Category Archives: New posts

I’m a Ragú® ‘Mom’s the Word on Dinner’ Brand Ambassador!

Brand Ambassador, Food and Drink, New posts, , ,

Ragú® - Brand Ambassador campaignThere’s one thing that I’m actively trying to get better at lately.. cooking.  I’ve decided to start cooking at least two nights a week.  OK, maybe three.  So what’s the story you ask?  Well, my husband works nights most of the time so he’s not home at night to enjoy dinner with us and my mother lives very close to us and likes to see the kids as much as possible, so we go to her house about five nights a week to hang out with her and have dinner.  The kids love it because there’s no TV (you read that right), and I love it because we get good, wholesome, organic, prepared from scratch meals because that’s how my mom rolls.  She’s wholesome and organic. 🙂  Oh, and I love that we get to see her.. not just the food she prepared.  Don’t worry, we do the dishes.

When I was recently asked to be a brand ambassador for Ragú® I thought what perfect timing!   I am honored to be part of such an amazing group of bloggers participating in this campaign and I’m sure this campaign will help me gain the knowledge and confidence I need to cook more and give me the extra push I need to be more creative with food.   There are 25 Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner brand ambassadors including Mommy Niri and Rockin’ Mama.  I will link to a full list of participating bloggers soon.
Mom’s the Word on Dinner is the name of the campaign and during my brand ambassadorship, I hope to get creative (that means use cooking utensils), use recipes (I might have to measure stuff), and share dinner time ideas and tips with you. I’m so excited to be par tof this campaign which is about sharing dinner time advice with other moms and I want you to participate too so jump on over to the Ragu Mom’s the Word on Dinner Facebook page and join us!

I had a blast watching the videos on the Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Facebook page today.  Video topics including “Got Kids with Odd Eating Habits?” and “When Dinner Gets Tough..” will keep you hooked to the computer for a while.

Here’s a video to get you started:

During my brand ambassadorship for Ragú®, I’ll be hosting two in-home parties and two great giveaways so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook and sign up for my RSS feed so you are always up to date with my latest posts and goodies!

Do you have a dinner time tip you’d like to share with me and my readers?  Please do, in the comments below!

Disclosure – This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program. I am being compensated for my Ambassadorship. All opinions and ideas featured in this post are 100% my own. Visit www.facebook.com/ragusauce to join the conversation, get recipes, and watch videos.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Things I Use Every Day and Would Prefer Not To Live Without – From Medication to Towels and In-Between

New posts

There are about two dozen products that I use every day that I would prefer not to live without.  Most of these products I’ve used for at least one year and am very happy with.  After reading this list you will know pretty much everything there is to know about me.  I cover everything from what towel I use to medication in my list.  If you want to see how much I’ve changed (or not) take a look at my Things We Use Every Day post from 2009, click here.

Things I use everyday

Favorite Work and Technology Products I Use Every Day:

  • iPad (1st genration) – I use my iPad for checking email when I’m away from the laptop, I play games on it, use to-do apps, entertain the kids, watch ABC shows, and Netflix movies.
  • MacBook Pro 17″ (about a year old) – This has changed my work life.  Speedy, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing.. can’t be that!
  • Apple Magic Mouse – Just bought a new one after I dropped my old one.  Thought I could do without but the Magic Mouse is really magic.. can’t work without it.
  • iPhone 4 – My iPhone is an extension of me.  I use it to make calls (duh), read news, check emails, play Words with Friends, and chat with family using FaceTime.
  • Acoustic Research iPad/iPod/iPhone Dock – This amazing device stays in our kitchen so we can listen to the radio, iPod, or watch TV or video podcasts while I’m cooking or working.
  • Cross Ballpoint Pen – I’ve been using Cross pens for years.  They write very smooth and last a long time.
  • Clamcase iPad Case and Keyboard – I’ve been using my Clamcase keyboard case for about a month now and can’t imagine using my iPad without it now.

Health and Beauty Products I Use Every Day:

  • Ambien – Don’t sleep well (or at all) without it.  Hard habit to break but that’s life.
  • Gold-n-Hot Smart Heat Blow Dryer – Dries my thick, medium length hair quickly and leaves it shiny
  • Heating Pad – Use it every night for back pain
  • Tori Burch sunglasses – Love the classic shape of these.  Unfortunately I can’t find my pair online anymore.
  • Mattress Giant Silver Dual Comfort Pillow – Has proven to be amazing for my neck and back.
  • iJoy Massage Chair – Have been using this for almost 10 years.  Would love to upgrade to a new massage chair but they’re a little expensive these days.
  • Skin Glow Cupron™ antimicrobial towel – LOVE this towel!  Super soft, love the color, and it’s antimicrobial.. don’t ask me what that means please.. but it sounds good. 🙂
  • Bobbie Brown foundation – Great coverage without an oily feel.
  • Aveeno Clear Complexion Face Moisturizer – Helps with the occasional breakout and oily skin
  • Lots of water
  • SolarOil Nail Conditioner – Helps my nails recover after removing OPI Axxium gels
  • Sharper Image Nature Sounds and iPod Clock – I’ve been using this for almost 5 years.  It’s not available to purchase anymore.
  • Pottery Barn Robe – Softest robe ever.  I’ve been using this robe for almost two years and it hasn’t lost its fluffiness yet!
  • HoMedics Shiatsu Massage Pillow – I take this with from room to room in my house and on trips.  This is a lifesaver for my neck and back.
  • Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask – Just started using this and love it. Fits nicely and is very soft.
Things I use every day

