As a way to feed my family a healthy breakfast, I rely on several staples: bagels and cream cheese, pancakes, and waffles. Waffles are huge hit with everyone in the family. Waffles topped with fruit are a sure bet.

I serve fruit with breakfast, but sometimes one kid won’t eat the fruit or one kids wanted another kind of fruit. Frustrating, but cooking for kids is not easy. I wish I had 3 kids who ate everything on their plates. Alas, no.

We tried a new type of breakfast meal the other day.
Eggo came up with an ingenious and innovative breakfast item, Eggo Real Fruit Pizza. Combining fruit with warm toasted granola and berry flavored cream cheese, Eggo can help streamline your morning with this convenient, tasty breakfast offering.

Our verdict on the Eggo Real Fruit Pizza:

Mom — Loved the fruit on top of the pizza. The berries were actual berries not smushed, unidentifiable objects. Delish.

Dad — Loved the pizza. Is not and never will be a fan of granola. He would prefer the pizza minus the granola topping.

Kid — Loved the whole thing.

Tween — Nibbled around the edges. Ate a bit, but wasn’t in to it…if you know what I mean.

Teen — Didn’t try it.

So, the Musings from Me family would give the Eggo Real Fruit Pizza a thumbs up. We have some reservations about the granola. We loved the sweetness of the fruit, the crustiness of the pizza, and size.

The size worked for us. I heated two pizzas in the oven (pizzas can be microwaved) for an after breakfast snack. We each had about 2 pieces.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Eggo Real Fruit Pizza and received a sample of the product and a $20 Amazon gift certificate to facilitate my review.

But, I am struggling with my weight. I lose some. I gain some, but I never get anywhere near my goal weight. My goal weight is largely unattainable to me. Did I ever weigh my goal weight??

You see I love food. Gastric bypass surgery would not be an option for me. I cannot spend the rest of my life eating a portion the size of an egg for each meal How sad! So, I need to find ways to eat less, eat sensibly, and eat healthy all within the structure of my family and crazy/busy/insane kiddie activity schedule.

Healthy eating on-the-go and exercising suffer when schedules become busier, and sorting through the plethora of products and services on the market proves an overwhelming, time-consuming effort in itself.  A new line of products may help me to achieve my elusive weight-loss goals.

I was sent a sample shipment of innovative products from underWAY and Smart for Life to review. We had a family taste testing over a period of days.

Note: Since my children are growing and a healthy weight, I monitor what dietary products they ingest. I didn’t let the kids try to underWay supplement drink as it is a meal replacer. I want the children to eat the healthy meals that I prepare rather than “drinking their meal.” Since I need to lose weight, I find a meal-replacing drink to be acceptable to me. I did let them try the Smart for Life cookies and cupcakes.

The Musings from Me family thoughts on Smart for Life and underWay products:

• underWay supplement drinks — I am not a huge water drinker. If the water is flavored I will drink more. The underWay drink I tried was Acai Pomegranate. underWay is an appetite suppressing drink that curbs hunger. I drank one for breakfast on a day I was on-the-go. Here’s what I found on the underWay website: underWAY™ Curbs Your Hunger Two Ways: (1) its special formulation not only takes longer to be absorbed by the stomach, but it also slows the absorption of what’s already there–making you feel fuller, longer, and (2) its unique ingredients stimulate your stomach, telling your brain you’ve consumed more calories than you really have – which, with underWAY™, is almost zero!
• Smart for Life cookies and cupcakes were pronounced good by the kids and husband. Not an abundance of flavor, but as far as diet products go the flavors are better than most. I like that the ingredients are all natural, 60% organic products. We liked that the products were packaged in small packs. The size of the package was small enough for me to eat in 2 days or the whole family to eat in one sitting.
• Ready-to-Go Vanilla Shakes and Chicken Soup — we have not tried yet. Update to come!
• Smart Crunch, Cupcakes–Chocolate and Carrot, and Chocolate Chip Cupcakes were a hit with all of us!

I’m not sure if I could adopt the new 7-meals-per-day schedule featuring 6 cookies or products plus a balanced dinner that underWay and Smart for Life advocates. But, I found the drinks, cupcakes, and cookies to be tasty and a useful snack in my harried and rushed day.

