5000 Seed Giveaway

On Thursday, I told you about a giveaway from My Seed Cellar for The Emergency Survival Seed Bank.  This kit contains about 5000 non-GMO heirloom seeds from 30 different varieties of fruits and vegetables and instructions for planting, harvesting, and reusing the seed stock.  This would be a great addition to any emergency kit, but don't wait for an emergency, start growing your own fruits and veggies now (well when seasonally appropriate) and save their seeds to use the following year.
Good luck!

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Motor Oil Matters and a $50 giveaway

I was never taught about the importance of preventative maintenance when I was younger.  When my husband and I got married, I found oil changes to be a waste of money that we did not have.  It was not until my husband explained that by taking care of the vehicle BEFORE problems arose, it would cause fewer problems TO arise.  In fact, AAA expects between the major summer holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day to aid over eight million motorists, and cautions drivers that auto maintenance is key to avoiding summertime travel breakdowns. Ensuring quality motor oil in your car is one way to prevent road trip problems. My next plan to save money on the now necessary oil changes was to have my husband do them himself, because DIY is always less expensive right?  Well, when you factor in the costs and time it takes to buy everything and do the oil change, I discovered you can usually find a reputable place to do your oil change, that will give you a similar, if not better value.  

So now I understand the importance of having my oil changed and why it is usually not cost-effective to do it myself, what else do I need to know?  Motor Oil Matters, or MOM, a new consumer education and industry watchdog program by the American Petroleum Institute, has been established to stress the benefits of quality licensed motor oils and call on to the carpet those who engage in deceptive practices. It is important to note that service-locators can be quick to offer discounted services to people who are looking to reduce their automotive maintenance costs.  Make sure your service provider is pouring quality motor oil into your car before you decide on a cheaper deal.  MOM has also put together a great checklist that you can take with you when deciding on a service provider. 

In addition to being a great resource for your vehicle maintenance, MOM is also giving one of my readers a $50 gift card to use on your next oil change.

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Disclaimer- The Motor Oil Matters information and gift cards have been provided by Motor Oil Matters.

Product Reviewand Giveaway: Suddenly Salad

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. I have received an identical package at no cost.

About Suddenly Salad

Looking to take your BBQ from ordinary to extraordinary? Make Suddenly Salad® mixes your BBQ specialty!

By using quick and easy stir-ins, Suddenly Salad can be whatever you make it: a simple side dish, star of the backyard BBQ or a crowd-pleasing main course.
With seven delicious flavors, there’s a Suddenly Salad for everyone and for any occasion. Simply follow the instructions on the box, or visit Suddenly Salad for delicious recipe.

Available in these varieties: Ranch and Bacon, Classic, Ceasar, Creamy Italian, Creamy Parmesan, Chipotle Ranch, Basil Pesto, and Tuscan Style Tomato.

My thoughts on Suddenly Salad

I am not one to use packaged products without doctoring them up at least a little.  Having said that, in a pinch, I have used Suddenly Salad without adding anything to it.  I had time and ingredients on hand though to use the boxes I received in recipes.  With the Classic Suddenly Salad, we tried the Red, White and Blueberry Pasta Salad from the Suddenly Salad website.  I was unsure how I would feel about blueberries with pasta and feta, but it was pretty yummy and something I would make again.  With the Ranch and Bacon variety, we chose to add some roasted chicken, halved grape tomatoes, a little chopped cucumber and some additional, freshly cooked bacon.  The real bacon really helped elevate the salad and the other ingredients added to the flavor to make it taste more like a from scratch recipe.

The Giveaway

 I have a Suddenly Salad gift set to share with one of my readers.  The prize is shown below and consists of: 2 boxes of Suddenly Salad (1 Classic, 1 Ranch and Bacon) and a cooler with blanket, perfect for a picnic in the park. Enter via the rafflecopter.

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Product Review and Giveaway: Hershey's Cookies N' Creme Cereal

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. I have received an identical prize pack at no cost.

About Hershey's Cookies N' Creme Cereal

Now you can enjoy the delicious taste of Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme in a breakfast cereal from Big G.
With an irresistible taste the whole family will love from a brand you trust, new Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme cereal is made from 100% whole grains with at least 14g of whole grain per serving (at least 48g recommended daily). Best of all, Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme cereal has only 9 grams of sugar per serving and is a good source of Calcium, Vitamin D, and 10 other essential vitamins and minerals.   

