goodnessknows Snack Squares – Kid Approved Review

May 1, 2013 · by · 2 Comments
Review post:  goodnessknows Snack Squares

goodnessknows logo

Snacks!  This is a word I hear every day and more than once do I hear,  “Mom, what do we have for a snack?”  “Can I have this for my snack?”   We don’t have ANY snacks in the house Mom, when are you going shopping?”  Those questions go on and on around here.

I am fortunate the kids like all kinds of fruit and most veggies.  These foods have been super easy to have on hand with my clean eating.  We all know it’s nice to add something sweet and tempting to the mix.

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We had the chance to try goodnessknows Snack Squares.  I had mistaken them for a granola bar but these are so much more!  These goodies were introduced by Mars Chocolate, that tells me a quality product from a quality brand.  They are made with slow-roasted whole almonds, tangy fruit, toasted oats and extraordinary deep chocolate.  YUMMY!

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Brad was home when the box arrived and enjoyed one immediately.  I took a teeny tiny taste and it made my mouth water for more.  A few nights ago, I introduced the rest of the family to them.  They loved them!  I opened all 3 varieties:  Very Cranberry, Nutty Apple and Peachy Cherry and they were gone in minutes.  I asked them which was their favorite and they couldn’t narrow it down.  They liked them equally.

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One huge selling point to me is, each 4-square serving only has 150 calories and NO artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.   Now that I am reading labels closely, I am sold on goodnessknows Snack Squares.

Have you had a chance to try the goodnessknows Snack Squares?  What are your thoughts?

Disclosure:  We were sent the goodnessknows Snack Squares for review purposes only.  I have not been compensated to write a positive or favorable review.  This is my personal opinion of the product.

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The Fast Metabolism Diet – Week Two Results

April 30, 2013 · by · 4 Comments

The Fast Metabolism diet

I now have two weeks behind me on The Fast Metabolism Diet, along with FIVE pounds!  (3 last week and 2 this week.)

This week was much easier since I had accomplished one week already.  I still need to look at my meal maps (which are provided in the book) to make sure I am eating what I need to and when.   It felt like I could relax a little and try new recipes, fruits and veggies.

Speaking of fruits and vegetables, I don’t think I have eaten this many in years.  I’m not really a huge fan but as the diet progresses, I am learning how important fruits and vegetables are for our body.  Water is another key!  I am drinking about 96 ounces of water a day.   Some days are harder than others…like today, I only have 64 ounces in.   Tomorrow is a new day and I will get in those 96 ounces!

As of today, I have not had any refined sugar, wheat or dairy products in 14 days!  This amazes me and I have to say, I am proud of myself for sticking to it.  It’s not that I haven’t thought of sweets or my coffee (I think about that one daily), but I only have 14 more days and I will be able to enjoy a treat of both.

The diet is a 28 day cycle (where you can lose up to 20 pounds) and during that time you are prepping your body for the metabolism burn.  Right now, I am in repair mode.   Repair mode is healing my body and getting my body ready for the burn.  Weight loss is different for everyone.  I have friends doing the diet and they have lost anywhere from 6-7 pounds in one week.  My body has been abused by every diet I have ever done so it is being much slower.  In time, my metabolism will be burning and I will see the weight start coming off faster.

Today when I weighed in, I hit the number where I usually get stuck.  I am really looking forward to seeing if I can push past that number after another week of three awesome phases.  Good food + lots of food = Results.

Here is to Week 3!

Are you doing the diet?  What week are you in?  I would love to hear from you on how you think the diet is working.

Here are my thoughts on Week 1.

Disclosure:  I am sharing my results on The Fast Metabolism Diet solely for my readers.  No compensation is being received.  This is my personal opinion of the program!

 

 

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TEAVANA – Mother’s Day Giveaway By Sharing Your MOMent! – CLOSED

April 29, 2013 · by · 30 Comments

…and the winner is:

Teavana Winner

Congrats Joy!

teavana logo

I am thrilled to bring you the Teavana Mother’s Day giveaway!   This is one of the most elegant gifts I have been able to give away.

Have you experienced walking into a Teavana store?  Last week, while at an out of town mall, I had the opportunity to check out their store.  Walking in, we were welcomed with the wonderful aromas of tea and my senses were in heaven.  We took a brief look at all the teas they offer, along with tea cups and tea kettles.  Beauty was all around.  I now want to go back and take a longer look.

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I received this elegant Cherry Blossoms Japanese Cast Iron Teapot, along with several Tea Blends.  The teapot is beautiful and will last a lifetime.  I love the fact that it will keep my tea hot so I can enjoy it over time.  No rushing with a hot teapot.

