KitchenAid Decision Sweepstakes! #SummerDreams

#SummerDreams KitchenAid Decision Sweepstakes

Hosted by Mom to Bed by 8 and Iowa Mom

You know how there are those products that you hear about that everyone swears buy, and you finally cave and purchase one... only to be really disappointed? If you do a lot of baking, this isn't one of those products. After oohing and aahing over KitchenAid mixers for 5 years, I finally got one during the holidays last year, and it has been amazing. I was getting to the point where I could really feel it in my wrists when I was baking by hand, but now my KitchenAid does most of the work, and I only do the occasional recipe by hand where I know it's a sensitive dough that can easily be overworked and get too stiff. It's been a lifesaver, and I use it every week (sometimes several times a week!).

High performance meets designer style with the KitchenAid Artisan Design Collection 5qt 325 Watt Stand Mixer. Finished in a smart, jewel-toned color, this tilt-head Artisan Stand Mixer boasts 10 speeds and a 325-watt motor that keeps up with you in the kitchen. Whip up everything from homemade cookies to mashed potatoes in the mixer's glass bowl, which includes a spout and measurement markings for convenient pouring and prep. Features:

• Includes stand mixer, glass bowl, burnished flat beater, burnished dough hook, six-wire whip, and use-and-care guide
• 325W motor
• 10-speed slide control
• 5-qt bowl with comfort handle
• 59-point planetary mixing action allows for quicker, more thorough mixing
• Power hub for additional attachments
• Non-hinged hub cover
• Yields up to 4-1/2 bread loaves, nine dozen cookies, or seven lbs of mashed potatoes
• Embossed trim band
• Two-coat color finish
• All-metal construction
• Measures 13-15/16"H x 14-1/8"D x 8-3/4"W; weighs 29 lb; 5-qt capacity

Want a second chance to win KitchenAid Artisan Design Stand Mixer in Electric Blue? Visit iowa-mom.com for more information.

One reader will receive a KitchenAid Artisan Design Collection 5qt 325 Watt Stand Mixer in Raspberry.

Giveaway ends July 17th at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. Excludes Quebec. Only one entrant per household, per address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the giveaway form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

Pink Lemonade Giveaway!

Disposable pantyliners, pads, and tampons are slowly going the way of the dinosaur. Why? With the exception of natural and organic feminine hygiene products, all menstrual pads and tampons are beached, and contain a lot of chemicals---not really something ideal to have against your skin! That's why alternatives are gaining popularity. One of those options, is Pink Lemonade! We're so excited to bring you this giveaway today! 

Welcome to the Pink Lemonade Mama Cloth Giveaway!

 

Hosted by: Tales From A Southern Mom

Sometimes things you use all the time are the things that need to be looked at and changed. The Pink Lemonade Shop offers a variety of great looking and functioning mama cloth. Disposables are not your only option. Enter today and try something new and sustainable, not to mention more comfortable for you! They offer functional beauty and exceptional quality!

You can read Jen's full review over at Tales From A Southern Mom

Enter below and Good Luck to All!

 

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received no compensation or product of any kind for this posting. The content was shared only because I thought it would be of value to my readers. Found Frolicking is not the host of this giveaway and is not responsible for anything associate with the giveaway itself, or the winner receiving their prize. This post and all photos with the watermark are the property of Found Frolicking, and should not be used or distributed in any way without first receiving permission. If you would like to work with Found Frolicking for a review, giveaway, advertising, or promotion of any other nature, please email Lalia at found.frolicking@gmail.com.

Help Fund the Esther the Wonder Pig Farm Sanctuary!

Who's Esther the Wonder Pig? An Ontario couple adopted a pig that was rejected from the commercial farm she was born on in 2012. She was too small to be worth raising for the farm (lucky for her!), and so the couple was told she was a "mini pig," took her home, and welcomed her to their family. But this is no ordinary mini pig, and so this is no ordinary story. Micro pigs grow up to 65 lbs. and miniature pigs can grow up to 200 lbs. When they first took her home, Esther was a wee piglet at a mere 3 lbs. Well, Esther is 530 lbs. now! As Esther grew and changed, so did the lives of Derek and Steve.

