Tuesday, November 27, 2012

6 Ways to Teach Kids Good Teeth Care Habits

Wellness


Here's something that may surprise you: Chewing sugar free gum is actually good for you and your kids. In fact the New York Times recently reported on some overlooked and little known benefits of chewing sugar free gum.


Me at 3 Years Old With Baby Teeth



MBE partnered with Trident Gum for this post

As a Baby Boomer in elementary school in the 1960s, I remember eating way too much candy and paying the consequences by getting fillings more than once at the dentist. Then just last month, I had to take my own four teenagers (triplets plus one more born a year apart) to the dentist to fill between two and four cavities each. Oy Vey. Some things never change. 

We apparently have plenty of company. That's because tooth decay in 2012 affects about half of all second graders and nearly 80 percent of 17-year-olds.


My 4 kids, Children's Museum in Palm Springs, CA

Enter the MBE Sugar Free Gum Giveaway, Details Below


A 2012 Trident Gum survey further underscores the problem. Despite the high prevalence of adolescent tooth decay, more than 84 percent of American parents still don’t consider this much of a health threat to our kids' mouths. Interestingly, Trident's survey also indicates an overwhelming 92% of parents believe that cavities in children are preventable.

I know it's really hard to get my teens to practice good dental hygiene even though we've stressed the importance of flossing and brushing regularly since we brushed their teeth for them with all four lined up on the counter when they were toddlers. There's a good chance you have similar struggles with your own family because, again citing Trident's research, getting a child to take care of their teeth is reportedly hard for 86% of us parents.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Trident Original Flavor was first introduced in the 60s in Cadbury in the UK?




So, to help get the word out about keeping your kids teeth as healthy as possible, Trident has provided some helpful tips for moms and dads to keep in mind 
  • Brush - Remind children to brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time (a total of 30 seconds on each side, top and bottom) using a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. 
  • Eat - Good for you foods such as fruits, vegetables, cheese and products rich in Calcium such as milk to help build strong healthy teeth and gums. 
  • Chew Sugar Free Gum - Try chewing a sugarless gum like Trident after eating to help fight cavities. 
  • Floss - Teach kids to gently floss at least once a day to remove food that can get stuck between their teeth. There are so many kid-friendly products to choose from at your local drug store -- from Justin Bieber Toothbrushes to animal shaped flossing tools that are easy and specially designed for young children with little hands to use.
  • Avoid  - Stay away from overindulging in sticky and sugary foods. When kids do have a special treat -- especially around the holidays -- make sure they thoroughly brush and floss afterwards.
  • Routine - Remember to get regular dental check-ups, ideally every six months and no less than once per year. The more you help kids incorporate healthy oral care habits in their every day life now, the more likely they are to continue good dental hygiene as adults.
With all those healthy dental care strategies, I am also thrilled that Trident has asked me to give away a YEAR's WORTH of Sugar-Free Gum to one lucky Mommy Blog Expert reader. Read on for all the details on how to enter this healthy and fun giveaway that both you and your kids can enjoy together.

Trident Sugar Free
Win 1 Year of Gum
60 Full-Size Pack, $60 ARV

GIVEAWAY
Ends 12/27/12




How to Enter Giveaway


Just leave a comment(s) below this post. Contest ends December 27, 2012 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive a Year's Supply of Trident Sugar Free Gum in one shipment, selected at random from all entries. Winner will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. 

Required (Mandatory) Entry
Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying what why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 
Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter 
2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook
3. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Pinterest
4. Follow @tridentgum on Twitter
5. Like @tridentgum on Facebook

***Bonus Entries***
You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet to copy and paste:

WIN YEAR SUPPLY Sugar Free @TridentGum GIVEAWAY + 6 Tips to Teach Kids Good Dental Hygiene #children #health http://tinyurl.com/bwo33um

More Family-Friendly
Mommy Blog Expert Giveaways

ENTER Them All HERE


FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and Trident Gum is providing the prize and shipping for this giveaway. However, thoughts in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Easy Roasted Candy Winter Squash Recipe

Good Food


Get Kids to Love Healthy Vegetables


Trying to get kids to eat their vegetables has been the bane of parents for generations. In fact, the veggies children despise most are the same today as the ones my mom tried to get me to eat growing up: those that are not only the most flavorful if they are prepared properly but also the ones that provide the best nutrition for growing bodies. 




