Watch the latest Joico Haircare Webisode!

I'll be the first to admit, if anyone needs a makeover, it's me.  Like so many busy parents, I'm guilty of letting self-care slide to the bottom of my to-do list!  But it's not too late to get a new look in time for Mother's Day and show everyone that even though we may have spent 24 hours in labor (27 in my case), we can still look like the sassy, classy women we really are.  It's amazing what some fresh accessories, the perfect manicure, some makeup or a new hairstyle can do!   And speaking of new hairstyles, you have to check out this Joico webisode showing how celeb hairstylist Damien Carney turns one woman's hair from housewifey to hot.  Check out the before and after photos!

I see this hairstyle every day at school drop-off and pickup.  There's really nothing wrong with this mom's "before" look -- it's flattering, practical and safe, definitely a "mom bob".  But the transformation is amazing!  She goes from a regular carpooling, snack-toting mom to a chic, stylish, sophisticated woman.  This is a hairstyle you see in board rooms, at symphony concerts, at trendy restaurants.  It's so bongga!

Here's the webisode (love the name:  Mom Bob to Heart Throb) showing the entire process:


Obviously it's not a how-to video, but its certainly something to be inspired by, and you can bring it up on your smartphone to show it to your hairstylist.  This is just one in a series of Drab to Fab webisodes from Joico Haircare.  You can find them on the Joico website or on the Joico Facebook page.

Win a Joico Prize Pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a basket of Joico haircare products, including KPAK shampoo and conditioner, Revitaluxe Treatment, and Smooth Cure products.

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share how you take care of yourself and let your sassy, sexy self shine!  This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).


1)  Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/JS3qxt) in your blog post (1 entry).

5) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

6) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Joico giveaway! http://bit.ly/JS3qxt

7) Write this on the Joico Facebook page (1 entry)
Bonggamom is giving away a pack of Joico haircare products!  Giveaway ends 5/25 , enter at http://bit.ly/JS3qxt

8) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a Joico haircare products prize pack!  Enter by 5/25 at http://bit.ly/JS3qxt #giveaway 

9)  Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 25, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 26 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!



Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Joico Haircare is providing the giveaway prize.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Bonggamom's Friday Finds -- list your giveaways here

Welcome to Bonggamom's Friday Finds! I'm glad so many of you are finding this to be a useful way to get more traffic to your giveaways. And as a person who loves entering giveaways, I have to admit it's a great, easy way to find out where all the best giveaways are.

So feel free to leave links to your giveaways, everyone. And don't forget to get cracking and enter everyone else's, too!

And speaking of giveaways, here are my latest and greatest ones.  Since I'm turning 40 this month, I've got giveaways on my blog all throughout May to celebrate!

* Dale & Thomas popcorn -- ends May 12.
* Nudo Olive Oil gift pack -- ends May 12.
* Beyond Coastal suncare gift pack -- ends May 17.
* Cuddle Covers pillow & pillow cover -- ends May 18.
* Timeless Family Classics DVD set -- ends May 19.
* Taste This! The Delicious Sequel cookbook -- ends May 20.
* Energizer battery gift pack -- ends May 21.



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Introducing McDonald's Cherry Berry Chiller

There's nothing better on a hot summer day than an icy-cold drink, especially when it's a drink that takes advantage of summer's sweetest, most luscious fruits. Enter the Cherry Berry Chiller, McDonald's latest addition to their line of McCafe blended frozen drinks. McDonald's launched their new flavor earlier this week, and I was one of the lucky bloggers invited to take a taste. Here's my exclusive scoop (or should I say, sip?) on the Cherry Berry Chiller:


It's cold.
Let me say that again. It's extremely cold. Sip this drink sloooooowly, otherwise you'll find yourself with a massive brain freeze headache!


It's unique.
I couldn't believe how good it tasted! Most frozen drinks seem to be of the strawberry-banana or mixed berry sort (and McCafe does offer a Wild Berry and Strawberry Banana smoothie if you're into those flavors), so the Cherry Berry Chiller has a really unique, memorable flavor. You can really taste the cherries, so it's a great alternative to your usual summer cooler.


It's natural.
The Cherry Berry Chiller is really sweet. Not too sweet -- the tartness of the cherry balances the sweetness out quite nicely -- but sweet enough that I started to wonder what kind of artificial syrups they used to flavor it. But, guess what? The Cherry Berry Chiller is 100% juice! That's right, it's sweetened with an apple and grape juice blend, not sugar or corn syrup.

