Give Back Through the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Initiative

Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for State Farm. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.

As someone who is a big believer in paying it forward and helping others, I have always done my best to donate my time, talents and money to charity and those in need. I have also been on the receiving end of such charity while battling a devastating chronic illness that has cost me physically, emotionally and financially. After being on both the giving and receiving end, I now believe even more that charity makes the world go around.

Before my illness hit me hard, I was much more active in helping my community. One of my proudest moments was being able to donate enough to our local police department for the purchase of a brand new McGruff the Crime Dog costume that is now used to teach safety to children in our community. My husband and I also involve our children in charity so that they are raised with a spirit of giving. Here I am with three of our six kids participating in the Random Acts of Zu charity drive:

 

 

I recently learned of an excellent program for giving back to our local communities called the State Farm Neighborhood Assist initiative. Communities across the United States and Canada answered the call from State Farm® to help create a positive impact in their community and submitted 4,000 causes as part of this year’s State Farm Neighborhood Assist. Now the top 200 causes have been selected by the State Farm Youth Advisory Board® and they need your “assist” to help vote them into the top 40. From April 28 through May 16, anyone who has the free State Farm Neighborhood Assist Facebook application can vote daily for their favorite cause, or causes, and help bring $25,000 to the top 40 vote-getters.

 

Extreme Recess in Wisconsin- Providing Adaptive Sports & Activities for Children With Disabilties-
Previous Grant Recipient in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program

 



This is such an easy way to help a cause in your community without having to even leave your home or spend a dime! I chose to vote for "A Place 4 Us," an organization in my homestate of Maryland that helps children who have suffered from abuse, neglect and/or trauma. Here's how this important charity plans to use the $25,000 should they place in the top 40:

"The $25, 000 will address the need because it will provide A Place 4 Us program leaders and volunteers with the opportunity to not only acquire the basic supplies (sports and art supplies/equipment, educational supplies, stuffed animals, books and additional supplies) that the program needs, but it will also allow for the acquiring of 1-3 skill professionals to work in the program. In addition, the money received will assist One Love 4 Kids, Inc in securing a location to house this essential program. Children who have experienced abuse and trauma need empathy, consistency, but most important a place to feel safe. And One Love 4 Kids, Inc. A Place 4 us program wants to create this safe place for children for many years so that they may continue on their healing journey. Therefore, it is vital for the program to secure funding which will also assist in securing a location that the program can be housed in for a long, long time.

"A Place 4 Us will have a lasting impact on the children, families and community being served. Reason being, although the focus of A Place 4 Us is on providing direct support to children who have experienced, trauma, abuse and neglect, it is common knowledge that children are best understood in the context of their families, schools and communities. As a result, A Place 4 Us program leaders will work diligently and tirelessly to provide resources for parents and caregivers so they can better support their children. In addition, A Place 4 Us program leaders will work with local schools, other agencies serving children and families and county government agencies to ensure that programs are in place to prevent future child abuse. Thus, A Place 4 Us will be a fixture in the lives of children being served and in the community for many years to come."
 

Check out this heart-warming video of a previous grant recipient from the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program- Extreme Recess by Dreams for Kids:



How wonderful would it feel to know that YOU helped make such a difference in your community, just by placing a vote? It's free, quick and easy, and the rewards will have a profound impact on your community.

Take a look at what organizations are in the top 200 and place your vote here. Did you know that the difference between the charities that placed 40th and 41st last year were just 62 votes? Your vote definitely counts and could make all the difference! You can even vote from your mobile phone. As shown in the infographic below, 35% of votes from last year's initiative came from a mobile device (click to enlarge photo):

 

You have until May 16 to vote for your favorite cause/causes and you can vote up to ten times each day, so head over to the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Facebook app and help keep communities strong by voting now!

Wen Hair Care by Chaz Dean Review and Giveway

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Wen Hair Care kit to facilitate this review, as well as a second kit to giveaway. As always, opinions are all my own and are not influenced by comp products.

Being the "Blonde Blogger" for several years now, my hair has been a big part of my online identity. So taking care of my hair is very important to me. Until I had the opportunity to review Wen Hair Care by Chaz Dean, though, I was always battling to keep my hair healthy and moisturized.

I was actually born with red hair that turned blonde around the age of 3 and it stayed blonde into my twenties. Now I need a little help to keep my locks golden, which means keeping my hair from being dry and frizzy was always big challenge.

