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Wiggly Waffle on Sprout

Posted on October 8, 2009 10:03 am by TheAngelForever

A few weeks ago, I got up early and went to stand at the box office to get tickets for a concert. No, it was not to see Billy Joel, Five For Fighting or Bon Jovi. These tickets were for a family event. Once again, we are going to see The Wiggles!!

We are huge fans of The Wiggles. We have been watching them for over five years now. We have not only been to two concerts, but last year we sat in the front row of the show.

This year, we are taking the newest Wiggles addict in our family. JSL will finally be able to see The Wiggles live and he has no clue what to expect. He has only seen the show at Wiggles World in the Six Flags park near us.

Of course, NHL grew up watching The Wiggles on Playhouse Disney. Did you know that The Wiggles have a new television home in the United States?

Not only are The Wiggles on Sprout, but they have a new show that is on weekday mornings from 6-9 on Sprout. Sadly, our cable company (Time Warner) does not provide us with Sprout. We have been asking for it for many years now, but still have not been able to get it. Of course, with The Wiggles move to Sprout I am once again starting my crusade to get this cable station added in our area. I not only went to WigglesPlease.com, I am also planning to call my Time Warner Cable to make the request again.

When I was asked by Family Review Network to help to get the word out about The Wiggles moving to Sprout I jumped at the opportunity. We were also told about Sprout being on Facebook. If you are on Facebook head on over to check out the Wigglemania Facebook Contest.

In addition to helping to get the word out about The Wiggles new television home, we were also sent a DVD to review. When the DVD arrived my little Wiggles fans were eager to check it out. We received The Wiggles Present: Dorothy The Dinosaur. As you can see, we are no strangers to Wiggles DVDs.

The Wiggles Presents: Dorothy the Dinosaur is different from other Wiggles DVDs that we own. This DVD takes us to Rosy Town where we meet up with Dorothy the Dinosaur. Dorothy begins by showing us her book that is filled with some of her wonderful memories. As she turns the pages of her memory book we are transported into her past. We get to sing and dance along with Dorothy, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octapus, Captain Feathersword and special guests that include Francis Awaritefe, Rachel Beck, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kathy Gothadjaka, David Hobson, Jane Kennedy, John Rowe, Leo Sayer and Don Spencer.

Some of The Wiggles Songs included on this DVD are:

Balla Balla Bambina
C’est Wags, C’est Bon
Come On Let’s Jump
I Look in the Mirror
I’m Dorothy the Dinosaur
I’m the Postman
Lettuce Sing (Fresh Fruit and Vegies)
Say Aah at the Doctors
Vegetable Soup

10 other songs are also included on the DVD along with the following Special Features:

The Wiggles Jukebox – The Band Sings and Plays Some of Their All-Time Best Songs
Join The Wiggles for Wash Your Hands – UNICEF’s official song for Global Handwashing Day
Two Bonus Episodes from Dorothy the Dinosaur’s TV Series
Photo Gallery

What our Wiggles fans thought:

NHL (6): He liked the songs that were included. He immediately got up and danced along with Dorothy. When the DVD was over he asked where Sam, Anthony, Murray and Jeff were. Being older he is used to the more traditional Wiggles DVDs where they are front and center in the production.

JSL (2): As a newer Wiggles ~~addict~~ fan, the little guy asked to watch it again when it was over. He loved dancing and singing along to several songs that he recognized. After watching it a few times he now sings along with everything and especially love the song featuring Leo Sayer who is also in the You Make Me Feel Like Dancing DVD that we already owned.

Parent View: We could appreciate the brave move to try something different. Putting the spotlight onto Dorothy and seeing her memories in song/dance was a nice change. As always, we love the educational push that all Wiggles DVDs have in them. There is a lot for children of all ages to learn from watching this DVD.

There is no doubt that our Wiggles DVD collection will continue to grow. Look for new Wiggles concert photos coming in about a month when we take JSL to his first live Wiggles event with Sam, Anthony, Murray, Jeff, Captain Feathersword, The Wiggle Dancers, Dorothy, Henry and Wags.

