TrueBody Soaps (Holiday Gift Guide) - PRODUCT REVIEW

Back in August, I won a giveaway from In My Opinion that included a box of TrueBody soaps.

From their website:

TrueBody Soap is an all-natural, basic, everyday bar of soap.

• It’s unscented—which means there’s no added ingredient to mask any naturally occurring scent. In fact, there are only five ingredients—Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Water, Vegetable Glycerine and Sodium Citrate—so it’s great for those who are sensitive to fragrance or other chemicals.
• Plus, it makes a great lather and lasts a long time.
• And, it comes in a 3-pack to provide better value while minimizing packaging.

Unlike many conventional bath/beauty bars, TrueBody Soap is made without animal by-products, synthetic ingredients or chemical preservatives. In fact, due to a revolutionary process, TrueBody Soap is one of the first bar soaps on the market that is vegetable-based and entirely free of EDTA, chelates or any other type of synthetic preservative. (Due to the necessary use of fat or oil to create soap, all bar soaps, even organic ones, currently contain some type of preservative to keep the fat/oil from going rancid over time.)

Our soap has only 5 ingredients.

My Take:

While I must admit to being a fan of handmade soaps, all-natural and vegan soaps have not been to my taste.  Usually, the soaps feel hard on my skin, and (yes, I know - you don't NEED lather to get clean) they don't LATHER!  I LOVE lather!  Seeing all of those bubbles on my skin makes me happy!  TrueBody soaps have plenty of lovely lather!  AND my skin felt GREAT using them!

The fact that the soaps are also unscented is a plus as well, as the soap scent doesn't compete with the fragrance I spray and lotion on after a shower or bath.  They are long-lasting, too!

My Not-So-Bebe-Girl Autumn is an environmentally-conscious vegetarian who will definitely appreciate seeing a box of this soap in her stocking this Christmas (and she will!)

BUY IT:  A three-pack of soap is available for LESS THAN $5 at Amazon and other online retailers.


Disclosure:  This is a review of a product that I personally own.  The opinions expressed are my own and I have received no compensation for this review.

NBC's Community Special Christmas Episode Airs TOMORROW - Dec 9th! 8 PM EST/7 PM CST

Have you seen this new show yet?  NBC's "Community" is a smart comedy series about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College.

At the center of the group is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), a fast-talking lawyer whose degree has been revoked. With some help from his fellow classmates, Winger forms a study group that eventually learns more about themselves than their course work. 

Also among the series stars who comprise the group are: comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Chuck") as Pierce, a man whose life experience has brought him infinite wisdom, Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel") as Britta, the 20-something dropout with something to prove, Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement") as Shirley, a sassy middle-aged divorcée, Danny Pudi ("Greek") as Abed, a pop culture junkie, Alison Brie ("Mad Men") as Annie, a high-strung perfectionist, Donald Glover ("30 Rock") as Troy, a former high school football star trying to find his way, and Ken Jeong ("The Hangover") as Señor Chang.

Tomorrow, there will be a special Christmas episode airing at 8 PM EST/7 PM CST

ABED'S UNCONTROLLABLE CHRISTMAS - (TV-PG) 

 

Episode Summary:  In this special stop motion animation episode, the meaning of Christmas is lost and Abed's intense fixation on Christmas concerns the group.

I was able to catch an early preview of this episode thanks to the One2One Network.  Let me tell you, this is not your average Christmas animation!  There were many times when I smiled, and even a couple of "chuckle/snort" moments.  Abed finds himself not liking the "politically correct" version of Christmas and sets out to find the "true meaning of Christmas", taking all of his friends and the psych professor with him!

So set your clocks (or your Tivo's) and catch this special Christmas episode of NBC's "Community".  It's very funny and entertaining!

Take a quick look at THIS (kinda funny "how it was made" video - alert: tiny 5-second commercial at the beginning):

If you like what you see, follow on Twitter:

"Community" Twitter Names To Know & Follow:

NBC Community @nbccommunity

Joel McHale @JoelMcHale

Alison Brie @AlisonBrie

Danny Pudi @DannyPudi

Yvette Nicole Brown @YvetteNBrown

Donald Glover @MrDonaldGlover

Gillian Jacobs @GillianJacobs

Ken Jeong @KenJeong

Dan Harmon @danharmon  (show's creator)

Disclosure:  This post is being written as part of a One2One Network campaign.  I was provided early access to the episode being reviewed.  No other compensation was received or promised.  All opinions expressed are my own.  By posting about this episode, I also receive a chance to win a prize package.

Wanchai Ferry and Romano's Macaroni Grill - At Home! - REVIEW and GIVEAWAY {CLOSED}

I love cooking!  I really do.  I didn't really get into it too much until I entered an unextended period of unemployment, and I started experimenting with cooking to give myself something to do, then I found just a joy in putting together random ingredients or using a recipe as a guide, adding in ingredients as I saw fit and coming up with something yummy!

