Once I posted the second picture on Twitter lots of people shared with me their favorite Febreze exotic scents and in that unscientific collection of data I found that Moroccan Bazaar was the favorite-I can’t wait to try it!

Do you use Febreze Air Effects? Which scent is your favorite? Leave me a comment and let me know.

The post Mysterious Package appeared first on The Mom Maven.

• Braised Brisket in Mild Chili Sauce
• Brisket in Fire Roasted Onion Sauce
• Beef Steak Tips in Burgundy Sauce
• Pork Loin in Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce

Product Features:
Great Taste — Made with fresh, never frozen high quality chicken, beef and pork, Tyson Fully Cooked Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats offer a delicious taste that everyone will enjoy!
No Preservatives / Vacuum Sealed — Straight from the refrigerator, Tyson Fully Cooked Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats are so easy to prepare. Ready in minutes, these great main dishes have no preservatives and are vacuum sealed for freshness.
Lots of Variety-Tyson Fully Cooked Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats are available in a variety of flavors, perfectly seasoned and slow cooked to ensure you have the best culinary experience ever.

We tried the Pork Loin in Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce and my kids loved it. We didn’t do anything fancy with it just followed the simple directions on the package and cooked a few side dishes to go with it. My boys went straight for the hamburg buns to make pulled pork sandwiches!

Tyson is currently teamed up with Food Network host Robin Miller and Robin has been working on some fantastic recipe demo videos that show how to make, quick, easy and delicious meals using these new Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats varieties. Robin makes amazing entrees, like a Brisket Caprese Salad, Cuban Pulled Pork Panini Sandwiches and Angel Hair Pesto with Beef Steak Tips. I thought your readers would really like these videos as they show a step-by-step way of putting together delicious meals in a snap, which is what every busy mommy needs! I will be sharing these recipe videos and Robin Miller’s dinner tips with you over the next few weeks.

Here is the video for Cuban Pulled Pork Panini

Cuban Pulled Pork Panini

Recipe Courtesy of Robin Miller and Tyson Foods

Recipe serves 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Ingredients

1          package (17.6 ounces) Tyson® Pork Loin in Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce, thawed

8          slices bread, such as sourdough loaf cut crosswise into ¼-inch thick pieces

8          teaspoons whole grain mustard

8          slices (about one ounce each) Swiss cheese

4          slices (about one ounce each) fully cooked ham

8          slices pre-cut sandwich pickles

½         cup thinly sliced red onion

Preparation Instructions

1.      Coat a Panini press, large skillet or griddle with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high.

2.      Empty contents of pork into a large bowl, and using two forks, pull the pork apart into shreds. Set aside.

3.      Arrange bread slices on a flat surface, and top each slice with one teaspoon of mustard. Top four of the bread slices with one slice of Swiss cheese, one slice of ham, two pickle slices and red onion.

4.      Spoon the pork mixture over the onions and top with the second slice of Swiss cheese and the second slice of bread.

5.      Place sandwiches on a hot pan and cook three minutes per side until bread is golden brown, filling is hot and cheese melts.

Now…about the giveaway, with each week’s recipe post I will be giving away to 2 winners 1 coupon each for a FREE Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entree. This has a value of up to $6.99 and is a great way to try something new.

To Enter (mandatory 1st Entry) Leave me a comment telling me how you would serve the Pork Loin in Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce. Be creative, I’m always looking for new recipes and meal ideas for my family.

Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment for each one that you complete)

1. Tweet this “Win a FREE Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entree from @MomMaven http://bit.ly/jxQTs ” and leave a comment with the URL of the tweet
2. Stumble, Digg, or Prop this post with a comment and post the URL here in your comment
3. Subscribe to my RSS feed-click on the orange heart icon in the sidebar
4. Follow my blog by becoming a follower on Google Friend Connect

This giveaway ends Friday 6/6/09 at 7:00pm. US and Canada entries only.

The post Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Giveaway #1 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Now that you have figured out what time your child should be going to sleep, work backwards from there to allow 30-60 minutes for the bedtime routine. The bedtime routine is important because it gives the child the cues he needs to settle himself down and prepare for sleep. A sample bedtime routine includes 1 or both parent participating in…
• bath time
• brush teeth
• go potty
• story time
• prayers
• lights out (parent leaves the room)
• [tweak the above so that it fits your family and is age appropriate]

The next part is where it gets difficult for most parents. Except in cases of infants who wake for nighttime feedings, illness and night terrors, the child is in bed for the night. They shouldn’t get up for a drink, another hug, “I can’t sleep” etc. This is where most parents fail the bedtime routine-and if they would just stick with it a week or two their life would be so much more blissful. If the child comes out of their room (this is not a time for conversation keep it simple)…

• 1st time-give them a hug an “I love you.” and walk them back to bed
• 2nd time-give them a hug and walk them back to bed (no talking)
• 3rd time-walk them back to bed (no hug, no talking)
• Depending on their age when you begin this routine, they may really push you the first few nights. I know of parents who have sat in the doorway of their child’s room (without talking with the child) so that the child will stay in bed, even if they cry and whimper for a while, they can and will eventually self-pacify and learn that the sooner they relax and go to sleep the better it is.

