The busier life gets, the less organized I become...especially when it comes to preparing meals. Trying to decide what to make at the last minute usually leads to me making the same old thing week after week or turning to leftovers from the night before. Planning ahead would definitely help relieve some of the stress that comes along with never knowing what we're going to have for supper...which is why I was thrilled to learn more about Say Mmm!

Say Mmm is a site dedicated to helping parents save time and money getting dinner on the table for their families by offering several free meal planning, grocery shopping and recipe organizing features. As I browsed SayMmm.com for the first time, I was not only impressed with how user-friendly and easy to navigate it is...but also all that it has to offer busy moms like myself. This is truly one of the best ways I've seen to get organized when it comes to making meals!

Not only can I save all my recipes and meal ideas in one place and organize them as I wish, but I can also generate shopping lists from meal plans and recipes...as well as print them off or check off items in the store on a my smart phone! How neat is that? Best of all though, is the meal planning feature. I can now easily plan meals by day, week, or month with the available calendar which works together with my recipes and shopping lists.

There's even a Grocery List for Blogs feature where you can make shopping lists for your readers for any online recipe just by adding a link!

I would definitely recommend checking them out if you haven't already. You can also connect with Say Mmm on Twitter and Facebook.

**This sponsored post was made possible by Say Mmm; all opinions are 100% mine.**

As Christmas draws near, we have more and more family members asking us what toys the kids would like as a gift. When I think about the ones they seem to enjoy the most, classic brands like Playskool and Tonka come to mind first. Thankfully I know I can always count on Hasbro to offer such amazing brands such as these, which is why I often recommend looking at their amazing selection of toys to anyone who asks.

Hasbro is a company trusted by families for generations. They are known best for some of the most well-known toys and games available on the market today. What I love is that they continue to keep the traditional toys like Mr. Potato Head and My Little Pony, but update them in new ways to suit the interests of our children...giving them toys they can play with for hours on end.

We have owned several of their products over the years and are always impressed with the quality and fun they provide. That's why I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review the My Little Pony Remote Control Rainbow Dash Plane and Tonka Chuck & Friends Rumblin' Chuck.

When the toys arrived, Kaelyn spotted the My Little Pony Remote Control Rainbow Dash Plane right away. She was familiar with My Little Pony from a toy she already had, so this peeked her interest even more.

As I pulled everything out of the box, I couldn't help but reminisce about the days I used to play with My Little Pony as a child. What a fun toy for young children. It included a RC Rainbow Dash Plane vehicle w/remote control and Rainbow Dash Pony.

Three AA batteries (not included) are required, so that's the first thing we did. Once My Little Pony RC Rainbow Dash's Plane was ready to go, we checked out the remote. It's not only the perfect size for little hands, but it is also very simple to use! Kaelyn has had no problem figuring it out and using it once we showed her how. There are three easy to use buttons which allow her to control where the plane is headed. One button sends the plane forward, one button sends it twirling around, and the other can be pushed for fun airplane sounds.

The following is a really quick clip of the toy in use:

Kaelyn absolutely loves it! She enjoys playing with Rainbow Dash Pony in the plane, as well as separate from it.

The Tonka Chuck & Friends Rumblin' Chuck is a toy both Kaden and Kaelyn were drawn to right away. I have to admit that even I was intrigued. It was surprisingly larger than I expected which was great!

We've had a lot of fun testing out Rumblin' Chuck and checking out all his amazing features. With over 50 phrases and sounds, this little friends has lots to say and share with children. He pops wheelies, shakes, turns and loves to talk. The first time the kids heard him, they sat there in awe watching and listening. Kaden gets the biggest smile on his face and starts bouncing with excitement.


Here's a quick clip showing a few of the many things this fun dump truck does...


Aside from the many phrases and things he does, Rumblin' Chuck is also a very fun dump truck. Even when switched off...both kids love to place toys in the back and roll him around the house. It also comes with a cute story book too.

Overall we've been very impressed with the quality and fun Rumblin' Chuck and My Little Pony have provided for the kids (as well as us adults)! I would definitely recommend these toys to families with young children and think they would make great gifts this Christmas. Whether you're looking for boys or girls, Hasbro Toys has a full range of toys available suited for children of all ages! Head over to Thanks, Mail Carrier and check out her great review of Rumblin' Chuck and the Littlest Pet Shop Rescue Tails Center Playset!

