I was shopping with my mom for Amara's birthday present at Target and we stopped in the candle aisle when we were finished. The first candles I saw were from Glade's Fragrance Collection so I grabbed my mom to make her see what I was Bzzing about. I told her about Bzz Agent a few times and recently Bzzed to her about the candles but she hadn't checked them out yet. She is always on the lookout for good candles at a good value because she uses them when she gives massages (she is a Massage Therapist). I showed her the one that I had at home- the 10oz Currants and Acai. She thought it was alright but was more receptive to the possibility of buying it when I told her that it wasn't as strong when it was burning. The price was a huge selling point. She had no immediate needs for candles but those will be added to her list of ones to buy.
Target also had the Orange Vanilla single wick soy candle. I called her over and her eyes lit up (so did mine!). I remember when I was growing up that Orange Creamsicles were one of her ice creams of choice and I grew to love them too. They are so sweet and creamy with just the right amount of tanginess. We smelled it and both said, "mmmmmmmm"! It was exactly like the ice cream! Exactly. I wanted to eat it. I want creamsicles!
I didn't buy one but I wanted to. I hadn't brought any coupons along and had a budget I needed to stick to on that shopping trip. But I'm buying one of these in the future, no doubt!
A few days ago I was in my local grocery store and saw the McIntosh Apple soy candle from the Collection. I smelled that and it smelled like a very tart apple. A little bit too much of an apple soap scent but still VERY yummy. It doesn't smell like the apple pie scents that most apple candles smell like, which makes it unique. I'd buy that one if I had a coupon and the Orange Vanilla wasn't available.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
My first trip to RiteAid using their rebate program.
I recently made my first RiteAid shopping trip with the intentions of taking advantage of their rebate program. In no way did I come close to getting the deals that some on Gather have, I think I did alright for a first-timer. The following day I ended up going back because I missed a really good deal, and I ended up picking up a couple other things during that trip too.
For my first trip I mostly ended up using coupons and in-store offers that didn't require signing up for the rebate. I paid $2 each for two bottles of Herbal Essences conditioners after the in-store offer and a $2 off coupon. I paid $5 for two 6pks of Coke (Jason drinks them at school) after the in-store offer and a $1 off coupon. I paid $2.49 for Colgate toothpaste but I will be getting $1.50 back from that. I also bought lightbulbs- I needed 100w regular lightbulbs for Amara's Easy Bake Oven and there was a tag on the generic ones for $.99, regularly $2.29. I ended up paying regular price for them though, because the offer was expired by the time I bought them, they just hadn't removed the sign. Annoying, but my fault for not looking closer. Not astonishing, but I'm happy with it :)
Later that day I noticed that there was a Huggies offer for $3 in rebates, plus they were on sale for $8.99. I also remembered having a coupon for $1.50 off so I went back the next day after a meeting with Zachary's school. So I paid $4.49 for those (I never buy Huggies but couldn't pass up that deal!). I also found Veet on sale for half off and had to grab it (I don't really use razors but use Veet and Nair all the time).
Not great, but a good start! I am going to make a plan for this week for all three stores- CVS, Walgreens and RiteAid. I am going to search my coupons, make lists and go prepared. Not easy with all the kids coming along, but I think I'll find my way. I have to get a CVS card because I've never had one. I assume they will let me shop on the day that I get it- hopefully because I usually only go out the way once or twice a week and don't really want to make an extra trip.
It was so easy to register on the site and enter my receipts online! I was SO scared (new things always stress me out, scare me badly and make me so nervous that I usually end up avoiding it altogether which is why I am just starting now) but I had nothing to fear. It was so so easy. Entering receipts online is a simple few steps- you just enter the store number, register number and transaction # and they do the rest for you! Plus you can create a shopping list on the site based on their rebates for the month. How cool!!
For my first trip I mostly ended up using coupons and in-store offers that didn't require signing up for the rebate. I paid $2 each for two bottles of Herbal Essences conditioners after the in-store offer and a $2 off coupon. I paid $5 for two 6pks of Coke (Jason drinks them at school) after the in-store offer and a $1 off coupon. I paid $2.49 for Colgate toothpaste but I will be getting $1.50 back from that. I also bought lightbulbs- I needed 100w regular lightbulbs for Amara's Easy Bake Oven and there was a tag on the generic ones for $.99, regularly $2.29. I ended up paying regular price for them though, because the offer was expired by the time I bought them, they just hadn't removed the sign. Annoying, but my fault for not looking closer. Not astonishing, but I'm happy with it :)
Later that day I noticed that there was a Huggies offer for $3 in rebates, plus they were on sale for $8.99. I also remembered having a coupon for $1.50 off so I went back the next day after a meeting with Zachary's school. So I paid $4.49 for those (I never buy Huggies but couldn't pass up that deal!). I also found Veet on sale for half off and had to grab it (I don't really use razors but use Veet and Nair all the time).
Not great, but a good start! I am going to make a plan for this week for all three stores- CVS, Walgreens and RiteAid. I am going to search my coupons, make lists and go prepared. Not easy with all the kids coming along, but I think I'll find my way. I have to get a CVS card because I've never had one. I assume they will let me shop on the day that I get it- hopefully because I usually only go out the way once or twice a week and don't really want to make an extra trip.
