Geocaching and Naked Nutrition

 We're homeschooling again this year, and Cort and Reid have been taking astronomy as an elective.  About a month ago they had a lab learning to read maps that sent us out geocaching, and we've been hunting geocaches several times a week since then.  A few weeks ago we found stage one on a two part geocache, which had coordinates to the second stage.  It was on a busy day, and we knew that we didn't have time to hike that far.  So today we finally returned with hiking shoes, hiking poles, and some Naked Nutrition snacks to find stage two.  

Having a fifteen year old and two twelve year olds, it feels like someone is always hungry.  I think we were on the trail for all of five minutes before Cort wanted to dig into the snacks.  But I told him we needed to wait until we got to the top of the ridge.  We had a couple of miles of walking to get to the top.  We didn't see a soul, and it felt so nice to be out in the woods, the leaves crunching underfoot.

Once we located the geocache hidden in rocks at the top and signed the log (success!), we were all hungry, so we broke out the snacks.  Naked Nutrition sent us their Chocolate Fudge protein bars and their Naked protein Sugar Cookies to try.  

We decided to sample a little bit of each.  I was pleased with how they didn't crumble in the packs during the hike.  The Chocolate Fudge bars are nice and chewy, with a dark chocolate flavor, 180 calories, 10 grams of whey protein and GMO free, soy free, and gluten free (Cort still doesn't eat gluten - these are made from almond flour).  All three of my boys decided they liked the chocolate fudge bars best.  

I thought the sugar protein cookies had a bit of a 'birthday cake' flavor to them, and they were my favorite.  The cookies are clean eating just like the fudge bars.  Cort asked, "Are these snacks healthy?" Pierce replied, "They're Naked bars, they have nothing to hide."  I thought this was pretty clever, until I realized he was reading the slogan off the package!  I do love portable snacks like this with simple ingredients, that serve as healthy and tasty fuel for our adventures in the woods.

The view from the very top of the ridge was so worth the hike up there.  And after our refueling stop, we had no trouble completing the rest of our hike - even having the energy to hit up a couple more geocaches on the way home.  If you're looking for a new protein snack to try for your geocaching adventures, or to fuel a gym workout, or even for the afternoon slump at work, check out Naked Nutrition!

Disclaimer: I received samples of the Naked Nutrition chocolate fudge protein bars and protein sugar cookies for review purposes.  The opinions expressed above are my own.  

Quick Back to School Dinners with Mezzetta - Giveaway

Disclaimer:  I received an assortment of Mezzetta products to help facilitate this review.  The opinions below are my own.

One of the challenging issues of back to school is all of the constant rushing.  With homework and after school activities and the two jobs I work, I do a lot of balancing.  It's always important to me to have a family dinner on the table, but sometimes it is a scramble to find healthy and quick options.

I have been buying Mezzetta's kalamata olives for years.  They are my favorite kalamata olive, and are a staple in my kitchen.  I often toss them in wraps for lunch for a burst of flavor, and they are wonderful in salads and pastas.  The other night I made a quick and tasty pasta using Mezzetta's chopped kalamata olives and roasted red peppers.

I sautéed a few cloves of chopped garlic in 5 tbsp. butter until tender, then added a cup of sunburst tomatoes from my garden and 1/2 cup white wine.  I cooked until the tomatoes were wilted, then tossed in 12 oz. cooked shrimp, the kalamata olives, the roasted red peppers, and some chopped parsley.  Cook through, then toss with angel hair pasta and top with freshly grated parmesan.

 This meal took me about 20 minutes from start to finish.  The family loved it, and two of the boys asked for seconds (I confess, I had seconds too). 

We also loved sampling the Castelvetrano olives (which were new to us, and had amazing flavor), the Peperoncini (we put these on crackers with beer cheese), and the garlic stuffed olives (which Cort immediately confiscated as his own.  They are quite amazing - and I love that Cort enjoys them, as I know the garlic will help boost his immune system). 

You can find more fantastic, simple recipes and ideas to help you make dinner at Mezzetta.  Take pictures of your creation to share on Instagram with the hashtag #4PMFreakOut. 

