February 7, 2012

Fabulous Educational iPad & iPhone App: Stack the States

Okay guys, this app is AWESOME.  I saw Lindsay posting about this on Facebook and knew I had to download it.  Called Stack the States, you have to answer various trivia questions with a multiple choice answer of 4 possibilities.

Kids learn about state capitols, state geography and so much more.  (Which state houses which National Park and so forth.)

Nate (8) played this pretty much all day yesterday as he was in bed with a bad cold.  You play to “earn” states and he’s earned 45 of his 50 states and I can’t tell you guys how much he’s learned in just one day.  He can identify almost all of the states by shape alone, knows many of the capitals now and knows which states border one another.

Oh and you have to “stack” your states which can get pretty precarious!  If your stack topples over you are starting over, so it’s not only educational but fun. (Because that’s the best type, right?  The ones where my kids learn and they don’t even realize they are doing it…)

You can get a Lite (Free) version too but we only tried the paid version – get Stack the States for $.99 for the iPhone and $1.99 for the iPad on the iTunes store.

Awesome Deal: 3-Pack iPad Stylus for $1.40 & Free Shipping (95% off!)

If I hadn’t just bought a $20 Stylus for my iPad, I’d be all over this one!  Check out this deal for a 3-pack of Universal Touch Screen Stylus Pen (Red, Silver & Black) for $1.99 with free shipping. Not sure why it’s so cheap, they must be trying to clear out supplies but it’s too good to pass up if you don’t have a Stylus and are looking for one.

I noticed the reviews ae kind of mixed on these because of the rubber tip but I have the rubber tipped pen and it works great for me.

Get the 3-pack of Universal Touch Screen Stylus Pen (Red, Silver & Black) for $1.99 with free shipping on Amazon.

Giveaway & Coupon Code: Cheaper Meals & Better Food with E-Mealz.com

SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH E-MEALZ MEAL PLANSI had a long list of resolutions this year, one of which included meal planning and being better organized with my grocery shopping.  I’ve known for a long time that I probably spend more money than I need to at the grocery store, especially when I ended up throwing much of it out because I buy something without a plan.

And for years I’ve watched as my friends Zareen and Julie do weekly meal plans.  I always thought it was uber organized of them and something I’d probably never find the time to do.

But this year I was determined to try it out.  With the help of E-Mealz.com, I am now three weeks into successfully meal planning!  I’ve been making amazing meals, saving money on my grocery bill and impressing my family with  a variety of dinners.  Typing this, I feel like I sound like an infomercial but it’s genuine, people.   Meals at the Wingerd house have been taken to a whole new level and I’m loving it.

See, E-Mealz.com makes it easy.  As much as I like to say I’m creative, I’m not.  Each week E-Mealz.com tells me what to make.  I love it.  They include the recipe and a grocery list, sectioned off by aisle in your grocery store.  It could not be easier.

What’s nice too is that we never really need 7 full nights of meals in a week.  We do leftovers some nights, others (like on weekends), we’re out.  So you also can pick the best meals out of the weekly bunch.  I’ve been averaging doing 4-5 of the E-Mealz.com on any given week.

Also awesome, you can pick the meal plan that works for you.  Sample meal plans are available to help you make your decision.  (At first I started with the “Portion Control Meal Plan” but recently switched to the “Low Fat” option.  You are allowed to change your meal plan only once so be sure when you pick!)

E-Mealz.com has offered Mommies with Style readers a coupon code!  Use coupon code MOMMIESSTYLE for 10% off your meal plan order through 2/29/12.

Giveaway: Lastly, E-Mealz.com is giving away a 3-month subscription to one lucky Mommies with Style reader!  Interested?  Comment below!  One lucky winner will be chosen at random after January 25th.

Note – You can enter up to 4 times (the only required entry is the first one to leave a comment!  All the others are additional entries):

1) Leave a comment on this post.  (Note: Scroll to the bottom of this post and click “Post Comment”. You must be on my site – you can’t do this through a reader.)

2) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter & follow me on Twitter @WhitneyMWS:

Enter to win a 3-month meal plan with @emealz on Mommies with Style via @WhitneyMWS http://bit.ly/aatNRf

3) “Like” Mommies with Style and Peaceable Kingdom on Facebook (if you already do, promote this contest on your page)

4) Subscribe to my feed or email newsletter and stay on top of all of my daily posts! If you already subscribe, please leave a separate comment letting me know that you are currently a subscriber (thank you!).

How to Safely Recycle Your Old Electronic Devices to Your Kids

Because I love new technology, my family has tons of new electronics coming into the house at any given time.  Which is pretty cool but also means we’re generating a lot of “old” electronic devices. I’ve already handed a few devices down to my tech-savvy kids but I’m always careful to take a few precautions before doing so.

I received these great tips from PBS Kids in honor of CES this week – it’s a helpful tip sheet on what to do when you get a new device and want to give the old one to your kids.   While the end of the tips include some links to some PBS KIDS apps, I can’t agree more with these points including the one about apps that are marked “free,” for kids.

I’m finding it’s definitely worth it to spend a few bucks on an app you know is from a trusted educational organization (like PBS KIDS) rather than an app that may be free and will end up asking for money any time you want to do anything in the app.

Via PBS Kids:
Many states are banning electronics from landfills, requiring people to recycle them properly or encouraging them to pass it down to a child.

But parents should take some precautions before handing down the gadget, parents should prepare devices with the following tips from PBS KIDS:

1.Sweep it: All devices should be cleaned of any content including personal files, credit card information, etc. before handing down to kids. Parents should swipe all their browser cookiesť and perform an application sweep.

2.Secure it: There are parental controls on most tech devices that can turn certain features on and off. Settings on the iPhone, for example, that can be restricted include explicit song titles, Internet browser, YouTube, iTunes and the camera.

3. Set limits: As with any new toy, parents should set expectations and limitations with their kids when the device is handed down, and should encourage other forms of learning and play beyond the screen.

4. Find the right apps for your child: A good app is the perfect combination of education and entertainment, and should be appropriate for your child’s age and stage of development.

5. Avoid apps that try to sell: Apps labeled liteť or freeť often attempt to make money by trying to sell virtual items while a child is playing a game, or link to another related app that requires payment to download. Select apps from trusted, reliable sources, and make sure that they are not trying to market to your child.

Once the device is cleaned, parents will likely want to load it up with age-appropriate apps.  With more than a thousand apps in the iTunes store, choosing these apps can be tricky, but PBS KIDS has a suite of educational apps that are perfect stocking stuffers. Here are some of PBS KIDS recent top apps for mobile devices which can be found on pbskids.org/mobile:

Giveaway & Review: Get Organized & Digital with all your Papers with the NeatDesk

We have two filing cabinets full of receipts, tax papers and other random papers we’ve felt the need to save over the years.  It takes up so much space.

I really can’t stand it.  But enter a solution:  NeatDesk.  It’s a scanner and software program.  You scan and store any reciept, business card or document.  How great is that?  A couple seconds of your day and you’re done with all the headaches involved with random papers flying around.

It’s pricey – I won’t lie.  NeatDesk costs $399.95 on Amazon but it’s well worth it to reduce the paper trail in your house.  We’re talking about saving closets full of papers.  Seems like a no brainer to me!

Extra notes: the removable input tray can scan both sides of up to 10 receipts, 10 business cards, and 10 documents at a time–or even a single, 50-page document.

Giveaway: We have one NeatDesk to giveaway to one lucky Mommies with Style winner!

Enter to win by commenting below.  What’s the first thing you would scan if you won the NeatDesk?

Note – You can enter up to 4 times (the only required entry is the first one to leave a comment!  All the others are additional entries):

1) Leave a comment on this post.  (Note: Scroll to the bottom of this post and click “Post Comment”. You must be on my site – you can’t do this through a reader.)

2) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter & follow me on Twitter @WhitneyMWS:

Enter to win a NeatDesk from @NeatCompany on Mommies with Style via @WhitneyMWS http://bit.ly/aatNRf

3) “Like” Mommies with Style and the Neat Company on Facebook (if you already do, promote this contest on your page)

4) Subscribe to my feed or email newsletter and stay on top of all of my daily posts! If you already subscribe, please leave a separate comment letting me know that you are currently a subscriber (thank you!).

**This giveaway will end January 16th, 2012.  One winner will be selected at random and notified after that time.**

If He Got You A Vacuum, I Hope It Was This One

Really. I know they mean well. But when someone you love gets you a vacuum as a gift, despite perhaps your need for a new one or your love of clean floors, it just doesn’t go over well. So if you were the recipient of a cleaning devices this holiday season, my apologies. There are, however, a few exceptions. Like if he got you one of these.

Neato Robotics Vacuum: It’s not science fiction anymore. There are robots among us and some of them like to vacuum. I fell in love with this product even before I opened the box. “Our goal is to free everyone from the drudgery of household cleaning. Why? Because we all have better things to do with our time.” Amen. With three boys and a dog, I could easily justify vacuuming my house every day, yet surprisingly, I don’t actually enjoy vacuuming this often. Neato does. I’ve used other robot vacuums in the past and Neato has them beat in a few areas:

(1) It’s simple to use. Simple to set up, simple to schedule, simple to empty.

(2) It’s quiet(ish). It is a vacuum, but earplugs are not required.

(3) It’s (almost) as good as I am. I’m not going to sell myself short here – I’m a pretty awesome vacuumer. Dust bunnies? No problem. Cheerios? I won’t break a sweat. But I have eyes that can actually see these things. Neato only has a sensor. But it’s a darn good one that surveys the room via laser and then navigates around your furniture to hit all the nooks and crannies.

(4) It’s effortless. Every morning at 9:15am, my bedroom floor gets vacuumed. I however, am likely enjoying a cup of coffee.

Dyson DC41 Animal: If you’re not familiar with the brand, Dyson is to vacuums what Tiffany’s is to diamonds. (Note: Guys – do not attempt to propose with a Dyson.) The DC41 Animal is one of the newest additions to the Dyson family and it is a beast. This Animal sucked things out of my carpet I didn’t even know existed. Looking at the canister is a little bit like a freak-show. You’re grossed out that all that was in your carpet and on your floors and yet you Can’t. Look. Away. Some of my favorite features of the DC41 Animal:

- Strongest suction at cleaner head: 235 constant Air Watts of suction if you want to get specific. One of my favorite games is to position the vacuum at the base of the couch and see what that powerful suction pulls out from underneath. So far, it’s been Legos, goldfish and dust bunnies. Keeping my fingers crossed it finds an iPad.

- Washable filters: Buying filters takes time, money and brain space to remember that you need them. With Dyson’s washable filters, I get a clean start (for free!) as often as I like.

- The Ball: The design of the Ball makes turning a breeze and keeps all the nuts and bolts confined to a small area, leaving the rest for dust-sucking capacity.

- 35 foot cord: I know this feature may not win over some, but at 35 feet, I can vacuum my whole living room, dining room and kitchen – without unplugging. Win!

- “No Touch” canister emptying: No touching the vacuumed-up gunk at least. One button releases the canister from the vacuum. Pressing the button again, opens the bottom to release the contents into the trash. House clean. Hands clean. Done.

Seeing a cleaning device under the tree would likely earn raised eyebrows instead of roaring applause. But if it was a Dyson or Neato? Well, you just might be in luck.

