opinion.

One of my newest ‘treasures’ in my box is the “Big Ben” – Ben Dover’s Realistic King Sized Cock. Upon receiving my new toy, my eyes must have bulged out of my head, defiantly not what I was expecting. The Big Ben is HUGE, and very…Very realistic. So realistic that really, I don’t think I should post the picture of this dong on my blog, which is why you see the smudged out box version instead.

It’s pretty apparent why Ben Dover (the porn star) was chosen to be a model and have his penis molded for Doc Johnsons. Now, I can be first to admit, I like ‘em big, who doesn’t but this isn’t so much long as it is thick, and I couldn’t wait to try it out. The running joke between me and my husband is that this is my first and only white cock, which is true, yes I’ve never been with a white guy before, but if they’re all as proportionate as Ben Dover, I’ve been missing a whole heck of a lot.

The Big Ben dildo is nine inches long and six inches wide and extremely realistic; this isn’t your run of the mill machine molded dildo. This looks and almost feels like a real penis in your hands, and elsewhere! The only thing that turned me off at first sight was the enormous balls attached to this thing. I’ve never seen anything the size of these things before. CRAZY! However, I can say during ‘play time’ the balls make for a great grip for yourself or your partner, as well they give a bit of clitoral stimulation when being used as well. We used this toy more as a couple than having me use it alone, and when using this toy ‘doggy style’ the balls hit your clit just right as to give an extra sensation than just the penetration alone.

Big Ben is about two pounds (very heavy for a toy) and is made out of a firm yet smooth rubber, realistically the head is accentuated and the shaft is curved just slightly, and you can also spot some veins along the shaft as well to give it that more realistic look and feel. Another great thing about this toy is the suction cup base. This is my very first toy with such a thing, and I was pretty excited about seeing how well a suction cup worked. Using a wall or any smooth surface, you now have a hands free toy for solo stimulation or for a great visual for your partner while you venture on to other things at the same time. I think this was my favorite way to use this toy. The toy is also harness compatible for all those with harness strap-ons.

To view an actual size photo of the Ben Dover Realistic King Sized Cock CLICK HERE.

I honestly have no idea who Ben Dover is, my husband does, but I’m not that big into porn. I have to say though, having his replica penis has intrigued me just a bit to see what the real thing looks like. The Big Ben is BY FAR now on the top of my list for my favorite toys. It’s probably the most used toy this week alone, inch by inch, I’ve been VERY satisfied!

To find out more information about the “Big Ben” Ben Dover Realistic King Sized Cock or to check out other ‘Adult Toys’ head on over to the Eden Fantasys website at www.edenfantasys.com.

The Perfect Dress for All Occasions...

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I’ve finally found it, the perfect little black dress. This is something that actually has been missing from my wardrobe, shameful isn’t it? It’s taken me this long to find a figure flattering, PERFECT dress for every and all occasions, but I’m glad for the wait because this dress is just the perfect thing, why bother settling for less right?!?

The Marilyn Convertible Dress from Monif C.Plus Sizes is THE dress! It’s the only black dress you’ll ever need no matter what the occasion. The Marilyn Convertible Dress was inspired by vintage dresses, but vintage is far from what this dress is. The classic style can be dressed up or down, or tied in so many different ways; you never have to wear the same dress twice. The Marilyn Convertible Dress is just that, convertible. So far Monif C. Plus Sizes have counted 22 different ways to tie this dress, I’m sure with some experimenting and your own personal style you can find many more. There are limitless possibilities with this dress.

When I first got my black Marilyn Convertible Dress I was a little confused as exactly what I was to do, but there’s help. Monif C. and her models have come up with some great YouTube videos to give you examples on just how to wear this fashionable and stylish dress. You can check out the first instructional video here as well as a second instructional video here, I’m sure we’ll be offered many more instructional videos as time goes on. You can also view some great customer pictures by visiting the Monif C. blog.

I am literally in love with my Marilyn Convertible. I’m not really a girl who likes to wear a lot of dresses, but this one is going to get a lot of wear from me. It flatters my figure, and can not only be worn as a dress, but I can also manipulate it into ways to wear as a cute top with some jeans or leggings. The great thing about this dress is for those of us with actual boobs, we can wear a full support bra underneath and find countless ways to ‘hide’ it by tying the dress in so many different styles/ways.

Retailing for $195.00 the Marilyn Convertible Dress is well worth the money, think of it. So far 22 different ways to wear this dress have been counted, that’s 22 different dresses you’d have to buy to get each style if purchased separately, you’re saving a heck of a lot of money on one dress that can last you through every occasion throughout the year and no one will even know it’s the same dress. The Marilyn Convertible Dress comes in a short style and a longer style as well as a variety of colors. The dress is made of a luxurious jersey material that not only looks great but feels so soft on your skin.

Although the Marilyn Convertible Dress is targeted at plus size women, the dress does fit all sizes from a size 8-24.

