Cake Mom

RW Garcia Review

2013-05-25T20:21:00.002-04:00

Sponsored post*

Founded in 1982 and based in San Jose, California, RW Garcia Co. is a family owned and operated artisan maker of high quality organic and all natural corn-based snacks. RW Garcia is committed to sourcing the finest ingredients available, and all of its products are made from stone ground organic non-GMO corn, contain no additives or preservatives, and are gluten free.

They are available in the following flavors:
Veggie Dippers
Curry & Mango Dippers
Blue Corn Dippers
Yellow & Blue Mixtbag
Red & Yellow Mixtbag

Review: These chips were absolutely delicious! They are thicker than regular tortillas and much less greasy. They are perfectly salted and the Mixtbag chips taste amazing all by themselves or with a dip. They are also great for macking nachos. I did not taste a big difference between the red, blue, and yellow chips but they all tasted great. The color combinations would make these a really fun party food for July 4th!

I took the Dippers to a party along with some guacamole so I could share these amazing chips. They are shaped long so they are perfect for dipping! The Veggie Dippers were the party favorite. There were various flavors and they were all seeded and your tastebuds kept busy adjustnig to the new flavors with each chip. The Curry and Mango was an interesting combination. I was scared to try it because I really hate spicy foods but the combination of the curry with the sweet mango was really quite delicious. It had a bit of spice, but it was not overwhelming. There was a powdery taste to it which I actually liked. The Blue Corn Dippers were also very good and had a more muted flavor that you are probably used to with tortilla chips. They tasted amazing with some guacamole!

Buy it here: RW Garcia products can be found at Whole Foods Market, Safeway, Publix, and other grocery chains and health/specialty stores across North America.

*I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Easy Onion Roasted Potatoes Recipe

2013-05-25T20:19:00.002-04:00

Onion Roasted Potatoes
Ingredients
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 pounds potatoes, cut into chunks
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Instructions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large plastic bag, add all ingredients. Close bag and shake until potatoes are coated. Empty into a shallow lightly greased baking pan. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

This is a really great side to make with just about any meal and would be great for a pot-luck - think upcoming picnics!!

Betty Crocker's Summer Cake Ideas

2013-05-25T17:40:00.002-04:00

Sponsored post*

It seems like there is a picnic at least every other weekend in the summer time and I am always expected to bring a dessert. I like to get as festive as possible and Betty Crocker has some great summer cake ideas to help spark the imagination and bring something special to your summer parties. To help get you started, Betty Crocker is sharing five summery cake recipes! You don't have to be an expert baker to make these fun desserts!

Ice Cream Cone Cakes: Kids of all ages love this classic cupcake. Check out how easy it is:

Flip-Flops Cake: Personalize these edible summer wardrobe favorites with candies and fruit snacks - transforming a sheet cake into footwear that looks (and is) good enough to eat!

Watermelon Cake - Your family's favorite fruit is about to get even more popular. This cake offers a surprise in ever bite, with chocolate chip "seeds" and a green jelly bean "rind"!

Cookies n Cream Cupcakes: Perfect for family picnics, these cupcakes taste like you favorite ice cream without the mess. My daughter cannot wait to make these!

Butterfly Cake: This beautiful, and fun, cake transforms a traditional birthday cake into a beautiful butterfly perfect for outdoor summer parties.

So, what were my favorite summer cakes? I really liked these mini cakes I made one year. They were bright and full of flowers and butterflies. They took a REALLY long time to make but it was worth it when the guests received their own personalized mini-cakes to enjoy for dessert!

You can find more fabulous recipes for Betty Crocker's favorite summer cakes: http://www.bettycrocker.com/Recipes/Courses/Dessert-Recipes/Summer-Birthday-Cakes.

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Paparazzi Jewelry

2013-05-25T11:56:00.000-04:00

Sponsored post*

I don't know about you, but I do not walk out of the house without a necklace. I have tons of them and almost always buy a new one with every outfit. I can't think of a better way to pull together an outfit! I have considered getting a side job as a consultant of some kind and always thought that if I was not selling baking items, I would probably be selling jewelry. Paparazzi sells jewelry and accessories, changing its inventory every couple of weeks so you have access to fresh styles all the time.