It was so easy to register on the site and enter my receipts online! I was SO scared (new things always stress me out, scare me badly and make me so nervous that I usually end up avoiding it altogether which is why I am just starting now) but I had nothing to fear. It was so so easy. Entering receipts online is a simple few steps- you just enter the store number, register number and transaction # and they do the rest for you! Plus you can create a shopping list on the site based on their rebates for the month. How cool!!
The Fragrance Collection by Glade: The unboxing Bzz and a candle-lit bath.
When I received my Glade Fragrance Collection Bzz Kit in the mail I was surprised at how pretty the packaging was. I opened the shipping box to find another box- this one a pretty red with the words "indulge yourself for a little." running across the center.
I opened this box to find my Bzz Guide, some adorable invitation-style coupons to share and a large round tin that housed the candle. The coupons contain scent samples and $3 off coupon. The candle tin- a 10oz Currants and Acai, multi-wick soy based candle- was surrounded by "berries" which was a nice touch. They were very creative with this campaign!
As I opened the package the smell was super strong. A very good smell but so intense. I was a little concerned that it would be overwhelming when lit and I wouldn't like it. I have a sensitive nose and I don't like overly strong smells. It hurts to breathe when something is too strong!
I decided immediately upon opening it that I was long overdue for a much needed bath. After the baby was down for his nap I occupied the older children and ran a bubble bath. I grabbed my current book (Lisey's Story by Stephen King) plus an entertainment magazine just in case I needed something different. I found a lighter and lit the candle once the bath was ready. I settled in and started reading. Within a minute (we have a small bathroom- 6X9) the fragrant aroma, a much milder version of what I smelled when unlit started drifting toward me. It absolutely was not overwhelming. It was actually the perfect amount of smell. It was very relaxing and I was able to enjoy it for about 45 minutes before I had to get out. That amount of time barely put a dent in the candle! It left a pleasant lingering aroma for a little while after I put it out.
Since burning the candle that first time I haven't been hit by the too strong scent that I smelled the first time I opened it. Every time I walk by it unlit I get just a hint of scent, which I really like.
I swear it's like the candle knows how much scent can be handled in a room and acts accordingly. It's a smart candle! When I burn it it seems to release just the right amount of scent no matter how big or small the space is. I get the same strength in a tiny space that I do in a large room.
The best part about this candle is that it is just as good as the expensive candles but for a fraction of the cost. I don't like to pay a lot for candles but quality matters too, so it's hard to find the perfect balance. I get everything I like out of these candles. With the coupon offers that come out often I will be more likely to buy these in the future.
I smelled the samples in the package and I must say that I am impressed with the cotton scent. I normally hate that smell but it's more realistic that most cotton scents. Still a little too "fabric softener" for my taste though. The Lotus Bamboo is pretty good. I don't know what either smells like in real life but I don't think it would smell like this. The Bzz Guide describes it as creamy and rich and I definitely agree with that. The majority of the scents in this collection would be ones I couldn't identify if asked to. So the only ones that I have real expectations of are the apple and orange vanilla.
The Fragrance Collection candles are available in the following:
10oz multi-wick soy based candles: Currants and Acai, Sheer White Cotton and Lotus Bamboo. Retail $8.99
4.9oz soy candles: McIntosh Apple, Earthly Awakening and Orange Vanilla. These candles are not 100% natural but are all more than 90% natural. Retail $5.99
Reed Diffusers (12 reeds and 1.62 fl oz oil): Currants and Acai, Sheer White Cotton and Lotus Bamboo. Retail $8.99
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A chilly morning; a warm, sunny and breezy afternoon; a thunderstorm to end the day
Yesterday morning was chilly in South Central PA. It was probably in the 50s and I almost turned the heat on again. I was down because I was thinking it would be this way all day and didn't really feel like dealing with another cold day in Spring.
But then at 11:30am when it was time to take the girls to pre-school I went outside and it was perfect! Sunny with big cotton candy clouds. A perfect breeze and the temperature was just right. A jeans and t-shirt kind of day, which is my kind of day!
After school we all played outside, started working on our "Make It" crafts, colored with sidewalk chalk and I took a few pictures of the fun. It was just so nice!
Zachary drawing some circles while taking a break from his craft.
Amara is practicing her shapes and letters.
Jonas is thinking that he might be able to get to the road before I get to him.
Then we all went inside and about 20 minutes later it started raining. The thunderstorm soon followed. Twice when the thunder came it was followed by a strange crashing sound (that sounds dumb, but that is what happened- a normal thunder crash, then the crash of something on the ground, I guess my idea of what an earthquake would sound like). I'm not sure what it was but it scared me and Amara came tearing down the stairs asking what happened. Zachary said, "THAT was NOT thunder!"
I love thunderstorms. This one wasn't a long one. I did tape it with my camera for the sound- you couldn't really see anything because of the clouds. I wish it would have stayed longer!
Not sure why this video won't work. I used the embed code from Gather. I'll have to bring the issue up to them to see why it won't function correctly here.Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Ocean Spray Cranergy: what's in it?
