Huggies MomInspired Grant Program

My whole family has the inventor type of mind set. Just this weekend we had a little think tank time and shared ideas and laughed that some of us have a "great ideas book". We have all been that way since we were little, mini entrepreneurs. I know for me I have a few Mom Inspired ideas that I think would make great products. From things to aid bottle feeding to picture frame ideas I have a few I want to submit. You never know if your idea might be the next big thing. The Huggies MomInspired grant program can make your ideas into a product.

Huggies recognizes that there is a dynamic and talented community of moms who strive to make life as a parent easier and more enjoyable every day.  Now in its third year, the Huggies® MomInspired™ grant program celebrates the natural creativity of moms, who solve real parenting challenges every day in innovative ways.  

• Grant recipients will receive $15,000 in seed capital as well as business resources to help turn innovative ideas into real-life inventions.
• Applications for the 2012 Huggies MomInspired grant program are currently being accepted through July 31, 2012.
• Moms can learn more and submit original, innovative and viable new business and product ideas now at HuggiesMomInspired.com.
• Grants will be announced and awarded in fall 2012.   

You have until July 31, 2012 to submit your idea. I will be calling my Mom and Sisters to see what idea we should submit. By visiting the website www.HuggiesMomInspired.com you can also read about the stories of past grant recipients and their product ideas.

Previous grant recipients have developed products such as:

• Nausea relief band to ease pregnancy symptoms
• Magnetic baby clothing for easy diaper changes
• Sleep coaching  

* I am sharing this info from Mom Select for a chance to win a prize. I will be submitting my ideas for the grant as well.

The Power Of Color

The other day I was out shopping and I pasted by this gorgeous scene. The orange of the table and chairs combined with the orange flowers were just so pretty.
It may sound silly to say this made me happy, but the color orange really does have that effect on people.
Did you know that you can actually change your mood just by looking at a color? Orange is the color of creative energy, it can lift your spirits and energize you.
Red signifies passion, strength, and courage. Blue is the color of calmness and serenity, and a wise choice for bedroom color for a peaceful night's sleep. Yellow suggests happiness, joy and merriment. Green signifies nature and healing, and gives a feeling of renewal and rejuvenation.
So being aware of the power of color can help us in choosing the right colors for decorating and the clothes we wear. Do you have a favorite color and how does it make you feel?
We would love to know!



Posted by Patricia

Nissan 2013 Test Drive and Marriage Proposal Video

We own a Nissan Altima and its the best car decision we have ever made. Its great on gas, super safe and looks really cool! I even got to pick the color I wanted, thanks hubby! We did months of research and test drives before selecting the Altima and I do recommend test driving one. They are fun to drive.

On May 12, Nissan picked 5 Facebook fans to be the first ones to test drive the new 2013 Altima, and created video of each unique experience to share with fans.

One of the chosen Facebook fans, Paul, told Nissan if he was picked to test-drive the All-New 2013 Altima before anyone else he would propose to his girlfriend Jane at the test track. The video shows just how he did that. Nissan not only thought it was a great idea, they thought they would help him out.

 Join the conversation at http://www.facebook.com/nissanaltima

Champions for Kids Post Bowls of Hope Simple Service Project.

~by Patricia

I am proud to be participating in the June Post Bowls of Hope Simple Service Project with Champions for Kids. During the summer months, millions of low-income children go without school breakfasts and lunches, and their families may have difficulty providing these meals.

The goal of this project is to supplement local food banks with breakfast and lunch items that families with children can use and receive. Post Cereal has partnered with Champions for Kids for this very important need.

I went shopping at my local Walmart to buy Post Cereals to donate to my local food bank. I will be having a family food drive and asking them to bring food donations when they come over for dinner. Giving to others in our community is very important, and teaches the younger children in our family to help others.

Post makes many different kinds of cereals that are part of a healthy breakfast. I thought this service project was a great idea, and the thought of providing children with a good breakfast to start their day really motivated me to participate.

I am hoping to collect donations like peanut butter and other things that kids like and are easy to make. Parents must often stretch already limited food budgets during the summer months when school is closed and their children cannot eat breakfast or lunch at school.

Fresh fruits are always welcomed at the food bank, and are great for a healthy snack. Bananas are also good to put on a child's cereal to increase it's nutritional value. Post makes lots of cereals that are both delicious and good for you.

Milk and other dairy products are very important items at the food bank. I love donating yogurt because it's something most kids like eating.

I will be donating to the Kingston Food Bank. They are in my community and it's director and volunteers tirelessly work to help out local families. I can't wait to make my donation here and help other families with children who need it.

I am very happy to be working again with Champions for Kids, and love being a part of helping others.
Thanks to Post Cereals for this project.


You can read my Google+ Story about my shopping trip to Walmart to shop for items to donate to the Kingston Food Bank for my Simple Service Project for Post Bowls of Hope and Champions for Kids.

*I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Champions for Kids #CBias #SocialFabric”  All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. #CBias #SocialFabric #PostCFK

Grapes and the Garden Veggie Pizza Recipe #GrapesfromCA

Living in California I have access to some great produce grown right here in the state. We have delicious fruits and veggies to eat all the time. One of my favorite fruits to eat is grapes. Ever since I was a kid grapes have always cheered me up. They are so delicious. Green, red or black grapes I love them all.

I have many snacks and breakfast items that have California Grapes as an ingredient. I like to eat them just by themselves too. This summer I thought I would like to find a new way to include grapes into something I enjoy as well as my family. My first thought was everyone love pizza! I created a pizza recipe that I call Grapes and the Garden Pizza.

 My Grapes and the Garden Pizza is easy to make. I purchased a pre-made pizza crust, canned tomato sauce, shredded cheese and added California Black Grapes, green bell pepper, red onion, spinach leaves, minced garlic, marinated artichoke hearts and no salt added canned mushrooms.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly brush the pizza crust with olive oil. I used a pizza stone and you can also use a cookie sheet. After slicing the ingredients I placed the pizza sauce and a pinch of garlic to the pizza crust. Next cover the pizza sauce with cheese. I selected a mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheese for extra flavor and color. Add the toppings of California Black Grapes, green bell pepper, red onion, spinach leaves, marinated artichoke hearts, no salt added canned mushrooms and a pinch of garlic on top of the pizza. Place in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the cheese has melted and the toppings and crust are lightly golden.

We really enjoyed the Grapes and the Garden Veggie Pizza. The savory flavors of the veggies are perfectly balanced by the sweet grapes. California Grapes can be used in many recipes. There is a great cookbook titled Green, Black, Red that has many grape recipes.

Grapes and the Garden Veggie Pizza

This is a great pizza to have as a snack since there is no meat. A light veggie and cheese pizza to enjoy for lunch or a snack any day of the week. To learn more about California Table Grapes and create your own recipe to enter in the Grapes Snack Makeover contest you can be a fan on Facebook.






* I was sent a cookbook and compensation to buy California Grapes from Family Review Network for this post. I will be entering my recipe in a contest as well. #GrapesfromCA