Bonggamom Finds

Warner Bros. Valentine's Day DVD giveaway

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

It's the season of love, and naturally, youthful minds turn to thoughts of..... cartoons! Warner Bros. is releasing their best and funniest cartoon characters on DVD, starting with
Scooby-Doo! Spooky Tales for the Love of Snack. Your kids will love watching Scooby, PePe Le Pew, Elmo, Bugs Bunny, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang as they muddle their way through various romantic adventures. Watch Scooby-Doo! Spooky Tales of Love for the Snack, Be My Valentine Charlie Brown Deluxe Edition, Charlie Brown Valentine, Bugs Bunny’s Cupid Capers, Happines is...Peanuts™: Friends Forever, Elmo Loves You, and the Looney Tunes Pepe Le Pew Collection, available now on DVD!! This bunch is far funnier and more entertaining than a bunch of flowers :)

About the DVDs

Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales Love of Snack (DVD)
Synopsis: There’s only one thing Scooby-Doo and Shaggy love more than solving a good mystery… stuffing their mouths with more tasty treats than they can eat! Scooby and Shaggy’s snack-hungry tummies have caused trouble for the rest of the gang time and time again, but the two always step up to the plate to help solve the many mysteries they encounter. Now our favorite “meddling kids” discover what happens when the snacks fight back! From a giant hamburger monster to a cursed pizza to a creature haunting a (say it isn’t so) Scooby snack factory, the gang will need plenty of guts to close these cases. If you’ve got an appetite for spooky adventures with Scooby-Doo and crew, pick up this tasty collection of episodes today that the whole family will enjoy!

Be My Valentine Charlie Brown (DVD)
Unlucky in Love: An Unrequited Love Story Through the eyes of the Peanuts characters, the unrequited sense of love will be revealed, only to manifest that at the end the message is something universal, something to which we can all relate.

Happines is...Peanuts™: Friends Forever (DVD)
Good Grief, love is in the air! A new Peanuts collection blossoms with stories of love, laughs and friendship. It’s the end of the school year and Charlie Brown may finally get his chance to meet the Little Red Haired Girl in the TV Special, You’re in Love, Charlie Brown. Then join your Peanuts pals in an episode of The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show featuring five short adventures: Kite Eating Tree, Sally, Camp, Lucy Loves Schroeder and Scared Snoopy. There’s plenty of delight as Snoopy embarks on a mission as the WW1 Flying Ace, Lucy continues her pursuit of Schroeder’s attention and Charlie Brown gets an unexpected surprise at camp. With a little help from Peanuts, this collection and you are sure to be friends forever!

Elmo Loves You (DVD)
Elmo is making a super special surprise card for someone Elmo really loves, but a gust of wind blows it away! Rosita joins Elmo to chase after the card but they can't reach it. Can Super Grover use his heroic powers to save the day? Join Elmo, Rosita and Grover as they learn about love, emotions and friendship in this love-ly tale featuring the new song "Elmo Loves You" and a special music video about signing "I Love You." There's lots of love on Sesame Street and remember, Elmo Loves You! Special celebrity appearances from Trisha Yearwood, John Legend and R.E.M.!

Looney Tunes Pepe Le Pew Collection (DVD)
A new compilation featuring 17 iconic shorts of the loveable French Skunk, Pepe Le Pew! Pepe is always strolling around Paris in the springtime, where everyone’s thoughts are of “love”. While he is constantly seeking "l'amour" of his own, his huge turnoff to any prospective mate is his malodorous scent. Together for the first time are some of Pepe’s most beloved and comical shorts.

Win a Valentine's Day DVD Prize Pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a Valentine's DVD prize pack with the following DVDs:
Be My Valentine Charlie Brown DE (DVD)
A Charlie Brown Valentine (DVD)
Bugs Bunny’s Cupid Capers (DVD)
Happines is...Peanuts™: Friends Forever (DVD)
Elmo Loves You (DVD)
Looney Tunes Pepe Le Pew Collection (DVD)

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me which Warner Bros. cartoon character is your favorite.

