Cake Mom

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

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!

Sex & the City Box Set 57% off - Today Only!

2013-05-15T07:15:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a great deal on this Sex & The City: The Complete Collection (Deluxe Edition) box set. It is regularly $174.92 and (today only) it is selling for $74.99. Carrie Bradshaw here I come!

KeVita Review

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

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

2013-05-12T14:38:00.001-04:00

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.

Mas Detergent Coupon Giveaway, Sweeps Announcement, and Mother's Day Reflection

2013-05-10T20:37:00.000-04:00

Mas Detergent is a new member of the Purex family, but it isn't a brand new product. In fact, as the first liquid laundry detergent to emerge in the market, Mas began as the leader in liquid detergents in Mexico! Mas is celebrating Mother's Day with a great sweepstakes:

Mas Detergent Sweepstakes: Mas is celebrating all those hard working, child loving, laundry washing moms out there by celebrating Hispanic Mother's day with a chance to win a grand prize of $1,000! Enter here!

Mothers's Day Reflection: Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. Mother's Day is a great day for mom's and children. Although it has become a bit of a "Hallmark Holiday", you can make it much more by spending some time to reflect on some great times you have had as a mom or with your own mom. One of my most cherished memories, or rather moment of realization, with my own mother surrounds the untimely death of my father. Although it may seem strange to have fond memories around tragedy, after my dad passed away I saw my mom in a new light. There was no time to prepare for his death and I saw in my mother such strength. She immediately began to teach herself how to do everything for herself: bills, changing fire alarm batteries, everything. If she asked for help, it was only to teach her how to do something, not to do it for her. I was so inspired by her strength and perseverance that I immediately resolved that I too would stop asking my husband to do things I did not know how to do and ask him to show me how. I certainly have a long way to go to match my mother's abilities, but she has certainly taught me that it is all possible!

Buy it here: You can find Mas Detergent at Walmart.

Coupon Giveaway: I have some $1 coupons that I am going to giveaway. Please note, the coupons written in Spanish but it is clear that they are worth $1 each. I have made the entry super easy for this one. Just click the green enter button on the Rafflecopter widget and you are entered to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am writing this post as a Purex Insider. All views expressed are my own.

Omega Infusion Mother's Day Discount!

2013-05-10T10:42:00.000-04:00

I love getting Mother's Day discounts and goodies! Use the code below at www.omegainfusion.com and get a 15% discount on online purchases!

I will be provided with a sample. All views expressed are my own.

Mia Mariu Rejuvinate Your Skin Anti-Aging Pack Review and Giveaway!

2013-05-09T19:57:00.002-04:00

I know a popular phrase about aging is "older and wiser". While this may be true, I have started to notice that another unfortunate truth about aging is that you tend to be older and wrinklier....and droopier....and saggier. Should I go on? Chances are you know what I am talking about. Women spend tons of money on cosmetic procedures to stay looking young but I am bound and determine to keep my youthful looks in a safer and healthier way. Mia Mariu offers a line of anti-aging products designed to make you look and feel great.

Their Rejuvenate Your Skin Anti-Aging Pack contains a Refreshing Foaming Gel Cleanser, an Anti-Aging Brightening Serum, and an Anti-Aging Eye Treatment. The Refreshing Foaming Cleanser’s silky formula will leave your skin soft, hydrated and refreshed. Sea Kelp and Aloe makes this a super-gentle cleanser for all skin types. Our Anti-Aging Brightening Serum is an age-defying serum that targets sun spots and pigmentation while brightening overall clarity. This serum contains anti-aging peptides, skin-brightening botanicals, Aloe and Vitamin B5 Complex. The Anti-Aging Eye Treatment is a lightweight formula that quickly absorbs into the skin, instantly awakening tired-looking eyes. The Eye Treatment contains antioxidants like Japanese Green Tea, Aloe and Vitamins B5 & E to help reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes.

