Planters Products Review - Road Trip

While on our road trip we need snacks. We are a snack family. There are all kinds of snacks out there and I try to make them a balance of healthy and tasty. We like all sorts of tasty snacks, but nuts are one of our favorites and Planters is a name that everyone knows and trusts. Planters has such a variety of nuts, Peanuts, Walnuts, Pistachios, Almonds, Dry Roasted Almonds, Sea Salt and Black Pepper In-Shell Pistachios, a Pistachio Blend and more. All of which are good tasting in their own way. We especially like the variety of Pistachios!

There is also a NUT-rition line featuring a variety of nuts for different nutritional needs. They feature a Men's Health, Antioxidants, Digestive, Energy and more. I like that this line steers you in the direction you are looking for according to your needs. My husband tried the newest addition to the NUT-rition family, the Men's Health Mix. He said the variety of Almonds, Peanuts and Pistachios was great!

The Hubby enjoying his favorite Planters products on our Road Trip!!

PLANTERS NUT•rition Men's Health® Recommended Mix gives you lots of good stuff - 6 grams of protein and 6 vitamins and minerals, plus it's a good source of fiber, low in sodium, and heart-healthy* - all in a simple delicious snack!

Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and not resulting in increased caloric intake may reduce the risk of heart disease. See nutrition information for fat content.

Good source of the following:

• Protein
• Vitamin E
• Magnesium
• Fiber

Nutrition information:

(per 1oz serving)

• 170 calories
• 15g total fat (1.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat)
• A cholesterol-free food

Among all of the nut varieties Planters carries Nutrition Bars, Peanut Butter, Baking Nuts and Cooking Oil. Check them out today!!!!

You can connect with Mr. Peanut on Facebook to learn more about Planters products and upcoming products like the PLANTERS NUT•rition Peanut Butter coming out in August.





* I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was provided for free the products pictured in this post for my review by the Company/PR company. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

Beco Baby Carrier Review and Giveaway - Road Trip

When we were planning our road trip my husband and I knew that it would be a lot of work, with 3 small children "baby wearing" is a must. We share parenting duties and only have so many hands between us both, so carrying the baby around in a baby carrier is a must for both of us. But with that said, my husband also would like to look as manly as possible while doing this task. I agreed that some carriers can be a little bit more a women's style, but not always. We were so excited when we found out Beco makes baby carriers with little cars on them, perfect for our road trip and perfectly manly for my husband. I don't know what it is, but there is just something so HOT about a man carrying around his baby one of these!

They have a wide selection of patterns and colors and you can shop by product but the Cars Espresso Gemini was perfect for this event! The Gemini is from their Spring 2012 Organic Collection. What my husband loved about our Gemini carrier is he said by the end of the long day, his back was feeling great. The support that the Gemini gave him was nice and there seemed to be no strain on his back, with 4 ways to carry your baby you can change positions to keep everyone happy. The material is so soft that our sweet baby girl seemed happy and content to hang with Dad all day. Beco's products are well made and are very durable, always great when you are investing in baby products.

Love the Cars print!!

Another product Beco carriers is the Mini. It is a mini toy or doll carrier for older siblings, and there are also many patterns to chose from. How cute and fun!!

About Beco-
Designed by a babywearing parent, active sailor and rock climber, Gabby Caperon. Beco combines perfect ergonomics, excellent weight distribution and stylish design from top quality fabrics. Each carrier is handmade by a skilled seamstress in facilities which apply high social and economical standards. Sustainability and minimal impact of our production on the environment is important to us. We strive to provide the best quality, safe products and friendly customer service. 

Gabby has a really great story of how Beco came to be and you can read it here.

 GIVEAWAY

Win a Beco Baby Carrier for your little one

To Enter This Giveaway: (mandatory entry before extra entries)

Like Beco Baby Carrier on Facebook

-or-

Follow Beco Baby Carrier on Twitter

 

 
*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on. 

You can have an additional entry for the other way you follow Beco Baby Carrier than the mandatory one for an extra entry:

 -Like Beco Baby Carrier on Facebook

   OR

-Follow Beco Baby Carrier on Twitter

-What is your favorite pattern Gemini Baby Carrier? +2

-Follow/Add to your circle  Frugal Family Tree on Google+ ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1

-Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win a Gemini Beco Baby Carrier from @becobaby at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 7/30

 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts July 16, 2012 and ends on July 30, 2012 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Holiday Inn Express Hotels and Suites - Halfway into our stay

Our vacation is in full swing and we are currently staying at the Holiday Inn Express Hotels and Suites in Roseville California. The staff has been great and we have taken full advantage of all they have to offer here at the Holiday Inn. Here is a little bit of what we have been enjoying so far...