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 on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like" Bonggamom Finds on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):
I entered the Warner Bros. Valentine's DVD giveaway! http://ow.ly/ti1ss

6) Tweet this (1 entry per day)

Enter to win a collection of Warner Bros. Valentine-themed DVDs! Giveaway ends 2/12/14 on @bonggafinds: http://ow.ly/ti1ss

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 Feb 11, 2014; I will draw a winner at random on Feb 12 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. . Product information (in italics) is provided by Warner Bros. Home Entertainmennt. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Tickets now on sale for Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

I am receiving complimentary tickets to this show as part of the Feld Family Ambassador program.

One of the most enjoyable ways to show your Disney Side outside a Disney Park is to attend a Disney production. Beauty and the Beast is an amazing Broadway production, and it is my dream to be able to watch The Lion King. If your travels don't happen to take you near Broadway or London's West End, never fear: there are so many touring Disney productions that you're bound to find one playing at a town near you! Just check liveshows.Disney.com for a production near you.

Bay Area residents have it especially easy, because Disney on Ice usually comes to San Jose and to Oakland at least once a year! The latest Disney on Ice production coming is Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After, and it will be playing at the SAP Center in San Jose from February 19-23 and Oracle Arena in Oakland from February 26-March 2. I can't wait to see this show because it features excerpts from Brave and Tangled, which we've never seen before.

About the show
Get ready to rock out with some of the most magical idols of all in a musical showcase that features the hottest tunes and talent from across the kingdom in Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After! Jam to a Scottish jig as a group of royal contenders from the latest Disney•Pixar film, Brave, competes to win the heart of headstrong, sharp-shooting Merida, making her ice debut! Experience a show-stopping performance as Sebastian breaks out of his shell for one night only to make waves with Ariel. A chorus of harmless hooligans from Tangled unleashes musical mayhem when they get a visit from the sassy and spirited Rapunzel and her charming ally Flynn. And, get your feet moving as the Beast and his castle’s enchanted entourage take center stage in a spectacular show for Belle. It will be a rockin’ remix of royalty when Disney On Ice brings this superstar line-up to your hometown!

Are you excited to show your Disney Side and watch Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After ? You'll be even more excited to know that I've got a great savings offer to share with you!!! Take your family and friends to Disney On Ice in the Bay and use the discount below to SAVE!!!

Special offers for Disney on Ice presents Rockin' Ever After
Save $5 on all weekend performances (Fri PM-Sun) or get tickets for just $11 on all weekday performances (Wednesday through Thursday and Fridays at 10:30 am) with code MOM. Savings not valid on Rinkside or VIP seats; no double discounts; limit 6 tickets per order. Here's how to get the discount:

Go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/kgdsm3
Click the performance you would like to attend
Click on the link for “Got an Offer Code”
Enter the code MOM5 in the box
Click OK

Disney on Ice coloring pages
Share the excitement with your kids by printing out this fun coloring sheet!

Disney on Ice presents Rockin' Ever After coloring sheet (featuring Disney Princesses)

Disclosure: I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre‐Show events. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces review and giveaway

Monday, February 03, 2014

I received samples for review

Too hungry to read all the way through? Scroll down to the bottom to enter to win a 6-quart crockpot and Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces!

Soups and stews are some of my favorite foods to eat and cook. I love the tender texture of the meat and the slow-cooked flavors, as well as the convenience of one-pot cooking that doesn't require constant vigilance. You'd think I would be a natural slow cooker devotee -- but the truth is, I've resisted buying a slow cooker for two reasons. First, we don't have enough counter space. Second, I've always had a secret fear of the house burning down because of a faulty crockpot.

Well, it turns out I'm the real crockpot. Campbell's recently gifted me with a crockpot so I could try their new Slow Cooker Sauces -- and I can't believe I've existed without a crockpot! The crockpot is totally safe, and it's totally worth the counter space.

