Betty Crocker Baker´s Challenge Gluten Free Recipe Contest Deadline 6/30!

Don't forget to submit your entry to the Betty Crocker Baker´s Challenge Gluten Free Recipe Contest which ends tomorrow.   For more information, just watch the video below and good luck!






Disclosure:  Video was provided by Betty Crocker via MyBlogSpark.

Progresso Souper You Spark! Review & GIveaway 2/14 CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ....

wandapanda at live dot com

Thanks to all those who entered and don't forget to enter the Sears $50 Gift Card, Mikisso $220 Hana Flat Iron or any of the other giveaways.

Make sure you subscribe to know the latest giveaways with more coming soon!

random.org is used to select from eligible winners.

Did you know by adding Progresso Light and 100 Calorie Soup into your weight management plan, it might help you achieve your weight loss goals?  As part of a MyBlogSpark campaign with Progresso Soups, I received a complimentary "Souper You Debut" gift pack that included 15 cans of soups, a digital jump rope and a really cool, big soup mug from Progresso through MyBlogSpark. 

As soon as they arrived, we decided who was going to try what to give a thorough review of the variety we received.  There are over 40 varieties 100 calories or less so there are no excuses!  I also like how Progresso offers choices such as High Fiber, Vegetable Classics, Light, Traditional, Low Sodium and microwave.

Progresso Light Italian Style Meatball:

My favorites included the Progresso Light Italian Style Meatball which is new.  If you are on Weight Watchers, it even has the point listed to comply easier.  The can has two servings at 80 calories each so at 160 calories for an entire can, that's wonderful for my diet plan.  Of course if I was going to be really good, I'd only eat one serving but it was too good and my two year old was competing to eat it.  I watch carbs as well and it only contained 13 grams so that is another plus for me.  The taste was light but delightful and fullfilling.

Progresso Light Beef Pot Roast:

The Progresso Light Beef Pot Roast is delicious at only 80 calories again.  The thing with the Light soups that I had to point out to my husband is they are lighter in calories and so you don't get that same rich flavor of a fat laden, calorie overloaded soup.  I prefer knowing that I'm putting something healthier into my body that will help me feel full, lower my caloric intake while givine me some great tasting.  I really enjoyed the taste of this soup but my favorite is strill the Progresso Light Italian Style Meatball.

My oldest daughter tried the Light Chicken Noodle soup and also enjoyed the flavor.  She's on a get in shape kick too so she appreciated a chance to eat "real food" while not overindulging in calories. 

Stay tuned for more updates to the varieties as there were 15 cans in total!

Here is how you can win a trip to NYC and a makeover:

Between January 4th (yes, I know it's past January 4th) and March 15th, you and I can visit www.Progresso.com/SouperYou and enter the Progresso “Souper You Debut” contest for the chance to win a full makeover in New York City.  I don't know if you have ever been to NYC but I have and lived there briefly and I can tell you that it is an experience that you can't miss out on!

THREE grand prize winners will be awarded a trip for two to New York City from May 21st-23rd. The prize includes roundtrip airfare, a two-night stay in a NYC hotel, a full makeover, a $1,000 wardrobe shopping spree and personal consultation at a New York department store.  I would LOVE to win this, how about you?

Entering is easy and all you need to do is:

• Go to www.Progresso.com/SouperYou to learn more and enter the contest
• Submit your essay (200 characters or less) telling Progresso why you love Progresso Light or 100 Calorie Soups and why you would like a makeover
• In addition, please submit a photo of yourself that visually reinforces the theme of your essay

Once you enter, you’ll have the chance for your photo and/or an excerpt from your essay to appear on www.Progresso.com/SouperYou, so be sure to check back frequently! Once the 10 finalists are announced, you can visit www.Progresso.com/SouperYou from March 29 through April 12 to vote for your favorite.

In addition, throughout the duration of the contest you can visit www.Progresso.com/SouperYou to download a coupon for $1 off any three varieties of Progresso Soup!

With surprisingly hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, corn and rice, and flavor-packed vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and peppers, Progresso Light and 100 Calorie Soups offer varieties with a good source of fiber and a full serving of vegetables. Satisfying your taste buds, Progresso Light and 100 Calories Soups can help curb your hunger, making it easier for you to stick to your weight management plan.

There is still more!

One of my readers will receive their own Progresso Gift Pack that includes two cans of Progresso Soup, an electronic jump rope and a great mug to enjoy the soup with!

To Enter:

Follow my blog and tell me what soup you would like to try by clicking here.

Bonus Entries (five entries each)

Subscribe to my blog.
Blog about this giveaway.
Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily)
Sign up to become a member of MyBlogSpark
Tweet the sweepstakes here
Post the sweepstakes on Facebook here

Giveaway ends 2/14 at midnight.  Winner will be chosen by random.org.

Good luck and thanks for entering!

