Extraordinary Hair with the HANAair Professional Hair Dryer from Misikko Beauty

As you might have gathered by this site's name, one of my most noticeable features is my hair. Thus, keeping my hair healthy and looking its best is very important to me.

Having been a natural blonde throughout my youth, I've had to get a little help from the salon in keeping that color in my adult years. And as we all know, the coloring process can put a lot of stress on even the healthiest of hair.

So when I was contacted by Misikko Beauty to review the ultra-chic HANAair Professional Hair Dryer, I was beyond excited to give it a try. A hair dryer that promises to actually make your hair healthier with use? I'm all in!



I'll admit I was skeptical at first, as conventional wisdom has always taught that hair dryers are bad for your hair. But from the very first use of the HANAair dryer, I could see a noticeable difference in the look and feel of my hair. It was shinier, sleeker and much more smooth.

What's the secret behind HANAair's performance? It's actually a combination of three things: 2300 wattage power, pure tourmaline crystals and a ceramic heater.

As someone with very thick hair, it usually takes me forever to dry my hair! But with the 2300 wattage power, the HANAair dryer cuts my drying time by at least half. That alone saves my hair from the damage that can come from longer heat exposure with conventional dryers. And the faster drying time has meant that I'm out the door faster and have actually made it to appointments ON TIME (a rarity for me!).



The tourmaline crystals and ceramic heater combine to give the most advanced far infrared ionic heat possible. What this basically means is that your hair will have less frizz, more shine and healthier radiance with each use.

My hair is not only thick, but it's also very frizzy when I use a conventional dryer. Those stray, curly hairs that stand up all over the place after drying have always drove me crazy! But with the HANAair dryer, my hair was much more smooth with just the first use.



Other features include:

• Silver Nano Technology for anti-bacterial protection
  
• Scratch resistant shell with black metallico finish adds durability and is easy to clean
  
• Long lasting motor with low noise
  
• Gyroscopically balanced for easy handling (note: it is very lightweight too!)
  
• Fiberglass concentrator attachment
  
• 12' extra long cord, ALCI safety plug
  
• Italian design
  
• 2 fan speeds, 3 heat settings, plus a cold shot button
  
• Two Year Warranty

The extra long cord is another favorite feature of mine. I hate when I am drying my hair and need to reach for something, but can't due to a short cord. With the HANAair dryer's cord, I can move all over my bathroom with ease!



I also used two products that Misikko sent to me for review along with the HANAair dryer (as well as all of that other gorgeous swag pictured above...thank you, Misikko!): HANA Shine Shield Thermal Protectant and Paul Mitchell's Leave-In Conditioner. Between the products and the HANAair dryer, my hair has never looked healthier!

See for yourself how fast my hair dried and how sleek, smooth and shiny it looked with the HANAair dryer:



I honestly never would have invested much money in a hair dryer before (the HANAair dryer retails for $314 but is currently on sale for $194.99 with free shipping). Now that I've seen the difference firsthand, though, I could never go back to my cheaper, department store dryer.

The HANAair Professional Hair Dryer is the only dryer I will trust my hair to from now on!

For more information, follow these links:

~Misikko.com
~HANAair Professional Hair Dryer
~HANA Salon
~Misikko on Twitter
~Misikko on Facebook
~HANA Salon on Twitter
~HANA Salon on Facebook

Disclosure: I received a complimentary HANAair Professional Dryer to facilitate this review, as well as other complimentary products to thank me for my time.

Flavor Over Fizz with Crystal Light

As temperatures in my area have hit 100+ recently, hydration is more important than ever. Crystal Light has made staying hydrated easier with their Flavor Over Fizz Challenge. To take part in the challenge, you simply need to trade in your diet soda for the delicious taste of Crystal Light. With more than 30 flavors to choose from, you're sure to find one you love.

Hungry Girl's Lisa Lillien held a video conference call with bloggers recently to get the word out about the challenge. One of the best benefits of replacing your diet soda with Crystal Light is the fact that you will consume more water, and at only five calories a serving, you won't have to sacrifice your diet for flavor.

Participating in the challenge is free, and Crystal Light is giving away one amazing prize per day, including a Michael Kors watch, gift cards, a bicycle and more!



This summer, Crystal Light has introduced three, limited edition "mocktail" flavors: Appletini, Mojito and Margarita. My personal favorite, and one that Lillien raved about on the call, is Appletini. My kids loved it as well, so I will be buying it all summer until it's no longer sold. And as a mother to a Type 1 diabetic, having a flavorful drink that won't add to my daughter's carb count is a HUGE plus (all Crystal Light drinks are considered a free exchange for diabetics).

