Review & Giveaway: Soft Scrub Total Bath & Bowl ~

Recently I was chosen to be one of 200 Soft Scrub Captains. One of the perks of this "status" is to be able to try out new products before they hit the store shelves. I received my full size bottle of Soft Scrub Total Bath & Bowl about 2-3 weeks ago and just now got around to trying it out. Before I give you my thoughts on how it works, here's an overview of the product:

The giveaway announced in this video ends Sunday, February 7, 10pm CST. Please leave your email in your comment if it is not accessible in your profile.

Overall I thought this was a superior product. I love that you can spray with foam or a mist and the upside down feature is very convenient.

It easily removed soap scum with very little wiping and I was pleased with how my shower curtain liner turned out.

It left my bathroom smelling "clean" yet pleasant, no overwhelming chemical or "bleachy" odors.

A word of warning, if you have very hard water like I do that creates calcium and rust deposits, do not expect this to do the trick. Especially if you have let things get out of control. You'll need a more heavy duty product, possibly one that doesn't smell so nice.

But if you're looking for a convenient, all-in-one, pleasant smelling everyday bathroom cleaner, Soft Scrub Total Bath & Bowl does the job.

**The thoughts and opinions given in this post are my own. I did not receive compensation for my opinion or review. I did receive a full-size bottle of Soft Scrub Total Bath & Bowl to try so I could formulate my own opinion. I also received a FREE coupon which I am giving away to my readers.

Chocolate Cheerios Review and Giveaway ~

Who doesn't love chocolate?

Well, I suppose there are some who don't, but I DO! And my kids do! So when My Blog Spark and Cheerios asked me to do this review, I was all too willing.

We loved Chocolate Cheerios! Not too chocolatey, not too sugary...in our opinion.

And the best part? Chocolate Cheerios is low in fat, heart healthy*, has 100 calories per serving, contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving (at least 48 grams recommended daily), and is a good source of calcium and vitamin D. It's also made with real cocoa!

*Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. Chocolate Cheerios cereal is low in fat, saturated fat free and naturally cholesterol free.

And to make it even better...check out these fun recipes using Chocolate Cheerios...just in time for Valentines Day!
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Chocolate Cheerios® Marshmallow Hearts

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Start to Finish: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Crust
1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 cup Chocolate Cheerios® cereal, crushed
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups miniature marshmallows
Topping
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 bag (11.5 ounces) milk chocolate chips
4 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal
Candy sprinkles, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F. Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil. In large bowl, mix all crust ingredients except marshmallows with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly. Press firmly into bottom of pan.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven; bake an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows just begin to puff. Cool while preparing topping.

In large saucepan, place all topping ingredients except cereal and sprinkles. Heat over medium-low heat just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 4 cups cereal. Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows; spread to cover. Sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Cool completely, at least 1 hour.

Using foil to lift, remove mixture from pan; remove foil. With deep 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 18 hearts. Store loosely covered.
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Strawberry-Chocolate Cheerios® Parfaits

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Start to Finish: 15 Minutes
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
4 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Light Fat Free strawberry yogurt
2 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal

In 4 parfait glasses or clear drinking glasses, layer half of the strawberries, half of the yogurt and half of the cereal. Repeat layers.

Serve immediately
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And to make it EVEN better, My Blog Spark and Cheerios have also graciously donated a Chocolate Cheerios gift pack to give away to one of my readers. The gift pack includes a full size box of Chocolate Cheerios, a ceramic cereal bowl (the color of chocolate!) and a chocolate scented spa kit.

All you have to do to enter the drawing for this giveaway is leave me a comment telling me how you like to start off your morning.

The giveway will end on Sunday, February 7 at 10pm CST. Good luck!

Jiffy Lube $25 Gift Card Giveaway ~

Ok, I'm just gonna admit it...I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to my vehicle, or automobiles in general for that matter. I don't understand how they work, and frankly, I don't want to. I am very thankful that my husband takes care of those things for me.

Well, for the most part he takes care of those things. I do have to take my van in when it needs maintenance or repair work. But when the mechanic starts rattling off all they recommend having done...I simply pick up my phone and call hubby.