I have tried so many different shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, leave-in conditioners, etc. but my hair always tended to be over-dry and straw-like, especially after coloring. I kept hearing rave reviews online about Wen Hair Care and wondered if it could be the product that would finally make a difference in my hair.

Here's a description of Wen directly from ChazDean.com:

"WEN by Chaz Dean® cleanses with astringent and antibacterial properties without lathering; it adds sheen, luster, moisture, strength and manageability to the hair. Color lasts much longer and it stimulates the scalp promoting blood circulation, stopping hair loss and promoting healthy hair growth. WEN by Chaz Dean® is formulated with the perfect balance of ingredients for all hair types and performs amazingly well on ethnic hair, due to its moisture content. Try the WEN by Chaz Dean® cleansing conditioners and styling products and notice the instant results, giving your hair the love it deserves. WEN by Chaz Dean® cleansing conditioners were created with herbs and natural ingredients, not only cleansing your scalp and hair, but also moisturizing, soothing, strengthening and adding sheen. WEN by Chaz Dean® is designed to eliminate shampoo and its harsh and damaging effects, without sacrificing the integrity and beauty of your hair. WEN by Chaz Dean® is the only cleanser/conditioner you will need to use in your daily routine, and can be used as often as necessary. Enjoy your WEN® and see your hair and its texture change instantly."

Thanks to the kind people at Guthy Renker, I was sent a review kit of fabulous Wen Hair Care products by Chaz Dean that has changed my hair's health profoundly. The kit included:

• 12-oz. bottle of Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner
• 0.35 Net Weight Sweet Almond Mint Texture Balm
• 2 oz. Sweet Almond Mint Styling Cream
• 2 oz. Sweet Almond Mint Re Moist Intensive Hair Treatment
• Comb
• Pump

My Wen Hair Care Review Kit

You can see how my hair looked before using Wen in my preview video:


After just one use of Wen's Cleansing Conditioner in Sweet Almond Mint, I noticed a visible difference in the health, moisture and vitality of my hair. Though I had heard so many rave reviews about Wen, I was still stunned that just one wash could make such a huge difference.


I didn't even need to style my hair for once. I let it air dry, tousled it with my hands a bit and was done! Wen gave me so much natural body, shine and moisture that I didn't need my usual leave-in conditioners that never really did much for my hair anyway. (I did use a tiny bit of the Wen Styling Cream, however I've since used the Cleansing Conditioner on its own and my hair is just as fabulous. The Styling Cream just gives my hair a bit of extra bounce and shine).

Here's what my hair looked like the next day after using Wen the night before:


Never before have I been able to just wake up, comb my hair and go! I love that I can wash my hair at night now and not have to worry about it looking greasy or having to spend a lot of time styling it the next day. And as I mentioned in my video, I'm blessed enough to have a husband who plays with my hair at night as we fall asleep. He noticed a huge difference as well and remarked on how soft it felt.

I sometimes still curl my ends, but I don't see the heavy damage that I used to see after doing so. Here is my hair curled after washing with Wen three times:

My curls have bounce and softness that I've never been able to achieve before Wen!

I was so hooked on Wen from the start that I knew I would never go back to regular shampoos and conditioners ever again. I found a great special on a Wen set on QVC and jumped on the opportunity immediately (keep an eye on QVC for upcoming Wen shows and specials, especially their rare Wen TSV deal which is what I got). I love the Sweet Almond Mint so much that I chose that formula for my new set:

The set I purchased includes:

• 32-oz. bottle of Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner
• 16-oz. bottle of SixThirteen Cleansing Conditioner
• Six Thirteen Styling Cream
• Sweet Almond Mint Replenishing Mist

I'm SO happy that this set included SixThirteen because I had not heard of it before and wouldn't have known to try it. Chaz Dean calls it "Wen on steroids" and he's not kidding! I didn't think my hair could be any more healthy or moisturized but SixThirteen gave my hair's health an even bigger boost.

I now regularly mix SixThirteen with my Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner with each wash. I highly recommend trying both a regular Wen formula along with the SixThirteen. Adding the SixThirteen into your regular formula will stretch out the time before you need to replenish your Wen products and it will give you moisture beyond anything you can imagine!

I also think it's super sweet how the SixThirteen line got its name. It's the birth date of Chaz's mother as well as the day a special friend of his, a homeless woman by the name of Spirit, who officially became part of his family when he purchased the property she had been living on. Chaz's kind heart and love of people and animals make me even more proud to be a Wen Girl!