My thoughts on Hershey's Cookies N' Creme Cereal

One thing I have been missing since giving up high fructose corn syrup, is chocolate sandwich cookies and cookies and cream flavored treats.  They are one of my favorites, but most of them are made with high fructose corn syrup and therefore when they are used as an ingredient, that "flavor" of other foods is often out as well.  I was very happy to see that this cereal does not contain high fructose corn syrup and appeased my craving for cookies and cream.  I am one of those moms that rarely buys kid-friendly cereals and when I do, we usually eat them as a dessert, rather than a breakfast, and that is how we ate this cereal as well.  We all enjoyed it.  It is sweet, but not cloying and when eaten without milk, still has a slight milk flavor. The discs also stay fairly crisp when in milk, or at least did not get gross and soggy within a short period of time.  

The Giveaway

I have a set just like the one pictured below to give away to one of my readers.  It contains a box of Hershey's Cookies N' Creme cereal, 2 Cereal-To-Go containers (bowl, ice pack/lid which keeps milk separate from cereal/foldable spoon) and a cereal dispenser.  Enter on the rafflecopter form below the picture.

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Giveaway: Blue Juppy Baby Walker Momentum

Win a Blue Juppy Baby Walker Momentum

Back in March, I shared a post about the Juppy Baby Walker Momentum.  It is a great tool to help you teach your baby how to walk.  I really like how it is much easier on my back as I have been working on teaching Sam how to walk.  I also like that it is safer than letting him roam around the house in the old style baby walkers.

When I shared my review, I was also given the opportunity to give away a Juppy Baby Walker Momentum.  Recently, I was contacted again by the great folks over at Juppy and was offered the opportunity to give away another Juppy Walker, this time the blue and white one.

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Pampers Spring Into Color Sweepstakes and Reader Giveaway

Disclaimer-  I have received the same prize that my reader will receive in exchange for sharing this information with you.
 
Have you entered the Pampers Spring Into Color Sweepstakes yet?  Each week, the sweepstakes will take Pampers facebook fans through nature's changing color wheel spectrum, celebrating babies' growth and the ways in which they color our world beautiful in so many ways, each and every day. From cameras, to educational toys to high-tech jogging strollers and a pallet of artist tools for your little ones to paint the world remarkable, there are four colorful-themed prize packets that will rotate with the "Spring Into Color" color wheel over the course of the 30 day sweeps, offering you and your family fun items to enhance your time together.  And, all entrants are automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card!   The contest will run through Tuesday, May 28th.

I have also been given the opportunity to give one of my readers 2 coupons for free Pampers products: 1 pack of Pampers diapers and 1 pack of Pampers wipes.  Enter below.

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Lactose Intolerance and Lactaid (giveaway)

***Disclaimer***
This is part of a sponsored campaign I am participating in.  I have received free product and will receive payment for my participation.

I recently was given the opportunity to attend a webinar with Melissa d'Arabian and Michelle Harrington, RD (registered dietician) to learn more about lactose intolerance and Lactaid.  I found the session to be very informative and am excited to share some of what I learned with you.

What is lactose?

Lactose is the sugar and main carbohydrate found in milk and dairy products.  In order for the body to absorb lactose, it must be broken down into the two simple sugars that it is composed of, glucose and galactose.  Lactase is the enzyme produced by the body to break down lactose.  

What is lactose intolerance?

The amount of lactase that your body produces, determines how much lactose you can tolerate.  The more lactase your body makes, the less dairy products will upset your system.  There are varying degrees of lactose intolerance and it can be progressive, meaning it can get worse as you age.  It is also important to note that lactose intolerance is very different from a lactose allergy, which could cause life-threatening symptoms.  

Diet tips for those who are lactose intolerant

Here are some basic tips for those who are, or care for someone who is, lactose intolerant.

