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Top Nine TV Shows -Movie Review Monday

Posted by html404 on April 16, 2012
in Movie Review Monday

Winter time always makes me feel like a couch potato. We watch waaaaay more TV and movies during the colder months of the year than any other and since it is has become such a big part of my life I thought I would share my top nine TV shows and share a Movie Review Monday post instead of a Monday Motivation post this week. These are in no particular order.

Disclaimer: And just because I am writing about these movies/shows or like them does not mean I necessarily agree with the lifestyles or language portrayed by some of the characters. If you own Clear Play, use it. If not it’s a program that helps clean up scenes and language so invest in it. Just like real life we come across many people and choices, to each his own. It’s only by God’s grace and sovereignty that I know how He wants me to live. It’s not my job to preach it at others.

1. White Collar – We really like this show, even my husband does. It is funny, entertaining and keeps you guessing. There is some language in certain episodes, violence and otherwise adult scenes so I do not necessarily recommend it for children unless you view it in advance and make an informative decision based on what you watched.

2. Downton Abbey – My older girls and I are hooked. This is a British show based on a upper class English family in the early 1900’s. The first episode is actually set in 1912, the time of the Titanic. It is amazing how much you can love and hate characters! PBS even allows you to rate the characters you loathe and love for each episode! Again, depending upon the episode there is adult content that is not suitable for younger viewers.

3. Shark Tank – My husband and I love watching entrepreneurs pitch their business to 5 multi-millionairs/billionaires in order to strike a deal with one of the “sharks”. Not only entertaining, but educational as well.

4. Undercover Boss – This show makes me cry nearly ever episode I have watched! I enjoy seeing the bosses trying to do the jobs of the rest of their staff and the employees reaction when they find out they worked with their undercover boss. I love seeing what the undercover bosses decide to do for their employees and companies after their undercover stint is completed.

5. Cake Boss – Cake Boss is highly entertaining. It makes us laugh. It makes us hungry! 😉

6. Wipe Out – We watch Wipe Out when we need to laugh. It is an absurd obstacle course that people sign up to participate in to win $50,000. Is just hilarious and a show to watch if you ever what to/need to laugh!

7. Robin Hood – Another British TV show that we found on Netflix. It is no longer being aired but we fell in love with the characters of this show. Robin Hood is charming, Maid Marion beautiful and his band of fellows highly entertaining. While the Sheriff of Nottingham, on the other hand, is down right despicable! The violent fighting is probably the only concern to mention about this show, but it never really bothered our children for some reason. They knew it wasn’t real and just rooted for Robin Hood and his men. We watched this back in the fall when the children were sick and they still ask to re-watch episodes! Very thankful Netflix still has it on streaming! It was hard to see this series end.

8. Worst Cooks in America – We have only watched a season of this but it was highly entertaining and educational in the realms of cooking and baking. Talk about competition and pressure!

9. X-Factor USA/UK/Austraila – Our favorite is the USA/UK version. As I have mentioned before, my husband is a music buff and I get hooked on the personal stories and people.

What did you watch this past winter?

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The Discovery Review

Posted by html404 on April 14, 2012
in Books, Reviews

If you are looking to read an intriguing book, The Dicovery by Dan Walsh is one to read. This is a sentimental love story, fictional of course, but sweet with a hint of espionage and the lies that often come with being a spy.

I have to admit that I read all the portions written by the main character’s grandson first before I delved into “the discovery”. Not something I usually do, but for me it set the tone for the whole book.

Most of these books that I have been reviewing are not overtly preachy by any means. The Discovery is another novel that brings the main character back to God through life’s hardships. Most hardships people can relate to, however, the details of “Ben’s” story are hardly normal by any means.

I liked the sacrificial love Ben showed, as well as the lasting love and devotion of a couple in their eighties. I also liked the fact that when the grandfather knew he was dying he spoke to each member of his family about the terms of the will and what to expect; thus eliminating any money wars you often read about or see in the movies!

While the story was a bit surreal at times, it had all the elements of a good book and made me cry too. Two thumbs up from me.