If you are looking to make some extra money, you can join Paparazzi Accessories and become a member of Debbie's Dazzling Divas! Debbie will connect you with a proven leader within the company who is dedicated to making sure you are successful. In addition to access to your leader, you can also consult Debbie, and have access to other support with an active Facebook group.

If you are not interested in selling and would like to do some shopping instead, you can check out their amazing product line. Not only is there a fabulous assortment of jewelry and accessories, but they are all ONLY $5 each or less!!! I could not believe it. I usually spend about $15 per accessory so with Paparazzi I can get 3 for the price of what I would usually pay for 1. Shopping on the site is great because you can shop by style or color, seriously cutting down the time it takes to find your perfect piece. I can't wait to shop myself. I am in my moms wedding next month and this necklace will go perfect with my maid of honor gown:

Buy it here: You can shop for Paparazzi Jewelry at www.DebsJewelryShop.com.

I will be provided with samples as a thank you for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Activia Greek Giveaway!

2013-05-24T21:57:00.000-04:00

Nearly one on six American adults obtain more than 40% of their daily calories from snacks. You might as well make those calories count with protein-rich choices like Activia Greek. It has 0% fat and twice the protein of regular low-fat yogurt, with the creamy, thick texture of traditional Greek yogurt. Best of all, Activia Greek is the only Greek yogurt with the exclusive probiotic Bifidus Regularis, and helps naturally regulate the digestive system when eaten daily - making you feel good inside!

With five delicious flavors available nationwide, there is an Activia Greek for everyone. In addition to Vanilla, there are four Fruit-on-the-Bottom styles:

--Garden Blueberry

--Strawberry Patch

--Orchard Peach

--Tropical Fruit

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No compensation was provided an all information was provided by the sponsor.

Perfective Ceuticals Divine Age Guardian Cream Review

2013-05-23T20:16:00.003-04:00

Sponsored Post*

Determined to slow the aging process before it even started, I have been using anti-aging skin cream since I was in my mid-20's and am always willing to try a new brand. Divine Age Guardian Cream with Growth Factor is a rich, nourishing cream infused with high strength anti-aging ingredients to rejuvenate skin from the inside out. Its proprietary complex of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Matrixyl, Omega 3-6-9, and Ginseng Extract helps erase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and correct imperfections by stimulating cellular regeneration, microcirculation, and the production of youth proteins. It is formulated to make you look radiant and make your skin feel hydrated, lifted and toned.

Review: The first thing I noticed about this cream, aside from the fabulous spherical design, was the thickness of the cream. The company describes it as rich and I could not agree more. It applied to my face very smoothly and there was almost an instant feeling of hydration. It had a mild scent to it which was fairly neutral.

It did a really nice job of making my skin look bright and healthy; however, I have pretty oily skin and as the day went on my skin was extremely oily after using this product. I am also prone to acne and the excess oils started to make my skin break out after a few days of use. I immediately discontinued the cream and passed it on to my mother who generally has dryer skin. She really liked it and commented on how smooth her face feels. She will continue to use it and is hoping that it will do some age reversal (not that she needs it because she looks amazing at 60) because she is getting married in a month.

Buy it here: You can purchase this product from the Perfective Ceuticals website for $86.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sweat Unlimited Review & Giveaway

2013-05-22T22:03:00.003-04:00

Sponsored post*

Sweat Unlimited (Volume 1): Excuse Proof Your Workout is the first in a new series of exercise videos from Sara Haley, a certified trainer and instructor through the American Council on Exercise, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, and is a Pre and Post Natal Specialist by the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. This DVD includes 4 different workout programs with 105 minutes of "no excuse" workouts. With interval training, dance inspired moves, core strengthening, and extreme 5 minute workouts, you will have no excuse to skip workouts. Designed to tackle those pesky pounds, Sara will help you get over that weight loss plateau.

Review: I must say, I could write a book of excuses for not exercising. I'm too tired...I don't have enough time...I have fibromyalgia and have to be careful not to overdo it...I hate to sweat...and the list goes on. So, I figured if someone has a workout DVD that does not allow for excuses, I might as well see if I can do it too. I love the set up of the DVD - you can choose between different workouts depending on the desired intensity and the amount of time you actually have. Because I do have a valid medical reason for taking it easy (notice that I did not use the word "excuse") I opted to try the 5 minute "reach, relax, and rejuvenate" flexibility workout and 15 minute "sweat strength" workout.

