Barbara's Product Reviews & Giveaways

January 30, 2012

A Mile In His Shoes

January 30, 2012 ( 5:38 PM) | DVDs | Permalink | Comments (26)

AHCC immune health

I've received a sample of AHCC to try for myself and have been taking it for a couple weeks, but don't want to wait to hold this giveaway since it is flu season and some of you may appreciate a natural alternative to the flu vaccine - one that works from strengthening your body's immune system

AHCC is an immune supplement immune supplement with over 80 supporting research studies.

In Japan, it is  leading alternative cancer therapy used in hundreds of cancer clinics throughout Asia.

It is also used in over 700 clinics to reduce the risk of hospital infections.

Tens of thousands of people in worldwide use AHCC, hoping to help their bodies fight the formation of abnormal cells, whose growth can lead to cancer, chronic disease and infections (such as the influenza / flu virus).

You can read a lot more at AHCC Research. 

AHCC is offering three bottles as giveaways here at MommyLife. Leave a comment and if I draw your name 2/6, you can try it too.

January 30, 2012 ( 5:08 PM) | Health products | Permalink | Comments (14)

Bad Kitty CD/book

I wasn't familiar with the Bad Kitty series until MacMillan sent me this Badd Kitty book/CD combo. Not your traditional children's fairy but with humor which both kids (older than toddlers) and adults can enjoy, with an emphasis on action and crazy cat antics.

Plot: Bad Kitty's family runs out of her food and offers her 26 healthy alternatives. Bad Kitty exacts 26 acts of revenge. But when the family comes home with 26 tasty tidbits, Bad Kitty runs through 26 acts of repentance. Four times through the alphabet A-Z

On the CD, Vanessa Williams reads two tracks, one with a Bad Kitty "meow" for children to turn the page when children are reading alone. Older kids will appreciate the track where the author Nick Bruel reads his own work.

ALA review:

Ostensibly about a cat that turns bad when her family runs out of her favorite food, this is really a clever alphabet book for kids old enough to appreciate the way words work. When a calm kitty overhears her owner say that healthy food is now on the menu, the high-energy artwork shows the cat in paroxysms of horror set against a series of blocks containing pictures of vegetables, alphabetically arranged from asparagus to zucchini. That's when Kitty decides to become Bad Kitty: she "ate my homework . . . hurled hair balls at our heads." Kitty changes again after her owner returns with an A-Z assortment of good, if peculiar, treats, some of which may give readers pause (a donkey named Dave). But Kitty is happy with them all, and to show her pleasure, she undoes all her bad actions--in alphabetical order. The cat, with seemingly dozens of expressions, is the star, but other aspects of the amusingly silly illustrations have equal weight. There's so much going on here that kids will find lots to laugh about.

MacMillan has promised two copies of this CD/book package to MommyLife readers. Just leave a comment for a drawing 2/6

January 30, 2012 ( 4:26 PM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (9)

Healthy Eating for Kids and Teens

Today's food is a complicated business - what with scores of additives with complex chemical names and sugar with a dozen aliases.

This is an important book for parents who need more information themselves as well as a teaching tool to work with your kids.

Even for those who are offering their children good nutrition, it's important to teach them how and why we do it. Here's help:

HEALTHY EATING, HEALTHY WEIGHT FOR KIDS AND TEENS:
NEW ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS PUBLICATION OFFERS PRACTICAL ADVICE ON DEVELOPING LONG-TERM HABITS


CHICAGO - The weight of American children has skyrocketed: On average, children today weigh about 10 pounds more than they did 30 years ago, and one in every three children is overweight or obese.

Helping children achieve and maintain a healthy weight is more important than ever, and a new book from Eat Right Press, the publishing arm of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association), strives to help parents better address the nutritional health of their children.

Healthy Eating, Healthy Weight for Kids and Teens offers practical strategies for managing weight, learning to make good, appealing food choices, staying active and building better long-term habits for a healthy life.

"As parents, we are our children's first and best teachers and their most influential role models," said registered dietitian Jodie Shield, co-author of Healthy Eating, Healthy Weight for Kids and Teens. "This book will empower parents with the knowledge and tools they need to help their kids achieve a healthier weight in the fattening world in which they live and play."

Healthy Eating, Healthy Weight is designed not to be read cover to cover, but is a customizable book, allowing readers to choose chapters that are most appropriate for their families' needs. Two introductory chapters define a healthy weight and outline eight strategies, helping the reader decide which to choose first:

1. Eat With a Plan

2. Turn Off the Tube and Move

3. Pop the Soda Habit

4. Practice Portion Control

5. Fill Up on Fruits and Veggies

6. Slow Down the Fast Food

7. Sound the Alarm

8. Come Together

"Each of these strategies is backed by years of scientific research that can help children and teens reach and maintain a healthier weight," Shield said. "Studies have also found that each of these strategies may be essential to preventing unhealthy weight gain in kids currently at a healthy weight, as the strategies promote healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime."

