Pop...corn...chips??

Crunchy snacks work wonders for Em, my Aspie kid who craves carbs.

"Popchips has created an innovative snack that delivers the crunch and the taste, but without all the calories and guilt of greasy potato chips. In fact, a single-serve bag of popchips containing nearly 20 crave-crushing chips is a mere 100 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. This means you get all the flavor and less than half the fat of regular fried chips. Made from all-natural ingredients, these treats are popped – not fried or baked - proving popchips a truly revolutionary snack and a worthy indulgence!"

Flavors range from salt & pepper and cheddar, to the more classic sea salt & vinegar, barbeque, original, sour cream & onion and many more. All the flavors were YUMMY!! And everything was such a light, yet fulfilling snack. Kasia loved the sea salt & vinegar and barbecue. Em loved the salt & pepper and sour cream & onion flavors. And I loved the original and cheddar ones!

Go“like” popchips on Facebook .

And I'll have a giveaway for a “Get Popped” box of popchips, just like I received. Post here and tell me your favorite crunchy snack and flavor that you like. AI will randomly choose a name and contact you so I can send in your info and you will receive your packet, too!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of popchips and received a “Get Popped” box of popchips and a $30 gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Sugar Rush!

Well, Halloween is over.  All the little spooks and goblins and rappers and *gasp* Hannah Montanas (EEEEK!!) are back home and probably still have bellyaches from all the candy they consumed since Halloween night.  

But aha - it's not just bellyaches that plague those tykes.  (Yeah, I'm so freakin' old, they're tykes and whippersnappers.)  Apparently there's statistics and you know, those statistics show kids miss 51 million school hours each year because of dental-related illness, and pediatric dental disease is the #1 chronic childhood illness. (Miss school due to dental illness?  Maybe just having to go to the dentist during school hours?  Who knows!) 

Now for the formal spiel: 

Anyway, Listerine and Reach created "October Oral Care Challenge" for kids 6 and older to take with their parents—a great tip to get kids to imitate good oral hygiene routines. To complete the challenge, kids and  Moms have to brush, floss and rinse every day, twice a day for three weeks—a key step in building a strong oral care foundation. We all hear about the importance of regular brushing and flossing for your oral care routine, but rinsing with a therapeutic mouthwash for 30 seconds twice daily, an additional but essential activity, helps reach those other parts of the mouth that harbor germs.

The makers of Listerine and Reach have also teamed up with America's Toothfairy to launch "Trick or Treat for America's Toothfairy," a campaign to raise awareness of pediatric dental disease and help provide life changing care to underserved children. You can visit www.AmericasToothfairy.org to learn more. 

Yeah - we brushed and sang "brusha brusha brusha" from Grease and lots of other stuff...my kids are 10 and 13, but the 10 year old has sensory issues (Asperger's - the gift that keeps on giving) and HATES to brush her teeth.  I've tried for years and even holding her down isn't conducive to good dental habits.  But I digress...

We received Agent Cool Blue, Smart Rinse (whoo - a variety!), smart flossers, toothbrushes, and such neat stuff!
She loved the Barbie swishy stuff (as she calls it) and chose her own "chubby brush" and really liked the "blue goo" that shows on your teeth (pre-rinse) to see where you need to really concentrate on brushing.  Yeah, that lasted for about a week.  Hey, I tried

But it helped some - and it's always great to get things moving.  Kasia and I really got into it and are having a blast with the floss, neato brushes (she got Batman.  I got Batman and Plastic Man!  Remember him?)  So hey - two out of three isn't bad!  

Disclosure: I wrote this review as part of a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of Listerine and received samples, received a Global Giving gift card, and a gift card as a thank you.  It's me.  I'm real.  And I'll blind you with my smile.  ;P

What better way to go green than to walk?

It's been a bit cold here in WNY and rainy, and then sunny, and...well just wait around another 10 minutes and it'll be different weather yet again. Still, Em's trying to walk to school more. Getting up and at 'em is a problem, but October is International Walk to School Month. We're trying. We're also trying not to get too distracted by the WONDERFUL colors around here. Time for more nature walks (when it's not time to rush to school! LOL!) I 'm trying to get her dad to walk with her rather than drive her, too. Kasia already walks for the most part. (And they're walking home most days, so that is even better!)

Clorox has created a contest for elementary and middle school kids...read more below.

About the Green Works Walk to School Challenge

October is International Walk to School Month. During the month of October, elementary and middle school students and their families can help their schools win one of five $5,000 grants – simply by walking or bicycling to school. Parents are invited to sign up online for the Walk to School Challenge at www.facebook.com/greenworks, and log their families’ walking or bicycling trips on behalf of their school. The five schools with the highest levels of participation will be eligible to win a $5,000 grant. Frequent walkers and bicyclists can also earn individual prizes, ranging from green shoelaces to reusable water bottles.

The Walk to School Challenge comes during a time of increased attention to the sedentary lifestyles of both adults and children throughout America. Walking and bicycling to school provides an easy way for many families to take a step towards more physical activity in their everyday routine.

In a nutshell, sign up online at www.facebook.com/greenworks and pledge to walk your child to or from school everyday for the month of October. Log your walking trips and be entered to win prizes, including a $5000 grant for your school!

Will you be participating in the Green Works Walk to School Challenge?

“This post is part of a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox Green Works. Participants received a gift certificate for helping out as a thank you.”

Yoplait Splitz. YUM!

Oooh, you know I'm up for some healthy yummies these days. We've had a hot summer, too. (Ok, maybe not as hot as where YOU are. Yes, you know who you are. But YOU have central air that WORKS!!) But I digress...