And he reminds me about 500 miles before it's time for an oil change to put it on my schedule. And then he reminds me again. And then, he makes sure I've still got it on my schedule. What a guy!!

Recently, I was contacted by My Blog Spark to check out the MotorOilMatters.org website. And to continue being honest, I wasn't that thrilled to nose around on a website about motor oil and oil changes but the $35 gift card to Jiffy Lube I received from Shell Lubricant and MotorOilMatters.org sweetened the deal just a bit.

So today I headed over to MotorOilMatters.org and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Rather than a bunch of jargon I couldn't understand, I found alot of simplistic, great advice and lots of cool facts.

I especially liked the Matter of Fact section which explores most commonly asked questions and most popular oil myths. And then I took the M.O.M. Knows Best Quiz, which true to form....I FAILED!!

What I learned? What the "W" in motor oil names ACTUALLY stands for and how to know if I am buying quality oil for my vehicle.

So, what it boils down to? If something tragic happens to my husband (please God, no!) and I have to start taking care of my own vehicles, this website is a great place to turn for starters. But until that day? I'm just gonna keep doing what I'm told...and for once in my life, I'm perfectly fine with that!

And also, I have one $35 Jiffy Lube gift card to give away to one blessed reader. All you have to do is head on over to MotorOilMatters.org and poke around. Then leave a comment on this post telling me the most interesting fact you learned, what your score was on the M.O.M. Knows Best Quiz (be honest!).

Please be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it is not accessable on your blogger profile. This giveaway will end on Wednesday, January 20 at 12:00 AM CST. If you read Simple Saving Savvy via an RSS reader, you must click on the post title and leave a comment on the actual post. Emailed entries will not be accepted.

I am a Soft Scrub Captain!

I was chosen to one of 200 Soft Scrub Captains! As a Soft Scrub Club Captain, I will have the chance to test and review brand new products before they hit the store shelves.

I have always loved Soft Scrub products. Been cleaning with them since I was a little girl. No joke! That was my mom's secret method for removing scuffs from white tennis shoes...back before the magic eraser. But in my opinion, Soft Scrub still works better.

I just received my first product in the mail today so stay tuned for the review.

Save up to $6.00 on General Mills Cereals - Now with LESS SUGAR!!

Last week General Mills announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children´s diets. For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

You can print a coupon for $1.00 off one of four cereals here.

Also, print a $1.00/1 and $1.00/2 Honey Nut Cheerios coupon here.

You can print two of each coupon per computer for savings of up to $6.00!!!

As a courtesy from General Mills and My Blogspark, my kiddos (and I) were able to try these new cereals and they taste great. You can't tell the difference with less sugar and I feel better knowing my kids are consuming less sugar. And more nutrients are always a plus. Thanks to GM & My Blogspark for great products and coupons!

Aveeno Nourish+ Review ~

Have you tried the new Aveeno Nourish+ line of shampoos and conditioners?

Recently Bzz Agent gave me the opportunity to participate in a Bzz Campaign for Aveeno Nourish+. They sent me a full size product sample along with several trial size samples and coupons.

I was really excited about this Bzz Campaign because I've actually been using Aveeno Nourish for quite some time.

Several months back, there were alot of free sample offers circulating the blogosphere. After trying it for the first time, I love it. I loved the smell, I loved how it made my hair feel.

So when CVS ran an ECB promotion and I could get it for around $2 a bottle (regular price is around $6 and higher), I stocked up. I've been using it regularly ever since and I'm still in love with it.

I switch back and forth between the Moisturize and the Revitalize formulas. Since I first started using it, my hair, which is very thick and naturally curly, has become more manageable. And the plus is that I don't notice any build up like I do with many other shampoos.

I also use a hair dryer and straightener on my hair everyday so it suffers lots of everyday damage. But I haven't noticed as many dry or damaged ends since I've been using Aveeno Nourish+.

