General Mills Brings Minions Buddies in Your Cereal Box & $25 Fandango Gift Card Giveaway

General Mills has partnered with the Minions. For a limited time in participating boxes of General Mills cereal you can collect miniature minions like the one shown on the box. To me they resemble little christmas tree ornaments. You can also see their cute faces on the Betty Crocker fruit snack boxes. My kids absolutely love Betty Crocker fruit rolls. As soon as the box came out they were devoured. Hence, no picture of those. Minions In the City movie is currently showing in theaters.

In exchange for this review we were given a $25 Fandango gift card to view Minions in the city. It is super hot here in Texas right now so my kids were absolutely delighted when I asked them if they want to chill out in the cool theater to watch one of their favorite movies yet. 

GIVEAWAY:

Our sponsor is giving away a prize pack containing:

• A participating General Mills cereal
• 1 box of participating Betty Crocker fruit flavored snack
• An exclusive Minions Buddy
• $25 Fandango gift card

To one of my Keeping My Cents readers. All you have to do is enter below leaving a comment on which General Mills you would buy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Safety 1st 3-in-1 Elite Air 80 Convertible Car Seat - Giveaway & Review!!!

*** I was provided a car seat to facilitate my review but All opinions expressed here are my own.

We bought a Britax Marathon for Payton when she was ready to move up from her carrier car seat and we loved it.  I continued to use it with my second baby, Emmy.  That is a no no.  Uh oh.  Did you know car seats have an expiration date of 6 years?  Well, since Payton is now 7 that means that the car seat is out of date.  Every car seat should have a manufacturer stamp of date of production so you can figure out if your is too old also.  Some also have them stamped into the plastic. When I was sent this seat to review I was able to see first hand how much a car seat can change in 7 years.  Let me tell you it is a lot! The thing that impressed me the most is how much more full body protection they have.  Safety First states they are positively the safest choice in full body protection. Believe me they are accurate. Look at how Emmy's body is cradled and hugged just like you want it to be in a car seat. Check out those things beside her head. That is air technology to help if you have a side impact collision.  Wow.  Technology is amazing.

Did I mention that this car seat is a 3-in-1 meaning it can be used for when baby is newborn up until they are 80 pounds.   Now, I've had reservations about a car seat like this for a newborn before but let me tell you we took out all the inserts so Emmy could fit in it.  There is plenty of support and contouring for a new born too. It also can recline really far back like a typical carrier style car seat would.  Below is a picture of when it came straight of the box you can see all the additional supports that were included. Let me tell you this car seat is heavy.  Which I like.  You want some weight to car seat to know that is solid built. The size  is comparable to the Britax Classic we had previously so you may have a hard time if you have a compact car. One more feature I want to mention that I love is when your child grows it has a latch at the top center that you can use to adjust so need to rethread the harness.

I could go on and on about this car seat for days.  We love it. 

Emmy's favorite part as you can see below is the dual cup holders.  Of course, that is just a happy extra.  Our #1 concern is how safe our baby will be in case of an accident and this car seat has her as safe as she can be. Hands down. 

 Here is some more specifics of the car seat from the manufacturer: 

· Safety 1^st Elite 80 3-in-1 car seat

The Elite 80 works in rear-facing mode for babies up to 40 pounds, then converts to forward-facing with harness, but features an extended weight range to keep children safely in harness all the way to 80 pounds. In its 3rd mode, the Elite 80 goes beyond the traditional convertible seat to convert into a belt-positioning booster car seat for children up to 100 pounds. Additionally Air Protect + combines the advanced protection of our Air Protect® cushion system with patentedGCell HX™ foam designed with hexagonal shapes for 100% full body production.

Car Seat Safety Tips From JulieVallese, Safety 1^st Consumer Safety Expert.

Importance of Rear Facing

In March of 2011 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their car seat recommendations advising that children should remain rear facing until the age of two, or until they reach the maximum height and weight requirements allowed by their car seat. According to a study in the Journal of Injury Prevention children under the age of two are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in the event of a car crash if they are rear facing. When a child is rear facing their head, neck and spine are better supported and in the event of an accident, crash forces are distributed over the child’s entire body.

Installation

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 75% of car seats are installed incorrectly. Every car and car seat has different requirements for the safest installation so before you get started it is important to read both the car seat and car manual.

Typically the center rear seat is the safest place for a car seat, and never install a car seat in the front seat. If your car does not have a latch connector for the middle seat, you can use the middle seat belt to properly secure the base. When installing, make sure the base of the car seat moves no more than an inch from side to side. An easy way to test this is to hold at the belt path.

