The ABCD Diaries

Hot Tooling with Enjoy Hair Products Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:33:00 +0000

Hot Tooling with ENJOY-
"Love using your hot tools? Protect your strands with ENJOY Thermal Spray and or Shine Spray.

ENJOY Thermal Spray offers non-sticky, heat-activated thermal protection for use with heated styling tools. Ideal when styling with curling irons, flat irons or hot rollers as it leaves a firm, flexible, brushable hold.

ENJOY Shine Spray eliminates frizz, adds incredible shine, smoothness and softness. It locks in moisture while blocking out humidity. Great for use with flat irons or to add shine to any finished style."

What we thought: The ENJOY products I reviewed were pretty great. The thermal spray was great for styling with both curling iron and a flat iron and really held the styles well. I was super impressed with the immediate results of the shine spray. My hair went from normal to super shiny with just one spray! Just don't go too crazy with this one or it will start to weigh your hair down. A little bit goes a long way to encourage soft, shiny hair and eliminate frizz:) ABCD Diaries gives ENJOY hair products an A+!

Find ENJOY Hair products at http://www.enjoyhaircare.com/ (see salon locator)

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Pizza Mania Early Math Game Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:48:00 +0000

Pizza Mania™ Early Math Game
Ages 4-7
$24.99
"Listen up and think fast, young pizza makers! Chef calls out toppings for children to put on (and take off) their pizzas.

Reinforces listening, counting, and early addition and subtraction
Supports children with self-checking audio
Challenges students with 2 levels of play
Includes 4 pizzas, 48 toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, olives and peppers), and talking chef (3.5"L x 3.5"W x 5"H) with volume control
Requires 3 AA batteries, not included
For 2-4 players
Grades PreK+"

What we thought: This game is so much fun! The whole family had a blast building pizzas according to the instructions the pizza chef shouted out to us. The game has two levels, one for beginners and one that is a little more advanced. Level 1 was great for 3 year old D and Level 2 was good practice for 5 year old A. Pizza Mania is a really fun way to encourage early math skills and lays a solid foundation with words like "add" and "take away." The kiddos didn't even realize they were doing math! What a great way to introduce addition and subtraction:) ABCD Diaries gives Pizza Mania an A+!

Find Pizza Mania and many more eductional games at Learning Resources!

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given this game for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Woombie Eco'Toddler Donut Review...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:41:00 +0000

We recently had the chance to review the Eco'Toddler Donut from Woombie. Here is 3 year old D "reviewing" the donut:

About the Eco'Toddler Donut:
◦Foam Free, Glue Free, Odor Free
◦Hypo Allergenic, Non Toxic
◦Lead & Phthalate Free
◦Non Flammable/ No Halogenated Flame Retardants
◦Recyclable!
◦Perfect for Travel, Camping, Daycare, Outdoors, Grandmas House, Diaper changes
◦Not for use on any surface that is elevated
◦Ultra Plush Minky Dot fabric
◦Machine washable in non agitating machine
◦Sides zip to create a bonus carry bag/clean environment
◦Portable multi use mat

What we thought: Obviously, D and A loved this! Now they have their very own "spot" whether they want to rest or just have a cozy spot to read or watch TV, the Donut is their favorite place to hang out:) The Donut is big enough for them to both lay on and the raised edge makes a great pillow. It is easy to fold up and take on the go and I know it will really be great for camping or trips to Grandma's. The material is super soft and the animal print is really cute. The bottom is skid-proof, so it would work well on wood floors or tile as well as carpet. The only downside is that while it is machine washable, it can only be washed in a non-agitating machine and ours is an older, top loading model. However, it is pretty easy to spot clean:) Overall, we are super happy with our Eco'Toddler Donut! ABCD Diaries gives the Donut an A+!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given product for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

HBL Curl Enhancing System Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:48:00 +0000

I recently had the chance to review the HBL Curl Enhancing System.