If you have Sprout, know that we are extremely jealous of you and please be sure to tune in and watch Wiggly Waffle each weekday morning. For now the boys and I will continue to watch our Wiggles DVD collection and play on The Wiggles area on Sprout Online.

Disclosure: This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Sprout Television, who provided the DVD for review.

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jsl looking back nhl photos Product review show television

Disclosure statements and blogging with integrity

Posted on October 6, 2009 11:13 am by TheAngelForever

The Angel Forever has changed over the two and a half years that I have been blogging. These days, I not only write about my life, our family, places that we go, and things that we do, I also write product reviews and run some giveaways. Some of the reviews that I write are items that we have bought with our own money and I want to share my views about them. I often do this with books, movies and music. Other times, I am contacted by PR representatives, or am asked to participate in a campaign with one of the groups that I belong to (see side bar on right). When these take place, I am sent items to keep for my review. The companies value our opinion and know that it will not be swayed by a free product. If something does not work quite right, I tell it like it is (did this about the Temporal Scanner after my son’s febrile seizure).

Disclosure and transparency is key these days. Even before the FTC officially published their guide for endorsements/testimonials of bloggers, the word was out to change habits. Over the last few months, I have made sure to not only mention what items I received to review within my post, but have also added a disclosure statement at the end of any review/giveaway. This allows my readers to be fully aware of what relationship I have with the product. Again, please note that I form my own opinions and will never be swayed to give anything but my honest feelings about a product that I receive for free.

Thanks to making changes over the last few months, I feel no major pressure with the new rules that are being placed on bloggers beginning December 1, 2009. I feel that I can proudly say that I Blog With Integrity and can live by the words that are stated on this resourceful website. Please head over there to read the powerful words that go along with the Blog With Integrity pledge and I encourage you to sign on if you have not already done so.

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Food storage with Ziploc – Review & Giveaway

Posted on October 4, 2009 6:05 pm by TheAngelForever

Storing food to keep it fresh has taken on new meaning in our house in recent weeks. Thanks to pantry pests that came in with something, we now take everything out of cardboard boxes and plastic bags to put into food storage containers. Some items like chocolate chips are opened, put into Ziploc bags and then stored into larger containers. Other items like barley, that we use a lot, is stored in Ziploc Twist’n Loc containers.

When I was asked by Family Review Network to try out some Ziploc Sandwich Bags and Containers, I immediately signed up. Even before this review our family used Ziploc products. Ziploc is a brand that we trust. We also like that they participate in the Box Tops for Education Program.

Ziploc sent my family a box of Ziploc Sandwich bags. When we purchase sandwich bags, we buy these. They zip up, stay sealed and hold the contents inside well. When we travel everything and anything that can fit in a Ziploc bag is game for one. In addition to this, we have some extras in our diaper bag. They come in quite handy to store wet toddler clothing. Another secret, I love to put dirty diapers in them when visiting friends/family. You know something is sealed well when you can not smell what is hidden inside the Ziploc bag. It is a much more friendly way to get rid of diaper when visiting people. Of course, with a son in first grade we use Ziploc bags to store craft items, school supplies and more.

We also received a package of the Ziploc Twist’n Loc Fresh Shield containers. Although they have a new package, we have been using these for a while already. Something I noticed immediately was the big bold "BPA Free" on the front. When you go to the back of the package it states the following:

Ziploc brand containers is committed to toughness and sealing performance without compromising safety

Ziploc brand containers is proud to have always been BPA free

Microwave and reuse Ziploc containers without worry

This is huge for our family. We have gotten rid of items that contain BPA in them and now know these are safe.

