Review & Giveaway: A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages® : How to Understand Yourself and Improve All Your Relationships

Last month I had the opportunity to review A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages® : How to Understand Yourself and Improve All Your Relationships by Gary Chapman.  Having an almost teen-aged son, it couldn't have come at a better time.

I read Gary Chapman's book The 5 Love Languages® several years ago and took the inventory as well, so I knew my two highest love languages are Receiving Gifts and Acts of Service. This book gives your teen the chance to learn his/her love language by completing an easy profile.  Everyone has a primary love language, and knowing which is yours can really help improve your relationships!

This latest book teaches teens how to interact with others using their love language, and important skills like how to apologize sincerely, and how to become a better listener. It focuses on maintaining healthy relationships with family members and friends.  I consider it a must-read for any teen!  As a Mom, I enjoyed reading it too. David has just started reading it, so he hasn't taken the profile yet.  I can't wait to find out which of the love languages top his list.  I believe knowing his love language will help our relationship as we navigate the teen years!

Here is more information about this book and the author:

Chicago, IL – In a teenager’s world of hashtags and chat acronyms, where relationships
are measured by Facebook likes and Instagram followers, and where a long-term
friendship can be discarded with a click of the mouse, developing lasting, meaningful
relationships can be a challenge. But there is hope.

“Everyone has relationships at some level,” says Gary Chapman, author of A Teen’s
Guide to the 5 Love Languages® : How to Understand Yourself and Improve All Your
Relationships (Northfield Publishing, May 2016) with Paige Haley Drygas. “The question
is, “What is the quality of those relationships?” Maybe you have a thousand Facebook
friends but feel like nobody understands you. Or, maybe you feel you and your parents
are from different planets. The good news is it can get better. The secret is learning to
speak love and appreciation in a language the other person can receive.”

Chapman, a pastor, counselor, and author of the New York Times bestselling The 5 Love Languages®  (more than 10 million sold) brings his popular love language teaching for the first time to the lives of teens, helping them navigate the many relationships they face with family, friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, teachers, teammates, coaches, and more.

“Our culture often dilutes the meaning of the word love,” says Chapman. “We tend to use the same word for how we feel about Belgian waffles or a football team that we use to describe our deepest bonds. And for many teens, the word “love” often conjures up images of romance. But, as we learn, love is much more than that and when we understand how to communicate love within all of our relationships, we’ll live a much richer life.”

In A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages® , Chapman lays a foundation for what love really is (a choice) and how that translates into all relationships, and takes teens step-by-step through each of the individual love languages—words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and touch. He outlines the general characteristics of each love language, explains the various dialects within each language, and offers practical examples of how to communicate the love languages in the daily ups-and-downs of relationships. He also spends time focusing on helping teens navigate their relationship with their parents and siblings (it doesn’t have to be negative), shares how to handle anger and apologies, and encourages teens to focus on their “tribe.”

“Rather than having five hundred lame, half-hearted, Facebook-only relationships, you can cultivate five or ten thriving relationships in which the others really know you and feel known by you,” says Chapman.  While Chapman encourages teens to learn how to build relationships with others by speaking their love languages, he also spends time helping teens figure out their own love language by observing their own behavior, noticing what they ask others to do for them, listening to what they complain about, asking the right questions, and taking the included Love Languages Profile.
“Discovering your own love language helps you understand why you feel more loved by and connected to certain people,” says Chapman. “Once you know your own love language, you start to get your instincts—why you love others the way you do, why you’re drawn to specific people, what you’re looking for in a relationship. This self-knowledge can really help you in life.”

Gary Chapman, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and counselor who has a passion for people
and helping them form lasting relationships. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of
The 5 Love Languages® and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary
travels the world presenting seminars and his radio programs air on more than 400 stations.
For more information, visit 5lovelanguages.com.

Want to get this book for your teen? Here's a link to it on Amazon (affiliate link).  I'm also including one for the original book - it's so good!





