Funky Monkey Dried Fruit Snacks "Fruit that Crunches": Review and GIveaway

I'm celebrating the first year anniversary of my blog, and am happy that Funky Monkey offered to help me celebrate by offering another giveaway.   In  August 2010 I did a review of their dried fruit snacks!   You can read my previous  review here of the Funky Monkey Snacks.  Each ounce of Funky Monkey contains three servings of fruit, providing a snack that is delicious, healthy and convenient.

 Once again I gathered my family to help me taste test the snacks.    Since we'd already reviewed them before we knew we were in for a treat!   We sampled all seven flavors of Funky Monkey Snacks--Applemon, Bananamon, Carnaval Mix, JiveALime, Mango OJ, Pink Pineapple, and Purple Funk.  We liked them all and quickly gobbled them up.  My two favorite were JiveALime and Pink Pineapple because I prefer the tart ones.   The overall favorite of everyone was the Carnaval Mix.  

Funky Monkey Snacks are a line of freeze-dried fruit that are 100% natural, 100% real fruit, and 100% delicious – with three servings of fruit in each 1oz bag!  Our “fruit that crunches” provides the ultimate snack, fusing the great taste, smell, and nutritional goodness of fresh fruit with the crunch and convenience of conventional snacks.  Here are some additional Funky Monkey highlights:

•       Funky Monkey Snacks have no added colors, flavors, sugars, or preservatives

•       Our special, proprietary manufacturing process provides for a crunchier texture vs. conventional freeze-drying techniques

•       We use full slices and pieces (not dices) of delicious, fresh fruit
•       Funky Monkey is made in Brazil using tropical fruits at the peak of freshness

•       Our products are gluten-free and are certified Kosher

•       One of our 7 flavors, Purple Funk, also includes açai, a berry from the Amazon that is viewed as the newest superfood

You can check out the Funky Monkey website and view the flavors.
To check for them locally in stores click HERE
Check them out on Twitter .   They have lots of giveaways and contests there.
Sign up for their newsletter HERE 

WIN IT: 

Funky Monkey has offered one of my readers a prize of one bag each of all 7 flavors of Funky Monkey Snacks.

Mandatory Entry:

Do either one of the following:

1)  Sign up for the Funky Monkey newsletter   OR

2)  Use the link here to find them locally then tell me where you can buy them.

Extra Entries:

1)  Read about my son in a college scholarship contest.    Here's the link to my son's entry if you'd like to vote for him.    (5 entries so leave 5 comments!!!)   Grad Contest

2)  Follow me on GFC 

3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive 

4)  Enter any other open giveaway.   1 entry for each you enter.

5)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.
6) "Like" me on my BRAND NEW Pammie in Jammies facebook page.    Two entries so leave two credits.   

 
RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends May 10th at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond  within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.  Prize will be mailed from the sponsor.


 

Disclosure:   I received samples of the Funky Monkey snack to allow me to review the products.      My post is my own and my honest opinion and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. 

Country Bob's: Four Winner GIveaway of Country Bob's Sauce and Gift Pack Plus Cookbook Review

I'm celebrating the first year anniversary of my blog, and am happy that Country Bob's offered to help me celebrate by offering another giveaway.   In  Feb. 2011  I did a review of their Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce which my family absolutely loved!   You can read my review here of the Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce.   They were also generous and later mailed me a cookbook.  

The Country Bob's Cookbook is divided into four sections:  

Appetizers, Soups, and Snacks--This section has 27 recipes including "Country Bob's Corned Beef Cheese Roll" and "Country Vegetable Dip".
Grilling--With 15 recipes such as "Huli Huli Chicken" and "Marinated Beef Skewers".
Desserts--15 recipes (don't worry only 2 use the sauce) such as "Pumpkin Delight" and "Toffee Bread Pudding"
Main Courses--This section contains 32 recipes such as "Sweet and Sour Pot Roast","Old Settler's Beans" and "Spicy Chicken Pizza".

