Do you need a set of snazzy new business cards? Whether you own a business, volunteer, or like to leave behind a stylish first impression, an elegant business card is a must. Does Dad need a set of cards? That would make for a nice Father's Day gift! AllBusinessCards.com specializes in business cards printing. They also offer cards, stickers, post-it notes, stamps, and more.

AllBusinessCards.com are giving away a set of 500 business cards each to three (3) readers of this blog!

The cards can be single or double sided, printed on thick 16pt card stock, and have a Glossy UV finish, a Matte Finish, or can come uncoated.  Everything will be included for winners within the U.S. and Canada.  Those elsewhere would need to pay actual UPS shipping charges.

To enter, please comment below how you'd use the business cards if you won.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 3 sets of 500 business cards! #Giveaway open worldwide, ends 6/15 @aitmama @allbusinesscard #win #contests http://tiny.cc/f2vyw" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @allbusinesscard on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 15, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen.

Open to those 18+.  Winners residing in countries other than U.S. and Canada will be responsible for UPS shipping charges. No compensation was provided for this post. Subject to the official rules of this site.

I love jewelry. An elegant, beautiful ring, necklace, or earrings can be a meaningful gift that lasts a lifetime. A mother can pass along some pieces to her kids. My mom gave me a beautiful amethyst ring of hers when I turned 18. Jewelry can also be presented just because - my husband likes to surprise me now and then with something he knows I'd like.

I own yellow as well as white gold, and some of my favorite jewelry combines both. Recently, I fell in love with the Two Tone Gold Everlon Love Knot collection from Kranich's Jewelers. A beautiful mix of the best of both worlds, the Everlon Two Tone collection features elegant rings, pendants, bracelets, and earrings in a delicate mixture of white and yellow gold. My anniversary is coming up, and I might just as well put one of their pieces on my wish list!

Kranich's Jewelers has been around for over 100 years, and has an extensive selection of fine jewelry and gifts. If you are looking for the right engagement ring, check out their Verragio collection. It features gorgeous engagement rings and wedding bands for men and women. For a wedding that you'll never forget and a lifetime of memories yet to be made, a stunning ring by Barry Verragio would be the perfect beginning.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Have you been planning to try something from Tropical Traditions? Through midnight EDT on Wednesday, June 2, use coupon code 29510 to receive a 10% OFF discount! Minimum purchase of $16 applies. Good on either the Tropical Traditions or the Healthy Buyer's Club website.

In addition, if this is your first order, you can get a FREE Virgin Coconut Oil book with purchase. Find out all about coconut oil and its uses! Just use code 5251001 in the Referred by a Friend section and the book will be added to your order at no charge.

Of course, there is still time today to enter my giveaway for a jar of their Organic Coconut Peanut Butter! The giveaway ends at midnight tonight, 5/31.

Check out the other promotions Tropical Traditions are running this week - they are listed on the right side of their home page.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I share this information because I believe it to be of use to some of my readers.

Profoot was established in 1987 and today is the second largest foot care company in the U.S. Within the past 6 months, they've introduced three new foot care products that I had a chance to try: Callus Blaster, Flex-Tastic Toe Relaxers, and Pump Pouches.

The Callus Blaster is a gel-like substance that targets stubborn rough spots on your feet. A small amount of gel used twice a week for three minutes at a time works quickly and effectively to soften calluses and rough skin. It gets rid of dead skin through gentle dermadebrasion beads. As someone who's pumiced her heels into oblivion before slathering them in rich creams and sleeping with socks to boot, I can appreciate an innovative solution like the Callus Blaster. The main thing to remember is to use a small amount, not keep the gel on for longer than 3 minutes and not use more often than twice a week. Excess product must be removed immediately, and everything washed off thoroughly with soap and water.

The Flex-Tastic Toe Relaxers are a foot exerciser made from soft polymer gel. The toe relaxers slip over the toes and stretch them into their natural position. With daily wear for just 5 minutes, they promise to improve posture and balance, ease foot pain, and correct issues like bunions and hammer toes.

Initially, I could barely fit four toes in the relaxers. According to the company, this is normal and I can expect to be able to fit all of them with regular use. I did suffer slight discomfort at first - another thing to be expected if the toes are misaligned. My feet felt refreshed and relaxed when I took off the relaxers. Starting with 5 minutes, daily wear can be gradually extended to 10 minutes after a while.

The Flex-Tastic Toe Relaxers retail at $9.99 and are available online at Amazon, Walgreens, Rite Aid and others.

The Pump Pouches were inspired by what professional dancers use to provide comfort and protection to their feet. They are super soft wraparound toe cushions that look like little pockets for feet. They should be placed over toes before putting on your shoes, and are designed to vanish inside the shoe - unless it's open toed sandals, of course. I think the best use for the pouches would be in high heels, flats, or fall/winter shoes. In cold weather, they would provide the additional benefit of keeping your toes warm and toasty, in addition to comfy. Their beige color makes them unnoticeable once in, and provide a nice relief from uncomfortable shoes.

Find out more about these and other Profoot products on the company's website.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Book Description
For decades Americans have turned to LIFE to understand and remember the most important events and people of our time. Just as LIFE once opened up the glittering Kennedy White House, LIFE now focuses its lens on Barack Obama. The American Journey of Barack Obama covers the candidate from his childhood and adolescence to his time as editor of The Harvard Law Review and his Chicago activist years, culminating with the excitement and fervor of the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention. This audiobook includes a Foreword by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, an incisive narrative biography and original essays by some of our finest writers, including Gay Talese, Charles Johnson, Melissa Fay Greene, Andrei Codrescu, Fay Weldon, Richard Norton Smith, Bob Greene and several others. Many listeners will find a new understanding of Obama. All listeners will feel that they are bearing witness to a singular, undeniably American story.