I really liked the stretch routine. I have been doing yoga for some time and this short routine was a really nice way to stretch out and get a small burst of energy. I used it right before the next routine to help get me prepared. Knowing that I am out of shape, I was realistic and chose a 15 minute routine. Let me tell you, 15 minutes may not seem like a long time but you really get quite the work out. Between the routines and the fact that I decided it was a great idea to exercise when it was 85 degrees, I realized that sweat is truly unlimited. It just keeps coming and coming! I promised to try this with no excuses....I never said I wouldn't moan and complain! All kidding aside, I actually really liked this workout DVD for a variety of reasons:

Sarah Haley is motivating without being obnoxious. Sure, I did find it slightly annoying that I was sweating like a pig while she still looked perfect, but I found her overall personality to be much more tolerable than many other exercise coaches out there.
There is a count down clock. I have done workouts before and given up because I just did not think I could go on any longer. Seeing a timer on the edge of the screen really helped. Rather than giving up, I told myself I can do this for XX minutes longer!
There are options for those who are less fit and options for those who would like a real challenge. It should go without saying that I chose the easy route.
A full body workout is truly condensed into a short amount of time. Yes, I felt it...everywhere...even more so the next day!
I am actually looking forward to working out again. I felt amazing after the first workout. I may even do so without excuses, but I am just not sure I can do so without moaning and groaning :-)

Buy it here: You can purchase Sweat Unlimited for $24.99 from www.sarahaley.com.

Connect here:

Facebook.com/sarahaleyfit

Twitter : @sarahaleyfit

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided with a complimentary copy in order to facilitate this review. All views expressed are my own.

Great Deal on Pet Meds!

2013-05-22T07:15:00.005-04:00

I love my dogs but I am not a fan of the costs associated with keeping them healthy. This is a really great deal for pet meds: You pay $15 for a $30 voucher to PetCareRx! This would make flea prevention and heart worm prevention medication at least 1/2 off the already discounted prices! They have a great deal on flea medications right now so this discount is really a huge money saver. Click below (afilliate link) to purchase.

PetCareRX

$15 for $30 worth of discounted pet medications and more at PetCareRx

10 Things You May Not Know About Me

2013-05-21T21:37:00.000-04:00

I have been blogging for several years now and, while most of my posts are baking or product review related, I do try to weave personal information into my post. I thought it may be fun to share some things you may not know about me...in case you were wondering!

1. I am an (semi)-extreme couponer. I don't blog about couponing because there are so many great sites that already focus on the topic that I would never be able to compare. I am not as extreme as someone you would see on TV; however, I work on a couponing campaign through my work and several of us use extreme couponing techniques to buy products for female Veterans. I was even featured in my local paper recently!

2. I HATE having my picture taken and hate video even more. This is why seeing pictures of me on the blog is pretty rare. I was a complete mess when I was getting my picture taken in the article linked above!

3. I am a licensed professional counselor and hospital administrator.

4. I have obsessive-compulsive tendencies. I am a perfectionist and a planner. Procrastination and impulsivity in others frazzles me.

5. I am extremely spiritual but have abandoned organized religion for a more, well eclectic, spiritual stance. I use a combination of meditation, reflection, and prayer to help me with my own spiritual growth and keep most of my beliefs private.

6. Although this totally outs me as a nerd, I love musical theater. I know entire musicals by heart and dabbled in theater myself when I was in high school and college.

7. I married my soul mate and best friend. We started dating when I was only 16 and have been with him for almost 17 years...more than half of my life!

8. I have had my children's names picked out since I was in 7th grade (I told you I was a planner) thanks to my favorite characters on Days of our Lives (I am shaking my head in embarrassed). My husband did not like the name Jack by itself so we added the "son" which I love!

Isabella & Jackson

9. I have fibromyalgia. I don't let it define me and I try hard not to let it slow me down. Chronic pain sucks but I choose not to feel sorry my myself.

