Sponsored Post: How to get children physically involved outdoors

As the beautiful weather makes its way back to Vermont, I find myself spending more time outside in the sunshine and fresh air. I also find myself sending the kids outside to play more and more often. I know that I feel better when I'm active and I want my kids to experience that as well.

One of the best things you can do to get your kids physically involved outdoors is go be physically involved yourself. Kids do what they experience so if you and your husband are inside glued to the television all day Saturday, that's what your kids will want to do.

One of the easiest ways to get physically involved outdoors is to go for a walk with your kids. You can make a game of it and identify trees or plants you find on your walk or if you live in the city, count different colors of cars or trucks. If you're close enough, try walking on some of your errands instead of driving.

You don't need expensive outdoor equipment to get your kids physically involved outdoors. You can toss a ball back and forth or throw a frisbee. If you have a sidewalk and some chalk, you can play hopscotch. Try jump rope or hula hoops.

If you have the room, you can put up a basket ball hoop, a swing set, a skate ramp or a volleyball net. If you don't have the room or the money to do this, you can go down to a local park or playground and use the equipment there. Our school has a basketball hoop, baseball field, tether ball, and all sorts of slides, swings and climbing apparatus to play on that's free to use when school is not in session.

The playground at the beach has a swing set, hop scotch and a volleyball area that's open during the warmer months. Of course, you can always go swimming too or just take a long walk on the beach with your kids. Just get outside and encourage your kids to do the same. I'm so glad that the parks and playgrounds in our area are well maintained so that the kids and I can spend some of our active time there.  An active lifestyle starts with one step.

The Spark Parks Project is an ongoing effort by Sprite to refresh parks, playgrounds and active places across the nation. To learn more about current projects and discover ways you can get actively involved, visit www.spritesparkparks.com  The Sprite Sparks park program starts April 1 and continues to June 30. Green tabs can be found in specially marked packages of Sprite and Sprite Zero.

Disclosure: Compensation was provide by Sprite via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sprite.

Three Olives Olive Oil from The Artisanal Kitchen

When I grew up, oil meant vegetable oil. That's all there was. My mother never gave any thought to how healthy it was or whether it was gmo or if there were any alternatives. Vegetable oil was used for everything from frying to sauteing to baking.


With with more of a focus on healthy living today, we now realize that not all oils are created equal. Some oils are better for us than others. My oil of choice now is olive oil but not just any olive oil. I always look for extra virgin olive oil because EVOO comes from the first pressing of the olives and contains the most antioxidant benefits. Marty's doctor also told him that olive oil is a more heart healthy oil than other types.

I recently had the chance to try the Three Olives Olive Oil from The Artisanal Kitchen. Three Olives Olive Oil is certified grown and produced on one California estate, for ultimate quality control. It's called Three Olives Olive Oil because it is made from three different types of olives. From their website, the three types of olives are:

• The Fruity Arbequina


While ours are produced in California, this small, fruity olive is native to Spain’s Catalonia region. Soft-textured, and delicately flavored, it’s delicious served with pasta, salads or as an hors d’oeuvre.


• The Fruity, Slightly Nutty Arbosana


This small, more robust olive has a fruity, slightly nutty flavor with a more pungent, peppery kick. Its high polyphenol level are believed to help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.


• The Very Fruity & Flavorful Koroneiki


Originally from Kalamata, Greece, Koroneiki olives remind me of my homeland. They are very fruity, with a fabulous aroma, and help to make our olive oil exceptional quality.

The Three Olives Olive Oil has a very light and mellow taste.  That makes it ideal for dipping, cooking or dressing.  I used some to saute shrimp for my Seafood a la Arrabbiata tonight (recipe coming soon) and I have to say it was delicious!  For more tasty recipes, check out their recipe section.  I really love that it's grown and produced right here in the USA.   it's also unfiltered for optimal flavor and low in acidity (Below 0.5%).

Three Olives Olive Oil can be purchased directly from The Artisanal Kitchen or from select markets in New York City and New Jersey. You can connect with The Artisanal Kitchen on Facebook to keep up with all the latest news.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Win a copy of Unplanned on DVD

Abby Johnson was raised in a Christian home with pro-life beliefs. She went to church twice a week and was part of a close, loving home. She went off to college at Texas A&M after high school and enjoyed freedom much like any other college freshman would enjoy. She met someone and got pregnant. Feeling lost, she simply accepted his recommendation that she get an abortion.

