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May 10, 2008
Cranergy
I’m not generally a huge fan of cranberries and I’m not a juice girl either. But when I heard that Ocean Spray’s newest creation involved cranberries mixed with raspberries, less sugar, and green tea extract? I was definitely going to give it a try.
Ocean Spray Cranergy is the new and healthy drink to give you energy to get through busy days. Sweetened with Splenda, it’s also lower in sugar (great for those of us who generally avoid juices because they are too sugary). They also infuse it with B vitamins for extra go power and wrap it all up into a delightful drink.
I was given both flavors to sample, and drank them before I went to my physical therapy appointments in the late afternoon when I usually feel like I’m dragging. It’s definitely not a drink that gives you the instant go power of a cup of coffee (Coffee though, usually also gives me the shakes if I drink too much). But I did enjoy the drink very much and certainly got through PT just fine.
Cranergy Cranberry Lift is your basic cranberry juice, with the exception of the B vitamins and green tea extract. It tastes like cranberry juice does, but didn’t seem to be as bitter as other juices I’ve had in the past.
Cranergy Raspberry and Cranberry Lift is nothing short of awesome. I can tell you this because I actually went out and bought some at the store today. The raspberry flavor is so good and so refreshingly smooth in this drink that it has become an instant favorite for me. I like it so much that I’ll probably tell the rest of my family it’s horrible, just so I can have it all to myself.
If you would like to learn more about Cranergy, click the link above. If you would like to learn more about the health benefits of cranberries, go here. But whatever you do, get yourself some Cranergy.
For the fact that it has earned a spot in my refrigerator, BBM gives Cranergy drinks. . .
May 8, 2008
Childhood is Calling
Rice Krispies have their own website and it’s not just about that tiny little cereal that everyone loves. Childhood is Calling features recipes of all kinds and cooking suggestions to make kitchen time a peaceful and fun time with your kids, games to play with your little ones, and the history of the cereal. For those who love nostalgia, try viewing what the box looked like the year you were born. I’m not telling the year I was born; I’ll just say that the box looks a whole lot different now.
The website offers helpful age-appropriate suggestions for cooking abilities such as the types of activities that a 2-3 year old should be able to accomplish in the kitchen. I was sort of disappointed to find out that "make your own lunch" isn’t on that list. It does help to have realistic expectations though which will definitely make kitchen time more fun.
For die hard Rice Krispies treats fans, there are recipes for the treats that feature different varieties to try and fall in love with. Want some decorating ideas appropriate for the season? You won’t want to miss the cut outs that the site provides.
If you’re just looking to have a little fun with your little one (or kill some time at work), don’t miss the games, where you can try to hurl Cocoa Krispies across a grassy patch and into a bowl. It gets sort of addicting, kind of like Rice Krispie treats.
There’s also a coupon to save you $1 off the new variety of Rice Krispies cereal. You can go directly to that coupon here. Samples of it are on their way so I’ll be sure to let you know what I think when they arrive.
Until then, go throw some cocoa krispies. . .
May 2, 2008
Ocean Spray Cranergy
When you think of Ocean Spray, do you think of the commercial where those two farmer-type guys are standing in cranberry fields exercising? It’s a commercial that really irritates my husband. It doesn’t bother me so much and since I’m a fan of Ocean Spray, I say whatever. Regardless, when I opened up a package recently that held Ocean Spray Cranergy, I couldn’t help think about those two guys in the cranberry field.
While I don’t think those guys are all that hip, Ocean Spray has a new drink out that is very hip, Cranergy Energy Juice Drink. I’m a sucker for packaging, and this bottle looks refreshing, hip and very enticing. It would draw my attention in a cooler at a store.
Let me tell you up front that I am not a sugar-substitute kind of girl. I think the more natural the food, the better. But I understand that no sugar means less calories, and that’s a big deal. The first taste you take tastes a bit odd with a slight after-taste. I think this is the Splenda and since I have not experienced Splenda, I cannot verify this. After the first few tastes, though, this drink grows on you. It has a refreshing flavor that tastes "cool." I tried the Raspberry Cranberry Lift. I love cranberries and raspberries, so the two together was great! Your other choice is Cranberry Lift. I imagine both would make a great summer morning drink.
