Mommy Ramblings

February 5, 2013 · 6:45 pm

Scholastic Storybook Treasures: Stone Soup And Other Stories From The Asian Culture DVD Review & Giveaway!!!

SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES™ PRESENTS A NEW DVD CELEBRATING ASIAN CULTURE

Get ready to learn about some of Asian culture’s best loved tales, Scholastic Storybook Treasures™ releases STONE SOUP…AND OTHER STORIES FROM THE ASIAN TRADITION. Highlighted by author/illustrator Jon J. Muth’s award-winning take on “Stone Soup”, the new DVD also features three other classic tales, as well as a Read-Along function which highlights the words as they are spoken, allowing young viewers to follow along with the narrators.

“Stone Soup” is a classic folktale about the strength people possess when they work together. The three other stories on the DVD include “The Five Chinese Brothers”, “Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China”, and “Stonecutter”. These colorfully animated adaptations of classic stories feature celebrity narration by B.D. Wong (Law and Order: SVU).

The DVD also includes a behind-the-scenes interview with Jon J. Muth, the award-winning author/illustrator of “Stone Soup”, “The Three Questions” and other popular stories for kids. Muth also illustrated cards for Magic: The Gathering.

I love that one of my favorite childhood stories, The Five Chinese Brothers is included on this DVD to share with my little ones.

Scholastic is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own Storybook Treasures DVD of Stone Soup and other stories from Asian culture. Thank you Storybook Treasures for the review DVD and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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· 1:58 am

It’s RSV Season! Do You Know How To Prevent This Virus?

The Flu has been brutal this year. I really don’t remember anything like this, most people I know have been sick for what seems like a month with it. Since mid to late November it seems every other Facebook status on my news feed was about people being so sick. Right before Thanksgiving I came down with what I think was the flu, I was not bedridden but it took my voice completely away for about 5-7 days and gave me that hacking your lungs up cough. I work from home so I was able to keep my normal routine thankful I did not have to leave my home, but was sick for about 2 weeks which is highly unusual for me. I felt better and went to the doctor for my physical the few days I was feeling semi normal again. My doctor said she said she could still see some pharyngitis and prescribed an antibiotic which cleared up my throat and ears but days later my kids and husband were sick again and so was I. What I found out is that this strain of flu mutates and so people get well and then quickly become sick again with a mutated form. So sick again for another 2 weeks of the same and then believe it or not I went to the doctor and they gave me a flu shot after all that.

Anyway with all this gunk going around I think it is wise we talk about RSV. Do you know what RSV is? RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus which is a seasonal virus that is prevalent from November through March, is highly contagious and affects 2/3rds of children by one year of age and nearly 100% of kids by 2 years of age. RSV can live on surfaces like counter tops, bedding, doorknobs, toys and more for several hours and is spread easily through touching, kissing and hugging. Children in daycare are at very high risk of contracting RSV due to all the sharing of toys, high chairs, eating and sleeping in close quarters.

RSV causes mild to moderate cold like symptoms in most children that will run the course without causing parents to be alarmed. However in premature infants, contracting RSV can be extremely serious. Once contracted there is no treatment for RSV so prevention is key. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization and responsible for up to 125,000 hospitalizations and 500 deaths each year. Parents of babies who are high risk for RSV should consider other options than day care like in home care or a nanny where they will not be exposed to risk factors prevalent in a day care situation. Care should be taken to keep things clean and sanitary and frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of any illness including RSV. For more information on RSV, you can click HERE for an informative fact sheet.

I remember when Luke was born, even though he was full term and just shy of 8lbs he lost a lot of weight and at 5 days when he was admitted to pediatrics for his jaundice, he was only a bit over 5 lbs and at high risk for RSV since it was the very end of December. I was a wreck having him there but we had no choice because his levels were so high the pediatrician would not let us treat at home. I was a maniac making sure everyone knew we had a tiny newborn and for all the nurses and hospital staff to wash their hands before touching anything in the room. My husband or myself were always present and chose to take care of nearly every task regarding our baby rather than having nurses or staff tend to him. Thankfully, we got our little guy home safe and healthy but it was scary thinking of the danger. I believe there were a couple of children that were on the ward with RSV which freaked me out.

Since prevention is the best course of action, it is imperative to follow good hygienic practices and wash hands thoroughly, clean toys and surfaces to keep germs to a minimum and limit visitors and of course do not let anyone will cold like symptoms around premature or newborn babies. To learn more please visit RSVProtection.com. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book 50th Anniversary Edition Review and Giveaway!!!