Esther has become an internet sensation that even has her own Facebook page (with many more fans than my own can boast, I should mention). The loving couple that adopted Esther have been bringing awareness to the level of intelligence pigs possess, and also how emotional they are.

Now they are taking it a step further. Derek and Steve have started an Indiegogo campaign to raise $400,000 (a fraction of what the Reading Rainbow Kickstarter earned in a single day) to start the Esther the Wonder Pig farm sanctuary. First they saved Esther, and now they're on to save many more critters. But they need your help! In 65 hours, the Indiegogo campaign will end. Take a moment, and make a contribution, even if it's only a few dollars. I made a contribution, so please do so if you can, too. Together, we can make a difference.

Click here to donate today!

Disclosure: I received no compensation or product of any kind for this posting. All opinions expressed are my own, and were in no way influenced by the brand or any other sources. The content was shared only because I thought it would be of value to my readers. This post and all photos with the watermark are the property of Found Frolicking, and should not be used or distributed in any way without first receiving permission. If you would like to work with Found Frolicking for a review, giveaway, advertising, or promotion of any other nature, please email Lalia at found.frolicking@gmail.com.

Photo Friday - June 27th, 2014

A boy and his dog: Baby E sitting with our 4-year-old Chocolate Labrador-Retriever cross. One of his favorite morning activities! 21 months, 4 weeks.

Disclosure: The watermarked photo above is the property of Found Frolicking. It may not be used, sold, or distributed in any way without first gaining permission to do so. Any links above were provided only because they are relevant and may be beneficial to my readers. I was not asked to share them by any source, nor was I compensated for sharing them.

Tips To Lower Your Pool’s Energy Usage

Do you ever feel conflicted about that pool in the back yard? You love to watch your kids out swimming and playing pool games. But do you cringe when you get the energy bill each month? Take heart. There are some things you can do which will greatly reduce your energy usage, and let you enjoy your pool even more.

A smaller pool pump. Sometimes older pumps were larger than they needed to be, and ran less efficiently. Check your pump, and see if it might be time for a replacement. You can now buy pumps that have variable speed adjustments, so you can run the pump where it will use less energy. As well, since the pump itself is smaller, it will use less energy just because of its size. Over time, this investment can lead to substantial savings. Here are some excellent resources with more information about pools and energy savings:

• http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpool/infpoolconservation.html

• http://blog.intheswim.com/green-pools-operate-an-eco-friendly-pool/

• http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/installing-and-operating-efficient-swimming-pool-pump

A pump timer. The purpose of the pump is to circulate the water, to make it comfortable for swimming. The pump doesn’t have to run 24 hours a day to accomplish that task. Normally the water in a pool can be turned over in around 8 hours. You can add a timer to your pump system, then only run the pump for as long as necessary. If there are price breaks for off peak usage of electricity, you can set the pump to run during those times, adding further savings.

Check the lights. Older traditional lights use greater energy than the newer LED technology. LEDs are small semiconductors, and they convert electrical energy into a particular light color. They can not only save energy, but give the pool a great effect. Older bulbs only last about 5,000 hours, and the LEDs last up to 40,000 hours. They create light without the high heat of the traditional bulbs, which translates to using less energy.

A solar pool cover. When the pool sits idle throughout the day and night, water is evaporating from its surface. Wind and sun will lead to substantial water loss – but it is water which has been through the heating and filtration system. So the water is lost, but also the energy used to prepare that water for the pool. When a solar pool cover is installed, it retains the heat of the water, as well as dramatically reducing evaporation – a double saving. There are a wide variety of covers – the simplest being manually deployed covers which look like a giant sheet of bubble wrap. Custom designed covers deploy at the push of a button. Either choice will lead to substantial energy savings.

A windbreak. What if the family plans to use the pool a lot, and you don’t want to deploy the solar cover? Consider installing a windbreak around the pool. If there is a fence around the pool anyway – a good idea if you have kids – just add the windbreak there. It looks like the fence barriers you see on tennis courts, to keep the wind from altering a shot. In this case, they keep the wind from sweeping across the water and causing evaporation. If you live in a windy area, a windbreak is a great addition which will cut down on energy costs.

Attend to maintenance. Time spent cleaning the filter basket on the pool pump will allow that pump to work less to filter and heat water. If you take the time to clean leaves from the pool, so they never get to the basket, that helps even more. It’s not a big item, but can be a small part of saving energy. You watch your kids splash in the pool, smiling because you have taken steps to minimize energy usage. Now you don’t have to hesitate to open your electric bill each month.