New parents and grandparents are encouraged to attend a car seat check before the baby is born. However, don’t just rely on the experts. You’re likely going to be taking the car seat out and installing it somewhere else at some point, so make sure you’re comfortable with the process too.

Car Seat Expiration

Never use used or old car seats. Car seats do have an expiration date and it is to understand the risks associated with using an expired or old car seat. The reason for an expiration date is because plastic can warp and materials can fray, which can make car seats less safe to use. Car seat technology and state and federal car seat regulations change. A car seat deemed safe more than six years ago may no longer meet federal testing regulations. Important warning labels may wear out and instruction books may get lost, which can lead to improper use of the car seat.

If you would like to find a car seat check near you can go to safekids.org or seatcheck.org

These car safety tips are brought to you by JulieVallese, Safety 1^st Consumer Safety Expert in honor of Child Passenger Safety Week. I was provided a car seat to facilitate my review but All opinions expressed here are my own.

WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!

WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!WINNER!!

Entry-Form

Review: Halo Sleep Sack

Halo SleepSack sent me a sleep sack to review and I am happy to say that is so soft to the touch and kick proof.  Besides being soft and warm sleep sacks help reduce SIDS by providing a safer way to sleep.  Halo is deeply committed to increasing awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  So much so that they have a page dedicated to more information about how to help reduce the risk of SIDS at www.halosleep.com/safesleeptips.  Halo SleepSack are working with more than 400 hospitals to provide Halo SleepSack wearable blankets as part of their Hospital Safer Way to Sleep initiative.  This is such a wonderful thing to know that a company is taking on this devastating tragedy that happens to many infants.

Halo SleepSack can be bought conveniently at Target stores or you can find a local store near you.

Giveaway:

Halo graciously is providing one of my readers a free HALO SleepSack wearable blanket. To enter:

1. Visit halosleep.com and tell me your favorite sleepsack.

Additional entries:

2. Like Halo SleepSacks on Facebook.  Leave your facebook name in your comment.

3. Like Halo SleepSacks on Twitter. Leave your twitter name in your comment.

3. Become a follower of this blog.

4. Place my blog button in your sidebar or somewhere on your blog.

4. Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a separate comment with a link to your post. Your blog must be family friendly.

Giveaway ends 11/10/10! One winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. The winner will have 72 hours to respond to the notification e-mail or another winner will be selected.

Chex Gluten-Free Giveaway!

Why is gluten free imortant?  Well some people usually avoid eating gluten because of a health issue. Some people notice that they do not feel as well when they eat gluten, and they decide to eat a gluten-free diet so that they feel better. Others have actually been diagnosed with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, and their doctors have advised them to stop eating gluten.  And now if you are trying to avoid gluten too I have good news for you.  Nowadays more and more companies are marketing towards their customers that are trying to avoid gluten.  Chex at General Mills happens to be one of them.  They are now offering these varieties gluten free:

Rice Chex
Corn Chex
Honey Nut Chex
Chocolate Chex
Cinnamon Chex

General Mills has also 300 more products that are gluten free.  Here is also a website that you can check out for gluten free recipes.

As a reminder, please be sure to check the label when buying any gluten-free cereal to make sure it does not have any ingredients that contain gluten.

Giveaway

 

Chex gluten-free cereal prize pack that includes a VIP coupon for a free box of Chex cereal, a microwavable bowl, a Chex gluten-free recipe card and measuring spoons and cups.

Main entry:

What kind is your favorite Chex?

Bonus entry:

Become a follower of this blog.

The VIP coupon, prize pack, information and additional prize pack to give away were all provided by Chex cereal through MyBlogSpark to facilitate my review. Giveaway ends 09/27/10! One winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. The winner will have 72 hours to respond to the notification e-mail or another winner will be selected.

And the Winner is!

Congrats Heather Ransom.  You are the winner of the $50 Paperspring.com gift certificate.  I know you will enjoy this company as much as I did.

Bridal Shower Invitations by Paperspring Review & Giveaway!

When Paperspring offered me a chance to review their product I was so excited.  As you all know I love paper goods.  Paperspring had sent me some samples and I knew they had excellent printing quality.  This is what I am always fearful of when I'm ordering online and can't see a hard copy of what their finished product looks like in print.  So trust me they look great.  What really put me over the top with this company was that they have a comment box on everything you order asking for specific requests or instructions.  For example, on the bridal shower invitation I was considering it was perfect except I wasn't crazy about the crown.  Well, guess what?  They took it off.  And me being picky as I am I also asked if they could center my address labels more and they kindly did that too.  I was ecstatic when I received them only 3 business days later.