For more information or to take a peek at all the other gorgeous dresses you can find at Monif C. Plus Sizes visit their website www.monifc.com.

Daily Freebies...

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~ FoodSaver Free Freeze 'N Steam Bags (Exp. 05/31)

~ Walmart Free Huggies Pure & Natural Sample

~ Oakley Free Sketchpad

~ Reynolds Wrap Free Roll of Foil after Rebate

~ Costco Free Kirkland Diaper Sample (Canada)

~ Jiffy Mix Free Hospitality in a "Jiffy" Recipe Book

~ Oxy Free Face Wash Sample (UK)

~ Teeccino Free Herbal Coffee Sample (US & Canada)

~ Office Depot Free Marker or Pen for the first 300 per Day (Exp. 05/31)

~ Walmart Free Root Awakenings Sample

~ Walmart Free Sample of Aveeno Nourish+

~ McDonalds Free Cup of Coffee from April 20 - May 3 (Canada)

~ Golden Age Stories Free Bookmark Set

~ Beyond Seven Free Condom Sample

~ PhotoBox 40 free Prints (UK)

Purex Saves Green

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It’s EARTH DAY!!! Have you and your family done anything interesting today to celebrate? I wish I could say we did, but we haven’t, it’s kind of cold here and it’s been raining off and on all day. We’re going to celebrate tomorrow on a nice sunny warmer day by planting our very first vegetable garden outside!!!

In celebration of Earth Day I wanted to let you know of a great new line from Purex. My laundry and cleaning products are mostly ‘green’ and natural. We have to watch exactly what we use especially when it comes to laundry products because of skin allergies with my entire family, and Purex is actually one of the brands that we do use, but we’ve never used their newest line until recently.

Purex is trying to be a little ‘greener’ with their products and have introduced their new Natural Elements line of laundry products. The Natural Elements line includes a Laundry Detergent which comes in a variety of fragrances including Linen & Lilies™, Cherry Blossoms & Vanilla, White Lavender and my favorite Apple & Melon and Lilac. They also have a Fabric Softener as well. Since I got to review the first bottle of Purex Laundry Detergent (in the Linen and Lilies fragrance), I’ve since returned to Purex and found my all time favorite scent of Apple/Melon which we faithfully use in our household now.

The Purex Natural Elements line is plant-based using natural fragrance extracts and naturally softened water. Both the detergent and liquid fabric softener have biodegradable, concentrated formulas that requires 50% less liquid per dose and is also contained in a recyclable bottle. For our family, it’s now become one of our favorites not only because of it being a “green” product, and not only because of the scent, but because the Natural Elements line is hypoallergenic and dye-free!

This is also the second year of the “Purex Saves Green” campaign. For 2009 they had Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden help to spread the word on how we can have a safer and healthier environment. Marcia and Purex Natural Elements kicked off a nationwide eco-conscious auction to benefit the Earth Day Network (EDN), which grew from the original Earth Day in 1970 and seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide. The auction started on March 4, 2009 and will be closed on April 29, 2009.

Marcia, along with many other environmentally-savvy celebrities, each designed their own reusable tote bags to be auctioned off on purexsavesgreen.com with all of the proceeds being donated to EDN. This year’s celebrity tote bag designers include Martha Stewart, Chevy Chase, Ed Begley, Jr., Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer, Tamara Tunie and Tom and Jessica Bergeron.

For more information visit the Purex website at www.purexsavesgreen.com

WIN IT!!!

One lucky reader will win a Purex Natural Elements Laundry Detergent and Liquid Fabric Softener. All you have to do to be entered to win is visit the Purex website and take a look at the Tote Finalists from consumers and vote for your favorite tote. Then come back here and leave me a comment telling me whose tote you voted for.

This first step must be done in order to be eligible to enter. Once you’ve done the first step, feel free to enter with all the extra ways! Good Luck!

For extra entries (please leave each extra giveaway in a separate comment, each will earn you an extra entry):
• Subscribe to or follow blog
• Add my button or text link to your site/blogroll
• Bookmark this giveaway somehow be it stumble, digg, etc using the drop down menu below...just let me know which one and your username
• Fave A Wrestling Addicted Mommy's Blog on Technorati (leave your username)
• Follow me on Twitter (wrestlingaddict), AND tweet about this giveaway (leave me your twitter name or the link)
• Follow AND Rate my blog on Networked Blogs via facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the direct link
• Become a fan of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy on Facebook

This giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address ONLY!!! And is open to non bloggers, PLEASE just remember if your blog profile is private, or you’re a non blogger, leave an email address or your entry will be disqualified....Winner will be chosen via random.org

Giveaway ends April 29, 2009 @ 11:59pm est

Do you have hometown food pride? Show it off at the Steak-umm 'Hometown Burger' Contest

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It’s time to show some hometown pride with the Steak-umm “Hometown Burger’ recipe contest sponsored by Quaker Maid Meats. Simply use a special local food in a dish built around Steak-umm Burgers. Who knows – maybe you’ll invent the next Philly cheese steak! Each entry will be judged on originality, taste, visual appeal, creative pairing of your hometown ingredient with the Steak-umm product, and the extent to which the recipe brings out the essence of the local cuisine.

