All posts by Alicia

Great American Cookies Introduces NEW! Fudge Brownie Made With M&M’s®!

March 23, 2014Contests, Food and DrinkGreat American CookiesAlicia

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Great American Cookies.

I haven’t baked a birthday cake for my husband or son in years. Every year they both request a cookie cake from Great American Cookies in lieu of birthday cake. I don’t mind because I don’t have to make a cake or clean up after making it either! Not a bad deal. I have a feeling that my husband might ask for brownies for his birthday this year. You might think that’s strange but once you see and taste Great American Cookies NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s®, you’ll know why!

Great American Cookies added something new to their already scrumptious line of cookies, cookie cakes, and other delightful treats! They already offer a variety of brownies, but if you’re like us, you are going to drool over their newest addition, the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s®.

I had the opportunity to try the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® at a Great American Cookies party hosted by Stacie from The Divine Miss Mommy, along with Piera from Jolly Mom, Dianne from Suburbia Unwrapped, and Kesha from We Got Kidz and her adorable son. I think I was the first of the gang to grab a brownie. The other ladies were super-patient but I couldn’t hold back. I’m pretty sure I made a sound when I bit into the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s®. I wish the internet was scratch n’ sniff or even better, scratch n’ eat. I would hook you up with a brownie right here from this screen!

Here are just two situation during which the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® is perfect!

Awesome Birthday Cake Alternative
There is something about kids and M&M’s®. It might be all the bright colors or it might be something about candy that melts in your mouth without leaving their hands stained bright colors. The Great American Cookies’ NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® is sure to be a hit at your child’s next birthday party. The combination of a cookie cake and a platter of the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® is a winning combination and will leave all the kids jumping with joy. As if you need another reason to order from Great American Cookies, if you let them make your cookie or brownie cake instead of making it at home, you don’t have to clean the kitchen!

Team Sports Snack
Team sports offer a great opportunity for your child to learn to be part of a team. Often player’s parents are responsible for bringing snacks for the team after a practice or game. My kids have to play a big part in that because otherwise, I bring bananas and apples and bottled water for everyone and apparently that’s not what the kids are looking for after a game. If you bring a platter of the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s®, you will surely be the team’s favorite parent. Hooray! Whether the kids need encouragement after a lost game or to celebrate a win against their biggest rival, these rainbow colored brownies are sure to get them excited!

$50 Great American Cookies Gift Card Giveaway!

Because I want you to try the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® from Great American Cookies ASAP, I am giving a lucky reader a $50 Great American Cookies gift card!

Simply enter using rafflecopter below. Open to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TheMommyInsider.com CONTEST TERMS & CONDITIONS:
The Mommy Insider’s Great American Cookies Gift Card Giveaway is open to U.S. residents ages 18 and over.
Entries are accepted through 12:00 am EST on March 29th, 2014. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. By entering you give the right to use your name on The Mommy Insider and our outlets within contest promotion content. Retail value is $50.00. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by Great American Cookies. Winner will be drawn from all verified entries, by random.org, and contacted at the email address provided. Winner has 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. All prizes will be awarded. No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to The Mommy Insider, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Prize will be sent directly by Great American Cookies and may require confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Great American Cookies.

Kindergarten readiness programs by K12. Try a sample activity today.

March 17, 2014New postsAlicia

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of K12, the leader in online education. All opinions are 100% mine.

When my kids were getting ready to start Kindergarten I was very concerned if they were ready for school. Have I taught them everything they need to have a good head start? Do they know all their shapes, numbers and letters? What else can I do to make sure that they are ready for the transition from preschool to Kindergarten?

K¹² Can Help! Kindergarten readiness programs by K12. Try a sample activity today.

K¹² is the leader in online education for grades K through 12 and they are now offering two preschool programs to help preschoolers be ready for Kindergarten. They are EmbarK¹² Comprehensive and EmbarK¹² Online. Both offer a fun, innovative approach to early learning that your child will love.

EmbarK12 Online – Over 830 interactive activities to engage your preschooler.

