Check Out *ace and friends* Featured in Chef Boyardee's Little Chefs FREE eBook {& Giveaway}

I am so excited to share with all of you a FUN project that I've been working on with several other bloggers. As part of the Little Chef's program, I am currently featured as part of  an eBook sponsored by Chef Boyardee. 

Little Chef's eBook has been created with the hard work of other mom bloggers just like me. I was honored to have been asked to be a part of this collaborative project. You can view my portion of the book which is part of Chapter 3 - *Everyday Fun* which begins on page 17. You can check out *ace* enjoying some VERY tasty smoothies!

As mentioned, I was part of the *Everyday Fun* section and we had a great time making all sorts of smoothies. See *ace* preparing ingredients for their smoothies (this picture didn't make it into the eBook).

Make sure to check out our eBook and learn creative new ways to enjoy cooking with the little chef's in your home. You will find lots of great tips, recipes and inspirational ideas to make everyday cooking with your little ones so much MORE fun! 

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Win It

One LUCKY ace and friends reader
will win Chef Boyardee Little Chefs Prize Pack which includes:

Kids’ kitchen measure and prep kit

Kids’ recipe box

Scrapbook album

2 Chef Boyardee chef hats

Chef Boyardee adult apron

Chef Boyardee child apron

Chef Boyardee pizza kit

Time capsule

2 coupons for free Chef Boyardee Beefaroni

5 Chef Boyardee recipe cards

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Balance Bar mini energy bars & Itzy Ritzy Snack Bags {Review & Giveaway}

Featured Sponsors

With three active kids, I always find myself on the go running from one activity to another... yep, I'm that mom.... Constantly in the car, I find it hard to stop and get a bite to eat. Thankfully, I have my box of new Balance Bar mini energy bars that give me that little pick me up when I'm hungry, exhausted and don't have a second to spare. 

First, About Balance Bar

Founded in 1992, Balance Bar, one of America’s original nutrition/energy bars, inspires consumers to lead active, well-rounded and balanced lives by providing great-tasting, healthy and convenient nutrition for lasting energy. Balance Bars come in seven unique product lines (Original, Gold, BARE, Café, nimble, CarbWell and mini energy bars) and are available in 23 flavors with all based on a 40/30/30 nutritional model (40% of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, 30% from quality protein and 30% from dietary fat). 

Balance Bar®, one of America’s original nutrition/energy bar leaders, is launching mini energy bars in two popular Balance Bar flavors: Cookie Dough and Double Chocolate Brownie. They’re the perfect pick-me-up for kids and adults so everyone can feel good about enjoying them at snack time or between meals!

Each 100-calorie mini energy bar contains seven grams of protein and 23 vitamins and minerals with an excellent source of antioxidants (vitamins A, C & E). Like all Balance Bars, mini energy bars adhere to the proven 40-30-30 principle (40% of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, 30% from quality protein and 30% from dietary fat) to help stabilize blood sugar levels, satisfy hunger and provide lasting energy.

mini energy bars are certified Kosher and come in a two-flavor, 10-count box which will be available where ever Balance Bars are sold and on their site, www.shopbalance.com.

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COUPON: To get a one-dollar Balance Bar coupon, go to www.Balance.com and click on {Get a Valuable Coupon}.

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For more information, visit their website, www.Balance.com. Follow Balance Bar for tips and nutritional information on Facebook and Twitter.

With the kids back to school, they require their daily snack. As easy as it is to use plastic bags, I always disliked the number of bags with would go through every week. I have always loved the idea of the reusable snack back, but never found one that I really liked A LOT, until recently when I was introduced to the Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened™ Reusable Snack Bags. This ZIPPERED (not velcro-ed) snack bag is keep crackers, fruit, sandwiches, new Balance Bar mini energy bars, and other snack securely in place.

Features include:

• 100% cotton exterior
• Waterproof lining interior
• FDA-approved, BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free
• Lead-free zipper top closure keeps crumbs, drips and contents securely inside –no velcro for snag free and silent snacking
• Machine washable
• Award winning

To get your very own Itzy Ritzy snack bags of your own

at www.itzyritzy.com in regular or mini size.

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Buy It

Special Offer! Buy four boxes of Balance Bar mini energy bars and receive one FREE regular-size Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened bag and FREE ground shipping. Offer is limited to the first 50 responders. Go to www.shopbalance.com.

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Win It

One LUCKY ace and friends reader will win a 10 count box of Balance Bar mini energy bars and Itzy Ritzy Snack Bag Prize Pack!

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2012 Get Fit, It's Fun Guide: Vitalicious {Review and Giveaway} - YOU will LOVE this muffin-top!

Featured Sponsor

I have to say, when I hear the words "muffin-top", I cringe just a little bit. Now, when I think muffin-top, I immediately think of one of my ALL-TIME favorite snacks/treats, VitaTops by Vitalicious. Who knew that you could associate those dreadful words with something so delicious (and good for you)!

About Vitalicious Foods Inc.

