Thursday, December 29, 2011

(Closed) Rock 'N Learn: Colors, Shapes & Counting Audio CD & Book Review, Discount & Giveaway! Ends 1/6

We're checking out Rock 'N Learn again! You'll find award-winning, educational DVD, Audio, and Book programs for children. After a not-so-great experience with one of their DVDs, I was actually really open to their suggestion of trying one of their audio/book programs. I'm so glad I accepted, because Buddy likes it!


We received the Audio CD & book for Colors, Shapes & Counting. This program is also available as a DVD and is appropriate for ages 3-5 years. Here's the overview of the program (although it refers to the visual aspect of the DVD, it's still very relevant and gives you a good idea of what to expect!):

Colors, Shapes & Counting features the comical adventures of Rollie Roundman, Trollie Triangle, and Rockford Rectangle. These playful characters help preschoolers master basic skills and concepts for the kindergarten classroom through songs, laughter, and games. Children will be so captivated by the bright, action-packed animation and stimulating soundtrack, they'll want to watch and play along over and over again.
The concepts covered in the book are very relevant to young children. I like that they talk about colors, shapes, and counting from so many angles that *something* will eventually click with your kids! The 28 pages in the book all resemble what you see above. One part of the CD asks you to find the largest circle and say what color it is (see the first page above at the top). By combining several concepts at once, you're kids are learning lots of valuable skills at the same time! The CD includes lots of instruments and sound effects, songs for most pages (there's over 20 songs overall), and lots of interaction for your preschooler. The characters in the CD ask you to point and find certain objects, shapes, or colors, and young kids can easily follow along with these instructions.

A little detail of the book that I like is that each page number has a small picture next to it of a recognizable object like a guitar, bell, or train for example. Although Buddy knows his numbers already, this is helpful for kids that have yet to learn their numbers and recognize them. It's still great reinforcement for him and so are pretty much all the color activities and some shapes too since he already knows lots of those. You can never reinforce the basics too much at this age!

What I liked about this program approach as opposed to the DVD is that you don't have music AND moving objects and characters at the same time. Just the CD for listening, and simple illustrations on each page. I think that was a bit overwhelming for Buddy and that might be why he didn't care for the DVD we reviewed last time. The variation in the songs were much better on this CD than the previous DVD I reviewed, so I have to say I like this program too! Certain educational tools I've tried to introduce to Buddy just don't interest him, even after multiple attempts. But this CD and book caught his attention right away, and continue to do so. Kudos Rock 'N Learn!

Connect with RockN Learn on Facebook and Twitter

Price: Audio CD & Book - $12.99. Also, use code JQ7711 for 25% off at RockNLearn.com!!

Buy It: Check out RockNLearn.com or find a retailer near you!

Win It!
One winner will receive a DVD or CD of their choice from Rock 'N Learn!

Monday, December 26, 2011

(Closed) Gorton's Seafood Review & Giveaway! Win 2 FREE Product Coupons & Mega Bloks! Ends 12/31 (3 Winners)

Gorton's Seafood has been around since 1849, and is a leader in the seafood industry. This trusted brand stands committed to providing consumers with the best-tasting, highest quality seafood meal around.

Gorton's sent me free product coupons to try some of their products. I've purchased a couple of their products before, so I was eager to take this opportunity to try other varieties they offer. 
 
I used my coupons to buy the Grilled Salmon - Lemon Butter, Grilled Tilapia - Roasted Garlic & Butter, and the Classic Breaded Fish Sticks. I thoroughly enjoyed their delicious grilled fish. It was moist, flaky, and flavorful. I also liked that I can use the microwave and not warm up the whole house with the oven (which is no fun in the summer!). The fish sticks are a classic for dipping and Buddy really enjoyed these. What kid doesn't love dipping!? I often find it hard to get enough seafood in my family's diet. With Gorton's I've found that it's quite easy to get a nice variety of seafood without getting bored of one product since they offer so much. I know it's important to get lots of omega-3 fatty acids and protein that come from seafood, so the variety is much appreciated!
 