• Do not consume products that contain lactose on an empty stomach. Lactose will be easier to digest if it is eaten with other foods.
• Yogurt is less likely to bother someone who is lactose intolerant.  The live and active enzymes in yogurt help to digest the lactose, making it easier on the body.  Greek yogurt has twice as much protein and fewer carbs, meaning less lactose, making it even easier to digest than regular yogurt.  If you can tolerate yogurt, it is a great way to get calcium and nutrients in your diet.
• Butter, although a dairy product, is low in lactose, so it can usually be consumed without a problem.
• Harder cheeses, particularly those that are aged, have less lactose.  The less moisture in the cheese, the lower the lactose content.  Some good cheeses to start with would be Aged Cheddar, Gruyere, Pecorino and Swiss cheeses.  If you have cut cheese from your diet completely, you can try adding these cheeses back in a little at a time, depending on how much you can tolerate.
• You can also try the wonderful products made by Lactaid

About Lactaid

Lactaid products can help people that have a lactose sensitivity to enjoy dairy products once again, without the stomach discomfort that traditional dairy items may give them.  Lactaid products include milks, cottage cheese, ice creams, egg nog.  They are made from 100% real dairy, but contain lactase, the enzyme your body needs to break down the lactose. The lactase does help break down the milk sugar, resulting in a slightly sweeter taste than traditional milk products, but the creaminess is the same.

Lactaid milk is available in fat-free, 1%, 2%, whole and chocolate.  The chocolate milk is made with 1% milk and does not contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).  That part is important to me because it is difficult to find pre-made chocolate milk that is free of HFCS.  Lactaid ice cream is available in five flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Cookies and Cream, Strawberries and Cream, and Butter Pecan.  All of the flavors, except Cookies and Cream are gluten-free.  They are all also free of HFCS.  The nutrition facts for Lactaid products can be found on their website.

Cooking with Lactaid

Due to Lactaid's slightly sweeter taste, you may be able to slightly reduce the sugar you add when using it in a recipe.  Otherwise, you would simply substitute Lactaid milk in place of the regular milk in a recipe, cup for cup.  If you are substituting it in place of cream, you would want to add a teaspoon of corn starch to make up for the thinner consistency, as you would do if you were subbing regular milk for cream. 

Lactaid Giveaway 

One of my readers will be chosen to receive a coupon for a free Lactaid product, so you can check it out for yourself.

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Graduations and a giveaway

That cute little man up there is starting to get ready to graduate from pre-K in a couple of months.  He has come quite a ways from where he was on his first day (when the photo was taken).  His behavior has calmed down, his speech has improved drastically, and he is writing his name and learning to read.  Since he will be homeschooled from here on out, it is likely that this the end of his "formal" schooling until he heads off to college, so for us it is a pretty big deal.  To celebrate his graduation, we will have a special picnic with him and then a trip to his favorite park.

Do you have a graduation coming up, whether it be pre-K, high school, college, or something else?  Tiny Prints offers graduation announcements and invitations with 428 graduations designs, you can choose one that is a perfect fit for your graduate's unique personality.  Some of my favorites are shown below:

In addition to the announcements and invitations, Tiny Prints also offers graduation gifts, such as notebooks, mugs and iPhone cases.  I love the idea of getting my little guy a personalized notebook like the one below for him to collect notes from his friends, kind of like one would do with a yearbook. 

Giveaway for $50 gift cod to Tiny Prints

The generous folks over at Tiny Prints are offering one of you, a $50 gift code to use on your total order.  Just enter below on the rafflecopter form.

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Disclaimer
I will be receiving the same prize listed above as compensation for sharing this information and giveaway with you.  As always, my opinion is my own.

Big G is going retro (with a giveaway)

Big G cereals have once again gone “Retro” with special edition classic packaging from the 1950’s, ’60s and ’80s!

For a limited time you can relive your childhood by heading on over to your local Target® store’s cereal aisle, as Big G cereals have brought back their “Retro” themed packaging. To help celebrate the event, Big G has team up with Hasbro®, offering a $5 coupon on Clue® Vintage, Scrabble® Vintage, Parcheesi® Vintage or Risk® Vintage board games at Target!

• Don’t forget to go online & print a coupon for $1 off 2 General Mills cereals before you head to Target!
• Collect all 5 different throw-back packages that each include a $5 coupon for these vintage Hasbro® board games; available exclusively at Target® from March 15, 2013 to April 30, 2013 while supplies last. Coupon valid at Target stores from March 15, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
• Participating Big G cereals include: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (16.2 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cheerios® (18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz.)

Giveaway from Big G Retro Cereals

One of my readers will receive a Big G Retro Gift Pack, which includes: a $10 Target gift card, 2 boxes of participating Big G Retro cereal, and  a Hasbro Parcheesi® Deluxe Vintage board game.  Enter below in the Rafflecopter form.