My Review
The American Journey of Barack Obama is an engrossing book about the remarkable path of Barack Obama. Covering his family, childhood, law career, and beyond - all the way to the White House - the book is a nice summary of the important milestones in President Obama's life prior to the presidency. I was familiar with many of the facts recounted in the book, since his biography has been in the spotlight for quite a while now. What I most enjoyed - and was new to me - was the many voices of writers who share their personal impressions of Obama, what his achievements mean to them, and how his story has affected their understanding of politics and society.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was provided for this post. I received a complimentary copy of the audio book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Hachette Book Group.   

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the following giveaways:

Ten Products from Cedar's Mediterranean Foods:  #205 Amanda;

Four Boxes of Organic Brown Rice Couscous from Lundberg Family Farms: #133 Tavia;

$25 GC to Reading Glasses Shopper: #35 janetfaye.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the generous sponsors for providing these great prizes for giveaway.

Book Description
Modeled after Maria Shriver's Just Who Will You Be, Queen Latifah's goal with Put On Your Crown is to help young women build a strong sense of self-esteem. A US Dept. of Justice survey found that females ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to partner violence than any other group, almost triple the national average. Cases like Chris Brown's assault on pop star Rihanna showed an ugly side of adolescent life. However, Queen Latifah has always been a shining example of a woman happy with herself and unwilling to compromise to fit into the "hollywood ideal" of what a confident beautiful woman should look like. The result: She's one of the biggest A-list celebrities in Hollywood.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of Put on Your Crown by Queen Latifah!

To enter, please comment below whether you've seen any of Queen Latifah's movies.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 3 copies of Put on Your Crown by Queen Latifah! #Giveaway ends 6/13 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tiny.cc/mkuqt" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 13, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Book Description
For the more than twenty million Americans who have diabetes, decadent desserts and other sweet luxuries are no longer off limits. Using a number of substitution techniques to lower the carbohydrate and calorie counts in her recipes, pastry chef and diabetic Stacey Harris has transformed more than two hundred desserts into delicious, diabetic-friendly delights.

My Review
You don't have to be diabetic to enjoy Stacey Harris' cookbook. While I love sweets, I am aware of the necessity to watch my family's sugar intake. The Diabetic Pastry Chef includes a wealth of desert recipes that would allow both people who have diabetes and their family and friends to enjoy sweet treats without compromising their health.

The book includes a chapter each on diabetes, flours, sugar and its substitutes, and various hints and tips. The recipes are divided in categories - breakfast and brunch, sourdough and starters, tea breads and yeast breads, cakes and tortes, cookies and bars, pies and tarts, puddings, and miscellaneous. I find it especially helpful that a detailed nutrition facts label is included with every recipe. At the end of the book, there is also a Net Carb Counter for many foods. From almond coffee cake through creme brulee to yogurt biscuits, you are certain to find a recipe you'd love to try. You can find more information about Stacey on her site, diabeticpastrychef.com.

With the publisher's permission, here are two of the scrumptious recipes included in The Diabetic Pastry Chef.


Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup Canola Butter (see index) or Smart Balance® regular spread
3⁄4 cup packed brown sugar
1 (1.5-oz.) pkg. sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
11⁄4 cups white flour or white whole-wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp. salt
21⁄2 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins, optional

In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Blend in pudding mix. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy.

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add to batter. Stir in oats and raisins.

Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, about 3 in. apart. Bake 8-12 min. in a preheated 350-degree oven, or until firm. Cool sheets on wire racks a few minutes. Remove cookies with spatula and cool completely on rack. Yield: 60 servings.

Healthy Carrot Cake
2 tbsp. canola oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup shredded carrots
11⁄2 cups white whole-wheat or whole-wheat flour
1⁄2 tsp. salt
1⁄2 tsp. baking powder
1⁄2 tsp. baking soda
11⁄2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. chopped walnuts or pecans
4 tbsp. brown sugar
1⁄4 cup water
4 tbsp. raisins

Combine all ingredients. Pour into a greased 9-in. cake pan. Bake 30 min. in a preheated 350-degree oven.
Cool in pan 10 min. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Serve with whipped topping, if desired. Yield: 8 servings.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was provided for this post. Thanks to Bostick Communications, I received a complimentary copy of the book to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Pelican Publishing Company. 

Book Description
An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life - until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else.

My Review
Dear John starts like many other love stories: boy meets girl, they fall in love, boy is in the Army, girl finds someone else. Yes, it's beautiful, it's sincere, it's life-changing for John and Savannah - but hardly extraordinary. Yet, Dear John is not your average romance novel. Sparks writes an enticing book about love and the way it changes people, bringing out the best in them. John is an ordinary guy who has found the love of his life. Until Savannah leaves him for someone else, the depth and sincerity of John's feelings for her are remarkable but not unique. What really sets this romance apart is the strength he discovers to make the ultimate self sacrifice for the woman he loves. His noble gesture remains anonymous for everyone, including Savannah - and their story becomes more beautiful and at the same time heartbreaking. Although it's not a happily-ever-after story in a typical way, Dear John is bizarrely uplifting.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was provided for this post. I received a complimentary copy of the audio book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Hachette Book Group.   

Book Description
While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

My Review
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith is a curious mix between historical fiction and vampire novel. It's well written and entertaining. There are some graphic descriptions of axes decapitating vampires and such, so if you are listening to the audio book as I did, mind the company of young children.

That said, I love historical fiction, and Grahame-Smith includes enough real facts and convincing conjecture to make it worth your while. If you are a fan of both history and vampire slayers, you will love this book. I am more of a history buff than Buffy aficionado, so I found the former more engrossing.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was provided for this post. I received a complimentary copy of the audio book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Hachette Book Group. 

Imagine a laundry detergent that takes up as much space as a tennis ball, or a baseball. Next, imagine this little ball provides you with enough eco-friendly detergent for a whole year! Before you assume I am talking household science fiction, allow me to present the Robby Wash.

