Product Reviews and Giveaways

A few weeks back I shared with you about Uncle Ben’s™s new whole Grain white rice. I am happy to say the brown rice lover that I am That Uncle Ben has developed a few types of whole grain brown rice – Natural Whole Grain Brown, with the traditional cook time (40 minutes), plus Fast & Natural Instant Brown Rice and Boil-In-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice (both ready in 10 minutes) so you can decide which type of brown rice fits the type of meal you are preparing, but still know that you’re getting whole grains on the table.  I was very excited to be able to review this thanks to Mom Central and Uncle Ben’s™s.  I like white rice but I have always preferred brown rice.

To help showcase the versatility of their Whole Grain Brown Rice, Uncle Ben’s created a few recipes that will be a hit this summer such as: Chicken & Brown Rice Sloppy Joes; Tex Mex Rice with Shrimp, Corn and Lime; Chicken, Apple and Walnut Brown Rice Salad; and Mediterranean Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms.”

I tried the Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry For lunch the other day and the kids loved it! Here is the Recipe and to check out more great Recipes head on over to UncleBens.com today!

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Meal Occasion: Main Dish, Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine Type: Asian, Asian-American

Ingredients

2	bags UNCLE BEN’S® Boil-In-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice uncooked
1/2	lb. beef sirloin steak thinly sliced
2	cups broccoli florets blanched
4	green onions thinly sliced
2	cloves garlic minced
2	Tbsp. soy sauce
	non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

1. Prepare rice according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, spray with non-stick cooking spray and saute the beef until browned.
3. Add the garlic, green onion, broccoli and soy sauce; saute  for 1 minute.

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

Is your curling iron clamping your style? Sometimes you just gotta let loose! Soft, sexy curls are now easy to create with the new Infiniti by Conair You Curl. The You Curl has a unique, clamp-free design and a cone-shaped barrel that creates a softer, less structured curl. Simply wrap hair around the barrel, hold for a few seconds and then release.  The conical design allows the curls to start closer to the root, allowing more volume through the middle (large portion of the barrel) and the bottom will have a tighter curl (small section of the barrel).  The effect is trendy, free-flowing spirals with no clamp kinks.

I am sure by now you know my Princess Jada Loves to have her hair done. We love trying new styles, products and new tools. We were able to review the new Infiniti by Conair You Curl tonight after its been sitting on my desk for a week and princess Jada asking me when are we going to use it. So Tonight I decided that we would have some girl time and put this to the test! I must say  WE LOVE IT!

The powerful ceramic heater features Tourmaline Ceramic™ technology which provides more protection, reduces frizz, helps eliminate static and does not have damaging hot spots. The ultra-high heat levels are instantly restored during use, and the 5 LED settings provide the ideal temperatures for all hair types. The stay-cool safety tip protects fingers during use.

Instant style with no clip – simply wrap

• Fast & easy with no kinks
• Tourmaline Ceramic technology
  • More protection
  • Reduces frizz
  • Helps eliminate static
  • No damaging hot spots
• Powerful ceramic heater
• 30-second instant heat*
• Ultra-high heat
  • 400°F/204°C
• Auto shutoff
• LED indicator lights
• Professional-length line cord
• Limited five-year warranty

How To Use

1.Take a 1-inch wide section of hair, starting 2 inches from the scalp.

2.Wind the section of hair around the thicker portion of the barrel toward the cool tip.

3.Hold the end of the hair in place at the cool tip for 5 to 8 seconds depending on hair type, and then release. Because there is no clip, you can easily curl hair without kinks. For tighter, bouncier curls, roll less hair. For loose, free-flowing curls, roll more hair. To “set” the curl, do not comb or brush hair until it cools.

4.Repeat process on additional sections of hair until you achieve the hair style you desire.

If you want tight curls then wrap small sections of hair tightly round the barrel and leave to curl for a few seconds.

If you want looser curls then wrap wider sections.
For a modern look don’t wind the barrel up to the root. Leave a couple of inches straight at the root
For best results, use a light styling product before blow-drying hair. Take a 1″ wide section of hair, starting around 2″ from the scalp. Wind the section of hair around the thicker portion

I will admit it took a few times to get the hang of it because of course there is no clamp. I actually even burned my finger! So make sure you watch the video before you start and don’t just dive in like i did lol!  After I actually watched the video and read the Instructions the process was a breeze.  I was very happy with the outcome. Jada usually don’t like “curls” since her hair is naturally curly but as you can see in the pictures she actually likes this style.

