Healthier Candy Treats? Try Tiger's Milk Bars!

I've been in a chocolate craze lately. It's not a phase, it's a craze! I tried Tiger's Milk nutrition bars and I'm not feeling guilty about these sweet indulgences! With Halloween around the corner, you can hand these tasty treats out or give them to your kids as an alternative to candy. Trust me - they'll love them! Buying a box of Tiger's Milk bars is cheaper than a Snickers bar.

Tiger’s Milk has delivered essential proteins, vitamins and minerals since the 1960s. Available in Protein Rich, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Honey and Peanut Butter Crunch in the regular size bars (1.23-oz) and Protein Rich and Peanut Butter in the king size variety (1.94-oz), Tiger’s Milk offers an optimum balance of protein and carbohydrates for energy.

Schiff Nutrition, the maker of Tiger’s Milk bars, has been one of the most trusted and respected companies in the nutritional supplement industry for more than 70 years. Schiff_® makes sure that each bar is loaded with 16 vitamins and minerals and contains up to 10 grams of protein – with zero grams of trans fat.

In fact, Tiger’s Milk was named by the editors of American Way magazine in the November 2008 issue as one of only six “Most Edible” energy bars (of 30 taste-tested). Whether you grew up on these bars or are sharing them with your children for the first time, consumers can be confident that Tiger’s Milk is a wholesome treat for ghouls and boys.

Tiger’s Milk nutritional benefits include:

- 16 vitamins and minerals

- Up to 10 grams of protein (king-size bar)

- Good source of calcium and antioxidant Vitamins A and C

- Natural flavors

Tiger’s Milk bars provide a great value and consumers can be confident of their quality, as Schiff_® ensures that the popular bars adhere to strict quality controls throughout the sourcing, manufacturing, packaging and distribution processes.

Tiger’s Milk is available at select food and convenience stores near you. Please visit www.tigersmilk.com for more information.

Art-iculating Kid Creativity Art House Giveaway

Do any of you remember the artist from public television with the big hair? While he was teaching he'd say "draw, draw, draw". I can't remember his name but I always loved his show! He made art fun and easy to learn. Now our kids can learn techniques with Art House! This DVD series is so awesome!

Art House Volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals has received the Dove Family Foundation Seal of Approval. Also endorsed by KIDS FIRST!, it's available for purchase November 17th.

Developing artist skills at an early age has proven to promote problem solving, communication, curiosity and perspective. Developed by Amy Wilkes, a USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate and Tiffany Jennings, an elementary school teacher, Art House DVD series teaches children ages 3 and up how to draw using basic shapes - squares, circles, triangles, etc. - as a base to illustrate almost anything.

Many schools are being forced to cut their budgets and art is generally one thing that they begin cutting back on. Art is not only therapeutic but it also unlocks developmental abilities. Your child may miss out on Art through school but now you can offer it at home.


Please visit www.InTheArtHouse.com for more information. Art House is available for purchase at www.amazon.com.

Giveaway: Post a comment telling me what fun art projects you do at home. Please be sure to leave your email address. Giveaway ends 11/15/2009.

BabyLegs Giveaway!

All American Mommy adores BabyLegs! These adorable accessories offer the perfect finishing touch to any outfit and best of all, they keep those cute little baby legs warm during the cold months. BabyLegs just launched a new line of socks and tights. They are also offering holiday themes. BabyLegs has so many styles and colors to choose from; you'll have no problem finding the perfect ones to top off baby's Halloween costume.

The color palette for BabyLegs new fall collection is brown-based with highlights of pinks, blues, greens, and purples. The BabyLegs warmers and socks are designed to mix and match, keeping those little legs and feet fashionable and warm this fall. Click here to check out BabyLegs sock collection! Please visit www.babylegs.com for more information!

BabyLegs are perfect for stuffing the stockings with stockings!

Giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a 2 pair pack of BabyLeg socks! Click here and post a comment telling me what your favorite socks are. Please be sure to include your email address. This giveaway ends 11/30/2009.

Listerine and Reach Oral Care Challenge

Halloween is right around the corner and that means our kids will be indulging in sugar, sugar, and more sugar. No fear because Listerine and Reach offer awesome oral hygiene products just for kids!

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 50 percent of kids between the ages of 5 and 9 get a cavity or filling? Do you know how much dental fees are? As parents, we can save ourselves a lot of money just by teaching our children good dental hygiene habits.

Haley loves the new LISTERINE AGENT COOL BLUE! It's fun for kids because it colors their teeth, letting them know where they need to brush. This has really helped Haley and I love it because I know she doing a better job of brushing. We also like REACH toothbrushes for kids (they come in fun colors and they have a suction cup on the bottom to stick wherever kids like). REACH also offers the ACCESS FLOSSER - this is a great flossing tool for young kids! Haley finishes her new "teeth routine" with LISTERINE SMART RINSE - this anticavity mouthwash helps clean and protect teeth, attracting particles that kids miss when brushing. Click here to read more about these great products!

