TigTagz 4 Kids ~ Review ~

 If you are a parent, you have probably experienced the horror associated with turning and looking and not seeing your kid when they were just "right there".   Though usually they are quickly found (I know my toddler loves to stand right in the "blind spot" created by wearing my infant in the beco, but I digress), when going somewhere with a large crowd, a little piece of mind is in order. 



Some people choose to keep their toddler in a stroller or on a leash (literally), but, even after 3 kids, I am just not a fan of those solutions.   I know some people will pin a business card in the child's pocket (more my speed), but I still fear that card would get lost.  I was recently introduced to a product that is even better than these options.  TigTagz are disposable, customizable, rip-proof bracelets to identify your child and provide an easy way to attach your contact information to their person.

TigTagz come in a variety of cute styles for boys and girls.  You can get blank ones to write on yourself or get them pre-printed with your vital information.  If you are the parent of a child with special needs, TigTagz are a great way to alert people to that need, whether it is a food allergy, autism, diabetes, etc.


Find out more information and buy them at the TigTagz website.


Brandilyn


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Bertolli Weeknight Meal Challenge #BertolliMealSoup

I was recently approached with a challenge.  Prepare a quick and easy weeknight meal using Bertolli's new Meal Soups for 2.  Well since I have a family of 5 I wasn't exactly sure how to best take on said challenge... so I bought 2 varieties of the Bertolli Meal Soups for 2.  Then hubby called and told me he would be late from work... so I let the Kids choose which variety of soup we would make.

They chose the Tomatoe Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken.  And off I went tot he kitchen.  Baby girl in one arm.  Within 15 minutes, we had dinner.

Preparing the soup is easy and fast.  Simply empty the contents of the package into a 2 quart sauce pan.  Add some water and put over high heat until boiling.

Stir it occasionally.  Once it is boiling cover and turn the heat down to let it simmer for 5 or so minutes until piping hot.

Serve by itself or with Salad and Multi-grain bread for a complete meal.

I found 1 package was more than enough for myself and my two older kids.  There was even a little left over for hubby to snack on when he got home.

The flavor lived up to the reputation of other Bertolli frozen meals I have used in the past (tasty).  As you know I am not a huge fan of processed and convenience foods, but I usually have one or 2 Bertolli meals in my freezer for use in a pinch.  I will definitely be adding a couple of their Meal Soups to the freezer.

Find out more:

Facebook: facebook.com/Bertolli

Twitter: twitter.com/Bertolli

Website: villabertolli.com

Brandilyn

Note: I was compensated byBertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Fables of Fortune: What Rich People Have . . . That You Don't Want ~ Review ~

Have you ever wanted to win the lottery?  Have you ever looked at the charmed life of another and longed for the same thing?  Sure you have, everyone has had at least passing thoughts about these things.  Sadly, in the world we live in the term "money is everything" kind of takes on a life of it's own.  You have to have money to survive, but what happens when money is not longer a means of mere survival?  What happens when you have so much money that it loses its meaning?  Even more, what happens when you have never had to lift a finger to earn said money?



All these questions and more are explored in the Fables of Fortune: What Rich People Have . . . That You Don't Want by Richard Watts.

Watts is a lawyer to the "Super-Rich".  The "super-rich" are basically those who have so much money that they don't have to worry about a thing.  We are talking bank accounts in the 9-10 figure range.  The lessons are taught through anecdotes about his real friends and clients.  Watts' purpose is not to say rich people are innately bad.  Rather, his point is to bring to light that money, especially a LOT of money, is innately a corrupter.

Overall it is a very interesting read.  It is not as dry as I expected, given that the author is a lawyer.  Even if you have no desire to ever be super rich, there are lessons in parenting and family that can be gleaned from it's pages. 

Buy it: Author's Website or Amazon


Brandilyn


Note: I received the products in this review for free for purposes of the review.  All opinions are my own.Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

TruKid Dancing Detangler and Sun Screen ~ Review and Giveaway ~

Manageable hair from a product that is Eco-friendly?  I have been trying for YEARS to find that combination.  A product that leaves my 4 year old daughter's hair tangle free and easy to style?  Yep, been looking for that one for a while as well.


