Splits For A Cause

I LOVE banana splits, but since I don't enjoy running marathons everyday (nor do I have the time) I can't enjoy eating actual banana splits everyday-but you know what I can do (and you too)!?!

We can create virtual banana splits everyday and help Kelly Ripa and Electrolux donate money to Ovarian Cancer Research. Also, there are daily prizes AND a grand price win of Electrolux appliances! By creating "virtual splits", you could win the ultimate kitchen "split" - the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux:














So, here is my split:




I just raised a dollar for Ovarian Cancer Research along with entering for the chance to win the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux. Now that is a tasty, guilt-free treat! You can help too by going to http://www.kelly-confidential.com/ and creating your own banana split! For each “split”, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its $750,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.

You also will be entered to win the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Elextrolux AND as one of my readers, you will be picked to win a $25 American Express Gift card. To win, simply leave a comment below telling me what your favorite banana split topping is and for extra entries, share my contest on Facebook or Twitter(I'm @michez) and leave a comment below telling me you did.

I will pick a winner for the gift card on July 31, so please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you in the comments. Good luck; and please help support "Splits For a Cause"!



*The $25 American Express gift card prize I am giving away is sponsored by Mom Select and Electrolux*

Sambucol Immune System Support

It has officially been a month now and I have not caught any of the colds or coughs from all the sick people I have been around. Not that I have been trying to get sick on purpose or anything, but as a mom of very young children-taking them to the park, playdates and even the store-is nothing but a germ fest in the making. They touch everything, they lick everything, and then they lick me. Yes, I said lick. I wish Little Dude kissed more, but for now he is into licking my arm. NICE.

Anywho, I was offered a chance to try out Sambucol, a black elderberry immune system support supplement, and with all the germs I encounter everyday, I figured, what they hey, it can't hurt to try!

Well, I am very pleased to say that I have not caught anything yet, even though I have been around a lot of sick people. It is impossible to say that it was the Sambucol that helped, since I can't really measure how weak my immunity was before I took it, or how exposed I really was to all those sick kids and family members I have been around, but I can say that since starting the supplements I have felt a boost to my overall energy, which I am sure directly impacts the strength of my immune system.

Sambucol is a natural black elderberry supplement developed by a virologist and it is recommended to be of great help if you take it when you have the flu! I haven't been able to test this out (hopefully, I won't be able to) but should I catch the flu, I will let you know if Sambucol helps.

Sambucol's unique formulation and extraction process preserves and maximizes the naturally occurring health benefits of the berry. As a potent antioxidant, black elderberries have been used to traditionally combat illness since ancient times and have twice the natural antioxidant capacity of blueberries and significantly more than cranberries.

Who knew? I sure am glad I found out!Sambucol also has a kids formula too, so for your little ones ages 2 and up over at day care, or for all those winter time playdates, you can give their little immune systems a great boost too!

My only complaint is that it is a little bitter, with that sorta bitter after taste like eating a lemon. But really, overall, a little bitter aftertaste that quickly washes away with some water is well worth it if it keeps you from catching a cold, cough, or even the flu!

You can buy Sambucol over the counter at any pharmacy or health food store where you get cold medicines and the suggested retail prices is $14.99/4 ounce bottle.

Want to try it FOR FREE? Then Check out the website, leave a comment here or email me at coordinatedchaos@yahoo.com about which product you think you would like trying and you will be entered to win a "Mommy Immune Boosting Basket" full of great Sambucol products for you and your kids!

Give away ends Jan. 30th

Cold-EEZE Organix GIVEAWAY

Well, with the cold and flu season up and running rampant, it is just inevitable to come across the germs. Both my sister and hubby have had pretty good colds and sore throats so far this year and when it comes to my family, I jump into nurse mode quickly to get them better so they can help me with the laundry. Er, I mean, because I don't want them to feel sick.