The boys enjoying our complimentary breakfast every morning.

Oh the cinnamon rolls are to die for, so warm and so tasty!!

Lots to choose from :)

The dining area is really large and spacious.

Along with eating, the we have enjoyed the pool. Living in Washington you rarely see an outdoor pool, so for us this is a great feature to have. The pool is a nice size and has lots of seating with shaded umbrellas. Most of the time we go out there we are the only ones, so it has been nice and private as well.

We are having a great time on the first part of our vacation thanks to Holiday Inn Express Hotels and Suites.

Patch Buddies Backpack Review - Road Trip

When you are away from home on a trip of any kind it is important for your child to feel safe and secure. For most children it is a stuffed animal/buddy or a special item that means something to them. It is also important for a child to have a bag or a backpack to put those important things in. Patch Buddies is a backpack that has a "special buddy" attached right to the pack.

There are ten playful animals and four unique characters to choose from and each has it's own personality. You chose one of the five different backpack color combinations to go with the Patch Buddie of your choice. It is like your child can build his or her own little friend.

Here are my boys with their Patch Buddies on our Road Trip. They loved them. I gave them their Buddie Backpacks a few days before we left and told them they had these new friends that they had to take care of on our trip. They loved the idea of a new Buddy coming with us on our trip. They were also excited that the Buddy came off of the bag to be cuddled and played with. I loved that they had this new stuff toy to snuggle and nap with but also had a backpack to store other items in that they cherish for the trip. Patch Buddies are a great idea for at home or on the go!

You can learn more about Patch Buddies by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter



* I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was provided for free the products pictured in this post for my review by the Company/PR company. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

Me4Kidz Smile Buddy Review and Giveaway - Road Trip

When planning for our road trip hygiene was at the top of my list! I feel like your day hasn't started off right if you have not brushed your teeth and flossed in the morning. I was looking for a handy little case to store toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss for the boys. Lucky for us me4kidz has just that!

They carry a line called Smile Buddy. The Smile Buddy is a "to go" case of oral care. It contains a Kid-Friendly Suction Cup Toothbrush, Crest Toothpaste with Fluoride, 12 Dentek Fun Flossers, a 2-3 Minute Brushing Timer, 8 Kid Friendly Stickers and the Recycled Carrying Case it all comes in. My boys love that they each have their own little toothbrush case that I labeled with their names. There is no question what to do when I hand them their Smile Buddy. A very cute and clever way to encourage kids to brush and floss while on vacation!

To Enter This Giveaway: (mandatory entry before extra entries)


What other product from Me4Kidz would you like to have?

 

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

 

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Me4Kidz on on Facebook +1

-Follow Me4Kidz on Twitter +1

-Follow/Add to your circle  Frugal Family Tree on Google+ ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1

-Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win a Smile Buddy from @me4kidz at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 7/30

 

 

 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts July 13, 2012 and ends on July 30, 2012 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Road Trip OnStar FMV Giveaway

Ever wonder how our parents did not get lost on road trips? Without cell phones and navigation it seems perhaps some of those long drives or off the path stops were not adventures but an attempt to find our way to our destination lol. My sister and I drove one summer from Sacramento to Seattle in her purple Kia and had a blast. Thankfully it was simple to get there but we did have trouble late one night finding a gas station. This was before google maps and cell phones being easy to use so we did wonder a bit off strange roads looking for one. But no more of that! This summer Sam and her family will be making the reverse trip, this time from Seattle to Sacramento. With a navigation system they will have no problem finding a gas station, a hotel and their way to my house. They already have a navigation system so we have decide to offer our readers the chance to win one for their vehicle.

The OnStar For My Vehicle Mirror FMV has built in connectivity and GPS technologies, OnStar FMV gives you all the safety and security of OnStar including a direct link to Live Advisors and the ability to detect and send help to your exact location in the event of an accident.

Key features:

·         Automatic Crash Response. An accelerometer built into OnStar the mirror detects the sudden shock of an impact from the front, side, or rear of the vehicle and automatically calls an OnStar advisor. If the driver doesn’t respond, or responds to say there has been a crash, an OnStar advisor will direct emergency responders to the exact GPS location of the vehicle.
·         Link to Emergency Services. By pressing OnStar’s red emergency button, drivers are immediately connected to a specially trained emergency advisor for assistance in situations occurring inside or outside of their vehicle.
·         Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance. If the vehicle is reported stolen to local law enforcement, OnStar subscribers can call 1-888-4-OnStar (1-888-466-7827) from any phone. OnStar advisors, available 24/7, can attempt to locate the vehicle through the mirror’s internal GPS and provide the location to law enforcement.
·         Turn-by-Turn Navigation. With OnStar’s most popular service, drivers can press OnStar’s blue button and ask OnStar advisors for directions to a specific location or ask the advisor to find a point of interest such as a gas station or nearby restaurant.