The new 7-meals-per-day schedule allows your body to maintain steady blood sugar and glucose levels, and to burn more fat for a longer portion of the day.

For more information, from the Smart for Life and underWAY products, developed by physician Dr. Sasson Moulavi, a board certified bariatric weight loss doctor, go to www.smartforlife.com and www.under-way.com.

Special Discount Offer for Musings from Me Readers:

My readers can get a special 10% discount code for underWAY and Smart for Life products.

Please use MCUS10OFFUW for underWAY products at www.underWAY.com.

Please use MCUS10OFFSFL at www.smartforlife.com.

Codes good through August 30.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of underWAY and Smart for Life and received samples of the products to review.

I’m motivated at times. At times I would rather sit on the couch and do nothing.

The summer is approaching. Will I get to the health club and exercise? Will I binge on snacks at the pool? Will I give cooking the cold shoulder and get dinner from Pizza Hut?

I want to exercise. I want to find time to exercise. I want to stop making excuses. I want to learn how to budget my time so that I have time to exercise.

Stay tuned…

I knew the Toy Fair would be big, but never guessed just how big it would be. It was located on 3 floors of the Javits Center. I walked through about 80% of the exhibits. My choice of walking shoes was a good one. My decision to carry my laptop and a bag of books/work papers for the train rides was a bad one as I was dragging — literally — as the day came to a close. Plus, Amtrak has no wifi. Doh!

I saw as many vendors as I could. I left with 3 bags full of brochures and samples. Some products I passed by without a backward glance. Some products I stopped because I wanted to know more.

I spent quite some time chatting to a mom who created a line of dolls for girls who love sports. I chatted to Jodi Norgaard, the founder of Go! Go! Sports Girls dolls, about girls, sports, blogging, and social media. She very kindly gave me Suzi the Swimming Go! Go! Sports Girl. Once I arrived home from #ToyFair, my tween daughter took possession of the doll — she is a swimmer. The Go! Go! Sports Girls swimmer doll has a cute pair of flip Flops and adorable goggles. Best of all, Suzi the Swimmer is wearing a one-piece swim suit!

Go! Go! Sports Girls are a line of dolls for girls who love sports. The dolls are girl-shaped — no Bratz or Barbie silhouettes on these dolls. The dolls remind me of a girl doll I had that looked like me. I never see dolls for tween girls that look anything like tween girls, do you?

Go! Go! Sports Girls are available for golf, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, and many other sports. My girls love volleyball and swimming, so I knew Go! Go! Sports Girls would have two new fans! The dolls are available from the following online retailers: amazon, Sears, Target, Kohl’s, and Sports Unlimited. The dolls are appropriate for ages 3-12. I can tell you that teen girls also love these dolls, too!

Giveaway for Musings from Me readers! I am giving away one Go! Go! Sports Girl of your choice. Once I choose a winner, I will ask the winner to pick a doll. One comment = One entry. Enter now!

• For one entry, go to the Go! Go! Sports Girls website and tell me something interesting you learned.
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I was given a Go! Go! Sports Girls doll as part of my review. The views expressed in the article are my own. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends June 9, 2010, at 11:59 p.m.

So my tastes are simple and straightforward. I don’t wear makeup. I don’t blow dry my hair. I don’t need hand cream. I require few beauty products. Two I need and can’t live without…a reliable sunscreen and a good body wash.

I recently tried out a Suave® Body Care product that was right up my alley….New Suave Naturals Mango Mandarin Refreshing Body Wash. I love starting each day with a moment of refreshing bliss.

Suave is encouraging women everywhere to take time out of their busy day to catch a moment of bliss with NEW Suave Naturals® Mango Mandarin Refreshing Body Wash. Infused with mango and mandarin extracts, along with skin conditioning Vitamin E, this body wash revitalizes the senses and energizes with lively citrus and fruity fragrance bliss. It makes Bath & Body Works®* smell way overpriced!

