The last few weeks have been totally amazing for me. I worked with some very awesome brands and companies, and continue to do so. I also have had some awesome giveaway’s and there are more on the way.

The latest news I have been bursting at the seams to share with you is that I have been asked to be an Ambassador for eBay and also a Spokesperson as part of their Parent Panel. This is a year long appointment, and I am so excited to be working with them. This is a very very exciting time for me.

During this Ambassadorship/Spokespersonship I will be doing speaking engagement’s, writing posts, will be a spokesperson for media events,  and working with eBay to let you all know how easy it is to use eBay’s services to buy or sell from. Time’s are hard, and we all have great stuff in our cupboards, kids rooms, under the bed, in the closet , and in the garage that you haven’t used in ages, but may have come back into style, or are popular again that other’s are just waiting to buy! So, this is a win – win for both the seller and the buyer.

There are also seller’s on eBay that sell brand new items, and you can get them for a great deal!

Right now, in fact, is the perfect time to think ahead on your selling. Halloween costumes, Sports products/for football season, kids clothing (for back to school), And (as I hesitantly say this) Holiday products! It is perfect time to get those items listed NOW.

eBay is even putting on a special event in Orlando, FL soon called “eBay On Location” it offers tools and information from seasoned seller’s on how to improve your eBay selling or store.  I was invited to go as part of my Ambassadorship, but it happened to fall on the day when my kids start back to school, and as a mom, I had to pass on going. I am however planning on meeting and speaking to the eBay team about all the great things eBay is working on.

You can also connect with eBay via :

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/eBay

Twitter –   http://twitter.com/#!/ebay

and on the eBay Blog –  http://ebayinkblog.com/

I am looking forward to this amazing opportunity and to sharing with you all about eBay here, and on all of my social media outlets!

Happy eBaying!

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure -  I am an Ambassador/Spokesperson for eBay. This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador for eBay’s program. I am being compensated for my Ambassadorship. All opinions and idea’s are my own. Visit http://www.ebay.com . Other’s are permitted to have different views/opinions, let me know what your’s are!

As you may have already seen over on my sidebar, I have been chosen to be an Brand Ambassador for Ragu.

During my reign as a Dinner Club Blogger, I will be sharing with you recipes, idea’s, tips, and more about Making Dinnertime better and easier for you. The campaign is called Mom’s the Word on Dinner. It is all about sharing advice with other mom’s.

There are video’s with discussions for you to watch and a also, I would love to engage with you on hearing some of your idea’s and tip’s for Dinnertime as well. During this campaign I will also be having some awesome giveaway’s that you WON’T want to miss, and I myself will be holding 2 house parties which I will be taking lots of pictures, and do posts about.

In addition to the ongoing fun and conversation, the Mom’s the Word on Dinner community features photos, polls, quizzes and dinner ideas with quick and easy recipes.

I would love to share with you the video named : The debate – TV at the dinner table : on or off?

What are the rules for TV during your family meal time? Is the TV on at your dinner table? Moms discuss the rules in their house with Ragu® and Mom’s the Word on Dinner at http://www.facebook.com/ragusauce. Be part of the conversation today!

My rule has always been NO TV at the dinner table. The television must be turned off, and I do not allow it back on until EVERYONE is done eating. Television doesn’t have to be on 24/7 in fact to me, it shouldn’t be. I even have days where the family is not even allowed to turn on TV, or any other electronics at that. I think there is nothing ruder then having TV on while eating. Dinnertime to me is Family time. A time when the family always sits at 1 table and eats together after our Grace. We have some of the best talks with our kids and each other during dinner. I think that is MUCH more important than Television any day!

JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION, we would LOVE to hear your thoughts,

The Plus Size Mommy

Disclosure – I am an Ambassador for Ragu Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program.
This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Ragu Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program. I am being compensated for my Ambassadorship. All opinions and idea’s are my own. Visit www.facebook.com/ragusauce to join the conversation.

Summer driving season has officially arrived and while we are all concerned with safety on the road, we often forget one of the most important components: our tires. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 660 highway fatalities are caused by underinflated tires annually.

This National Tire Safety Week (June 5-11, 2011) tire expert and Michelin subjective test driver, Sarah K. Robinson shares her tips for tire safety. She explains some of the simplest steps you can take to ensure you have a smooth, and most importantly safe, ride this summer travel season including:

Check you tire pressure – Check your tire pressure at least once a month and before and after a long trip. Tires can lose 1-2 psi per month.