Check out Crystal Light's Flavor Over Fizz Challenge here (to enter, click on "Flavor over Fizz" on Crystal Light's main Facebook page).

Disclosure: I received samples of Crystal Light from Kraft Foods to facilitate this review/post.

Tree Hut Summer Skin Care Giveaway

If you read my previous post about the wonderfully luxurious skin care products by Tree Hut, then you already know how much I love them! Now, thanks to Tree Hut, you have the chance to try them for yourself!

One lucky ready of So a Blonde Walks Into a Review will win a full line of summer skin care products from Tree Hut, including:



~Shea Moisturizing Shower Wash
~Shea Sugar Scrub
~Shea Extra Rich Lotion
~Shea Body Butter

The winner will be able to choose whichever scent they prefer and can even mix and match scents if they wish. Scents include Coconut Lime, Brazilian Nut, Almond and Honey, and Hawaiin Kukui.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post with the scent you'd most like to try (you can always change your mind if you win). Be sure that there is an email address that can be found with your entry or your entry will have to be disqualified.

By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here. Please also see my disclosure policy here.

You can receive additional entries by doing one or all of the following (one entry, one time, for each step):

~Tweet with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link. Feel free to use the Twitter share button at the bottom of this site.

~Follow BlondeBlogger on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment on this post with your Twitter name.

~Follow Tree Hut on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment on this post with your Twitter name.

~Become a Facebook fan of So a Blonde Walks Into a Review. Simply click here and like the page, then leave a separate comment on this post letting me know your Facebook name.

~Become a Facebook fan of Tree Hut. Simply click here and like the page, then leave a separate comment on this post letting me know your Facebook name.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

~Follow this blog. Simply click on "Follow this blog" found near the top of the sidebar to the right (under "The Blonde"). Then, leave a separate comment letting me know you are following.

~Post the button below on your blog and then leave a separate comment here letting me know it's posted and where. Here's the code for the button:



<a href="http://www.soablondewalksintoareview.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="So A Blonde Walks Into A Review" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/BlondeBlogger/dawn_125button.gif"/></a>

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received complimentary Tree Hut products to facilitate this giveaway

Summer-Ready Skin With Tree Hut

It's swimsuit season and that means it's more important than ever to take care of our skin. Nothing worse than that dry, alligator look on our legs, ladies...right?

I recently tried a new product that is perfect for moisturizing my skin and keeping it beach-worthy. Tree Hut is an amazing skin care and lotion line that includes lotions, shower washes, body butters and sugar scrubs.

And all of their scents are from the tropics! I tried the new Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Shower Wash in Coconut Lime:



It definitely smells tropical! Every time I shower, the smell conjures up that beachy, fun, summery feeling. And it is so nourishing to my skin. No alligator skin for my legs at the pool!



I also tried their matching Shea Body Butter in the same scent and it makes my skin even more silky-smooth. It's not too heavy like some body butters can be, which is a huge plus.

All Tree Hut products are made with 100% certified organic shea butter and they also include other natural extracts and oils. New mothers use Tree Hut products to combat stretch marks, another important benefit to consider.

Find out more about Tree Hut's wonderful line of products here. You can also find them on Facebook here and Twitter here.

Disclosure: I received complimentary products from Tree Hut to facilitate this review.

Army Wives Boot Camp Prize Pack Giveaway

With spring in the air, I have a little more bounce in my step and decided to join a gym. There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get after a good workout, especially when the sun is shining brighter and the days are getting longer.

Another great reason to get in shape? Army Wives has returned for a fifth season with 13 all-new episodes and I have a great boot camp prize pack to help celebrate the return of the show and to kick-start your workout routine!

Airing on Lifetime at 9pm et/pt on Sundays, Army Wives follows the struggles, dreams and friendships of a diverse group of women – and one man – living with their spouses and families on an active Army post.

The series films in Charleston, South Carolina and stars Kim Delaney (Claudia Joy Holden), Sally Pressman (Roxy LeBlanc), Brigid Brannagh (Pamela Moran), Brian McNamara (Michael Holden), Sterling K. Brown (Roland Burton), Wendy Davis (Joan Burton), Drew Fuller (Trevor LeBlanc), Terry Serpico (Frank Sherwood) and Catherine Bell (Denise Sherwood). The series is based on the book Army Wives by Tanya Biank, who serves as a show consultant.

