This means we’ve swapped out many of our regular snacking options for Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop!, and even though my family members each have different “snacking personalities,” we’ve all found something to love about the Challenge.

1. I think there is something psychologically pleasing about a snack with a “crunch,” but instead of chips, we can all munch on SmartPop! and get the same satisfaction with a snack that is 94% fat free.
2. My kids are fuller quicker and longer with Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! versus some other sweeter snacks they might choose after school. The protein and dietary fiber of SmartPop! seems to stick in their belly, helping them to make the stretch to dinnertime much easier.
3. I’m a confessed late-night snacker, and with only 120 calories per serving, I have much less guilt snacking on SmartPop! at night. And again, the individual crunch-crunch-crunch and large portions help me feel like I’m getting a lot for a little.

GIVEAWAY: Five (5) readers will each win their own box of Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! to start a “Healthy Snacking Challenge” of their own! To enter, please answer in a comment to this post: what regular snack would you replace with Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop!?

US entries only, please. All entries due by 11:59pm Central time, Thursday, May 28.

For extra entries, please:

• share this giveaway (JUST ONCE!) with your followers on Twitter by using the share button below and leaving “@StaceyNerdin” in the text
• get updates on future posts and giveaways by subscribing to Tree, Root, and Twig via RSS or email

Please leave an extra comment for any additional entry methods used.

Good luck!

Read the complete Official Giveaway Rules for Tree, Root, and Twig.

*Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in an ambassador campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Orville Redenbacher’s. I received Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! products as well as a promotional item as a thanks for my participation.

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Win Orville Rendenbacher’s SmartPop! and Begin Your Own “Healthy Snacking Challenge” is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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Tomorrow I’m looking forward to joining the National Pork Board at a Twitter party called #ChopInspiration to discuss great ways to cook pork (including on the grill – Hello Summertime!).

PARTY DETAILS:

Who: Main hosts are @AllAboutPork and @TheMotherhood

When: Thursday, May 17 at 7-8 p.m. ET

What: We’ll talk about pork chops, get recipe inspiration, test your “pork chop personality,” and win prizes!

Where: on Twitter, under the #ChopInspiration hashtag

Prizes: Win one of five prize packs, each including $20 in pork coupons, a new Weber charcoal grill and other items to help unleash the power of the pork chop. Prizes will be offered based on responses to trivia questions.

RSVP: HERE

I’ll be there (@StaceyNerdin), along with these other fantastic bloggers:

Crystal, Simply Being Mommy
Divina, for Mom Confessionals
Ellen, Confessions of an Overworked Mom
Heather, The Fabulous Finds
Jackie, Free is My Life
Jennifer, Mom Spotted
Louise, Mom Start
Nichol, KiddiesCorner Deals
Stacey, Tree, Root and Twig
Victoria, Veep Veep

Do you have a great recipe for cooking pork? How about a marinade that rocks? Join us at the #ChopInspiration party and let us know!

*Disclosure: This post is part of a compensated opportunity to co-host this Twitter party with The Motherhood. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.

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Could You Use a Little #ChopInspiration? {Twitter Party & Prizes} is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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This stubbornness of mine has been particularly challenging since my husband started working out of town last year. He likes to call and check in at least once a day (sometimes more), but I often keep the conversations short because I’m distracted by the task I’ve just left on hold. (ps: I feel bad about that.)

We’ve been testing out the VTech LS6475-3 Multitasking Home Phone System for the last two weeks, and it easily solves a few of my biggest problems when it comes to finding time to chat.

Of the many features listed on the VTech LS6475-3 Multitasking Phone System product page, here are my favorites:

• Voice Announce Caller ID: the phone will actually tell you who’s calling, so you don’t have to run to the phone to check the caller ID. Of course, it can be amusing to hear how the phone pronounces some names/businesses (some words can get quite skewed), but for the most part I can understand what “she” is saying, and I love being able to stay where I’m at until I know for sure if I should get up and answer the call.
• Built-in Digital Answering System: there are no tapes or moving parts, no having to pick up the receiver and dial in to your service provider to get your voice mail. Easily retrieve messages from the machine or the handset, or listen as they are being left – this also helps me keep an ear out if I decide to not pick up a call, but the message is urgent and changes my mind.
• System is expandable up to 12 Cordless Handsets: Believe it or not, our 3600 sq foot house has only ONE phone jack installed upstairs, and it’s in my 4yo’s bedroom. Not ideal. The cordless handset does not (just as the name indicates) need a phone jack – instead, you just plug it in and it works off the signals from the main telephone base. This has been great for when I’m working on something upstairs – the cordless unit still has the Voice Announce Caller ID, so I can screen my calls, and the reception is great so I don’t have to run back downstairs to pick up a call.
• Last, but NOT LEAST, the Cordless Headset: Sure, it may make me feel a little like a Time Life operator answering a call, but using the cordless headset while talking to my husband has meant that I can keep the conversation going while still attending to the things I need to get done at home. Just yesterday he called right as we were walking in the door with groceries. I was able to put everything away and talk to him at the same time – it might seem like a small thing, but it made a big difference in being able to connect with him more while he’s away. (note: I have not had great success with using just the “ear hooks” with the headset – it’s not a very secure fit for me and interferes with wearing my glasses. I have, however, liked using the provided headband with the headset – it has the perfect tension to keep the earpiece securely in place.)

