Saturday, March 16, 2013

ChapStick Cupcake Creations. Limited Time Availability!



Take the party anywhere, while keeping your lips happy with the new ChapStick® limited-
edition flavors – decadent Velvet Cupcake and mouth-watering Cake Batter.


Whether it is winter or summer, I seem to battle dry skin - mostly my hands, feet and lips. I make sure to treat year round. My girls also find that they suffer from chapped lips also. I make sure that we are always stocked with lip balm and we have various tubes floating around the house.

I received a fun review pack from ChapStick that included :
 o ChapStick® Velvet Cupcake and Cake Batter varieties
 o Red Velvet cupcake mix from the renowned Sprinkles Cupcakes, named “the world's first cupcake bakery” by The Food Network and featured everywhere from USA Today and The New York Times to “Good Morning America” and “Today”
 o Party hats
 o Cupcake noisemakers
 o Birthday candles

Miss E. LOVED this Chap Stick.  She claimed it as soon as it came.  She grabbed the cake batter and Miss N. recieved the red Velvet Cupcake.  Miss E. used it right away and told me how good it smelled  When I was little I loved Chapstick too.


I vividly remember collecting Chapstick when I was younger.  Up until 1970 there was the original verision.  In 1971 ChapStick introduced 3 new flavors.  I recall at least 3 flavors...  original, cherry and mint.  At some point they added strawberry, orange and grape.  Apparently the orange Chapstick is highly collectible and has a cult following.  Alas, if only I stocked up on Orange chapstick....

This month, for just a couple of weeks longer, you can get a SPECIAL EDITION ChapStick Cupcake Creations sold exclusively at Wal-Mart, CVS and Walgreens. There are two flavor varieties, ChapStick® Velvet Cupcake and Cake Batter, which are available until approximately March 31s, 2013 exclusively at Wal-Mart, CVS and Walgreens nationwide.   Love cake?  This  is one thing that can hit your mouth but without all the extra calories.  This ChapStick your will sweeten and soften your lips.  These will not be around after this month so make sure that you grab some while you can!  



Disclosure:  I received a Gift Set for review purposes.  I did not receive any form of monetary compensation for this post and all opinions expressed were my own.

The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey



J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an amazing quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.


I never read the books but really enjoyed the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  I am looking forward to seeing the Hobbit, the prequel to The Lord of the Rings.  


 



Thanks to PartnersHub One reader will win The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-ray Combo Pack - 
To begin, take the "Are You 100% Hobbit?" Quiz! What has a tendency to be very brave, is around 4 ft. tall with sharp eyesight, little to no facial hair, and loves cake? If you thought we were talking about you, then you might be a Hobbit Indeed! Take the quiz to find out just how much of a Hobbit you are!


Once you take the quiz, simply post their results from the Are You 100% Hobbit Quiz in the comments section and then fill out the raffllecopter form. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure:  Partnershub is providing a Blu ray combo to one reader whose name will be randomly drawn from all eligible entries.  I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.
 

Friday, March 15, 2013

What is Paleo?



Paleo is the nickname for the Paleolithic diet.  Designed to strip processed foods from your regular diet, you will eat simple whole foods like those that were primarily hunted and gathered in the stone age.  The premise is that our diets have changed a great deal since the Paleolithic era but our body chemistry and nutritional requirements have not.

Instead of eating a diet heavy in grains and processed foods, we should be eating a diet similar to those of cavemen (and cavewomen) - primarily fruit, veggies, nuts, eggs, meat, poultry and fish.   No grains.  no legumes.  No dairy.  No foods with added sugar.  Minimal processed foods.  The meat  and eggs should be high quality such as organic, grass fed, free range and/or cage free birds.  Good oils are olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, etc.  Bad oil would be canola oil or butter.  Click HERE to find out more about Paleo.

My husband and I have been trying a hybrid Paleo / Whole 30 diet for the last 3 weeks.  Not including one weekend out of town and couple of off days, we have stuck to the plan.   I finally did relent and have been using Splenda with my coffee or tea and and indulging in adding chick peas to my salad.  (These may sound small but really are frowned upon).

We have not been "devout" and would probably be reprimanded by purists but I think we have done very well.  Ryan and I have both lost over 10 lbs.  I plan to give myself a weekend off when I hit major milestones only and to otherwise avoid prohibited foods...with the exception of Splenda and garbonzo beans.