Here's a preview of an intriguing scene from season five:



One lucky reader of So a Blonde Walks Into a Review will win an Army Wives boot camp prize pack which includes:

• Camo Gym Bag
  
• Gaiam Yoga Mat/Bag
  
• Padlock
  
• Dog Tag
  
• Water Canteen
  
• Tank Top
  
• Terrycloth Sweat Towel
  
• Messenger Cap
  
• Yoga Ball
  
• Jump Rope

Contest is limited to U.S. Residents only. To enter, simply tell us what your favorite workout tip is in the comments on this post.

Be sure that there is an email address for you that I can find, or your entry will have to be disqualified.

By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here. Please also see my disclosure policy here.

You can receive additional entries by doing one or all of the following (one entry, one time, for each step):

~Twitter with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link. Feel free to use the Twitter share button at the bottom of this site.

~Become a Facebook fan of So a Blonde Walks Into a Review. Simply click here and like the page, then leave a separate comment on this post letting me know your Facebook name.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

~Follow this blog. Simply click on "Follow this blog" found near the top of the sidebar to the right (under "The Blonde"). Then, leave a separate comment letting me know you are following.

~Post the button below on your blog and then leave a separate comment here letting me know it's posted and where. Here's the code for the button:



<a href="http://www.soablondewalksintoareview.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="So A Blonde Walks Into A Review" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/BlondeBlogger/dawn_125button.gif"/></a>

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Sunday, March 20, 2011. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Note: Thank you to Lifetime Television for providing the wonderful prize pack for this giveaway!

Get the Dirt on How to Live Like a Celebrity - Giveaway

Some of my favorite apps on my iPod are celebrity-related: People.com, TMZ, Pop Sugar...I could go on and on. I certainly don't envy those celebs whose lives are in shambles, but I do wonder what it would be like to live the life of a celeb like Angelina Jolie for a day.

Ever wish that you could switch lives with a celebrity for a day? Wouldn’t it be great if you could figure out how to pull off a red carpet worthy look and keep your home looking like it belongs on the cover of a magazine?

The truth is, though we may not want to admit it, we like hearing celebrity gossip but we also like to keep things clean. That’s why Clorox® Regular-Bleach is giving busy moms like you the chance to do both with Get the Dirt...but Keep it Clean, a new mobile program that delivers quick clean-up tips to your phone while letting you indulge in the celebrity lifestyle.

Visit www.Clorox.com/GetTheDirt to receive Clorox’s Get the Dirt...but Keep it Clean cleaning tips and to be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Hollywood, California.



Readers of So a Blonde Walks Into a Review also have the chance to win a free Stunning Starlet Palette make-up kit by Stila! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post with your favorite clean-up tip to keep your home looking glamorous!

Be sure that there is an email address for you that I can find, or your entry will have to be disqualified.

By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here. Please also see my disclosure policy here.

You can receive additional entries by doing one or all of the following (one entry, one time, for each step):

~Twitter with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link. Feel free to use the Twitter share button at the bottom of this site.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

~Follow this blog. Simply click on "Follow this blog" found near the top of the sidebar to the right (under "The Blonde"). Then, leave a separate comment letting me know you are following.

~Post the button below on your blog and then leave a separate comment here letting me know it's posted and where. Here's the code for the button:



<a href="http://www.soablondewalksintoareview.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="So A Blonde Walks Into A Review" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/BlondeBlogger/dawn_125button.gif"/></a>

~Add So a Blonde Walks Into a Review to your Technorati Favorites (just click the button below and follow the simple steps). Then, leave a separate comment here letting me know you've added this blog to your favorites:



Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Wednesday, February 9, 2011. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a sample of The Stunning Starlet Palette make-up kit from The Clorox Company at no cost to me to facilitate this review.

I Don't Want to Miss...

Whenever my kids don't want to wash their hands, I use the motto that our pediatrician once used on them...Would you rather puke, or wash your hands? I love that question because it drives home for them the consequences of not taking precaution against germs.

Right now, there is a campaign underway by Clorox to bring about awareness of this and other flu prevention methods. Clorox has teamed with American Idol finalist Danny Gokey on "I Don't Want to Miss" which gets teens and teachers actively involved in stopping the spread of H1N1 and seasonal flu.



Now in its second year, the program features a contest that invites school musical groups such as glee clubs and show choirs to develop a video performance of a song written by Berklee College of Music student Will Wells. The song is about the importance of flu prevention and all of the things teens don't want to miss out on when they're sick. The winning school gets to have a music class led by Gokey.

For my kids, there is SO much they wouldn't want to miss out on. In fact, H1N1 hit our house last fall and it lasted a few weeks. They were miserable being stuck at home and not being able to play with their friends (we homeschool, so we didn't have to worry about them missing school).

