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Without Peanut Butter My Kids Would Starve…

So when I got a note a while back asking if I wanted to participate in the Jif Peanut Butter Online Tasting party I said Oh Yeah! The word party wasn’t actually part of the invitation but that’s exactly what it turned out to be.  My family received a ridiculous amount of peanut butter (peanut butter and honey, Omega-3 Creamy, Crunchy, Natural & Creamy), crackers, icing, pretzels, cookies, pita chips and MORE along with some cool lunch bags and reusable bags. We were then told to do a little shopping and come up with some recipes and new ideas to share with the Jif team.

The night of the online party came, Rob and Sabreena sat with me while signing in to the online tasting and it the fun started right away. We immediately taste-tested baby carrots and peanut butter which surprisingly were good. We already know peanut butter and celery are a good match. The taste testing got more elaborate then downright weird when they paired bacon and peanut butter.

Sarah Donahoe and Cody Adams both with J.M. Smucker Company worked on some great ideas, recipes and fun stories while interacting with a slew of online party-goers with our own ideas, recipes and dares.
One of our favorite recipes that we ate right along was:

Peanut Butter Apple Rings
Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup Jif® Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread
• 4 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 large red delicious apple, cored and cut crosswise into 6 rings
• 1/2 cup granola cereal with raisins

Directions:
1. STIR peanut butter, honey and cinnamon in small bowl. Arrange apple rings on serving plates. Spread rings evenly with thin layer of peanut butter mixture.
2. LIGHTLY PRESS granola cereal into peanut butter mixture. Serve immediately.

The trick is to pat the apple dry otherwise the peanut butter won’t stick.


Each and every day in our home a peanut butter jar can be found on the counter as some point during the day. Often it’s for breakfast, usually it’s for lunch and sometimes it’s for snack after school. I’ve found since doing this event with Jif I really appreciate the flavor over other brands. It tastes like peanuts. I did share a couple of ideas that we do in our own home like peanut butter on toasted waffles for breakfast or adding a couple TBLS to smoothies to boost protein and flavor.

Are you a peanut butter fanatic? Could your child use a $25,000 scholarship? Enter the Jif® Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest for your chance at the Grand Prize. Just mail in the recipe of your most creative and tasty sandwich creation. All entries must be postmarked by October 22, 2010. Visit Jif.com for complete rules and details as well as the entry form.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Take if from Bath to Beach-Company Kids Hooded Towel

Bath time is one of the most relaxing moments someone can indulge in. For kids it’s one of the most fun. Company Kids keeps the fun going even when the water and bubbles have all gone. Their hooded towels give kids a costume and cover-up all in one.

We recently received the Company Kids Duckie Hooded Towel for my niece Ella. Her mother tells me that she quacks at each bath time so I thought this would be the perfect gift for her. It roominess and thickness are also perfect to take from the bath to the beach. Keep the sun off their heads and sand off their bodies when it’s time to leave the surf. Made of 100% cotton and a large 50” X 30” size these towels will last kids till ages 6-7 (depending on the size of the kid).

For an extra special gift get your character hooded towel monogrammed for that someone special. Choose from lots of different styles, characters and animals.

Ella will hopefully love her Duckie Towel for her birthday next week.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Girls Night Out & Life As We Know It

Last Thursday was Girls Night Out for me and my best friend Stacy. It’s been a LOOOOOOONG time since we’ve had one. We got the chance to see a pre-screening of Life As We Know It, the new romantic comedy/chick flick starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. What a CUTE movie! It was funny, lots more to see than the commercial clips too. Josh is adorable most of the time, I much prefer the scruffy uncombed hair look and Katherine Heigl was actually mostly likable (she’s not my favorite actress).

The premise of the movie is their best friends die and they are appointed guardianship together. They have a rocky history but attempt to raise this baby; who was adorable by the way. They go through trials, tribulations, fights, poop scenes, baby firsts and more. But sitting next to me was my best friend of 24 years and I couldn’t help crying at the thought of losing her. Katherine Heigl’s character has a mini breakdown about her dead friend and I cried along. This film is definitely not a full on bring your Kleenex flick but it’s touching, hysterically funny and a bit thought-provoking.  I need to set up my will.

Check it out for yourself, Life As We Know It comes out in theaters October 8th.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Baby Baby Baby a bedtime story

Books are a staple in our house. Each child has grown up with a bookcase filled with them. I want to pass that on to my nieces too. When I received an email to review Marilyn Janovitz’ newest publication Baby Baby Baby I knew to jump on it.

