by Shellie Driscoll

Win a 3 month subscription to E-Mealz!  See details below on how to Win It!

Okay moms! If you are anything like me the last thing I enjoy doing is figuring out what to make my family for dinner every night.  Jane Delaney, a Birmingham wife and mother of four had the same problem. She was committed to having her family enjoy dinner together at home like she did growing up but she always struggled with knowing what to make each night.  Jane began looking online for meal plan solutions but quickly found that they were oblivious to her budget, had lengthy and complicated recipe instructions, did not have a consolidated grocery list, and had recipes that her kids would not eat.  Furthermore, these services also did not stay current on weekly sales to maximize her grocery budget.

In 2003, Jane and her sister, Jenny Cochran, teamed up to launch their own meal planning service website called E-Mealz. E-Mealz is a budget-friendly weekly meal planning system with easy-to-follow recipes and a corresponding shopping list that you print and take with you to the store.  How great is that?  You never have to figure out what’s for dinner again!

Jane and her sister worked tirelessly to gather delicious recipes that generally use only a few ingredients and have less than 30-minute prep times.  Most weeks include at least one slow-cooker recipe as well.

There is a Meal Plan for Everyone.

They have meal plan options for two and also families with 4-6 people. You can choose from portion control plans, gluten-free, low carb, low fat, and vegetarian.  These plans are all designed to save you hours of work each week.  All you have to do is print the weekly recipes and grocery list and you are set!

For only $5 a month you can have access to all of these wonderful meal plans that will ultimately save you time and money!  On average your grocery bill for a week’s worth of dinners for a family of 4-6 people is around $75. Two person plans average $35 total per week!

My Experience

I was given a free month’s membership so that I could see first-hand what the E-Mealz website was all about. I have to say,

I was very impressed!  The E-mealz.com website is nicely done and really easy to navigate. There is also a whole page dedicated to explaining how you can save with coupons that I found extremely helpful.

I chose to receive the 7-day, low carb weekly meal plans for 4-6 people.  I loved printing out the recipes and my shopping list and going to the store. There is room on your list to add other items if you need too. The weekly grocery bill average is supposed to be around $75.  I found that my total weekly bill would run anywhere between $80-$95 but because I saved so much time not having to figure out what to make for dinner and then writing out a grocery list, it was totally worth it!  I also live in Southern California, so costs may be elevated.

One of the meals we really enjoyed was called Grilled Chicken Mediterranean with Sauteed Garlicky Spinach. Yum!

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 by Lori Cunningham

There was so much to see at the Toy Fair, I could go on and on…and on and on.  But at some point, I need to get back to “normal” again and move on with my life.  Time to get back to wonderful gadgets that help make moms’ lives easier.  But first, I must conclude my thoughts on my favorite toys from the Toy Fair I attended two weeks ago.  I was able to narrow down my list of favorite toys to the top 18.  I wanted to aim for 10, but I just couldn’t.  Although I feel a bit indulgent naming 18, the fact that I didn’t have 20 faves qualifies me for not going overboard. 

Besides, moms want to know what the coolest products for Christmas are going to be for their little darlings, right?  In my previous post, My Favorite Toys from the Toy Fair Part I, I categorized two groups of toys under “Non-Tech Toys” and “Fun Tech Friends.”  In this Part II post, I cover the “Tech Game and Interaction” and “Tech Toys” categories.  Although mostly boy toys, the “Tech Toys” category will appeal to girls as well.

So, on with the show!

Tech Game and Interaction

Roman Town - Before coming to the Toy Fair, I had seen advertisements online for this PC game.  So when I saw their booth, I aimed right for it.  Roman Town allows kids to explore treasures and artifacts from the past.  They learn about archaeology and how scientists put  together artifacts, like pieces of a puzzle to see what jagged pieces or bones might have been a part of at one time.  This game engages kids with scientific thinking, math skills, and historical knowledge all in one package.  Once “in” Roman Town, kids can speak with ancient people to see what their life was really like.  3D rendering allow kids to explore ancient towns of the Roman world in 79 AD.  The game is chockfull of fun puzzles and mini games as kids analyze valuable artifacts that they uncover.  It looks to be a very fascinating game.   Roman Town retails for $39.95 and is available on dig-itgames.com  website.