I was choosen at Gather as a reviewer for the Ocean Spray Cranergy drinks (link is to that post). I received a package over the weekend that contained 7 bottles of the Raspberry Cranberry Lift Ocean Spray Cranergy drinks. Each bottle is 10 fl. oz. which is just a little more than a (normal-sized) cup of coffee, and a little less than a can of soda.
Ocean Spray Cranergy Drinks boast 50% fewer calories and less sugar (Compared to Traditional Energy Drinks) and are a source of Natural Energy.
Contains 20% fruit juice; 1 serving per 10oz container; Calories: 40; Calories from fat: 0; Total fat: 0; Sodium: 60mg (3%); Total Carbohydrates: 11g (4%); Sugars: 11g; Protein: 0g; Vitamin C: 100%; Niacin: 60%; Vitamin B2: 60%; Vitamin B6: 60%; Vitamin B12: 60%; Pantothenic Acid: 60%
What's in this stuff? The ingredient list isn't as complicated as some foods and beverages but isn't as simple as a cup of tea either.
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Grape Juice from Concentrate, Cranberry Juice from Concentrate, Raspberry Juice from Concentrate, Malic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Pectin, Sucralose (Splenda), Maltodextrin, Red 40 (color), Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamins B6, B2 and B12.
Filtered water and juice concentrate- we all know what that is. Malic Acid is an acid found in fruit which gives off the tart flavor. Sodium Citrate comes from Citric Acid and is also used as a flavor (tart) or as a preservative. It is one of the helpful ingredients when you drink cranberry juice for a UTI. Pectin is a carbohydrate present in certain ripe fruits and vegetables.
Splenda is one ingredient that can be controversial. According to one article, Sucralose was created when researching new pesticides. It is created from Sucrose (sugar) though "three of the hydroxyl groups in the molecule have been replaced by three chlorine atoms." If you understand chemistry, they have provided a link to a model of this. The way that Splenda is used by the body may prevent any toxicity from it to be too harmful to us. It is well-known that artificial sweeteners may not be the best thing for our bodies and when it comes to Splenda there has not been enough time or research to be sure that it won't end up being the next Saccharin or Aspartame. So far so good.
Maltodextrin is a food additive, a carbohydrate. It is used as a filler as well, and in the case of this drink is probably supposed to provide more energy.
Red 40 is another controversial ingredient in food. It is the most popular food coloring in foods and beverages. Certain food colors are not handled well by our bodies. We are allergic or intolerant of some of them. Why does that matter if allergies are common? It matters because the food coloring is absolutely not necessary, unless you are looking at it from a marketing point of view. There is no nutritional value and it could actually harm some people. Children seem to be the most affected by the dye though it has been known to trigger migraines in adults. Fortunately no children should be drinking Cranergy. Symptoms of hyperactivity are often reported more when kids have ingested products containing the dye.
Personally, I would rather drink my Cranergy drink WITHOUT any dyes. Or if they wanted to REALLY promote the "all natural" drink they could use Red Beet Juice, which is a popular food coloring and still makes Dora's Yoplait Yogurt look and taste yummy, without the potential negative side-effects! I would totally be happy if the drink were clear or just not as red. 
The rest in the list of ingredients are vitamins.
Ocean Spray Cranergy: A Gather Review
At Gather the other day I saw someone post about being one choosen to receive Cranergy product samples to review and I got all sorts of jealous because this was one that I really really wanted to try. An all-natural energy booster? Sign me up!! I have so much trouble getting through my day, even with lots of coffee or tea. I then checked my Gather mail to discover that I had been choosen as well! I had to do a little happy dance when I read the e-mail:
Alex,
Thank you for volunteering to take part in the Cranergy® Challenge. Congratulations! You've been selected to receive seven samples of Cranergy® Energy Juice Drink from Ocean Spray® for the challenge.
_________
Cranergy Ocean Spray drinks are supposed to give you a boost of energy from natural ingredients like green tea extract. I am unsure of what it in them right now, but I'll find out soon!
I am still doing a happy dance. I really can't wait to try these out!! I am not expecting a miracle cure for my tiredness. But maybe it will help just enough for me to feel a little better. I have three kids, plus I babysit one during the week. My son Zachary goes to school (he is in 2nd grade) and the girls have pre-school for two hours, twice a week but when they are all together it is craziness!
Zachary was diagnosed with ADHD recently, which explains a lot of his behavior. We tried all sorts of alternatives to medication until this week, when we finally decided that he needed more than what we could do for him and we got a prescription for Concerta XR (this decision was NOT made lightly). But the change was immediate- he is GOOD!
Unfortunately we cannot enjoy this change because it wears off when he gets home from school. When he gets home he is his normal crazy self. I then have 4 kids running around fighting, screaming (sometimes in play, sometimes in anger) and messes everywhere. I just can't keep up with it all and by 5 I am ready to lock myself in a room by myself. Jason sleeps all day long, goes to school in the evenings and stays up all night playing games. So he is practically no help whatsoever.
When it comes to getting more energy, I am all for caffeinated drinks like soda, coffee or tea to help pick me up. But I don't want to drink or take any energy "cures" that have serious questionable side-effects. I know soda isn't the safest thing, but they don't have any warnings on the bottle like some things do! So it is very exciting for me to be able to have the opportunity to try out something natural. I am going to be hounding down the mail lady every day until these come!!!