A case in point is winter squash which is high in carotenoids and anti-oxidants as well as loaded with Vitamins A and C. In fact, just a cup of cooked winter squash has a whopping 214.1% Daily Value of Vitamin A and 32.8% of Vitamin C according to World's Healthiest Foods.


Farmers Market Squash
Organic Red Kuri Squash, McGrath's Farm, Oxnard, CA


Like others on kids unpopular list this vegetable is often prepared in the most boring of ways: boiled and mashed with little or no seasonings. Why not step it up a bit and try something different and simple the next time you prepare squash?  The goal is to use fresh squash, not frozen or canned, to bring out the natural beauty of the color, nutty sweetness and texture of this oft hated vegetable. 

If you try the recipe below and your experience is anything like mine, you may convert some young naysayers into hard core winter squash fans. Come to think of it I just made this for my family for Thanksgiving for the first time and they are already begging for me to cook it again.



Fresh out of the oven, this smells as good as it tastes

Roasted Candy Winter Squash


Recipe

This recipe can be prepared with any of the rich dark yellow, orange or orange-red winter squash that you might find at your local market during fall and winter. If possible seek out organic produce for this dish as you will get the additional benefits of knowing that no pesticides were used in growing the food you are eating. The amount of squash you use depends on the type and size you choose to use. One word of caution: Make extra, because all or most of those you serve this to will likely want seconds.

4-5 Acorn Squash

or
2 Carnival Squash
or 
1 Red Kuri Squash

1/4 c. fresh Rosemary leaves, stems removed

3 T. virgin olive oil
3 T. of dark brown sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. coarse fresh-ground black pepper

Optional: Add roasted pumpkin seeds to add crunch and more nutrients to this dish.



All the ingredients are tossed in a large mixing bowl

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Remove seeds, scrape off excess fibers & slice squash into thick segments
3. Add all other ingredients & gently toss
4. Pour into a roasting pan that is at least 2" deep
5. Roast for 20 minutes in center of oven
6. Gently turn over all slices to brown both sides evenly
7. Continue cooking another 18-25 minutes until nicely browned
8. Arrange & serve on a platter, either hot or cold
9. Leftovers (in the remote event that there are any left) will keep in the refrigerator for several days


Using the freshest Rosemary leaves possible will enhance this dish's flavor

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was received for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Twitter Party Calendar This Week With Prizes November 25th - December 1st

Twitter Parties


Updated 11/30/12 - Includes Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Monday, November 26

SYWCyberMonday Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @ShopYourWay @Kmart @Sears to chat about holiday shopping. Prizes: Gift Cards #SYWCyberMonday RSVP

Unwrap Happiness Outback Steakhouse Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @Outback talking about gifts and gift ideas for the holidays. #UnwrapHappiness

Womens Health Own Your Look Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @leejeansus @womenshealthmag. Prizes: FIFTY (50) pairs of Lee Jeans. #ownyourlook RSVP

NetZero Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MomItForward @NetZero_4G discussing holiday travel. Prizes: THREE (3) winners will each receive a NetZero 4G Hotspot with a year of Platinum Service; ONE (1) winner will receive an iPad Mini and a NetZero 4G Hotspot with a year of Platinum Service #NetZero4G #gno RSVP

Sweet Valley High Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @girlslunchout @SVconfidential. TEN (10) winners will each receive the full 12 e-book set. ONE (1) winner will receive a huge pack of St. Martin's press soap books. ONE (1) Grand Prize winner will receive an eReader loaded with Sweet Valley ebooks worth $150. #SweetValley RSVP

Travel Gifts & Gadgets Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3 @ConnieFoggles #TMom RSVP

Tuesday, November 27

The Whole Package Twitter Chat at 1 pm ET with @Resourcefulmom @caDriedPlumBrd @NatalieCoughlin. Prizes TEN (10) Dried Plums Packages that include Dried Plums and a $25 Target giftcard. #EatDriedPlums

12 Days of Christmas Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @CleverGirlsColl @12giftstour @FathomEventsPrizes: SEVEN (7) themed prize packages and ONE (1) Grand Prize. #12giftsparty RSVP

Move 100 Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @FormulaMom @7onashoestring @noisegirls. Prizes: THREE (3) Sportline different pedometers. Grand Prize: His & Her Sportline Heart Rate Monitors. #Move100  RSVP

