Jenny On The Spot | Reviews and Giveaways

I have never been SO excited to finish school supply shopping! Why? Because of Mabel’s Labels and the fact that it was going to as easy as “peel & stick” to label the my kids’ school supplies!

I received an Ultimate Back-to-School Combo pack for each of my 3 children… Each set includes dishwasher-safe labels for small school supplies, waterproof & extra sticky labels for shoes, laundry-safe labels for clothing, and couple metal tags for backpacks and such.

Each child’s label set is distinctly different from the other… so even my youngest (who cannot quite read), knows HERS is pink!

And was it fun to get the kids’ stuffs all organized!!! From backpacks…

To binders, pencil pouches, rulers, scissors…

Highlighters to cups…

Even the shoes!

Watch out winter coats. No more Lost and Found for you! We have Mabel’s Labels! *gives stink eye*

Here’s the deal, friends. Mabel’s Labels is only offering this Ultimate Back-to-School Combo until September 25th. I. Know. The classic line (solids) is valued at $39. The design-ier kind (Label Out Loud) is valued at $44.

I’m kinda thinkin’ you might like a your own combo pack. I see that lust for organization in your eyes! Well, the lovely people at Mabel’s Labels is giving away one of these not-around-forever Ultimate Back-to-School Combos! Here! Just leave a comment about why you think getting organized for back to school is important… or ooze about how cute Mabel’s Lables are

I. Know!!!

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
• This giveaway is open to Residents in Canada and the US.
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• This contest runs from 8/25 to 9/1/2010.

You can visit Mabel’s Labels site here. You can “like” them on Facebook here. And… follow them on Twitter – @mabelhood! I have got me some Mabel fever, and have been plotting the conquest of my pantry… Yes – THE PANTRY!!! I feel all warm inside…

I received labels for my kids’ school stuffs as part of this review/giveaway. The opinions and excitement expressed here are my own.

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This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

*We have a winner! Commenter #31! WillBinMN! Thank you everyone for participating!!!

At one point in my fitness journey I realized I needed to brave the weight room. *gasp* Something I read about “toning” and whathaveyou. But I hated the thought of the weight room — for many reasons:

• The weight room is a room of mirrors… not unlike what one might find at a local carnival or county fair.
• There are men with necks the size of big rig tires that frequent this mirrored, carnival-like space.
• There is heavy machinery in there… with cables and movable parts that could quite possibly smoosh a girl who may or may not struggle with balance issues.
• Grunting. The men (with necks the size of torsos of gradeschool children) often grunt – loudly. Not unlike a mother cow giving birth.
• To make matters worse, I even spied one or two of those grunters wearing a fanny pack. I think he was a trainer. Wrong, I know…

Mirrors? Big-necked grunters? Fanny packs?

But this is about MY embarrassing moment… not the moments of big-necked, fanny pack-wearin’, grunting-but-not-giving-birth men.

Before going in, I created some rules for myself:

• Keep my head down.
• Never, NEVER wear a fanny pack.
• Never, evereverever grunt. Ever.
• Measure my neck.

I had standards.

But then one day… It was early. Before 6 a.m. I sat upon a machine to work my deltoids… pectoids… adenoids? Some -oid or something…

I had recently read that if one did fewer reps with more weight that it did *something*. Like, build muscle in some sort-of way… Anywho… I loaded a machine that, when engaged, it looks like one is trying to clap ones forearms together. Hawt much?

But with that whole “heavier weight, less reps strategy”, during the release, it felt as if my shoulders might detach — from my shoulders (read: not good). So in an attempt to keep the machine from flying away with my arms, I had to fight… a fight in which cause a girl to…

grunt

*winces*

Lucky for me, there was a man standing at the machine next to me. Yeah. He was spraying it down with disinfectant after sweating all over it (My gosh, why do we go to gyms???). After my grunt was complete, he stopped. He turned, and with wide eyes that screamed concern… he asked,

Did I just squirt you?

I was all, “Dude. I totally just pwned that machine. That was the sound of victory and power. Woman over machine, not woman squirted by disinfectant!”

Reluctantly, and with my head half-down I replied, “No. NoNoNoNoNo. You didn’t squirt me. I. Uhhhh… Well… I just… I, uh… I emoted. I am not… I don’t… I just…”

Yay. It’s funny now. That morning I wanted to crawl in a hole.

Your turn! Share a funny story, video clip, picture, etc… in the comment section and you will be entered to win $150!  Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.  There are 11 other chances to win $150 each month & the chance to win $100 each week from the Daily Laugh Hub on BlogHer! If you share something really funny, we may even use it in The Daily Laugh! Sweepstakes ends 8/15/2010

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents, aged 18 and older
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• You can find the official rules here.

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Follow JOTS on Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and/or Networked Blogs!

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Ritz.

