Superbook Summer Series ~ Bible Stories Brought to Life

Posted by Jenna | Sunday, June 30, 2013



**By publishing this post, I received free products as part of a promotional program with MomSelect. All opinions are my own.

It's not always easy to find appropriate television programs and movies for kids these days. Our family prefers family-friendly, Christian-based programming most of the time so we were thrilled to learn about Superbook!


Superbook delivers exciting Bible stories that kids will enjoy watching again and again. Based on CBN's classic cartoon, the new, reimagined Superbook features amazing Bible stories brought to life using state-of-the-art animation. This award winning series engages children and teaches them the power truths of God's Word.

This is the type of programming that we like for our kids to watch, so I was really excited to learn that it would be televised on national television this summer! In fact, it begins airing tomorrow (July 1st) on ABC Family! The following are the airing times and dates:

ABC Family Airings - 9:30 a.m. EDT:
  • July 1st - In the Beginning: Adam and Eve
  • July 2nd - Let My People Go: Moses 
  • July 3rd - The First Christmas
  • July 4th - He is risen: The Resurrection of Jesus
  • July 5th - Revelation
Stay tuned...I'll be sharing our thoughts on the Superbook Summer Series.

You can learn more about Superbook at www.cbn.com/superbook. Also be sure to like Superbook on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.







**The products for this review/giveaway were provided by Learning Resources. All opinions are my own.

Although we spend a lot of time outdoors this time of year, there have been many rainy days when we're stuck inside. It's times like this that I like to have activities on hand for the kids to do....something that is both fun and educational! Thankfully, I know I can always count on Learning Resources.


The leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational materials for classrooms and learning toys for the home, Learning Resources has been a trusted source for educators and parents for more than 25 years! With a diverse product line of over 1300 products focusing on everything from mathematics, science, early childhood, reading, etc...it's no wonder Learning Resources is a name known around the world.

I love the variety of products offered from Learning Resources. We have many of their toys and games and are always impressed with the quality and educational value. That's why I was excited to learn we were going to be sent the Giant Magnetic Pattern Blocks to review.
Features/Benefits:
  • refinorces shape recognition, symmetry, and more!
  • 3x the length of standard pattern blocks on each side and 9x great in total area!
  • Magnetic 
  • Includes 47 pieces and Activity Guide
  • Designed for grades PreK+
When I was teaching, my students always enjoyed pattern blocks. There's something fun about the open ended play they provide, as well as the educational aspects as well! My kids are no different. They love pattern blocks, so I knew they would be thrilled with these giant magnetic pattern blocks! I was right.

 When the pattern blocks arrived, they couldn't wait to get them out and start playing with them. They didn't know they were magnetic at first, so once they found that out, it was even better! Both Kaelyn and Kaden have spent hours playing with these fun pattern blocks. They like to make different pictures and designs, recreating what the other makes.
It's also been fun to hear Kaelyn teaching Kaden the shapes using the blocks, and hearing her say things like "look mom, I used these blocks and made a square". It's neat to see their minds at work, learning new things every time we pull out this fun activity! The more they explore with them, the more they learn and the more fun they have!

I appreciate their durability and the fact that they can be played with on the floor, or used on a magnetic surface as well. I could see these coming in especially handy for teachers who would like to use them for educational purposes in the classroom. The fact that they could attach right to a magnetic chalkboard or whiteboard would be useful for them.

Overall we've been really happy with the Giant Magnetic Pattern Blocks from Learning Resources. The kids have a great time and learn so much without even knowing it. I can definitely see these as being a favorite activity in our house for years to come. Being open-ended, it's great for kids of all ages.

Buy It: You can purchase the Giant Magnetic Pattern Blocks for $21.99.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Giant Magnetic Pattern Blocks set of their own! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway below.






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Polly Pocket Playsets ~ Get Yours Today!

Posted by Jenna | Saturday, June 29, 2013



I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Polly Pocket. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.
 
Kaelyn is at an age where she gets bored easily, especially during the summertime when it's raining and we're stuck in doors (that's been A LOT lately!). That's why I like to have lots of toys and activities available to her to use and play with and always look for great options that inspire imaginative play. She really enjoys playing with dolls, so I knew having the chance to review a couple of PollyPocket Playsets would be right up her alley!

Due to Polly's portability, she can take her with her anywhere! They can take all kinds of adventures together...a ride in the car, a walk around the neighborhood, a trip to the movie theater, and so much more!

We were sent the Polly Pocket Wall Party Tree House and the Polly Pocket Zipline Adventure Pool  to review.


