Faith and Family Reviews: Product Reviews You Can Trust

Littlest Pet Shop: Little Pets, Big Adventures DVD Review

Posted by Professor on January 15, 2013
in DVDs & CDs, Kids Stuff, Movie Reviews, Movies, TV Shows

We have reviewed the Littlest Pet Shop Cartoon before…when it premiered on the HUB network … we are pleased to announce that Littlest Pet Shop has launched its first DVD Collection!

The DVD is entitled “Littlest Pet Shop: Little Pets, Big Adventures” and it is based on Hasbro’s popular Littlest Pet Shop brand and animated TV series. The DVD contains FIVE fun-filled episodes and captivating entertainment the whole family can enjoy. The DVD also features bonus content including coloring sheets, a “look behind the pet shop doors” featurette, and an offer for a virtual Collectible Pet on the Littlest Pet Shop App.

For those of you who have not seen the series … basically, Littlest Pet Shop is an animated half-hour comedy series that follows Blythe Baxter and her father as they move into a Big City apartment above the Littlest Pet Shop store (an amazing day-camp for pets of all kinds including a doggie diva, dancing gecko, a sweet adorable panda, and others. Her real adventure begins when she discovers that she alone can miraculously understand and talk to all of the pets. Blithe joins them on fantastical adventured that include uproarious songs-and-dance sequences featuring all-new original music by Daytime Emmy Award nominee Daniel Ingram and the vocal talent of Ashley Ball, Tabitha St. Germain, Nicole Oliver, and Peter New.

The Littlest Pet Shop Cartoon premiered on NOV 10^th on the HUB TV Network … but now the FUN is available on DVD for your enjoyment!

Episodes on DVD include:

Blythe’s Big Adventure ~ Parts 1 &2
Bad Hair Day
Gailbreak!
Penny For Your Laughs

DVD Bonus Content

“A Look Behind The Pet Shop Doors” featurette
Coloring Sheets

The DVD is available in Stores and online NOW ~ JANUARY 15^th!

Our Review:

My children absolutely ADORE Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop Products and Toys. So of course they were thrilled when the HUB TV network aired the cartoon series. Now they are overjoyed with a DVD that they can watch anytime they wish! As a mom I have to say that this is a great cartoon series. The characters are engaging and suitable for children…there are some cartoons out there that are inappropriate that I will not let my children watch …but this is NOT one of them! This is a delightful series about a young girl and pets. What I like is that even after the cartoon is over I find my children reenacting the episodes and imagining new adventures with their Littlest Pet Shop Toys and figures. I have three children, 2 girls ages 8 & 4 and a boy age 6…they ALL enjoy the series and the toys. Although honestly I have to say that my girls are more “into” Littlest Pet Shop than my son…but he will play along with them or watch the series and have just as much fun!

The thing we found exciting was that the DVD comes with a PET COLLECTOR Token. You just scan the token into the Littlest Pet Shop APP and collect a Virtual Pet. This is a very NEAT thing! My daughter just got a new tablet for Christmas and is ecstatic with her new Virtual Pet! The Littlest Pet Shop APP is free, but the Virtual Pets cost approximately 14.97… but remember you get a free one with the purchase of the DVD! The APP is available for both Apple and Android users.

You can find more out about the APP and download a copy here: http://www.hasbro.com/littlestpetshop/en_US/discover/news/lps_app.cfm

One other exciting thing is that on some of the DVD copies you may find a SAVE $5 coupon offer. The coupon states that you can save $5 when you buy any Hasbro Littlest Pet Shop toy and the DVD (coupon must be presented when purchase is made). This is a BONUS! I find that this is a great deal since Easter is just around the corner! What a great gift to give … a Littlest Pet Shop character to go along with the DVD!

Overall, we cannot say enough about the release of the DVD…my household is enjoying the product and will for years to come…

For more information about the Hasbro brand please visit: www.hasbro.com

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.

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Choices of the Heart

Posted by html404 on January 14, 2013
in Books, Reviews

Getting sick of my book reviews yet? Don’t worry I won’t be reading much more since spring is around the corner. 😉

Choices of the Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes is the third book in The Midwives series. It appears to be about the second generation of Book One. Once again this is an author I am familiar with and have read the other two books in the series. See my review of Book One here and Book Two here.