My favorite recipe is "Country Bob's Meat Loaf"

1 1/2 lb lean ground beef

1/4 cup chopped onion

12 saltine crackrs crushed

2 eggs beaten

3/4 cup Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon Country Bob's Seasoning Salt

1/4 teaspoon peppe

Combine the ground beef, onion, cracker crumbs, eggs, Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce, milk, Country Bob's Seasoning Salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well.  Shape into a loaf and place in a baking pan.  Spread the desired amount of additional Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce on top of the loaf.    Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until the loaf is cooked through.   Remove the loaf to a serving plate.    Let stand for several minutes before slicing.

Yield:   6 to 8 servings

     

One grand prize winner will receive one of their new Gift Packs pictured at the top of this post.  


The Gift Pack Includes:

• 1 Bottle of Original All Purpose Sauce
• 1 Bottle of Apple Chipotle All Purpose Sauce
• 1 Bottle of Honey Habanero All Purpose Sauce
• 1 Bottle of Barbecue Sauce
• 1 Container of Seasoning Salt
  

WIN IT: 

Country Bob's has offered a grand prize winner the new Gift Pack.    Three other winners will each win 2 bottles of All Purpose Sauce.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit the link to recipes and tell me which recipe using Country Bob's Sauce you'd like to try. (Do NOT use one of the recipes I listed above.   You must visit the sponsor's recipe page and pick one from there.)
  
Extra Entries:
1)  Read about my son in a college scholarship contest.    Here's the link to my son's entry if you'd like to vote for him.    (5 entries so leave 5 comments!!!)   Grad Contest

2)  Follow me on GFC 

3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive 

4)  Enter any other open giveaway.   1 entry for each you enter.

5)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.
6) "Like" me on my BRAND NEW Pammie in Jammies facebook page.    Two entries so leave two credits.   
RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends May 10th at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.  Prize will be mailed from the sponsor.



 

Disclosure:   I received samples of sauce and a cookbook previously from Country Bob's.     My post is my own and my honest opinion and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. 

Peeled Snacks: Organic Fruit Pouch Sampler Review and Giveaway

I'm celebrating the first year anniversary of my blog, and am happy that Peeled Snacks offered to help me celebrate by offering another giveaway.   In  May 2010 I did a review of their Organic Fruit Picks Variety Pack which my family absolutely loved!   You can read my review here of the Organic Fruit Picks Variety Pack.   This time I was lucky enough to try some new items.    I received four of the pouches from their new Organic Fruit Pouch Sampler. 

NEW! Organic Fruit Pouch Sampler

• Enjoy 8 new organic fruit pouches including 4 brand new varieties
• Each stay-fresh, resealable pouch contains 2 to 6 servings (depending on the variety)
• Natural source of vitamins, minerals, iron & fiber
• Contains 8 pouches: 1 each of Apple-2-the-core (2.8oz), Apricot-a-lot (5oz), paradise found (3oz), much-ado-about-Mango (2.8oz), Banan-a-peel (3oz), Raisin expectations (8.4oz), farmer's market trio (4.5oz) & GoFigure (5oz)

 The snacks I tried were:

Paradise Found comes in a resealable bag and contains over 2 servings per pouch of organic banana, mango, and pineapple.   My whole family LOVED this--the mango and pineapple especially.

Go Figure is over 3 servings per reusable pouch and contains figs, dates, and apricots.  This Mediterranean mix of exotic fruit wasn't as big a hit with my kids, probably because they've never had figs and dates before although they did love the apricots.    I loved the sampler  since I'm a fig lover.

The Farmer's Market Trio contains at least 3 servings of apples, cherries, and raisins. This was a huge hit with my kids because they like all those fruits.   The resealable bags of all these make them convenient to take on trips, in diaper bags, or for multiple small snacks at home. 

We also tried the Much Ado About Mango.    We had tried this previously, but they now have the larger resealable bag.    My family LOVED this the first time so of course we were happy to see it again in our box of goodies!   I told the story in my first review of how my son who had NEVER had mango loved this so much he asked me to buy more to take in his school lunches.    What mom wouldn't want to hear those words?

Once again my family enjoyed all the Peeled Snacks and I'm sure you'd love to give this tasty and healthy snack to your family too.    