I love the overall appeal and unique fun it provides Kaelyn. She enjoys being able to participate in open-ended play and having these two playset really makes that easy for her.

Wall Party Tree House is unique in the fact that it attaches to the wall so it is raised off the floor. I love this, as she doesn't have all the pieces on the floor of her bedroom.


She also really enjoys the Zipline Adventure Pool, as there are a lot of fun things for Polly to do, including zipline down into real water when we fill the pool.

I would encourage you to check out these, and other PollyPocket Playsets. They can easily be purchased directly from the Amazon Store below. You're now able to find them all in one place and with the click of a button can purchase the ones your daughter will love!

And, until July 7th, the Polly Pocket below have been discounted to the following:
  • Polly Pocket Zip 'N Splash Playset - Previously $17.99, Now $15.95
  • Polly Pocket Wall Party Tree House Playset - Previously $19.99, Now $11.99
  • Polly Pocket Wall Party Ultimate All-In-One Playset - Previously $74.99, Now $47.99



Hunger-Free Summer Program ~ Ways You Can Help! #HungerFreeSummer

Posted by Jenna | Thursday, June 27, 2013



**This post is brought to you by ConAgra Foods and The Motherhood, and I've been compensated for my time. However, all opinions are my own.
 
Did you know that during the school year, 21.5 million children depend on free or reduced-price school meals to keep them from going hungry? I didn't know that until recently when I was introduced to the Hunger-Free Summer initiative a while back. You may remember me talking about it a couple of weeks ago. If not, be sure to check out the post, here

Not only did I not know how many children depend on free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but I also didn't know that out of that 21.5 million, only 2.3 million are enrolled in summer meal programs. That leaves a lot of children at an increased risk of hunger during the summer. We think of summer as being fun and relaxing, but for these children it's quite the opposite. 

That's why I was super excited when I learned more about the Hunger-Free Summer initiative and how easy it is to help! Chris O' Donnell has helped bring awareness to the issue. He worked with ConAgra Foods to develop a video and a simple way for others to join in the fight against child hunger: For every view, a meal is donated (the video must be watched all the way through to count)! So, be sure to take a moment and head over and view it and share it with others. This is such a wonderful cause!!

Since becoming more educated on how serious this situation really is, I have discussed it with my children more than I had in the past. It was difficult for them to comprehend at first, but the statistics don't lie. More than 1 in 5 kids are food insecure. I think it's hard for them to realize that there are children out there who deal with this, but at the same time, the thought of it really made them feel bad for them and want to help. We talked about the different ways we can help, one being the great ConAgra Foods Foundation/Chris O'Donnell video. They thought it was great that for every view of the video, a child would get a meal! Although young, the idea stuck with them and they now want to share about it with our friends and family so they can view it too!
 
My kids and hubby have all sat down and watched the video together. After doing so, we talked with them about the important of child hunger awareness, particularly during these summer months. 
 

Not only is watching the video a great way to fight against child hunger, but we can also help by spreading the word, volunteering, and advocating for the cause! I love to think of our family watching this video as taking the first step of many this summer. We would love to take more action and help out however we can over the coming months.

You can also connect with ConAgra Foods on Facebook and Twitter.





**Thanks to the Cracker Jack brand for providing samples of Cracker Jack snack products for review and giveaway. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Last month my family and I were on vacation and stopped at the store to pick up some snacks for the trip. One of the first things we spotted were Cracker Jack snacks! They've been a beloved snack in our family for years, and something I remember enjoying when I was young! The first time I
remember eating them was as a child and I have loved this tasty snack ever since! I have such fond memories eating them as a snack at home, on vacations, etc...that I couldn't wait to introduce my kids to a snack I enjoyed so much growing up. Their deliciously sweet and crunchy caramel popcorn and peanuts is the perfect snack for the young and old! Our whole family devoured them! Shortly after, I was introduced to some great news from the Cracker Jack brand.

This year, the Cracker Jack brand celebrates 120 years of its yummy snack, with more flavors, more peanuts (in 4 and 8 oz sizes) and modernized prizes! As part of this important anniversary, I was invited to join in and help spread the word about the delicious new flavors and product changes! Knowing how much our family loved the original variety Cracker Jack snacks, I was thrilled!