———————————————————————————

Kate Bayless is a freelance writer and editor with bylines in Parents, American Baby, Parenting, Babble and Momtrends. She is slightly embarrassed to admit that her holiday wish list included this item, but still would have rolled her eyes had her husband purchased it for her. Visit her at www.katebayless.com

MWS was not paid for this review. Samples were provided.

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day 11: Pulse News

These days, it’s tough to keep up with every blog and every news site you want to.  So many options!  I do love my Pulse News app on my iPad – it consolidates all the blogs and sites I love to read into one program and one visual.

It’s free and as you can see in the pict on the right you can catch a small photo and snippet of each story before clicking over.  Great for time management.

Get the Pulse News app for iPad on the iTunes store.

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day 10: TripAdvisor

I’m kind of surprised at myself that I didn’t think to post this one sooner.  I use TripAdvisor all the time.  Pretty much anytime we’re on the road, TripAdvisor comes out.

As you can probably guess from the title (if you don’t already know the website), TripAdvisor is a helpful app for when you are traveling.  It includes reviews and ratings from other users on hotels, restaurants, things to do and so much more.  I use it regularly when we’re somewhere just to see what’s nearby.  The best part about it is the “Near Me Now” feature which uses technology to locate where you are and then show you on map what’s within relative vicinity of where you are standing and holding your iPad. (or iPhone, as it’s also available on iPhone, iPods.)

And the review aspect is invaluable.  There are over 50 million reviews from other TripAdvisor users!  I used this app every night on my 10 year anniversary trip with hubby last fall.  We went to restaurants solely based on TripAdvisor reviews and we were really happy with the end result.

Get TripAdvisor for the iPad and iPhone for free on iTunes.

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day Nine: Tower Town

Did any of you guys play the Sim games when you were younger?  I’ll admit, I totally loved SimCity, the Sims and SimTower at various points in college.  (Doesn’t that date me?)   But I especially remember one summer playing a lot of SimTower for whatever reason.

This iPad app, Tower Town, reminds me of SimTower, although it’s not just one Tower you’re building but many in your own city.  Like so many other of the simulation games and apps, you have to wait to earn energy, money and supplies to build various parts of your towers.  Another mindless but addicting one. (Are you sensing a theme here?)  The kids and I have been chipping away at building our own mini Town.

It’s free to download the app on your iPad although this is one of those where you can get sucked into buying additional money and coins but it’s perfectly fun without any additional purchases.

Find TowerTown in the iTunes store.

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day Eight: MealBoard Meal & Grocery Planner

One of the things I’m also looking to do in 2012 is get more organized with my meal planning. (In other words, start doing it since I basically do almost zero meal planning right now).  With the kids in various activities, a hubby who is on the road often at night, I find I’m always disorganized and frustrated around that 5 pm hour when I’m staring at the fridge.

Here’s an app I’ve downloaded and plan on using to help me with meal planning and grocery shopping, MealBoard.  It’s MealBoard $1.99 for the iPad app on the iTunes store.  I read the reviews on a lot of meal planning apps and this one seems to have some of the better reviews.  You can use it in conjunction with the website so you can sync up to your information there like downloading your recipes, organize your grocery list and more.

12 Days of iPad Apps, Day Seven: My Fitness Pal

This one’s apropos to New Years Day as today’s the day so many people in the world will be starting in on their New Years Resolutions.  Because of course one of the most common New Years Resolutions?  Losing weight and/or getting healthy.  I have blogged many times about My Fitness Pal, mostly as a website and the success I’ve found using it.  It’s a free web-based community where you can calorie track.

They also have an App.  I use it on both my iPhone and iPad (you have to stretch it 2x to fit it on the iPad so it’s a little grainy but it’s no biggie).  I like having it when I’m out and about so I can track a quick snack or workout if I’m going to be out of the house all day and not on my computer.

If you plan on getting fit or losing weight this year, I highly recommend checking out My Fitness Pal the app and the website.  It’s free so it can’t hurt, right?