Peeled Snacks are made with ingredients that you recognize - large, easy-to-eat pieces of fruit that provide a natural source of vitamins, minerals and fiber - with NO sugar added.

WIN IT: 

Peeled Snacks has offered one of my readers the Organic Fruit Pouch Sampler.  

Mandatory Entry:

Love on the sponsor in any of the following ways.    Only one method is required, but you can get one entry for each of these methods you use. 

1)  Like Peeled Snacks on facebook and tell them Pammie in Jammies sent you!

2)  Follow Peeled Snack of Twitter.  

3)  Sign up for their newsletter at the bottom left of their homepage. 

Extra Entries:

1)  Read about my son in a college scholarship contest.    Here's the link to my son's entry if you'd like to vote for him.    (5 entries so leave 5 comments!!!)   Grad Contest

2)  Follow me on GFC 

3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive 4)  Enter any other open giveaway.   1 entry for each you enter.

5)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.
6) "Like" me on my BRAND NEW Pammie in Jammies facebook page.    Two entries so leave two credits.   

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends May 10th at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.  Prize will be mailed from the sponsor.



 

Disclosure:   I received some samples from Peeled Snacks.     My post is my own and my honest opinion and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. 

Mother's Day Sweets and Treats Basket from Gourmet Gift Basket--- Review and GIveaway

I was very excited to be offered the opportunity to review a basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets.    I've seen them online before and thought they looked like an easy, yet thoughtful gift for people you need to ship a gift to, or for those hard to buy for individuals.   I was asked to review the "Mother's Day Sweets & Treats Basket".   I was only too eager to check out the yummy sounding treats put together in such a cute basket.    Love the bright colored curled ribbon!  They also carry other Mother's Day baskets such as ones for golf lovers, gardeners, one packaged in a fun lunch tote, and more!

My basket arrived looking like this:

 Included in the basket:

• Key Lime Chocolate Chip Cookies-- I love the combination of key lime and white chocolate so I was happy to see these in the basket!   They're medium sized and crunchy with a nice mellow taste.
• Bountiful Harvest Granola--This is a moist granola filled with grains, seeds, and fruit.    It was yummy eaten plain out of the bag, and I also put some in a bowl and ate it with a bit of milk on top.  Great both ways.
• Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats-- My son who is an avowed lover of Reese's Cups announced this his favorite item.    They aren't too sweet and do melt in your mouth.
• Cranberry Orange Nut Mix-- Oh My!    This was so delicious!  It had walnuts, almonds, pecans and cranberries with an orange flavoring on them.   My only complaint about these were that I wanted a HUGE bag. 
• Metropolitan Trail Mix--My family loves dried fruit so this was a treat for everyone.    It has dried pineapple (to die for), papaya, bananas, other fruit and assorted nuts.    Great snack!
• Chocolate Covered Nut Medley--My husband loves chocolate covered nuts so these were a favorite of his.   These have macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts, almonds and cashews covered in milk chocolate.  Another big hit with my family. 
• Cheese Biscuits--At the end of taste testing so many sweet treats, we were excited to find a savory snack included.    These little biscuits have a strong flavor of sharp cheddar cheese and a bit of a kick.    My son asked for some more of these but I'm not sure I want to share!

My overall impression is that this would make a great gift for anyone, including your mother or mother-in-law.  You could order the basket delivered to them if they live out of town or you could ship it to yourself and arrive on Mother's Day with this nice surprise!   You could also drop some not so subtle hints to your family to order one for you.   In addition to the wide assortment of tasty treats, the basket makes a nice presentation.

WIN IT: 

Gourmet Gift Baskets has offered one of my readers the identical Mother's Day Sweets and Treats Basket.

  

Mandatory Entry:

"Like" Gourmet Gift Baskets on Facebook and tell them a product you like from their site.   Come back and let me know!   It would be great if you also let them know Pammie in Jammies sent you.  (If you do not have facebook, you can comment on your favorite item here on this post)

Extra Entries:

1)  Read about my son in a college scholarship contest.    Here's the link to my son's entry if you'd like to vote for him.    (2 entries so leave 2 comments)   Grad Contest

2)  Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments) 

3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
4)  Enter any other open giveaway.   1 entry for each you enter.
5)  Follow Gourmet Gift Baskets on twitter and come back to let me know! 

