Blue Bunny Mini's are So Sweet! (Giveaway)

Yeah, I'm a bit partial to Blue Bunny ice cream, because I've been eating it all my life!  It's sooo creamy, and unfortunately, I've avoided having it in the house lately, because I'm trying to drop a few pounds.  (That baby weight doesn't burn itself, you know.)  When we were selected to try some new Blue Bunny frozen treat, I was torn.  Yes, I wanted to try the ice cream, but what would I do with all that good stuff in my house?

Good thing we got to sample the new Mini's... a line of treats just as decadent as the full-size treats you already love, but with tiny servings!  Most of these treats are just 4 points on the Weight Watchers program (if you only eat one), meaning I could eat them with my husband and kids EVERY DAY and not feel guilty!  When it's hot, there's nothing better....

We tried the following flavors:

• Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches (variety pack)
• Champ! Mini Swirls (vanilla)
• Champ! Mini Swirls (ice cream cone)

If you like birthday cake flavoring, you'll LOVE these Mini Swirls.

They are like the Champ! cones you already love, but they have a yummy vanilla frosting flavor and sprinkles.  This was my kids' fave, as they taste like a birthday party and are white (no chocolate mess.)  My fave was a tie between the mini ice cream bars and the Vanilla Mini Champ!  (I love the chocolate at the bottom of the cone.)

If you like eating whatever you want.. in moderation, of course, these new Mini treats are for you.  Find out more, sign up for savings, or just check out the other offerings from Blue Bunny at their website!

Wanna Win?  We are giving one lucky reader Bunny Bucks (a coupon for purchase of one Blue Bunny packaged ice cream or frozen novelty.)  To be entered to win, just tell us which of the Mini's you'd want to try first!  We'll give you until August 10th at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in. Giveaway is open to U.S 18+ only. (Don't forget to enter our other blog giveaways while you're here!)

*Yummy samples were received. Opinions are 100% my own.

We Scream for Ice Cream (and ZhuZhu Pets)

While we usually take it easy on a hot summer day, today we had a Zhu-niverse Ice Cream Party, complete with frozen treats and the newest ZhuZhu pets and accessories.  Our guests had a blast with the Ice Cream Parlor (which took me a minute to assemble, but kept the kids busy for almost two hours!)  We also adored the Ice Cream Truck, which has a little button for the kids to press, then it plays a traditional ice cream truck bell jingle.

At first, we had a rough time getting everyone to play nicely together. (Even with four new ZhuZhu's in bright colors, there didn't seem to be enough accessories to go around.  In fact, two boys kept fighting over the "ice cream server" hat that fit on the hamster's head.)  We got it sorted out, however, and decided that some would eat ice cream, while others played.  Taking turns can work when you have sweets around!

Here are some pictures of our party.

Even the baby enjoyed his frozen treat (although we had to keep him away from the toys.  They have tiny pieces and aren't for kids under age 3 or who put things in their mouth.)

Just look at those blue eyes!  I can't say I've seen him this happy in awhile.  The rest of the kids enjoyed their special day, too!

You can find out more about the Zhu Crew and their new ice cream-inspired gear at the official Zhu website!

*Samples were received for this review. Opinions (and fun) are entirely our own!

Review of Calnaturale's Svelte Drinks

I have tried a few drinks with soy and rice syrup in my day, and for the most part, I really don't care for them.  I don't know what it is (maybe the aftertaste?), but I have generally avoided trying new kinds.  Then, I was a moderator at this year's Reviewer's Retreat, and sampled the Cappucino Svelte drink in my swag bag.

It was good.

I don't know if it was the flavor, or the fact that I drank it real cold, but I actually enjoyed drinking the Svelte product.  It was filling, and it fit well within my eating plan.  I didn't feel the usual "Oh gross, I just drank a whole glass of a health drink" feeling.  I felt satisfied.

After my initial experience with the Calnaturale Svelte, I was offered the chance to try the entire line.  There are four flavors: Chocolate, Cappuccino, French Vanilla and Spiced Chai, so I agreed.  The first on my list was again the Cappucino (because I KNEW I would like it.)  I then tried the Chocolate, which was also good, and the Vanilla, which was less flavorful, but also mild on the "soy" flavoring.  I tried just a sip of the Spice Chai, because I really don't like chai.

