Popatot Giveaway Ends TODAY!!!

Okay everyone, today is the last day to enter the Popatot giveaway! 51 entries so far!!!! Wow!

Head over to the post to enter today!!!!

Good luck!!!!

All week I will be posting new reviews and giveaways. Actually almost everyday in December there will be reviews and giveaways listed, so a great month to win on A Mom After God's Own Heart:)

Thanks to all my readers and have a great day all!

Songs for Sunday!

All throughout the month of December I will be providing you with some of my favorite Christmas music as part of my Songs For Sunday posts. Although it is still November, it is the first Sunday of Advent. So here are the first of many wonderful Christmas songs to inspire and encourage you during this glorious season that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

1. O Holy Night - David Phelps


2. Mary Did You Know - Mark Lowry




3. Joy (to The World) - Avalon


4. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Casting Crowns


5. Joesph's Lullaby - Mercy Me


6. Born That We May Have Life - Chris Tomlin


7. Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) Chris Tomlin

Giveaways Ending Soon!

The following giveaways are ending in the next two or three days! Enter for your chance to win some great products!

Safe Sippy

Pop A Tot

Cheating Death

Good Luck Everyone!

Top 10 Thursday - A Day Late

Okay, I know its Friday, but yesterday just got away from me, so I am doing a few meme's late. In The Mommy Trenches did not do a Top 10 Thursday list this week, but I am going to do one anyway.

Top 10 Christmas Movies:

1. Home Alone

2. White Christmas

3. Holiday Inn

4. The Santa Clause (original one is still the best, but all 3 are good)

5. The Nativity Story

6. Sound of Music (yes, not technically a Christmas movie, but always on at Christmas)

7. A Christmas Carol (original black and white all the way)

8. Polar Express

9. It's A Wonderful Life

10. Miracle on 34th Street

Also, here are my Top 10 Animated Christmas Movies:

1. Veggie Tales - The Toy That Saved Christmas

2. Veggie Tales - The Star of Christmas

3. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)

4. Frosty The Snowman (1969)

5. A Mickey Christmas Carol

6. Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

8. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (original) (1966)

9. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (1970)

10. Veggie Tales: Saint Nicholas - A Story of Joyful Giving

****these are not in any particular order****

Enjoy!

One Holy Night Book Review

About The Book:

An unforgettable story of forgiveness and reconciliation, One Holy Night retells the Christmas story in a strikingly original way—through the discovery of a baby abandoned in the manger of a church’s nativity scene. Destined to become a classic for all seasons, One Holy Night deals compassionately with the gritty issues of life—war and violence, devastating illness, intergenerational conflict, addictions, and broken relationships. This moving, inspirational story will warm readers’ hearts with hope and joy long after they finish reading.

About The Author:

J. M. Hochstetler writes stories that always involve some element of the past and of finding home. Born in central Indiana, the daughter of Mennonite farmers, she graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Germanic languages. She was an editor with Abingdon Press for twelve years and has published four novels. Daughter of Liberty (2004), Native Son (2005), and Wind of the Spirit (March 2009), the first three books of the critically acclaimed American Patriot Series, are set during the American Revolution. One Holy Night, a retelling of the Christmas story set in modern times, is the 2009 Christian Small Publishers Fiction Book of the Year and a finalist for the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Long Contemporary Book of the Year.

Hochstetler is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, Nashville Christian Writers Association, and Historical Novels Society. She and her husband live near Nashville, Tennessee.

You can find Joan online at www.jmhochstetler.com or at this book’s blog http://oneholynight.blogspot.com

My Review:

I loved this book. Actually I read it in two days! The raw emotion shown by all the characters was intense. This book offers so many emotional moments.

A father who, after so many years, is still dealing with his experience with WWII. A wife and mother dealing with terminal illness. A young son who goes off to fight in vietnam and his life changes forever. A sister who wants peace in her family....and a baby who will show them all the importance of forgiveness.

This modern nativity story has me crying throughout the book. I have never been so reminded of God's unending Grace as I was through One Holy Night. A great story for this time of year and always!

I highly recommend this book to be read by all! This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for the book lover in your life.

Buy It: Head over to Amazon.ca or Amazon.com to purchase your copy of One Holy Night!

Jantsen's Gift Book Review and Giveaway

Earlier this year my family experienced one of the hardest things we have ever faced as a family, the death of a child/sibling. It has been six months since my sister's death and it is still difficult at times to think about her and realize she is gone. Particularly with the Christmas season right around the corner.

The tough thing about it is she was only seven years old but had lived a very full life in her short time here on earth. Though it hurts us so much, we can rejoice that she is in Heaven and having the time of her life:) We miss you dreadfully, but are

During these last six months I have read a number of books on grieving for a loved one, and recently was introduced to the book, Jansten's Gift by Pam Cope (with Aimee Molloy). Thank you to Anna Balasi and Hachette Book Group for providing me with a complimentary copy of Jantsen's Gift for the purpose of review.

About The Book:

Nine years ago, Pam Cope owned a cozy hair salon in the tiny town of Neosho, Missouri, and her life revolved around her son's baseball games, her daughter's dance lessons, and family trips to places like Disney World. She had never been out of the country, nor had she any desire to travel far from home.

Then, on June 16th, 1999, her life changed forever with the death of her 15-year-old son from an undiagnosed heart ailment.

Needing to get as far away as possible from everything that reminded her of her loss, she accepted a friend's invitation to travel to Vietnam, and, from the moment she stepped off the plane, everything she had been feeling since her son's death began to shift. By the time she returned home, she had a new mission: to use her pain to change the world, one small step at a time, one child at a time. Today, she is the mother of two children adopted from Vietnam. More than that, she and her husband have created a foundation called "Touch A Life," dedicated to helping desperate children in countries as far-flung as Vietnam, Cambodia and Ghana.

