Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy Blog Tour {Giveaway - Ends 2/21} (CLOSED)

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner listed below.

A great new fictional novel arrived this month from new author Nelle Davy. The Legacy of Eden is a book about a family's dark past.  When Meredith hears about a death in the family, her past she thought she left behind starts to come back.

THE LEGACY

OF EDEN

By

NELLE DAVY

February 2012

“Combine Daphne DuMaurier with Jane Smiley, and you'll get THE LEGACY OF EDEN.

This dark tale of a golden farm family is a wonderfully Gothic read.”

—Jenna Blum, bestselling author of Those Who Save Us and The Stormchasers

Unfettered ambition, familial schisms and dark secrets abound in THE LEGACY OF EDEN (MIRA Books, February 2012, $15.95 U.S./$18.95 CAN.), the masterful literary debut by Nelle Davy, in which a woman recounts her family’s deeply troubled and tragic history as she prepares to return to the once-grand estate she fled almost two decades earlier.

When New York sculptor Meredith Pincetti receives a letter from a law firm, alerting her to the death of her cousin, she is suddenly confronted by her disturbing past—a past she successfully escaped and buried seventeen years ago.

Informed that Aurelia, the once-grand Iowa estate and farm where she was raised, is to be sold at auction to settle her late cousin’s debts, Meredith resolves to return to her family homestead and collect the few possessions that belonged to her parents. 

In doing so, Meredith recalls the spectacular rise and disastrous fall of the Hathaway family beginning with her grandfather, Cal’s, dreams and ending with his utter disappointments.  We experience her grandmother, Lavinia’s, iron will and ceaseless machinations to ensure that her vision of Aurelia comes to pass.  As Aurelia thrives, becoming the largest farm in the county, behind the veneer things are crumbling.  Dissipation, brutality and betrayal find fertile ground in the next generation of Hathaways.  Seemingly idyllic childhoods precede the exile and return of Hathaways from multiple generations—including Meredith. 

And, as Meredith returns to Aurelia, she is forced to confront her own role in her family’s tortured fall from grace.  What part did she play in the events that took place during her adolescence two decades earlier?  How does her festering relationship with her sisters mirror similar connections between her father’s and grandfather’s siblings?  What secrets did she leave behind when she fled Iowa for New York? 

Though founded and overseen by male Hathaways, it is the women—Lavinia and her sister-in-law, Piper; Julia, Cal’s daughter from his first marriage; Meredith and her sisters, Claudia and Ava—who play pivotal roles in shaping the events that occur at Aurelia.  And, ultimately, it is they who reveal its unspeakable secrets.

  THE LEGACY OF EDEN is available wherever books are sold, and at www.MIRABooks.com.

THE LEGACY OF EDEN

NELLE DAVY

$15.95 U.S./$18.95 CAN.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-2955-8

Nelle Davy was born in Grenada in 1984 and was raised in London within an Anglo-Caribbean family. She studied English with creative writing at the University ofWarwick and then undertook a master of philosophy degree in creative writing at Trinity College Dublin. She currently lives in London with her husband, where she works in publishing. THE LEGACYOF EDEN is her first novel and she is currently working on her second.

If you are interested in reading part of the story, you can follow along the scavenger hunt with this blog tour. It runs all month long. There is plenty of time to start at the beginning and see a new passage each day. You can find the list for the scavenger hunt here:  http://booktrib.com/?page_id=152294&preview=true.

The Legacy of Eden book is available in stores and online now. And if you'd like to get a copy for yourself, I have one to giveaway here! Enter in the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*

Boo! Shampoo & Leave-in Conditioner

Do you worry about your children this time of year? Not only are the germs going around at school, but so is the lice. Yuck! It makes me itchy just thinking about it. It's tough when I have to send my kid to school in a hat and coat because it's cold. And I know that hat and coat hangs right by everyone else's in the class. So far we have not had problems being exposed to lice in Kindergarten, but if we do I will turn to So Cozy Boo! Shampoo and Leave-in Conditioner.


This special shampoo and conditioner will help repel lice. Now you don't have to worry about your child getting it at all. Just start using it if there's an outbreak at your children's school. Or you can use it all season for further precautions.