The company that recently introduced this innovative product to the U.S. is called Oransi. Founded in 2009 by a group of people with decades of experience in the air quality and home cleaning products industries, Oransi provides new green cleaning products from around the world to U.S. consumers – including HEPA air purifiers, ionic air purifiers for rooms and refrigerators, and of course green laundry products.

Robby Wash is an ultra high efficiency laundry detergent ball. Just 10 ounces of Robby Wash replaces 75 lbs. of traditional laundry detergent. This eco-friendly, hypoallergenic detergent was designed in France and is commonly used in Europe with baby laundry, as well as with adults’ laundry.

The laundry ball contains macro-molecules of laundry detergent that look like little balls. The box contains three more little packs of macro-molecule granules, as well as a stain stick to pre-treat stains if necessary. Each Robby Wash pack lasts in the washer up to 12 months. The detergent contains no phosphates and no chlorine. In addition to being environmentally-friendly, one Robby Wash pack will save more than $100 over 120 washes – it costs just $32.95. The product can be used in top-loading and front-loading washers.

Robby Wash is easy to use – simply place it in the washer. That's it! No measuring, no spilling, no mess. Each ball is made of durable ABS materials. There is no need to take it out of the washing machine after the laundry's done - just don't put it in the dryer. If allowed to dry between uses, the Robby Wash will last longer. One you've used up the granules, you can buy economical refills that allow each Robby Wash ball to last two to three years. I found the ball cleaned my clothes just as effectively as other traditional detergents I've used. It leaves behind a gentle, fresh scent of clean.
 
The Robby Wash ball comes in blue and fuchsia. Despite what my daughter thought, it's not because we wash boys' clothes with the blue ball and girls' clothes with the pink one. The blue ball can be used in either cold water or hot water. The fuchsia Robby Wash Ball is formulated to specifically clean colored laundry items and be used in cool water.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a Robby Wash Laundry Ball Pack of their choice (blue or fuchsia) - that's a year's worth of detergent!

To enter, please comment below how often you do laundry.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• subscribe to Oransi's mailing list and get 2 extra entries;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a year's worth of #eco-friendly laundry detergent with Robby Wash Ball! #Giveaway ends 6/12 @aitmama #contests #win http://tiny.cc/ylgf8";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 12, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to the official rules of this site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

I spend a lot of time on my feet. Sometimes even the most comfortable shoes make my soles ache. I was excited to learn that one of my old favorites for shoe care, KIWI, has a line of products aptly called KIWI Smiling Feet. The line includes several wonderful little helpers to get your feet as comfortable as possible.

KIWI has long been popular for their shoe polish. Today, the world’s number one shoe care brand has innovated its product line with disposable wipes, one-time sponge shiners and several women’s gel insoles for spring and summer shoes. KIWI has also just signed on professional dancer and two-time champion of Dancing with the Stars, Cheryl Burke, as their fabulous new spokesperson.

I received a fabulous KIWI’s Spring/Summer Shoe Kit to help take proper care of my shoes and feet this year. The kit includes:

• KIWI Smiling Feet: Ball-of-Foot Cushion
• KIWI Smiling Feet: Ultra Slim Gel Insoles
• KIWI Smiling Feet: In-Between-the-Toe Cushions
• KIWI Smiling Feet: Gel Heel Cushions
• KIWI Smiling Feet: Gel Heel Liners
• KIWI Fast Acting Whitener
• KIWI Express Shine Sponge 
• Coupon for $1 off any KIWI product

The Ball-of-Foot Cushion works great to alleviate the discomfort I feel when wearing high heels. The In-Between-the-Toe Cushions are perfect for flip-flops and thong sandals that are so popular in summer. The Gel Heel Cushions provide extra support for your heels and can be used in any type of shoes. The Gel Heel Liners help with the pressure kitten heels put on your feet and work best in closed shoes.

My favorite gel product from the new line are the Ultra Slim Gel Insoles because of their versatility. They provide extra comfort to heels as well as to the balls of my feet. They fit well in my shoes, and a special moisture control layer keeps my feet feeling fresh in hot weather.

The Fast Acting Whitener will help keep your white shoes picture perfect this summer. Finally, the Express Shine Sponge takes care of any shoe in seconds. I used it to shine my husband's black dress shoes and a pair of my strappy sandals, and both looked brand new! I love the speed and convenience of the shine sponge - no mess, no buffing. Perfect shoes in no time at all!

To learn more about these and other KIWI products, visit their website. KIWI products specifically made for women can be seen here.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a KIWI’s Spring/Summer Shoe Kit including all 7 products I reviewed - plus the coupon, of course!

To enter, please comment below how you take care of your favorite shoes - or feet.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a KIWI’s Spring/Summer Shoe Kit - walk in comfort! #Giveaway open to US & Canada, ends 6/12 @aitmama #contests #win http://tiny.cc/79pw7";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 12, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. and Canada. Subject to the official rules of this site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

It's time to link some giveaways! Good luck to all who enter.

Dr. Hess products have been around for over 100 years. Originally developed for cow's udders in the early 1900s, today Dr. Hess products include skin ointments and lip balms to help treat dryness, eczema, diaper rash, burns, abrasions, and more.

I tried several Dr. Hess products, including the Dr. Hess Udder Ointment, Dr. Hess Udder Ointment for Baby Butts, and Dr. Hess Udder Stick, a.k.a. lip balm. Dr. Hess Products contain natural skin healing ingredients, such as lanolin, beeswax, olive oil, vitamin E, jojoba seed oil, and shea butter. The Udder Ointment is very effective in treating the dry skin on my hands. It absorbs quickly, with no greasy residue, and although the scent is somewhat medicinal, it's pleasant enough. I also tried the ointment on my daughter's eczema, and it helped ease the itching and dryness of her skin.

Dr. Hess Udder Stick comes in four flavors: original (vanilla), mango, pomegranate, and vanilla mint. The lip balm provides SPF 15 sun protection - something that is important to me year-round but especially in summer months. The lip balm is rich and creamy, and feels very pampering on my lips. I love all four flavors - but if I had to pick just one favorite, it's the mango.