6)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.
7) "Like" me on my BRAND NEW Pammie in Jammies facebook page.    Two entries so leave two credits.   

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Tues. May 3rd at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by within 24 hours  or a new winner will be selected.  Prize will be mailed from the sponsor.



 

Disclosure:   I received a gift basket to review for this post.     My post is my own and my honest opinion and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. 

Pear Tree Greetings $20 Gift Code Giveaway.

As a Pearista I get to showcase different products and offer my readers prizes from Pear Tree Greetings each month.    This month they're showcasing their Kids Birthday Party Invitations, although the winner can select any items from the site, not just birthday invitations.    They have such a wide variety of birthday invitations to choose from including photo invitations.

When my son was little he was OBSESSED with pirates.    I had him a pirate birthday party one year complete with eye patches for all the little boys, a pirate pinata, and even a "treasure hunt" for a hidden chest of golden chocolate coins.   Wouldn't this invitation have been perfect to go with our theme?

They even have darling thank you cards and address labels to match.   The address labels look like the skull and crossbones at the botton of the invitation!

 We have always jokingly called my daughter "The Princess" and I love these Pink Princess Birthday Party Invitations.     I think this  could be so cute for a little girls princess party and can be individualized with her age also.   These also have adorable thank you cards and address labels that match that are pink with a crown on them.    These would have been perfect for Her Royal Highness that lives in our house!

WIN IT: 

Pear Tree Greeting has offered one of my readers a $20 e-gift code to use for anything on their site.  

  

Mandatory Entry:

Go to Pear Tree Greetings and tell me at least one thing you'd get with your gift code.    It CANNOT be an item I reviewed on this post. 

Extra Entries:  
1)  Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments) 

2)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
3)  Enter any other open giveaway.
4)  Read about Pear Tree's Graduation contest.    Here's the link to my son's entry if you'd like to vote for him.    (2 entries so leave 2 comments)   Grad Contest

5) Like Pear Tree on facebook and tell them Pammie in Jammies sent you! 
6)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.
7) "Like" me on my BRAND NEW Pammie in Jammies facebook page.    Two entries so leave two credits.   

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Wed.  May 4th at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.  Prize will be mailed from the sponsor.



 

Disclosure:   I received no products to review for this post.    I'm merely offering the giveaway as a treat to my readers.       My post is my own and my honest opinion and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. .

Kim and Scott's Gourmet Pretzels Review and GIveaway

I was recently contacted and asked if I'd like to review some Kim and Scott's Gourmet Pretzels.   Each of the pretzels are twisted by hand and made from scratch using all-natural and premium ingredients.   Hmmm....gourmet pretzels...stuffed with a variety of yummy ingredients from sweet to savory to spicy....Yeah, that didn't take me long to decide.    I couldn't wait for them to arrive and quickly put my family members to work taste testing them. 

The first ones we tried were the grilled cheese variety.   This was a big hit with both my husband and my daughter.   They liked the ooey gooey  warm cheddar cheese that was stuffed inside.  There's also cheddar cheese sprinkled on top of the pretzel.

The stuffed Pizza Pretzels were also devoured by my son and my husband although I did insist on a bite.  They're stuffed with shredded mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce and have Italian spices and cheese sprinkled on the pretzel.   Sort of like a portable, less messy slice of pizza!   I think these would be great for kids lunches.

 
The Apple Cinnamon was one of my two personal favorites.    They're stuffed with apple pie filling, apples, cane sugar and cinnamon.  They're topped with a cinnamon sugar sprinkle that makes them oh so yummy!   It was like eating a piece of warm apple pie but without a fork.   Loved these!