Want a chance to win your own sampler from Mezzetta?  Click on the Rafflecopter below to enter.
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Pierce Gets Into Patriotic Costume

Disclaimer:  I received one costume to facilitate a review.  The opinions below are my own. 

My kids love getting into costume.  Just last month, the twins went to the grocery store dressed up as ninja turtles.  Pierce tried to tell them it was illegal (he must have been embarrassed by those pesky younger brothers).  I informed him that it wasn't illegal at all, and delighted in the outing. 

Pierce may be more mature than the twins, but he isn't too old for costumes in the appropriate realm.  Recently Costume SuperCenter emailed to see if I wanted to do another review for them.  I had a few extra minutes, and began to browse their site.  We have ordered costumes from them before and they have such a wide selection.  I immediately fell in love with their Colonial Costume of Paul Revere.

  The costume comes with taupe knickers (but not tights), buckles to wear over your shoes, the vest which is attached to the blue topcoat, a white lace collar and cravat, and the black hat. 

The sizing for this costume starts at 8-10.  Pierce is still in a size 7, so the costume was just a little large on him.  Another year and it'll fit just perfect. 

One thing I love about this elegant period costume is that if we ever head to Philadelphia or Colonial Williamsburg again, Pierce could have fun wearing this to some of the attractions.  It packs up quite small (but does need a quick ironing after unpacking).  Don't be surprised to see this costume again in a future Odyssey of the Mind production or a school play.  I have a feeling it is going to get a lot of use in the future.

Readers, what was your favorite costume as a kid?

Gymboree's Nanotex School Clothes

The boys have been in school for a few weeks already, and recently Nano-tex sent us a sampling of Gymboree  clothes to put to the test.  These clothes are play proof, and stain and wrinkle resistant.  When I removed them from the box, I could immediately tell from the softness and feel of the pants that they were high quality.

In addition, they had the most important feature for my three skinny boys - internal waist adjusters.  If pants or shorts don't have these, my boys cannot wear them.  They are just very slender.

The boys attend public school, so they don't have uniforms, but they were so excited to get dressed up "like Dad" to go to school.  I told them not to worry about getting their new clothes dirty - that we were testing them out.

They looked really spiffy in their outfits.  They loved having belts to wear with their pants.  See Cort giving the thumbs up?

Sadly, Pierce got a little dirty climbing on the fence.  I told him not to worry about it.  We'd let that stain sit all day long and see what happened.

He also got some on his shirt.  I was a little worried about these white shirts.  My boys can really do a number throughout the day on a white shirt.  To be truthful - I just don't buy white shirts because of that!

By the end of the day, Cort's shirt was in the worst shape.  He'd gotten tomatoes or something red all over it.  And Pierce was playing with the chalkboard and had yellow chalk all over his.  I did notice, though, that after wearing the outfits all day, they were not wrinkled at all.  I stuck them in the wash and held my breath.

Do you know what?  Every single stain came out.  Even the ones that had been on the fabric all day long.  They looked brand new.  Just the sort of clothes you can pass down to younger kids (even with boys who are tough on clothes, like my three). I think they will hold up well over time. 

Call me impressed!  If you're looking for a play friendly nice outfit for your children, check out the Nano-Tex line from Gymboree. 

Disclaimer:  I was sent three outfits to try for review purposes.  The opinions above are my own.  I was not compensated in any other way for this post. 

Camelbak Relay Water Pitcher Giveaway - 3 Winners

I have been a long standing fan of Camelbak products.  I've had one of their hiking backpacks with the internal bladder systems for probably 15 years, in addition to other products.  I've found their water systems to hold up well under rigorous use over time.  Recently, they sent me one of their BPA-free Camelbak Relay water pitchers to try. 

First, I found that it is easy to use, and dishwasher safe.  Even Pierce, who is 7, is able to use the pitcher and refill it, as the lid is spill-proof and stays securely in place with side-locking latches.  Holding 10 cups of water, it has a slimline shape so it doesn't take up too much space in the fridge. 

On the top, there is a handy dial system to remind you of when you need to change the filtration system.  The filters need to be changed every 4 months - they last twice as long as the leading competitor.

