Friday, November 28, 2014

No Cost Wreath Design


Are you looking to decorate for the holidays but don't have a big budget for decorations?

Try looking in your own backyard and garden to create your own holiday wreath without spending any money.

Do you use chicken wire around your garden to keep out animals? Well, chicken wire bends easily and can be formed in to a wreath shape easily. Also, the great thing about chicken wire is that it has these awesome holes to shove in evergreen pieces, which is what I did. I just looked to the yard to find trimmings that I could use to make an evergreen wreath that now hangs outside the garden shed at the cabin.

I spent no money to make this beautiful wreath. What can you make just by looking around to see what you already have?

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving. I will be celebrating the day with family by eating way too much good food and I hope that you are blessed with the same givings to be thankful for!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Review: Zubels Organic Hand-Knit Cheerleader Doll



My Thoughts:

Let me introduce you to Pom Pom Pam from Zubels (cheerleader doll). She in an eco-friendly hand knit with 100% organic cotton yarn and is 100% non-toxic. She is a 12" soft doll and is sure to be cuddled often by any child lucky enough to receive her. The heart on her chest in the picture is just a sticker to let you know that it comes from their organic line. This cheerleader comes a variety of colors, including Purple and Gold for all the Vikings fans living here in MN.

Not only is this little doll just adorable she come with minimal packaging to reduce the waste of resources and uses cotton yarn that is dyed with eco-friendly low impact dyes. I hope to be able to review other of their "dolls". My kids are huge fans of stuffed animals and there are so many that I know they would love to have. If I had to pick which ones my kids would want the most (which is hard to do because there are 105 dolls to choose from, all handknit), I think my son would pick Dino Dinasour because he is a huge dinosaur fan. My daughter might be most drawn to Bunny Girl Pish.

I do want to point out a couple of things that I think my readers might love and that is there are some holiday dolls that include a red-nosed reindeer, Santa, and elves. There is also an assortment of colors for the football players, including Purple and Gold for all Vikings fans.



Product Description from Zubels


Zubels, the finest hand made 100% cotton dolls in the world they come in these sizes 7" rattles , 12", 14" and 24" We also offer sweaters and hats to match - their is no product in the market that delivers such great looks with our high qulality standards.... 

 About Zubels are 100% cotton (some organic) hand knit toys, hats and sweaters which are sure to be cherished and loved by children of all ages.

Mission Zubels were born of a creative group working together to bring smiles to children (and to us). There was a need for an eco-friendly yet purposeful toy whose only requirement was a little love and imagination.


Find more information about Zubels online:


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.

GIVEAWAY and Review: Eco-Jarz Lids



Are you looking for a unique gift idea for that person who is eco-conscious and doesn't like to add to the landfill or accumulate a lot of possessions? Or maybe you just have that person who is hard to buy for and you want to give a practical gift. These EcoJarz lids would be perfect for anyone and are the perfect size for a stocking stuffer.

With EcoJarz Lids you can turn nearly any jar in to a beverage container for on-the-go. Lids sizes are made for both small mouth and wide mouth jars. Maybe you have canning jars just hanging around waiting to be used like I do, or maybe you want to re-purpose a jam jar or a pickle jar; they fit on nearly every jar in your pantry.

Just insert your own straw on the lid and you are ready to go. If you don't have reusable straws, EcoJarz does sell stainless steel and glass straws. Or purchase a wide mouth pop top lid where you can easily drink from the lid and seal it up. If you check out the last picture, I made some ice tea in a quart jar and put the pop top lid on top so that it could be sealed when it was in the fridge.



Product Description from Eco-Jarz

We are a young company focused on challenging the concept of throw-away culture. Our first product — the Stainless Steel EcoJarz Drink Top — is designed to make reuse the new norm. Because our drink tops fit standard canning jars, they also fit hundreds of other bottles and containers that are disposed of everyday.This drink top will fit any standard mouth jar, whether it’s an empty tomato sauce, salsa, or mayonnaise jar. With EcoJarz, the possibilities of turning jars into long-lasting, always-handy, on-the-go drink vessels are almost endless.



ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN THEIR OWN 
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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.

Happy Thanksgeometry with a Tangram Turkey



This is a project I did with my daughter's 3rd grade class. I go in and volunteer a couple hours every week in her classroom and usually I am just helping out wherever the teacher needs me, but I get to plan a project each month to do with them. I have been trying to plan things that are also educational and fun, so this was the project for November.