I can't believe I've never cooked with Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces before, either. Making a crockpot meal with Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces is even easier than making it on the stove! You get the same one-pot convenience with even less hassle. There's only one ingredient to add -- the sauce -- so there's no measuring, chopping, sauteeing, mixing or stirring, just set it and forget it!
Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces come in six varieties:
• Tavern Style Pot Roast with Mushrooms and Roasted Garlic
• Sweet Korean BBQ with Roasted Ginger and Sesame
• Apple Bourbon BBQ with Bell Peppers and Brown Sugar
• Hawaiian Luau with Pineapple, Mango and Bell Peppers
• Mexican Red Chile Taco with Garlic and Sweet Peppers
• Moroccan Spiced Stew with Green Olives and Lemon

We were given one of each kind, and they all pretty much work the same way. First, put your meat (about 2-3 lbs) into the crockpot and pour a packet of Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauce over the meat. You don't even need to add water. I will admit, the first time I used it, I freaked out and added water because my new crockpot instructions said to make sure the crockpot was at least half full, and the meat plus the sauce only filled my 6-quart crockpot about a third of the way. But the meat actually exudes juices while cooking, which waters down the thick sauce. The water wasn't necessary, but adding it doesn't really hurt, it just gives more of a watery sauce that goes great with rice :)

Turn the crockpot on to a low setting, and 7-8 hours later you get a hunk (or chunks) of tender, flavorful meat. The meat is so tender, it flakes easily with a fork, and the sauces are just amazing! My family loved all six varieties (the only one that didn't receive rave reviews from the kids was the Moroccan Spiced Stew, because it's spicy; Alfie and I loved it, though), so I'll definitely be buying these on a regular basis.

Here are a few more photos of the dishes I've made with Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces and the crockpot, starting with the Apple Bourbon BBQ. Like I said, it's fork-tender. I added carrots, bell pepper strips and onions halfway through the cooking time. This goes great with cornbread and a green salad!

The Korean BBQ is our hands-down favorite. It tastes just like something you'd get at an Asian restaurant. I added peas and beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking and served it over rice.

We had pot roast for our Super Bowl dinner, and I didn't have to get up from my spot on the couch even once!

I'm really, really hoping Campbell's comes up with more varieties, especially vegetarian ones. I'd love to see a sauce for chickpea curry or saag paneer or mushroom mutter (can you tell I love Indian food?). Whether they do or not, I'll be adding Campbell's Slow Cooker sauces to my list of grocery staples. As Alfie says, this is a keeper!

Win a Campbell's Slow Cooker prize pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a 6-quart Programmable Crock Pot® slow cooker and one of each variety of Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces:

• Tavern Style Pot Roast with Mushrooms and Roasted Garlic
• Sweet Korean BBQ with Roasted Ginger and Sesame
• Apple Bourbon BBQ with Bell Peppers and Brown Sugar
• Hawaiian Luau with Pineapple, Mango and Bell Peppers
• Mexican Red Chile Taco with Garlic and Sweet Peppers
• Moroccan Spiced Stew with Green Olives and Lemon

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me which variety of Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces you are most excited to try.

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 on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like" Bonggamom Finds on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):
I entered the Campbell's Slow Cooker giveaway! http://ow.ly/tf1uq

6) Tweet this (1 entry per day)

Enter to win a 6-qt crockpot + 6 varieties of Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces! Giveaway ends 2/24/14 on @bonggafinds: http://ow.ly/tf1uq

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 Feb 24, 2014; I will draw a winner at random on Feb 25 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

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

Get organized with the new Home Collection by Post-it and Scotch

Saturday, February 01, 2014

Scotch and Post-it Home Collection for organization

My kitchen is usually a big mess -- but the funny thing is, half of it isn't even related to food. The kitchen is where I write, where I pay our bills, where the kids do their homework, where we all craft and draw. So in addition to pots and pans, there are all kinds of papers and artwork strewn all over our kitchen. There's not enough space on our fridge and message board, so I usually just stack them up and sweep them aside.