Buy It: You can purchase the My Little Pony Remote Control Rainbow Dash Plane for $22.99 and Tonka Chuck & Friends Rumblin' Chuck for $39.99.

**The products for this review were provided for free by Hasbro. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own.**

It's hard to believe, but the end of November is already here! With December just a day away, I, like many I'm sure, am busy checking my list and finishing up the Christmas shopping I still have left to do. I like to get my shopping done early, however it comes down to the last few family members or friends that I just don't know what to buy them. I always like to find unique gifts I know they'll enjoy, and depending on the person...it can be quite a difficult task. That is...until I was introduced to GourmetGiftBaskets.com!

Whether you're shopping for an anniversary, birthday, Christmas or something else...GourmetGiftBaskets.com is your one-stop-shop for all your high quality gift basket needs. They offer a large selection of handmade gift baskets made with award-winning gourmet foods for every occasion imaginable. No matter who you're looking for...man, woman, or child...you're sure to find something that suits them perfectly. And, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee you can't go wrong.

When I first came across GourmetGiftBaskets.com, I was not only impressed with their great selection, but also how easy their site is to navigate. Using the categories located along the sidebar, you can search by price, occasion, gourmet food, and more! I was able to browse around and find their Christmas Gift Baskets within no time!

We were sent the Christmas Gift Basket Classic to review.

When the gift basket arrived, I was immediately impressed with the presentation. Everything was easy to see through the clear packaging, and to top it off...there was a beautiful bow that gave it a finishing touch. I love when companies go above and beyond to make sure their products stand out and make wonderful gifts...this definitely did!


It was so neatly put together that I hated to open it...but of course, I couldn't not check out (and taste test) everything included! As I pulled out each item...I got more and more excited. There was a variety of 10 different award-winning gourmet snacks.

Ours included:

• Robert Rothschild Farm Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip
• Dipping Pretzels by East Shore Specialty Foods
• Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramel Patties
• Brent & Sams Cookies - Chocolate Chip Pecan
• Metropolitan Trail Mix by GourmetGiftBaskets.com
• Single Serve Chocolate Covered Cherries by Marich
• Signature Dark Chocolate Bar by Lake Champlain
• Salted Peanuts in Box by Feridie's
• Buttered Peanut Crunch by Old Dominion Peanut Company
• Petite Cheese Biscuits by Salem Baking Co.
  

With everything from chocolate, to almonds and pretzels...there was something sure to suit everyone's taste in our family. The kids absolutely LOVED the dipping pretzels, hubby enjoyed the cheese biscuits, and my weakness...well, of course anything involving chocolate. I especially liked the Chocolate chip pecan cookies and chocolate covered cherries. YUM! I was pleasantly surprised with how good each snack was. They were delicious!

The basket itself was even impressive! I love the sleek and simple look. It's great that this is a gift basket where the recipient has something to keep after all the goodies are gone. It could be used for almost anything and given it's excellent quality...is sure to last a very long time.

I am very happy with the Christmas Gift Basket Classic I received and think it would make a great gift idea for anyone on your list this year. It's unique, practical and includes delicious goodies everyone is sure to love.

Buy It: You can purchase the Christmas Gift Basket Classic for $59.99.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a Christmas Gift Basket Classic like the one we received.

Mandatory Entry - Like GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Facebook (please leave a portion of your name for verification)

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the GourmetGiftBaskets.com Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry- Leave a comment on the GourmetGiftBaskets.com Facebook Wall letting them know which gift basket is your favorite from their site.

3. 1 extra entry- Follow GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Twitter

4. 3 extra entries- Grab our Checking Our List Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and GourmetGiftBaskets.com) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Checking Our List 25: #WIN a Christmas Gift Basket from @gmtgiftbaskets ARV $60! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/dS4st4 Ends 12/23

7. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

8. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

11. Enter any of my other Holiday Gift Guide giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end December 23rd and is open to US & Canada!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free by GourmetGiftBaskets.com. All opinions found here are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**

Although life seems to get busier and busier, we still love to find time and enjoy family movie nights. That's why I was excited to learn that Walmart and P&G will premiere their third made-for-TV family movie THIS Friday, December 3 at 8/7C on NBC! They are committed to delivering quality family entertainment, and plan to do just that with the heart-warming drama....A Walk in My Shoes.