HBL Curl Enhancing System

"Tout your tendrils with HBL Curl Enhancing System. Cleanse and Condition with HBL Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner and then enhance your natural curls with HBL Spray Mousse, specially formulated to create lift, flexible volume and texture."

What we thought: I really enjoyed the HBL Shampoo and Conditioner and the spray was great too. The products worked really well together to provide maximum volume and shine. My hair felt clean after washing and conditioning and was easy to style. The spray didn't weigh my hair down and my style stayed pretty well put:) These products were very effective and they smelled nice too:) ABCD Diaries gives the HBL Curl Enhancing System an A+!

Find HBL products at http://www.hblhaircare.com/

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

SUSHISAMBA "Training" Chopsticks Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:38:00 +0000

"Designed by Miami-based, Brazilian-pop artist Romero Britto, these colorful utensils are the perfect gift for friends and family - or exciting addition to your home kitchen!
Plastic. Machine Washable. Set of 4."

What we thought: We eat a lot of Asian food...at least once a week. Our kiddos love to use chopsticks, but I'm not to fond of the mess they make while using them and sometimes they get frustrated with the amount of work it takes to get very little food to their mouths. Quite often they give up and resort to a spoon or fork. We were really excited to try SUSHISAMBA training chopsticks and we weren't disappointed. These were colorful and featured fun characters and they were so much easier for the kids to use! I know these will really help the kiddos master eating with chopsticks. My favorite part...way less mess! More food makes it to the kiddo's mouths which makes them happy too:) And these chopsticks are dishwasher safe and durable. The kiddos actually ask to use these for all types of food, not just Asian cuisine...they are THAT fun! ABCD Diaries gives SUSHISAMBA chopsticks an A+!
Find these fun chopsticks at SUSHISAMBA!

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

"I Heart Ring Pops" Valentine's Day Gift Basket Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:27:00 +0000

"The month of love is just around the corner and Bazooka Candy Brands would like to share their “Valentine’s Collection” of Ring Pops with ABCD Diaries readers. With strawberry or cherry flavored heart-shaped and classic ring pops, they are sure to put you in the love spirit. Each package even has little message areas that make the perfect Valentines for classroom parties or gift baskets."

3 Lucky ABCD Diaries readers will win an "I Heart Ring Pops" gift basket!

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We were in no way compensated for this post. All opinions expressed are ours and ours lone.

Bertolli Frozen Meal Soups...Make Any Night Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:16:00 +0000

"· Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are hearty and fresh-tasting with vegetables, meats, pasta and herbs individually flash frozen at the peak of freshness.
· Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are available in the frozen aisle, and can be prepared on your stovetop in minutes.
· With robust flavors and rich textures, new Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are available in four varieties: Chicken Minestrone, Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta, Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken, and Tuscan-Style Beef with Vegetables."

We tried out the Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken and turned a mundane Monday evening into something special. This soup was so easy to prepare and was absolutely delicious! Even on a busy night, this hearty meal will be a sure crowd-pleaser. This soup was full of meat, veggies and pasta and could have been a full meal for two. We decided to add a salad and a loaf of Italian bread and voila! A dinner for the whole family worth remembering:) Just for fun, we got out the crystal candle holders and even let the kiddos drink from fancy glasses...they loved it! We also played a fun table game to get everyone talking. It was a blast! We would definitely recommend Bertolli frozen soups for busy families...what a great way to bring the family together:)

Keep up with the latest Bertolli news by following via Facebook and Twitter.

I was compensated by Bertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge.

Valentine's Day Cards from Tiny Prints...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Tiny Prints is gearing up for the season of love whith a huge variety of classroom cards, greeting cards and party invitations. Check out a few of our favorites:

This will be A's first classroom Valentine's party and she is so excited! We will be helping her teacher tame the chaos this year and I know we'll have a blast:) I'm sure our Valentine's Day cards from Tiny Prints will be a huge hit!
Check out the huge variety of super cute Valentine's Day cards at Tiny Prints!
To keep up with the latest news you can follow Tiny Prints on Twitter, like Tiny Prints on Facebook and follow Tiny Prints boards on Pinterest

ABCD Diaries will be receiving cards in exchange for this review. We were in no other way compensated.

