Foodie Friday: Zone Review and GIVEAWAY!! (3 winners - $179 each!) **ENDED**

Ever since I learned that Jennifer Aniston was on the Zone diet, I would gawk at her amazingly lean body and wonder what the diet was really like.  The concept behind the Zone diet is that you need the right balance of foods and nutrients to maximize health and weight loss. Zone foods contain protein that is meant to reduce hunger. Essential fatty acids is important to help you burn fat faster and polyphenols help reduce cellular inflammation.

The diet is designed to be a nutritional plan. It is not about depriving your body (or cravings) of certain foods. In fact, the Zone diet allows you to eat breads, pizzas, cookies, brownies and more! Their patented food products are created to help you burn fat faster, lessen hunger, and they are delicious. Since the program can be a little overwhelming at first (as any new diet can be), you also have access to a Zone personal coach to help you throughout the process as well as access to free recipes to help make the most of your Zone foods.

Here is the full list of foods (per week) included in a typical Zone diet plan:

Bagel Chips - Cinnamon

Bagel Chips- Plain

Bagel - Garlic

Bagel - Multigrain

Bagel - Onion

Bagel - Sesame

Bread - Cinnamon (2 slices per pack)

Bread - Multigrain (2 slices per pack)

(2) Bread - White (2 slices per pack)

Cookies - Coconut Chocolate Chip

Cookies - Heath Bar

Cookies - Milk Chocolate Chunk

Cookies - Peanut Butter

Croutons - Herb

Flatbread - Multigrain

Granola - Original

Granola - Peanut Butter

(2) Pasta - Fulilli

(3) Pasta - Orzo

Pizza Crust - Mulitigrain

Pizza Crust - While

Pretzel - Sesame

Roll - Mulitgrain

Roll - Sesame

In addition to the above mentioned foods, you also get a week's worth of Daily Essentials which contain OmegaRx (omega-3 fatty acids that dilute out Toxic Fat in every cell in the body and the highest-purity fish oil available) and Zone Polyphenols (contains the same amount of oxidents as eating 10 servings of vegetables and fruits).

Review: I will admit I was a little confused by the program when I first received the package. I  received a bog box of carbs and thought "is this all I am supposed to eat all week?!" After reading the enclosed literature I quickly realized that these were simply the proportioned carbs and I must fill complement them with fresh foods.  Since it is summer time and I have gone on three vacations in a month, I was unable to go on a strict Zone diet, but I did have the opportunity to sample most of the foods contained in the packages (I received a 2 week supply which were mailed separately to preserve freshness).   I was absolutely amazed by how good the products tasted. Never before have I tried diet food that actually tasted better than similar non-diet foods. For once, I was not disappointed when it was time to eat diet food, I was disappointed when I was unable to eat it for whatever reason!! 

Some of my favorites:

The original granola was so addicting. In fact, after eating it in the morning, I found myself craving it all day! I forgot to bring milk to work so I ate it plain and it kept my hunger at bay for several hours.

The cookies were chewy and had lots and lots of flavor (tons of M&Ms, chocolate chips, etc). Two cookies was definitely filling as they were quite heavy and this snack was the only one I would need to get through the afternoon.

The pastas had just enough amount in each package to fill me up. I liked the variety of meals you can make with them and there are quite a few recipes that looked great. Since I am not much of a cook, I used some plan red pasta sauce and was very pleased.

The breads were absolutely amazing. The cinnamon swirl was my favorite. It was sweet and very soft. It tasted fresh from the oven after toasting. All of the bread tasted bakery-fresh and they were very filling.

Between the combination of the foods and the Daily Essentials, I can say that I ate less and felt energized. Never once did I feel deprived. The Daily Essential vitamins are quite large, so if you have trouble swallowing pills this may be a challenge. I usually do not have trouble with pills, but these babies were hard to get down. The foods were really amazing, but the diet does take time and money so you will want to consider this ahead of time. A two week supply of Zone foods costs $179 plus the costs of the other foods necessary to make recipes. It is easy to stay on the diet when I am in a routine (like work), but when vacations started or we had social events to attend the diet went out the window.  Considering I did not stay strictly on the diet, I can say that it does work because I lost 2 pounds in 2 weeks by doing nothing more than intermittently eating the foods and using the Daily Essentials. I am sure if I dedicated my efforts to the diet the weight loss would have been even more dramatic.