Alex,
Thank you for volunteering to take part in the Cranergy® Challenge. Congratulations! You've been selected to receive seven samples of Cranergy® Energy Juice Drink from Ocean Spray® for the challenge.
_________
Cranergy Ocean Spray drinks are supposed to give you a boost of energy from natural ingredients like green tea extract. I am unsure of what it in them right now, but I'll find out soon!
I am still doing a happy dance. I really can't wait to try these out!! I am not expecting a miracle cure for my tiredness. But maybe it will help just enough for me to feel a little better. I have three kids, plus I babysit one during the week. My son Zachary goes to school (he is in 2nd grade) and the girls have pre-school for two hours, twice a week but when they are all together it is craziness!
Zachary was diagnosed with ADHD recently, which explains a lot of his behavior. We tried all sorts of alternatives to medication until this week, when we finally decided that he needed more than what we could do for him and we got a prescription for Concerta XR (this decision was NOT made lightly). But the change was immediate- he is GOOD!
Unfortunately we cannot enjoy this change because it wears off when he gets home from school. When he gets home he is his normal crazy self. I then have 4 kids running around fighting, screaming (sometimes in play, sometimes in anger) and messes everywhere. I just can't keep up with it all and by 5 I am ready to lock myself in a room by myself. Jason sleeps all day long, goes to school in the evenings and stays up all night playing games. So he is practically no help whatsoever.
When it comes to getting more energy, I am all for caffeinated drinks like soda, coffee or tea to help pick me up. But I don't want to drink or take any energy "cures" that have serious questionable side-effects. I know soda isn't the safest thing, but they don't have any warnings on the bottle like some things do! So it is very exciting for me to be able to have the opportunity to try out something natural. I am going to be hounding down the mail lady every day until these come!!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Promo Squad: Listen to Music, Rate Music, Earn Points, Get Prizes!
Do you like music? Do you like free stuff? Then Promo Squad is a great place for you. When you register with Promo Squad you have the opportunity to earn points every time you listen to music and rate it, take the polls and more. Some of the music you listen to will be new, and others will be recent releases.
Prizes from Promo Squad include raffles, movies, gift cards, cds and more. Prizes change all the time so if you don't see something you like it still may show up in the future. You can always e-mail the PS staff and beg for your prize choices too :) Right now raffles start at 300 points and prizes start at 1000 points ($10 gift cards).
It's always fun to hear and vote on new music- to have a say in what's going on in the music world. If you know someone who has some talent in music, someone who wants to be known, you can even try to hook them up with a contract...and possibly earn a $1000 finders fee!
Right now I have 200 points at Promo Squad. I redeemed for a CD once, and received it within a few weeks.
I love free stuff, and I love sites that actually do what they promise. Promo Squad fits the bill!
Sign up for Promo Squad now
Prizes from Promo Squad include raffles, movies, gift cards, cds and more. Prizes change all the time so if you don't see something you like it still may show up in the future. You can always e-mail the PS staff and beg for your prize choices too :) Right now raffles start at 300 points and prizes start at 1000 points ($10 gift cards).
It's always fun to hear and vote on new music- to have a say in what's going on in the music world. If you know someone who has some talent in music, someone who wants to be known, you can even try to hook them up with a contract...and possibly earn a $1000 finders fee!
Right now I have 200 points at Promo Squad. I redeemed for a CD once, and received it within a few weeks.
I love free stuff, and I love sites that actually do what they promise. Promo Squad fits the bill!
Sign up for Promo Squad now
Desktaurant Date- first one is today!
As a member of Gather, not only do I get to enjoy great people, great conversations and great (and free) gift cards for participating: I also have the opportunity to be a product reviewer and/or try out free stuff from sponsors. In this case, Gather is having Desktaurant Dates, once a week on Wednesdays (from today til the end of May) from 12-3pm EST. The Desktaurant Date is an open chat for Gather members. The purpose is to "Pretend that we’re all sitting around the breakroom table gossiping and talking about the latest stories!" It is open for 3 hours so that members from all of the time zones can join in on the fun.
50 Gather members were choosen to receive coupons for FREE Oscar Meyer Deli-Creations sandwiches to eat at these Desktaurant dates. Other Gather members will have the chance to win free coupons during these chats, plus 5 members at each chat will win 250 Gather Points!!! (That is almost halfway to a $10 gift card!). If this isn't incentive enough to join Gather now, I don't know what is!
I was one of the members picked to receive coupons and I was very excited. I love free stuff, especially food!
I got my coupons in the mail on Monday so Jason and I stopped at Walmart to pick up 2 Deli-Creations sandwiches- one for each of us. I told Jason that he had to review it if he wanted to eat it!
I don't shop at Walmart often so this was the first time I have seen the price of Deli-Creations there. Their normal price is only $2.50. I usually buy all of my groceries at Giant, where I can earn Gas Rewards. But the normal price for Deli-Creations there is either $3.50 or $3.99! Their sale price is still more than Walmart's, at $2.99. They have never been cheaper at Giant. I really don't like Walmart and I REALLY hate shopping there (I always have unplesant experiences that range from employees refusing to acknowledge that they even work there to them not moving when I am trying to get something from an aisle to customers running their carts right into me while I am trying to push a cart and carry a baby- all while staying on MY side). But when I find a specific thing that is equal but that much cheaper I have to re-think what I am doing. I won't buy meat there and will only buy fruit if it looks better and is from the US.