Update: winning number is comment #67

The daily grind. *They* don’t call it grind for nothing! For me, it’s not that everyday is the same… it’s that the week just keeps on coming! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… Set the alarm and — GO! GO! GO!

Like most women, I hit the ground running with my list of to-do’s… from deadlines to family needs to beyond! It is exceedingly easy to get caught-up in all the DOing and GOing. Whether I realize I do it or not, there are things I do to give my mind a break and add a little repreive from the chaos — even if tiny bits at a time.

• I always get my coffee on. It is a physical and psychological lift.
• I check in on the Facebook. I work from home, Facebook is my little water cooler. And also Twitter *cheesy grin*.
• My dirty little secret? 15 minutes a week I hit the tanning bed. I know, but I do… I live in the Pacific Northwest and I look VERY forward to my 15 minutes of warmth every 7th day! It is just about the only time my feet are without socks!
• I try to keep my hunger in check. It is easy for my to dig in and forget to eat. I am not very efficient when working on an empty stomach.

Speaking of food…

I just got to try the Ritz Crackerfuls Cheddar Cheese and Bacon filled crackers. To be honest, I was skeptical, but am a skeptic no more. The crackers are very tasty, and the bacon gives a nice kick! Besides… BACON!

Cheese-filled crackers often times have a bland flavor, but not these. And since they are packaged individually, it is an easy snack to keep in a desk drawer, or in the glove compartment when a gal needs to grab a quick *something* to take off that edge!

I’m curious. What is one thing you integrate into your day that helps you refocus, or helps you  remember you are human and not just a GO machine? If you answer that question here, you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card! ALSO — visit the BlogHer.com review/giveaway round-up page: BlogHer.com special offers page – where you will find 16 other chances to win $100! Sixteen chances!

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents, aged 18 and older
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
• Contest begins 7/9 and ends 7/31/2010.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

View the official rules here, and for additional information on Crackerfuls please visit their official site!

*Save $1.00 on Ritz Crackerfuls filled crackers. Click here for your coupon!*

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***Winners Update! I’d like to Congratulate commenters #13 & 16 — Danielle and Kim on their Full Circle Farm produce box wins! Thanks to everyone for participating. Don’t forget – you can still use the the Jenny On The Spot code – JOTS2010 to receive $15 off your first order!

Full Circle Farm is an organic, 400 acre farm located in Carnation, Washington that DELIVERS.

I have been receiving Full Circle Farm produce for 3 weeks and have been delighted with the service and the product.

Full Circle Farm has dozens and dozens and DOZENS of drop-off locations in Western Washington – King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties.

At www.fullcirclefarm.com, a user goes through an easy registration process to begin receiving some of the finest, local organic produce. There is no sign-up or service fee nor minimum order commitment. If you want one box… you get one box.

Simple. Easy. Convenient. Organic. Delivered.

With over dozens upon dozens of locations to pick-up one’s farm-fresh boxes of organic produce… Full Circle Farm makes it a breeze to get your greens. They have also expanded its “farm-to-table” service to include home delivery for the Puget Sound area, bringing farm-fresh produce and artisan goods directly to your doorstep.”

And with just a few clicks of the mouse, it is so simple to add to your order or change your order.

The part I loved the most about using Full Circle Farm was the simplicity – on many levels… from signing-up, to keeping my order tailored to my family’s needs, to picking up my box of awesoemsauceness… no wandering the produce aisles for this bounty!

After I picked up my box, I got cookin’! Vegetable Stir Fry, Rice, Teriyaki Chicken & Salad

Stir Fry:

No fancy recipe here. I took some FCF produce (spring onions, carrots & zucchini), and few items I had on hand (broccoli, cauliflower & garlic). I heated up some olive oil and a couple cloves of minced garlic. Then stirred… and fried le veggies!

Rice: You know how to make rice!

Teriyaki chicken: I marinated boneless, skinless chicken thighs in Veri Veri Teriyaki, and the hubs grilled it. OmNomNom.

Salad:

I used the green leaf, arugula, spinach and tomatoes from my Full Circlebox. I added feta with a vinegar/oil dressing.

The dinner plate:

The next morning I made scrambled eggs… I added zucchini and tomatoes from my order… some fresh garlic and parmesan.

One evening I roasted the FCF fingerling potatoes. I added a tablespoon (plus a little) to a baking pan, added sliced fingerlings. I topped them with salt, pepper… mixed… Then toppped with parmesan. Cooked them at 425 for about 30 minutes, and… easy peasy!

Really, after 3 weeks of veggies, there would be A LOT of pics and recipes, so I’ll share just one more. One that got rave reviews from the moms and dads at my daughter’s preschool graduation… Strawberry Salad.