Fairytale Brownies Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:32:00 +0000

"Fairytale Brownies is your premier gourmet brownie gifting company, offering a large selection of chocolate brownie gifts including: Birthday Gifts, Congratulations Gifts, Thank You Gifts, Thinking of You Gifts, Patriotic Gifts, New Baby Gifts, Christmas Gifts, Holiday Gifts, Hanukkah Gifts, Fall Gifts, Halloween Brownies, Business Gifts, Custom Logo Corporate Gifts, Valentine's Day Gifts, Easter Gifts, Mother's Day Gifts, Father's Day Gifts."

What we thought: We reviewed the Valentine Keepsake Tin Medley from Fairytale Brownies. They were melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The were rich and fudgy, but still really light and fluffy. My favorites were the caramel, peanut butter and white chocolate varieties. The kiddos loved the raspberry swirl and chocolate chips and B favored the espresso and the nutty varieties. That's what made the medley tin so cool...there were a variety of sizes and flavors for everybody. The bite-size brownies were perfect for a little pick me up and the full size brownies were great to share. The huge assortment of gift packs from Fairytale Brownies makes them the perfect one-stop shop fro baked goods gifts no matter what the occasion:) ABCD Diaries gives Fairytale Brownies an A+!
Find out more about these fantastic Valentine's gift sets at Fairytale Brownies!

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ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Pillsbury Egg Scrambles and Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:44:00 +0000

We recently had the chance to review Pillsbury Egg Scrambles and Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches.

About Pillsbury Egg Scrambles and Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches:
· Quick and easy breakfast – can be prepared in just a few minutes
· Made with fresh, quality ingredients, including Green Giant® vegetables
· Three tasty flavors of Egg Scrambles:
o Bacon & Veggies Egg Scrambles
o Sausage & Veggies Egg Scrambles
o Sausage & Egg Scrambles

· Three delicious varieties of Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches:
o Bacon & Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches
o Sausage & Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches
o Ham & Veggies Biscuit Sandwiches

· A quote from Pillsbury: “We are excited to unveil our latest addition to the frozen breakfast aisle,” said John Stockman, Pillsbury Frozen Breakfast Marketing Manager. “These new dishes are a delicious way to start your morning with a protein-filled breakfast made with quality ingredients. In just a few minutes, you can start your busy weekday with a hot, satisfying breakfast.”

· Suggested retail price: $2.89

Find out more about these yummy breakfast treats at www.pillsbury.com/breakfast

Follow via Facebook: www.facebook.com/pillsbury

What we thought: We tried the Bacon and Veggie Egg Scrambles and the Bacon and Cheese Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches. Both were super easy to prepare...just minutes in the microwave. And both were a huge hit at our breakfast table. All plates were cleaned...the sign of a good meal. The Egg Scrambles were pretty hearty with eggs, meat, veggies and cheese and the biscuit part of the sandwiches were buttery and melt-in-your mouth:) These are great for those busy morning before work and school and come in plenty of varieties to satisfy each family member. ABCD Diaries gives Pillsbury Egg Scrambles and Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches an A+!

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

VeggieTales "God Loves You Very Much" and "If I Sang A Silly Song" DVD Review & Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:58:00 +0000

We recently had the chance to review the two newest releases from the VeggieTales DVD series.

VeggieTales: God Loves You Very Much:

"The fun and family friendly film features stories that demonstrate how God cares for us in all kinds of situations! VeggieTales: God Loves You Very Much is the follow-up title to the smash-hit VeggieTales DVD, God Made You Special. This release includes nearly 90 minutes of family-friendly content and features three fan-favorite VeggieTales stories that teach other valuable lessons about love, Gideon: Tuba Warrior, The Ballad of Little Joe and Rack, Shack & Benny. The title also includes an all-new “story-song” called Does He Love Me?, as well as other bonus features and activities."