“Available April 2012 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 free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Noodle and Boo Reviews

Posted by html404 on April 13, 2012
in Giving Back/Charity, Organic, Personal Care Products, Pregnancy and Birth, Products for Mom

We all like to look good, feel good and smell good. I love the way my babies and children smell after a bath. Of course it’s because they are clean, but the personal care products we use on them play a part in them smelling good too. I tend to be picky when it comes to what baby bath, shampoo and soap we use on our children due to all the different chemical sensitivities we have experienced over the years. Plus I remember when I was younger having a reaction to different bubble baths and soaps, it’s not fun!

I love it that so many more companies are becoming aware of the ingredients they are putting into their products. Noodle and Boo is one of those companies.

Noodle and Boo – The Company and Ingredients

Noodle and Boo choose ingredients that are derived from natural resources and are certified organic (when available) and safe to use. Yay! I love it!

Their products do not contain parabens, sulfates, dyes, triclosan (new one for me), phthalates, PPG’s (another new one for me), GMO’s (Genetic Modified Organism) or formaldehyde donors. Looking good, eh?

Noodle and Boo products are made and manufactured in the USA. Another bonus! Their products are tested to minimize risk or allergic reactions and dermatologist and pediatrician tested. So the pros are in the know and Noodle and Boo has done their best to insure their products are safe for our wee ones.

Noodle and Boo – Giving Back

Noodle and Boo displays their social responsibility by giving back a significant portion of their profits to organizations like: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Save the Children, Keep a Child Alive and Compassion International.

Noodle and Boo – The Products

We received Noodle and Boo’s Bouncing Baby Bubbles, Extra Gentle Shampoo and French-Milled Baby Soap. They came nicely packaged. But they have a whole line of products and gift items for both mom and baby/child that you can check out at their website! www.NoodleandBoo.com They even offer small samples, “try us to love us” is their slogan.

Noodle and Boo Reviews

I love the three products we received. They have a pleasant, but gentle scent, foam nicely and leave your skin smelling good! The only little thing is I think my daughter had a reaction to the Bouncing Baby Bubbles, but it does state on the back of the bottle a “common sense caution” regarding any irritation that occurs. So my sons get to enjoy all the bubbles!

Overall I highly recommend Noodle and Boo. Two thumbs up from me!

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Spring Cleaning #CBias #EasterSmiles @Colgate

Posted by html404 on April 13, 2012
in Cleaning, Holidays, Organization, Personal Care Products, Safety, Shopping

Have you started your spring cleaning yet? Did Easter gifts put you in the mood to purge? My spring cleaning seems to be ongoing. We’ve done most of the closets – sorting, purging, organizing and packing things away. The garage was started but it’s far from being done. I did get brave and packed up some winter things, not all, after all we are still getting frost. Who knows if we could get another snowfall. This is Chicago.

This week I decided it was time to go through our bathroom medicine cabinet. We do not have a lot in our medicine cabinet, but since it has been several months since we moved, I thought it was time to see what was really lurking behind those doors. We have three sections in our medicine cabinet. One side is mine, the middle is for family and the right side is my husband’s.

My Side of the Medicine Cabinet

The Middle

The middle side has scissors, band aids and thermometers. Pretty bare…

My Husband’s Side

Hmmmm…..what’s down there in the right-hand corner?

I found some interesting dates on some peridontal stuff called Peroxyl, also a Colgate product, in my husband’s side of our medicine cabinet. As I was going through the cabinet my four year old and 20 month old jibber jabbered away at me.

Take a look at these dates, if you look closely enough you can see they are from 2007 and 2009. I had no idea they were that old, neither did my husband.

Look closely at the edge

I promptly threw them into the garbage can.

I found Ibuprofen that is still good ’til 2013 and ear drops good thru 2014.

We definitely had toothbrushes that needed replacing. My youngest daughter, Blondie and I went shopping at Walmart and bought the Colgate Nickelodeon toothbrushes by Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants. Perfect for our younger children. You can see more of our shopping trip on Google+.

Oral hygiene is important to our family especially since my husband suffered from gum disease several years ago. Let’s just say he’s very good at giving the children reason to brush their teeth!

To learn more about Colgate products visit their website, follow them on Facebook or Twitter.
Happy Spring Cleaning!