I've long wanted to utilize the insides of our kitchen cabinets to keep our papers, but we had new cabinet doors installed just a few years ago, and there's no way Alfie will allow me to screw in a clipboard or plastic organizer into the doors! Hearing about Post-it's Home Collection was like drowning in the sea and being given a lifeboat -- finally, a way to organize our papers and display the kids' artwork that doesn't mar the cabinetry or walls! The Home Collection is full of inexpensive solutions to clutter and mess, perfect for your New Year's Organization resolutions!

About the Home Collection
The collection, which is currently available at The Container Store, features a range of Post-it Products and Scotch Products and simple solutions to tackle everything from reminders to to-do lists, family schedules, meal planning, displaying children’s artwork and more. The collection pairs functionality with stylish design and soft hues, featuring products can be used individually or work together to create a unique and approachable organization system.

3M sent me a variety of Scotch Brand and Post-it Brand items from their Home Collection to help me get organized:

I love how everything can be removed, repositioned, and replaced so easily -- without peeling off the paint on our walls or cabinets!

My favorite items are the View and Go Pockets. I stuck them on the inside of my kitchen cabinets, so I can keep all my loose papers -- school notices, field trip permission forms, coupons, etc... -- all in one handy place, without cluttering up our kitchen table. The only thing missing from these pockets is an extra adhesive strip for the bottom of the pocket. Only the top has an adhesive strip, so the pocket dangles (I took an extra adhesive square from one of the other products to secure the pockets!).

The Scotch Restickable Strips serve a similar function: you can press photos and paper onto them, and they will stick (they're wonderful for stainless steel fridges where you can't use magnets!). Stuff sticks to them so well that you need to be very careful when peeling them off. The strip is made of a gel-like material, so it will probably end up gathering dust in the areas not covered by paper -- but believe it or not, it's washable! Just wash and dry, and the strip will be just as good as new.

The Restickable Designs are also a big hit. They're great for hanging posters or happy birthday signs on the walls -- and the best part is, they're reusable! Just rinse them in water and dry them off to "recharge" their sticky properties. I have no doubt they'll peel off the walls cleanly but I still have my doubts about whether they will stick to the poster itself. If it does feel like the poster is going to tear, I'll dampen the Restickable Dot and see what happens.

I think the Scotch Display Frames are a stroke of genius. They have Scotch adhesive strips on the back, so you can put them anywhere. They make your kids' artwork and photos look much more finished and elegant than just plain old magnets!

Other products in the Home Collection include (clockwise, from top left):

Post-it Full Adhesive Note Tiles
Post-it Reminder Tags
Post-it Shopping Books, Meal Planner and List Pad
Post-it Dry Erase Message Center
Post-it Notes with Hashtag Pattern
Post-it Dry Erase Planner and Message Center

Check out the full Home Collection line at Post-it.com. Home organization has never been so easy!

Disclosure: I received product samples to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information (in italics) is provided by Post-It and Scotch. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

DisneySide @Home Celebration kit: what's inside? (and a giveaway for you!)

Friday, January 31, 2014

All products featured on this post (except Mickey!) were given to me as part of the DisneySide @Home Celebration campaign.

Want to join in the celebration? Scroll to the bottom to enter to win a Mickey & Minnie poster!

It has been over 2 weeks since I first found out I had been chosen to host a DisneySide @Home celebration, and in that time, social media has been buzzing over all the cool things that Disney and MomSelect had packed up for the party hosts. I always knew I'd be one of the last to receive a box since the box had to travel cross-country to get to me. So I waited as patiently as possible, passing the time by planning my own party, and by oohing and ahhing over all the #DisneySide hosts' photos.