Available beginning January 10th, 2012 for $12.93 wherever DVDs are sold.

VeggieTales: If I Sang A Silly Song:

"VeggieTales Silly Songs! Larry the Cucumber hosts “The Silly Song Telethon” and counts down the top favorite silly songs of all-time... voted for by the fans!! The fun continues with a surprise introduction of a never-before-seen, new Silly Song chosen by Larry the Cucumber from thousands of fan submissions!"

Available beginning February 7th , 2012 for $12.99 wherever DVDs are sold.

What we thought: As always, we were really excited about reviewing new VeggieTales DVDs...we are huge fans of Bob and Larry and the whole crew. First, we watched "God Loves You Very Much" which taught lessons of doing what is right, having faith, and of course loving one another. The stories in this DVD are family-friendly, colorful and funny and the lessons were beautifully taught. "If I Sang A Silly Song" brought to life 20 great VeggieTales songs in countdown fashion. The songs are fun and lively and a blast to sing and dance around to. The kiddos really loved this one:) Both of these DVDs are really awesome and if your family enjoys the fun and valuable lessons VeggieTales brings to the table, they are sure to love the newest additions to the series! ABCD Diaries gives "God Loves You Very Much" and "If I Sang A Silly Song" an A+!

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

"The Sneezy Wheezy Day" by Sharon Cramer Review...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:41:00 +0000

"Just in time for the peak of cold and flu season comes The Sneezy Wheezy Day (January 2012), a children’s picture book every parent will want to keep on hand for when the sniffles come on!
As a nurse and mother of three, Sharon Cramer has seen more than her share of winter illnesses. So much so, she was inspired to write The Sneezy Wheezy Day, the third in the award-winning children’s series that follows the adventures of a brother and sister cougar cub. In The Sneezy Wheezy Day, brother cub has a cold, so he and his sister seek help from their friends to make him better.
As he and sister cub seek help for his cold, they encounter many well-intentioned forest friends who offer silly home remedies. One friend even tells brother cub, “Tickle your nose with the tail of a goose and do it before the next blue moon rise!” Although the recommendations help, the final remedy is a sibling’s love."

What we thought: The Sneezy Wheezy Day is a beautifully illustrated story that all kiddos will be able to relate to. It is a great book to brighten up the spirits of a sick little one. We really enjoyed sharing this cute book with A and D and they request it quite often. 5 year old A said she really enjoyed the funny remedies the animal friends offered and 3 year old D loved the gorgeous and colorful illustrations. The Sneezy Wheezy Day is perfect for the cold and flu season, but I'm pretty sure we'll be enjoying it year round:) ABCD Diaries gives The Sneezy Wheezy Day an A+!

***The Sneezy Wheezy Day e-book is available as a free download on Amazon through Saturday***

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this book for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

PAMA SEEKS THE BEST HOME BAR STAR!!

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:11:00 +0000

PAMA Liqueur Challenges Amateur Bartenders to Showcase Their Skills
"Today, PAMA announces the upcoming launch of the Best Home Bar Star Contest: Beginning Monday, January 16, PAMA, the original pomegranate liqueur, will begin accepting submissions to find a cocktail enthusiast who knows how to create a killer cocktail that is perfectly balanced, elegantly presented and definitely delicious. The winner will receive a trip for two to the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen in June 2012 with $2,000 spending money and the opportunity for their recipe to be presented in front of thousands of attendees at the Grand Tasting Tent. Their recipe will also be featured on PAMA’s website.

The contest, which runs until February 29, 11:59PM EST, asks the public to submit a recipe and photo of their original drink creation, which will be judged based on the following criteria:

Originality/creativity
Unique use of PAMA
Ingredient combination
Appropriateness of the cocktail name

The top 25 entries, as determined by the PAMA judging panel, will be posted to PAMA’s website and Facebook page for visitors to vote on their favorite entry. Finalists can share their recipe with friends
and family in order to gain votes. The top 10 highest-voted entries will then be judged by an esteemed panel of cocktail professionals who will create and taste each recipe. The panel includes Kate Krader (Food & Wine), Darryl Robinson (The Cooking Channel’s “Drink Up!”) and Eben Freeman (master mixologist and PAMA spokesperson).