I received 2 products from TruKid to review, their Dancing Detangler and their Sunny Days SPF30 suncreen.  My 2 year old then proceeded to abscond with the detangler, take the lid off and pour it down the drain...  So, i ordered a new bottle from Amazon.  While I was there, I decided to give the Silly Shampoo and Bubbly Body Wash a try as well.

TruKid Dancing Detangler has answered my call.  I have been using the shampoo and detangler on my daughter's hair for about 2 weeks now.  I can comb through it wet without a wince, and, once it dries, I find it quite manageable whether down or in a ponytail.  The shampoo and detangler both have a light pleasant, almost fruity, scent without being over powering or sickeningly sweet as so many children's products can be.

I was skeptical about the body wash.  Both my older children suffer from eczema.  My daughter's is rather severe, so I have to be careful about what I use on her.  The TruKid body wash does not make her eczema worse (which is saying a lot, believe me) and does not seem to dry out my son's skin.  Again, the body wash has a pleasant scent.

I actually haven't had much of an opportunity to test the Sunscreen (after a year long drought, January and February have been very, very wet... so not much time outdoors).  The two things I like about it are that it is truly fragrance free, and I find that rubs on easily.  The later is really the one thing I was looking for as my current choice for a natural sunscreen does not do so well in that department.

Buy it:
TruKid is available on Amazon, the TruKid online store and at other fine retailers.
Win it:
TruKid has offered one of my readers their very own TruKid products!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Brandilyn


Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Maestro Classics: The Soldier's Tale ~ Review and Giveaway ~

Being a former band geek, I love classical music.  I will admit that I don't listen to it as much as I once did, but I still enjoy it now and then.  However, I have found getting my kids to appreciate Classical they way I do has been difficult.  They have very short attention spans, you see, and lose interest in music without words.  That is why I wanted to review The Soldier's Tale from Maestro Classics.  The Soldier's Tale is a Audio story set to the music of Stravinsky's work of the same name.  It is done much in the same vein as Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, a favorite of mine as a kid.



The tale tells of a soldier who comes home a leave and over the course repeatedly encounters the devil.  The first encounter involves the Devil, the Soldier's Violin (what is it about the Devil and a Violin), and a book about wealth.  Each subsequent encounter with the Devil leaves the soldier worse and worse off.  It is a cautionary tale about how to find happiness.  The music is performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Other tracks on the CD include and introduction, a short biography of the Stravinsky, and an explanation of the music.  One of my favorite tracks on the CD is #4.  It is a dance remix of the The Soldier's Tale.  The remix takes this Classic and gives it a modern flair.  I am not a fan of "house" music, but I can appreciate a good remix.  This is a good remix.

The CD insert contains a lot of useful information.  There is a brief biography of the composer, an illustrated version of the story, a page about the instruments used and the artist who did the aforementioned remix, another about the players, and a crossword puzzle.  All fun ways to share this CD with your child.

Maestro Classics are the brainchild of the husband and wife team of  Bonnie Ward Simon and Stephen Simon.  The later is the conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and on all Maestro Classics CDs.

You can find this and the entire Maestro Classics line on Amazon or the Maestro Classics website.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Brandilyn

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

Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Blaze of Glory ~ Book Review ~

I don't read as often as I should, or even as often as I would like to.  When I was commuting to work, I at least had audiobooks to appease my imagination.  Now, mostly, my most read authors consist of the like of Dr. Seuss and Beatrix Potter.   So when I get a good book to read (and can find the time to read it), it is a real treat.  I have no problem putting aside a book I don't think will be worth my valuable time.  I, however, could not put aside Blaze of Glory by M. Garzon.  The story just wouldn't let me put it down.