My only beef is with the serving size. See how we were served teeny tiny shots? I'd say they were 4 oz. servings, maybe 6 oz. at the most. They were just right size -- okay, I did have two of them, but I had them at separate times; any more and I might have found myself thirsting for water. The Cherry Berry Chiller will be available in 12, 16 and 22 oz. sizes, which seems way too large for me, and too much fruit juice for the kids (xxx recommends no more than 6 oz. of 100% fruit juice daily). When I buy Cherry Berry Chillers for my kids, I'll probably have them share it. Not that they won't want their own, but trust me, the Cherry Berry Chiller is so yummy that even a little goes a long way.




Like its fellow Flavors of Summer dish (the Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal), the Cherry Berry Chiller is only available for a limited time (summer of 2012), so enjoy it while it lasts!

Click here for my review of McDonald's Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal!


Disclosure: I attended McDonald's Flavors of Summer event as a guest, and McDonald's provided all travel and accomodations. I was not required to blog about this product or the event.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

 
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Introducing Q2 Wi-Fi Internet Radio

I've been living in the US for almost 18 years now.  I have American citizenship and American kids, but a part of me will always be Filipino, and I will always have a special place in my heart for the land of my birth -- the people, the food, the music, everything.  Fortunately, it's not too difficult to get my Filipino fix in the SF Bay Area -- with the large Filipino community in Daly City, good Filipino food is just a 30 minute drive away.

And now, good Filipino music is just a flick of a switch away, with the Q2 wi-fi radio.  It's a little four-inch cube that connects to your wireless network and lets you listen to any internet-based radio station in the world!  That's right, you can listen to your favorite local, national or international radio stations or podcasts.


The Q2 is so easy to set up.  You only need to connect the cube to your computer (via USB cable) only once -- to set it up with your wireless network, and to load it with up to four internet radio stations (if you want to switch out your stations, you'll need to reconnect). After that, your computer doesn't even need to be running.  Just switch on the Q2 cube, and enjoy your music. 

The Q2 is even easier to use.  It's motion controlled, so there are no dials or buttons or screens. To change stations, just lay the cube on one of its four sides.  To raise or lower the volume, tilt the cube up or down.  It's so cute and compact, and it comes in five colors. 

The Q2 is perfect for an international family like mine.  You can browse by language, genre, or country and choose from over 17500 internet radio stations, from all over the world.  Cambodia.  Croatia.  The Cook Islands.  Colombia.  Cuba.  You name it. There are thirty-six stations for the Philippines alone!

Everyone in the family thinks the Q2 is great, but the one feature lacking is the ability to listen to personal radio stations like Spotify, Pandora, Grooveshark, or Slacker.  I read on Q2's FAQ site that they plan to add this in the future -- once that happens, I'm sure Alfie will buy a Q2 for the bedroom and the office, and a couple more for the rest of the family!


Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the Q2 or give my opinions. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
 
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Love the Moment at Virginia Beach

photo credit: Virginia Beach Facebook page

It's summertime and it's time to hit the beach! I love spending time at the beach because no one is ever in a hurry.  There are no band practices to attend, no soccer games to rush to, no volunteer hours at the library to complete.  Everyone is just happy to splash in the surf, play on the sand, spend quality time with their families and make every moment last.  And there's no better place for special moments than at Virginia Beach.  It's a wonderful summer destination where couples and families can love every single moment!  Here are ten great ways to Love the Moment at Virginia Beach:

1) Discover the Beaches
Virginia Beach has three amazing beaches: Chesapeake Bay, Resort Area and Sandbridge. That's 35 miles of sun, sand and surf, and each one has something to suit every kind of person, whether you're a social animal looking for a volleyball game to join, or a family with little kids, or a couple looking to escape to their own beach paradise.

2) Soak up the sun
The summers are hot and the winters are mild (6 months out of the year, the high temp is 70 degrees or higher, so you can leave your earmuffs at home.  Just remember to slather on the sunscreen!

3) Feast on the bounty of the ocean
Whenever I'm in a seaside town I always make it a point to enjoy seafood, because it's sure to be fresh. Blue crabs, rockfish, flounder, mackerel, you name it, Virginia Beach has got it.  Foodies can even book a  Coastal Food Tour to see how it all goes from farm (or sea!) to table.

4) Dive into the ocean world
The beach itself is not the only way you can get acquainted with life under the sea. You can also visit the Virginia Aquarium, with changing exhibits, IMAX® movies and lots and lots of fish!

5) Shop your hearts out
Hey, shopaholics need something to do to. Fortunately they need look no further than Lynhaven Mall, one of the largest malls on the East Coast, with three department stores, over 180 specialty stores, services, eateries and movie theaters.

6) Boogie on the Boardwalk
If you're done with lying on a beach towel, you can also take the family to the boardwalk. It's three whole miles of fun, with biking, rollerblading, cafes and more.