Now that I've been using Wen regularly, I find that I can go longer in between washings without my hair getting too heavy or dirty feeling. This picture was taken after four days of not washing my hair:

Wen keeps my hair fresher and cleaner between washings.

Even my husband is a fan and he's bald! Wen is so natural and moisturizing that it can be used as a body wash and/or shaving cream. My husband uses it to shave and I can always tell if he uses his old shaving cream. His skin is visibly dry with shaving cream. With Wen, his whole head and face is as soft as a baby and there is no flaking or dryness whatsoever.

My gorgeous Wen Man with his soft and smooth skin!

There is a slight learning curve to using Wen since it's not like regular shampoo or conditioner (watch Wen's instructional videos on YouTube or on ChazDean.com for great tips). But it's easy to get the hang of it very quickly and your hair will thank you for it! Here are my tips for getting the most out of Wen:

• Be aware that the different Wen formulas (Sweet Almond Mint, Pomegranate, Lavender, etc.) are designed for different hair types. Sweet Almond Mint and Pomegranate are universal and can be used on all hair types but the other formulas are specifically designed for various needs, so be sure to read the description on the formula you choose before buying. You can see a description of every formula and its purpose here.
• The Cleansing Conditioner is just that...a cleansing conditioner. Don't be afraid to use too much or to put it on the top of your hair. A lot of people mistakenly think that Wen is just a conditioner and they'll use it sparingly on the top and more on the ends, leading to greasy, heavy, unclean hair. The more you use the better!
• I have long, thick hair so I use about 6-8 pumps of the Sweet Almond Mint and 2-3 pumps of the Six Thirteen on my first wash and then I repeat again with the same amount of pumps for a second cleanse.
• Apply, rinse and repeat! I always use two applications, making sure the Cleansing Conditioner is applied evenly and heavily all throughout my hair. I wash the first application out immediately, then leave the second one in until the end of my shower.
• I use one pump of the Sweet Almond Mint as a leave-in conditioner just before towel-drying my hair.
• Don't let the price scare you! Wen replaces so many other products...shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, moisturizing sprays, etc. and it holds color longer, making your salon trips less frequent. Being able to go longer in between washings will also save you money. In the end, you may end up spending slightly more, but it's totally worth it!

I cover these tips and more in my final Vlog review:



Now that I've been using Wen for several weeks, I continue to see such a vast change in the overall health of my hair and I couldn't be more happy with it. I am definitely a lifelong Wen girl now!

I've tried all of the other Wen products in my two kits and love them all! I highly recommend that if you switch to Wen, you stay within the Wen family of products for the best results.

My favorite is the Replenishing Mist. If you've slept on your hair after washing, or just want to refresh your look, just spritz and comb through or massage it in with your fingers and your hair will be so invigorated!

I love the Re Moist Intensive Hair Treatment as a once-a-week mask that adds even more shine and moisture. The Styling Cream is great for adding volume, but note that you will need to wash a little more often if you use it. Same with the Texture Balm which I will sometimes apply to my bangs to give them some separation and lift.

After several weeks of using Wen, my hair is amazingly healthy, shiny and soft!

To purchase Wen through an authorized dealer online, visit WenHairCare.com, QVC, ChazDean.com or Sephora.

Wish you could try out the same kit that I did? One lucky reader will be chosen at random to win a Wen kit just like the one that was sent to me for my review! The kit includes a 12-oz. bottle of Cleansing Conditioner, 0.35 net weight Texture Balm, 2 oz. Styling Cream, and 2 oz. Re Moist Intensive Hair Treatment, all in Sweet Almond Mint as well as a comb and pump!

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post stating why you'd like to win, then follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below to complete your entry. Both methods...commenting and entering via Rafflecopter, MUST be completed for your entry to be counted. There are bonus methods for entry as stated on the Rafflecopter widget as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entry deadline is 11:59 pm on May 15, 2014. By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here. Please also see my disclosure policy here. Good luck!