Examine your treads – Always make sure your tires have at least 2/32” of tread depth (the penny trick).

Examine the wear patterns; the wear patterns can tell you whether your tires are over or under inflated and if your alignment is off.

Avoid hydroplaning – Simple adjustments to driving including reducing your speed and avoiding wet spots, especially standing water can reduce your risk of hydroplaning.

Rotate – Tires should be rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles.

Keep deepest treads in the rear – Make sure when replacing just two tires that you put the two tires with the deepest treads on the rear axle regardless, whether you have front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Have A Safe Summer!

Shared By: The Plus Size Mommy

How to seal a bag and make it air-tight!

Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top,

as in photo.

Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top – to seal.

The bottle is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak,
the secret lies with the top and screw!
This is a great idea to share. Good for us and the environment too.

Happy Earth Day!
Shared by: The Plus Size Mommy

Well, School has started and so has the sniffles, running noses, and coughs and sneezes. The teachers have sent home their yearly plea letters for donations of boxes of tissues. I love to use Puffs and so do my kids. They are so soft and soothing.

Here are some facts about colds from Puffs :

• Sneezing is the most efficient method of spreading colds
• The average sneeze can travel up to 100 MPH and can carry over 40,000 droplets over an area of 2-3 feet
• you use more than 3 times as many tissues, an ave. of 24 tissues a day, when your sick
• the common cold is the most frequent cause of school & work absenteeism
• On Average, adults get 2-5 colds per year, and children get 6-9 of them
• about 1 BILLION people have a cold at any one time during the year
• The common cold is the most prevalent between Aug. and April

On the Puffs site you can also see a cold & Flu tracker and see when colds and flu are prevalent in your part of the country.
You can visit www.puffs.com for more information.

Stay Healthy!

Shared by: The Plus Size Mommy

What is an iAd? An iAd is an innovative advertisement that combines video, audio and interactive web content in a format available on iPhone and iPod Touch. The Family Dish iAd is located within applications that moms frequent under several different genres. It appears as a banner ad that the consumer can click on and view / interact with, without ever leaving the application.

What’s so special about The Family Dish iAd?
The Family Dish iAd is the first iAd created and targeted specifically to moms and the first iAd supported by multiple brands as part of The Family Dish program.

The Family Dish iAd uses mobile media channels to connect and engage people in the hands-on activity of cooking together through innovative features like, audio podcasts. The Family Dish podcasts feature up-and-coming musical artists, their favorite recipes, and a playlist by the artist. When a user selects podcasts from the main menu, there is a short audio introduction by each artist which will prompt the consumers to download the full audio podcast.

The full Family Dish podcasts feature the artists walking the consumer through the steps of their recipe featuring four songs by the artists woven throughout the podcast. The full Family Dish podcast can be downloaded for FREE online at www.thefamilydish.com or on iTunes (The Family Dish Podcasts).

Another exciting feature of The Family Dish iAd is “Shelf Help,” a virtual pantry that features The Family Dish supporting brands, such as Ragu Pasta Sauce, as well as common household staples. The user can select an item and see corresponding recipes from the Unilever Consumer Test Kitchens.

The content in the iAd reinforces The Family Dish program and, as always, aims to drive consumers to The Family Dish website. The iAd will run for two months.

Shared By: The Plus Size Mommy
*Disclosure- I am sharing this info. as part of my ambassadorship with Unilever and The Famiy Dish. All information in this shared post has been provided by Unilever for me to share with the readers of The Plus Size Mommy.com.

With summer winding down, it’s important for the entire family to transition from a summer playhouse to a more structured environment BEFORE school starts.

To do this without loosing your sanity, Annie Pleshette Murphy a psychologist, author, parenting expert for Good Morning America, and former editor-in-chief of Parents magazine recently teamed up with OfficeMax to host the “Back to School Sanity Savers Blogcast” where she provided tips and tricks for getting your family prepared and your kids ready to head back to class without a hitch.

You can view some of Annie’s great tips below, or check out the 30 minute Sanity Savers video provided by OfficeMax by clicking here!

1. Roll back your child’s bedtime in 10-15 minute increments leading up to the first day of school, so they’re in the habit of going to bed and waking up earlier!