Anyway, Jason picked the Honey Ham and Swiss Deli-Creations sandwich. It comes with Honey Ham, 2% Milk Reduced Fat Swiss Cheese, Country White Sub Roll, 1 packet each Light Mayonnaise and Deli Mustard (the spicy kind with horseradish). This sandwich contains 440 Calories, 140 from Fat. 15 grams of Fat (23%), 5g Saturated Fat (25%) and 0g Trans Fat. 60mg Cholesterol (20%), 1380mg Sodium (57%), 50g Carbohydrates(17%), 3g Dietary Fiber (12%), 14g Sugars and 27g of Protein (38%). Vitamin A: 6%, Calcium: 30%, Vitamin C: 25%, Iron: 20%. They also compare how much less fat it has compared to using regular Mayo and Cheese.
I had trouble deciding what I wanted to try first. I ended up going with the Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast with Monterey Jack Cheese Deli-Creations sandwich. This sandwich comes with a Country White Sub Roll, Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast, Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalepeno Peppers, 1 packet each Salsa and Southwestern Style Ranch Dressing. It contains 450 Calories, 160 from Fat. 17g Fat (26%), 6g Saturated Fat (30%) and .5g Transfat. 55mg Cholesterol (18%), 1170mg Sodium (49%) 51g Carbohydrates (17%), 4g Dietary Fiber (16%), 12g Sugars and 25g Protein (33%). Vitamin A: 8%, Vitamin C: 35%, Calcium: 20% and Iron: 20%.
So...these are NOT for anyone looking out for their health or weight! For the size of the sandwiches I would prefer to eat it with something like chips. But that is probably not a good idea, unless I want to meet most of my bad dietary needs in one sitting. Maybe I could settle for something healthy on the side like a pickle.
______________________________________________
...Review of the Honey Ham and Swiss Deli-Creations Sandwich...
I have had the Ham and Swiss sandwich before (complete Nutritional information profile located above). The sandwich is a nice size, but a little pricey at the regular price at my local grocery store. I have since discovered that Walmart sells them for only $2.50, which is less than the sale price at Giant and that is a much better value.
I hate swiss cheese so I was afraid to try the Honey Ham and Swiss- I kept searching and hoping that somewhere they had available a Honey Ham and Cheddar or American Cheese. But the cheese in this sandwich is so mild that you barely notice it. Tastes sort of like Mozzarella or Jack cheese. It was the first time I have ever been able to tolerate the flavor.
I can tell that the Mayo is light, which I am not fond of. Light Mayo is so bland, I would almost rather go without. But the spicy mustard more than makes up for the lack of flavor in the mayonnaise. I remember the honey ham not having a strong flavor. It sort of tasted like regular ham. I cannot remember if I feel the same about Oscar Meyer's regular deli honey ham. The mustard helped make up for the lack of flavor there too.
The bread was really soft, and not chewy at all, even after being microwaved. It was so surprising!! It was actually more firm before being microwaved, because of being refridgerated. I think that the bread choice is good for this particular sandwich, though I would be pleased with wheat or whole grain as well.
The verdict: Good but not fantastic. It should be more flavorful with either a different cheese or the option to buy it will regular-fat products instead of the low-fat. Just a little too mild for my taste. I could fix that when I eat these at home by substituting the mayo with some from my fridge, or adding something extra to give it the kick I need.
The Honey Ham and Swiss would go well with something salty, like chips (Martin's Waffle Barbeque Chips IN the sandwich...mmmmm!), but based on the nutritional information (57% DV of sodium!) it wouldn't be a good idea to add much more salt to the meal.
_______________________________________________________________
Hopefully Jason enjoys it as much as I did and hopefully I like my Mesquite Turkey!! He is adamant that I do not "ruin" his sandwich by microwaving it. He asked how crazy I was for even THINKING it!! I am looking forward to his reaction when I do it anyway and he gives it a try.
__________________________
In case you want to know how these size up to other sandwiches, here is the link to Subway's Nutritional Information.
http://www.subway.com/applications/NutritionInfo/nutritionlist.aspx?id=sandwich
Please note if comparing that the subs with "6 Grams of Fat or Less" do not count cheese in that math. None of the sandwiches include mayo or other condiments unless otherwise noted.
50 Gather members were choosen to receive coupons for FREE Oscar Meyer Deli-Creations sandwiches to eat at these Desktaurant dates. Other Gather members will have the chance to win free coupons during these chats, plus 5 members at each chat will win 250 Gather Points!!! (That is almost halfway to a $10 gift card!). If this isn't incentive enough to join Gather now, I don't know what is!
I was one of the members picked to receive coupons and I was very excited. I love free stuff, especially food!
I got my coupons in the mail on Monday so Jason and I stopped at Walmart to pick up 2 Deli-Creations sandwiches- one for each of us. I told Jason that he had to review it if he wanted to eat it!