Concluding the book are three weeks of sample menus to help the reader plan "Healthy Eating, Healthy Weight" family meals and snacks. The chapter offers more than 40 kid-tested-and-approved healthy recipes.

"Co-author Mary Catherine Mullen and I collectively have seven kids between 12 and 23," Shield said. "We are right there with parents. We know firsthand how challenging it can be to get kids to eat more vegetables, spend more time being active, replace wasted calories with healthy, nutritious foods, and even get the whole family to sit down and eat together on a regular basis. That's why Healthy Eating, Healthy Weight is the perfect blend of science and real-world experience."

Healthy Eating, Healthy Weight for Kids and Teens is available for $21.95 (paperback) on the Academy's website at www.eatright.org/shop and will be available at bookstores and online retailers in February.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is offering a copy of this invaluable book to one MommyLife Readers. Leave a comment and I will draw a winner 2/6.

January 30, 2012 ( 3:36 PM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (10)

Amway Artistry luxury eye cream

January 30, 2012 ( 3:19 PM) | Beauty Products | Permalink | Comments (22)

Personalized book for children

I was so blessed that I See Me Books contacted me about hosting a giveaway, offering to send me a book to see for myself. Out of a wide range of titles, I chose God Loves You and had it personalized for my youngest granddaughter, Lilly Faith.

She loves her special book! And I know the message will be even more meaningful because it has her own name on the pages - the last page even has her full name.

Not only is this a great incentive for reading, but something that will become a family heirloom.

Go to I See Me Books and browse all their products. Then, if you would like to enter the giveaway, add a comment here. One winner will be drawn 2/6 and will receive a personalized book of her choosing.

January 30, 2012 ( 2:42 PM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (15)

Valentine's Day: Lindt Lindor Chocolate Truffles

Yummm. Lindt Chocolates sent me this 7.6 ounce box of their delicious Lindor Truffles to sample and - if I liked - offer as a giveaway prize if I liked it. I do! I like these Lindor truffles and think they'd make a great Valentine's gift for the ladies in anyone's life.

If you've never sampled Lindt's, they have a hard chocolate shell with a rich, creamy filling. These chocolatiers - who've been making chocolates since 1845 - know what they're doing.  Yet their chocolates are reasonably-priced.  You can find them at Walmart.

Do you have a special Valentine who'd love this lovely box? If so. leave a comment for a drawing 2/6 and receive the 7.6 ounce box above plus a 3.4 ounce box - great gift for a teacher.

January 30, 2012 ( 2:02 PM) | Food | Permalink | Comments (29)

December 9, 2011

World Vision artisan necklace

[Claudia is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks so much to WorldVision for sponsoring it!]

3 Ducks

$18

Share of a Sheep

$35

5 Rabbits

$80

Our family has made World Vision part of our Christmas giving for many years. One year we even went without Christmas gifts and used the money to construct a hut for orphans in Africa. As the following cartoon makes clear, when you buy a gift for someone of financing a goat or a cow for a needy family, you are giving a gift that will keep on giving.



For the past few years, we've also picked out something to give on behalf of our children's teachers and bus drivers, then printing out the gift cards with a picture on the front. Many of them have been very touched. Donors can also give to the Maximum Impact Fund with a donation not tied to a specific item, but letting World Vision direct it where necessary.



This year, World Vision is giving Maximum Impact donors a free gift - like the beautiful artisan necklace I received, which reminds me to pray for World Vision beneficiaries whenever I wear it. You can see all the gifts and the threshold giving level at World Vision.

Still, I like the idea of World Vision's linking to specific animals and backpacks and other concrete items which make giving real for children to young to think abstractly, who will love the pictures and the idea of giving something special to a child halfway around the globe:
 