Labor Day Movie Review

Disclosure: I hosted a Labor Day viewing party with my friends and Paramount gave me a copy of the movie on Digital HD.  I was not compensated for this post, however I did receive a complimentary download of Labor Day for my review and I am entering a brand challenge for a chance to win a prize. All opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Thanks to Influenster, I was given the opportunity to host a viewing party to see the new digital release of the movie Labor Day by Paramount. My husband Matt and I love romance movies, so we were especially excited to watch Labor Day after seeing the chemistry between Kate Winslet (Adele) and Josh Brolin (Frank) in the trailer:


Because it was Easter weekend, we combined our family's Easter gathering with our Labor Day Pizza and Romance Viewing Party. Matt's son Josh and his wife Courtney came over with our granddaughter Savannah who was clearly the center of attention until the movie started playing. We all found ourselves enthralled with Labor Day from the start. Even Savannah was glued to the TV as you can see in the bottom, middle photo in the collage below:

 

Winslet and Brolin are such superb actors, they reel you in with more than words. Much of Labor Day is filled with scenes that are suspenseful and silent, yet Winslet and Brolin are able to convey a vast array of emotions with just their body language. You can feel their connection through the screen.

 

The same holds true for Gattlin Griffith who plays Adele's son Henry. All you have to do is look into Griffith's eyes during any scene to feel the emotions the character is feeling. If I were a child actor, I'd be intimidated to play against talent such as Winslet and Brolin, but Griffith held his own and then some. He was a perfect fit for the role and I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of him in future films.

 

Labor Day starts out very tense, and led to a bit of brief commentary amongst us viewers: 

 

"No way would I have done what Adele did! I would have screamed in the store before we got to the car!" -Me (Josh and Courtney agree with me)

 

"Yeah, but he had her son."- Matt (Josh and Courtney agree with Matt)

 

There were more brief bits of opinion and commentary thrown in here and there by all of us, but the main opinion? That this was a splendid love story played out by three (and yes, I say three, because the familial love for Henry was a significant part of the story) extremely talented actors. In fact, every character in the movie was well-played and they enhanced the plot and tension to the very end.

 

Labor Day is all about family, overcoming obstacles, challenges, heartbreak, forgiveness and hardships, but most of all...it's about the power of love and hope.

 

My husband and I are eager to see it again on our next at-home date night. When our guests left, we were feeling extra romantic because of the movie and took a moment to cherish the love we share outside under the sunset. "I'd wait forever for you," I told him, and I meant it. 

Check out Labor Day's official website here for more information on the movie and/or to purchase your own digital copy. And check out this delicious Peach Pie recipe that you can make just like Adele and Frank did in the movie.

Thanks again to Influenster for allowing my family and I to enjoy such a beautiful movie together!

Cavalia's Odysseo - Ethereal Dreams Brought to Life

Disclosure: I received two complimentary VIP tickets to see Odysseo in DC to facilitate this review, but as always, opinions stated are all mine and not influenced by comp tickets or products.

Imagine your most fantastical, magical and ethereal dreams, then multiply them by 1,000. Only then can you begin to comprehend the beauty behind Cavalia's mesmerizing show Odysseo, now on tour at the National Harbor in Washington D.C. Created by the co-founder of Cirque du Soliel, Norman Latourelle, Odysseo is a 30-million dollar extravaganza that celebrates the beauty of the ancient relationship between horse and man amongst a background of unforgettable landscapes.

My husband and I had the privilege of attending the November 8 show in DC as VIPs and it was a night we will never forget. I HIGHLY recommend the VIP experience if you go, as you are treated to gourmet food and an open bar in a private, intimately lit "Rendezvous Lounge," backstage tour, amazing seats and more special perks that add to the magic of your experience.

VIP Experience in the Rendezvous Lounge

If you have not yet heard of Odysseo, treat yourself to a sneak peek of the stunning beauty that awaits you:


 
As an animal lover, I was excited to see the horses most of all, but I was not prepared for how emotionally moving it would be to see these beautiful creatures in all of their glory amidst the most majestic scenery and soul-soothing music possible. I was seriously moved to tears.

La Sedentaire | Credits: Color-ish Company

Odysseo blends the equestrian arts with theater and and stage arts as well as technical/visual effects that will leave you breathless. This is the world's largest touring big top (it takes 10 days to build this virtual city and 3 days to tear down), the biggest stage, and the greatest number of horses at liberty.

There are 63 horses total and 47 artists, and the trainers have a very special relationship with their horses. They know when a horse is not feeling up to performing and will communicate that to the directors so that another horse can take its place.

Indigo, Named for His One Blue Eye

Indeed, these horses are so well-loved and cared for that it is palpable in the performance and behind-the-scenes. For every hour of training, the horses receive two hours of play and are treated to a two-week vacation on a vast, beautiful ranch at the end of every tour. The horses, all males, range in age from 5-18. Once they retire, they are sent to enjoy life on a large farm on the Canadian border where they can roam, play and live happily ever after.