She remembers back over the feeling of emptiness and uncertainty that she had during and after the abortion. She remembers her boyfriend's casual acceptance of it and the fact that they never discussed it again. Back at college, she again got pregnant and because her relationship with the baby's father was ending, she chose another abortion. A little while later, at college she came across a Planned Parenthood volunteer table where they were seeking volunteers to help at a local office. She was drawn to the hot pink colors and the dream of helping women who needed help.

This is her story. It's her story of volunteering at Planned Parenthood and what she saw there. It's the story of her success as she rose through the corporation to become a clinic director. It's the story of her awakening as she began to realize that some of what Planned Parenthood was doing wasn't to help women. Like any other corporation, the bottom line was a profit.

She shares with the viewer how she felt when she was informed that Planned Parenthood was going to be doing late term abortions. For those that don't know, these abortions are surgical and are done later in a woman's pregnancy and are much more controversial. I won't get into the details. Honestly, when I watched that section on the DVD, I was in tears. Suffice it to say that Abby Johnson shared with viewers the fact that what she was told as director to pass onto women considering a late term abortion & what she actually saw on the fetal monitor during a late term abortion are not nearly the same. This was the turning point for Abby Johnson and it was at this point that she knew she could not continue to work for Planned Parenthood.

Unplanned is a truly an amazing movie. You'll see how she struggled with her own choices and find out why she made the choice she did. I think every teenager should watch this movie before becoming sexually active and I think every woman considering an abortion should watch this.

Connect with Abby Johnson on Facebook to keep up with the latest news. Check out the trailer. Check out the Unite for LIFE webcast and sign up to participate if you like.  The Unite for LIFE webcast is a free webcast featuring Abby Johnson that will benefit pregnancy care organizations. You can sign up to participate on May 17 at 8:00 p.m. (in all time zones) at www.uniteforlifewebcast.org. Unplanned the book and the DVD will be available for purchase as a package deal and 33% of each purchase will go to crisis pregnancy centers like CareNet, the National Institute of Family & Life Advocates, and Heartbeat International.

One of my readers will win a gift certificate for their own DVD of Unplanned.  Here's what you can do for a chance to win:

To enter you must follow my blog & leave a comment telling me why you would like to win.

For extra entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter @scentednights & tweet about the contest. +1

Win the DVD Unplanned @scentednights #giveaway #win http://tinyurl.com/3c77dpn

2. Be my friend on Facebook & post this contest on your wall. +1

3. Like the sponsor on Facebook.  Please tell them I sent you (optional)! +2
4. Blog about this giveaway on your blog AND leave a link back to my site. +5
5. Leave a comment on a non-contest post on this blog. +1

6. Put my button or text link on your blog side bar. +1

7. Enter another of my current contests. +1 for each contest

8. Subscribe to my blog. +1

Remember, to please leave a separate comment for each entry. And please enter only in the ways listed above. I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.  You must be 18+ years old & live in the USA. The last day to enter is 5/9/2011.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Please note that  I am not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize but ultimately I am not responsible if they do not fulfill your prize win.

Win Cookies for Breakfast Sample Box from Erin Baker's

Remember that Bill Cosby skit where his wife makes him get up in the morning to feed the kids and get them off to school so that she can stay in bed for a little bit more sleep? He wanders downstairs half asleep and spies the chocolate cake on the counter. He comes up with the brilliant idea to feed the children chocolate cake for breakfast and of course, they're thrilled. After all, what's in chocolate cake he asks? Eggs and wheat! Must be good for breakfast right?

Well OK maybe chocolate cake isn't that great for breakfast despite the eggs and wheat. But, the Breakfast Cookies from Erin Baker's are good for breakfast or any other time! Erin Baker's mission is to handcraft and bake to order in small batches with simple, wholesome ingredients… promising homemade freshness, flavor and quality.

Their original breakfast cookies are baked with heart-healthy whole grains and sweetened with fruit puree. They contain protein, antioxidants, fiber and complex carbohydrates which makes than the ideal choice for a healthy breakfast. Each cookie is individually wrapped so they work perfectly for breakfasts on the go. Just toss one in your handbag, briefcase or backpack and you're set for a healthy breakfast while on the run.


Original Breakfast Cookies are available in Fruit & Nut, Chocolate Chunk Raisin, Peanut Butter, Banana Walnut, Morning Glory, Double Chocolate Chunk, Oatmeal Raisin, Mocha Cappuccino, Caramel Apple, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Vegan Chocolate Chunk, and Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk. In addition to the Original Breakfast Cookies, you can also purchase the Breakfast Cookies in minis size.

