Take Back Your Life Giveaway! #TakeBackYourLife #FlyBy

Hey y'all!! Can you believe it's practically September now?!  2020 is literally flying by us! 

I'm back with a really wonderful giveaway.  This book is called Take Back Your Life  ~  A 40 Day Interactive Journey to Thinking Right So You Can Live Right, by Levi Lusko. 

I'm only a few days into this book, but it's easily the most important one I've read in 2020.  

In Take Back Your Life,  Lusko helps you learn to handle both external and internal circumstances and battles so you can move forward and take back your life.   Every daily devotion includes a prayer, journaling prompts and questions to answer, plus a relevant scripture.  

I'm absolutely loving this book, and it's a great way to begin each day.  Day 6 is my favorite so far - it's called Mask Off.  It's about the mask(s) we wear as a defense to hide our fears that we aren't enough.  Wow.  It's powerful stuff, y'all.   Get yours here!

You can also visit this site to download a four day version of this for your kids! There are also lunchbox notes to print out, a worksheet for kids to help work through their emotions, and more! 

I hope that this book will bless your days like it is blessing mine!  I look forward to each new chapter and I'm excited to see the changes in me after 40 days.   It's really helping me examine my thinking and make positive changes.  This is a particularly challenging time in my life as I navigate single-parenting a teen, training for a new job, going through a divorce, and all the other changes that we have going on.  Levi Lusko's latest book has really been a game-changer for me. 

Author Bio: Levi Lusko is the founder and lead pastor of Fresh Life Church, located in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, and Utah. He is the bestselling author of Through the Eyes of a Lion, Swipe Right, and I Declare War. Levi also travels the world speaking about Jesus. He and his wife, Jennie, have one son, Lennox, and four daughters: Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in heaven.

I am so happy that I get to give away a copy of this book!  All you have to do is enter through my rafflecopter giveaway below.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC and HCCP for providing this prize for the giveaway and review.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Giveaway: ReliefMD from Trusted Health Products

I've been using another great product from Trusted Health Products over the last 6 weeks - it's called ReliefMD.  I really like the versatility of this product, as it can be used for a variety of ailments! It has replaced several products in my medicine cabinet, so that makes this the perfect product for our on-the-go family.  I actually keep my ReliefMD in my makeup bag in my purse so it's handy wherever we go.

ReliefMD is for the discomfort of:

Sore Back / Neck
Swollen Joints
Sore Muscles
Muscle Strains
Sprains
Contusions
Bruises
Headache
Insomnia (also put 5 drops in a saucer beside your bed for aromatic benefits)
Sport Workouts (use before and after)
Mosquito Bites / Insect Bites / Stings (apply every few minutes for an hour)
Itching (apply as needed)
Cold Sores (apply every few minutes for an hour)
Burns, including sunburns (apply every few minutes for an hour)

Swipe one drop above upper lip just below the nose, one drop across the forehead, and then lightly cover affected area (do not rub in). Use three times per day, or as needed. Wash hands after use. Avoid contact with eyes and other sensitive tissue. Keep out of the reach of children – do not ingest. Do not use on open wounds. Best to apply immediately after burns and insect bites, stings, workouts, bruises and sprains.

INGREDIENTS

Almond – is used in skin care because it acts as an emollient (softening and soothing the skin), as a remedy for dry skin conditions, and as a relief for irritation, inflammation, and itching. These excellent emollient properties help the skin to balance its loss and absorption of moisture. Almond oil is also used in the medical field to help treat various forms of dermatitis.

Eucalyptus – is a powerful antiseptic, helps with nausea, suppresses coughs, and has strong germicidal and disinfectant properties. It stimulates the blood flow which directs more healthy oxygen to the brain and to the point of application.

Peppermint – has anti-microbial, fungicidal, and bactericidal actions. For medicinal uses, studies have shown peppermint oil to be effective as an analgesic, a tonic, an antispasmodic, and for daytime sleepiness. When combined with eucalyptus oil, the two are well-known for their positive efficacy to treat headaches and relieve pain.

Wintergreen (Methyl Salicylate) – is accepted by the U.S Food and Drug Administration as an over-the-counter external analgesic, primarily intended to relieve mild muscle and joint pain. Has anti-inflammatory properties and is used in topical pain relievers and products that produce a feeling of warmth.

Camphor – is antiseptic, analgesic and antispasmodic. Germany has approved Camphor for the treatment of rheumatism (externally). Camphor oil is applied to the skin to promote circulation and to relieve itching.

Spearmint – is generally used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, and in skin care, it is used as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.

Olive – Olive oil has been used to nourish and moisturize skin.

You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any natural products.