If you'd like to try Dr. Hess Udder Ointment, you can subscribe to their mailing list to receive coupons and request a free sample (pay $0.98 for shipping and handling). Connect with the company on Facebook.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the following giveaways:

Spring Into Summer Cleaning Supplies Pack:  #188 ohiostate92 and #191 tina reynolds;

101 Things I Learned in Culinary School from Hachette Book Group: #14 Tannie's Chatter, #123 Owen's Mom, and #134 K.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the generous sponsors for providing these great prizes for giveaway.

Book Description
From the bestselling author of The Rossetti Letter comes a “thrilling” (Library Journal) novel of intrigue, passion, and royal secrets that shifts tantalizingly between Restoration-era London and present-day Cambridge, England.

London, 1672. A vicious killer stalks the court of Charles II, inscribing the victims’ bodies with mysterious markings. Are the murders the random acts of a madman? Or the violent effects of a deeply hidden conspiracy?

Cambridge, 2008. Teaching history at Trinity College is Claire Donovan’s dream come true—until one of her colleagues is found dead on the banks of the River Cam. The only key to the professor’s unsolved murder is the seventeenth-century diary kept by his last research subject, Hannah Devlin, physician to the king’s mistress. Through the arcane collections of Cambridge’s most eminent libraries, Claire and fellow historian Andrew Kent follow the clues Hannah left behind, uncovering secrets of London’s dark past and Cambridge’s murky present and discovering that the events of three hundred years ago still have consequences today. . . .

My Review
The Devlin Diary is a sequel of sorts to The Rosetti Letter. Although I have not read the earlier book, I had no difficulty following this one. A masterful storyteller, Christi Phillips weaves her fascinating story in 17th century London and 21st century Cambridge. The mystery unfolds slowly, the tension builds, and the identity of the criminals remains impossible to guess until the final pages. I found the description of city life in the late 1600s particularly riveting. The contrast between the luxurious yet pointless life of the courtiers and the hard, graphic poverty of the lower classes is striking.

Hannah Devlin, a strong and proud woman who has devoted her life to serving those who would find access to medical care an impossibility, is at the center of the events over 300 years ago. Through Hannah's journal, modern-day historian Claire Donovan uncovers a conspiracy, secrets and murder that threaten to make or break her career and deeply affect her own life. The parallel between the two female characters is unavoidable. Both headstrong, smart and beautiful, Hannah and Claire team up across the divide of time and history to bring an old mystery to light - and a modern crime to its resolution.


Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was provided for this post. I received a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Simon & Schuster. 

My computer has been sluggish recently. I took all the usual steps to make it better but performance was still not up to par, so I decided to try a PC optimization software.

TuneUp Utilities is an award-winning system optimization software. It uses TuneUp Live Optimization to monitor and prevent background programs from using up too much computer resources. It was very easy to install, and I found it a snap to use. I like the automatic maintenance feature that can be scheduled to run without me even having to think about it. Another useful function is the one-click that allows you to perform six optimization and disk defragmentation tasks with a single click.

The live optimization that runs behind the scenes is also very helpful. Depending on what you use the computer for, the software increases or downgrades the priority of certain programs. For example, I use Firefox a lot, so TuneUp Utilities gave it higher priority to speed up start time.

You know all these annoying ads? TuneUp Utilities has a handy feature called Adblock Plus that will block certain ads so the pages you want to see load up faster. If you do want to see the ads, you can disable Adblock Plus on entire domains - such as blogger.com - or just on certain pages. How cool is that! I found this also applied to the Entrecard widget and to the Share / Save buttons, so if you do want to see those on a site, make sure to disable this feature.

TuneUp Utilities 2010 can be purchased via download at www.tune-up.com and also as a box in stores.  The software, which can be used on up to three computers, costs $49.95, and users of previous software versions can upgrade to the latest one for a discounted price of $29.95.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win TuneUp Utilities!

To enter, please comment below how you'd use the software.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win TuneUp Utilities PC optimization software - 3 PCs! #Giveaway open worldwide ends 6/10 @aitmama #contests #win http://tinyurl.com/38wh7hk";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 10, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open worldwide to those 18+.  Subject to the official rules of this site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary product sample to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

I like to be prepared. When I was expecting my firstborn, I got a crib, car seat, stroller, baby clothes, diapers, and other items months before my due date. And I read. Magazines, online articles, doctor's office handouts, books. I must have read between 2 and 3 dozen books. Then I re-read them. By the time pregnancy #2 waddled along, I had little time for reading pregnancy books - besides, been there, done that.
 
Most of the books contained similar information. While they were meant to be informative, few were fun to read. Some chapters downright scary, especially for a nervous first-time mom. How I wish now I had something like The Hot Mom to Be Handbook in my stack of pregnancy books!

Jessica Denay, a blogger and Mom lifestyle pro, offers a fresh perspective and useful advice for moms and dads-to-be. She does that with flair and a sense of humor that were sorely missing in many of the pregnancy books I've read. She is supportive without being condescending, down-to-earth and funny while remaining informative. Jessica writes in the open, honest manner I wish experienced moms talked to me when I was a newbie at all this. I smiled, laughed, and teared up quite a few times while reading the book. I particularly enjoyed the Bump on a Budget, Eco-Minded Mama, and  Stuff to Drool Over! sections in each chapter. There are tons of useful websites and other resources to browse once you are done with the handbook. Another part of the book I loved was the hilarious perspectives of other writers, Hot Mom Club members, doctors and others who share their own experience with parenthood.

The Hot Mom to Be Handbook is sure to educate, entertain, and inform moms and dads-to-be. Even experienced parents can find interesting material and get a chuckle or two from reading this book. I am looking forward to the next installment in the Hot Mom series!