All in all, I could see myself drinking these often.  With 16g of organic protein from fresh organic soymilk, along with organic complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, Svelte is a low-glycemic option that is relatively low in calories (just 9 grams of sugar).  You also don't need to drink the entire bottle at once, meaning, it could make two modest snacks.  Perfect for those on a dairy- or gluten-free diet, the variety of flavors is appealing to me (because I get bored with any healthy product easily.)

For a mom on the go, who gets tempted by fast food or sugary coffee drinks, this is a safe and satisfying option.  Find out more about CalNaturale's Svelte at their official website.

*Yummy samples were received to review.  Opinions are 100% my own.

Celebrate Friendship with Free Rio Fun and a Gift Bag Giveaway!

Did you know that tomorrow (July 30th) is National Friendship Day?  Did you also know that August 2nd marks the release of the hit family movie Rio on Blu-Ray and DVD?  We thought it would be fun to help celebrate both with some fun FREE activities and a giveaway.  (Keep reading!)

First, if you are lucky enough to live near a beach, you can attend a FREE Rio beach day on August 2nd.  Team members will be there handing out beach balls and sun visors to families, and you can even score an exclusive discount for the DVD!  Beach locations include: (Los Angeles): Huntington Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica/Venice, Hermosa/Redondo / (NY): Jones Beach, Hamptons / (North NJ): Seaside Heights, Pt. Pleasant / (South NJ): Ocean City, Wildwood / (FL): North Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area beaches, South Miami area beaches / (Chicago): Lakefront Beaches North/South, (San Diego): Mission Beach / (SF Bay): Ocean Beach or Baker’s Beach / (DC): Virginia Beach, VA / (Houston): Galveston, TX / (Boston): Nantasket Beach, MA / (South Massachusetts): Martha’s Vineyard

Second, free Rio ecards are taking over the internet!  These are so cute, and are a perfect way to send a message to a special friend. To download your card, just click on the image below to enlarge, then right-click to save to your computer!  You can now send it as an attachment to a special friend via email or post to their Facebook wall.

Next, mall takeovers are happening all over the U.S., with fun Rio activities and screening opportunities!  (Check your local mall to see if they will be participating.)   

Finally, several bloggers are giving away goodies, and we are one of them!

 Wanna Win?  We have two separate opportunities to win!

Giveaway #1 is this Rio gift basket, which includes plush Blu and Jewel dolls, a Rio-branded beach ball, stickers, magnetic photo frame, notebook, keychain, and a beach visor.  To be entered to win, just tweet us your favorite quote or thought on friendship!  Your tweet must include:


1. @Lknerl
2. #RioFriendshipDay
3. link to the giveaway http://bit.ly/oXfYxo


Here is a sample:  Make new friends; keep the old. One is silver; the other gold. @LKnerl #RioFriendshipDay http://bit.ly/oXfYxo

You can also win a copy of the DVD by commenting on this post with a story about how you met a good friend.  We are giving away (2) copies of Rio to commenters!  We'll give you until August 10th at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in. Giveaway is open to U.S 18+ only. (Don't forget to enter our other blog giveaways while you're here!)  One entry per method, please - limit of two per email.

You can purchase RIO on DVD starting Aug. 2nd, or pre-order it from Amazon now! 

Review of KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Veggie Pasta

When it comes to eating veggies, I prefer that my kids eat them outright (not only when "hidden" in their favorite foods.)  I do support the addition of pureed veggies and other sneaky ways of providing more nutrition in addition to serving veggies alongside meals, however, so I was thrilled to try the new Kraft Mac & Cheese Veggie Pasta.

The neat thing about this product is that the macaroni itself is made from cauliflower.  The nutrition is baked right in!  We tried it, and to be honest, I couldn't tell that there was cauliflower in it.  It did make the pasta softer than perhaps it would otherwise be. (I usually cook it al dente, but this was well-done.)  The total effect was a creamier, richer mac and cheese experience that I actually prefer over the typical fare.

My kids loved it, and the younger ones couldn't tell any difference between this mac and their regular Kraft mac.  My 12-year-old daughter claims to be able to smell a slight veggie smell when cooking the pasta.  Other than that, she said it may have been a tad bit sweeter when eating.

If you have picky eaters at home, you can now get them some additional nutrition without a fight.  This macaroni and cheese comes in two flavors: Original and Three Cheese.  Both are full of creamy, cheesy, goodness -- plus a half serving of cauliflower per cup!