V-Tech InnoPad - As you might recall from my “Top 6 Product Trends from CES” article, there were over 50 tablets introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show.  The count is now up to 80 new tablets.  Tablets aren’t going away.  Most tablets are still a bit expensive and many parents aren’t ready to let their younger children play with their tablet yet…especially unsupervised.  Thanks to V-Tech, the new tablet count has increased to 81!  V-Tech will soon be introducing their new InnoPad, designed for children aged 4-9.  It offers learning games, videos, interactive eBooks, video/photo editor, songs, a microphone, and more.  The InnoPad features a 5″ LCD color touch screen with a built-in tilt-sensor for fun game interaction.  It will include slots for USB, SD cards, and a headphone jack.  Additional features include a video player, calculator, calendar, voice-personalized alarm clock, Art Studio, mp3 player, address book and more.  Lastly, kids will be able to interact with their favorite characters from Disney, Madagascar, Scooby Doo, Dora the Explorer, and others via captivating cartridges which will add o the number of interactive eBooks, learning games, and fun activities available.  The InnoPad is very sturdy and housed in a kid-tough rubberized material to help it survive accidental drops.  Although the InnoPad does not connect to the Internet directly, it will connect to your computer via USB or through a SD card slot to download further content f rom Learning Lodge Navigator (www.vtechkids.com/download).  The V-Tech InnoPad will be available this Fall and retail for….only $79.99.  This price surprised me…pleasantly.  For all the features that you receive, it sounds like a good value.  Additional cartridges will sell for $24.99 and the InnoPad and cartridges will be available  at vtechkids.com, Target, Toys R’Us and Wal-Mart.

Wappy - Wappy is a combination of a toy and a video game.  Wappy is a cute little plastic robotic dog that responds to touch and care.  He can sing and dance and he loves to play games with his owner on the Nintendo DS through the Wappy Dog game.  In the Wappy Game, kids can care for and play with their Wappy dog.  They can feed him, dress him, plays games with him (Wappy’s paws are seen as if the physical Wappy dog is actually playing along).  Wappy’s mood actually changes both online and physically if he hasn’t been cared for or played with for a while.  But it doesn’t take much to get him happy again.  Selecting the “outing” mode on the Nintendo DS allows a child to leave the physical Wappy at home but continue to play with him and care with him while away.  Once the Nintendo DS Wappy game and Wappy are reunited, the care and fun Wappy experience is transferred over to the physical Wappy.  Lots of of play and fun make Wappy a Happy Wappy.  Although not confirmed, it is my guess that Wappy will become available on further platforms once it is released.  Wappy is a great pet simulating experience for kids ages 6-12.  The price has not yet been published.

Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure – Now this is pretty cool!  Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure  gives kids a chance to mix reality with fantasy play.  Kids can collect up to 32 different Skylander full-of-personality characters – physical collectibles that allow kids to handle, move, and role-play.  But the fun continues with Skylander Spyro’s Adventure, which will be available on most game consoles.  The game comes with a mystical portal than transports the child’s character into the video game.  Yes, the character stays on the portal but they automatically appear in the game which the child can control and play with.  What’s more, if the child wants to change characters, s/he can remove the current character from the portal and add another.  Each character has different personalities and battle skills and/or weapons.  Even better, a friend can bring over his/her characters and the two can play together.  Players explore a mysterious and mythical world full of treasures, puzzles to solve, and monsters to battle.  Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure will be available later this year.

Shidonni.com - Shidonni is a website that offers free and paid play for kids.  This website  creates the exact opposite of Wappy and Spyro’s Adventure.  In this simple but colorful and fun online world, kids (ages 5-10) draw their own character (in fact, they can draw as many as they like), draw their own house for the character, draw food for it to eat, and play lots of fun challenges with their pet.  Shidonni.com provides lots of activities and worlds for kids to visit with their special pet that are already drawn for them as well.  What makes Shidonni.com unique, is that kids can have their character created into a real stuffed animal, delivered to their doorstep!  Your child will have a one-of-a kind stuffed animal…created by him or her!  How clever.  I saw some of the cute creations at the show.  The material was very soft and sturdy.  It was full of stuffing and very well made. The Shidonni.com website is free for kids.  However, if after a while your child craves more fun and possibility, you can subscribe to Shidonni Pro for a monthly price of $5.95 (or 6 month committment monthly price of $24.95).  To receive your child’s personal drawing “in the plush,” the cost of their One-of-a-Kind animal is $79.99 which includes free shipping and two free months of Shidonni Pro.