Review: Although my teenage years are long gone I, unfortunately, was not lucky enough to leave my acne prone skin behind. So, I am always struggling to find products that can help me slow down the aging process yet keep my skin acne-free. The Foaming Gel Cleanser was much more hydrating that my acne cleanser and my skin felt extremely soft after use. However, in order to prevent breakouts, I used my acne toner after cleansing and I did notice that there was still a bit of dirt on my cotton ball after cleansing, more so than with my normal cleanser. I did love the Anti-Aging Eye Treatment and Anti-Aging Brightening Serum. They did a great job of making my skin really soft. I have been using the products for a few weeks now and my skin looks great. The skin around my eyes seems to be slightly firming already so I look forward to continued use. So far, I am happy with the results. I have glowing, young looking skin with no blemishes.

Buy it here: You can shop for Mia Mariu products online.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Kushyfoot Review

2013-05-08T20:26:00.000-04:00

Now that spring is here, I tend to ditch the socks with my work shoes. Going barefoot into shoes, however, can lead to foot odor and foot discomfort. Kushyfoot fashion foot covers were designed to provide your feet comfort without sacrificing style. They feature reflexology inspired padding to provide comfort to your feet regardless of the shoe style you choose. They come in both plain styles as well as more fun styles. Their selections include a variety of cuts for every shoe in your closet. They also have an adorable Lace Mary Jane that allows you to turn any dress shoe into a super-cute Mary Jane style! Additionally, they offer Flats to Go that allow you to carry a light-weight pair of flats just in case your poor feet can't stand the heels you originally put on in the morning.

Review: I received an assortment of styles to try out. I usually work without any socks or stockings in the spring/summer but I don't have the best shoes and they are a bit uncomfortable on the inside. The Kushyfoot covers really helped make it much more comfy. The padding on the ball of the foot is minimal, but it makes such a difference! They are shaped well and, as you can see from the photo below, you really can't tell you have them on once you put on your shoes.

Both feet have the Kushyfoot on while the one on the right has on a shoe as well.

They come in a one-size fits all, but I wonder if there should be sizes. There were a couple of styles that I ended up having to take off midway through the day because they felt too tight and they were leaving red marks and indents on my feet around the elastic. Aside from this, I really liked these and also found that my feet sweat less which decreased the odor and embarassment I experience when I take off my shoes. My favorites were actually the sports covers which are meant to be worn with sneakers. I actually don't like wearing socks with sneakers so these were perfect. They kept my feet comfortable and dry but you could not tell they were on.

The Flats to Go are a really cool product. The fold up into a small plastic carrying bag so you can toss them into your bag and have them handy. They are similar to a flip flop style but actually wrap around your heel so they stay on. I like to have these right by the door because they are a nice, quick thing I can throw on if I need to get our dogs in, get the mail, etc. These would be great to pack in your bag if you are heading out in heels and are unsure if you can tolerate them the whole night!

Buy it here: Most Kushyfoot products retail for $7.99 as a 2 pair set. Flats to Go retail for $9.99. You can purchase Kushyfoot products from their website.

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

Last Day to Enter Lovable Labels Giveaway!

2013-05-08T07:46:00.000-04:00

It looks like there may have been a problem with Raffelcopter loading on this giveaway. It ends today and there are very few entries. I updated the original post, but thought I would make it easy for you and will put the entry form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Neocell Super Collagen Review and Giveaway!

2013-05-07T21:46:00.000-04:00

Most women have some sort of beauty routine and it likely involves a face wash, perhaps a toner, some cream, and maybe makeup. While all of these can make you look great, there are ways you can enhance your beauty from the inside. NeoCell develops nutricosmetics - nutritional supplements designed to enhance beauty - that are useful for skin, hair, nails and overall health.They offer a line of products that strengthens the skin matrix from within, hydrates and promotes cell turnover, and protects the skin from free radical damage. It is also great for your hair and was recently feature in Harper's Bazarr.

Super Collagen is rich in glycine, proline, alanine, and hydroxyproline and is formulated to strengthen the skin internally and prevent wrinkles and loss of elasticity. It also supports healthy hair, nails, and connective tissues. The powder recently won a Best Supplements Award from Better Nutrition Magazine. You simply blend a scoop of powder into water or orange juice before a meal and drink.

Review: Usually I have a difficult time reviewing supplements because changes often occur within the body and it is hardly evident to me whether or not they are doing what the company claims. After about a week of consistent use, I noticed that the skin on my face looked brighter and refreshed. While it is typically extremely dry this time of year, it felt smooth and hydrated without feeling greasy. It is so easy to take and are a nice change from supplements that come in pill form. The Super Collagen has no taste at all and easily dissolved into a morning glass of water. I liked to blend it right into my breakfast smoothies.