Buy it here: You can shop for your perfect combination of Zone foods from the Zone Diet website.

Win it here: Three (3) lucky Cake Mom readers will win a 2 week supply Zone Diet package worth $179 each!!!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry:  Go to the Zone website and tell me one thing you learned or one food or recipe you would love to try!

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Check out the Chautauqua Institution and tell me one event you would like to attend (see 2011 calendar link at the top)  (3 entries)

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook  

The winner will be selected on 7/10 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

Congrats to katklaw777; DEBIJOT; and erin m. You have all been emailed.

Reader Cake: Star Wars

Welcome to to Birthday Month! To help me celebrate, I want to feature cakes made by you! If you would like to have your cake featured, please email me at jamielz@verizon.net.

What: Ewok cake with hut from Star Wars

By: Jenn

For Who: Her 10 year old son

Blog: http://www.bentoforkidlet.com

How cute it this! I love 3-D cakes and am totally impressed.  

It's a Birthday Event on Cake Mom!!

Welcome to the second annual Birthday event on Cake Mom! I love throwing birthday parties for my children so over the next couple of weeks, I am going to give you some fun ideas for birthday party products, there will be some great reader birthday cakes featured, and, of course, there will be some fun giveaways.

There is still time to submit your birthday cake picture in order to be featured here on Cake Mom. Email your pic to jamielz@verizon.net.

Fun da-middles Review and GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

Birthday Baking Alert!

What is more fun than cupcakes? Cream-filled cupcakes! Betty Crocker will be releasing a new cupcake mix this summer that allows you to bake creamy filling right into your cupcakes. Fun da-middles combines cake mix and creamy vanilla filling in one box.  They are available in  three  flavors, Vanilla Cake with Creamy Chocolate Filling, Chocolate Cake with Creamy Vanilla Filling, and Vanilla Cake with Creamy Vanilla Filling. 

 Review: I make filled cupcakes all the time, but I have never actually baked it into the cupcake before. The box mix allows you to make 12 crem-filled cupcakes. To make, you fill each cupcake wrapper 1/3 of the way with batter, making sure the batter completely covers the bottom. After kneeding and squeezing the icing packet, you  squeeze a small amount in the center of each cupcake. I put a bit too much in the first few and ended up running out before I got to all 12 so I had to redistribute. You need to make sure the filling does not touch the sides at all. You then top with the remaining batter and bake for 24-29 minutes.

Filling being placed in the cupcake before baking 

I really thought these cupcakes were delicious. The filling and cupcake were perfectly sweet and required no frosting at all (making them much less messy than traditional cupcakes). The cake was very moist and was very flavorful. The filling reminded me of a thinned marshmallow fluff.  These are definitely a delicious treat and they are fun for kids to make. The only thing I would have liked to see is the ability to make 24 cupcakes rather than 12, but I can always use 2 boxes!



Buy it here:  Fun da-middles will be hitting grocery store shelves later this summer!

Connect here: Betty Crocker's Facebook page

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader will receive a box of Fun da-middles!!

**Please read the rules**
This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if your comment is not in your profile! Only one set of entries per household.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what flavor of cupcakes is your favorite!

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.
 
 1. Follow my blog (publicly)
2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription
3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog
4. Check out the Chautauqua Institution and tell me one thing you find appealing about the place (2 entries)
5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.
6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.
7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook


The winner will be selected on 7/10  via random.org and will be emailed (once I get back from vacation). The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned products by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

Congrats to Gianna! You have been emailed.

Like Giveaways?

In case you have never checked it out, you must see Sweepstakes Advantage. This site is awesome. You can find tons of current giveaways and keep track of ones you entered. I list all of my giveaways there and you can see other blog giveaways, instant win sweepstakes, and more.

The Wilton 2012 Yearbook Has Arrived!!