Each horse is given a therapeutic wash after the show and their manes are braided to keep them healthy and long.

Post-show Wash and Braiding

Because the horses are the stars of the show, each performance is unique and geared towards their moods and needs. A live band plays at each show to keep pace with the horses. During some performances, the horses move slower than usual and other times they may move faster, so the band must play to their tempo.

The horses are so connected to the music that if they are backstage and not performing (the horses are on rotation so as not to be overworked and their routines are changed up as often as possible to prevent boredom), but hear the music that they normally perform to, they will get excited and start kicking up their legs as if to say, "Hey! That's my cue! I want to play!"

Zajn, The Black Stallion Who Knows He's a Star

Each horse is also allowed to express its individual personality as we witnessed in the performance we saw. A black stallion named Zajn (pronounced "Zayne") decided to run to his own tempo and got off-track with his group of horses during a run around the ring, which sent the audience into applause and laughter. As he caught up with his group on his own time, he kicked his front legs up into the air as if to say, "That's right! Look at me! I'm the star!" It was so endearing and it quickly made Zajn one of my favorite horses!

Tempete | Credits: Lynne Glazer

Though the horses are the center of the show, the talent displayed by the artists is just as stunning. From silk, pole and ring artists to dance troupes and musicians, I was left in awe of the raw beauty and artistry displayed.

(Spoiler alert- I will be touching on a few of the surprises during the show so if you wish to avoid spoilers, stop here, and go grab your tickets at Cavalia.net!)

The dance troupe we saw perform was brand new from Guinea, Africa and they trained in just six short days. You would think they had been performing all of their lives by their form and rhythm and their ability to incite the crowd into clapping and shouting out to them.

Human Pyramid / Pyramide Humaine | Credits: François Bergeron

We learned before the show that coming to perform straight from their villages was a bit of a frightening experience for them and that they send most of what they earn straight back to their families at home. Knowing that made their performance even more emotional for me and I found myself wishing each dancer well and smiling for their success.

No More War on Earth

At one point during the show, the dancers had the crowd chanting, "O walu guere moufan!"The mantra was in Susu, a language spoken in the coastal region of the performers' homeland, Guinea. As the audience wondered exactly what they were chanting, at the end of the number, the translation for the phrase appeared on the screen. "No more war on earth." Soft murmurs of heartfelt emotions rose from the crowd as we all sat humbled by what we had just chanted.

There was a complete hush over the audience, though, as the silk and pole artists performed. You couldn't help but stare in awe as these artists held their bodies perfectly in-line horizontally while holding onto the pole with just their hands.

Carosello | Credits: Shelley Paulson

 

 

The ribbon artists were just as graceful, mirroring the winter backdrop of elongated, elegant icicles while spinning and posing in what appeared to be effortless movement. They truly looked like angels floating on air.

Les anges / Angels | Credits: Pascal Ratthé

The biggest surprise of the night, though, came as a horse appeared to tap dance in a silhouette against a dreamlike, waterfall backdrop as the stage began to fill with 80,000 gallons of water.

The Travelers V / Les voyageurs V | Credits: JF Leblanc

The coyly dancing horse was then joined by dozens of others who raced and frolicked through the water with such jaw-dropping power and beauty, it left the audience mesmerized.

Les voyageurs VI / The Travelers VI | Credits: François Bergeron

 

One by one, horses and their artists then raced across the front of the stage while riders posed in various stances such as on the side of the horse while quickly jumping onto the back before disappearing again backstage faster than the blink of an eye.

Odysseo Finale | Credits: Lynne Glazer

It was the perfect crescendo to the anticipation that slowly built during the entire show and the audience showed its appreciation with a standing ovation.

As part of the VIP experience, we headed back to the Rendezvous Lounge after the show (we also got to enjoy dessert and coffee there during intermission), where guests await a backstage tour of the stables and meet and greet with the artists.

My Husband and I Backstage in the Stables

To facilitate this review, we were given a special, private tour as well to see exactly what goes on behind the scenes before, during and after each performance.

Backstage Practice Arena

There are two distinct backstage areas, the first being a large arena for the horses to practice. The area obviously needs to be large enough to practice runs and other distance maneuvers.

Backstage View From the "Mountain"

The second area is similar, but smaller and leads to the ultimate arena/stage that viewers see during the performance. The large hill that plays such a significant role in the show is much more grand when viewed from the stage itself and the distance between the back of the stage to the front also appears more vast from the backstage view.