I don't shop at Walmart often so this was the first time I have seen the price of Deli-Creations there. Their normal price is only $2.50. I usually buy all of my groceries at Giant, where I can earn Gas Rewards. But the normal price for Deli-Creations there is either $3.50 or $3.99! Their sale price is still more than Walmart's, at $2.99. They have never been cheaper at Giant. I really don't like Walmart and I REALLY hate shopping there (I always have unplesant experiences that range from employees refusing to acknowledge that they even work there to them not moving when I am trying to get something from an aisle to customers running their carts right into me while I am trying to push a cart and carry a baby- all while staying on MY side). But when I find a specific thing that is equal but that much cheaper I have to re-think what I am doing. I won't buy meat there and will only buy fruit if it looks better and is from the US.
Anyway, Jason picked the Honey Ham and Swiss Deli-Creations sandwich. It comes with Honey Ham, 2% Milk Reduced Fat Swiss Cheese, Country White Sub Roll, 1 packet each Light Mayonnaise and Deli Mustard (the spicy kind with horseradish). This sandwich contains 440 Calories, 140 from Fat. 15 grams of Fat (23%), 5g Saturated Fat (25%) and 0g Trans Fat. 60mg Cholesterol (20%), 1380mg Sodium (57%), 50g Carbohydrates(17%), 3g Dietary Fiber (12%), 14g Sugars and 27g of Protein (38%). Vitamin A: 6%, Calcium: 30%, Vitamin C: 25%, Iron: 20%. They also compare how much less fat it has compared to using regular Mayo and Cheese.
I had trouble deciding what I wanted to try first. I ended up going with the Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast with Monterey Jack Cheese Deli-Creations sandwich. This sandwich comes with a Country White Sub Roll, Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast, Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalepeno Peppers, 1 packet each Salsa and Southwestern Style Ranch Dressing. It contains 450 Calories, 160 from Fat. 17g Fat (26%), 6g Saturated Fat (30%) and .5g Transfat. 55mg Cholesterol (18%), 1170mg Sodium (49%) 51g Carbohydrates (17%), 4g Dietary Fiber (16%), 12g Sugars and 25g Protein (33%). Vitamin A: 8%, Vitamin C: 35%, Calcium: 20% and Iron: 20%.
So...these are NOT for anyone looking out for their health or weight! For the size of the sandwiches I would prefer to eat it with something like chips. But that is probably not a good idea, unless I want to meet most of my bad dietary needs in one sitting. Maybe I could settle for something healthy on the side like a pickle.
______________________________________________
...Review of the Honey Ham and Swiss Deli-Creations Sandwich...
I have had the Ham and Swiss sandwich before (complete Nutritional information profile located above). The sandwich is a nice size, but a little pricey at the regular price at my local grocery store. I have since discovered that Walmart sells them for only $2.50, which is less than the sale price at Giant and that is a much better value.
I hate swiss cheese so I was afraid to try the Honey Ham and Swiss- I kept searching and hoping that somewhere they had available a Honey Ham and Cheddar or American Cheese. But the cheese in this sandwich is so mild that you barely notice it. Tastes sort of like Mozzarella or Jack cheese. It was the first time I have ever been able to tolerate the flavor.
I can tell that the Mayo is light, which I am not fond of. Light Mayo is so bland, I would almost rather go without. But the spicy mustard more than makes up for the lack of flavor in the mayonnaise. I remember the honey ham not having a strong flavor. It sort of tasted like regular ham. I cannot remember if I feel the same about Oscar Meyer's regular deli honey ham. The mustard helped make up for the lack of flavor there too.
The bread was really soft, and not chewy at all, even after being microwaved. It was so surprising!! It was actually more firm before being microwaved, because of being refridgerated. I think that the bread choice is good for this particular sandwich, though I would be pleased with wheat or whole grain as well.
The verdict: Good but not fantastic. It should be more flavorful with either a different cheese or the option to buy it will regular-fat products instead of the low-fat. Just a little too mild for my taste. I could fix that when I eat these at home by substituting the mayo with some from my fridge, or adding something extra to give it the kick I need.
The Honey Ham and Swiss would go well with something salty, like chips (Martin's Waffle Barbeque Chips IN the sandwich...mmmmm!), but based on the nutritional information (57% DV of sodium!) it wouldn't be a good idea to add much more salt to the meal.
_______________________________________________________________
Hopefully Jason enjoys it as much as I did and hopefully I like my Mesquite Turkey!! He is adamant that I do not "ruin" his sandwich by microwaving it. He asked how crazy I was for even THINKING it!! I am looking forward to his reaction when I do it anyway and he gives it a try.
__________________________
In case you want to know how these size up to other sandwiches, here is the link to Subway's Nutritional Information.
http://www.subway.com/applications/NutritionInfo/nutritionlist.aspx?id=sandwich
Please note if comparing that the subs with "6 Grams of Fat or Less" do not count cheese in that math. None of the sandwiches include mayo or other condiments unless otherwise noted.
Monday, April 6, 2009
My Homepage Friends (formerly My Search Funds) closes site to US
In a surprising twist, My Homepage Friends (paid to search site) has decided to no longer support users from the United States. Shocking, considering that the US is usually pretty low on the click fraud scale, compared to some other countries. I'm not sure the US has ever been banned from using a GPT-type site. Guess that wasn't the case with MHF. Too bad, because I enjoyed earning with them. It wasn't much but when you are a stay-at-home mom making money online, everything cent matters.
