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“Garden Sleeves” or KitchenKuffs

Posted by html404 on April 12, 2011
in Gardening, Health & Garden Tuesday, Houseware

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

When I started in the greenhouse last month it was annoying to wear my jacket while planting because my sleeves would fall down even when I yanked them up nearly to my elbows. Yet most days it was still pretty cool in there so I needed a jacket on to keep warm. Then enters a nifty little product called KitchenKuffs (or as you can see by my title “garden sleeves”).

The KitchenKuffs have either have an adjustable cord or an elastic top that you slip over your arm and the result is your sleeves are held in place while you garden or wash the dishes or even clean the toilet. (I’d have a separate set from the kitchen though! Just my humble opinion!)

I really do not have anything negative to say about them. If you use the adjustable ones, which are the ones I prefer you can get a perfect fit for your arm. They come in a couple different styles, colors and sizes. I think KitchenKuffs are a great little product and highly recommend them for keeping those sleeves in place.

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Let’s Do Lunch

Posted by html404 on April 12, 2011
in Eco Friendly Products, Food and Treats

This was a cool video done by Kelly Lester, of EasyLunchBoxes.com and celebrity guest, Sam Harris, thought it was worth sharing since we really like the EasyLunchboxes!

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Eco Tip

Posted by html404 on April 12, 2011
in Eco Friendly Products, Tuesday Tip

Reuse!! There are several websites to help with this:

Ebay
Freecycle.org
Barter Bee
Recyclers World
Throwplace.com

Just to name a few:)

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FoodDay.org

Posted by html404 on April 12, 2011
in Food and Treats, Health, Health & Garden Tuesday, Health and Nutrition

We are excited to present a major new campaign that we are launching today with some of the most prominent voices for change in the food policy world. Organized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Food Day will encourage people around the country to sponsor or participate in activities that encourage Americans to “eat real” and support healthy, affordable food grown in a sustainable, humane way.

We’ve modeled Food Day on Earth Day. It is led by honorary co-chairs Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Rep. Rosa Delauro (D-CT), and is backed by an impressive advisory board including author Michael Pollan, physicians David Satcher and Michael Roizen, professors Walter Willett, Kelly Brownell, and Marion Nestle, and prominent chefs such as Alice Waters, Dan Barber, and Nora Pouillon. Food Day also has the support of a wide range of national and local organizations focused on hunger, sustainable agriculture, animal welfare, and public health.

We envision thousands of events on October 24, 2011, from coast to coast, ranging from small events in homes and classrooms, to large rallies in public parks, and hearings in city councils and state legislatures. A Food Day event could be as simple as a vegetable-recognition contest in a kindergarten, a potluck dinner with friends featuring locally sourced ingredients, a spirited debate on a college campus, or celebrating the harvest from an urban garden.

Food Day is all about solving local communities’ food problems. Nationally, we’ve identified five key priorities:

– Reducing diet-related disease by promoting healthy foods

– Supporting sustainable farms and cutting subsidies to agribusiness

– Expanding access to food and alleviating hunger

– Reforming factory farms to protect animals and the environment

– Curbing junk-food marketing to kids
Can we count on you to participate in a Food Day event near you, or better yet, will you organize a Food Day event in your community? If none of the topics above appeals to you, is there another food issue confronting your community that needs attention? A growing network of partner organizations, advisors, and Food Day organizing staff will help putting a Food Day event on the calendar. (In weeks we’ll have a web-based map that lets you schedule or RSVP to Food Day events with just a few clicks of a mouse).

Please email us at foodday@cspinet.org, or call us at 202-777-8392. Food Day is just a little more than six months out. That’s more than enough time to plan, and let’s get started together!

You can keep up with Food Day and other exciting things by ‘liking’ Food Day on Facebook, or following us at our Twitter handle (#foodday).

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African Cats Coming To Theaters Near You!

Posted by html404 on April 11, 2011
in DVDs & CDs, Movies

Leaping into theaters on Earth Day, 2011, “African Cats” features the real-life love, humor and determination of the kings of the African savanna: Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion.

An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.

During the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the African savanna.

