I have to admit that even though I worked for an insurance company for three years…insurance is a bit intimidating for me.

Especially when it comes to auto insurance. I have always allowed my husband to secure our auto insurance coverage and really have not worried about it. I pay the bill…he secures the coverage. Works great.

Recently I heard of NetQuote.com and thought I’d give it a try. I do believe that I will be the one securing our Auto Insurance from this point on. In a few simple steps I was able to receive multiple quotes based on the information I provided.   Simple questions like your age, vehicle make and model, address and state, employment and yearly miles driven. Easy as 1-2-3!

Whether you are looking for insurance in Sunny Southern California or New York insurance … you will find it all at the tip of your fingers at NetQuote.com

My first memories of a census were when I was a little girl.  People would come to your door and ask your parents a bunch of questions.   I really didn’t get it at that age.

But, now that  I am a mom and a taxpayer, I understand the necessity of creating a Census.  I recently received my Census intro letter…basically telling me that the “Census letter” was coming.

Have you received yours? If not you should be receiving soon. According to the official census website, 2010census.gov…”In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. When you receive yours, just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you don’t mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask you the questions from the form.”

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years.

The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like:

• Hospitals
• Job training centers
• Schools
• Senior centers
• Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
• Emergency services

The data collected by the census also help determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

Power Moms

Chicken Soup for the Soul Series

101 Stories Celebrating the Power of Choice for Stay at Home and Work from Home Moms

Wendy Walker, author of Four Wives and The Queen of Suburbia, has become the go-to media expert on women leaving the workforce to raise their families and run their homes. This book contains 101 great stories from mothers who have made the choice to stay home, or work from home, while raising their families and becoming active members of their communities. Stories from grateful husbands and children are also a fun read.  These multi-tasking, high-performing women have become today’s Power Moms. Every stay-at-home and work-from-home mom will view this book as having been written just for her. Perfect for book groups, it will also contain a reader guide.

Reviewed by Janette

ow many moms would quickly answer YES! when asked are you a Power Mom, or a Super Mom? Not me, the first thing I would do is take an inventory of my Mom skills! First, I would inventory of all my shortcomings… Then I would remember times when I powered through a “Mom  situation” and nailed it.

Chicken Soup for the Soul  - Power Moms is a compilation of Mom stories.  Some are stories how working moms left the workplace and found themselves feeling inadequate, and how they were able to get accustomed to the stay-at-home role. There are stories about how Work- at- Home Moms juggled activities so they could be home with their kids.  And, stories for mothers in general.  One of my favorites was written by a dad whose wife, a Registered Nurse, starting talking baby talk all the time. (“Da Da want birthday cake?)

There are stories of how these moms trusted… and thanked…God in the most difficult of circumstances. There is a story about a mom at the park that seemed to have it all together, makeup, hair, clothes. When she appeared at the park looking disheveled,  she confessed her TV broke, and for 2 days she wasn’t able to take a shower.

So, moms, if you are looking for stories that tell how other moms survived, stories that will give you ideas and encouragement in your walk through motherhood, and a few chuckles, then you’ll enjoy this Chicken Soup book. We have the power of choice! And knowing we have a choice can give us the day to day encouragement we all need.

Review Opportunity Provided by Phenix & Phenix
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner

Become a Clever Girl…I am!

We created the Clever 1000 because we knew there was a better way for brands and social media influencers to work together. At CleverGirls Collective, we match our clients’ needs to your interests. Whether you’d like to try out a new product or service, or get paid to create or share content for one of our clients, we strive to ensure that the relationships we create are the ones you want to have! We’ll be in touch to let you know about opportunities that are exactly right for you.

Want to be  a Clever Girl…click on the button and complete the questionnaire!

Good Luck!

This is going to be a GREAT Giveaway for one my sweet IE Mommy friends!!

One person will receive a pair of Honor Society Concert Tickets *and* Meet & Greet Passes!!!

Yes!!!

I had the opportunity to review their CD back in September of last year. You can read the original review right “here”. I totally enjoyed their fun, funky, danceable, youthful vibe!! I know that you will too!

Check out you can win…it’s so EASY!