I challenge you not to yawn as you read the first few pages of Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book and learn about the contagious, chain reaction of yawns started by a bug who yawned so wide you could see down his neck. This book is all about drifting to sleep no matter the creature they all enjoy being a sleeper. This is a wonderful book for reading to your little ones that ends showing a picture of a house with a light on in one window and tells them that when their light is out and they are sleeping in bed their number will be added to the tally of those sleeping and slumbering all over the world.

Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book 50th Anniversary Edition. Thank you Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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February 1, 2013 · 6:34 pm

Enteral Health, All Natural Ginger and Peppermint Tummydrops Review & Giveaway!!!

I have long been a fan of the way ginger is very soothing and healing to upset tummies. All Natural Ginger Tummydrops are a great way to ease occasional stomach upset, nausea, morning sickness, & motion sickness. Handy to just carry with you, the drops are delicious like gingerbread with a kick and will start to work right away to tame the tummy blues.

While prescription medications are available, many of our patients come to us asking what natural options exist.
Fortunately, Mother Nature has provided an answer in the form of Zingiber officinale, better known as ginger. Prized for its culinary uses, the root-like structure of ginger, called a rhizome, contains multiple active substances, including gingerol, which may assist with occasional nausea and vomiting.

When formulating our drops, we started by carefully selecting a natural and potent source of gingerol. Next, we added premium natural ingredients to complement the natural taste of the ginger. The result is an easy to carry, great tasting drop that you can take anywhere. So the next time an upset stomach tries to ruin your day, you’ll be prepared.

Tummydrops also has all natural peppermint drops with a special blend of peppermint oil that can help ease occasional upset stomach issues, cramps, nausea, bloating and urgency. The peppermint drops taste great and wow, they are potent, they could probably work better and longer than any breath mint you would ever try. After sucking on one of these drops I almost wanted to be a “close talker” because of how fresh and minty my breath was.

For centuries, people have turned to Mentha piperita, better known as peppermint, for relief. Along with its great taste, peppermint oil may assist with common, occasional digestive complaints including cramps, urgency, nausea, and bloating.

We specially designed each all-natural, individually wrapped drop to deliver a potent dose of premium peppermint oil. Be sure to take plenty of these great-tasting drops with you wherever you go – your tummy is sure to thank you!

To you and your tummy, Dustin G. James, MD and Michael E. Presti, MD FACP Board-Certified Gastroenterologists and creators of tummy drops

Peppermint oil can help relax the intense contractions that cause abdominal pain and bloating. This same relaxing effect also works on the muscles of the uterus that cause painful menstrual cramps. Peppermint oil can also help relieve pain caused by certains foods that irritate your digestive tract

BUT NOT ALL PEPPERMINT OILS ARE EQUAL…
What about peppermint candies and tea, can they help?
Peppermint tea and peppermint candies are too weak and not designed to soothe the intestines. You may have some benefit, but not nearly the effect as a specially formulated product like peppermint tummy drops.
What about peppermint pills, do they work?
Gel-coated peppermint oil capsules can help, but have a big limitation: they need to be digested before they work, a process that can take hours. So, if you have a sudden onset of a digestive issue, they won’t kick in right away.
Peppermint tummy drops are designed so that the peppermint oil enters your body immediately (even faster if you chew them) so they can help out as soon as you need them.
There are many different types of peppermints and mints in general, do they all work?
Each peppermint plant produces a unique oil. Some taste better than others. Some work better than others to soothe digestion. The patent-pending formulation of peppermint oils in peppermint tummy drops was carefully designed by doctors so that they work great and act fast.

All-natural! Brown rice syrup, dried cane syrup, natural peppermint oil (proprietary blend), and other natural flavors.Only 10 calories each (zero weight watchers points), fat and cholesterol free, GLUTEN-FREE

Would you like to win a bag of Enteral All Natural Ginger Tummydrops? If so just enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. You can also visit the Enteral Health and Nutrition Facebook Page.

For those that don’t win the giveaway, if you post a video to the Enteral Facebook Page explaining why Tummydrops might be a help for you or a family member while linking Enteral Health in your post (http://www.facebook.com/enteralhealth), Enteral will send you a free sample.

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January 31, 2013 · 12:30 am

Oompa Toys, Plus-Plus 600 Piece Block Set Review & Giveaway!!!