We were sent 15 bags of the following assorted 3 flavors to try. 
  • Butter Toffee
  • Kettle Corn
  • Original Cracker Jack snacks (in 4 and 8 oz sizes) with more nuts!
When our box of Cracker Jack snacks arrived, I couldn't wait to dig in and share them with my family! It came at a perfect time, as a zoo trip was planned and we need some goodies to take along! I first opened the well-known, original Cracker Jack snacks, now with more nuts! Delicious!! I have always enjoyed the original variety, but this now has even more crunchy peanuts which makes it even better! This is one of my mom's favorite snacks from when she was a child as well, so I had to share with her...and she agreed! They are amazing. 
Next we tried the Kettle Corn flavor! I'm the type of person who likes a simple snack throughout the day, and no matter the time these always hit the spot. This ended up being my absolutely favorite variety of Cracker Jack snacks...Oh so good! I love the sweet and savory taste. Delicious!!

Of course, we had to try the Butter Toffee too. This is my hubby's favorite! It includes a buttery toffee taste that makes it the perfect snack to unwind with after a long day of work or play. It's definitely a favorite in our house, and one that can be enjoyed any time of day.

I love having a snack I enjoyed growing up with, and being able to share it with my family and friends! Having an assortment of flavors to choose from makes the Cracker Jack brand something all ages and tastes can enjoy. We plan on purchasing more of each flavor once ours are gone, as they've been a great snack while at home and on the go this summer. 

There's even a new twist to the prize in every package. The Cracker Jack brand is offering new classic stickers with fun facts and digital codes that unlock surprises online through a free Cracker Jack-branded app featuring two nostalgic games (baseball and pinball). 

I would highly recommend checking out the new flavors and the original variety with more nuts of Cracker Jack snacks. You won't be sorry you did!

Buy It: The new Cracker Jack products, Cracker Jack Butter Toffee Popcorn Snack (4 oz. SRP $1.49, 8.5 oz. SRP $2.29), Cracker Jack Kettle Corn Popcorn Snack (3 oz. MSRP $1.49) and Cracker Jack Original Caramel Coated Popcorn and Peanut snacks with "More Nuts" (4 oz. SRP $1.49, 8.5 oz SRP $2.29) are available nationwide wherever Cracker Jack brands are sold.

WIN IT: One very lucky reader is going to win 6 bags of the 3 assorted Cracker Jack snacks assorted flavors to try out for themselves! 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Only and will end July 12





Free Birds Movie Trailer ~ In Theaters November 1st!

Posted by Jenna | Thursday, June 27, 2013



Have you heard about the new animated comedy adventure from Relativity Media and Reel FX Animation Studios arriving in theaters November 1st?!
They're out to change the main course of history. Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks (voiced by Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson) must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history - and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu for good. 


Starring Amy Poehler and George Takei as S.T.E.V.E.; the film is directed by Jimmy Hayward (Horton Hears a Who!) and releases in 2D and 3D formats on November 1st (just in time for Thanksgiving!).

Cast
Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson Amy Poehler, Dan Fogler, Lesley Nicol, George Takei, Colm Meaney, Keith David, Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo, Dwight Howard

Below is the movie trailer for you to check out as well!

You can connect with Free Birds online on Facebook and Twitter.





*Thanks to Gymboree for providing me and one lucky reader with a Gymboree gift card. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

When it comes to finding clothes for my kids, I look for quality, comfort and style. I want them to look adorable, yet need for the clothes to be comfortable for them to run around in and made to withstand a lot of wear at the same time. It sounds like a lot to ask, and quite honestly it's not an easy thing to find. That is, unless you shop at Gymboree


Dressing children since 1986, Gymboree offers an array of fashionable clothing and accessories for kids. Available in sizes newborn to 12 years, their clothing is designed with colorful, high quality fabrics and detailed touches that set them apart from other brands.

Ever since having children, I have been a huge fan of Gymboree! The quality of their clothes is top-notch, not to mention the adorable selection they offer for both girls and boys! That's why I was excited when asked if I'd like to work with them on a review. 

We were sent a Gymboree gift card to purchase some of the latest spring/summer items for Kaelyn, Kaden and Caysen. I spent quite some time browsing the fun new clothes and deciding what to get each of the kids. I was excited once I finally made my decision and couldn't wait for our package to arrive. 

I was surprised how quickly we received our items. It arrived in just 1 week! I was super excited to check everything out, and of course have the kids try everything on. Out of the package, I appreciated how nicely Gymboree packages their clothing. Each piece is packaged separately and folded nicely. This means everything arrives neat and orderly. LOVE that! 

I took the clothes out of each package and checked out Kaelyn's first. She is a big fan of the color pink, tank tops and flip flops...so this outfit from the Island Lily collection was right up her alley. 