Consistency is the key to all parenting. In bedtime you need to be consistent in the bedtime and the bedtime routine. Kids of all ages need bedtimes that allow them to get the sleep their body needs. Purchase cool kids beds for your children so that they’ll love their bedroom.

What does your child’s bedtime routine consist of? Leave me a comment and let me know.

The post Tips for Bedtime Bliss appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The Glue of Society

Johann Christoph Arnold
for Mother’s Day, May 10, 2009

Thank God for mothers! Mother’s Day is an opportunity to make life special for them. It is a chance to celebrate family. I thank God for my mother, who died some years ago. There is one thing I regret: for too many years I did not appreciate her enough and took her for granted. She was always there for us. I thank God for my wife. We have been married for forty-three years and have eight children. God has blessed us with forty-one grandchildren.

Mothers are the backbone of our society and the glue that holds a family together—their work is vital but often unseen. We all need to show greater appreciation for them. I pity the man who does not have a good wife to take care of him.

My favorite Hasidic saying goes, “God could not be everywhere at once, so he gave each child a mother!” Mothers should be proud to be mothers. It is a God-given task and privilege. Actually there is a mother’s heart in every woman, whether married or single. In the past, motherhood was regarded as the noblest calling of a woman. Today it is too often pushed aside by more “desirable” occupations or careers, and seen as an inconvenience or even an embarrassment.

A true mother thinks day and night about the well-being of her children, and is the first to praise, comfort and protect them. She is willing to sacrifice her life for them. The pains of pregnancy and childbirth are borne by the mother, and she continues to carry the child in her heart her whole life.

Motherhood is a mystery. It is something truly divine for which every human heart longs. This is why mothers provide the most powerful influence on a child’s life, and are the most important role models for positive change in our society. When anyone is in trouble, or knows that they are dying, the first person they think of is their mother. When children start going wrong ways a mother’s prayer is powerful. Mothers remind us that there is a loving God above us who will take good care of everyone, especially children. Whenever a tragedy occurs—no matter where in the world this happens—you will always find mothers both weeping for the dead and bringing comfort and security to the living.

As we seek to improve the education of our children, let us start by taking better care of our mothers. This will enable them to provide better homes for all of us, and ensure the survival of our society. Never before in our history have so many men abandoned the children they fathered. Fathers are vanishing from their children’s lives, not just physically, but legally as well. Therefore, congratulations to all single mothers and grandmothers who do their best to raise children on their own. They often struggle under the most difficult circumstances. They are the real heroes of the family—and not just on Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

You can find this and other articles at http://www.plough.com/articles/theglueofsociety.html

The post The Glue of Society appeared first on The Mom Maven.

“What more could a son ask from his mother than her continued support and love?” writes Chicken Soup for the Soul: Moms and Sons contributor Johnny N. Ortez. “Nothing can compare to a mother’s love, and being a mama’s boy is a good thing. My mom has been the rock of my life.”

Inside Chicken Soup for the Soul: Moms and Sons, you’ll also read about:

• How Connie Hill’s son honored her for being a working mom

• The meaning behind Cheryl Costello-Forshey’s “no hug” rule – and how a son decided to break it

• Why Kirk Hill took his mom out on a date

• Why dinnertime is the favorite time of day for Lynn Fredericks, single mom of two sons

You can buy the book here or you can enter to win it from The Mom Maven.
How to Enter Since today is Mother’s Day I’m not going to ask you to jump through any hoops. Just leave me a comment telling me how many years you have been a mother and the ages of your sons. That’s it, no bonus entries either.

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be drawn on Friday, May 15th at 10pm. Good Luck

The post Day 10 of 10 Days of Celebrating Moms-Giveaway for Moms with Sons appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Next we have the winner for Day 3’s prize “Chicken Soup for the Soul:Like Mother, Like Daughter”. The winner is…Dawn from paintermommy.com. She also goes by @PainterMommy on Twitter so if you get a chance tweet he your congratulations.

The post Mother’s Day Giveaway Winners Days 2 and 3 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Featured Products

Chic and Carry Wristlet – Make mom’s quick trips out with baby much easier with this great product.

Miessence Organics Mothers Day Set – Every mom deserves to be pampered once in awhile, and these organic body products allow her to do just that.

