BBMReview

Chex Mix Snack Bars

Black Belt Mama — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:36:23 -0400

I am not the "bar" kind of girl. I guess this is probably because I'm one of those people who has always preferred it when my foods don't touch. I don't like the mixing of ingredients in most cases. This has always baffled my children, seeing as how they practically live on breakfast bars, yogurt bars, fruit bars. . . I could go on. In fact, if I could have found meat bars at the points in their lives where they were protesting protein, I'm pretty sure they would have eaten them.

Chex Mix Snack Bars are obviously a bit hit in this family. My husband and the girls have devoured them, pretty much without chewing, since they arrived on our doorstep.

We tried the Chex Mix Bars in the "Turtle" variety. They include Caramel-Covered Corn Chex pieces, Wheat Chex pieces, Chocolate, Peanuts, and Pretzels. Maybe my whole aversion to anything "bar-related" had to do with the fact that there was never any chocolate involved, because these bars are definitely worth a try if you have snackers in the family.

Despite the fact that there's also this messy stuff in them, the bars stay together very nicely when eaten and I think they'll probably remain a staple snack in our household from now on. When something with chocolate in it says "Good Source of Whole Grain!" on the box, I'm in.

If you'd like to try them in your house, all you need to do is leave a comment below telling me how you like to unwind at the end of the day. What's your favorite comfort food? Three readers will be chosen to receive two boxes each of the Chex Mix Bars.

BBM gives the Chex Mix Bars. . .

Thanks to MyBlogSpark for letting us try them!

The Classical Three Section Staff

Ikigai 108 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:34:56 -0400

I've played with a lot of weapons in my day, but the three section staff is a scary one. Does any other weapon scream quite so clearly "hey, hit yourself in the head!"

That's why I decided to check out "The Classical Three Section Staff" by Rick L. Wing.

I had my reservations about the book at first because it seemed like a normal color-by-numbers martial arts text (show a couple pictures, explain some foot positions, call it a day).

Although "Three Section Staff" does follow a pretty standard setup, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the content. The author provided excellent information about the history of the weapon and wrote in a very approachable manner. At no point did Wing try to sound like the master of all things staff.

One of my favorite parts of the book was in the beginning when Wing discussed the hand positions used with the staff. Seeing his pictures and examples of how the postures could be used was very enlightening.

Example of a Three Section Staff

Rather than trying to pass on a whole "Style", Wing geared the bulk of his book around a single two-man form. The form is a sample combative engagement of the three-section staff vs a spear. As Wing explains it, the techniques contained in this single form allow the practitioner to understand the core principles of the weapon. Therefore, the methods used here can be used anywhere.

The pictures contained in the book are very well taken and the angles help demonstrate what is happening. Although I personally haven't learned the form contained in the book, I have gleaned a lot from the ideas discussed.

Right now in my training I am not trying to become an expert at three section staff. If I ever did want to significantly increase my proficiency, I would certainly use this text as a highly valuable resource.

Overall, Ikigai108 gives "The Classical Three Section Staff"...

Would you like to purchase this book? Check it out here!

Making Life Better

TKDDaughter — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:31:42 -0400

The title of this post alone should be your "narrative hook" (sorry, geeky English teacher here...). We all strive in this tough economy to make the most of what we have and stretch our resources. Along the way, we don't want to scrimp on the health and well being of our families. Dinner is a constant struggle to do this...Mom Central showed me a website that is quickly becoming a new favorite place for me when I do my meal planning.

Making Life Better features great recipes and cooking tips. I'm planning on putting the Grilled Chicken with Peaches meal (at only 320 calories!!) on my meal plan for next week. There is a quick search where you can quickly search by different criteria, making it easy to find what you need. They even have their own YouTube channel where you can find Cooking Coach videos to learn new tips and ideas.

I like that this website focuses on making dinner fast and easy and affordable. There is an entire section on Budget meals...I like that! You can sign up for a newsletter, enter a monthly sweepstakes, and more! Check out this helpful website and start gaining some sanity into your life at mealtime!