Check out the trailer below:

Be sure to like Disney on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

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ClosedHow To Get Kids Involved in Going Green: Week 1 of Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive & Giveaway

Posted by html404 on April 11, 2011
in All Natural Products, Eco Friendly Products, Giveaways

Congratulations to Karen! You won this giveaway! Comment # 12 chosen by Random.org

Thanks to all who entered and to Scott Naturals and TheMotherhood. for sponsoring this great giveaway!

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Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review and is being compensated by Scott Naturals and TheMotherhood. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review and compensation, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

How To Get Kids Involved in Going Green

I am sure some parents are at a loss or have battles in knowing how to get kids involved in going green, but it’s been the opposite for our family. We have been on a healthy living journey probably since our first child was born – a natural progression of how our family lives. It certainly has been to our advantage to have some of our children “chemically sensitive”, because of that all of our children who read are or are becoming avid label readers. They want to know what is in the food they eat and the products they use on their body. We have taught them to read labels to learn these things.

Leading by example is the most important aspect of getting kids involved in a green lifestyle. If we are practicing what we “preach” and are not dictators in our approach, I think kids naturally gravitate towards what their parents are doing. This may not happen for everyone or every child, but it has been our experience so far, thankfully. And yes, I know our kids are still young, but I hope it continues.

Exposing kids to green fairs and expos are another great way to get them acquainted with becoming environmentally friendly. We have attended several over the past year. These fairs and expos not only have interactive vendor booths where they can ride a bicycle, which in turn causes light bulbs to go on, there are recycling demonstrations, worm composting and planting your own seeds etc. Then there is the literature to be picked up and read and guest speakers to share their knowledge of living green.

Buy and use eco-friendly products at home. This is right up there with leading by example. Children gain an appreciation for safe products that do not make them sick. Some of our children will refuse to use products with “no-no” or “bad” ingredients in them because they have been educated about the affects they can cause.

Garden with them. Teaching kids about organic gardening, not only educates them on where their food comes from but also shows them food can be grown without harmful chemicals. And ultimately encourages them to eat healthy organic produce because they planted it themselves! Our children love growing our food. The whole process is exciting to them and harvesting (eating!) is the icing on the cake so to speak.

Practice recycling and what it means. It is one thing to own a recycling bin and recycle, it is quite another to explain to children why we do it. Teach children that trash goes into landfills and that we do not want so much garbage buried in the ground. We teach recycling and reusing preserves our earth’s resources and makes us good stewards of the land God has given us and eliminates the amount of trash going to landfills. Give children a reason for wanting to recycle.

Read books about green living. I do not remember owning or reading any books about green living as a kid, but there are plenty at our local library. If you homeschool, do a unit study on how to be good stewards of the land God has blessed us with. If your kids attend public school, they will probably do something this month for Earth Day on April 22, so get a couple of books to read at home to go along with your child’s lessons at school.

Remember an involved parent is a precious thing, so attend that green fair they are having in your community and plan an Earth Day celebration at home according to your own belief system. It is not hard to implement these things and the greatest part is not just getting your child involved in going green, but that you are spending quality time together as a family.

Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive & Giveaway

This ~~week,~~ or month rather, we are doing things a little different due to a blog campaign we are participating in. We are hosting our giveaways on Monday and not Friday and they will last for one week. Each week ONE winner will be chosen to receive one of these Scott Naturals Kits:

A 12 pack of toilet paper, a 6 pack of paper towel, a package of napkins and flushable moist wipes. Cool, eh? Yeah, we thought so too!

You may also choose to participate in the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive between now and September 30 and enter to win a Ford Fusion hybrid car! Once you pledge to take the 4-Week Test Drive, coupons for each product are available –http://www.scottbrand.com/community/savings/scott

Scott’s Press Release says:

According to a recent poll, one third of consumers believe eco-friendly products don’t work as well as “regular” ones. That’s why Scott Naturals is on a mission to get people to rethink their notion of environmentally friendly products. As the world’s first line of “hybrid” paper products, including bath tissue, paper towels, flushable moist wipes and napkins, the Scott Naturals brand combines the green benefits of recycled fiber with the quality people want, making it easy to take a green step forward. If every American pledged to use Scott Naturals for four weeks, it would save two million trees. Starting on April 4, as part of the “Take the 4-Week Test Drive Sweepstakes,” Scott Naturals began challenging Americans to test out its line of hybrid paper products for four weeks and enter for a chance to win a new hybrid sedan.