I just used foam sheets from the Dollar Tree and cut them in to a variety of shapes. I talked to the kids about developing a pattern and design, but let them come up with their own projects. This one is mine. :)


This picture you can see what it looks like as a whole piece. I should of taken a picture of my daughter's before I left the classroom, as it hasn't come home from school yet because she said they hung them up in the classroom. The kids really seemed to enjoy this project.


This one is my preschool son's version pf the Tangram Turkey.

Monday, November 24, 2014

GIVEAWAY: The Three Dogateers DVD





The Three Dogateers are here to save the Holidays!

About The Three Dogateers Three pampered pooches left to guard the house on Christmas Eve become fearless DOGATEERS when thieves break in and steal every present, every ornament—even the yuletide tree! Vowing to save Christmas, the three canines set out in search of Santa, the only one who can help them on their quest.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/39746485#TheThreeDogateers

The Three Dogateers is Dove “Family-Approved”!



ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN A COPY OF THE DVD
THE THREE DOGATEERS
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER BELOW


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Each household is only eligible to win One (1) The Three Dogateers DVD via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

I received nothing in return for this giveaway. All content was provided to me. I am only running this giveaway to give my readers a chance to win it.

GIVEAWAY & Review: Old Factory Soy Candles



I was so excited to be able to review Old Factory Soy Candles. I had my choice of a dozen different themes, of which there was 3 different scents for each theme. I thought picking "Winter Wonderland" would help get me in the Holiday spirit. Little did I know that winter would pretty much start the beginning of November in Minnesota this year and we would get snow and cold that would stick around right away. Anyways, the scents in my theme were Hot Cocoa, Roasted Chestnut and First Snow. Hot cocoa smells exactly the way you would think it would smell, but I had no idea what Roasted Chestnut or First Snow would smell like. Roasted Chestnut is kind of a musky nutty scent that my husband really likes. First snow has a lighter floral scent, but not spring time floral. I think they did a good job figuring out a winter floral scent that is not evergreen-y.


I really like that these candles are made with soy wax and not petroleum, They may look like small candles, but the soy wax burns really slowly (and cleanly) and lasts a long time. The description says it lasts 20 hours and even though I didn't time it, I have to believe it to be true because it took a long time to just burn through the first one.

These would make a very thoughtful Holiday gift for any adult. Check out all the different scent themes list below and let me know in the comments section which one is your favorite.



Product Description from Old Factory

These candle gift sets each contain 3 different scented candles. Each candle burns clean and even for 20 hours. Hand-poured in the USA with natural soy wax, self-trimming wicks, and premium fragrance oils. Each gift set is themed around a group of related fragrances. So everyone is sure to find something perfect for every occasion, every room in the house, and all the special someones in your life. Below are the list of Themes and their related fragrances.

Fall Harvest
Pumpkin Spice
Cranberry
Autumn Leaves


Happy Holidays
Christmas Tree
Candy Cane
Gingerbread


Winter Wonderland
Hot Cocoa
Roasted Chestnut
First Snow


Romance
Rose Petals
Champagne
Dark Chocolate


Fresh and Clean
Lemongrass
Olive Blossom
Fresh Linen


Spa Day
Cucumber
Lemongrass
Green Tea


Vacation
Sea Breeze
Hawaiian Lei
Awapuhi


Coffee Shop
Coffee Bean
Hazelnut
Chai Tea


Man Cave
Straight Razor
Leather
Mahogany

New Born Baby
Baby Powder
Baby Shampoo
First Blanket



ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN THEIR OWN 3-PACK OF
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER BELOW

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

FREE Vitamins from #SuperiorSource (you pay s&h)



* FREE Vitamin B-12 - 60-Day Supply - 1,000 mcg (only pay $3.95 S&H):
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorSourceVitamins/app_208195102528120

* FREE Vitamin D - Any D product (baby, child, adult) (only pay $4.95 S&H):
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorSourceVitamins/app_153284594738391

* BOGO - FREE Vitamin C (Sour Cherry or Tangy Orange) - 500 mg - Buy One Get One Free:
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorSourceVitamins/app_205521576149308



1. Extra Strength Vitamin D 1000 IU: Vitamin D works in conjunction with Calcium to help develop and maintain strong bones and teeth. Superior Source offers a new Extra Strength 1,000 IU Vitamin D which can help to ensure optimal health, as stated in a recent review study. All Superior Source Vitamin D products are D3, the finest source. Vitamin D is essential in maintaining eye health and also helps maintain skin, teeth, eyes and the immune system.