More About the Book
Written by Jessica Denay, a top blogger and Mom lifestyle expert, The Hot Mom to Be Handbook offers advice on topics ranging from baby showers to healthy eating and trends in baby gear for both Moms and Dads. Denay doesn't shy away from more 'hush-hush' topics either, addressing situations like dealing with piercings when breastfeeding and finding a nursing bra that doesn't sacrifice style for comfort. Writing with candor and wit, Denay tells readers about the key qualities possessed by a "hot mom"- a woman who is "confident, empowered, and embraces motherhood without giving up her sense of self," and reminds every woman that she too can be a Hot Mom.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of HarperCollins. I received a copy of The Hot Mom to Be Handbook to facilitate my review. Mom Central will also send me a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

I am a big fan of Sex and the City. I own all the seasons on DVD, plus now I have SATC the movie. I cannot wait to see Sex and the City 2! The new movie premiers this weekend. I was super excited to receive the soundtrack of SATC2 for review, thanks to the One2One Network.

The CD arrived yesterday, and I popped it in right away. The soundtrack did not disappoint! Just as SATC stars fab actors and great fashions, the CD features an excellent collection of songs. Some of the singers on the soundtrack are already my favorites: Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, Dido, Cyndi Lauper. Others are new to me. The collection is pleasant and catchy without sounding too sugary or overly sentimental. It just puts me in a great mood! The songs are edgy, the singers talented, and even though I have not seen SATC2 yet, I am sure they provide the perfect accompaniment to the story. And the girls singing I Am Woman? Simply irresistible!

If that's not enough to make you want to hear the soundtrack right now, consider these interesting tidbits:

• The soundtrack  features a brand-new duet "Love is Your Color" by Grammy and  Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson, along with global superstar, multi-platinum recording artist and three-time Grammy Award nominee Leona Lewis.
• Soundtrack includes a new song by platinum-selling  CeeLo and International superstar Dido also contributes an exclusive new track.
• Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Tony and Academy Award® winner Liza Minnelli covers Beyonce’s chart-topper “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
• 12-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys performs her own extraordinary new version of the Blondie classic “Rapture”.

Here is the complete list of tracks:
1. Alicia Keys “Rapture”
2. Dido “Everything to Lose”
3. Cee Lo “Language of Love”
4. Erykah Badu “Window Seat”
5. Natacha Atlas “Kidda”
6. Michael McGregor “Euphrates Dream”
7. Liza Minnelli “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
8. Ricki-Lee "Can't Touch It"
9. Alicia Keys "Emire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"
10. Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis "Love Is Your Color"
11. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim  Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon “I Am Woman”
12. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “If Ever I Would Leave You”
13. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Sunrise, Sunset”
14. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Till There Was You”
15.  Shayna Steele, Jordan Ballard, Kamilah Marshall “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”
16.  Liza Minnelli with Billy Stritch “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”
17.  Cyndi Lauper “True Colors”
18.  Aaron Zigman “Divas and Dunes”

The Sex and the City 2: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack hits the shelves today, May 25!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: Thanks to my involvement with the One2One Network, I received a free copy of this CD for review purposes. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied. The post reflects my personal opinion which may differ from yours. 

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the following giveaways:

500 business cards from Digital Room:  #77 Kristen;

The 3-day Cleanse from Hachette Book Group: #1 Cake Mom, #23 Amanda, #34 Khrys { Mom of 3 Dolls }, #52 stroker881, #60 trixx.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the generous sponsors for providing these great products for giveaway.

Taking a daily multivitamin has become a habit for me. Still, popping a pill every night is not much fun. Enter a new multivitamin that makes this little routine tastier and more refreshing: Oxylent.

Oxylent is an effervescent powder that is mixed with water. The result is a refreshing drink and reminds me a little of lemonade. You can make it more concentrated by using less water (about 4 oz), or more watery by using a full 8 oz glass of water. Personally, I prefer it more diluted - and I love sneaking an extra glass of water in my diet without even having to think about it. I like the convenience - I can drop a packet in my purse and drink it anytime I want. The recommended serving for adults is one a day, unless you are exercising or traveling - then you can take two. Children over 5 can have half a packet daily.

Oxylent contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. It is sweetened with organic cane sugar and Stevia. One package has just 10 calories, and the product is free of gluten, lactose, and caffeine. The powder comes in three flavors: blackberry pomegranate, sparkling mandarin, and sparkling berries. I found all three quite tasty and refreshing but my favorite flavor is the mandarin.

Oxylent comes in 30 packets per box and you can choose one flavor or a variety pack. To find more about this product, visit http://www.vitalah.com/.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a box of Oxylent!

To enter, please comment below how you get your vitamins.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a box of Oxylent multivitamin drink! #Giveaway ends 6/8 @aitmama #contests #win http://tiny.cc/0tzx1";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 8, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to the official rules of this site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As with all supplements, consult with your physician before use. No health claims are made or implied. I received complimentary sample to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Product information and image courtesy of the company / PR firm.

I know that eating fish several times a week is good for me. I do cook seafood at least a few times a month but can certainly use the extra benefits of a supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids. 

Nordic Naturals, the largest supplier of fish oil to the natural products industry, has developed a new product containing omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine sulfate. Unlike most available glucosamine that is derived from shellfish, Omega Joint delivers the same highly absorbable form of glucosamine sulfate made exclusively from non-GMO, organic corn. The supplement also contains vitamin D.

Omega Joint comes in a bottle of 90 soft gels. Since the recommended daily dose is 3 soft gels, this provides enough for a month. The soft gels are rather large and smell of fish oil - understandable since they contain purified deep sea fish oil. They have no artificial colors or flavors, and are free of gluten and milk derivatives. Despite the large size of the soft gels, I found them surprisingly easy to swallow. There was no fishy aftertaste, and I had no problem digesting them.

If you are looking for a supplement that combines omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine sulfate and vitamin D, check out Omega Joint from Nordic Naturals. To learn more about fish oil and related research, feel free to visit www.omega-research.com.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a bottle of Omega Joint from Nordic Naturals!