Then, just flip the top to refill the pitcher.  I cannot stand to drink room temperature water, but I've found if I have cold water in the fridge at all times, I am much more likely to drink it throughout the day.  The filter removes 97% of chlorine, taste, and odor.

We've been very pleased with Camelbak's Relay Water Pitcher.  The water is very refreshing and tastes wonderful.  You can find out more about their products by becoming a fan of their Facebook site.  Camelbak Relay water pitchers are available at Target, Amazon, and Camelbak.com. 

Disclaimer:  I was sent a Camelbak Relay for review purposes.  I was not compensated in any other way for this post.  The opinions above are my own. 

Three lucky winners will receive a Camelbak Relay of their own!  To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter giveaway below.  Good luck!

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Back to School with Mabel's Labels

It happened.  All three of my boys started school yesterday.  It's hard to believe the twins are old enough for kindergarten this year.  They have the same teacher that Pierce had, so I know they are in good hands.

The past couple of weeks we've been getting ready, and one of the things I love to do in preparation is label everything with Mabel's Labels.  I've been using these labels on the boys' possessions for a couple of years now.  I can say that they are very durable - they can go through numerous washings and there is no sign of wear - they retain their vibrant colors, they don't come off, and they do not fray.

They offer various packages, but we like the Ultimate Back to School Combo.  It comes with 3 different styles of labels, plus a couple of metal hang tags that are perfect for backpacks and winter jackets.

You can pick your colors and a small image for your labels.  Since Pierce is so into robots, it was an easy choice for him this year.

I stick them everywhere - lunchboxes, pencil boxes, water bottles, paint shirts - they go on pretty much everything! 

Yes, readers, I had all the school supplies in order, and everything neatly ordered.  The only thing that wasn't prepared to watch these boys get on the bus and head off was my heart.  I hope they all have a wonderful school year!

Disclaimer:  I received a set of labels for review purposes.  The opinions above are my own. 

Eco Natural Soaps

Is anyone else's skin trying to recover from this crazy winter?  I was fortunate to get the opportunity to review products from Eco Natural Soap for the second time, and my dry, itchy skin is so thankful.  These are the products I received:

Their products have nothing artificial; no colorant or preservatives.  I started off trying the coconut milk honey and oatmeal soap.  It has a smooth lather that I love.  The scent is very mild, so if you don't like strong smells this is a great choice.  It has enough lather that I used it to shave my legs, and it did an excellent job.

Afterwards, I tried the Island Lime dry skin balm.  It smells wonderful - just like key lime pie.  In fact, after I used it, I had to go bake some key lime bars, just so I wouldn't eat the skin balm.  It does a great job on extremely dry patches of skin, and I found it very soothing.

I also tried the lemon meringue lip balm, which is organic and also has a delicious scent.  Because it doesn't have any harmful ingredients, I let the boys try it too, and they loved the taste.

Also of note is their joint balm, which I didn't review this time, but it is a product I use regularly for sore muscles, and I ordered some previously for both my dad and my grandmother to help their arthritis. 

If you are looking for organic, chemical free bath products, I have found these to be very high quality and nourishing.  They have speedy shipping, and are very consumer-friendly.  I've also found their soaps make wonderful gifts!  Eco Natural Soaps has offered a coupon code to readers: TBF1548  It is good for 15% off on any order of $10.00 or more and is good on any of their products - even the ones on sale! Also they always have free shipping! The coupon code is good through 4-8-2014.

Readers, what scent of soap would you like to try?

Disclaimer:  I received these products for review purposes.  The opinions above are my own.

What to Do if You Receive Gift Cards You Can't Use

Disclaimer:  I received a gift card for review purposes.  The opinions below are my own.

I generally love receiving gift cards as presents.  We have such a tight budget that it's fun to get a gift card and go splurge on something I really want.  I haven't ever received a gift card I didn't want, however, there have been a few occasions where Paul and I have received gift cards for stores or restaurants that we don't have locally.  Sadly, these gift cards went unused (it was before the laws where gift cards couldn't be docked after a year). 