There is no a better time of the year than the winter holiday season to involve children and teenagers in charitable giving and teach them why the old adage, "It is better to give than to receive," is true.  World Vision offers five great ways for parents to lead by example and teach their children the true spirit of the holidays:      -    Consider do-it-yourself gifts, like no-sew fleece blankets that you can make with your children. Donate those blankets to a local homeless shelter. -    Cherish the stories of your family. Have your children talk to their grandparents and write down the stories of their past. Create a book to share with the entire family or record it online. -    As a family, select a charitable organization you'd like to support. Use online tools like Charity Navigator to find an organization that you trust. Give your children a budget and encourage them to decide how your family will donate to that organization this holiday. For example, flipping through the World Vision Gift Catalog will give children an idea of the difference they can make in other people's lives.   -    Work with your children to create a coupon book for your neighbors that might need an extra hand this year.  Coupons could include shoveling their sidewalk, watching their children or providing a meal. -    Bake cookies or sweets with your children and deliver them to your local nursing home or school-in-need. Get started with this list of holiday recipes. In addition to teaching children how to give during the holidays, it is equally as important but possibly even more challenging, to show teenagers the true spirit of the holidays. World Vision Teen Engagement Expert, Michele Tvedt has several tips for parents including: -    Start with conversation. Watch the nightly news together, and take time to discuss stories that touch on people struggling with poverty, unemployment or other tragedies. Let your teen lead the discussion and listen for them to express interest or passion in a particular social issue. -    Begin to give teens a voice in family giving. Let your teen know you would like to give a charitable gift as a family to mark the holiday season, but that you'd love to let them be the final decision maker. -    Take advantage of volunteering requirements that your teen may have to fulfill at school. Offer to help your teen find an organization that fits their interest. Keep in mind that teenagers are eager for authentic, powerful experiences. They will respond best to opportunities that allow them to experience poverty firsthand. "The holiday season can be a stressful time of year. There are gifts to purchase and wrap, cookies to bake, and family and friends to visit, but when we pause to help our neighbors in need, we all experience the holidays in a more meaningful way," said Traci Coker, charitable giving expert and national director of World Vision's Gift Catalog. For each item in World Vision's Gift Catalog, the giver makes the purchase in the name of a friend, family member or business associate. World Vision then sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact. Last year alone, World Vision's Gift Catalog raised $32 million and provided assistance to more than 800,000 people worldwide. The Gift Catalog launched in 1996, and while a goat ($75) is still World Vision's number one seller, there are many affordable items for $35 or less.

Hope you will consider making World Vision part of your Christmas.  And am excited that World Vision has set aside another artisan necklace for a MommyLife reader.

Please leave a comment to enter this drawing, which I will hold 12/16.

December 9, 2011 ( 5:08 PM) | Jewelry | Permalink | Comments (20)

Chris Tomlin - How Great Is Our God

[ Ellen, Jan, Susan P, Jessica and Becky are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to EMI for sponsoring it! You can find How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection at Amazon.]

December 9, 2011 ( 2:41 PM) | Music | Permalink | Comments (28)

Photo mug - great gift idea

[Lindsay is the winner of this giveaway! Thanks to all who entered and thanks to GoPromos. This is truly a wonderful gift idea!]

GoPromos.com asked me to review their personalized mugs and I agreed. All I had to do was send them a picture - this one of my son Matt and his British sweetheart Emma last time she visited - and within a week I had the finished product, so much more crisp and vibrant than I'd expected.

I was also very impressed with the packaging, which pretty much guarantees it could not possibly be damaged in transit.

Thanks to GoPromos for this lovely gift, which I intend to give to Matt to take with him when he leaves for Britain after Christmas (his turn to visit!) so they can unwrap it together.

And thanks to GoPromos for offering to make another personalized mug for the winner of this MommyLife giveaway. Leave a comment for a drawing 12/15.

In the meantime, some of you may want to order some of these for Christmas gifts - perfect for grandparents. And what kid wouldn't want a cup with his own picture on it?

Or how about a big kiss for your hubby to take to work?

Check out these and other personalized products at GoPromos.com.

December 9, 2011 ( 2:07 PM) | Products | Permalink | Comments (14)

November 22, 2011

Don't Let the Kids Drink the Kool-Aid by Marybeth Hicks

[ Amanda Lynn, Tonya, Siobahn, and Mary Eckstein  are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Free Press for sponsoring it! You can find Don't Let the Kids Drink the Koolaid at Amazon.]

Marybeth Hicks has always been a terrific writer, knitting together the personal and the political in her weekly column for the Washington Times, her raido and television appearances and speaking engagements across the country.

We've been corresponding for a few months, so I feel like I know her a little better and am even more excited for her with the publication of Don't Let the Kids Drink the Kool-Aid: Confronting the Left's Assault on Our Families, Faith, and Freedom.  I guess you can tell from the title that this is the heartbeat of our motherly worries right now.

Marybeth has always been insightful, witty and funny - but now she has taken off the gloves.  Note that Obama is on the TV screen on the cover.  Marybeth makes no bones about the interconnectedness of every aspect of the Left's agenda.  Just read the chapter titles:

Part One: Undermining Our American Character

Chapter 1: Skool-Aid: America's Leftist School Curriculum
Chapter 2: The Foundation Crumbles: What Was the American Family
Chapter 3: Heaven Forbid; The Left's Campaign against God

Part Two: How the Left Instill Their Kool-Aid Values
Chapter 4: Queer Is the New Normal;
Chapter 5: Readin'. Writin', Revolution
Chapter 6: I Pledge Allegiance to the Earth
Chapter 7: Land of the Free, Home of the Multiculturally Diverse
Chapter 8: Children of the Nanny State

Part Three: Winning the Hearts and Minds of Our Children
Chapter 9: Restoring America in the Next Generation

See what I mean?