I would LOVE to make all of my dinners from scratch.  BUT with a busy busy lifestyle, that's not always possible.  Most convenience foods are junk food, which we try not to have in the house.  What's a girl to do when there are hungry mouths clamoring for REAL food, but there's just not enough time to prepare it?

Enter in the new boxed dinners from Romano's Macaroni Grill and Wanchai Ferry!

The first one we tried was the Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta:

 

The dinner kit includes:

• Linguine Pasta
• Creamy Sauce
• Basil & Cheese Seasoning
• Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Grated Parmesan & Romano Cheese Blend

All I needed to add was the chicken!  It takes just 20 minutes and .. voila! A great meal for 4 of us (the box says that it serves 5, but .. well, we ate it all in one sitting, so it only served four!)  Because Not-So-Bebe Girl Autumn is a vegetarian, I did part of the recipe without adding the chicken, just used the sauce over the pasta and steamed broccoli - she liked it a lot as well!

I also visited the product page and used one of their pairings recipe selection to add a truly "Easy Tiramisu Dessert"!  This meal was a big hit and one that I would definitely add to my "I must make a good meal in a short amount of time ... what do I do?" list!

The next meal we tried was the Wanchai Ferry Orange Chicken:

This meal includes:

• Orange Sauce
• Long Grain White Rice
• Seasoned Cornstarch
• Red Chilies

Again, all I needed to do was add the chicken!  For Not-So-Bebe Girl Autumn, I visited the product page and made the Lettuce Wraps (without chicken) and paired it all with Cashew Green Beans as well.  This came out perfectly and was once again gone in one sitting!

I wish I could post pictures of our dinners, but my USB connection for my camera is not working, and I keep forgetting to buy a replacement (sometimes we only think of these things when we actually NEED them, not when we're in the store!).

If you love a real meal and don't have the time to prepare everything from scratch all of the time, I think these boxed diners are definitely the way to go!

If you're planning a couple's night in, these meals can go a long way toward creating that romantic flavor without a boatload of prep!  After all, who wants to be sweating over a hot stove when you can be placing the proper candlelight?  So stay in and go all out!^® Make your meal an experience by perhaps adding some ambiance with candles and flowers.

There are LOADS of other great flavors available!  Visit Wanchai Ferry At Home or Macaroni Grill At Home - there are sure to be some flavors your sweetie would love to share with you!

You can click to get a coupon worth $1.50 off of two Wanchai Ferry or Macaroni Grill At Home dinners kits!  You can also follow Macaroni Grill on Twitter and “Like” the Facebook page to keep up with all of the latest news on your Macaroni Grill favorites!

How would YOU like to win a Date Night package to enjoy a home-cooked meal for a night in without the fuss? 

WIN IT:  Thanks to Wanchai Ferry, Macaroni Grill, and My Blog Spark, you have a chance to win your own Date Night prize pack that includes one Wanchai Ferry dry dinner kit, one Macaroni Grill dry dinner kit, and a $25 Visa gift card that you can use to create a magical date night at home!

MANDATORY ENTRY:   Where did you and your significant other have your first date?

EXTRA ENTRIES: 1.  Follow via GFC (left sidebar), follow via Twitter, subscribe via RSS, subscribe via email, enter another giveaway that is current. (1 entry/comment per giveaway).  You can receive one entry for each that you do.

Current subscribers/followers receive 2 entries - please leave 2 comments 

2.  Visit either Wanchai Ferry At Home or Macaroni Grill At Home and tell me which flavor you and your sweetie would most like to try!

3.  Tweet this giveaway (can be done daily!)  Include @jewelknits in the tweet so I can see it and leave the link in the comments section.  (To make it easier, you can use the "Share" button at the bottom of this post!)

ELIGIBILITY:  Open to US entrants only

End Date:  Tuesday, November 9, at 11:59 AM EST.

ALL ENTRIES:  Please leave your email in your comments: Like this: imacrazedmommy at whydidihavekids dot com OR like this imacrazedmommy(at)whydidihavekids(dot)com to avoid the spam bots.  If I can't reach you, you can't win!

Also, if you follow, subscribe, etc.  please leave the name or email address (for subscriptions) that you follow or subscribe under.  I need to be able to verify your entry.

Disclosure:  I received a Date Night prize package as described above from Wanchai Ferry and Macaroni Grill through My Blog Spark to facilitate my review.  No other compensation was provided, and I was not required to post a positive review.

Preton Print Green Initiative - REVIEW and GIVEAWAY {CLOSED}

So I hate to admit it, but I went and bought a new printer 3 weeks ago ... it's a multi-function printer/copier/scanner inkjet - very cool.  I bought it because it was CHEAPER to buy a new printer than it is to buy new ink for the printer I was using.