Find out more at the official Kraft site, or check them out on Facebook!

*Samples were received for review.  Opinions are 100% my own.

Safety Products Recall

Surprisingly, these products designed to protect kids have themselves been recalled.  Please check your home for the following products (more info on the recalls via the product links.)

• Prime-Line Drawer latches and Outlet Covers
• Prime-Line Non-slip Bath Pads 

Stay Safe!!

Walmart Helps Make Backpacks for Charity Affordable!

As a Walmart Mom, I have been asked to buy some school supplies, share some of the deals going on for Back to School, and to consider donating a packpack full of supplies to charity!  I loved the idea of this, so we decided to visit our local Walmart and do just that!

We grabbed a backpack and loaded it with supplies.  It cost less than $20 to do so, and some kid's school year will be much less financially stressful as a result.  Here is what we purchased:

• One Spongebob 3D backpack ($10)
• Elmer's glue and gluesticks ($.40 each)
• Erasers ($.97)
• 24 Yellow #2 pencils ($.97)
• Safety scissors ($1.47)
• 5 notebooks ($.20 each)
• Pencil Sharpener ($.97)
• 24-pack crayons ($.40 for Crayola and $.20 for other brand)
• Color pencils ($.97)

We also grabbed the same supplies for our own kids!  It is possible to get supplies for two kids (one for you and one for charity) for well under $40!

Have you purchased a backpack for charity?  If so, you'll want to link up over at Liz's "Backpacks for Charity" post and include the badge on your blog.  Your actions can inspire others to help, too! (Be sure to check out all of Walmart's back to school deals via your local circular or the sale ad at Walmart.com.)

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Free Freschetta Pizza on August 4th!

Who doesn't like pizza?  What if you could get it for FREE?

Freschetta will be giving away their new By the Slice pizza on August 4th.  They will have 5,000 free slices to give away every half hour, starting at 11am!  You can sign up to get a reminder email for the day of the event, by visiting www.FreeFreschetta.com -- but you have to wait until July 28th for it to go live. 

This special live event will also feature interactive contests to win additional coupons!  Mark your calendars now.... 

In the meantime, you can learn more about Freschetta By the Slice pizza at Facebook and on Twitter! 

Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension Airs Aug. 5th!

We are hardcore Phineas and Ferb fans!  Ever since we got cable almost 2 years ago, my kids watch all the episodes (even the ones we've seen a billion times.)    The show is something even my husband and I giggle along to.  Plus, who can resist the original music?  Our fave is the last full-length move they aired, and we have been anxiously awaiting the next big movie.  It's called Across the 2nd Dimension, and it airs on Friday August 5th at 8pm ET/PT on the Disney Channel.  If you miss this showing, you can also catch it on the 13th at 10am on Disney XD.  (We'll likely watch both.)

In addition to the regular series, and the new movie, there are some fun events surrounding the show.  July 11th, in NYC, the official "Perry the Platy-bus on Tour" will launch, featuring a 27' long Airstream trailer painted to look like (you guessed-it) Perry the Platypus. The tour is free, and kids can board the trailer to play the new 3D video game from the show, as well as sing Perry-oke.  (Get it?)

There are so many neat things for fans to enjoy this summer, including a live touring stage show from Feld entertainment that hits 80 cities across the U.S. and new toys, clothes, and grocery items featuring the characters of the show.  Keep your eyes open -- Phineas and Ferb appear to be taking over the world!

You can read more about the new Across the 2nd Dimension movie, as well as play games, at the official Disney Channel site.

*I received a prize package courtesy of Disney Channel for sharing this news. Opinions are 100% my own!

Review of Shoe Buddies

My kids can read, make sandwiches, and get dressed by themselves.  I wasn't sure, however, if they could tie their shoes alone.  Does that make me a bad Mom?  Not really, because so many shoes have velcro or just slip on.  I hadn't even given my kids the chance to learn to tie!

We received Shoe Buddies as a way of helping with the times we put traditional "tie" shoes on our kids, and didn't want to have them tripping over their laces when out and about.  They don't require your child to learn how to tie to use them, but they leave the door open to having them wear shoes with laces -- for when you want to have them eventually learn.