Vitalicious Foods Inc. is the market leader of innovative “vital and delicious” baked goods that promote a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing taste. Ever since its inception in 1999, Vitalicious has been committed to providing wholesome, value-added products that maximize satisfaction with minimum calories. Packed with flavor and nutrition, Vitalicious’s all-natural baked goods contain only 100 delicious calories and are sold under the VitaMuffin™, VitaTops™, VitaBrownie™, VitaCake™ and VitaMuffin Mix™ trademarks. 

The mission of Vitalicious is simple: to make healthy and delicious baked goods that are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.

Over the years, Vitalicious’ individually-wrapped products have exploded in popularity among dieters and non-dieters alike because they are satisfying and provide excellent daily nutrition. Every variety of VitaMuffin is fortified with as many as 15 of the crucial vitamins and minerals you need, including folic acid, niacin, iron, calcium, vitamins A, B, C, E and more! In fact, you'll notice something on every VitaMuffin package you don't normally associate with tasty baked goods: a nutritional information chart. That's because 4 oz. serving of VitaMuffins are USDA certified to have 100% of the recommended daily adult requirements of many of the most important vitamins and minerals.


ace and friends thoughts:


The VitaTop is the perfect snack size. Not only are they the perfect size, they are wonderfully delicious and my go to snack and treat.  My NEW all-time favorite is the Dark Chocolate Pomegranate. It is super yumalicious and low in calories! It definitely takes care of my chocolate craving! Another favorite is the CranBran. I popped it in the toaster for a warm-out of the oven taste. Added a little spray butter and it made the perfect mid afternoon snack treat. Now isn't this something every mom would LOVE... a treat without all the calories!


What I loved most about the Vitalicious products is that they contain no additives or preservatives. They are commited to using ONLY all-natural ingredients. It's important to stick them in the freezer and take one out when you are ready to enjoy one. They are super easy to thaw and REALLY super *easy* to eat. YUM! 

VitaTops are available in: Banana Choco Chip, Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip, Apple Crumb, Deep Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Pumpkin Spice, Triple Chocolate Chunk, BlueBran, Raisin Bran, Dark Chocolate Pomegranate, Banana Nut, Golden Corn, Double Chocolate Dream, CranBran, Apple Berry, Sugar-Free Banana Nut, Sugar-Free Velvety Chocolate.


Here is the VitaBreakdown of what you get in each individually-wrapped serving:

• 100 calories
• No artificial ingredients
• No preservatives
• Whole grains
• 5g - 6g of fiber
• 0g - 1.5g of fat
• 3g - 4g protein  
• 15 vitamins and minerals 

*NEW* mini VitaCakes - 50 calories of heaven. 

mini VitaCakes, the first ever, 50-calorie baked good of its kind. With 2g of protein, 6g of fiber, 14g of carbs, only 1g of fat plus 15 vitamins and minerals, the all-natural Fudgy Chocolate VitaCakes are loaded with gooey chocolate goodness. YUM!

***Walk It Off In 7 Minutes Sweepstakes via Facebook*** 

Enter Vitalicious' Walk it Off in 7 Minutes Sweepstakes for your chance to win the Grand Prize of a LifeSpan TR 1200-DT Desktop Treadmill ($1,999 Retail Value). They are also giving away 10 Runner Up Prizes of a 48-Pack of Fudgy Chocolate mini VitaCakes!

You can visit VitaTops on Facebook  HERE and click on “7 Min Sweepstakes” to enter and for more details.

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Buy It

Get your own  Vitalicious products - HERE. They are also available in grocery stores and Costco (limited varieties) throughout the US.

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Win It

One LUCKY ace and friends reader will win a Vitalicious Super Sampler Pack {pictured above} to enjoy!

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Wholly Guacamole Homegating Party Pack {Review & Giveaway - 4 Winners}

Just because you don't have tickets to the Super Bowl doesn't mean you can't tailgate. You read that right.... tailgate... Let me tell me you about a new and fun way to do just that... AND yet remain warm and comfortable. Officially known as *homegating* (yep, there's an official term).... you can cheer for your favorite Super Bowl team while seated directly in front of your TV in the comforts of your own home. If you can't be there live, might as well be warm... and indulge in some yummy and delightful snacks!

Wholly Guacamole offers an amazing selection of wonderfully tasty snacks, perfect for homegating! Over the past holiday season, we tried several different Wholly Guacamoles and Wholly Salsas. There were so many delicious flavors, but my all-time favorite was the spicy Wholly Guacamole. What I liked even better was that they offer 100 calorie Snack Packs. Perfect for on the go! The Salsas are also quite delightful. They pair perfectly with chips, make great ingredients in mexican dip recipes and are super delicious on scrambled eggs. 

At HomegatingHQ.com, you can find a huge selection of recipes as well as other fun ideas to spice up you own homegating shindig. While there, make sure to ENTER their recipe contest for your chance to win your very own CharBroil Grill.

We are HUGE fans of Wholly Guacamole and will be purchasing LOTS of salsas and guacamole for our upcoming Super Bowl get-together.

To learn more about Wholly products, make sure to visit their SITE. Also visit them on Facebook, as they regularly feature special saving coupons!

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Win It 

Thanks to Wholly Guacamole, FOUR LUCKY *ace and friends* reader will win! ONE {1} GRAND PRIZE winner will receive a cooler of Guacomole and THREE {3} additional winners will receive {3 FREE product coupons and some promo goodies}.

