Awesome Giveaway! $50 to Shop CSN Stores Online!

A while back, I received a coffee grinder from online CSN Stores. I was asked to review the product for them. I picked the coffee grinder because I have wanted one for a while now, and this was a great opportunity to try it out.

I put in my order with CSN online. And soon got a conformation of my order, then an approximate date that they would send the grinder out. Well, to my surprise the grinder was sent out EARLIER than expected, which I hardly see when I order things from other places!

I used the coffee grinder to grind Flax seed, and it worked great!

I was impressed for many reasons with CSN Stores. FAST service. HUGE selection of items on their site. Great prices. Did I mention huge selection?

And the best part of this is ONE of my lucky readers can WIN $50 toward ANYTHING on the CSN site! I mean, what have you been wanting? It's all on their site!

Do you wanna win??? I thought so!

Here are the details:

• open to residence of the US and Canada.
• Winner will be chosen randomly on June 16th. Winner's e-mail will be sent to CSN Stores online and they will contact you with a code to use on their site!
• I MUST have your e-mail address in order to contact you, if you are the winner! If I don't have it, I will have to choose someone else!
  

Here is how you can get chances to win!

• In order to enter, you must go to the CSN Store site, and tell me what item you would love to have!

For more chances you can:

• Become a follower of this site, or tell me if you already are.
• Follow me on Facebook, or tell me if you already are.
• Subscribe to this site, or tell me if you already are.
• Add my button to your site, or tell me if you already have it.

There it is! I hope you are as excited about this as I am. $50!!! So hurry and enter! June 16th is coming fast!

Healthy Giveaway

On my other blog, I am giving away 1 large (32 oz.) jar of Virgin Coconut Oil. In case you haven't visited that site in a while (or ever!), go and enter! This Coconut Oil has helped my health tremendously...

So, go check it out... and enter for the giveaway. Heck, if you don't think you'll use it. Give it to me! I have already placed and received my first order from them... Great company. Tastes great. A LOT healthier than regular oils...

Ends tomorrow!!!

New Wave Enviro- Product Review & Giveaway

Recently, I was looking for companies that had some safe lunch products. You know, water bottle (plastic is not safe, to put it mildly), containers (also usually plastic) and lunch sacks. I would love to make the switch to more "healthy" options, not because of all of the "hype" about the environment. But because I want my kids to get as little "chemical" in their bodies as possible.

I came across a company called New Wave Enviro. I checked out their things and was happy to see that they carried many things I was searching out!

They were wonderful enough to send me these things:

A lunch sack, made of 100% bamboo (I know, amazing!), a Stainless steel drinking bottle, and a stainless steel lunch container (isn't it shiny and beautiful?).

The lunch sack, like I said is made of 100% Bamboo. Which I think is amazing! It is so soft! And I liked this little bag. It would be perfect to stuff full of sandwiches, and veggies and go canoeing. It could actually squeeze quite a bit in this sack, because unlike a brown paper bag, the side will not rip out on you. Love it. I used mine to tote some things for my son to eat while we went to the grocery store (well, 4 stores actually). I don't want to waste money buying "convenience" foods from the grocery store, so this was a great use for this lunch sack.

The stainless steel container, is gorgeous! On their web site, New Wave Enviro says this is a "no leach, no chemical, no toxins product". So if you put one thin in one day, wash it, then go to use it the next day, it won't leave that "smell" of the things before. Know what I mean? This container goes really well with the lunch sack. And you can put any of your leftovers, sandwiches, veggie sides, or whatever, in here for easy carrying.

The stainless steel bottle. Come on. Everyone should be using these now. If you have not read about the BPA's, and other things, that are leaching into our drinking water from the plastic, then I encourage you to do it! (Here is one of many articles) I loved this bottle because of the "drinkability". The top is ready. No lid to unscrew, just ready to drink. I love it!

So, how would YOU like a chance to WIN the Bamboo lunch sack, the stainless steel container, and the stainless steel bottle? Thanks to the generous people at New Wave Enviro, YOU CAN!

Open to US and Canada, here is what you need to do to enter (Leave separate comment for each, please!):

• Go to New Wave Enviro, and tell me which product you think looks interesting to you, or that you would LOVE to try.
• Follow New Wave Enviro on Twitter, and leave note that you did.
• Grab Our Button! And post it on your site. Leave a link for me to check it out!
• Follow this site!
• Subscribe to this site!
• Blog about this giveaway on your site, and then leave me a link!
• Follow me on Twitter! Leave a link.

That's it! Easy Peasy... (I can't believe I just said that...) You have until August 20th to enter!

See Kai Run Shoes- Review & Giveaway!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!!!