 


I knew the clothes looked adorable in person, but on they are even cuter! I love each of the pieces. They match perfectly and make for a super cute spring/summer outfit! 

The Bow Wavy Stripe Tank is unique in that it has one wider strap with a bow on the shoulder. It's a great fashionable accent that sets it apart from other tanks she owns. I also love the bright wavy stripes...perfect for this time of year!
 


The Flower Belt Pleated Chambray Short go great with the tank. I love that they can easily be paired with other Gymboree items as well. They are a little loose on Kaelyn, but still something she enjoys wearing as they're very comfortable and cute. We both love the style and of course, the adorable D-ring belt with a bright chiffon flower!
 
To finish off the outfit are the Flower Wavy Strip Flip Flops which match the tank perfectly! Kaelyn really enjoys wearing flip flops, so these are her new favorite pair of shoes. They go with a lot of things she has in her closet, but are especially adorable paired with this outfit. The fit is perfect, and she doesn't complain of them be uncomfortable at all which is great too.
 
As for the boys, I like for them to coordinate, but usually don't dress them exactly the same. That's why I fell in love with the different collections for summer...especially the Shark Patrol collection! They offer such a great selection of items that can be mixed and matched. Perfect for families with more than one boy (or girl for the girl's collections). 

I found these adorable pull on plaid short for each of the boys, which I love because they are so bright and fun for summer! They are super soft and comfy, and perfect for dressing up or more casual days. I also appreciate that they pull on easily with a wide ribbed waistband too!


Along with the shorts, I got Kaden the Plaid Shark Tee and Stripe Flip Flops to match.
The tee is absolutely adorable and matches the shorts perfectly! The plaid canvas applique and embroidery is excellent quality and really makes the outfit. It's a very comfortable outfit for Kaden to wear. I love it so much that I've decided to have him wear it for our family pictures next month and have since even ordered Caysen one. 


The Stripe Flip Flops are also super cute. They match the outfit well, and could easily be paired with other Gymboree clothing too. Like with Kaelyn's sandals, they fit great and seem very comfortable for him which is much appreciated.
To go along with Caysen's pull on plaid shorts, I got him the Daddy's Best Buddy Fish Tee.
Like I said, I don't like to dress the boys exactly the same, but it's fun to have them coordinate. So I thought this was really cute. It matches the shorts perfectly, and coordinates will with Kaden's outfit. Its comfy jersey style is detailed with bright colors and embroidered lettering, once again making it well-made and something I know will last.

The one thing I didn't get Caysen was a pair of flip flops, but after seeing Kaden's I loved them so much that I recently ordered him a pair too. They are so cute with the outfit. Love it!

Overall we've been thrilled with the cute summer clothes from Gymboree. The quality is just as we expected, and the fit, comfort and style they provide is excellent! I love knowing that they are comfortable, all while looking cute at the same time. 

I would definitely recommend heading over and checking out the great selection of clothing and accessories at Gymboree.com


Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a $75 Gymboree Gift Card! Simply enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

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This giveaway is open to US Only and will end July 12th!




Protecting Your Home and Family ~ Guest Post

Posted by Jenna | Tuesday, June 25, 2013



Moms are the beginning and the end when it comes to keeping our homes running smoothly. Not only do we take care of balancing the checkbooks, paying the bills, cleaning the house, and raising the kids, we also have to see that our home and family are protected. Protection comes in many different forms, from safety to pest control.

Pests

When you buy a new home, you have the obligatory inspection done. They test for everything from water damage, roof leaks and termites. When the report comes back, you decide if you really want the house or not. Ours came back clean, but in order to keep it that way we need regular maintenance by Terminix pest control or a professional pest control service of some kind. I don't want my dream home damaged by little bugs.

There are a few things that you can do for some extra prevention:
1. Make sure the soil slopes away from the house
2. Keep plants at least three feet from the house
3. Use plastic sheeting under the house to cover the dirt.
4. Point sprinklers away from the house

You should never have any standing water around the base of the home, as termites need water for survival. Get rid of any dead or dying trees and don't pile up firewood against the house. You shouldn't have those anywhere near it in fact. Make sure the base of the house shows about six inches of the concrete foundation all the way around it. Don't use a lot of mulch around the house, as it breeds termites.

Weather issues

Depending on your area and the regular weather you have there, you might want to make sure there are no large trees too close to the house either. They can be knocked over by storms and you don't want them to fall on the house. I know that they shade the house and help keep electricity bills down, but in areas with high straight line winds, those trees can be dangerous to your home and your family. Keep the trees well trimmed as well. This way you won't have to worry about dead branches falling from them.