                          

The Chocolate Crumb Pretzels are stuffed with a creamy fudge filling, baked with cocoa, and sprinkled with a chocolate crumb topping then ending with a chocolate drizzle.    With two chocoholics in my house these were VERY popular.    I insisted on having a few bites, not because they looked and smelled so good, but because...ahem....I needed to taste them to review them of course!!  Sacrifice for the sake of my blog!

The Cheddar Jalapeño was also quite yummy.    My son and I like spicy food so this was a nice treat.  They're stuffed with cheddar cheese, jalapeno peppers, chili flakes, cumin and garlic.   They're topped with some additional jalapeños and shredded cheese.  So give the cheddar cheese ones to your more timid family members and save these for those who like a kick with their food! 

The Spinach Feta pretzels were my other favorite.   I love both spinach and feta so knew I couldn't miss with this one!   They're stuffed with chopped spinach, crumbles of feta, and a bit of garlic.   The nice folks at Kim and Scott's also add ALA Omega-3 from flax in them for an extra healthy boost.  I think these could be a great adult (or child) lunch or snack.  

WIN IT: 

The lovely Brian of Kim and Scott's Pretzels has offered one of my readers the opportunity to pick four boxes from those listed here which includes a wide variety of classic pretzels, stuffed pretzels, gluten free pretzels and stuffed bagels.   I haven't tried the stuffed bagels yet, but that cream cheese one is calling my name!

  

Mandatory Entry:

Go to the Kim and Scott's product page and tell me which four items you'd pick if you're the lucky winner. 
 

Extra Entries:  
1)  Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments) 

2)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
3)  Enter any other open giveaway.
4)  Follow Kim and Scott's Gourmet Pretzels on Twitter and leave a comment with your twitter name and link.

5)  Like them on facebook and tell them Pammie in Jammies sent you!
6)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.
7) "Like" me on my BRAND NEW Pammie in Jammies facebook page.    Two entries so leave two credits.   
8)  Check out this Grad Scholarship Contest and vote for my son if you think he's deserving.    (2 entries so 2 comments)

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Wed.  May 4th at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.  Prize will be mailed from the sponsor.



 

Disclosure:   I received a sample of pretzels to be able to do a review of the products.    My review is my own and my honest opinion and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. .

Socks4Life $20 Gift Card Giveaway!

Does the sock eating monster visit your house?   It does ours.    I have a bag I keep all our mismatched socks in that I occasionally go through to hopefully find mates.    With four "big" people in our home, I'm constantly on the lookout for socks that are economical, comfortable, yet also fashionable.   I was happy to be introduced to the online shop Socks4Life.  

I received 3 pairs of men's "diabetic" quarter socks to try.  I was mainly interested in these for my older brother who is ALWAYS on the lookout for men's socks that are loose in the calf.    He and I have both looked in stores and online and never found any that fit the bill.   I can't wait to show him these.   I had my husband try on one pair and he said they are VERY comfortable.   The foot part of the sock is normal, but the upper part on the calf is loosely woven and less tight on the calf than traditional socks.   These also come in other colors and lengths.

I was also sent a three pack of women's socks to try.  I selected the women's bamboo socks and I'm happy I did!    These are SO cute and comfortable.   My daughter was home from college when they came and quickly pounced on these.    She said they were so soft and very breathable (yes, she really said breathable) but sadly they never made it to my feet.   These come in many different color combos that all include one striped sock and two solids. 





The site has a wide variety of socks to choose from and includes socks for the little munchkins and athletic socks too.   If the man in your life is fashion challenged, you might also have him read the page called, Choosing the Correct Color of Dress Socks.


WIN IT!!!   
Luckily the lovely Terryl from Socks4Life has offered to give one of my readers an online gift certificate for $20.   With their reasonable prices, that should get you several packages of socks for you and your family!



Mandatory Entry:
Visit Socks4Life and tell me something you'd like to buy if you're the winner.    Please use the specific name and do NOT say any of the items I reviewed. 
 
Extra Entries:  

1)  Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
2)  Subscribe to my feed
3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
4)  Enter any other open giveaway.
5)  Read my post about swagbucks HERE and leave a comment on it.   Come back to let me know on this post
6)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.
7)  Join Nomorerack (it's a daily deal site).    No fee and no purchase necessary. (3 credits so leave 3 comments) 


RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Wed.. April 6th at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US or Canada. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.  Prize will be mailed from Socks4Life.