I have a copy of A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages® : How to Understand Yourself and Improve All Your Relationships to give away to one lucky reader.  Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below - one mandatory entry and a couple extra easy-peasy entries! (Plus, you will find out your love language!)

Review: My Mother's Quilts by Ramona Richards #MyMothersQuilts #FlyBy

I have a gorgeous book to share with y'all today.  It features photos of beautiful family quilts and devotions for each.  The devotions in My Mother’s Quilts are inspired by these family heirloom quilts, some more than 100 years old. 

With humor and sincerity, Ramona Richards shares her memories and lessons learned from the quilters whose legacies live on in their work. Rich, personal, sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, each reading provides a lesson and encouragement from the faithful women who crafted the quilts. Together, these devotions depict the enduring legacy of faith, family, and beloved traditions. Book includes full color photographs of each of the 30 quilts!

About the Author:
Ramona Richards is an award-winning editor, speaker, author of nine books, and a frequent contributor to devotional collections. An avid live music fan, Ramona loves Nashville, which she’s called home since she was ten. Sensing her mother was near the end of her life, Ramona documented her mother’s stories and lessons behind each family quilt. These stories form the devotions in My Mother’s Quilts. Find out more about Ramona and her books by visiting her online at www.ramonarichards.com.

Order your own copy of this beautiful book of devotions here.  (They have the best price online) Wouldn't this book make a wonderful Christmas present for a special Mom, Grandmother or friend in your life?

CONTEST OFFER:

Win one of the quilts featured in #MyMothersQuilts by Ramona Richards. Also up for grabs: loads of other prizes including quilting hand warmers, coloring books, and 25 signed copies of Ramona’s book. Winners will be emailed after the contest ends on June 30, 2016.

I would love for my readers to win some of these prizes, so make sure you take a minute to enter! Just click the link above and visit the official site to enter. Good luck!

Under the Sea Children's Bible Giveaway & Review #FlyBy #UnderTheSea

Hey y'all!! Hope you had a beautiful Easter Sunday!  I have a brand-spankin' new review and giveaway to share with you today!

Check out this engaging new children's Bible!  The Under the Sea Holy Bible, NIrV  is made just for kids ages 6 - 10. Fun underwater scenes and sparkling fish adorn the inserts inside the Bible, while the cover is decorated with foil and glittery sea creatures!  I love the colors and images on the cover - so much fun!

The coloful inserts highlight themes of God's love and God's caring for us.  One of them shares what prayer is, then on the back it shares The Lord's Prayer.   Another insert shows all of the books of the Bible. I really liked the insert that tells about famous children in the Bible, and then shows you where to find them in the Bible.  And of course, there is an insert about The Ten Commandments for kids.

At the back of this Bible you'll find a dictionary and an index of Great Bible Stories.  This is a wonderful first Bible for your elementary-aged kiddos!    I love the dictionary feature, and the illustrated inserts really encourage kids to dig in and read!

You can read more about this Bible here.

Ready to get your own copy?  Buy it online at Barnes & Noble,  Walmart, and Family Christian Store.

And....I have one copy to give away to a lucky reader, too!

Just enter through the Rafflecopter widget below, and I'll announce the winner on the 7th. Make sure you complete the mandatory entry first, otherwise no other entries are valid.

If you enjoyed this post,  I'd appreciate you sharing with your friends on FB, Twitter, etc.  (There are buttons at the bottom of the blog post just for that!) Thank you for stopping by!

Review: Krav Maga In No Time

I've been trying out a fantastic Krav Maga course, Krav Maga in No Time,  these last few weeks.  What is Krav Maga, you ask?It's the self-defense and martial arts method currently in use by the CIA, FBI and Israeli Army, due to its ability to end a fight in the shortest amount of time.  I think this is a great way to learn, watching these videos in the privacy of your home!