The Build It Better Together Sweepstakes ends this week! Enter for your chance to win FREE product coupons for Gorton's Seafood and Mega Bloks. 4 grand prize winners will receive a $250 Gift Card from Gorton's Seafood and $250 FREE Product from Mega Bloks!

Price: Prices range from approximately $3-$12 depending on the product.

The Verdict:
I love the huge variety of seafood and wonderful flavors. Gorton's certainly has a place in my freezer!

Buy It: 
Check out the store locator to find Gorton's Seafood near you!


Win It!
THREE winners will each receive 2 FREE product coupons for Gorton’s Seafood!

Update!! Each winner will also receive Mega Bloks as well!!!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Dandelion Earth Friendly Goods: Handcrafted Owl Hat Review


Dandelion, Earth-Friendly Goods is a family-owned, philanthropic, eco-friendly company that makes a great assortment of fun toys, natural tableware, organic layette, and developmental activities for babies and young children. Made from organic and natural materials, these baby and toddler essentials will let your little ones explore safely, without exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. I love all the cute and cuddly toys they have!
 
Dandelion recently added a new line of handcrafted products which are simply adorable! I received the Owl Hat to review. 
I received the small instead of the large by mistake so unfortunately I don't have photos to show of it in action. I'd say it would fit up to a one year old or so. Buddy was really sad he couldn't try it on! He thinks it looks like the popular characters from Angry Birds!! :) However, I can tell you it's absolutely beautiful and of professional quality. The attention to detail is fabulous, and there aren't a bunch of threads on the inside, making it comfortable to wear. They truely are handmade by artisans in Shanghai, China, and even have the initials on the tag of who made it. The hat is crocheted using a silky Bamboo Viscose, is machine washable, and is available in other designs including a frog, ladybug, koala, and panda. I wouldn't say they would be super warm for a cold day, but would be great for a somewhat mild day where a little extra cover is needed.

Connect with Dandelion Earth Friendly Goods on Facebook and Twitter!

Price: Owl Hat - $21.99 for small, $23.99 for large


Verdict: Totally adorable hat! This would be a great gift or be really fun as a photo prop too! Awesome quality and I love that it's handmade!

Buy It:  Check out all the Handcrafted Hats and lots more at DandelionForBaby.com!



Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product(s) to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Little Hibou Shoppe & Tropical Traditions WINNERS!

The winner of the Little Hibou Shoppe giveaway is...

Rafflecopter Entry #278, Suzanne!


The winner of the Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes giveaway is...

Rafflecopter Entry #73, Lisa O.!


Congratulations! You have 48 hours to respond to the email I've sent or I will have to draw a new winner.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

FitDeck Review: The Perfect Stocking Stuffer! (Order by 12/18 for Christmas delivery!)


This is a guest review written by The Reynolds Dad.

Meet FitDeck!

So you want to get in shape? Want to have fun doing it? Are you looking for an awesome Christmas stocking stuffer? FitDeck is pretty awesome and I think once you try a FitDeck out, you’ll be itching to get your hands on as many FitDecks as you can.

Ready? Set? SHUFFLE!

These decks will get you in shape quick, or if you are already in shape, you’ll get an endless stream of new workouts every day. The cards are perfect because you can slip a few into your pocket to use while out on a jog, at the playground, or on the job.

The decks are basically playing cards with illustrations of a specific exercise to perform on each card.  The best thing about FitDeck is that many of the exercises are body weight driven (no equipment) and also a new workout routine can be created by shuffling the cards. There are an endless number of games you can play with the cards too. Each Deck comes with suggested games/workouts which I thought was fun.

The breadth of the product line is impressive. You’ll surely find a deck that is fitted to your personality, and workout style. I personally used the “Office” deck to workout in my cubicle in my suit and tie. 

Some of the Decks that interest me (as gifts and for myself) are:
FitDeck Bodyweight, FitDeck Prenatal, FitDeck Postnatal, FitDeck Senior, FitDeck Travel, FitDeck Office, FitDeck Stairs, FitDeck CrossTrain, FitDeck Plyometrics, FitDeck Playground, and FitDeck Junior. These are just a few of the FitDecks. Some of them are “Booster” decks, and some are full decks. The booster decks are more specific and can be combined with a full deck or used on their own. The only full FitDeck I reviewed was the FitDeck Bodyweight. 

