Scrutiny by the Masses

Security Is Definitely A Necessity

This is a paid review for Blogher Reviews.

Time's Up!  The Random.org generator has spoken, and the winner was #18, Joyful abode, who said I don't have kids of my own yet, but I teach. Any computer time (very little) is monitored by me though. I can see something like this being useful in schools.

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to contact me, or I'll have to pick a new winner.

With six kids, two grown ups, and three computers, we certainly have our hands full as far as a need for computer security goes.  I'm only one woman with two eyes and two hands, and the kids have proven themselves very, very ingenious and crafty when it comes to being on the computer, even though the computer is in the main room. I've seen some c-r-a-z-y stuff when I check their history, and it boggles the mind to know what they might have seen.

That's why I was so delighted to be invited to review the new program from the good folks at Symantec, well known for their online security products.   Their newest offering?  Norton Online Family.  NOF is a set of controls that let's you monitor your children's usage of the computer - not recording keystrokes, but actually what sites they visited and the length of time, and where they went next.  The site visits are also grouped by like interests, so you can determine if your child is spending too much time on, say, popular teen sites instead of multiplication review.  Ahem.  Not that my girls would know ANYTHING about that. 

The steps involved are easy.  Create a family account, adding each family member with their own cute icon.  Next, you install the safety minder on each computer.  (The really cool thing about the Safety Minder?  Every time your child goes online, the Safety Minder pops up, reminding your child that every site is being recorded.  Kind of an online conscious.) The final step is to create "house rules", letting your child know what sites are acceptable and what aren't.  One of the coolest features is that you can designate different rules for each child - I have kids in every single age frame, so it's really nice to know if the little ones stumble onto a site that is more appropriate to an older child. 

I really think that this program rocks.  The ability to look into the history of each individual child really puts my mind at rest - I could get really upset if I saw a history of sites dealing with breasts, unless I knew that one daughter was writing a health report on breast cancer.  One of my other favorite features is that you can set the program to email you if a site is attempted by your child - if you've decided it goes against the family rules.  Smart, smart thinking.

Norton wants to get the word out there as to the wonders of this amazing product, so they have graciously donated an iPod Touch to be given away on EACH of the TEN sites reviewing Norton Online Family. You can find all of your chances here, and enter to win one on this site below by following these simple rules. To enter, please leave me a comment below, telling me how you stay in the loop with your kids and whether this new software will help you. You may leave a link to your post or twitter message about this contest in the comments for an additional entry. The contest will begin at 12:00 a.m. (PST) on Monday, February 24th and will end Sunday, March 9th at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Make sure your email address is valid! Rules: * No duplicate comments * This giveaway is open to U.S. residents * Winners will be selected by random draw and will be notified by email. * You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. * See the official rules for details.

Good luck!

Dreambox Learning - Making Math Fun?

I vividly remember seventh grade math.  I think it was pre-algebra, maybe just general math - but the memory comes not from the skill but the absolute DREAD I felt every day as I walked to the class.  I never understood what the teacher was trying to explain, didn't get the concepts or ideas, and skated away from that class with a low D. 

Sure, I can multiply, divide, convert fractions and do the necessary computations to double or halve a recipe, or determine the mileage - but anything above that might as well be the moon. I've always had difficulty understanding math. My two oldest kids are the same was; we just aren't wired for math. My third oldest is brilliant - no thanks to me - I think it must have skipped around from different family members. 

When I was invited to preview the new online math game Dreambox Learning, I was, I'll admit, kind of skeptical.  I really don't think of math as "fun", although I did learn my multiplication tables by listening to hours upon hours of SchoolHouse Rock.  (I can still sing most of the multiplication songs - karaoke night would be AWESOME with me, yes?)  Dreambox Learning is billed as a fun, interactive site to help kids from K - second grade learn their basic math skills in a fun, exciting way.

From the personalized sign in (which used a picture password - great for pre readers) to the arcade style carnival games, my preschooler and kindergartener were entranced and excited to play.  My younger daughter, who is in preschool, is not technically the target market, but after picking her personalized avatar - an African American with long braids - she was excited to follow her big sister.  One thing I often hate about online games for kids this age is the need for me to be right there - reading prompts or helping them to understand.  Not necessary with Dreambox.  The animated gude walks them through each and every step of the way, explaining the games and concepts clearly and concisely, freeing me to do more important things, like solving world peace cooking a gourmet meal  reading blogs.

Follow Up Answers From Campbell's

The kind, gracious, very witty and oh so beautiful Juli Mandel-Sloves, Senior Manager for the Nutrition and WellnessCommunications, has been kind enough to answer the questions that you all ask, pertaining to gluten free products and their use of High Fructose Corn Syrup.  Below please to find her responses:

Gluten Free:
 
At Campbell we have compiled a task force to review our product ingredients one by one to make absolutely certain that only those we can confirm are gluten free are put on our list for our Consumer Response Information Center.  Some items that may have been listed previously could have been removed for further consideration to be 100% certain.  At this time we do not certify our products as Gluten Free.  However we do compile a list for consumer inquiries once our review process is complete.  The most recent list is attached.  Our Consumer Response Information Center is currently working with bloggers to provide this list in response to inquiries.
 