If you have a teenage child who would like their school to enter the contest, click here for more information. For each entry submitted, The Clorox Company will donate $100 (up to $10,000) to the Sophia's Heart Foundation, a charity founded by Gokey in honor of his late wife, Sophia, and dedicated to helping children achieve academic success via musical training and restoring musical dreams in children.

Be sure to check out Clorox's Facebook page as well for more information about flu prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children and teens over 6 months and up to age 18 get flu vaccinations. In addition to vaccination, the most important step in flu prevention, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and washing hands often play an important role in prevention.

Stay well!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and received $20 thank-you gift certificate.

Take the Neosporin Lip Health 3-Day Challenge!

As someone who constantly battles to keep my lips from being chapped and dry, especially during the winter months, I was so excited to hear about the Neosporin Lip Health 3-Day Challenge. I've used Neosporin for our family's cuts and scrapes over the years and thus have a lot of respect for the brand.

Neosporin has two products to help keep your lips healthy and beautiful: Neosporin Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy and Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy.

Can these two products really restore your lips to a healthy state in just three days? I set out to find the answer after receiving them for review.

I applied the daily therapy two to three times a day and the overnight therapy once every evening. After the first day, I noticed that my lips began to peel slightly as the treatments sloughed off the top layer of dry skin. This is a GOOD thing and not painful at all. With mild exfoliation, more healthy and vibrant skin was revealed underneath as the dryer layer washed off.

By the third day, my lips retained their new, moisturized look without further peeling. I still apply both products each day, but unlike other products I have used, if I skip a treatment, my lips don't go back to being dry right away.



The secret to Neosporin's success lies in a patented combination of lipids, fatty acids, antioxidants, peptides, vitamins and emollients. While Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal works to sooth, restore and hydrate your lips as you sleep, the Daily Hydration Therapy not only contains SPF 20 but also absorbs quickly. That's yet another advantage over the greasy, gooey products I've tried before.

You can see the clinical results, along with photos of participants, here. As of this writing, you can also register for free at NeoLips.com to get a $3 coupon towards either product.

Best of luck with YOUR 3-day challenge!

Disclosure Notice: "I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Neosporin and received a sample of the Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy and the Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate."

You're Invited to a Garden Party with Actress Jennie Garth!

The generation of moms who grew up watching Jennie Garth as the beloved Kelly on Beverly Hills 90210 will be happy to know that she is now coming to our rescue as we try to get our kids to eat their veggies!

Jennie is starring in a new NBC digital series entitled "Garden Party," which is sponsored by the makers of Hidden Valley Ranch and is being distributed on iVillage. The series premiered yesterday and features videos, recipes and tips to help families incorporate vegetables into their diets.

"I saw this series as an opportunity to help inspire, educate and motivate families like mine," Garth said in a statement. "I found out that incorporating vegetables into your families' life is not only healthy but can be fun too."

Garden Party celebrates a new vegetable each month. From planting cucumbers at home, to visiting a kid’s cooking school, to taking a tour of a family farm, Jennie infuses her personality and experience as a mom into the series to make the information come alive. Jennie shares her own experience and tips with rich interactive elements including a "Cook and Tell" cookbook, a "What's For Dinner" meal planner and an opportunity for moms to tell their veggie stories.



I had the privilege of speaking to Garth in a conference call yesterday afternoon and am excited to share all of the insider details with you. No pun intended, but I found Jennie to be very down-to-earth, and her friendly, warm personality should really make this series shine.

I asked Jennie if her youthful appearance (she never seems to age!) had anything to do with her diet. She told me that she strongly believes that there is a direct connection to what you put in and on your body to what you get out, and even believes that society's move away from organic foods and products might be linked to increased cancer rates. She added that a colorful diet is vitally important to overall health.

Jennie grew up gardening and always had fresh vegetables available to her, something that she now realizes was a luxury. Her father-in-law (Jennie is married to actor Peter Facinelli) helped her and Peter build a garden at their home, which she says greatly helps her children to make a connection to what they're eating and creates a bonding experience.

"There's something so cool about being able to pick something out of the ground and eat it," she said. "Especially if it tastes good."



As for tips on getting veggies into your children's diets, Jennie said she's not above subterfuge and will hide vegetables in foods if she has to. She often will puree garlic and green and yellow zucchini and mix it into spaghetti sauce. She has also pureed spinach and mixed it into meatloaf.

I plan on trying those tips as well as those found on Garden Party...the broccoli mac and cheese recipe is at the top of my list. Head over to the site today to get ideas for your family.

Happy veggie eating!

Spa Day at Home

There's nothing quite like the feeling of a fresh mani/pedi and I'll never forget the day I shared the experience for the first time with my little girl at the mall (and neither will she!). But in this tight economy, we can't always treat ourselves to such luxuries.