2. Vitamin C "Tangy" Orange Melts 500 mg: Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that cannot be produced by the body, therefore it must be replenished daily. Vitamin C also provides support to the body's immune system, very helpful in a season where people catch colds and flu. No sugar is added, these products are only sweetened by stevia; this is preferable to most 'chewable' vitamin C products that are typically loaded with lots of sugar.

3. Just Women Hormone Balance: Our Just Women-Mature Healthy Balance formula combines key vitamins with selected herbs to support the body's optimal health for mature women.

4. Children's Echenacea: Zinc is an essential mineral required by more than 300 enzymes for the support of multiple systems and functions in the human body. Studies have indicated that zinc promotes recovery from the common cold and related symptoms. Superior Source Zinc Lozenjets are formulated with an herbal blend as added protection for children's health and immune system support.

5. Vitamin B12 Folic Acid 1000 mg: No Shot B-12 / B-6 / Folic Acid "Instant Dissolve MicroLingual" go to work fast! Just place one MicroLingual Tablet under the tongue and within seconds the Sublingual Micro-Tab is dissolved and the nutrients are sped into the blood stream. The combination of B-12 / B-6 & Folic Acid provides essential nutrients for the well being of the heart, by working synergistically to achieve a lower Homocysteine level which in turn lowers the risk of developing heart disease as well as providing nutritive support for healthy cardiovascular functions.

6. Sweet 'n Natural Stevia: Stevia naturally sweet dietary supplement used for both hot and cold beverages. The glycosides from the stevia leaf, called steviosides, are an amazing 200 times sweeter than sugar. Studies have shown that steviosides, may support healthy heart function, help to protect the teeth from dental caries and promote healthy blood glucose levels. Superior Source uses the finest raw materials and a unique blending and manufacturing process to produce the smoothest tasting stevia available with no aftertaste.

Where to Buy: You can purchase all Superior Source Vitamins at major retailers nationwide like Whole Foods and Vitamin Shoppe and major online retailers like, Vitacost, iHerb, Puritans Pride, Swansons and Lucky Vitamins.

Links:
Website: http://superiorsourcevitamins.com/
Facebook Promos: http://on.fb.me/SSFB12
Twitter: https://twitter.com/superiorsource
Retailers: http://superiorsourcevitamins.com/store-locator/

I will be getting these vitamins to review on the blog in the future and will be holding a giveaway of a 6-pack of all the supplements. Please check back in the future to check it out.

Low Carb Raspberry Sauce Recipe



Yes, I know that raspberry have naturally occurring sugar which adds carbs, but typically when we make a fruit sauce we add sugar. If you are eating low carb, berries are the way to go to add in fruit and have the lowest amount of carbs, also those on weight watchers will love this because raspberries are low in calories and high in fiber, so it makes a good addition to their menu.

You can certainly make this sauce with frozen raspberries, which are often cheaper than buying them fresh.

Come back next week and I will share my recipe for Coconut Flour Crepes that this tastes wonderful with, or if you can't wait, try it on these Low Carb Cream Cheese Pancakes.

Low Carb Raspberry Sauce
1 C raspberries
1 packet stevia
1/2 tsp water
1/2 tsp coconut oil (optional, but gives a nice additional flavor to compliment the raspberries)

Directions: 

Simmer all ingredients over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Stir and Enjoy!



Friday, November 21, 2014

GIVEAWAY and Review: Junior Explorers Kit & 50% OFF CODE!!!



Pictured above is 2 months worth of a Junior Explorers subscription. What you don't see in this picture is the subscription to online games, activities and missions. This subscription box is geared towards ages 6-12 years old, so I had my 8 1/2 year old check it out with me. My 5 year old asked if his sister would share something from the box with her and she was willing to give him the water bottle he really wanted, which now he is taking to wrestling practice. We are still in the process of checking it all out but I wanted to tell my readers about it right away and give you the chance to win a 1-month subscription of your own to give to a lucky child. This would make a fun and unique holiday present.

Readers of this blog can also get a 1-month subscription for 50% OFF by using code: SAVEGREEN. 


So, this next picture is what is in the first month subscription to get you started exploring. One of the items in the picture is a sheet of stickers that child uses to put on the box that the kit came in to make their Junior Explorers box to hold all of the items they collect and receive as part of this subscription. My daughter had a good time putting all the stickers on the box to make her personalized box. You can see how she arranged them by scrolling down to the last picture.