3/19/2010    St. Petersburg     FL     State Theatre
3/21/2010    Ft. Lauderdale     FL     Culture Room
3/22/2010    Orlando     FL     The Social
3/24/2010    New Orleans     LA     House of Blues
3/25/2010    Houston     TX     House of Blues
3/26/2010    San Antonio     TX     White Rabbit
3/28/2010    Dallas     TX     House of Blues
3/31/2010    Scottsdale     AZ     Martini Ranch
4/2/2010    San Francisco     CA     Great American Music Hall
4/3/2010    Los Angeles     CA     Club Nokia
4/6/2010    Denver     CO     Marquis Theatre
4/7/2010    Kansas City     MO     Beaumont
4/8/2010    St. Louis     MO     The Old Rock House
4/9/2010    Milwaukee     WI     The Rave
4/11/2010    Pontiac     MI     Eagles Theater r
4/13/2010    Minneapolis     MN     Varsity
4/16/2010    Chicago     IL     House of Blues
4/17/2010    Pittsburgh     PA     Chess-A-Rena
4/20/2010    Toronto     ON     The Opera House
4/21/2010    Cleveland     OH     House of Blues
4/22/2010    Philadelphia     PA     Theatre of Living Arts
4/24/2010    New York     NY     Nokia Theater
4/25/2010    Norfolk     VA     The Norva
4/26/2010    Washington     DC     Rock and Roll Hotel
4/27/2010    New Haven     CT     Toad’s Place
4/29/2010    Allentown     PA     Crocodile Rock
4/30/2010    Clifton Park     NY     Northern Lights
5/1/2010    Montreal     QC     Le National
5/2/2010    Boston     MA     House of Blues
5/4/2010    Charlotte     NC     The Fillmore
5/5/2010    Raleigh     NC     Lincoln Theater
5/7/2010    Nashville     TN     Rocketown
5/8/2010    Atlanta     GA     The Loft

One Lucky IE Mommy Friend will  a Pair of Ticket to the Honor Society Concert of their Choice *and* a Pair of Meet & Greet Passes

To Enter:

1. Mandatory Entry: Tell me which concert you’d like to attend. Please list the City, State and Date in your comment
2. Mandatory Entry: Follow IE Mommy on Twitter and tweet RT – Enter to win Honor Society Concert Tix & Meet & Greet Passes @iemommy http://www.theiemommy.com/2010/03/13/honor-society-ticket-meet-n-greet-giveaway (ONE TWEET Per DAY)

Contest Ends – March 17th!

Open to the U.S. Only

Review Opportunity Provided by Crowd Surf
Opinions are strictly those of the Blog Owner.
*Information obtained from Press Release and/or website

In an ideal world, after nine months of carrying around your baby, your baby weight would be cut with the umbilical cord. Unfortunately, the real world is far from ideal and you usually end up carrying your baby weight for months after the stork delivers your beautiful newborn.

You would think that with all the stress, the late night hours, and draining every ounce of energy you have into the baby’s well being would be enough to lose that weight but all these elements are the building blocks to building fat.

So for all those new mothers who can’t remember right from left, I have a simple and convenient weight-loss solution for you: eDiets is one of the nation’s leading online weight-loss programs. This program is so successful because each person receives individual attention and a customized plan to ensure maximum success. Unlike other competitors you never have to leave the house and it will ease right into your schedule. You can learn new and healthy recipes for your whole family or have your meals delivered to save time to spend with your bundle of joy!

Here are 3 Easy Ways to get back into tip-top-shape without the fuss:

Don’t starve yourself – eat healthy

To lose weight and keep it off eat smaller portions more frequently. A healthy diet should be low in saturated fat and be full of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.

Here are 2 easy and affordable ways to get support for your healthier eating habits:

1) eDiets Online Diet Plan: Day by day meal plan ideas sent to you online that will fit your lifestyle. With 24/7 access and personalized diet and fitness advice from experts, a plan can be designed to fit YOUR lifestyle. eDiets plans incorporate your favorite foods, so you don’t have to feel like you are sacrificing any aspect of your life. These plans teach you about nutritional value of food, which is priceless for long-term results.

• Plans start at just $14.99 per month!!!
• For a limited time, new subscribers can receive 1 full week FREE to try it out with the exclusive promo code: FREEWK. Full details available here: www.eDiets.com/deals

2) Meal Delivery Plans: Don’t have time to cook or shop for healthy food? No problem. The website offers a great service that will change your habits of eating junk food to those that will help you lose weight and increase wellness. The wide variety of nutritious meal plans (perfect if you are breast-feeding to maintain all the healthy vitamins and minerals for your baby) that eDiets offers range from Mediterranean to glycemic impact foods, so there is a plan for every one!

• Prices start at $19.95 per day plus shipping for 4 meals a day!
• You can focus on cooking for your baby, and save time on cooking for yourself.
• For a limited time, you can sign up now and get a FREE FIRST WEEK of meals. Full details available here: www.eDiets.com/deals

Get regular exercise
You are probably already running around with the baby, but if you ever get a minute during his or her nap time, consider using those 30 minutes to do some simple exercises like squats, push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, and jumping jacks. Building muscle helps burn fat and it’s likely that your last months of pregnancy your muscles began to weaken- take some time to get them strong once again! Need a little work out boost?

3) The eDiets Best Body Boot Camp is once again taking place in April!

