Thursday, July 31, 2014

Kid's Academy App + $100 Amazon Gift Card #Giveaway!! #MomBuzz #SmartKidsWin


Kid's Academy is all about helping children learn verbal, writing and math skills in an easy and fun manner. Apps such as 123 Tracing and Bingo ABC have been top-50 educational apps in the App Store, and Kid’s Academy has also brought the well-known stories and nursery rhymes The Three Little Pigs and Five Little Monkeys to life with interactive apps. 

The simple interfaces of the apps allow children to take the reins and play on their own, but the sing-a-longs and other activities are perfect for parent or teacher engagement, as well. Research has shown that singing along with nursery rhymes has cognitive and physical benefits for children. Not only are children learning new words and the context in which to use them, but strengthening tongue and mouth muscles at an early age will help with pronunciation skills.

Kids Academy is hosting an awesome giveaway!  Head over, download the app, and write a review in the App Store.  At the end of August, Kids Academy will randomly choose 2 lucky winners who will each win a $100 Amazon gift card!  Sweet!

CONTEST RULES:
2. Write a short honest review on the iTunes App Store. If you have already reviewed this app, simply update your review and you will be entered!

Good Luck!



**DISCLOSURE: Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Stella and Dot Best Sellers Sale!!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.




One of the best quotes from the Movie Steel Magnolias is "The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." How true is that! And from statement necklaces to fashionable totes our friends at Stella & Dot has got you covered! Take a peek at all their best sellers and pick up some new summer bling today.



**DISCLOSURE: Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Monday, July 28, 2014

Juggle Bubbles Summer Fun #Review!!

JUGGLE BUBBLES!!


  • Catch, pass and even juggle bubbles like magic
  • Secret is the no-pop solution and magic gloves
  • Ordinary bubbles go pop, Juggle Bubbles do not
  • Play bubble handball, keep up or catch with your friends
  • Hours of entertainment
  • Great indoors or out
  • Non-toxic
  • Ages 5+

MY REVIEW-I recently received a fun product known as Juggle Bubbles. Yep, even the name sounds like fun!! These are bubbles you can play with, juggle with and they don't pop!! I was somewhat skeptical but totally interested in trying them out.

The kit comes with a bottle of bubble mixture, a set of gloves, a little dish and a blower. I opened it up and then read directions to make sure I knew what I was doing. Definitely not male here!

Once I removed all the plastic I took things outside. This could probably be done inside but I wasn't going to take a chance on spilling the bubble mixture. So we set up at the picnic table outside. Here is where it gets really fun.

You pour some mixture into the little dish, put the blower in it, and then, wait for it,

 blow through this funnel! 


It really worked!! I will be putting up video soon but the weather wasn't really cooperating at the time. The kids loved it and I am sure they will be playing with it for a while. If you have grandchildren who like to play with bubbles, please check this company out. Very interesting take on a toy and it will keep them entertained for hours outside!



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Milo's Kitchen Treat Prize Pack & $25 Visa GC #Giveaway!!


Welcome to the Milo's Kitchen Treats Prize Pack & $25 Visa GC Sweepstakes~

PicMonkey-Collage3-300x300
 

Hosted by Tammie's Reviews, Giveaways and More,

Sponsored by Milo's Kitchen

and

Promoted by some awesome Blogging Friends

Milo’s Kitchen Treats:



  • Our dogs deserve the very best. That means treats made in the U.S.A. with real chicken or beef as the #1 ingredient and no artificial flavors or colors.

  • Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats believes that dogs deserve treats made with the same quality of ingredients and care that you want for your food. That’s why they made a treat truck just for dogs.

  • Each recipe is carefully prepared to bring out all the flavors your dog loves. Milo’s Kitchen makes a unique line of mouthwatering varieties for your dog including: Chicken Meatballs, Beef Sausage Slices with Rice, Steak Grillers Recipe, Grilled Burger Bites and Chicken Jerky Recipe.