You can eat the Breakfast Cookies straight out of the package or if you want a warm breakfast, they can be prepared in the toaster as well.  I love them straight out of the package.  The cookies are moist and lightly sweetened.   I really loved the Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookie. It honestly tastes just like a cookie that I'd have for a snack and I loved knowing that it was healthy enough to be considered breakfast too.  The Caramel Apple Breakfast Cookie was delicious too.  Although I don't eat chocolate for breakfast, my husband assured me that the Double Chocolate Chunk Breakfast Cookie was amazing too.

Their products contain expeller pressed oils, all natural ingredients, omega 3's, antioxidants, natural fruit purees and handmade goodness.  They never contain high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial colors, artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils or artificial additives. The Breakfast Cookies also make great snacks for the kids.  Toss one in their lunchbox & they'll never know what they're getting is actually something that's good for them.  Erin Baker also offers granola and brownie bites. The Brownie Bites disappeared as soon as the kids saw them & from the speed they were eaten, I'd say they were delicious!

Connect with Erin Baker on Facebook & Twitter for all the latest product news.

One of my lucky readers is going to win a Sample Box of goodies from Erin Baker's.  Here's what you can do for a chance to win:

To enter you must follow my blog & visit the sponsor’s site.  Leave a comment telling me what you learned there.

For extra entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter @scentednights & tweet about the contest. +1

Win a Sample Box of cookies from Erin Baker's @scentednights #giveaway #win @breakfastcookie http://tinyurl.com/3o5tgdx

2. Be my friend on Facebook & post this contest on your wall. +1

3. Follow the sponsor on Twitter +2
4. Like the sponsor on Facebook.  Please tell them I sent you (optional)! +2
5. Blog about this giveaway on your blog AND leave a link back to my site. +5
6. Leave a comment on a non-contest post on this blog. +1

7. Put my button or text link on your blog side bar. +1

8. Enter another of my current contests. +1 for each contest

9. Subscribe to my blog. +1

Remember, to please leave a separate comment for each entry. And please enter only in the ways listed above. I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.  You must be 18+ years old & live in the USA. The last day to enter is 5/9/2011.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Please note that  I am not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize but ultimately I am not responsible if they do not fulfill your prize win.

Dominex Veggie Fries are delicious!

There's just something about dunking food into sauces that brings a whole new level of fun to the table. I don't care if I'm dunking french fries, chicken nuggets or carrot sticks. It's just more fun to dunk your food than eat it without dunking it.

Dominex offers Veggie Fries which are amazing breaded Italian style eggplant fries that are cut in strips so they are perfect for dunking. Dominex is the leader in frozen all natural eggplant products so it's no surprise that these Veggie Fries were absolutely delicious. The bag states that they can be prepared in the oven or deep fried. I chose to prepare them in the oven and was thrilled that they came out crispy on the outside! That doesn't always happen with breaded products.

Dominex Veggie Fries are all natural and low in sodium, with only 80 milligrams in an 85 gram serving, less than 65% found in the leading brands of traditional French fries and onion rings. I tried a few dunked in Ranch dressing but honestly they were delicious enough to eat without dunking. The Italian breading they use is fantastic and they really didn't need to be dunked in anything for extra flavor.  This is a great way to get your kids into eating eggplant.  I know that eggplant can be one of the more difficult veggies to get your kids to eat but honestly if they like to dunk foods, they're going to love these. You can eat them alone as a snack or have them with a burger or hot dog as a side dish.

Eggplant Fries with Dipping Sauces

Preheat oven to 450°. Place frozen fries in a single layer on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden and crunchy.

Zesty Chipotle Dip

1 package Dominex Veggie Fries

½ cup ranch dressing

2 cloves garlic, minced

5 drops hot sauce or chipotle sauce

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped


In a mixing bowl, mix together ranch dressing, garlic, hot sauce and parsley. Serve with immediately with Veggie Fries or refrigerate until ready for use.


Sweet and Sour Sauce

¼ cup ketchup

¼ cup white vinegar

¼ cup sugar

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat until warm and sugar is dissolved. Serve warm or at room temperature alongside Veggie Fries.

Right now Veggie Fries are available only at Publix and select natural food stores in the south but I am seriously hoping that they come to other stores soon.  I am totally hooked on these and there are no Publix stores anywhere near me :(  The suggested retail price is $4.49 for a 14-ounce bag.     Connect with Dominex on Facebook to keep up with all their latest products.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.  As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

This year my baby graduates!

It's hard to believe that my baby graduates from high school this year. It really doesn't seem possible that it was all that long ago that I graduated from high school and now Sarah18 is graduating in just a few short weeks.