We were sent a fun viewing kit which included behind-the-scenes interviews, a fact sheet, fun trinkets to get us excited about the movie and more. Having had the chance to check out some of the sneak peek exclusive background materials...I'm very excited to watch it with my family! It's not very often that there's a movie on TV that the whole family can sit down and enjoy, so I really appreciate that Walmart and P&G have come together to do this once again.

What it's about:
A Walk in My Shoes” makes viewers stop and think, “What would I learn if I stepped into someone else’s life?” Stressed-out high school teacher Trish Fahey (Nancy Travis, “Three Men and a Baby,” “Becker”) can’t understand her students’ lack of effort in the classroom and why their parents don’t seem to care. This is especially true of Justin Kremer (Cameron Deane Stewart), a popular, skateboard-loving, basketball star who is underperforming in her class. Trish has him suspended from the basketball team and quickly chalks up the situation as a case of bad parenting.

This perspective dramatically changes when Trish meets Molly (Yara Martinez), a mysterious stranger intent on helping her see things differently. After a car accident, Trish wakes to find herself living the life of Cindy Kremer (Jana Lee Hamblin), the woman she has rashly judged and criticized. Molly helps Trish discover that there is more to the story and learns a powerful lesson that affects everyone she interacts with, including her husband, daughter and the Marine next door. No one is left unchanged.

I can't tell you how excited I am to see this movie. I think it looks great and like one our whole family will enjoy. Just reading the background materials peeked my interest immediately. I think it's something everyone can relate to and take away from. And, Just like with Secrets of the Mountain and The Jensen Project...Randy Jackson has produced the movie soundtrack for A Walk in My Shoes. The soundtrack will be bundled with the DVD and available on December 4, 2010 exclusively at Walmart.


Win It: One lucky reader is going to win their very own A Walk in My Shoes DVD/CD bundle!

Mandatory Entry - Leave a comment letting me know why you'd like to win OR your favorite part about family movie nights.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry - Like Family Movie Night on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry - Follow Family Movie Night on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN A Walk In My Shoes DVD/CD bundle pack #momsbalancingact @fmnib http://bit.ly/hswXGZ Ends 12/17

5. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- Become a Fan/Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end December 17th and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided at no cost. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

November is a very busy time of year for our family. Not only do we have Thanksgiving and are busy preparing for Christmas, but My husband has a busier schedule at work, both my kids have birthdays, and of course, the everyday tasks of being a mom, keeping up on the blog, etc. It's a fun-filled time...but there are those days when I am exhausted by the time dinner rolls around and find myself wishing there was a way I could snap my fingers and have a great meal on the table. Thanks to Marie Callender's it can be almost that simple!

Marie Callender's understands how busy life can get and that sometimes it's hard to slow down and take the time to enjoy the small things. That's why they offer a great selection of dinner options that are delicious and make you feel good.

I couldn't have been happier when I learned that Marie Callender's wanted to send us a special Time to Savor Kit! It included:

• Coupons for Marie Callender's Baked Meals, Fresh Flavor Steamer Entrees and Pies
• Samples of Marie Callender's Fresh Mixers
• Beautiful Green Table Cloth
• Three-month Netflix Gift Card

The thought of being able to sit back, relax and indulge in a delicious meal while spending quality time with my family was a wonderful one and the kit couldn't have arrived at a better time of year for us!

Marie Callender's provides a new Baked Meals line, which offers meals to share in about 15 minutes. The meals contain a new microwavable tray so that the food is heated evenly. We used our free coupon for any one Marie Callender's Bakes and got the Lasagna. I had a feeling this was something the whole family would enjoy, and I was right! I decided to make this on a night when my husband was running late from work. We were all hungry when he got home, and after a long day we thought this would be a great supper. Although I expected it to be good, I didn't know it would be this good! I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't taste like a meal you buy in the frozen isle of a store. It tasted more homemade and was really good! It also made plenty for all four of us to enjoy. Other than the delicious meal, it was great that clean up was such a cinch!
I can't wait to try other flavors, like the Creamy Chicken Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Southwestern Style Chipotle Chicken Bake, and Scalloped Potates & Ham in a Creamy Swiss Cheese Sauce! Yum!