“PAMA’s versatility allows it to mix well with all base spirits, transforming ordinary drinks into ones that are brighter with a sweet-tart flavor,” says Reid Hafer, senior brand manager for PAMA. “We are looking for someone who can explore the endless PAMAbilities.”

Four runners-up will receive a one-year subscription to Food & Wine magazine and a PAMA gift bag. For a full list of rules and to enter, go to www.PAMALiqueur.com/HomeBarStar

Stay tuned for our review of PAMA coming up in the next few weeks. We will also be hosting a giveaway for PAMA swag bags! Woohoo!! :)

Eartheasy Tea Set Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0000

Eartheasy: "Our mission is to help people improve their quality of life by offering information and products for sustainable living."

Product Description: "Talk about green tea! This tea set is made entirely from recycled milk jugs. Every stage of manufacturing of this toy takes place in California, USA. From raw material collection, to recycling to production. This HDPE plastic is one of the safest, most durable and cleanest plastics on the market and, being recycled, has a low environmental footprint."

Eartheasy has offered the tea set above to one lucky ABCD Diaries reader. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was in no way compensated for this post. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

SmartyPants Gummy Vitamins Review...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Thanks to SmartyPants and Moms Meet, we recently had the chance to share SmartyPants gummy vitamins with our parenting group.

Here is a little info about SmartyPants:
"Getting kids all the nutrients they need every single day is quite the parenting challenge. That’s why SmartyPants created an all-in-one vitamin that parents can feel good about giving to their kids. SmartyPants Gummy Vitamins are the first all-in-one gummy multivitamins for kids and grown ups with eco-friendly omega-3 DHA and 100 percent of the recommended daily intake for Vitamin D and nine other key nutrients—and NO artificial colors or sweeteners.

With SmartyPants, even the pickiest of eaters will get all the nutrients they need in one great-tasting gummy vitamin. And since kids love the flavor, this is one vitamin they won’t forget to take. Plus, for every purchase, SmartyPants makes a matching 1-for-1 nutrient grant to a child in need through a partnership with Vitamin Angels.

SmartyPants Gummy Vitamins are available at smartypantsvitamins.com and retail at $19.95 (for kids) and $21.95 (for adults). Use code MomsMeet and get a special discount!

Gummy Vitamins:
• Tastes great, and contains only 5 grams of organic cane sugar. Not fishy!
• Pediatrician and dentist-approved: Soft yummy gummies do not stick to teeth!
• No high-fructose corn syrup
• No artificial colors or dyes
• Gluten and casein-free
• No synthetic chemicals or genetically modified ingredients"

What we thought: The kiddos really loved these gummy vitamins. They actually look forward to taking them every morning. I'm not sure how I feel about the adult version, I think I like to swallow a tasteless pill better. The amount of gummies you have to take each day is a little high, 4 for kids and 6 for adults. However, they are pretty impressive from a nutritional point of view. If you are looking for a gummy vitamin for yourself or your children, you should definitely check out SmartyPants:) ABCD Diaries gives SmartyPants vitamins an A!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Mini VitaCakes Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:24:00 +0000

"Vitalicious has launched the new 50-calorie Fudgy Chocolate Mini VitaCakes, the first 50-calorie product of its kind and Vitalicious’ lowest-calorie product ever. Launching just in time to jump-start healthy New Year’s resolutions, Fudgy Chocolate Mini VitaCakes satisfy your passion for chocolate and still leave you feeling full and satisfied.

With 2g of protein, 6g of fiber, 14g of carbs, only 1g of fat plus 15 vitamins and minerals, the all-natural Fudgy Chocolate Mini VitaCakes are loaded with as much nutrition as they are with gooey chocolate goodness.

