Did You Know: A cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice with half the calories!

Broccoli is a plant in the cabbage family, whose large flower head is used as a vegetable. The word broccoli, from the Italian plural of broccolo, refers to “the flowering top of a cabbage”.

Broccoli has many health benefits and is good for your nervous system, blood pressure, bone health, immune system, eye health, heart health and is great for cancer prevention. It also has ton of the vitamin C and potassium. Broccoli is also known to help with sun damage and is helpful in repairing skin damage thanks to the glucoraphanin it contains which helps the skin to detoxify and repair itself.

Broccoli is also great for diet. Broccoli is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar and curbs overeating. Furthermore, a cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.

So next time you need a healthy side dish, a quick snack or just a great veggie go for the green stuff!!!

Share with us What is your favorite way to eat broccoli?

Disclosure – SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) was provided FREE product(s) to complete this review.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library - Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library.

Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food, and lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route. And the stakes are very high.

In this cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Night in the Museum, Agatha Award winner Chris Grabenstein uses rib-tickling humor to create the perfect tale for his quirky characters. Old fans and new readers will become enthralled with the crafty twists and turns of this ultimate library experience.

We got this great opportunity to read this book and we were so excited about it because we love all of the books written by Chris.

One thing we all quickly agreed on is that this book is a must read. With summer vacation just around the corner this is a book you should definitely get for your kiddos and we are sure that you will enjoy it as much as they do.

The characters are fun and entertaining. The plot of the book is full of the adventures, mystery and twists that will leave the readers wanting more. We absolutely loved every part of the book and how well written it is and how it kept us in suspense till the end!

About the Author: Chris Grabenstein is the Agatha and Anthony award-winning author of The Crossroads and The Hanging Hill as well as several adult thrillers. He used to write TV and radio commercials and has written for The Muppets. Chris was born in Buffalo, New York, and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, when he was 10. After college, he moved to New York City to become an actor and writer. Currently, Chris and his wife, JJ, live in New York City with three cats and a dog named Fred who starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Broadway.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is perfect for ages 8 to 12, with 304 pages, costs $16.99 and it’s available from June 2013.

For more info and to pre-order this book visit Chris Grabenstein’s website!

Disclosure – SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) was provided FREE product(s) by the above mentioned company or their PR Representative to complete this review. All of the opinions are strictly of the SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) and SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) staff and no one else. The opinions are honest and not influenced by the monetary compensation in any way.

Try these ab-flattening foods to boost your abs routine’s effectiveness, control belly bloat and maintain a healthy metabolism.

Check out the top 10 foods for flat abs.

1. Almonds
2. Eggs
3. Soy
4. Apples
5. Berries
6. Leafy Greens
7. Yogurt
8. Veggie Soup
9. Salmon
10. Quinoa

Need more info visit Fitness Magazine!

Happy Mother’s Day from Us to You! May today be filled with sunshine and smiles, laughter and love!!!

Disclosure – SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) was provided FREE product(s) to complete this review.

The Short Seller - Look out Wall Street – Lindy Sachs is about to make some serious cash. A twelve-year-old takes on the stock market in this money-minded middle grade novel.

It all starts when seventh grader Lindy Sachs is granted $100 and access to her father’s online trading account as a way to alleviate her boredom while she’s home sick from school.

Lindy learns something immediately – she is very, very good at e-trading. Her $100 becomes $200. Then $400. And more. With trading talent and access to her parents’ savings, the opportunity to make some real dough is too tempting to pass up. In fact, given how well Lindy’s stocks are doing, it would be a disservice to not invest it all… Right?

We recently got a chance to read this new book and we all enjoyed it a lot. Lindy Sachs is a smart girl who thinks she isn’t ready for her math test and coming down with mononucleosis is one way to get out of going to school. But in the month that Lindy’s home sick, this 12-year-old agrees to make a simple stock trade for her father while he’s at work. Playing the market gives Lindy a new appreciation for math and the realization that she is good at using it to make money. But once Lindy is tempted to play with her parents’ money, market dramas hit much too close to home. This book is built with layers of suspense as Lindy fixes one disastrous situation only to be hit with an even worse blow. Definitely a must read.

