Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters - two big thumbs up

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed my samples of Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters from My Blog Spark and so I will do pros and cons for this review.

Pros

(or, why I freakin love these things)
1. Super Delicious...nutty, crunchy, sweet and salty all in one
2. Filling...they definitely take the edge off that 3:00 hunder
3. Portable...come in resealable bags that are great for car trips, a picnic, the beach or the pool.
4. No high fructose corn syrup...real honey and sugar used for sweetening

Cons

(or why I might suggest you not try them in the first place cause you're gonna love them)
1. Not Low Fat....but not horrible if you limit it (7 clusters are 160 calories and 10 grams of fat)
2. Addictive...see number 1
3. They won't last very long...see number 2


New Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters comes in four flavors: Honey Roasted Peanut, Granola Nut Clusters, Roasted Almond, and Roasted Cashew.

Get a $1.00 off any bag of Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters (you'll see link at the bottom of the home page) and then tell me what you think!


Janine
Product provided by

What's "Good For The Kids" is good for the parents at this online store

I only wish there was a shop like this when the Twofer were little. But way back then (6 years ago) there wasn't as much information out there about the plastic that was used in baby bottles or the lead paint often found in toys we import.

Safe and Affordable for Babies and Big Kids

GoodForTheKids.com is one place where you know the things you buy are safe. They have everything from BPA-free bottles to Melissa & Doug brand toys. The prices are very competitive (most of my items were $5.99 or lower). And many come with a lifetime guarantee.

The site is easy to navigate and you simply pick a category: Play - Feed - Nurture - Engage or Shop By Brand. Here you'll find unique products that will satisfy even the most (and I can say this because I'm one of them) neurotic mother, while providing exactly what the child either wants (in my case) or needs.


Thanks to Momfluence and GoodForTheKids.com I have the opportunity to test a number of Melissa & Doug craft products like:

Origami Paper

Take-Along Water Color Set and

Jumbo Triangular Sidewalk Chalk.

These have really come in handy as I put my Summer Survival Guide to the test!

And the Tooth Fairy Box would have been helpful yesterday when that silly fairy, ahem, FORGOT to come.

Be sure to check out GoodForTheKids.com and send the link to those new (and neurotic) moms. They will forever thank you!

Janine

Product provided by:
Momfluence
GoodForTheKids.com

Just call me Julia George Foreman Child - delish dinner in 10 minutes

I love my George Foreman Grill.

I have the original. It's smaller than the new ones.
It's white (not very practical with grilling).
But it cooks chicken in 5 minutes.
No. Kidding.
So, I did a video to show you just how quickly it cooks.
And, there's some dancing in there too...



Here's what you need:
Purdue frozen chicken breasts from Costco (they are thin and require no cutting... just thaw, season and cook!)
Montreal Chicken Seasoning or Cavender's Greek Seasoning
George Foreman Grill

Sides:
Frozen veggies
Mrs. T's Piergoies

So pull out that George Foreman and let me know what you think.
Also - try making grilled cheese in it. 3 minutes flat!

Janine

This post sponsored
by me and my kitchen.

5 Things I Love about Crocs

My NEW Cabana Crocs

1. Crocs Don't Smell when my Feet Sweat

Maybe this is TMI but my feet sweat, a lot sometimes. Whatever, I'm sure you're are no roses. Anyway, Crocs don't smell even after the longest walk on a 90 degree day. And actually, my feet don't sweat at all in my new Cabana Crocs!

2. Crocs has Affordable Comfort and Style

The average cost of a pair of Crocs is what, $30? Maybe $40? I think my Cabanas were about $50. My original pair of Crocs have lasted over 3 years...and they are still going. I have never had a $30 pair of shoes last that long. I'm getting my money's worth for sure. And comfort is something that simply cannot be debated.