There are 27 videos included, and they are divided into 3 sections.  Each short video is very easy to follow and learn the proper technique.  For example, the first video is how to stand so you are not easily knocked off balance, and how to make a fist.  The instructor explains things very thoroughly so that you understand why you are standing in each position, and how to do it. I've found it really easy to "get".  It's like taking a private class!  The instructions are to watch each video and practice, practice, practice so you will be ready if you ever need to defend yourself - it will be second nature after practicing each move over and over.

My 11 year old is learning right along with me.  As I mentioned before, the instructor does a great job teaching you how to stand, how to use your hands or kicks to defend yourself.   We both are learning so much.  This is a great way to get some exercise, but you are also learning a valuable skill - how to protect yourself!

Want to win your own copy of Krav Maga in No Time? I usually do my giveaways here on the blog, but this one is a flash giveaway and I'm having people comment over on the FB page.  So click here to go leave a comment and you will be entered to win!  I'll pull one winner's name tomorrow night (1/28/15 after 6 pm) and then notify the winner via their FB page &/ or message  - I'll need to hear from the winner quickly as the sponsor needs my winner's information by Thursday! You'll either receive a DVD or a link to the online videos to watch.  Thanks for entering!

I received complimentary access to the online videos in order to review them.  Sponsor is responsible for sending out the prize to winner.  No other compensation was received.  

Review: Dr Song's 50% Lactic Acid Face Peel

I was offered the chance to try Dr.Song's 50% Lactic Acid Face Peel.  I was a little nervous after reading the instructions, which mentioned sun sensitivity and other possible side effects, as some people have reactions to Lactic Acid.  I was lucky and had no such problems, other than a slight tingling on my face where it was applied.

I have only tried it once so far, as the instructions state to use once every 4 weeks.  I left it on for about one minute, and next time I do the peel I will leave it on for an additional minute, as well.  It is said to help with wrinkles and discolorations, so I'm excited to see how it works after a 2nd peel!

Very pleased with the results so far!  Hope this gives you an idea of what to expect when using a Lactic Acid peel.  Dr. Song's is great!


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Old Factory Candle Set Review

I was recently offered the opportunity to review a set of candles from Old Factory Candles and since I'm kind of obsessed with wonderfully-scented candles, I was thrilled! After looking at all of the choices they offered, I finally decided on the Happy Holidays set, which contained one of each scent: Christmas Tree, Candy Cane and Gingerbread.

When the package arrived, it was a little smaller than I expected.  But when I opened the Gingerbread candle, it smelled divine!  I had to smell the other two and they were just as wonderful!  The three glass jars are packaged in a cute little box - it was just perfect for gift giving.

These candles burn for a long while.  The description stated 20 hours, and I know I was able to enjoy them for several long afternoons over the course of a week.  They made the main floor of my house smell amazing.  The Gingerbread was my favorite, as it smelled like I'd been baking!  The scent was strong all the way to the bottom of the candle.  I love soy candles, and I love that these are handmade in the USA.

These would make a great gift for a teacher or co-worker, or a friend who loves candles.  I will have to try the Vacation gift set next time!

Here is more information from the manufacturer:

These candle gift sets each contain 3 different scented candles. Each candle burns clean and even for 20 hours. Hand-poured in the USA with natural soy wax, self-trimming wicks, and premium fragrance oils. Each gift set is themed around a group of related fragrances. So everyone is sure to find something perfect for every occasion, every room in the house, and all the special someones in your life.

Below are the list of Themes and their related fragrances. 
Fall Harvest
Pumpkin Spice
Cranberry
Autumn Leaves

Happy Holidays
Christmas Tree
Candy Cane
Gingerbread

Winter Wonderland
Hot Cocoa
Roasted Chestnut
First Snow

Romance
Rose Petals
Champagne
Dark Chocolate

Fresh & Clean
Lemongrass
Olive Blossom
Fresh Linen

Spa Day
Cucumber
Lemongrass
Green Tea

Vacation
Sea Breeze
Hawaiian Lei
Awapuhi

Coffee Shop
Coffee Bean
Hazelnut
Chai Tea

Man Cave
Straight Razor
Leather
Mahogany

High as a Kite
Cannabis
Incense
Bag O' Cookies

New Born Baby
Baby Powder
Baby Shampoo
First Blanket

50 Shades
Leather
Vanilla ***
Jasmine Bubbles


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review: Number One Advanced Probiotic