VitaCakes are made from all-natural ingredients and whole grains without any artificial coloring or preservatives of any kind. Plus, it only takes 7 minutes to “walk off” the 50 calories contained in each Mini VitaCake."

What we thought: The new mini VitaCakes were so fudgy and chocolaty it was hard to tell they weren't unhealthy. I pull them out in the morning before school and by the time the kiddos sit down to breakfast they are defrosted enough to eat along with their yogurt or cereal. They think its pretty cool that they get to eat chocolate cake with breakfast:) These cute little cakes are convenient to pack in the lunch bag for a quick, filling and indulgent 50 calorie snack:) Who knew rich chocolate cake could actually be a good source of whole grains? What a great way to snack! ABCD Diaries gives VitaCakes an A+!

Fudgy Chocolate Mini VitaCakes are now available exclusively for purchase online at http://www.vitalicious.com/

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

GoMaxGo Candy Bars Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:35:00 +0000

We recently had the chance to try out a variety of candy bars from GoMaxGo Foods.

"We set out to create extraordinarily delicious candy bars. We craved candy bars that were chocolatey, nougaty, caramely, peanutty, almondy, coconutty crazy indulgences! We wanted a variety of bars that popped with all the luscious flavor of the traditional treats. What we didn't want in our candy bars was dairy, eggs, hydrogenated oils, trans fats, artificial ingredients, or cholesterol. We had a hunch your sweet tooth might be feeling the same way, and so we went to work on the concept. Happily, our efforts paid off and now even your inner angel (you know, the one who reminds you it's gotta be vegan, or you're dairy intolerant, or you need to kick those hydrogenated oils to the curb, etc.) can enjoy real candy bars again.
Go Max Go Foods. Your taste buds will never know the difference."

What we thought: These candy bars were FANTASTIC! I especially loved the yummy Jokerz bar which combined chocolate, caramel, peanuts and nougat and the Mahalo which featured coconut, chocolate and nuts. I really could not tell that these bars were dairy-free, vegan and free of artificial ingredients and ridiculous amounts of sugar and fat. GoMaxGo bars are one of my new favorite ways to snack:) An indulgent treat that isn't crazy bad for you? What more could you ask for?! I agree with GoMaxGo Foods..."Your taste buds will never know the difference", but your waistline will:) ABCD Diaries gives GoMaxGo candy bars an A+!

Find out more about these yummy treats at GoMaxGo Foods!

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Kidz Bop 21 CD Review...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:56:00 +0000

We recently had the chance to review Kidz Bop 21, the latest CD in the series that features talented young singers singing some of the most popular Top 40 hits of today.

What we thought: The kiddos have always been huge fans of the Kidz Bop series and they absolutely LOVED this CD! The young singers featured on this CD are super talented and I love how Kidz Bop alters the original words of some of the songs to make them a little more kid-friendly. I like knowing my kids can enjoy the latest music without having to worry about them hearing the more adult lyrics some of the songs contain. Kidz Bop 21 is the most requested CD in our house and car at the moment...the songs are fun to sing along to and really get the kids up and moving:) ABCD Diaries gives Kidz Bop 21 an A+!

You can find Kidz Bop 21 wherever you purchase music.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this CD for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Bright Settings Tablecloth Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:18:00 +0000

Bright Settings sells a tablecloths to fit every every size table in a variety of fabrics and colors. We reviewed a rectangular Cottunique tablecloth in Camel.

Cottunique-
"Available in a variety of vibrant colors, this luxurious solid fabric feels as soft as cotton while retaining all the durability and color-fast qualities of polyester. The fabric actually softens and improves with age - making it the ideal solution for adding a spot of color and beauty to your restaurant, event, dining room, kitchen or patio."

What we thought: This tablecloth was really nice. It fit our table well and looked great. It was easy to care for and held up really well to machine washing and drying. Bright Settings has so many different color and fabric combinations to choose from. It would be super easy to find your perfect tablecloth, whether its for a single table at home or several tables at a wedding or other event. I was especially impressed with the amount of color choices...there is something to match every theme! No matter what size or shape your table is, Bright Settings makes it easy to find the perfect covering for your needs:) ABCD Diaries gives Bright Settings an A+!