I am not a literary scholar, nor am I a book snob.  Mostly when I do read, however, I like some real classics.  But, I love a good guilty pleasure now and again.  I will say that when I find a book I like, whether a classic by Bronte, a new classic by Rowling, or a guilty pleasure by Sparks, I am voracious about it.  For me a good book has to have 5 things:

1. It has to be a place to escape the every day.  
2. It has to have lead characters that you can empathize with and that you are rooting for despite their flaws.
3. It has to grab your emotions and make you feel what the characters are feeling.
4. It has to get to a point where you just DO NOT want to put it down, where it becomes a part of you for that moment in time.
5. When it ends, you want more.  You NEED More.

I found all of these requirements in Blaze of Glory by Canadian author M Garzon. 

Blaze of Glory grabs you from the beginning with short, but powerful prologue that sets you up perfectly for the emotional roller-coaster that is to come.  You will become so enraptured by the main characters, that you will find yourself staying awake past your bed time reading by the light of  your Kindle (or book light, if you are so inclined).  You will cry with them, seethe with them, hurt with them, and love with them. 

You don't have to know a thing about the horse world to love this book.   Blaze of Glory, set in rural Ontario, near Toronto, follows Tea (pronounced Tay-a) on her journey to greatness with her prize winning jumper Blaze.  As she battles her step father Dec, eschews her cousin Jaden, and consorts with her twin brother Seth and best friends Julia and Teri, her world is suddenly turned up side down.  Slowly, she brings herself back up right with help from the most unlikely of sources, until she realizes there is more there than should be.  We then find Tea grappling her own emotions and passions as she tries desperately to indulge and suppress her deepest desires at the same time.

Each character you encounter is well designed and multifaceted, even the horses.  You know their flaws and love them despite, or maybe because of them.  In the end, you are rooting for the main characters, even though there is a part of you that wonders if you should or not.  Blaze of Glory is a sweet, well conceived love story.  It is a tale of forbidden love that will thrill you in spite of yourself.  It allows an escape into a world that is not your own, but one where you can stay a while.

The rumor is that there is a sequel in the works, and I for one, am eagerly anticipating it.  It has, also, been optioned for a TV series!

You can purchase Blaze of Glory at Amazon (Paperback or Kindle editions).  There is also a non-Kindle ebook version available for a short time that you can find here.   You can find the author on Facebook and Twitter.

Note: I wrote a review on Amazon for the book. I didn't include it here as it contains some spoilers.  You are welcome to read it, of course. 

Brandilyn

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega D3 ~ Review ~

Even before my current "health kick", Omega-3 capsules have been part of my daily routine.  The thing with Omega-3 supplements is that they are great for you, if you find quality ones.  Unfortunately, you don't always know what you are getting when it comes to Omega-3 supplements.  Nordic Naturals provides some of the highest rated such supplements.  In Nordic Naturals' own words:

At Nordic Naturals we believe that omega oils are essential
to life. By correcting the global omega-3 deficiency we
give each generation what they need to grow healthy and
strong. Through science and innovation, we are committed
to delivering the world’s safest, most effective omega oils.

Ones of their most popular and successful Omega-3 products is Ultimate Omega-D3.  Ultimate Omega D3 contains unprecedented levels of the Fatty acids EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in addition to 1000UI of Vitamin D3.  Vitamin D3 is the natural form of Vitamin D and is more readily absorbed by the body than other forms.  These nutrients are combined into one slightly lemony serving with no fishy aftertaste. 

It is this product that I have been taking for a few weeks now.  This is not the first I had heard of Nordic Naturals, but this was the first time I tried it.  I am hooked.  I know of many Midwives who recommend Nordic Naturals by name to their pregnant patients.  While I am not currently pregnant, that recommendation has stuck with me.  At the time I has taking a prenatal w/ DHA in it so I didn't think anything more about it, but as I learn more about the Omega Oils, I wish I had.  Can't change the past, but I can make a better future.  I believe that future will continue to include Nordic Natural's Omega Oils.  They also have a Children's DHA product that I will be checking out for my kids.



Find Nordic Naturals on the Web or on Facebook

Also, don't forget to check out their "What's Essential" contest for a chance to a trip for 2 to Santa Cruz, Camera, or a 1 year supply of Nordic Naturals products.  You can read my entry here. 