Child Safety 
1. Check your house and move cleaning agents, medicines, vitamins, toiletries, mothballs, and other potentially harmful items out of reach. ( You would be surprised to learn how many children are able to get that Pinesol bottle open and drink it. )
2. Attach corner and edge guards to furniture that will become a hazard as child walks, climbs, and grows taller.
3. Keep heavy items like TV's on low stands so they won't tip
4. Cut off or tie up dangling cords on drapes and blinds.
5. Make sure you have the safety plugs for all of your outlets as well. ( We all know that children love to stick things into small holes and spaces. We buy them lots of toys teach them to do just that and need to make sure they can't do it in the wrong space. )

When you buy a home with a pool and you have small children, you should invest in a safety pool fence. Some of them are removable for those pool parties and such, but they are definitely worth the expense to keep your children safe. In addition to the safety fence, you can put latches or locks at the top of the doors to your home to keep the children from wandering outside. Kids have a tendency to do that the moment you turn your back or use the restroom.

Protecting your home and your family is not very difficult or even expensive if you take simple precautions. Most of it is common sense and easily done on your own without the help of professionals. If you do need a professional to help you, just do your research and you will be fine. I hope this helps you ladies. I know that a lot of it helped me when we first bought our home.






**Thanks to ThermaCare for providing me and one lucky reader with a ThermaCare prize package. All opinions are my own.

Like most families, we are on the go a lot this time of year. Summer has us outdoors enjoying the warmth as much as possible! Being on-the-go most days, it's no fun to have pain get in the way of our fun...going to the park, the pool, or even a walk around the neighborhood. Whether it's a stiff neck from working at the computer or a pulled muscle, most topical pain relievers only temporarily mask pain. 
That's why I was happy when introduced to the NEW ThermaCare Cold Wraps and ThermaCare HeatWraps. These products were made to provide long-lasting pain relief that soothes, relaxes and unlocks tight muscles and joints so pain doesn't get in the way of our summer fun!

I have used ThermaCare products in the past and was happy when contacted to learn more about their products. They have advanced technology that is designed to deliver effective relief and promotes healing, so you don't have to worry about pain anymore!

We were sent a fun packages that included a couple of ThermCare products.

The new ThermaCare Cold Wraps are designed with TargetTemp Insulation Technology to deliver constant, comfortable cold so you can wear them continuously. These wraps are meant to give you effective relief without the icy shock that's often accompanied by traditional ice packs which I LOVE! They can even be reused and frozen for up to 10 times which is another bonus I really appreciate! 

ThermaCare works differently than other topical pain relievers. ThermaCare HeatWraps have patented heat cells that penetrate deep to the source of pain for long-lasting pain relief and faster healing. Therapeutic heat soothes, relaxes and unlocks tight muscles & joints for up to 16 hours of relief. While the heat cells send heat deep into the tissue to increase blood flow and accelerate healing.

I love that ThermaCare offers these two products. I know they will come in useful as I'm always dealing with a stiff neck and shoulders. My husband does some work seeding for a friend in his spare time, and often comes home achy as well so these will be perfect. 

ThermaCare has launched a Wheel of Heal Facebook game and contest for the chance to win ThermaCare coupons, instant prizes and a Hot or Cold Relief Getaway!! The Grand prizes include HOT vacations to Macro Island, Napa Valley or Santa Cruz, and COLD escapes to Mt. Ranier, Anchorage, and Banff, Canada. Continuing through the rest of the year, you can visit Facebook.com/ThermaCare for your chance to play, and WIN!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to WIN a ThermaCare relief package which will include:

  • Samples of ThermaCare HeatWraps and ThermaCare Cold Wraps - constant, comfortable relief for sore muscles and joints
  • Hot/Cold Coffee Mug - to kick back and relax with a warm (or cold) treat
  • Hot/Cold Gel Eye Mask - for those nights when you just need a little extra TLC   


This giveaway will end July 5th and is open to US Only



Cascade Platinum Pacs #MyPlatinum ~ Review

Posted by Jenna | Monday, June 17, 2013



*I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

As a stay at home mom, it seems a lot of my time is spent making meals and cleaning up the mess. Needless to say, I spend a lot more time in the kitchen than I'd like to. That's why I am always looking for ways to make my daily routine a bit easier when it comes to balancing everything. Thankfully, Cascade has come to my rescue!