Boo! Shampoo and Boo! Leave-In Conditioner, created by kids’ hair authority Cozy Friedman,are gentle enough for everyday use and include ingredients that add body, shine and strength to your child’s hair.  Both contain the invigorating scent of fresh tea tree oil. Designed to be used together for maximum defense, the Boo! duo also provides protection from other insects such as ticks. The set includes:
 

• Boo! Shampoo ($14.50): Scare lice away with natural repellents like pure tea tree, rosemary and lavender oils.  Good-for-you ingredients such as aloe and panthenol soothe the scalp and add body and shine.  To use, apply a modest amount to wet hair and massage into a low lather. Leave in for up to five minutes and rinse.

 

• Boo! Leave-In Conditioner ($14.50): This lightweight detangling spray keeps lice on the run with repellent ingredients including tea tree, rosemary and lavender oils. Ultra-healthy aloe, calendula, and wheat protein soothe the scalp, strengthen hair and prevent damage from blow drying. To use, lightly mist over the hair and scalp and brush or comb through.  Ideal for use following Boo! Shampoo, the formula can also be applied to dry hair while playing outdoors or anytime you want to strengthen the line of lice defense. 

It's easy to use the Boo! Shampoo & Leave-in Conditioner. You just use the shampoo at bath-time like usual. The conditioner can be used any time. You can put it on after bath and leave it sit in the hair or you can use it anytime you know your children need to keep the bugs away. And my favorite part is that these products are made with natural ingredients that help and are good for you too.


You can find the Boo! Shampoo & Leave-in Conditioner at any one of Cozy’s Cuts for Kids three New York City locations: 1125 Madison Avenue and 84^thStreet, 212.744.1716; 448 Amsterdam Avenue at 91^st Street, 212.579.2600; and 1416 Second Avenue, 74^th Street, 212.585.COZY, or by visiting www.socozy.com.




*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*

Colgate Optic White Toothpaste

Keeping my teeth clean and smile white is important. I think your smile is one of the first things other people notice. I want to do all the little, easy things that I can to keep mine great. With the new Colgate Optic White Toothpaste I can clean my teeth while I'm whitening them. It's supposed to work just as well as white strips, but you're doing it while brushing your teeth. It can't get easier than that.

NOT ALL WHITENING TOOTHPASTES ARE CREATED EQUALLY 

New Colgate Optic White Toothpaste Features the Same Whitening Ingredient as Strips for Whiter Teeth in One Week **

Contrary to what most people believe, not all whitening toothpastes are the same. In fact, most whitening toothpastes only remove surface stains. NEW Colgate Optic White whitens teeth from the inside out. Colgate Optic White's unique technology features Hydrogen Peroxide -the same whitening ingredient as strips- making it more convenient to achieve special occasion whitening every day. 

How It Compares...

Colgate Optic White Toothpaste
- Features Hydrogen Peroxide, the same whitening ingredient as strips, for whiter teeth in one week**
-Removes stains from the inside out
-Contains Silica to remove surface stains on teeth 

Ordinary Whitening Toothpaste-Contains Silica to remove surface stains on teeth 

Did you know...- Colgate Optic White's deep whitening power safely whitens teeth from the inside out, for a whiter teeth in one week, with results that improve with daily use, each week. Based on a four week clinical study.
- The enamel-safe abrasive technology of Colgate Optic White whitens by removing surface stains on teeth every time you brush.
- Colgate Optic White's unique formula is available in a Sparkling Mint flavor, helping to freshen breath while whitening teeth every day. 

Available in mass retail, drug and grocery stores beginning in September 2011, Colgate Optic White toothpaste will have a suggested retail price of $4.29 (5.5 oz) and $3.79 (4.0 oz), and the Colgate 360 Optic White toothbrush will have a suggested retail price of $4.49. 

*With a gentler 1% hydrogen peroxide concentration. **Whiter teeth start in 1 week. For best results, use as directed for 4 weeks.

My husband and I have been using this toothpaste for a few weeks not. I like the minty flavor of it. And I like the idea of it whitening my teeth. It seems easier to do that while I'm brushing my teeth instead of having to use separate whitening strips that take time to work.

While I like the idea of the whitening toothpaste, honestly I haven't noticed much change in the color of my teeth. It is getting them nice and clean and leaving my with fresh breath. My teeth are just not white. They've never been really white and I'm not sure anything short of a professional whitening would make a difference.

If you want to give Colgate Optic White Toothpaste a try, see what it has to offer- http://www.colgate.com/app/ColgateOralCare/Whitening/ColgateOpticWhite/US/EN/HomePage.cwsp. You can purchase it in stores everywhere now.