Pam Cope's story is on one level a moving, personal account of loss and recovery, but on a deeper level, it offers inspiration to anyone who has ever suffered great personal tragedy or those of us who dream about making a difference in the world.

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About The Author:

In 2000, Pam Cope founded Touch A Life Foundation by establishing a shelter in Saigon for homeless children. Touch A Life now supports 224 children in Vietnam and helps fund the Place of Rescue in Cambodia, a safe haven for famillies who have been stricken with the AIDS virus. Pam is now working to raise funds to build a center for children in northern Ghana who have been rescued from slavery. Pam lives in Joplin, Missouri with her husband, Randy, and her children, Van and Tatum. Her older daughter, Crista, attends college.

Aimee Molloy is a freelance journalist and the co-author, with Senator John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry, of This Moment on Earth: Today's New Environmentalists and Their Vision for The Future; and For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire with James Yee. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

My Review:

Wow!Wow!Wow!

This book was incredible. What a journey it will take you on. While reading this book, I was immersed in an emotional journey like I have never read in a book before. Pam Cope eloquently displays the journey that every mother does not want to take, yet many of us have. The loss of a child. I personally have not lost a child to death, but a sibling and I was pleasantly surprised that Cope mentioned the various emotions that not only she experienced but also her family.

This book has challenged me to look at my life and what I can do to make an impact on the world around me. In this world of "me, me, me" and having to "live up to the Jones'" Cope challenged me (and any other reader) to think about what is truly important to you....look around at all your stuff and ask yourself, "Is it worth it?"

There is a quote in Jansten's Gift that is from poet John Rushkin and it says this:

"Every increased possession loads us with a new weariness"

This really impacted me...I am forever purging or organizing or selling, etc and why? Because apparently I thought I needed stuff, but I realize now that stuff is not what makes me who I am. I am who I am because of my family and my God. He has brought me through some serious stuff, just as He did with Pam Cope and her family.

The journey that Pam Cope and her family has travelled since losing Jansten is wonderfully amazing to me. The strength that they have to reach the children of Vietnam, and Ghana through Touch A Life is so wonderful. They have rescued thousands of children from slavery, the sex trade and certain death. God bless her and her family as they serve.

At the very end of the Jantsen's Gift, Cope makes this statement: "Maybe the answer to grief, or to feeling lost, is to do what she (Salamatu, a young girl from the Village of Hope) did: to give recklessly and passionately, to the point where people have to say, "You're Crazy!That is enough! Stop giving!" And yet we go on, and give some more. I firmly believe that in those acts of giving - when you have given your very last sticker - you become open to receiving life's most tremendous blessings"

You will laugh, cry and be challenged as you read Pam Cope's journey from grief to fullfilment! I highly recommend that everyone read this book! It would make a great gift, especially with Christmas coming!

Buy It!: You can purchase Jantsen's Gift through Amazon.ca or Amazon.com, as well check our your local bookstore.

Win It!: Five lucky readers will receive a copy of Jantsen's Gift!

To Enter:  Tell me why you would like this book

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Giveaway Open To US/Canada only

Giveaway ends December 8, 2009

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The Misunderstood God Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

THE MISUNDERSTOOD GOD tells the truth about who the Creator is. This book analyzes what religion says about God's heart and personality and measures it up to what God calls Himself: Love. It simplifies a generation's tangled perceptions of God by taking a journey through the sixteen aspects of love described in one of the most well-known Bible passages in the world: 1 Corinthians 13, also known as "the love chapter." So many Christians have been bombarded with confusing teachings and doctrines that their understanding of God resembles a tightly tangled ball of Christmas tree lights.

About The Author:

Darin Hufford is the host of the Into the Wild podcast and the founder and president of the Free Believers Network. He travels and speaks throughout the world on knowing the heart of God. Currently, Darin lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife, Angie, and their five children.

My Review:

The Misunderstood God is an honest and, at times, harsh look at  how many Christians today have been disillusioned by many of the teachings of "the traditional church".

I did agree with most of what Hufford states in his book, particularly that we need to love as God loves and that relationships should be more important than anything. I love that he helps the reader to remember God is Love...especially when he says to look at 1 Corinthians 13 and substitute "God" for "Love". For example, God is patient, God does not boast, God does not envy, etc.

I felt the book was easy to read and actually I learned alot about the love of God and how easy it is to be brought down by many of the "doom and gloom" Christians that are out there.

I do believe this would be a great book for those Christians who are feeling disillusioned by "the church" today and need encouragement for their Christian walk! Especially with Christmas coming, I highly recommend this book as a great gift idea!


Buy It: The Misunderstood God by Darin Hufford can be purchased on Amazon.ca  & Amazon.com


Win It: 5 lucky readers will win a copy of The Misunderstood God by Darin Hufford


To Enter: Simply comment on this, or any other post I have made recently.


Extra Entries:


1. Follow This Blog
2. Grab My Button
3. Subscribe via email
4. Follow Me on Twitter

Giveaway open to U.S and Canada Only  No P.O. Boxes Please

Giveaway ends December 7, 2009


****Thank you to Hachette Book Group for sending me a complimentary copy of The Misunderstood God by Darin Hufford for the purpose of review and having me host a giveaway.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish all my American readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. Being from Canada, I celebrated Thanksgiving in October, but I am remembering today all the things I have to be thankful for.