As I mentioned, we have been using the Twist’n Loc containers for quite some time. Here are a few of the ways:

Freeze fresh made strawberry preserves that still tastes fabulous after being thawed
Store fresh veggies that remain crisp since air is blocked out
Carry soup and other foods without spills to work for TechyDad to reheat
Keep leftovers fresh and smells inside the container and not in the refrigerator
Son takes grapes, yogurt, crackers and more to school with no mess or worry if lost in transit
Store craft items like beads, google eyes and yarn scaps

I may also buy some of them to have the boys decorate to use as holiday gifts this year. They would be perfect to store baked goods in for gift giving.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Ziploc, one lucky reader will be able to have a box of the Ziploc Sandwich Bags and Twist’n Loc Containers sent to you.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer the following question: What will you use the Twist’n Loc containers to store/hold?
1 Bonus Entry – Follow me on Twitter @TheAngelForever and Tweet about the giveaway. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Ziploc in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Chance to win some Ziploc products from @TheAngelForever http://bit.ly/uMYEo
1 Bonus Entry – Head over to the Ziploc website and let me know one other item that you would like to try.
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Look around my blog and leave me a comment on another post. Please let me know which post you went to here so you get the bonus entry.
3 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the Ziploc giveaway. Be sure to leave 3 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today October 4th and ends at 10:59 EST on October 12, 2009. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only (will check on that with the sponsor).

Disclosure: This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and SC Johnson, who provided the item for review.

Categories:
giveaway Product review

New Yoplait Delights & Gift pack giveaway

Posted on October 1, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Please raise your hand if you enjoy something sweet and delicious every so often, or more! Both of my hands are up and waving around. I admit it, there are days that I crave a treat, but typically try to find something else to satisfy this feeling.

Recently, I was asked by My Blog Spark to review the new Yoplait Delights Parfait. Since I had seen them advertised and was intrigued, I signed up. I was sent a gift package (giveaway for readers below) and a coupon for a free package of my choice.

The Yoplait Delights come in a package of four 100 calorie servings. They are available in four tempting flavors including:

Chocolate Raspberry

Triple Berry Creme

Lemon Torte

Creme Caramel

Our grocery store had a wonderful sale, so I picked up the three flavors that they had in stock at the time. Here is a photo of the ones my family tried:

Our thoughts:

The boys and I eat a lot of yogurt. Our refrigerator is always stocked with them as healthy snack alternatives. The first Delights that we tried was the Lemon Torte and none of us believed that we were eating yogurt. The texture was smooth, creamy and the top just melted in our mouths. It seriously tasted like a bakery treat on a spoon. Next up, we tried the Triple Berry Creme. My oldest son, NHL really loved this one. He actually asked to take one in his lunch box because it tasted so good. Of course, I obliged and TechyDad also took one to work. Last night, I finally tried the Creme Caramel. I was looking forward to this one the most. I love caramel and thought this sounded the best. It was good, but not my favorite. There was a caramel flavor, but without the gooey caramel thing going for it, it just was not quite the same. I know that once we can find the Chocolate Raspberry flavor we will also taste test that one.

We will definitely be purchasing more of the Yoplait Delights Parfait packages because they are a nice. The bonus is they are only 100 calories, taste great and do not break the budget.

Where to buy:

You can purchase your own Yoplait Delights in your grocer’s dairy section and be sure to print out a $1.25 off coupon before you go. Nutritional information for each of the flavors can be found on the website here.

Giveaway:

One lucky winner will receive their own "Delight Your Day" gift pack that includes a spa mask, wrap robe and slippers along with a coupon to pick out your own Yoplait Delights to try.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer the following question: What snacks do you find most delightful during the day?
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Follow me on Twitter @TheAngelForever
1 Bonus Entry per day – Tweet about the giveaway. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Chance to try new Yoplait Delights and win a gift pack from @TheAngelForever http://bit.ly/3qyHED
1 Bonus Entry – Which flavor of Yoplait Delights are you most interested in trying?
1 Bonus Entry – Add TheAngelForever to your blog roll and leave a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Add me to your favorites on Technorati. Be sure to leave your user name for me to check in.
1 Bonus Entry – Look around my blog and leave me a comment on another post. Please let me know which post you went to here so you get the bonus entry.
1 Bonus Entry – Head over to my hubby’s blog TechyDad and leave him some comment love. Be sure to let me know which post on the comments here for your bonus entry.
3 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the Yoplait Delights giveaway. Be sure to leave 3 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today October 1st and ends at 10:59 EST on October 9, 2009. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only because the coupons are not valid outside of the United States.