Sara Lee Simply Sweets Pies – Sara Lee’s Simply Sweets line gives you a delicious way to treat Mom this Mother’s Day with a fast, easy and delicious dessert.

Children Should Come With Warning Labels – Patti McKenna offers a humorous take on motherhood, giving mom a chance to laugh, cry, and identify with her tales.

Roundhouse Designs Desktop Mobile – Roundhouse Designs origami mobiles and wall art are handcrafted creations that make a unique Mothers Day gift.

Roundhouse Designs Jewelry – Roundhouse offers a wonderful selection of handmade jewelry, with styles that are perfect for every mother on your list this Mother’s Day.

Heart of A Mother – Heart of a Mother is a gift book filled with touching tributes to Mothers and Grandmothers, inspirational short stories, poems, proverbs and quotations.

Protect-A-Bed – Protect-a-Bed waterproof mattress covers provide protection from allergens, dust mites, and bedbugs, helping to extend the life of your mattress and mom to sleep a little sweeter.

Ultimate Woman Vitamins– Make sure that mom is getting everything she needs to stay healthy and active with the Vitamin Shoppe’s Ultimate Woman vitamins.

More Great Gift Ideas

April Cornell Shoulder Bag

BabyPlus System

Not Just Any Old Day Keyrings

Menu For The Week Subscription

For My Mother Reflection Journal

Vintage Body Spa

No Throw

Me Time Sportswear

Peek-A-Boobs

Kind Notes

Aventine Hill Bath Products

Treadlight Eco Snack Kit

Name Your Tune CDs

Things Remembered Charm Stories

Diaper Clutch

Pedometer

Lia Sophia Riverside Necklace

Lia Sophia Beaujolais Necklace

Lia Sophia Mandalay Bay Necklace

Lia Sophia Athena Necklace

Lia Sophia Love Dust Set

More Great Gift Guides

The Mom Maven

MomECentric

All reviews listed in the Momfluence gift guide were product provided. 

Featured positions were purchased by sponsors.  Member gift guides are not affiliated with Momfluence. 

The post Momfluence Mother’s Day Gift Guide appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The post Mamapedia-The Wisdom of Moms appeared first on The Mom Maven.

While reading “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Like Mother, Like Daughter,” I was struck by how similar, yet how different we all are. As I read about:

• How contributor Lizanne Southgate was reunited with her daughter after nearly 20 years
• How cyclist Peggy Newland recreated her mother’s cross-country bicycle ride
• How contributor Shana Helmholdt battled-and survived-leukemia, with her mother by her side
• Why contributor Sylvia Rosa-Casanova describes the period that her mother moved in with her as a time of “the most grief and the most joy”

I could connect to each story, each person-even though I haven’t walked in their shoes-I am a mother, I am a daughter and we are all connected.

You can purchase the book here or you can enter to win it from The Mom Maven.

Mandatory EntryLet me know in your comment if you would keep this book for yourself, give it to your mother, give it to your daughter or give it to another significant woman in your life.
Bonus Entries
*Sign up for Gravatar, because I like to see who I am connecting with-leave a comment that you signed up or if you already use it.
*Tweet about this giveaway and copy the tweet url in your comment
*Subscribe to my RSS feed and leave me a comment letting me know.
This giveaway is open to US residents only and the winner will be chosen 5/9/09 at 5:30pm. Good Luck!

The post Day 3 of 10 Days Celebrating Mom-Giveaway Like Mother, Like Daughter appeared first on The Mom Maven.

What is Care.com? It is a website that connects care providers with families that need them. This is not just a babysitting service. Care.com connects babysitters, pet sitters, tutors, elder care givers, special needs care givers and house cleaners with families in their area who are in need of their services.  With summer just around the corner, now is the time to find the caregiviers your family needs. Does your son need a math tutor? Do you need a pet sitter for when you take your family vacation? Do you need a break from caring for great-grandma 24/7? Do you need someone to come in oce a month and deep clean the house? Then Care.com is the place for you.

Normally the Premium membership costs $30 a month or $90 a year. This weekend you can try the Premium membership for FREE! The Premium membership allows you to:

• Post jobs so that caregivers in your area can find you
• Review the full profile of caregivers in your area
• Contact caregivers to schedule interviews
• Check references
• Run FREE background checks

Care.com also has lots of great articles like Nannies: Myths VS Realities, Emergencies and babysitter Safety, Teaching Your child About Their Peers with Special Needs,  The Senior Care Guide, Creating a Mold-Free Home and many, many more.

You owe it to your family to hire the best caregivers you can. Start that search this weekend at Care.com.

The post Care.com Free Trial appeared first on The Mom Maven.