I've been trying Number One Nutrition's Advanced Probiotic since earlier this month. I may have mentioned it before, but I can't swallow large capsules so I'm always nervous about trying new supplements.  These capsules are small and didn't give me any problems! I haven't noticed any major changes since starting the Probiotics but it's only been a few weeks.  I do think these are helping my immune system and that makes me happy!  I am excited to continue using this product and see how it helps!

Here is some more info from Number One Nutrition:

Being healthy and happy about your body is a matter of choice.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are good bacteria who perform a very important role in our digestive, methabolic and immune systems. They produce enzymes that break down the food we eat, regulate vitamins intake and convert sugars to the essential nutrients our bodies need.

Our GI is home to 80% of our immune system!
That´s why it is so important to take a good Probiotic Supplement!

This is how the Number One Probiotic may help you:

- Drastically improve your digestive health.
- Balance your intestinal flora.
- Improve your mood.
- Break down allergy causing proteins.
- Accelerate your fat loss.

• #1 PROBIOTICS WORKS! Doctors everywhere say probiotics are "Essential" to the body. Many will even say that taking probiotics in pill form ensures that you consume the right probiotic strains and the right recommended dosage. Taking probiotic pills saves you from consuming excess dairy and sugar, which are present in many probiotic foods.
• RELIEF FROM DIGESTIVE DISTRESS! Do you suffer from digestive discomfort? Bloated belly? Acid reflux? Fatigue? Do you want to improve your immune system and manage your weight? If you answered "YES" to any of these, try Number One Probiotic. Two capsules a day with a light meal and you are on your way to a healthier life! Our product is made with TOP QUALITY ingredients, is 100% safe and has no known side effects. Made in the USA at a FDA approved manufacturing facility.
• MORE THAN JUST DIGESTIVE Improvement! Did you know that the GI tract is responsible for 80% of the immune system`s health? When we improve the digestive function we are also giving a great BOOST to the IMMUNE SYSTEM. Fighting off the bad bacteria present in the GI tract will also help the body to fight off INFECTIONS. Bringing balance to the Intestinal flora will also alleviate digestive discomfort, inflammation and BLOATING.

Does your well being matter to you?
Yes, we can be healthy and happy with our bodies.
Would you like to wake up feeling energized and ready to carry on your daily routine?
Get your health on track and the rest will fall in place. 


You can also visit the company's website  for more information!  I've been pleased with the company during my contact with them, as well as with their product. If you are having digestive or immunity issues, you may want to try this too!


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review: Sieva Stretch Mark & Scar Removal Cream

Today I've got a review for Sieva Stretch Mark & Scar Removal Cream.  I've been applying this cream for appx 3 weeks now (not every day, more like every other day) and I've really noticed a change in the old scar I have been hoping to get rid of! I had shingles several years ago, and it left a big patch of uneven (almost bumpy), very light skin on my chin. I applied a thin layer of this cream in the morning and sometimes again at bedtime.  It is looking less noticeable and the skin seems to be smoothing out more.  

I plan to continue using this cream and hope that it continues to lessen the appearance of this scar! I've had no skin reaction to the cream, which I worry about when trying new products. I have sensitive skin and it doesn't like new things.  But this is a great cream that does what it promises, and the price is very affordable.  Shipping was fast and it arrived in perfect condition. Count me in as a big fan of Sieva!

If you want to order Sieva Strech Mark & Scar Removal Cream from Amazon you can do so using this link, or visit Amazon on your own.     (this is my affiliate link) 

Here is more info about this cream from the manufacturer:

The Affordable New Secret to Beautiful Skin

Are you Tired of those unsightly stretch marks and sagging skin? Imagine the freedom and confidence you'd feel if you had nothing to hide. Finally feeling great about how you look

UNIQUE COMPOSITION, CAREFULLY CRAFTED IN THE USA: Revolutionary Stretch mark and Scar therapy specifically designed to help in preventing and removing stretch mark and scars due to Pregnancy, weight gain, growth spurts, and bodybuilding. Precisely formulated to visually reduce discoloration and improving restoration of skin elasticity.