So far I've used ReliefMD to treat a burn, bug bites, a cold sore and for sore muscles after lots of walking at Walt Disney World last month!  It smells nice - very fresh and invigorating.  The scent is a little strong, but I love mint, and that's what it smells like to me.   It comes in a 2 oz glass amber bottle.  It lasts for a long time, too!  Mine barely looks used, but trust me, I've gotten many uses out of it and still have close to a full bottle left to use.

If you like to try natural products and essential oils, you will LOVE Relief MD.

For a limited time, the manufacturer is willing to offer my readers one FREE bottle. They said they would love to have our readers try out ReliefMD and agreed to send one bottle FREE if our readers would pay a minimal shipping and handling charge. This is a one-time only offer! Click here to get your FREE bottle now!

Visit their Website!
Like Trusted Health Products on Facebook!

And now for a giveaway!  Trusted Health Products will give THREE of my readers a free bottle of ReliefMD!  Enter via the rafflecopter widget below.....

Weekend Purex Ultrapacks giveaway!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! We had a nice one - my daughter, her boyfriend and another friend of hers from high school were here. We didn't cook as many dishes this year, and I sent them all home with leftovers packed in quart-sized mason jars!!  That way there weren't so many leftovers to tempt me! Win win for everyone! :0)

So....ugh. I had no idea how much of a pain my computer troubles would turn out to be. After I got the hard drive replacement from HP, I took it to Tiger Direct. They had to back up what they could from the corrupted HD, then reinstall everything on the new one.  They kept my laptop for a few days to do all that,  and finally called to say it was good, so I picked it up and brought it home. Didn't have time to do much with it for a few days, but when I finally got it up, nothing would load, save, it was a mess!  I drove back up to Jefferson, to Tiger Direct, & left it for another several days. Picked it up 4 days later when they called me, brought it back home again, and put it aside - it was Thanksgiving week!

At the beginning of this week I tried again ~ this time it won't connect to the internet at all. Boo! I am so tired of dealing with it, and so irritated! We have lots planned for the next few days, so I can't even get it back up to Tiger Direct until next week. In the meantime, I have gotten my icky old (very SLOOOOOOOOOOOW) laptop back up and semi-working. It stinks working on this one though.  I apologize to my sponsors for the delay - I WILL have their reviews and/or giveaways up beginning next week no matter what!

 First up will be the Beautiful Skincare review & giveaway. Y'all are gonna love their products! Then a review for Shirley J - their Whisk Bliss is is super-versatile & has become a staple in my pantry!
Finally, I hope to have a Thirty One Gifts giveaway before the end of the year, or possibly right after the first of the year!

 For now, to apologize for the delay, my dear readers, I've got a short and sweet giveaway! Purex sent me a sample of their UltraPacks plus Oxi and they are amazing!! I used them on some clothes that David had gotten paint on and they came out like new! The scent is fresh and clean. They couldn't be any easier to use - you just pop one into your wash and ta-da! Clothes come out clean, bright and fresh! I believe these UltraPacks worked great and they are now part of my laundry room must-haves!

One of the reasons I love Purex products is because they work as well as the more expensive products out there, but they don't cost a huge portion of my grocery budget! I hope you will try the Purex UltraPacks plus OXI - I just know you will love them as much as I do! So for this giveaway, one winner will receive two coupons, each coupon is for a free pack of Purex Ultrapacks, value up to $6 each. They expire 12/31/13 so this is a FAST giveaway, I want to get them in the mail to you ASAP so you can redeem them before 12/31.
All you have to do is leave me a comment below this post, and make sure you include your email address in the comment so I can reach you!! If your name is drawn, but you didn't leave your email address, I'll have to pick an alternate winner. And that would suck!! So please don't forget!

If you want to, leave a comment once every day for extra entries - but include your email in each one! I'll draw the winner on Monday, December 9.

I need to hear back from the winner within 24 hours, or I'll draw another name, again, this is a time-sensitive prize and I want to get it out to you next week! US addresses, only.

 Purex provided me with the product for review purposes, as well as coupons. No other compensation was received. All opinions given are my own!

Thanks so much for your patience and one way or another I'll be back with a review & giveaway next week!!


 

My favorite Pioneer Woman recipe ~ OLIVE CHEESE BREAD!

One of my most favorite foods in the world is the tiny little salty, savory olive.  I like them black, green, stuffed, not-stuffed, kalamata - you name it.  I add them to everything, and you will always find cans of black olives and jars of green olives in my kitchen! I never ever run out of olives!  Did I mention that D (aka Mr. Picky Pants!) loves them too? Yes, & he got that from me!

Let's see - I put them in our taco meat, spaghetti sauce, casseroles, on top of nachos, pizza, salads - you name it, there's probably an olive variety in there when you're at our home! 