Installing the Shoe Buddy is a cinch.  It isn't really an installation, at all!  Once on, they allow kids to slip on their shoes, tighten the laces to their level of comfort, and adjust the Shoe Buddy.  My favorite part of the process is that I never hear "Mom, you're making them too tight!" My kids can decide just how tight they want them.  I also like that, when in a hurry, kids won't try to force their feet into shoes by stepping on the backs (which ruins them.)  They can easily slide on all shoes with the Shoe Buddies.  No more ruined shoes!

These are a great tool for kids of all ages, anyone with difficulty tying, or for children and adults with disabilities.  They come in several styles, so you can choose ones that match your child's personality! (I love the Monster and Robot!)  Find out more at the Shoe Buddies website, their Etsy store, or their Twitter account!



*Sample received for review.  Opinions are my own.

Mighty Leaf Iced Tea for a Cooler Summer! (Giveaway)

With just one small air-conditioner in our farm home, it can get hot!  That's why I stay hydrated with cool drinks all day long.  In fact, I love tea (but never sweetened.)   I received some amazing flavors of the new iced teas from Mighty Leaf awhile back, and we are really enjoying sampling them.

There are four flavors of the new iced teas, and even if you aren't a die-hard tea fan, there is one in there I know you'll love.  They include Sunburst Green Iced Tea, Ginger Peach, Calypso Mango, and Organic Black Tea.  I prefer black teas over green, but was surprised to learn that the Sunburst Green tea has the lowest caffeine of the bunch!  Also, I was happy that the ginger and mango teas had a natural fruit essence, but weren't artificially sweet (and I love their eco-friendly tea bags!)  These were quick to brew in less than 5 minutes, and were super over ice!  I even made up a pitcher to share with the kids (I keep it in the fridge to have with our meals.)

If you're tired of the same old bland iced tea, you'll find these teas to be full of flavor and an easy way to quench your thirst this summer.  Find out more about Mighty Leaf and their iced teas at their website and Facebook or follow them on Twitter!

Wanna Save?  Score 15% off all loose leaf tea & tea bags at the Mighty Leaf online store with code SUMMERTEA15

Wanna Win?  We are giving away a neat Mighty Leaf Iced Tea prize pack.  It includes a Bodum Iced Tea Pitcher (shown above), as well as one box each of the new teas mentioned in our post!  To be entered to win, just let us know which flavor you think you'll enjoy most!  We'll give you until July 30th at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in. Giveaway is open to U.S 18+ only. (Don't forget to enter our other blog giveaways while you're here!)

*Yummy tea sample were received.  Opinions are 100% my own.

Opportunities to Win from Our Friends (July 22, 2011)

We have some amazing friends here at Lille Punkin', and they sometimes alert us to some exciting giveaway opportunities that we think you'll love. Remember, all of these promotions take place at the links provided -- not here on this blog.

Have you heard of the Zumbox $1,000,000 Giveaway? Enter Now and signup for Zumbox, your postal mail online!  Prizes include laptops, iPads, and gift cards. Click Here to get started!

Do you love Better Oats?  Enter their contest by following them on Facebook, then submitting a short and simple video (less than 60 seconds) telling them why Better Oats is the BETTER breakfast option. The grand prize is a 2-year supply of their products, plus, the first 50 entries will receive a one month supply.  Deadline is July 31st and is quickly approaching

Need a new washer and dryer?  The GE Socks United for Savings Sweepstakes asks users to guess how many socks are in this washer for a chance to win a new, sock-friendly, GE washer and dryer package! There is no purchase necessary and all entrants receive a mail-in rebate certificate redeemable on the purchase of a featured GE washer and dryer. Find them on Facebook to enter, but you only have until August 31st!


Do you know of any fun giveaways? Have one on your site? Link up here!

Task Lamp from Target Recalled

These cute kids lamps have been recalled due to both laceration and fire hazards.  They were sold at Target (come in several styles), and you can see the full details at the CPSC website.

Stay Safe!!
 

Introducing our Pick of the Day!

Love to shop but hate spending money? You'll love our new feature: "The Pick of the Day!"  We select one great deal each day to share in the upper left-hand corner of our website.  You can access it from any page on Lille Punkin', and most deals are good all day!  Find great prices on toys, games, baby gear, and stuff for Mom.  (Have a suggestion for deals you want to see?  Let us know in the comments!)

 * Photo credit: jon smith

Old Friends and New with Yahoo! Mail

Thank you to Yahoo! Mail for sponsoring this post about staying connected. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Email keeps us connected to our friends in NYC!