On to The Giveaway~

    • Giveaway will end 8/10

    • This is only open to the U.S. only

    • All entries will be verified

    • Void where prohibited by law

    • Winner will be notified by email

    • Must be 18 years of age or older

    • 1 reader will win a Milo's Kitchen Treat Prize Pack & $25 Visa Gift Card

    • Enter below and Good Luck to you~
Disclosure- Giveaway Lady was not compensated either by free product or payment. I have not been compensated for this post. All opinions and experiences are my own. Open to the US, must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of the giveaway. Sponsor will be responsible for prize fulfillment. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions about this giveaway or to have me promote your product, Please email Tammie at PubRel@live.com.



**DISCLOSURE: Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Persecuted The Book Review + #Giveaway!!

The Question Is Not IF Attempts Will Be Made to Limit Religious Freedoms, But When



The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther, simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious-equality bill see Luther's endorsement as critical. But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands. His once-normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive left with only one dangerous option--putting everything he holds most dear at risk while he fights to expose the truth. It is a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that could threaten the very fabric of our nation's freedoms.


MY THOUGHTS-I was excited to get this. This book/movie has been in the making for a little bit but I hadn't heard of it until recently. The premise makes for an interesting plot and I knew I would enjoy it. Who wouldn't like a book about a pastor who goes on the run for his life? Plus this is an author I have read before and enjoyed. What more could you ask for!!

Robin Parrish really knows how to pen a book. This is well written, keeps you glued to the pages til the very end. Characters are ones that make you either hate them or love them and there is no in-between. With a pastor who is framed, his wife struggling to figure out what happened while dealing with a creepy guy, and bad guys a plenty, I thoroughly loved this!! I can't wait for the movie to come out so I can watch it!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Starting at the Finish Line: The Gospel of Grace for Mormons Book #Review



John Wallace recognizes that the devout Latter-day Saint is unlikely to ever read his new book Starting at the Finish Line: The Gospel of Grace for Mormons (Pomona House Publishing LLC June 2014).  In fact, they are prohibited from doing so!  But even if they did, the book’s central message of salvation by faith alone in the completed work of Christ would likely seem overly simplistic and terribly inadequate to them. This is unfortunate and is the cause of much frustration for both the Christian who just cannot seem to “get through” to his or her LDS loved one and to the Mormon who feels insulted that someone should feel the need to “save” them.

Realistically, Starting at the Finish Line is for three groups of people:  1) The “cultural Mormon” who values the benefits of belonging to the LDS church, but secretly doesn’t fully believe in the Joseph Smith/Moroni/gold plates narrative (or in any of a number of difficult doctrines).    2) Those that have already left the Mormon faith, but aren’t sure where to turn.  These people often feel lost and untethered in this world, often concluding that if Mormonism isn’t true, then nothing is.  3) The Christian who desperately wants to better understand the Mormon mindset, if for no other reason but to know how to dialogue with them.

Dr. Wallace excels in relating to his audience.  Having been Mormon for twenty years and deeply committed to the LDS way of life and doctrine, he serves as a “double agent” of sorts. While this book is not intended to be a comprehensive, point-counterpoint analysis of Mormon and biblical Christian theologies, it may very well prove to be the  most powerful and relatable explanation of the gospel of grace in terms that the Latter-day saint will readily understand. As Wallace is fond of saying, this is all about “sharing the good news of the gospel and making it sound like good news to the Latter-day Saint.”

Starting at the Finish Line seeks to reveal three primary truths to its reader.  1) The Bible is the Word of God.  It is trustworthy in its translation and transmission over the many centuries and is authoritative in terms of leading people into a saving relationship with Christ.  2) Christ purchased mankind’s salvation with his precious blood on the cross of Calvary.  This is the work of salvation and no other work remains than for people to receive the free gift by faith.  3) Any attempt to contribute or “add to” Christ’s work on the cross is an offense to God and demonstrates a lack of faith in the sufficiency of Christ’s redeeming blood.  As Paul so bluntly wrote to the Galatians, attempts to gain salvation through works sever people from God’s grace and place them in the unenviable position of obeying the law perfectly in order to enter God’s kingdom. 