Join us on February 21st at 8pm EST for a Nordic Naturals #What'sEssential Twitter Party!!! More information here

Brandilyn

I received one or more products for free for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

An Alphabet Trip to the Limerick Zoo Full Color eBook ~ Review ~

On the couch, in a curl, there's a Cat
And all that she'll do is to nap.
Is it my cat I see?
Or does kitty own me?
Would somebody please tell me that?

That is just one of 26 such limericks you will find in An Alphabet Trip to the Limerick Zoo.  If you didn't guess by the title, there is one for each letter of the alphabet. Yep, there is even one for X.  Have you ever heard of a a Xenops?  I hadn't, but apparently they are a bird species that lives in the Rainforest.  Who knew, right?  Each limerick is also accompanied by a cute drawing.

In the included coloring book, all the limericks are present, as well as line drawing versions of the illustrations to use a coloring pages.   This book is a great resource for teachers, classroom or home school.  It can be used, obviously, to teach about the alphabet.  As a homes school teacher, I would also use these poems to teach about the limerick form and poetry in general.  I would also use the limericks individually in many animal discussions.  The rhythm intrinsic in the limerick style holds children's attention, yet the subject of each poem remains easy to understand.

I have this eBook loaded up on my Kindle Fire, but you could easily use it on any Nook, iPad, other tablet, or even just your computer.

Buy it: Click here to purchase

Brandilyn

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

The Chapel Chronicles ~ Review and Giveaway ~

Emma T Capps.  Not someone you have heard of?  Maybe not, but I am sure you will some day.  What makes me say this?  Well, she has talent.  At the age of 14 she is already an award winning cartoonist, author, and artist in addition to being published in multiple trade magazines.  Her signature strip is called "The Chapel Chronicles".  I recently had the pleasure of reading her first series worth of Chapel Chronicle strips.



The Chapel Chronicles follow Chapel Smith, a big haired, hat obsessed, 11 year old.  You follow her through battles with her babysitter, battles with her chores, the birth of a GaGa love affair, her adoption of a prickly "puppy", and finally you take a trip down the rabbit hole with Chapel.  I admit, I didn't "get" some of the references (namely some of the GaGa references) as I from a different generation, but I was still able to appreciate the subtle humor and artistic ability of Capps.

Capps is an author after my own heart, working in references to all my geeky favorites including Dr. Who, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Hatty Potter, Star Wars, Battlestar Gallactica, and Farscape, among others.  Just seeing the different hats she comes up with is quite enjoyable.

Now in the ninth grade, Capps is being homeschooled.  That should allow her more time to hone her craft and expand her comic to new markets.  She has already attended a number of conventions and expos where she has been honored repeatedly for her talents.

“Her artwork is simple and engaging, and her storytelling is charmingly wonderful as she spins each yarn throughout the comic.” –Robert Sodaro, Examiner.com

She has also expanded the Chapel Chronicles into a line of Greeting Cards and has recently began offering her work in Spanish as well as English.  I encourage you to check out her work.

You can find her on the web and of course Facebook.

The author has graciously offered one of my readers their own Chapel gift set.

The Chapel Chronicles Collectibles. Designed by Emma T Capps, a basket of The Chapel Chronicles, Volume One, a 45 page all-ages comic book (hand-drawn and in color) consisting of the first 31 four-panel comic strips in the webcomic series entitled The Chapel Chronicles. In addition, 10 Thank You postcards, 5 pins, 3 keychains, one charm (with cellphone strap), and one print. You can see all of these items at www.chapelchronicles.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
Brandilyn

I received one or more products for free for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Shaklee Home Products ~ Review ~

A Few weeks ago a received a large box on my doorstep from Shaklee Corp.  I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box.  It contained a set of Eco-Friendly cleaners from Shaklee's Get Clean line.  I received a bottle of their Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate, Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Wipes, Germ Off Disinfecting Wipes, Scouring Off Heavy Duty Paster, 3 Spray bottles, an eye dropper, and a measuring spoon.  The later two were to measure the concentrate into the spray bottles to create Glass Cleaner, Degreaser, and an All-Purpose Cleaner (essentially the same as the wipes).