2009 Year in Review

I'm sitting here watching "1984" and have noticed that it's been playing a lot lately on cable which is ironic as at one time, it was nearly impossible to ever see this movie.  Granted, I've never watched it but heard about it from my father and since 2009 carried forward, more people referenced the movie "1984" and "big brother."  There are many fears we are turning into a country that looks a lot like this movie.  So for my year in review, the change in atmosphere is one of the biggies of the past year.  Time will only tell how it ends up in history but in my little world of history, my year was a good year and deserves a toast:

• My middle daughter's epilepsy finally was controlled and her medication is just right.  She is doing great in school now and is happy and full of life.
• My youngest stayed out of the hospital for a change!  2008 was a bad year that included a near death experience of being on a vent and intubated for two weeks.  Her asthma and allergies are now under control and she's a very active, lively, funny two year old.
• My baby turned 21 over the summer and it's so hard to believe!  She has grown up to be a very warm, caring, loving, responsible adult.  I'm very proud of her.
• My father remained cancer free which was a huge relief to all of us.  He will see his 74th birthday in April while my mom remains healthy at the great age of 69.
• My husband adopted my middle child back in October and words cannot describe the meaning behind this! 
• The Indianapolis Colts almost remained undefeated this season until they threw the game away ... boo!
• I entered the world of blogging and "met" some really nice people such as Cynthia, Colleen and MaryAnn along with many others from great sites such as TwitterMoms, SheBlogs, Mamabuzz, MyBlogSpark, Global Influence, MUIB, Product Review Place, MomBloggerClub, MomSelect, One2One and so many more!

Although I'm missing many other blessings, here's to 2010!

Gluten Free Betty Crocker® Fruit-Flavored Snacks Gift Pack Review & Giveaway WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS!

Jinxy and Me!

An e-mail has been sent!  Please respond within 48 hours to close out this giveaway.

Thanks to all those that entered!

With more and more health concerns emerging about gluten-free products, Betty Crocker has answered the demand to offer great choices at affordable prices.  Not only are they answering the demand to add a variety of products to their line up of gluten-free, they have partnered with Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) to further generate awareness for celiac disease.

Celiac disease, a chronic inherited digestive disorder, can cause damage to the small intestine. It is estimated that one in 133 Americans suffer from celiac disease – 3 million adults and children are living undiagnosed with this autoimmune disorder that is managed by following a gluten-free diet.

Gluten is the natural protein found in wheat, barley and rye.  It is harmful to persons with celiac disease because when they eat gluten, their immune system is triggered and it begins to attack the small intestine. This results in damage to the villi which make up the lining of the small intestine. Villi are necessary for the absorption of nutrients, and over time the damage to the villi can lead to malnutrition.

Celiac disease is a multi-system, multi-symptom autoimmune disorder that affects adults as well as children. Currently, there is no cure for celiac disease, only the lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet.

To learn more about General Mill's support for celiac disease and all the gluten-free products available, go to GeneralMills.com.

I received from MyBlogSpark a great Simple Joys pack to enjoy with my children.  It included some of the great items I played as a child with my sisters.  The yo-yo lights up and my two year old grabbed it up and said "my yo-yo" and made every attempt to make it go up and down without luck. I was able to see that I still have it when it comes to yo-yo's!

My six year old loves the classsic frisbee so that was a hit but we'll have to wait until tomorrow to try it out in the yard.  It was a pretty color which she also liked.

My six year old never heard of Pick 'em Up Sticks so it was fun teaching her that game as you can see in the picture above, she enjoyed it. 

My 21 year old, yes, I said 21 and my two year old both loved the fruit snacks!  A special bonus was not only did we get Box Tops for Education but there were bonus Box Tops on one of the boxes!

Each snack is made with real fruit and is less than 100 calories.  What a great, healthy treat!  These make great lunch time snacks or before dinner snacks.  One of the snacks, Create a Bug introduces an interesting way to spark kid's attention.  They get to put together a bug out of the different parts.  I'm not how sure it will go over with the girly-girls (like myself) but I have to predict the boys will LOVE it!  They get to play with what looks like bugs, create the bugs using their imagination and finally, they get to eat them!  A boy's dream!

I absolutely love the items I receive from MyBlogSpark since I've been fortunate to try out two prize packs that include fun for my children and now it's your turn!

The Giveaway: 

Your own prize pack of Betty Crocker Variety Pack of Fruit Roll Ups, Betty Crocker Create a Bug Fruit Snacks, a frisbee, a yo-yo and pick up sticks in a handy, wooden carrying box.

1. Leave a comment on one of your memories from playing any of these games and follow my blog.

Extra Entries (leave a comment for each activity completed):

1. Subscribe to my blog.
2. Follow me on Twitter.
3. Blog about the giveaway.
4. Tweet about the giveaway.
5. Leave a comment on another blog and come back here to leave a comment that you did.

Giveaway ends October 25, 2009 at 10:00 pm.

Winner chose by random.org.

Thanks and good luck!