To enter, please comment below how you get your omega-3 fatty acids.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a bottle of Omega Joint supplement from Nordic Naturals! #Giveaway ends 6/7 @aitmama #contests #win http://tiny.cc/2pbro";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 7, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to the official rules of this site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As with all supplements, consult with your physician before use. No health claims are made or implied. I received complimentary sample to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Product information and image courtesy of the company / PR firm. 

Book Description
The world of the fashionista is brought to vivid life with 101 introductory lessons on such topics as how a designer anticipates cultural trends and "sees" the fashion consumer, the workings of the fashion calendar, the ways a designer collection is conceived, the manufacture of fabric, fashion illustration, and more.

Illustrated in the distinctly unique packaged style of the bestselling 101 THINGS I LEARNED IN ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL, this new book on fashion design will be a perfect book for any fashion school wannabe, a recent graduate, or even a seasoned professional.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of 101 Things I Learned in Fashion School by Matthew Frederick and Alfredo Cabrera!

To enter, please comment below with your favorite fashion accessory.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 3 copies of 101 Things I Learned in Fashion School! #Giveaway ends 6/7 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tiny.cc/86yo" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 7, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

I recently came across a company that offers natural anti-aging skin care designed specifically for women over 35. The La Ishá skin care line is made from natural and organic ingredients that aim to safely combat, repair and soothe the skin. The products are targeted at specific skin problems, such as sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, diminished elasticity, and reduced resilience and firmness. The company does not use synthetics, fillers, artificial colors, chemical fragrances, phthalates, parabens, petroleum derivatives or any known cancer-causing agents.

I received the La Ishá Anti-Aging Skin Care Product Sampler containing mini versions of seven products: Gentle Aromatherapy Face Wash, Orange-Coconut Skin Polish, Nutrient Rich Face Creme, Natural Age Spot Eraser, Dark Circle Relief Formula, Pomegranate Moisture Booster, and Breast SOS. Each sample product is enough for 3-5 applications, and I am very pleased with everything I tried. My favorite is the Nutrient Rich Face Creme - a pleasant, pampering treat that can be used in the morning and at night. I love the scent of the skin polish - orange and coconut make for a fragrant combination!

You can find out more about the various benefits of the ingredients used in La Ishá products on their site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Got giveaways? Link them up below!

My daughter is a girly girl, and gets oh-so-excited at the sight of dresses and accessories. She was overjoyed by the recent addition to her spring wardrobe: an outfit from Matooka Kids Couture.

Matooka was created by two moms who had six daughters between them. They abandoned their law careers to create a line of kids' clothing that is contemporary and edgy yet young and sweet.

We received a white frill skirt and an adorable green blouse from their Spring 2010 Collection. The quality of the clothes and fabrics is excellent. The clothing is fashionable and unique but not too grown up. I like the bright colors and whimsical combinations of frills and bows in the spring collection. There are clothes for special occasions as well as for daily wear.

If you have a little fashionista in your life, check out Matooka Kids Couture. Besides making beautiful, stylish clothes for little girls, the company gives back by donating 10% of their proceeds to treatment and research for infertility.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

We love peanut butter at my house, and we love coconut. When I heard that Tropical Traditions has combined these two delicious foods into one, I thought - pure genius! Tropical Traditions is already my favorite source for anything coconut. Besides, their Coconut Peanut Butter is USDA certified organic - something very important, since my kids often ask for PB&J sandwiches.

Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Peanut Butter is made from organic roasted peanuts and organic coconut. That's all! No fillers, binders, sweeteners, or preservatives. The Valencia peanuts they use are grown organically and are free from aflatoxins. The coconut comes from the Philippines and contains no sweeteners, additives or preservatives. These two premium organic products are ground together to make a delicious spread.

When I opened the jar, the first thing I noticed was that the consistency. The Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Peanut Butter is not as dense as the peanut butter I usually buy at the grocery store. It tastes and smells delicious! We made peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches right away, and the kids' comment was, "Mmmmmmm, yummy!".

This coconut peanut butter can be used in many wonderful recipes. We tried the Sweet Potato Coconut Peanut Butter Soup, and it turned out great! Next on my list are the recipes for Coconut Peanut Butter Whole Wheat Brownies,  Roast Chicken with Coconut Peanut Butter Sauce, and Coconut Cream Health Fudge.

Deal Alert
Right now, a 16 oz jar of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Peanut Butter is on sale at $9.99 - 33% off its regular price! If you decide to buy this product or anything else from Tropical Traditions, as a first-time customer you can get a FREE Virgin Coconut Oil book with purchase. Find out all about coconut oil and its uses! Just use code 5251001 in the Referred by a Friend section and the book will be added to your order at no charge.

The Giveaway
Tropical Traditions are generously giving away a 16 oz jar of Organic Coconut Peanut Butter to a lucky reader of this blog!

To enter, please take a look at the Tropical Traditions product line and tell me what interests you the most.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• subscribe to Tropical Traditions' newsletter - you'll know all about their specials, sales and promotions - and get 2 entries;
• check out the free coconut recipes here and tell me which one you'd like to try;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a jar of Tropical Traditions #Organic Coconut Peanut Butter! #Giveaway ends 5/31 @troptraditions @aitmama #win #eco http://tiny.cc/6z6l8 "
• follow Tropical Traditions on twitter;
• go here and here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is May 31, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. or Canada.Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  This post reflects my personal opinion and experience with the product which may differ from yours. Product information and images courtesy of the sponsor. No monetary compensation was provided for this post.

My children are very artistic and love to draw. They got an kids' art easel last year and have been busy expressing their creativity with chalk, paints and crayons.

The art easel has a dry erase board on one side that they had yet to use. I'd been looking for non-toxic, low-odor markers for them - and I found exactly what we needed with EXPO Washable markers.

EXPO Washable dry erase markers come in 6 beautiful, happy colors: pink, orange, yellow, green, purple and blue. The low odor, certified non-toxic ink allows the bright colors to be used on a variety of whiteboard and non-porous surfaces. My kids love drawing with these markers on the dry erase board as well as on regular paper. I am happy to report that we use much less paper now! And another big plus for me - the markers are washable and clean off easily. All that makes them ideal for children’s use at home, in the classroom and in the car.

