Contests for your kids

One of the benefits of being a 'mommy blogger' is the relationship you form with various family brands. And when you get to know the people behind the name, you have a new appreciation for the product and find yourself telling friends, neighbors and colleagues to get their products.

That's why I'm happy to share 2 great contests going on now from Dole and Earth's Best.

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Dole is running their Bowl-a-Day contest through October 2nd with an opportunity for entrants to to win $300 just by sharing how they enjoy the Dole fruit cups. If you challenge your friends, you qualify to win $1000 for you AND a charity of your choice! I just entered to win for Feeding America. The Dole website also offers a variety of recipes, FREE coupons and printables for your family to enjoy. Here are some health facts about the Dole fruit bowls:

• DOLE Fruit Bowls are 80 calories or fewer
• DOLE Fruit Bowls are rich in Vitamin C
• DOLE Fruit Bowls are naturally Fat Free
• DOLE Fruit Bowls are low in Sodium
• DOLE Fruit Bowls have been honored as the ChefsBest® Award-Winner since 2004!

Enter now! Contest ends October 2nd.

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Maddy isn't eating baby food anymore, but when she did, I often purchased the multi-packs of Earth's Best food, not only because they are Organic, but because of the delicious sounding food combinations like Pumpkin Apple, Apple Turkey Cranberry and Sweet Potato Cinnamon. I may have sneaked a few tastes here and there.


When Maddy was 10 months old, I captured a funny moment of her eating a blueberry and apple blend. You can believe we posted it on Facebook and sent it around to our family since it was so funny, but now you can view it on the Eath's Best YouTube channel for their Earth's Best Most Memorable Feeding Contest going on now through November 30th.

Just by uploading your child's feeding video, entrants will receive over $5 worth of Earth's Best coupons. And then 25 lucky babies will be selected as the new faces of "Earth's Best Generation Pure." The lucky parents will win a month's worth of Earth's Best food, diapers and wipes value over $200.

Lastly, Earth's Best will donate a product for each video uploaded to Feed The Children. All the more reason to share your baby's most memorable feeding experience!
Enter now. Contest ends November 30th.

Dole Foods: Make Me a Chef Contest

My friends over at Dole Foods have sent me another awesome contest for all of you who love to write about food!

From now until May 8th, Dole is running the Make Me a Chef writing contest (200 words or less) where the winner and three friends get flown out to LA for a weekend trip for a cooking experience with celebrity chef, Ben Ford (Harrison Ford’s son), of Ford’s Filling Station. All you need to do is register at the site and write about how Dole Canned Fruit is a staple in your pantry. It's that simple!

There are some other great prizes available simply by logging back into the website. Every time you log into the site to view any of Ben's recipes or Dole's creations, you are entered in the weekly drawing with a chance to win a $500 Visa Gift Card. Think of all the All-Clad, Calphalon, Le Creuset, Emeril or Rachel Ray cooking supplies you can buy!

So: If you like to write, if you enjoy Dole foods, if you want a chance to be in the presence of Harrison Ford offspring, then you must act now. The contest ends May 8th. Have fun and good luck! Become a FAN of Make Me a Chef contest over on Facebook too!

Back to School with a Dole Foods contest and Marty the Zebra!

It's Back-to-School time and that means new clothes, new books, new classes and should also include new healthy food choices for your family. Here are some tips to create a healthy eating environment in your home:

• For those children who seek comfort in feeling stuffed, let them eat their fill of vegetables and fruit, limiting only higher calorie foods.
  
  
• If your child eats little dinner and complains of hunger at bedtime, offer only a piece of fruit to encourage better mealtime eating.
  
  
• Get creative with presentation. Give young children cut fruits and vegetables and then let them create funny faces or animals.
  
  
• It's easy to fit in extra fruit servings in your child's diet: a large banana = 2, a box of raisins = 1, and a 15 oz bottle of pure juice = 4.
  
  
• Use an assortment of fruit to make a fun fruit kabob for afternoon snacking.
  
  
• Top frozen low fat yogurt with sliced fruit for a sweet and refreshing dessert snack
  
  
• Core an apple, fill it with raisins and other dried fruit, and cook in the microwave or bake

Dole Foods has rolled out two sites in honor of both the return to school and a healthy lifestyle. The first site, www.DoleWaytoSnack.com, has been running a contest for families to submit their favorite healthy-kid friendly snack. Register on the site and vote for your favorite recipes and by doing so, will enter you in a chance to win $100! That's a prize just for voting!

If you submit a recipe, the prizes get better. If you submit a Dole recipe, you have a chance to win one of the following:

• 1 Grand Prize: A trip for four (4) to Hawaii
• 2 First Prizes: A Dole Gift Basket with a TON of cool stuff

Moms and Dad, have you ever had to dress up healthy food to get your kids to eat it? Try out Dole's Limited Edition Marty Snak Pak for your kids to carry their fruit cup. Marty is the favorite star zebra from the new movie, Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa, coming out in November. Each pak is insulated and washable and has a key ring for easy carrying. Pay for it online with credit card, check or money order.

When the movie comes out, don't be left in the dust without your very own Marty Snak Pak!