I've also tried Marie Callender's Fresh Mixer Classic Stroganoff and thought it was very good as well. The Fresh Mixers deliver convenient meals that store easily in a pantry or desk with no refrigeration or freezing required. With premium ingredients like whole beef strips, authentic cheeses, and savory herb and spice blends...it definitely makes for a delicious meal.

I have not tried the Fresh Flavor Steamer Entrees, but am excited to do so. They include varieties inspired from favorite Mexican, Asian and American cuisines that I know our family would really enjoy.

I have been very impressed with the Marie Callender's products we've tried. I've really enjoyed being able to spend less time in the ktichen some nights and more time with my family...while still being able to enjoy a yummy meal. Every once in a while it's a nice treat to not have to spend a lot of time on a meal or cleaning up afterward.

Win It: One lucky reader will win the following coupons (including a FREE baked meal):

1 - FREE Marie Callender's Baked Meal (up to $5.69 in value)!
2 - $2 Off any 1 Marie Callender's Frozen Pie
2 - $1.50 Off any 1 Marie Callender's Bakes
2 - $0.75 Off any 1 Marie Callender's Steamer

Mandatory Entry - Visit the Marie Callender's website and leave a comment letting me know something you'd love to try.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

2. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Marie Callender's Coupon Prize Pack #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/fLorR0 Ends 12/17

3. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

4. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)


5. 2 extra entries- Become a Fan/Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

6. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

7. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end December 17th and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided at no cost. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

It was after Kaelyn's 1st birthday party that I realized how entertaining a cardboard box could really be. Although she received several toys as gifts, it was the large boxes they came in that provided hours of fun long after her party was done. Over the years her love for simple things like boxes has not changed. In fact, I often say that she and Kaden could have a room full of toys and get bored in no time, but with one cardboard box they could be entertained for days (if not weeks on end). So, you can imagine my excitement when I learned that there's actually a company that offers great cardboard playhouses for kids!

Crafty Kids Playhouses was inspired by the pure enjoyment and creativity that comes from playing with boxes as a child. It is their goal to provide high quality, eco-friendly products that stimulate a child's imagination and foster creativity.

As I browsed CraftyKidsUSA.com for the first time, I was impressed to find both full size and miniature playhouses. This was exactly the type of thing I knew my kids would love playing with and I couldn't have been happier to learn that we were going to have the opportunity to review one!

We were sent the Crafty Kids Creation Cottage Craft Model (which is 1/3 the size of the Original Full-Size Creation Cottage).

Features/Benefits

• 100% Recycled
• Assembles in Minutes
• Requires only a child's imagination
• Unique Design
• Eco-Friendly
• Ages 3 and up
• Includes 6 Non-Toxic Washable Markers
• Convenient size - 14.75"L x 12.5"W x 16"H

When the Creation Cottage Craft Model Kit arrived, I was very excited to get it put together and see what Kaelyn thought of it.

I opened the box and found that there were just four pieces that needed to be put together. Reading over the user-friendly instructions, I realized that assembly was going to be very simple. By sliding the flaps into the slots, I had it put together in just a couple of minutes.

I was pleasantly surprised to see how sturdy the 100% recycled cardboard really is once it was all put together. It will not only last us a long time, but also provides a nice surface for children to draw and color on. There are 6 Non-Toxic Washable Markers included which was very exciting for Kaelyn, as she was tickled to use her 'new markers' as she calls them to 'decorate' her house.

Kaelyn enjoys coloring a lot, so I knew this would be something she'd really enjoy. She spent a very long time using color after color drawing rainbows and other things on her house. It was fun to watch as she personalized the blank canvas into something of her own.

She has even pulled out the markers several times since receiving it to continue her work of art. I absolutely love that it encourages creativity and imagination...the options are endless as to what she can create! I have to admit that when she asks if I want to color with her, I always happily say yes. Even as adult I've enjoyed the creativity and fun that comes along with coloring on the Creation Cottage.

The fun did not stop there, however. Once she had finished creating a beautiful cottage, she ran back to her bedroom ready to introduce many of her smaller stuffed animals to their new home. I was actually surprised to find how many of them could fit in this 14.75"L x 12.5"W x 16"H sized cottage. What a great size! It's been so much fun for her to play with, and is something that she has not grown bored of at all.