Would you like to experience a moment of bliss at the beginning or end of your busy day? I have a another bottle of NEW Suave Naturals® Mango Mandarin Refreshing Body Wash to give away to one of my lucky readers. One comment = one entry. Enter now.

• How do you add a moment of bliss to your day? Leave a comment.
• Subscribe to my blog via reader. Leave a comment.
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*Compared to Bath & Body Works Mango Mandarin Shower Gel. Bath & Body Works is a registered trademark of Bath & Body Works Brand Management, Inc.

I was given two bottles of Suave Naturals Mango Refreshing Body Wash as part of my review. The views expressed in the article are my own. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends May 28, 2010, at 11:59 p.m.

An electric toothbrush seemed a good idea. We had experimented with one version for our teen. It worked well. We got another brand for our younger two. The tween is now in braces, too. She loves using the electric toothbrush. But, the electric toothbrush that my youngest used was too heavy for him. The bristles and toothbrush head were too big. What to do, what to do?

Enter Sonicare for kids. Sonicare For Kids comes to the rescue with a new way to make daily tooth brushing more effective…and fun! This innovative power toothbrush, designed for kids ages 4-10, incorporates patented sonic technology and has features such as the KidTimer to extend brushing time each day until kids reach the recommended two minutes. The unique KidPacer plays musical tones to indicate when to begin brushing another quadrant of the mouth, and interchangeable design panels allow your kids to choose a style that’s all their own.

The Sonicare has two sizes of toothbrush heads — age 4+ and age 7+. Just the right size for tinier mouths plus it is always good to start good brushing habits early. We have our kids brush their teeth first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and after lunch for the kids in braces.

Establishing predictable morning and evening routines with your kids can serve as a gateway for teaching healthy habits that last a lifetime. In a recent Mom Central survey of 1,300 parents, 75 percent revealed that they feel stressed about how to keep daily routines fun. The KidPacer is a good idea to keep little ones focused on the task at hand. Oral health seems to be of particular concern as more than half of parents struggle to get their kids to brush for the dentist recommended two minutes.

Follow the simple ABC’s of Sonicare For Kids and in no time your kids will be reminding you when it’s time to brush:
•    A: Advise your kids on the importance of oral health—just as milk makes for strong bones, brushing makes for healthy teeth and gums
•    B: Brush your teeth with your kids and make it fun

•    C: Create special moments with your child after brushing, extending this time into your daily routine

Sonicare for Kids is available nationwide at Target, Walmart, and amazon.com.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Sonicare and received a free Sonicare For Kids toothbrush to facilitate my review.

The cavity was filled. Thankfully it was in a baby tooth. So far it is the only cavity we have. In the aftermath of “Toothgate,” I gutted our pantry of sugary snacks, fruit snacks, fruit rollups, and chocolate bars. I put both sets of grandparents on notice that we were attempting to cut out candy. Well, our efforts paid off as none of the children have had a cavity since — quick, where’s some wood? Will drywall do? Touching drywall now!

But, as we all know kids love candy. One of my children is a candy lover. While I could keep the candy to a minimum in the pantry, I wasn’t about to ban Halloween candy, Easter candy, Peeps, candy canes, and chocolate bunnies. That would be cruel and unusual punishment, wouldn’t it?

So I did the next best thing. I sought out candy alternatives. I ditched the fruit snacks and fruit rollups in favor of sugar free gum. Still chewy, but not as likely to stick to teeth as a fruit rollup. But, what else could I find?

Our candy issues are now on hold as my tween is now in braces. The kid who devoured her Halloween candy? Well, that kid is petrified of breaking her braces. You can imagine how thrilled she was when I told her of a candy I had found. A candy that she can lick. A candy that will not break her braces…she licks, but does not bite in to the Ring Pop. Sugar Free Ring Pops!!! My tween’s verdict…Sugar Free Ring Pops taste like regular Ring Pops!

The tween was eager to taste them. I asked her what she thought. She said the Sugar Free Ring Pops taster like the real ones! Wow! I never expected to hear that. She flavors are good too. I’m not sure what the flavors are as she devoured the pack. Just checked the site…Sugar Free Ring Pops come in Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, and Strawberry. The nutritional deets — only 30 calories per Sugar Free Ring Pop, made with Splenda, and 0 sugar carbs.