In terms of why certain products are made with modified food starches, the answer is that these starches provide texture to certain recipes.  Each of our recipes is hand crafted, which explains why some contain food starches while others do not.  What works in a broth based soup is different from what works in a cream-based soup.  We do not make private label products.
 
HFCS:
 
At Campbell we are aware that people sometimes prefer to purchase foods without certain ingredients.  We have a wide portfolio of products and it's likely that in that portfolio you will find a product that meets your taste and lifestyle needs.  High fructose corn syrup is a safe ingredient that is commonly used by Chefs and those in the food industry.  We have reviewed the research and find that HFCS is metabolized by the body in the same way as sugar.  In fact, the American Medical Association has recently come out with a statement that HFCS is treated no differently than sugar by the body. 
 
For those that prefer foods without HFCS, they will find many Campbell products without this ingredient, these include our line of Campbell's Select Harvest soups, Prego Italian sauces, V8 V-Fusion 100% juices and many other products. 
 

Johnson's Baby Bubble Bath and Wash and Head To Toe Foaming Wash

Want to win a bunch of classic Johnson's products (lotion, powder, golden shampoo, etc.)., to go along with the "now and then" theme of the 50th Anniversary? The total package retails for approx. $70 and looks like this. 

Read the info below and enter to win by leaving a comment with your favorite Johnson's product.  This contest is open to US residents and ends February 13, 2009.

January 2009 marks the 50th Anniversary of the iconic JOHNSON'S® No More Tears® trademark formula! 

It's hard to believe that within some families three generations of mothers have used Johnson's trusted No More Tears products on their children.  In 2009, JOHNSON'S® continues with this tradition and celebrates its' anniversary by introducing two new No More Tears® bath time products, Johnson's Bubble Bath & Wash and Johnson's Head-To-Toe Foaming Wash, both containing an updated, even more mild No More Tears® formula.

Chicken Noodle Soup, V-8 Fusion, and Me

I have to admit, I really wasn't aware of everything that Campbell's meant when I agreed to take a trip to see their headquarters.  Sure, I have had the ubiquitous red and white cans of soup my entire life - who among us hasn't? My kids love the Shrek, Dora and Princess versions of the chicken noodle soup, and tomato soup is a big hit here. (As an aside, 50% of those who make the tomato soup use water, and 50% use milk - which do you prefer?)  The only juice that my kids drink is the V-8 Fusion. We have, in the past, used Prego spaghetti sauce and it was hard to let that go when we dropped the High Fructose Corn Syrup from our diets.  But, what did Campbell's really have to do with kids nutrition?

I was in for a big lesson.

Long John Silver's Healthier Meals While On The Go

Recently I was sent gift checks to try out the new Healthier Options now being served at Long John Silver's.  LJS offers low-fat, non-fried seafood choices with their new Freshside Grille^TM  menu. This menu features Grilled Salmon, Grilled Tilapia and Shrimp Scampi, all of which have health benefits for the heart, eyes, brain and immune system.

Sounds good, but how do they taste?

I have no idea.  I don't eat fish.  (I take a complete 3-6-9 every day, though!)  I don't actually like the taste of fish.  My mom and my husband both LOVE fish, and they agreed to be my taste testers. From my husband: "I loved the Tilapia and the Salmon.  It was so good that I licked the plate.  It compared right up there with some of the fancier presentations that I've seen at more expensive restaurants."  He has eaten both of these several times - and that's high praise, indeed - he doesn't often pay to eat a meal out.

My mother was similarly impressed.  She ranked them right up there with the Tilapia in a bag from Red Lobster. She was happy to see that the meal comes with seasoned rice, vegetable blend and corn on the cob, as well as a breadstick.  It was a delicious, satisying and nutritious meal.  It was low carb and lower in calories and fat.

Lower in fat, not fried and flavorful - I think this was a win-win situation for all!

Tennis, Anyone?

Recently, I was contacted by a wonderful woman named Meghan, who represents the U.S. Tennis Association’s Jr. Team Tennis program.  She asked if she could send my family tennis racquets, balls and instruction.  I was, uh, less than enthused. 

My husband ADORES tennis.  Loves it and would play often if he could.  When we were first married, I tried to play tennis with him, and I HATED it with the fire of 1,000 suns.  I was completely unable to hit the ball - the racquet must have had a hole in it.  I missed EVERY.SINGLE.BALL.  He tried to teach me and I was resistant to being taught, and it was sooo not a good combination. I've avoided it ever since, even though he'd love for me to play with him - he claims it is a great sport.  When the offer for the equipment came, I didn't mention it to him, but when the box came on his birthday, there was no way to avoid it.  I had to play tennis with him.  And you know what?

It wasn't bad. My kids liked it, and I was better than I remembered. The hole in the racquet closed, I guess, because I was able to hit it over the net every time.  We are going again.  :)

Here are some great pieces of information that Meghan asked me to pass on.