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Disclosure
The prize pack I received, this information, and the giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Product Review and Giveaway: Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser

About Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser

No one likes a dirty household.  Fight grease and grime with the strength of NEW Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser.

New Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser is tough on stains,yet gentle on surface.  the new and improved formula has more whitening power and less residue, for better rinsing.  That means better cleaning and faster rinsing for your tile, grout, sinks, and tubs. 

The all-new bottle and cap design improve dispensing, preventing spills and making for a more efficient cleaning experience.

From sinks and showers to bathtubs and faucets, this cleanser will blow you away with its versatility and fresh, lemon scent.

You can learn more about Soft Scrub on their facebook page.

My thoughts on Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser

I have loved Soft Scrub since I was cleaning the sink and bathtub at my parents' home when I was a teenager.  It really made removing soap scum incredibly easy.  The down side back then was that it was tough to get it completely rinsed off and even when I thought it was completely rinsed, after it dried, I could see what I missed. 

Along comes this new formula and I have to say, I am very happy with it.  After we moved in to our home, we had to replace something on the cold water handle of our bathroom sink.  While the handle was off, the piece that goes around the bottom went missing.  Fast forward 2 years and we have yet to replace it and now the sink has rust stains.  When I read that Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser had improved whitening power, I decided to try it on the rust stains first.  No other cleaner has really been able to do much to lessen them, so while the results are not 100%, Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser did lessen the rust.

Rust Stain before and after

I also enjoyed the lemon scent that the cleanser had.  The downside of Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser is the new bottle.  I found it was too easy for an excessive amount of product to come out, which caused a TON of suds, so while the cleanser rinsed away easily, I had to wait for all the suds to dissipate.  Of course, if you just use a small amount (and that will go a long way), you will not have to worry about all the excess suds.

Giveaway for free product coupons

I have a few coupons for free Soft Scrub to give to one of my readers.  Enter through the Rafflecopter form below.


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Disclaimer
Soft Scrub provided a free sample of their Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser so I could review it.  However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

Giveaway: The Juppy Baby Walker

Do you remember the review I did the other day for the Juppy Walker?  I have one to give away to one of my readers!  You can choose the color and if you want a name embroidered on it, that is included as well (or you can choose no embroidery).  Just enter below.



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Review and Giveaway: Dial Coconut Water Body Wash

About the product
New Dial Coconut Water Body Wash is the first of its kind to contain coconut water for clean, healthy, hydrated skin.  Coconut water is found in young, green coconuts and is known to be rich in antioxidants and electrolytes.

My thoughts
Like many people, my skin tends to dry out easily in the winter.   I found the Dial Coconut Water Body Wash to be great at helping my skin retain its moisture.  I even used it today to shave my legs, which usually leaves me with ashy legs, but my legs are smooth and moisturized, without any added lotion.  I also love the scent.  It has a strong coconut scent, with a background scent of tropical flowers and greens.  It is easy to imagine myself in Hawaii or on some tropical beach, or at least until one of the kids comes in to the bathroom or I hear them fighting outside the door.  My husband and kids also enjoy the scent and I like that the soap is gentle enough that all of them (well, I didn't use it on the baby) can use it as well.  I am all for a family body wash, to reduce clutter in my shower.

Giveaway Information and a Reader Giveaway
Dial is holding a sweepstakes in order to celebrate the release of Dial Coconut Water Body Wash.  Grand prize is $1,000 and there will be 250 1st prize winners who will each get a free bottle of Dial Coconut Water Body Wash. You can enter their giveaway here.

In addition to the giveaway above, Dial has given me some coupons to give to one of my readers.  Enter below on the rafflecopter form.

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Disclaimer 
Dial Soap provided me with a sample of the above product in exchange for my review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.
 

Review and Giveaway: Dry Idea Advanced Dry

About the product
New Dry Idea AdvancedDry Fresh antiperspirant and deodorant, offers odor protection for up to 72 hours and the Pulse Activated Wetness Protection helps to keep you dry all day long.  It is also formulated with Vitamin E, to allow for a smooth application.  This is available as an aerosol, roll-on and clear gel.  Also available in Roll-on is unscented, powder fresh, and regular and in Clear Gel, you can get unscented and powder fresh.