TKDDaughter gives Making Life Better a :

Trip Flix Winner

Black Belt Mama — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:23:35 -0400

The winner of the Trip Flix DVD, which was determined in a random drawing, is. . . .

Darcie!

Congratulations! We'll be in touch to get your prize to you soon!

Check back for more great giveaways throughout the summer!

The Skinny Cow Ice Cream

Black Belt Mama — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:04:23 -0400

When you're asked to review ice cream, it's really a no-brainer. When you're asked to review low fat ice cream? I mean, how can you refuse?

I was given two coupons for free Skinny Cow products and I chose the Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches and the French Vanilla Truffles. When I devoured all of those, I went back and bought the Mint Ice Cream Sandwiches, and people, I'm about to make your day because here is the actual info from the mint ice cream sandwiches from The Skinny Cow website:

"Low Fat Ice Cream. 97% Fat Free. 140 Calories. 3 grams Fiber. 0 Trans Fat." There are only 30 grams of carbohydrates in this happy little bundle of a sandwich and don't even get me started on how it tastes.

Ok, you asked for it.

The mint ice cream is light and wonderful. It lacks fat, but doesn't lack flavor. The ice cream sandwich chocolate wafers are to die for, so much so that I will happily admit that I licked my fingers-all of them.

The peanut butter ice cream sandwiches are delicious as well, but I must say that the mint ones totally rocked my world. To be able to eat THAT, and not feel guilt? Now that is something special.

The French Vanilla Truffles are amazing. So amazing in fact that I not only licked my fingers, but my daughter's as well. The ice cream is light and creamy and then it's drizzled with this hard chocolate on the outside that is just enough to make you completely satisfied and without having to shove an entire chocolate bar down your throat.

I shared my good fortune with my neighbor and her son and we all agree that The Skinny Cow is pretty much our new best friend. If you are watching your weight, or just trying to eat healthier, you'll want to add The Skinny Cow to your shopping list. I've been to a couple different grocery stores and each one had different products. I suggest visiting all your local grocery stores to pick these up.

My only criticism is that I haven't found a jumbo pack yet. These ice cream treats are a big hit in this house and I can barely keep them in stock.

BBM gives The Skinny Cow. . .

And a special thanks to Mom Central for the opportunity to review it!

Mamapedia

TKDDaughter — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:29:45 -0400

You've heard it before..."I wish my baby/child/teen came with a handbook/manual!" My friends and I discuss this often. Parenthood is something that you cannot learn all about and then do...it's "under construction and development" at all times. You make mistakes (lots of them) and try your best. Sometimes things go well, often they don't. I found you a lifeline, a phone a friend.

Everyone meet Mamapedia. Mamapedia, here's some new friends who will be leaning on you.

What a great site this is! Within seconds of clicking on the site, I was at my age-specific, subject specific page where there were many moms in my predicament. There were words of support, tactics to try, and nods of understanding. Moms will find information on child-raising, health, finance, plus lots of things in between. It is highly organized (which I appreciate so much since time is not abundant right now) so I was able to find what I needed quickly. When I sat down to write this post, I went to Mamapedia again to refresh myself and found myself reading questions and answers for almost an hour...oops! There's just so much good info on there!

Moms know best...and moms help other moms the best. If you wanted a manual for your child, Mamapedia is the place to go! Thanks, MomCentral, for hooking me up with Mamapedia.

TKDDaughter gives this great resource for moms everywhere a

An Obese White Gentleman in No Apparent Distress by Riki Moss

Black Belt Mama — Mon, 25 May 2009 10:58:13 -0400

Typically, when I'm asked to review books related to the martial arts, I'm asked to review manuals or historic overviews. It's rare that a martial arts novel comes up, but An Obese White Gentleman in No Apparent Distress is just that. The thing about this book, is that although it's a "novel," it's based on actual recordings of deceased Terry Dobson, a beloved Aikido master.

One would think that the book would be almost exclusively about Aikido, and although there are some chapters that talk about the dojo, this isn't what you get. The best way to describe the book would be that it's about an unhealthy Aikido master who loses his mojo and then finds it again through love.