Well I took the box as a sign I should probably clean my house a little more often, so I did.  I have been using the Shaklee line in place of my usual array of cleaners for about 2 weeks or so.  Overall, I am very pleased.  They worked as well or better than all of my "standard" products, and I feel a lot better about using them.  The Basic H2 line does not give me a headache to use like so many of the chemical based cleaners out there.  Also, this line is VERY economical.  You use anywhere from a few drops to a couple of teaspoons of concentrate and fill the remainder of the spray bottle with plain old tap water.  I was skeptical after seeing just how little "cleaner" was put in each bottle, but this stuff really works.

I am not 100% sold on the glass cleaner, but I have not found a "Green" alternative that works any better on glass than the Basic H2O.

My 4 year old's favorite part is that we will let her help clean with these products!  I don't feel like the kids need to leave the room while I clean.  M sprays and I wipe (or vice versa).  She loves it and it teaches her valuable chores for use later.

Their Get Clean line also include dish, hand, and laundry products that I am interested to check out.

Buy Shaklee or find Shaklee on the web: Facebook    Twitter    Pinterest

I challenge you to look at the products you use and see just what chemicals you are using to clean your home.  http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/

Brandilyn

I received one or more products for free for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

CrindelStar - Where The Universe Dreams ~ Review and Giveaway ~

I recently had the opportunity to review a fantastic little children's story by the name of CrindelStar - Where The Universe Dreams.  Crindelstar is the brainchild of Gigi de Lugo, an award winning music publisher who now brings us this wonderful unicorn song and story. If you are a lover of stories with a message, this is definitely a great one.  The story and the packaging both have a message to offer!



Lets start with the packaging.  There isn't any!  When you purchase the album you will receive a custom designed card made of handmade paper that has been impregnated with wildflower seeds.  On the back of the card you will find a unique download code that will allow you to download the .mp3 version of the story and the accompanying theme song.  You can plant the entire card and watch the wildflowers grow.  Definitely a project I am going to take on with my 4 year old this spring!  It does not get much "greener" than that.

The second message is in the story itself.  It is a timeless story that can be shared with your kids and grandkids to help them understand that they are special.  I listened to it with my 4 year old and it held her attention well.  Crindelstar - Where the Universe Dreams is a cute little tale of a girl, Maria, facing peer pressure to give up her belief in her beloved unicorns.  This pressure is bringing her to tears as the story begins.  This pain goes out into the universe and the universe answers by sending the mythical Crindelstar to the girl.  Through the interactions between Maria and CrindelStar we learn many life lessons including that all of us are special and our uniqueness is needed to make the world a better place.  In the end Maria and CrindelStar save each other.

I plan to keep this story on hand and will come back to it time and again as my children grow and develop.

The publisher has kindly offered a download card for me to giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Brandilyn

Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Note: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (http://momblogsociety.com)     

Clipa The No-Hassle Purse Hook ~ Review ~

You go into a restaurant with a heavy diaper bag filled with all the essentials that you just can't do without.  In an effort to keep said bag off the dirty germy ground, you place said diaper bag on the back of your chair.  Then it happens *BAM* the chair fails under the strain of the dead weight you carry around in the name of your kids.  Then the whole restaurant turns to look at you while you try to discretely pick up your bag while keeping your kids from eating the sugar packets.  Never happened to you?  Either you are lucky or you are lying.  Even if you are lucky enough to be past the diaper bag phase, you still probably carry some sort of purse or bag filled with sanitizer, your wallet, your phone, and endless toys and other ways to keep the kids (or yourself or your spouse) entertained.  Purses and bags are ubiquitous in a woman's life.  Yet when you walk into a restaraunt to have a nice meal, your only choice is to put your life line on the ground.  Who knows what else has been on that ground and what kind of yuckiness (yes that is a scientific word) to which your purse might become home.