EmbarK¹² Online was developed by educational experts and this supplemental Pre-K program makes learning fun, dynamic, and enriching. There are over 12 units of activities, each with related content and activities, covering Math, Language and Literacy, and topics from the world around them. Some of the topics include "Travel and Explore," "Our World," and "Story Time." For a 12 month subscription the cost is $59.00. But for a limited time you can get it for 50% off by entering the promo code EmbarkSpecial when you check out!! You can purchase the EmbarK¹² Online program by clicking here : http://my.info.k12.com/IZEA_EmbarkOnline.html

EmbarK12 Comprehensive- Online and hands-on preschool program for your early learner.

EmbarK¹² Comprehensive has over 1,200 age-appropriate activities, engaging children using a wide variety of interactive multimedia and hands-on materials there are over 288 hours of activities in all! There are18 thematic units covering 6 subjects: Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Music, and Art. Examples of themes include: Family and Friends, My Five Senses, and Looking at Animals. And the cost for a 12 month subscription and all of the upgrade kits including hands-on manipulative is $286.00 per year. You can purchase the EmbarK¹² Comprehensive by clicking here: http://my.info.k12.com/IZEA_EmbarkComprehensive.html

About K¹² Inc.

K¹² Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is the nation’s foremost provider of proprietary technology-powered online solutions for students in pre-kindergarten through high school. K¹² has partnered with more than 2,000 school districts and has delivered more than 4 million courses over the past decade. K¹² provides curricula, academic services and learning solutions to public schools and districts, traditional classrooms, blended school programs and families. K¹² works with more than 5,000 teachers across the U.S. – the largest network of online school teachers in grades K through 12.
The K¹² program is offered through K¹² partner public schools in more than two-thirds of the states and the District of Columbia, and through private schools serving students in all 50 states and more than 110 countries. More information can be found at http://www.K12.com.

Chevrolet Traverse SUV – A Moving “Family Assistant”

March 5, 2014Car ReviewsCar Review, Chevy TraverseAlicia

I have had the opportunity to spend a few (not enough!) days with the Chevrolet Traverse LT and this vehicle makes it difficult to determine where to start!

The first thing to say is that there is hardly anything that I would change about the Traverse. Keep in mind that this model has nearly everything you can put into a moving “family assistant”. The total package contributes to the $42,000.00 price tag but I would be hard pressed to find objections to this purchase.

The Traverse offers an “entry level” version that starts around $32,000.00 however go for the LTZ!

Chevy Traverse Review

As you would expect, given the platform, the Traverse offers plenty of room for six (6) with easy accommodations for seven (7). The six or seven passengers will be treated to a luxurious interior of leather-faced seats all around, with the driver and passenger side having total control of position. This makes the traverse ideal for long trips as well as around town excursions. The exterior dimensions of the Traverse are smaller than one would expect making around town not a scary proposition.

The wonderful tan/brown/brushed aluminum interior with perfect stitching makes time spent in the Traverse a relaxing experience. I might have even bored the daylights out of my family when I topped our relaxing driving experience through Florida, off with the Spa station on Sirius XM Satellite radio. As we drove the Traverse through Blue Springs State Park in Florida, it really felt like we were driving through a jungle with the waterfall sounds playing through the Bose® speakers. The heated steering wheel was fabulous! Yes, we were in Florida during most of my time with the Chevy Traverse but we experienced lower temps during our trip to Florida than I had there in years. The steering wheel warmed my hands up instantly after getting in the car on chilly mornings. Of course the front seats are heated (and cooled) as well.

On the road the Traverse offers the driver and passengers all the infotainment options you could want, and, the heads up display and side aware mirrors keep the driver well informed. Driving the Traverse is a pleasure and the more I dove it the more pleasurable it became. That is something that can not be said about all vehicles.

When you’re looking for a roomy, comfortable and safe family friendly vehicle, there’s no doubt you’ll probably come across the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse mid-size SUV. It makes an impression like few other vehicles can, especially when you open the door and see how roomy it is!

Spaciousness comes standard with seating for up to eight people. There is space galore for passengers and all the things you need. Traveling anywhere with groups, those things quickly add up.

Chevy Traverse Review

Excellent Safety Ratings

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse received a coveted five-star safety rating, partly due to the StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System. This helps drivers keep the SUV stable in the roughest weather or road conditions. Other safety features include:

Rear vision camera – for seeing everything behind you when backing up and maneuvering
Side Blind Zone Alert – Helps the driver to always have good visibility on all sides
Six air bags – including front seat mounted middle airbag to protect the driver and front seat passenger, curtain airbags for side impact protection and dual-stage air bags for extra security in a crash
Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning

Another helpful option for owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is On-Star Auto Crash Response. This helps enhance safety. Even if you’re rendered unable to call for help, emergency aid is requested automatically on impact. It gives Traverse drivers a good feeling knowing this extra security travels everywhere they go!