To our surprise, the 80,000 gallons of water that filled the bottom of the stage were already almost completely gone by the time we got backstage, which was only about 10 minutes after the show. The official drain time is 15 minutes total.

We then went back into the stables to meet some of the artists and visit with the horses.

The artists signed autographs for VIP members, discussed what goes into their performances and happily posed for photographs. Some fun facts that Matt and I learned about the show include:

• Odysseo features 64 horses of 11 different breeds, including the Appaloosa, Arabian, Canadian, Holsteiner, Lusitano, Oldenburg, Paint horse, Quarter Horse, Spanish Purebred, Warmblood and Lipizzan.
• The horses are from Spain, Portugal, France, The Netherlands, Germany, The United States and Canada.
• The 49 artists are from around the world including the United States, Canada, Brazil, France, Belgium, Guinea, Russia, Spain and Ukraine.
• There are over 350 costumes and 100 pairs of shoes and boots in a show. An artist may have up to seven different costumes and may only have less than 90 seconds to do a costume change before numbers.
• The white big top is 125 feet tall, the size of a 10-story building.
• The canvas used for the white big top is from Milan, Italy.
• The surface covered by the big white top is 106,700 feet, the size of two NFL football fields.
• Seating capacity is for 2,000 people.
• The stage is approximately 17,500 square feet, larger than a hockey rink.
• The stage is made of 10,000 tons of stones, dirt and sand as well as 16,038 square feet of specialized carpet and pool liner to help build the basin. An "advanced sand team" is in charge of purchasing new sand in each city the show tours in.
• The water used in the finale must be tested regularly for potability since the horses may decide to drink it during a show.
• The high-definition backdrop is the size of three IMAX screens.
• 110 semi-trucks are used to move the production from city to city.
• The carousel used in the performance was specially created for the show and is modeled after Cavalia's horses.

The DC show runs until November 17, after which it will head to Vancouver, BC, Canada. A "Farewell Offer" was just announced where guests can receive 4 tickets free with the price of 4 regular tickets to the DC show (limited quantities). Click here for more information.

Be sure to follow Cavalia on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and on their official website where you'll find even more fun facts, info, photos, history and videos.

Stay tuned to upcoming tour dates and locations here (under "Tickets & Info") and be sure to catch the show if it arrives in your area! Odysseo is this generation's "greatest show on earth" and you won't want to miss it!

Share What's Good Photo Contest by Welch's

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Welch's. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

To me, nothing is more important than family or the memories that we create with our children. Time just goes by way too fast to waste even one day. My kids are now 23, 17 and 13 and my stepchildren are 7, 15 and 22. My husband and I know all too well how fast they grow and how crucial it is to savor every moment we have with them.

Welch’s believes in the magic of “kitchen table” moments, and has been helping families enjoy them for generations. In the time it takes to drink a glass of juice or share a sandwich, a special moment can happen. That’s why Welch’s just launched a new movement called “Share what’s good™”

It’s all about sharing those special moments that occur each day with family, friends and loved ones – whether it’s at home or on the go. At Sharewhatsgood.com you’ll find a variety of great content from fun family ideas to delicious recipes. You can share photos of your every-day moments and see how others are doing the same.

Because my husband works in television news, we don't have the privilege of sharing family dinners like most families do (he works from 3-11:30 pm), so we find other ways to spend time with our kids, such as dinners out on the weekend or creating recipes at home together on his days off. We find activities that we know all of our kids will enjoy so that they'd rather be spending that time with us than being on their iPods or playing xBox.

I would have to say our numerous road trips with our kids are definitely at the top of my list of favorite family memories. We've traveled with them to Florida, New York, the Outer Banks, etc. and we have so much fun blasting the radio, singing along, cracking jokes and laughing. That time with them is simply priceless.

Do you have a favorite family memory to share? If so, Welch's wants to hear from you and your memory could make you the winner of a $5,000 prize! As part of the Share what’s good campaign, Welch’s has launched the “Share Your Moments” photo contest! From 9/16 to 10/25 upload a photo of your favorite family moment for a chance to win $5,000!

Simply post your photo to Twitter and/or Instagram with the hashtag #sharewhatsgood to enter, then follow the rest of the steps on Sharewhatsgood.com to complete your entry! While there is only one grand prize, everyone who enters will get a $1.50 coupon for Welch’s 100% Grape Juice – or $2.00 if you share the news.

Be sure to check out Welch's on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more information and to enjoy the memories that others share from their favorite family moments.