Archives for May 2014

Stop sunburns in their tracks with Babyganics!

May 23, 2014 By DeniseB Leave a Comment

Winter is out and Memorial Day is just around the corner, which means summer is on its way! Before you slice up some watermelon, inflate the kiddie pool, stock the freezer with ice pops, and turn your little one loose to explore their baby-safe world…make sure they are equipped with the proper protection! It’s a big, wide world out there and your baby wants at it, but sunburn and damage to sensitive skin isn’t anything you want them to explore…

Babyganics, the leading manufacturer of naturally safe and effective products for a “baby-safe world,” would like to introduce you to their new Mineral-Based Sunscreen lotion (50+SPF). Providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection that glides on smooth for effortless application, this new offering just in time for summer has a non-chemical, non-whitening formula that absorbs easily to skin, perfect for high exposure areas and targeted protection. Although Babyganics has no PABA, Parabens, nano-particles, Phthalates or fragrances, it is just as effective as a traditional sunscreen. Pediatrician and dermatologist tested, their mineral-based formula is non-allergenic, tear free, and is the only sunscreen with Babyganics’ exclusive NeoNourish Seed Oil Blend that nurtures and supports baby’s skin. Let’s not forget that this product is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes! We received a sample of this to try out and I am quite impressed with how well it works! I love that it is tear free and water resistant! This is a Must-Have for this upcoming Summer! Well, in So California, it is a must-have anytime of the year!

Babyganics’ Mineral-Based Sunscreen lotion (50+SPF) retails for $9.99 and is available for purchase at Babies ‘R’ Us, Buy Buy Baby, Target, and online at Diapers.com.

Toss this lotion in your beach bag and let the fun in the sun begin!

Self Disclosure: We received a product for FREE to facilitate this feature but any opinions expressed are 100% truthful.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

W.O.W. Women of Empowerment Cruise

May 22, 2014 By DeniseB 1 Comment

Self Disclosure: No compensation has been received to feature this post.

Filed Under: Announcements

Stephanie Arnold – Medical Miracle Mom

May 22, 2014 By DeniseB Leave a Comment

With the growing popularity of ABC’s Resurrection, there is an obvious desire for hope that there is something else out there after we die. That production is scripted, but what happens when the script becomes real life?

Video: Stephanie Arnold Dies Delivering Baby and Returns to Life 37 Seconds Later

Stephanie clinically died for 37 seconds after giving birth to her son Jacob. She suffered an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) in May 2013. Something so rare, most doctors have only read about it in their textbooks. In Stephanie’s case, not only is surviving a rare occurrence, but surviving as well as she did only months after this event, has led doctors to call her a true medical miracle.

Months before giving birth to her second child, Stephanie had overwhelming premonitions of doom. This sense of foreboding led her to speak with specialists and seek out anyone who would listen to her “knowing” she would die. It was her sensing something was wrong that prepared the entire medical team for what was about to happen.

In her “second life,” Stephanie has created her own website devoted to helping others – www.afemom.org. While in her “previous life,” she spent 27 years in the television industry, working in reality TV, local news, directing and producing music videos, infomercials, educational documentaries, syndicated and network shows (both in English & in Spanish). She is also an Emmy nominated Telly award winner and Premio lo Nuestro nominated producer.

www.afemom.org

Self Disclosure: No compensation received to post. Credit: Janice McCafferty PR.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

The Perfect Memorial Day BBQ

May 22, 2014 By DeniseB 1 Comment

There are several key ingredients to the perfect Memorial Day BBQ – mouth watering food, warm sunny weather, good company, and delicious cocktails!

Below, I’ve provided recipes for a succulent, homemade BBQ sauce recipe from Sparkling ICE, as well as festive cocktail and dessert recipes from or friends at VOGA Italia Wines and RealBeanz Iced Coffee.

Fire up the Grill

Succulent BBQ Sauce

Yield – 2 cups

Prep Time – 10 minutes

Cook Time – 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 bottle Raspberry Lemonade Sparkling ICE
1 white onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 fresh jalapeños, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup ketchup
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
One 6 oz. can of tomato paste
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Liquid Smoke
3 tablespoons scotch, whiskey, or bourbon (optional)

Directions

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan and add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Lightly sauté on a low flame for 5 minutes.
Add the tomato paste, ketchup, and mustard to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring continuously.
Pour 1 bottle Raspberry Lemonade Sparkling ICE to the saucepan and stir until all ingredients are combined.
Add balsamic vinegar and liquid smoke. Simmer for 25 minutes.
Before you strain the sauce, mix in 3 tablespoons of your favorite scotch, whiskey, or bourbon (optional).
Push sauce through a fine mesh strainer.

Get the party started

American the Blue-tiful

Ingredients:

1.5 oz White rum
1 oz Blue curacao
3 oz Lemonade Sparkling ICE
Fresh berries (for garnish)
Ice

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until it becomes slushy.
Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with a fresh berries.

Star Spangled Spritzer

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Peach Schnapps
1 oz. Agave nectar
3 oz VOGA Sparkling
Fresh berries and Peach Slices (for garnish)
Ice

Directions:

Combine Peach Schnapps and Agave Nectar in a shake and shake vigorously
Pour into a chilled glass and top with VOGA Sparkling
Garnish with fresh peaches and raspberries

American Dream

Ingredients:

3 oz. RealBeanz Mocha
2 oz. raspberry liqueur
1 oz. vodka
Frozen Raspberries

Directions:

Add RealBeanz Mocha, Raspberry liqueur, vodka, and crushed iced to a shaker and shake vigorously
Pour into martini glass and garnish with frozen raspberries

End with Something Sweet

ICE Pop Sparklers for the Whole Family!