First-Rate Styling

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse features the latest in sophistication and elegance in its options. Prospective owners choose from optional amenities like heated and cooled leather seating, in an attractively designed ride. Standard creature comforts in the Traverse include:

Large door handles, making opening and closing easier for everyone
12 cup holders so everyone has their own.. and then some!
DVD screens for rear passengers to help calm the fidgets
Smart-sliding second row seating with split-folding rear seats included
All the latest technology including USB ports and Bluetooth ability, appealing to all technology-savvy occupants
Key fob with remote link that lets you start the car from a distance so it’s the perfect temperature for passengers
Athletic inspired look gives the Traverse a menacing look with a softly purring engine

This SUV Is Energy-Efficient And Sustainable

The MPG most owners experience is about 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. During my trip to Florida in the Traverse, I got an average of 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. FWD models give owners about 520 highway miles between fill-ups. Drivers who opt for the LS and LT versions find a 3.6 liter V6 engine for extra power. LTZ models deliver up to 288 horsepower, for those with a thirst for power. Raising my hand!

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is built with green, Eco-friendly goals in mind. It’s also created to be about 85 percent recyclable once owners decide it’s time to part with their Traverse. The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is an excellent family vehicle.

In summary, if you are in the market for a vehicle of this type you really must test drive the Traverse.

Find a Chevy dealer near you and test drive a Chevrolet Traverse! You’ll love it!

Don’t forget to try out the Sirius XM Spa station. 😉

– Alicia

Some photos in this post courtesy of Chevrolet.

Lobsterfest Is Back At Red Lobster, With 3 New Platters!

February 20, 2014Food and DrinkRed LobsterAlicia

My grandfather loved Red Lobster. From what I heard, he and his girlfriend (he was a ladies man) dined at Red Lobster once a week. My grandfather was not an anomaly. Many, many people include Red Lobster in their celebratory traditions like birthdays, anniversary’s, and graduations, or even their weekly routine.

There’s a reason for that.

Red Lobster offers guests great tasting, fresh food!

Something that Red Lobster and seafood fans in general look forward to every year is Lobsterfest which is going on now!

Red Lobster Lobsterfest Review

Lobsterfest, the king of all Red Lobster promotions, is back and better than ever! The Cheddar Bay Biscuits are the same wonderful goodness, don’t worry. 🙂 Red Lobster is featuring new mouthwatering lobster selections alongside classic favorites available exclusively during Lobsterfest. This year’s Lobsterfest celebrates the best of the best flavors Red Lobster guests have come to know and expect from Red Lobster.

During this year’s Lobsterfest promotion, Red Lobster is offering 3 new platters:

Dueling Lobster Tails: A roasted Maine lobster tail topped with tender shrimp in a creamy garlic sauce paired with a golden-baked Maine lobster tail with crab-and-seafood stuffing. Served over mashed potatoes, roasted tomatoes and green beans.
Ultimate Surf and Turf: A Maine lobster tail baked with crab-and-seafood stuffing paired with a peppercorn-seasoned grilled sirloin topped with Maine lobster meat in a citrus-hollandaise sauce. Served over mashed potatoes, roasted tomatoes and green beans.
Lobster in Paradise: A split Maine lobster tail fried in our signature coconut batter, spicy grilled shrimp and a lobster-and-shrimp bake topped with toasted crushed macadamia nuts.

A friend and I had lunch at Red Lobster today and we ordered 3 amazing dishes; Lobster Lover’s Dream, a succulent rock lobster tail and sweet split Maine lobster tail, roasted and served with lobster-and-shrimp linguini Alfredo, Sweet Chili Shrimp (2nd photo below) which was absolutely amazing, and Lobster-Crab-and-Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms that melt in your mouth.

We requested that our lunch platter and appetizers arrive at the same time so we could share but before they came out, our server brought us a basket of Red Lobster’s famous mouth-watering Cheddar Bay Biscuits. OH MY GOSH, YUM! That’s all I can say.