Lets go to the FitDecks I reviewed:
Workout 1: FitDeck Office, 26 card booster deck
I put this deck under my monitor and did two cards/exercises per hour. The toughest part of this workout was remembering to do the cards. I liked that I could put the cards right in front of my face as a reminder. The exercises were not too tough, but just right for the office. The exercises made me feel refreshed without breaking a sweat. On one of the exercises, the desk biceps curl, I felt like my desktop was going to rip out of the cubicle wall which is way awesome! I plan to permanently keep this deck under my monitor.
Workout 2: FitDeck Bodyweight, 56 card full deck
This is the main deck that I recommend. It also comes in an iPhone App for those of you into dripping sweat all over your phone. This deck kicked my butt! At first glance, I thought this was going to be a breeze.  I am a P90X and Beachbody Insanity graduate, so I thought that this deck of cards would be child’s play. I lasted a good 15 minutes before stopping from exhaustion!  This deck is awesome.  The deck has three options, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. I chose the advanced level to perform on each card. I also just picked 15 cards out of the 56 card deck to perform! My heart rate monitor had me in the top of my range after the third card. Normally, I can jog for a mile before I even get close to that range. It was instant exercise love! 


Workout 3: FitDeck CrossTrain, and FitDeck Plyometrics COMBINED!
On an Amazon.com review, a reviewer recommended the FitDeck CrossTrain set. Now I can see why. This was probably the most concise set of exercises to get you in top physical shape. Some of the cards require a pull-up bar, so equipment is recommended.  Even if you don’t have the equipment, it is easy enough to just remove the card(s) from the deck.

I shuffled the CrossTrain Deck with the Plyometrics Deck. I was leery of my choice because I did not want to be too sore the next day. I just picked eight cards to perform to try the deck out. Once I started, my son was checking me out and wanted to join in all the jumping around (Plyometrics is basically Jump Training). These decks are intended to get you into elite physical shape. I am also intensely interested in CrossFit. If you’re familiar with CrossFit, you will want to check out the CrossTrain Deck.

Connect with FitDeck on Facebook and Twitter!

Price: FitDeck Office - $9.95, FitDeck Bodyweight - $14.95, FitDeck Plyometrics - $9.95, FitDeck CrossTrain - $9.95

Verdict:  
FitDeck is a great motivator. Even my father who is 71 and has Parkinson ’s disease wanted to do the exercises.  He did his first push-ups in 8 years! (Yes!) The workouts can be adjusted for the absolute beginner, new mom, kids, senior citizen, or elite athlete. In addition, the workouts can be turned into “games” to keep things fresh.

I’m planning to get some more FitDeck playing cards as gifts, and the prices are just right. There are more reviews of the FitDeck product on YouTube if you want to see some of the cards and games in action. With Christmas just around the corner, The Reynolds Mom just might find a FitDeck in her stocking this year. 

Buy It:  Check out FitDeck.com to order today!

**You must order by December 18th from FitDeck.com to receive by Christmas!**


The Reynolds Dad

P.S. My father is telling me he really wants the yoga deck in his stocking.  

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product(s) to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Friday, December 16, 2011

*HOT* FREE $10 code to Vitacost.com = FREE Organic, Natural Groceries & Baby Toys too!!


At Vitacost.com, you can buy discount vitamins, organic and natural groceries, baby gear, toys and accessories, natural household cleaners and toiletries and other health products. Vitacost sells top brand products at a wholesale discount cost so you're saving 33% - 75% on every product! Don't pay retail, shop at Vitacost!

(Definitely my favorite Peanut Butter EVER, and other AWESOME brands at Vitacost!)


I'm sure you've seen me rave about Vitacost.com on my Facebook page! Well, today it gets even better!  

You can score your $10 code here! Free shipping is for orders over $49. Still, $4.99 shipping for $10 worth of FREE product already wholesale prices is awesome!