Book reviews are hard for me because the subject matter has to fit perfectly with the reader. In this case; a board book was the right fit. Not only is Baby Baby Baby an interactive and entertaining rhyme it’s a bedtime story. This means that each time it’s read it ends softly and with kisses and hugs.

Snuggle up close
Cuddle your cheek
Whole little baby likes to
Sleep Sleep Sleep

Marilyn Janovitz is the author/illustrator of over a dozen children’s books, including Can I Help?, Is It Time?, and What Can Be Keeping Santa?. She lives in New York City and is a former antiques dealer. She is also an assemblage artist whose works have been featured in advertisements and on textiles. Read

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




We’re Going On A Trip

We were invited here
So today we will be heading to Langhorne, PA and needless to say we are pretty excited to go since we have not been since 2006 when Shaun was 3 years old.  This will be Shae’s first trip to Sesame Place and we are really excited to check out The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular.
Maybe I can get Shaun to go on this with me

Look for a full review with pictures and all in the next week. In the meantime be sure to follow Sesame Place on Twitter.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Olivia the Pig Toys for Girls

Olivia is a 6 ½ year old pig who thinks she can do anything. Isn’t this the message we should be sending to all little girls today.

Author Ian Falconer (Olivia has a brother named Ian) is the mind behind this unique, contemporary and opinionated character. Olivia is a best-selling children’s book series and hit Nick Jr. television show. She inspires girls to go for what they want and follow their dreams no matter who says they can’t. This holiday season Spin Master is introducing a collection of toys for kids ages 4 and up. Shae is only 3 but she loves Olivia; we watch her show and have a couple of her books already.

Olivia 2-in-1 Transforming Playset- Olivia’s house magically transforms into a Pirate Ship, complete with 23 accessories, sticker sheet and Olivia figurine.

Olivia Plush-soft enough for cuddling but always ready to perform in her standard outfit. 4 additional¬ plush dolls are available in different outfits.

I’m holding onto these toys till the holiday but know already Shae is going to be excited by the colorful toys. Not like she needs another stuffed animal in her bed but I’m positive Olivia is going to get a prime space among the other friends.
Visit your local Toys “R” Us, Target or Kmart to pick up your own Olivia toys for the holidays.

This is a sponsored post, products were provided through Team Mom but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.



Show Your School Spirit!!! – GameDay Rugs

Roll Tide are words heard from my house on Saturday’s during college football season. I have been a HUGE Alabama fan ever since they won the National Championship in 1992 over the Miami Hurricanes. The one problem is trying to find Alabama gear in Delaware, but thankfully we recently got the opportunity to work with GameDay Rugs on a consideration which was really cool.

GameDay Rugs launched in 2010, GameDay Rugs™ is a division of Engineered Conversion Systems (ECS), a proven and experienced leader in product development for the carpet and rug industry. The backbone of the GameDay Rugs™ design and manufacturing quality originates from ESC pioneered technology, which can recreate virtually any artwork, image or graphic into a striking woven design.

GameDay Rugs has a lot of different teams and rugs to choose from. Alabama for instance has twelve different rugs to choose from like car mats (which I got) to an entry rug to a special edition fashion area rug and much more. I noticed a lot of the rugs come in two sizes: 3’ x 5’ and 4’ x 6’ so you can select the size that would be perfect for your home, business or dorm room. The other cool thing is if you do not see your school on GameDay Rugs all you need to do is fill out the form on the Contact Us Page and you will be alerted once your school has been added. I would assume since GameDay Rugs just launched in 2010 they are working constantly to add new schools so be patient for your school to appear and once it appears be sure to show your school spirit.

Like I mentioned above I received the Alabama Crimson Tide Car Floor Mats and am very happy I did. When I got home yesterday from work I needed to clean and vacuum the interior of my car prior to placing my new floor mats in my car, LOL. I was really happy with the quality and craftsmanship of the floor mats. They are 3/8 inch think with a non-skid backing and stain resistant which is going to allow me to have these for a very long time. These floor mats are so nice I almost didn’t want to put them in my car because I don’t want to get them dirty but I love Alabama so much I was super excited to show off my team spirit.

GameDay Rugs is a must for any college fan and with so many different rugs to choose from you will be sure to find one that is just right for you.