I use "draft" and "grayscale" and "quick print" whenever I can (which is often); however, it only takes a VERY short while for my cartridges to run out.  At over $80 to replace both the black and color cartridges, THAT gets old very quickly.

Enter Preton's ink saver software. Not only will it save you money, time, and aggravation, it's a lot better ecologically, and who wouldn't love the idea of green printing ?

From the Preton website:

****************************************

Why is PretonSaver Green?

PretonSaver's award winning software reduces the amount of wasted ink and paper, so that you only print what you need. You will reduce the amount of ink cartridges you use each year with our software. Preton Saver™ is the first software in the world to receive an Eco-Label for Green IT, for meeting strict rules promoting environment conservation.

Learn more about the effects of printing on the environment:

• Take our Green Printing Quiz!
• Read facts about the environmental damage caused by printing.
• Read the white paper examining the ecological issues associated with toner and ink usage.

****************************************

Here are the awards the software has won:

2009 NLS Innovation Award For Environmental Technology Cool Vendor Awards - 2006 Gartner Inc. The prestigious research firm selected Preton Ltd. for its innovative, impactful and intriguing technology. Sustainable Communities Awards - 2008 LGC & HSJ. Shortlisted for the “Suppliers creating sustainable communities” category in the prestigious sustainable communities award. Environmental Innovation & Technology Award 2008 Groundwork. For the second consecutive year, PretonSaver was short-listed in the prestigious environmental award for its innovative environmental technology. Environmental & Technology Award - 2007 Groundwork. PretonSaver was short-listed in the prestigious environmental award for its innovative environmental technology.

How does it work?  Well, you are able to adjust the compression of the pixels that are being printed using Pixel Optimizer Technology.

Again from the Preton website:

****************************************

Pixel Optimizer Technology helps you to save on printer ink & toner costs without compromising on quality.

Controlling the pixels for maximum savings

PretonSaver combines multiple technologies to maximize savings:

Pixel Optimizer™

Printers and computer screens use pixels (dots) to describe data (text, graphics and images). Yet there is a difference between the screen's and the printer’s pixels. While the screen pixels are square, the printer pixels are round. In order to represent these square pixels, the printer uses overlapping pixels that create ink and toner overuse. Pixel Optimizer™ (patent pending) solves this problem. It uses advanced algorithms to identify and delete wasteful overlapped pixels. The spaces left by the removed pixels are covered by excess toner/ink from adjacent pixels… with no image degradation!




Elements Identifier™

Different elements on a page such as text, pictures, or graphics, are affected differently by the removal of pixels. Savings can be higher on texts than on graphics or pictures without degrading their quality (more than 50% savings) as long as they are done intelligently by identifying the pixels that may have greater impact on quality versus the others that don’t. If the same savings techniques where to be used on graphics or pictures, the quality degradation would be noticeable, making it useless for non-draft documents. In order to maximize savings without degrading the quality, PretonSaver uses a technology that identifies the different elements on a page and applies different optimization algorithms. The saving levels reached on the text can go as high as 50%, while the graphics and images can benefit from 20%-30% savings. This selective approach yields non-draft-quality documents while saving up to 50% on ink or toner.

****************************************

Reading through much of the testimonials, it seems that the lowest amount of savings people are seeing is 30% savings.   If I replace my cartridges an average of 5 times a year (that's low) at $80 per buy, that's $400 a year that I'm spending simply on ink cartridges.  Even on the low end of the savings I'd see with the Preton Print Saver software, it adds up to $150 in savings! AND it's more eco-friendly!  50% means $200 worth of yearly savings!  Usually being eco-friendly costs MORE!

You can download Preton's free ink saver software to try for yourself!  Try it for 30 days at no cost, and calculate your own savings!  I've been working with it for a couple of weeks, and I LOVE how it shows me my savings in ink!  Right now, I'm showing between 40 and 45% savings, which is AWEsome!

BUY IT:  PretonSaverHome is on sale right now.  You can purchase a yearly license for $19.95 for a single computer, a perpetual (lifetime) license for a single computer for only $34.95 or a perpetual license for up to 3 computers for only $54.95

WIN IT:  The kind folks at Preton are allowing me to give you a chance to win a yearly license of their award-winning ink saver software for yourselves!  Five of you will win!  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL, and I have the licenses available to send to you when you win!

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Leave me a comment letting me know how much YOU spend each year on printer ink!  I'll bet you'll be as surprised as I was when I added it up!

EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave a separate comment for each; if you already follow or subscribe prior to this post, leave 2 comments for each):

 

1. Take the Green Printing Quiz and tell me how you do

2. Follow Knitting and Sundries publicly on Google Friend Connect and/or Twitter

3. Subscribe via RSS and/or newsletter to Knitting and Sundries (buttons to the right) - 1 entry for each you do

4.  Spread the word! Tweet (maximum of ONCE daily - include @jewelknits in the tweet so that I see it. To make it easy, you can use the "Share" button at the bottom of this post!  Blog about - 2 entries/comments.  Sidebar link to giveaway - 1 entry/comment (leave the URL)

5.  Enter another one of my giveaways that are current at the time you post your entry comment. You can get one extra entry for each giveaway that you enter.

ALL ENTRIES:  Please leave your email in your comments: Like this: imacrazedmommy at whydidihavekids dot com OR like this imacrazedmommy(at)whydidihavekids(dot)com to avoid the spam bots.  If I can't reach you, you can't win!

In addition, if you follow, tweet, etc., please leave the name or email address you follow/tweet/subscribe under.

Eligibility: International, 18 and older. 

End date:  November 6, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST

I will pick the winner(s) using Random.org.  I will post the winner(s) on the site AND send an email to the email address used to enter.  The winner will then have 48 hours to reply with their mailing information; otherwise, a new winner will be picked.  The email will be easy to spot; the subject line will begin "You WON on Knitting and Sundries"

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary license of this software to facilitate my review.  No other form of compensation was received for this post, and I was not required to post a positive review.

Same Kind of Different As Me - Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent - BOOK REVIEW

Title:  Same Kind of Different As Me:  a modern-day slave, an international art dealer and the unlikely woman who bound them together
Author:  Rob Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Publish Date:  March, 2008
Format:  Paperback, 256 pages
ISBN-10: 084991910X
ISBN-13: 978-0849919107


Book Sneeze description: 

A true, inspirational story that crosses the barriers of society.

Meet Denver, raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana until he escaped "da Man"—in the 1960s—by hopping a train. Then, after another 18 homeless years on the streets of Dallas, God moved . . . and a godly woman named Deborah prayed, listened, and obeyed. Mountains began to move, beginning with her husband, Ron, an international art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani suits and art-collecting millionaires.

The story takes a devastating twist when Deborah discovers she has cancer. Will Deborah live or die? Will Denver learn to trust a white man? Will Ron embrace his dying wife's vision to rescue Denver? Or will Denver be the one rescuing Ron?

There's pain and laughter, doubt and tears, and in the end a triumphal story that readers will never forget. 

My Take:   Some books just make you happy that you know how to read - this is one of them.  From the opening paragraph:

***Until Miss Debbie, I'd never spoke to no white woman before.  Just answered a few questions, maybe-it wadn't really speakin.  And to me, even that was mighty risky since the last time I was fool enough to open my mouth to a white woman, I wound up half-dead and nearly blind.***

the reader is drawn in to the story of Denver, who grew up to become a sharecropper in Louisiana, hopped the rails, then ended up homeless in the streets of Texas.

"Miss Debbie" is the wife of Ron Hall, an international art dealer who grew up somewhat middle-class, with rural roots of his own.  She is a good, Godly woman, married to her only love for almost 30 years, who does what she can to brighten the world around her.

Ron is just a normal guy (albeit pretty darn rich), who lets his wife 'drag' him into volunteering with her at a local food pantry/homeless shelter/mission.  HE thinks that all he'll have to do is show up once a week, ladle out some food, and go home, feeling that his good deeds are done.

HER mission, however, is somewhat more complex.  In the world of the homeless, she wants to bring friendship and light, not charity, and she is determined that her husband will do the same.

The two very different worlds of Denver Moore and the Halls intersect at this place, and the lessons in faith .. and friendship ... and loss .. and hardship .. all combine to create a story that will leave you emotionally drained at the end.

I must admit, however, that there is a section of this book where I found myself wiping away tears for many pages in order to continue reading.

This one is going on my keeper shelf.  If you see it in the store, pick it up - you won't regret it. 

QUOTES:

But secretly, I hoped that once she actually rubbed shoulders with the kind of scuzzy derelicts that had robbed my gallery, Deborah would find it too scary, too real, to volunteer on East Lancaster.  Then we could revert to doing our part by dropping off some old clothes or funiture - or, if she really found it tough to tear herself away, more money.

The campfires and camaraderie worked magic on Denver as he began to know what it was like to be accepted and loved by a group of white guys on horseback with ropes in their hands.  Exactly the kind of people he had feared all his life.

"You was the onlyest person that looked past my skin and past my meanness and saw that there was somebody on the inside worth savin. I don't know how, but you knowed that most a' the time when I acted like a bad fella, it was just so folks wouldn't get too close."      

Book Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

BUY IT:   You can purchase this book for yourself at Amazon 

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this title from Book Sneeze as part of their blogger program to objectively review.  No other form of compensation was received for this post, and I was  not required to post a positive review.