3. Crocs has @GeorgeGSmithJr

George is a Crocs blogger, he represents Crocs on Twitter, and is an all-around nice guy. Just ask any one of his 2500 followers. He is a perfect example of how a big company can reach out to consumers and make them love them even more. Since "meeting" George I have really gained a sense of loyalty to Crocs which has resulted in me buying 3 more pairs of Crocs - one for me and one for each of the girls.

4. Crocs has Great customer service

When the rivet broke off of my daughter's Mary Jane Crocs my friend George sent me the link to where I can order more. And by order, I mean fill in your name and address and they send you a package of them for FREE! You can also get replacement straps!

5. Crocs is Spreading the Love

Most recently I had ordered a pair of Crocs with a gift certificate I received at the Blissdom conference. It was taking an unusually long time but I was patient as paying customers surely take precedence over my freebies. I tweeted with George a few times and he had me email him my information again. A week later I received my Cabanas. A week after that I received a second pair!
When I told George I think I had been a little too squeaky of a wheel he said, "Keep the extra and spread the love!"


And so, that 's what I'm going to do. The size 8 Cabanas are going to be donated to a local women's shelter and I'm spreading my love for Crocs here with you.

Janine

Whrrl.com has my head swirling with ideas!

First and foremost, I'd like to that Whrrl.com and my blog friend JessicaKnows for an afternoon of pampering in honor of Mother's Day and Moms Night Out 2009.

Second, I thought Whrrl was cool when I saw Jessica's stories but now that I've done my own I'm completely hooked!

Below you will see my latest Whrrl story (this widget will continue to change):


It's like mini blogging but I can do it all from my phone! And I don't even have an iPhone! I can use SMS prompts or whatever you call it to send text and picture messages to create a story.
SMS looks like this:
# Janine's day of pampering
@ some location with a spa
POST Look what I got to do!
PHOTO (send pic attached to this mssg)
POST Look how happy I am
PHOTO (attach another picture)
POST Thanks Jessica you RAWK!
LEAVE (ends the story)

In addition to Whrrl, Joey Totes gave us each a 3-pack of reusable bags and you already know how much I love my Joey Totes! Plus Jessica had Whrrl t-shirts and mini Ford Flex cars for all of our kiddos (she thinks of everything).

Don't forget my manicure and pedicure. I certainly won't forget it because it's going to last me until next Mother's Day when I'll finally get another one!

So now my mind is whrrling and twrrling around all the fun ways I can use whrrl to document events in my life. Watch out - a story is just a Whrrl away!

Janine

ChicTots Wristlet review and giveaway

***UPDATE 5-12-09***
Winner of the ChicTots Wristlet is....Lollie!
Congratulations!!
********************
The opportunity to review an item from ChicTots came to me via my roll as editor of the twins/multiples section at TypeAMom.net.

After looking at all of the products online I chose an item that is great for a mom with children in diapers, but that I just might be able to use as a mom with 2 almost-6 year olds. I chose the Chic&Carry Wristlet.

The Chic&Carry Wristlet would be the perfect new-mom gift

Infact, I'm about to buy one for my friend who just had her 4th child and now has 2 kids in diapers. There are 2 versions of the Chic&Carry Wristlet.

• One holds 2-4 diapers, the other holds up to 6 disposable diapers or 2 cloth diapers plus have a separate zippered front pocket for your phone, money, etc.
  
• Both have the wrist strap and oval hook so they can be worn on a beltloop, attached to another bag, or hooked onto a stroller if you don't want to carry it.
• Both also come with a wipes holder (you'll see below how I used this) and the newer version's is PVC, Phthalates, & Lead free. NOTE: you can buy additional wipes holders separately!
  

ChicTots has lots of great items for mom and baby but I know the wristlet is something that can be used as the kids grow.

What I have in my Chic&Carry Wristlet

I have been using the Chic&Carry Wristlet now for a few weeks as a summer clutch. It's perfect for a trip to the playground with the girls. It can hold my phone, a small wallet, my sunglasses, and the wipes holder which is perfect to hold emergency playground items like:

• sunscreen
• Neo To Go (Neosporin)
• bandages
• bug spray
• and, of course, wipes!