• Given that you may not be able to leave the house much, Boot Camp is the perfect solution to getting a workout routine in while your baby is napping.
• Boot camp exercises are designed to burn fat right where you need to! Unlike with other programs, the eDiets trainer checks in with you regularly to support you and monitor progress for a slimmer you in just 6 weeks!
• Sign up from March 22nd- April 5th for the intensive Best Body Boot Camp to get into shape quickly for summer

Getting into shape and dieting aren’t the easiest or the most fun things to do, but with the help of eDiets, any new mommy can lose up to 10 lbs in just 5 weeks to ensure she is looking as absolutely divine as she did before conception. If the program does not work, eDiets will give another 6 months on the house!

About eDiets:

eDiets, Inc. is a leading provider of personalized nutrition, fitness and weight-loss programs. eDiets features its award-winning, fresh-prepared diet meal delivery service as one of the more than 20 popular diet plans on its flagship site, www.eDiets.com. The company also provides a broad range of customized wellness and weight management solutions for Fortune 500 clients. Active eDiets members achieve generally expected weight loss of 10 pounds during the first 5 weeks of an eDiets program.

The Princess and The Frog Releases

MARCH 16TH!

We can not wait to try some of these delicious recipes from Tiana’s Cookbook Recipes for Kids.

Here is one of our favorites…nothing says New Orleans like delicious Jambalaya

Jammin' Jambalaya

Jammin’ Jambalaya

Makes 6 to 8

(pages 26-27 in The Princess and the Frog: Tiana’s Cookbook)

Reprinted from the book DISNEY’S THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG TIANA’S COOKBOOK RECIPES FOR KIDS. Copyright © 2009 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Published by Disney Press, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks

1/2 pound Andouille sausage, cooked and thinly sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

2 large celery stalks, chopped

1 small bell pepper, seeded and chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup canned chopped tomatoes, undrained

2 cups uncooked white rice

4 cups chicken broth

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan or pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the

chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium.

2. Stir in the sausage, onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Sprinkle on the salt and

ground black pepper, and stir again. Cook the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and the uncooked rice. Then stir in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.

4. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer the jambalaya until the rice is

tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in the Worcestershire and hot pepper sauces.

Swing on over to the original post right “here” and Enter* to Win your own copy of Disney’s The Princess and The Frog!

*Do Not Leave Entries Here…they will NOT be valid

During the week of March 22nd, Pssst… is launching MyGetTogether, a fun way to try products

and sometimes new recipes in the company of good friends, giving you a real inside look at the products, providing coupons, unique giveaways or other offers. Be sure to sign up now so that you can apply to host a get together!

Interested in seeing what it´s all about? Visit http://pssst.generalmills.com. Just click the Join Now tab to become a member and get in the loop on new products.

Math Adventure to the Moon

Leap Frog

Join Tad and Lily as they blast off on an exciting educational adventure! Tad and Lily need the perfect collection of things to take to school for their math assignment. When they finally decide on moon rocks, there’s just one problem—how will they get them? With some magical help from their firefly friend Edison, they board a rocket ship to start their quest. Soon the twins learn that math is everywhere, even in outer space! Watch as they use their skills in counting, sorting, skip counting and recognizing patterns to overcome obstacles, find new friends and make the trip back to Earth!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Lionsgate Home Entertainment and top educational toy brand LeapFrog^® have come together to teach beginning math skills in a fun out-of-this world experience with the release of an all-new educational DVD, LeapFrog: Math Adventure to the Moon. The new DVD takes both preschoolers and parents alike on an educational and entertaining mission to the moon where they will learn early math skills like counting, sorting and addition with their old friends Tad, Lily and Edison.

The LeapFrog brand is one of the best-selling and most recommended children’s DVD brands and is considered by moms across the country to be the leading educational toy brand.* The most recent production — Let’s Go to School — was the #1 selling Children’s Non-Theatrical title for two weeks in August 2009**, while LeapFrog DVDs held four of the top 20 spots on the Children’s Non Theatrical sales ranking for four weeks in August and September 2009.*** Continuing on this wave of success, the LeapFrog: Math Adventure to the Moon DVD will be available on February 23, 2010 for the suggested retail price of $14.98.

With more than 120 million educational platforms, books and games in homes worldwide, and multisensory technology in more than 100,000 US classrooms, the LeapFrog learning brand is trusted by parents, valued by teachers and loved by children and the brand proves itself to be a consistently strong seller year after year!

*Source: LeapFrog Brand Tracker, 2/2009 among Moms who have purchased an educational toy in the last 12 months.