Disclosure: This review and giveaway was made possible by My Blog Spark. They provided me with the gift pack and coupon to purchase a package of Yoplait Delights. The opinions of this review were mine and I received no other compensation.

Categories:
food glorious food giveaway Product review yummy

Chinese food at home with Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée – Giveaway

Posted on August 30, 2009 8:08 pm by TheAngelForever

Chinese food is one of my absolute favorite items to splurge with and eat out. Of course, these days we do this less frequently thanks to budgets and trying to save money.

Recently, I was asked by My Blog Spark to review a sample of the new Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée. I thought it sounded like a great concept and wanted to try it.

Each frozen entrée has all the ingredients needed to prepare a great-tasting, complete Chinese meal for 2 in only 14 minutes! They come in five delicious flavors including Orange Chicken, Shrimp Lo Mein, Spicy Garlic Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken and Sweet & Spicy Shrimp. Additionally, all of the entrees have no added MSG!

I was sent a package of the Orange Chicken variety along with a Wanchai Ferry "Stay-At-Hom" prize pack (one being offered to a lucky reader here on The Angel Forever – please see details below). Thursday, the boys and I went to spend the afternoon with my mother. I brought along my Orange Chicken package to make for the two of us for lunch.

When I opened up the package there was a sauce packet, microwave rice steam bag, vegetables and package with chicken.

First, I heated some oil in a pan and tossed the chicken in to brown up. This only took 4-5 minutes.

Once the chicken was out, the veggies, sauce and some water went in for a few additional minutes to warm up. At the same time, my mother tossed the rice bag into the microwave.

The rice was finished just in time to put the chicken back in with the vegetables and sauce.

The sauce thickened up nicely and everything was ready to be plated. Here is our lunch all ready to eat:

Our thoughts:

My mother and I were the ones that ate this meal. Both of us felt that it was a nice option to have at home for a quick and easy Chinese meal. The flavor of the sauce was very good. We thought that by making it another time the speed of preparation would have been better (I was not in my kitchen – so that hindered things some). Each of us felt that we would probably like something along with the meal, soup or salad if this was going to be our dinner. My suggestion was to add some additional frozen vegetables to the sauce to make it more filling and add still keep it on the healthy side. There was plenty of sauce and we felt it would work nicely. Since we keep kosher at our house, I could see making these when I visit my parents.

Where to buy:

You can purchase your own Wanchai Ferry meals in your grocer’s frozen food section and be sure to print out a $1.50 off coupon before you go. You can also find tips to enhance your Wanchai Ferry Frozen entrée on their website.

Giveaway:

One lucky winner will receive their own Wanchai Ferry "Stay-At-Home" prize pack which includes two coupons for a Wanchai Ferry Frozen entrée of your choice and an Asian inspired meal set (pictured below):

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer one of the following questions: What is the best fortune from a fortune cookie that you ever received? OR What is your favorite Chinese Food dish?
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Follow me on Twitter @TheAngelForever
1 Bonus Entry per day – Tweet about the giveaway. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry.
1 Bonus Entry – Add TheAngelForever to your blog roll and leave a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Add me to your favorites on Technorati. Be sure to leave your user name for me to check in.
1 Bonus Entry – Look around my blog and leave me a comment on another post. Please let me know which post you went to here so you get the bonus entry.
1 Bonus Entry – Head over to my hubby’s blog TechyDad and leave him some comment love. Be sure to let me know which post on the comments here for your bonus entry.
3 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the Wanchai Ferry giveaway. Be sure to leave 3 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today August 30th and ends at 10:59 EST on September 9, 2009. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: This review and giveaway was made possible by My Blog Spark. They provided me with the package of Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée and the prize pack. The opinions of this review were mine and I received no other compensation.