Here is what a typical day on Paleo looks like:
Breakfast - Fruit and/or eggs.
Lunch - Salad.  I usually top mine with chicken, hard boiled eggs, olives, beets, sesame seeds, carrots, cabbage, celery, tomatoes, etc.
Snack -  Raw veggies or macadamia nut, cashew butter or a handful of almonds.
Dinner - Grilled chicken, steak, pork chops or fish.  One of our favorites for example is salmon encrusted with pecans.   Roasted veggies.  Side Salad.
Dessert - A bowl of fruit or a smoothie made with fresh fruit and unsweetened coconut milk.


What are some of the foods I miss?
Cottage Cheese
Cereal
Milk Chocolate
Pastries
Cheeseburger and fries (I can have burgers but without the cheese and without the bun)
Ice Cream
Pasta
Bagel with cream cheese
Fast food.  I can probably eat some things but have been trying to avoid for the most part.

As much as I miss these foods, the benefits greatly outweigh the disadvantages. I cannot even begin to tell you how much better I feel.  I do not have the stomach problems that I am constantly plagued with.  I feel more comfortable without a constant heavy or bloated feeling in my gut.   Clothes are fitting better and I have more energy.    I can eat as much as I want, as long as it is on the OK list.

Like I said earlier, there have been some days I have fallen off the wagon.   Then there was the one really bad episode with a box of Samoa Girl Scout cookies - I was like a crackhead when I gave in to my cravings.  What started out as one cookie ended up being half a box.  I felt like crap afterwards.  Not only did I have a immense guilt and embarrassment, I also felt sick to my stomach.  I made a commitment  at that point to not let that happen again. Ever.

Last night I was on Pinterest and found quite a few Paleo boards.  I was really excited to find some new recipes and started my own board, comprised primarily of repins that I want to try myself.   I went a little crazy pinning.  You can see my board HERE.  If you are interested in Paleo make sure to follow it.  I am looking forward to trying some of these recipes.

I will continue to share my progress and some of the recipes.  Feel free to share also - please comment!  I welcome any success stories, comments or questions.   Any advice is also greatly appreciated.


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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Bible Giveaway II



From Executive Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett comes The Bible — an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from the Scriptures for a whole new generation. Breathtaking in scope and scale, The Bible features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation.

This is a great series for dedicated Christians or even History fans.   This is a family friendly series that brings The Bible to life.


Thanks to the History Channel and PatnersHub, I have a copy of one of the official The Bible companion books for one random winner.  All you have to do is enter :)

(Prize will be chosen randomly from the book titles below!)
 • A Story of God and All of Us (HARDCOVER)
• A Story of God and All of Us (REFLECTIONS)
• A Story of God and All of Us (YOUNG READERS)



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To enter comment as required and simply fill out the Rafflecopter form

Disclosure: I did not receive any forms of compensation for this post.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Oz, The Great and Powerful. - Freebie!

Love Oz?  here are some ways to share that love with the kiddos:



Visit HERE for four fun activities.

OZ The Great and Powerful - Review




If you did not have a chance to view OZ, The Great and Powerful this past weekend (opening weekend) don't wait any longer! This movie is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz. You get to meet the great and mighty Oz before he was great or mighty.

 Oz is actually a little bit on the smarmy side - he is not very trustworthy, has no trust in anyone, prohibiting friendships, is a verified ladies man and always looking for a quick buck. He has 2 passions - magic and the girl he is in love with but won't commit to. Even though no-one else has faith in him, even he himself, she does and believes he will eventually find the good within.

 On the run from a jealous and irate husband, Oz ventures out of Kansas and into Oz via a hot air balloon and a tornado. sound familiar? Half familiar anyway.... Upon arrival he realizes he is someplace new and different....someplace VERY different.  

The first friends Oz makes are a young girl, a flying monkey bell-hop and soon after a little china girl.   Add in one good witch and you have a quartet with enough good karma and chemistry to rival a foursome of a girl, a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man.

 His journey to go home results in a very different journey - one of finding himself while also claiming all of the things he wanted deep down but never seemed to be able to acknowledge or claim.  