Not only was I pleased with the results of the supplement, I was also thrilled that I experienced no noticeable side effects. I am extremely sensitive to medications and always worry how my body will react but nothing but positive effects occurred. I even felt more comfortable with little to no makeup on thanks to the younger and healthier look to my skin. These products are definitely worth checking out!

Buy it here: You can use the store locator to find a local store offering NeoCell products close to you. They can be found in popular chains such as GNC and Whole Foods Market. They are also available on Amazon.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

In the Kitchen with Le Cordon Bleu Review and Giveaway

2013-05-06T21:41:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day Gift Idea!

In the Kitchen with Le Cordon Bleu is a new cookbook from the world-renowned chefs of Le Cordon Bleu, a worldwide leader in gastronomy, hospitality, and management, is now available from Cengage Learning. The cookbook features 100 exclusive, never-before-shared recipes, photography by award-winning food photographer Helene Dujardin, and comprehensive methods and tips from the Chefs. Each dish featured in the book is unique and can apply to a variety of occasions and cover all courses, from appetizers to desserts. Each recipe is broken down into concise components, and cooking methods include detailed instructions for easy comprehension and delicious results.

The book has recipes organized into the following sections:
Appetizers
Small plates
Soups
Salads
Fish
Chicken & duck
Lamb, beef, & veal
Pork & game
Pasta & vegetarian
Sides
Desserts
Stocks, cooking liquids, and pastes

In addition, there is also a section on techniques, conversion charts, and a glossary.

Review: My family and I love to watch the Food Network. The fancy foods always look so good and the chefs always make cooking so easy. So, I was looking forward to seeing if the book would help make sense of some of the ingredients and techniques featured on popular food programs. I really love the overall design of the book. There is a picture with every recipe which is always the very first thing I look for in a cook book. This is much more of an instructional manual as opposed to a regular cook book. Each recipe has the standard ingredient list and instructions, but there are also priceless tips and instructions throughout the book. For example, within a recipe for Shrimp, Mango, and Cashew Salad, there is an entire additional page dedicated to helping you understand how to choose and cut your mangoes and how to understand shrimp sizing. The recipes are far more advanced than what I am used to and this book is definitely for someone who wants to take a stab at gourmet cooking. The ingredients are probably not things that you already have in your cupboard which means the meals can get pretty pricey. However, if you are considering culinary school or want to improve your cooking skills, this is an inexpensive way to get started!

Buy it here: In the Kitchen with Le Cordon Bleu retails for $34.99 but can be found for a discounted price on Amazon.

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this post. All views expressed are my own.

Ride Along Dolly Bike Seat Review

2013-05-05T21:38:00.002-04:00

If you have a little girl, then you know her dolly can be just as important to her life as her friends. So, it makes perfect sense that she may want to bring her doll with her on all of her outdoor adventures. The Ride Along Dolly Bike Seat comes in pink or purple with a collection of stickers that allows your daughter to make the seat unique. The seat is attached right to your child's bike and fits all standard dolls up to 3 pounds including American Girl dolls and more.

Review: My daughter just started riding her bike without training wheels so she and her bike have been pretty much inseparable this spring. The only only thing she likes more that her bike is her stuffed animal collection so she was tickled pink when we were given the opportunity to review Ride Along Dolly. She loved that she could decorate the seat with the stickers and quickly realized that this meant no one would have the exact seat she owns.

My husband was the one to install the seat on the bike. He is extremely handy and did the typical man-thing of installing without even glancing at the directions but had no trouble at all. He was concerned that the seat would interfere with break control and/or her riding but it was situated perfect and did not cause her any difficulties. My daughter is so thrilled that she can now ride along with all her "stufties" and has been making sure to rotate through all of her stuffed animals. The rest of the girls on the block loved it as well and they were dying to know where their moms could buy them a Ride Along Dolly too! This is definitely a must-have!

Buy it here: You can purchase "Ride Along Dolly" Bike Seat from Amazon for $16.95.

Connect here: You can find Ride Along Dolly on Facebook and Pinterest.