I have to be honest about it. Although Moss is an descriptive writer and she paints a vivid pictures of scenes as she writes them, I'm a bit of a prude when it comes to things related to sex and I wasn't sure how I felt about the main character "Max" (based on Terry Dobson) and his sexual encounters. I can read chick-lit all day long and it doesn't much bother me, but when it's based on an actual person, a person of stature in the martial arts community? I guess I just like to think of highly ranked martial artists with their clothes on.

If you're looking for a glorified portrayal of a martial arts master though, you won't find it here. This book is a very honest look at "Max," his insecurities, his struggles, his mistakes and his demise as he suffers from serious health issues that eventually take his life before his family is really ready to let him go.

There are some accounts, based on recordings of Terry Dobson, about his time training in Japan as the low man on the dojo totem pole, and how he stuck it out regardless of how inhumanely he was treated at times, because he thought eventually he would learn something, really seesomething and come away being a better person and having a deeper understanding of Aikido techniques and something more meaningful as well.

One thing you do get from this book is what seems to be a very honest portrayal of a real person, not some glorified martial artist who does no wrong. Some of the things that "Max" experiences in the novel make you cringe with embarrassment for him, like how his real life master in Japan, uses him as nothing more than a big oaf to attack him and awe an attentive audience with how a small man can take down a much larger American.

I guess when I started reading this book, I expected to be in awe of "Max" and his overall character. But when all is said and done, despite his worst flaws, he still dies being a much-admired Aikido master who has touched the lives of many. This much is true-you can read this about him in many places on the internet.

As you can clearly find on the home page of Terry Dobson's web-page:

"I consider myself a technician. I'm not a guru. I'm not a leader. I have no followers. I want none. I'm a technician. I'm like a mechanic.

I wish you would see me as not a spiritual leader, but rather as a transmission specialist of a sort. I'm working on the transmission of ki, of intention. I'm heir to a legacy that comes down from many generations of Japanese warriors regarding point, or presence, about being centered under fire. I'm not the repository for the entire sum of knowledge on the subject, but I have been close to some good teachers and I do know something about it."

If you are interested in purchasing the book, you can do so through The BBM Review store.

BBM gives An Obese White Gentleman in No Apparent Distress. . .

Frosted Flakes Plant a Seed

TKDDaughter — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:38:44 -0400

Many people have a favorite memory of childhood playing a sport...hitting that first baseball, scoring that first point in soccer, intercepting their first football. Sports are an important part of our culture and an important part in the growth and development of our kids. Not only do sports provide wonderful childhood memories, they also instill in kids a better sense of self, an awareness of what is healthy for their bodies, and keeps them active instead of passively watching another ridiculous kids' show.

Frosted Flakesrecognizes the importance that sports and their playing fields play in a child's life and since January has been getting the word out about their Earn Your Stripes field renovation program. Thousands of fields were nominated to be completely renovated and the "playing field" has been narrowed down to just 100 semifinalists. Between now and May 31st, you can go to Frosted Flakes and vote for your favorite or most deserving community sports field to be renovated.

Check it out...I put in my state and found numerous fields within 20 minutes of our house. You'll probably find one in your own backyard...help out a deserving community! TKDDaughter gives the Plant a Seed campaign a:

Memorial Day Giveaway

Black Belt Mama — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:19:11 -0400

It's that time of year, when families pack up their kids for vacation and endure hours of the seemingly endless question "Are we there yet?"

The BBM Review is here to rescue you from that question with a giveaway opportunity for a Trip Flix DVD. To read the review of Trip Flix, click here.

One lucky winner will actually get some peace and quiet while traveling this summer. The winner will be chosen on Monday, May 25th. All you have to do to enter? Leave a comment below. Write about the giveaway and link back on your blog and get an additional two entries. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing.

Good luck!

Another Winner-Evenflo Breast Pump

TKDDaughter — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:58:04 -0400

I used a very large hat to put all the names into and had my husband choose just one...and the winner is:

Shauna!!!

Shauna, please email me, TKDDaughter, at renovationgirl at live dot com with your address so I can send you your Evenlo Breast Pump and nursing pads. Congrats!! This is an awesome giveaway!