10. I really enjoy blogging, but I don't let many people in my life know that I do it. I like having some anonymity which is probably why it has taken me 3 years to tell you all of these facts.

I really hope you enjoy Cake Mom as much as I do!

Pump It Up Imagination Campaign and Giveaway

2013-05-20T21:50:00.000-04:00

Sponsored Post*

Pump It Up is a private indoor arena, filled with gigantic inflatable slides, bounce houses, obstacle courses and more. At a Pump it Up party, you and your children can celebrate in your own private party room that party coordinators set up and clean up for you. Available options including pizza, drinks, and balloons and make party planning stress-free. Personalized dedicated team of staff takes care of everything, just relax and enjoy your child’s birthday. In addition, they have a Pop-in Playtime where your kids can have all the fun without a party.

Pump It Up has introduced a new campaign this year: Save Childhood Support Imagination. You may be just as frustrated as I am with the overall lack of imagination among children these days. They are so used to being entertained by technology, they have forgotten how to entertain themselves! Studies show that when kids engage in imaginative play, the benefits carry over in so many areas of their development.

Pump It Up is urging parents to sign their Imagination Declaration to pledge their support to spend an hour each day engaging in imaginative play with their kids. At the website, SupportImagination.com, parents can sign the pledge, take a fun imaginative quiz, read some tips on their blog and unwind in their "What We See, What Kids See" image center. Are you willing to sign? I did any it only took a couple of seconds!

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided with passes as a thank you for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mobile Clean & Go Review and Giveaway!

2013-05-19T21:23:00.002-04:00

*Sponsored post

My children can not imagine a world without the Internet and mobile technology. Between laptops, iPads, iPods, and cell phones, we always have mobile technology with us. Mobile Clean & Go safely and effectively cleans screens on such devices to clear screens of fingerprints, germs, and dirt & grime.

Featuring a compact, flat bottle, and a microfiber cleaning cloth, the Mobile Clean & Go is smaller than a smart phone and slips easily into any briefcase, purse, pocket or bag. The kit contains a safe and effective cleaning solution designed by Ph.D. chemists that is TSA approved for air travel and will clean mobile devices without damaging them.

Review: As much as I love touch screen technology, the screens can get seriously gross...really quickly. I love the idea of having cleaner handy, but until I received Mobile Clean & Go I have not had a cleaner that was truly mobile. Sure, I have had small squirt bottles, but when I have kept them in my purse they have spilled.

Mobile Clean & Go has an amazing design. The squirt bottle is a rectangle, the same size as the cloth and both fit neatly into a soft plastic carrying case. The design makes it much easier to slip into your pocket, purse, or bag and I had no problems with it spilling. The product itself works great, You simply spray into the textured side of the cloth, wipe the device with the textured side until clean, and then polish it with the smooth side of the cloth. Check out the amazing cleaning power below!

Before:
As you can see, there are a lot of smudges on the screen of my Blackberry. I could see that there was some wood showing up on the picture, but you probably can't make out what it is.

After:
After cleaning it using Mobile Clean & Go my Blackberry looks brand new. You can actually make out the blade of my ceiling fan now it the reflection!

Buy it here: Mobile Clean & Go starter kits retail for $12.99 and value packs $24.99 are available for immediate purchase through the online store at www.shop.mobilecleanandgo.com.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. All views expressed are my own.

Finding Kind Review & IndieFlix Giveaway (10 Winners)!

2013-05-18T20:14:00.002-04:00

*Sponsored post

Movie streaming has certainly grown in popularity over the past couple of years. I love my current streaming subscription service and enjoy watching movies and tv shows whenever I want, but what I really love about my subscription are the documentaries and independent films. Some of the best films I have seen are the low-budget ones created through the passion of an independent film maker which is why I was immediately intrigued when I learned about IndieFlix.

IndieFlix is a community of independent filmmakers and fans. Through its membership-based streaming service, IndieFlix helps film makers translate artistic vision into commercial success and gives film lovers access to high quality independent films not otherwise available. Its mission is to champion filmmakers, rethink traditional approaches to distribution, and celebrate the artistry and impact of independent films.