The folks at Full Cirlce Farm include a newsletter and recipes in each box. I decided to use their salad recipe… for a spinach salad with strawberries and lemonette dressing:

In this salad: spinach, strawberries, feta, spicy candied pecans, and the lemonette dressing (pecans, feta & lemon not from Full Circle Farm).

Candied pecans (MY own beloved recipe of Awesome):
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Pinch cayenne
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
In small bowl, mix together sugar, 1/2-teaspoon salt, 1/4-teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, 1/4-teaspoon pepper and cayenne.
In medium skillet, combine butter, sugar mixture and pecans. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar has melted and nuts are coated. Cool on lightly greased aluminum foil.

Full Circle Farm Lemonette Dressing (oh, this is so easy!):
Mix juice of one lemon (about 4 T) and 1/2 c olive oil in a bowl… until incorporated. Add a pinch of salt an pepper. ***my own add: about 2 tsp sugar… to take the edge off the lemon***

Have I peeked your interest? Local readers, would YOU like to try out Full Circle Farm? Anyone in the Full Circle Farm service area (King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties) is eligible to win one of TWO produce boxes! That’s a $31 value! Simply leave a comment telling me what your favorite organic produce is! ALSO – if you can’t wait to get started… sign-up and use the code: JOTS2010 to receive $15 off your first order!!!

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving the link in the comments.
• “Liking” Full Circle Farm on Facebook and leaving a separate comment telling me you did.
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving the link in the comments.
• This Full Circle Farm is open residents of the following Western Washington counties: King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• Contest starts June 22 and ends July 20, 2010! Good luck!

*Disclosure: I received product from Full Circle Farm in order to create this review. My opinion is honest, and my own. Veggies rock, and as a result of my own experience with Full Circle Farm I have signed-up to begin my own regular delivery… because I want to put organic veggies where my family’s mouth is. So there

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I stay fit because I never want to go back. Ever.

*Been there, done that*… for 20 years… and I am much happier here…

Over the years I tried SO many things, and failed. I was sad, uncomfortable and insecure. I spent my young years… 20 of them, hating me. Hating the fact I could not seem to get a grip and control my own life. But one day… I had my *light bulb moment*.

To read the entirety of this post, you will need to go here… It’s BlogHer and the place where I am participating in a series titled 8 Weeks to a Fitter You. Over there, you can read more about my journey, and answer the following for a chance at a $1000 Visa gift card: Why do you stay fit? Have you had a “light bulb moment” that changed your fitness direction?

I’m closing comments here… I would love for you to contribute to the conversation just beginning over there!

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This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts.

Sure, you could bring homemade ice cream or potato salad or fruit salad to the Fourth of July bar-b-que  this year. Everyone likes that stuff. And everybody brings that stuff.

Who wants to be like everybody else? What about bringing sparklers? No, not the ones that are a fire hazard… everybody brings those too — how about Pop-Tarts Sparklers?

All you need to make these easy and festive holiday treats are:

an ice cream sundae glass:

some festive filler:

wooden skewers:

Ice Cream Shoppe™ Vanilla Milkshake Pop-Tarts® & a star cookie cutter:

Cut the Pop-Tarts into stars with the cookie cutter. I suggest lightly greasing the cookie cutter with non-stick cooking spray – the pokey-star-ends need a little *something* to emerge without breaking! Then slide a star onto a skewer! Add some festive filler to the sundae glass, then insert skewers with Pop-Tarts stars. I added a skewer I decorated with red and silver curling ribbon to add color and whimsy.

My kids and our sleepover friends couldn’t wait to dive in and eat their own Pop-Tarts Sparkler! Of course, there are always the Pop-Tarts Sprinkly Ice Cream Bites too… a great treat for a hot summer afternoon! For other fun ideas visit the Sprinklings site! So many holiday options!

By the way… there is a $100 Visa gift card up for grabs! And I am not the only one experimenting with fun holiday Pop-Tarts ideas! There are 8 other bloggers playing with food too, which means there are 8 other chances to win! Visit the BlogHer.com special offers page to find out where else you can enter.

To enter here, please leave a comment telling me what your kids’ favorite summer treat or activity is! Contest ends July 4, 2010!

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents, aged 18 and older
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• Official rules

Please visit the official Pop-Tarts Sprinklings site!

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There are several factors involved in my strategy (ifyouwill) to stay fit. A HUGE motivator is my butt… fitting into my jeans. I got rid of all the clothes that were a size up, so if I slip-up… I will have to go naked or buy a bigger size. And I really don’t know what would be worse. *deadpan stare* Here are a few key points I recognize as major contributors to my continued fitness:

•    Consistent exercise
•    Goal setting
•    A partner
•    Just say “NO” to deprivation
•    Hydration

You can read the ENTIRE post about my fitness “strategy” over at BlogHer, where my first of 5 fitness-focused posts is up! I am delighted to be hosting the Crystal Light Pure Fitness page… sharing along with with several other great bloggers … and of course, there is a $1000 Visa gift card is being given away! I hope you take a few moments to swing by that post! I am closing comments here so we can dig into the discussion over there! Please Chime in and share — What do YOU do to stay fit?