The tea blends I received were a mix of brand new teas and fan favorites.  Check out the tea, right out of the package and seeped.  They are full of flavor!

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New flavors:

Berry Kiwi Colada:  Loaded with mango, kiwi, prickly pear, pineapple and strawberry with a hint of coconut.

Fig Rose:  Fig slices, apple, and pineapple flourish with rose, hibiscus and a touch of almond.

Fan Favorites:

Strawberry Rose Champagne Oolong:  Sweet strawberry balanced with the taste of crisp champagne and soft rose.

Dragonfruit Devotional Herbal Tea:  Sweet fruit notes from guava, strawberry and dragonfruit with a floral finish from rose and magnolia.

Youthberry White Tea:  Refreshing sweet pineapple and fruity acai berry infusion with subtle floral finish.

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With two busy kids, I don’t often have the time to sit down and enjoy a hot cup of tea.   When I do get the chance, by the time I get to it, it’s cold and have I have to reheat it.  Making time for ME is important and I am trying to do it more.   Anytime I can sit in my favorite chair and look out the window, sipping on hot tea is my MOMent.   I love when the house is quiet, completely quiet.  That is the perfect time for  me.

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Here is the fun part.  Now you will have the opportunity to win the same Teavana tea party gift I received.

  • You must tweet a picture of your tea getaway with a short description.

  • Be sure to use the hashtag #TeavanaMOMent and use @tammystwocents in your tweet.

  • Upload to Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest too!

  • Be sure to leave the URL of your tweet as a comment so I can verify your entry.

The winner will be randomly selected Monday, May 6th at 3 p.m. PST and the product will be sent directly to you just in time for Mother’s Day!

Disclosure:  I received the Teavana tea party set for review purposes.  I have not been compensated to write a positive or favorable review.  This is my personal opinion of the products.

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The Fast Metabolism Diet – Week One Results

April 23, 2013 · by · 11 Comments

The Fast Metabolism diet

Last Monday I started The Fast Metabolism Diet.  It has been a full week and I can say I am down 3 pounds!  It’s so nice to see the scale finally move.  Those of you who have read my blog for long, know I have gone up and down and up again.  I am ready to see it go down again without any shakes, pills or bars.  I want to be able to eat real food.  The last few years, with all these diets, I have literally stopped my metabolism and had no idea how to jump start it again.

A couple months ago I saw Haylie Pomroy on Dr. Oz, talking about how to eat so you can get your metabolism started again.  Her book wasn’t out at that time so I just held tight and waited until it was released.  Last weekend I invited some girlfriends over to my house for a “Make and Take Party” for The Fast Metabolism Diet.  I made several recipes from the book and everyone received a gift bag which included their own copy of the book.

I am so excited to say that everyone who came has started the diet or will be.  Four of us started last week, two started today and two more will start next week.  We are helping each other with the shopping, portions questions, recipe ideas and anything else we need help with.

The Fast Metabolism Diets consists of 3 Phases in one week.  This keeps your body guessing so it continues to burn what you are feeding it.  Here is what a typical day looks like for me.

Phase 1:  (Monday and Tuesday)  Grains, Vegetable, Fruit and Protein

Breakfast – Steel Cut Oats with fresh mango

Snack – Apple

Lunch – Brown rice bread, turkey deli meat, mustard, tomato, lettuce and raspberries

Snack – Fresh Mango

Dinner – Brown rice spaghetti noodles with homemade tomato sauce

Snack – 1 cup raspberries

Phase 2:  (Wednesday and Thursday) Vegetables and Protein

Breakfast – 3 scrambled egg whites with spinach

Snack – Turkey jerkey

Lunch – tuna on a bed of spinach, with dressing from the plan

Snack – 3 boiled egg whites

Dinner – Lean steak with roasted zucchini

Snack – Turkey jerkey

Phase 3:  (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Grain, Protein/Healthy Fat, Veggie and Fruit

Breakfast – Fried egg on Brown Rice Bread with avacado and spinach

Snack – Celery and Almond butter

Lunch – Romaine lettuce boats with tuna and avacado, apple

Snack – Raw almonds and cucumber slices

Dinner – Turkey burger with avacado, lettuce, tomato and mustard

Snack – Raw almonds

Not bad for eating healthy.  The diet is wheat free so if you are gluten free, this would definitely work for you.   Lots of water must be consumed.   Tonight 96 ounces have been downed by me! :)

I will be sure to post my results again next week.   I am enjoying the variety and have learned so much about foods we typically eat.  I will be buying an entire new way after this diet.