*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*

SpiceRackSource.com

Looking for a way to keep your kitchen looking nice and clutter free? Organizing your cupboards and pantry is a great way to start. Many times all the little things that get stored in there get chaotic and leave it looking messy. One way to stop the problem with all the little jars of spices and seasonings is to find a good spice rack.

SpiceRackSource.com has a big variety of kitchen spice racks that will help you keep your spices organized and easy to reach. What I like is they have many different types to choose from. You can find countertop spice racks, wall mount spice racks, in drawer spice racks and more. The prices range for low to high. It's all up to your tastes and what you're looking for. But if what you need is spice racks, this website is the place to be.


*This post was brought to you by your friends at spiceracksource.com.*

GoalForIt.com

We're just past the first of the year. And it seems spring is just around the corner. You know what that means, right? No, not bunnies and flowers...it means spring cleaning and organizing.

I'm always looking for ways to stay more organized, plan and keep track of goals. Now I found a website that can help me with that. Goalforit.com is a great way to have a more focused and balanced life. They have easy-to-use goal charts for adults and children. This free chore chart can help teach kids, tweens and teens many important lessons, including:

• Responsibility: A Chore Chart is an ideal way to help your kids feel like they are making a contribution to their family by doing their part around the house.
• Understanding right from wrong: Setting behavior goals is an important way to help children strengthen their character and judgment.
• Healthy Habits: Teaching good habits involving nutrition and physical activity are the cornerstone to prevent obesity in children and adolescents.
• Money Matters: The optional point system teaches children three important lessons for managing money, earning, spending and saving.

I set up an account with Goalforit.com very easily. And as soon as you're signed up, you can begin. You can customize your list for your child. Just include the chores you want them to do or goals they can reach. And each day they can mark off when they did this. It's easy to give each chore a monetary value, so they can see how much they are earning towards their allowance every week. You can also change the look and theme of the chart to be fun and personal for your child.

There are also To Do Lists and other things that you can set up for yourself. It's easy to use. And one of my favorite features is you can have an email sent to you each day to remind you (or your child) to fill out their chart. Then it's not something that you set up and forget about. The friendly little reminder makes it easier to log in and take care of the list quickly. And you can check in on an older child to see what chores they've completed for that day/week.

Goalforit.com is a great resource for families. Since it's so easy to set up and use, you will have problems starting today. And even better, you can use their website for FREE! Go try it today and see how much it can help you stay organized and goal oriented.



*I wrote this post while participating in a campaign from MomSelect and Goalforit.com.*

Super Bowl Snacks

Will you be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday? This year will be Giants vs. Patriots. We're cheering for the Giants here, since none of our favorite teams made it this year.

A big part of the Super Bowl is the food. I've heard before that the Super Bowl is the 2nd largest food consumption day in the US, second only to Thanksgiving. Football and food go hand in hand...especially when it comes to the Super Bowl.

What will you do for the Super Bowl this year? We sometimes stay home and host a party here. We've celebrated the Super Bowl different ways before. We have stayed home, we've hosted parties, we've gone to parties at friends houses, and years ago we used to get together with my family (who are big football fans). No matter what we do it's always a blast. Whether you watch for the game or the commercials, the Super Bowl is always entertaining.

What kind of foods do you like for watching the Super Bowl? We've done a little of everything. Appetizers, potluck with friends, chili, ordered pizza, subs and more. My favorite would probably be preparing appetizers. This was it's easy for everyone to grab little bites of food when they are hungry. You can have a big plate or just keep going back to the kitchen for more all night. And small, easy to eat appetizers are great so you never have to take your eyes off the game.

This year we decided just to stay home. Since having a kid we're never able to do anything past halftime of the Super Bowl anyway. He always needs to go to bed, and he will especially this year since he has school in the morning. Actually his normal bedtime (school nights) is just after kickoff. We'll see how he does (maybe he'll take a nap Sunday), and he'll probably get to stay up a little later than normal. But I'm not letting him stay up to watch the whole game.

Just because we're the only ones watching the game, doesn't mean that we can have good snacks. I have prepared a little menu that has a little of everything. And I thought of things that I already had on hand to use. This made buying extras a little easier and cheaper too. Here's what I'm serving on Sunday- Bourbon Dogs, Western Potato Rounds, Homemade Soft Pretzels, and Knock-You-Naked Brownies. And you can find all these recipes below...in case you need some Super Bowl inspiration or they just sound good.