So when I saw that Mario Foods was offering bloggers on Facebook the chance to review Their new On-The-Go Snack Olives, I quickly sent in my request!  I was thrilled when they sent us a sampler box filled with a variety of their delicious snack olives, "packed loose without the juice".   

These olives come in a perfect snack size pouch that you can tuck in a lunch box or even in your purse!  They sent us black olives with natural sea salt, black olives seasoned with roasted red pepper, green olives with natural sea salt, green olives with a hint of garlic, and green olives with a hint of savory pepper. (They also have olives seasoned with Sevillian spices, and kalamata olives seasoned with a hint of thyme). 

Oh my gosh, are they all delicious!  My son was hooked immediately! He loved eating the olives on Ritz crackers ~ the garlic and the red pepper varieties were his favorites!  Spicy and salty and wonderful - just like you'd expect! So tasty!  Want more Mario olives in your life? Check out some of the great recipes Mario Foods has for you to try!

I saved a few packs to use on our first cold evening, when I made a pot of turkey chili.  I decided that Pioneer Woman's Olive Cheese Bread would be perfect as a side! It is one of our family's favorites, and I've shared it here before.

Here's the original recipe:

Pioneer Woman's Olive Cheese Bread 

1 14.5 oz can black olives, drained

1 6 oz jar green olives (pimento stuffed), drained

2 green onions (I didn't use)

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 c mayonnaise - real mayo, no substitutions!

1 lb grated monterey jack cheese

1 loaf crusty french bread ( I bought pre-sliced loaves at the bakery for more servings Saturday - but usually make it with a whole loaf)

Preheat oven to 325.  Roughly chop black olives.  Do the same with the green olives.  Slice green onions them chop them roughly.   In a large bowl, combine the butter, mayo,  cheese, olives and onions. Stir until throughly blended.  (per PW - at this point, grab the nearest cracker and take a taste, repeat as needed, lol!!) 

Slice the french bread in half lengthwise,  spread the olive cheese mixture in an even layer on each half.  Bake 20 -25 minutes,  until cheese mixture is thoroughly melted and beginning to turn light brown and bubbly.  Cut into diagonal slices and serve immediately!! 

Helpful hints: 

You can make the cheese/olive mixture up to 2 days in advance, store tightly covered in fridge.  Or spread mixture on bread and freeze , tightly wrapped for up to six months.  Thaw before baking.   Also super-good on crackers!

Variation - substitute drained, chopped artichoke hearts and grated parmesan for the olives and jack cheese - yum!

The night I made our chili, I swapped some of the regular black and green olives out for the delicious On-The-Go Snack Olives from Mario Foods.  I used one pouch of the green olives with a hint of garlic and one pouch of the black olives with a hint of roasted red pepper.  Wow - did they ever jazz up this bread! SO fantastic.  I'll be making it this way from now on! Even D. liked my new and improved version of Olive Cheese Bread.  It was perfect with the chili!

New additions to my recipe!  See all the spices and herbs? Tasty stuff!

Everything gets mixed up together. 

In the oven ~

and done!

Rich, cheesy, olive-y goodness!

Perfect for dipping in my turkey chili!

I also used the black olives with sea salt on Halloween night - I chopped them up and put them in a hot pizza dip. I left one out til the end and cut it in half to use as a big fat spider on top! (half of the olive was the body, and the other half I cut into 8 thin slivers for legs! I used a bag to pipe some alfredo sauce on top of the dip and then swirled it a little to make a web design, and the scary little olive spider went right in the middle! See it in the pic below, on the left?

These olives are not only delicious for a snack, they are quite versatile for using in recipes! I'm hooked. We'll be sure to keep these in our pantry!  Here's where you can find all the yummy Mario Products for yourself!  

Ready to enter my contest?  Click the link below and enter to win a fantastic gift basket of goodies from Mario Foods.  Items in the basket may vary from the picture above, & it is valued at appx $30. 

  

How to improve your oral health with OraMd!

Back in May, I had a dental appointment for an exam/cleaning.  My usual Dentist was out of town, but the one I saw that day remarked that my gums, lips and insides of my cheeks were showing signs of an allergic reaction, and she believed it could be due to SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) ~ which is in just about every toothpaste & mouthwash out there.  I asked what I could use that doesn't contain SLS.  She said Sensodyne was fine, but there were not many options for me that were SLS free.   I really don't like the flavor of Sensodyne, so I left the appointment feeling really bummed out, even though she gave me several tubes of it to use.  :(

Fast forward to the next week ~ I got an email asking if I'd like to try an all-natural, liquid toothpaste/mouthwash/breath freshener. OraMD is a Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-free, Fluoride-free productm comprised of 100% pure botanical oils ~ almond, spearmint and peppermint.  Since I was looking for something exactly like this product, you know I agreed to try it out and share it here with y'all!  