Find out more about these fabulous table coverings at Bright Settings!

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Shangri La Hot Tea Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:48:00 +0000

"Welcome to the award winning Shangri La Tea company. Our award winning teas have made us a leader in specialty teas, organic iced teas and organic hot teas. Shangri La offers quality and value, while setting trends in our unique and delicious teas for the food service and retail beverage industries. We have a wide variety of exceptional quality teas and unique tea gifts."

What we thought: We reviewed several boxes of Shangri La teas. They were fantastic! The kiddos really enjoyed having tea parties with the decaf versions of Black Currant and Lemon Meyer. My favorite was the English Breakfast, followed closely by the Sweet Orange Spice. These teas were smooth and full flavored. I love a good cup of hot tea and using Shangri La tea bags made having a good cup super easy:) With the large selection of flavors, there is something for everyone. They also offer neat samplers that would make great gifts for the tea lover in your life. ABCD Diaries gives Shangri La an A+!

One winner will receive a Shangri La Prize Pack including one box of each of the following teas:
Organic Decaf Lemon Meyer
Organic Sweet Orange Spice
Organic Jasmine Green
Organic Black Currant
Organic English Breakfast
Organic Chai
Find out more about these great teas at Shangri La! Use the discount code BANDABLOG to receive 15% off. **The coupon code will be active starting 2/1/2012 and ending on 03/31/2012.

*Shangri La is currently offering a sale on Hot Tea for the entire month of January, the price reflected on the website right now is the sale price. Regular price for the Hot Tea Bag Line is $6.95/box.

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Nutridel Cookies Review and Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:50:00 +0000

"NUTRIDEL is an artisan, gourmet cookie, made by hand in small batches with all-natural, earth-loving high quality ingredients. Our cookies contain no animal or dairy products. They are baked to perfection, and the result is a crispy, crunchy snack you can enjoy any time with guilt-free pleasure!"

What we thought: These cookies were very crisp and crunchy. They were pretty tasty...they reminded us of the nutty, oaty taste of granola, just pressed flat into a paper thin and super crispy cookie. I love that these cookies are an all-natural alternative to other snacks and the whole family really enjoyed them:) ABCD Diaries gives Nutridel cookies an A!

Find out more about these cookies at Nutridel!

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar Review...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:02:00 +0000

American Dervish: A Novel by Ayad Akhtar

Synopsis:

"Hayat Shah is a young American in love for the first time. His normal life of school, baseball, and video games had previously been distinguished only by his Pakistani heritage and by the frequent chill between his parents, who fight over things he is too young to understand. Then Mina arrives, and everything changes.

Mina is Hayat's mother's oldest friend from Pakistan. She is independent, beautiful and intelligent, and arrives on the Shah's doorstep when her disastrous marriage in Pakistan disintegrates. Even Hayat's skeptical father can't deny the liveliness and happiness that accompanies Mina into their home. Her deep spirituality brings the family's Muslim faith to life in a way that resonates with Hayat as nothing has before. Studying the Quran by Mina's side and basking in the glow of her attention, he feels an entirely new purpose mingled with a growing infatuation for his teacher.

When Mina meets and begins dating a man, Hayat is confused by his feelings of betrayal. His growing passions, both spiritual and romantic, force him to question all that he has come to believe is true. Just as Mina finds happiness, Hayat is compelled to act -- with devastating consequences for all those he loves most."

What we thought: This book was really beautifully written. Akhtar is able to tell the story with insights from all points of view and the tale is truly engaging. He shows the struggle between culture and religion and just trying to fit in while trying to find one's true identity in our modern day society. This book is refreshingly honest and heartwarming at the same time. ABCD Diaries gives American Dervish an A+!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this book for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Bare Necessities Review...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:20:00 +0000

We recently had the opportunity to review some tights and leggings from Bare Necessities.