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. #CBias #EasterSmiles

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Food Fights Review & Giveaway

Posted by html404 on April 13, 2012
in Books, Food and Treats, Giveaways, Health and Nutrition, Parenting

I am always hesitant to read parenting books because after being a parent for so long you kind of get into your own groove. Our groove tends to be very different from most, as it should be because every family, every child and every parent is different. None of us are cookie cutter parents or we shouldn’t be! We each have to develop our own style of parenting that fits us as individuals and our children.

Book Reviews

You all know that I do a fair amount of book reviews, but I do not do a lot of parenting books. Guess they scare me! Ha! No seriously. When I was a young mom I tended to want to do what every good parenting book said but parenting just does not work like that. I gradually learned that we get ideas from other parents, books etc. but we tweak them to make it work for our individual family.

Food Fights

Food Fights is the book I mentioned at the beginning of the week and shared a juicy update about. It offers parenting tips on how to pick food battles, dealing with the mine fields of TV dinners, fast food, eating out, sick kids and so much more. This book is written by two pediatricians, Dr. Laura A. Jana and Dr. Jennifer Shu. I know how picky some children can be and thought this book would be a great one to share.

What I Liked

The facts they shared throughout the book were very interesting and helpful.

It has a beautiful cover of a darling baby.

Spoke out against feeding kids junk food, soda pop and sugary juices.

Encouragement to feed your children fresh fruits and veggies.

Supportive of breastfeeding.

They were concerned with childhood obesity, but our food system has a huge part in that! Read labels!

What I Didn’t LikeBeware I go into a tangent!

The book discourages breastfeeding your child at bedtime/naptime. This one gets me riled up! I have breastfed eight children for 1-3 years each and have breastfed them all to sleep at some point or another and it DOES NOT make them dependent. Babies and children are already dependent for pity sake! Arggggh……..’Nough said.

Ok, I realize this next one is a can of worms in certain circles – what kind of milk do you serve your children? Rhetorical no need to answer, however, have you ever heard of not feeding children over 2 whole milk, only skim? Hmmm…..that’s a new one to me. Raw milk is better, but even our family doesn’t buy raw milk because of the price. That’s why we need a cow!

Another myth the book advises against is drinking well water. Oh really? I grew up in the country and that is the only water we had and I am fine (ok that’s debatable sometimes! Ha!) as are my parents, my sisters and all those that lived around us. Since moving to a rural area we now drink well water. Ummmm….so far none of us are any worse for doing so, but the authors claimed it was dangerous to drink well water. Did you know that Chlorine and Fluoride are NOT good for you and that they are chemicals? Just do a little research and you’ll learn ALOT.

The last two items are certainly personal choice but ones I happen to disagree with. First one, you shouldn’t make your children eat if they don’t want to both hunger wise and what you serve them. I understand and agree that if they are referring to not being hungry, but not when it comes to what is being served. We are a family of ten and neither my daughters, who now cook, nor I will make ten different meals. That is ridiculous. Therefore, our kids are required to eat whatever they are served. Period. If they really dislike it then they are required to eat bites according to their age. For example: If our four year old did not like what was for dinner he would be required to eat four bites, our six year old would need to eat six bites and so on.

The book has merit and will be helpful to those parents searching for a solution to “food fights”.

Enter to Win!

If you are interested in owning a copy we are hosting a giveaway and I will mail you your copy in a 2-3 of weeks, whenever I close the giveaway. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. Thanks!

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Win KIWI Magazine’s Cookbook on Facebook!

Posted by Brande on April 12, 2012
in Books, Contests, Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Health, Health and Nutrition, Organic, Parenting, Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Recipes

Remember when I told you about KIWI Magazine’s New Allergy – Friendly Cookbook?

Why not try and win it first? When I read the rules they are only giving away 3, but hey you never know! Hurry because the contest ends on April 13th, which is tomorrow! Log onto Facebook – here’s the direct link!

https://www.facebook.com/KIWIMagazine/app_208195102528120

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TOS Revives Molly Green – Saving Money!