When the package finally arrived, I couldn't help grinning like an idiot (and no, I did not stalk the UPS guy or wait on my porch -- I swear it was coincidence that I happened to have my phone to take a photo at the exact same moment the truck arrived!). I already had a pretty good idea of what I'd find inside the box, but that didn't prevent me from being thrilled when we opened the box -- mainly because The Pea, who was at home when the box arrived, had no idea that we'd be receiving anything, let along what was inside. The look of genuine surprise and happiness on her face as she and Mickey Mouse unpacked the box made my day!

Here's a video I made of The Pea and Mickey opening our box and exploring its contents:

Here are all the contents of the box, in all their glory! Mickey Mouse was amazed at all the cool stuff they were able to pack into a single box. He's more excited than ever to party!

Everything came packed into an American Tourister At Skate roll-on suitcase. At just 20" long and 6.8 lbs, this is the perfect hand carry luggage -- and since it's black with red lining (Mickey Mouse colors!), it will be even more perfect for the next time we visit a Disney Park! The box also had an adorable Mickey Mouse luggage tag. Thank you, American Tourister (the official luggage of Walt Disney World and Disneyland), for this amazing hostess gift!

Here's a more detailed listing of everything we received:

A hostess kit with party ideas, recipes, and a Disney Vacation planning DVD, plus red and yellow balloons.

Fun Mickey Mouse Clubhouse partyware: paper plates, paper cups, napkins, hanging decorations, and plastic table cover.

For yummy party treats: Ocean Spray Craisins, measuring cups from The Chew, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cupcake liners, and Mickey Mouse cookie cutters. I love, love, LOVE the cookie cutters -- I already have a Mickey-shaped cookie cutter, but this new red one is much smaller, so I can make smaller cookies and sandwiches, and the new black one is an adorable Mickey profile!

Disney-themed games: Disney Bingo and Disney Trivia. This will go great with the Disney-themed Taboo cards I made! I didn't peek even once at the Disney Trivia questions because we're going to be playing all 3 Disney games at our party.

Craft supplies: 10 white t-shirts from Hanes and a pack of Crayola fabric markers. Every DisneySide party host's box was a little different, and I must confess that I was secretly hoping to get these shirts, so I'm thrilled that my wish came true! Time to busy some iron-on transfer paper and polka dot ribbon to make sew-on mini bows!

Goodie bag fillers: Muppets calendars, temporary tattoos, stickers, runDisney bracelets, runDisney bumper stickers, runDisney chEAR cards (which could also be used for placemats, decor, or even games), and the most adorable Mickey and Minnie love posters.

Memory makers: 10 boxes of HP Photo Cards. These can be used for invitations, but I think I'll use them as thank-you cards. I plan to have a Disney-themed photo booth, so I want to print out a photo of each guest posing in the photo booth, and send the photo home with them. How's that for a fun party memory?!

It was truly a wonderful surprise, and if I was excited for our DisneySide party, I'm doubly excited now that this party box has arrived. I'm so grateful to MomSelect, Disney, American Tourister, Hanes, HP, The Chew, and Ocean Spray for all these goodies!

Get ready for a Disney social media bonanza starting February 15, as families across the country (including mine!) will be hosting #DisneySide parties and letting their Disney Side shine. Follow the fun with the #DisneySide hashtag, and get inspiration to host your own DisneySide celebration with recipes, activity kits and tips on www.disneysidecelebrations.com/. How will you celebrate your DisneySide this year? Share your answers with me and you could win a Mickey & Minnie poster!

Win a Disney poster
Two lucky Bonggamom Finds readers will each receive an 11"x14" Mickey & Minnie poster.

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me how you show your Disney Side --OR -- tell me which of the items on this post you would most love to receive.

