Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Grill 3 S'mores at a Time on Camp Fire, BBQ or Fireplace Review & Giveaway, Ends 9/18/13


Outdoor Cooking
Giveaway details below 


This is a compensated post

If you live in the U.S. chances are more likely than not that you've enjoyed a S'more or two at some point in your life. I know I most definitely have -- I grew up with this quintessential American summertime sweet BBQ dessert treat consisting of a piece of chocolate and brown toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two graham crackers. Today my kids love that warm, ooey gooey melted goodness and I must admit, I never out grew them either.


Graham crackers are toasted on these S'mores, MommyBlogExpert.com
Good thing there's a clever gadget called Camper's S'mores Grill by Coghlan's that makes it possible to cook up three S'mores at the same time. What's different about these is that you hold the assembled s'mores over a heat source, until the graham crackers are nicely browned on both sides. This is great for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to take on camping trips and for veteran campers to make S'mores over an open fire while out in the woods, of course. But it works just as well over the family backyard BBQ or hibachi, which is the way we tested this out at our house.


S'mores Fixings, MommyBlogExpert.com
My son assembling S'mores, MommyBlogExpert.com

Big brother grilling S'mores on our hibachi, MommyBlogExpert.com

Just consider some of the delicious Coghlan's recipes that come with the grill that you can make with a graham cracker base
  • Traditional S'mores with marshamallows (or fluff) and chocolate squares
  • Peanut Butter S'mores with marshmallows and Peanut Butter Cups
  • Banana S'mores with sliced banana, chocolate and marshamallows
  • Lots of other recipes are included with the product
Before, During & After Cooking 
with Coghlan's S'mores Grill
MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
The chrome plated steel  hand-held grill has an overall length of 29" and is sturdily built. With it's 17" long handle to provide a safe distance from heat it is specially designed with three grated sections and a sliding lock ring clamp to keep those tasty dessert sandwiches secure while heating and flipping them.

I haven't try it yet, but this might even be fun to use this tool in the fireplace over the holidays to make s'mores with seasonal things like crushed candy, chocolate and marshallows. The grates are close enough that you could probably roast chestnuts indoors, too. So this grill doesn't have to be limited to summer use, if you are creative, you can cook with it year-round.

MommyBlogExpert.com
About Coghlan's
Coghlan's is one of the world's largest outdoor and camping accessory suppliers. The company's varied products, including the Coghlan's Camper's S'mores Grill, are widely available in specialty stores both on and offline across the U.S. Check the store locator for where to buy.

Guess what? If you really love this S'mores Grill, you're in luck because the brand is giving one to a lucky MommyBlogExpert reader! Read on to enter daily until the contest ends.


Coghlan's 
Camper's S'mores Grill
Giveaway
Ends 9/18/13
Image from Coghlan's

MommyBlogExpert's Coghlan's Camper's S'mores Girl Giveaway ends September 18, 2013 at 12 am PT and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Coghlan's will award one Camper's S'mores Grill to the winner. Winner of this MBE contest will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize.

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Thanks to Online-Sweepstakes.com for including this contest in their directory of current giveaways.

FTC Disclosure: I received the Coghlan's Camper's S'mores Grill featured to facilitate this review. In addition, the brand is providing the prize for the giveaway. However, I did not receive any payment.  Thoughts here are my own. See complete FTC Discloosure information that appears at the bottom on MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual page, including this one.

Monday, August 12, 2013

5 Reasons for Kids USA Roadtrip With Your Family - Travel that's Enriching & Affordable


Travel



Seeing America by car, especially with kids, can give your entire family the most precious opportunities to bond and to create memories that will last a lifetime. I know by personal experience this is true, since one of the favorite things we've done as a family is taken road trips wandering the byways of our great country from sea to shining sea with my own children for weeks at a time.

My kids at kitschy Gatorland in Orlando, FL, MommyBlogExpert.com
Blogger and domestic travel expert Alisa Abecassis, mom of three teenagers, is a kindred spirit of mine -- having taken her own kids on 14 road trips in the last 10 years covering 42 states. Alisa points out that following the recent closings of nearly two dozen U.S. embassies on three continents this might be the best time ever to stay Stateside for your next family vacation. 