Kaitlin Gardner started AnApplePerDay.com to further her passion for a family friendly, green living lifestyle. She is married to her college sweetheart and lives in Pennsylvania. She and her husband enjoy going for long hikes, to get out and enjoy nature. She is working on her first book about ways to live an eco-friendly, healthy, natural life.

Disclosure: The above content is a guest post from An Apple Per Day and was not written by myself. I received no compensation or product of any kind for this posting. The content was shared only because I thought it would be of value to my readers. This post is the property of An Apple Per Day and then shared with Found Frolicking. The written content should not be used or distributed in any way without first receiving permission. If you would like to work with Found Frolicking for a review, giveaway, advertising, or promotion of any other nature, please email Lalia at found.frolicking@gmail.com.

Only the Best for Baby With Debest: A Line of Beyond Organic Clothing

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. But all content was written by and shared by myself because I believed it may be beneficial to my readers. All opinions are my own, and completely honest. A full disclosure can be found at the bottom of this post.

Have you heard of colored cotton? I'm probably not talking about what you think I am. It's not the "white" cotton that is dyed and processed through any number of means to produce the majority of the clothes on the market. In the womb, babies are well-protected from all of the harsh chemicals everyone is exposed to on a daily basis. It's no wonder that children from newborns to 6-year-olds (or older!) can experience a variety of skin conditions as their bodies react to questionable ingredients in and on everything---even their clothing. Did you know that 25% of the world's insecticides and 10% of of pesticide usage go into the production and harvesting of standard white cotton?

Colored cotton is the uncommon and ancient practice of breeding cotton that has pigment of its own. Natural shades of colored cotton currently grown include green, brown, and tan. This special type of cotton has many advantages. With no need for dyes, pesticides, bleaches, or harsh chemicals, it is very eco-friendly. They are, without a doubt, also a safer and irritant-free alternative to the majority of clothing options on the market. After all, what comes in contact with your little one's precious skin more than their baby clothing? Colored cotton naturally provides an excellent option for baby apparel that is toxin free.

Debest is introducing colored cotton baby clothing to North America. The delicate nature of colored cotton, due to its short fiber, make it hard to use modern mechanical looms for production. This is what has prevented colored cotton from being used in the mainstream clothing industry. But this same shorter fiber is what makes colored cotton so much softer. Started by a couple who have a daughter themselves, it was their desire to use the safest baby clothing for their daughter, and more gentle on the environment that inspired Debest. Their use of colored cotton creates garments as delicate, pure, and organic as your baby's skin!

These wardrobe staples for any newborn or infant come in the soft hues that colored cotton provides naturally. Products like their "Ruffles in Bloom" Footed Sleeper, "Handsome Gent" Two-Piece Set, "Animal Adventures" Blanket, and "Sweet Dreams In Stripes" Sleeper are absolutely adorable! Any Debest baby garments would make the perfect gift for a baby shower, or the ideal attire to stock up your own little one's nursery with. It's beyond organic.

You can order from Debest today by going to their website. Psst, if you sign up for their newsletter there might just be a discount code to receive 25% off your next order! Shipping is available at a mere $3.95 flat rate, and all orders of $50 or more receive free shipping. Keep tabs on Debest to hear about new products and promotions! You can connect with Debest on their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, as well as on Instagram, and through their Pinterest boards.



Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received compensation in exchange for writing content about the brand above. All opinions expressed are my own, and were in no way influenced by the brand or any other sources. The post and all photos with the watermark are the property of Found Frolicking, and should not be used or distributed in any way without first receiving permission. If you would like to work with Found Frolicking for a review, giveaway, advertising, or promotion of any other nature, please email Lalia at found.frolicking@gmail.com.

Green Scene Mom Summer Awards Giveaway!

We are celebrating the Summer Green Scene Mom Awards with a giveaway featuring the amazing winning brands! Many of these brands were created by mom or dad entrepreneurs who were problem solving for their own families. There are so many products out there, it can be hard to sort through them all and separate the good from the bad. Green Scene Mom is here to help, sharing this collection of products that are good for baby, and the environment, too!