Coming Soon! CSN Stores Review and Giveaway

If you haven't heard of the CSN Stores by now, you've probably been hiding under a rock .. seriously!

With over 200 branded stores carrying everything from the bathroom sink

to home decor items


to kid's items

and everything in between, there is something for EVERYone, at prices ranging from the extremely affordable to the utterly extravagant.

Coming soon, I'll be reviewing a product from one of their stores and offering a giveaway to you, my readers!

Want a chance at an early entry?  Simply leave a relevant comment on this post with the URL of something you've seen and liked at Just Vanities, one of the CSN stores, including an email address (imacrazedmommy(at)whydidihavekids(dot)com) so that I can contact you if you win the upcoming giveaway. Oh, yeah, the item you choose can't be one of the above, although I know they are all droolworthy!

Covergirl Simply Ageless Bzz Report - REVIEW

I've been a Bzz Agent since 2003.  I've only participated in a few campaigns, as I only like to spread buzz on products I'm excited about.  I was excited about the Covergirl Simply Ageless campaign!


That pic on the left?  That is the Covergirl Simply Ageless Corrector for under-eye circles - and I absolutely LOVE it!  I love the other products I received as part of my Bzz Kit as well, which included Covergirl Simply Ageless concealer, sculpting blush and foundation:

Small pots:  Under-Eye Corrector and Concealer Large Pots: Sculpting Blush and Foundation

 

  

I am naked without at least mascara and some lip tint.  If I leave the house, add on foundation and concealer.  I used to be one that wouldn't leave the house or let anyone into the house unless I had the full arsenal - all of the above, plus liner, blush and powder!

Now that I am of a "certain age", many makeup products tend to magnify the small lines and the larger pores of my skin, which is why my makeup regimen has necessarily become 'less is more'.  After all, makeup is supposed to hide your flaws and accentuate the positives, not the other way around.

Technical facts: In an innovative concept, CoverGirl and Olay have teamed up to produce these wonderful products that combine great makeup coverage with the moisturizing and smoothing power of Olay Regenerist Serum.  The products have an SPF of 22 to shield your facial skin from harmful UV rays as well.

Practical application:  A little goes a long way.  Simply dab the included sponge into the product, then dab on your face.  You can smooth with your fingers, and voila!  Instant coverage that minimizes fine lines on your face and gives you a smooth, polished look!

My experience:  The first time I wore this, I made the rounds.  EVERYone, including the clerk at the corner store, noticed and commented on how pretty my skin/makeup looked that day!  It was very flattering, and the fact that people noticed a difference from my regular liquid foundation proves the point that this formulation is something that can be worn everyday for great results.

Because skin sometimes tend to 'act up' from new products, I made certain that every day for two weeks, I used ALL of the products, cleansing my skin nightly.  My skin never showed any ill effects (red spots or rashes). 

The only negative thing I have to say about this product is that I couldn't open the pots myself.  I have always had problems with opening jars, so I have jar grippers in the house to help.  Even those couldn't help me.  The pots don't have enough depth to them for the jar gripper to be of any use. I tried running them under hot water - nothing.  So I waited for one of my Big Bebe Girls to come visit.  She was able to open three of them (with quite a bit of effort; however).  The fourth - well, I banged against the side of the lid with a spoon until I was finally able to twist the top off.

Cool things to do:

Visit COVERGIRL.com to discover more about the COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless line, chat with a COVERGIRL Beauty Consultant, find special offers and upload your photo to try on hundreds of COVERGIRL shades and create your own youthful look. 

Watch this video to find out how to best use this line:

My recommendation:  Buy it!  Try it, especially if you have more mature skin.  Just keep in mind - DON'T slather it on - a little truly DOES go a long way.

Disclosure:  I was provided with complimentary product through my association with BzzAgent.  I received no other compensation and was not required to spread positive Bzz.

Betty Crocker Mississippi Mud Supreme Bars REVIEW {GIVEAWAY CLOSED}

All I can say is, "Yum!" and "Way too easy to make" and "Oh, my goodness, where did they go?"

About a week ago, Not-So-Bebe Girl Autumn looked at the Betty Crocker Mississippi Mud Supreme Bar package sitting all nice and yummy-looking inside the pan we received with it and said, "Mom!  I HAVE to make these NOW!!"

So I let her - it's very easy - all you need is a stick of butter and an egg.

I had to help her spread the crust in the pan (she was trying to use a spoon to spread it around the bottom, so I showed her how to spread it with a cake spatula), then she put the mix on top, sprinkled the reserved crust on, and popped it in the oven.

Before the oven:

After the oven:

I hate to say it, but I only got to snag one piece before they were all gone, as the Big Bebe Girls and the Grandbebes came over, saw and snagged before I could get to the pan myself.