Enjoy! And whatever you do for the Super Bowl, have fun and be safe!! Enjoy the game too!

Bourbon Dogs

from Cooks.com

1 lb. cocktail hot dogs

3/4 c. bourbon

1/2 c. ketchup

1/2 c. brown sugar

Mix bourbon, ketchup and sugar. Add hot dogs. Simmer for 1 hour. Serve hot.

Western Potato Rounds

from Pampered Chef

2 large unpeeled baking potatoes (about 1 1/4 lb)

Vegetable oil (or cooking spray)

1 c. shredded co-jack cheese

6 bacon slices, crisply cooked, drained & crumbled

1/3 c. green onion slices

1/4 c. barbecue sauce

Preheat oven to 450. Cut potatoes into 1/4-inch slices. Spray both sides of potato slices generously with oil and place on baking stone/pan. Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned; remove from oven. Combine cheese, bacon & green onion. Using a pastry brush, brush potato slices with barbecue sauce; sprinkle with cheese mixture. Return potato slices to oven. Bake 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes about 24 slices.

Homemade Soft Pretzels 
from FoodNetwork.com (Alton Brown) 


1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 package active dry yeast
22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for pan
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt

Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.

Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

 *I like to serve with a little butter brushed on and cinnamon and sugar on top. Or plain and dipped in cheese sauce.



Knock-You-Naked Brownies
from FoodNetwork.com (Pioneer Woman) 

1 stick butter, melted, plus more for greasing
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1/3 plus 1/2 cup evaporated milk
One 18.5-ounce box German chocolate cake mix (I use Duncan Hines)
1 cup finely chopped pecans
60 caramels, unwrapped
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-by-9-inch baking pan.

Begin by pouring 1/3 cup evaporated milk into a bowl with the cake mix. Add the melted butter and the chopped pecans. Mix the ingredients together; it'll be pretty thick!

Divide the dough in half down the middle. Press half of it into the bottom of the prepared pan to make the first brownie layer. Bake until slightly set, 8 to 10 minutes. Then remove from the oven and set aside.

While the brownie layer is baking, in a double boiler (or glass bowl set over a bowl of simmering water) combine the caramels and the remaining 1/2 cup evaporated milk. Stir occasionally until the caramels are totally melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour the caramel mixture over the first baked layer, spreading so it's evenly distributed. Sprinkle the chocolate chips all over the top.

Next, on a clean surface or a sheet of waxed paper, press the remaining dough into a square shape slightly smaller than the baking pan. Carefully set it on top of the chocolate chips. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool to room temperature. Cover the pan and refrigerate the brownies for several hours to allow them to set.

When you're ready to serve them (or give them to someone you love!) sprinkle generously with the powdered sugar and cut them into large rectangles before removing from the pan. These are absolutely killer, my friends. Make them for someone you really, really love... or someone you want to love you back.

It'll work. Guarantee it.

*I will leave the nuts out of this one, since Matt's not fond of nuts in recipes. I'm sure they'll be almost just as yummy!

Stanley Essentials All Purpose Creme; Aqua Clean Concentrate & G-X Disinfectant

Stanley Home makes products to help you in cleaning your home and a few special spa products for you as well. You can see the variety of things they carry on their website http://www.shponline.com/. In addition to purchasing the Stanley Home products for yourself, you can also take the opportunity to make a little money by selling these products yourself. You will earn 35% on the products that you can sell in person, home shows, and on the internet too. To see more about the opportunity check out  http://www.shponline.com/english/opportunity.asp.

I recently tried the Stanley Essentials All Purpose Creme. This comes from their Spa Solutions line of products. The creme is a classic formula of beeswax blended with rich emollients and moisturizers to cleanse, moisturize and protect. The All Purpose Creme helps soothe tired skin and preserve a youthful touch.

I liked using the All Purpose Creme especially on dry hands, arms and elbows. It's a great moisturizer that protects my skin. If you've never used beeswax lotion before, you're missing out. I enjoy the smell and the thinker creamy feel that the beeswax gives my skin too.

Another great product from Stanley Home is the Aqua Clean Concentrate laundry helper. This stuff is great to use on those items that require gentle cleaning. Soak your fine and delicate washables clean in just three minutes, while using half the water of an ordinary load! Save on dry cleaning costs, while using a family-friendly formula designed for safety. The Aqua Clean Concentrate is just one more way Stanley Home is here to help at home.