Finding Kind Review:

Finding Kind is a peer to peer documentary about girl bullying. What began as an idea for a documentary about the issue soon turned into the Kind Campaign headed by filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson. Affected by their own middle school experiences, they set out to change the mindset of girls across the country. The message is simple and the effect profound: be kind! To address the "mean girls" phenomenon and growing issue of girl crime, Finding Kind has screened in over 500 schools and the demand for screenings continues to increase.

The availability of this movie could not have come at a better time in my life. About 2 weeks ago, my daughter began experiencing what I have been dreading. From one day to the next, the neighborhood girls are either her best friends or her worst enemy. She has come home crying several times in the past couple of weeks, hurt because her friends "are being so mean to me". She is only 7. This has proven to be, to date, the most heart wrenching and challenging thing I have had to deal with as a parent. Why? Because I can vividly remember the pain I endured in my own childhood and I want to protect my daughter from the confusion, cruelty, and drama.

The documentary was truly amazing and helped me realize that no girl is safe from this experience. When you are growing up, you feel like you are targeted more than others or that you would never act that way to another girl. The film helped me realize that, from what they found by travelling across the country and interviewing girls of all ages, all girls are victim to girl-on-girl bullying...even those that are doing the bullying.

The film's focus on the "mean girl" phenomenon was only part of the movie. Many documentaries pose problems, but few are able to offer viable solutions like this one did. Lauren and Molly went to schools and, through their charismatic personalities, met with girls in groups and had them talk through some of their issues and make resolutions to be kind to one another. The effects were immediate and, I can only guess, lasting. It gives me hope that, as a parent, I have an option to advocate for similar interventions and that we do not have to just sit back and helplessly watch our daughter go through such pain.

I have been enjoying my complementary subscription and am excited to watch some more of the movies. The only downfall to the service is that you are not able to pause the film and resume it another day. You have to manually find where you left off. Aside from this, I see only positives and look forward to my continued experience.

Subscribe here: You can subscribe to IndieFlix for just $6.99 a month for unlimited streaming. Finding Kind is available exclusively through IndieFlix through May 24 so I recommend viewing it ASAP!

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided with a complimentary subscription in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Good Cook Treasure Hunt - Only a Few Days Left!!

2013-05-18T18:28:00.003-04:00

What is the Good Cook Touch Treasure Hunt?

The Good Cook Touch Treasure Hunt is for Good Cook customers and select blog readers. You will search goodcook.com to find random Touch icons that have been posted on select products. You then visit select blogs to find more Touch icons. Participates who find the more or all of the 112 codes will be entered to win one of three Good Cook Touch grand prize gifts!! The hunt ends 5/21!

Bridal Shower Cake

2013-05-18T10:54:00.001-04:00

It seems like it has been forever since I have decorated a cake! I would like to see it was like riding a bicycle, but it did take me awhile because I was rusty. The bridal shower had a grey and yellow theme.

Flirty Apron Review & Discount Code Offer

2013-05-16T22:35:00.000-04:00

Sponsored Post*

Flirty Aprons are a collection of fun and flattering aprons that combine modern style with a perfect fit to make cooking an absolutely fashionable event. They offer over 50 styles, have aprons for everyone in the home to include kids, and also offer a selection of bibs and oven mitts. Their aprons are made of 100% cotton and the wide variety of styles are sure to appeal to just about every personality! Their products are baked with a 30 day guarantee and they offer "super fast" shipping.

Review: It was so hard to try to select an apron because I loved just about every single design! I ultimately decided on the Scarlet Blossom Apron...there is just something so appealing and classy about the black, red, and white colors. I loved the mixture of the different patterns which blended and contrasted perfectly with each other. The patterns also help hide spills so you do not have to worry about looking like you are a mess (which I frequently am when I am baking). The frilly bottom made the apron so feminine and I was instantly in love with it when it arrived. I loved the pocket which, at times, can serve as an additional hand when you are multi-tasking in the kitchen! It was made of a nice and thick cotton and it covered completely but was still so comfortable that I often forget I have it on! The Flirty Apron is a great way to keep clean while you are cooking and baking while looking great. It is perfect for when you are entertaining. I went through my drawer and tossed each and every one of my aprons in favor of this one. The old, styleless ones are not welcome in my home any longer!