So what is a good medicine to give your sick loved ones? For me the choice is simple: Cold-EEZE. Cold-EEZE lozenges are natural, contain no preservatives or artificial colors and are non-drowsy. The non-drowsy part is HUGE for my family; with two little boys we can't afford to be tired and foggy headed from medicine! Cold-EEZE is also contains a zinc gluconate blycine formula. What does that mean? A shorter cold for you! Zinc helps to promote the strength of the immune system and helps in the development and activation of T-lymphocytes that help to fight infection. The positive zinc ions bind to the cold virus, keeping it from spreading and reducing the duration of your cold. For a super busy working mom, that is GREAT news!

Cold-EEZE also has great ORGANIC options!! Their new line, Organix, are the first, over the counter cough and sore throat drops Certified USDA Organic! They are great tasting and free of all chemicals you will find in regular sore throat drops! And just like regular Cold-EEZE lozenges, the Organix lozenges contain no prservatives, artificial colors and are non-drowsy.

Cold-EEZE is really stepping up to the plate and fulfilling their commitment to the environment by making the wrapping for their lozenges Earth friendly! The twist wraps of each lozenge is made from fully compostable corn starch! How is that for an environmentally responsible step?

The Organix line of Cold-EEZE is made from all organic ingredients including peppermint oil, pectin, herbs, and natural sweeteners like honey. They are super yummy and since they are by the makers of Cold-EEZE, you can rest assured they work while keeping your body free of chemicals. If you happen to have diabetes, you can find relief with Cold-EEZE Sugar Free Orally Dissolvable Tablets.

Still unsure about leaving your old cold medicine, well, in the cold? Then leave a comment here or by emailing me at coordinatedchaos@yahoo.com and 2 of you can win a sample of Cold-EEZE lozenges and Organix lozenges! All you need to do is check out www.ColdFight360.com and tell me what flavors you would enjoy trying. ColdFight360 is full of useful cold fighting information too, so be sure to book mark it for those future sick days!

Pillsbury and Yoplait-a perfect pair!

I am a huge fan of quick and easy now that I am juggling a toddler and a baby all day! However, that does not mean I want to sacrifice nutrition or taste either! Well, I have stumbled upon two great products:

Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites are the perfect pre-dinner snack AND a great way to celebrate "you and me" time after the kids are put to bed! Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bies are warm, flaky pastries filled with mouth watering fillings in three different choices: cheese & spinach, buffalo style chicken and mozzarella & pepperoni. My favorite is the cheese & spinach flavor, with its wonderfully salty and rich cheese melted all over the perfectly cooked spinach, it is just heaven in you mouth. My husband loves the buffalo style chicken to give him a great kick of flavor and buffalo sauce heat without all the mess of a buffalo chicken sandwich! They are in great little bite size pieces, perfect for small snacks or finger foods for big parties! My favorite? They are incredibly easy to prepare and serve! That is my kind of great tasting, quick cooking! Also, the three Savorings flavors pair perfectly with wine to make your "date night at home" great fun and a fabulous way to celebrate, relax and save money!

And the kids you have finally put to bed so you can enjoy your date night? You can rest assured they are getting all the calcium and vitamin D they need with the Yoplait Kids sip-able or spoon-able yogurt! For kids that don't like to drink mild (like my son) a fun way to eat their calcium and vitamins is a dream. Little Dude loves being a "big boy" and eating with his own spoon and Older kids will love the fun way of drinking their yogurt! You can also rest assured that with Yoplait Kids Cup Yogurt or Kids Yogurt Drink, that your kid's nutrition is Yoplait's highest priority and thus extra nutrients, calcium and vitamin D are added to help your child grow to their full potential.

To join in the fun by winning a Savoring The Moment Gift Bag OR a Yoplait Kids Prize Pack, leave a comment here, on my main page, or through email at coordinatedchaos@yahoo.com. Let me know which food you would like to try the most and enter twice if you want to try to win both by leaving two separate comments! Good luck! Contest Ends Nov. 8, 2008 at midnight.

Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment

Before being a stay at home Mom, I worked at a daycare for ages 6 weeks to 6 years and After School Care aged children. I was blessed to have experiences teaching 4 year olds preschool for a few years and even more blessed to take over as Infant "teacher" for a new group of wonderful babies (who are now starting to turn 4!)

Anyways, with the years I spent with that wonderful group of babies all the way to their two year old years, I went through A LOT of diaper ointments and creams. Parents brought in whatever brand they preferred, and I would use it on little Ben, Sophie, Rebecca and Isabelle, but honestly, all the brands worked about they same, they all took a number of days to start being effective for bad diaper rash, and they ALL STAINED THE BABIES CLOTHES LIKE CRAZY.

It would be so frustrating to try to put diaper rash on a wiggly older baby or toddler and try to avoid getting the creams on the clothes because no matter how much you washed or scrubbed, those creams just wouldn't come out. The brown ones, the white ones, the creamy ones, the organic ones and the perfumed ones-all eventually worked on the rashes, but they all stained and ruined cute little outfits!

Finally though, I have discovered that Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment WILL NOT STAIN. In fact, Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment is a pale white in color, but rubs on as a clear, non greasy, Triple Protection Formula to soothe your baby's bum and prevent irritation from coming back!!

Lansinoh's Diaper Rash Ointment contains:

*Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin-the world's purest lanolin, forms a protective barrier to help seal out irritating wetness and promote natural healing
*Microfine Zinc Oxide-unlike other zinc oxide formulas which go on thick and white, Lansihoh's innovative formula allows the ointment to go on white and rub on clear. It is light when applied to the skin and provides strong, lasting protection.
*Dimethicone-an excellent emollient, allows for superior spreedability while softening and soothing your baby's delicate bum.

Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment is fragrance free, hypoallergenic and has an elegant, non-greasy texture so that it wipes on and off easily, unlike all those other brands of diaper ointments out there! Also, Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin uses ultra-pure, medical-grade lanolin that is created with a patented refining process, making it the ONLY lanolin available that contains no preservatives or environmental impurities of any kind, so you can use Lansinoh products even if you are allergic to wool. Lansinoh ensures it's Diaper Rash Ointment is so pure and safe, it can be used on even the most sensitive and delicate of skin.

Best of all? IT WORKS QUICKLY.

My son, JR, poops constantly, and has very sensitive skin, so he almost always has a bit of diaper rash going on. I have used just about every cream and ointment out there, all of which offered relief after many days of using them. So, needless to say, I was skeptical when I first tried out the Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment, but within the first day, JR's diaper rash had cleared up!! I was absolutely amazed-no more sensitive red area for my son AND I didn't have to worry about getting it on his clothes-fabulous! Truly, a mother's dream come true!

So, to honor my excitement over Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment, I am hosting a little giveaway! I have a gift basket of Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment,Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin, and a travel pack of Lansinoh Clean & Condition Cloths (which I have also fallen in love with!)All you have to do to win is head over to Lansinoh's site for Moms at:

http://www.lansinohmoms.com

Check it out, and tell me what your favorite part of their website is! Please leave comments here or email me at coordiantedchaos@yahoo.com and make the subject Lansinoh Giveaway (make sure to leave contact info so I can reach you if you win!) The giveaway ends November 1st at midnight. Good luck!

And, for those of you that don't win, don't worry, you can buy Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment at a wonderfully low price in most retail or grocery store baby isles as well as online!

Feeling Girly in Shabby Apple Dresses

Shabby Apple has made me feel oh so pretty in their lovely dresses! There are dresses for all occasions, from daytime with the kids and grilled cheese to night time out with the girls, Shabby Apple has a dress to bring out your girly side in comfort and style!

For new moms everywhere, it can be a daunting task getting the kids out to the mall so you can do a little long overdue clothes shopping. Having your toddler open the dressing room door as you are trying to squeeze into yet another pair of jeans is just no fun and terribly stressful. And lets not even talk about trying to keep the accessories you are digging through from becoming toys....