POWER PACKED FOR MAXIMUM RESULTS: Optimally blends Vitamins and natural moisturizers such as Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Olive oil, Jojoba oil, and Rosehip seed oil to help Prevent, Repair & Remove Stretch Marks and Scars.

BETTER ABSORPTION & PREVENTION: Fast-absorbing cream helps build collagen while reducing the appearance of red and silver stretch marks all while smoothing your skin's texture.

MADE IN USA - Every Anti Cellulite cream is manufactured for Sieva is made within a FDA Approved and GMP certified facility. We work relentlessly to provide the consumer with only the highest potency, purity, and most effectively absorbed formulations available to the consumer today 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review: Hyaluronic Dew Serum, Pro-A Serum & Aging Defense Eye Cream

I recently reviewed some wonderful anti-aging Serums that are helping my skin look fabulous! I am seriously low-maintenance, so it's only been in the last year that I've consistently started using anti-aging products.  Even though I am over 40, I just never really worried about my skincare regimen until recently.  As a blogger/reviewer, I've been lucky enough to try some amazing products.  These three products from Body Merry fit that bill! Let me tell you about them!

I was a little nervous to try them at first, since my skin can be sensitive.  But there were no problems at all using the two serums. I applied the Hyaluronic Dew Serum in the mornings, and the Pro-A Serum before bedtime.  Both go on lightly and absorb quickly.  They are packaged in beautiful glass bottles and they have lasted over 30 days for me! My skin certainly looks brighter & smoother.

The company also sent me a bottle of their Body Merry Age Defense Eye Cream to try.  Wow - it works very well! I've noticed a big difference in the little crow's feet by my eyes - love it!  I did notice that the pump bottle gives me more product than I need for my eyes, so I've been rubbing it on the backs of my hands so I don't have to waste it. Good stuff.

I especially like that these products are made in the USA and they are not tested on animals.   They also offer a 90 Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.  Love a company that stands behind their products!

Here is some more info on each of the products:

Body Merry’s power packed duo of Hyaluronic Dew Serum and Pro-A Serum is perfect for those looking for an effective natural and organic formula to fight the signs of aging.

Hyaluronic Dew Serum:

Morning dew is nature’s reminder that we all need moisture to kick start our day. This premium hydrating serum contains plant derived Hyaluronic Acid that provides the perfect amount of ‘dew’ to last throughout the day. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Green Tea add that extra punch, leaving your skin smooth and nourished.

Pro-A Serum:

Much has been said about the power of Retinol in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and its not without reason. This professional grade 2.5% retinol serum lets you truly sink in all the goodness of Vitamin A. Plant derived Hyaluronic Acid adds the much needed hydration and Green Tea works its charm as a powerful antioxidant.

Age Defense Eye Cream 

EASY ON YOUR EYES: This lightweight formula is a gentle and effective solution for all your eye woes including Dark Circles, Wrinkles and Puffiness. You can now let your eyes express everything but your age!
70+ POWER PACKED INGREDIENTS: The only eye cream on the market that has over 70 power packed ingredients including: Vitamins C + E + B5, Peptide Complex, Amino Acid Emulsification, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, Antioxidants, MSM and many many more!
NATURAL & ORGANIC COMPONENTS: It has potent natural and organic ingredients such as Aloe, Rose Hip Oil, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Cranberry, Licorice, Sunflower Oil, Borage Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Lavender, Calendula, Chamomile, Witch Hazel, Cocoa Butter, Cucumber, Green Tea - to name just a few! No harsh chemicals such as Parabens, Sulfates and Phthalates.
MADE IN USA + CRUELTY FREE: The cream is made in the USA in an FDA registered and GMP compliant facility. It is not tested on animals.
MANUFACTURER GUARANTEE: Body Merry's products are backed with a 90 Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you don't like this cream, just contact us and get a full refund. Best of all, you don't even need to return the bottle

If you currently use these products, or decide to try them, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think of them!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.