Buy it here: You can purchase your very own Flirty Apron from the company's website. Plus, you can save 25% off any purchase with the code 25MAY through 5/31 or save a whopping 40% off all men's aprons and get free shipping through 6/30 with the code BESTDAD40.

*I was provided with the above mentioned products and I am a Flirty Aprons affiliate. Regardless, all opinions are my own.

Private Selection Upside Down Cakes

2013-05-16T04:00:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Private Selection for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

You know I love to bake - I don't go by "Cake Mom" for no reason! However, I work full-time, have active school-age children, and a blog to maintain so making meals and desserts from scratch happens, at best, once a week. My family has come to expect a dessert on Sundays so one way I make this happen is by having them help me bake. Kroger offers Private Selection Upside Down Cakes so you can have an easy and gourmet dessert without all the hassle. They taste like they are homemade thanks to using only the best ingredients! Plus, they sound so easy to make that you can get your kids in on the action.
Private Selection Upside Down Cakes are premium quality cakes without the premium price. They are available in three distinct flavors (German Chocolate Fudge, Double Chocolate Molten, and Amber Honey Apple Spice) so there is a cake for just about any taste. Wiith summer approaching, I can expect more invitations to picnics and more opportunities for us to entertain at our house. I would love to keep one of these handy so I can make a delicious dessert by simply warming the cake, flipping it, and serving it! I have been dubbed "The Dessert Queen" so my friends and family have come to expect that I will arrive at social gatherings with something sweet and delicious and Private Selection Upside Down Cakes totally fit my hectic lifestyle!

Spread the Love Campaign - From April 8, 2013 through June 2, 2013, Kroger wants to remind you during the hectic spring and summer season: "PS, Don't forget the cake!" . To help get you started, they are offering a Private Selection Upside Down Cakes coupon for $1 off your cake purchase. Or, if you share the coupon via Facebook, you can get an even higher value $2 off coupon! The coupon is added to your Kroger shoppers card so you don't even have to worry about printing*.

Buy it here: The Private Selection brand is a premium private label brand carried exclusively at the Kroger Family of Stores and affiliated stores including Baker's, City Market, Dillons, Fry's, Gerbes, Pay Less, QFC, JayC, King Soopers, Owen's, Ralphs, Smith's and Fred Meyer. You can find a store near you using the Private Selection store locator.

Connect here: You can "like" Private Selection Upside Down Cakes on Facebook and follow Private Selection Upside Down Cakes on Pinterest.

*Coupon ends 6/2/13. Official Rules. In order to load these coupons to your card, you will need to sign into your Kroger account or set up a Kroger account and enter your card number. Limit one use per digital coupon. Digital offers are not eligible on Manager's Specials, cannot be combined with manufacturer paper coupons on the purchase of a single item, and do not double. Not all items are available in all stores. A limit of 150 coupons can be loaded per household at one time.

Busy Week...

2013-05-15T21:25:00.002-04:00

I may be a little slower on the posts over the next few days. I have a bridal shower cake to make and my father-in-law is having open heart surgery. Please keep our family in your thoughts and I will post pictures of the cake when it is done!

KeVita Review

2013-05-14T20:48:00.001-04:00

Sponsored Post*

KeVita Sparkling Probiotics Drinks contain four strains of live probiotics and are made with optimum health, to include digestive health, in mind. They drinks are handcrafted in the KeVita facility in Southern California and come in a variety of low calorie flavors to include Coconut, Mango Coconut, and Pomegranate. KeVita is certified organic, non-dairy, non-GMO, and is gluten free and vegan.

What are probiotics? Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that reside in the digestive organs. Intestinal health depends, to a large extent, on having the right amount of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Research indicates that probiotics may support immune and digestive health.

Review: I was able to try two different flavors of KeVita and having them in my refrigerator could not have come at a better time. On Mother's Day I was really sick to my stomach. I was not sure if it was something I ate but my digestive system was not working well. I tried everything I could think of and then I remembered that I had the KeVita on hand. I tried the Strawberry Acai Coconut drink. Each bottle is two servings so I slowly sipped on half of the bottle and was actually amazed that my stomach seemed to calm down for the rest of the evening!