The 2012 Wilton Yearbook is out! I have not gotten this edition yet but I have gotten the past few years and they are awesome! There are tons of great ideas in the book and decorating tips. Looks like I am going to have to order soon!!

Epsom Salt Review and GIVEAWAY **ENDED**

Summer Must-Have!

 

Now that summer is here, children are playing outside, climbing trees, and hanging out with friends. As a mom, this means treating mosquito bites, bee stings, sunburns, and poison ivy. Epsom Salts is an age-old remedy that helps soothe itching, burning skin and helps draw the moisture out of lesions caused by rashes, such as poison ivy. With bites or stings, Epsom Salt reduces the swelling, which eases the itching sensation because the body's nerves fire less frequently. Additionally, Epsom Salts can help you make some at-home beauty treatments, can be used in gardens, and more.

 

Review: I will be the first to admit that I had no idea there were so many practical uses for Epsom Salt. Aside from those, there are other creative uses such as exfoliation and gardening.  I decided to use the Epsom Salts I received to do some post-vacation pampering. By mixing with some petroleum jelly, you can make an amazing exfoliate.  My skin felt incredible for hours after applying the mix. I was also interested to learn that you can combine Epsom Salts with your conditioner to make a deep conditioner. I was  very impressed with how shiny and soft my skin was after use and it is something I definitely plan on repeating a couple times a week, particularly since my hair tends to dry out in the summer.

Buy it here: Epsom Salts can be purchased from your local grocer and pharmacy.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a container of Epsom Salts.

**Please read the rules**This is open to US  residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household.

Mandatory Entry: Check out the Epsom Salt Council website and tell me something you learned.

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry. For example, if you blog about this contest, leave 3 separate comments!

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook  

The winner will be selected on 7/9 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Congrats to Kapumaka! You have been emailed. 

Next Week at Chautauqua

On June 3-4, my family and I had the opportunity to visit Chautauqua, NY for a Blogger Symposium. The experience was great and over the summer, I will share some of my experiences as well as tell you why you may want to consider taking a vacation to this very unique place.

The 4th of July holiday looks great at Chautauqua.  A Symphony Pops in Concert is playing on the 4th and will feature some great American classics:

* "The Star Spangled Banner"
* Festive Overture, Op.96
* The Invincible Eagle March
* Selections from "The Music Man"
* "Harry's Wondrous World" from Harry Potter 

* The Great American TV Westerns

* "Liberty for All" for Symphony Orchestra and Narrator 

* Armed Forces On Parade

* 1812 Overture, Op 49

For the family, there is a fun 3D show by Mark Nizer:

Put on those 3D glasses and prepare for the impossible to become possible. Mark brings a combination of original comedy, world class juggling, movement, music and technology that promises to be a spellbinding evening. Imagine four lasers being juggled at 1,000 rpm, with the spinning laser beams dancing just above the audiences heads. Since winning the International Juggling Championships, Mark has taken his one man show to thousands of venues around the world, including The Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center. Whether it’s five ping pong balls being thrown 20 feet in the air using only his mouth; or juggling a burning propane tank, a running electric carving knife and a 16 pound bowling ball, you’ll never know what is possible until you see it yourself.

The big name of the week is Natalie Merchant who will be performing on July 8th!

I was provided with a complimentary stay in Chautauqua and have the opportunity to stay again if I drive the most traffic to their site. Please visit the Chautauqua Institution site and see this wonderful place for yourself! 

Tupperware Quick Shake Review and GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

Tupperware has been around for what seems like forever. Although there have been many other brands who have created plastic containers, none have made such high quality and lasting products as Tupperware. They have released a new product, the Quick Shake® Container, perfect for quick-mix summer jobs. Whether you are tying to cool down with a smoothie or make some marinades for grilling, the Quick Shake Container can help.

Features/Uses:

The tapered shape fits comfortable in one hand for easy shaking/mixing 

Sold in set of two

2-cup/500 ml capacity

Features both standard and metric measurements

Domed seal with hinged pour spout provides extra space for effective mixing

All pieces dishwasher safe

Removable

blender wheel blends evenly 

Can be used to mix diet drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, marinades, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, pudding and more!