Recently, I was able to try a new shoe company out! See Kai Run, makes shoes for the "little ones". They specialize in shoes from size 0 to size 9 in little kids. Their footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association's prestigious Seal of Acceptance. More info. Which, I am not sure I have ever thought about for my kid's shoes!





But we had a chance to try them out. So, for my little walker I got these:




Which, I think are about the cutest little boy's shoes I have ever seen. My boy, who isn't totally sold on the whole idea of shoes yet, liked them! I put them on and he was excited and said, "sooz!"



These are leather shoes, and SO SOFT. Really great for a child's feet. I can see why they are APMA approved! They are flexible enough for a child to walk easily, but very strong! I can't wait to see how they hold up in the long haul! So far, so good!



Here are some great reasons to try their shoes:

Healthy Fit

• Very flexible soles are healthy for developing feet.


• Wide opening and toe box accommodate even the chubbiest little feet.


• Velcro closure allows for adjustable fit and easy on and off.


• Leather lining is breathable and durable.


• Padded collar adds comfort and helps our shoes stay on little feet.

Quality Construction

• Leather used for our footwear meets the most stringent available U.S. and international guidelines.


• Sheepskin leather uppers are butter-soft and more durable by weight than cow leather used by many other brands.


• Durable construction and rubber sole stand up to heavy play indoors and out.

Urban Style

• Hip, urban styles in modern color palettes.


• Bold designs and detailing.


• Modern takes on classic styles.
  
  

I would have to agree on all of those points! They are a great shoe, and absolutely adorable:





Oh yeah, and there are some great girls shoes too:

If you would like to try See Kai Run, check them out HERE. If you would like sizes BIGGER then 9, you will have to go to their affiliate HERE.

But, See Kai Run is giving you an opportunity to WIN! Yes! You could win a pair of See Kai Run from Smaller, or See Kai Run (not from Eleven)!

See Kai Run is giving ONE lucky winner a pair of shoes of their choice (from Smaller or See Kai Run, not Eleven! This contest is available to entries in the US and Canada!

Here is what you need to do to enter:

• Tell us what pair of shoes you would like to win from the Smaller or See Kai Run lines (See the Shoes HERE)


• Join See Kai Run's e-mail updates list, and tell us when you did.


• Grab our NEW BUTTON (on the right side) and put it on your site, then leave me a link!
• Follow this blog, or tell me that you already do.
• Subscribe to this blog, or tell me you already do.
• Follow me on Twitter, or tell me you already do.
• Blog about this giveaway & leave a link!

WOW! 7 ways to enter! Make sure you enter today, and tell your friends! Giveaway ends August 7th!

Excalibur Dehydrator- A Great Investment!

I love having a garden (as you have seen on here) and I love being able to pull things out of the freezer or cupboard in January that came from our garden. First of all, because it just tastes better! Second, because it healthier! Third, it can also be cheaper! I say can because if you have to invest in canning jars, or an extra freezer to store all of your harvest, then it may cost you a little more. At least to start.


Well, for a while now I have wanted to try a good dehydrator. I've had a dehydrator before, and it just never worked that great. And at the time, I just wasn't sure what to dehydrate!


Last year, I filled my freezer. And over half was great buys from the grocery store and about 1/3 of it was fruit I picked and froze. My freezer was pretty full. And NONE of it was from my garden! This year I have a garden and would like to keep a lot of it for this winter!


Now what do I do, buy another freezer? Nah...


I did some research on dehydrators. And all of the articles I read said make sure you get the kind where the fan blows over all of the items in the dehydrator, not trying to blow through one level to get to the other levels. And the kind many people pointed to was the Excalibur. It just sounds better doesn't it? =)



I would suggest that you read up on their site HOW MUCH you can do with their dehydrator! And there is a TON! It's not just for dehydrating either! It's just a great multi-use appliance! I am surprised how much it does, I can't wait to try it all out!!! GO ahead, check it out.



So, the people at Excalibur sent me their 5 tray, 26 hour dehydrator. Oh. My. Goodness. Love it. Love it. Love it. It felt like Christmas the day the dehydrator came. I was impressed with the size!




It contains 5 LARGE trays with 8 square feet of tray area. Perfect for families with small gardens and a few fruit trees. Built-in on/off switch. 5" fan, 440 watts. Adjustable thermostat and 26 hour timer.



I even, so far, have got to dehydrate a few things! Bananas (YUM!), Peaches (these will be AWESOME in cereal and oatmeal!), and apples (These are also going to be great in oatmeal and for snacking!!!). Check out one day last week:



And I can keep all of these things in sealed baggies or seal Tupperware, and they will stay good for LONGER then if you froze or canned them! AMAZING!