Winter FUNderland Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @HousepartyfunPrizes: House Party goodies and gift codes including FOUR (4) Pie of the Month Subscriptions, TWO (2) Hot Chocolate Makers, and ONE (1) Bakeware Set & $100 Visa Gift Card.  #HPHolidays Details

Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Resourcefulmom and @TheMoms.  Prizes: TEN (10) winners each receive a Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash Entertainment Gift Pack ($110 value). #SierraMistHoliday RSVP

T.J.Maxx Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @visualtherapyny @alifedotowsky @jennfalik. Prizes: TBA. Use hashtag #standoutgifts

YesVideo Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @RachelFerrucci @MamaDweeb @themommyfiles @Zipporahs @ConnieFoggles. Door Prize: Blu-ray Player. Other prizes: $50 CVS Giftcard + $50 YesVideo Coupon, $50 Walmart GC + $50 YesVideo Coupon, $50 Costco GC + $50 YesVideo Coupon, $50 Sam's Club GC + $50 YesVideo coupon, and an iPhone Camera Lens Kit RSVP

Love Sobeys Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Sobeys @MommyMomentBlog. Prizes: $2000 in Sobeys gift cards. #LoveSobeys. RSVP

Ringya Holiday Sanity Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TechSavvyMama @FoundtheMarbles @daily_pinch @elenasonnino. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 Amazon Gift Cards RSVP

Wednesday, November 28

Walgreens Twitter Party at Noon ET with @GlitterFelt @KathleenHenage. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Walgreens Gift Cards. #WAG8000#cbias RSVP

Facing Cancer Together Twitter party at 1 pm ET with @ShesConnected @Cancer2gether. Prize $100 Shoppers Drug Mart Gift Card. #TellHerMovement RSVP

Men in Black 3 Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @KellysLuckyYou @WICProjectPrizes: FOUR (4) $100 Walmart gift cards. #SeeMIB3 RSVP

Decorate It Forward Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @Smiley360 @SandraLee. Prizes: EIGHT (8) $15 Kmart Gift Cards. #DecorateitForward Details

Pay it Forward Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Butterball_CA @Listen2Lena @SassyModernMom @TeacherMomofTwo @mychaos @simplystacienetPrizes: Every winner receives a $50 Butterball GC plus an additional $50 GC to pass on to a friend or food bank. Open to Canada. #PayitForward RSVP

Cinderella's Christmas Twitter party at 8 pm ET with @NYMomsWorld @TheaterWestbury. Prizes: THREE (3) Family Packs to Cinderella's Christmas performance at NYCB at Westbury. #CinderellasChristmas Details

Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @MomTalkRadio. Prizes: THREE (3) Esio Beverage Systems. Also a chance to win a $50 Walmart giftcard. #EsioBeverage RSVP

Hasbro Girls Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @ClassyMommy. Lots of Prizes including Easy-Bake Ultimate & more TBA. Follow hashtag #HasbroGirls

It's the weekly  Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TheOnlineMom talking about online shopping and speed on the Internet. Prize: A Brand New iPad with Retina Display. #SmartHome RSVP

Diono Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MomStorm @BusyMommyMedia @DionoUSAPrizes: $500+ in Diono Products including a Car Seat ($339.99), a Booster Seat ($149.99) and other products for safe travel with babies and kids. #DionoUSA #MomStorm RSVP 

Latina Legacy Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @NHLI @NewLatina @LatinaLeader @Mamiverse and others. Prize: Complimentary registration to National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) National Conference; other prizes TBA. #LatinaLegacy RSVP

Sun-Maid 100th Twitter Birthday Party at 9 pm ET chatting about making celebrations fun with @KathyBuckworth @MommyKatandKids @MommyMomentBlog @MomvsTheBoys. Open to Canadian residents only. Prizes: FIVE (5) Sun-Maid prize packs that include $50 Visa giftcard, a Sun-Maid Baking Sheet and 5 Sun-Maid Raisin Bread Coupons. #Sunmaid100 RSVP

Bank of America Girls Night Out Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @donnanpatel @momitforward. Prize: ONE (1) winner will receive an iPad ($500 value). #gno #BofAHoliday RSVP

Thursday, November 29

Pre Black Friday Twitter Party 7-9 pm ET with @Flyerland. $600 in Prizes. #BlackFridayFL RSVP

First Barely There Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @WhitneyMWS @classymommy @barelythr. PrizesTBA. Follow hashtag #barelythere