Review: I received a Quick Shake to review. If you have ever used Tupperware products before, then you know the quality far surpasses other plastic storage containers on the market. The same holds true for the Quick Shake. The plastic is very thick and is designed to be the only and last product you will ever need to buy.  The cap and spout sealed perfectly and there was no mess as a result of shaking a liquid in the cup.  The Quick Shake has become my daughter's preferred way to make chocolate milk and I will say that it works much better than simply stirring.  It is a great size and will be perfect for most of your mixing needs. 

Buy it here: A set of two Tupperware Quick Shakes can be purchased from your local Tupperware seller or from Tupperware's website for $14.00

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win one Tupperware Quick Shake container!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US  residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me another product from Tupperware you would love to own.

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry. For example, if you blog about this contest, leave 3 separate comments!

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook  

8.  Visit the Chautauqua website, view the 2011 schedule link, and tell me one event you would attend if you could (3 entries)

The winner will be selected on 7/8 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Congrats to Anonymous (comment 34). You have been emailed. 

Pear Tree Greetings Challenge: Week 2

Pear Tree Greetings is a fantastic online store that sells paper products such as personalized cards, address labels, invitations, and more. I have had the pleasure of working with Pear tree Greetings for some time now and have consistently been happy with their high quality products.

This month, I was given the opportunity to receive a $1 Mom Kit. Along with the samples came a challenge to write a note every other week to someone. 

I decided this week to send a thank you note to our friends who were married last week. As you probably know if you read my blog, my husband and I went to California last week for their wedding. We spent extra time there as a present to ourselves for our 10 year anniversary. Our friends who got married negotiated a room upgrade at the hotel for us since we were celebrating 10 years. The hotel room had a jacuzzi, fresh flowers, and was almost nicer than their own! We were so touched by their thoughtfulness. 

Buy it here:  In June, you can receive a 15% discount off personalized stationary when you enter CONNECT15 at checkout! Visit Pear Tree Greetings to get started. 

I was given the opportunity to host this giveaway as  Pearista. As a Pearista, I receive samples and products. No other compensation is received and all views expressed are my own.

It is Good to Be Home!

As you probably read, my husband and I were in California for the last week. It is great to be home and we missed the kids terribly! We had a great time attending a friend's wedding and celebrating our 10 year anniversary!  We went to Hollywood, went on a whale watching tour, toured the Queen Mary, and more. 

For my giveaway lovers, thanks for waiting out the week. I have some great giveaways coming up and starting July 1st there will be a birthday event here on Cake Mom which should be a lot of fun.

Dermacyte Oxygen Concentrate GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

15 Years of Science Behind Dermacyte Products

Dermacyte Oxygen Concentrate was created by a team of scientists who have been working for 15 years on the development of oxygen-based treatments for life-threatening medical conditions. Helped by the miracle of modern technology and after extensive research, they discovered a unique and highly effective carrier that allows the transfer of large amounts of dissolved natural oxygen without the use of chemical activators like hydrogen peroxide, which is known to dry and bleach skin. 

Given that oxygen is vital for the healthy appearance of skin and is known to have a beneficial effect on wound healing, this novel technology inspired the creation of Dermacyte skin care products. Within a short time, users saw the appearance of fine lines started to fade; their complexions were softer and smoother. Dull-looking skin seemed to regain moistness and a healthy glow. Skin had finally found a way to reclaim its youth.

 

Dermacyte Oxygen Concentrate

Dermacyte Oxygen Concentrate is a unique and ultra-soothing formula that helps restore a youthful glow to your skin. Your complexion appears instantly brighter and energized after it is applied.  Apply morning and night onto clean skin before any other products. Think of Dermacyte Oxygen Concentrate as an oxygen bar for your skin! Price: $84, 10 ml

 

About the Company: Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ & SIX: OXBT) of Durham , NC, is developing cosmetic and medical products that efficiently deliver oxygen to tissues in the body. The company has developed a proprietary therapeutic oxygen carrier and liquid ventilation product that is being formulated for both intravenous and topical delivery. The Company introduced its first cosmetic product, Dermacyte® Oxygen Concentrate in 2010. In addition, the company is focused on PFC-based oxygen carriers for use in traumatic brain injury, decompression sickness, personal care, and topical wound healing. More information is available at www.dermacyeUS.com or www.dermstore.com.