Most boxed desserts tend to make me turn my nose up, but these were GOOD!  Not too sweet (even though they look like it with the marshmallows inside of the mix) and with a great cake-like consistency.

When you see this box in your store, grab one and try it.  You won't be disappointed.

WIN IT:  Betty Crocker and My Blog Spark are offering one of my readers a chance to win a "Delicious Dessert" prize pack that includes a box of the new Betty Crocker Mississippi Mud Supreme Bars and an 8 x 8 metal baking pan.

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Tell me about an upcoming event or gathering where you would share these Mississippi Mud Supreme Bars!

EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave a separate comment for each; if you already follow or subscribe to Knitting and Sundries prior to this post, leave 2 comments for each):

1. Follow Knitting and Sundries publicly on Google Friend Connect and/or Twitter

2. Subscribe via RSS and/or newsletter to Knitting and Sundries (buttons to the right) - I hate clutter in my email box, so my emails are just the headlines of whatever posts I put up that day - if you see one you like, you can click on it to read the full post - 1 entry for each you do

3, Spread the word! Tweet (maximum of ONCE daily - include @jewelknits in the tweet. To make it easy, you can use the "Share" button at the bottom of this post!

4.  Enter another one of my giveaways that are current at the time you post your entry comment. You can get one extra entry for each giveaway that you enter.

ALL ENTRIES:  Please leave your email in your comments: Like this: imacrazedmommy at whydidihavekids dot com OR like this imacrazedmommy(at)whydidihavekids(dot)com to avoid the spam bots.  If I can't reach you, you can't win!

In addition, if you follow, tweet, etc., please leave the name you follow/tweet/subscribe under.

Eligibility: US, 18 and older

End date:  July 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST

I will pick a winner using Random.org.  I will post the winner on the site AND send an email to the email address used to enter.  The winner will then have 48 hours to reply with their mailing information; otherwise, a new winner will be picked.  The email will be easy to spot; the subject line will begin "You WON on Knitting and Sundries"

Disclosure:  Betty Crocker provided me with my own prize pack and information through my association with My Blog Spark.  No other compensation was received and I was not required to write a positive review. 

Boogie Wipes - REVIEW and GIVEAWAY {GIVEAWAY CLOSED}

First, if you are living in or near Vancouver, Canada, please see my post on how to become a Boogie Believer!  (Right-click on the link, then click "Open in new tab" or "Open in new window" to keep this window open while you read and fill out the form.)  You don't have to be a blogger to apply, so hop on over to see how you could do cool things to promote Boogie Wipes in your area and score a boatload of cool stuff for doing so!

My Grandbebe Girl Makayla almost ALWAYS has a runny nose!  No cough, just a runny nose - which makes her look like "an orphan" as I always say when the bebes are rather bedraggled-looking.  :)  If you're like me, you're constantly wiping and the bebe is turning away, because after a while, those dry tissues HURT!

That's why Mindee and Julie (the Boogie Moms) invented Boogie Wipes - a saline-infused moist wipe that comforts chapped, sore noses while dissolving mucus.  They were tired of using saline drops, tissues, and the like - there had to be something more effective AND convenient.

I think it's totally cool that two moms just like us got together and came up with this great product to solve one of their own Mommy Dilemmas!

Boogie Wipes come in unscented form as well as three great scents - Grape, Fresh Scent and Magic Menthol.

Let me tell you, my Big Bebe Girl Tai (Grandbebe Girl Makayla's mom) came back after I had given her 2 or 3 of the individually wrapped wipes to use and said, "Really, Mom?  Grape?  She tried to EAT it!".  Which I guess means that Grandbebe Girl Makayla really liked them.  LOL!!

Of course, when I had her over with me, I tried the Fresh Scent and she tried to eat those too!! 

But at least I didn't have to fight her to get her nose wiped!  Because she was playing with the other bebes in the fam, I didn't notice right away that she had dried on boogies.  The Boogie Wipes worked wonderfully on helping to dissolve the dried-on junk.  You can't do THAT with dry tissue.

Unfortunately, my camera is not the best, and I didn't actually get a picture that showed her runny nose to full advantage, but I DID get a picture of her NOT wanting to give the Boogie Wipe back!!  (Yes, and she's on my lap, because I couldn't get her to go back down on her own!)

Yes, I know .. I totally suck at picture-taking.  Out of at least 15 pictures, THIS is the best one! 

Here's some great information about Boogie Wipes:

Hypoallergenic • Alcohol Free • Unique Formula Moisturizes with Added Chamomile, Vitamin E and Aloe • Gentle Enough for All Ages • Lightly Scented

They do smell really good!  I think that they make a great product for the whole family, not just for the bebes!  I get tired of MY nose getting chapped and hurting from using dry tissues during the cold and allergy season too!