Below you can see the actual invitation on the frame that will greet you as you walk into my home for my niece's bridal shower.  And here is a picture of my "address labels" repurposed as gift labels.   I can't say enough good things about this company their customer service is awesome, their products are gorgeous, and say HELLO to free shipping.  If you need any paper goods please stop by and consider Paperspring.com.  They are wonderful, trust me.

Paperspring is so fabulous they are sponsoring a $50 gift card to one of my readers.  Here's how to enter to win:

1. Visit Paperspring.com and leave a comment telling me what you like and what you would order if you won. Leave Your email for each entry so I can notify you if you are the winner!

(Additional Entries)

2. Become a follower of this blog

3. Place my blog button in your sidebar or somewhere on your blog.

4. Post about this give away on your blog and leave a separate comment with a link to your post. Your blog must be family friendly.

Giveaway ends 8/23/10! One winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. The winner will have 72 hours to respond to the notification e-mail or another winner will be selected. Thanks Paperspring for giving me a gift card to facilitate my review and sponsoring this giveaway.

Winner for $25 Gift Card & Pillsbury Brown Pack!

Giveaway: Pillsbury Brownie Pack

It´s 7 p.m. when your child informs you that they need baked goods to share with the whole class tomorrow. Sound familiar? How often have you been hit with the need for last-minute baking when there simply isn´t enough time? Pillsbury comes to the rescue with Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies, available exclusively at Sam´s Club.

Who doesn't love brownies?  No one!  Well, at least no one I know. My family tried these and they are YUMMY!  The best part I think about these brownies is that they are already made, so less for you to have to worry about.  You can even put them in the cute little container to transport them in.  Voila, now you are super mom.

Thanks to Pillsbury and MyBlogSpark, one lucky reader will win a Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies gift pack.  Gift pack includes $25 Sam´s Club gift card to use to purchase the brownies, Icing kit, and a large container for transporting the brownies.

Here's how to enter to win:

1. Leave a comment and tell me your chocolate treat. Leave Your Email for each entry so I can notify you if you are the winner!

(Additional Entries)

2. Become a follower of this blog

3. Place my blog button in your sidebar or somewhere on your blog.

4. Post about this give away on your blog and leave a separate comment with a link to your post. Your blog must be family friendly.

Giveaway ends 7/06/10! One winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. The winner will have 72 hours to respond to the notification e-mail or another winner will be selected. Product, information, and gift packs were given to me from Pillsbury and MyBlogSpark to facilitate my review.

Rainbow Brite Cd Giveaway!

Remember Rainbow Brite?  I do and was so excited when Momselect and Hallmark offered me this opportunity to share with you the relaunch of this wholesome doll. I loved my Rainbow Brite and will definitely be buying my little girl one too. The modernized Rainbow Brite fashion doll collection is available at Target and at Toys R' Us later this month (below is a picture).

There is just something nostalgic about sharing the same toys that you had and loved with your child also. Go here to visit Rainbow Brite online, download door signs, wallpapers, and even the theme song all for FREE!
 

I will be giving away six Rainbow Brite interactive CDs. 

The interactive cd includes:

* Rainbow Brite animated short

* Games & puzzles

* Rainbow Brite Theme song

* Meet Rainbow Brite & Friends

Here's how to enter to win:

1. Leave a comment and tell me your favorite childhood toy. Leave Your Email for each entry so I can notify you if you are the winner!

2. Become a follower of this blog 

3. Place my blog button in your sidebar or somewhere on your blog.

4. Post about this give away on your blog and leave a separate comment with a link to your post. Your blog must be family friendly.

Giveaway ends 2/23/10!  Six winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. The winners will have 72 hours to respond to the notification e-mail or another winner will be selected.

Winner for General Mills Cereal Coupon!

The Importance of a Healthy Breakfast! Review & Cereal Giveaway!

General Mills provided me with coupons for free cereal through MyBlogSpark.  Since, I already buy Cheerios & Kix regularly I was happy to get them. 

I eat Kix and my daughter eats Cheerios, almost every morning.  I like eating Kix because it's low in sugar and calories and helps me maintain my weight and it's quick and easy.  I feed my daughter Cheerios because she has been eating them since she was able to chew solid foods on her own as snacks and then naturally it then became her cereal of choice to eat in the morning.  I like it and feel good about feeding to her because it has fiber, low in calories, and sugar.

Here is some information provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark:
Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children´s diets.