Below are just a few examples of what you can get with the $10 code Obviously you can mix and match and get whatever you want! Remember, these are wholesale prices, so they are already pretty amazing prices for most items!



Deal Idea:
3 bags = $10.77 -$10 code + shipping = JUST $5.76 SHIPPED!

Clif Kid™ Organic ZBar™ Chocolate Chip -- 6 Bars - $3.63 Each (reg. $5.19)
(Other varieties available like Chocolate Brownie, Peanut Butter, Blueberry and Honey Graham)

Deal Idea
3 box = $10.89 -$10 code + shipping = JUST $5.88 SHIPPED!



Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Diapers Stage 5 -- 26 Diapers
$13.15 Each (reg. $18.49) (stage 3, 4, 5 at this price. Other sizes at cheaper prices available!)

Deal Idea
1 packages = $13.15 -$10 code + shipping = JUST $8.14 SHIPPED!

Deal Idea
4 packages = $13.12 -$10 code + shipping = JUST $8.11 SHIPPED! (280 wipes)

Deal Idea
1 packages = $13.12 -$10 code + shipping = JUST $8.65 SHIPPED!

California Baby Calming™ Diaper Rash Cream -- 2.9 oz - $11.09 Each (Cloth Diaper safe!)

Deal Idea
1 Diaper Rash Cream = $11.09 -$10 code + shipping = JUST $6.08 SHIPPED!



Check out the HUGE assortment of organic, natural, ecofriendly, goodies at Vitacost.com! Get your $10 Credit NOW!

 
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Hail Merry Macaroons Review


Created by a raw food chef, the people at Hail Merry believes that raw & gluten-free foods should not just be functional, but taste great too. Their raw, vegan, gluten-free macaroons will most certainly impress even the toughest food critic!
I received a package of Choco Macaroons, and Blonde Macaroons. These gluten-free goodies are delicious! I don't think I've ever had a macaroon in my life, but knowing how much I love sweets and trying new things, I couldn't pass this up. The minimal ingredients are very appealing, and the use of coconut in some form (coconut & coconut oil in these) is always intriguing in my book.

Hail Merry macaroons are dehydrated at low temperatures to maintain their "raw" goodness. In learning about Hail Merry products, I also found out that raw foods provide your body with an abundance of living enzymes which help us properly digest and absorb vital vitamins and minerals. Foods heated above 118 degrees are not considered raw, and can potentially harm and destroy the natural, healthy state of many ingredients. The concept of eating raw foods is so appealing to me now! The raw coconut oil in these macaroons contain medium chain fatty acids that quickly burn as energy, and also contain NO cholesterol. Coconut oil also contains large amounts of Lauric Acid which is anti-viral and anti-bacterial, helping our immune system. I didn't know this until now, but Lauric Acid is in breast milk, which is baby's first line of defense against infection. It's starting to make a lot of sense now with all the hype about the benefits of coconut oil!

Knowing all this information before I took a bite of either flavor macaroon, I had high hopes of finding a new delicious treat that I could feel great about buying and eating. Hail Merry Macaroons did not disappoint! As a coconut lover, macaroons are now a must-have goodie on my list. The texture is amazing, they are moist, and taste very fresh. The Blonde Macaroons have a lightly sweet, coconut and vanilla flavor that is not too over powering. The Choco Macaroons have a very rich chocolatey cocoa flavor that is to die for! I like each one for their individual flavor profiles, and can really tell a lot of time went in to getting the perfect macaroon flavor and texture!

Connect with Hail Merry by Facebook and Twitter!

Price:
3.75 oz. bag of Blonde or 3.5 oz. bag of Choco Macaroons - $5.79 (I've seen them cheaper on some sites though)

Verdict: Hail Merry Macaroons are definitely a special treat! They are simply delicious! These would also be a great addition to a food basket or stocking this holiday season. I know I have a couple people in my family that would love these!

Buy It:  Check out HailMerry.com or find a store location near you!




Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product(s) to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Horizon Organic Review

For over 20 years, Horizon Organic's goal has been to bring you the best organic dairy products it can. They want to make healthy eating and drinking an easy choice to make. Horizon Organic has been a favorite organic diary brand of mine, and it's been great fun learning about all the dairy products Horizon makes that I've never seen before! Through my research for this review I also came across these really fun facts about Horizon...
  • Horizon® products (more than 40!) are produced in partnership with over 600 family farms, all of which support kindness to animals and the environment. 
  • Our smallest family farm in Vermont only has 12 cows. Now that's what we call cozy. 
  • I love the small, cozy feel of Horizon as a company, and how they've put family before profits by supporting family farms. Oh, their products are pretty great too!!! :)
      I received coupons to go out and try a few Horizon products for myself. I got a couple 1/2 gallons of organic milk, a 1/2 gallon of organic chocolate milk, Mozzarella String Cheese, and Lowfat Yogurt Tuberz.

      The flavor of the Mozzarella String Cheese is absolutely yummy! My hubby doesn't always enjoy string cheese, but he did like this. The texture is great too, something you can't always say of conventional brands. Althought pricey -almost $1 per stick, ouch! - they are definitely worth trying and buying on occasion (and totally savoring too!). The Tuberz yogurts were Buddy's favorites, and are Horizon's version of another tube yogurt commonly found at the grocery store. These, however, and organic of course which I definitely prefer. I actually felt like these were a bit too sweet, and high in sugar. I personally think the recipe would be much better with less sugar (and that's coming from a major sweet tooth!), and taste a little better too. Still, I like them and we'll probably buy them again in the near future. They're a quick snack if you're in a hurry!

      Have you tried a different brand of milk and thought "Ewwwww, that tastes weird!"?? Well, I've done that many times, but Horizon has exceeded my expectations and has a great flavor. It's actually my favorite milk brand now!  It takes wonderful, it's organic, and reasonably priced for being organic too. The organic chocolate milk was DELICIOUS! I can't even remember the last time I bought chocolate milk. I now remember why I don't usually buy it....because I'd probably drink the whole thing in one day if I didn't try as hard as I did with this to space it out and make it last!! It was rich with chocolate flavor, creamy, and has added DHA Omega-3 to support your brain heart, and eyes. I can't argue with that and I didn't feel guilty offering some to Buddy either since overall it's still good for him. (He gets crazy with sweet drinks and candy!) I highly recommend picking up either type of milk next time you're at the grocery store!

      Connect with Horizon on Facebook and Twitter!

      Price: Mozzarella String Cheese 6 pack - $5.99, Half-gallon Milk - $3.59, Tuberz - $2.99 (Of course, prices will vary by location)

      The Verdict: Fantastic organic dairy products that are full of flavor and come from (mostly) family farms. Gotta love it!


      Buy It: Check out the store locator to find Horizon products near you!









       
       
      Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product(s) to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

      Sunday, December 11, 2011

      DownEast Basics & Tender Tushies WINNERS!


      The winner of the DownEast Basics giveaway is...

      Rafflecopter Entry #50, Sarah Shult!


      The winner of the Tender Tushies giveaway is...

      Rafflecopter Entry #1110, Breanne!


      Congratulations! You have 48 hours to respond to the email I've sent or I will have to draw a new winner.

      Thursday, December 8, 2011

      FREE $10 Credit to The Clymb through 12/25! Many Items Are FREE With Credit! HOT Outdoor Brands!



      The Clymb is an awesome deal site that offers HOT outdoor brands at up to 70% off. Whether you like camping, exercising, or being outdoors, you will LOVE this site!

      Right now, The Clymb is offering a $10 credit to all new sign-ups through 12/25! Take advantage of this HOT offer while you can! Many items are less than $10 right now, meaning you can score FREE products from major outdoor/athletic brands like Gaiam, New Balance, O'Neill, Outgo, Stonewear Designs, and more for men and women!


      Here's just a small sampling of what you can get!

      Gaiam Yoga Mat - .98 w/credit, New Balance Hat - FREE w/credit, New Balance Women's Tee - FREE w/credit!