I am terrible about taking things to the dry cleaner. We just don't buy items that require such delicate cleaning. But there are a few things that would be nice to clean gently without hand-washing (another chore I avoid). Now it's easy to just through these in the washer on the gentle cycle with a little of the Aqua Clean Concentrate to get them nice and clean. The cleaner has a very light, pleasant scent. When the clothing is done, you don't even notice it on the clothes, but they are clean and ready to go without so much fuss.

The last product I'd like to feature from Stanley Home is their G-X Disinfectant, which comes from the Home Helpers line of products.This aerosol disinfectant spray gets into hard to clean places to help kill more than a dozen harmful germs and viruses, including Influenza A.

We have had a lot of sickness in my house the last few months. I think the Kindergarten germies have been terrible to my poor son. When he gets home from school, I make sure he washed his hands before he does anything else. I've also taken to disinfecting doorknobs, light switches, and other places that get touched a lot. I do this once a day when my son is fighting something. And even when he's not, it's nice to use the G-X Disinfectant to keep the germs away from the rest of us as best I can. The G-X Disinfectant is quick and easy to spray and wipe on those places that everyone's fingers touch all the time. It's very handy to have around, especially during cold and flu season.


All of these Stanley Home products and more are available from their website- http://www.shponline.com/. You can also learn more and connect to them on Twitter and their Facebook page.


*Disclaimer: I received these products for review. All opinions are my own.*

Almondina Cookies {Giveaway - Ends 2/16} (CLOSED)

*This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner posted below.*

Are you looking for something sweet and tasty that won't ruin your diet? Well, I have found just the thing. Almondina cookies are low salt, low calorie, no cholesterol, no added fat, and no preservatives. And these are a great tasting gourmet treat too!

Here's a little more about the company and story behind this great cookie:

Grandmother's Secret
Grandmother's secret recipe is no added fat, no-cholesterol, no salt cookie for our time. 

Almondina® is the inspiring success story of a man whose great loves include both music and wonderful food. For generations his family loved his grandmother Dina's most secret cookie, which she called Petit Gateau Sec. Yuval Zaliouk, an internationally known symphony conductor and gourmet chef, always had a special place in his heart (and stomach) for this
exquisite, crunchy wafer with the delicate flavor of roasted almonds, the natural sweetness of plump raisins and the warmth of vanilla. 

"Generous as she was in giving away her recipes, Grandma Dina kept the one for Petit Gateau Sec a total secret until the end of her life. Only then did she finally reveal the secret to her daughter, Ahuda, my mother.” 

"It is with her blessing and with pride that my family shares these delicious, healthful wonders with your family," says Yuval. 

Long after his grandmother's death, Zaliouk became aware that the remarkable characteristics of this addictively delicious but extremely nutritious cookie fell squarely in line with the
growing demands of health-conscious consumers at the end of the century. Within seven years, having started baking in his kitchen, the biscuits (renamed Almondina® after Dina, his
grandmother), were available in all fifty states, sought after in seven foreign countries, and had brought him recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year. 

These all-natural, wonderfully crunchy almond biscuits do not contain cholesterol, added fat,
trans-fats, salt, or preservatives. Unlike biscotti, ALMONDINA Brand Biscuits do not have to be dipped. They are a delightful accompaniment for coffee, tea, soft cheeses and dessert wines, or just as an everyday snack. 

The rush to eliminate fat from gourmet foods too often has also eliminated most of the flavor, a
fact which is in sharp contrast to these enticingly delicious biscuits. 

Since the introduction in 1989 of the classic The Original flavor, eight more distinctive
variations have been introduced, all of which continue to be packed with roasted almonds. 

The Company is Celebrating a Delicious Crunch for More Than 20 Years. 

Its mission remains the same: 

“TO PUT A DELICIOUS HEALTHFUL COOKIE ON EVERY TABLE.”

I received a box of assorted Almondina cookies. There were all sorts of flavors. We enjoyed trying them all. When you need a sweet crunch, these are just the thing. And they are even made right here in Ohio. I couldn't believe that I've never heard of them before.