By sharing his own personal journey, Wallace ultimately demonstrates the incomparable joy of emerging from a religion of works into a relationship with Christ that is based on acceptance and freedom.  He further explores the mystery of what it means to be “born again,” inviting the Latter-day Saint to faith in Christ alone, explaining that good works are but natural by-products of the indwelling Holy Spirit - the same Spirit who gives the believer assurance that their salvation is indeed secure in Christ. Good news indeed and cause for great celebration!

MY THOUGHTS-This is a book I was very excited to get reading. I am in touch with Mormons almost every week, if not every day. We all run into them. But do we know how to lovingly share the Gospel with them in a way that they understand? In this book Wallace brings example after example for us to use in dealing with a Mormon. I found my heart hurting at the deception given by their leadership but also praying in earnest like never before for those in this group.

One of the things I really like about this book is how it is broken down. Wallace goes through his own conversion while bringing defense of the Bible and in-depth discussions about Mormon doctrine. There is so much in here it is hard to tell it all. The author shows great care and love in telling the truth about the false doctrine involved in Mormonism. If you are looking for a book to give a someone who is in the Mormon or LDS church, this is one I would urge you to purchase. I was overwhelmed at all the evidence but also his compassion. Excellent book!!




**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Tea Collection's New Arrivals: Bauhaus Bang!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.



Tea Collection's new arrivals are here! These new styles are inspired by Germany's early 20th century school of Bauhaus, which became famous for its radical union of art and design, and transformed everything from architecture to music. Tea Collection's new arrivals feature bold primary colors and modern geometric shapes; fairy tale romance meets art nouveau. The perfect combination for little ones ready for fun and adventure, and perfect for back-to-school too! Go take a peek at the Tea Collection's new arrivals today! 







**DISCLOSURE: Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Wholly Guacamole #Review and #Giveaway!!

You all know I am on a weight loss journey. One thing that always hits me is what I eat. I can be exercising every day and yet not see the results I want because I am not eating right. So I am ever on the lookout for foods and recipes that will make for healthy snacks and meals. That is why I am excited to bring you the company I have today. Wholly Guacamole has got to be one of my favorite food brands out there. I love their guacamole but their salsa in my opinion, is to die for!! I was super excited when they sent me a cooler of products to include in my weight loss challenge but they were also very generous and offered to giveaway a cooler of products to my readers. So take a look at what I did with my product and then enter through the form below.

Wholly Guacamole is a fresh company and one that I purchase all the time. My local stores only carry the guacamole so I am trying to get the salsa in here too. For my review I received several different guacamole flavors. My favorite has always been the classic.



I can put it on any food, dip my chips in it and it is very good for my diet!! For this review though I made a turkey burger(healthy for me), added low-fat cheese and then slathered on the guac!!


Oh, and it was on wheat bread. This was not only good for me but it tasted delicious!! When I first saw someone put guacamole on their burger, I wasn't sure it would taste good. Hey, I like guacamole a lot, but on a burger? Needless to say I was a bit skeptical but this was super tasty. The nice thing is that they now have Minis. So I can take these on my road trip or vacation and then I don't have to worry about finding a place to refrigerate it.

I also received several varieties of the Wholly Salsa. I am telling you, I like the guacamole, but the salsa is my favorite salsa of all time. This stuff is delicious!! Fresh, tasty and so many different types to choose from! I received the classic Hot, Roasted Tomato, and the Guacamole and Spicy Pico Dip.

While it might be unbelievable, the Guacamole and Spicy Pico is probably one of my top two. The other would be just the normal medium salsa. What I like with the mix is the blend of fresh cool guac and then hot spicy pico. It gives a really nice kick!! I love this with chips and on my breakfast burrito.



As you can tell, I love the Wholly products and purchase them often. One of the most important things is they are fresh. You can taste it but it also doesn't allow them to last long in the fridge. To me, the taste outweighs the expiration date any time. Good for you and delicious! Can't be beat:)

So anyone interested in winning your own cooler full of Wholly products? This is open to US only. Giveaway will end 8/9. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Orkin Bug Wisdom and Kids Backyard Explorers Bug Kit #Giveaway!