7) Groove to the music
It's just one summer-long party in Virginia Beach! Atlantic Avenue between 17th & 25th Streets turns into "Beach Street USA" with summer entertainment, music on the boardwalk every night of the week. What a great atmosphere!

8) Get your funk on
Speaking of music, don't miss the this year's FunkFest on Beach Street!  August 24-25, which celebrates the music generated over the years by influential legends such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, and The Ohio Players. Mark your calendars for August 24 and 25!

9) Make a home away from home
I like that you can find a place to stay at Virgina Beach, whatever your budget. There are campgrounds, vacation rental homes, or a hotel suite, so you and your family can always find a home away from home.

10) Get your heart pumping
The beautiful ocean views aren't the only thing that can get your pulse racing at Virginia Beach.  Whether it's parasailing, windsurfing, fishing, kayaking or sailing, you can enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle at Virginia Beach. Of course, there's nothing wrong with just relaxing on a towel and whiling your vacation hours away.

Happy vacationing!

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program. For more information on how you can participate, click here.  For more information on Virginia Beach, go to www.visitvirginiabeach.com.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
 
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Last Night I Swam with a Mermaid Book Giveaway

When I was little, I really, really wished mermaids were real, and I'm sure I'm not alone.  There's a reason that mermaids continue to fascinate generations of children (and adults).  The beautiful, graceful creatures we  read about in Peter Pan or The Little Mermaid or The Chronicles of Narnia symbolize everything good and beautiful and magical in the world.

Here'a  book that's guaranteed to bring out your inner child -- Last Night I Swam with a Mermaid.  The story is about a young girl who meets a mermaid and goes on a journey through the oceans.  What makes this book truly special are the photographs.... oh, the photographs....

How could anyone doubt that mermaids exist after seeing these photographs?  They are truly magical, and guaranteed to spark hours of pleasant daydreaming for your children.

But this is more than just a storybook.  It teaches kids the importance of our oceans, how to recycle and how to conserve water.  The beautiful photos do more than inspire kids to imagine and dream --  by showing kids the magic and wonder of the ocean, they inspire kids to want to protect it.   Beauty with purpose -- what more could you ask for?


About the book
Last Night I Swam With A Mermaid is a magical tale spun by author Kimberly Muller and brought to life by her husband, world- renowned photographer, Michael Muller. Together they create a world in which a young girl meets a beautiful mermaid who takes her on an unforgettable ocean journey. As the adventure unfolds, we learn the valuable lesson to Respect and Protect our planet. The mermaid reminds us that it is up to me and it's up to you to make a difference and to never stop dreaming.



Win a copy of Last Night I Swam with a Mermaid
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a copy of Kimberly Muller's book, Last Night I Swam With a Mermaid.


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share ways you help conserve water or how you teach your children to be responsible stewards of the ocean.  This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).


1)  Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/IEoy6u) in your blog post (1 entry).

5) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

6) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Mermaid giveaway! http://bit.ly/IEoy6u

7) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a copy of Last Night I Swam with a Mermaid!  Enter by 5/24 at http://bit.ly/IEoy6u #giveaway 

8)  Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 24, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 25 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!




Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Thanks to Book Soup for providing the giveaway prize. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.


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New Cars Land video

Just over 1 month to go before Cars Land opens at Disney's California Adventure (on June 15), and Disney Parks Youtube channel have just released this cute Cars Land video!  It's sure to get every Cars fan's heart racing!



Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

 
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Introducing McDonald's Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal

Two years ago I had the privilege of being one of the first members of the general public to taste McDonald's Fruit and Maple Oatmeal, and I've been a huge fan ever since. Their oatmeal is my favorite McDonald's item by far, and hardly a week or two goes by that I don't indulge in its warm, creamy goodness. My whole family loves Fruit and Maple oatmeal; whenever we go on vacation, instead of getting a pricey hotel breakfast, we find the nearest McDonald's restaurant and have Fruit and Maple Oatmeal for breakfast. And since McDonald's oatmeal is available all day, we often swing by a McDonald's drive-thru after soccer practice and have it as a snack!

So I was really excited -- and apprehensive -- when McDonald's invited me to the launch of their latest oatmeal variety, their new Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal. Excited, because who wouldn't be excited at the thought of a new oatmeal flavor, and one featuring blueberries at that? Apprehensive, because McDonald's has already set the bar so high, and I wasn't sure whether this upstart Blueberry Banana Nut could measure up to Fruit and Maple.


The Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal is amazing. It tastes like warm banana bread, topped with fresh blueberries. I love the hot, creamy texture, I love that it's not overly sweet, and I love the sweet-tartness I get whenever I bite into a blueberry.

The "Nut" portion of the dish is a pack of chopped walnuts, served on the side, so people with nut allergies can leave it out. You can also leave it out to save calories, but you'll be missing the health benefits of walnuts if you do!