1. My freedom - I am thankful everyday to be able to live in Canada, where I have freedom because of the brave soldiers, men & women who fight everyday to keep Canada the "True North, Strong and Free"

2. My God - I am thankful for my faith in God and the forgiveness given to me. Thank you Lord for sending your son Jesus, so that one day I can live in eternity with You.

3. My Family - though we are all different in our personalities and that makes for some issues, I know we love each other greatly. We have been through alot in this last year with the death of my little sister, yet we are getting through the grief together. I love you all.

4. My Friends - thank you for putting up with me and loving me and making me who I am. I love being able to be myself around you without the fear of being rejected

5. My Children - my girls are my gifts from God. I did not think I would ever have children, let alone 2 of them. They are my little miracles. Everyday I have with them is a gift from God and I stand amazed at just how much they have changed in the last year. Both are growing so fast, but I am so thankful that I can be home with them and relish in them!

6. My Husband - I am so thankful that 12 years ago we took our vows to become husband and wife and have never looked back. Though we have had a number of "crisis" through the years, we have stood by one another and love each other more and more every day!

7. Being a Stay At Home Mom - Though somedays drive me crazy I love being at home. I can't imagine going out and working, not seeing my two girls all day. I am so grateful that I am able to provide a loving home for my girls to thrive and become the girls they are meant to be. One day they will be all grown and on their own, but I will have wonderful memories of the time I spent at home with them.

8. My Church Family - I am thankful for the church that I attend and all the people that I have met and become friends with there. Every weeek the pastor challenges me to live my life for God in everything I do! I am not perfect, nor is my church family, but we love one another and urge one another on in our love for Christ

9. My Health - I am once again so thankful that I am living cancer free after 4 years! Never in a million years did I think I would have cancer at 32 years of age! But I did and got through successful surgery to treat it! I am also thankful that although I had a high risk pregnancy with my second child last year, that both her and I came through it fine!

10. My Blogging Family - I am thankful for all of you who come and read my blog, leave comments and enter the giveaways I offer. I am thankful for all the companies that have had me do reviews so far this year and cannot wait to see what is on the horizon for the next year on my blog:)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!!

Winners of Can God Be Trusted

Congrats to the following ladies for winning a copy of Can God Be Trusted!

****Danielle

****Gerrie

****Linda

****Karen

****Christin

Thank you to all who entered and please keep entering all the giveaways! I have been given some great products and books to review and love giving my readers a chance at getting these product FREE!

Congrats again to all the winners!

Smart Knit Kids - Review & Giveaway

After working in the field of early childhood education for over 10 years I have seen my share of children who have gotten frustrated by itchy tags on clothing, as well as strings and seams in socks. I know sometimes these things bother me, so I can imagine how a child could feel. Especially a child with Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, or with Sensory Processing Disorder, as I know from working with children who have these disorders that sensory problems with clothing can exist.

I am grateful that my children do not have sensory problems, but because I know people whose children do, I love the idea of these socks a lot!

So when I was approached by SmartKnit Kids to review their socks, I was so excited! Thank you to Rose Penner for sending me four pairs of socks for my daughters to try out! We received a complimentary pair of white (2) pink and purple socks for the purpose of review and to host a giveaway.

About SmartKnit Kids:

Tired of hearing her son scream “these sock seams keep bugging me,” a mom decided something needed to be done.  Every “seamless” sock her son tried had seams in it; there was not a truly seamless sock available.  After explaining the frustrating morning routine to countless friends of her son’s struggles with socks, she was finally given the name of Knit-Rite, a textile manufacturer, and contacted them with her request for a seamless kids sock. 

After several requests for seamless socks from "desperate" parents, SmartKnitKIDS socks were created.  Knit the same way a caterpillar spins its cocoon, SmartKnitKIDS socks are started at the toe and worked up toward the ankle.  This process insures a 100% seamless sock, so there are no seams to bug ya!  A form-fitting design also keeps those annoying lumps and bumps out of the socks. 


Since its launch in 2003, SmartKnitKIDS continues to find new markets and grow every year.  Super soft material and a seam free design make it the most comfortable kid’s sock on the market. 


SmartKnitKIDS come in a color for every personality: white, black, pink, purple, and navy.  Ankle, crew and knee-high styles are available up to a youth size 8.


Knit-Rite, Inc. is a leading designer, marketer, and manufacturer of innovative textiles for medical and consumer markets. Founded in 1923, Knit-Rite remains committed to the continued research and development, manufacturing and distributing of products that deliver healthy benefits for a better quality of life.


SmartKnitKIDS™ Socks are made with high-tech fibers that wick moisture away helping ensure a drier and more hygienic sock environment. They are also anti-microbial, inhibiting fungal odor-causing bacteria.

Our non-binding Halo Top™ fits comfortably without slipping down the leg.Regular socks often have elastic bands at the tops of the sock that can often pinch, bind or be a source of irritation.

Corespun yarns using Lycra and form-fitting design result in children's socks that “hug” the foot reducing wrinkling and bunching.

My Review:

These are great! My daughter loves how soft they are and I love that there is nothing to bug her! No seams, no strings, nothing! The company logo is on the bottom of the sock and that is the only indication of where the bottom of the sock is. I love that there is no heel, that way the socks will last sooo much longer. I love the way the sizing was perfect for my children's feet. The handy sizing chart on the website will help you in determining your child's sock size so they have the perfect fit!  I also love the fact that they wash so well. I have been using the SmartKnit Kids Seamless socks for a couple weeks now and they have been washed a ton (my daughter wants to wear "the soft, squishy socks" all the time) and are still so soft to the touch!

I highly recommend these socks especially for any parents of children with sensitivities to clothing. But I also recommend them to all parents! Great idea for Christmas Stocking Stuffers!