Around our house most of the children like the bugs. But there happens to be one who does not:) Needless to say she gets teased and razzed about it quite a bit. That is why I had to laugh when I was offered the chance to host this giveaway here by Orkin. One of my readers will win their very own Backyard Explorers Bug Kit!!



At Orkin, we never stop learning. Our new “Bug Wisdom” video series is a reminder that some of life’s biggest lessons come from small places. Bugs are smart, curious creatures – we humans can learn a lot from their ways.
Take the quiz to discover your “Spirit Bug,” and check out all the GIFs to soak in every nugget of wisdom that these bugs have to offer!
The Orkin Man always knows what to look for when he shows up at your home. If you want to get exploration down to a science, be sure and enter to win Orkin’s Backyard Explorers Kit!



This giveaway will end 7/29. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. USA ONLY!!

Each household is only eligible to win 1 Orkin Backyard Explorers Kit via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Rope of Sand by C.F. Dunn With #Review

This third volume, set in rural Maine's deep winter, follows the developing relationship between British historian, Emma D'Eresby, and American surgeon, Matthew Lynes. Emma unravels Matthew's alarming past and begins to comprehend how very different her future might be with a man whose identity must never be revealed.

Emma nervously meets Matthew's family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is. As Christmas approaches, it is clear that Emma is not welcomed by all: what does Matthew's great-granddaughter have against her, and what might his sinister psychiatrist granddaughter, Maggie, be prepared to do?

Bound by their faith, Matthew and Emma have accepted that they must wait to be together until his wife dies. Very reluctantly, Emma meets Ellen--an elderly woman with a core of steel--and learns how living with Matthew will mean concealment and lies. How can they have a life together?


MY THOUGHTS-I had really high hopes for this book. The plot sounded interesting from the back cover and who could resist that! Not me! So I requested it for review and finished it last week. I have to say though, I was not very pleased with the book. Part of it was me not understanding the concept that was at work here and other things really bothered me as a Christian. Please bear with me as I go through this because I hate having to do this to a book. And realize, these are my opinions so if the book sounds like something you would like, read my concerns and then go for it!!

To start off there is an opener which catches you up on what has happened previously. I hadn't read any of the previous books and even with the opener I was somewhat lost at first. We see Emma who is studying a journal that somehow is connected to a surgeon, Matthew. After she is attacked and left for dead one night Matthew saves her. She finds out that in reality Matthew is from the Civil War era and had a wound which should have killed him but instead he survived. Now he lives a very guarded life because of his secret and while Emma loves him, she can't get past his guard. So she returns home not realizing he will follow her. While there at her house an argument ensues and in the debate, she finds out that Matthew is also married! His wife is bed-ridden and will soon die but after the affair she had in the past, she isn't sure what to do. Emma realizes though that she loves Matthew so much that she will go home with him for Christmas and see how things progress.

Now, I almost just put the book up at that point. We have a woman who has had an affair with a man, getting ready to do it again and not sure whether she should continue. Um, hello people! That should be a big stop sign right there. At the first hint of him being married she should have run as far as possible. There were also some strange things such as her meeting a man who she thought was Matthew's father because of his age and yet it turns out to be his son. We also have the whole thing of him living all these years. Just not my cup of tea I guess. Then further in the book we meet his sister who has no issues at all with Matthew and Emma loving each other, even while his wife is alive. She basically says that the wife will die at some time so however the cookie falls. Sorry, but not exactly what I wanted to hear. The book goes on and we meet many strange people and different reasons why the two of them should be together and some for them not to be. There was also several instances of language(Words I was not expecting in a Christian book at all) and parts that were too in detail for me. As in sexually. The overall feel of this book made me think of a dark gothic style of writing and while I didn't enjoy it, others might like that type of book. Not my cup of tea but it could be yours!!