Feel free to ask me any questions you might have.  I am a week in so I am not an expert by any means but I can try and direct you to the correct answer.

Disclosure: I am sharing my personal experience using The Fast Metabolism Diet.

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Rich Food Poor Food – Book Review and Giveaway

April 22, 2013 · by · 34 Comments

RichFoodPoorFood_COVER

How many of you read the nutritional facts on the products you buy?  Up until last week, I didn’t.  I honestly didn’t really think about what our family was eating.   Last week I started a nutritional diet (which I will share more about tomorrow) and I became aware of what “Rich Food Poor Food” is.  It has taken some time to get a grasp of everything but I am learning something new every day.  I received the Rich Food Poor Food book to review at the perfect time.  It helps explain why we shouldn’t be eating many of the foods that are ending up in our shopping carts.

Jayson Calton, PhD and Mira Calton, CN authored the book Rich Food Poor Food, to help open our eyes and educate us on these foods.  This book is the ultimate grocery purchasing system (GPS)!  It will help everyone shop smart, shop healthy, save time and save money, all the while avoiding harmful ingredients.

Do you know about GMO’s (Genetically Modified Ingredients)?  These are ingredients that are added to aspartame, molasses, sucrose, yeast products and so much more.  Reading the Rich Food Poor Food book is a like a blue print for the grocery store.

The book will walk you through with easy to spot icons such as the Make Cents pig which will offer cash-conserving suggestions for your health.  Fun facts with the Food for Thought icon, Steer Clear (which states exactly that) and Checkout Checklist to list a few.  The layout and pictures come to life in this book.  It’s one of those books you want to pick up and read from cover to cover.

It will take you aisle through aisle of your grocery store.  You NEED this book to navigate away from the bad and towards the good.  I am thrilled to have received this book for review the week before I started looking for those healthy foods.  I have been re-reading some of it because it is so informative.  It is packed with great info!

I should note it’s Paleo friendly and Wheat free.  We all need education in this area and you will receive it in Rich Food Poor Food.

How would you like to win a copy of the Rich Food Poor Food book ($24.95 value)?  Here’s how:

Mandatory Entry:

Share with me why you would like to own the Rich Food Poor Food book? (Be sure to leave your email so I can find you if you are the winner!)

Extra Entries:  Please leave your name that you are following me with and URL of your tweet or share.  (If you are unsure how to find the URL, please let me know and I will help you.)

A new comment must be made for each entry.  So if you are following me on Twitter and Facebook, you would have two comments!

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Pinterest

Subscribe to my blog via email

Tweet about the giveaway in your own words, using @tammystwocents in the tweet

Pin Giveaway

Share giveaway on Facebook

Giveaway will end on May 17th, 2013, at 9 p.m. PST.  The winner will be randomly chosen with the WordPress plugin “And The Winner Is.”   US only please.

Disclosure:   I was sent the Rich Food Poor Food for review purposes.  I was not compensated to write a positive or favorable review.  This is my personal opinion of the book.

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Save Your Money, Save Your Skin

April 17, 2013 · by · 1 Comment
Photo credit: Photobucket - thomasc_03

Photo credit: Photobucket – thomasc_03

Good skin is one of those things that everybody wants—no matter what a person might say to the contrary. Unfortunately, somehow, we’ve become convinced that proper skin care involves the buying of lots of products, the more expensive the better.

Here’s the truth:  you do not have to spend a fortune to have good skin. You also don’t need a plethora of products to make sure that your skin is well taken care of.  So how do you take great care of your skin without spending a ton of money?

Find Discounts

Coupons exist for a reason!  Use them!  You can find store coupons all over the place: in the weekly mailer that shows up at your house, in the newspaper, in the magazines you read and even at your local stores. For some reason people think negatively of using coupons but why is saving money a bad thing?

The trick to using coupons effectively. Use them only on products you would normally have bought anyway or on products that you’ve always wanted to try (but haven’t out of fear of spending money on something that might not work as well as what you already use). Don’t buy something simply because you have a coupon for it. That’s counterproductive.

Benefit from Brand Loyalty

If you are loyal to a specific brand, go directly to them if you want to save money on their products.  For example, if your favorite brand of skin care is Derm Store, go directly to the company’s website.  The website is the best place to find DermStore.com promo codes.  It’s also worth using the company’s contact information to call or send an email to let them know how much you love their products.  Many companies will send out free samples and promotional products to people they know to be brand enthusiasts.  Put yourself on that list.