In Ohio the Almondina cookies are available in stores, such as, The Anderson's, The Fresh Market, Giant Eagle, Kazmaier's, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Trader Joe's, and Walt Churchill's Market. You can see where they are carrying it in other states on the website-  http://www.almondina.com/.

Almondina cookies are:

·       All Natural

·       Free of cholesterol, coloring and preservatives

·       Made with no added fat or salt

·       Low in calories - only 30 per slice

·       Kosher and Pareve (non dairy) 

·       with tea or coffee

·       as a cracker with cream cheese, Brie or other soft French cheeses

·       with a glass of sherry

·       crumbled as an ice cream topping

·       served to youngsters with milk

·       as a delicious breakfast on the way to work

·       Crunchy, addictive, healthful

Almondina is made in these flavors:

·       Original - America's all natural favorite with almonds and raisins

·       Chocolate Cherry - We combined the world's finest dark chocolate

        with plump cherries to produce an irresistible, decadent treat without guilt. 

·       Choconut - Rich tasting crunchy chocolate, but low in calories

·       Cinnaroma® - The original biscuit for cinnamon lovers

·       Gingerspice - Trend setting, with chunks of Australian ginger

·       AlmonDuo® - Double-nut wonder with almonds and pistachios

·       AnniversaryT - Award winning delight with a touch of anise

·       BranTreats® - Made with oat bran and the finest cinnamon "Cookies For Breakfast"

·       Sesame - Irresistible, exotic, flavorful

·      Seasonal Pumpkin Spice - A seasonal attraction with a delightful touch of fall spices combined with the highest quality almonds and pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

One of my favorites was the Chocolate Cherry one. Wow, the chocolate flavor made it sweet and the chewy dried cherries inside had a nice texture. The other flavors we tried (many of them) were just as good. The Almondina cookies are perfect for an afternoon snack, and I even enjoyed them for a quick breakfast when I didn't have time to eat (or nothing else sounded good) a few times. My son really enjoys these for snacks too. They are quick and easy for him as well.

So look for these great cookies in a store near you. Or you can enter to win a variety box of Almondina cookies like I did. (It was a pretty large box full of cookies too!) You can enter in the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen Book {Giveaway - Ends 2/17} (CLOSED)

*This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner listed below.*

Howard B. Wigglebottom is a funny little bunny. In Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen he is having problems at school, simply because he isn't listening. He won't listen to his teacher or his friends, and it's starting to get him into trouble. You'll see as this short story goes on that Howard has a change of heart. And he learns that listening isn't so bad after all.

Howard B. Wigglebottom is a book from a non profit organization, The We Do Listen Foundation, that makes books and more for children ages 4-8. The point is to make children feel better about themselves. Plus they will be learning some important lessons from Howard B. Wigglebottom. Here's a little more about what you'll find on their website:

Our Not Profit Foundation offers free Howard B. Wigglebottom animated books, songs, posters and non-violent games. We are assisting 4-8 year old children to feel good about themselves and learn important lessons about listening, bullying, anger management, moderation, truth, divorce, peer pressure, belonging, generosity, sportsmanship and attention. Please visit  http://www.wedolisten.org and click on Animated Books and Lessons/Posters. If you feel our free educational endorsed resources are worthwhile, please let others know about our website so more children can be helped. 

My son and I really enjoyed reading this book together. It's simple and gets the idea across in a way that children love. And you can find animated versions of this book and the others on their website. They are fun little animations and your children can enjoy the story being read to them too.


You can also purchase the Howard B. Wigglebottom through their website. You can get them there for a 50-66% discount. And if you want to keep in touch, you can find Howard B. Wigglebottom on Facebook and Twitter.

And one of you can win a Howard B. Wigglebottom book by entering in the Rafflecopter below.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer: I received a product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Dinosaur Train: The Spooky Scavenger Hunt Book

Do you know Dinosaur Train on PBS? It's a great show about some friendly dinosaurs that everyone can love. The show is about friendship, family, and adventures. Your kids will enjoy meeting new friends, learning about dinosaurs, and seeing new places. In their book The Spooky Scavenger Hunt Buddy, Tiny, and some of the other Dinosaur Train friends are on a spoooooky adventure this time:

"The Spooky Scavenger Hunt” is from Grosset & Dunlap in which Mr. Pteranodon takes Buddy and Tiny on a nighttime trip to the Big Pond for a spooky nature walk! Mr. Pteranodon and the conductor insist they can't be scared, but when the conductor's mom jumps out at them, everyone gets a good scare! This simple storybook is perfect for read-aloud fun!  Ages 4 - 8; SRP $3.99.