Buy It!: Head over the SmartKnit Kids Seamless Socks website and click on the Therawear link to order your socks online!


Win It!: One lucky reader will win 3 pairs of SmartKnit Kids Seamless Socks (their choice of style, color and size)


To Enter: Easy Peasy - just head over to the SmartKnit Kids website and comment on which socks you would choose if you win!


Extra Entries:


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5. Follow SmartKnit Kids on Twitter

Open to U.S. and Canadian Residents Only


Giveaway Ends December 6, 2009

Comments

Hey All

Not sure if there is a problem with blogger anymore, but yesterday I noticed on some of the blogs I follow, that I could not leave comments. Did any of you guys have that problem with my blog? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Also, if you tried to enter any of my giveaways, and could not due to the problems with commenting not working please re-enter! Thanks so much:)

Piggy Paint - Review & Giveaway

I have two girls ages 3 years and 16 months and with two girls, I know I am destined for a life of pink, dresses and lots of "girly-girl" activities like doing hair and nails! My three year old already loves to "do my hair" and wears dresses regardless of the weather.

Makayla is always asking me to do her nails and loves it when I put lip gloss on her. However I am hesistent to do the nail polish thing because of the smells and chemicals involved.

Well, recently I discovered a company that caters specifically to the smallest of "girly girls"! Piggy Paint generously sent me a complimentary set of  their nail polish and polish remover. Thank to Laurie Marcolla for the opportunity to review such a great product.


About Piggy Paint:

“Piggy Paint™ is specially formulated from God’s natural ingredients and dries to a hard, durable finish. There are no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone. Say good-bye to harsh, smelly chemicals and hello to Piggy Paint™…it’s as Natural as Mud!”

Why is Piggy Paint™ Nail Polish the safe nail polish choice for children? 

***Non-toxic 

***Low Odor 

***Water-based formula 

***Hypoallergenic 

***Fun, vibrant colors 

***Dries to a hard, durable finish 

Piggy Paint™ Nail Polish Remover
 
Why is Piggy Paint™ Nail Polish Remover the best choice for your little girl?

• Low Odor
• Made from natural ingredients
• No Acetone
• Hypoallergenic
• Biodegradable

Ingredients - Corn alcohol, butyl diglycol, Aloe Vera extract, Vitamin E, embittering agent.
Warning: Because Piggy Paint™ Nail Polish Remover is flammable when heated, do not use or store near heat or an ignition source. Keep out of reach of children, and always have an adult supervising while using this product.

Piggy Paint Nail Polish and Remover can be purchased individually or in super cute gift sets! Each gift set comes with 3 polishes or 2 polishes and a remover. They even have 3 sets specifically for Christmas! Great idea for stocking stuffers for the little girl(s) in your life!

Jingle Nail Rock has Sometimes Sweet, Ice Cream Dream, and Remover (on sale during November for $23.50


Mistle Toes has Sometimes Sweet (Red), Ice Cream Dream (Green) and Glass Slippers (clear)  $26.50






Piggy Paint also supports breast cancer research  with a portion of  the sale of their Fight Breast Cancer Gift Pack for $19.99 going to the Susan G. Komen Run For The Cure

 

My Review:

As soon as I unpacked Piggy Paint my daughter went crazy. I had to immediately do her nails!!! The color I got is called Girls Rule and is a bright, shimmery Magenta Purple! My daughter loves purple (and pink!) and she was delighted to have pink fingers and toes.


I loved that there is absolutely no smell! Usually when I open nail polish or remover its like I am hit in the face with a brick! Yuck! But not with Piggy Paint! What a relief it is to me that I can paint my daughters fingers and toes, and know that there is nothing toxic on them! Especially with my 16 month old who puts her fingers in her mouth all time! I did not paint her fingers, but her toes and she walked around looking at her feet all morning. Hilarious!

The other thing that I love with Piggy Paint is that I can have my three year old do her own nails and not worry that if she drips its going to destroy my table. It did drip once and the polish came off my wood table with not a problem!

One thing that really impressed me is that I can purchase Piggy Paint relatively locally. I live in a small town but within a two hour drive I can go to five retail outlets to purchase Piggy Paint! A huge plus, although online shopping has its perks too:)



What a fantastic idea for Christmas everyone! Your little girls will love Piggy Paint! I know mine do:)

Buy It:  Head over to Piggy Paint and you can shop right on their website. There is also an extensive list of retail locations from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and other international locations.

Until Dec. 15, place your order with code CANDY15L and receive 15 % off your order. Also, any order over $25 will receive FREE domestic shipping. There is also international shipping available

Win It: One lucky reader will win a $15 Gift Certificate to Piggy Paint!


To Enter: Head of to Piggy Paint and tell me what product you would get if you win!

Extra Entries:


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3. Subscribe via email

4. Follow me on Twitter


5. Follow Piggy Paint on Twitter
 

Giveaway open to U.S./Canada Only

Giveaway ends December 5, 2009

Storkcraft Crib Recall

If you own a Storkcraft crib, please read this article from CBC Canada about a MASSIVE RECALL regarding cribs with drop side mechanisms that fail. There have apparently been four deaths in the US and many injuries.

For US residents, please check here.

FYI: The Storkcraft website has been down all morning. I am assuming that its system has been overloaded. If you are using a Storkcraft crib, keep trying the website until you can get on, then order the replacement kit asap!

Zarbee's Children's Cough Syrup - Review & Giveaway

As we all know, it is cold and flu season. Many families are being hit hard not only by H1N1, but also my regular influenza and the common cold.