  

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win Dermacyte Oxygen Concentrate worth $84!!!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry: Tell me why you want to win! 
 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry. For example, if you blog about this contest, leave 3 separate comments!

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog (3 entries)

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook 

8.  Take a look at the Chautauqua Institute and tell me whether you would be more interested in the arts, recreation, education, or religious offering. You MUST click on the link. (3 entries)

The winner will be selected on 7/7 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was not compensated for this post but thought my readers would enjoy this giveaway.

Congrats to Diane52! You have been emailed.

Tattooed by Inky Review

Body sprays have grown in popularity over the past several years among both men and women. Target stores have recently launched a line of body sprays, Tattooed by Inky inspired by the cult of self-expressive body art. The incredibly affordable products come in the following unique scents:

Monkey Business – Scent for males that has a bold blend of lavender, leather, pepper, and sandlewood formulated for the smart, funny, no-nonsense guy with a lovable bad boy streak.

Drako – Created for the strong, enigmatic, and fiery guy that has elements of spices, musks, and precious woods.

A Mi Amore – A romantic blend of white florals, vanilla, and amber for the passionate woman.

Sudden Freedom – This scent is designed for the strong and motivated female and contains aquatic florals, pink jasmine, and warm rosewood.

Koi – This unisex fragrance is meant for the easy going person with a colorful personality and contains a blend of citrus, ginger, and patchouli.

Review: I was given three body fragrances to review. I loved the fresh design to the sprays. The trigger spray allows for an even spritz and has a pretty large area the spray covers. The Koi scent, although unisex, had more of a masculine scent to it.   I loved Sudden Freedom. The floral scents were very pleasing and the combination smelled fresh. It is definitely a scent I would wear on a daily basis. A Mi Amor was also very pleasing and fresh.  This is another scent I have worn frequently.  The scents are not overpowering but not so faint that you can't smell them at all. They are fresher than typical perfumes and can be worn often rather than just on special occasions.  The price is right and the smell is great. I would definitely recommend you give one of these sprays a try.

Buy it here: Tatttooed by Inky sprays are available at Target for only $5.99 a piece.

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review.  No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Jordin Sparks: Because of You Review

Jordin Sparks skyrocketed to stardom following her stint on American Idol. Not only is she an incredible singer and a talented actress, she has a great sense of style. She has recently released her first ever fragrance line. As an homage to the fans who got her to where she is today, she has named her fragrance “Because of You”.  Since the scents are created for her fans, she insists that they be sold at affordable prices and they are available through mass merchants. The graphic design on the carton was inspired by Jordin’s deep love of music. It features an abstract music sheet  incorporating overlaying music notes in warm colors.

Olfactory description/Fragrance Notes:

Intro: Clementine, White Imperial Currant and Orange Blossom

Bridge: Nectarine, Sharry Baby Orchid, and Coral Charm Peony

Chorus: Sheer Musks, Vanilla Bean, Baltic Amber, and Blonde Woods

Review: I was given a Parfum spray and body lotion to review. I really enjoyed the scent of this fragrance. It is floral and pleasing scent that is not too overpowering yet strong enough to actually enjoy. The lotion rubs nicely into your skin leaving your skin fragrant and soft. The shape of the parfum spray is interesting. Although the cap is a little tricky to remove, it sprays evenly.  I definately enjoy it and it makes for a nice spring or summer scent.  The prices are very affordable which is great since I am sure that a large portion on Jordin’s fan base are tweens and teens who cannot generally afford expensive perfumes.