Recently I attempted to do a search with MyHPF and was re-directed to a page with the following message:
Due to a change in the terms and conditions of our partners we are no longer able to offer our service in your country. Due to the significant amounts of click fraud, the countries we are able to offer a service are:
United Kingdom
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Australia
Thailand
Singapore
Indonesia
Philippines
Vietnam
Malaysia
Canada
If you are in one of these countries and are receiving this message, please contact us in the usual way. Please note that if you are not in one of these countries, you will still earn money on affiliates who are. We thank you for using our service and once we have been paid by our partners we will be paying you your outstanding balance regardless of whether you have reached the £20 or not. Due to the changes they have implemented this may take a few months but rest assured you will be paid. Please ensure that you have entered your payment details. Thanks again for using our service!
It's great that they will still allow earnings on affiliates that are in those countries for people who have worked hard to gain those referrals. Even better is their mention of paying everyone, no matter if they reached the minimum payout amount or not. Many sites do not make this offer and will just take your money and run.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that in a few months I will be receiving approximately $15 USD from them.
Swagbucks has always been my number one search site but MyHPF was always number 2. I have a few backups that I guess I am going to need to start using from now on, to maximize my earning potential!
Recently I attempted to do a search with MyHPF and was re-directed to a page with the following message:
Due to a change in the terms and conditions of our partners we are no longer able to offer our service in your country. Due to the significant amounts of click fraud, the countries we are able to offer a service are:
United Kingdom
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Australia
Thailand
Singapore
Indonesia
Philippines
Vietnam
Malaysia
Canada
If you are in one of these countries and are receiving this message, please contact us in the usual way. Please note that if you are not in one of these countries, you will still earn money on affiliates who are. We thank you for using our service and once we have been paid by our partners we will be paying you your outstanding balance regardless of whether you have reached the £20 or not. Due to the changes they have implemented this may take a few months but rest assured you will be paid. Please ensure that you have entered your payment details. Thanks again for using our service!
It's great that they will still allow earnings on affiliates that are in those countries for people who have worked hard to gain those referrals. Even better is their mention of paying everyone, no matter if they reached the minimum payout amount or not. Many sites do not make this offer and will just take your money and run.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that in a few months I will be receiving approximately $15 USD from them.
Swagbucks has always been my number one search site but MyHPF was always number 2. I have a few backups that I guess I am going to need to start using from now on, to maximize my earning potential!
Friday, April 3, 2009
1000 Spotwinner Win!
I rarely go to Spotwinner anymore because it is kind of boring. The prizes are great and it's easy so I SHOULD do it more.
Today I was checking my e-mail and saw one from Spotwinner. I thought it was a newsletter or something saying, "come back". I opened it and got the following message:
Dear Alexandra,
Thank you for participating in the October Gaming Giveaway Sweepstakes on http://www.spotwinner.com/.
You are receiving this note because you have been selected as a winner for that recent sweepstakes!
Your prize is described below:
1,000 SpotCash (One Hundred Winners)
Yay! It's not major but it's a pretty big deal. I'm happy!! I don't win a lot so that was fun to find.
What have you won lately?
Today I was checking my e-mail and saw one from Spotwinner. I thought it was a newsletter or something saying, "come back". I opened it and got the following message:
Dear Alexandra,
Thank you for participating in the October Gaming Giveaway Sweepstakes on http://www.spotwinner.com/.
You are receiving this note because you have been selected as a winner for that recent sweepstakes!
Your prize is described below:
1,000 SpotCash (One Hundred Winners)
Yay! It's not major but it's a pretty big deal. I'm happy!! I don't win a lot so that was fun to find.
What have you won lately?
Typealyzer: Your Blog's Myers-Briggs Personality
I tried out the typealyzer after reading about Tom's experience on Gather.
What is the Typealyzer? http://typealyzer.com
The typealyzer determines your personality based on your blog writing. You simply type in your blog address and within a few seconds you get a result. Then it matches your blog to a personality type, based on the Myers-Briggs personality test.
Sounds like fun! So I give it a try. I enter my blog and get the following result:
ESFP - The Performers
The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.
The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.
__________________
Is that me? Entertaining? Maybe. I see myself as boring. Friendly? Definitely! I do see importance in my surrounding- I like to feel, smell and see nice things (who doesn't?). As for living in the present moment and not planning ahead...well I plan all the time. I am constantly exhausting myself with my thoughts and plans for the future. It's very overwhelming.
I do enjoy work where my effort shows, whether or not it is with people. I always try to avoid conflicts and I will not initiate confrontation. So that is right on. Though I was always pretty successful with being a manager in past jobs.
___________________
I have taken the Myers-Briggs personality test before but I never remember the results. So I took it again (see link Myers-Briggs). The results probably change from time to time anyway, because my ideas change a lot.
And the results:
Your Type is
ESFP
Well, well. That thing knows what it is talking about!
My exact results:
Qualitative analysis of your type formula
You are:
ArtisanTM Portrait of the Performer (ESFP) (More in-depth.)
Performers have the special ability, even among the Artisans, to delight those around them with their warmth, their good humor, and with their often extraordinary skills in music, comedy, and drama. Whether on the job, with friends, or with their families, Performers are exciting and full of fun, and their great social interest lies in stimulating those around them to take a break from work and worry, to lighten up and enjoy life.