When it comes to cold remedies I tend to shy away from medicines as much as possible. I try to use as natural of products as I can. I believe that many of the colds that are common today can be cleared up on their own. As many of you know, the common cold can last between 5 and 7 days. However, dealing with symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sore throat and cough is hard enough when you are an adult, but it can be downright difficult when a child is involved.

With my children I tend to do the steaming thing, pain/fever reducing meds, lots of rest and fluids. Only when absolutely necessary will I go to the doctors for antibiotics.

When I had the opportunity to test and review Zarbee's Children's Cough Syrup in October, I jumped at the chance. Thank you to Elyse Bender-Segall and The Product Review Place for providing me with a 4 fl. oz bottle of Zarbee's Children's Cough Syrup for the purpose of review and for having me host a giveaway.


About Zarbee's:

When Dr. Zarbock set out to find a better children's cough syrup than over the counter drugs for his patients, he researched and studied several different options. Dr. Zarbock found that honey has been used as a safe remedy for ages. Because honey is a natural product, it is safe and drug-free yet extremely effective at soothing sore throats. With added vitamin C and other unique all-natural ingredients, honey becomes an effective remedy to sooth throats and calm coughs. Cough medicine as you know it will never be the same thanks to ZarBee's Children's Cough Syrup. Check out the report about the benefits of Honey for childhood coughs here.
 

Is honey safe for children? Can I give my child ZarBee's?
Honey is safe for children 12 months and older. ZarBee's Cough Syrup uses a unique blend of dark honey known to be high in antioxidants, this makes it safe and healthy for your child. Zarbee's is not recommended for children under 12 months of age. To
 

What makes ZarBee's different than just plain honey?
ZarBee's is honey-based, not just straight honey. There are other safe ingredients that make ZarBee's unique and effective. With each dose of ZarBee's your child receives their daily serving of vitamin C. Not to mention ZarBee's is loaded with antioxidants which are critical to healthy living.
 

What does ZarBee's taste like?
Good question. Since ZarBee's is a natural product, it doesn't taste like the cough medicine you are familiar with. No choking it down. It tastes great! Your child will love the great Lemon and Cherry flavor. 

 

What is in Zarbee's:

Ingredients: Honey proprietary blend (buckwheat, wildflower), water, natural flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric acid, zinc gluconate. 

Contains NO Dextromethorphan or Alcohol.

My Review:

So when I received Zarbee's Children's Cough Syrup (cherry flavor) about three weeks ago, neither of my children had coughs or colds. However during the last week or so we have all been fighting the cold bug and I was able to use Zarbee's on a number of occassions for each child and actually for myself too.

I am very happy with this product. I love that it stands up to being a natural based product. And the best part it works! Almost right after my girls received their dose of Zarbee's (for children 12 mths to 5 years, the dose is 1/2 teaspoon) their hoarseness and coughs definitely became less (and did go away after about 1/2 hour).

The respite from coughing lasted about 3 hours, which I feel is a sufficent amount of time. Don't get me wrong, I love the medications out there that last 6-8 hours, but if I can avoid taking those I will. My girls did not have bad enough coughs to interfere with their night sleeping so the 3 hours that Zarbee's worked was great!

I love the taste!!! And more importantly, so do my children! Both of them. As many of you are parents, you can relate when I say it can be a struggle to get liquid medication into a 16 month old and a 3 year old. However, both the girls said, "yummy" when I gave them their doses:) In fact, my youngest actually used the sign for "more" when I was done giving it to her (she is not hearing impaired, we had taught her some baby signs for communication sake at 9 months)

Due to the fact that pediatricians do not recommend giving children under the age of 5 cold medications, I am so glad that Zarbee's is available. I do not like seeing my children suffer from a cold, and love that I can give them something as natural as honey! I remember many times as a child, my grandmothers would always give me a little tea with honey when I wasn't feeling well. I still do that! So it totally makes sense that a Pediatricitian would have developed a honey based cough syrup for children!

I highly recommend Zarbee's Children's Cough Syrup to anyone who would like to try alternative treatments for their child's cough/cold.

 Buy It!: Head over to the Zarbee's website and check out the many retailers around the U.S.A where you can purchase Zarbee's Children's Cough Syrup! The website states that it can be purchsed for $9.99


Win It!: One lucky reader will receive their own Zarbee's Children's Cough Syrup


To Enter: Comment on what "natural" remedies you use to combat the cold or flu in your home.


Extra Entries:


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3. follow me on Twitter


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Giveaway open to U.S. Residents Only


Giveaway ends December 4, 2009


Good luck to all!

Winners!

Congrats to the following winners from the past week or so:

Better Than Jewels Book Winner - Marorie

Habitwise - Nikki

Love Revolution - Rebecca, Margaret, Janet, Gerrie, and Rebecca G

CONGRATS to all the winners and THANK YOU to ALL who have entered all the giveaways!

Keep checking for great reviews and giveaways all week!

The Brightest Star In The Sky - Book Review

I love to read a variety of genre's of books, and one that I do not read enough of is romance. I have always enjoyed a good, mushy romance book. So when I had the opportunity to read The Brightest Star In the Sky by Mariane Keyes I was very excited. Thank you to Brownyn from Penquin Books Canada for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.

Book Description:

At 66 Star Street in Dublin someone is watching over the lives of the people living in its flats. But no one is aware of it—yet... One of them is ready to take the plunge and fall in love; another is torn between two very different lovers. For some, secrets they want to stay buried will come to light and for others, the unveiling of those secrets will have tragic consequences. Fate is on its way to Star Street, bringing with it love and tragedy, friendship and heartbreak, and the power to change their lives in the most unexpected of ways...

Read an excerpt here.