My son thought this book was great. He is really into "spooky" things right now. He loves the Goosebumps movies and other kids things that have a little fright factor. Seeing some of his Dinosaur Train friends taking a spooky scavenger hunt was fun to find out what really happens. This book is not the scary kid of spooky...it's the fun kind. When your kids see what that the spooky things are really simple mysteries to solve, they will like it.

You can find out more about Dinosaur Train and other PBS shows at www.pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain, www.pbskids.org/parents and www.henson.com. You can also connect with them on www.twitter.com/pbskids and www.facebook.com/pbskids. The Dinosaur Train: The Spooky Scavenger Hunt book is available in stores and online as well.


*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*

Stanley Glass Cleaner & Stanley Essentials Feet TreatMint Foot Lotion

For 70 years, Stanley Home has been offering quality cleaning, home, and personal care products to North American homes and families. StanleyHome representatives are the heart of the company, helping sell great products at a great price, while enjoying the at-home business opportunities that come with being an independent Customer Representative.

Now, Stanley Home is pleased to introduce you to our new Glass Cleaner Foaming Spray; featuring GrimeGuard™, this dual-action foam forms an effective barrier against dirt and spot build-up. The addition of powerful ammonia means that your cleaning is made easier, and your surfaces stay cleaner longer, with simple upkeep. No streaks, quick-drying, and easy-to-use! http://www.shponline.com/english/shop_product_detail.asp?CatID=24&ProductID=693 

Essentials Feet TreatMint Foot Lotion has all the robust soothing action of a visit to the spa, available at the cost of your usual care product. With peppermint, menthol, and camphor oils, Essentials Foot Lotion is an invigorating foot therapy; moisturizing and working deep to help your feet unwind. With a collagen-rich formula, the Foot Lotion helps your feet stay young and pliable. StanleyHome is here to assist in all aspects of home care, and the Foot Lotion is just one small part of that.  http://www.stanley-home-products.com/item/Essentials-Feet-TreatMint-Foot-Lotion-94 

Are you interested in taking advantage of Stanley Home’s many business opportunities to make extra money in your home? With Stanley Home Products, you earn 35% on every item you sell, and you can do so in a variety of ways. Whether through one-on-one sales, hosting Stanley Home house parties, or selling via the internet, “Your Success Begins At Home.” Start here for your Stanley Home adventure: http://www.shponline.com/english/opportunity.asp 

I like to have my windows and mirrors clean. The bathroom, kitchen, and dining room/entry are the biggest places that I notice when windows and mirrors are dirty. I probably clean the bathroom mirror and window the very most. I have been using the Stanley Glass Cleaner Foaming Spray with GrimeGuard for a while now in there. I really like the foaming action. That's something I'm not used to with a window cleaner. It is easy to spray the window/mirror and the foam expands and covers the whole area. Plus it doesn't drip all over like most window cleaners. The foaming action lets it stay put and loosen up the grim. All you need to do is use a paper towel to wipe the foam away. I have noticed (specifically on the mirrors) that there is a bit of a film left when I wipe away the cleaner. But all I need to do is rub in a circular motion and it's gone. I've noticed that I can clean the mirror less often when I clean with this. It gives it a nice clean surface that protects it longer than with normal cleaner. The Glass Cleaner Foaming Spray is great and works on every window in your home.

The Essentials Feet TreatMint Foot Lotion is fun for relaxing. When your feet are worn out and in need of a little TLC, this is a good way to unwind. The peppermint and other oils in the lotion are very soothing. I like to put it on before bedtime, then put socks on for the night (or at least part of the night until I get too hot and kick them off). It leaves my feet soft and rejuvenated. You'll like this one for a little spa treatment at home.


You can find these and other Stanley Home Products at http://www.shponline.com/.


*Disclaimer: I received these products for review. All opinions are my own.*

Treat Your Hair & Skin Right for Winter

As we move away from the warm summer weather and  briskness of fall into the cool of winter, it’s time to adjust our beauty routine; preparing our hair & skin for the harsh weather!