Performers are plentiful, something over ten percent of the population, and this is fortunate, because they bring pleasure to so many of us. Performers are the people for whom it can truly be said "all the world's a stage." Born entertainers, they love the excitement of playing to an audience, and will quickly become the center of attention wherever they are. Performers aren't comfortable being alone, and seek the company of others whenever possible-which they usually find, for they make wonderful playmates. Performers are smooth, talkative, and witty; they always seem to know the latest jokes and stories, and are quick with wisecracks and wordplay-nothing is so serious or sacred that it can't be made fun of. Performers also like to live in the fast lane, and seem up on the latest fashions of dress, food, drink, and music. Lively and uninhibited, Performers are the life of the party, always trying to create in those around them a mood of eat, drink, and be merry.
The Performers' talent for enjoying life is healthy for the most part, though it also makes them more subject to temptations than the other types. Pleasure seems to be an end in itself for them, and variety is the spice of life. And so Performers are open to trying almost anything that promises them a good time, not always giving enough thought to the consequences.
Like the other Artisans, Performers are incurably optimistic - "Always look on the bright side," is their motto - and they will avoid worries and troubles by ignoring them as long as possible. They are also the most generous of all the types, and second only to the Composer Artisans [ISFPs] in kindness. Performers haven't a mean or stingy bone in their body-what's theirs is yours-and they seem to have little idea of saving or conserving. They give what they have to one and all without expectation of reward, just as they love freely, and without expecting anything in return. In so many ways, Performers view life as an eternal cornucopia from which flows an endless supply of pleasures.
Some of it is me, some of it doesn't really describe me well. But maybe I just don't know myself that well!
So, who else is up for the challenge?
What is the Typealyzer? http://typealyzer.com
The typealyzer determines your personality based on your blog writing. You simply type in your blog address and within a few seconds you get a result. Then it matches your blog to a personality type, based on the Myers-Briggs personality test.
Sounds like fun! So I give it a try. I enter my blog and get the following result:
ESFP - The Performers
The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.
__________________
Is that me? Entertaining? Maybe. I see myself as boring. Friendly? Definitely! I do see importance in my surrounding- I like to feel, smell and see nice things (who doesn't?). As for living in the present moment and not planning ahead...well I plan all the time. I am constantly exhausting myself with my thoughts and plans for the future. It's very overwhelming.
I do enjoy work where my effort shows, whether or not it is with people. I always try to avoid conflicts and I will not initiate confrontation. So that is right on. Though I was always pretty successful with being a manager in past jobs.
___________________
I have taken the Myers-Briggs personality test before but I never remember the results. So I took it again (see link Myers-Briggs). The results probably change from time to time anyway, because my ideas change a lot.
And the results:
Your Type is
ESFP
Well, well. That thing knows what it is talking about!
My exact results:
| Extraverted | Sensing | Feeling | Perceiving |
| Strength of the preferences % | |||
| 11 | 12 | 62 | 22 |
Qualitative analysis of your type formula
You are:
- slightly expressed extravert
- slightly expressed sensing personality
- distinctively expressed feeling personality
- slightly expressed perceiving personality
ArtisanTM Portrait of the Performer (ESFP) (More in-depth.)
Performers have the special ability, even among the Artisans, to delight those around them with their warmth, their good humor, and with their often extraordinary skills in music, comedy, and drama. Whether on the job, with friends, or with their families, Performers are exciting and full of fun, and their great social interest lies in stimulating those around them to take a break from work and worry, to lighten up and enjoy life.
Performers are plentiful, something over ten percent of the population, and this is fortunate, because they bring pleasure to so many of us. Performers are the people for whom it can truly be said "all the world's a stage." Born entertainers, they love the excitement of playing to an audience, and will quickly become the center of attention wherever they are. Performers aren't comfortable being alone, and seek the company of others whenever possible-which they usually find, for they make wonderful playmates. Performers are smooth, talkative, and witty; they always seem to know the latest jokes and stories, and are quick with wisecracks and wordplay-nothing is so serious or sacred that it can't be made fun of. Performers also like to live in the fast lane, and seem up on the latest fashions of dress, food, drink, and music. Lively and uninhibited, Performers are the life of the party, always trying to create in those around them a mood of eat, drink, and be merry.
The Performers' talent for enjoying life is healthy for the most part, though it also makes them more subject to temptations than the other types. Pleasure seems to be an end in itself for them, and variety is the spice of life. And so Performers are open to trying almost anything that promises them a good time, not always giving enough thought to the consequences.
Like the other Artisans, Performers are incurably optimistic - "Always look on the bright side," is their motto - and they will avoid worries and troubles by ignoring them as long as possible. They are also the most generous of all the types, and second only to the Composer Artisans [ISFPs] in kindness. Performers haven't a mean or stingy bone in their body-what's theirs is yours-and they seem to have little idea of saving or conserving. They give what they have to one and all without expectation of reward, just as they love freely, and without expecting anything in return. In so many ways, Performers view life as an eternal cornucopia from which flows an endless supply of pleasures.
Some of it is me, some of it doesn't really describe me well. But maybe I just don't know myself that well!
So, who else is up for the challenge?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)