When it arrived, I didn't get started on it right away, as this summer has been crazy.  Finally things calmed down around the beginning of July, and I started using OraMD consistently.  The flavor is a little different, it was odd/strong tasting, at first. It even burned a bit.  But I kept using it and I'm so glad I did!  I noticed with the first use how clean my teeth felt! We are talking walking out of the dentist office clean! And it's only gotten better with time!  I use Sensodyne (still trying to use it all up, lol) in the morning, and OraMD at mid-day and bedtime. Each bottle has 400 drops - so it will last you for a while!  

Now that I have used it for about a month, I really enjoy the flavor - it is a true mint flavor,  from the botanical spearmint & peppermint oils.   And the best part is that my mouth is doing much better now that I've eliminated the SLS out of my oral hygiene routine!  OraMD is something I really love! I don't use much at all when I brush, just a couple drops, so I still have a good bit left in my little glass bottle.  David has tried it too - he didn't love the flavor at first, but he got used to it, too.   When I order more, he will get his own bottle! 

I find it so amazing that this little bottle of OraMD takes the place of three products! Use a few drops on your toothbrush for brushing.  Add a few drops to water to use as mouthwash, and apply a few drops to your tongue as a breath freshener!  Love multi-purpose products like this - saves me money, time and counter space, lol! Not to mention you are not having to buy three products when you shop! And you don't even have to leave the house to get OraMD!  And the fact that it is pure and natural makes me feel happy! This is a product I feel good about my family using! 

Here is some more information about OraMD that the company sent me ~ 

OraMD is the 100% pure liquid toothpaste, mouthwash and breath 

freshener with ingredients that kill the 22 harmful bacteria that lead 

to gum disease and other oral health problems.

Features and Benefits

· OraMD is a 100% pure liquid toothpaste, mouthwash and breath freshener

· Contains only all-natural 100% pure ingredients - oils of peppermint, spearmint and 

almond

· Combining the 1) bacteria fighting properties of OraMD’s ingredients, 2) the OraMD 4 

Step Oral Hygiene Program, and 3) the information in Dr. Tom McGuire’s book, Healthy 

Teeth Healthy Body, gives you the best possible combination to fight problem-causing 

bacteria.

· Ingredients help create and maintain a clean and healthy environment in your mouth

(gum conditions have been linked to numerous other conditions)

· Has interdental access, so it gets in between your teeth and those hard-to-clean areas

· Leaves a fresh and clean feeling unlike anything you’ve ever experienced· Ingredients polish teeth and make them feel as smooth as glass

· Safe and effective for everyone ages 3 and up

· May taste a little stout the first 3-7 uses 

· Safe for braces, veneers, bonds, crowns, fillings and dentures

· Also available in Extra Strength, a more advanced formula

Back to Top

Directions – 4 Step Oral Hygiene Program

1. Brush twice a day in the morning and evening using 2-5 drops of OraMD on a 

toothbrush and brush normally.

2. Floss every evening before brushing - more frequently as needed. Get any food particles 

out from between teeth.

3. Use OraMD as a mouthwash twice a day: morning and evening. Just put 2-5 drops into 

an ounce of water, swish and gargle.

4. Mid-morning, mid-afternoon and as needed: put 2-5 drops of OraMD on the tip of the 

tongue to coat the gum line and teeth to kill bacteria and keep breath fresh.

Ingredients and Properties

· 100% pure peppermint, spearmint and almond oil

· Unique proprietary formula

· Ingredients are specifically formulated to eliminate 22 known harmful types of oral 

bacteria that can lead to multiple oral problems

· OraMD’s peppermint oil has potent anti-bacterial properties

· OraMD’s spearmint oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties

· Flouride-free

· Alcohol-free (alcohol is known to cause dry mouth)

· Contains none of the harsh chemicals found in toothpaste

· No abrasives like silica, found in nearly all toothpastes

· No GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms)

· Highest quality ingredient sources worldwide

Back to Top

Dentist Endorsements and Customer Reviews

· OraMD is Endorsed by Dr. Tom McGuire, a world-renowned dentist and leading 

authority on preventive dentistry 

· Dentists worldwide highly recommend OraMD 

· Excellent Customer Reviews

· Manufacturer has 12-year track record with selling over half a million bottles OraMD, 

and an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau

Research

· New research study conducted at the Center for Oral Health Research at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY shows OraMD ingredients to have effective antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative oral bacteria. This suggests that the beneficial clinical effects in reducing periodontal inflammation may be due to the antibacterial effects of the oils.