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 on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like" Bonggamom Finds on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):
I entered the DisneySide @Home celebration giveaway! http://ow.ly/taMSY #DisneySide

6) Tweet this (1 entry per day)

Enter to win a Mickey & Minnie poster -- 2 winners! Giveaway ends 2/15/14 on @bonggafinds: http://ow.ly/taMSY #DisneySide

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 Feb 15, 2014; I will draw a winner at random on Feb 16 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

Disclosure: I received free party supplies, goody bag fillers and other products to host a #DisneySide @Home Celebration. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Bonggamom's Friday Finds: list your giveaways here

Friday, January 31, 2014

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!

That Awkward Moment giveaway

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Have you ever had an awkward moment? Zac Efron's new movie, That Awkward Moment, is full of them -- and since it's not happening to you or me, I have a feeling it's going to be a funny movie to watch! My favorite one is where Zac's character goes to a costume party wearing a, um, rubber model of a certain part of the male anatomy. Check out his awkward moment at 2:12 into the trailer below!

That Awkward Moment opens in theaters tomorrow, January 31.

Win a pair of That Awkward Moment shorts
Do you have an awkward moment to share? Two winners will receive a pair of That Awkward Moment gym shorts!

Required Entry

Leave a comment on this post and share an awkward moment you've experienced.

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 on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like" Bonggamom Finds on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):

I entered the That Awkward Moment giveaway! http://ow.ly/t8ivv #thatawkwardmoment #rockon

6) Tweet this (1 entry per day)

Enter to win That Awkward Moment swag: a pair of gym shorts! Ends 2/10/14 @bonggafinds: http://ow.ly/t8ivv #thatawkwardmoment #rockon

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 Feb 10, 2014; I will draw a winner at random on Feb 11 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

Disclosure: I received a prize pack as a thank-you for hosting this giveaway, and a second prize pack to give away. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Disclosure: I received a pair of gym shorts for this post. Giveaway prize was provided by ThinkJam on behalf of That Awkward Moment. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

GH Cretors popcorn -- best cheese popcorn ever

Thursday, January 30, 2014

I received product samples to review

With Valentine's Day just two weeks away, my thoughts are naturally turning to thoughts of..... food! I love Valentine's sweet treats! The first thing I think of is chocolate, but I have to admit I wouldn't turn down a bag of GH Cretors popcorn! Their cheese popcorn is probably the best flavored popcorn I have ever tasted. I received a sample a few months ago, and I am hooked. They have three varieties: Just The Cheese Corn, Just The Caramel Corn, and Chicago Mix (a blend of the first two). My favorite is definitely the cheese, but the Chicago Mix is pretty good, especially if you love a mix of sweet (reallllly sweet!) and salty. Unfortunately, I've checked the GH Cretor store locator time and time again, and still there are no stores near me that carry it! The closest ones I could find were in the Napa Valley and the East Bay. And they only sell online in cases of 12. Please GH Cretors, send your amazing popcorn my way!

About GH Cretors popcorn
Combining cheese corn and caramel corn in the same bag, this popcorn combo offers delicious hits of sweet, salty, crunchy and cheesy in every bite. The caramel corn is made the old fashioned way: by hand, in copper kettles. Cane sugar, brown rice syrup (a non-GMO alternative to corn syrup with a lower glycemic impact) and real butter is heated over a flame and then stirred slowly by hand to develop its rich complex flavor and crunch. For the cheese corn, real cheddar cheese is melted in special kettles and then gently mixed with locally-grown, air-popped corn. The result is a perfect combination of tastes, two-cheese to one-caramel in every bag. And, this treat is all natural and completely free of GMO’s, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives!

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

Crispy Green's Crispy Fruit freeze-dried fruit slices

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

I received samples to review

Everyone makes New Year's resolutions, and one of the most common resolutions people make is to lose weight, eat better, or get healthier. Gyms and exercise classes and running trails see a swell in attendance -- but sadly, a lot of this beginning-of-the-year enthusiasm fizzles out, sometimes as early as February! The key is making small, manageable, and sustainable changes. For example, instead of cutting out all refined sugar from your diet, why not focus on eating healthy sweets like fruit, and save the cupcakes for special occasions (and when I say special occasions, I don't mean bi-weekly celebrations!).