The Infiniti by Conair You Curl is available nationwide at mass market and drug store retailers, as well as at www.conairyoucurl.com, for an average retail price of $49.99.

Now for the best part ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN ONE!! To Enter please tell me how this would help you!  I will pick the lucky winner 7/7 @ 11:59 PM EST!

Extra Entries

1. Follow Me and Conair_Hair on twitter (1 entry)

2. Tweet this Giveaway (1 entry,tweet per day)

@Conair_Hair I just entered to win a You Curl Curling Iron @ Mommy’s Hangout #mommyshangout

3. Go To Conair Corp Fanpage on facebook  and become a fan aka hit like..And post ” I just entered to win Conair You Curl Iron @ Mommy’s Hangout.” (2 entries)

4. Follow my Blog on Google or network blogs or fan my facebook page (1 entry for each!)

5. Subscribe to my blog either by reader or email (2 Entries)

6. Grab my Button or add me to your blogroll (5 Entries)

7.  Share a hair tip that you have learned or like to use to.  ( 1 per day)

CONGRATS THE WINNER IS JULIE!

I have always been a sucker when it comes to making my house smell nice. I admit I spend a lot on different products each month so my house has that “clean and fresh scent”. I have always been a big fan of Febreze and was very happy when other cleaning products I used started adding Febreze to them.

Febreze Brand keeps growing and of course I keep buying. I was glad to hear about the newest addition to the Febreze Home Collection, the No-Spill Wood Diffuser, combines everything you love about WoodWick diffuser technology and Febreze scents, offering a unique fragrance experience. The scented oil is drawn up through the dowel into the wood top, creating a hassle-free way to freshen your home.  

If you use Diffusers you know that this No-spill is a great addition! When you live with children and pets, accidents happen. Luckily the No-Spill Diffuser with WoodWick® ambiance makes spills a thing of the past. Good looking and thoughtful, too — it’s exactly what you’ve been looking for.

If you’re looking to add character to your decor, then the Febreze Flameless Luminary is for you!

The Febreze Flameless Luminary has interchangeable shade styles and the refreshing atmosphere of a burning candle without the danger of a flame. For a limited time, you can fill your home with the newest scent, Honeysuckle Orchid. Turn heads with the soft flickering glow of a Flameless Luminary. Once you have a reusable base, changing scents is as easy as changing shades.

I was very happy when blogsparks contacted me to do a review on these two items. I am very happy with the new products from a brand that I have trusted since they first came out.  The Febreze Home Collection is available in an array of premium designs.   To learn more about the The Febreze Home Collection Go To facebook.com/febrezehomecollection Or walmart.com/febrezehomecollection

Now for the great part I am giving one lucky reader a $15 walmart gift card for you to try it yourself!  To Enter please tell me why you would like to try it and what scent is your favorite! I will pick the lucky winner 7/6/10 @ 11:59 PM EST.

Extra Entries

1. Follow Me and  Febreze_Fresh on twitter (1 entry)

2. Tweet this Giveaway (1 entry,tweet per day)

3. Follow my Blog on Google or network blogs or fan my facebook page (1 entry for each!)

4. Subscribe to my blog either by reader or email (2 Entries)

5. Grab my Button or add me to your blogroll (5 Entries)

*This product review was based on using complimentary Febreze product provided by P&G.  Bloggers also received a Walmart gift card to share with their readers.  P&G does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blogsite*

The yoursphere blog tour has come to an end.  I am sure by now you know how much my oldest 2 kids loved doing this campaign.   I love that it is geared towards tweens and teens.  I feel safe with its online safety policies.   However I still am not sure if this will stop tweens and teens from going to myspace or facebook.

I can’t wait to watch Yoursphere grow which I know it will.  My kids loved the site but really would love to see more games on there.   Also don’t forget  Yoursphere is completely FREE if you want to go ahead test the site out yourself, have your kids sign up by using this code referral code: YSMC-0005

*I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review*