Other cereal benefits:

•Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children´s diets.

•Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child´s diet today.

•More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

I'm a label reader so I thought you might like to read the labels for yourself.

Right now if you visit here you will find a $1 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals.

Also, I will be giving away one coupon for 1 FREE box of your choice of any General Mills Cereal (up to $6.00) to help your family come together at the breakfast table every morning. 

You will have two methods of entry:

* Leave me a comment telling what your favorite General Mills cereal is.

* Become a follower.

Don't forget to leave your e-mail so, I can notify you if you are the winner.  Giveaway will end 1/11/10.

If winner doesn't respond within 48 hours another winner will be chosen.

The Winner for the $25 American Express Card!

Winner was chosen by random.org:
#19 - Catnap

Hellmann's Real Holiday Helpings Site & $25 American Express Card Giveaway!

I visited Hellmann's Real Holiday Helpings website and discovered this fantastic dessert recipe for Oven Roasted Apple-Cranberry Crisp With Creamy Spiced Chantilly.  This recipe uses mainly things that I call staples in my pantry so it should be relatively inexpensive to make.  It sounds so yummy and I can't wait to try it.  I always like to try my recipes before the actual event and I thought I would try this one to see if it would make the cut for Christmas dinner. Now I haven't been cooking that long, so I was actually surprised that mayonnaise goes into a dessert;  but, it does and it sounds delicious.  There are some other really great recipes that you should browse through on this site.  The recipes are for Real Food that tastes great and is made from simple ingredients including Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise (made with eggs, oil and vinegar). You can also watch video demonstrations that showcase stand-out holiday dishes.

Bobby Flay gives a really good tip on how to crush garlic during the video of how to make caesar salad crostini.  Gotta love tips from a professional chef!  Also if you want a tip from a professinal cleaner, remember my tip that you can use mayonnaise to remove water stains on wood.  Leave them over night, wipe clean, and repeat if necessary.  Yes I do consider myself a professional cleaner since I think that falls under the wife and mommy category.  Click here for the previous post on water mark removal.

They also have a $1/2 Hellmann's mayonnaise coupon. This should make for a really good deal especially if your grocery store doubles. I know I always use a lot of mayonnaise around the holidays because I love to make deviled eggs.

Don't forget to enter Hellmann's Real Holiday Helpings sweeps to try and win a year worth of groceries.  Who couldn't use that? 

Also, I will be giving away a $25 American Express Card courtesy of Hellmann's.  This will hopefully help with real holiday food shopping.  There are two ways to enter:

(1) Become a follower on Keeping My Cents or let me know that you already are one.
(2) Tell me what is your favorite recipe using Hellmann's mayonnaise.

*Please remember to leave your email address so, I will be able to contact you if you are the winner.
A winner will be chosen by random.org on December 11, 2009. If I do not receive a response within 48 hours to my email notifying you that you are the winner, another winner will be selected.

Yoplait Kids Less Sugar More Fun Review and Giveaway!

I recently received this wonderful Yoplait Less Sugar, More Fun prize pack from my friends at BlogSpark.  This pack included a six pack of Yoplait Kids yogurt, a travel cooler (to take your yogurt on-the-go), a fun spoon that changes colors in warm water, a reusable place mat with games to keep the kids happy while snacking, and a fuzzy tangle puzzle for some after-snack fun.

My three year was happy to oblige in helping do this review for Yoplait Kids yogurt.  We got the 25% less sugar yogurt that has Dora the Explorer on the packaging.  Dora the Explorer is cute on the packaging but, it didn't impact her decision on why she liked it.   I like that is there is 25% less sugar.  Anywhere we can cut back on sugar we do.  Also, knowing that Yoplait Kids is a good source of vitamin D is definitely an added bonus.  I liked giving her this yogurt because it is healthy.

My daughter instantly gobbled up the yogurt.  The flavors were: strawberry-vanilla, strawberry, banana, vanilla, peach, and strawberry-banana.  Her favorite was the strawberry-banana.

Would you like to try Yoplait Kid's Yogurt? I will be giving away 2 Yoplait Less Sugar, More Fun prize packs.

To enter:

1. Leave me a comment telling me your favorite yogurt flavor.

2. Become a follower.

Make sure you leave your e-mail address so, I will be able to contact you if you win.  Giveaway will end November 6nd.  Winners will be chosen through random.org and will have 3 days to respond to my email.

*This coupon offer for a free six pack of Yoplait Kids yogurt is not valid in some states, including Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee. If you live in one of these states, you may still receive the kit, but will be unable to redeem the coupon.