Organizational and Other Products I Use Every Day:

  • BCBGMAXAZRIA Femme Fatale Medium Satchel – purchased on Gilt.com, not available now.
  • BusyBodyBook Planner – I’ve used BBB planners for three years and couldn’t stay sane without it!
  • Baguu reusable bags – I use Baguu bags for everything.. groceries, quick trips to the mall, snacks for the car
  • Libman Dish Brush
  • 2011 Nissan Quest
  • Schlage Digital Deadbolt Door Lock

Sad but true.. I use these almost every day:

So these are some of the things that I use every day.
What do you use every day and can’t live without?  Tell me in the comments below!
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post.  These are really my favorite things.  If you want to learn more about any of the products, click the link.  Some of the links will take you to the product page on Amazon.com from which I will get a small commission if you purchase that product.  Alternatively, you can Google the product name.
Alicia Hagan, Editor

The Kids Started School Today, I’m Alone in an Almost Quiet House and I Can’t Get Motivated!

New posts, Personal, School,

First day of Kindergarten

I had big plans for today, the kid’s first day back at school. I have a newsletter to write, an events calendar to update, a massive spreadsheet to fill out, a dr. appointment to make, I need to exercise, take a shower, I have meals to plan, travel decisions to make, the library to call about a reserved book, schools to call about my kid’s lunch money payments, a house to clean, laundry to do, and I need to get my oil changed. I’m not sure why but I REALLY thought I could pull all of the things off today while the kids were in school. What was I thinking?

It’s almost 11am now, the kids have been in school for 4 and 2 hours and, I have answered a few emails, cleaned part of the kitchen, put a dent in the spreadsheet project, taken a few phone calls, and am currently staring at the computer in a daze of confusion wondering what do I do now?

I’m exhausted from lack of sleep for the past few days and my husband is rubbing my huge to-do list in my face by singing Bruno Mars’ Lazy Song (you know the one…”Today I Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything”).. he doesn’t have to do anything!
But.. I am so grateful that my daughter who started kindergarten and my son who started sixth grade (middle school) got onto their buses without a hitch and with big smiles on their faces.  That makes me feel great.

I think I’ll spend a few minutes making a list of what I absolutely need to get done today and let the rest go until tomorrow.  I’ll also enjoy the photograph above, of my daughter and neighbor’s daughter with their cute smiles before getting on the bus.  The morning couldn’t have gone more smoothly.

 

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Kroger Cart Buster Savings Event Through 8/17 and $25 Gift Card Giveaway!
{#MyBlogSpark}

Contests, Food and Drink, Money, New posts, , ,

Kroger Cart Buster Savings Event
Have you heard? The Cart Buster Savings Event is back at the Kroger Co. Family of Stores, beginning July 31st with storewide savings in almost every department! During the savings event, summer deals are just getting started. Browse the aisles and load up your cart with everyday items from brands you already love.   

From July 31st through August 17th save on tons of brands across more than 100 categories from General Mills, PepsiCo, Unilever, Heinz, Mars, Wrigley and Kimberly Clark.

I few items I stocked up on during this Kroger Cart Buster Savings Event are Dove soap, Degree deodorant for my son, California Pizza Kitchen Pizza (yum!), M&M’s (my husband’s favorite snack), and Tostitos chips.   Look for some of your favorite participating products like, Honey Nut Cheerios, Yoplait , Pillsbury Pepsi, Doritos, Gatorade, Smart Ones, Ore-Ida, Cottonelle, Viva, Breyer´s Ice Cream, Axe , Snickers, Pedigree and Orbit.

  • Click here for a printable .pdf list of participating products.

You’ll find big savings storewide at the Kroger Family of Stores, which includes Kroger, Ralphs, King Scoopers, City Market, Dillons, Smith’s, Fry’s, QFC, Baker’s, Owen’s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Fred Meyer, Pay Less Supermarkets and Scott’s food & Pharmacy.

The savings don’t stop there!
Make sure to follow the Cartbuster “Deal of the Day” beginning August 3rd and running through August 16th.* Download exclusive offers, on more of your favorite brands, directly to your shopper card, by visiting www.cartbuster.com, beginning Wednesday, August 3rd.

*Please be sure to check your local Kroger Co. Family of Stores for participating dates and deals. The Deal of the Day promotion is not valid at: Fred Meyer or Food 4 Less.

Enjoy the savings!

$25 Kroger Gift Card GIVEAWAY!

We are giving a lucky reader a $25 Kroger gift card good at any of the Kroger. Co family of stores!
To enter to win, leave a comment below.  Entries accepted through August 22nd.  Winner will be chosen by August 24th and will be notified via email.
Earn extra entries by doing the following:

Disclosure: The Kroger gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by Kroger and General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Alicia Hagan, Editor