Now, there is a great resource if you receive a gift card you just can't use (or don't want to).  GiftCardRescue.com is an easy way to find discounted gift cards (save 4% - 35%) or sell gift cards you don't want (for up to 90% cash back).  The website guarantees all transactions and is backed by solid customer service. 

You can also find GiftCardRescue on Facebook and Twitter.  As for me, next time I get a gift card for a store that isn't online and isn't local, I'm swapping it out for a Starbucks gift card - my favorite! 

Readers, where would you most like a gift card from this year? 

Virginia International Raceway

I'm not exactly a NASCAR fan, but when the opportunity came to go see a race, I was outnumbered by all the boys in my house.  They were all so excited to go, so how could I say no to that?  On Saturday we drove down to Virginia International Raceway, which is almost two hours south of us. 

When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was.  The racetrack is spread out all over, and you can walk around wherever you want.  We were told the only place we couldn't go was in the pits.  But we were able to walk around the paddocks and everywhere else.  The VIR is a resort, so there are many places to explore.

It was neat for the boys to be able to check out all the excitement close up.  See the truck to the right with the Krispy Kreme driver?  He was 15 years old, and did very well during the race, placing 5th.  Hard to imagine, since he can't even legally hold a driver's license!

There were plenty of dining options.  We didn't buy any food there, but I did treat the boys to some cotton candy.  It was the first time Cort and Reid tried it.  Needless to say, it went over very well.

There were also several free bouncy houses set up for kids, and our three put them to good use.  Then it was time for the race to start.  The race was the Biscuitville 125 K and N Pro Series East race. 

The course was curvy and long, so we were able to view the race from different places as we wandered about.  There is even a lodge, which looked very nice.  Because the course is so long, they have gazebos scattered throughout so that drivers can see caution flags when they're up.

This car ran into a bit of trouble around this curve, and spun out.  Luck was with #37 and shortly it was right back on the track. 

There were plenty of places to take a break and drive matchbox cars in your own race along the course.  Shady spots with tree roots for driving on were ample.  Really, this was the ideal spot for watching a race with kids. I loved that we weren't crammed into bleachers with a bunch of rowdy people. 

 

In the end, Dylan Kwasniewski, #98, who had led the field for a large part of the race, took the win.  The boys had such a fun time - and I found that I enjoyed it myself - really it was more like a walk in the park (with car racing) and this made it such a better experience than I expected.  Plus, I confess it was so fun to take pictures of the race cars - I took over 100 pictures total! 

Readers, have you ever been to a car race?

Disclaimer:  I received tickets to the race for review purposes.  The opinions above are my own.

Pierce Gets a Kiwi Crate

Disclaimer:  I received one Kiwi Crate in the mail for review purposes.  The opinions below are my own.

Kiwi Crate Gifts is a monthly service for kids age 3-7 to receive a package in the mail full of stimulating themed crafts and information.  I had heard a lot about Kiwi Crate, and when they contacted me to see if I'd like to do a review, I was excited to have the opportunity.

The theme of the box we received centered around birds.  The box came with all the craft supplies needed to create an individualized bird mask and a pair of bird wings.  In addition, it had informational coloring books that told about different types of birds and had ideas for games and supplemental learning activities.  And as an extra bonus, the box even included a pair of children's Fiskars scissors (we are always losing our kiddie scissors, so I was thrilled to have an extra pair).

Pierce set to work creating his mask and wings.  One of the fun parts of the mask was that it had interchangeable beaks - a woodpecker beak, a kiwi beak, and a duck beak.  Pierce decided to be a woodpecker first.  Once his costume was completed, he flew around the yard and pecked at the wood on his playset.

Next the 'woodpecker' created a nest of eggs.  Pierce was able to do his crafts with minimal help from me - I only assisted with a couple of tricky glue dots and the tying of knots in the wings and mask. 

One thing Pierce loved about his finished bird nest was that the eggs crack open to hide treasures inside.  Talk about some fun imaginative play! 

Kiwi Crate is one of the best kid-friendly products I have ever reviewed.  It is unique, educational, and so much fun.  If you have a grandchild or niece or nephew you'd love to send something special in the mail, this would make such a marvelous gift.  A month runs $19.95 plus shipping, getting less expensive if you purchase several months at a time.  You can also find them on Facebook. 