Enter the Clipa: The No-Hassle Purse Hook.  I have items like this before and thought there was no way they could stand up to my mega bag.  I have wondered time and again HOW they stay on the table and how long they might last.  I was recently sent a polished silver Clipa to review.  The Clipa is different from many purse hooks that I have seen in that they are designed to safely hold 45 lbs.  I tested it with my full stocked diaper back (complete with Cloth Diapers, clothes for 3 kids, a laptop, Kindle Fire, toys, my wristlet, and more).

It held!  

Features include:

• Understated and elegant
• Stays right on the handbag for instant access
• A purse accessory that gets used
• Circular shape with wide opening makes the ideal purse hanger
• Hangs most anywhere
• Durable, heavy duty construction - holds up to 45 lbs
• Non-slip pads on both clip arms
• Can be worn as a bracelet or bangle
• Gift boxed

The Clip I received definitely has lived up to its potential and has become a permanent fixture on my over-stuffed diaper bag.

Brandilyn


Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Fit Moms For Life by Dustin Maher ~ Review and Giveaway ~

If you have read this blog for more than about 5 minutes, you probably have a good idea what I am about to say.  As you know I signed up for Dustin Maher's first ever Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge which began on February 1st.  As part of that I received an electronic copy of his book Fit Mom's For Life: How to Have Endless Energy and Outplay Your Kids along with the first workout in his Fit Moms For Life DVD series and a few other goodies.  Well a couple of weeks ago, I was approached by his team to write a review of the book.  I will admit it, I had not read it at that point, but, while I waited for my hard copy to get here, I loaded my PDF version up on my Kindle Fire and dove right in.

I knew some of what he was talking about already from watching the first DVD of his Fit Moms For Life DVD series as well as from my personal experience with strength training in the past.  The book is well written and grounded in reality.   It is not tedious to read; I, actually, really enjoyed reading it.  Throughout the book he gives you "homework" to do.  He encourages you to really look at yourself and look at why you want to make a change.  Then he gives you the tools to make those changes.  You can see the results of my homework throughout this blog.

I know there are many many many "fad" diet and workout programs out there.  Many of which only offer a short term solution.  As a result, I know many of you are thinking "oh great, yet another one".  But what makes Fit Moms for Life different, and what makes me so passionate about sharing his program with you, is that it IS NOT a fad.  The program is not a "quick fix" and the models are not paid spokespeople who have never lifted a weight in their lives.  They are real moms who have real lives, real problems, and made a real change.  Dustin does not suggest in any way that this will be easy.  His brand of workout is intense.  In his book, as well as his other programs, he focuses on strength first, followed by intense burst cardio, and finally core work.   The program touted in Fit Moms for Life is about building strength and muscle because muscle burns more energy (i.e. calories) more efficiently.

Even if you have watched his DVDs, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book as well.  It gives you not only Dustin's philosophy on working out but also his approach to eating well.  This is another reason I love this program.  Fit Mom's for Life encourages a "no crap diet" as Maher calls it.  Basically it is about eliminating from your diet those things which "your grandmother would not eat" and focusing on whole foods.  This is something we all know we SHOULD be doing, but this book gives you a lot of the reasons why.

In the final parts of the book Maher suggests ways to stick to your routine.  He encourages goal setting, positive thinking, and community.  All of which are concepts that anyone can and should adopt.  He is passionate about helping moms because we are raising the future.  He has a goal to reach 1 million moms by 2015.  Moms are the heads of their houses (sorry Dads, but moms really do have the control).  In general they are in charge of what the kids do and how they eat.  By setting a good example, serving healthy meals, and teaching their children to be active and eat well, they are ensuring that their children don't have to fight so hard against obesity as our generation has done.  That is a very noble goal.

Oh and I almost forgot my favorite part of the book!  I was saving it for last... At the end of each of the chapters are 2-3 success stories.  These stories are written by the women themselves.  They each have different backgrounds and have walked different roads, but each have made a change.  There is someone you to whom can relate.