GIVEAWAY

One reader will win a OnStar FMV Mirror and the sponsor will also be provided the winner 3 months of Directions and Connections service as well as a Best Buy gift card to have the FMV professionally installed.


To Enter This Giveaway: (mandatory entry before extra entries)


Where would you like to take a driving Road Trip to?

 

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

 

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like on OnStar on Facebook +1

-Follow OnStar on Twitter +1

-Follow/Add to your circle  Frugal Family Tree on Google+ ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1

-Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win a OnStar FMV from @OnStar at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 7/30

 

 

 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts July 9, 2012 and ends on July 30, 2012 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

New Superman Ultimate Flight Ride at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom - Now Open!

Being a Mom of a little boy and a Auntie to 2 little boys super heroes are a norm for me. There is Batman, Spiderman and Superman! Those are the main characters you see on products and clothing. Who would not want to be super right?!? Now at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Northern CA there is a new roller coaster, Superman Ultimate Flight. While the kids are too small to ride it we are going to get the "big kids" aka husbands to ride the new roller coaster. I am so getting my brother in law on it first!

Ride info from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom:

The familiar refrain, “It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s SUPERMAN!” will become part of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s lexicon with the official announcement today of the park’s exciting new roller coaster, SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight. The ride, created in a partnership between Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, is NOW OPEN!

This one-of-a-kind launch coaster features the tallest inversion west of the Mississippi and will rank alongside the tallest coaster inversions in the world. At 150 feet high, riders will experience lightning speeds of 62 miles per hour, with two upside-down twists and two vertical rolls over a track length of 863 feet.

-Height: 15 stories
-Maximum Speed: 62 mph

-Track Length: 863 feet

-Capacity: 12 passengers per train

-Restraints: Pull-down lap bar

-Features: Launch coaster using electromagnetic propulsion, two upside-down twists, two vertical rolls. Tallest inversion west of the Mississippi, ranked alongside the top tallest inversions in the world

We will be at the park riding the NEW Superman Ultimate Flight ride on 7/11. At Six Flags 7/11 means its 7/11 Slurpee Day! Six Flags with the Exclusive 7-Eleven Coasters After Dark Event. That’s right — They are keeping select rides open AFTER the park closes on July 11 only!

How can you attend?? Purchase a Slurpee® Drink at select in-park locations after 7:11 p.m. on July 11 and receive your VIP wristband for access to the event.*

Visit www.slurpee.com for more information on how you can celebrate 7-Eleven Day!


*We will be guest of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for our visit. This is a free info post and I was not compensated.

Holiday Inn Express Pre Trip Review

When we started planning our Summer Vacation Road Trip we knew that our hotel costs were going to be the bulk of our expenses. We wanted a great price with great amenities, it's nice to get a good price but quality is just as important. We seem to have found both with the Holiday Inn Express in Roseville, California!

Just looking over their web site we see that our stay will be comfortable with lots of extras. They have an outdoor pool, we can surf the net with free high-speed wireless Internet or we can work out in the fitness center. With 2 adults and 3 children and so many meals out, the free hot breakfast bar featuring their famous cinnamon rolls is definitely a bonus for this family! 

They also offer a Best Price Guarantee here is more about it from their site-
We're so sure the best prices for our hotels are found on our websites that we were the first to offer the most powerful price guarantee ever by a global travel company. Find a lower price elsewhere and your first night is free.  That's our Best Price Guarantee and just one of many benefits you get with the Book With Us Advantage.

Think the Best Price Guarantee is cool? How about one more added bonus from Holiday Inn Express? They are offering a $75 prepaid Mastercard just for staying 2 consecutive weekend nights! Here's more info-
Getting your $75 Vacation Pay Prepaid MasterCard® is easy. Here’s how:
Stay for two consecutive weekend nights (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) between May 14, 2012 and September 3, 2012 at any one of the over 4,500 hotels in the IHG® Family of Brands and we’ll give you a $75 Vacation Pay Prepaid MasterCard (up to $300) to explore.

There are so many local attractions that we will be close to staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseville. For instance we are right by the Golfland Family Fun Center and Amusement Park, Magic Circle Theatre, the Maidu Indian Museum, Folsom Lake and the Westfield Galleria Mall.  We can't wait for our vacation to start and can't wait to stay at the Holiday Inn Express! Go here to make your reservation today!