I preferred the taste of the Pomegranate drink hands down over the Strawberry Acai Coconut. I like the taste of coconut generally speaking, but it was too strong in the latter drink and I really did not enjoy it. The Pomegranate was very delicious, however. It was not as sour as some other pomegranate drinks I have had in the past and the sparkling aspect of the drink really enhanced the flavor.

Buy it here: I found KeVita at my local Whole Foods Co-op. You can use the Store Locator to find a retail location near you.

*I was provided with the above mentioned samples for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

GiftCard.com - Father's Day Gift Idea

2013-05-14T20:44:00.001-04:00

Father's Day Gift Idea!

GiftCard.com is your one stop shop for everything gift card. Whether you’re looking to personalize a Visa Gift Card with your own photo, or find store gift cards and e-gift cards to your favorite retailers and restaurants, GiftCard.com’s online galleries have one of the largest selection in the world. The Dallas based company was founded in 2004 and continues to wow customers with exceptional customer service. GiftCard.com’s offerings include popular retail gift cards, Visa Gift Cards and e-Gift cards, which can be delivered by email or text message.

GiftCard.com’s ‘Design Your Own Visa Card’ feature allows users to completely customize their own gift card with a favorite photo or image tailored specifically to the receiver.

For more information visit GiftCard.com’s online gift card store.

All information provided by the company.

Maestro Market Virtual Makeover Giveaway ($175 value!!)

2013-05-13T21:00:00.000-04:00

Could your look use an update? I know mine sure could, but I honestly don't even know where to start. Many women are in the same boat which is why they pay up to $500 an hour for in-home makeover consultants and up to $250 for studio sessions! In addition to the astronomical fee, women are then "pressured" into buying additional products.For most, this price tag is completely out the question. From the words of makeup artis Edward Powell, "The whole premise is I feel that 'in-store' 'makeovers' do not work. There is everything a woman needs, and NONE of the things she actually has".

Through a new online platform call Maestro Market, which directly connects people with affordable expert via phone or Skype, Edward create a profile that explains what he does for women to help make them over....VIRTUALLY! The charge is only $175, and the service allows the user to work with their own things, and only their things. They get to focus on their beauty! Edward also said, "The virtual session allows the client to get more benefit than I thought. She gets an opportunity to know how to do her makeup, but most importantly, how to be able to use all of he own makeup. Something that has probably never happened before."

Win it here!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

All information provided by company. No compensation was received.

Good Cook Pizza Cutter Review & Taco Pizza Recipe

2013-05-12T14:42:00.000-04:00

What is the Good Cook Touch Treasure Hunt?

In celebration of the Good Cook Treasure Hunt, I was hooked up with some great Good Cook

tools and asked to try a recipe using one of the products. There were a lot of great products to choose from but I ultimately decided that my favorite product was the Pizza Cutter (and if you are taking part in the Good Cook Touch Treasure Hunt I suggest you check out the link!) This pizza cutter is larger than your typical cutter and has a protective cover to keep you from accidentally cutting yourself when it is in your drawer. I decided to try out a taco pizza and see how it worked!

Recipe: Taco Pizza

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 cup mild salsa
1 ready-to-use pizza crust
1 cup taco blend shredded cheese
1 medium tomato, diced
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Brown meat in a large skillet and drain. Stir in salsa. Spread onto pizza crust. Top with cheese and tomatoes. Place directly on oven rack.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and cheese is melted.
Top with lettuce. Place sour cream in a plastic bag and snip off the end (see picture below). Drizzle sour cream over the pizza.

Results:
This was the first time making this pizza and it was so delicious! What a great way to combine two of our favorite weeknight meals. The pizza cutter worked great. It is much larger than any other pizza cutter we have ever owned which is a really good thing because this pizza ended up being really thick. Out of habit, I kept going over the same spot over and over to cut through the pizza but it was not needed. One, maybe two, slices was all it took to completely go through the pie. My husband was apprehensive about letting me get rid of our old one but it went right in the garbage after using the Good Cook pizza cutter!

Buy it here: Right now all of the Good Cook Touch products are 30% in celebration of the Hunt. Plus, you can get an extra 10% off with the code HUNT. You can purchase the Pizza Cutter for less than $7! The code is good until 5/21.

Win it here: There is still time to enter to win Good Cook batter bowls. Click here to enter!