Here's a big surprise: You get fresh blueberries in this oatmeal! Real, plump, sweet blueberries, not icky bits of dried stuff. Each serving has 1/4 cup of blueberries (I counted 21 berries in mine), so not only is it packed with fiber (5 grams), it's packed with antioxidants.


The very best part? The lower sugar content. Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal has 21 grams of sugar per serving, compared to 32 grams of sugar per serving for the Fruit and Maple Oatmea (I'm guessing this is because the cranberries and raisins, being dried fruit, have a higher sugar content than the fresh fruit).

The decision has been made, I've got a new favorite oatmeal! I will always love Fruit and Maple Oatmeal, and frankly, it's difficult for me to say that one flavor tastes better than other (it's like comparing apples and oranges), but now that McDonald's has an alternative that's lower in sugar, it's clear which one I would rather enjoy on a regular basis.


One caveat: when McDonald's first started selling Fruit and Maple Oatmeal, the quality was inconsistent, and all too often I was served oatmeal that was runny or watery or lukewarm. Now that enough time has passed, I guess all the stores have caught up on the learning curve, because now my oatmeal is pretty much hot and creamy every time. So if you happen to order the Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal and the consistency or temperature is less than perfect, don't be afraid to point it out to your server, and he/she will be happy to make you another bowl. And give it a second chance, because I'm sure that second bowl will lead to a third, fourth, fifth bowl, and so on.

But don't wait too long for your first taste, because Blueberry Banana Oatmeal will only be around for the summer, when the blueberries are at their freshest and sweetest. I have to make the most of Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal while it lasts, and so should you!


Click here for my review of the McDonalds Cherry Berry Chiller!


Disclaimer: I attended McDonald's Flavors of Summer event as a guest, and McDonald's provided all travel and accomodations. I was not asked to blog about this dish or the event. The views and opinions expressed here are my own..
 
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National Donut Day is June 1 (and a giveaway for you)

Get set for the sweetest celebration ever: National Donut Day is just 22 days away! Did you know that National Donut Day was started in 1938 as a fund raiser for the Chicago Salvation Army? Their goal was to help the needy during the Great Depression, and to honor the Salvation Army "Lassies" of World War I, who served doughnuts to soldiers. Seventy-five years later, we're still honoring a great organization, as well as a great snack.

This year, the Salvation Army and baked goods maker Entenmann's have partnered for the second year in a row to celebrate the 75th annual National Doughnut Day on June 1.  Here's how you can take part:

Help raise money for the Salvation Army
From April 22nd – June 23rd Entenmann's will donate $1 (up to $25,000) to the Salvation Army for every LIKE they receive on the Entenmann's Facebook page.

Win fun Donut Day prizes
Entenmann’s is hosting a Donut Day Sweepstakes, where you'll get the chance to win free donuts for a year!  They're also giving out other cute prizes like Donut Guy plushies, mugs and more.  For more information and to enter, visit the Entenmann's Donut Day page.

Win a Donut Day prize pack
Entenmann's is providing a fun Donut Day prize pack to give away, right here!  One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive:

* two $5 Entenmann's vouchers
* a Donut Guy plush toy

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share your favorite donut variety (I love plain glazed!). This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter (1 entry).

6) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Donut Day giveaway! http://bit.ly/KFkWY4

7) Write this on the Entenmann's Facebook page (1 entry).
Win an Entenmann's Donut Day prize pack -- $10 donut vouchers and a donut plush toy! Enter by 5/23 at Bonggamom Finds http://bit.ly/KFkWY4

8) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win an @Entenmanns Donut Day prize pack!  http://bit.ly/KFkWY4 #giveaways #donutday

9) Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 23, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 24 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!



Disclosure: Thanks to Entenmann's for providing a prize pack for this giveaway, as well as a second prize pack for me.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Win a free week of summer camp from Galileo Learning!

One of the things that really distinguishes Camp Galileo from your run-of-the-mill summer camp are their themes.  Each week of camp is built around a theme, which ties together all the art, science and outdoor activities the campers enjoy.  Every summer Camp Galileo has four distinct themes, so kids can attend camp for four weeks and never get bored!  The themes for 2012 are:

Galileo Olympics: Greek Art and the Science of the Games
Celebrate the Golden Gate: SF Art and Bridge Engineering
Leonardo's Apprentice: Renaissance Art and Inventions
Galileo Rocks!: The Art and Science of Music

Imagine it:  during an Olympics week, your camper might create an Athena-style warrior helmet for art.  On a Renaissance week, he'll be creating art inspired by Michaelangelo's frescoes.  For science, he might design and build gold-medal-winning kayaks or bobsleds, or if it's Golden Gate week, a model suspension bridge. Naturally, outdoor activities during Olympics week are all about the Olympics!  It's all part of what makes each day's experience at Camp Galileo unique and  unforgettable.