That's why I was SO excited to receive the Magnificent Manicure Kit from Team Mom for review. Natalie had I had a blast using the kit to do a homemade mani/pedi and the best part is that the kit is also educational.

There is a pamphlet that contains science questions about "cosmetic chemistry" for your child to ponder while they make their various creations. For example, when making a "crystal mud bath," kids can learn about absorbency, moisture and solids vs. liquids.

My daughter had the most fun creating her own scented lotion. Included in the kit is a label for the lotion with a space for your child to write the name of their creation. Natalie named hers "La France." :)

As of this writing, the kit is on sale for $15.95 at Amazon.com. Having been given Creative Child Magazine’s 2009 Toy of the Year Award, the kit makes a perfect holiday gift!

Text for the Cause

Did you know that September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month? Electrolux has teamed with Kelly Ripa on a brand new campaign that has launched just today to help find a cure for this insidious disease.

"Text-a-Thon for a Cause" allows you to donate $5 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) by texting "KELLY" to 85944 from your mobile phone (standard text messaging rates apply). Alternately, you can log onto Kelly Confidential.

In addition to supporting ovarian cancer research, for each day you log on to Kelly Confidential, you'll be entered to win a luxury frontload washer and dryer from Electrolux in Turquoise Sky, the color of ovarian cancer awareness. (You can also enter to win the set from Mom Central.)

For the month of September, you can also help the cause by sending a virtual t-shirt to a friend. For every virtual T-shirt sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF. You can also purchase a limited edition T-shirt designed by Kelly Ripa. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will go to OCRF.

I've lost two friends to ovarian cancer, so this cause is close to my heart. Hear what Kelly has to say about this important mission below:



Let's get those phones out and start texting for the cause!

Disclosure Notice: "I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Electrolux and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Stop MRSA Now

With three kids, I am constantly worried about germs. My kids know that when they get in the door after they've been out, they must wash their hands in warm water, with soap, for at least 30 seconds. And when we're out and about, I carry hand sanitizer for all of us.

Such vigilance has made a difference as they get far less colds and flus since I've cracked down on them. Now, however, with the emergence of the deadly MRSA bacteria, it is of the utmost importance for parents to be extra careful.

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of Staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. More than 90,000 Americans get potentially deadly MRSA infections every year and in 2005, nearly 19,000 Americans died from MRSA infections.

One mother, Everly Macario, lost her own young son Simon to MRSA in April 2004. After taking Simon to the emergency room with common cold and flu symptoms, and being released, Simon became lethargic with heavy breathing.

They returned to the hospital where Simon was admitted to the ICU. Simon passed away the next day. During his time in the hospital, doctors were unsure of the source of his infection and it was not until months after his death that it was confirmed to be Community-Associated MRSA.

Because of her experience, Everly is now committed to educating the public on MRSA. To help accomplish her goal, she joined the STOP MRSA Now Coalition, a group of community members who have experienced MRSA first-hand and are standing together to educate others to help prevent the spread of MRSA.



The spokesperson for the coalition is NBA star and father Grant Hill, who himself contracted MRSA. You can read about his experience here.

According to the coalition, there are two types of MRSA, Healthcare-Associated (HA-MRSA), which occurs in hospitals and nursing homes, and a newer type of MRSA called Community-Associated (CA-MRSA). CA-MRSA has recently begun to spread in public settings like gyms, locker rooms, households and schools.

People can carry MRSA and not have any symptoms and they can also transmit the bacteria to other people. MRSA can be easily spread through skin-to-skin contact and by touching contaminated items.

The good news is that there are preventative measures that you and your family can take to protect yourself against this bacteria:

• Scrub up - Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer.
• Wipe it down - Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 quart of water)
• Cover your cuts - Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
• Keep to yourself- Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.
• Use a barrier - Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.

For more information visit the Stop MRSA Now website. You can also watch this PSA video from spokesperson Grant Hill to learn more:

Emergen-C Review and Giveaway

In this cold and flu season, it's so important to make sure our kids are getting their vitamins. Now, there's a fun, new way to make that happen.

Emergen-C Kidz offers a complete multi-vitamin and multi-mineral fizzy drink mix for kids that comes in three flavors: Orange Pineapple Explosion, Strawnanaberry Blast and Cherry Yumberry. And one of the most interesting aspects of these drinks is that kids were involved in every part of the development process, from the taste to the name to the package design!

Emergen-C contains powerful antioxidants and 24 essential nutrients like vitamin C (500 mg), beta carotene, vitamin E, zinc and iron. There's also calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus to help build strong bones and teeth, and choline to support healthy brain function. Each package has 250 mg of real fruit juice powders and there are no artificial flavors.