The grand prize is a Weber Q 100 Liquid Propane Gas Grill – just in time for summer barbecuing. The two runners-up will receive a 10” limited-edition Steak-umm frying pan.

The contest runs from March 15 through June 15, 2009. Winners will be selected by June 25, 2009. You can submit your recipes to: hometownburgercontest@sspr.com with the subject line ‘Hometown Burger Contest' or you can mail in your entry at the below address:

Steak-umm 'Hometown Burger' Recipe Contest
c/o SS/PR
Attention: Jill Schmidt
2700 Patriot Blvd., Suite 430
Glenview, IL 60026

Steak-umm Burgers are available in the frozen meat department of local grocery stores. Visit www.steakumm.com for more information.

ARTISTS TO SUPPORT LOVE. HUGS. PEACE.™

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Do you know what GRAMMY® award-winning singer Natalie Cole, Camp Rock star Meaghan Martin and David Archuleta of “American Idol” fame have in common? One has to wonder, I mean they’re not collaborating on an album together are they?

Well, what makes them all bond is something called the 2009 Love. Hugs. Peace movement. This is a global giving campaign created by Build-A-Bear Workshop®. This program gives young people around the world a fun and easy way to give back and these talented artists have allowed their vocal talents to be used in the movements signature song “Let’s Talk About Love” which helps spread the message of sharing and love while it also benefits Save the Children.®

“When Build-A-Bear Workshop invited me to be part of its Love. Hugs. Peace. movement, I couldn't resist,” said Natalie Cole, the latest artist to support the cause. “As a mom, I always tried to instill in my son the importance of giving back. The Love. Hugs. Peace. movement teaches that lesson beautifully."

Each artist gave their own rendition and style to “Let’s Talk About Love”. Cole’s adult contemporary version of “Let’s Talk About Love” will be released on Saturday, May 2 to celebrate Mother’s Day; Martin’s more pop-style take on the song debuts Friday, April 17. Archuleta’s ballad-type song variation, unveiled in February, is still available, and additional artists are set to jump on board to record the song as the movement continues throughout the year.

Kids (and adults) can visit www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace or any participating Build-A-Bear Workshop store and receive a free download card of “Let’s Talk About Love” performed by the artist of their choice as a thank you for their $1 donation to Save the Children. From April 17 through April 30, for each Meaghan Martin song download, Build-A-Bear Workshop will match its Guests donations up to an additional $10,000 USD to Save the Children.

To date, with the help of its Guests, Build-A-Bear Workshop has already raised more than $100,000 to support Save the Children. In addition, nearly 150,000 kids from around the world have joined the movement at www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace and made a love, hugs or peace pledge to do something small to make the world a better place. Whether it’s making a promise to volunteer time to a cause, share a special moment with a friend, assist a grandparent or elderly person, write a thank you note or help save the earth, young people are accepting the challenge to do their part to make a difference one act of kindness at a time.

“Love. Hugs. Peace. is about how everyone, no matter how young or old they are, can help to make the world a better place,” said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of
Build-A-Bear Workshop and mastermind behind the movement. “Together friends can make a world of difference, and it can all start with a hug and a song!”

New Exclusive Merchandise

The Love. Hugs. Peace. movement is represented by three icons: a heart, a teddy bear and a peace sign. These graphic elements will be featured on various Build-A-Bear Workshop fashions and furry friends throughout the year. Plus, an exclusive series of Love. Hugs. Peace. bear-sized tees (prices range from $5 - $6.50) has been designed to keep the momentum of the movement going. Build-A-Bear Workshop will donate $.25 to Save the Children from the sale of these tees. A new Love. Hugs. Peace. rhinestone tank will debut both in-store and online on April 17 to coincide with the launch of Meaghan Martin’s song rendition. In addition, a world peace tiny tee also will be available for purchase.

Virtual Components

The movement extends to buildabearville.com®, the Build-A-Bear Workshop virtual world which today engages more than 8 million citizens. The Chloe Show, the virtual world’s celebrity interview segment, will feature a special behind-the-scenes interview with Meaghan Martin from April 17-30. And, when Guests make their $1 donation to Save the Children to receive the Meaghan Martin song download card, they will also get an exclusive virtual outfit code to use in buildabearville.com.®

About Save the Children

Save the Children reaches girls and boys in the United States and more than 120 countries. The contribution being made to Save the Children through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Love. Hugs. Peace. movement will support its immediate and long-term programs that help ensure children are protected, healthy and well-nourished, learn and develop, and live in food-secure and economically viable households. For more information visit www.savethechildren.org.