Giveaway-enter to win your own Chic&Carry Wristlet from ChicTots!

Rules:
You can choose from any of the wristlets she has available.
Contest ends Monday, May 11, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Leave a separate comment per entry with links as needed.

How to Enter:
1. Visit the ChicTots website (www.chictots.com) and tell me what OTHER item looks like something you would buy
2. Leave a comment telling me what you found
3. Tweet about this contest: "Enter to win #ChicTots wristlet from @Twincident http://tinyurl.com/d3xyka "
4. Mention and link to this giveaway on your blog
5. Email 5 of your friends a link to this giveaway and cc me: scarytwins [at] yahoo [dot] com

Winner will be chosen by random drawing.

Be sure to follow Michele (@ChicTots) on Twitter as well. She is a local DC mom, inspiring Mompreneur, and new friend.

Janine

A Mother’s Day Gift that Gives Back to Mompreneurs in Africa

This mom supports her family with coconut oil

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than to buy your mom a gift that supports other mothers. Basa Body all-natural coconut oil products make the perfect Mother’s Day gift for so many reasons.

About Basa Body

Basa Body products are made with organic coconut oil that comes from Coast Coconut Farms, a micro-franchise business that provides sustainable employment, management and ownership opportunities for the rural people of Kenya. Coast Coconut farms produces coconut oil for cooking and for Basa Body products. When you buy either line of products ayou are helping moms in Africa support their families.

But How are the Basa Products?

I received a Kiss Me Pack that includes three products that no only smell good, they feel really good too. The Basa Body Lotion was supple yet not greasy. The Body Stick was perfect for my cuticles and elbows. And the Mint Trouffle Soap was oddly refreshing, if not hunger-inducing!

Basa Body Kiss Me Pack

Two reasons to Buy Basa Body products for Mom

First, purchase a Basa Body Kiss Me pack between now and May 12, and use the promotion code "momitforward," to receive an additional 10% off. That makes it a fab Mother’s Day gift for under $30.00!

AND

If you purchase a Basa body or Coast Coconut Farms product OR make a donation of at least $20 between now and May 12th, you will be entered to win one of three prizes from MomItForward:
$250 Disney gift card
$150 Amazon.com gift card
$100 Target gift card

Already got your mom something?

Look ahead to the end of school and get your child’s teacher a Basa Body or Coast Coconut Farms gift as a thank you that goes a little further.
Is there a mom-to-be or new mom in your life? Surprise them with a gift that really celebrates mothers everywhere.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my mom friends. Please visit the Basa Body site and consider donating or making a purchase.

And Mom – you can guess what you’ll be getting May10th !☺
Janine

Mister reviews Ragu Old World Style Sauce

Normally Mister does not contribute to my blogs. Occasionally he'll leave a comment or two. A number of times he's helped me figure out html code. Usually I'm throwing him under the bus in one of my posts.

But this time I was running out somewhere being fabulous and all, and he was in charge of making dinner.

I had thawed out some previously made penne with ricotta but it was lacking in the sauce department.
So the mister grabbed a bottle of Ragu Old World Style sauce I had just received from Mom Central and unknowingly became part of the Twofer review team.

Here's how it went:

Me calling to check in from my land of fabulous to see how the kids are doing, "Hi! How'd it go?" (I'm rather verbose)

Mister, "That pasta stuff was awesome!"

Me, "Really? Because it was frozen and I didn't know how it would taste."

Mister, "I used that Ragu sauce...that stuff was great! You should get that more often."

Me annoyed by his sexism, "YOU should go to the store and get that more often."

Mister, "{sigh} Whatever. That Ragu sauce is good and the girls ate it up."

Me, "Well........good. I love you."