Eco Fact: If every person that updated their Facebook status this week took the 4-Week Test Drive there’d be 1,744,400 trees saved.

Our Review of Scott Naturals Toilet Paper

The toilet paper has lined ridges and has a rather rough feel to it. Ok, I have to be completely honest here and admit that our family has tender tushies. Let’s just say our tushies are use to a certain softness element was missing from Scott Naturals bathroom was anything but tissue. Scott Naturals toilet paper is rough and stiff. Not like our usual brand at all. The three older members of our family complained about it from the start, the younger crew….well….did not say much at all. The two middle girls stated they liked it and thought it was nice….maybe I should ask them while they are on the potty next time not at bedtime when they are giddy school girls? No, but seriously the toilet paper leaves much to be desired and that is our humble opinion on the first product of our 4-Week Test Drive. (It gets better from here! I did the worst first. 🙂 )

Enter to win a Scott Naturals paper products!

Mandatory Entry: Tell me which products you want to try the most from Scott!

Extra Entries (Please be sure and leave a comment and link for extra entries):

1 Entry:Follow Faith and Family Reviews On Twitter

1 Entry:Like/Friend Faith and Family Reviews on Facebook.

1 Entry: Like Scott Naturals on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall saying- Faith and Family Reviews sent me.

2 Entries: Follow Faith and Family Reviews on Google Friend Connect (on the our right side bar).

2 Entries: Tweet about this giveaway. Up to three tweets per day. Include a separate comment for each and your tweet url with your comment. You may write your own tweet or use this one:

Giveaway: Enter to win #ScottNaturals paper products! http://bit.ly/ggOx8R @faithfamilyrevw! Please share! Thx!

5 Entries: Blog about this giveaway and link back this post.

1 Entry: For every comment you leave anywhere else on this blog, but please leave a link with your comment!

Details:

This giveaway will run from April 11th, 2011 to April 17th, 2011 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Scott will send one winner their prize. Winner will be contacted via email on or before April 20th, 2011 and will be asked for their contact and other pertinent info. Winners will have 48 hours to send me their e-mail at [ffr] [giveaways] [at] [gmail] [dot] [com] (without spaces and parenthesis). Please note: This giveaway is offered to USA only.

As part of this project, Scott Naturals will be making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation, so please help spread the word!

Thanks and have fun!

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Beside Still Waters – A Litefuse Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on April 9, 2011
in Books

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review for Litfuse Blog Tours. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

Most of you all know that I am intrigued by the Amish. Their community and lifestyle just holds some appeal, not only to me but to the thousands of tourists who visit Amish country in Pennsylvania each year too. Not to mention their modesty and style of dress is a novelty in a culture who seems to be undressing.

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer is another Amish story. It is about the Sommers family, especially about Marianna Sommers, and her family’s move away from their old community to a new one; and all the challenges a big change can bring. The storyline deals with many facets of the heart and relationships. I just want to share the ones that stood out to me.

I could relate to Marianna’s struggle with the move. Nearly 17 years ago I made a huge move when I married my husband. I moved from a small country town in Canada to the Chicago area. A big move can be very difficult.

Marianna was not only dealing with the struggle of the move, but to be a dutiful daughter, the guilt of being born, and being attracted to English ways. Ever feel guilty for something you had no control over? I have, it’s a huge weight to carry, and let go of.

I identified with Marianna’s course of direction. It is hard to know God’s will, let alone the true motives of our own hearts. I liked what Marianna’s father said about peace, “It’s a peace that comes even when you can’t know the future. It’s the peace that comes from knowing God is already there.” That was a striking statement for me. To be comfortable with whatever is ahead because God is already there. No need to worry or fear because He is there.

Pretty strong stuff.

Again, Beside Still Waters is yet another book that reveals the Amish are drawn to many of the same things we are, are committed to God and family, they just live it out in a different way than most of us do.

Two thumbs up from me!

About Tricia

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. Visit www.triciagoyer.com for more info.

Blog Tour Giveaway

Tricia is hosting a book giveaway on her blog during the tour. Bonus: She’s also giving away a Montana Amish Calendar to everyone who enters the giveaway! While supplies last. Be sure to head on over to her blog and enter yourself: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html

To celebrate the release of the first book in the Big Sky Amish series Tricia is giving away 10 copies of Beside Still Waters and a pair of super cute antique Amish salt & pepper shakers.