Preserve and Green Toys are a few of the brands that we love having in our own household, and I'm excited to learn about a few new products myself, and help share this great giveaway with you.

		BabySpa Moisturizing Body Lotion BabySpa Moisturizing Body Lotion is formulated to provide an immediate soothing effect and long-lasting hydration. It's infused with BabySpa's signature baby fresh scent, is easily absorbed, and provides instant freshness and a relaxing sensory spa experience. Award Details
		Bert & Bratt Portable Sterilizer Bert & Bratt's UV Sterilizer makes it easy to clean small items while on the go. It effectively kills germs on pacifiers and bottle tops and it's super cute and fits in a diaper bag! Award Details
		Buttons Diapers Flannel Wipes Buttons Diapers reusable wipes help reduce the fistfulls of disposable wipes a baby can go through each diaper change. They are easy to wash with a load of cloth diapers, and they are soft on baby's skin. Award Details
		Yummi Pouch Snack & Sandwich Bags Yummi Pouch snack bags reduce the need for plastic bags and other disposable packaging. They easily fit into a lunchbox, can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher or washing machine, and little fingers can easily open the zipper opening. Plus they're just plain cute! Award Details
		Charlie Banana 2-in-1 Diapers Charlie Banana Diapers make it easy to diaper your baby from 6 to 36 pounds in a way that is eco-friendly and cost effective. These one-size diapers adjust to fit the numerous stages babies go through from infancy to toddlerhood. Plus they are available in lots of adorable designs to fit every style! Award Details
		Loopy Gear Loopys are a stylish and functional way to keep your baby's rattles and toys clean and off the ground. With the Loopy, you simply attach the larger loop to your baby's wrist and the smaller loop around their favorite rattle or toy. Loopys can also be used to attach toys to car seats, strollers, high chairs, baby carriers, and shopping carts. Award Details
		organicKidz Thermal Baby Bottles organicKidz thermal bottles keep liquids hot or cold for 6+ hours. The bottle lid also doubles as a measuring cup and snack cup. Each bottle features a silicone peristaltic fast flow nipple and includes a silicone leak proof sealing disk. organicKidz bottles can also convert to a suppy cup and a water bottle. Award Details
		Peek-a-boo Nursing & Maternity Peek-a-boo offers unique pregnancy and nursing wear that emphasizes comfort as well as discreet nursing with style. These garments are designed for wear starting from early pregnancy throughout nursing, offering moms a budget friendly, duel-purpose clothing solution. Award Details
		Yummi Pouch Funnel Pitcher The unique design and color of this pitcher makes it fun to use! This pitcher helps reduce messes that may result from pouring liquids. It's also sturdy for long-lasting use and dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. Award Details
		BabySpa 3-in-1 Shampoo, Body Wash & Moisturizer BabySpa Stage One Tearless Shampooo, Body Wash and Moisturizer is a unique all-in-one formula with a snuggly fresh baby scent that will keep hair and skin feeling soft and naturally moisturized. This specially-formulated blend is infused with aloe, shea butter, olive and avocado oils to create a natural cleanser that deeply hydrates from head to toe. Award Details
		Buttons Diapers Wet Bags Buttons Diapers Wet Bags come in a variety of sizes and can hold from 1 to 6 diapers inside. The bags have a convenient hanging loop and are made with 2 layers of material for style and durability. The inner layer is made from waterproof PUL and the outside features an adorable cotton dot print. Award Details
		Girlie Glue Girlie Glue is a hair accessory glue, no hair necessary! Fancy possibilities are endless with a dab of girlie glue. Girlie Glue is made with Agave nectar and other all natural ingredients. It's safe, 100% honey-free and washes away easily with water. Award Details
		So Rad Magic Kimono Onesie So Rad's Magic Kimono Onesie is made from bamboo and organic cotton. The durable design features a triple stitch cover seam and bigger bum for cloth diapers, with a rear access entry door too! This onesie has no snaps, buttons, velcro or zippers. The kimono style front opens up so your baby can squeeze his little chubs into it. It's also made in Canada. Award Details
		Preserve Food Storage Containers Preserve food storage containers are made in the USA from 100% BPA free, recycled #5 plastic. They are dishwasher safe and stand up to everyday use. Preserve food storage containers are an environmentally friendly addition to any refrigerator or lunchbox. These containers have sturdy lids which screw on or snap on tightly to keep food fresh and they nest for easy storage. Award Details
		BabySpa Ultra-Soft Baby Wipes BabySpa Ultra-Soft Baby Wipes are made with 100% natural ingredients and an organic blend that provides gentle and soothing care to the most delicate skin. They are perfectly moistened and smell fresh but are unscented for the most sensitive skin. Award Details
		Green Toys Train The Green Toys Train is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's complete with a brightly-colored steam engine and two additional cars that link together to form a long train. The company produces each toy in the USA using sustainable materials and features unique toy designs that encourage imaginative play. Award Details
		organicKidz Thermal Food Containers organicKidz thermal food containers are sleek, light weight and free of bulky plastic. They easily keep foods hot or cold for 6+ hours and are perfect for a child's lunchbox or even Mom and Dad! The fun designs are modern and the tops close tightly with a leak proof silicone seal. Award Details
		Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ Thinkbaby sets itself apart by providing the most effective and safe sunscreen possible that can be universally used for babies and adults. Thinkbaby sunscreen offers the highest level of Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and highest level of water resistance. It comes in a 3oz tube made of environmentally friendly packaging that does not contain BPA, vinyl, or phthalates. Award Details