In Choices of the Heart, Esther Cherrett, a midwife, a healer, runs from her past when personal scandal forces her to abandon all that she loves for the sake of her loved ones. The scandal not only separates her from her family but wreaks havoc with her self-belief and her relationship with God. You’ve heard the saying that hard times either draw you closer or put a distance between you and God. Well, it’s a matter of choices, thus part of the reason for the title of the book Choices of the Heart.

I loved how more details of Esther’s healing gift were shared in this book, if you remember in Book One I complained there were not enough midwifery details. Remember I was a former midwifery student….some day….maybe.

Esther possessed a lot of strength to leave everything that was familiar to her and to start anew in a foreign place without all the necessities she was use to with her privileged upbringing.

What I didn’t like about the book is the blame put on Esther, by herself and others. Perhaps it was a reflection on the time in which the book was set but still it didn’t set well with me. Inside I was screaming, “Don’t blame her/yourself!” You know how we all can belittle ourselves into almost nothing over silly mistakes or misjudgments? That’s exactly what happened to Esther.

The romance part wasn’t as predictable yet it was. It was a typical love triangle in which Esther had to choose. I was guessing for quite a while as to who she was going to choose and Esther was tempted again to run from her troubles.

The family feud aspect of the book had me guessing too. I was rather surprised at the culprit’s identity and results of the feud.

I really liked Choices of the Heart and give it two thumbs up.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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

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Your Brain Injury Compensation Claim

Posted by html404 on January 14, 2013
in Health, Uncategorized

The success and size of your brain injury compensation claim will depend on a number of factors. The severity and type of brain injury, any additional injuries, and any other costs that need to be covered will ultimately determine the extent of payment that you receive but so too will other factors. Whether you accept a settlement or fight on in court, the exact details of the accident, and individual details of the compensation claim case will have a major bearing on the outcome of your case.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can take a lot of time to heal and the last thing you require during this period of rehabilitation is to be worrying about work. With early compensation you can use this money to cover the cost of living so that you don’t have to rush back to work and you can use the money to pay for private medical attention, to pay for any necessary rehabilitation items, and for any other necessary purposes.

How To Proceed

You should ensure that you attend doctors’ appointments and visit healthcare professionals as and when required because gaps in your health records could prove problematic during your case. Your solicitor will aim to acquire copies of your health records so that he or she can use these in your case. These records will show the exact injuries that have occurred as well as the severity of those
injuries.

Compensation And Settlement

Compensation figures will take into account your benefits and salary and you will be able to gain sound advice on financial issues from your solicitor. They will also represent you during any court case or, if you prefer, they will attempt to gain quick compensation so that the money can be used to pay for treatment or so that you do not have to rush back to work.

Contact www.theheadinjurysite.com for more details on how to proceed with a brain injury compensation claim.

This is a guest post.

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Pink Taffy Designs – Trendy Baby Apparel

Posted by 278Wife on January 13, 2013
in Baby Products, Clothing, Kids Stuff, Reviews

If you are anything like me, you are always trying to find the latest styles that look great and are comfortable for your children. Look no further. Pink Taffy Designs has some of the most adorable, trendiest styles of baby clothing you can only hope to find in high end boutiques. From newborn to kids sizes, from tops and leggings to shoes and accessories, Pink Taffy Designs carries it all. The high quality of the apparel is far beyond what you find in the usual baby stores. Gotta love trendy baby apparel!

Check out this eye-stopping tutu set, which is part of their Baby LOVE Collection. It is available in 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-18 months with the option of a baby tee or baby creeper. I love that the entire outfit is machine washable and unbelievably soft! The silky tutu skirt has an adjustable waist with two layers of tulle giving it just the right amount of poof. The tulle material is ultra soft, not scratchy like some lines of clothing. The matching baby creeper has a rosette heart with splashes of sparkle. The whole set is absolutely adorable!

Pink Taffy Designs only stocks items that “wow” them from creative and trendy designers. Their items are one of a kind and the gift registry makes it easy for anyone to pick out the items they love. These outfits would be great for milestone birthdays, holidays, photo sessions, or everyday. Pink Taffy Designs is “the” place to shop for your child!

http://www.pinktaffydesigns

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The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Posted by html404 on January 12, 2013
in Books, Reviews

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. I have now read them all! It is about the youngest daughter of Amos Lapp whose name is Mary Kate. Mary Kate has grown up a lot since the last book by about 5-7 years if I remember without looking it up. She is now nineteen. She is just as curious, klutzy, hilariously funny with the vivid imagination of a dreamer….she could be part my daughter! lol!