Tech Toys

Doodle Track Car - The Doodle-Track Car looks very simplistic when you open the box.  You receive one plastic car (a bit bigger than a Hot Wheels car), one Doodle-Track Car black pen, and a race track with a black line drawn in the inside of the racetrack.  After putting in two AAA batteries in the car (not included), the car will drive by itself around the track, once you place it on the black line.  In fact, you can take any piece of white paper and with any marks you make with the enclosed black pen or even a black crayon, the car will follow!  There is a sensor in the car that looks for the black track.  Kids can even visit the build a track area of the free Doodletrackcar.com website to custom create their own tracks, complete with stores, stop signs, lakes, trees, etc.   Once they are done, they can print out the track from their computer.  Slick!  The Doodle-Track Car is available now and sells for $14.99 online at Daydream Toy, which is a good value for the hours of fun it will provide. 

Hot Wheels Video Racers -  I first saw the Hot Wheel Video Racers during the Consumer Electronics Show in January.  At the Toy Fair, they had more of the product to show.  Hot Wheels Video Racers have a video camera encased inside a small car…about the same size as normal Hot Wheels cars.  Video Racers run on normal Hot Wheels track and can capture and produce 30 frames per second video footage of the “driver” experience.  The camera captures the essence of the race or track loop de loops constructed by the child.  The video camera inside the car can capture 12 minutes of memory and the car has a built-in mini LCD screen for playback and delete functions.  But the Video Racers “thrill of the race” captured moments don’t have to stop at the race track.  Mattel will also sell a protective case that can attach the Video Racer to bikes, helmets, skateboards, or radio control cars.  All video footage can be uploaded to a computer via USB and custom videos can be created using Video Racer’s editing software.  Our kids will become video producers before they hit their  teens!  I love how easier things are getting.  Toys like this are a great way to introduce kids into new careers that weren’t even thought of when we were kids.  Now that’s sweet!  Video Racers will be available in the Fall for $59.99.

LASER PEGS - now here’s a toy I have been following for about 1 1/2 years now, since it was first introduced.  When I first saw LASER PEGS online, I knew they’d be a hit.  I had the opportunity to see LASER PEGS  in person at their first showing at the  Toy Fair.  Their whole booth was lit up with fun structures made with the LASER PEGS.  These things are cool.  Geared for kids aged 7 and up, LASER PEGS  are clear plastic tubes, tube corners, blocks, and balls you can piece together.  Kids can build anything their imagination can come up with.  There are also directions showing them how to build bugs, a dune buggy, tractor, and other things.  When brought to life either through battery power or AC adaptor (sold separately), the whole structure lights up in hues of green, blue, and red.  Since the LASER PEGS are LED lights, they are touted to last up to 100,000 hours.  LASER PEGS will be a sure-fire hit this Christmas if you buy one for your child.  LASER PEGS can be purchased online from a number of retailers, including Amazon.com.  Amazon.com  sells the best selling LASER PEGS product, the 3-in-1 72 piece LASER PEG set for $38.40 with free shipping.

GlowCrazy Distance Doodler - Who doesn’t like things that glow in the dark?  Glow in the dark is big this year.  Crayola introduced its glow in the dark sidewalk chalk and in my “The New York Toy Fair in Pictures” post, I reported on the new glow in the dark Hexbugs and racetrack.  Now, GlowCrazy has recently come out with their Distance Doodler.  The Distance Doodler comes with two removable  jumbo wall clings that you can affix on your walls or ceiling.  Using the Distance Doodler Magic Lightwand, you can write or draw on the wall clings from a distance using light.  The light images stay on the wall clings for up to a minute or two before they totally fade away.  Kids can play a fun game of tic-tac-”glow” on the wall, or use the included stencils to draw some fun shapes.   Forget the kids, I can’t wait to play with the Distance Doodler!  GlowCrazy’s Distance Doodler retails f or $24.99.  If you place your order online through www.glowcrazy.com, you will receive a bonus wide-beam Glow Wand, two extra wall clings, and four additional stencils.  Fun stuff!

Well, there you go!  These toys conclude the rest of my favorite top 18 products from the Toy Fair 2011.  If you missed my first post, My Top Favorite Toys from the Toy Fair 2011, be sure to check it out.  The new ZIKE will forever change the way you think about scooters.  And the mess and frustration of filling up water balloons are a thing of the past with the Pumponator. 

I hope you enjoyed our coverage from the Toy Fair.  It was a lot of fun and I met so many wonderful bloggers there too.  A special shout out to Keriann from the www.ToyQueen.com, Rebecca from www.Beccarama.com and www.KidzVuz.com (a great new site where kids can post their video reviews of their toys), Jen from www.Nextkidthing.com, Rachel from www.busymommymedia.com, and Christy from http://morethanmommy.com/.

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by Lori Cunningham

WellConnectedMom.com has scoured the Internet looking  for Freebies to help make your Christmas a little more fun without spending more money.  Check out each Freebie and then spread the Christmas cheer by sending the link of this article to your friends so they can enjoy them as well.

