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Tell Her “Mom You Rock” with Skype

I’ve been picked as a Skype Ambassador. This means I get to show you all the cool features Skype has to offer that you may not have known about already.
Mom You Rock, Skype Facebook App
This weekend was Mother’s Day, you still have the chance to send a “Mom You Rock” message through Facebook for any mom you know. Sending a message through this app will not only show the world your love for that mom but will also donate $1 to the Save the Children’s Global Action Fund in support of the new MomsTheWord.org campaign.

I’m lucky that my mom only lives 5 minutes down the road. We visit each other often, have lunch, go shopping and get together for easy family dinners. There are so many families at are separated by distance though. Think of how you can close that gap with video chatting instead of phone calls and letters. Grandparents don’t have to miss those important milestones like walking, birthdays or 1st time at bat. Skype keeps families connected better than ever.

skype video calling

There are talks of my grandmother getting a computer. I can’t wait to hear the details of it because I want to be able to talk more frequently with her. She lives far, Puerto Rico. We only get to see her every 2 years. I try to send cards and pictures and gifts but it isn’t the same as talking face to face even through a computer screen. Showing her how to use Skype is going to be one of the 1st things we do.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Skype. I received Skype credits to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.




Watching TV and Movies on the go

Let’s say last week you missed your favorite cop drama. You want to watch it before the next episode right. Verizon FiOS Flex View lets you do just that. Finish your rented or purchased OnDemand flicks on not just your home television but on your pc, laptop or mobile device. Watch what you want when you want.
FiOS allows up to 5 devices including your set-top box to stream your Flex View programs. This give mom and dad lots of options for watching their own fave shows or movies or letting the kids watch their own. Think of all those peaceful moments at the grocery checkout line or soccer practice rain delay you could have if your kids favorite cartoon episode was at your fingertips.
Doing this has allowed our family to enjoy long car rides with entertainment at no extra cost. Our recent drive to the mountains was much more bearable watching guilty pleasure reality trash tv and the hysterical Phineas and Ferb shows.
Please note that Verizon FiOS is only available in select parts of the country. Find out if you can get the same great service, options and fun as us. http://j.mp/CIGFa

I wrote this review while participating in a brand team campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Verizon FiOS.Verizon will send me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.




Enter To Win A Trip To New Orleans To Play Some Football

Thanksgiving was this past Thursday which to my family means turkey, football and relaxing and enjoying each other’s company.  Most people even if not a fan of football tend to watch on Thanksgiving.  There is nothing better than building memories around football, family and food.

My favorite team is the Tennessee Titans and I remember a few years back my family and I got the opportunity to watch them beat up on the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day.  I already enjoy Thanksgiving but being able to watch my favorite team made it that much better.

Clorox is also a fan of football and is running a contest where you and nine of your friends and family  can win a trip to New Orleans to play in the first ever Clorox Toilet Bowl with ESPN analyst and former professional player , Jesse Palmer, as your quarterback.

Here is what you need to do for your chance to win:

  1. Tell us in 100 words or less why your team should play in the Clorox Toilet Bowl.
  2. Upload a photo.
  3. Pick a mascot.
  4. Choose your colors.
  5. Rally your fans.

On December 3, 2010, eight semi-finalists will be announced and community voting will begin.

One vote per person per day is allowed through December 11, 2010, when two finalists and their teams of nine of their choice will advance to play in the January 13, 2011 Clorox Toilet Bowl in New Orleans.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Dad Central Consulting on behalf of Clorox and received a gift code, toilet wand and football to thank me for taking the time to participate.




Beat The Heat Campaign By Gatorade

Gatorade’s “Beat the Heat” campaign is running the entire summer and is an ongoing partership between Gatorade and the NFL to educate athletes, parents and coaches about heat-related illness and the importance of proper hydration. The goal is to reduce the number of heat-related injuries and deaths and help raise funds for organizations dedicated to preventing heat-related illness.

Proper hydration is key to avoid heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Water alone is not enough to hydrate and refuel the body as effectively as Gatorade does. Gatorade supplies the proper amount of fluid, electrolytes and carbohydrates to rapidly put back what your young athlete loses in sweat and provides energy to keep them going. In drinking water, the brain may turn off the perception of thirst before the body’s overall fluid needs are met and stops the athlete from fully rehydrating. The electrolytes in Gatorade help maintain the stimulus to drink so athletes drink enough to replenish and refuel.
I can attest to this as I am a huge cyclist and when I do my rides I always have 2 bottles on my bike. One is water and the other is Gatorade and I feel I need both in order to have a successful ride where I do not cramp up or over heat. I have ridden a few times with water only and it was a HUGE mistake and my body shut down and cramped up.

Heat related illnesses can strike at any time and you or your children may not even realize it is going on. Here are a few warning signs to be on the lookout for:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Fainting
  • Poor concentration
  • Flushed skin
  • Light headedness
  • Loss of muscle coordination
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting

Remember Equipment makes a difference – wear light net-type jerseys, T-shirts and shorts, change sweat-soaked clothing, avoid wearing excess clothing, remove helmets when not playing and remember to stay hydrated.

Here Is A Hydration Guideline To Follow

• Flavored, cold, lightly salted and/or sports drinks like Gatorade improve voluntary fluid replacement by players, especially the younger athletes.

  • Athletes need to think about hydration before, during and after physical activity. A player should be fully hydrated before beginning practice or competition. Fluids lost through sweat and breathing should be replaced by fluid consumption including during workouts, practices and games (physical activity).
  • During activity, players should have unrestricted access to appropriate fluids. Thirst is a late indicator of the need to hydrate. Dehydration has occurred once thirst is turned on.
  • The best approach, particularly in hot environments, is to have players weigh in and out each day to help determine adequate fluid replacement needs. Following a competition or workout, the coach should have players weigh out and drink enough to match their weight loss. Remember 16 ounces is one pound. For each pound that the player did not replace, the player may need to consume 20-24 ounces to fully rehydrate for the next training session.
  • Players should consume food and drinks that contain a liberal amount of salt. Options like sports drinks and nutrition provide some benefit over water because sports drinks give athletes fluid to rehydrate, carbohydrates to fuel muscles and important electrolytes like sodium to help maintain fluid balance.

So remember the importance of proper hydration and use of Gatorade during physical activity to reduce and eliminate heat related illnesses.

Want to help a great cause? Download a free Gatorade Heat Safety Kit found at www.nfl.com/trainingcamp. For every unique download Gatorade will donate $1 to “Beat the Heat” charities up to $20,000.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Gatorade’s “Beat the Heat” campaign and received Gatorade samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.