About the Author: Elissa Brent Weissman is the author of The Short Seller, Nerd Camp, and Standing for Socks as well as The Trouble with Mark Hopper. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Visit her at EBWeissman.com.

The Short Seller book is perfect for ages 8 to 12, with 256 pages, costs $15.99 and it’s available from May 2013.

For more children’s books visit Atheneum Books for Young Readers!

Disclosure – SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) was provided FREE product(s) by the above mentioned company or their PR Representative to complete this review. All of the opinions are strictly of the SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) and SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) staff and no one else. The opinions are honest and not influenced by the monetary compensation in any way.

Yummy recipes from Around the Web perfect for Mother’s Day brunch! ENJOY!!!

Coco-Vanilla Sugar Cookies by I Sugar Coat It!

Strawberry Cucumber Salad by Sweet Basil

Ricotta Pancakes with Banana-Pecan Syrup by The Slow Roasted Italian

Roasted Asparagus and Arugula Salad with Poached Egg by Once Upon a Cutting Board

Mini Mexican Frittata Shells by She Knows Food & Recipes

Raw Chocolate Porridge by A Tasty Love Story

Disclosure – SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) was provided FREE product(s) to complete this review.

Albion’s mission is to provide women with the most luxurious, flattering and hassle-free fitness and leisure apparel on the market!

Recently I got a chance to work with Albion Fit and review some of their workout clothing. From the first moment on their website I loved the selection, the colors and how perfectly fitting the clothes looked. For my review I chose the Full Zip Jacket in Teal and Capri Legging in Black.

I found this particular outfit perfect for walking, jogging, running, gym or just running errands comfortably. The fabric is super comfortable, form-fitting yet very light which makes it perfect for exercise. The colors are bright and the details make them extra stylish.

Item Details:

Full Zip Jacket in Teal - Whether you’re running an errand or a marathon, our 26.2 jacket’s smooth supplex, sleek shape, and superb performance features make it a wardrobe staple. With extra length for a long and lean fit, ample pockets roomy enough to store all your essentials, and the added bonuses of a zipped arm pocket and pretty graphic, the 26.2 will have you slimmed, stocked, and stylish to boot. – $98.00

Capri Legging in Black - Compression fabric takes your workouts to the next level in our capri legging.  An extra wide waistband keeps its shape while tucking everything in nicely if you keep it up; or, roll it down to flaunt those hard-earned abs.  Nylon/Spandex wash cold with similar colors, remove immediately and lay flat to dry. – $68.00

I couldn’t be more satisfied with the items I chose and received. I’m looking forward to wearing them for a long time and to some awesome fitness adventures.

I am also looking forward to expending my Albion Fit collection and adding some other items like this adorable Match Point Pleat Skirt and Uline Top in Black with White.

Or one of these swimsuits, since I couldn’t decide on just one (Ballerina Suit in Black, Big Polka Dot Suit Two Piece in Black and White and Nautical Bow Suit Two Piece in Black and Ivory). They are just so perfect for this summer.

 Giveaway!!!

Enter using the form below for a chance to win a $100 Albion Fit Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure – SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) was provided FREE product(s) by the above mentioned company or their PR Representative to complete this review. All of the opinions are strictly of the SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) and SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) staff and no one else. The opinions are honest and not influenced by the monetary compensation in any way.

From Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum novels, and Lee Goldberg, bestselling author and television writer for Monk, comes the first adventure in an electrifying new series featuring a FBI agent who always gets her man, and a fearless con artist who lives for the chase.

FBI Special Agent Kate O’Hare is known for her fierce dedication and discipline on the job, chasing down the world’s most wanted criminals and putting them behind bars. Her boss thinks she is tenacious and ambitious; her friends think she is tough, stubborn, and maybe even a bit obsessed. And while Kate has made quite a name for herself for the past five years the only name she’s cared about is Nicolas Fox—an international crook she wants in more ways than one.

Audacious, handsome, and dangerously charming, Nicolas Fox is a natural con man, notorious for running elaborate scams on very high-profile people. At first he did it for the money. Now he does it for the thrill. He knows that the FBI has been hot on his trail—particularly Kate O’Hare, who has been watching his every move. For Nick, there’s no greater rush than being pursued by a beautiful woman . . . even one who aims to lock him up. But just when it seems that Nicolas Fox has been captured for good, he pulls off his greatest con of all: He convinces the FBI to offer him a job, working side by side with Special Agent Kate O’Hare.