I received five samples of Aveeno Nourish+ Revitalize Shampoo & Conditioner. I am giving away these samples along with a coupon for $1.00 off any Aveeno Nourish+ Hair Care Collection shampoo, conditioner or treatment to five random Simple Saving Savvy readers.

So if you'd like to try Aveeno Nourish+, just leave a comment. I'll do a random.org drawing for the five winners on Friday, October 16 at 12:00pm, CST. Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you are a winner.

Do you like to try new products and share your opinions with those within your social networks?For more information about Bzz Agent and becoming a member, read this.

Get FREE Software in Exchange For Review ~

Did you know that you can get free computer software just by agreeing to write a review.

Many companies know the value of social media in promoting their products.

Critique Manager offers free software on a first-come, first-serve basis. All you have to have is an Amazon.com profile. You won't post your review on Amazon.com to begin with but may be asked to do so with a disclaimer that you are a member of the review program.

Absolutely no catch! Check it out!

Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt - Review and Giveaway ~

I very seldom eat yogurt. My kids eat yogurt at least 4-5 times a week and my husband consumers a yogurt a day. I just don't regularly indulge in yogurt.

It's not because I don't like yogurt.

There are two reasons (one of which I've been seriously convicted about) why I rarely eat yogurt.

Reason #1
I can never finish a full container of yogurt. I'm a snacker. I crave something, eat a little and then move on. I can't bring myself to continue eating once my craving has been satisfied. I almost always leave half of it to go to waste (unless of course I can pawn it off on my husband).

Reason #2
I would rather be treating myself to stuff like...chocolate! Or cinnamon rolls! Or ice cream! You see where I'm going with this.

Recently My Blog Spark offered to send me a coupon for FREE Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt if I would agree to review it. Who can turn down FREE, right?

I chose the vanilla flavor since it's my favorite, but if you're a more adventurous soul than I, you can choose from Strawberry, Peach and Key Lime as well.

What I liked is that the portions are just the right size. I ate it all in one sitting. No waste. These would be the perfect size for children as well, with more protein and fiber than is traditionally found in kid-specific yogurts.

As much as I LOVE sweet stuff and snack foods, as I get older, I am coming face to face with the need to watch what I eat. Not from a weight loss perspective but from an "I want to live a long, happy, fun life with my husband and children" outlook. I need to be cutting out the junk and opting for more nutritious food options.

With only 50 calories per serving and 5 grams of fiber, plus 2 grams of protein, I can feel good about snacking on Yoplait Fiber One yogurt in the middle of the day...with no waste!

TRY IT! If you would like to try Yoplait Fiber One yogurt, you can print a coupon for $1.00 off right here or a coupon for $1.25 off here.

Or WIN IT! Three (3) lucky winners will each receive a "Healthy & Fit Weight Management" gift bag that includes a Fiber One yogurt VIP coupon (good for a free 4-pack of Fiber One yogurt), cooler pack, and other storage items for you to carry your snacks and yogurt- it's great for work and other on-the-go activities!


For a chance to win one of these gift packs, compliments of My Blog Spark, leave a comment telling me what your guilty snacking pleasure is.

If you are reading this from your email or in an RSS reader, please click on the post title to go directly to Simple Saving Savvy and leave your comment. Emails will not be considered entries.

For extra entries:

* Blog about this giveaway, leave your link as a comment.

* Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this contest using the following text: Share your guilty snacking pleasure for a chance to win a Yoplait Fiber One yogurt prize pack http://bit.ly/BiExT

* Subscribe to Simple Saving Savvy by email or in a reader and leave a comment.

*Leave a comment telling me what types of posts are most helpful to you.

You must be 18 years or older and live in the United States to enter this giveaway. The giveaway will end on Tuesday, 9/22 at 9pm Central Standard Time. I will choose the winner via Random.org and contact the winner. If it is you, you will have 48 hours to contact me or I will choose another winner.

Get a Coupon for NEW Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets ~

Have you tried the new Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets?

I have and I absolutely LOVE them!

I am notorious for forgetting to put fabric softener in the wash. I put the detergent in but many times get called away before I get to the fabric softner. Then I realize it after the washer is on the final spin cycle. With Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets, I don't have to worry. I simple throw in a sheet and kill two birds with one stone (detergent & fabric softner). Then I transfer the sheet to the dryer for static cling protection.