So in this post I couldn't be happier to share Alisa's top five reasons why it’s best to think about keeping your travels within U.S. Borders right now.

Alisa Abecassis, Image from ExploreAll50.com
Safety
At the risk of sounding paranoid, the world is so unstable right now. Travel to Mexico you run the risk of being kidnapped and held for ransom by a drug cartel. Take a trip to China and you might get severe food poisoning. Fly over to Europe -- there have been too many terrorist bombs and threats in Spain and France. For the moment, at least, none of these places are as safe as staying here in the USA.

Money
Sure, places like Australia and New Zealand may be safer than others, but it’s ridiculously expensive. Despite the long and pricey airplane ride, Aussies come to the states in high numbers, in part, because it’s so much cheaper to vacation here. Have a taste for something different? Travel to Honolulu, Anchorage, the Florida Keys, or other exotic regional areas and you'll not only have a great time, you'll be helping to support our national and state economies.

History
Consider all the turmoil happening around the globe and contrast it with the peace, stability, wealth and tolerance America has. Americans all enjoy such vast freedoms and rights, but sadly, too many citizens don’t fully appreciate or learn about our own history. What could be better than actually reliving history with your kids through a trip to places like Philadelphia, Gettysburg or Washington, D.C. ? 

Convenience
Let’s face it – Americans like convenience. Global travel not only poses great logistical challenges (visas, customs, passports, etc.) which can easily become a nightmare. There are also other things that one much contend with like currency exchanges and language barriers just to name a few. On the other hand, you can take a long weekend or extended vacation and travel anywhere in the States without having to struggle with language or major cultural differences. 

Global Influences Here at Home
If you still have a hankering for doing something global, those influences can be found all across the USA -- one of the greastest cultural melting pots in the world. We are a country of immigrants from many lands. For example you can get a taste for the food and customs of Latin America in places like Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California. You can learn about Scandinavia in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and about Europe in New York, Illinois and Louisiana, just to name a few. You won’t need your passport or have to endure the obligatory hassle from customs – all you'll need is open mind about your own country.

“The world is an amazing place," concludes Alisa, "but it’s not always a friendly one. There is so much to explore right here at home, and you don’t have to worry about terrorist attacks, political unrest, or losing your passport."
Image from ExploreAll50.com
About Alisa Abecassis 
Alisa Abecassis is a single mother of three children – Lilia, 17; Isaac, 15; and Joel, 14. After her marriage ended, she made the decision to strengthen her family’s bonds and personal history through traveling and gaining a better appreciation of America with the goal to visit all 50 United States. Alisa writes the Blog Explore All 50. Contact her on Twitter, Facebook or email Alisa@ExploreAll50.com.

FTC Disclosure: Content for this post provided by Alisa Abecassis and ExploreAll50.com. No payment or other compensation was exchanged in association 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.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Mom & Dad Blogger Sponsored Compensated Op to Review New Kid's Mobile Game


Blog Opportunity



I have been compensated for this post

Deadline to Apply 

Extended to Friday, August 16


If you are a mom or dad with kids or a teacher and blog about toddlers and preschoolers, you're not going to want to miss this sponsored opportunity to earn $75 for your post review. For this project, I'm currently working on a campaign that's looking for tech-savvy bloggers with (or access to) young children and who write about mobile games or educational topics to post about a preschool math game for the iPad.

My triplet preschoolers in a family vintage photo, MommyBlogExpert.com
The client, a fast-growing interactive multi media company, has created a really fun iOS app designed to help preschool age children learn math concepts (e.g. counting, identifying colors, sizing shapes and objects, etc.) through play.

Bloggers selected for this program will be compensated $75 for the post and will be provided with a free version of the $7.99 app to review.  A second free copy of this math game to give away to your readers is offered, too, if you are interested. 

If you are selected, they will notify you within the next couple weeks and give you posting guidelines. There will be additional opportunities in future contests/promotions for the game, too. So this is an excellent way to get your foot in the door with a family-friendly brand.

Sign up HERE 
by Friday, Aug 16, 2013

FTC Disclosure: I am a Mom Ambassador for this brand and have been compensated 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.