Ingredients:

Ice Cube Tray (or your favorite ice pop making molds)
Toothpicks or popsicle sticks
1 bottle Black Raspberry Sparkling ICE
1 container of fresh raspberries, chopped

Directions:

Fill you trays or molds with Sparkling ICE, topping each with a scoop of chopped raspberries.
If using ice cube trays cover tray tightly with tin foil.
Poke a popsicle stick through the foil into each cube.
If using an ice pop maker place the handle sticks into the molds.
Place in the freezer for about 2 hours or until frozen.
This recipe works with any of your favorite Sparkling ICE flavors and fresh fruit. Enjoy!

Thank you Sparkling ICE, VOGA Italia Wines and RealBeanz Iced Coffee for sharing these recipes with us!

Happy Memorial Day!

Self Disclosure: No compensation received. I will be receiving samples to try out these recipes but wanted to post them in time for the holiday! Photo Credit: Sparkling Ice, VOGA Italia Wines and RealBeanz Iced Coffee.

Filed Under: Announcements

Disney Junior’s First Original Movie “Lucky Duck”

May 22, 2014 By DeniseB 1 Comment

“Lucky Duck” premieres Friday, June 20 on Disney Junior (7:00 p.m., ET/PT) and Saturday, June 21 on Disney Channel (9:00 a.m., ET/PT). It will be available for verified users on the WATCH Disney Junior app for smartphones and tablets and on WATCHDisneyJunior.com beginning Friday, June 6. On Monday, June 16,DisneyJunior.com/LuckyDuck will launch with the online puzzle game “Tub Toy Tumble.”

Link to trailer: http://www.disneyabcvideo.com/LuckyDuck_trailer.html

Self Disclosure: Disney Junior sponsored. No compensation received.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Carole P. Roman

May 21, 2014 By DeniseB Leave a Comment

You don’t want to miss this giveaway! There are 3 winners!

Carole P. Roman continues to write great children’s literature!
With her ground breaking series of, “If You Were Me and Lived In…”, Carole P. Roman captured the hearts of children around the world. Her first book about Mexico has won several awards including the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in 2012.

Now, she wants to introduce her most recent in the series, “If You Were Me and Lived In Russia.”
Come along as Carole P. Roman takes your child on tour to Russia and learns things like,where St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin are. Find out what borscht is and what is the most popular game children like to play.

To introduce this fine book, Carole P. Roman is having a mega giveaway with three winners.
Enter below for your chance to win one of the three prizes.

1st Prize:
If You Were Me and Lived In Russia book, $30 Paypal and a set of Russian nesting dolls

2nd Prize:
If You Were Me and Lived In Russia book and $15 Paypal

3rd Prize:
If You Were Me and Lived In Russia book and $5 Paypal

Where to find Carole P. Roman:

Facebook
Amazon
Goodreads

Rules and Disclosure:
SoCal City Kids was invited to promote this giveaway on behalf of Carole P. Roman. No compensation was given for this post other than links on the Rafflecopter.
This giveaway was arranged by Away We Go Media.

Winners will be selected at random by Rafflecopter. All entries will be verified for accordance with the rules of each entry. There will be three (3) winners for this giveaway.

NOTE:
The giveaway is open Internationally. However, if an international winner is selected for the first prize, you will not be eligible for the nesting dolls and can only receive a Kindle copy of the book.
Kindle copies of the book for 2nd & 3rd prize for international winners as well.

You must have a Paypal account in order to win and prize will only be paid in US dollars only.

Giveaway begins on May 22, 2014 at 12AM MST through June 6, 2014 at 12AM MST. Winners must respond to an email sent to them within 48 hours or forfeit their prize.

This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media outlet.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Archived Content

New, free app for super parents from PBS KIDS

May 20, 2014 By DeniseB Leave a Comment

PBS KIDS has launched a new revolutionary app designed specifically for parents that will give them the “super power” to engage with their kids in the digital medium as never before: PBS KIDS Super Vision. The new, free app is a first-of-its-kind tool that parents can access conveniently from their mobile phones anytime, anywhere, to see what their kids are watching, playing and learning on pbskids.org, and help them make the most of their children’s PBS KIDS screen time.

With the PBS KIDS Super Vision App, now available on iPhone and iPod Touch, parents enter a simple code on their mobile device to start receiving:

Real-time information on what their child is playing, watching and learning onpbskids.org;
The ability to remotely set a Play Timer from their mobile device that will put pbskids.orgto sleep on their child’s screen, easing the transition from playing online to another activity, such as dinner time or bed time;
Related activities that they can do with their child off-screen to extend the fun and learning goals of the games or videos their child plays on pbskids.org;
An Activity Summary to view the top educational skills, shows, videos and games their child used on pbskids.org.

The PBS KIDS Super Vision App will mean peace of mind for parents, while their kids build key skills in the safe and educational environment that pbskids.org provides. The app works anytime, anywhere – the connection doesn’t require physical proximity – making it easy for busy parents to check in on their kids’ online activities while they are on the go.

Self Disclosure: No compensation has been received to post.

Filed Under: Media Reviews