2. Schedule a nightly “Family Quiet Hour” to avoid the evening “witching hour” when homework time can be particularly challenging. During quiet hour, the entire family should turn off the TV and literally do something quiet. For kids, they can do homework or read. For parents, this is a great time to pay bills, read, do a puzzle with the kids, etc. This hour builds good work habits and also helps you connect as a family in ways that TV just can’t.

3. Kick first day anxieties your child may experience by trying to meet the teacher or a few kids in your child’s class before school starts. There’s nothing like having a few familiar faces to ease first-day jitters. And if it’s the first day of first grade or a new school, definitely do a dry run by walking or driving them to see the building.

4. Engage your child in the back-to-school process! Sit down with your child, read the school materials and fill them out together. Talk about his/her teacher, the room number, school supply list, and any after school activities. Most importantly, remember if you model calm, collected behavior, your kids will be far more relaxed as school approaches.

5. Setup a family calendar in a central location that EVERYONE can view. Color-code activities for each child and mark important dates for school on the calendar. Find out ahead of time what your child will be participating in and keep an eye out for conflicts. For the first week of school, don’t make any plans, so you can adjust as a family. And don’t forget to schedule down time as a family and a regular date night for mom and dad!

6. Create a Parent/Kid station. A clever, easy solution to morning madness is to designate an area near the door or place you walk by every day where you can set up a central station for everyone’s necessities. The idea is to have space and easy access to all the things you don’t want to leave behind. The parent’s station could include a space for house keys, spare change, cell phone charger, and inbox/outbox for your child’s school forms. The kids’ station should include a place for their sports equipment, lunch box, snacks, backpack, etc.

7. Buy school supplies early and let your child select items that reflect his/her personality. New school supplies can make the back-to-school process fun and exciting. Let your child choose items that reflect their taste and personality. When it comes to the almightily backpack, look for wide padded straps and padded back. Teach your child to pack the heavy items at the back of their bag to prevent shoulder strain. And remember, you’re child’s backpack should not way more than 10-20% of their body weight.

8. Create savvy shoppers by engaging your child in the school supply shopping experience. If you’re child is old enough, arm them with a calculator, list and budget and do the shopping together, considering the available funds. Explain that they can spend a lot on one special item – like a new backpack – but that they will then need to buy plain pencils or use last year’s binders. You can also teach kids that private brands like OfficeMax’s Schoolio product line are a great way to save on supplies while still getting fun designs and patterns.

9. Involved parents equals good, happy students. Several studies show that children whose parents are involved in their education do better academically and socially. Open the lines of communication as soon as you receive your child’s classroom assignment. Most teachers are accessible by email, so a quick note expressing your hope for a great year, eagerness to meet the teacher and willingness to volunteer in the classroom is a nice gesture.

10. Stay engaged in your child’s class throughout the year. Create a weekly report card that addressed your child’s specific challenges. For example, list 3-4 questions on an index card: Is my child keeping up with the reading? Getting homework in on time? Participating in class? Yes/No questions are best. Needless to say, having to hand the teacher a card is a good incentive for your child to connect with his/her teacher and a nice way for you to stay updated on your child’s progress.

Learn more about Annie Pleshette Murphy at annpleshettemurphy.com. Find your local school supply deals at OfficeMax or view school supply lists by grade on OfficeMax’s Back-to-School site. You can also find OfficeMax on Facebook or @OfficeMax on Twitter.

Shared by: The Plus Size Mommy

The Arthritis Foundation and Ad Council teamed up to promote a new campaign entitled “Fight Arthritis Pain”.The new public service advertisements emphasize the benefits of exercise and how daily physical activity can help reduce the risk and pains associated with osteoarthritis in a fun and unique way. Watch the following video on how boosting your activity can help you.

Now you can win an “Osteoarthritis Awareness Premium Pack” which includes the following:

A DVD of Tai Chi For Arthritis
ThermaCare,
Pilot Dr. Grip Pen
5 Hefty 1 zip storage bag coupons
5 Instant Maxwell coupons
Cardinal EasyOpen Binders
Scrubbing bubbles coupon book

Here is how to enter to WIN :

Follow me on Twitter, I am @plussizemommy, comment and let me know you do = 1 entry.