To learn more about Holiday Inn Express Roseville CA you can follow them on Twitter and be a fan on Facebook. 

*We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express for our Frugal Family Tree Summer Vacation Road Trip. We will be provided accommodations and were not paid for this post.

Aquarium of the Bay Review #SanFrancisco

Ever since I was little I have always loved sea life. My family always lived no more than an hour or so away from the Pacific Ocean. All over California and Washington we were always close to the beach. There is something about the Pacific Ocean that is magical in a way that invigorates you and makes you curious about what is beneath the waters surface. I have never been scuba diving but I have been as close to sea creatures as I could be without getting in the water!

A few weeks ago my family and I went to San Francisco to visit Pier 39 and the Aquarium of the Bay. I have been to this Aquarium several times over the last decade but this was the first time taking my son and mother in law. My son adores animals and I thought expose to sea animals would be great for him. When we first arrived we had the opportunity to donate some non perishable foods to a local food bank in San Francisco. We happily donated canned foods and toddler puffs.

After we went into the Aquarium the fist things we saw were amazing. The Jellyfish displays were soothing to watch. They looked like they were slow dancing to music. My sons first thought was just as the rest of us. He said "Oh Wow!" He said "Oh Wow" many many times during this tour.

Next we got onto an elevator to go down to 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels featuring over 20,000 marine animals from San Francisco Bay and nearby waters. It is always amazing to go through the tunnels. You get an underwater peek at what it would be like to go into the ocean waters. We saw many amazing creatures. There are many different types of fish Shovelnose Guitarfish, White Sturgeon, Sea Bass and lots of colorful Sea Stars. The second tunnel is filled with other sea life that is in deeper waters. As you walk through you realize there are sharks and bat rays gliding above you. Its a very amazing experience. My son was wide eyed and in awe as we slowly rode by on the people mover. It was a nice feature to the tunnel. It kept my son moving along without him wanting to run off.

They also had really neat aquariums that you could go under and put your head in a bubble as if you were sticking your head in there. It was so cool and a great photo opportunity. 

After leaving the tunnel area we went back up the elevator to another floor where we entered the Touch the Bay area where we began a very interactive and exciting experience. There are pools that have baby bat rays and leopard sharks, little ones of course! It was amazing to be able to touch the animals as they swam by. There was another pool with invertebrates. We were able to touch sea stars, sea cucumbers, anenomes and more. My son was very curious about touching all of them. He touched a sea star and told me "Ouch". After that he would not touch the other creatures. I told him they were soft and pet them like a kitty cat but he did not believe me. A very sweet Aquarium employee even brought over a sea cucumber for my son to touch be he told her "No". She laughed a bit with me and I was thankfully she tried. The area also had interactive coloring and learning area in  the room. 

We had a wonderful and memorable time at the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco. I recommend taking your family there for a short road trip if you live in the Sacramento Valley and surrounding areas. In this area we are considered locals and get great discounts.

1. Visitors to PIER 39 can download a coupon good for a free PIER 39 Fun Pack by visiting pier39.com and clicking on the special offers page.  Inside the Fun Pack is not only a ton of money saving coupons to most of the shops, restaurants and attractions, but also a coupon valid for 2 hours free parking in the PIER 39 parking garage.  Fans of our Facebook page can also check-in to PIER 39 and receive the free Fun Pack coupon on their mobile as well.

2. Locals (anyone living between Sacramento all the way down to Monterey/Salinas) can sign up for special local discounts throughout the year at pier39.com.  Right now we're offering Holiday Half-Off offers, which will be released on Nov. 11.  We also do Kids Eat & Play FREE, as well as Buy One Get One FREE offers.  You should sign up so you receive the coupons in your inbox on Friday too!  

3. AAA members can show their card at the California Welcome Center for 20% off at participating restaurants, and other great discounts.

4. Groups can take advantage of our meal voucher program, for overall savings and added convenience http://www.pier39.com/GroupPrograms/mealvoucher.htm

For all Pier 39 special offers, visit the Special Offers page.

While at Pier 39 we also had to visit one of our favorite animals, the Sea Lions. They bark and play on the docks and in the water. We have visited them many many times in the past. They are always a joy to watch. Oddly this time it was the very first time we only spotted one Sea Lion. I told my son that one stayed here to help him celebrate his birthday. He then called it a dog. He makes me laugh!

*We were not paid for this review. We were provided passes to enjoy attractions on Pier 39. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.