Do You Know What Your Kids Are Thinking? You Might Be Surprised Many of us assume that this generation of young Americans is much like any other--but the fact is they're not. Not even close. Numerous polls show the same result on issue after issue. Frightening percentages of our kids believe that

• Socialism is better than the free market
• Christianity is judgmental, and just plain mean
• America is the villain of world history
• Family does not mean marriage
• Human greed is destroying the Earth
• And, of course, we all need the government to take care of us

Columnist and author Marybeth Hicks reveals, with shocking confessions from the activists themselves, how liberals and socialists, atheists and radical environmentalists, have waged a continuous and largely successful campaign of propaganda in our schools and popular culture in an attempt to create a permanent Leftist majority that will usher in a very different America, with a new generation that expects to be dependent on the federal government. But along with the shocking revelations, Hicks shows how we can break the Left's hypnotic spell. If we don't, she warns, we'll soon wake up in a nation we won't recognize as our own.

How she got this published with such up-to-the-minute information - it even includes the Wisconsin protests - I will never know.  But her publishing house, Regnery is one I've respected for a long time.

 Clearly, you need this book! And Marybeth and Regnery Press have promised four books for MommyLife readers. Please leave a comment for a drawing 12/1. And remember, you are the most important person in the battle to stop this cultural erosion!

November 22, 2011 ( 9:35 PM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (47)

Bluapple - prolong produce freshness

[ Kelly, Maureen and Tereza are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Free Press for sponsoring it! You can find Bluapple Ethlylene Gas Absorbers at Amazon.]

Did you know that the average family throws out $600 worth of spoiled produce annually?  I know I try really hard not to waste anything, but sometimes time just isn't on my side.

Especially living in the country and buying bulk at Costco.

So I was really thrilled when the folks at Bluapple sent my this two pack for review.  I put one in my fruits drawer in the refrigerator and one in my fruit bowl on the kitchen island - which typically has avocados, bananas and papayas (all of which I use in our morning smoothies).

Here's how they say it works:         

Ethylene gas is given off by all living plants, especially by fruits, vegetables and flowers, and acts as a chemical signal to speed up the ripening process.  The release of this gas is thought to be a mechanism by which plants promote uniform ripening or opening, etc.   In nature, the uniformity of these events attracts the maximum number of pollinators or seed disseminators, such as birds and insects. At home, however, when you store your fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, ethylene gas builds up. As a result the ripening process is accelerated too quickly.   This is a major reason we all throw out so much spoiled produce!

The Bluapple is based on technology that has been used in ships, warehouses and trucks for many years to absorb and neutralize ethylene gas buildup.  The Bluapple does not release any gas or chemical, but only absorbs, constantly removing this harmful gas from your produce storage area.  The Bluapple is not a "magic" pill, but a scientific and essential part of keeping produce fresh.   When produce was cheap, no one cared, but as prices have risen, it became apparent that a very beneficial product for the home could make a huge difference.

There are three key elements to long produce life: a) temperature - keeping produce cold; b) humidity - using vented plastic bags to keep a moist, but not wet environment; c) ethylene gas management - using the Bluapple.  Disruption of any one of these elements will cause premature spoilage.

Read more at Bluapple

So a week has gone by and I really am noticing that things are indeed looking fresher than usual.  I'm convinced and plan to buy the filters and sign up for reminders from Bluapple when I need to change them.

You should definitely give these a try - they will easily make up for the cost in a short time.  But before you buy them, why not leave a comment for the giveaway 12/1.  Bluapple has promised three two-packs for MommyLife readers.

You need these!

November 22, 2011 ( 8:57 PM) | Food | Permalink | Comments (37)

Lighten Up

[ Michelle and Pam are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Free Press for sponsoring it! You can find Lighten Up! at Amazon.]

This book promises to be so helpful to many people who want to live more simply but need some practical guidance. I noticed that the author had lost a lot of weight - a sign that he is absolutley sincere in his quest to be happy for less.

This book is too important for me to wait until I had read this to make it available:

Peter Walsh, host of "Enough Already!" on the Oprah Winfrey Network, is a clutter and organizational expert whose previous bestselling books, It's All Too Much and Enough Already, showed readers how to get rid of clutter room by room, and explored the impact that clutter has in our emotional and spiritual lives.

In his latest book, Lighten Up: Love What You Have, Have What You Need, Be Happier with Less, Walsh applies his clutter-busting principles to help readers organize their financial lives, while providing a roadmap for creating a less-is-more life.

Combined with Walsh's step-by-step direction, the audits help readers understand and clear out their financial clutter (and any emotional baggage that goes with it). For many people, not being able to acquire new things after cleaning out the clutter leaves them feeling deprived, denied and unhappy. Many of us have never had to make the tough decisions about how to buy less, consume less, live with less, and embrace the concept of "less is more." Today, with the changes in the economy affecting our very homes and livelihoods, less is no longer a choice but a necessity.

Simon and Schuster has promised two copies to MommyLife readers. Please leave a comment for a drawing 12/2.

November 22, 2011 ( 4:45 PM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (28)

The Traveller, the Tiger and the Very Clever Jackal

[ Shannon is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Hathi Chiti Books for Kids for sponsoring it! You can find The Traveller, The Tiger and the Very Clever Jackal at Amazon.]