Aside from all these super-practical features, I like that so many options can be customized, and the phone just looks so sleek on my kitchen counter. I should also say that my husband reports the sound quality is great from his end of the line, even when I use the headset (that was important to me – I didn’t want to sound too “tinny” while we talked), and my kids love jumping on the two handsets while I’m using the headset – it’s like a big conference call with Dad!

The VTech LS6475-3 Multitasking Home Phone System has definitely changed how I respond to phone calls now; instead of simply ignoring the ring, I listen to the caller ID being announced or the message being left, and hurry to get my headset ready if I decide it’s time for a good chat.

To learn more about the VTech LS6475-3 Multitasking Home Phone System - including how this might just be the perfect gift for the busy mom in your life – visit:

• the VTech LS6475-3 Multitasking Home Phone System product page
• VTech on Facebook
• VTech on Twitter

*Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of VTech and received a product sample to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.

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Mother’s Day Gift Idea: The VTech LS6475-3 Multitasking Home Phone System is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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The giveaway required that readers answer the question: “have you or your child ever suffered a sports-related injury?” In Liz’s case, she answered that she tore her ACL in high school. Ouch!

In fact, a lot of readers (or their children) seemed to have suffered some pretty intense injuries. I learned two things from reading the few hundred responses: (1) there are a lot of ways to get hurt, and (2) my family has been comparatively lucky with the injuries we’ve sustained. I’ll continue to be grateful for that!

I may have only been able to give the gift card to one winner, but right now everyone can download a 50cent-off coupon by following the link on the SAFESKIN® Kids Sport Wrap Facebook Page. Available in bold blue and red for kids, SAFESKIN® Kids Sport Wrap is an excellent addition to your first aid supplies, is self adhesive, water resistant, reusable, latex free, and great way to give your young athlete the support he or she needs, with style.

SAFESKIN® Kids Sport Wrap is currently available at Walmart for $3.94.

*Disclosure: I received compensation from Kimberly-Clark Professional in the form of a gift card to participate in this campaign promoting the Sport Some Color SAFESKIN Kids Sport Wrap Challenge.The winner of this giveaway was randomly chosen.  In addition, Kimberly-Clark Professional provided the gift card I am using as the prize in my promotion. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.

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Who Won and What I Learned from the SAFESKIN® Kids Sport Wrap Giveaway is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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• My 4yo son is what I call a “grazer” – he’d rather snack his way through the day than fill up on regular meals. Like most parents, we work hard on emphasizing the importance of balanced meals and try to be choosy with his snacks.
• My school-aged kids come home from school and immediately want something to munch on while they do their homework. They often choose sweeter snacks that don’t fill them up, so they end up over-indulging and sometimes have trouble eating a good dinner.
• I don’t have a lot of time during the day to snack, but once the kids go to bed, I find myself snuggled into the couch with the DVR remote and something crunchy. The late-night calories are not ideal.
• My husband has been working hard to lose weight recently and tracks every calorie he eats. Although he likes to snack, he’s more conscious than ever as to what each little bite “costs” him, and he won’t eat just anything.

Considering the goals and challenges my family faces with our snacking habits, it was perfect timing for me to sign up as an Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! Ambassador and take the “Healthy Snacking Challenge.” During the Healthy Snacking Challenge, my family will swap out other snacks for Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! and work it into our diet and snacking routine.

Popcorn is a snack I’ve always felt good about giving to my kids, since it’s so filling and much healthier than other snacks. In fact, Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! has just 100 calories per 6 cups (6 cups!! that’s a very generous serving size!) and is 94% fat free. It’s also made of 100% whole grain, is a good source of dietary fiber, and I was surprised to see that Orville Redebacher’s SmartPop! also provides potassium and iron.

Full nutrition label for Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! Pop Up Bowl (Butter)

You can learn more about SmartPop! and other healthy snacking options on Orville Redenbacher’s Facebook Page, where you can also play the fun Pop Cam game, download a $1-off coupon and more.

I welcome the opportunity to participate in the “Healthy Snacking Challenge” this month with my family and switch out other snacks for Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! Although each of us has different snacking habits and personalities, I think my entire family with be satisfied with the results!

*Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in an ambassador campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Orville Redenbacher’s. I received Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! products as well as a promotional item as a thanks for my participation.

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We’re Taking the Orville Redenbacher’s “Healthy Snacking Challenge” is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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