Lobster Lover's Dream at Red Lobster

The Lobster Lover’s Dream platter was well worth the $29 price. Amazing flavors, succulent seafood, fresh lobster, we were set! The presentation was gorgeous, with a touch of grated parmesan on the alfredo, and the lobster was cooked just right. Our bill for two appetizers and the platter was under $50!

Darden’s origins trace back to the first Red Lobster restaurant that opened in 1968 and, today, they are one of the largest purchasers of seafood, which includes North American lobster, in the United States. Nothing compares to the succulent, delectable flavor of a juicy lobster tail. Red Lobster knows that their guests crave the best of the best when it comes to lobster, and Lobsterfest offers an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the delicious, high-quality lobster they love.

Red Lobster is the lobster expert. In fact, Red Lobster is the best of the best – second to none. Red Lobster was the first casual dining seafood restaurant company to open locations across the nation, and today they serve approximately 10 million pounds of lobster each year at more than 600 restaurants across North America. Surely there is a Red Lobster (or two or three) near you!

Red Lobster is also the first restaurant to deliver fresh lobster nationwide straight from the coast of New England to guests all around the country. In their commitment to provide guests with an authentic dining experience, Red Lobster only sources the highest-quality seafood from cold and warm water regions.

Are you still reading this post? Why aren’t you at Red Lobster… or are you? 😉

Here’s another peek at our Red Lobster lunch in case you need more convincing.

To learn more visit RedLobster.com, and connect with Red Lobster Facebook, Twitterand Instagram, using hashtag #bestlobsterfest.

Have you always wanted to know how to really crack a lobster? Watch Red Lobster chef Heidi Lane as she demonstrates how to crack a lobster, the right way, step-by-step.

Marriott Rewards® Wants To Celebrate Its 30th Birthday With You!

February 12, 2014TravelMarriott, Marriott RewardsAlicia

Marriott Rewards 30th Birthday I am thrilled to be a Marriott Rewards® Ambassador during which time I will post 2 more times over the course of the next several months to share great news related to Marriott Rewards with you!

Can you believe Marriott Rewards is celebrating its 30th birthday? Apparently I was 9 years old when Marriott Rewards began. We didn’t stay in hotels much when I was young; we lived in Orlando and didn’t need to travel far to go to fun places, obviously. 🙂 However, I take any chance I can get to travel and stay in a hotel these days and I love reward programs like Marriott Rewards. What’s not to love about a free rewards program that gives you points toward travel, hotel stays, products, and more?

I’ll get on to the exciting stuff!

Marriott Rewards is kicking it off their 30th birthday by throwing a surprise party for someone in your life! What better way to show how much you care about someone by nominating them in the Year of Surprises.

The first round of nominations for Year of Surprises takes place February 1 to February 28, 2014. Nominations will be reviewed based on creativity/uniqueness of entry, overall appeal of nomination essay, and feasibility of the surprise party. Three winners will be awarded and announced in March and parties will be scheduled each month throughout the year. There will be a total of three nomination periods throughout 2014. The second nomination period is during the month of May, and the third is during the month of August. You can nominate one person per nomination period. See the “Nominate” section at yearofsurprises.com for the nomination entry form.

You don’t need to be a Marriott Rewards member to submit a nomination, but if your nomination is chosen, you and the nominee will need to enroll so that they can reward your points for the party. I think that’s a very fair trade-off!

Voted “Program of the Year” 6 years in a row, Marriott Rewards has maintained excellence rewarding members with points to redeem for hotel stays, flights, exclusive events and shopping. Does that mean that Marriott Rewards is not just for hotel stay discounts? Yes, it does! For example, you can earn points when you buy Valentine’s Day gifts from select retailers. Cool, right?

With a Marriott Rewards membership, guests earn status to receive memorable experiences during their hotel stays with benefits such as priority check-in and complimentary room upgrades. Members can also redeem points for frequent flyer miles, cruises, car rentals, merchandise and more. It is quick and easy to enroll in Marriott Rewards at Marriott.com/Rewards.

For more details on the contest, check out the Year of Surprises official rules at yearofsurprises.com/rules.

If you’re on Facebook, you can follow Marriott Rewards Facebook page here.

Who will you nominate for a surprise party from Marriott Rewards?