The Traveller, the Tiger, and the Very Clever Jackal is thesecond of the Hathi & Chiti children's books offerings.

I love the story.  Very much like an Aesop's fable, but the rhythm of the words has a distinct feeling of Indai.  I can hear an Indian narrator in my head.

In the story, an old man - against the advice of his wife - goes out for an adventure and comes across a tiger in a trap.  The tiger begs for help and the man - his compassion overriding his common sense - frees it. 

The tiger thanks him but says because it is his nature, he must now eat the man, but he does relent and give him three chances to find someone ho will plead his case.  The man can find no creature who feels compassion for him.

But a jackal changes everything.

Great story and one which will hold children's interest.

And Hathi & Chiti have promised a copy to a MommyLife readers.  Please leave a comment and I will draw 12/1.

November 22, 2011 ( 4:21 PM) | Kids' books | Permalink | Comments (19)

In the Indian Night Sky

[Melanie is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Hathi Chiti Books for Kids for sponsoring it! You can find In the Indian Night Sky at Amazon.]

In the Indian Night Sky

Written by Reshma Sapre, Illustrated by Jayme Robinson

2010 Moonbeam Medal winner for Best Picture Book All Ages

A story about the coming of the monsoon rains, In the Indian Night Sky is set in the black of night, where the celestial beings send the rains off into their downpour. See what happens when Sun, Moon, and Wind are guided through the night under the ever-watchful eye of their mother, Star of the North Sky.

As a Montessori teacher, I really appreciate the opportunity to present children's literature from other cultures.  The different mood and feelings of a book like In the Indian Night Sky (Hathi Chiti's Tales of India) serves as an introduction to preschoolers for more substantial information that they will be exposed to later about a culture halfway around the globe.

When the monsoon rains come it's not just us mere mortals who get to join in the celebration. The heavenly bodies have a little party of their own to send the rains off into their downpour. See what happens when Moon, Wind, and Sun are sent off to a grand feast hosted by Thunder and Lightning. Northern Star guides them on their journey with one request that they must fulfill on their return. What will happen when Sun and Wind get caught up in the celebration, forgetting all about Star's special request? Brilliantly illustrated by Jayme E Robinson, this stunning tale will sail you through the cosmos with an imaginative style that jumps off of the page.

Hathi & Chiti is a new publisher of books for children - be sure to check out their website for some real fun -  and this is their first offering. I love the copy they sent me and so am glad to offer you the chance to win one for your family. Please leave a comment and I will draw a winner 12/1.

November 22, 2011 ( 4:06 PM) | Kids' books | Permalink | Comments (10)

BornFree baby bottles

[Maeana  is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to BornFree for sponsoring it! You can find BornFree at Amazon.]



Born Free Baby Bottles are designed to eliminate colic and give baby the safest bottle experience by eliminating harmful chemicals in the plastic.

They offer this chart:

 

Frequency of Colic Symptoms
after introduction to BornFree® ActiveFlow™ Bottle

BornFree is offering one twin-pack of their 5 oz. bottles for a MommyLife reader.  Leave a comment for a drawing 12/1.

November 22, 2011 ( 3:48 PM) | Baby products | Permalink | Comments (7)

Glidden paint - $20 gift certificate

[ Emily is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Glidden for sponsoring it!.]



Paint that doesn't drip?  I'm inspired!  And I'm taking the $20. Home Depot gift card Glidden sent me to buy some of this incredible stuff and brighten my holidays too.

Plus Glidden has given me a $20 gift card to give to a reader here. Leave a comment and I will draw a winner 12/1!

November 22, 2011 ( 2:30 PM) | Home Improvement | Permalink | Comments (31)

The Grace Effect

[Diane (father from Ukraine) is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Thomas Nelson for sponsoring it! You can find The Grace Effect at Amazon.]

Thomas Nelson is sponsoring this giveaway. Please leave a comment for a 12/1 drawing and the winner will receive a copy of this book.

November 22, 2011 ( 1:59 PM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (24)

Brave Irene book/CD w/ Meryl Streep

[ Newt is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Macmillan for sponsoring it! You can find Brave Irene book/audio at Amazon.]

You probably already know the story of Brave Irene:

Brave Irene is Irene Bobbin, the dressmaker's daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn't feeling so well and can't possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she's made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace on time, in spite of the fierce snowstorm that's brewing-- quite an errand for a little girl.

But where there's a will, there's a way, as Irene proves in the danger-fraught adventure that follows. She must defy the wiles of the wicked wind, her most formidable opponent, and overcome many obstacles before she completes her mission.

Surely, this winning heroine will inspire every child to cheer her on. Brave Irene is a 1986 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year.

I've always been a fan. And a fan of Meryl Streep's, as well. who could resist this book/audio package. Great Christmas gift.