I recently discovered Plus-Plus blocks, I opened them with my son who just turned 4 and we both had a great time, he was able to fit them together and we played for about an hour with them making all sorts of things. When my five-year old came home from school he immediately sat down and played with them, he was totally enthralled and played for about an hour straight with them. I like that they were both able to manipulate the pieces, excellent for fine motor skills and so happy it was not a frustrating task for them.

We know as parents that any building toy that is hard for kids to work with just makes them frustrated and thus parents frustrated. Whatever you build with these Plus-Plus blocks is secure, can be picked up and even worn like the glasses. These blocs are not anything they need to handle delicately which again just leads to frustration because if their structures easily come apart or fall that is no fun! The bright neon colors are super fun to work with and the building possibilities are endless. If you are looking for a fun toy that will hold your child’s interest, stimulate their imagination, one that you will have fun playing along with and one that will help your child with their fine motor skill development look no further than Plus-Plus blocks!

Plus-Plus 600 Piece Set (Neon Colors) was designed and made at Plus-Plus in Denmark. Each basic H shape can be attached to another in a variety of ways allowing for endless building. The only thing you’ll have to provide is imagination! In this 600 piece set, your little builder will find shapes in 6 different colors. As your little one builds, he will be able to explore his engineering skills while experimenting with patterns, colors, and of course gravity!

Recommended For Children 3 Years And Older
Includes 600 Pieces
Designed In Denmark By The Innovative Folks At Plus-Plus
Made in Denmark

Oompa Toys is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a Plus-Plus 600 Piece, Neon Set. Thank you Oompa Toys for the review block set and for sponsoring this spectacular giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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January 29, 2013 · 11:07 pm

Scholastic Storybook Treasures, March On 3 DVD Set Review & Giveaway!!!

Perfect for celebrating Black History Month in February and learning all year about African-American culture and tradition, Scholastic presents thirteen stories on a 3-DVD set! Included in the set are the favorites Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of Vocal Virtuosa, March On, Martin’s Big Words, and more!

This 3 DVD set is perfect for educating your children on African-American culture and great for the classroom.

COMMEMORATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH A SPECIAL 3-DVD SET FROM SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES™

Commemorate Black History Month and learn about African American traditions with STORIES ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FEATURING MARCH ON!, a specially-packaged 3-disc set from Scholastic Storybook Treasures™. Featuring thirteen award-winning animated adaptations across three hours from some of the most talented authors and illustrators working today, this is a set that will be treasured by families year round.

In MARCH ON: THE DAY MY BROTHER MARTIN CHANGED THE WORLD, written by Dr. Christine King Farris, illustrated by London Ladd and narrated by Lynn Whitfield, Martin Luther King Jr.’s sister travels back to 1963 to present a personal, stirring account of the remarkable day when Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream Speech”. Powerful, entertaining and unforgettable, additional stories – narrated by celebrities such as Michael Clarke Duncan, James Earl Jones, Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad, Samuel L. Jackson – include: “Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears”, “Duke Ellington”, “Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of Vocal Virtuosa”, “Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad” and “Martin’s Big Words”.

As with all Scholastic Storybook Treasures releases, the stories include a Read-Along function which highlights the words as they are spoken, allowing young viewers to follow along with the narrators. The set also features bonus programming including interviews with authors and narrators including Christine King Farris and Ellen Levine (“Henry’s Freedom Box”).

New Kideo is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win the March On 3 DVD Set. Thank you New Kideo for the review set and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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January 28, 2013 · 11:12 pm

Buckalope Elementary DVD Boxed Set Review & Giveaway!!! 3 Winners!!!

If you have been a loyal reader of Mommy Ramblings, you will remember last year we did a review for an episode of Buckalope Elementary series. The episode we reviewed back then was Career Day. Recently I was sent a DVD Boxed Set of episodes 1-6, a CD of music, videos, karaoke and sing-along of each original song and a CD of the Buckalope Elementary Soundtrack.

Buckalope Elementary is an adorable puppet educational series created for kids 5-9 or grades K-3. Each episode explores different aspects of character and career education. The episodes are curriculum based and feature an original song.

The puppets make the episodes very entertaining and captivating for kids and keeps them focused on the content. The episodes included in this set are:

Interests, Hobbies & Careers
Self-Esteem
Career Day
Responsibility
Teamwork
The Science Fair

The episodes are not long in length so kids stay engaged and do not feel overwhelmed. Also the length makes them perfect to use in the classroom as well to incorporate into a lesson plan.