More Features and Benefits

· OraMD is convenient to carry in your pocket or purse, and can be used anytime to keep 

your mouth fresh and clean

· Made in the USA

· Vegan

· Not tested on animals

· One bottle lasts a month using our 4 step process (2 drops per application)

· Quantity Discounts

· Costs 39% less than other gingivitis fighting products like Crest Pro Health toothpaste + 

mouthwash (based on OraMD Starter Pack)

· Using the OraMD 4-Step Oral Hygiene Program could prevent expensive oral care costs

in the future

· One Year, 100% Money Back Guarantee, no questions asked

· Over 99% customer satisfaction

· Ships same day if ordered by 4:00 PM EST, Monday – Friday

· 24/7 Representatives available to take orders over the phone

· Main office customer service available 8:30am – 9:00pm EST (-5:00GMT), Monday-Thursday; 8:30am-5:00pm EST (-5:00GMT), Friday.

SPECIAL OFFER:  The manufacturer is willing to offer ALL of my readers one FREE bottle! They would love to have you try out OraMD ~ they will send you one free bottle if you pay a nominal ($5.97) shipping/handling fee.  You will also get two eye-opening reports: "The Six Hidden Dangers in Toothpaste", and "Why the FDA Requires a Warning Label on Your Toothpaste"  The total value is over $40!  Click here to get your FREE bottle and FREE reports now! 

Want to try it free?  The manufacturer wants to send THREE of my readers a FREE bottle of OraMD to try!!  Enter through my rafflecopter widget below for your chance to win!!  Good luck, y'all! 

QUICK Purex Detergent Giveaway!!

Hey guys!! Thought we should start this week off with a quick,  awesome giveaway!  I am loving Purex's new Triple Action Detergent.  It works so well in banishing stains, and the Natural Elements detergent has an amazing fruity scent that just cheers me up while I do my laundry!  It smells so good!!  They also have a Mountain Breeze fragrance, and a free and clear version, too. 

Purex is my only brand of choice these days, and it is NOT because I am a Purex Insider.   I am a couponer, so the best deal will usually have my heart.  Sometimes that is Purex,  sometimes not.  But what I love about this brand is that it works well,  they have Liquid Detergent,  UltraPacks as well as those nifty Triple Action Sheets!  I am all about choices, lol!  But it also has to do what it says, and Purex does! : )  My clothes consistently come out looking fantastic - I've even found that most stains don't require pretreating. 

So one lucky winner is going to get TWO coupons - each for a FREE bottle of Purex Triple Action detergent (up to $6 each).    All you have to do is check out the Let's Be Honest videos from Purex.  You may have already seen them.  They are hilarious!!  They uncover some of the absurdities of life - like paying way more for so-called "premium" detergent,  missing socks,  book club, finding "me" time as a mom, and more!!  Each one is about 25- 30 seconds long.  Watch them,  then come back and leave a comment below telling me your favorite of the videos.  My favorite?  It's a toss up between Current Events & Lost and Found!

Want a bonus entry?  Enter my Mealsbytheweek.come giveaway below- just scroll down to find it, and enter to win a nice 4 week menu planning subscription! Then come back to this post and leave a second comment below saying you did so!   MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENT ~ NO EMAIL LISTED, I'LL DRAW ANOTHER WINNER.  Easy Peasy! 

Contest open to US residents only.  It's a quickie ~ this contest ends at 12:01 am on July 19.  I will draw a winner from eligible entries,  and notify them by email.  That person will have 24 hours to get back to me with their mailing address! I'll mail the coupons to winner within 5 days of receiving their address.  (Coupons expire 12/31/2013 so you can use them now or save them for later!!)  As always,  I am not responsibel for lost/damaged/stolen mail once I deliver prize envelope into the care of the USPS.  
Good luck, y'all!

Disclaimer:  I received coupons from PUREX to keep or give away.  My participation is voluntary, and my opinions & experiences mentioned above are 100% completely my own!

Update: 

The winner is Elysabeth, comment #2! Yay!! Congrats!!

Chick Fil A Kids Meal Giveaway & Old School Fun Widget!

Hey guys!!

Check out this very fun widget from Chick Fil A!  You can:

• Take a spin with their fun activities! Spin the wheel to get an endless amount of Old School Fun and games for the entire family! You’re just a spin away from creating awesome family memories!

• Take the Old School Fun Quiz! Are you a disco-dynamo or the bomb dot com? Take the throwback quiz to reminisce about the pop culture icons of your era!