Follow me via Networked Blogs on Facebook (plus size mommy), comment and let me know you do = 1 entry

Subscribe to this blog, let me know you do = 1 entry

Share a tip that helps you cope with arthritis pain = 1 entry

This giveaway begins NOW and ends on July 27th, 2010 at 10PM EST. Winner will not be emailed,winner will be posted on this blog by July 28th. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize (no exceptions). I will not be held responsible for lost or damage to the book in shipping. This giveaway is open to all USA residents only.
Winner will be chosen via random.org.

Thank you to all who enter and Good Luck!

Shared by:
The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure – I am being sent the same prize as this giveaway at no charge to me. This is a message from the Ad Council and The Arthritis Foundation.

I recently hosted a party at my home with a group of moms for OutLast hand sanitizer. OutLast is a very effective hand sanitizer against germs, as it kills 99.99%  of them when in use. We learned at the party about how important it is to take care of your purse when fighting against germs. If you think about all of the places your purse travels with you, you begin to realize how gross some of the places could potentially be (almost makes me not want to carry one anymore). Below you will see a Whrrl of the party and the info. we learned and tips/advice on what you can do to protect yourself and your family against these icky germs.

The only complaint I heard at my OutLast party was the high alcohol content. Moms didn’t like that it has high alcohol content. But when weighed against the harmful germs we couldn’t decide which was worse. My only suggestion was to maybe only use on yourself and not your children.

How do you feel about products with high alcohol contents ? Which would you think was more harmful the germs or the alcohol ?

Please let us know your feelings on this subject

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure – I am a member of Mom Select , I wrote this review while participating in the OutLast campaign, I was sent products to facilitate my review.

Finding the right school for your young child can feel overwhelming, with so many things to consider from class size, to location, programming and curriculum. This past spring we introduced you to KinderCare, a preschool and kindergarten program with 1600 centers nationwide, that offers age-appropriate curriculum, customized experiences and overall school preparedness, making the back to school or start of school process a whole lot easier.

KinderCare Learning Centers provide low teacher to student ratios, strong communicationbetween families and teachers, and a safe, nurturing atmosphere. Offering projects designed to excite children’s imaginations, KinderCare provides a stimulating environment for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school aged children alike. And with over 40 years experience in childcare and education, KinderCare provides peace of mind so parents can feel confident in their choice.

In a nationwide survey of parents, KinderCare Learning Centers learned that when selecting a school, 76% of parents are most concerned that their school of choice employs quality and passionate teachers and 80% want to know that their child is excited to take part in activities while at school.

From Me :

When I used to go to work everyday my 2 sons attended KinderCare Learning Center. They loved it there. When I got pregnant with my daughter and decided to be a stay at home mom they were sad to leave their school.

My sons were 2 and 4 when they attended there.

My favorite things about KinderCare are the teachers care for my children. They were all so supportive and helpful to my shy boys. They were always so helpful to me as well. They were very kind. The center was always VERY clean, and didn’t have any smells (like dirty diapers or something). I felt very comfortable with my sons going there.

My 4 year old was in the pre-school program and he learned so much. And it felt good as a parent to see him learning and thriving in the KinderCare environment.

They had an awesome play ground and the boys both loved going outside to play, which the teachers took them out as much as possible to play.

The KinderCare my boys went to also had a swimming pool and a GREAT swimming program in the summer. It was nice that my older son was able to take advantage of that and learn to swim while there. We loved the Summer Camps that they have. They had a themed one when my sons were there. This years Camp has weekly themes, you can read more here : KinderCare Summer Camp.

Here are some tips on what I looked for in a Child Care for my kids (not in any particular order):

• A licensed facility
• Qualified teachers and staff who are caring and professional and that you feel comfortable with
• curriculum, what do they offer, how do the children learn, what is a typical day like ?
• clean centers, smell free (except for good smells)
• well staffed and supplied
• cost
• hours of operation
• location, is it convenient for you, especially if your child gets sick, can you get there quickly
• outside time, and is the outside safe
• accreditation status
• Do the employee’s have background checks and are they safe to be around your children
• does your child feel comfortable with staff and when going to the center (after initial adjustment period)

My children and I loved our experience at KinderCare Learning Center and I would definitely recommend looking into them if your looking for Child Care.

The Plus Size Mommy

*Disclosure – I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of KinderCare Learning Centers and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.