Buckalope Elementary DVD Boxed Set
Ages 5-9 (K-3)
The first six episodes of the Buckalope Elementary series are now available on DVD. The multi-media curriculum, which is grounded in educational theory and research, promotes character development, career awareness, problem solving, self-esteem, and above all, motivation.

Each episode focuses on a different character trait or theme, and contains an original song. (See below for details)

This DVD set contains the following:
• Six full episodes.
• Music videos, karaoke, and sing-a-long videos of each original song.
• Buckalope Elementary Soundtrack CD.
• Links to additional free lesson plans, exercises, and games.
• Bonus materials and videos.

Furry Friends Productions is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Three lucky blog readers will win their own Buckalope Elementary DVD Boxed Set. Thank you Furry Friends Productions for the review set and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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January 26, 2013 · 11:23 pm

MobileFun,Speck iGuy Case and Stand for iPad 4/3/2 Review & Giveaway!!!

Want a fun case for you iPad that will still offer you great protection while making quite a statement? If so you should check out the Speck iGuy Case and Stand. This case is perfect for anyone in the family but I especially love it for my kids because the arms of the iGuy help them carry it and the drop resistant case makes me worry a lot less as they do. The free-standing case make is so easy to just have it in an upright condition whenever you need it. The case allows you to still have access to all the ports and camera capabilities. Check out MobileFun and see their full line of iPad Cases and iPad accessories.

MobileFun is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own Speck iGuy iPad Case. Thanks MobileFun for the review case and for sponsoring this fun giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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January 25, 2013 · 3:13 pm

Special Offer To Download Eggland’s Best New eCookbook For Free!!! Limited Time Offer!!!

In our house we always buy Eggland’s Best Eggs in fact we always buy the 18 count size because we go through a lot of eggs in our big family. During the holiday season when we are doing a lot of cooking and baking you will find 2 18 count packages. I buy them because they are healthier for my family and that is important to me.

Eggland’s Best is America’s #1 egg, and cooking with Eggland’s Best has never been more nutritious! Compared to ordinary eggs, Eggland’s Best eggs have:

• 25% less Saturated Fat
• 10 times more Vitamin E
• 3 times more Vitamin B12
• 2 times more Vitamin D
• More than double the Omega-3
• 35% more Lutein

If you are looking for ideas of how to use Eggland’s Best eggs in delicious recipes your family will love then you will be happy to learn that they are launching their second original eCookbook, “Your Best Recipes” featuring the Top 20 recipes from the first nation-wide Eggland’s Best “Your Best Recipe Contest”. These delicious recipes were selected from thousands of entries submitted by at-home chefs and bloggers. Each recipe highlights a creative way of using EB eggs.

Eggland’s Best approached me as a blogger with an opportunity to download this eCookbook (a $9.99 value) for free and allowed me to bring that special offer to all of you!

There are two easy steps to download Eggland’s Best eCookbook:

1. Visit the special promotion page and connect your Facebook account to “like” Eggland’s Best on Facebook.

2. Once you’ve connected your Facebook account, click the red button to download your eCookbook.

Hurry! This free eCookbook download offer is only available through February 15, 2013.

“A Kiss Like This” by Mary Murphy Review & Giveaway!!!

I cannot wait for spring and you will probably hear me mention that a dozen times at least before it arrives. This Arctic blast we are experiencing can go back to the Arctic from which it came with bells on it! I love looking ahead in the winter, love scheduling appointments in December for April at the doctor’s office but hate doing that in the Summer when they are scheduling for December!

Anyway, so looking ahead to the next month we have Valentine’s Day coming up and I just shared an adorable book with my little ones. A Kiss Like This by Mary Murphy is all about how Mama and child animals express their love in a kiss. It can be a fuzzy buzzy kiss like the bumble bees share or a fizzy bubbly kiss of the fish. The unique way the pages are split and allow little hands to turn them and see the display of affection is so sweet. If you are looking for a special book to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your little one, this book even saves the last kiss for you and your special Valentine.

A giraffe kiss is very tall — just turn the page and see! Elephant kisses are long, of course, while tiny mice and bubbly fish have kisses all their own. Using a clever split-page format that makes for charming surprises, author-illustrator Mary Murphy shares a series of animal kisses that are sure to have babies and toddlers gurgling, giggling, smiling, and leaning over for their kisses, too.

What better gift for a new baby? The creator of I KISSED THE BABY! celebrates animal moms and babies in an irresistible novelty book.

Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of A Kiss Like This! Thank you to Candlewick Press for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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