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2012 Get Fit, It's Fun: Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks {Review & Giveaway}

Featured Sponsor

Now that you've set your goal to stay healthy and fit in the new year, your family can too, including your kids. I've been found guilty of giving my kids not so healthy snacks, yep... it's true. Thankfully I have found a new snack that my kids absolutely love and I can certainly feel GREAT about giving to them.

Introducing the NEW Ocean Spray® Fruit Flavored Snacks!  Ocean Spray® Fruit Flavored Snacks provide kids with the great tasting snacks they crave and parents with the confidence that they come from a good place. They are available in two delicious flavors: Berries & Cherries and Assorted Fruits.

Ocean Spray® Fruit Flavored Snacks are:

• †Made with real fruit juice and natural colors* and flavors.

• 80 calories, gluten free and contain 100% of the Daily Value of Vitamin C.

• Available with year round Double Box Tops.

ace and friends thoughts:

Both flavors, the Berries & Cherries and Assorted Fruits were quite delicious. The kids and I both decided that we like each flavor equally well. We will definitely be purchasing more of these fabulously convenient snacks in the future. Each box contains 10 pouches with about 10 pieces each. Final thoughts: Tasty, fun and a snack that I can feel good about giving to my kids!

Save NOW! 

***COUPON***  PRINT a downloadable coupon for $1.10 off of the purchase of (2) Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored snacks.

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Win It 

Thanks to Ocean Spray, FOUR LUCKY *ace and friends* reader will win a "Ocean Spray" prize pack which includes: 6 boxes (3 of each variety) of Ocean Spray^® Fruit Flavored Snacks!

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Totino's "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" Sweepstakes {& Prize Pack Giveaway}

We, as a family, collect Box Tops all year long to help enhance our children's learning experience. It's tough enough to get through school, but with the introduction of Totino's "Learn a Ton when School is Fun", Totino's along with Box Tops for Education want to bring fun ideas to life to improve your child's school environment.

This school year, Totino’s® is giving away one million Bonus Box Tops (equivalent to $100,000) to help bring fun ideas to life both inside and outside of the classroom, through the "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" sweepstakes:

This school year, four participating schools in the Box Tops for Education (BTFE) program will each win 250,000 Bonus Box Tops, equivalent to $25,000, from Totino’s to help fund a fun project at their school. Visit www.BTFE.com/Totinos to view official sweepstakes rules.

• You can start, or continue, to earn cash for your kid’s school by collecting Box Tops coupons from hundreds of products, including Totino’s


• This back-to-school season, Totino’s^® Party Pizza^® and Pizza Rolls^® Snacks will feature double Box Tops on select varieties, to help you earn even more for your kid’s school!

Fun is an essential part of learning. Continue to help make your kid’s learning environment more fun and exciting by taking advantage of these simple opportunities from Totino’s – enter the "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" sweepstakes for your chance to win 250,000 Bonus Box Tops, and serve up a quick and delicious after-school snack with Totino’s Party Pizza and Pizza Rolls Snacks, while collecting double Box Tops from each. 

¹According to a survey conducted by Totino’s June 2011

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Win It 

Thanks to Totino's one LUCKY *ace and friends* reader will win a Totino´s "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" prize pack which includes:

A Brain Quest Smart! Game,

Micro Rubik´s^® Cube Key Holder

Draw string backpack

Coupons for a free package of Totino´s Pizza Rolls Snacks, Totino´s Party Pizza and new Totino´s Pizza Stuffers.

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Summer Road Trip + Twizzlers = Happiness!

Summer time is just around the corner and Twizzlers wants to be a part of your family's road trips this year!

According to family travel expert Emily Kaufman, “The Travel Mom,” families are starting to think past the backyard “staycation” and are rediscovering the freedom of the open road. Kaufman shares the following tips for a fun and safe family road trip:

• Create a boredom bag. Convert a hanging travel cosmetic case into a case full of fun and hang it from the seat back in front of the kids’ seats. Consider creating fun works of art with Twizzlers
  Pull ‘n’ Peel Candy before snacking on them!
• Take your trip “online.” From GPS systems to phone applications, trips are no longer a navigation nightmare.
• Think through the snacks you pack. Avoid packing snacks that are easy to spill like juice boxes or snacks that melt. Try plastic bottles with sports tops and bring along Twizzlers Candy or Twizzlers Nibs Candy – they are easy to share and don’t melt, making them the perfect car ride treat.

Our family will soon hit the road on our way to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We make sure to pack the car with lots of movies, activities and snacks including some tasty Twizzlers. Yum! I love to see my kids' smiling faces once we reach the sun-filled beaches! While in Myrtle Beach, we always make one additional short road trip to Charleston, South Carolina. There is so many historical sites and fun things to check out while we are there. The kids absolutely love it as do we and I am certainly looking forward to our summer vacation!

Where will you be heading this summer and what are your favorite road trip snacks?

Disclosure: I wrote this post in exchange for the possibilty of receiving a Twizzler Landmark Summer prize pack as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club. all opinions are my own!

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