These amazing companies have contributed prizes to our Summer Awards Giveaway!

Enter to win this amazing gift set valued at $440!

• Peek-a-boo Nursing & Maternity Gift Card - $65
• BabySpa Baby Essentials Stage 1 - $35
  3 in 1 tearless shampoo, body wash & moisturizer, moisturizing body lotion, Shea Butter diaper cream, ultra soft baby wipes (72 ct.), travel size face cream
• Green Toys train - $28
• Bert&Bratt Pure-GO sterilizer - $45
• Buttons Diapers cloth diaper gift set - $39
  1 large wet bag, 1 package of flannel wipes, a one-size diaper cover, and a daytime diaper insert
• So Rad Magic Romper - $25
  Winner can choose from 6 colors and sizes 3 months to 18-24 months.
• Yummi Pouch cloth snack bags - $25
• Girlie Glue hair essentials - $15
  A tube of Girlie Glue and a package of 3 felt flowers and 3 vintage bows
• Preserve food storage set - $28
  2 large food storage, 2 small food storage, 2 square food storage, 5 mini food storage containers
• organicKidz stainless steel thermal food container - $25
• Charlie Banana one-size diaper pack of 3 Hot Dots and 6 inserts - $60
• Loopy 2-Pack Premium - $30
• Think Baby sunscreen - $16

Two runner-up winners will win these products!

• Girlie Glue hair essentials - $15.50
  A tube of Girlie Glue and a package of 3 felt flowers and 3 vintage bows
• Think Baby sunscreen - $16

One winner and two runner-ups will be chosen on July 5th. This giveaway is open to the US and Canada. Good luck and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation or product of any kind for this posting. All opinions expressed are my own, and were in no way influenced by the brand or any other sources. The content was shared only because I thought it would be of value to my readers. Found Frolicking is not the host of this giveaway and is not responsible for anything associate with the giveaway itself, or the winner receiving their prize. This post and all photos with the watermark are the property of Found Frolicking, and should not be used or distributed in any way without first receiving permission. If you would like to work with Found Frolicking for a review, giveaway, advertising, or promotion of any other nature, please email Lalia at found.frolicking@gmail.com.

Fine Print for Giveaway: Giveaway open to individuals 18+ who are residents of the contiguous US, and Canada. Entries are limited to one person per household. Giveaway begins June 25th, and ends July 4th. The winner of the giveaway will be chosen at random through Giveaway Tool's Random.org. Winner will be notified via email, and first name and last name's first initial will be announced on the Found Frolicking blog. Please make sure your email address is correct when entered, so that you can be reached if you win. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email sent out to them, and should a response not be received within that time, the prizes are forfeited. Please follow the instructions for each entry, as you have to have done what was instructed for your entry to count. All entries will be verified. Found Frolicking is in no way responsible for prize shipment, but will work with the sponsors in all ways possible to ensure the winner receives their prizes. Void where prohibited. Entering using the Giveaway Tools form means you agree to the above terms. Thank you.