Right now, if you order a dehydrator from Excalibur. There are lots of great freebies! Check these out from their site:

July Special
If You Place Your Order Before July 31st, 2009 You will Receive:

• FREE 10 Year Extended Warranty - On All 5 and 9 Tray Models-- SAVE
  $29.95


• FREE Polyscreen Pack-- Save up to $32.00


• FREE 28 Page Dehydration Guide-- Save $6.95 **love this**


• FREE Banana Slicer - SAVE $6.95


• FREE Shipping Via FedEx Ground (within the Continental US)- SAVE up to $35.00


• HI, AK, PR and Armed Forces Address get 50% Off Shipping Charges Through USPS


• Canadian Orders Receive 40% Off Shipping Charges Through USPS- Please Note-
  International Customers are Responsible for all Duties and Taxes.
  

Just Select the Model You Would Like to Order and the FREE Gifts will be Added to Your Order.

PLUS, just for YOU my loyal readers, Excalibur has said they will take an additional 10% off of your order, with the code MB09 in the discount coupon box when you check out. When the order is completed, it will reflect your 10% off.

So, If you are serious about putting some fruits and veggies up for the winter, check out Excalibur! I really do suggest to check them out! It takes up less room, and is a lot cheaper!

3 weeks after having the dehydrator, I am still super excited about it. I just got some potatoes, and am going to try potato chips, as well as potato flakes (can you say easy mashed potatoes!?).

So, check them out. If you are serious about putting some produce up for the winter months (and longer!), I would have a serious look at dehydrating with Excalibur!

The Safe Sippy 2- Review and Giveaway!

With all of my kids, I went from breast-feeding to using a sippy-type bottle. I only used an actual bottle a handful of times. And it has worked well for us. The problem is finding a sippy that will last, and that is safe for your child to use. I not too long ago, found myself at the store looking though a poor selection of sippy cups. I got my son one of them, but he was NOT happy about it. Reasons? Well, he can't talk but I will make a few educated guesses on his behalf. First, he couldn't hold on to the thing. It had smooth sides, and I had to help him for the longest time. He STILL doesn't like to hold it (2 months later). Second, For some drinks, like milk, he really had to suck hard on it to get it to come out. You could hear the milk trying to make it's way through the tip. Third, I didn't like it because it is a cheap plastic!





I'm pretty sure I can come up with MORE reasons, but I want to make a point about this before I loose you on this bad sippy! I did some looking on the Internet and found Kid Basix, and the Safe Sippy 2. I read about it, and wanted to try it on my little guy!





Here are some of the great feature about the Safe Sippy 2:

• Bisphenol-free


• A sippy bottle with a "straw-like" spout


• Comes with side handles for easy grasping


• The outer thermoplastic sleeve keeps little hands safe from cold and hot liquids. All plastic is free of free of Bisphenol A, phthalates and DEHA


• The stainless steel along with the protective sleeve create the most durable, ding-free cup available on the market


• Has a no-spill valve inside the cap


• The spout is hard and made of stable, non-toxic, #5 polypropelene plastic


• Comes in pink, green or blue


• They are a 2 in 1. Sippy or Straw cup!


• Comes with a travel cap to keep the spout clean, a travel plug to prevent liquid from dripping into your diaper bag or purse, and a straw converter
  
  

The wonderful Jemima, from Kid-Basix, sent me a cup for my little guy to try out. As soon as I opened the box and brought the sippy out, he wanted it! He doesn't have a sippy that looks anything like this! So, how would he know it is his? So, I washed it up. Let me tell you before I go any further, to wash this is WONDERFUL! It is stainless steel, and for me, it feels clean! You know that no liquid is going to stick in the bottle, no smell will linger because it has permeated the walls of it. Each piece of the bottle was very easy to clean, and is dishwasher safe.

I filled up the sippy with milk for my guy and he grabbed right ahold of it. EASILY. Because there are 2 great handles on the sides, and he knew exactly what they were for.

To drink out of it, I love that you can use it as a straw cup or a sippy. It kind of grows with your baby! I also love that it comes with a travel plug. I don't know HOW many times I have thrown a sippy in my purse only to find that I need to wash out my purse later because of spilled milk. Yuck! What a great feature to have!

So, how about it? Would you like to have a Safe Sippy 2 for YOUR little guy or gal to try? Well, here is your chance!

Because Kid-Basix is giving one winner a set of 3 Safe Sippys! So, how can you enter? Here are several ways you can enter, please leave a separate comment for each. Also make sure you leave your e-mail!