How much more convenient does it get?

And my clothes get clean and smell fresh!.

Right now you can go here and get a coupon for Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets. They're also giving away FREE Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets every day. You can enter by tweeting about it, becoming a fan on facebook or posting their badge to your blog.

This sheet works! Check it out!

Crest Foods ~ Discussion on meat quality

I was talking with a friend the other day about Crest meats....the "super lean ground beef" in particular.

Both of us use LEAN ground beef for our family cooking.

Both of us have purchased the "super lean ground beef" in the pre-packaged meat counter at Crest for $3.58/lb.

Both of us have determined that this is NOT "super lean" ground beef.

I noticed when cooking it that I had to pour off ALOT of fat. Then my husband made dinner for him and the kids one night and confronted me.."are you not buying lean ground beef anymore?"

So I conducted a little experiment. I purchased ground beef at Walmart (96/4), Target (93/7) and Homeland (90/10).

I also purchased more of the "super lean" at Crest (which by the way is not marked with a percentage).

The Walmart and Target ground beef cooked up VERY little visible fat, and the Homeland ground beef (which remember, was 90/10) didn't have much more.

However once more, I poured quite bit off of the Crest ground beef, just as much if not more than from the Homeland 90/10.

So while I was at Crest doing my regular shopping, I stopped by and asked to speak with the meat manager. I informed him, quite sweetly I might add, of my findings. He told me that their "super lean ground beef" was about 95/5.

I told him that was IMPOSSIBLE! I explained to him my experiment but he stuck by his guns. I, again sweetly, suggested that he might want to double check with his supplier because what they were selling their customers was NOT "super lean" and if they were buying it under the pretense of it being "super lean", then they were being misled and possibly over-charged as well. I also told him that while I was not angry, I would no longer be purchasing my meat at Crest until I was sure I was getting what I paid for.

So we shall see. I fully do not expect them to change anything...afterall, they probably haven't received any feedback from other customers. But I did want to let you all in the loop so you can decide for yourself.

If you're like me, and lean meat is a regular item on your grocery list, than this information is quite useful and important.

Friday Lunch Date & Chili's Guiltless Grill Menu

Hubby has had Fridays off lately. Usually he is piddling (is that even a word?) around the yard or garage but we thought this week we would try to have a "date". Well, I had coupons through BzzAgent for the Chili's Guiltless Grill campaign so we thought we'd give it a whirl. A "cheap" date at that!

I told my hubby that the only criteria for going to lunch for free is that he had to give me constructive feedback on his entree so I could report back. No worries. So he orders the Guiltless Buffalo Chicken sandwich. When it comes, it looks scrumptious. He wolfs is down in less than five minutes, including the steamed veggies with parmesan cheese that came on the side. I ask him how it was and here is our conversation:

me: "how was it?"
him: "eh...it was alright."
me: "what exactly does 'alright' mean? Did you like it?"
him: "it was ok. It was good. Kinda small though."
me: "honey, you have to remember, this is the "Guiltless" menu. It's supposed to be healthy, low-fat, smaller portions. It's not a gorge yourself type of menu."
him: "well, I understand that but if that's all the food I'm gonna get to eat, then I don't think I'd be worrying much about healthy, I'd work it all off in no time."

Ok, so lesson#1 ....DO NOT take hubby to try out a healthy menu, especially when said hubby is 6'4" and 220lbs. He won't be satisfied even if a gourmet chef is creating his lunch! Better to invite a friend for a girl's lunch!

On a more positive note.....MINE was DELISH! I had the Cedar Plank Tilapia....seasoned and served right up on a cedar plank with homemade pico de gallo and of course steamed veggies on the side with parmesan sprinkled over the top. The tilapia was cooked perfectly, flavorful and just enough to fill me up without making me sluggish. I loved the veggies too!

Lesson #2....remember to ask lunch companion for a bite of theirs!

Are you a member of BzzAgent? If not, check it out here: http://www.bzzagent.com/