**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Who Do You Want to Be? Back-to-School with Warby Parker

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links


College is one of the few opportunities where you get to create your identity. Who do you want to be? Small town kid sampling life in the big city? Shy, self-conscious bookworm trying to get through the year? This is your time to step up and take charge of how the world sees you, not to mention how you affect the world, and if you wear glasses, you should look into Warby Parker



Warby Parker is a globally-minded, trend-setting eyewear company that is changing the way the world sees glasses. Their ultra-hip eyewear is popping up on celebrity Instagram feeds and getting noticed in fashion circles. (Check out the Karlie Kloss x Warby Parker Collaboration.) Warby Parker frames are sourced from sustainable materials and manufactured by family companies. For every pair purchased (and they are all absolutely affordable), they give a pair of their own eyeglasses to VisionSpring, a a charity that trains people in low-income communities around the world to conduct eye exams and set up businesses selling glasses for a few bucks a piece. They have already donated over a million pairs. And,they have a Home Try-On program where you pick five styles online that you like, they send them to you, you try them on, pick out your favorite for purchase online and return your samples… the entire home-try-on program is FREE! Warby Parker cares about eyewear, cares about the planet and cares about you.

So, when you return to school this year, who would you like to be? The self-indulgent adolescent who looks as if they've stepped from the pages of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or the mindful, young adult ready to take on the world Clark Kent-style? Let Warby Parker help you choose. 



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Monday, July 14, 2014

SinfulColors Nail Polish #Review and #Giveaway!!

SILK + SATIN
A New Demi-Matte Collection for Summer

Slip into summer with this sinfully luxurious new nail polish collection fromSinfulColors.  This NEW demi-matte silk texture in summer brights is a must have fashion accessory. In rich matte shades and lustrous textures, they're guaranteed to add a little sunshine to your summer style.  The SinfulColors Silk + Satin collection features sultry blues, pale banana yellow, fruity coral, even soft silver.  And, for a glamorous twist, add SinfulColors Clear Topcoat on tips, or in creative designs to add a satin shine to these stunning silk shades.

The six silky hues from the Silk + Satin SinfulColors collection clearly indicates a bright summer forecast ahead.

Matte About Blue: A matte-nificent cornflower blue
Pipaya: A soft flash of coral
Prime Purple: A delicate dose of lilac
Real Teal: A quiet mermaid green
Silver Solution: A gentle, shimmering silver
Solar Flux: A subtle touch of yellow



FULL THROTTLE
Racy Shades for Summer

Pedal to the medal nail polish ranks big this summer. Think racy shades in rubberized textures.  SinfulColors introduces its Full Throttle collection this summer with a starting lineup of five smoking hot hues that'll put your nails into overdrive.  The ramped-up texturized shades range from radiant red to a powerful punch of purple to fiery orange.

Here, these five race-iest colors are guaranteed to make you look like a champion, on and off the tracks!

Rain Rubber: A brilliant burnout blue
Burn Rubber: A fiery-fueled orange
Race Rubber: A powerful punch of purple
Rubber Ball: A passionate pit stop pink
Red Tired: A racy, radiant red



MY THOUGHTS-Ever since I started working with SinfulColors I have enjoyed getting their new lines as they come out. For Summer 2014 they have come out with two new lines, as shown above, and I received several of them for review. Which as always, I kept two back for giveaway. So check through my review and then enter the giveaway!

In the Silk and Satin I received Prime Purple, Solar Flux and Real Teal. These colors came out as very light and pale against the nail. My favorite would be the Solar Flux or the Prime Purple. Kind of hard to decide between them. These go on very easily and quite satiny feeling. We had a girls night and had some fun using the new colors and playing around with them. Take a look at the pictures:)
Silk + Satin Collection I received

Solar Flux



For the Full Throttle Collection, I chose the Rubber Ball, Rain Rubber and Red Tired. Can you see the color scheme there? I love the colors and the work they put into names and product. For this series, they make the polish almost feel like sandpaper. It turned out really neat though and I love it!! The Rubber Ball was definitely my favorite out of all the colors I received.






Now ladies, these are only 1.99 at most stores so please, go to your local drugstore or department store and see what they have available! I love this brand and they make quality nail polish for good prices. It also comes off easy. I hate when I put on a nail polish and then when I go to remove it I have to scrub like crazy for it to come off. Not that way with SinfulColors! These are definitely one of the best companies for nail polish. If you know someone with a birthday coming up or you just feel like getting some new polish, make sure to pick up some SinfulColors!!