Recipe: Sausage Breakfast Casserole

I originally made this one for Christmas Day.  I was looking for something with few ingredients that my kids would like and I came across this recipe for Emeril’s Breakfast Casserole on the Food Network.  It was delish but I made a few tweaks for New Years to make it even more kid and family friendly. (No green onions, more sausage and eggs!)

What I love about this is the make ahead factor.  It’s so nice to have something all ready to go and to be able to pop something so delicious into the oven in the morning with no work!

Recipe:  Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

  • 9 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups of Half and Half
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Butter to grease pan
  • 1 loaf of fresh French Bread from your local grocery store
  • 2 lbs breakfast sausage, precooked, drain the fat (I used Italian but you can use regular too)
  • 2 cups of cheddar cheese

1. Cook the sausage, drain of all grease and set aside.

2. In a big mixing bowl, mix the eggs, Half & Half and Salt and Pepper.

3. Butter a 9×13 casserole/baking dish.  (If you have it, definitely use the bigger baking dish.  I didn’t have it the second time around as we were on vacation and I think the wider dish fits the casserole better.)

4. Break pieces off the French Bread in small bite sizes and line the bottom of the pan until the bottom is covered.

5. Sprinkle the cooked sausage and cheese over the bread.

6.  Pour the egg mix on top.  And don’t worry if it doesn’t look like much egg – it all kind of sinks down to the bottom and is supposed to be that way.

7.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  In the morning, cook at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until the egg mixture is set.

Holiday Entertaining on Any Budget with Sam’s Club & A Kitchen Aid Mixer Giveaway

There’s a Sam’s Club about a half of a mile from my house.  We used to be members but let our membership lapse a couple of years ago.  But this week I rejoined after I was issued a challenge from Sam’s Club to create a holiday meal for my family for $50.  Sam’s Club sent me a membership and a gift card to get shopping.

I wasn’t sure what to expect for $50 but believe it or not, I had no problem making a nice dinner for the fam on that cost.

With 4 people in our family, I didn’t need a ton – here’s what I got:  I got a fully cooked turkey breast like this one (but got turkey breast only) for $19.98.  Can I tell you guys, this was DELICIOUS.  And huge.  It lasted for 3 days – 2 meals plus I sliced it up for sandwiches for my son for school for two days after. Not bad for $20.

Then I got potatoes and broccoli for another $20.  So I was well under $50 and ended up getting some extra fruit and other produce to get myself to $50.  Awesome, right?  I will definitely be shopping for meals again at Sam’s Club for the rest of the holiday season and beyond in 2012.

Giveaway: Sam’s Club has also offered a generous giveaway to Mommies with Style readers for the holiday season!   One lucky winner will receive this KitchenAid Professional HD Stand Mixer that’s pictured to the left ($268.98 value!)

Enter to win by commenting below about Sam’s Club (do you have one near you?  Do you belong?  Your answer doesn’t have anything to do with eligibility to win – just comment anything to enter to win – just making conversation!)

Note – You can enter up to 4 times (the only required entry is the first one to leave a comment!  All the others are additional entries):

1) Leave a comment on this post.  (Note: Scroll to the bottom of this post and click “Post Comment”. You must be on my site – you can’t do this through a reader.)

2) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter & follow me on Twitter @WhitneyMWS:

Enter to win Kitchen Aid Mixer on Mommies with Style via @WhitneyMWS http://bit.ly/aatNRf

3) “Like” Mommies with Style on Facebook (if you already do, promote this contest on your page)

4) Subscribe to my feed or email newsletter and stay on top of all of my daily posts! If you already subscribe, please leave a separate comment letting me know that you are currently a subscriber (thank you!).

**This giveaway will end January 1st, 2012.  One winner will be selected at random and notified after that time.**

Mexican Egg Nog Recipe

Egg Nog and Tequila?  Sign me up!  I may have to try this one on Christmas day.  Doesn’t it look tasty?