My kids tested out the Strawnanaberry Blast and Orange Pineapple Explosion flavors. We followed the directions and added 6 oz. of water to the mix. However, over time, we've found that diluting it with more water makes it taste much better.

I tried the drink myself and neither my kids nor I could detect much of a fizz. Despite that, we all enjoyed it and they now mix up the drink all on their own (I made sure to tell them to limit it to one glass a day).

Want to try it out for yourself? Thanks to Emergen-C and Murphy O'Brien, one lucky person will win a basket filled with Emergen-C Kidz as well as regular Emergen-C products for moms and dads.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and be sure there is an email that can be found or your entry will have to be disqualified. For a bonus entry, blog about this contest with a link to this post and to Emergen-C, then leave a separate comment here with your link.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Wednesday, November 19, 2008. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org and posted here and contacted by email. Winner has two weeks to respond to notification or the prize is forfeited.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: The statements in this post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. So a Blonde Walks Into a Review and its author assume no liability for damages associated with the prizes or contents contained therein.

Women's Health - Knowledge is Power

With all of the "female" health problems I've suffered over the years, it's a good possibility that I alone have kept the gynecological field in business. :) I've also been to a variety of doctors and have been given a variety of opinions.

So far, I've avoided having a hysterectomy and I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible. Far too many doctors, in my opinion, push this option onto women when I believe it should be a last resort.

The AAGL has created a website to help women learn about less invasive procedures (even for those who do require a hysterectomy). They believe in the importance of educating women about such options and helping them to make the best choices for their bodies and their health.

Unfortunately, many women are not told of less invasive options for treating their conditions. Whether it be heavy bleeding, fibroids, stress urinary incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse, there are treatment options available that do not require traditional surgery.

Since 1/3 of women will experience these conditions in their lifetime, usually after pregnancy and childbirth, information on alternative treatments is so important. Traditional surgery frequently carries a higher risk of complications and a longer healing process. Minimally invasive procedures, however, are done quickly and relatively easily, usually require much less time to heal, and there's a lot less pain, too.

The US News & World reported that, out of the one in four women who receive hysterectomies, approximately 85% are still treated with traditional open abdominal surgical methods, despite the perfection of a decades old laparoscopic procedure that leaves the ovaries and cervix in place. So if I were to go forward with a hysterectomy, I would make sure my doctor uses the laparoscopic procedure if at all possible.

If you doctor proves unwilling or unable to perform minimally invasive procedures, you should feel empowered to seek out a second opinion from a gynecologist who offers less invasive options.

Visit the AAGL's website to learn about the alternative treatments that exist for your condition. Knowledge is power!

Dial Campaign for Clean Hands Giveaway

If there is one thing my kids will remember me for when they grow up, it will be my famous question, "Did you wash your hands?" I always have my kids wash their hands when coming back from being outside, after using the bathroom, etc.

And we do the 30-second rule too. "Warm water, wash for 30 seconds, then rinse."

As our pediatrician put it, "Would you rather puke, or wash your hands?" Which I make sure I ask my kids whenever they complain about having to wash up.

I had the opportunity to review Dial Complete and our whole family loves it! We tried their "Soothing White Tea" scent and it smells heavenly. It definitely gives me more incentive to wash my hands, just because I love the smell so much.

In addition to the delicious scent, the soap foams up nicely and contains lotion, something very important to me and my children as we all have sensitive/dry skin.

Dial Complete recognizes the importance of good hand washing and has put together a Campaign for Clean Hands. Based on findings from the Dial Complete® brand's Campaign for Clean Hands survey, moms are the top influence in teaching their children proper hand washing.

When asked, "When you were a child, who taught you proper hand washing?," 76 percent of the individuals surveyed answered their mother was responsible for teaching them to wash their hands. So I'm obviously not alone!



The Campaign for Clean Hands is a program designed to engage and educate families about the importance of proper hand-hygiene.

The campaign's Web site features:

• a video contest for kids
  
• an online "DC Germ Blaster" video game
  
• a variety of fun, educational hand washing materials parents can print and share with their children, including a home hand washing chart, coloring and activity sheets, bookmarks and a memory game.
  
• a sweepstakes visitors can enter to win a year's supply of Dial Complete foaming hand wash.

Head on over and take advantage of all the site has to offer!

Want to win a case of Dial Complete right here? Just leave a comment on this post. Bonus entry if you blog about this contest with a link to this post and to the Campaign for Clean Hands. (please leave a separate comment here with your link so I can give you credit for your entry).