Buy it here:  Because of You fragrances are available at Dots stores, Rainbow stores, and (www.jordinsparksbeauty.com.  The following are suggested retail prices for her products:

2.5 fl oz Eau de Parfum Spray- $14.95

On the Go Mini Gift Set (.2 fl oz Eau de Parfum Sprat & 1.65 oz Moisturing Body Lotion) - $6.95

Fragrance Luxuries Gift Set (2.5 fl oz Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz Moisturizing Body Lotion, .21 fl oz Eau de Parfum Spray) - $19.95

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Calm Space Review

Travel Must Have!

Claustrophobia, or feeling anxious in crowded/small spaces, is a fairly common problem many individuals face.  For the 33 million Americans who suffer from claustrophobia, simple tasks like riding a subway, getting an MRI, or attending a concert can be daunting. Thanks to crowded airplanes, claustrophobia can hinder summer travel plans.

Healthy Bands, LLC has created Calm Space, a discreet, convenient, and portable fragrances made from 100% natural, therapeutic organic oils. It is easy to use and is proven to manage claustrophobic anxiety. By simply removing the cap, placing the scent under your nose, and breathing in deeply, a relaxing sensation will kick in. 

Review: I was given both Calm Space Lavender and Calm Space Vanilla to review. The containers are pretty and just slightly larger than a lip balm. They are tiny enough to fit in your pocket and allow you to use them discreetly. The vanilla smells just like baking vanilla and the lavender has a potent and natural scent. I prefer the lavender scent but the vanilla is pleasing as well. I find both scents to be soothing and can see how they can be helpful when experiencing anxiety. if you suffer from claustrophobia, I would recommend giving this all natural and non-intrusive product a try before resorting to medications.

Buy it here: Calm Space is available for $14.99 online at www.calm-space.com.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. no other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Summer Food Idea: Town House Crackers

Summer. A time for picnics, family, friends, and great snacks! Toll House crackers are great to have on hand as they compliment many summer-inspired meat & cheese trays and dips. Here are four options available you may want to keep on hand for this summer's get togethers:

Town House Original: Buttery flavor created to be used with dips, spreads, or eaten right out of the box. Also available in Reduced Fat and wheat versions.

Town House FlipSides: Combine the taste and crispiness of a pretzel with the usefulness of a cracker. Available in Original, Cheddar, Garlic Herb and Reduced Fat.

Town House Toppers: Have raised edges, making them perfect for toppings and dips. They are available in Original, Garlic & Herb, and Multi-Grain.

Townhouse Flatbread Crisps:  Inspired by specialty flatbreads, these oven-baked crisps feature a blend of herbs and spices.

Review: I was given Townhouse Toppers and Flatbread Crisps to review. The Toppers had a great shape. Although I ran out of time and was unable to try a variety of recipes that would go great with the crackers, my children and I enjoyed some good old fashion cheese and crackers. Even my son who really does not like cheese or crackers commented on how "awesome" the combination was. The crackers were had a great buttery taste with just enough salt.  I will definitely buy these crackers again and look forward to trying some interesting dips or topping.  The Flatbread Crisps had a more "grown up" taste to them. The blend of herbs was very tasty, yet not too overpowering. The crackers are actually tasty enough to be eaten alone, but a bit too dry so I would recommend trying them with a topping (cheese worked great).   These crackers will definitely be a hit at summer get togethers this summer!

Buy it here: Town House crackers are available in retail stores nationwide. The suggested retail price per box is $3.99.

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Chautauqua Institute Opens Today!!

On June 3-4, my family and I had the opportunity to visit Chautauqua, NY for a Blogger Symposium. The experience was great and over the summer, I will share some of my experiences as well as tell you why you may want to consider taking a vacation to this very unique place.

Good news: Chautauqua Institution opens this Saturday!! There is a new theme each week and opening week is focused on Global Health and Development as Foreign Policy. Not your cup of tea? No worries, there are plenty of family-friendly events to attend.  What, in my opinion, is the coolest happening this week? Steve Martin, yes the Steve Martin, will be there performing with The Sleep Canyon Rangers: "An Evening of Bluegrass and Banjo". I had no idea he was a banjo player!

I was provided with a complimentary stay in Chautauqua and have the opportunity to stay again if I drive the most traffic to their site. Please visit the Chautauqua Institution site and see this wonderful place for yourself! 