This first month also includes a large map that features all of the world biomes and what animals and eco-systems they will be learning about and exploring as part of this subscription. It also includes a BPA-free water bottle, collectible pin, Official Jr. Explorer wristband, Jr. Explorer ID card (which my daughter proudly filled out), Jr. Explorer tattoos, field guide book, and mission code to unlock the mission online and begin exploring and completing the activities.



Below is the 2nd month of the subscription that is of the Arctic, which includes the mission letter with online code, animal toys, mission pin (they can collect all the mission pins!), mission wristband (another thing to collect from each mission), stickers (to add to their trunk/box), animals flashcards, animal photo and fact cards, mission activity book and animal tattoos (different ones for each mission). The contents of each of the mission boxes are similar in nature but all pertain to the ecosystem and animals they are learning about for that mission.

You can sign up for a Junior Explorer mission one month at a time, but you will save money on each mission if you sign up for a 3-mo, 6-mo or 12 mo subscription. The best price per mission is for 12 months, which ends up being about $15 a month.

Readers of this blog can also get a 1-month subscription for 50% OFF by using code: SAVEGREEN. 


Product Description from Junior Explorers

Junior Explorers, ( www.juniorexplorers.com ) is a new subscription program with the mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards! We aim to connect kids to wildlife and nature in a fun and engaging way through games, activities and online missions. Each month, Junior Explorers go on a different mission to explore an ecosystem and its species, learning along the way! Junior Explorers is committed to teaching kids about how they can protect the planet through action, education and through our give back program, which supports organizations doing important work on the front lines of conservation.

Junior Explorers missions are both digital and tactile; each month a kit arrives in the mail filled with activities, games and collectibles for kids. They then head online where they complete an online mission, like rescuing a polar bear or tracking animal migrations in Africa. The online mission is made up of 5 mini games within a compelling narrative and can be played over and over.


ENTER TO WIN YOUR OWN 1-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

"Race Bling" Medal Display Hanger


Here are the next two of the Custom Made Medal Hangers that I have titled both "Race Bling". The Green and Gold one is one that I made for a friend and the Gold and Maroon one is my own race hanger and I now finally have all my medals hanging up. Yeah! You can read the other post linked above to see how I made them. I have 2 more that I started on that I need to finish up, so stay tuned for when I share those last ones.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Review: Gummy Vitamins




My Thoughts

I try to give my children balanced meals throughout the day, but sometimes we are less than balanced or are trying to give us a little more support during cold and flu season. I wanted to give these Nutrabear Vitamin B12 + Multivitamin Gummy Bears a try too see if they help provide my children with a bit more energy to get through their extracurricular activities at the end of the day. I know I like to take a B-complex to help boost my energy on days that need it or if I have an evening workout ahead of me.

These are great gummy vitamins. They are quite chewable and soft, which I like because other gummies we have tried can get hard and stick your teeth, these do not do that. Both the kids and myself enjoy these. The kids like them for the obvious reasons, they are tasty and are cute little bears. I like them because some times regular vitamins can give me an upset stomach  if I am trying to supplement before a run but don't want to eat a lot. This vitamin headlines with B12, which is provides 150% DV for children 4+, but it also has 150% DV (for ages 4+) for B6 and Vitamin D, plus also includes 10 other vitamins and minerals besides the 3 I named. I was very interested to see coconut oil and carnauba wax on the ingredient list.




Product Description from Nutrabear

This is the world's first Vitamin B12 gummy bear! Perfect for vegetarians looking to supplement their B12.

✔ Get your daily Vitamin B12 intake from 3 gummy bears. Easier to consume than chewable tablets, these yummy treats are perfect for kids and adults.
✔ 100% Gluten Free and Gelatin Free. No artificial flavors.
✔ Perfect for supplementing a vegetarian diet. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to help promote a healthy mind and body.
✔ Includes 9 other essential nutrients: Vitamins A, C, D, E, Pantothenic Acid, B6, B9, Zinc, Choline.
✔ Avoid a b12 deficiency. B12 deficiencies are common among vegetarians and vegans. Mild B12 deficiencies can result in low energy and poor mental performance. Severe deficiencies can result in permanent damage.


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.

Olaf Loom Knit Hat


If you have already learned the e-wrap stitch, that is really all you need to know how to do to make this Olaf from Frozen hat. The facial features are all felt pieces that I have cut out and hand stitched on. The twigs on the top and the bottom are all braided pieces of yarn that are tie off at the ends.

The yarn types used was:
White Bernet Baby Blanket Yarn - 2 skeins
Walnut Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky Yarn (leftover, you don't need a lot but thick,chunky yarn will make thicker twigs.)