Follow Sugar Free Ring Pops on Facebook.

Check out the Sugar Free Ring Pops site.

I was given a pack of Sugar Free Ring Pops for my review. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

As a swim mom for the last 7 seasons to an 8 and under, an 11-12, and a 13-14 swimmer, I would add the following:

Check out Volunteer Spot for an easy way to coordinate volunteers. I will let our swim team volunteer coordinator know about this comprehensive service for next season!

The National Tween Summit was for tween girls between 9 and 14. The age range is wider than the range of preteen — 9 t0 12 years of age — over at  TypeAMom. There were some 8-year-olds at the Tween Summit as well.

As part of the conference program for moms, and a few brave dads(!), there were speakers on nutrition, health and fitness, bullying, and gynecological issues. One of the people I had the pleasure to interview was Dr. Jennifer Ashton. Dr. Ashton is not your mother’s gyno. She specializes in treating all her patients, some of who are tweens and teens, as individuals. Dr. Ashton is the CBS Medical Correspondent.

Dr. Ashton recently published The Body Scoop for Girls: A Straight-Talk Guide to a Healthy, Beautiful You. The Body Scoop for Girls is this month’s Silicon Valley Moms Book Club selection. At the time I interviewed Dr. Ashton her book — The Body Scoop for Girls: A Straight-Talk Guide to a Healthy, Beautiful You — was still in production.

She explained to me that her book is set up in a series of blog posts on topics ranging from periods to genital piercing to sex. The target audience of her book is teenagers, with a secondary audience of moms. She decided to write this book as most books dealing with puberty are aimed at girls are skewed too young. The American Girls book — The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls — is too juvenile for teens.

Dr. Ashton described how tweens have evolved over the last 30 years. For many of us, we seamlessly transitioned from “kids” to “teens.” There was no tween stage. Tween or preteen is a relatively new term and age definition. Tweens are exposed to information on TV and on the internet, which is often not age appropriate. Girls are getting their periods younger, sometimes as early as 9 years old. Dr. Ashton sees that many tween and teen girls need guidance to handle their lives and the world around them.

One of the moms asked Dr, Ashton when a tween/teen should see a gynecologist. Dr. Ashton responded that girls between the age of 13 to 15 should see a gynecologist. She asserted that when a teen sees the gynecologist for the first time that the visit should be a consultation without a pelvic exam. The gynecologist should establish an open dialogue with the teen — a “periods and pimples” discussion.

My tween and teen’s conference passes and our transportation to the National Tween Summit was covered by EA Play.

Now, I don’t mind if the cashier yells to a male colleague for a price check on Kotex products. But, you had better believe that as a teen I would be cringing at the cash register…or “till” as we said in England…if anyone needed a price check!

As the mom of a tween and a teen, I make sure that my daughters feel comfortable with the whole process. Getting your period is nothing to be ashamed about. It is no big deal…just another step in the road through puberty towards maturity. Tweens and teens need to know that asking questions is a perfectly normal response to a new life change.

Tweens and teens can feel awkward talking about it, but as moms we can help our daughters by answering their questions honestly and directly…no beating around the bush. I have a recollection that my mother handed me a book from a manufacturer of “sanitary napkins” in England…I knew I needed to read it, but had no other instruction.

Knowing that moms and tweens/teens may have difficulty with this maturation process, Kotex launched U, a new line of tampons, pads and liners. The U line by Kotex features a slim, thinner design, making them easier and more comfortable to use. And with bright, bold packaging and colors, girls don’t need to send their Mom to Walmart for them or feel embarrassed the next time the conversation comes up with their friends.
U by Kotex products are now available at Walmart stores around the country.

If your girls are like mine when they get near an itouch or an iphone, they will love the fun Daily Journal iPhone or iTouch application that lets you take pictures, add play lists, and geo-target your location for each entry. Tween and teen girls and their moms can even take a “Test Your Period Know How” quiz! Visit www.walmart.com/ubykotex for product information, itouch/iphone app, and more information.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kotex and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.