Foodie Friday: Fruit2Day Morning Review

Smoothies have been growing in popularity over the past several years thanks to their sweet taste and nutritional benefit. Fruit2Day Morning is an all natural fruit smoothie that combines protein, fiber, and bits of real fruit.  The high protein drink is more satisfying than a glass of fruit juice, it packs some serious nutrition in a little bottle.  Each 6.75 fl oz container contains 7 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. There is no sugar added and each bottle is 1&1/2 servings of fruit.

Fruit2Day Morning comes in two flavors: Strawberry Banana Sunrise and Triple Berry Sunshine.  I received a sample of each of the flavors which come in a bright and colorful fruit-themed bottle (1 serving).  The Triple Berry Sunshine is made from 95% juice and fruit bits and contains an assortment of fruit juices and purees. The strawberry was the most prominent taste to me. I found the drink to be filling enough for me first thing in the morning and it was very flavorful. I appreciated how it tasted like real fruit and there was no detection of artificial flavoring.  The Strawberry Banana Sunrise  was really good.  I like strawberries and bananas but cannot stand anything artificially flavored with either. Since this was real fruit, I thoroughly enjoyed the taste.  If you are a fruit and/or smoothie fan, I would highly recommend giving Fruit2Day Morning a try! 

Buy it here: You can purchase Fruit2Day products from your local grocer. Fruit2Day Morning retails for $1.89 per 3.75oz bottle.  

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

CVS Father's Day Product Ideas

You may think of CVS as a place to get medicine, photos, and personal care items. What you might not know is that they offer a lot of great and affordable seasonal items. They have quite a few products that would make really neat Father's Day gifts.

Top gift ideas for Dad:
Gadgets and Gizmos:

·         Aluma Wallet, $10.99 (slim, indestructible and H2O resistant)

·         Outdoor chairs, $7.99 - $39.99

·         Grilling tools, starting at $4.99

·         Coolers, $7.99 - $29.99

Grooming products:

·         Shavers and body groomers, $9.99 - $99.99

·         Assorted razors, $1.00 - $10.99

·         Scented Blade bar soaps, $2.49

·         Assorted body wash for men from Blade, Dial, Dove, Nivea, $4.99 - $5.99

·         Designer cologne by McGraw Southern Blend, Jovan, Polo, Dolce & Gabbana, $17.99 - $49.99

For the dad who has it all:

·         Gift Cards (Sears, Gap, Dunkin Donuts, Nordstrom, Barns & Noble, iTunes,  American Express, Visa, popular restaurants and more)

 ·         In-store photo gifts including photo books ($5.99 - $14.99), KODAK Picture Movie DVD ($14.99), photo collages and calendars ($19.99). Please note In-store gifts can be created and taken home the same day! For added convenience, order online at CVSphoto.com and pick-up finished goods in about an hour

·         “Dad & Me,” recordable story book by Hallmark 

Review: I was given the opportunity to review two great products from CVS. 

The California Day Cooler is only $9.99 and has the following features:

2 compartments 

Ability to convert to 1 compartment for taller items

Ability to hold up to 9 cans

Includes a free Cryofreeze Ice Pack/Hot Pack ($1.99 value)

Features Microban antimicrobial protection (protects the interior liner from bacteria that causes odors and stains)

Ability to be hand-held or can be carried hands-free 

This is a really great little cooler, especially for the price. This would make a really great gift for the working dad, one who packs a lunch for sports activities, etc. It holds a "manly" amount of food and I really like the different compartments. The cooler really does keep your lunch cool and the ice pack enhances it's ability to do so.  I would suggest picking one up now for back-to-school time as well!

I was also given a Mr. Bar-B-Q 3 piece stainless steel tool set. It contained a 4 in 1 spatula, a fork , and tongs.   The set was of decent quality.  We have had better sets, but it is definitely worth the price ($7.99). I like the spatula a lot. The design allows you to flip your meat, tenderize, and cut it as well. 

Buy it here: These products are available from your local CVS.

I was provided with the above mentioned products for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.