• Tell me why you would like to try the Safe Sippy 2.
• Subscribe to this blog (or tell me that you have!)
• Follow this Blog (or tell me that you are!)
• Twitter about this giveaway (leave a link)
• Blog about this giveaway (leave a link)
• Tell me what you think is the best baby or toddler product you have used, so far.

There you go! 6 chances to win! Giveaway ends July 29th! Enter now!

Piggy Paint- Review and GIVEAWAY!

Piggy Paint. I had seen it advertised on blogs, but honestly didn't pay much attention to it, because well, I have boys! I thought it was a cute name...

Then Piggy Paint contacted me about trying their polish. I said 'why not? I have fingernails too...'. So they sent me a sample.

When I got it in the mail, I of course saw the color right away. Blue. My boys said, "what is THAT for?". I told them I was trying out this new product for my blog. And they said, "It's BLUE".

SO, to their amazement, I painted MY nails blue. My baby couldn't keep his eyes off of my shiny BLUE nails... =)

Piggy Paint is made especially for little girls. It is non-toxic (There are no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone.), and it is odor free. It even dries pretty quickly.

I decided to paint my nails because I thought I would give the polish a good workout. With all that I do during the day, we would see how durable this polish was.

When I painted my nails, I noticed that there was no scent. I sniffed the bottle and smelled a very faint smell. It smelled almost like play dough. Mind you, I don't normally sniff the bottles of fingernail polish. But for the sake of this review, and the company saying "odorless", I thought I would check it out. Plus, I think I have an abnormally good sniffer...

The paint went on very nicely. It dried in a very short time, about a minute or less. I payed attention because one of my boys kept asking if they could touch it...

I added the second coat and it covered very well. And again dried in a short time.

Then I put it to my daily grind. Here are some of the things I made my nails endure on "Piggy Paint Day":

• dishes
• gardening: pulling weeds, digging in the dirt, hoeing and raking.
• laundry: hanging wet clothes on the line.
• giving baby a bath
• replanting flowers (chickens dug up) in mulch: digging into mulch and replanting.
• time in the kitchen ( I am a fanatic about washing my hand while I am in the kitchen).
• tw0 showers

So, I think I gave then a pretty good workout! And here is how they looked after a full day of wear and tear:

Not bad eh? I don't usually polish my fingernails because they get chipped and look horrible so quickly. But I was pretty impressed. My thumbs didn't have any chips, and my other hand didn't look bad either. I am right handed, so I figured I would show you the hand that is the busiest...

Piggy paint also sent me some fingernail polish remover. I opened it, and also noticed no smell. I again sniffed the bottle (FOR THE REVIEW!) and notice absolutely NO smell at all! I was seriously in shock. And it works like it is supposed to! I am a fan!

So, what do you think? Think your little girl (or one of your nieces) would like to use this stuff?

Right now, if you order $25 or more from their web site, you get FREE SHIPPING (domestic)! Nice! And if you order, be sure to use the code MUDDY15L to get an extra 15% off or your order! Even includes sale items! Gotta love that. (Code is good through August 15, 2009)

BUT, you just might get a chance to try it for free! Because Piggy Paint is giving away, to one lucky reader, a $20 gift code! You can order anything from the Piggy Paint website with the $20 gift code!

What do you need to do to enter??? You ready? Here we go:

• Go to the Piggy Paint site, How would you spend your $20 gift code???
• Follow Piggy Paint on Twitter.
• Become a follower of this site (or tell me if you already are).
• Subscribe to this site (or tell me if you already are).
• Follow us on Twitter.
• Blog about this giveaway on your site, on facebook or on twitter (then leave a link).

There you go! Nothin' to it! Now, go ahead ENTER already! Get those piggies painted!

UV SKINZ- Review and Giveaway!

A little while ago, I came across a site that, after visiting, I KNEW the company ACTUALLY cared for it's customers. The site was UV Skinz.

When I read the story on how the company was created, and why, I knew the company would be a good one. Rhonda Sparks is the founder of the company UV Skins. She founded the company after losing her husband, and the father of her 3 little boys, to melanoma, the deadliest for of skin cancer. She didn't want to lose any more to the same thing.

We actually got a swim shirt and a UV Sun Hat, the shirt I got for my oldest son. And the company also has many other items for people of all sizes... I wish I could say it has been nice enough to take the boys out and go swimming! It has been a chilly, rainy summer so far here in Indiana. But, in the summer here, there is plenty of sun, and it is REALLY hot and humid! So, we DO get out a lot in the sun. And actually it is getting into the 80's this week, and Sunday we are taking a trip to the sand dunes in Michigan.