Okay now that you have my opinion here is the "pitch":

Fit Moms for Life is perfect for Mothers (and womenin general) who want a fitness program that works. Dustin Maher says:

• Traditional Cardio Doesn’t Lose Fat
• You Can’t Work Out to Compensate for Poor Eating
• See Results 9 Times Faster With Burst Training
• Learn ONE Exercise That Shrinks a Waistline WITHOUT diet changes
• Burn Fat While You Sleep
• A Healthy Environment Equals A More Fit Family

Buy it: Amazon or the Fit Moms for Life website


Win it:  Dustin Maher Fitness would like to give one of my lucky readers their very own copy of Fit Moms for Life: How to Have Endless Energy to Outplay Your Kids

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
Brandilyn

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book for free to review.  All opinions are my own.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

ChicaLogic Password Manager Software ~ Review and Giveaway ~

If you don't know me in real life you may not know that I worked in IT for almost 10 years.  Many of those years were spent specifically focused on Information Security.  As such I am a little, um, picky about my software.  I also LOVE to support women in technology.  When I was approached to review the ChicaLogic Password Manager software, I was hesitant, because I already have a password management software that I love, trust, and have used for many years.  But my desire to support women in technology won out.

Password management software is essential to help keep your identity protected online.  You should never reuse password across sites and you should always use strong, hard to guess passwords.  Many people break both of the rules on a regular basis because it is just too hard to remember so many and such complex passwords.  Password Management software helps alleviate the need to remember all those passwords and enables you to have those secure and unique passwords across your digital identity, making it harder for identity thieves to target you.

The software is simple enough to install and configure.  I allows you to import any passwords you have saved from your web browsers.  It supports Internet Explorer, Apache, Chrome, and Safari among others.  Firefox, Chrome and Apache require additional plug-ins to be installed, but that is taken care of during the installation and configuration.

It also allows you to choose how you will unlock access to the passwords (none - not recommended, Password, USB Key, Bluetooth Device).  For the purpose of this review I used Password Protection.  You should be sure this is a unique and complex password and don't forget get it!

As you can see above any time you create a password through this software it will give you a strength indicator to tell you how strong the password is.  After configuration the software will give you an opportunity to import your accounts from your existing software:

It will also ask you to disable to password storage systems that are built in to the browser itself and clear the cache of those passwords.  This is for the protection of your passwords as those storage locations are not as secure.

Using the software is pretty straight forward as well.  With many types and ways to add accounts.

The software is designed to autofill forms and logins for you utilizing the information stored within its database.  You know that it is active in your browser by a pink lock in the upper right corner.  You can also use this lock to access the features of the software available from within the browser.

ChicaLogic Password Manager is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 32-bit Windows 7 (Though it ran fine on my 64-bit system, it did not work with the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer.) I tested the software with the 32-bit version of IE on that ships with my 64 bit Windows 7 system.

Once you own the software, however, all updates are free, so as these incompatibilities are worked out, you will not have to buy a new version!  This password management software allows you to easily have unique and secure for each of your online accounts with out the need to remember hundreds of passwords.  Something that is essential in today's online world. 

Try it yourself:  They offer a 30-day free trial or you can buy the full version for $29.95

Win it: Chica Logic has graciously offered THREE of my readers a full version of their Password Management Software! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Brandilyn

Notes:  I compensation for this review from ChicaLogic.  All opinions are my own.
Note 2: My review does not constitute an attestation of the security of this software.  I only tested functionality.
Note 3: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Farmer Jason Nature Jams ~ Review and Giveaway ~

Ever heard of Farmer Jason, aka Jason Ringenberg?  What about Jason and the Scorchers? Yeah, me neither.  That being said, I am always looking for new music for my kids that doesn't make me want to rip my ears off.  My children's music selection is actually pretty small, it currently consists of Barenaked Ladies (they are a band, eh), They Might Be Giants, Imagination Movers, Ralph's World, and the "For the Kids" series.  Well, I have now added one more CD to that collection, Farmer Jason and Buddies: Nature Jams.

I like this CD because it does more than entertain, it teaches the listener about nature and science.   The music tracks are intermixed with introductory tracks that talk a bit about the subject of the upcoming song.   Each track encourages the listener to get outside, be active, and be part of nature.  A lesson we can all heed.  The songs are catchy and each have their own style.  The lyrics are simple enough that a child can listen and understand the song and its message.  As a homeschooler, I listen to this CD and my wheels start turning about how to incorporate it into our lessons.  My 4 year old was jamming out to a few of the tracks.