This app gives you some great ideas for getting your family active in the great outdoors.  Super Fun!  Chick Fil A will give one of my readers a three pack of FREE kids meals ~ yay!  I love giving David Chick Fil A  ~ they offer several nutritious & tasty choices with the kids meals, and the food is always fresh and delicious! My picky son loves Chick Fil A Kids meals!

Use Rafflecopter widget below to enter this awesome giveaway!! (Click the read more link, then log in to Rafflecopter with Facebook or email.  Next,  follow the directions to enter.  I will draw my winner from the Rafflecopter comments after verifying you left a blog comment!)

Purex/Jockey Giveaway/Review! Hurry ~ ends 1/27!

(This post is being posted much later than I intended - January has proven to be a challenging month for me & my family so far!  Apologies to Purex & Jockey for my tardiness.)

Purex & Jockey have teamed up for a fantastic giveaway that is just perfect for the beginning of the New Year - how many of y'all are resolving to exercise/diet/get-in-shape?  You'll love this giveaway, then!

Jockey's Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra  has some truly innovative features:

• Moisture wicking properties keep you cool & dry & cool while you work out
• Convenient key pocket
• Reflective logo at the back
• Breathable mesh panels
• Soft bottom band for comfortable support

The fabric content is 93% polyester, 7% spandex, and the lining is 94% polyester, 6% spandex.

I received one of these bras to wear & review; I was not disappointed by the quality & comfort.  It is very supportive, breathable, and easy to care for! It's also super-comfortable, which is important in work-out wear! 

Purex & Jockey are offering my readers the opportunity to get a 20% off coupon code that is redeemable either online, or at Jockey Outlet stores!  Click the link to get your coupon code for your sports bra or other Jockey product!

Purex also sent me a bottle of their new Tropical Splash Purex Crystals Fabric Softener.  These little crystals are 92% natural and go into your wash at the beginning - which allows lots of time to infuse your clothes with long-lasting, fresh fragrance.   I love that Purex Crystals don't contain oil.  That means they can safely be used on ALL laundry,  including: 

• Athletic wear - including Jockey's Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra
• Towels
• Children's Sleepwear
• Pretty much everything else!

Did you know that normally you shouldn't use fabric softeners on your performance sports/athletic wear?  Traditional fabric softeners contain oil, and oil content prevents the wicking process in your sportswear.

All that said, now on to the fun stuff - a giveaway!

Purex & Jockey are giving one of my readers the same two items I received:

• One Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra (winner chooses from XS (30"), S (32"), M(34" -36"), L (38"-40"), XL (42"-44")
• One bottle of Tropical Splash Purex Crystals Fabric Softener 

Disclosure: Jockey & Purex provided free samples of of their products so I could review them. No other compensation was received. All of the opinions expressed here are my own.

I'm using Rafflecopter for this contest so you can enter quickly and easily!  Click the "read more" link to enter now!

UPDATE: Congrats to CAROLE ~ she's the winner of my Purex/Jockey prize pack! This is the first time I've had to draw again, as the first winner didn't respond back in time - so sorry, but I have to turn this info in to my sponsors tomorrow, so I had to follow the rules and go to the next drawn winner.  : (

Giveaway ~ ReCharge® Dark Chocolate Snack Mixes!!!

My family of four has very different tastes - we definitely don't all like the same things!  It is hard to find a snack option that every one likes, and even harder to find one that fits that bill AND is healthy.  That means I often buy several different snack items to pack in lunches or to offer after school, work, etc.   I'm always on the lookout for new healthy but tasty snacks for my family.  When I was offered the chance to try the new ReCharge® Naturally Enhanced Dark Chocolate Snack Mixes from Tropical Foods, I was cautiously optimistic!

My husband loves to eat things I consider a bit strange, but he considers healthy.  Foods like Kimchee, Kefir, Kombucha, Chia seeds and more! He encourages us to try them, but I've not really cared for the ones I tried.  But seeing the information on these ReCharge® snack mixes got me intrigued!  These are made with natural foods.  Real foods, not empty calories and unpronounceable ingredients! One of the ReCharge® snack mixes had chia stix in it.  They all contain probiotics.   That is something we already keep in our fridge to take when someone's tummy is not feeling well, and I love the idea of a snack mix enhanced with probiotics!  They are also enhanced with Omega-3's, and pomegranate seed oil. And we all know dark chocolate is good for you! I was happy to find these natural snacks that are healthy too - now if they will just pass the taste test!!

I gave the Super-Charged Cranberry Blend to Katie and her boyfriend to try. I thought it would be a great snack to munch while they watched a movie.  Katie (typical teenager!) made a face at first when she saw the description on the package, but her boyfriend tried it, so she did too.  When I checked back later, they both told me how good it was! They especially loved the dark chocolate cranberries and yogurt dipped peanuts! (There's a complete description of each snack mix with all ingredients below).  They left a few of the pomegranate-infused cranberries in the bottom of the container, but Mr. Picky Pants David finished those off in short order! He loved them.