My thoughts
 I am fortunate in that there are only a few times in my life when I need deodorant and antiperspirant, but when I need them, I REALLY need them and I need something strong.  Don't get me wrong, I use deodorant every day, but I just don't always need it.  Having said that, one of the times I do NEED them is when I am pregnant or nursing.  Since i am still nursing Sam, I was able to really put this to the test.  I was very impressed!  I often need to re-apply the product I was using, before the end of the day, and by morning, I was ready to hit the shower due to the odor.  When I used Dry Idea AdvancedDry, I could go through the entire day without re-applying it and still wake up in the morning, feeling dry and smelling fresh.  I also tend to avoid roll-on deodorant because I don't care for the application of them, but this one truly goes on easily.

Giveaway Information
Check out Dry Idea's facebook page and enter their Never Let Them See You Sweat sweepstakes, where one person will win $500 and an additional 10 people will win $50. 

I also have some coupons good for a free Dry Idea product for one of you.  Just enter below on the Rafflecopter form.

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Dry Idea brand provided me with a free sample in exchange for this review.  As always, my opinion is my own. 

Review and Giveaway: 20 Mule Team Borax

I have been wanting to write up a post about this great homemade laundry detergent "recipe", from One Good Thing by Jillee, that I came across a while back.  When I was given the opportunity to review 20 Mule Team Borax, I knew that I would share the information with you then.  I do not alter her directions at all, so I will not post the instructions here, but I can tell you that it is only three ingredients, and Borax is one of them.  It is super easy to make, but it is watery so it takes a little getting used to.  I use it when I run out of the other stuff and to strip the baby's cloth diapers.

So what exactly is 20 Mule Team Borax?  Borax is 100% natural mineral from the earth.  After it is removed from the ground, it is washed, dried and boxed up for the consumer.  The scientific name for this mineral is sodium tetraborate and it occurs naturally by the perpetual evaporation of seasonal lakes. There is absolutely nothing added to 20 Mule Team Borax, so it is free of phosphates, chlorine, and other additive chemicals.

What are the uses for Borax?  I already shared that I use this in my homemade laundry detergent, which makes sense, since Borax is a detergent booster.  If you are not up to making your own detergent, you can still use Borax to boost the cleaning power of your regular detergent.  It works by softening hard water, which allows the detergent to clean better, and it helps keep stains from being re-deposited back onto the clothes.

Where can I find Borax?  I have been able to find it near the laundry detergent in all of my local stores.  You can also check their store locator to find a store near you.

20 Mule Team Borax has given me some coupons to give away to one of my readers.  Enter below on the Rafflecopter form.

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Disclosure
Borax provided a free sample of their product for this post.  My participation is voluntary and my opinions, as always, are my own.

Review and Giveaway: Purex Baby Detergent

As a Purex Insider, I am blessed with the opportunity to review many products.  Recently, I was sent a bottle of Purex Baby Detergent to try out.  I do currently have an 8-month old, so using a detergent that is specialized for babies is important to me.  Baby skin tends to be more sensitive than adult skin so Purex kept that in mind when they developed this formula, yet it is strong enough to deliver the same bright, white clean that regular Purex delivers.  This detergent is also gentle on delicate baby clothing, so that they can stay looking nice.  Purex Baby Detergent is designed to ensure proper performance for all washers, including HE and traditional washing machines. I am also pleased to say that the price point for this new baby detergent is very reasonable.  This is a new variety, so it may not be available at your store.  You can use the store locator on the Purex website to find a store near you that does carry it.

I enjoyed the gentle fragrance that smelled fresh and like, well, like a baby.  The baby has not had any negative response to the detergent, which is what I would expect from a hypoallergenic product.  Also, I have not had any stains that this did not remove.  In fairness, I do not use formula though, so that is one common baby stain that I have not personally tested.

I am excited to share that Purex is offering one of my readers coupons for free packages of Purex Baby Detergent.  You can enter below on the Rafflecopter.

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Disclaimer
Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Baby detergent in exchange for a product review.  However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own. 