EXPO Washable markers are available in fine and bullet point. They are available at retailers, and you can go here to print a $1 off coupon that's good through 9/1/2010.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Recently, I came across a new brand of snack bars - KIND Healthy Snacks. Launched in 2004, KIND Healthy Snacks is a healthy foods company headquartered in New York, NY that produces foods that are “KIND to your body, your taste buds and the world.” Currently KIND offers two lines of all-natural whole nut and fruit bars – KIND Fruit & Nut and KIND PLUS. KIND won Health Magazine’s “Snack of the Year” in 2005, and KIND Plus won the “Best New Product” Award at Natural Products Expo East in October 2008.

The KIND snack bars are all natural, with a low glycemic index and very low sodium. They have no hydrogenated oils, GMO, or trans fats. The bars are also gluten and wheat free, and a good source of fiber. 

We tried several bars - all were very tasty and packed a delicious, satisfying snack in their 200 or so calories. I like it that KIND has crunchy bars as well as softer, chewy ones. My kids loved the Mango Macadamia - flavorful, fruity and soft snack bar. My personal favorite is the Nut Delight because I love nuts and an extra crunch in my snack bar.

Learn more about KIND Snacks and see all KIND varieties at http://www.kindsnacks.com/.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the following giveaways:

Healthy Hands Gift Basket from EO:  #105 trixx;

EcoSMART product package: #44 CricketSaunders.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the generous sponsors for providing these great products for giveaway.

I love yummy treats for my lips - balms, glosses, tints, butters, you name it. SoftLips, one of my favorite brands for lips, has a new line of natural lip care products: Softlips PURE 100% Natural.

The new collection includes lip glosses, tinted lip balms, lip butter, and a lip polish. All of them combine 100% natural ingredients with light pleasant flavors and are free from preservatives, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, mineral oil and gluten.

For a nice summer-friendly color, Softlips PURE 100% Natural Lip Gloss and Lip Tint are a perfect choice. They give my lips a natural glossy color AND protect them from the sun! The lip tint and lip gloss cost about $4-$5 and come in three beautiful shades: Coral Charm, Natural Honesty, and Shell Pink. My favorite from these three shades is the pink - so light and just right for summer!

I love the Softlips PURE 100% Natural Lip Butter with its delicious scent of vanilla berry. It leaves lips with a hint of shine while providing natural SPF 15 protection.

Softlips PURE 100% Natural Lip Polish provides natural exfoliation for lips with organic coconut flakes and sugar and moisturizes, leaving lips looking healthy and smooth (suggested retail price of $5.99). It comes in a cute little jar, and it's easy to use. Just rub on lips and the dry areas around your month, then rinse with water and wipe clean. It's like a spa for my lips!

Softlips® PURE 100% Natural lip care products are available in the Naturals/Organic section at Target stores nationwide. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Softlips.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a SoftLips PURE Natural lip care set that includes all 8 products I reviewed!

To enter, please comment below how you pamper your lips.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• tell us which SoftLips PURE Natural product you'd like to try; 
• follow @ILoveSoftLips on twitter;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win the SoftLips PURE Natural collection of 8 products! #Giveaway ends 6/3 @ILoveSoftlips @aitmama #contests #win http://tinyurl.com/2g5abgc";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 3, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to the official rules of this site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Book Description
In PROSPECT PARK WEST (now in trade paperback), Amy Sohn, the New York Times bestselling author of My Old Man and Run Catch Kiss turns her satirical eye to the class—read: caste—system among that strange new species, the Brooklyn [Breeder] Bourgeois.  Think the SEX & THE CITY girls go to the Park Slope Food Co-op…

My Review
The paths of four women intersect in Prospect Park West. All four are married and all four are moms, they live in the same area, and their lives spiral out of control during one hot New York summer. They are unhappy and restless, their lives have not turned out the way they imagined or had planned. The similarities end here - these four women have very different circumstances, and deal with disaster in their own way. 

Amy Sohn's Prospect Park West is honest to a fault - unapologetic, straightforward, and satirically funny. The women's emotions are bared and we see their faces and souls with no makeup on. At times it's hard to feel sorry for them because their misfortunes are of their own making. Yet, most readers might relate to the necessity to deal with life as it happens and not as planned. 

Whether or not these women will find happiness is open to interpretation. At the end of the book, they mostly get what they deserved - not necessarily a happy ending but some non-poetic justice. It is almost Sex and the City meets Desperate Housewives in Brooklyn - an enticing read but not a happily-ever-after fairy tale.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was provided for this post. I received a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Simon & Schuster. 

Are you going to any bridal showers and weddings this year? I have a gift idea for the perfect present! How many brides will include the gift of time and peace of mind in their registry?

With MissNowMrs.com, that's exactly what you can give the bride-to-be. MissNowMrs.com is an online service created to simplify the name-change process for newlyweds. The service saves each customer approximately 13 hours of name-change hassle by auto-completing all of their state/US government name-change forms as well as notification letters for all of their creditors.  It also supplies the inside filing scoop for each form and access to name-change experts (should brides have any questions).  They’ve helped over 60,000 brides transition from Miss to Mrs.!

Here is what name-change forms are included in their service:

• Social Security
• IRS
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Postal Service
• Driver's License
• Voter Registration
• Bank Notification Letter
• Credit Card Notification Letter
• Mortgage Notification Letter
• Utility Notification Letter
• Medical Notification Letter
• Insurance Notification Letter
• Professional License Notification Letter
• Investment Notification Letter
• Other Notifications

Less hassle with forms and regulations? More free time to enjoy being a newlywed? This is the perfect gift!

The Giveaway
Thanks to MissNowMrs.com, I have five (5) gift cards to give away to my readers! Each gift card is valued at $29.95 and provides a complete package of services from MissNowMrs.com.