Disclosure:   I received socks to be able to do a review of the products.    My review is my own and my honest opinion and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. .

Chilren's Book Review: Switching on the Moon

Switching on the Moon: A Very First Book of Bedtime Poems

I received this book of children's bedtime poems to review and must say it certainly is a beautiful book....both visually and in content.     The poems are lyrical and an easy introduction to poetry and rhyming for children and the illustrations are gorgeous! 

It's  divided into three sections, "Going to Bed", "Sweet Dreams", and "In the Night" and contains some of the old classic rhymes you probably remember from your own childhood as well as works by Lord Alfred Tennyson, Jane Yolen, and Sylvia Plath among others.  

One of my favorites is "Bath Time Pirate", maybe because my son always loved pirates.  I wish I could show you the picture of the boy dressed like a pirate in the bathtub!

My name is Captain Soapsuds-

A mighty ship I sail.

I love to feel the sea mist

And hear the cold wind wail.

I count my bags of treasure.

I make men walk the plank.

I wish I had more fingers

To count the ships I sank.

When big sea serpents see me, 

It merely makes me shrug.

I'm Captain Suds the pirate,

Till Mommy pulls the plug.

--Robert Scotellaro

Or for those of you not obsessed with pirates and looking for something a bit sweeter, there is "Stars with Wings".

Sometimes it seems

like all the stars

have fallen

from the skies.

but when I see

the stars have wings

I know they're fireflies.

-Betsy Franco

This lovely book is recommended for the 4-8 year old crowd, but I can see children both younger or older still enjoying it.   The book is 96 pages long, but don't let that intimidate you if you're reading to the younger crowd.    Each poem is only one or two pages long so can be read quickly. 

It's not easy to tell from the photo, but the books is impressive in size also.    It's11.4 x 10.4 x 0.7 inches in hardback.   This would make a great gift to your own children to encourage them to go to bed, or to give as a gift.     I LOVE to give books and my children love to receive them.  Reading high quality books is one of the best gifts we can give our children.

You can purchase the book at most bookstores or through amazon Switching on the Moon: A Very First Book of Bedtime Poems.

Skintactix Acne Treatment Review and GIveaway

I have two teens who both suffer acne off and on.    My teen son in particular had horrible acne during football season on his forehead and the sides of his face, probably aggravated by his football helmet.   No matter what we tried or how often he cleaned and treated it, it just didn't seem to improve.   I know it was frustrating and embarrassing for him as he's in his girl obsessed phase and couldn't exactly charm the "sexy" ladies with glaring red bumps on his forehead.

So when I was offered the chance to try Skintactix products for acne I jumped at the opportunity.    I wasn't too sure what to expect and honestly didn't have particularly high hopes.    After all, we'd tried lots of things already and this was a product I'd never even heard of.  But I wanted my son to try the "Clean Skin Challenge".

The site allows you to pick and choose from the various products by helping you diagnose what particular kind of acne or skin irritation you have as well as how oily your skin is.    It was fairly easy to eliminate those that didn't seem to apply to my son by the pictures and descriptions.    So I requested the appropriate material which arrived quickly.

We tried Acne Kit A1:

For Normal, Combination or Oily Skin (Antibacterial Cleanser, Glycolic Exfoliator, Green Tea Poultice)

The enclosed materials said that the acne could get worse for the first two weeks which made my son hesitant to try it.    The last thing he wanted was worse skin!    But being a trooper he started the program by doing the three steps each morning and night.  

And WOW...IS...All...I...CAN...SAY!   It really worked.    Seriously!    I wouldn't lie to you.    His skin personally never got worse.    Just one night I looked at him and said "I can't believe how good your skin looks".    The miraculous thing is that he had many reddened areas on his forehead where acne had been but was no longer there.    If you rubbed them they were smooth and weren't currently inflamed, but the skin had remained red even after the zits were gone.    But those are now almost completely gone too!   I certainly wasn't expecting that.

