Can I just say that I have the opportunity to try the coolest things around?  How amazing is that?  Speaking of amazing, sit back and let me tell you about this ultra cool thermometer...


The Exergen TemporalScanner is an infrared thermometer, that reads a temperature in just two seconds, with a simple swipe across the forehead!  I know... I told you it was cool!

It is so easy to use... just depress and hold the button and then lightly scan across the forehead.  A red LED light and soft beep let you know the scan is complete.  It is completely fast and absolutely non-invasive!  The thing I really like about this is I can take my child's temperature when they are asleep, which is a huge blessing when sleep comes so hard for them when they're ill!  I have to giggle though, now that we have this amazing thermometer my kids always want their temperature taken!  I'm happy to oblige!  I feel like Doctor McCoy on Star Trek with this gadget (oops, there's my geeky side showing!)


If you've been to the hospital recently, I bet you've seen one of these babies in action.  Now you can have one in your own home.  Wal-mart, Walgreens, Costco, Sam's Club, Babies 'R Us, and Toys 'R Us are currently carrying these (to name just a few places).

Along with all the fun things this season brings, are a few not-so-fun things... like cold and flu season.  How handy to have the Exergen TemporalScanner in your home.  We have already had the flu here (thankfully just a mild case) but this thermometer was wonderful to have.  My kids actually let me take their temperature with no complaining (like I said, they ask for it all the time), but more importantly, I knew I was getting an accurate reading.  Tests show that using the Exergen is a much more accurate reading than taking the temperature any other way, including oral, rectal, tympanic (in the ear) and under the arm (axillary).  Can't beat that!

This really is a wonderful thermometer and I'm thrilled to have one in my home.  Now, I hope you're sitting down because.... wait for it..... You have the opportunity to win one for yourself!  How completely cool is that?!


Leave a comment with a helpful hint or tip on how you deal with cold and flu season.  Please make sure your email is visible in your profile, or leave it in the comment (sunshiney daze at gmail dot com)

Extra Entries:

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Contest ends on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010.  Winner will be selected randomly from all correct entries.  The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  This contest is open to residents of the US, 18 years and older.  The winner will be notified by email and the prize will be shipped directly from the sponsor.

Congratulations to Cynthia, who is the winner of this giveaway!  Thanks to all who entered!

Disclosure:  I was generously given a product and offered a giveaway for the purpose of a review.  The opinions expressed are all my own, and free of charge!

I was given the wonderful opportunity to try Swanson Premium Chunk Chicken!  Now if you know me, I'm all about quick, delicious meals for those crazy days (which seem to happen more and more often!)  Well, Swanson has made that even easier to accomplish!  With a can of their delicious chicken, the possibilities are amazing!  Their chicken is already cooked and ready to use for quick and easy everyday meals, from sandwiches and salads, to soups and main dishes. Plus,  it's certified by the American Heart Association (AHA)—so you know it's the right choice for your family.  It’s 98% fat free, contains no preservatives and is all white meat.

Here are a couple amazing recipes from their website:


Chicken Pasta Alfredo

• Heat the cream cheese and milk in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat to a boil, stirring constantly.  Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.  Reduce the heat to low.  Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken, peas and fettuccine to the skillet and toss to coat. Heat through. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve immediately.

Okay, tell me your mouth isn't watering now!

Or how about this one (my husband went nuts for this, as did my son!):

Buffalo Chicken Dip

RECIPE TIPS

• To make in the microwave: Use a microwavable 9-inch deep dish pie plate. Prepare the dip as directed above but do not bake. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH for 5 minutes or until the chicken mixture is hot, stirring halfway through the cook time.

Can I say, I love this chicken!  I think my pantry will now have several cans of Swansons Premium Chunk Chicken at all times!  It will definitely be a staple in my home!  It has really saved my bacon several times in the past couple weeks when I had to come up with a dinner fast, yet still healthy!  I made the most delicious (if I say so myself) Toasted Chicken Salad Sammies last night!  My family devoured them!

Now, here's the really cool thing... Two of you cool readers have the opportunity to win three full value coupons for Swanson Premium Chunk Chicken so you can try it yourself!  Woo hoo!

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment here with a way you might use Swanson Chicken.  How easy is that?  Please make sure your email is visible in your profile or leave it in your comment (jane doe at gmail dot com)

Extra Entries:

Leave a separate comment for each extra entry

Become a follower of my blog
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Contest ends on Wednesday, November 24th, 2010.  The winners will be picked randomly from all correct entries and notified by email.  The winners must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.  Contest is open to residents of the US, 18 years old and over.Winners will be notified by email and the prize will be shipped directly from the sponsor.

Contest is now closed and the winners have been notified!  Thanks to all who entered!

Disclosure:  I was generously offered this product for the purpose of a review and giveaway.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge!

So who's the crazy redhead behind this blog?  Hmmm, let's see.....

I'm a mom to two great kids!  My sweet daughter has type 1 diabetes and my amazing son has Sensory Processing Disorder.  Needless to say, we live an interesting life.  I have an amazing husband who not only puts up with the craziness around here, but actually enjoys it (most of the time)!

We are lucky to live in Sunshiney Arizona.  Yes, the summers are a tad hot, okay... really, really hot.... but we only deal with that for about 4 -5 months and the rest of the year is absolutely gorgeous!  We actually get to go trick-or-treating without coats each year.  No, we don't have snow for Christmas but we make up for it with Christmas lights!  The homes around here are very decked out!