To enter, please comment whether you'd give this gift of time to someone else or you'd keep it for yourself if you won.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• follow MissNowMrs.com on twitter;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 5 #giftcards to @MissNowMrscom - a great gift for any #bride! #Giveaway ends 6/2 @aitmama #contests #win http://tiny.cc/w14yu";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 2, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to the official rules of this site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Madhava Honey Company has been making honey for over 30 years. Located in Colorado, Madhava offers two distinct lines of honey: Mountain Gold and Ambrosia. The company recently added a new sweetener to the product line - agave nectar.

Madhava's agave nectar is a natural sweetener made from the juice of the agave. It is harvested from plants in the high desert region of Central Mexico, where many of the plants grow wild. Madhava's agave nectar is certified organic and kosher. It is also gluten and allergen free, and has a low glycemic index (GI) of 32. If you've ever had to watch your blood sugar, you probably know that table sugars and whole wheat products, for example, fall in the medium GI range. The highest GI of 100 belongs to straight glucose.

I was fascinated to read this description of how agave nectar is obtained:

The raw agave juice is regularly harvested from living plants by Indian peoples native to central Mexico. To do so, they must slice off the top of the plant and hollow out its core. Then the plant is capped with a stone. The pineapple shaped agave plant secretes its nectar into the center of the plant, rather than into flowers like most plants do. It collects in the hollow center for several days, after which the milky white "juice" is removed by ladle, one plant at a time. In a way it is similar to tapping a tree for maple syrup collection.

Madhava sent me a sampler case of their agave nectar, including a bottle of Light Agave Nectar and one each of all flavored varieties: Maple, Blueberry, Hazelnut, Vanilla, Irish Creme, Amaretto, Raspberry and Cappuccino. They come in 11.75 oz squeeze bottles that are just the right size for daily use. Everyone in my family loved the agave nectar! We sweetened yogurt and smoothies, drizzled on pancakes and crepes, spread on toast. I enjoyed a few drops in my coffee and tea. I must admit that now agave nectar is right up there with honey as my two favorite sweeteners.

Agave nectar is very versatile and can be used to replace other sweeteners in baking and cooking. I found it dissolved easily, even in cold drinks. It is sweeter than sugar - I learned that agave nectar has approximately 1.4 times the sweetening power of white sugar. For this reason, you'd need to use less - ¾ cup agave nectar per 1 cup other sweetener. I did not try Madhava's Agave Nectar in baking but according to information from the company, its moisture retention properties are comparable to those of honey.

If you are curious about agave nectar, I suggest you check out Madhava's site dedicated specifically to this wonderful product. They have a variety of recipes that I personally plan to try.

The Giveaway
Madhava are generously giving away a sampler case with nine (9) bottles of Organic Agave Nectar to a reader of this blog! The prize will include all varieties I reviewed.

To enter, please browse their selection and comment below what product(s) you'd like to try.

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• check out these agave nectar recipes and share what you'd like to make; 
• visit the store locator and tell us where you can buy Madhava's agave nectar near you;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 9 bottles of delicious #organic agave nectar from Madhava! #Giveaway ends 6/2 @aitmama #contests #win #eco http://tiny.cc/iaf5h";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 2, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to the official rules of this site.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the following giveaways:

Biokleen product package: #157 Michelle who chose the Cold-Water Formula Laundry Liquid as her third product;

Lily Organics gift basket: #16 Pricilla who blogs at Broken Teepee and The Maaaaa of Pricilla.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the generous sponsors for providing these great products for giveaway.

Celery Street offers a variety of eco-friendly products: recycled, reused, and refurbished gifts, green accessories, housewares, and other items for your eco lifestyle. The people behind Celery Street are very much like my own family! I'll let them introduce themselves:

Who are we?
We are trying to be green.
We raise green children.
We hang out with green people.
We discuss green topics.
We eat green food.
We drink green wine.
We recycle in green containers.
We use green toenail polish.
We paint our house green.
We turn our thermostat down
Or up (depending on the season).
We crack green jokes.
We laugh.
We start a green business.
This is fun.
This is smart.
This is green.
It’s CeleryStreet.com.

I love their eco-friendly Father's Day gift ideas! Would Dad like a new wallet, journal, or a stainless steel water bottle to stay hydrated this summer? You can find all this and more on Celery Street.

Celery Street sent us an adorable Mimi the Sardine lunch bag for review. They carry over 15 beautiful eco-friendly designs, and my kids and I had a blast picking our favorites. At the end, we chose the Floral Blue, and my daughter says her lunch tastes de-e-e-licious when it's in this lunch bag!

Apart from magically making children's lunches taste better, Mimi the Sardine lunch bags are very well made and oh-so-cute! The bag closes securely with a zipper - something I like better than the velcro closure of most other lunch bags we own. It's made from organic cotton, treated with non-toxic acrylic coating to make it soil and water-resistant. The bag is a breeze to clean: just wipe and air dry, or toss in the laundry for a more thorough cleaning. I love how compact and light-weight it is - once done with lunch, you can just fold it flat and it takes very little space in a purse or backpack.

Speaking of purses, at Celery Street you can find some beautiful eco-friendly totes and handbags. Bringing your lunch to work or school has never been easier, more stylish, or greener!

Connect with Celery Street on Twitter or Facebook.

The Giveaway
Celery Street are giving away a Mimi the Sardine lunch bag to a lucky reader of this blog! The winner will choose their favorite from the site, based on availability.

To enter, please browse their products and comment below with your favorite(s).

For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following:

• subscribe to Celery Street Eco-Friendlist newsletter and get 2 entries;
• follow Celery Street on Twitter;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win an adorable #eco-friendly Mimi the Sardine lunch bag from @CeleryStreet! #Giveaway ends 6/1 @aitmama #contests #win http://tiny.cc/67ezk";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 1, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to this site's official rules.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was provided for this post. I received a complimentary product sample to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.