 

Review: PureSOL Konjac Sponge with added Bamboo Charcoal

I received this fabulous facial sponge from pureSOL to review, and I only wish I'd heard about it sooner! It's the strangest looking thing - a black shrink-wrapped disk that comes in a cute little eco-friendly box. It also arrives with a little suction-cup hook to hang in your bathroom. That's where your sponge will hang to dry between uses!

Here are some of the wonderful things I've learned about this sponge:

Konjac is a moisture rich plant fibre which is by nature alkaline, and thus balances the acidity of the skin's impurities and oils. The unique net-like structure of the sponge gently massages the skin, breaks down dirt, stimulates blood flow and new growth of skin cells. This leaves the skin extremely clean and refreshed!

pureSOL Konjac Sponge is unbelievably soft and excellent for all skin types! It is made of 100% pure vegetable fiber and processed without any coloring or additives, great for hypersensitive skin!

IMPROVES SKIN TEXTURE: pureSOL Konjac Facial Sponge gently exfoliates while deep cleansing and removing any toxins and impurities, leaving you with a radiant complexion. It is extremely soft and gentle for everyday skin care. Great for all skin types.

BRIGHTER LOOKING SKIN: The natural woven fibers of the sponge gently massage the skin and stimulate blood flow. It detoxifies and encourages skin renewal while balancing the skins pH, leaving your skin extremely clean and refreshed!

PREVENTS SPOTS, BLACKHEADS AND BREAKOUTS: The added BAMBOO CHARCOAL contains activated carbon and essential minerals to deeply cleanse and absorb excess sebum, toxins and other harmful chemicals from your skin. You will see your pores getting smaller, tightening and brightening your skin.

100% NATURAL AND ECO-FRIENDLY: Why compromise your health with products that contain harsh chemicals and additives on your skin? pureSOL Konjac Sponge is completely natural, eco-friendly and free of parabens, sulphates & chemicals. It is biodegrade, cruelty free and vegan. After use, you can compost the sponge and feel good about the environment! You can even add it to your flower pot! At pureSOL our packaging is 90% compostable.

Here's what my sponge looks like after I soak it in water for a minute:

So I've been using this sponge for about a month, and I definitely see a difference in my skin.  It looks brighter, and feels so clean after using the sponge each night.  I don't even use a cleanser these days, just a good "scrubbing" with the sponge and water before bedtime.  My skin's never looked better!  Yes, I received one free in order to review it, but I'll be purchasing more for future use! This is the greatest addition to my skincare regimen! So thankful to have found out about pureSOL's konjac sponges!

The pureSol Konjac sponge is available on Amazon.  You can also learn more by visiting the company's  Facebook.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review: Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes

Earlier this summer, my friend Lynn asked if I would like to try/review Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes for the blog, as she was now selling them. I was very interested to give them a try - I love playing with makeup! Though I was not familiar with this product, my daughter was.  So of course I let her try them out too!

The Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes system consists of two tubes in a nice case for your purse. One tube contains the transplanting gel and the other contains the natural fibers.  These products work together to enhance and magnify your natural eyelashes.  They are water resistant, but easily wash off with water and any eye makeup remover.  And they make your eyes POP! They look like you are wearing fake eyelashes,w but without all the fuss!

The directions are pretty simple.  First you apply your favorite mascara.  Let it dry, then apply a thin coat of the transplanting gel.  While it is still wet, apply a coat of the fibers.  Then apply another coat of the gel to set the fibers.