BUY IT:  Boogie Wipes® are available in 40,000 stores including Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, Toys”R”Us, Walgreens, Safeway, Nordstrom, Kroger and more across the US, Mexico, and Canada, or online at www.boogiewipes.com.

WIN IT:  One of you is going to win your own Boogie Wipes prize pack!  Thanks, Boogie Moms and Tamera at Boogie Wipes!

FOR ALL ENTRIES:  Please leave your email address in your comment AND the name that you (follow, tweet, subscribe - for the extra entries) under.  I need to be able to verify all entries easily!  Thanks so much!

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Visit the Boogie Wipes website. Go to their review section and let me know the name of at least one of the review sites and the URL!

EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave a separate comment for each; if you already follow or subscribe to Knitting and Sundries prior to this post, leave 2 comments for each):

1. Follow Boogie Wipes on Facebook.and/or Twitter

2. Follow Knitting and Sundries publicly on Google Friend Connect and/or Twitter

3. Subscribe via RSS and/or newsletter to Knitting and Sundries (buttons to the right) - I hate clutter in my email box, so my emails are just the headlines of whatever posts I put up that day - if you see one you like, you can click on it to read the full post - 1 entry for each you do

4, Spread the word! Tweet (maximum of ONCE daily - include @jewelknits and @BoogieMom in the tweet. To make it easy, you can use the "Share" button at the bottom of this post!

5.  Enter another one of my giveaways that are current at the time you post your entry comment. You can get one extra entry for each giveaway that you enter.

ALL ENTRIES:  If your email address is not visible or public in your profile, please leave it in your comment like this:  imacrazedmommy at whydidihavekids dot com .  If I can't reach you, you can't win!

Eligibility: US/CAN, 18 and older

End date:  July 3, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST

I will pick a winner using Random.org.  I will post the winner on the site AND send an email to the email address used to enter.  The winner will then have 48 hours to reply with their mailing information; otherwise, a new winner will be picked.  The email will be easy to spot; the subject line will begin "You WON on Knitting and Sundries"

Disclosure:  I received complimentary product from Boogie Wipes to objectively review.  No other form of compensation was received for this post, and I was not required to post a positive review.

Read and Share: The Jesus Series, Life and Miracles (DVD REVIEW)

Title:  The Jesus Series: Life and Miracles: Read and Share DVD Bible
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers











From the publisher:

Take a wonder-filled journey with Jesus and His disciples.

Animated straight from the pages of the popular Read and Share® Bible, The Jesus Series introduces children to the life of Christ. Unlike the 3-minute, bite-size story format of the Read and Share® DVD Bible Volumes 1-4, this DVD is an uninterrupted half-hour presentation of Jesus' ministry along the shores of Lake Galilee and the villages near Nazareth. Children will see Jesus call His disciples, feed 5,000 people, heal the sick, teach about God’s kingdom and introduce the Lord’s Supper.

This DVD completes The Jesus Series by presenting the life of Christ in a way that little ones can understand and build a solid foundation on.

My take:  My Big Bebe Girl Jasmine is feeling a call to youth ministry, so whenever I come across something that I feel would be useful to her in that calling, or even useful to her in teaching her young children more about the Bible, I am always interested in it.

The other day, I had some of the grandbebes and extended grandbebes over, so I decided that it would be a good time to view this DVD.

The DVD tells the story of Jesus' miracles and is geared toward younger children.  My first thought, however, was "Oh!  They are SO not going to want to watch this!"  The narration is performed in a rather sonorous tone, and simply listening to it, I felt as though we were in a classroom - and not an interesting, fun classroom.

The children, however, started out like this:

so I thought, "Well, maybe I'm wrong; they look as though they're liking what they see and hear."

It didn't last long, however.  About 10-15 minutes into the DVD, each of the children had peeled away and gone to do other things.  I asked my Grandbebe JoJo (who is 5) what he thought of it, and he said, "Gigi, I love Jesus, but that movie is boring".

As a parent and grandparent, I would have to agree.  When you are trying to appeal to very young children, there must be some liveliness in the storytelling.  Even the animation here seemed rather stodgy.  Although the intended message is good, if children won't stay still long enough to watch it, the message is lost.

My Rating:  2 out of 5 stars

BUY IT:  You can purchase this DVD at the publisher's website, Amazon and other booksellers.


Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers' program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  Any Amazon links in this review are affiliate links and will result in a small stipend if purchased through.

Truvia - REVIEW and GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

I've been hearing commercials about Truvia (not actually seeing, as my attention is usually elsewhere when commercials come on).  Every time, I've said to myself, "Hmmm .... maybe I should try that."