Sensitive Skin Chat Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @dermdrhale. Prizes: TWO (2) Grand Prize winners each receive $250 Target gift card and 2 bottles Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent. TWO (2) winners each get $100 Target gift card and 2 bottles of product. TEN (10) winners each will receive 2 bottles of product. #Sensitiveskinchat RSVP

Cooking With Craftsman Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @CoryAnneEttiene @Craftsman. Prizes TBA. #CookingwithCraftsman  RSVP

Aflac Holiday Duck Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @AflacDuck @Shespeaksup @MommyBlogExpert @Zipporahs @StacieinAtlanta @ScentedNights @SweetiesFree. $700 in prizes: Aflac Holiday Ducks & Macy's gift cards with a $250 Macy's GC Grand Prize . Plus $2 will be donated to fight Pediatric Cancer for every Tweet w/ hashtag #AflacKids RSVP

Mompact Ladies Night Out at 9 pm ET with @Mompact @TheIQMom @HorridHousewifePrizes: Hot Joe Jacket, DEO Perfume Candy, $25 Flourish Gift Card, Set of 4 Everyday Elegance chair covers. RSVP

KRE-O Transformers Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @HasbroNews @MomItForward. Prizes: ONE (1) winner receives a KRE-O Transformers Destruction Site Devastator set and a couple of smaller sets. ARV $250 #HasbroKREO #gno RSVP

Mom Inspirations Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cafeyak. Prizes: An assortment of fun items from small businesses. #mominspirations RSVP

Friday, November 30

Colgate Holiday Smiles Twitter Party at Noon ET with @ColgateSmiles @JanetGoingCrazy @LoveandCents. Prizes include FOUR (4) Walmart Gift Certificates: THREE (3) $50 and ONE Grand Prize $100. #HolidaySmiles #cbias RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET talking about getting the most from your mobile devices. To be eligible to win a surprise mobile device + $125 Verizon Gift Card or surprise accessory + SWAG Bag participate in the party using hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


NEXT WEEK

Sunday December 2

TBA


Monday, December 3

Libby's Holiday Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @libbystable. ONE (1) Grand Prize Calphalon Contemporary 10" and 12" Non Stick Omelette Combo($120 value) and Magic Bullet Blender ($79.99). THREE (3) runner up winners will receive Pottery Barn Rhodes Kitchen Crock. #Libbystable RSVP

Hope Springs Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3 and others Talking about the movie Hope Springs from Sony. Prizes: BedandBreakfast.com gift card and Hope Springs SWAG. #TMOM #TMOMHope RSVP

Tuesday, December 4

Affordable Christmas Gifts at Sam's Club Nivea Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @miscfinds4u @mimibakermn. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Sam's Club Gift Cards #NIVEAMoments #cbias RSVP

Timothy Green Twitter Part with @socialmoms @Disney @OddLifeMovie at 7 pm ET. FORTY (40) prizes including TEN (10) $20 Amazon gift cards for Tweeting in advance of the Twitter Party and THIRTY (30) Blu-ray combo packs of The Odd Life of Timothy Green  #TimothyGreen RSVP

Wednesday, December 5

Hoya Lenses Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @suburbanmomclub. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 American Express Gift Cards. Grand Prize: ONE $100 American Express GC + a coupon good for a free pair of lenses. #HoyaLenses RSVP

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Rubbermaid Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Rubbermaid @MommyMomentBlog @MommyKatandKids @MomvstheBoys. $750 in Rubbermaid prize packages.  #Rubbermaid RSVP

Thursday, December 6

TBA

Friday, December 7

SnapBox Picture Perfect Twitter Party hosted by @CleverGirlsColl at 3 pm ET. Prizes: Framed Canvas SnapBox Prints & more. #SnapboxPrints RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ETTo be eligible to win participate in the party, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


Saturday, December 8

Laser Pegs Twitter Party at 9 pm with @LaserPegs. Prizes: TWENTY (20) Laser Pegs Necklaces, ONE (1) Bot Kit 670, and ONE (1) Indy Car Kit 870 Grand Prize. #Laserpegs RSVP


COMING SOON

Monday, December 10

Cravebox Holiday Spruce Up Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cravebox. #HolidaySpruceUp  More details soon.

More parties TBA!


More Twitter Parties constantly be added to this list as soon as they're scheduled so stay tuned by following this blog.  

About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.