      Outgo Micro-fiber Towel for camping - FREE w/credit, Outgo Smart Wash - Get 3 FREE w/credit, Eco Travel Bag - FREE w/credit!

      TOTALLY FREE w/credit!
      Shipping is $7.98, BUT you CAN get a 1-Year subscription to Backpacker Magazine completely FREE with no shipping with your credit! It's regularly $24, and The Clymb has is for $9.98 which means FREE with your credit! Great gift idea for the outdoor enthusiast in your life!

       
      Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. 

      Wednesday, December 7, 2011

      Now Open: Winter Wonder Week Giveaway Event! December 8-15



      Winter Wonder Week

      Welcome to Winter Wonder Week! 100 bloggers have pulled together to offer some great prizes to help you celebrate the Winter holidays! Up for grabs are:
      • $500.00 CASH paid via PayPal from all of the participating blogs
      • Epson Artisan 837 all in one
      • $100 Gift Card from Howard Computers
      • 3pc. Gaming Bundle from Newbie Technology
      • Kindle from Jolly Savers
      • iPad 2 from a Super Secret Sponsor (they’re a nonprofit who have asked to remain anonymous – they just ask you remember the pets this holiday) 


        **As you hop along to the different participating blogs you’ll find some may have a secret image. That image shows you have earned an extra 5 entries!**

        Without further ado, let the wonder begin! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

        (Closed) Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes Review & Giveaway! Ends 12/18


        I'm a forever fan of Tropical Traditions products. From their skincare and food products, to their household cleansers, I have been nothing but extremely impressed and pleased with every product I've reviewed so far. If you're looking for a reputable all-natural, organic company that takes pride in their premium quality ingredients and customers, look no further! You will LOVE what you find here, and if you LOVE coconut like I do, you will never go anywhere else!

        This time I received a huge 1 gallon pail that holds 2 pounds of Organic Coconut Flakes from Tropical Traditions. Coconut Flakes, Shredded Coconut, and Coconut Chips are made from organic dried coconuts in the Philippines that are grown with no fertilizers or pesticides. There are NO additives or preservatives, and they are not sweetened. They taste fresh, and like PURE organic coconut should! While I wasn't sure how I would feel about the unsweetened part of this product, I've come to realize just how much sugar and other sweet ingredients we already put in recipes. Coconut doesn't need to be sweetened to taste delicious in a recipe!

        Coconut Flakes are great as a topping or garnish and also for Magic Bars I remember making as a kid with my mom all the time (gotta remember to call her for her famous recipe!). While the Shredded Coconut would have been better for most macaroon recipes, the Coconut Flakes I received has wonderful texture for certain macaroons like the Coconut Chocolate No-bake Macaroons. This 5-star rated recipe looked amazing, has rave reviews, and I like they don't even require the oven! I also love seeing all the variations tried in the comments. I pretty much stuck with the recipe the first time around and LOVE them! I'm totally in heaven and can't wait for an excuse to make another batch!

        Be sure to check out all the kitchen-tested recipes that can be found on their blog. I've tried numerous recipes from them with great success in the past!

        Price: $11.69 (originally $17.50!) for a 2 lb. Pail

        The Verdict: Once again, totally impressed with Tropical Traditions and another awesome organic coconut product! If you're a baker, check out the dried coconut products!


        Buy It:  Check out TropicalTraditions.com for all their wonderful products!


        Win It!
        One winner will receive a 2 lb. pail of Coconut Flakes!

        12 Days of Gifts Galore Giveaway Hop WINNERS!

        gifts galore hop
         
        The 4 winners from this event are...
         
        $30 GC to For Your Bug-a-Boo - Rafflecopter Entry #1593, Michelle H!
        Yoomi Bottle - Rafflecopter Entry #1017, Melinda C!
        Seat Belt Snoozer - Rafflecopter Entry #964, Heather S!
        Seat Belt Snoozer - Rafflecopter Entry #801, Joy N!

        Congratulations! You all have 48 hours to respond to the email I've sent or I will have to draw a new winner(s).