In addition to the one Macmillan sent me for review, they are holding one set for a giveaway here at MommyLife. Leave a comment and I will draw a winner on 12/2

November 22, 2011 ( 1:25 PM) | Kids' books | Permalink | Comments (20)

Michael Vey: Prisoner of Cell 25

[ Margaret Park, Karen Carter, and Amy Couch are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Mercury Ink for sponsoring it! You can find Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 at Amazon.]

November 22, 2011 (12:52 PM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (41)

A Good and Perfect Gift

[Kathryn, Ellen, and Debbie S. are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Bethany House for sponsoring it! You can find A Good and Perfect Gift at Amazon.]

Did we need another book about Down syndrome?  compared to 1993, when Jonny was born, there was one book around for parents.  Now there are countless books - including books by parents about their own experience being surprised by a baby with Down syndrome.

November 22, 2011 (11:42 AM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (21)

The Immigrant Advantage

[Tenney, Charlene, Lady Lovas, mm, and Julie are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Free Press for sponsoring it! You can find The Immigrant Advantageat Amazon.]

THE IMMIGRANT ADVANTAGE What We Can Learn from Newcomers to America about Health, Happiness, and Hope By Claudia Kolker

Can Vietnamese money clubs teach us to be more trusting with our friends?

Can the Mexican cuarentena (forty days of rest for a new mother) help reduce post-partum depression?

And would you let your parents help you select your future spouse as with a South Asian assisted marriage?

In The Immigrant Advantage: What We Can Learn from Newcomers to America about Health, Happiness and Hope, award-winning journalist Claudia Kolker proposes we try some of these customs and find out ourselves.

According to "the immigrant paradox," discovered by social scientists, first generation immigrants in the U.S. tend to be healthier than the average American, and the customs they bring with them may be one reason for this. With immigration such a polarizing issue, Kolker adds to the conversation by illustrating how the presence and influence of immigrants can be beneficial to us. Kolker's extensive research and reporting took her across the country, witnessing these customs in action and even trying some herself.

In addition to experiencing the customs above, she visits Korean and Chinese afterschools, West Indian multigenerational households in New Jersey, Chicago's "Little Village" - a Mexican enclave with extraordinarily low rates of asthma, and signs up for Vietnamese Monthly Rice, the delivery of inexpensive home-cooked meals right to one's door, in Houston.

In THE IMMIGRANT ADVANTAGE, Kolker introduces seven customs, dedicating each chapter to exploring one of those practices. Kolker takes readers into the living rooms, kitchens, and restaurants of immigrant families to bring these customs to life, allowing us to experience them in an intimate way and to hear about their benefits in the words of the first and second generation immigrants who practice them.

What she discovers makes a gripping case that some of America's smartest ideas - and best reminders of our own core values - now reside with our country's newcomers.

• How to Save - Vietnamese Money Clubs can help us to financially plan for vacations, taxes, even weddings and college tuition
• How to Mother a Mother - The Mexican cuarentena may help buffer against post-partum depression and encourages mother-child bonding
• How to Court - Could South Asian assisted marriage be the perfect balance between old-school parental oversight and modern freedom of choice?
• How to Learn - The myth of the "model minority" and the power of Korean and Chinese afterschools
• How to Shelter - The social and financial benefits of living in a Jamaican multigenerational household
• How to be a Good Neighbor - Hanging out on the stoop or the corner in barrios fosters social bonds that might explain why some of the poorest immigrant communities have some of the best health outcomes
• How to Eat - Delivery of Vietnamese Monthly Rice helps relieves the stress of having to cook a meal after a long day of work and allows more time for families to spend at the dinner table

These customs are unfamiliar to most Americans, but they shouldn't be. Honed over centuries, Kolker found, these practices actually provide solutions to challenges that Americans face every day. Not only can they help save money, make time for a family meal, and support a college education - they may even help fend off disease, finance home ownership, and build a buffer from the physical and psychological assaults of poverty.

Fascinating, thought-provoking material.  Claudia Kolker's research and insights stir us to examine our own way of life, with special attention to how we might tweak things here and there to help our families and our communities be healthier, happier, and more successful.

This giveaway is sponsored by Free Press, which is offering five copies to MommyLife readers. Leave a comment and I will draw 5 winners December 1.

November 22, 2011 (11:03 AM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (19)

Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?

[ Betty, Mary Alice and Kelly are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Free Press for sponsoring it! You can find Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies? at Amazon.]

One note:  I find the word "fetus" jarring when used in place of "baby" - and you may too.  Also the assumption that we all agree on evolution. But this book is loaded with so much fun information, I wouldn't let that stop me from reading it.

Simon and Schuster Free Press has reserved three copies for this MommyLife giveaway.  Leave a comment for drawing December 1.

November 22, 2011 (10:17 AM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (18)

November 3, 2011

Get It On! a book on leadership

[Tammy, Nana and Mary are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to B&H Publishing for sponsoring it! You can find Get It On!: What It Means to Lead the Wayat Amazon.]