For the giveaway, one of my readers will receive the two nail polish colors shown above. This is for US only. Giveaway ends 7/30. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

When Calls The Heart: The Dance DVD #Review #Hearties

WHEN CALLS THE HEART: THE DANCE


New miners arrive in Coal Valley to help with the final stages of reopening the mine and the town decides to celebrate with a dance at the end of the week. One of the new miners, Billy Hamilton has taken a special interest in Elizabeth and she is flattered by the attention. Meanwhile, pregnant widow Carla Noonan has moved in with Abigail and Elizabeth so the women can keep and eye on her for the remainder of her pregnancy. As Elizabeth and Billy's relationship develops, Jack becomes suspicious of Billy's motives for pursuing Elizabeth so persistently.

MY THOUGHTS-For those of you who have been watching my blog, you might know about my new obsession. Okay, I guess you could call it an infatuation:) I grew up reading books by Janette Oke. So when I heard about the new movie and consequently the Hallmark series, I knew it was something I would enjoy. I just didn't know how much. When Calls the Heart is loosely based on the books and I love how the actors portray these characters I love so dearly.

This dvd, The Dance, is the third one in the set. We see a new set of miners arriving in town and one of them appears to have a "thing" for Elizabeth. From the start I didn't like him but Elizabeth didn't share my feelings. She likes him and enjoys the way he woos her with poetry and courting. And can you guess who else isn't happy in the obvious affection for Elizabeth? That would be Jack Thornton, the handsome and gentlemanly Mountie. Sorry ladies, but how in the world could Elizabeth fall for Billy(the miner) and his devious ways? Especially with Jack trying to protect her!

The romance and tension between these three doesn't make up the whole story though. We also see pregnant Carla coming to live with Abigail and Elizabeth when complications arise. There is a lot of stress between the widows and those who think they should be able to remarry and those who think it isn't right to their husbands and families. It is a tough situation to be in. One widow in particular is courted by a miner and her young son doesn't understand why his mother is forgetting his father who died. The way they work this problem out is so sweet. I really fell in love with Dewitt and the extra steps he took to ensure her son would not see him as a threat.

Needless to say there are several plots and side stories that make this film a wonderful show for the whole family. The actors and actresses do a great job and I can't say enough about them. The little quirks and smiles, stern looks and even the fight scenes are done so well. If your family likes good family films, this is for sure a keeper!! Now the girls are anxiously awaiting the next one:)





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

20 Second #Fitness #Exercise Program!

During my weight loss journey I am finding products I really love and some I don't. I guess it is that way all through life, right? Well, one of my favorite ways to exercise is this program right here, 20 Second Fitness! It sounds really easy from the start. I mean, how can you get enough of a workout in just 20 seconds? That is the thought that ran through my head when I did my dvd. But once I actually completed a workout, I saw it for the ingenious idea it really was:)



This program works on 20 second intervals. We have part specific workouts first and then a cardio workout. So like for today I did the second day. Part specific is for abs and core. So we do everything from bicycles, russian twists, and so on. Two sets of each. It is harder than it sounds, believe me. Then for cardio we did star jumps, short pants, planks and so on. The workout isn't long at all, but you will be dying by the end. At least I was when I started. They progressively get harder and longer but all they do is add 20 second sets. So you never do something for longer than 20 seconds. And I love using this in addition to my daily walk/jog.

So how is your workout going this week? Any fitness products you want to tell me about or workout programs you like? Leave a comment and let me know! I love to hear from my readers.



**DISCLOSURE: Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Ragamuffin DVD Review & #Giveaway!



RAGAMUFFIN is based on the life of Rich Mullins, a musical prodigy who rose to Christian music fame and fortune only to walk away and live on a Navajo reservation.
An artistic genius, raised on a tree farm in Indiana by a callous father, Rich wrestled all of his life with the brokenness and crippling insecurity born of his childhood. A lover of Jesus and a rebel in the church, Rich refused to let his struggles with his own darkness tear him away from a God he was determined to love. As he struggled with success in Nashville and depression in Wichita, Rich desired most of all to live a life of honest and reckless faith amidst a culture of religion and conformity.