Be sure to mark your calendars and check back in November as we will be hosting a 2010 Ultimate Holiday Wishlist where we will be giving away a set of car floor mats of your choice.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Bissell Steam Mop for Green Cleaning

Having a clean home is something I take pride in. I mean yes there is clutter sometimes; magazines, toys, coats, shoes, all those normal things you get with 5 people living in one house. I’m talking clean as in no spills, dirt, grime, mold, dust and grunge in our living space. Years ago we made some switches to “green” cleaning for a healthier clean. One of our most recent additions is the Bissel Steam Mop.

Is it possible to love an appliance, I mean really love it! I do! This thing is awesome. It gets used every day on our kitchen tile and weekly on our bathroom tile and a couple times a week in the living room hardwood. My father has one too and now so does my sister’ it’s a family affair.

The Bissel Steam Mop is the simplest floor cleaner ever. Simply fill the reservoir with water, plug in and wait just a minute or two. I’m not lying; I really mean a minute or two. As soon as the red light comes on it’s ready to go with pure, clean, chemical-free steam. Anything sticky wipes up with ease and bacteria laden bathrooms are sparkling. It’s also really lightweight so carrying it from floor to floor is a cinch. The best “green” cleaning tool on the market!

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.  



Wallaroo Hat Company

Even though summer is a pleasant memory these days the sun’s bright rays can still cause damage to our skin and eyes. Sunscreen and eyeglasses are great accessories but what about a fabulous and fashionable sun hat from Wallaroo.

Wallaroo hat company is determined to stop the increase of skin cancer by offering quality, colorful, fun and wearable UPF 50+ fabric hats. Wearing a Wallaroo hat just the right way keep the sun’s harmful rays off your face and eyes but still allows you to enjoy the outdoors. Wallaroo has 42 distinct styles for women, men and kids in solid, brightly colored fabrics, as well as tropical prints and neutrals. Canvas, loose weave, microfiber, cotton twill, poly-braid, and polystraw make the Wallaroo Hat Collection washable, crushable and versatile for everyday work or play. Each Wallaroo hat has been designed with an internal or external drawstring to make it one-size fits most.

I wore my chocolate Captiva on our family cruise vacation last month. I was able to shove it in our suitcase and reshape once we got back on the ship. It got wet multiple times and dried easily and without damage. I’ve been really good at keeping my face shielded from the sun over the past couple years but knew I needed something that would travel well. The Captiva hat was perfect for the beach, Lido Deck and balcony on sunny mornings in the Caribbean.

lounging in Cozumel

Invest in your health today. Protect against sun damage with Wallaroo Hats.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




New Filtrete Water Station from 3M

In our house we drink water more then any other beverage so it is important for it to taste good and it is nice to be able to take it on the go. The New Filtrete Water Station from 3M allows us to enjoy high quality H2O at home and on the go.
What I like about the new Filtrete Water Station from 3M is it provides the convenience of bottled water without the cost or waste. Our family is into conservation and recycling but anything we can do to reduce waste is a HUGE plus. With this water station you are reducing about 3,000 plastic water bottles worth of waste per year.

Here are a few cool product features of the New Filtrete water Station from 3M:

  •  Filter lasts longer, filtering two and a half times more water than traditional pitcher filters (up to 100 gallons or for approximately three months)
  • Includes a three month filter change indicator that shows when it’s time to change the filter
  • Reduces sediments and chlorine taste and odor from tap water
  • Includes four, 16.9 ounce bottles that are dishwasher safe, BPA free and include a leak proof cap
  • Filter housing is recyclable with #2 plastics (Check with your local recycler)

I found the Filtrere Water Station from 3M to be very simple and efficient to use. I like how it is faster then traditional filters and how the water is filtered directly from the tap into the four reusable water bottles. Overall I am very pleased with the performance as well as the price. The water station itself retails for $42.99 and is available online as well as at mass merchants. The filter which is what people dread buying the most because they tend to be terribly expensive retails for $12.99 which in my opinion is pretty reasonable. The only thing I recommend is if you are a big water drinker you might want to pick up extra 16.9 ounce water bottles. For a pack of two they retail for $15.99.

So, if you drink a lot of water like my family and want something that is cost effective, simple to use and makes your water taster awesome they run out and pick up the New Filtrete Water Station from 3M.

Be sure to follow on Twitter and Facebook.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.