Take the Two Week Challenge!

Here's some fun tips to get children in the habit of brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day:

• Post a calendar in the bathroom where your children brush
• Have them place stickers on each day that they flossed, brushed, and rinsed (2x/day)
• Reward them for each sticker they earned at the end of two weeks

Coupon: Click here for Listerine coupons!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Listerine and Reach and received Listerine and Reach products for the Oral Care Challenge and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Science is Fun with Scientific Explorer! Magnificent Manicure Review

I never knew science could be so much fun until we received the Scientific Explorer Magnificent Manicure Kit, sent to us from Team Mom.

Scientific Explorer offers several kits for young scientists that are so great for promoting fun and learning. I wasn't the best at science because it didn't interest me when I was younger - I couldn't apply much of it to my life. Now our kids can see how science applies to so many aspects of our every day life.

The Magnificent Manicure Kit is perfect for a girl's spa party or a fun spa day with mom! We had a great time with this kit and loved making our own lotion and sea salt scrub!

With the Magnificent Manicure Kit, you'll find everything you need to turn your house into a nail spa. Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure and learn how to take extra-special care of your finger and toenails.

• Crystal mud
• Bath salt
• Lavender mist fragrance
• Cucumber melon fragrance
• Soaking tray
• Measuring spoon
• Mixing spoon
• Pipette
• Lotion base
• Dye
• Glitter
• Nail buffer
• Toe separators
• Pumice stone

Please visit www.elmers.com for more information. Scientific Explorer Magnificent Manicure Kit is available for purchase at ToysRus nationwide or at www.toysrus.com.

Seafood Gumbo Recipe

This delicious Southern stew is made with tomatoes and a choice of seafood. Serve with whole-grain bread to complete the meal.

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, not drained*
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 package (8 ounces) frozen okra or 1 1/2 cups sliced celery
2 cups fat-free chicken or beef broth*
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 drop Tabasco sauce
3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
1 pound seafood such as firm fish fillets, scallops, and/or shelled and deveined shrimp

In a medium saucepan, mix vegetables, broth, and seasonings. Simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender.

Combine flour and water in a covered container and shake well to prevent lumps. Add to simmering vegetables and cook until bubbly. Add seafood and continue to cook until seafood is done.

*Sodium is figured for no added salt/reduced sodium.

Makes 8 cups
5 servings
Each Serving
about 1 1/2 cups
Carb Servings
1
Exchanges
2 vegetable
3 lean meat
Nutrient Analysis
calories 163
total fat 2g
saturated fat 0g
cholesterol 33mg
sodium 237mg
total carbohydrate 14g
dietary fiber 2g
sugars 5g
protein 23g

Source: Quick & Healthy Volume II, 2nd Edition, © 2009 Brenda J. Ponichtera, R.D, Published by Small Steps Press, publishing health conscious books for the general population, a division of the American Diabetes Association; retail $18.95;
To order: For discounts (40%) on bulk orders (6 or more) call 703-299-2046 or e-mail: booksales@diabetes.org.
For individual orders call 1-800-232-6733 or visit href="http://www.quickandhealthy.net/" target="_blank">http://www.QuickandHealthy.net

Also available at local and online bookstores.

Citrus Salad Recipe

This unusual salad is great with Mexican food. The addition of fruit gives this salad an interesting and refreshing taste.

1 grapefruit, peeled
1 orange, peeled
1 1/2 quarts of greens (12 ounces)
1 red onion, sliced thin (1 1/4 cups)
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)

Cut fruit in bite-size pieces. Toss with lettuce and onion. Mix remaining ingredients for dressing. Drizzle over salad and toss just before serving.

Note: One serving is an excellent source of fiber.

Makes 8 cups
5 servings
Each Serving
about 1 1/2 cups
Carb Servings*
1
Exchanges*
1 fruit
1 vegetable
1/2 fat
Nutrient Analysis
calories 96
total fat 3g
saturated fat 0g
cholesterol 0mg
sodium 9mg
total carbohydrate 15g
dietary fiber 6g
sugars 10g
protein 3g

*Half of the grams of fiber have been subtracted from the grams of total carbohydrate when figuring Carb Servings and Exchanges.

Source: Quick & Healthy Volume II, 2nd Edition, © 2009 Brenda J. Ponichtera, R.D, Published by Small Steps Press, publishing health conscious books for the general public, an imprint of the American Diabetes Association; retail $18.95; to order call 1-800-232-6733 or visit http://www.QuickandHealthy.net

. Also available at local and online bookstores.
Photography Credit: Photo by Gary Dolgoff