I'm active in my kids' schools, our church, and our local community theatre.  I've had the opportunity to produce, direct, costume, music direct, and act in our productions.  I've made countless props and painted lots of set too. I sit on the community theatre committee and was the president for three years. Several years ago my friend talked me into auditioning for a play.  I'd never done anything like that before, but surprisingly I was cast in a great role, and things just kind of exploded from there!  It's been an amazing experience and I've had the opportunity to meet hundreds of wonderful people I otherwise wouldn't have crossed paths with.

I come from a big, happy family!  I'm the oldest of seven kids.  We're all grown now but still really enjoy being together.  I have lots and lots of nieces and nephews and love being around them.  They are all truly wonderful!  I'm lucky to have great in-laws too.  How many people get to say that?

I think I'm a bit of an adventurer.  I'm with Indiana Jones though, I really don't like snakes.... but I love to discover!  I love to travel, I love to discover little "out-of-the-way" places.  I'm always on the look-out for the "latest and greatest" and love to tell anyone who will listen about the things I discover.  I'm an avid reader, crafter, gardener, and shopper (notice, I said shopper, not spender... I love a good bargain!)  I'm like a child at Christmas time whenever I discover a new product, or a better way of doing something.  I can't wait to show everyone!

I love to sing (though I'm not sure if people like me to sing Ü ) , I love to play the piano, and I love to laugh!  So, is my life perfect.  No... whose is?  But... I'm perfectly happy with my life!

Interesting little fact my dentist told me.... Redheads have teeth that are a little more yellow than others.  Fascinating, right?  Not if you're a redhead, like me.  I've always wanted a beautiful dazzling white smile, but sadly genetics did not bless me with that trait.  Here comes Rembrandt and Reach to the rescue! (insert trumpet sounds here!)

I was generously offered products from Rembrandt and Reach to test and review... I know... how lucky, right?!  So review them, I did!

Did you know that Harlequin published books other than romance?  I didn't either.... but they do!  Harlequin very generously sent me two books to review and I really enjoyed both of them!

The first book is called A Homemade Christmas.  I love Christmas and all the it enbodies!  I love the spirit of giving and all the joy this season brings.  But, at times it can be overwhelming and expensive.  This book helps.  It has great ideas on how to make your Christmas more frugal and a little more earth-friendly.  I love the idea of gifts from the heart made with your own hands.

Author Tina Barseghian offers easy-to-follow how-tos for Christmas projects, delicious recipes, and tips to make this Christmas your most memorable yet.  The thing I enjoyed most about this book is it is divided into sections and is easy to read.  You don't have to do it in one sitting.  You can skip to the section you're most interested in and find some great ideas.  Though, I have to warn you... you'll get sucked into the book and find yourself perusing all the sections!  It's a great book, and I definitely recommend it!

This book touched my heart and really spoke to me.  Some of you know that we have two dogs that we rescued.  Though I would debate on who rescued who.  Last night I curled up in the big chair in our bedroom with this book.  As I was re-reading some of the stories in it, I heard our dogs outside.  Since it is finally cooling down at night, I had the bedroom window opened.  My dogs will come and lay just outside the window whenever I'm in the room.  They just like to be nearby, watching, and loving.  Our dogs love to be outside so it's the best of both worlds for them.  Outside in the cool air, but still near their "people".    As I read the stories in this wonderful book, it evoked memories of our wonderful dogs.  They are such a part of our lives, and a part of our family!  I swear my son has three mothers, me... and our two dogs!

The Dog Who Healed A  Family and Other True Animal Stories That Warm the Heart and Touch the Soul is filled with stores about not-so-ordinary household pets.  Like the German shepherd adopted by a teenager with terminal cancer who outlives the boy and becomes a "Good Shepherd" for many other children suffering chronic and life-threatening diseases.  There's the miniature pig named Pigger who helped its' owner conquer agoraphobia  (a fear of open spaces and crowds) and touch many other lives.

Be warned.... if you're a softy like me, this book will have you in tears.  Tears of warmth, and love, and gratitude not only for the animals in the book, but for the animals in my life.  Even that dang mutant goldfish swimming around in the big tank in the family room (that's a story for another day)!

Thanks Harlequin for these wonderful books.  A big "thumbs up" for both!
Now, everyone... get busy reading!

Disclosure:  Harlequin provided this books free of charge for the purpose of a review.  The opinions expressed are all my own and free of charge!

I love to cook!  I love to bake!  I love this time of year, especially because I can bake all those yummy things associated with the upcoming holidays!  (okay, I admit it, I don't like to clean up afterward though.  I'd rather just bake with abandon, then walk away!)

Crisco sent me this cool package with these cool products included!  Oh yes, it put me in a baking frenzy!




I'm embarrassed to say, I didn't know that Crisco had a baking spray.  I've always used the "other" brand in the past but I have a new favorite.  Crisco oil and shortening have always been my go-to when I'm baking.   Their quality is always consistent and always great.  Now I can add their Olive Oil baking spray to the list.

My sweet hubby made some homemade seasoned oven bake fries using the olive oil cooking spray.  He cut the potatoes into lengths, sprayed them with the olive oil and then seasoned them and popped them in the oven.  I would have included a picture of the yumminess but they didn't last long enough!

Did you know that Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk comes in a low fat version also? Me neither!  (and I call myself a baker, sheesh!)  They have the best recipe on the back of the can using the low fat version.  I am so there!

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Doesn't that sound yummy?  If you have a moment go to their websites, either Eagle Brand or Crisco .  They have some wonderful recipes on their, plus some really cool contests!  If you are one of those amazing cooks that creates their own recipes, please check out Eagle Brand, there is a prize worth $10,000 for the winning recipe.  Check it out!


Well, I'm off to do some more drooling... uh, I mean browsing the recipes and deciding what to bake next!

Disclosure:  I was generously provided these products for the purpose of a review.  The opinions expressed are free of charge, and all my own!