I've already shared how Yahoo! Mail changed my love life forever, but it's also had a role in my platonic relationships, too.  As a matter of fact, Yahoo! Mail is where most of my friendly emails appear, and it's been the way that I stay on top of news from old friends.  I actually have a "Friends" folder that I stash any communications from any of my friends (high school buddies, college pals, or past co-workers.)

When I'm feeling like I need to reconnect, I just click on that "Friends" folder and scroll through to the last communication I got from a few friends.  Then I quickly send a "what's up?" email to check in and make sure they are doing fine.  What I get back is usually surprising!  New babies, new jobs, or even new addresses in new countries -- these are all the updates that get delivered to me from my "checking up" emails to old friends.  (Not from social media networking sites, surprisingly.)

Emails are more personal than status updates, in my opinion.  When is the last time you reached out to an old friend with an email?  I'm sure you'll make someone's day just by taking a few minutes to draft a simple message.

And while I love hearing about friends with new jobs, hearing how they left a horrible job is equally inspiring... Like this guy, maybe?

Review of Empire Car and Truck Covers

We have quite a few vehicles on our farm, admittedly.  We have a car, van, truck, and Suburban, all used for different needs.  We only have a one-car garage, however.  That means that whatever vehicle we don't have in the garage needs to be covered up to keep the dirt, sun, and weather from wearing paint, or making start-up difficult.

We were lucky enough to try out a cover from Empire Covers this past week, and it was our F-250 Ford truck that we tried it on.  The cover was heavy when it arrived!  It was made of a very durable material, and the color of the cover was plain (which I appreciated.)  I had to have a little help getting the cover out to put in on the vehicle, but it takes two people to put a regular tarp on, anyway.  There was elastic going all around the cover, helping to hold it in place once we got in on.

These truck covers come with everything needed to use -- no need for additional straps or cords!  They don't tear easy like some cheap covers or tarps, they really could last a long time!  I also really liked that we could specify the exact make and model of our truck, and the cover that came was suited perfectly to the length and height of our vehicle.  While you could get fancy with your covers (they offer several options for different features), the covers start at just $59.99, and they shipped rather fast.

Overall, I was impressed by these covers, and would pick them before I would get an overpriced generic tarp that wasn't fitted for my particular vehicle.  I could see getting some of the more advanced covers for putting over our restoration projects.  The water or sun-proof car covers are just what my husband needs for keeping his half re-built tractors safe from dust and moisture!

If you are looking for a cover for your car, truck, or motorcycle, Empire Covers has a size for almost everything -- even grills and RV's!  Find out more about their affordably-priced covers online.  As of right now, they have everything from a light dust cover for your vehicle, to more durable truck covers that are waterproof!

*We received a sample to review, and Empire is an advertising partner of Lille Punkin'. Opinions are 100% our own, however.

Bagel Bites for Simple Snacking

We've never purchased Bagel Bites prior to this campaign. I offered to try them with my family, however, and was interested to know if the kids would like them compared to traditional pizza. Here is what we found:

First, they were easy to make. You can microwave them or bake them in the oven. Not surprisingly, the kids and I preferred them in the oven. The cheese melted more evenly, and the bagels were crisper this way. However, if I were leaving my daughter home to watch the kids and needed her to cook, I might feel more comfortable with her using the microwave, so this is a good option.

Here is a typical snack with the Bagel Bites. 

They come in 2 servings per box, but my younger kids could split a box three ways (3 each.)  I tend to like my pizza on a thin crust, but they weren't bad. I could see these as a quick and simple snack for the family or served with fruit and veggies for a light lunch that wouldn't require a lot of cleanup.

There is another reason to try Bagel Bites, however, and it's their initiative to help families with simple snacking!  As part of the campaign, they are giving $1 to Boys and Girls Clubs of America for every pledge made (up to $50K).  You can pledge to Keep it Simple, Keep It Tasty, and Keep it Fun by visiting the official page!

Have you tried Bagel Bites? How would you use them to keep snacking simple at your home?


Wanna Win? We are giving away 4 coupons for FREE Bagel Bites to one lucky reader.  To be entered to win, just comment on this post with what part of the Simple Snacking pledge you like best (That it's SIMPLE? TASTY? or FUN?)   We'll give you until July 27th at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in.  Giveaway is open to U.S 18+ only. (Don't forget to enter our other blog giveaways while you're here!)

*I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Bagel Bites and received coupons and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.