I e-wrapped with 2 strands of white yarn until I had created a hat that was 8 1/2 inches long and cast off. I then attached the felt pieces I cut out and "twigs" I braided by hand stitching them in place. The nose is three-dimensional and stuffed with a small amount of batting.


Review: Fog Resistant Swim Goggles with UV Protection and Bonus Ear Plugs



My Thoughts

So, the previous post I told you about my thoughts on those goggles, but this is a different kind from Swimtastic. These are the Fog-Resistant Goggles with UV-Protection + Free Bonus Ear Plugs. They do cost a couple dollars more than the other pair and you have to decide if you want to spend the extra couple bucks more, depending upon your likes and use you may or may not need these ones. I like these ones for my daughter because last year swim team practiced outside and she had an outdoor meet as well as did a triathalon, so having the UV protection for her eyes is something that is important. She really likes that they are fog-resistant, because face it who wants stress out about goggles fogging up during a meet or practice and having to take them off to get rid of the fog. These glasses are truly fog resistant. We also really like the hard case because it keep the goggles from getting tangled and scratched in her swim bag. These are a high quality pair of goggles that she will use for quite a long time. These also have the adjustment in the back if you don't like having it at the sides.


Product Description from Swimtastic

Bonus earplugs included with every pair keep water out of your ear canal for a more enjoyable swim.

Fog-resistant polycarbonate lens ensures clear vision whether underwater or above, in warm weather or chilly temps.

Comes in four vibrant colors - add a little fun to your swimwear collection, or get one to match every mood.

Protective case to prevent scratches - just toss in your bag and go.

Comfortable silicone fits snugly around eyes for a leak-free seal that lasts.

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.

Review: Fog- Resistant Swimtastic Swim Goggles


My Thoughts:

Both my kids are on swim team and we had a chance to review 2 different pairs of Swimtastic swim goggles. These ones are the Fog-Resistant Swim Goggles With Interchangeable Nose Pieces. Love these googles! We got them for my young son who is on swim team. He had complained that his other goggles made it blurry (because they fogged up) and these ones make it so he can see clearly underwater because they do not fog up. I really like that they come with a hard case to store them in so that we can keep them from getting scratched off. With the interchangeable nosepieces, you can make sure you have the best fit for your child's (or adult's face), although once you have the right ones in place you will probably just leave it the way they are, but at least you have the option to change it initially to make sure you have the best fit on their face. I have talked to friends before who struggles with goggles because their children have wide-set eyes and goggles will pinch them that are made for kids, but adult ones can be too big. Being able to change the nose piece you have something to work with to get a better fit.



Product Description from Swimtastic

Anti-fog coating keeps lenses clear under any conditions, so your vision is never compromised.

Polycarbonate lenses provide superior protection from harmful UV rays, while being equally suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Interchangeable nose pieces (included) help ensure a perfect fit for every swimmer.

Molded double strap provides a comfortable, slip-free fit, and the adjustable side buckles offer endless size options within easy reach.

Soft silicone construction for a cushioned fit free from annoying leaks and uncomfortable pressure points.

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.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

GIVEAWAY: Frozen Sing-aLong DVD


Disney Lights Up Your Holidays With An All-New to DVD Frozen Sing-Along Edition

Arriving on DVD and Digital - November 18

Film Synopsis: Experience Frozen, the hit musical comedy from Walt Disney Animation Studios, like never before in a new to DVD, full-length Sing-Along Edition! Follow the lyrics with a bouncing Frozen snowflake. Join Anna as she sets off on an epic journey – teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and a snowman named Olaf – to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. It’s pure enchantment – and full of fun for the whole family!

Disney’s Frozen Sing-Along Edition is now available on Digital HD for you to take anywhere when you sign up for Disney Movies Anywhere! Today also marks Walmart’s VUDU service joining Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) as a participating retailer, further enhancing the ability to manage and enjoy your digital collections of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel movies at home and on the go. For more information about Disney Movies Anywhere now on VUDU: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7376631-disney-movies-anywhere/


ONE READER WILL WIN THEIR OWN COPY OF
FROZEN SING-ALONG DVD
ENTER RAFFLECOPTER BELOW



I received nothing in return for this post. All content was provided to me. No monetary compensation was received, nor was anything to review received. I am providing this giveaway so that my readers have a chance to win this.

Wordless Wednesday: Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

This was an interesting visit to learn more about a lighthouse that was used in Oregon for a very short period of time that also includes living quarters and a tale of a ghost story. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is worth a visit if you are in the area.