James Franco was perfectly cast for this role.  He can somehow make even the most unlikeable character somehow charming and likable.   I don't want to spoil the story so I won't delve in too deeply around the plot or the other characters.  

This movie really was a treat.  It may be a bit too intense for younger kids.  My 10 year old was somewhat frightened but she loved it none the less!   

Hook up with Oz on social and check the movie clips below:


“Like” OZ THE GREAT & POWERFUL on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ozthegreatandpowerful

"Follow" OZ THE GREAT & POWERFUL on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyozmovie



 





Disclosure:  I was provided with preview tickets to the film.  I was not required to write a positive review.  

Carmex - thanks! Review and Giveaway




Carmex Healing Creams are one of my favorite lotions. You can see my original review here: CARMEX REVIEW.   I have genuinely loved all of the products I have reviewed - the Moisture Tints, the different flavored Carmex Sticks and the Healing Lotion.

My entire family loves this cream and lotion - me, my husband and the kids.  Both versions are light and silky smooth, but give intensive moisturization with a pleasant scent that is neither feminine or masculine - it is simply a nice, pleasant scent. The scent actually reminds me of something from my childhood but I cannot place it exactly...  I prefer to use the healing cream on my feet and hands.

In the mail today I received another 2 tubes of Carmex (Yes!) and a special treat - an awesome Carmex branded bright yellow hoodie!  Why?  Just because.  Carmex is awesome and so was my gift.  The hoodie was really great - high quality construction, a fantastic color and fabric that is super soft and plush.  My teen ecstatically snagged it.

I was thrilled to receive another couple of tubes of the healing lotion and cream.  We went through these so quickly last time.  If you have not tried this yet, please do!  It truly is fantastic - so much so that my husband even made a point to tell me that he really liked it.  Totally unsolicited - normally he will complain if he does not like something versus dole out compliments if he does.  For him to come out and say how much he liked this should tell you something/


Thanks to Carmex I also have a nice little treat to share with a reader!  One reader will win one tube of the Carmex Healing Cream and one tube of the Carmex Healing Lotion.  To enter simply comment as required and fill out the rafflecopter form below:


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Disclosure:  I received a gift set as a thank you.  I was not required to write a review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Review and Giveaway - thinkThin Divine Bars


thinkThin®, the #1 ranked weight management bar in the natural channel (according to SPINS research), recently introduced thinkThin® Divine—an innovative line of chocolate and coconut bars that are decadently satisfying and found in the nutrition bar aisle.  thinkThin nutrition bars help you satisfy chocolate cravings without what I call "the after-guilt"!

 the nutritional benefits of coconut are combined with the great taste of  of chocolate. This is a smart and satisfying indulgence that is high in fiber, protein and lower in sugar,  thinkThin Divine is launching with three delicious flavors:
- thinkThin Dark Chocolate Coconut
- thinkThin German Chocolate Coconut
- thinkThin Chocolate Mint Coconut

 Nutritional Benefits 
· 8g fiber
· 6g protein
· 10 g sugar
· 160 calories
· Gluten Free

I really, really liked these.  I love chocolate and coconut so these are perfect for me.  The texture was firm but chewy and it had a great taste - Definitely less sweet than a candy bar but light, flavorful and fulfilling.  My kids obviously liked the thinkThin bars too because we had 3 boxes and I only had one bar but only 5 or 6 bars are left.  Darn kids - LOL!

Bathing suit season is coming up SOON so if you want to lose a few pounds, now is the time to start if you haven't already!  If you are a snacker dieting can be challenging but these bars can help - you can fulfill your snack craving but not load up on calories.

Product Pricing & Availability
thinkThin Divine is available now in select retailers. It can also be found online at: www.thinkproducts.com with a competitive suggested retail price of $1.49.   Boxes retail for a little over $17 USD each.

About thinkThin®:
thinkThin® has created a whole new way to think about nutrition through an uncompromising focus on natural ingredients that support weight wellness and overall health. All thinkThin® products are based on four key nutritional principles: high protein, no sugar, low sugar and gluten free. The thinkThin® product family consists of ten flavors of thinkThin Protein® Bars to satisfy the on-the-go, active lifestyle; eight flavors of thinkThin Crunch® a fruit and nut snack bar and three flavors of thinkThin Divine® a decadently nutritious chocolate and coconut bar. For more information on deliciously natural nutrition, please visit thinkproducts.com

Thanks to thinkThin I have 6 boxes of bars to giveaway to one lucky reader.   Woo hoo!  That is over a $100 value!  US 18 and older only.  To enter comment and fill out the raffllecopter form below.