I was provided with the above mentioned product(s) in order to facilitate this post. All views expressed are my own.

Label Lessons: Your Guide to a Healthy Shopping Cart - Free eBook!

2013-05-12T14:40:00.002-04:00

I have been trying to eat healthier over the last couple of months. Although there are some obvious foods to avoid, I am often confused over which products are really healthy. After all, there are a lot of companies that claim their food is a "healthier" option, but don't really define what "healthier" is. Label Lessons: Your Guide to a Healthy Shopping Cart takes the guessing out of your grocery shopping and tells you which foods should be avoided and which ones are the best choice.

I found this book to be very helpful. America is famous for fad diets and you can have a conversation with someone one month about which foods are the best for you and the next month it can be completely different conversation. Take the Atkins diet as an example. The country went wild when there was a diet book written that allowed you to eat chicken wings! I appreciated the listing of the 7 ingredients to avoid. There is so much to look out for that I really like having a smaller list of foods to avoid to remember when I am out shopping. What is also great is the book outlines common pre-processed foods that you think would be a good choice, explains what is wrong with that choice, and then gives you an alternative. Let's face it, when you live a busy lifestyle you can't easily eat raw, fresh foods all the time so it was great to see which packaged products are better choices.

Best of all, the ebook is FREE!! Plus, Naturally Savvy will donate $1.00 for every share of the e-book via the link above to the Holistic Moms Network. The e-book also provides downloadable coupons for all the healthy products featured, and you will have the chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree at the natural products store of your choice. Both the coupons and the donation close on June 22, 2013.

Click here to get the e-book: Label Lessons: Your Guide to a Healthy Shopping Cart

I have an opportunity to win a goodie bag in exchange for this post.

Happy Mother's Day

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Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! I hope you have a great day!

Qoileez! Review and Giveaway!

2013-05-11T22:32:00.001-04:00

Qoileez! are multipurpose, trendy, and affordable accessories that adds a bit of style and flash to your favorite hairstyles, pencils, chopsticks, eyeglasses, knitting needles – your creativity is the limit! Qoileez! are small rubber coils in a wide variety of colors and patterns: dots, stripes, stars, animal prints, and surprise mixes! They are a simple and affordable way to add fashion fun to hairstyles. With a simple stretch and twirl - Qoileez! add color and style.

Review: I will be the first person to admit that I am not good at doing my hair or my daughter's hair. In fact, my husband does a better job at styling her hair than I do! So, when I heard of Qoileez! I thought this may be a nice opportunity to see if I could integrate these into a simple hairstyle so my daughter can sport a fashionable style. The Qoileez! are so easy to use. They look like they would be difficult to use, but they are quite bendy so you simply need to wrap them around the hair. In a few seconds, my daughter's hair looked so adorable! I look forward to experimenting with more styles and am thrilled to have an accessory that is so easy to use!

I really like how versatile these are. Not only are they adorable hair accessories, but they can be used to accessorize your writing instruments. What a great way for your child to be able to tell which pen or pencil is hers!

Buy it here: Qoileez! are sold in basic packages of seven for $4.99 or deluxe packages of 14 for $7.99.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned sample in order to facilitate this review. All views expressed are my own.

Chick-fil-A Blog App & #FreshMade Salad Giveaway!

2013-05-10T20:40:00.000-04:00

For me, eating healthier is so much easier in the spring and summer. The fruits and vegetables are fresh and cold entrees like wraps and salads are so darn good on a warm day! Chick-fil-A is going healthy and wants to help you make today #FreshMade so it created new menu options that you can feel good about. They are introducing 3 new premium salads and an improved wrap that are all under 430 calories and made with premium ingredients. Did I mention they look AMAZING!

Check out the Chick-fil-A blog app below where you can:

Take the Are You a "Starter?" Quiz- some of us wake up with pep in our step, ready to conquer the world. Other might need a little kick in the behind to inject something new into their lives! Find out if you're already raring to go or need a little help getting the good time rolling!
#FreshMade Activities - Select your mood and let quotes and images from film express how you're feeling.
See How Chick-fil-A Starts Fresh - Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the new Chick-fil-A salads are #FreshMade just for you!

Win it here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will be provided with coupons in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.