I gave my husband the package of Chia ReCharge® Stix Mix because it had the Chia stix!  I tried it  too - the stix reminded me of those yummy sesame sticks you can buy in the bulk bins at stores like Whole Foods, etc.  Pretty tasty!  He really liked this snack mix, which also included dark chocolate chunks, almonds, and pineapple.

Finally, David and I got busy with the last snack mix, called Dark Chocolate Energy Boost.  Oh. my. goodness!!  This is my new favorite indulgence!  Dark chocolate cranberries,  dark chocolate covered coffee beans, pineapple, almonds - yum, yum, yum!   David and I both really enjoyed the flavors and textures of the ingredients in this snack mix.  Truly delicious!

I don't usually shop at Ingles, but I found out they offer these snack mixes locally.  So, yeah, you know I'm gonna be making a run there soon! We really liked all of these snack mixes;  they have so many good things going for them.  These are snacks I will actually feel good about giving to my family! Better yet, they are snacks my family is asking me to buy. These will be great to munch on during the hectic holidays!

Here is some more information about these yummy ReCharge®  snacks:

ReCharge® is a new line of naturally enhanced snack mixes from Tropical Foods, based in Charlotte, NC.

ReCharge® ingredients are enhanced with probiotics, Omega-3, pomegranate seed oil and Chia seeds. They contain antioxidants and much of the recommended daily value of vitamin B6.

They're also low-sodium snacks and contain zero grams of trans fat and cholesterol.

ReCharge® comes in three varieties:

Chia ReCharge® Stix Mix features Chia Sticks mixed with cranberries, almonds, dark chocolate chunks, yogurt-covered raisins, pineapple and white chocolate drops.

Super Charged Cranberry Blend includes Omega-3 fortified cranberries, pomegranate infused cranberries, and probiotic dark chocolate cranberries, plus almonds, dark chocolate chunks and yogurt-dipped peanuts.

Dark Chocolate Energy Boost includes an invigorating mix of coffee beans, probiotic cranberries, and raisins – all coated with dark chocolate – plus almonds, pineapple and dark chocolate chunks.

All three varieties are available in 10 pound bulk and will be available soon in 5oz re-sealable bags.
ReCharge® is available in bulk bins at Ingles and Healthy Home Market locations.  

The wonderful folks at Tropical Foods are giving one of you the same three-pack of snack mixes that I received!  Enter below - there are two mandatory entries, and several optional entries, too!  Good luck, y'all!

Torani Syrups Giveaway ~ 2 winners!!

Time for another giveaway y'all!!  This one is super-fun!  Do you love coffee-house drinks, but not the amount of money you have to spend to get them?  I know I do - I love Peppermint Mochas and Salted Caramel Hot Chocolates at Starbucks, but my budget does not always allow for such a splurge. Enter Torani Syrups!! 

SheSpeaks allowed me to participate in their Torani Authentic Coffeehouse Flavors program, and they sent me two full-size bottles of syrup to sample and experiment with.  I was so happy - my box contained Peppermint Syrup and Salted Caramel Syrup!  How did I get so lucky? : )   Here's a little information about Torani:

Since 1925, family-owned Torani has been crafting great tasting flavored syrups that coffeehouses use to make their flavored drinks taste so delicious. With over 120 flavors in regular and sugar free varieties, Torani flavored syrups are perfect for flavored lattes, mochas, coffees, cocoas, Italian sodas, teas, lemonades, cocktails and smoothies. Coffeehouse professionals choose Torani flavors because they are expertly crafted and made with the highest quality ingredients, like natural flavors and pure cane sugar. The sugar free flavors have no calories and are sweetened with Splenda. Now, Torani Flavored Syrups are widely available at retail so you can easily create authentic coffeehouse quality drinks at home.

I haven't had much time to experiment with these syrups yet, but here are some things I have tried:

Hot Cocoa with Peppermint syrup is amazing - it's refreshing but not overpowering.  I also made my own version of a Peppermint Mocha using coffee, hot cocoa mix and the syrup.  YUM!  The mint is just right, with a touch of sweetness!  I know it will work in frosting and cakes, plus my creme de menth brownie recipe will be getting a Peppermint boost this year! 

The Salted Caramel syrup is delicious in hot cocoa, and tastes great in coffee too - just like at Starbucks.  And try it in buttercream frosting on top of cupcakes - delicious!  I'm also thinking it will taste great in some whipped cream on top of pumpkin pie come Thanksgiving. 

That's it so far, but I still have lots of ideas to try out for both of these syrups!