**Source:  Nielsen data for children’s non-theatrical sales weeks ending 8/23/09 and 8/30/09.

***Source:  Nielsen data for children’s non-theatrical sales weeks ending 8/23/09-9/13/09.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*

• • • • • • • • • • The Sorting Game -help Tad & Lily sort crystals into their correct groups
                  • Four Sing-Along songs
                  • Alphabet Song from Let’s Go to School

We have many Leap Frog products in our home. It is a name I can trust and count on to help my girls learn. I feel that Leap Frog understands one of the great techniques of learning…repetition, repetition and repetition.

It takes a while to learn a new concept (the older you are the longer, it seems) so putting simple math skills to animation and singing allow my girls to grasp and retain the information they are learning.

Math Adventure to the Moon was created with the 3-6 year old age group in mind. While my girls already knew most of the concepts it was a great way to review what they have learned in school. I enjoy hearing them walk around the house singing the little songs that Tad and Lily sing in the DVD. It reminds me that they are obtaining the information.

Math Adventure to the Moon would be a perfect DVD to pick up for your preschooler or Kindergartner….allowing them an introduction into learning…yet, giving them the joy of music, cartoon characters and “friends” with which they can learn.

No wonder…I love Leap Frog!

March 14th is National Math Day!

Review Opportunity Provided by Click Communications
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner
See my reviews at Amazon.com

Curious George 2

Follow that Monkey

The world’s most beloved and inquisitive monkey is back in Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey, the fun-filled sequel to the hit animated movie. Join Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they set out on a madcap cross-country adventure to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. This unlikely trio faces all types of comic calamities and colorful characters and in the end, learn that with family, friends and determination, you can achieve anything. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Matt Lauer, Jamie Kennedy and Jerry Lewis, Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey, “proves that family, friends – and curiosity – are number one.” (Francine Brokaw, Los Angeles Family Magazine)

Buckle up for an unforgettable experience when Curious George and his friends embark on a hilarious madcap cross country adventure in Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey, an all-new feature-length animated film available only on DVD on March 2, 2010 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  Filled with the delightful antics, gentle humor and heartfelt emotion that have captivated the hearts of families around the world, Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey includes a menagerie of entertaining bonus features: Two never-before-seen shows from the all-new TV season on PBS that does not air until Fall 2010, a brand new interactive game, an exclusive music video and more. Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey is priced at $19.95 SRP.

As an added savings value to consumers for a limited time, a $5 grocery cash check card mail-in offer will be included in DVD copies of Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey and the purchase of the DVD includes an instant $3 savings towards any Curious George catalog, TV or DVD title purchased in tandem.

In this sidesplittingly funny and heartwarming sequel to the hit 2006 animated feature, George sets out on a coast-to-coast journey to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family . Curious George 2: Follow That Monkeyall-star voice talent including Tim Curry (“The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” Home Alone 2: Lost in New York), Jamie Kennedy (Kickin’ It Old School, Malibu’s Most Wanted), Matt Lauer (“Today Show”), Frank Welker (“Curious George” TV series, “Futurama,”) and comedy legend Jerry Lewis, plus music from legendary songwriter Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

BONUS FEATURES

• Two Never Before Seen Bonus Shows from the all-new TV season! See the premiere episode 6 months before it airs!
• Curious George’s Cross Country Caper Game – It’s more fun than a barrel of you-know-what when George and Kayla go on the run with security specialist Marcus Wolfe hot on their trail!  Exciting puzzles lead the way from New York to California so Kayla can visit her brother and sister. But be careful—a wrong answer could bring the Wolfe right to their door!
• Hold On, Here We Go – Exclusive Music Video
• Coloring Pages and Wallpapers
  

Children and parents everywhere have delighted in Curious George’s adventures for nearly seven decades. Created by Margret and H.A. Rey in 1941, Curious George has provided the inspiration for a flourishing line of educational and entertaining properties that includes “Curious George and the Golden Meatball,” an original live musical stage show currently touring the U.S., as well as the popular and critically acclaimed PBS children’s program, a line of original books, interactive games and toys, and an interactive attraction at the Universal Hollywood theme park.

I absolutely, completely and totally am in love with this adorable little monkey. Curious George is the epitome of a fun loving, spontaneous toddler. He has a heart of gold…but trouble seems to find him no matter how good his intentions.

The IE Twins have watched this numerous time and each time have been excited about our adventure. Laughing, cautioning and cheering George on throughout every step of his adventure.

George’s heart of gold leads him to the aid and rescue of a baby elephant. George meets her when The Man With a Yellow Hat takes her (unwillingly) to see a Magic Show. George is enthralled and of course becomes part of the act…only to find a little sad baby elephant.

The rest of the DVD allows you to journey with George and The Man With a Yellow Hat as they find the baby elephant’s family.  A sweet happy ending is offered when the baby finally finds her family.

Definitely a keeper!

DVD Released March 2nd

Review Opportunity Provided by Click Communications
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner
See my reviews at Amazon.com