Each track has a special guest on it and covers a different nature-related topic.  The topics range from parks to manatees to spelunking.  My personal favorite is the track entitled "The Moose Lives Where?" with one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time, Todd Snyder.  Some other names you will find are Ruthie Foster, Suzy Bogguss, Hank Williams III, Brandi Carlile, Mike Mills of REM, Steve Gorman of Black Crowes, and Tom Petersen of Cheap Trick.

I almost forgot the best part, at least for my TV loving kids (yeah, I know, I know, but that is a post for another time) is the bonus DVD that has videos for 4 of the songs.  The videos are a mix of live action and superimposed animation showing Farmer Jason and a group of kids outside having fun.  

This entire CD/DVD set is well appointed to encourage our kids to get off the couch, get out in nature, and have fun.  You can not beat that message, in my opinion. 

Buy it: This wonderful CD/DVD combo will be available on 14 February.

Win it: I have been authorized to give away a copy of this CD/DVD combo on one lucky reader!  Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brandilyn


Note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It

Note: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (http://momblogsociety.com)     

Wholesale Keychains ~ Review and Giveaway ~

I was recently approached with a rather interesting proposal for a review... Keychains.  I thought to myself, "Self, how on earth do you review a Keychain?".  The client was a not-so-famous website WholesaleKeychain.com.  It is a handy little site with hundreds of keychains and good prices.  They have something every personality.  They offered me two keychains of my choice for review and one like keychain to give away.   I though why not.  Then to choose my keychains... I thought about a Texas A&M Keychain (my Alma Mater), then I thought about a fun cartoon themed one, or I could have chosen a sports themed one, a mini game, automotive one, or so many more.  In the end, I wanted to review a good selection so simple metal teardrop one in black that I could have engraved on the front and a digital photo frame in purple.  



Here is what I received:

The metal Teardrop keyring seems to be well made.  Such key chains can be engraved with up to 3 lines of text or a company logo.  I simply had 3 initials engraved.  The sight talks about (And shows) the engraving being on the front, but it was done on the back.  The engraving seems well done where it is.  This is definitely a giftable item and for much less money than a similar key chain from one of my favorite sites, Things Remembered.  I am going to put it back for fathers day (don't tell my husband).

The second key chain was a little more fun.  It is a small digital photo key chain.  The have 3 models to choose from, including one that comes with a little stand.  I thought about that one, but the key chain itself was a little more bulky that I usually like in a key chain.  For reference, I have a Coach photo key chain on one set of "keys" and a plain key ring on the other.  Yes, I break my key chains down and only have one car worth and a house key on each. But, I digress.   I ordered purple, but received pink.  All the digital photo key chains can be personalized, I did not choose this option.

TAO Photo Transfer Software

Cropping Picture to Fit

I was quite curious about the quality of the photos contained on the key chain and was pleasantly surprised.  Obviously, they don't hold my full high-resolution 14 megapixel photos straight off my camera, but they are definitely high enough quality you can see subject of the photo.  The key chain holds 120 square pictures.  You connect the key chain to your computer with the included USB cable. The transfer software (included on the key chain itself) takes care of converting them to the necessary lower resolution and allows you some ability to choose how the photo is cropped.  Transfer time (even for 120 pictures) is quite fast.  The key chain contains a rechargeable battery and is recharged by connecting to your computer via the USB cable.  The key chain automatically is configured for a slide show, but you can use the buttons on the back to scroll through the photos.  This would be a fun gift for a new parent (or anyone that likes to share pictures with everyone they meet).

In short, I had no problems with the products I received.  They are the quality I expected and function as expected.

Buy it: Visit WholesaleKeychain on the web.
 
Win it Below
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Brandilyn

Note: I was provided the keychains free to review.  Regardless, all opinions are my own.  This post may contain affiliate links.
Pin It