Fruit is really one of the easiest ways I've found to satisfy my sweet tooth. I love fresh fruit, but it can be a pain to carry around on car trips or to pack in my kids' snacks or lunches. A great alternative is freeze dried fruit like Crispy Green's Crispy Fruit -- it's 100% fruit in a convenient pouch. It's not messy or juicy or sticky. It's just as sweet and delicious as fresh fruit (because it is fruit!). And it has a wonderful crispy crunch that really tricks your mind into thinking you've had junk food! My kids love it, and so do I. I'm particularly impressed with their mango flavor. Being from the Philippines, I'm really picky about the mangoes I eat, and the Crispy Fruit mango is nice and sweet, not sour at all. I'm on the lookout for the Asian Pear variety and the latest one, Tangerine -- and I'm prepared to clean out the shelves when I find them!

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

Introducing CLIF Kid Fruit + Veggie twisted rope snacks

Monday, January 27, 2014

I received samples to review

Something new is growing at CLIF Kid! We received samples of their new Z Fruit + Veggie twisted rope snacks. They come in three flavors: Mango Mania, Blueberry Blast, and Cheery Cherry. They taste as delicious as they sound, and they're all natural -- no high fructose corn syrup (not even refined sugar!) and no artificial flavors. They're made with fruit and vegetable purees (carrot and sweet potato, plus the blueberry and cherry flavors also have beets). My favorite is the Mango Mania, although Jammy is torn between Mango Mania and Cheery Cherry. I love it when I don't have to trade nutrition for taste!

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

Ricola "Call In Well" giveaway

Saturday, January 25, 2014

I grew up in a hot country, so I still get a secret thrill when the weather turns cold. But the cold and flu season is particularly brutal this year, and there's no way anyone can enjoy the cold when their bodies and heads and throats are aching. With half of the country blanketed in snow and ice, everyone's resistance is down, so we're all doing what we can to stay well, so we can get on with life without having to call in sick. Getting a flu shot is only the first step; there are lots of things you can do to feel better at this time of the year:

* Avoid touching doorknobs, stair banisters, railings, poles and other things in public facilities.
* Wash your hands often.
* If you are coming down with something, try to cough and sneeze into your elbow, not your hands, to help prevent the spread of germs.
* If you are coming down with something, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Finally, if you start to feel a cough or sore throat coming on, give your throat a break by drinking warm liquids... and stock up on Ricola cough drops! They really do a great job soothing sore throats, and they taste great (no nasty medicine taste!), so I don't have to force them down my kids' throats. It's amazing how bothersome a sore throat can be... clearing it up can really make the difference between a miserable and a great day, between calling in sick and calling in well!

Call In Well with Ricola and you could win $500
As the cold and flu season hits its peak this month, Ricola ®, the leading manufacturer of soothing herb cough drops from Switzerland, is encouraging consumers to trade in their sick days for well days by inviting them to “Call in Well.” Now through January 31st, consumers can call 1-855-4-WELLDAY or text RICOLA (22122) to share what fun things they’d do if they took a “well day” off. One lucky winner per day will win $500. Visit Ricola’s Facebook page for official rules.

Win a Chrüterchraft Prize Pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a prize pack from Ricola that includes:

* Ricola Extra Strength cough suppressant drops with natural menthol
* Ricola Original Natural Herb Cough Drops
* Ricola cough drop tin
· $25 Visa gift card

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and share a tip for surviving the cold and flu season.

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I entered the Ricola Call In Well giveaway! http://ow.ly/sWWHa #swissherbs #callinwell

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Enter to win a Ricola prize pack + $25 gift card! Giveaway ends 2/15/14 on @bonggafinds: http://ow.ly/sWWHa #swissherbs #callinwell

Disclosure: I received a prize pack as a thank-you for hosting this giveaway, and a second prize pack to give away. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.