Posted by Brande on April 12, 2012
in Animals, Baby Products, Books, Cleaning, Coupons, Ebooks, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Home, Money & Finances, Organic, Parenting, Recipes, Saving Money, Shopping

TOS (The Old Schoolhouse Magazine) revives Molly Green Magazine / Econobusters! Each week Molly Green is delivered to your inbox with tips, recipes and other inspiring ideas related to saving money! Molly Green Magazine / Econobusters offers decorating tips, pet care, health and beauty care for less. Let’s not forget tips on coupon clipping and “Abundant Blessings” (large savings for large families). With a paid monthly subscription to Molly Green Magazine / Econobusters you will receive “FREE Menu-Planning E-Book and Home Work: Juggling Home, Work and School Without Losing Your Balance E-Book“. Let Molly Green Magazine / Econobusters save you money too!! There is also “A Minute with Molly” a free newsletter.

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Snoopy Nightie – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on April 11, 2012
in Family Stuff, Girl Stuff, Wordless Wednesday

I bought this Snoopy nightie at a garage sale for 25 cents when my oldest was just a wee thing. All four of my girls have worn it and my youngest may or may not be able to wear it again in the fall, just depends on how much she grows between now and then. I’m just amazed that it has held up as well as it has – for 25 cents this nightie is definitely a keeper!

I know it’s a weird Wordless Wednesday post, but I was spring cleaning and organizing clothes and whenever I see this nightie I think of how long it has lasted and how much I paid for it!

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Reverse Graffiti

Posted by html404 on April 10, 2012
in Cleaning, Contests, Coupons

On May 29th, Green Works is going to clean one of Los Angeles’ grimiest alleys. They are also running a sweepstakes where one per person will win an all-expenses paid trip to LA to see their Reverse Graffiti Gallery where an artist uses Green Works products to create art on dirty spaces in LA. The winner will win $1000 gift card for spending money and tickets to area museums. 3 additional winners will be randomly drawn to win Green Works products.

Check out the Reverse Graffiti tab on the Green Works Facebook page to enter. Follow the links and instructions to complete and submit the registration to receive an entry into the Sweepstakes. Limit: You may enter one (1) time during the Promotion Period. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same email address. See more about the sweepstakes here: http://on.fb.me/GX8rSl

The Artist at Work

The artist does really remarkable and beautiful work.

Coupon

You can also receive a $1 off coupon just for watching the original Reverse Graffiti Project video.

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Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus ~ Book Review

Posted by Professor on April 9, 2012
in Books, Reviews, Uncategorized

Aging and recent widow Harriet Beamer insists she’s getting along fine with her dog Humphrey in Philadelphia … until she falls for the fourth time, injuring her ankle, and causing her son and daughter-in-law to cry foul. Insisting Harriet move in with them in California, they make a bet that her ankle is broken, and she foolishly promises to move if they’re right. Four x-rays later, Harriet’s ankle—and her heart—are broken. She packs up, ships her huge salt and pepper collection to California, and prepares to move away from the only life she knows. The only catch? She’s doing it her way. Just wait till her daughter-in-law hears Harriet will travel cross-country only by public transportation and alternate means. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming journey by train, metro bus, ferry, and motorcycle. Along the way, Harriet discovers that although her family thinks it’s time for her to be put out to pasture—God has a different plan.

Our Review:

I have to admit that the title of this book did not thrill me…it was intriguing but not enough for me to open the book right away to devour the pages. However, after reading the book I can honestly say I truly enjoyed the story woven by author Joyce Magnin.

I do have to say that the book is not a book that I would stay up nights reading but yet a good book to read at my leisure times! The book is full of fun and surprises from the heroine Harriet. I enjoyed the people and places that Harriet got to visit on her adventure. The author writes in such a descriptive tone that I could visualize each place Harriet was visiting! One added bonus was the intermingled Christian tones of the book. I found it refreshing to read a book that gave God “props” when due! He is great and well recognized in this piece of literature!

While skimming the website Amazon.com for the listing of the book to see the price (10.98 – pre-order price) I noticed they mention that this is a book from the Harriet Beamer series… I did not know this was a series of books … it looks like this is the first book in Harriett’s adventures and I look forward to reading more about Harriet in her future adventures as the series continues!

The book will be available April 24, 2012 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com

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