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*Update — We have our two winners! The *folks* at random.org chose:

Congratulations to Jeanenne & Inkthis! Thank you all for your participation and continued love for the delightful products of Foxy Blunt! And thank you to Foxy Blunt for treating us to Awesome!

I am in love.

LOVE I tell you. A veritable pink, puffy heart explosion of LOVE.

*birds singing*

A friend of mine posted a link on my Facebook wall awhile ago.

Reminds me of a song… “Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match… find me a find…catch me a catch!” Oh, a match was made!

A first glance, I thought… “OH Those are pretty.”

Good Luck… with that

I am not a fru-fru kinda- gal. I am not a fan of lace or dainty stuffs. However, I DO like flowers and whimsy and pink. But in particular ways. Then I have some rocker-chick in me too… I like tattoo art. I like clean lines. I like colors that pop.

Eclectic? Yes, let’s call my tastes “eclectic”.

AND I like a good sense of humor. I value wit and get a kick out of new twists on old themes.

Which brings me to my point, the greeting card. A card + a greeting = greeting card. Easiest math I’ll ever do. There are many cards to choose from, for all imaginable or unimaginable occasions.

But how many greeting card lines successfully bridge the gap between style, wit AND charm? How many draw in your eye… Building an expectation of one thing, and get an entirely other “thing”.

Welcome New Baby… adios sex (blank inside)

Foxy Blunt is that “other thing”.

When I fist laid eyes on the Foxy Blunt line, my eyes were pleased. I loved the lines, the colors, the balance of whimsy and color and design.

Then I read one.

Thank You… for recognizing how important I am

Clearly. We were meant to be together.

That was all she wrote. Foxy Blunt has offered up two boxes sets to give away here. Contents vary. Contents guaranteed to delight!

You have several ways to enter to win:

• Leave a comment sharing which Foxy Blunt card is your favorite (no duplicate comments)
• Tweet about this contest, including @foxyblunt in your tweet and leave the link here in the comments
• Become a fan of Foxy Blunt on Facebook, and let me know in a separate comment.

Good luck and have fun checking out Foxy Blunt!Contest runs May 21 to June 6, 2010. While there, grab a desktop background (they’re free!). Right now, I have the one that says, “Dreaming…. of happy hour.” I have a dream…

*I was provided cards to keep for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

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*Update! We have our winners! Congrats to Sheila and FADKOG!!!*

If you know me, you know I love me my cookies. It’s no wonder Pepperidge Farm contacted me to see if I’d try summa theirs. My reputation precedes me.

This line of cookies from Pepperidge Farm is a great option for a light, simple treat… or as a delightful side to a tea or coffee date with a couple of gal-pals.

The folks at Pepperidge Farm sent me their Gingerman  and Lemon cookies to try. It was hard to keep the kids from digging into MY treats. I wanted to try them first.

The Gingerman cookies were light and crispy. They were tasty, but I could have gone for more of that ginger “kick”. However, the level of “kick” proved just right for the kids.

The lemon cookies were my favorite. They had a shortbread texture, with a very nice lemon flair. An ideal companion with coffee or tea… or to knock the edge off a sweet tooth mid-day or late-night

I only tried the two kinds, but Pepperidge Farm is offering a set cookies (5 kinds!) to 2 winners here!

Luckies! To enter, simply leave a comment… perhaps tell me what kind of cookie you think would be the biggest hit with you. Contest ends May 10th!

For more information on Pepperidge Farm, please visit their website: www.pepperidgefarm.com

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*Update: We have winners! Congrats to Jubilee, Jen & FADKOG!!*

When you hear the word “goldfish” do you think of the actual pet fish… or crackers?

In our home… we think CRACKERS! Those yummy cheesy fish-shaped crackers have filled many-a belly in our home. I’d venture to guess yours as well!

Pepperidge Farm has come up with a tasty new twist on their trademark shape… vanilla and chocolate grahams! You read right…. vanilla and chocolate fish-shaped graham crackers

I had my kids try them out and the opinion was unanimous – YUM! My chocolate-lover favored the chocolate, and my vanilla lovers favored the vanilla. No surprises there! And in the end, all of the crackers got ate. Yup.

Would you like to try the new vanilla grahams? The people at Pepperidge Farm are offering 3 treat bags to three winners here. Each bag will contain a package of each new flavor… as well as a cute little Fishful Thinking tote ideal as a reusable grocery tote… or a lunch bag for the kids!

For a chance to win one of the 3 prizes, simply leave a comment! Tell me what flavor you think would be the biggest hit in your home! Contest ends May 6th!

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