Donna Karan Hosiery: The Body Perfect Collection Smoothing Leggings

-Moderate control, smoothing leggings

-Shapes and slims from waist to ankles Comfortable stretch nylon

-Targeted tummy control panel

-Lifts and tones rear

HUE: Cable Sweater Tights

-Stylish sweater tights

-Cable knit pattern

-Keeps legs feeling warm

What we thought: Bare Necessities has quite a large variety of tights and leggings in colors and styles to fit everyone's tastes. They have fun, affordable options to keep your legs cozy and stylish all winter long:) The Donna Karan leggings were very slimming and looked great under an over sized sweater. The HUE tights were super trendy...I loved the cable-knit pattern and they paired very well with a sweater dress and boots. They come in a variety of colors to match any outfit and were soft and comfy. Both the leggings and the tights did a fabulous job of keeping my legs warm:) ABCD Diaries gives Bare Necessities legwear an A+!

Find out more about these leggings and tights at Bare Necessities!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone

Kuhn Rikon KinderKitchen Utensils Review...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

We recently had the chance to try out some of the KinderKitchen children's utensils from Kuhn Rikon.

"Kids have little hands and big imaginations. They love to explore and try new things - especially in the kitchen. Now with Kinderkitchen®, they finally have fun tools made just for them.

Each one of our Kinderkitchen® tools are designed specifically for kids with function, safety and fun the priorities."

What we thought: We were given the Bird's Eye Spoon, the Mouse Measuring Cups and the Serrated Dog Knife to try out. The kiddos quickly put all of these tools to good use helping me prepare dinner:) They really had a lot of fun using these kid-friendly kitchen tools. The Bird's Eye Spoon was actually easier for their little hands to stir thicker consistencies with since the over sized hole minimized resistance. The Dog Knife was safe for them to use, but also easily cut through firm fruits and veggies. The Mouse Measuring Cups made measuring a lot more fun and were very durable. All of these tools were super cute and colorful and with minimum supervision, most of them would be great for even the youngest budding chefs:) ABCD Diaries gives Kuhn Rikon KinderKitchen tools an A+!

Follow Kuhn Rikon via Facebook for the latest news on these fantastic utensils!
Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Stubb's BBQ Sauce Review & Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Christin) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:16:00 +0000

B and I grew up in Austin TX and lived there up until we moved to the Texas coast about a year ago, so we were very familiar with Stubb's BBQ. This was a local restaurant that served up delicious food and always had great live music and entertainment. We were super excited to get the chance to try out Stubb's bottled BBQ sauces!

We reviewed 2 flavorful varieties of Stubb's famous BBQ sauce.

Spicy: "From the heat of the pit to the heart of the table, Stubb made sure his Spicy Bar-B-Q sauce packed enough peppers to keep your chicken, pork or beef sizzling, long after it leaves the flame. This original recipe is seasoned with habañero peppers and wood smoke to complement the flavor of the meat. You’ll likely notice some compliments coming your way too."

Hickory Bourbon: "When Stubb’s friends talked him into selling his famous sauces, he used "recycled" whiskey bottles from a honkytonk in Austin. This sauce combines the natural barbeque flavor of hickory smoke with the rich, mellow taste of Kentucky bourbon. It may not be in a whiskey bottle, but it’s still the same way Stubb would’ve done it."

What we thought: Delicious, as expected:) We used our spicy sauce on grilled chicken and it was super tasty! It was a tad warm for the kiddos tastes, but the adults loved it. The hickory bourbon sauce was fantastic on ribs...the perfect sticky-saucy coating for finger-licking goodness:) Stubb's sauces are a super easy way to put some truly memorable finishing touches on your entrees. ABCD Diaries gives Stubb's sauces an A+!

Find out more about this delicious BBQ sauce at Stubb's!

One ABCD Diaries reader will be lucky enough to win a Stubb's gift kit with a Stubb's t-shirt, hat, spice rub, sauce and grill brush, all wrapped up in a Stubb's tote bag:)

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Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.