Past years' themes have included Psychedelic 60's, Space Explorers, Lost in the Forbidden City and Inventor's Workshop.  Whatever will they think of next?  Actually, the answer to that question might be up to you -- because Galileo Learning is calling for theme ideas for next year's camps! They want to know which subjects interest your kids the most, and what themes they would most enjoy.  And to thank everyone for their suggestions, one lucky family will win a free week of camp this summer!

Check out their website for more contest details, then head over to the Galileo Learning Facebook page to enter.  You can enter once per day until May 22, so start racking those brains, think about what sorts of things your kids love to do, and leave those suggestions!  Good luck!

Disclosure: This is the first in a series of posts about Camp Galileo and Galileo Summer Quest, for which I am being compensated with a free week of camp for my children.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Cheerios Value Pack Review and Giveaway

As a family of five, we go through a lot of cereal, so I love the big value packs of cereal you can get at Costco and other warehouse clubs.  Not only is it cheaper, it's way bigger than regular supermarket sizes, ensuring I don't have to keep buying cereal every other day.  What's not to love?

Actually, there is something that bugs me about the club packs.  They usually consist of two bags of cereal in a big cardboard box, which means that after you've finished one of the bags, you're stuck with a gigantic box in your cereal cabinet.  If you throw the box away, your second bag doesn't stay upright.   It's most annoying.

That's why I'm happy to see that Cheerios has come up with a new club packaging format.  Cheerios' new 2-box packaging is actually two individual boxes stuck together, so it's easier to store, and easier to pour!  What's even better is that these boxes actually use less packaging material than the old format -- over 200,000 lbs, actually, saving 1,000 trees and taking 130 Cheerios trucks off the road!  You can check out all the benefits of new 2 box Cheerios packaging at http://bit.ly/CheeriosNew2Box






New and improved 2 box Cheerios are now available on the shelves of Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s nationwide.


Win 2 Club packs of Cheerios
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive two new 2-box Club pack Cheerios (four boxes total).

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share how new 2 box Cheerios packaging will benefit you and your family.  This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).


1)  Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/Izdsjf) in your blog post (1 entry).

5) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

6) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered the Cheerios giveaway! http://bit.ly/Izdsjf

7) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win 4 boxes of Cheerios in the new convenient club pack!  Enter by 5/22 at http://bit.ly/Izdsjf #giveaway #MyBlogSpark

8)  Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 22, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 23 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!


Disclosure: Cheerios® cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark..  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
 
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Energizer partners with Habitat for Humanity (and a giveaway for you!)

I've had the privilege of working with Energizer to support their Now That's Positive Energy initiatives, spreading the word about the importance of programs supporting our National parks, fire safety, music education -- and showing people how they can help out and make a difference.  Today I'm happy to announce Energizer's partnership with Habitat for Humanity®.  They're working with baseball legend and philanthropist Cal Ripken, Jr., donating more than $300,000 and 1,000 volunteer hours.  I love the idea of self-sufficiency and pride of ownership that Habitat for Humanity brings, and I can't think of a better organization to benefit! 

Energizer is also getting everyone involved through their Energizer Utility Cash program.  Just collect codes from specially marked Energizer battery lighting products, and you could get up to $25 off your utility bill!  Or, you could choose to donate your Energizer Utility Cash earnings to Habitat for Humanity.  Here's how it works (click here for the full terms):

1) Collect specially marked Energizer battery and lighting products.

2)  Visit www.nowthatspositivenergy.com/utilities to redeem your codes

3)  Enter all your codes at once before 3/31/13, 11:59 p.m. EST.  You can enter just the 2 codes to earn $2.50, or wait till you collect 10 codes in order to earn the full $25 (click here to see the rewards table)

4)  Choose whether you want the amount deducted from your utility bill, or whether you want it donated to Habitat for Humanity®.


It's that easy to make a positive impact! And with the giveaway below, it could be even easier.....

Win 2 packs of Energizer Max batteries and savings off your utility bill
Energizer is sending one lucky Bonggamom Finds reader two specially marked packages of Energizer Max AA batteries with special codes!  It only takes 2 codes to start earning rewards with the Energizer Utility Cash program, so once the winner receives the batteries, he or she can take the codes and redeem them in the way I described above.


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share your suggestions on how to reduce your utility bills. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Leave a comment on this post and share a story about your favorite home remodel project, or an experience you've had working with Habitat for Humanity (1 entry).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

4) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

5) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/KnxHAp) in your blog post (1 entry).

6) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

7) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered the Energizer giveaway! http://bit.ly/KnxHAp

8) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win 2 packs of @Energizer batteries! Enter by 5/20 at http://bit.ly/KnxHAp #giveaway

9) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Earn up to $25 off your utility bill w/ codes in specially marked @Energizer batteries!  http://bit.ly/KnxHAp

10) Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 21, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 22 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!





Disclosure: Thanks to Energizer for providing 2 battery packs for the giveaway, as well as 2 additional battery packs for me. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
 
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Taste This: The Delicious Sequel Giveaway

I like to cook, but I don't like following recipes.  For me to actually follow a recipe, it has to be simple -- simple ingredients, simple steps.  That's one of the reasons Gina Von Esmarch's cookbook, Taste This!, has been one of my go-to cookbooks for years.  The second reason is that the dishes in her cookbook are so darn good.  So now that she has come up with a second cookbook, named Taste This!  The Delicious Sequel, how could I not try these recipes as well? 

The dishes in Taste This!  The Delicious Sequel are a bit more intricate, so I was initially somewhat reluctant to start. But I trust Gina -- her family owns the famous Fisherman's Wharf restaurant, Alioto's, so she knows what she's talking about when it comes to food.  And I was right -- some of the recipes may be a bit more complex in preparation, but so are the flavors.  What's more, there are a ton of recipes that are so easy and delicious, all I can say is, you've got to Taste This!

Gina is hosting a "virtual potluck" today -- some of her favorite bloggers are featuring recipes from Taste This! The Delicious Sequel on their blogs, so you can blog hop and check out some of the best dishes from the cookbook.  I was in charge of appetizers, and my family love them so much, I added a fruit salad and crusty french bread, and we made a whole meal out of them.

Hungry for more?  Check out my Taste This! Potluck post for more photos and how-to's, and check out Taste This! The Delicious Sequel on Amazon!



Win a copy of Taste This!  The Delicious Sequel
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a copy of Gina's cookbook, Taste This: The Delicious Sequel.

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share some dishes your family loves to eat. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Leave a comment on my Taste This appetizer post and tell me your favorite appetizer (1 entry -- you don't have to leave a comment here, I will be including the comments on that post in the pool of eligible entries).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

4) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

5) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/IQ0EYz) in your blog post (1 entry).

6) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

7) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered the Taste This giveaway! http://bit.ly/IQ0EYz

8) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a copy of @ginavon 's cookbook "Taste This: The Delicious Sequel"!  http://bit.ly/IQ0EYz

9) Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 20, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 21 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!







Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for review, and a second copy to give away.. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Timeless Family Classics DVD set giveaway

To The Pea and kids her age, I'm 39 years old going on ancient.  The thought of a world where an index card-sized Walkmank, remote controlled TV, or VHS player (actually, Betamax player!) was the height of technology was ludicrous!  They find it hard to believe that timeless movie classics like Star Wars, Superman, or Kramer vs. Kramer were new and fresh!

They don't realize that when I was young, I was enjoying my own classics, the movies of my own parents' youth -- the broadway musicals, Esther Williams swim spectaculars, Rogers & Astaire



TIMELESS FAMILY CLASSICS: More than 62 hours of smiles, songs and superb family entertainment. A galaxy of stars to dazzle your world including Ginger Rogers, Shirley Temple, Jack Benny, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, James Cagney and many more.

Over 62 hours of Family Enjoyment!

Enjoy hours of Hollywood's all-time family masterpieces. This collection is sure to delight viewers of all ages. These 50 movies feature many of Hollywood's most beloved performers such as, Ginger Rogers Kirk Douglas, Jack Benny, Douglas Fairbanks and James Cagney and many more classic stars.



Save 25% off Timeless Family Classics
Visit this page and use discount code 50PACK25 to save an additional 25% off our incredibly affordable DVD prices!


Win a Timeless Family Classics DVD Set
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a Timeless Family Classics DVD set!



Required Entry
Like Mill Creek Entertainment on Facebook AND leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite classic film. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/JxlegW) in your blog post (1 entry).

3) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

4) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered the Timeless Classics giveaway! http://bit.ly/JxlegW

4) Write this on the Mill Creek Entertainment Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered to win a Timeless Classics 50-movie DVD set on Bonggamom Finds! http://bit.ly/JxlegW

5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter

6) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a Timeless Classics 50-movie DVD set! Enter by 5/19 at http://bit.ly/JxlegW #giveaway




The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 19, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 20 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!




Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Thanks to Mill Creek Entertainment for providing the giveaway prize.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
 
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Bonggamom's Friday Finds -- list your giveaways here

Tra-laaaa! It's May! The lusty month of May!
-- from the musical Camelot

October may be my favorite month because of Halloween, but May is the month I enjoy the most. My whole family knows that May is MY month -- it's got Mother's Day and my birthday, so I keep the celebrations going all month long. And what better way to celebrate than with giveaways, giveaways and more giveaways! So far I've started one giveaway for every day in May:

Dale and Thomas Mother's Day popcorn gift box
Nudo Mother's Day gift pack
Cuddle covers pillow cover set
Beyond Coastal sun care set

 And there are more giveaways to come -- from Energizer, ProBar, Mill Creek Entertainment, Schwan's, Cheerios, Fiber One, Eden Fantasys, and more!  I'll be doing giveaways all month long, so stay tuned! And don't forget to leave links to your own giveaways, of course; the more giveaways, the merrier the celebration, right?

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Cuddle Covers Giveaway

Tired of lugging around your child's huge stuffed animal in the car, to grandma's house or on the airplane? Cuddle Covers has a great solution!  Their soft plush animal pillow covers transform your child's standard pillow into an animal friend he can cuddle and love. My son really likes his new Kit the Kat Cuddle Cover (  (click here to read my Cuddle Covers review) , and I'm sure your child would love one too.  The good news is, you could get one for your child for free, because Cuddle Covers is giving away a Cuddle Cover pillow and Cuddle Cover to one lucky Bonggamom Finds reader! 

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post telling me which Cuddle Cover you would like to receive. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.



Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Leave a comment on my Cuddle Covers Review post telling me what you like best about Cuddle Covers (1 entry -- no need to leave a separate comment on this post, I will be drawing entries from both posts).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

3) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/JxmOzu) in your blog post (1 entry).

4) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

5) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered the Cuddle Covers giveaway! http://bit.ly/JxmOzu

4) Write this on the Cuddle Covers Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered to win a Cuddle Covers pillow and cover set on Bonggamom Finds! http://bit.ly/JxmOzu

6) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter

7) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a soft, snuggly pillow and animal pillow cover set from @CuddleCovers ! Enter by 5/18 at http://bit.ly/JxmOzu #giveaway

8) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for each giveaway you've joined).


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 18, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 19 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!






Disclosure: Thanks to Cuddle Covers for providing a Cuddle Cover pillow and pillow cover for a giveaway prize, and for sending me a second set to review. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Beyond Coastal sun care products review and giveaway

Now that summer is coming, we're looking to all kinds of outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, picnicking, barbecuing, going to outdoor concerts and camping.  But since we're lucky enough to live in California, we can have family fun in the sun almost all year round!  Here are some things we like to do outdoors all year:

Sail.  Alfie loves to sail. He first took it up when he lived in Australia, and when he moved here he bought a sailboat and raced it on weekends.  He likes to joke that he sold his boat to make way for his kids, but he still takes us out on the lake for a sail now and then.

Run. Running and walking are my favorite forms of exercise. It doesn't cost anything, it's great for muscles and bones, and the natural high I get when I run is better than any form of drugs or alcohol!  California is the ideal place to run outdoors because the weather is great almost all year. 

Play soccer.  Everyone in the family loves soccer, but while The Pea and I are content to sit on the sofa and scream at the tv, 3Po and Jammy love getting out and kicking a ball around!  They practice 3 times a week with their soccer club, compete in matches and tournaments during the weekend, and play in the park with their dad.

Since Alfie and The Pea are so fair, sun safety is extremely important, and applying lotion every day is a non-negotiable.  I'm always on the lookout for effective, safe and convenient suncare products, so when I was invited to review Beyond Coastal's line of natural, family-friendly products, I readily agreed.  These products rub onto the skin easily and smell great!  My favorite is the Active Facestick, because it lets my apply sunscreen on everyone's faces without getting my hands all greasy, and has a nice lemony scent.  It's especially nice to know that Beyond Coastal uses natural ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and more to keep our skin hydrated and nourished -- the last thing I want is to be slathering chemicals on my kids every single day! 


Win a set of Beyond Coastal Products
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a Beyond Coastal Natural Family sampler pack, which includes:

* 1 Active Facestick SPF 30
* 1 Kids Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+
* 1 Active Sunscreen SPF 30+
* 1 Natural Clear Sunscreen SPF 30+
* 1 Citrus Grove Lip Balm SPF 15

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me your family's favorite fun in the sun activity. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/IFf8a9) in your blog post (1 entry).

3) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

4) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered the Beyond Coastal sun care giveaway! http://bit.ly/IFf8a9

4) Write this on the Beyond Coastal Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered to win a sampler of family-friendly Beyond Coastal suncare products on Bonggamom Finds! Enter by 5/17 http://bit.ly/IFf8a9

5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter

6) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):

RT @bonggafinds Win a set of family-friendly suncare products fr @BeyondCoastal! Enter by 5/17 at http://bit.ly/IFf8a9 #giveaway

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 17, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 18 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

Disclosure:This is a compensated post from Beyond Coastal, via Resourceful Mommy Media.   The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
 
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Nudo Olive Oil Mother's Day giveaway

Now that spring is here and summer is on its way, people are starting to sign up for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscriptions for regular deliveries of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.  It's a great way to support local farmers and enjoy the freshest product available!