Thank you for reading the WellConnectedMom.com and helping us to continue to grow.  Thanks to your support and help in spreading the word, we are able to obtain press passes to attend shows such as Television 3.0 (went to is this week), the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, and the  Toy Fair!  I have ALWAYS wanted to go to the Toy Fair in New York City!  A dream come true!

In all of these shows, we’ll be updating the site and YouTube with the latest tech toys and gadgets. I also want to thank you for voting for me during the LosetheLaptop.com contest as well.  Your votes counted and I won the $5,000 grand prize award!  From the bottom of my heart, thank you!  I’m using those funds to pay for transportation costs to the shows.  From my family to yours, have a wonderful Christmas Season and enjoy these precious times with your family.

Now, for the 12 Days of Christmas Freebies Countdown!

Note:  These deals are ending quickly.  Don’t delay, sign up for them today!

On the First Day of Christmas…

It’s Christmas already!  That means a whole new year is coming soon!  Whatever happened to 2010?  Why does it seem the older you get the faster time goes?  Sign up for Betty Crocker’s Free 12 month calendar and get recipes and tips on making great tasting desserts and entrees for your family to enjoy throughout 2011.

Thanks to All4freebies.com for the tip.

On the Second Day of Christmas…

One free recipe a month not enough for you?  Then order this freebie too – a cookbook from Reader’s Digest with over 300 gourmet recipes you can make in less than 30 minutes.  Use this UPC code:   037000326946 to get your free cookbook.

Thanks to FreeFig.com for the tip.

On the Third Day of Christmas…

Are you up for a little bit of mystery?  AllYou.com, a published and online magazine is giving away a “goody bag” to all who sign up for it as a part of their “Reality Checkers” club.  Signing up as a Reality Checker gives you the chance to have your opinions read – online and in the magazine, participate in surveys, and test new products for free.  The goody bag will be filled with “goodies” from All You and their partners.  You should receive your goodie bag within a few weeks.

Thanks to FreeSampleFreak.comfor the tip.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas…

eBooks can be read on multiple devices now – the Kindle, Sony eReader, the Nook, iPhone, iTouch, the PC or Mac, etc.  If you don’t have a collection of eBooks yet, or perhaps you already have an extensive library, check out some of these great classics available for free for the Kindle from Amazon.com:

A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens (Author)

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (Kindle Edition - May 1, 1997)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

The Odyssey by Homer, Alexander Pope, and Alexander Pope

The Legends of King Arthur and His KnightsSir James Knowles

The Holy Bible English Standard Version (ESV)by Crossway Bibles

Amazon has compiled a list of resources available where you can literally add millions of free eBooks to your library…if you had the space.  See their free eBook Collections listto snag more eBooks for your reading enjoyment.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas…

Do you have a child who is studying American History?  Or are you a history fanatic?  How would you like a pocket-sized copy of our Constitution?  The Heritage Foundation is offering a free copy on their website.  Delivery will occur 3-4 weeks after you sign up for it.  A little too late for Christmas, but hey, there’s always Easter baskets! 

On the Sixth Day of Christmas…

If you’re looking for a way for your child to see vegetables in a new and fun way, the Veggie Tales is your answer!  The popular Veggie Tales are stories about animated anamorphic vegetables that have good morals and often recreate bible stories in a humorous way.  Now for a limited time, Amazon is giving away the Veggie Tales’ full music album entitled “The Veggie Tales Incredible Christmas Tree Album.”  Many Christmas favorites are included.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas…

Do you always have the best of intentions to record Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer every year only to realize a few days before Christmas you forgot?  I was able to find the full version online so now you can see it anytime – during Christmas or throughout the year!  Watch Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on Google Videos.  It’s a family tradition with my family.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas…

How about a free ornament?  I don’t know what they look like, but after much searching I found a website where you can have a free ornament sent to your home .  After signing up for the free ornament, you will need to ensure you click on the link in the validation e-mail they send you to ensure you’re signed up.  In signing up for the ornament, you will also receive their “Holidays at Home” newsletter, which you need to be subscribed to when they send out your ornament.

Thanks to Cafémom.com for this tip.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas…

Who isn’t excited to know when Santa will arrive at your home Christmas Eve?  NoradSanta.org takes all the guesswork out.  Now you and your kids can track Santa as he delivers toys all around the world.  Norad has been tracking Santa for over 50 years.  The homepage of NoradSanta.org will show you on Christmas Eve where Santa is headed.  Or, you can also track Santa by downloading Google Earth.