Mary Kate is learning to be content with where she’s at in life. She’s forced to take on a teaching job when she absolutely hated school when she attended, but that proves to be a good character building experience that leads to a more mature Mary Kate.

Unlike most Amish young women, Mary Kate was prone to getting into all kinds of scrapes from running into people with her red scooter to falsely accusing innocent people of murder and robbery!

In the first couple of pages of the book Mary Kate is convinced her purpose in life is to solve the death (or murder as she called it) of a local sheep farmer, but it leads her into all kinds of unwanted trouble.

I loved reading her journey to womanhood, contentment and yes, even love.

Many of you should know by now one of my favorite authors is Suzanne Woods Fisher. It’s not just because she writes about the Amish, but because she entertains me with her characters antics, life and behavior. Her books are more than just romance novels, they are more about life and relationships. And yes her books are about the life and character of the Amish but as a Christian every time I read one of her books I cannot help but think the community the Amish exhibit should be a template, if you will, for what Christian churches everywhere should be like.

The Lesson gets two thumbs up from me!

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

iPad Giveaway

Suzanne is giving away 2 iPads!

Contest dates: Jan 3-20, 2013

Two winners will receive:

• A brand new iPad

• A $15 gift certificate to iTunes

Enter Today – 1/3 – 1/20!

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Zen Swaddle Giveaway

Posted by html404 on January 11, 2013
in Baby Products, Giveaways, Reviews

Most moms of infants have some knowledge or experience with swaddling a baby. With my firstborn, the nurses in the hospital swaddled him in a receiving blanket. They did it so securely and fast, like second nature, and made it look so easy to do. When I arrived home I tried my hardest to swaddle him in a blanket, but I could never do it tight enough to make him feel secure. I tried using a swaddle I received from my baby shower, but he never liked it because it would not allow him to have his arms out.

The Zen Swaddle solves both of these problems and does even more than I could have every imagined. First of all, it is ultra soft and machine washable (very important for busy moms). Next, it is weighted with poly-beads in specific areas to make your baby feel as though you are still holding her. The construction of the wrap helps the baby sleep through the startle reflex, common among most infants. The Zen Swaddle was designed in a way to fit newborns all the way up to 14 pounds. My favorite feature of this product is that it offers an arms-out option, perfect for babies like mine that want the security while being able to move their arms.

The Zen Swaddle comes with very clear step by step instructions to show exactly how to swaddle your baby. It can be found at select retailers as well as online and is available in three new prints: Dots, Wheels and Pods:

http://nestedbean.com/products

I can’t wait to use this on my new little one in April!

This video will give you an overview of how the Zen Swaddle works:

Zen Swaddle Giveaway

You can enter to win your own Zen Swaddle below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Baby Product Ingredients

Posted by html404 on January 10, 2013
in Baby Products, Kids Stuff, Personal Care Products

Reading baby product ingredients or any product ingredient lists for that matter are very important in our family. That’s why I want to share an opportunity for your to give your feedback on the ingredients used in personal care products for children of all ages. The Motherhood is conducting a survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R3QHRFF

What they are looking for is if you you trust the ingredients in traditional baby/child care products, if you read labels the same way you read food ingredient labels, plus a few other topics of interest and importance.

At the end of the survey there is an option to submit your email, again it’s optional, but anyone who does submit their email after completing the survey will be entered to win one of 10 VISA gift cards worth $25. Your email will only be used to contact gift card winners and will not be sold or shared with others.

Please feel free to pass this opportunity on to other parents. Huge thanks to any and all who help!

This is a compensated post by The Motherhood.

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Mama Alert Jewelry

Posted by html404 on January 10, 2013
in Jewelry

I had the pleasure of reviewing a great product that I believe every pregnant mother should own. m*a*m*a alert jewelry is designed to protect a mother and her unborn child in case of a medical emergency or accident where they may be unable to speak. This piece of jewelry could alter the medical treatment a mother receives in a way that could even be lifesaving. I know many women, including myself, who have been pregnant and did not tell anyone in the beginning for fear of miscarriage. I personally miscarried so when I became pregnant again only a select few knew. This piece of jewelry would have eased my mind knowing that my baby and I would receive the proper care should something bad happen to me.

m*a*m*a jewelry is stainless steel and contains a stork, a due date, and the “star of life,” which will easily alert emergency personnel that their patient is expecting. The company offers both bracelets and necklaces with their trademarked pendant. The bracelets can be resized to fit any size wrist, and the necklaces can be worn under clothing until you are ready to announce your big news.

m*a*m*a maternity alert jewelry is a must have for every pregnant woman. It speaks when you can’t.