About The Author:

Marian Keyes is the international bestselling author of Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, Rachel's Holiday, Last Chance Saloon, Sushi for Beginners, Angels, and, most recently The Other Side of the Story, a Sunday Times Number One Bestseller. She is published in twenty-nine different languages. A collection of her journalism, called Under the Duvet, is also available in Penguin. Marian lives in Dublin with her husband.

My Review:

First off, I need to say that I have never read any of Marian Keyes work. I tend to shy away from romantic fiction for the most part. The reason I chose to read The Brightest Star In The Sky is that it sounded like a really fun read.And I was not disappointed.  Recently I have been reading more "serious" books and I needed a change of pace. And this book was just the change I needed.

The characters in the book are an eccentric bunch and it was very fun to learn about them all (there is a lot of them!). I found it a little hard to initially get "into" the book, as the first few chapters were introductions of the characters but once they all started to intermingle it was a great read. There are a number of different storylines that are weaved throughout the book. I will not give more details, so not to spoil the book. Suffice it to say, though a very fun, easy to read book that was definitely worth 400 pages!

One caution that I have is there is a fair amount of adult content (lanuage and sex scenes in particular), so if you are offended by that, than this would not be the book for you.

I highly recommend this book to those of you that enjoy romantic books, and also, I recommend this as a great Christmas gift for the Marian Keyes fan in your life.

The Brightest Star In the Sky was published November 3, 2009 in paperback and will be released January 2010 in Hardcover.

Buy It: Head over to Amazon.ca or Amazon.com to purchase your copy of The Brightest Star In the Sky

Kenson Parenting "I Can Do It" Reward Chart Review & Giveaway

As a parent of two young children, I am always looking for ideas on how to curb undesirable behavior. Though I do not completely agree with "bribing" a child to change behavior, I do know that behavior modification method do work well with many children.

When I was given the chance to review the "I Can Do It" Reward Chart from Kenson Parenting Solutions I jumped at the chance. Thank you to Kenson Parenting Solutions for sending me a complimentary Reward Chart and all Supplemental packs for the purpose of review and allowing me to host a giveaway (more on that below).

About Kenson Parenting Solutions:

At Kenson Parenting Solutions, we are dedicated to providing parents and caregivers innovative and practical solutions to assist in the development, protection and wellbeing of their children. All of our kid's reward charts and other products have been tested and proven to be beneficial to parents and most importantly your children.

It is our mission to create durable, high quality products that really work and make parenting easier. We will strive to give parents the tools they need to help raise more responsible, self-reliant kids.

Kenson Parenting Solutions also carries a wide array of fun & educational products. Check them out on the website's Product Page.

About the "I Can Do It" Reward Chart:

Children thrive on praise and a little incentive goes a long way. Our reward charts give parents the tools to help raise more self-reliant, responsible kids.

Our reward charts for children have fun, colorful pictures and are easy to use. Kids love earning stars and tracking their progress on our reward charts.

The award winning "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart has been recommended by Supernanny.com.

"I Can Do It!" Reward Chart was given the 2009 Top Choice Award by Creative Child Magazine and has been given the Seal of Approval by The National Parenting Center.

Many children with ADHD thrive on routine and tracking their progress. Our reward charts for kids can help your child. The pictures on our "I Can Get Ready for School!" Reward Chart make it easy to see what tasks are finished and what is left to complete.

We’ve teamed up with educators to bring a new line of reward charts to the classroom setting. We offer a line of charts designed to be used in a preschool, daycare and elementary classroom settings.

About The Supplemental Packs:

Our supplemental packs are made up of extra chores and behaviors that can be used in addition to the original 20 you receive with your "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart. These are the supplemental packs available for use with the "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart:

*15 Behaviors/Family - includes No back talk, No teasing, Tell the truth, Be a good sport, Do a good deed, No tattling, Use only kind words, Keep a positive attitude, No grumbling/complaining, Behave in public, Read a book, Independant play, Help with cooking, Good manners while others talking, Help with groceries
*15 Chores - includes: Pull Weeds, Empty Dishwasher, Put clothes away, Check Mail, Sweep Floor. Dust, Clean toilet, Help with laundry, Mop floor, Vacuum, Mow yard, Walk dog, Rake leaves, Help wash car, Take out trash
*15 School - includes: Do your homework, Practice, Get up on time, Get ready for school, Take a shower, Brush hair/teeth, Eat breakfast, Pack backpack, Wash face, Take medicine/vitamin, Put on Shoes/Coat, Put Things Away, Exercise and 2 Blanks
*5 Christian Living - The "Christian Living" supplemental pack includes: Say your prayers, Read the Bible, Memorize a Verse, Obey, and Act of Kindness
*5 Blank - comes with five blank chore pieces that you can customize yourself
The "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart comes with velcro stars, and you can also buy extra stars when needed. The "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart is recommended for children ages 3- 10 years

There are also 11 other charts available for parents and educators, including the NEW Potty Training System, NEW Babysitter Need To Know List, and NEW Honey Do List....check them all out here.


My Review:

I was very impressed with the "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart and all the supplemental packs.

The chart is laminated and has magnet strips on the back so we hung it on our fridge and low enough that my daughter can put stars on herself. The chart has space for 6 behaviors/chores, and is set up for use with the entire week.

I love that it is bright in color and also includes a spot for the parent to write a goal for number of stars and a reward for the child. Right now we are not using those two parts of the chart, just watching behaviors at this point.

As my daughter is only three, we picked behaviors over school/chores to chart. We went through the age appropriate chart pieces and picked the following: Read The Bible (we read nightly most of the time), Good Manners When Mommy Is On The Phone (big problem in our house), No Whining, Clean Your Mess, Get Along With Others (I have a home daycare so this is great), and Share Your Toys.