If you haven’t experienced Google Earth before (another  freebie from Google), this is a must have.  Google Earth takes pictures of the Earth from satellite cameras and pieces them all together.  You can find your house (even see your pool if you have one), Disneyland, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids -whatever in the world you’re interested in.  Note, if you decide to download Google Earth, Google packages along Google Chrome, which is an Internet browser, similar to Internet Explorer.  The two Internet browsers can co-exist on your computer.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas…

Kleenex is giving you the chance to play Santa by allowing you to sign up a friend  or family member to receive a cute limited edition Kleenex box.  You don’t want your friends to get caught in the cold with a cold without their cute Kleenex box!  After you sign up, you can track the giving progress.  If your friend sends the same offer to another friend, you can see the giving trail online across America.  A neat idea.

Thanks toSweetFreeStuff.com for the tip.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas…

For a very limited time, Snapfish is offering 50 Free prints with free shipping!!!  Woohoo! Both new and existing customers are welcome to grab this freebie.  Head over to Snapfish, upload your pictures and order 50 prints.  You’ll need to type in your credit card number, but be sure to enter the code HPINK50 when you check out.  Before you finalize your order, the total will be $0.00.

Thanks to FreeSampleFreak.com for the tip!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas…

Would you like to be showered with freebies around your birthday?  One of my fave deal-saving sites, DealWiseMommy.net has a pretty thorough list of restaurants, stores, etc. that provide some sort of freebie for your favorite day — your birthday!

Stores

Ace Rewards – $5 off $20 coupon

Border Rewards – free dessert and 15% coupon

Crayola.com – birthday card, 15% coupon upon sign-up

DSW Rewards – $10 off $10 when you join, plus birthday coupon

Sephora – free gift.  This year it is eye makeup kit!

The Children’s Place - coupon for 15 or 20% off

Disney World or Disneyland – free admission on your birthday

Sweet Treats: Coffee, Ice Cream & Donuts

Baskin Robbins Birthday Club – free ice cream

Bruster’s – free ice cream

Caribou Coffee - free drink

Cold Stone Creamery Birthday Club – free ice cream

Culver’s – free sundae when you buy one

Dairy Queen- free Blizzard when you buy one

Dunkin Donuts – free ice cream

Krispy Kreme- free dozen when you buy one

Restaurants

Applebee’s – free dessert (no sign-up)

Arby’s Extras - free food w/purchase

Biaggi’s – free dessert

Boston’s - free pasta or dessert

Buffalo Wild Wings – free dessert

Dave and Busters - $5 game play

Fuddruckers – free shake w/purchase

Houlihan’s– free entree

Joe’s Crabshack - free appetizer w/purchase

Lone Star Steakhouse – $15 gift card

Macaroni Grill- free dessert w/purchase

Minsky’s Pizza – free menu items

Moe’s Southwest Grill– free entree

Noodles & Company– free entree

Orange Julius – free food

Old Country Buffet- free buffet when you buy one

On The Border - free food

Outback Steakhouse - free dessert on your birthday, no sign-up

Papa Murphy’s – free food

Qdoba Mexican Grill - free burrito w/entree purchase

Quizno’s – free cookie

Red Lobster – $5 coupon

Red Robin – free burger

Rita’s – birthday discounts

Ruby Tuesday - free dessert

Schlotzky’s – free sandwich

Sonic Cruisers – free food

Subway – free meal w/purchase

T.G.I.Friday’s - coupon

Birthday Freebies 4 “Kids Only”:

Check with your local grocery store because many give free birthday cakes to celebrate a 1st birthday.

Applebee’s – free meal for child, fill out postcard at restaurant

Bob Evans Kid Times Birthday Club – free food (12 & younger)

Burger King - free kids meal

California Pizza Kitchen – free meal (10 & younger)

Cheeburger Cheeburger – free kids meal

Chuck E. Cheese’s – free tokens (12 & younger)

Denny’s – free meal (10 & younger)

Geoffrey’s Birthday Club – free toy with $3 or $5 coupon (ages 2 to 10)

IKEA Kids Club – free stuff (in-store sign-up)

Marble Slab Kid’s Club - free ice cream (12 & younger)

Michael’s The Knack Kids Club - coupons all year long (12 & younger)

Sonic Wacky Pack Birthday Club – free meal (13 & younger)

The Old Spaghetti Factory Kids Club- free meal (12 & younger)

Thanks Freebies 4 Moms for the above

Hope you enjoyed our second annual 12 Days of Christmas Freebies!  Have some more tips on where to score more freebies?  Please leave a comment to share with everyone.  Merry Christmas everyone!

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