The really great part of Cranergy is that it gives you a natural energy boost. With green tea extract and B-vitamins, you get a natural jolt of energy without all the sugar. I drank one this morning before a very busy and stressful day-I will say that I felt good all day. I didn’t have that mid-afternoon crash I normally do.
I think Ocean Spray has provided yet another quality product. This hip, new energy drink is sure to be a favorite for those on the go. Check out their website for lots of great information on Cranergy! I give it a
May 2, 2008
Norton 360
Every year, I update my Norton Security system because there are lots of nasty "issues" out there on the Internet. This year, I was given an opportunity to update and upgrade courtesy of Norton (Thank you!) with their new Norton 360 Version 2.0.
This version boasts "All-In-One-Security" and even does automatic backing up, which I could clearly use since I’ve (gasp) never done that before in my life. Beyond Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security, Norton 360 protects files from computer disasters by backing up your files online. You basically get an online storage compartment for all your photos, music and files and the "storage unit" is as large as you need it to be. If you’re not one for backing things up on a regular basis, you can set a schedule so that Norton does it for you during times when your computer is idle.
Additional features include giving your computer a tune-up to fix problems that slow down your computer. It also helps to remove internet clutter and temporary files.
Every other time I have installed a Norton program, I ended up needing to call up customer service. Norton was kind enough to provide me with VIP customer service, but I didn’t need it. The uploading was done in about 15 minutes flat and the virus scan that followed was also much speedier than the Norton of last year.
Some of my favorite things about Norton 360? Norton keeps your identity safe and stores personal information for you. You can create "cards" with your mailing information and even credit card information that Norton keeps safe from hackers. Simply plug in your password and your info is automatically filled out. It saves a lot of time for an internet shopper.
It’s also useful for commenting on blogs. You can create a separate card for your blogger identity and now all those url and email demands are taken care of courtesy of Norton. Norton 360 also saves your log-in information for sites that you wish. Once again, not everyone who has access to your computer has access to this information. You can password protect it so that one password and click opens up the world of less typing and time-wasting without sacrificing privacy.
The only negative about Norton 360 is that it will occasionally fill in information that I don’t want. For example, it will sometimes plug in my personal email address instead of my blogging email address in comment forms. I’m sure this is more a human glitch than a Norton one though and I plan on figuring it out soon.
Norton 360 retails for $79.99 in stores and can also be purchased online.
For the ease of use and a ton of great functions, BBM gives Norton 360. . .
April 29, 2008
Frosted Flakes Gold
So, there we sat one night a couple of weeks ago. We had just finished a very balanced dinner, one which even my son sat down and ate. (This is highly unusual.) Our mail was sitting on the table, so I started sorting it. My son spied a package. Always assuming everything is his, he asked that we open it. Inside was a box of cereal. Not just any box of cereal, but a box of cereal he had never seen before, never tasted before, and it had a big, cool looking tiger on it. He immediately said to me, "Mama, that cereal looks greeeeeeeat!" (Ahem, sorry, I couldn’t resist.) Even though we had just eaten a lot of food for dinner, we decided to try this breakfast food.
Flash forward to a half-hour later…half the box was gone. Gone! How crazy is that? Our dessert that night was cereal, a brand new cereal from Kellogg’s called Frosted Flakes Gold. This is one yummy cereal. I do try to stay away from overly sugar-y cereals for my son, but this one has just the right sweet flavor. A hint of honey goes well with the crunchy whole grains. It boasts long-lasting energy…I can’t say that I was able to prove that, but the flavor alone is enough to buy this one.
Since the folks at Kellogg’s sent me this box, I’ve already purchased one of my one, and have it on my grocery list again. I’m loving this cereal! Check out their website for more info on this cereal, especially the recipes they have for Frosted Flakes cereal. I can’t wait to try Tony the Tiger Cookies. They sound fabulous. Now I can actually have cereal for dessert without looking like a weirdo. I give this a
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