Details at Tricia’s blog, It’s Real Life: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html

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Coach Wooden – The 7 Principles that Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours

Posted by html404 on April 9, 2011
in Books

This is a rare review given by my husband, a man of very few words, as dictated to me.

Coach Wooden was a legendary UCLA basketball coach. Pat Williams has written this book to share the story of the legacy Coach’s father passed on to him – The 7 Principles that Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours. It is a story that continues to impact lives, including mine.

It was impressive to find out that when Wooden graduated from eighth grade his father gave him the 7 Principles on a handwritten card and said, “Son, try to live up to this.” That touched me and here are those principles:

– Be true to yourself.

– Help others.

– Make Friendship a fine art.

– Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.

– Make each day your masterpiece.

– Build a shelter against a rainy day by the life you live.

– Give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.

I thought this book about Coach Wooden was great. I loved many of Coach Wooden’s little sayings, but especially these:

“The worst thing about new books is they keep us from reading old ones.”

“Discipline yourself and others won’t need to.”

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.”

“What is right is more important that who is right.”

“The best way to improve the team is to improve yourself.”

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

One of the stories I appreciated, because I have always been of slender frame, is the one Jamaal Wilkes (Page 168) shared during Coach Wooden’s uology about Coach’s underrated sense of humor:

I was selected by the Warriors with the 11th pick of the first round of the NBA Draft. There was a great deal of concern about my slender frame and whether I could hold up under all the pounding in the NBA. A sportswriter asked Coach about my chances of making it in the NBA, and he said, ‘Well, he’ll never pull a muscle–because there are no muscles to pull.

This made me laugh. Coach Wooden was a great man and this is a book that should be read by all, but especially men.

“Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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April Showers Giveaway at Kidorable

Posted by html404 on April 7, 2011
in Free Stuff, Giveaways

Thanks to Tanya for sharing this info….

Have you ever wished you had accessories as fun as Kidorable when you were a kid? Ever wish we would give them to you for free just for talking about it to your friends? Please share the joy of Kidorable’s April Showers Giveaway.

From April 11 through April 25, Kidorable will be giving lucky winners FREE products every weekday. All you need to do is fan us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and share the excitement with their friends.

To enter, just post a comment on our Facebook page or retweet each Giveaway. Winners will be randomly drawn every weekday at 2pm CST. The first contest will be announced Friday, April 8.

Joyfully,

All your friends at Kidorable

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Horizon Organic Milk

Posted by html404 on April 7, 2011
in Food and Treats, Health and Nutrition, Organic

Most of our family loves milk. Milk is a good source of Vitamin D and Calcium. It is good for us or at least we are taught that it is. We tend to buy milk that is on sale. We do try to avoid brands that contain hormones etc. Personally, I grew up on raw milk due to living in the country. I have fond memories of going to the farm with my mom to get milk out of the huge milk tank in the milk parlor in the milking barn. I would visit with the farmers, look in on the milking, visit the calves or just wait in the car. We knew our farmer. I won’t get into the raw vs. pasteurized milk debate here in this post, but if you are itching for a debate we can do that in the comment section. 😉 We could even debate the pasteurized vs. organic issue as well.

Speaking of organic, last month we received three coupons for a half gallon of Horizon® Organic Milk. Most of you probably already know that organic milk is produced without antibiotics, pesticides and from cows not given added growth hormones. Organic milk is also produced using cows who are treated humanly and who are grass fed or fed organic feed or hay (No GMOs!) during the winter. Much different than feedlot raised cattle. Horizon® Organic Milk is available in gallons and half gallons. What I did not know is that Horizon® is ultrapasteurized. Not sure that is a good thing, unfortunately. Nevertheless, purchasing milk from Horizon® supports over 600 individual organic farmers! Wow, I did not know that fact.

Our Review

We enjoyed Horizon® Organic Reduced Fat Milk very much. It had good flavor and tasted like milk. We drank it up in quick order. It came nicely packaged and we appreciated the coupons that bought us 1.5 gallons of milk. What more can we say? Milk is milk? (Let the debate in the comment section begin! Seriously, I’d love to hear where you all are on this topic.)

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