We have been very impressed with the Crafty Kids Creation Cottage Craft Model. The quality is fantastic, and best of all...it encourages Kaelyn to use her imagination and be creative. The sky is the limit as to how it can be used which means each day is a new adventure. She continually adds to her drawings on the outside and is always finding new uses for it. After seeing how much she loves the Craft Model, I now have my eye on the Original Creation Cottage which is three times as big. I can just imagine the fun she would have with something like that!

With the holidays around the corner, I would highly recommend checking out Crafty Kids! Their playhouses would make the perfect gift for any child on your list this year.

Buy It: You can purchase the Creation Cottage Craft Model for $22.95 from Crafty Kids.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win their choice of a Shuttle Imagination Craft Model OR Creation Cottage Craft Model

Mandatory Entry - Visit Crafty Kids and leave a comment letting me know another product you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the Crafty Kids Giveaway Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry- Like Crafty Kids on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry- Follow Crafty Kids on Twitter

4. 3 extra entries- Grab our Checking Our List Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Crafty Kids) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a @CraftyKids Creation Cottage Craft Model OR Shuttle Imagination Craft Model #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/g8f6AS Ends 12/23

7. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

8. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

11. Enter any of my other Holiday Gift Guide giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end December 23rd and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free by Crafty Kids. All opinions found here are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**

I have lots of winners to announce, including those for the first round of the Checking Our List giveaways.

The Miraclebody Jeans Giveaway had 717 entries and the winner is...
Commenter #159, Silver Bella

The Little Tikes Neighborhood Market Giveaway had 1937 entries and the winner is...
Commenter #1350, Christine

The HearthSong 72pc Magneatos Giveaway had 1307 entries and the winner is...
Commenter #936, jakiesmom

The Disney's Have a Laugh Volume 1 & 2 DVDs Giveaway had 476 entries and the winner is...
Commenter #326, Erin S.

The Audiovox 7" Portable DVD Player Giveaway had 2246 entries and the winner is...
Commenter #1210, fancygrlnancy

The Pretend Play Kitchens Melissa & Doug Play Food Groups Set Giveaway had 1163 entries and the winner is...
Commenter #4, Lindsey

The Xtrema 1.25 QT Steamer Set had 1067 entries and the winner is...
Commenter #605, Michelle

The Citiblocs Giveaway had 676 entries and the winner is...
Commenter #599, The Brown Bunch

Thank you to everyone who entered. Keep checking back as Xenia and I have many more amazing giveaways planned over the coming weeks as part of our Holiday Gift Guide! You won't want to miss it!

Since buying our home 3 1/2 years ago, we have done a lot of updating. It was a house we saw as having a lot of potential and we've worked hard to make it our own. It's amazing what paint, light fixtures, and hardware can do to modernize the look of a room. Finishing touches like decor and accessories also say a lot about our style, which is why I'm always looking for ways to express that...specifically in the kitchen.

When it comes to the appliances in my kitchen, I had never really thought of them as being a design element. Yes, many of them go with our decor...but overall they look the same as other appliances and don't really catch your eye much. That's why I was excited when I learned that NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto recently launched a line of sleek single serve coffee makers. An appliance that's stylish and functional...YAY!!

As part of the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Test Drive Program through Mom Central, I was sent the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Piccolo Single Serve Coffee Maker to review.

Features/Benefits:

• Convenient Size
• Stylish and Sleek Design
• NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® a professional-level 15-bar pressure system
• Thermoblock Technology
• Energy Saving automatic switch off
• Available in several colors
  

As I pulled the single serve coffee maker out of the box I was immediately impressed with the size. Our kitchen is a nice size, but like many people, I could definitely use more counter space. With necessary appliances like toasters and coffee makers...I need to find something that saves on space and the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Piccolo definitely does just that! It's slim and very compact.

Although small, it's sleek and modern look definitely catches a person's attention as they enter our kitchen. I am seriously in awe of how great it looks along side our other appliances and the decor in the room. It's perfect!! As with a piece of art we hang on the wall, the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Piccolo and its modern design has become a beautiful part of our kitchen decor. I love it!

The NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Piccolo actually comes in three different colors. Other than Piano Black, it is also available in Red and Titanium. With three great choices, it makes it even easier for someone to use it as a design element in their kitchen...suited to their own personal style. The black has been great for us, as it goes very well with the decor in the room as well as the other appliances.