We have been charting for about two weeks, and I have definitely seen a decrease in some of my daughters biggest "problem" areas - good manners when I am on the phone and whining. I usually give her one reminder like, "remember the star chart" and her behavior changes most of the time. In fact there has only been a couple days where she did not receive stars for the good manners while I am on the phone.

She gets so excited at the end of the day when its time to "get the stars out!". I have her point to the pictures and tell me what they are, and if she thinks she should get a star for that picture. Then she gets to put the star on herself.

I look forward to using the other supplemental behavior/school/chore/Bible pieces as both my girls grow. I highly recommend this product for any parent or educator. Especially those who might be dealing with problem behaviors or school issues. I feel that this would be a great tool for those parents whose child or children are only showing potential problems as this would likely help to prevent problems from even starting.


BUY IT!: Head over to Kenson Parenting Solutions and purchase your "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart today! If you mention this blog post upon purchasing an "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart, you will receive your choice of either a FREE Blank Pack or Christian Living Supplemental Pack.


WIN IT!: One lucky reader will receive a "I Can Do It!" Reward Chart and all Supplemental Packs (over $40 value)


To Enter: Head over to the Products page and tell me one other product you would love to try.


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OPEN TO U.S. AND CANADA RESIDENTS

GIVEAWAY ENDS DEC. 2/09

Fit For My King Book Review

I have struggled with a weight problem for a long time. I have tried many different diet plans over the years, with none of them having any lasting results. Only in the last 3 years or so have I realized that losing weight is all about a lifestyle change versus a "diet" that lasts only a specific time period.

When I was given the opportunity to review the book, Fit For My King: His Princess 30 Day Diet Plan & Devotional by Sheri Rose Shepard, I jumped at the chance. Any book that incorporates Biblical principles with healthy weight loss sounds like a great combination.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group for sending me a complimentary copy of Fit For My King, for the purpose of review.

About The Book:

Discover the best health and weight-loss secrets found in God's Word!

In this 30 day journey, the bestselling author of His Princess shares how God healed her from an eating disorder, helped her conquer chronic fatigue, and gave her the strength and wisdom to lose over sixty pounds and keep it off. Today, at nearly 50 years old, Sheri Rose is healthy and free. More than a half a million women have been set free through this life changing teaching.

You can win this diet war once and for all! Sheri Rose Shepherd walks through each day with you, supporting you with 30 days of life changing devotions, heartwarming stories, creative cooking, and a daily dose of Scripture to keep you on track. The treasures of truth found in these pages will transform the way you see yourself forever.

About The Author:

Sheri Rose Shepherd is the founder of His Princess Ministries and the author of several books, including the bestselling His Princess: Love Letters from Your King. She was the popular subject of a prime-time Billy Graham special and will be touring with Extraordinary Women in 2010. She lives with her family in Orange County, California.

My Review:

This book was so incredibly encouraging! The book was very well organized into three sections: His Princess Diet Plan, His Princess Devotionals and finally, His Princess Meal Plan and Recipes.
The book is written in an easy to read manner, that encourages the reader on her weight loss journey with every word.

The Diet plan is laid out very simply and is so easy to follow. There is a lot of fasting that is suggested. For example, fasting from white flours, pastas, and sugar substitutes. It also encourages increasing water intake and exercise. These are all things that I already do, so I was much more interested in the other two parts of the book.

The one downfall I had with the exercise plan is that it is suggested that you workout 5 days a week for 25-30 minutes each day. I know that when I started working out regularly, 5 days a week was very discouraging initally. I think its far better to start with 2-3 days and work up as you get into a routine. Particularly if you have never worked out before.

She also encourages working out to praise/Christian music, as it keeps your focus on your King! One thing that Shepard does not mention in the book is to always speak with your physician before starting a new workout/diet to make sure your body is able to handle it.

The devotions are wonderful. They are divided into three parts: the devotion, His Princess in Action (something for the reader to do to learn from) and a Treasure of Truth for Today. I loved them all! I even made a list of all the treasures in my journal for reference.

Finally, the meal plan and recipes are great! She gives alot of preparation ideas for the reader as they work through the 30 days. For example, cutting up fresh vegetables and putting them in plastic bags so they are ready for you to snack on. The recipes, for the most part, use pretty simple ingredients and are easy to prepare. I actually cannot review them per say as I have yet to try any of them, but from reading them, they sound delicious. For example, Awesome Chicken, Apricot and Cabbage Salad.

Throughout the book, Shepard shares the struggles that she has experienced with Bulimia and Chronic Fatique, and how through her relationship with Christ she has been able to work through those issues and become the Princess of God she was always meant to be. The devotionals constantly remind the reader to move on from the past. Jesus has forgiven our past sins and we have to forgive ourselves or we will never be who we are meant to fully be in Christ. One of the Treasures of Truth that Shepard writes is "Don't let your past torment you...let it teach you. Leave the past where it belongs...at the cross".

Fit For My King is available for purchase effective November 12, 2009


BUY IT: Check out Amazon.com and Amazon.ca to purchase your copy of Fit For My King by Sheri Rose Shepard.

Sage Green Bags Review & Giveaway!

I have been trying to live more environmentally friendly over the last three years. I do this in a variety of ways. I recycle, use products that have little to no chemicals in them, reduce plastic by using stainless steel sippy cups for my kids. Another way that I help the earth, is by using reusable tote bags. I use them for everything, carry my Bible and notebook to Bible Study, books back to the library and especially grocery shopping.

So when I heard about Sage Green Bags, I knew I wanted to let my readers know about this great company. Thank you to Sage Green for sending me two complimentary bags for the purpose of review.