It took me several times to get exactly the right look.  The first few time I applied too many fibers and my eyelashes just looked clumpy.  Finally figured out that if I did two lighter coats of fibers, each followed by the transplanting gel.  That worked better.  Also, I have simplified my beauty routine over the last few years, so I no longer have an eyelash curler or comb.  I believe those two tools would have made my Younique-enhanced lashes look even better. I'll be purchasing those to add back to my makeup bag so my lashes will look even better.

I do wear contacts daily, and I was a little worried about having fibers fall into my eyes.  That didn't happen, but when you apply the fibers too heavily, you will see them fall on your cheeks! (That happened to me the very first time I tried it)

Katie tried Younique on two different occasions when she was at my house. Both times her lashes looked gorgeous! She was blessed with thick, black lashes anyway, but the Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes enjanced them in a great way.  She only applied the fibers to one eye here so you can see the difference.  Pretty amazing, don't you think?

As much as I loved trying these Younique lashes, I wouldn't wear these every day, just because makeup isn't an every day thing for me anymore.  But I will definitely use them for nights out, or when I have something special going on! They are easy to apply and they really look fabulous.  If I still worked outside the home, these would be a must have for my makeup bag!

My final recommendation - easy to use, they do what they promise. Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes are great, and an affordable splurge for anyone who wants their eyes to look even better!

Want to try Younique Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes for yourself?  Please contact my sweet friend Lynn to try them.   She also does Facebook parties if you want to host one and earn free products. Please reach out to her and tell her you saw Younique on Just Kidding Around Atlanta!


Disclosure:  I received this product for free in order to try it and write this review.  No other compensation was received. 

Review : Zimtal Nut Milk Bag

Last week I received the Zimtal Nut Milk Bag to try out.  As a Saba Associate, I use many of our products, including Toppfast Meal Replacement shakes.  I like to use almond milk in my shakes, but it gets expensive, so homemade is the way to go!

I had purchased a nut milk bag on Amazon a few years ago when we got our Vitamix, but it wasn't the easiest to clean, so eventually I stopped using it.   This bag is much better.  When I opened the package, I noticed that the mesh on this bag was much finer than our previous bag.  I thought it was cool that they also give you a link on the package for a free ebook with recipes for making several types of nut milk!

It truly couldn't be easier to make almond milk at home.  You just put almonds and water in your blender or Vitamix, and blend for several minutes.  You can add a sweetener to it if you'd like, but since I use chocolate Toppfast mix with my almond milk, I don't add anything else to it.

When it's at the consistency that you like, then just pour it through your Zimtal bag (with a bowl or pitcher below!).   The milk will start to strain through the bag into the pitcher.  When it slows down, you begin squeezing the pulp left in the Zimtal nut milk bag to get all the milk out of it.  It will take 5 minutes, maybe more.  But it is worth the time and effort to get FRESH almond milk with no preservatives or additives!

Since I make shakes every day, I like to freeze some of my almond milk in cubes so I can add them to my shake and make it frosty! It will last in your fridge for several days, just store in a covered pitcher or other container.

Once you are done squeezing out the delicious milk, you can dehydrate the pulp that is left in the bag, then use it in smoothies, muffins, etc. In the past, I would toss it out, but I'm trying to find uses for it! I have also added a little of the dehydrated almond "meal" to my smoothies - yum!

Before washing

And After! 

Then I simply flip my Zimtal bag inside out to get all the pulp out, then handwash it in the sink and hang it up to dry. This bag is super-durable,  which is great because you have to squeeze the heck out of it to extract every drop of almond milk! This bag hasn't given me any problems despite multiple uses this week!

I've also used it to strain juice from my Vitamix.  The Vitamix grinds everything and leaves your juice with lots of pulp.  I do not like pulp in my juice! So when I make apple/carrot/spinach juice, I strain it through this bag to get all the juice out and it works perfectly for that purpose, too.  You can use the leftover fruit pulp in muffins, soups, or smoothies, as well.

You can get your own Zimtal Nut Milk Bag here!  I am very pleased with this bag and I think it will be used often in our kitchen!

Have you ever made your own Almond milk?