I happened to be perusing The Product Review Place when I saw that Allison was looking for bloggers to review the product.  At the same time, I heard a Truvia commercial come on.  Sounds like fate, right?  So naturally, I decided that I should review it.  I've been curious; I wanted to try it.  No harm, no foul. :)

If you've not heard of Truvia, it's a natural sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia plant and other natural products.

Some Truvia facts: 

INGREDIENTS

Truvia™ natural sweetener is made from rebiana, erythritol, and natural flavors:

• Rebiana comes from the leaves of the stevia plant, which was discovered more than 200 years ago in South America and has been used as a sweetener in various parts of the world for more than three decades. Truvia™ rebiana is different from most stevia sold today because it consists of only the best-tasting components of the stevia leaf.
  

• Erythritol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in various fruits such as grapes and melons. Erythritol is an all-natural, non-caloric sweetener, used as an ingredient that provides bulk for Truvia™ natural sweetener.
  

• Natural flavors are used to bring out the best of Truvia™ natural sweetener, like pepper or salt or any other spice that would be used to heighten the taste of food.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Some products that contain Truvia:

• Glaceau vitaminwater10™ and vitaminwater zero™
  
  
• Coca Cola Sprite® Green™
  
• Odwalla® Reduced-Calorie Quencher
  
• Kraft Crystal Light Pure Fitness
  
• True® Lemon Naturally Sweet
  
• Kraft Nature’s Splash®
  
• All Sport Naturally Zero™
  
• Hansen’s® Natural Lo-Cal Juices
  
• Blue Sky® Free sodas
  
• Minute Maid Premium® Pomegranate Tea
  
• Breyers YoCrunch® 100 Calorie Pack
  
• Velamints breath mints
  
• Dippin’ Dots© ice cream
  
  
  
  
  
  

HERE'S something that's VERY cool about it:  It is perfectly safe for diabetics, because it does not raise or lower blood sugar!

Oh!  and you know what else?  It's kosher-certified! 

And one more thing .. it has ZERO calories!  Yep, you read that right.  ZERO calories, as in nada, none, zip, zilch.

I don't use a LOT of sugar.  But I DO drink coffee like a fiend!  With sugar and cream.  Which adds up to a lot of sugar and extra calories.

I've tried other sweeteners, which shall remain nameless.  But they all have that "taste" ... do you know what I mean?  That kinda yucky, not really sweet aftertaste.  So, sugar it's been.

So I tried the Truvia in my coffee, apparently skipping over the part of the literature where it says one packet of Truvia sweetens equal to two packs of sugar - VERY sweet! 

 

I tried again with just one packet - perfect!  Not EXACTLY like sugar, but none of that yucky aftertaste either.  I could get used to this!

AND I must always have sugar with my morning cereal:

 

Yes, it's muesli.  Yes, I know ... why would ANYone eat a good-for-you cereal and ruin it's good effects by plying it with sugar?  It's just me .. I must have some sort of sweetness over it .. usually two spoons of sugar.  So once again, I tried one packet of Truvia.  Perfect again!  Now that I'm out of the box I was sent, I'll just have to pick some more up on one of my Target or Wal-Mart trips.  You can also buy it at most local grocery stores and even at Whole Foods!

If YOU'D like to try it for yourself, Allison has generously offered one of you a chance to win your own box! 

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Visit the Truvia website. Go to their recipe section and tell me which recipe YOU'D most like to make with Truvia!

EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave a separate comment for each):

1. Follow Knitting and Sundries publicly on Google Friend Connect
New followers - 1 entry
Current followers (prior to this post) - 2 entries/comments
IMPORTANT:  If you comment as a follower, PLEASE leave the name you follow under if it's different than the name you post under! If Random.org picks a comment number that states, "I'm a follower", I need to be able to verify it as the winner! 

2. Follow me @jewelknits on Twitter (believe me, I don't Tweet often and I don't tweet repetitively, so you'll be OK!).  Leave your Twitter handle in your comment.

3.  Spread the word! Tweet (maximum of ONCE daily - include @jewelknits in the tweet. You can use this tiny URL too: http://tinyurl.com/2buba9f

4.  Enter another one of my giveaways that are current at the time you post your entry comment. You can get one extra entry for each giveaway that you enter.

ALL ENTRIES:  If your email address is not visible or public in your profile, please leave it in your comment like this:  imacrazedmommy at whydidihavekids dot com .  If I can't reach you, you can't win!

Eligibility: US only, 18 and older

End date:  June 18, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST

I will pick a winner using Random.org.  I will post the winner on the site AND send an email to the email address used to enter.  The winner will then have 48 hours to reply with their mailing information; otherwise, a new winner will be picked.  The email will be easy to spot; the subject line will begin "You WON on Knitting and Sundries"

Disclosure:  I received complimentary product through my association with The Product Review Place to objectively review.  No other form of compensation was received for this post, and I was not required to post a positive review.