Not Me - Keni Thomas

So this man who can tug at your heartstrings with a song was one of the brave Army Rangers at Black Hawk Down, the terrible 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. Today he carries a guitar rather than a rifle, but he is still a soldier, traveling around the country sharing the lessons he learned.

In Get It On!: What It Means to Lead the Way, Keni Thomas tells his story from a biblical perspective. This is a compelling read and a great gift idea for anyone you know in the military. At Amazon, out of 52 reviews, 44 are 5-star and 8 are 4-star.

I can't wait to pass on my copy to my son Zach, the military/leadership student in our family.

Broadman and Holman - publisher of two of my own books - has generously offered three books for giveaway. Leave a comment for a drawing 11/14/

November 3, 2011 ( 9:53 PM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (13)

Pillsbury Sweet Moments

[ Julie L is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Pillsbury for sponsoring it!.]

November 3, 2011 ( 9:39 PM) | Food | Permalink | Comments (11)

Trim Treads - exercise sandals

[Genevieve is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Trim Treads for sponsoring it! You can find more at TrimTreads.]

Received a pair of these cool exercise shoes a few weeks ago and have really enjoyed wearing them and feeling more toned. Even standing at the kitchen sink, I can rock front to back and get the stretch in my legs. I love going barefoot, but knowing I can exercise with no extra effort is a real blessing:

The most affordable, effective, and
efficient fitness shoe on the market!

Wear your TrimTreads just 30 minutes a day for...

• lifted buns
• toned legs
• a stronger core
• better circulation
• perfect posture
• improved balance
• burning calories

Leave a comment to be entered in a giveaway to win a pair for yourself! Drawing 11/14.

November 3, 2011 ( 8:41 PM) | Personal care | Permalink | Comments (18)

October 7, 2011

Danger Rangers - Fire Safety

[Tereza, Teachermom, Elizabeth, Karen, Joani, and Lisa are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Mighty Kids Media for sponsoring it! You can Keep up with Danger Rangers at Facebook.]

October 9-14 is National Fire Safety Week - a great reminder that we need to prepare little children for what to do in case of fire. These materials from Mighty Kids Media can help:

Mighty Kids Media's Danger Rangers® is an animated edutainment series CBS on Saturdays with themes designed to "SuperEmpower" children ages 4-8 years-old with the knowledge to take on life's challenges... big or small. Each week the Danger Rangers band together in non-threatening, relatable, music-filled adventures through which learning for the young viewer is engaging, natural and integral to the overall entertainment aspect of the series.

Danger Rangers in Blazin' Hot Coloring/Activity Book - Danger Rangers
In dangerous emergencies, children need to know what they can do to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe. This story shows what children can do when they discover a burning house. The Danger Rangers, an adventurous team of loveable characters, lead the way in providing fire safety tips.

The Danger Rangers help children develop a "Can-Do" spirit and personal sense of responsibility! By empowering children with potentially life-saving problem solving skills, the positive character role models in every Danger Rangers adventure reinforce habits that children can practice every day; helping them to avoid or know how to reduce their most common safety risks. Our Emmy and Oscar award winning team makes learning about safety fun; and when it's fun, it's memorable! Action-adventure stories, comedy and fantastic music create the perfect blend of entertainment kids love, and educational content parents value. Watching our team of safety superheroes will be an experience you and your child can enjoy together, and a great addition to your family's daily routine!

The Danger Rangers folks have set aside six sticker books/DVDs for MommyLife readers.  Please leave a comment for a drawing 10/14.

October 7, 2011 ( 1:42 PM) | Safety | Permalink | Comments (15)

Caldesene Protecting Powder

[Kate J, Lynette and Kerri are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Caldesene for sponsoring it! You can find Caldesene Protecting Powder at Amazon.]

Caldesene^® Challenge

Try the Caldesene^® Water Test for yourself!

• Step 1: Fill a glass with water, then sprinkle Caldesene^® on top.
• Step 2: Dip your finger into the water.
• Step 3: When you pull it out, not only will it be dry, but also you'll be able to blow some of the powder off your finger.
• Step 4: This is the wetness barrier that will be protecting your baby's delicate bottom.

Test other brands--and see if they can pass the test.

I used to use Caldesene for my babies - but it's been a long time since then.  So when Caldesene sent me a familiar pink bottle of the zinc oxide/talk powder for kids and adults, I promptly opened the shaker top and drifted back to those days.  I know this stuff works from experience.

And in fact, because I had a little chafing when I received it, I tested it out promptly on myself.  It really works!

Sometimes the old-fashioned solution is best.

Caldesene is offering three bottles of this gentle but effective powder for winners of this MommyLife giveaway.  Leave a comment for a drawing 10/14.

October 7, 2011 ( 1:11 PM) | Baby products",Health products | Permalink | Comments (11)

The Hour That Matters Most - 10 copies!

[Kathi, Leslie, Suzie, Donna D, Anita, Robyn, Sheila, Sandra, Bene, and Deborah are the winners of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Tyndale House for sponsoring it! You can find The Hour that Matters Most: The Surprising Power of the Family Meal at Amazon.]