Disclosure: I received a free Nut Milk Bag from Zimtal so I could review it.  No other compensation was received, and the opinions in this post are my own. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Mealsbytheweek.com Giveaway & Review!!

Happy Monday,  y'all!!  Hope your week is off to a great start.  Things are pretty good (not to mention HOT!) here in Atlanta.  I've got a great website review to share with y'all today, plus a wonderful giveaway that will help you and your family have great dinners together this summer!

Have you checked out mealsbytheweek.com?   It's an easy to navigate site that gives you a week's worth of dinner menus each week,  based on your local store's sale.   Some of the choices available:  Whole Foods,  Trader Joe's,  Super Target,  Walmart, Hy-Vee, Kroger, Publix and more.   There's also a generic store menu that will work for most stores, and a 400 calorie menu with all dinners at about 400 calories. 

I love that you can customize your weekly menu - if you are going out for a night or two,  or have a few meals already planned,  then you can choose to "skip" meals on the menu.  Or if you are like me, and there is a meal you don't particularly like ( I don't eat seafood, so cross off any fish or other seafood for me, lol!) you can choose to take that off, and substitute a family favorite there.   By skipping that meal,  the shopping list will reflect that change and remove the ingredients you'd have needed to purchase!

You also choose how many you're cooking for - 2, 4, 6 or 8.  This is great - if you are only cooking for two,  your recipes and shopping list will change to reflect that.  Got a big family? Same thing - the recipes and shopping list will change for you!  Once you've decided to keep/skip your choice of meals, and chosen how many you're cooking for, hit I like it at the bottom of the page and print the shopping list.  SO easy!  The entire site is very user-friendly.  The meals are balanced, they include yummy sides, and even feature a weekly leftover makeover - a dinner made with leftovers,  but in a new way, so it doesn't taste like leftovers!

Taken straight from the website, here are the goals of mealsbytheweek.com ~

"My goal is simple – create menus based on what is on sale at the grocery store that week. Build simple recipes that can be prepared in a short period of time, or that use a slow cooker so that you can come home to a waiting meal. Use leftovers to create other meals that don’t taste like you’re eating the same thing. Make the most of minimally-processed food so that growing bodies get the balanced nutrients they need to be healthy. Create shopping lists to make the trip to the grocery store as efficient as possible. And – most importantly – get families back to the table and talking to each other again."

The prices for mealsbytheweek.com vary depending on the length of your subscription.  They are very fair though - for 13 weeks, you can get your weekly menus and shopping lists for only $15 total. (the best deal, as you get 1 free week, and the other 12 are only $1.25 per week!) That is cheaper than a nice meal out, right?  Even better - the wonderful folks at mealsbytheweek.com have given me a code to share with you that will give you 50% off that price. (Code is good only on the 13 week subscription)  Keep reading for the code....

What I love about this service is that it will save you time and money - you don't have to plan your menus which is a HUGE timesaver, and the menus you receive utilize ingredients that are on sale at your favorite store!  Use coupons combined with your favorite coupon site (mine is southernsavers.com) to save even more!!  The ingredients are healthy and easy to find - you don't have to have any weird ingredients hanging out in your pantry to put these meals together!  : ) 

Check out a sample menu here!  So far,  I've only been able to try a few of the side dishes,  because my groceries for two weeks were already purchased when I started my subscription.  I'll be shopping this coming weekend, and next week,  I'll be using the menusbytheweek.com menu to plan my family's dinners!  We really enjoyed the ones I tried, especially a crispy potato pancake - yum!!

So,  about that 50% off code, and a giveaway....

If you are ready to get started,  visit the site, pick your store and the 13 week subscription option, and enter code 50DealJP256.   This 50% off code means you will get the 13 weeks worth of menus for $7.50!  Huge, huge deal, y'all!

And if you want to win a FREE 4 week subscription,  just enter my giveaway through the rafflecopter widget below! You can sign in through Facebook, which means it is easy to enter!!  If you don't see it,  click "read more" or  " A rafflecopter giveaway" - whichever link you see!