I received a canvas bag with "I Love This Planet" on it, as well as a brown designer tote (pictured further down).

About The Company:

Sage Green LLC was born in the spring of 2006 with an ‘aha’ moment from Teri Thomas, the current President. She was introduced to a reusable shopping bag that had taken Ireland, Taiwan, Australia, and South Africa by storm. As a world traveler, Teri was familiar with commerce in many countries and it seemed that the time had come for the United States to embrace the habits that had long been second nature to the rest of the world.

Her passion became the catalyst for educating the people on ways to develop a socially responsible lifestyle through reducing, reusing, and recycling. Sage Green has brought together a team of professionals to give our customers the best customer service and education available. As a result, the success has been monumental.

Sage Green LLC reusable shopping bags were chosen by the television series Wa$ted on the Discovery Channel as products that are emblematic of the need to focus on reusing products over and over throughout our daily lives.


This company specializes in eco-friendly resuable totes for the wholesale market offering companies inexpensive eco-friendly advertising with customized totes, non-woven polyproplyene
bags, canvas bags, jute bags and stainless steel/BPA water bottles.

They also come in a variety of colors and can be personalized for your business or fundraising needs.

My Review:

I love these bags. I especially love the funky design on the brown one! I would much rather do my grocery shopping with a "fashionable" reusable bag versus the hum-drum generic, run of the mill looking bags.

I also really love how big the bigs are. I figured out that I could get, in the two reusable bags I received from Sage Green, the equivalent of seven (yes, 7!) plastic grocery bags!!!! Unbelievable!!!

These bags are strong, can be washed easily (I did not put mine in the dryer) and I love the various colors that can be purchased (including lime green!).

With Christmas just around the corner (only 34 days away!), these would be great stocking stuffers for anyone who wants to do their part to help the earth!

BUY IT: Sage Green Bags products can be purchased online here for the great price of $9.79 for a bundle of 5 (the designer bags) plus shipping!!!!

WIN IT: 2 lucky will win their own Sage Green Bags. One winner will win 2 Canvas Bags, while 1 winner will 4 brown bags!!!!

TO ENTER: Head over to the Sage Green Bags Website and check out the link called My Planet. What is one thing from that page that you are doing to help save our planet?

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. follow this blog

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OPEN TO U.S. ONLY

GIVEAWAY ENDS DEC. 2/09

Cheating Death - Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

An unborn baby with a fatal heart defect . . . a skier submerged for an hour in a frozen Norwegian lake . . . a comatose brain surgery patient whom doctors have declared a "vegetable."

Twenty years ago all of them would have been given up for dead, with no realistic hope for survival. But today, thanks to incredible new medical advances, each of these individuals is alive and well . . .Cheating Death.

In this riveting book, Dr. Sanjay Gupta-neurosurgeon, chief medical correspondent for CNN, and bestselling author-chronicles the almost unbelievable science that has made these seemingly miraculous recoveries possible. A bold new breed of doctors has achieved amazing rescues by refusing to accept that any life is irretrievably lost. Extended cardiac arrest, "brain death," not breathing for over an hour-all these conditions used to be considered inevitably fatal, but they no longer are. Today, revolutionary advances are blurring the traditional line between life and death in fascinating ways.

Drawing on real-life stories and using his unprecedented access to the latest medical research, Dr. Gupta dramatically presents exciting accounts of how pioneering physicians and researchers are altering our understanding of how the human body functions when it comes to survival-and why more and more patients who once would have died are now alive. From experiments with therapeutic hypothermia to save comatose stroke or heart attack victims to lifesaving operations in utero to the study of animal hibernation to help wounded soldiers on far-off battlefields, these remarkable case histories transform and enrich all our assumptions about the true nature of death and life.

About The Author:

Sanjay Gupta, MD, is a practicing neurosurgeon at Emory University Hospital and associate chief of service at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. As well, he is the medical correspondent for CNN, and best selling author of Chasing Life.

My Review:

I love the world of medicine. To me it is simply amazing and intriguing to see the healing that doctors can do and the miracles that happen every day in the world of medicine.

I like shows like ER, and Grey's Anatomy, but I love books and documentaries that examine medical procedures, especially new and upcoming methods. The world of medical science seems to discover new ways to save lives almost daily. This is fascinating to me.

I am a cancer survivor (4+ years) and I know that without the early intervention methods that have been developed in the last 20 years my cancer would have been diagnosed later and ultimately would have been much more advanced than just the stage 1 that is ended up being. I also know that without the medical procedures and research done in the last 20 years, my premature daughter (born at 29 weeks, 6 days) would not only have likely died, but would not be the thriving three year old she is today!

Cheating Death was an incredible read. Gupta covers some of the newest developments in medical procedures known today. I think the chapter that impacted me the most was entitled, "Cheating Death in the Womb". I was simply amazed at what medical professionals can do today with our youngest patients.

Though full of medical terminology, Cheating Death was fairly easy to read, and written in such a way that the reader could grasp, on a most basic level, the various medical procedures and practices written about.

BUY IT: Head over to Amazon.ca or Amazon.com to purchase a copy of Cheating Death by Sanjay Gupta.

WIN IT: 5 lucky readers will win their own copy of Cheating Death by Sanjay Gupta, MD

TO ENTER: Easy peasy! Just comment below on this post or any other post on my blog:) Can't get much easier than that people:)

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OPEN TO CANADA/US RESIDENTS ONLY - NO P.O. BOXES

Giveaway ends December 1/09



****Thanks to Anna Balasi and Hachette Book Group for sending me a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review and for having me host a giveaway!****