Mister, "mmm, hmmmm" which means 'I love you back'.

So you see, Ragu Old World Style sauce not only tastes good, it can help you communicate with your spouse.

Eating the leftovers,
Janine

X-14 Mold & Mildew Sounds Powerful (and is)

I was one of those people that hired a cleaning lady as soon as I could afford one. Working full time I valued my Saturdays and Sundays and could not stand losing one to a day of cleaning...especially bathrooms.

Me versus the Bathroom versus X-14

Well last year we were looking at ways to cut back and I decided to TRY cleaning my house myself (with some help from the Twofer and Mister). So I hugged my beloved Martiza and told her this is not "goodbye"! This is "see you later"! And then I went to the store and loaded up on cleaning supplies that would make this new job of mine easier.

Supplies I bought just to clean the shower:
tile cleaner, bleach for the tub ring, gloves, and various scrubbers for the tub and tiles.

X-14 Eliminates Mold, Mildew, and the Bucket

Had I known then what I know now...Mom Central just introduced me to X-14 Mold & Mildew cleaner which virtually replaces my bucket-o-goodies with one neatly packaged blue bottle. Not only does "X-14" sound like some top-secret, powerful agent, it really is! A powerful cleaning agent that is. {feel free to chuckle now at my lame joke} X-14 Mold & Mildew Stain Remover doesn't require scrubbing so off come the gloves and the brushes, and it cleans the ring in the tub AND the tile and grout. That leaves me with just this....

Much easier to carry from bathroom to bathroom

Other Cool Facts About X-14 Mold & Mildew Stain Remover

• proven to keep mildew stains from returning for up to 2 weeks
• can be used on hard, non-porous surfaces in the home, RV or boat!
• can clean vinyl surfaces like showers, vinyl bath mats, shower curtains,
• great for plastic garbage cans
• excellent as a deck wash (unpainted wood surfaces)
• great for preparing surfaces for painting

I'm curious, how many products do you currently use to clean your tub and shower?
Janine

Bringing me to tears...Haagen-Dazs Five Review and Giveaway

**UPDATE** Winner is Mike & Jill (comment #17)
Thanks for playing!
____________________________________

Today is a very sad day.
For a week now I've had something in my kitchen that has become a great source of comfort.
For a week I have had something that allowed me to take a moment, to reflect, and even smile.
For a week this little something motivated me, encouraged me, and rewarded me to get more work done.

I am, of course, talking about the containers of creamy, all-natural, delicious Haagen-Dazs Five ice cream that Mom Central sent me to sample.

The last of the Haagen-Dazs Five ice cream has been consumed.

I. am. crushed.

Haagen-Dazs Five ice cream has just five ingredients:
1. skim milk
2. cream
3. eggs
4. sugar
5. flavor*

*Hold onto your taste buds here because HDFive gives new meaning to flavor with
Ginger, Passion Fruit, Vanilla Bean, Mint, Milk Chocolate, Coffee, and Brown Sugar.

Here's what the Twofer thought:

The magic of Haagen-Dazs Five

These container of goodness encouraged me to get more done...."OK, one more blog post and I can have a spoonful of HDFive Mint!"
And I found the creamy, sweet-but-not-too-sweet flavors gave me that little afternoon lift I needed.
Plus, the HDFive ice cream seems to have fewer calories and fat than regular Haagen-Dazs premium ice cream so there was no guilt (I can convince myself of just about anything).

Win FREE Haagen-Dazs Five ice cream

Now YOU have the chance to win 3 of your own Haagen-Dazs Five!
To enter just leave me a comment telling me which HDFive flavor you want to try the most (or if you already have tried one) and you'll be entered to win 3 coupons each good for one free container of HDFive!

Contest ends Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 11:59pm.