I remember the day when I graduated. I had so many dreams of what I'd be doing in my future. I just knew I was going to do something amazing with my life but I had absolutely no idea what that was. I was all set to go off to business school that fall because I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I figured a few years at business school before I headed off to college would help me figure that out.

I remember my parents sitting in the audience with proud smiles on their faces as I walked up to get my diploma. This was probably the greatest accomplishment ever at that point in time. I felt like I could conquer the world and just knowing that my parents were proud of me made all the difference to me.

I hope that Sarah18 has a little more direction than I did at her age when she graduates.  She's heading straight into college in the fall at our local college.  She wants to be a teacher and is majoring in history and literature. I try to remember to tell her how proud I am of her and I hope she knows that as we're sitting in the audience with proud smiles on our faces when she graduates.

Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique graduation stationery including graduation announcements, graduation invitations,and thank you cards for teens. When graduation season has come and gone Tiny Prints will still be here to fill all your stationery needs with their exclusive designs from the nation's top designers. You'll find summer party invitations, personalized greeting cards, thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations. Come try the easy card personalization, powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality for yourself! With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch!

I will receive a product sample in exchange for sharing my graduation thoughts with you.  My thanks to Global Influence and the sponsor for allowing me to participate in this program. 

Win a 4 pack of Mrs. Renfro's Gourmet Salsas!

We eat a lot of salsa in this house. It's very versatile plus it's super healthy for you. We use salsa in many Mexican dishes that we make including Huevos Rancheros, breakfast burritos, tacos, nachos and chimichangas! It's also a great topping for baked potatoes. We even love to sit down with a bowl of tortilla chips and just use salsa as a dip instead of sour cream which has TONS of calories.

I'm very particular about my salsa. I don't want to use just anything. I like my salsa to have actual pieces of tomato and other vegetables in it. Some salsas are really watered down and soupy. That's no good for dipping in because nothing stays on the chip.


I also like to have gourmet flavors of salsa available because they are so versatile to cook with. Mrs. Renfro's Gourmet Salsa offer a wide variety of all natural salsas that are just what I'm looking for. I love the flavor selection! it includes Peach Salsa, Black Bean, Chipotle Corn, Garlic, Green, Raspberry, Roasted, etc. No matter what taste you're looking for, you'll find a salsa that will be perfect for you. Renfro Foods also offers pickles and nacho cheese sauce so they truly have everything you need for Mexican night at your house!


The salsas from Renfro Foods are nice and thick with actual chunks of tomato, onion, peach, etc. in them. They are all natural and contain no preservatives. They even have gluten free varieties! They offer a great selection of salsas to suit every taste no matter if you like your salsas mild or WOW! I generally prefer mine on the mild side so I chose the peach salsa as it's one of my favorites from Renfro Foods. The salsa has a bit of sweetness that I find is perfect for cooking.   I've used it in grilled salsa chicken in the past but this time I chose to have it on a breakfast burrito and it was really good.  Their nacho cheese sauce is amazing as well and it's the kids preferred way to make nachos.  So easy. Just open the jar & pour over. Then heat in the oven.  Piece of cake! Some nights I need quick and easy in the kitchen.

They have a ton of recipes on their site that will inspire you with ideas for using their salsas.  They even have a kid's corner on their site with some neat games & a picture to color.  Connect with Renfro Foods on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the latest product news.  Contact them to find a store near you that carries Mrs. Renfro's products.

One of my lucky readers is going to win a 4 pack of Mrs. Renfro's products.  Here's what you can do for a chance to win.

To enter you must follow my blog & visit the sponsor’s site.  Leave a comment telling me what you learned there.

For extra entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter @scentednights & tweet about the contest. +1

Win a 4 pack of Mrs. Renfro's Salsas @scentednights #giveaway #win @mrsrenfros http://tinyurl.com/63mratp

2. Be my friend on Facebook & post this contest on your wall. +1

3. Follow the sponsor on Twitter +2
4. Like the sponsor on Facebook.  Please tell them I sent you (optional)! +2
5. Blog about this giveaway on your blog AND leave a link back to my site. +5
6. Leave a comment on a non-contest post on this blog. +1

7. Put my button or text link on your blog side bar. +1

8. Enter another of my current contests. +1 for each contest

9. Subscribe to my blog. +1

Remember, to please leave a separate comment for each entry. And please enter only in the ways listed above. I reserve the right to delete comments not adhering to the above entry guidelines.  You must be 18+ years old & live in the USA. The last day to enter is 5/8/2011.

My thanks to the sponsor for allowing me to review this product.

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Please note that  I am not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize but ultimately I am not responsible if they do not fulfill your prize win.