Hunt for Giveaways

These days there are giveaways all over the Internet.  We even do them regularly here (we did one for Carmex a while ago)!  Giveaways are great because they cost you next to nothing (typically just a few minutes of your time) and they can get good products into your hands.
Use Google to help you with this.  Type in your favorite brand or the product you’re looking for and the word “giveaway” to help you find sites offering these types of promotions.

Make Your Own

Seriously.  The best skin care product is the one that you make yourself.  Making your own lotions, scrubs and cleansers is easy and super cheap.  Typically it involves just mashing up some fruit or oatmeal and then combining it with water, honey or lemon juice to form a paste and applying it to your skin.  There are literally hundreds of different recipes out there that you can use.  Why not test a few of them out?  You might become a convert to the natural and organic way of keeping your skin beautiful.

 

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The Fast Metabolism Diet “Make and Take” Party

April 16, 2013 · by · 2 Comments

The Fast Metabolism diet

I invited a few of my good friends over Sunday afternoon for a Fast Metabolism Diet “Make and Take” Party.  This was my first attempt at hosting a party like this and I must say it was a hit!  Out of the 10 invited, 9 were able to make it.

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What exactly is a “Make and Take” party?  It’s a party where I made some delicious recipes from The Fast Metabolism Diet book by Haylie Pomroy.  Everyone tries the food she encourages us to eat on this 28 day journey and then takes home a copy of the book for themselves, along with some great goodies from sponsors like Applegate, Artisana, Crock Pot and Celestial Tea.

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The Fast Metabolism Diet was released on April 9th and has already reached the top of the best seller lists.  The diet is broken down in 3 phases for a 7 day week:

Phase I (Monday-Tuesday): Lots of carbs and fruits
Phase II (Wednesday-Thursday): Lots of proteins and veggies
Phase III (Friday-Sunday): All of the above, plus healthy fats and oils
 
In 4 weeks not only will you see the weight fall off, you’ll also see your cholesterol drop, your blood sugar stabilize, your energy increase, your sleep improve, and your stress dramatically reduce. All thanks to the miraculous power of real, delicious, satisfying food!

Now for all the fun party details…

I made up bags with all the goodies included.

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I put together several appetizers along with the Turkey Chilli.  The Chilli was incredibly delicious.  Everyone loved it.  (My family ate the last little bit for dinner that night too!)

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Here are some fun photo’s from the party!

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Even the kids love The Fast Metabolism Diet book!

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The best part of the party is all 9 of us are going to start this.  Some started today, while a few others will be starting in the next week or two.  I am so excited to have such a great support system with my friends.  I will be sure to keep you posted on my status per week and the meals I have made.  Today was relatively easy, other than the caffeine headache that showed up around 2 p.m.  (No caffeine on this plan so I need to just get through 3 more days!)

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Let me know if you decide to do The Fast Metabolism Diet along with us.  I can try and answer your questions too.  We are all learning together which has been awesome.

Disclosure:  I received The Fast Metabolism Diet books, samples, crock pot, coupons and a gift card to help facilitate my party.  No other compensation was received. 

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Samsung Chromebook Giveaway

April 12, 2013 · by · 65 Comments

Welcome to the Samsung Chromebook Giveaway!

Chrome Book

I am participating in a awesome giveaway of a Samsung Chromebook ($249 ARV)!  One lucky reader WILL win one… could it be you?  (The giveaway is being co-hosted and sponsored by the following amazing bloggers: Bay Area Mommy, My Natural Family, Books R Us, This Mama Loves and Libby’s Library.)

The Samsung Chromebook is a new computer that helps you get everyday things done faster and easier. It starts in seconds, has virus protection built-in, and runs your favorite Google apps plus thousands more. The Chromebook comes with leading Google products, like Search, Gmail, YouTube and Hangouts, so you can work, play, and do whatever you want, right out of the box.

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends May 2nd at 11:59 PM EST. Oh My Gosh Beck! is responsible for prize fulfillment. Comment entry is the only mandatory entry, all other entries are optional. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I have not been compensated to post the above information.  This is an optional giveaway I have chosen to participate in for my readers.  Enjoy!

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Healthy Essentials By Johnson & Johnson – CLOSED!

April 12, 2013 · by · 87 Comments
This post on making a difference in the world through your own photography is brought to you by Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

healthy essentials logo

When I pick up those “Healthy Essentials” products at the drugstore or grocery store I never really pay attention to the manufacturer.  I pick up products I know and trust and add them to my cart.  99% of the products I purchase are manufactured by Johnson and Johnson.  A name we all know and trust.  Products like NEUTROGENA®, BAND-AID® Brand, LISTERINE®, AVEENO®, NEOSPORIN®, VISINE® are just a few.