Davines OI/OIL ($39 at www.davines.com for salon locations)

Essential Haircare OI/OIL goes to work on all hair types, especially dry, frizzy hair, detangling and smoothing strands. Unlike some oils that weigh hair down, Davines’ lightweight oil blend imparts remarkable softness, frizz-control and shine, as well as significant dry-time reduction when used on damp hair. OI/OIL is powered by antioxidant-rich Roucou Oil, a beta-carotene-rich native Amazonian plant.

Upper Canada Soap Naturally Signature Collection in Golden Maple Sugar

The scent of fresh maple syrup blended with lightly sweetened butter and warm undertones of brown sugar always remind me of the fall.  This line from Upper Canada Soap offers superior nourishment and moisture for naturally healthy, glowing skin!

·         Hydrating Shower Gel ($9.99 at www.uppercanadasoap.com): This pH-balance blend of Glycerin and White Tea Extract cleanses the body of impurities while replenishing lost moisture.

·         Nourishing Lip Balm ($4.99 at www.uppercanadasoap.com): This emollient-rich balm envelops thirsty lips in moisture with a blend of Shea Butter, Beeswax, Cocoa Seed Butter, and Vitamin E.

    

Atopalm Skincare

Designed particularly for skin suffering from allergies, rosacea dryness and sensitivity in need of gentle yet powerful treatment, each paraben-free Atopalm product is powered by Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist tested MLE formulas—plant derived ingredients that mimic skin’s natural structure and restore skin's protective moisture barrier system. This unique complex hydrates, soothes and calms skin in distress, leaving dry, sensitive skin visibly renewed.

• Daytime Undermakeup Moisture Cream ($18 at www.atopalmusa.com) – This restorative, moisturizing cream provides a smooth foundation for even, long-lasting makeup application. Infused with nourishing Vitamin E and antioxidants, the gentle yet hydrating cream supports beautiful, healthy skin.
• Moisturizing Hand Treatment ($18 at www.atopalmusa.com) – A moisturizing emulsion that promotes younger, brighter-looking skin with a hydrating antioxidant blend, this nourishing hand treatment delivers lasting protection.

 

As you've seen from some of my previous postings, I do tend to have issues with dry hair and skin in the winter months. I know I am not alone. And I'm happy that there are some products out there to help me out.

The Upper Canada Soap Naturally Signature Collection in Golden Maple Sugar Body Soap shown above is fantastic. I love the gentle soap that I can use on my skin. The smooth soap is easy and quick to use in the shower every day. I even used mine to shave my legs with. It helped leave them silky and not dried out like regular soap would.

I also really like the ATOPALM Moisturizing Hand Treatment. This is a great lotion that I can quickly put on my hands every day as needed. If my hands are really dry I can use it each time after I wash my hands during the day. And another thing I like to do is put it on just before I go to sleep at night. It gives the lotion time to soak into my skin and keep it moisturized while I sleep. Plus since I'm not brushing it off or washing it off with water then, it makes my hands silky and soft when I get up in the morning.

You can find these products and more from the same companies at their respective websites www.uppercanadasoap.com and www.atopalmusa.com.


*Disclaimer: I received some of these products to review. All opinions are my own.*

Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer

Last fall at the Emmy's Julie Bowen looked amazing on the Red Carpet under the bright lights. When she was asked "Who are you wearing?" she answered Jergens Skincare. When she was getting ready she put on the dress, shoes, make up, jewelry and before all that she got her skin ready with Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer.  It gave her radiant skin for a glamorous night.

This time of year I have terribly dry skin. I tend to battle dry hands off and on all year, but in the winter it's worst. My hands, arms, stomach, back, and legs also get really dry when it cools off. It's always necessary to have a good lotion around for the times when I'm dry and itchy and need a boost to my skin.

Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer is made to get to the point and heal dryness at the source so you can have healthier skin right away. This lotion is a great consistency and rubs easily into my skin. For me this is really important, because I don't want to feel greasy to get lotion on everything that I touch.

The fast-absorbing body lotion penetrates through 5 layers of the skin's surface to lock in moisture, instantly doubling hydration and tripling skin's moisture content with continued use. By infusing skin with a powerful blend of vitamins C, E and B5, Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer deeply nourishes and replenishes. Offering 24-hour relief, the conditioning moisturizer not only heals even the driest skin, but also softens and smooths, making the difference between dry skin and divine skin.

Let me tell you, this lotion does what it promises. I like it a lot. It's smooth and soothing for my dry skin. Used regularly you won't have problems with dry skin at all. You can find Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer in stores and online as well.


*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*