Speaking of CSA's, artisanal olive oil company Nudo has a business model which is a twist on the CSA concept -- adopting your own olive tree, all the way in Italy.  If you adopt a Nudo tree for a year, and they'll send you all its produce in the form of delicious, artisanal olive oil from small, local farmers.  Yum!  They also have a line of exquisite olive oil products, from naturally flavored gourmet olive oils to olive oil chocolates to olive oil soaps to pasta, cakes and more.  They make the perfect Mother's Day present!  Can't decide which one to give?  Check out their Mamma Mia gift box, featuring the best of their products in one beautiful package:


She fed you when you whined ‘I don’t liiiike it’, she praised you when your painting was a bit duff, she put plasters on your knee when the wound was barely visible. And now it’s time to say ‘Thanks Mum’ with a bit of Nudo panache. When she opens her gift set, containing a tin of Nudo’s divine extra virgin olive oil to say thanks for all that cooking, a luxurious olive oil soap to say thanks for all that scrubbing and a box of beautiful Italian truffles to say thanks for all the love, she’ll have no doubt that it – you – were worth all the bother.

Nudo’s Mamma Mia Gift Box ($38.00) includes:


· One 250ml tin of Nudo's first cold press extra virgin olive oil


· One box of 12 handmade Italian olive oil chocolates, with ganache fillings in three delightful flavors - mandarin, lemon, and chili oil


· One bar of delicately-scented Honey and Lavender soap, handmade with organic extra-virgin olive oil to moisturize and soothe



Win a Mamma Mia Gift Box
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a Nudo Mamma Mia gift pack! 


Required Entry
Check out the Nudo website, and leave a comment on this post telling me which Nudo product you would like to give or receive for Mother's Day. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/JZRNqq) in your blog post (1 entry).

3) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

4) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered the Nudo Mother's Day giveaway! http://bit.ly/JZRNqq

4) Write this on the Nudo Italia Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered to win a Mamma Mia gift pack  http://bit.ly/JZRNqq

5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter

6) Follow @nudoitalia on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):

RT @bonggafinds Win a Mamma Mia gift pack of indulgent olive oil chocolates, soap and oil from  @nudoitalia ! Enter by 5/12 at http://bit.ly/JZRNqq #giveaway




The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 12, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 13 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!


Disclosure: Thanks to Nudo for providing the giveaway prize as well as a second gift pack for me. Product information is provided by Nudo and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Dale and Thomas Mother's Day giveaway

Dale and Thomas popcorn, where have you been all my life? I can't believe I only discovered your mouth-watering gourmet popcorn last month -- but I'm certainly making up for lost time.  We demolished the Dale and Thomas 12-pack you sent us for Easter in no time, but fortunately Mother's Day is coming up, so we have a great excuse to indulge in more Dale and Thomas popcorn. Check out their Mother's Day gift box:

Their Mother's Day gift box contains four footlong bags of popcorn -- Chocolate Chunk N'Caramel, Peanut Butter & White Chocolate Drizzlecorn, Hall of Fame Kettle Corn, and White Cheddar &Black Peppercorn -- in a pretty box.  Don't forget, kids, Mom gets to decide whether she wants to share her popcorn with you, or keep it all to herself.  I mean, isn't sharing her body for 9 months enough selflessness?


Win a Mother's Day of Dale and Thomas popcorn
One lucky (lucky lucky lucky!!) Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a Mother's Day 4-pack of Dale and Thomas popcorn!


Required Entry
Like Dale and Thomas on Facebook AND leave a comment on this post telling me which of their popcorn varieties you would love to give your mom for Mother's Day. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway (http://bit.ly/IhG2FJ) in your blog post (1 entry).

3) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

4) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered the Dale and Thomas popcorn giveaway! http://bit.ly/IhG2FJ

4) Write this on the Dale and Thomas Facebook page (1 entry):

I entered to win a Dale and Thomas Mother's Day 4-Pack Sampler on Bonggamom Finds! http://bit.ly/IhG2FJ

5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter

6) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a Mother's Day box of gourmet Dale and Thomas popcorn ! Enter by 5/12 at http://bit.ly/IhG2FJ #giveaway




The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on May 12, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on May 13 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!





Disclosure: Thanks to Dale and Thomas popcorn for providing a Mother's Day popcorn gift box for the giveaway, as well as a second one for me.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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