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.

Zim's Review and Giveaway!

2013-05-04T14:20:00.001-04:00

Perfecta Products, Inc is the national manufacturer and distributor of the Zim's product line, a dynamic line of naturally-based over-the-counter products formulated with herbal ingredients for pain relief, skin care, lip care, diabetic living, and first aid. Some of their popular products include:

Zim's Max-Freeze Gel provides a cooling sensation and utilizes a topical analgesic formula to deliver temporary relief to aching muscles and joints. It is formulated with naturally-based ingredients including aloe, arnica, Vitamin E and tea tree oil.
Zim's Maximum Heat Roll-On is a heat-based pain relief product with capsaicin for arthritis, stiffness, backache, strains, and sprains. It is formulated with the same natural ingredients as the Max-Freeze Gel.
Zim's Crack Creme Original Formula was founded over 60 years ago to help cement workers treat dry, cracked hands and feet. It is an herbal formula used to soften and moisturize dry, cracked skin on hands, feet, elbows, and cuticles using naturally based ingredients or arnica and aloe vera.

Review: Muscle and joint pain has been the story of my adult life. I hate the thought of having to rely on muscle relaxers and pain killers so I am pretty much willing to try anything topical and having options that are natural is a real bonus!

The Max-Freeze Gel worked really well. It provided quick relief, rubbed in nicely and without a greasy residue, and was gentle on the skin. Since it does contain menthol, it has a very strong clear-your-sinuses kind of odor which does fade. It worked great for both muscle and joint pain and I have used it may times since it arrived!

The Maximum Heat Roll-On provided similar pain relief, but with heating agents rather than cooling. I really liked the roll-on feature which kept my hands clean. I would say that either provides sufficient relief, it would just depend on which temperature you prefer your pain relief to come in. The Maximum Heat has the added benefit of being odorless as well. I have very sensitive skin and I did have an allergic reaction to this specific product. I have used capsaicin products before so I am not sure if it was the blend of the capsaicin with the other ingredients but the area looked and felt like a sunburn for almost 24 hours. Obviously, this was just my experience but you may want to test an area before applying heavily just in case.

The Crack Creme came in a squirt bottle which was definitely a surprise. It did an amazing job of immediately moisturizing the skin but I would leave it to the dryest of areas because it does have a bit of a greasy feel and I am not a huge fan of the scent. It did work great so if you are struggling with extremely dry areas of skin, this would be a great product to try.

Buy it here: Zim's products can be found at nearly every major retailer in North America including Walmart, CVS, Target, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. You can find a $2 off coupon on the Zim's Facebook page.

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

Soft Scrub Mold & Mildew Stain Remover Gel Review and Giveaway (3 Winners)!

2013-05-04T14:01:00.000-04:00

What if I told you that you could have the same stain removing power you are used to receiving from Soft Scrub bathroom cleaner, now with a more gentle formula?! New Soft Scrub Mold & Mildew Stain Remover is a unique gel spray that clings to bathroom surfaces without harsh fumes or overspray. The stain remover can be used for cleaning grout, tile, tubs, and showers, along with many other bathroom surfaces.

Review: I will admit it, having a clean shower is just not as high as it should be on my priority list. Between my allergies, sensitivities to chemicals, and bad back scrubbing the shower clean is about as appealing as getting a root canal. However, getting rid of mold and mildew is important and I am willing to try any household cleaning products that will make the chores easier. The product worked great. It had a mild bleach scent but it was not overpowering. I sprayed down my shower and waited a few minutes before getting to it. I had let the grime build up a bit over the past couple of weeks in part because I have been super busy and also because I knew this product was coming and I figured this would allow me to see how well it worked on some serious build-up. I was not disappointed. It sprayed nicely and cleaned the surface with very minimal scrubbing power. It a very little amount of time my shower looked new again!

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Say Goodbye to Mold & Mildew Stains Sweepstakes: One lucky winner will receive $1,000 and a year's supply of Soft Scrub, while 250 second place winners will get to try new Soft Scrub Mold & Mildew Stain Remover for FREE! Enter here!

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The Soft Scrub brand provided me with a sample of their NEW Soft Scrub Mold Mildew & Stain Remover in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed are my own.