Torani Syrups are available at CostPlus World Market, Walmart, Amazon.com and Torani.com!  With over 120 flavors available you are bound to find some you love!  Seriously - they even have a bacon flavored syrup, plus favorites like Cherry Lime, Pumpkin Pie, Irish Creme, Caramel and so many others!  Click on the button at the top of this post to see Torani's recipes, then get 10% off your online order, too - just use the special coupon code "shespeaks"! 

And while you are here, enter to win a coupon for a free bottle of Torani Syrup!  I'll have two winners! : )  Just click the "read more" link to enter!

Giveaway ~ Renuzit Fresh Accents Holiday Air Freshener (3 winners!)

Several weeks ago, there was a package dropped off at my door that I wasn't expecting. Imagine my surprise to open it and find some beautiful (and fabulously scented!) holiday air fresheners!

The package was from Purex!  I'm a Purex Insider, so I get wonderful packages from them throughout the year with products to review and give away. What I didn't know is that Renuzit is one of Purex's sister brands.  Those who know me well know that I am a candle & air freshener FREAK! I love to have wonderful fragrances in each room of my home.  So, I was really excited to dive into this package!

Renuzit has a brand new air freshener product this holiday season! It's an attractive air freshener that features a stylish two sided-holiday design. It comes in two amazing holiday fragrances: Winter Berry and Festive Snow.  Each lasts for 30 days, and there are no plugs, batteries or flames needed!  My package contained one of each to try out.

I put one of these air fresheners in the family room, and one in the master bedroom. It's been 3 weeks, and the fragrance is still going strong in both of these.  I prefer sweeter scents so Winter Berry is definitely my favorite fragrance of the two. 

These will freshen up your home and add a little touch of holiday whimsy too.  I will be picking up a couple more of these;  they will smell great in my home this holiday season!  (They won't be around for long, so stock up on these while you can!)

And my favorite part of this post is the giveaway!! Renuzit was kind enough to send me three coupons for a FREE Fresh Accents Holiday Air Freshener, so there will be three winners this time, each receiving one coupon!

As always, I'm using a Rafflecopter entry form to make entries quick and easy.  Click the "read more" link to enter!

Giveaway: Kate's Pastries Gluten-Free, Organic Baked Goods

Time for another giveaway - and this one is soooo sweet! : )

My wonderful friend Deb sells her herbs and plants at local farmers markets. While working at the Suwanee Market, she met Kathleen, who is the owner of Kate's Pastries. Kathleen makes super-delicious treats that are heart healthy but still taste great.

She sent us a loaf of her delicious Sweet Potato Bread to sample and it was...incredible!! It's gluten-free, which I have to admit, initially made me think it might not taste as good as "regular" baked goods. Was I ever W.R.O.N.G.!!! There is so much flavor packed into each slice, and it is very rich and moist! Such a treat for breakfast or a snack. Even Mr. Picky Pants (my seven year old) asked for seconds. I love Sweet Potato anything (click the link for my delish Sweet Potato Pie recipe!), but this bread is now at the top of my Fall Favorites list!

Kate's Pastries' Sweet Potato Bread
(photo from Kathleen's Etsy shop page)

Here's what makes Kathleen's baked goods so special:  They are gluten-free and baked with natural and organic ingredients. All are homemade! Here's what she says on her Etsy page:  "We have made it our passion to incorporate natural and organically grown ingredients in all our products such as: organic stone ground whole wheat flour, organic unbleached white flour, organic flax seed, raw wheat germ, etc. Oh, did we mention that our pastries are hand-made and baked? Yes...each Kate's Pastries product is made with the T.L.C. that your tastebuds deserve. We are dedicated to giving you a unique snacking experience while keeping your heart healthy!"

Deb had the opportunity to try most everything Kathleen sells at the market, and she said it's ALL delicious! In addition to Sweet Potato Bread, she offers Banana Bread, cookies, and mini pastries filled with cream.  I plan to order some holiday treats from Kate's Pastries ~ they are just too good!

Kate's Pastries'  Chocolate Hazelnut Mini Pastries (available with or without Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Filling)
photo from Kate's Pastries Etsy shop page

Now on to my favorite part:  Sweet Kathleen has offered a $10 credit (plus shipping for the $10 in products) to her Etsy shop to one of my fantastic friends here. My Rafflecopter form makes for a quick, easy entry process!  Just click the "Read More" below to enter. 

The credit is good through December 1st, so she can be sure you have your baked goods in plenty of time for the holidays. Her yummy products are priced at $3, $5, and $7 each so you can get a couple of things with this wonderful prize!! A HUGE Thank You to Kathleen for sponsoring this giveaway ~ she rocks!!