We've been testing out the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Piccolo Single Serve Coffee Maker over the past week. Stay tuned...I will be posting about the many features of the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Piccolo, the coffee flavors, and our thoughts and experiences.

Buy It: You can purchase the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Piccolo for $99!

**I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and received a coffee machine to facilitate my review.**

Even though I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight, my body looks nothing like it did before having children. It's more difficult to find clothes and feel confident about the way I look which is why I'd love to lose a few pounds, tone up, and overall just work on living an even healthier lifestyle. Whether it's due to a lack of motivation or simply the fact that I just love food way too much...diets never seem to go as planned. I try to watch what I eat, but to be honest, it's usually more of a guessing game than anything. Questions like, How many calories am I taking in? run through my head. With the holidays and all the amazingly yummy food and treats that come along with it, I have been wanting to find a better way to monitor my calorie intake, which is why I was excited when introduced to EatSmart.
Focused on manufacturing, designing and distributing bathroom and kitchen scales of superior design and accuracy, EatSmart Products offers a variety of reasonably priced products to choose from. With everything from digital bathroom scales to large and small kitchen scales, there's sure to be something that suits your needs perfectly.

We were sent the EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Scale in silver to review.
Features/Benefits:

• EatSmart Precision Pro Sensor Technology
• Compact Design and easy two-button operation
• Tare Feature; Subtract the weight of any plate or container
• 4 measurement modes: grams / ounces / kilograms / pounds
• Max weight 11 pounds / 5 kilograms
• Auto-Calibration; 3 minute Auto-Turnoff
• Economically Priced
• Available in different colors
  
• FREE Calorie Factors book - Perfect for calorie counting and portion control

I have to admit, I have never had a kitchen scale before. Although I knew it would probably come in handy for weighing food and ingredients, I've just never purchased one. So I was really excited to check out the Precision Pro Digital Scale when it arrived.

As I opened the box I was pleasantly surprised by the size. It's very compact and something that doesn't take up a lot of room. YAY! I also love the sleek and modern design. It fits in perfectly with the rest of the decor in our kitchen which I love.

It even came with the 2 batteries I needed to get started.

Before checking out the scale any more, my attention was instantly drawn to the Calorie Factors book. This is exactly what I've been needing...an easy way to count calories and keep track of portions. I have to admit I had no idea how easy it could be to watch calories. I've always looked on the back of boxes, but this is SO much easier. When it comes to eating healthier and losing weight...I need something that's as simple as possible...so this is great!

Of course, once I saw just how useful this could be in helping me eat healthier, I checked out the Precision Pro Digitial Scale more. Having just two buttons makes it incredibly easy to use. There's a button for finding the right units...grams, ounces, kilograms or pounds. The other is the on/off and tare button. The tare feature is a really neat one, as it allows me to subtract the weight of any plate or bowl so I'm only measuring the food or ingredients I'm using.

For instance, I placed a bowl on the scale and let it register the weight.

I then pressed the tare button so it could reset the weight to "0".

Once it was set back to 0 I set an apple on it which weighted in the same as it did without the bowl. This is just one example of how I've used the tare button.

Not only has it been great for use in the kitchen, but also is perfect for everyday tasks like calculating postage! I can't tell you how many times I've had to haul the kids to the post office just to find out how much postage I need. This has made it much more convenient for me, and for that I am very grateful!

Since it runs on batteries, it's important that it doesn't stay on for long periods of time. Thankfully, it has a 3 minute aut0 turnoff time which has been great for those times I get busy and forget to turn it off myself.

Overall we've been very impressed with the EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Scale. We've used it far more than I ever thought we would. It would make a great gift this Christmas. I also would recommend taking a look at the other great EatSmart products!

Buy It: You can purchase the EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Scale for $25.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win an EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Scale of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit EatSmart and let me know another product you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the EatSmart Digital Bathroom Scale Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry- Like EatSmart on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry- Follow EatSmart on Twitter

4. 3 extra entries- Grab our Checking Our List Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and EatSmart) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Checking Our List #23: #WIN an @EatSmartScales Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale! ARV $25! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/ehatDx

7. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

8. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

11. Enter any of my other Holiday Gift Guide giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end December 17th and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free by EatSmart. All opinions found here are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**