Multi-blog giveaway: Jewelry from Kranich's Jewelers

 

Sponsored by Kranich's, and hosted by S.O.S. Mom, Real Momma and The Bunny's Reviews, one lucky person will win his or her own choice of one (1) piece of jewelry from a selection of dazzling and gorgeous earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces and watches! Prize is valued at up to $150. All choices can be viewed via the following link http://sosmom.blogspot.ca/2013/01/blogger-event-kranichs-jewelry-giveaway.html" 

Kranich's Jewelers was established in York, Pennsylvania, in 1903. The company was originally called Kranich Brothers Jewelers. The Kranich Brothers had stores in York, Lancaster and Altoona, Pennsylvania as well as one in Worcester, Mass. The Altoona store opened in 1923. Charles and Mildred Kranich operated and expand the Altoona operation. In 1962, Charles and Mildred were joined in business by their son, Michael. In 1976 the Kranich's opened a store in Downtown State College, the home of Penn State University. Charles and Mildred Kranich died in 1978 and Michael took over the family business. Michael Kranich, now retired, was succeeded by his sons in the 1990’s. In 1996 Kranich's opened a second State College location at the Nittany Mall. In 2000 Kranich’s opened a location in the Johnstown Galleria. In 2008 Kranich’s dramatically expanded their Logan Valley Mall location and Corporate offices. In 2012 Kranich’s opened a huge new store on North Atherton Street in State College.

Throughout its history, Kranich's Jewelers has specialized in fine diamond jewelry and engagement rings. Today, Kranich's Jewelers also specializes in fine timepieces, colored gemstones, gold and platinum jewelry and pearls. They feature selections of Designer Jewelry, Estate Jewelry, Penn State Jewelry and Fine Crystal. Kranich’s features pieces by Simon G, Verragio, Ritani, Hidalgo, Belle Etoille, Swarovski, Pandora, Gucci, Burberry, and Michael Kors. In recent years, Kranich’s has actively grown their ecommerce business (kranichs.com). Kranich’s Jewelers is able to provide a high level of personal service at competitive pricing. The internet has given the company an international reach. In Central Pennsylvania, Kranich's Jewelers remains the leading source for Fine Jewelry and Gifts.

The Kranich family believes it is very important to contribute to the communities they serve. Consequently, they are involved in many civic and charitable activities. In 2003, Kranich's celebrated their 100th year. In recent years, Kranich’s has been inducted into the Blair County Business hall of fame and has been named one of Central Pennsylvania’s leading businesses by Pennsylvania Business Central Magazine.

Visit Kranich's at these two following addresses to view their beautiful collection, www.kranichs.com/simon-g and www.kranichs.com.

This giveaway event will be running until January 29th inclusively and is open to US residents only. To gain entries to win, simply fill out the form below. Good luck! 

Special thank you to co-hosts: Mamacita La Cuponera, Sanity Is For Those Without Children, Simply Sherryl, Kelly's Thoughts On Things and Stay A Stay At Home Mom. 

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Gift Idea and Giveaway: Find Me If You Can

Do you have a child, or even an adult, on your gift list that enjoys books like I Spy or Where's Waldo?  If so, they will absolutely love this personalized book by Bammco.  The book is titled, "Find Me If You Can" and stars your loved one.   The hard-covered book consists of 30 heavy duty, high gloss 8.5 X 11 pages with fun rhymes on each page.  The face of your child appears once on each of the pages, amid a sea of other sweet faces.  You also have the option of adding up to four additional photos, for an added cost.  The price for the book is $29.99, and well worth it, but I have a special coupon code for you which will allow you to save 10% on any purchase.  Just enter the word "buckethead" when you are paying for your purchase.  This coupon will be good for 7 days from today.

I highly recommend this book and I think it is the one gift I am most looking forward to giving this year.  My husband, my oldest daughter and I had a blast looking for my son's face on each page.  Some were easy to find and some were not, but I know my son will love all of the pages.

I also have a gift code to give away to one of you to get your own book.

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*Disclaimer*
I received one of these books in exchange for this review, but my opinion is my own.

Review and Giveaway: Beanfields Bean and Rice Chips

During the brief period of my life when I was eating gluten-free, I discovered aisles of food that I otherwise probably would not have known about otherwise and there is no rule that says you have to have a food sensitivity or allergy or a special diet in order to eat these foods. Beanfields Rice and Bean Chips are just one great food that those who only shop the regular chip aisle are missing out on.