You can purchase the Mama Alert Jewelry here:

http://www.mamajewelryco.com/index.html

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Sparkling Clean With Cascade Complete Pacs #CascadeComplete

Posted by html404 on January 9, 2013
in Cleaning, Reviews

Over the weekend I blogged about January is Organization Month. In that post I shared my cleaning and my organizing wish list for certain rooms of our home, but neglected to mention my kitchen cupboards and hutches, which almost need a weekly or at least a monthly going through to stay on top of the clutter. Mostly because the children put dishes away.

I’ve been blessed to have a dishwasher most of my adult life. Spoiled, I know! I generally know what dishwasher detergent works and what doesn’t. You know those brands that leave a residue or leave food on your dishes? It’s sad to admit but since using one particular brand and the children being in charge of loading the dishwasher I have come to accept dirty residue as a part of my drinking pleasure. Ewwww! You say? Yeah, so does my husband. I just got tired of having to clean a glass before I got a drink so I started to skip that step.

However, I definitely have my favorite dishwasher soap brand(s). Cascade being one of them and no I’m not just saying that for the sake of this post. I have yet to find a good organic, eco-friendly brand that works just as well, unfortunately. Then recently I was able to try Cascade Complete Pacs. They are a little rectangle pacs of dishwasher soap detergent you pop into the dishwasher with no mess, spills or harmful odors emitting from it as it does with dishwasher powder. This was the first time we’ve ever tried a dishwasher soap pac, that I can remember anyways.

Cascade Complete Pacs

provide an immaculate clean without wasting precious time and water pre-rinsing 24-hour stuck-on food messes. Over time, Cascade Complete Pacs fight hard water film two-times better, wash after wash, than the next leading premium pac.

I was excited to try these little pacs. They worked so well that we bought the largest container we could find! Yes indeed these little pacs had our glasses sparkling and our dishes cleaner than they had been in months and it was a change we wanted to continue seeing after running the dishwasher…..We’d been using another brand’s eco-friendly dishwashing soap, which obviously was not doing it’s job, and we can stop blaming it on the children’s method of loading the dishwasher too! 😉

Need I say more? We really like the Cascade Complete Pacs.

“This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Cascade blogging program, and I received free product from P&G for participating. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.”

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Food Allergies Education – A Healthy Tuesday Tip

Posted by html404 on January 8, 2013
in Articles, Education, Health, Health and Nutrition

Food allergies education. How many of you educate yourselves about food allergies, especially if your children don’t even have them? How many of you think about keeping children with allergies safe?

We have friends whose son has extreme allergies. She has to carry an Epipen. I remember a story she told of her older daughter helping with dinner preparations – making tacos – her daughter neglected to wash her hands after touching the different ingredients. After dinner her son started to get a red, itchy face…a sign of an allergic reaction. They determined that when their daughter made the tacos the residue from the cheese on her fingers caused their son to react to his dairy allergy. Amazing. Our friends are not the only ones suffering through the challenges of extreme allergies. There are so many children with life threatening allergies now that there are Food Allergy Initiatives and Ministries to support and help families, especially in dealing with their child(ren) attending school.

Last year there was an article featured on Yahoo that I thought worthy of attention, even a year later, because I believe food allergies education is crucial to keeping children with allergies safe.

Nearly 6 million or 8% of children have food allergies with young children affected most.[1]

The prevalence of food allergies and associated anaphylaxis appears to be on the rise. [2]

According to a study released in 2008 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about an 18% increase in food allergy was seen between 1997 and 2007. [3]

Even though I homeschool I feel it is important for us as parents to educate not only ourselves but also our children about food allergies because we all either know someone with deadly allergies or will inevitably meet someone with them. It is important for the safety of children with food allergies that we are aware and alert to the fact that our children need to know how to safely offer treats to their friends because there isn’t always going to be an adult around to “save” an allergic child from a harmful ingredient.

Please share what you have done to increase yours and your children’s food allergies education.

[1][2][3] FoodAllergy.org Food Allergy Facts and Statistics for the U.S. http://www.foodallergy.org/page/facts-and-stats