We've tried doing some cooler treats, escaping to the library when we can, or just hangign out on the breezier days playing with the animals. But under the "cooler treats" category we were able to try Yoplait Splitz...

[Taken from their site] "Yoplait® Splitz delivers the dessert flavor kids crave in a wholesome and nutritious yogurt that Mom can feel good about. It has all the goodness of 100% real Yoplait® yogurt with 90 calories, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors or sweeteners and it's a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D.

Great taste in three fun flavors (Rainbow Sherbet, Strawberry Banana Split, and Strawberry Sundae). Try it frozen, too!"

Don’t forget to visit Yoplait on Facebook or Yoplait on Twitter if you're so inclined.

I was sent the coupon, prize pack, and giveaway from Yoplait through MyBlogSpark. But you know that I ate those bad boys up myself and gave you my own opinion. (And no, I didn't share.)

Avocado - In the Big Leagues!!

2 ripe avocados, smashed to your liking. (Remove any yukky brown parts.)
Add the following:

• 2TBSP lime juice
  
• about a TBSP chopped cilantro (dried)
  
• a few sprinkles of lemon pepper
  
• About 1/4 c of either chopped tomatoes OR salsa
  
• salt to taste
  
• a little chopped garlic (or a LOT...whichever you prefer)

And since we're near Buffalo, and Buffalo is famous for chicken wings, sometimes we toss in some hot sauce just for variety.

If you use tomatoes instead of salsa or picante, add a couple shakes of Mexene with some cumin powder. It never comes out the same way twice.

Keep it covered or it will brown. If you're going to leave it out, then spray the top with a non-stick spray.

At only 50 calories per ounce (around three slices), and sodium and cholesterol free, they make great additions to everyday salads and sandwiches. With nearly 20 different types of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a one ounce serving, avocados make a healthy ingredient in any dish.

Avocado is such a BMOC it's got its own league!!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

HPV - Cervical Cancer

First a story - I lost my best friend to cancer. It started with cervical and uterine cancer.

My best friend, Cindy, was due to have her baby six weeks after me. We went through pregnancy together...the ups, the downs, the joys, the sorrows... and when Kasia was a few weeks old, something horrible happened. Cindy went in for a checkup and found out her baby had died. One of the most horrible things that a woman can ever imagine. What does that have to do with cervical cancer? Not much...yet.

But then she suffered a few more losses (10 in all) - they did tests, etc. Some cells came back abnormal. She had cervical cancer, on top of a few other issues. She received chemo and ended up with multiple myeloma. The pain and suffering were unimaginable. She died just a year ago. She was 36 years old.

So that's our story...

Could it have all been prevented? Maybe. Maybe not. But here are a few things you can do to help prevent cervical cancer...in yourself and your children and grandchildren. Kasia has had her HPV shot. Em has a physical today and it will be discussed for her as well.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM HPV/CERVICAL CANCER?

While you’re learning about the HPV vaccine for your daughter…
…Learn about HPV testing to protect yourself from cervical cancer

HPV vaccines are for girls and young women ages 9–26 to help protect against the two types of HPV that are most commonly associated with cervical cancer. These vaccines are a powerful tool to help protect today’s girls — tomorrow’s generation of women — from cervical cancer.

But what tools are out there for women today who may be at risk? Learn about what you can do to protect yourself against cervical cancer:

• THE PAP TEST looks at a sample of cells taken from a woman's cervix for any cell changes or abnormalities. Pap testing should begin at age 21.

• THE HPV TEST is conducted from the same sample as the Pap and identifies women with high-risk HPV infections that can cause cervical cancer. When used with a Pap in women 30 and older, the HPV test increases the ability to identify who is at risk of developing cervical cancer.

• If you are age 30 or older, ask your doctor for the digene HPV Test together with your Pap test.

• If both tests come back normal, then the tests don’t need to be repeated for 3 years. But remember to return each year for your annual health exam.

• If one or both tests come back abnormal, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. It simply enables your healthcare provider to monitor you more closely or treat pre-cancerous cells before cervical cancer develops.

• HPV testing isn’t necessary for women younger than 30, because HPV infections in young women usually go away on their own without causing problems. Women under 30 will only have HPV testing if their Pap test is inconclusive.

LINKS: HELPFUL WEB RESOURCES ON CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION

www.theHPVtest.com -Web site focuses on the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer through HPV screening and Pap testing. Site includes frequently-asked-questions, patient stories, and tips on “what your test results mean.”

o Follow us on Twitter: @HPVinformed

o Facebook page: http://bit.ly/HPVTestFB

www.theyellowumbrella.org – The Yellow Umbrella Organization is founded by cervical cancer survivor and “rocker” Christine Baze, who takes her music and story on the road to educate women about cancer prevention. Also, visit Christine’s www.savethehooch.org site to purchase a Yellow Umbrella make-up kit to raise money for cervical cancer prevention.

www.HealthyWomen.org - HealthyWomen is the nation’s leading independent health information source for women. Recently listed as one of Forbes’ top 100 websites for women, healthywomen.org has resources on many women’s health issues, including comprehensive info on cervical and gynecologic cancers.

www.pearlofwisdom.us - The Pearl of Wisdom™ Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer is a global partnership to raise awareness of tools for preventing cervical cancer and advocate for making them available to girls and women worldwide. Buy a pin, send an e-card, and download educational materials.

Trademarks: QIAGEN, digene (QIAGEN Group); Pearl of Wisdom™ (European Cervical Cancer
Association). ©2010 QIAGEN Group The digeneHPV Test

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the QIAGEN digene HPV test. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Reviews...

Creating my space for reviews. Sort of a Shoppers' Stop with honest thoughts. I welcome your thoughts and comments, and you don't have to agree with me, but you do need to be respectful. I know where you live. ;D