I've long been an advocate of Family Dinners.  Ten years ago I published the following article:

A Simple Recipe For Success

 Want to maximize your children's chance for success?  Boost their grades and SAT scores, develop good self-esteem and social skills - plus help them avoid cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol? 

            Just 20 minutes a day is all it takes.  You never have to leave home or spend a dime. Yet study after study concludes that one simple practice can make these parental wishes come true.

All you have to do is sit down to a family dinner.  

These days, that may be easier said than done - probably why we've seen a 33 percent decrease in the last 30 years in families who say they have dinner together regularly.  Think about it:  in 1970 after school kids played pretty much on their own - rollerskating, impromptu backyard baseball games, Barbie soap operas, or just plain hanging out - while mom made dinner.  Dad came home, Mom called the kids, and voila: the family dinner.

Today's families are different - many with two breadwinners or single parents.  But even in a traditional family like mine, dealing with a heap of homework and a gazillion extracurricular activities adds a crazy spin to the concept of dinner.

Not to mention countless hours of parental behind-the-wheel.  So who has time to cook?

Still, those studies are hard to ignore.  Family dinners mean kids with better eating habits and good manners and social graces - kids who will be welcome and confident wherever they go.  And - on a more serious note - a decreased chance of teen pregnancy or suicide. 

And by the way, as a former single mother, I know it's not easy to sit down and eat together, but since kids from single-parent families are most at risk, they need family dinners more than anyone.

So how does a busy family do it?  Here are a few suggestions:

Keep dinnertime flexible.  On nights Zach has karate, we have dinner at 5:00.  On nights when Ben has rehearsal, we have it at 7:00.  I look for a window of opportunity - and if we can't all be home, then at least when most will be.

Use a crock pot.  First thing in the morning, throw in some meat, mushroom soup and Lipton's onion soup mix - or try spaghetti sauce with defrosted frozen meatballs. 

Cut back on computer time to make room for a meal together.  During dinner, turn off the TV.  Don't answer the phone. 

Keep things simple.  Once a week we do Breakfast Night - pancakes, sausage, eggs. 

No matter how simple the meal, a few candles make it special for children.

The bottom line is this:  kids don't care if it's fish sticks and French fries - as long as time with you is on the menu.

This is why I'm so excited that well-respected Christian parenting experts Les&Leslie Parrott have written this very helpful book - The Hour that Matters Most: The Surprising Power of the Family Meal.

From the back cover:

Dinnertime--It's More Than Just a Meal
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott have discovered the surprising impact that something as simple as sharing a meal together can have on a family. And they aren't alone. Researchers across the board are finding that an hour around the dinner table can really tether a family together and help you raise up healthier, happier kids.

Featuring the inspiring story of Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna, the founders of Dream Dinners, The Hour That Matters Most shows you how to nourish and nurture your family through regular meal times.

An inspiring, practical book packed with everything you need to help you make the most of the dinnertime hour, The Hour That Matters Most includes

• never-before-published recipes
• expert cooking tips and ideas
• color photos of family-favorite meals
• dozens of conversation starters to get your kids talking around the table

If you're looking for ways to bring love and laughter to your home, rediscover the remarkable power of the family meal in The Hour That Matters Most.

I know all of us have been serving up family dinners for years, but if you can use some ideas to recharge your batteries, leave a comment for a drawing 10/14. Tyndale House is generously offering 10 books to be given away to MommyLife readers.

October 7, 2011 (11:59 AM) | Books | Permalink | Comments (32)

Carlito C. Caterpillar's Math House Games

[Melita is the winner of this giveaway. Thanks to all who entered! And thanks to Carlito C. Caterpillar for sponsoring it! Visit the Carlito C. Caterpillar Math House website to find out more or order their products.]

I received a set of these cards to review for my readers and I was very impressed.  Anyone with children 6 and under and the time to present math concepts will appreciate having a family-friendly curriculum that uses household items and downloadable templates to introduce young children to math concepts like "sets" and "more and less."

Carlito C. Caterpillar's MathHouse™ Game Cards
Based on Domenico's proprietary 20 Step Sensory Math Teaching System
Featuring two uniquely designed games to demonstrate each step (40 games in all)

The set contains

• 30 double-sided, full color, illustrated Game Cards
• Related editorial information explaining to parents The What, Why and How of Each Step
• Each 8" x 4" loose leaf card is printed on heavy card stock, lacquered to help protect from spills and ring bound to keep together and facilitate play
  

The cards use a sensory approach, which is in keeping with the Montessori teaching that young children need concrete experience that will form the basis for later abstract thinking.

If you are homeschooling or working with your child to prepare him or her for kindergarten, these could be of great benefit in your home.

Visit the Carlito C. Caterpillar Math House website.  If this is something that you can use, leave a comment for a 10/14 drawing.

October 7, 2011 (11:38 AM) | Educational toys | Permalink | Comments (14)