So why am I so excited about endorsing this product when I haven't even tried it yet? Well, for one thing, I AM worried about skin cancer, especially for my children. There are several people that I know that have had skin cancer, and it is SO easy to get. It is not choosy in picking it's victims. Second, no chemicals! Third, UV Skinz has so many cute patterns and styles for all sizes.

I am very excited to say that Rhonda has offered to do a giveaway with UV Skinz! One lucky winner (US or Canada), will win one item of their choosing from UV Skinz!

Here is what you have to do, leave a separate entry for each item:

• Go to the UV Skinz store, and tell us which item you would like to win!


• Blog about the UV SKinz Company, and this giveaway (leave a link, please!)


• Subscribe to the UV Skinz monthly newsletter (lower left hand side, and tell us that you did).


• Twitter about UV Skinz AND this giveaway (leave a link!)


• Follow UV SKinz on Twitter (and tell us you are a follower!)


• Follow OUR site here by becoming a follower or subscribing to our feed (and tell us you did or are following).

Enter today! You have until Wednesday, July 8th to enter!

Review & Giveaway! Lauren Nicole, Mother's Necklace!

Tell me you would not be THRILLED to see this package of goodies come in your mail...

Cute tin... and what is that? Let's take a closer look...

Oh. My. Goodness! There on that gorgeous silver necklace is the names of your children (or grandchildren!), and their birthstones!

I have to tell you I saw these on the Lauren Nicole Gifts website, but in real life, this necklace is STUNNING!

This is the Hand Stamped Silver Mommy Necklace. And on the Lauren Nicole Site, they have such a precious variety of items. Any of which would make a wonderful gift, and would also be a great heirloom! Wonderful craftsmanship. And you can tell it was lovingly made...

Speaking of great gifts:

Lauren Nicole is giving ONE of YOU a mother's necklace, like the one I received up above (of course with the names of YOUR choice!)!

What a blessing! If you aren't a mother (or grandmother), please still enter and give this as a gift! I know this would be one of the most treasured gifts that you could give a mother....

So, here is the ways that YOU can enter for this giveaway:

• Tell us why you would like to win this mother's necklace.
• Visit the Lauren Nicole site, and tell us what other item you would like!
• Subscribe to this blog (or tell me if you already are).
• Follow this blog (or tell me if you already are).
• Blog about this giveaway (and leave a link to your site).
• Twitter about this giveaway (and leave a link).

6 chances! So, if you are a US or Canadian resident, get busy! Giveaway ends Monday, June 22!

Green Toys- Dump Truck Review and Giveaway!!!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!

What ARE Green Toys? That is what I was wondering when I clicked onto their logo on another site. First, I saw very cute looking plastic toys. As, I continued to read on their site, I found info like this, about WHY they are "Green", and HOW they are "Green":

Got that? Green Toys are made from recycled MILK JUGS!!! How awesome is that? My family goes though a gallon of milk a day, and I never thought they could be made back into something like this:

So, yesterday I received the dump truck in the mail. I opened the box, and inside I saw the dump truck in it's recycled box. When I pulled that box out and opened it, I was OVERJOYED to see the Dump Truck slide right out! FINALLY~ I don't have to spend 5 hours trying to undo all of those metal twisty things that hold all children's toys in their boxes. No. This company uses as little as possible, so there is no waste...

Well, I showed my 1 yo the truck this morning and he instantly made the "truck sound". Bbbrrrrr... And he has been playing with it ever since. I can tell you also, this is a very well made truck. There are no metal axles. And my 4 yo was also loving this truck today, and was running after and pushing the truck all around the house. It has passed the durability test!

There are several very cute toys by this company, and under their "where to buy" section, you can see there are lots of places to get your Green Toys.

So, NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!

Green Toys are giving away one of their adorable dump trucks to one of our lucky viewers!

This is for US Residents ONLY.

Here are the Ways to Enter, Leave a separate entry for each one below:

• Leave a comment here with who you would give your Green Toy Dump Truck to.
• Go HERE to their site, and tell me if you see anything else you would like to get form a special child in your life.
• Add yourself as a Follower on our site, or tell me if you already are.
• Subscribe to Our Feed, OR let me know that you already are.
• Twitter about this Giveaway, with a link back to us. Leave the link to your Twitter.
• Blog about our Giveaway, and leave us a link!

Good Luck!
Ends 5/27!

Eco Friendly, Complete Laundry System- Giveaway & Review!

Go HERE to get entered to win the Complete Laundry System by Mystic Wonders. We have recently got to use this system, and I have to honestly say I am impressed. This will definitely save us some money over the next 3 years!

Go HERE to read the Review & to sign up for the GIVEAWAY!!!