Mexican Egg Nog
3 parts Egg Nog (homemade or store bought)
1 part Sauza Conmemorativo® Tequila

1 part Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
Cinnamon

Directions:
In a shaker filled with ice combine Egg Nog, Tequila and Bourbon. Shake to combine and serve chilled with a dash of cinnamon on top.

Gifts to Keep The Family Warm

The holidays are a perfect time to bundle up and get cozy. Here are some great gift picks to keep the whole family warm this winter.

Sunbeam LoftTec Heated Throw – A good throw is great to snuggle down with. Even better? A heated throw. Available in two neutral colors – a dark brown walnut and creamy seashell – the LoftTec Heated Throw offers Sunbeam’s highest level of softness and comfort with a thick, lofty, polyester material and Sunbeam’s ThermoFine technology that “senses and adjusts to deliver consistent warmth.” In other words, a blanket that knows what you need and delivers. I love that the 50 x 60″ throw is big enough to share (when I have to) and has 3 heat settings on a 6 foot cord to provide the perfect amount of warmth. Plus, the 3-hour automatic shut-off ensures I don’t broil all night if I fall asleep in front of It’s A Wonderful Life. $50

Khombu Bell Tower Boots – My husband lives in sandals which surprisingly are pretty ineffective at keeping your feet warm in the winter. That’s why I love these fur-lined Khombu Bell Tower boots. They are similar to another well-known boot brand, but at a fraction of the cost. Available in black or brown, the durable PU exterior is waterproof and rugged though it also looks nice enough to pass as a mid-range shoe. The interior is insulated with soft, plush fur that gives the boots a cold rating down to 20°F and Khombu’s Therolite insole that is breathable, moisture-wicking, shock-absoring and anti-fungal. The end result? Toasty toes in a boot that can go from shoveling the driveway to dinner at the in-laws. $50-$70

Petunia Stroll - Instead of piling blankets onto your babe for your winter walks, encase your little angel in Stroll by Petunia, a luxurious bunting bag. Available in seven gorgeous chenille and printed polyester designs, Stroll is lined with uber-soft velour that will make you wish they offered adult sizes. Place the bunting bag into your stroller and weave through your stroller’s safety harness. Conveniently placed zippers make it easy to get your little one in and out while keeping them snugly and warm while bundled up. Plus, you can match your Stroll to one of Petunia’s chic diaper bags or accessories like the Adorn iPhone 4 case for a complete look. $149

HP TouchSmart 320: A Last Minute, Big-Ticket Xmas Gift the Family Will Love

So at the end of 2010, I did a review and giveaway here on Mommies with Style for HP’s TouchSmart 310. This computer i still our main family computer. It sits in our kitchen and it’s our family machine – from hubby doing a quick bill pay to the kids playing games to me checking the weather, we just adore this PC.

Why?

A couple of reasons:  It’s touchscreen, which the kids love; it’s sleek and thin, so it doesn’t take up much room (which I love); it’s fast and we’ve never had a problem with it.

I think these Desktop computers are a great buy.  HP now has the TouchSmart 320 PC which has an even cooler and thinner look (hard to imagine, but so amazing!)

Here are some quick facts about the HP TouchSmart 320:

Perfect for the entire family, the HP TouchSmart 320 PC is an all-in-one PC that provides a sleek, tilt-enabled 20-inch touch display ideal for endless entertainment, interactive learning and creative play

-          Create fun holiday videos and pictures, and connect with long-distance friends and family with the built-in webcam

-          Make learning more fun and interactive for kids with TouchSmart 320’s intuitive touch display

-          Experience endless family entertainment with a range of built-for-touch apps, a TV tuner and Beats Audio for an awesome listening experience

-          Available now at HP Direct for just $569.99

So you can still get it via 2-day shipping if you order today.  Or run to your nearest retailer and get it in person!  Can you imagine how amazing this would be under the tree on Christmas day?  If you’re looking for a great family-friendly PC that’s good for every single person in your family then this is it people.

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