Be sure there is an email I can find where you can be reached or your entry cannot be counted. Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Wednesday, October 1.

Disclaimers: Winner has two weeks from the time of notification to claim their prize or the prize will be forfeited. So a Blonde Walks Into a Review is not liable for any prizes not delivered by contest sponsors or prizes lost in the mail.

Heal Your Baby's Bum With Vusion

Raise your hand if your baby has ever had severe diaper rash. Okay, that's all of you moms. Now raise your hand if said rash caused you overwhelming guilt. All hands still raised? Thought so. (I had mine up too)

I clearly remember when my oldest had a particularly bad rash that I tried treating with over-the-counter remedies. The rash got out of control, though, and I had to bring her into the pediatrician. It took awhile to heal and I'll never forget how guilty I felt, as if I'd done something wrong.

There's no need to blame ourselves, though. It happens to the best of us. And what a lot of moms don't know is that the cause can sometimes be the result of yeast contacting the skin, resulting in a yeast infection.



Fortunately, there's a new medicine designed specifically for this problem. Vusion is a prescription-strength (yet gentle) ointment which helps combat diaper rashes that are complicated by yeast infections. It is the only FDA-approved medicine to treat this problem and can be used on babies as young as 4-weeks-old.

Click here to learn more about this breakthrough medicine and be sure to ask your doctor if it's right for your baby.

We all do the best we can with our children, and we moms are too hard on ourselves sometimes, with this and so many other issues. So no more mommy guilt! :)

www.momcentral.com

Smart Solutions for Everyday Moms

Poised for Triumph

I've blogged before about my many problems with bladder control. If my daughter and I are out somewhere, it's bound to happen because she always makes me laugh so hard.

But even though one in four moms suffer from light bladder leakage, it's still considered a taboo topic. Recent research found that 80% of women who suffer from light bladder leakage are hesitant to talk to their peers about this sensitive issue for fear of embarrassment.

Kimberly-Clark's Poise brand has teamed with the Women's Health Foundation (WHF) to help break the silence on this important topic and to create awareness.

The Foundation held a "Below the Belt" benefit for the cause. At the event, Poise presented the first-ever Passion Award to Linda Michael of Portage, Indiana whose courage and willingness to share her story of triumph over pelvic pain and bladder control issues has been an inspiration to women and doctors alike. Because she has spoken out, others feel more comfortable to share their stories as well.

Click here for Linda's Story.



(Passion Award Recipient Linda Michael with the Indigo Girls)

Head over to Poise to learn more about this important topic, enter two different sweepstakes (including a Dream Destination Shopping Trip!), and sign up for valuable coupon offers.

Then go spread the word and help break the silence on this issue by talking among your friends!

HPV Awareness and Giveaway

Please note: This review is about the HPV TEST, not the vaccine. There was some confusion about that in comments so I wanted to clarify this. Thank you!

UPDATE: THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT THE VACCINE! IT IS ABOUT THE HPV TEST. I am going to have to put the above line throughout the post, I suppose, since this is getting missed judging from the majority of comments.

As women, we know that yearly pap smears are vital for protecting our health. But did you know that now there is a test that, when combined with a pap smear, is virtually 100% accurate in identifying women at risk for cervical cancer? The HPV test is a crucial advancement because women who test positive can be monitored and treated well before cancer has a chance to develop.

Cervical cancer is the only cancer with a single-known cause-- the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of the sexually transmitted infection, HPV. Of these, about 15 high-risk types are known to cause virtually all cases of cervical cancer. Two of these types (16 and 18) are believed to cause 70 percent of these cases.

Please note: This review is about the HPV TEST, not the vaccine. There was some confusion about that in comments so I wanted to clarify this. Thank you!

Unfortunately, the pap alone is not foolproof in detecting HPV...it can miss up to half the time. Seeing that about 80% of women will get one or more types of HPV by age 50, and that cervical cancer kills 288,000 women annually worldwide, it is imperative that women over 30 now make sure their doctor is doing the HPV test in conjunction with their regular pap. (Women under 30 do not need the HPV test unless their pap results are abnormal).

The test can be done at the same time as the pap, so women don’t need to do anything more than ask for it. Use of HPV testing for routine screening is recognized in guidelines issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society and the American Medical Women’s Association and the majority of insurance companies cover the HPV test for routine screening.

Please note: This review is about the HPV TEST, not the vaccine. There was some confusion about that in comments so I wanted to clarify this. Thank you!

I myself have had the test twice now and insurance covered it both times...and fortunately I tested negative, which means I will not need another test for three more years.

To learn more about the HPV test, click the HPV test. You can also watch this YouTube video:



...and click here to watch many other stories of those who have benefited from the HPV test.