I am a big fan of the Cascade brand, and was excited to learn that they recently launched Cascade Platinum, the best clean available from Cascade. With a premium formula, Cascade Platinum was created to help to prevent hard-water film build-up on your machine, and leaves your dishes sparkling and clean every time. 

Benefits that caught my attention right away when introduced to Cascade Platinum: 
  • Eliminates the need to pre-rinse dishes
  • Scrubs away tough 24 hour stuck-on food
  • Delivers exceptional dishware shine
  • Helps maintain the look of new machines and prevents additional hard-water film buildup
  • Has the grease fighting power of dawn
As I said previously, I am always looking for ways to make my time in the kitchen easier and faster. I also appreciate when the result is sparkling clean dishes AND a clean dishwasher! That's why I couldn't wait to try Cascade Platinum out for myself! 

We were sent a package of Cascade Platinum dishwasher detergent pacs. They provide a triple-action formula which provides ultimate cleaning for dishes and helps prevent hard water filming so even the dishwasher sparkles! The formula is designed to deliver Cascade's best-in-market performance as it offers increased enzyme power for tough cleaning, liquid-top dual surfactant system to provide exceptional shine, and specially designed chelant and polymer system to prevent hard-water film build-up. It sounded almost too good to be true, but I thought I'd give it a try and see. 
 


To use the concentrated pouches, simply place one pac in the main dispenser cup and close the dispenser door. Then close the dishwasher door, start it and let the cleaning happen. 
 
Although I was skeptical as to whether this product would truly fight grease and food and leave my dishes AND my dishwasher sparkling clean without any film...it truly has lived up to everything it claims to do! I have been very impressed!

Nothing is worse than pulling dishes out of the dishwasher and having a film on everything, including the dishwasher itself. I have used different dishwasher detergents in the past that did this to my dishes, leaving me with the not-so-fun job of having to do all of the "clean" dishes again by hand. This busy momma does not have time for that every day, so I LOVE that Cascade Platinum has made cleaning dishes easier than ever. 

It has done a fantastic job of cleaning my dishes without leaving any film or food on them at all. I was amazed that it even does a great job of leaving my dishwasher sparkling clean as well! 

I can now serve meals to my family and friends without worrying that the dishes will not be clean. I am confident using Cascade Platinum, that I will now have sparkling dishes, shining flatware and spot-free glasses whenever I pull them out of the dishwasher. YAY! 

I also enjoy taking pictures of the foods I make for my blog, Facebook, Pinterest, etc...so I love that I now have sparkling dishes to make the presentation even better!

I've been really happy with the power and clean Cascade Platinum pacs provide, as well as the fact that it helps to maintain the sparkling look of my dishwasher interior and prevents the build-up of hard-water film. We will definitely be purchasing more of these in the future!

What's more, Cascade wants you to show off your sparkly pots, pans and plates for a chance to win great prizes! Beginning June 3rd, you can now enter the "My Platinum" Instagram contest and upload photos related to the fun, weekly contest themes. 

Each week for four weeks, two contestants will be selected to receive a brand new Whirlpool dishwasher. Additionally, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a Platinum kitchen makeover! WOW! 

To enter, visit the Instagram contest page for more information on how to enter and submit images. The contest page will prompt you to sign up for Instagram if you aren't already a user.To win you must both register and upload a photo with the #MyPlatinum hashtag and tag @myCascade.

Cascade has also partnered with Top Chef Judge and editor of Food+Wine magazine, Gail Simmons, to discuss why meal presentation is just as important as preparation.

From prep to plating ~ It's more than just a great-tasting recipe, but also perfect presentation. Sparkling dishes, shining flatware and spot-free glasses truly let your put your best food forward with culinary creations that pop! 

Gail recommends impressing with a Platinum Presentation. She says, "The easiest recipes pop with unexpected, gourmet presentations, Drizzle bright sauces on sparkling white plates or layer desserts in crystal-clean glassware. Keep your presentation sparkling with Cascade Platinum which keeps dishes perfect for anytime entertaining and impromptu guests.

You can learn more about Cascade's partnership with Gail Simmons by visiting the Cascade Facebook Page and YouTube page





Buy It: Cascade Platinum Pacs are available in Fresh and Lemon Burst scents
at mass merchandisers, grocery and retailers nationwide. Pricing is as follows - Cascade Platinum 14 ct: $4.29, 23 ct: $6.69, 43 ct: $12.49. You can also learn more at http://bit.ly/16Te3N




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