Johnson and Johnson knows their consumers need these products.  Last Sunday, (April 7th) a coupon book was in our newspapers, full of savings (over $50!).  If you missed it, you can find the coupons available online at www.healthyessentials.com

Johnson and Johnson is a company that gives back to the causes they care about and they have made it easy for each one of us to do the same.

They created the “Donate a Photo” app.  Johnson & Johnson will donate one dollar to one of its non-profit partners, which each consumer chooses from a rotating list; up to four activities will be listed at any given time.*  The first three charitable partners to choose from are:

  • Safe Kids: One photo helps protect a child from a sports injury
  • Keep America Beautiful: One photo helps restore a public park
  • Save the Children: One photo helps a newborn get medicine to thrive

Once a cause reaches its goal, another takes its place; the causes that have reached their goal stay in the app, so users can continue to learn more about the organizations and see the photos that helped support them.  Best of all you can donate one photo per day!

photo app

Donating is simple: Just visit healthyessentials.com/our-caring to download the free Donate a Photo app, or directly from your phone at the App Store or Google Play and register to get started, then choose a cause, upload a photo and share it on Facebook and Twitter to show the actions and impact to friends and followers and encourage them to get involved in helping the causes, too.

Such a simple act that can make a huge impact!  As part of the celebration to help others, Johnson and Johnson has given me the opportunity to give away a box full of their product brands. (Over $100).  Here is how you can enter to win.

*Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and you can donate a photo to one cause, once a day. Each cause will appear in the app until it reaches its goal, or the donation period ends. If the goal isn’t reached, the cause will still get a minimum donation.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, Eighteen (18) years of age or older. Sweepstakes end May 20, 2013. Prize(s) provided by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company Division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Void where prohibited.

Disclosure: This post on making a difference in the world through your own photography is brought to you by Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

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Clorox SMART TUBE TECHNOLOGY – 5 Winners! CLOSED

April 10, 2013 · by ·
This compensated review has been written by Tammy of Tammy’s Two Cents, on behalf of Clorox and TheMotherhood. All opinions are my own.

 

CloroxIt’s that time of year when I start noticing the windows are dirty, floors that could use a deep cleaning, carpets could be shampooed and the bathrooms could use a good scouring.   What surprises me, is how does this happen when I am cleaning once a week?

My mom was a Spring cleaner and she must have rubbed off on me.  Once that sun starts shining, it inspires me to clean the house from top to bottom.

I love using natural cleaners, but there are places in the home where you need to add the bleach and cleaners!  The bathroom and kitchen are at the top of my list.  Now that the kids are taking showers daily, it sure has added to the shower grime.  We have to scrub deep to get that baby clean!  White showers and a family of 4 can wreak havoc on the cleanliness of one.

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Thank goodness for the Clorox brand!  These are the products that bring the punch to my cleaning (so I don’t have to use as much elbow grease).  The downside is when I’m at the end of the bottle and I can’t spray the shower door because I only have a small amount sloshing around at the bottom.

Clorox just developed Smart Tube Technology on specially marked cleaners (the ones we use the most):

  • Clorox® Clean-Up®
  • Clorox® Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner
  • Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach Foamer
  • Clorox® Bleach Gel
  • Clorox® Kitchen
  • Formula 409® (Original, Lemon, Stone & Steel, Glass & Surface, Carpet/Pet)
  • Tilex® (Bathroom Cleaner, Mold & Mildew Remover, Mildew Root Penetrator™)
  • Clorox® Antihongos
  • Clorox® Desengrasantes

I picked up the Clorox Bleach Gel so that I could work on the kitchen and the bathrooms.  Here are some photo’s of cleaning our guest bathroom sink.  The Clorox Gel is a little bit thicker so it does cling to the sides of porcelain sinks, tile and anywhere else you need to have it set for a bit.

clorox before and after

I now need to go back and pick up the Clorox Clean Up, Clorox Kitchen and Formula 409.  All products I have been out of for some time but with this new technology, I know I will get to use every single drop!

How would you like to try a full size bottle in your choice of Clorox Smart Tube Technology?   For your MANDATORY ENTRY, please tell me what is your favorite cleaning product?

I will choose 5 winners to receive a FREE coupon for the product of your choosing in the  Clorox Smart Tube Technology line.  Giveaway will close on April 24, 2013 at 9 p.m. PST.

Disclosure:  This post is brought to you by Clorox and The Motherhood, and I’ve been compensated for my time. However, all opinions are my own.

 

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