Problem is, teaming up to stop a corrupt investment banker who’s hiding on a private island in Indonesia is going to test O’Hare’s patience and Fox’s skill. Not to mention the skills of their ragtag team made up of flamboyant actors, wanted wheelmen, and Kate’s dad. High-speed chases, pirates, and Toblerone bars are all in a day’s work . . . if O’Hare and Fox don’t kill each other first.

Bantam - June 18, 2013 - 320 pages – $16.17.

Disclosure – SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) was provided FREE product(s) to complete this review.

An indulgent cinnamon-spiced bar with carrots, walnuts, white soy chips, and sweet raisins drizzled with creamy vanilla icing.

LUNA, the maker of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, recently introduced LUNA Carrot Cake, the newest offering in the line of delicious snacks with select essential nutrients women need. An indulgent cinnamon-spiced bar with carrots, walnuts, white soy chips and sweet raisins drizzled with creamy vanilla icing; LUNA Carrot Cake satisfies women’s sweet-tooth cravings guilt-free with a familiar tasting treat.

“With LUNA Carrot Cake, we are giving women what they really want – a sweet treat, while providing them with the nutritional benefits they expect from LUNA.”

How can something so good for us be so delicious? It’s simple. Start with the best ingredients possible (nothing artificial, 70% organic) and nutrition that matters most to women. Mix with flavors that make mouths water and the rest is sweet (and healthy!) history.

Nutritional Benefits

• 180 calories
• 8 grams protein
• Good source of fiber (3 g) for satiation
• 70 percent organic ingredients
• High in calcium and folic acid
• Rich in antioxidants A, C, E

We recently got a chance to try this new and delicious bar form LUNA. As always LUNA delivered just what it promised. A great tasting bar that satisfies the sweet-tooth without the guilt of having a piece of cake.

Personally I love carrot cake, but average carrot cake has as much as 450 calories per slice with 26 g of fat. The LUNA Carrot Cake bar satisfies that craving for carrot cake with only 180 calories per bar and 6 g of fat. Definitely a better choice and one we will be repeating often!

Walk, run, jog, drive, bike or skip to your nearest Target store in April or your nearest grocer and natural food retailer in May to purchase your LUNA Carrot Cake. LUNA Carrot Cake is now shipping nationwide. It can also be found online at LUNA website with a suggested retail price of $1.39.

Contest for You!!!

LUNA is excited to announce a new contest on Facebook!

WHAT: Contest on Facebook to win a LUNA vending machine and nutrition counseling sessions for your workplace.

WHEN: May 1, 2013 – June 30, 2013

HOW: Enter at Facebook.com/LUNA by submitting photos and descriptions of the healthy changes you are making at your office/place of work.

WHY: Aren’t you sick of vending machines stocked with sodas and chips? It’s time for positive workday snacking!

The actual LUNA vending machines will also be hitting the road, stopping at various events around the country.

LUNA Feed Your Strength…at Work! Vending Machine Tour Schedule

• New York, NY
  • SELF Workout in the Park – May 11, 2013
  • Wanderlust Yoga in the City – June 9, 2013
  • SHE Summit – June 14 – 15, 2013
  • Solstice in Times Square – June 21, 2013
• Chicago, IL
  • SELF Workout in the Park – June 1, 2013
  • Wanderlust in the City – June 2, 2013
• Austin, TX
  • Austin Fashion Week: May 8 – May 9, 2013
• San Francisco Bay Area, CA
  • Professional Women’s Conference – May 23, 2013
• Los Angeles, CA
  • UNIQUE LA – May 11-12, 2013
  • Wanderlust in the City – June 30, 2013
• San Diego, CA
  • Wine Chocolate & Cheese Festival, June 21, 2013

Disclosure – SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) was provided FREE product(s) by the above mentioned company or their PR Representative to complete this review. All of the opinions are strictly of the SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) and SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) staff and no one else. The opinions are honest and not influenced by the monetary compensation in any way.

Do you have a perfect Mother’s Day gift idea this year? If you are not sure what to get, check out these items for more ideas!