Extra entries (leave a separate comment for each) include:

• Grab the Twofer Thumbs button for your blog (include url in comment)
• Tweet this post (tip: click on the "2 minutes ago" below your tweet to isolate and grab that url to leave in comment here)
• Email link to this post to 5 people and cc me (scarytwins[at]yahoo[dot]com)

Be sure to check out the pictures of the ice cream arriving on dry ice from Mom Central and read about our dry ice experiment too at Twofer the Price of One!

Missing my HDFive {sniff},
Janine

Listerine Total Care Anticavity Flouride Mouthwash Review

I have recently become much better at taking care of my teeth. I used to just floss right before my annual dentist appointment (oh I know you did too) but the pain and bleeding gums were enough to motivate me to do more.

And then I cracked a tooth.
And then I had it repaired.
And then it cracked it again.
And then I finally had to pay out of pocket a LOT of money to get a veneer.

All this because I grind my teeth which wears down the enamel of my teeth so they are more prone to cracking.

I now wear a mouth guard at night (very sexy I might add) and most recently found Listerine Total Care Anticavity Flouride Mouthwash thanks to Mom Central and Johnson's!


As a reviewer I was sent a bottle to test and the first thing that caught my eye was the benefit in the fact sheet that said "Restoring enamel".

In fact, there are 6 benefits to LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash that give you a cleaner, healthier mouth:
• Helping to prevent cavities
• Restoring enamel
• Strengthening teeth
• Killing bad breath germs
• Freshening breath
• Fighting unsightly plaque above the gum line
This bottle of Listerine is a welcomed addition to my dental routine. Just swish the mouthwash around for one minute after your brush (twice a day for best results) and remember not to eat for 30 minutes afterward. Then go about your day or head to bed knowing your teeth are better protected. Thanks Mom Central and Johnson's! My dentist thanks you, I thank you, and my wallet thanks you!

Janine

Yummy Chocolate Mocha Review & Giveaway! **Winners Announced**

***UPDATE***
Congratulations to our winners!

Minnemom
Cheryl
Lorrie
_______________________________________________
My Blog Spark apparently knows me better than my own family because they recently sent me a beautiful spa basket filled with all kinds of chocolate goodies including Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Chewy Bars.

When I say I LOVE chocolate, I'm talking about the must-have-at-least-once-a-day-keep-a-stash-of-chocolate-chips-in-an-emergency kind of way. My experience with the Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Chewy Bar is that it satisfied not only my 3:00 pm chocolate craving, but it satisfied my hunger long enough for me to get home and make dinner without snacking!

Better yet, Fiber One products like these offer 35% of the recommended daily fiber and are a good source of calcium.

Why Fiber you ask?

Fiber can help you satisfy your appetite and manage your weight. Fiber can also help keep your digestive system on track!

Want to know if you are getting enough fiber? Check out the Fiber-O-Meter at: http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-fiber-meter

FREE COUPON!

Fiber One is now offering a $1.35 off downloadable coupon for one box of Fiber One Chewy Bars available at:
http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=55392&ci=1&c=GM&p=4AbZ6NPX

Now for the GIVEAWAY!

YOU can win one of 3 Spa Break Gift Baskets that include:

• Coupon for Free Box of Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Chewy Bars
• Cozy bath pillow
• Chocolate scented soap, lotion & bath salts
• And coffee scented candle

How to Enter (Ends Friday 3/20 11:59pm EDT)
1. Leave a comment and tell me why you need a Spa Break and which Fiber One product is your favorite

2. Subscribe to Twofer Thumbs Up either in a reader or (new) via email!

3. Blog about this contest and link back to this blog post.

4. Tweet about this contest using: "Win a Chocolate Spa Break gift basket here ---->http://tinyurl.com/bcbnvz"

***NOTE: Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry (so you can enter up to 4 times and leave 4 comments) as I will be using Random.org to choose the three winners! (Fine print: each winner can only win one basket even if multiple entries are drawn.)

Good luck and remember to download the coupon to save $1.35 on your next shopping trip!
Janine