Beanfields Bean and Rice Chips are not only gluten-free, but they do not contain any of the 8 ingredients identified by the FDA as causing 90% of food-related allergic reactions.  They are also vegan, even the nacho cheese flavored one.  The main ingredients are black beans, navy beans, and long grain rice and the chips are Non-GMO verified. Each 1 ounce serving provides 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, making them a nutritionally balanced snack choice.  They even have an unsalted variety for those monitoring their salt intake.  Along with the unsalted flavor, you will find Sea Salt, Pico de Gallo, Salt N' Pepper, and Nacho.

Beanfields prides themselves as a company that does things differently from other companies.  They believe that great tasting snacks should also be good for you, good for our families, good for our farmers, and good for the planet.  All ingredients are grown in the USA and the products are also USA made.  Beanfields participates in local events by nonprofits, in addition to donating their time and products.  In addition, they share profits with their stakeholders and community.

The chips are available at over 520 natural, specialty, and grocery stores in 21 Western United States.  You can find a store near you, by using their store locator.  For those of you, like myself, who do not live near a store that carries them, you can buy them online at places like Amazon as well as on the Beanfields website.

You can find Beanfields online at their website, on facebook, and on Twitter.



My thoughts
Before I tried these chips, I loved them on paper.  I am all for Non-GMO foods and for tasty healthier snacks, but I also know that often these foods do not taste great so I was a bit concerned about how these would taste.  I am pleased to say that I enjoyed them very much.  They do definitely taste different than what you may be used to, but they are good.  I even liked the unsalted ones, which I was really surprised by.  Every flavor was enjoyable, but the Nacho flavor is my favorite and I am excited to share these ones with my brother.  His wife has a life-threatening allergy to milk and he has to go through an extensive routine before he can kiss her after he eats Doritos, and while these are not exactly like Doritos, they are pretty close, and I like them even better. The chips are easy to bite, but hold up well when dipped as well.

The giveaway
I am excited to be able to offer one of my readers a half case (6 bags)  of Beanfields Bean and Rice Chips.

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*Disclaimer*
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.

Melissa & Doug giveaway

Remember the Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty Holiday List and Giveaway I told you about yesterday?  Well, I have a been given the opportunity to offer you one of the gifts from the list, the Melissa & Doug Rattle Rumble Push Toy, a $69.99 value!  You can enter below.

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*Disclaimer*
Melissa & Doug are providing the prize for this giveaway and are also providing me with the same prize in exchange for sharing the information about the Terrific Twenty Holiday List and hosting this giveaway.

Review and giveaway: Designer Tie by Cavallieri from Bows-N-Ties.com

Light Blue Checkered Men's Tie

I recently had the opportunity to review a tie from Bows-N-Ties.com  My husband received the Light Blue Checkered Men's Tie by Cavallieri and I can tell you that it looks even better in person.  Each Cavallieri tie is handmade from the finest Jacquard woven silk and while you may not be able to tell from the picture, the stripes are actually woven into the fabric, not printed on it.  My husband found the tie comfortable to wear and it has become one of his favorites.

If this tie is not your style, or maybe you are looking for a different color, Bows-N-Ties.com has ties, and bow ties, in a wide variety of patterns and colors.  They are a great resource if you are looking for a gift for a man who appreciates ties or if you need a tie for work, church or just a special occasion.  Due to the wide variety of colors available, they are also great if you are planning a wedding and looking for ties for your entire wedding party.  They even have a pretty good selection of kids ties,  all of which are also available in adult sizes, making it easy for father and son to match (or for the ring bearer to match the rest of the party).  Do you have a larger male in your life that needs a tie?  They also carry extra long ties just for them.  Their prices are also very reasonable with ties starting at just $9.90 and the most expensive ones I saw were $24.90.  In addition to ties and bow ties, they also carry handkerchiefs, silk scarves and ascots, women's scarves, cuff links and tie bars.  They also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and will refund you for any purchase you are not happy with. 

Another aspect of the site that I really like, is the information section, where they have well-written instructions, along with pictures, of how to tie a tie 5 different ways, how to tie a bow tie, how to tie an ascot and how to fold a handkerchief.  You can also find necktie trivia and care tips, men's fashion tips, and men's dress codes for a variety of events.

Hendrik, the owner and founder of Bows-N-Ties.com, is offering a 20% discount for any purchases.  This discount is good until October 31, 2012.  Use promo code: GHK67TR to get your discount.  He is also allowing me to give away a $20 gift code to one of my readers!  Thank you, Hendrik!  See the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

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*Disclaimer*
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.