Social:
Join think Thin on Facebook 
Follow thinkThin on Twitter @thinkproducts
Follow thinkThin on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/thinkproducts/ . 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

winner!

Ii did not use rafflecopter for the Little Caesar's giveaway so am announcing here (normally the winner is announced in the rafflecopter widget). congrats to random number 24 - Tricia 316! Tricia, I am emailing you for mailing information.

 

Return to Nim's Island - Giveaway



I was really pleased to hear that there would be a sequel to Nim's Island. The girls and I LOVED the original movie and I had no idea that a sequel was in the works. Return to Nim’s Island premiering on Hallmark Channel March 15th 2013 at 7/8C! PLUS! You can pick up your copy of Return to Nim’s Island on Blu-ray & DVD exclusively at Walmart Stores just 4 days after the premiere.

Return to Nim’s Island, the sequel to Walden Media’s 2008 box office hit Nim’'s Island, picks up the story a few years later with 14-year-old Nim. Abigail Breslin played Nim in the first movie but in the sequel Nim is played by Bindi Irwin, daughter of Steve and Terri Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter). In Return to Nim's Island, Nim is more determined than ever to protect her island and the animals that call it home. With ruthless resort developers and greedy wildlife poachers threatening the existence she loves, Nim realizes she and her animal pals can’t defend their home alone. To save her island, she is forced to combine forces with an outsider: Edmund, a runaway from the mainland. Only with his help does she stand a chance of stopping the villains from dismantling her world.

This is a great role for Bindi because she, like her mom and dad, is passionate about the health, welfare and safety of wild animals, whether on land or in sea. Return to Nim'’s Island marks the debut of Walden Family Theater, presented by Walmart and P&G. The new destination for family entertainment, exclusively on Hallmark Channel.

Discover Which Adventurer You Are Quiz! Whether you’re a fearless explorer, a precocious castaway or an unexpected hero, Nim'’s Island is an adventurer’s paradise. - Take the quiz to find out which Nim’ adventurer you are!
- 7 Awesome Family Activities! You don’t have to travel to an exotic island or faraway land because, adventures happen everywhere! Download and share these awesome family adventures that will transport you all to your next, unforgettable journey.
- Send a postcard from Nim’'s Island! Postcards from a faraway island! Share these funny postcards from Nim’'s Island with your friends and family!
- Get Social! Tweet with the #ReturnToNimsIsland hashtag to get your audience excited about the premiere on Hallmark Channel March 15th at 8/7C!


On of my readers will be a winner a Return to Nim'’s Island Blu-ray Combo Pack! Jealous! To enter simply take the quiz and post your results. To enter the giveaway simply post your results from the Discover Which Adventurer You Are Quiz, comment with your results and then fill out the rafflecopter form!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

The Bible - Giveaway


 The Bible Series premiered on History Channel March 3rd 2013.  It will be airing Sundays at 8PM!

From Executive Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett comes The Bible — an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from the Scriptures for a whole new generation. Breathtaking in scope and scale, The Bible features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation. This historic television event is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family! 

Thanks to PartnersHub and The History Channel, one of my readers will be r winner a $15 Walmart gift card!  Simply take the quiz and let me know how you scored
• Get Social! Tweet with the #BibleSeries 




• Bible-Scene Quiz! The Bible Series brings stories from scripture to life for a whole new generation! The Questions is...will you recognize your favorite characters when you see them for the first time in the series?

• Clip Countdown! Countdown to 3.3.13 with a new clip from from The Bible unlocked everyday until the premiere!
• Tell 10 Challenge! Where will YOU be 3.3.13? The Bible proves that when talent and passion collide, the outcome is spectacular! Connect with Mark & Roma by sharing their message! And help spread the word about the premiere of The Bible on The History Channel 3.3.13 to 10 of your friends! 




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Disclosure:  I did not receive any form of compensation to share this information with my readers.  Gift Card provided to one random winner from PartnersHub

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