MY THOUGHTS-First off let me say I don't listen to music by Rich Mullins. I like learning about artists and the story behind them so I was interested in reviewing this dvd to see the man behind the music. And believe me, it was an interesting story to say the least.

Rich Mullins is well known for the music he has written. I mean, Amy Grant has recorded his songs and many of them I have heard of. So I am not totally unaware of him and his songs. But I had never heard about his story and what made him into the person who wrote the songs he did. The film starts off with a man going into an old church building and sitting down at the piano. We see the building looks like it hasn't been used in a while and the man looks worn down and tired. It then flashes to a radio interview talking to Rich Mullins and how he got saved. Thus starts the life story as Rich Mullins tells his tale. We see his relationship with his father and how it really fostered the way he thought about his Heavenly Father. If his father said he loved him and yet never spent time with him and was always insulting him, why should God be any different? As he grows we see his love for music even though his father thinks it is not manly to be playing the piano and singing. Then comes college as he takes off for Bible college. I don't want to tel the whole story but you get the idea. He had a rough time realizing how much God really loved him all through his growing up years and this shaped him in his later years.

I like the whole redemption story and how God pursued him even when he didn't realize it. My main problem with this film is the language. The case shows no rating on it and I am just glad we didn't sit down as a family to watch it. In the first 10 minutes there are at least 4 swear words. This is the father swearing at his son. And throughout the movie there are several more words. As a family reviewer, I would not give this film my recommendation. I saw a lot of objectionable material for children and even for families that are conservative. This deals with hard subjects and a raw look at a persons life so we also see smoking, drinking, etc. Is it something acceptable for adults? I think you need to make your own decision on it but I wanted to give a heads up as my blog is for family friendly products. If you are planning on showing it to young people, I would urge you to preview it first.

This giveaway will end 7/23. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. US ONLY!!



Monday, July 7, 2014

Hermosa Peak Yacon Syrup #Review #weight loss


MY REVIEW-I am sure all of you know I am dieting. Trying to lose weight, however you want to put it:) But I don't want to lose it real fast just to gain it back. No crash diets or magic pills that will make me lose the weight but starve at the same time. That is why I was excited to try the Hermosa Peak Yacon Syrup. I know, I had to double check and see what exactly Yacon Syrup was first:)



What is Yacon Syrup?
Yacon Syrup originates from the Yacon plant (pronounced yah-KON) of the Andes Mountains in Peru and has been part of the Andean diet for hundreds of years. The yacon juices are extracted from the roots of the yacon plant, then filtered and evaporated in a process very similar to the way Maple syrup is made. The Yacon plant looks similiar to a sweet potato.  

So, basically this is from a plant that looks like a sweet potato. And yes, it really does look like a potato. Roots and all:) But it has been converted into a syrup form for this product. This is something new that I had never heard of before but I was game to try it. When my bottle came in I waited to start until the next day. That way I could go from Tuesday and go for two weeks. I barely had enough syrup to finish but it was good for that period. Worked out real good. The first time I had it, I was somewhat surprised. The taste is kind of sickening sweet. Very thick and almost like molasses. The first time I had it before my breakfast and only water. Every time after that I made sure to have tea with it. Just kind of funny tasting.

As far as the results, I was impressed. After taking it for one week I had lost 1 lb. But after using it two weeks I lost 3 lbs total. This isn't all I do for losing weight obviously as I exercise and try to eat healthy overall but I think this did help quite a bit. Normally I am only losing a little bit a week but while taking this before every meal I found myself eating less and feeling so much better. It was well worth having to combat the taste when the results started piling up.

This is a product I was very interested in and I liked how well it worked. The results I had may not be for everybody but then again, you could do even better than me:) If you are looking for something to help you along in your weight loss journey, I would urge you to look at this. The product can be bought on Amazon or you can look at the Hermosa Peak webpage. .



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
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