To help spread the word about HPV testing and awareness, I have a prize pack to give away to THREE winners! Please note: This review is about the HPV TEST, not the vaccine. There was some confusion about that in comments so I wanted to clarify this. Thank you! Each "Choose to Know" pack consists of:

• bracelet
• purse mirror
• lip balm
• HPV Test fact sheet
• pledge card

To enter, (Please note: This review is about the HPV TEST, not the vaccine. There was some confusion about that in comments so I wanted to clarify this. Thank you!)simply leave a comment here on this post. For a double entry, link to this post on your site and leave a separate comment here letting me know you've done so with the link to your post.

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 16, 11:59 P.M., EST. Winners have two weeks to claim prize from the date of notification or the prize is forfeited.

Please note: This review is about the HPV TEST, not the vaccine. There was some confusion about that in comments so I wanted to clarify this. Thank you!

Thanks for entering, and be healthy!

Beauty Best With Suave Giveaway

As moms, we often take care of others before taking care of ourselves. Beauty becomes a low priority when you're chasing toddlers and are lucky to get a five minute shower in!

Suave understands this and has created a line of affordable products to help. As their site says, "Motherhood Isn't Always Pretty." Click here to see moms who used Suave to "get themselves back." You can see videos of which products were used and how they accomplished their makeovers.

I was able to test and review several Suave products myself and I cannot say enough good things about them. My favorite is Suave Skin Therapy Advanced Therapy Moisturizer. Not only does it make my skin silky smooth, it smells delicious! (I keep sniffing my hands after I put it on at bedtime because it smells so good).

Their shampoos and conditioners are just as wonderful. I use both the Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine shampoo and conditioner as well as the Suave Professionals Vibrant Blonde shampoo and conditioner (I alternate them on different days, which is really good for your hair).

My kids love Suave Kids 3 in 1 Shampoo-Conditioner-Body Wash in Splashing Apple Toss. And I love how economical it is. Plus, having three uses in one bottle is good for the earth (fewer bottles means less trash to dispose of).

Thanks to Suave and Weber Shandwick, I have a HUGE bundle of goodies to give to one lucky reader!

The winner will receive all of these fine Suave products:

• A copy of The Hot Mom’s Handbook by Jessica Denay
  
• Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine Shampoo & Conditioner
  
• Suave Skin Therapy Daily Exfoliating Body Wash
  
• Suave Skin Therapy Body Lotion in Cocoa Butter with Shea
  
• Suave Professionals Extra Hold Gel
  
• Suave Professionals Freeze Hold Hairspray
  
• Suave 24-Hour Protection Invisible Solid in Unscented
  
• Suave Kids 3 in 1 Shampoo-Conditioner-Body Wash in Splashing Apple Toss
  
• Suave Kids Double Dutch Apple Detangling Spray

To enter, simply leave a comment here letting me know what your favorite Suave product is, or which one you'd love to try. One entry per person, and please be sure that there is an email address that you can be reached at should you win.

Winner must claim prize within two weeks of notification or prize is forfeited. Deadline to enter is Tuesday, July 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Good luck!

Breathe Green With AccuClean

With all of the attention on living green these days, one thing that tends to get overlooked is the air we breathe in our own homes. Did you know that indoor air is four to five times more polluted than outdoor air? And all of those indoor allergens can aggravate conditions like asthma, which my kids have, so clean air is very important to our family.

American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning's AccuClean™ whole home air filtration system is by far the best system on the market for reducing indoor air pollution. It attaches to your existing furnace or air handler, so there is no need for major work on install. Once installed, AccuClean™ removes allergens from the air in every room of the house.

Unlike other systems, AccuClean™ removes 99.98% of allergens as well as 99% of the common flu virus. Allergens like mold, dust mites, pollen, even pet hair and animal dander, are filtered before they can land on your rugs, floors and upholstery. The system also removes odors as the majority of irritating particles like cooking grease, even smoke from burnt food, can be removed from the air. Standard 1" throwaway filters and ionic-type room appliances cannot come close to comparing to that!

For two years, Hannah Keeley (consulting principal of Mom Central's and founder of www.TotalMom.com), has been working closely with American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning and has talked with moms about the difference AccuClean™ makes. Here is what Hannah had to say about AccuClean:

"Keeping the dirt and dust out of your house is easier said than done, and cleaning every day is simply not an option for today's busy families. AccuClean prevents unwanted dust and dander from continually circulating in your home, ensuring the indoor air your family breathes is cleaner and healthier."

To learn more about AccuClean™ and to read more of Hannah's tips, click here.