But never fear, there is a fantastic solution to your "shopping with young children" delima-The Shabby Apple!

Even better, by avoiding the stressful hassle of chasing young children around a shop, you can help fight global poverty! Peaceful shopping AND helping to save the world? That is what I call shopping the Super Mom way!


Have a daughter or niece? She can join in on the dressy fun as well with Shabby Apple's Shabby Baby line. Oh, how I am wishing for a daughter to buy this for someday! I might have to settle on getting it for a neighbor's daughter-it is just too cute! The dresses for children are made of the same high quality, soft materials their Shabby Apple line is made of-and if you notice you could even get mini me dresses for you little angel-how fun for a mommy and daughter day out!

Shabby Apple also has a great feature for those of you nervous about shopping online and getting the fit right: Their Fit to Flatter center can help you find the perfect style for your body type! Their delicious dresses are also conveniently labeled as "Fits Generously" or "Fits True To Size".

I had the pleasure of trying out the Cleopatra Dress, and let me tell you, I felt absolutely royal while wearing it! The dress is casual and super comfy enough for me to wear it around the house, out to a playdate, or out for a walk with the kids! Yet with a few accessories, the Cleopatra Dress turns into the perfect date night outfit! The fit is fantastic for covering up post baby weight curves I haven't gotten rid of yet, and is super comfortable for warm or cool weather with the long length. And best of all? I feel amazing wearing it, and that my friends, is a boost that all women deserve from their clothes.

Would you like to save the world by shopping Shabby Apple? My readers can enter the code:

CoordinatedChaosblog15off

on the payment screen for a discount toward your next www.shabbyapple.com purchase. Hurry though, the offer ends Dec. 31, 2008!

Book Review: A Friend Like Henry

Do you remember your first pet? Mine was a dog who was my best friend, tea party partner, and confider of childhood dreams. Though he never had to, I know that he would have saved me from any and all danger.

In the true life story, A Friend Like Henry, readers are welcomed into the world of Dale and the loving dog who truly saves him from the cage of Autism.

When the Gardners welcome home their newborn son, Dale, they have the optimism and dreams of all new parents. However, as the years pass and they realize that Dale is unlike other children, the Garnders face an unknown and scary diagnosis: Severe, Classical Autism. Even worse, they are told by "experts" their son will never be able to lead a normal life.

The author, Nuala Garnder, shares the frustration, challenges and fears she and her husband faced as they tried to keep their son from slipping further and further into his own world. Her open, honest account quickly draws the reader in and makes you feel like you are a family friend, sharing in all the defeats, but still hoping for a breakthrough to Dale's world. Her frank and beautiful story telling makes you want to laugh, cry, and empathize with her hourly challenges and defeats as she fights to get Dale the professional help they all need.

Hope, optimism and dreams are rekindled when a puppy comes into their lives. In the form of a golden retriever, Henry, the Garnders discover a way to slowly tear down the brick walls of Dale's Autistic cell. Henry's examples of unconditional love and patience save the entire family from the brink of despair by building a bridge between Dale's world and ours and making the impossible possible: for Dale to be a normal boy.

The worst is realized as Dale's little sister, Amy, also starts to show signs of Autism. Through the lessons from Henry, the Gardners are able to muster the strength to fight Autism head on yet again and with quick and early intervention, help to stop her deterioration into the unknown.

This book is a must read for everyone-beyond the story of parenting an autistic child-it is a story of hope and inspiration. Reading, A Friend Like Henry, makes you realize that miracles, no matter what others might say, are possible.

Would you like to read it? I loved the book so much that I am willing to give a copy to a lucky reader! See the rules at the bottom of this blog, leave a comment here or send me an email at: CoordinatedChaos@yahoo.com! The giveaway ends Oct. 1st and the winner will be contacted through email, so make sure I have a way to get in touch with you. Good Luck!