I wish my son had let me do before and after photos as you wouldn't believe the difference a few weeks could make.    But I can't really blame him for not wanting his mother to post photos of his nasty bumps and red spots all over the internet for people to see.

Now for the good news!   Skintactix is letting me give away a free sample kit of their products to one lucky winner.    It may not be exactly like the one shown here as they will individualize it for you own skin type and problem.  I assume it will be like the one I received which is at least a month's supply and certainly long enough for you to see results.





MANDATORY ENTRY:
Go to Skintactix and find out what skin problem you have and then tell me what kind of kit you'd want from the ones on this list.    You'll have to do that anyway if you win so they can individualize the kit to you.

EXTRA OPTIONAL ENTRIES:

• Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
• Subscribe to my feed
• Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
• Enter any other open giveaway. (Listed on upper left sidebar)
• Read my post about swagbucks HERE and leave a comment on it.   Come back to let me know on this post
• Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Thurs. Feb. 17th at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter. Winners will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winners must respond within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.   Prizes will be sent by the sponsor.

Disclosure:   I was sent products from Skintactix for the purpose of review.    I received no other compensation and my review is my own and my honest opinion.

Gorton's Seafood Giveaway **5 Winners** and XBOX 360 with Kinect Facebook Giveaway

Gorton's Seafood is being very generous this month and that's good news for those of us who love fish.  They're allowing me to giveaway free product coupons to 5 lucky winners plus they're having a facebook promotion with LOTS of giveaways, including an XBOX 360 with Kinect!   

I love to keep their products readily available in my freezer for quick, healthy meals any time.    The variety of fish runs from the traditional kid friendly fish sticks, to battered fillets, to healthy grilled choices.   I know with the new year, we're all looking for healthy choices to prepare for our family.  Look how yummy this tilapia looks!  It can be prepared as is or made into tacos as shown here.  

  

 

Or how about some grilled shrimp?   Doesn't this look good?

  

Or use it to make some grilled shrimp tostadas. 

They're running an amazing facebook promotion where you can win free products or an XBOX 360 Console with Kinect.

 Their facebook promotion ends Jan. 31st, so hurry over to win!!

Here's the details (US residents only, please): 

There's GOOD STUFF being given away over at Gorton's Facebook fan page.

One thousand (1000) FREE grilled product coupons will be given out in four (4) Drawings of two-hundred fifty coupons (250) on: January 10, 2011; January 17, 2011; January 24, 2011; January 31, 2011. One (1) Grand Prize: Xbox 360 Console with Kinect (Retail Value $300.00) to be drawn on January 31, 2011.

 Now onward to my blog giveaway. Gorton's is letting me giveaway two product coupons to EACH of 5 winners!   You can enter by doing the mandatory entry, then any of the optional entries if you want more chances.

MANDATORY ENTRY: 

Do tell... which recipe is your favorite Gorton's recipe? http://www.gortons.com/recipes.htm

EXTRA OPTIONAL ENTRIES:

1.  Go to http://www.gortons.com and sign up for a fun e-newsletter!

2. "Like" Gorton's on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/gortonsseafood

3.  Tell Gorton's who sent you with a Facebook Wall comment! http://www.facebook.com/gortonsseafood

4. "Follow" Gorton's on Twitter and tweet about the January Grilled Giveaway! http://twitter.com/#!/gortonsseafood [Get This... Gorton's Just Got on Twitter! Way!]

5.  Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
6.  Subscribe to my feed
7.  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)
8.  Enter any other open giveaway.
9.  Read my post about swagbucks HERE and leave a comment on it.   Come back to let me know on this post
10.  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries in this giveaway and EVERY giveaway I start in January.  You must be an active member of swagbucks at the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries.

RULES:

 
Giveaway begins now and ends Thurs. Feb. 3rd at 10PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. (Sorry....Gorton products are not available currently in Canada).  Winners will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winners must respond by within 24 hours  or a new winner will be selected.   Prizes will be sent by the sponsor.

Disclosure:   I am being sent a Gorton's review package.   I received no other compensation and my review is my own and my honest opinion.