Readers, what was one of the favorite crafts or projects you remember making as a kid?

Free Country Swimsuit Review

Disclaimer:  I received a swimsuit from Free Country for review purposes.  The opinions below are my own.

Memorial Day is over, which means swimsuit season is here.  I was happy to get the opportunity to review a tankini from Free Country.  They carry a wide variety of active wear to fit your individual style.

I chose a tankini because I don't feel all that swimsuit ready right now, and tankinis have a way of being more forgiving.  I found a black and white one that I loved for it's sportiness.  The shorts, in particular, were really cute on - they had an athletic look to them that appealed to me.

The tankini was very comfortable and it didn't creep up at all in between standing and sitting.

It also didn't slide up in the water.  I've had tankinis in the past that were really bad about floating right up as soon as you hit the water.  This stayed put, thanks to the strings on the side that allow you to raise/lower the sides and tie it in place snugly.  Even when I swam a couple of laps, the swimsuit stayed in place.

As it turned out, we had a really fun time in the pool, and I liked not having to worry about the fit of the swimsuit so that I could just enjoy my time with the boys. 

In addition to swimwear, Free Country also carries an assortment of winter coats and outdoor clothing for men, women, boys and girls.  Readers, do you like tankinis, or do you prefer another style of swimsuit?

Standlee Hay Products Review

Disclaimer:  This is a review written by me, with my own opinions, of Standlee Hay Products.  I was provided with a gift card to purchase their products for review purposes. 

Lately I've been putting our horses through their annual vaccines, along with their every-other-month deworming and hoof trimming.  I have a feeling that when I walk in to the pastures, they're whispering "Uh oh.  Here she comes.  What now?"  And then they heave a big sigh.  So when Standlee contacted me about doing a review, I was excited to have some tasty new feed products for them to try.  This time of year, the horses are full and round from all the green grass, so I don't need to do any feed supplementing, but that doesn't mean they can't test out a new product as a treat.  And next winter, I'll be all set when the land turns brown and the grass is sparse.

Pierce and Reid were my helpers for the evening.  I decided to try the Premium Alfalfa/Oat Cubes, the Premium Alfalfa/Timothy Pellets, and the Premium Alfalfa/Timothy Mini Cubes.  Standlee uses high quality timothy hay and alfalfa grass in their horse products.  We fixed some treat buckets of both for the horses to try.  Pierce smelled a handful of the sweet pellets and declared that they smelled like oats, so he thought the horses would love them.

Phoenix really liked the alfalfa pellets, whereas Harriet enjoyed the alfalfa/timothy mini cubes first.  They both licked their tubs clean.  Pierce and Reid kept saying, "They love their treats!"  Although both Phoenix and Harriet are seniors (both being over 20 years old), they had no trouble in chewing up the pellets, and seemed to love them. 

Standlee Hay Company is dedicated to growing the highest quality of forage products that are available.  Next winter we will be well-stocked with Standlee products, and I know our horses will appreciate receiving their nutrition this way when the months grow cold and long. 

What Should I Wear for My High School Reunion?

So I have that twenty year high school reunion coming up this summer and supposedly there will be an evening that is semiformal.  As you might imagine, I have nothing to wear, unless you count yoga pants.  So I went to Eshakti to check out their cockatil dresses.  I did find one I liked - the Jet Illusion Yoke Jacquard dress.

Paul said it looks vintage when he was taking the pictures, and that is what I liked about it.  I also like that it makes my waist look slender, while covering up belly fat.  It is sleeveless, with a scoopneck. 

The bodice is princess seamed, with an embellished paillette illusion yoke.  I found it comfortable and a good fit.

I'm not sure whether this will be the dress for the reunion, but at least now I have Option A!  Eshakti carries a wide variety of women's fashions (from size 0 - 36W) and you can use custom measurements and change the lengths before you order. 

Disclaimer:  I received this dress from Eshakti for review purposes.  The opinions stated above are my own.

What Will Be in This Year's Easter Baskets?

I have tried to stay away from the more junky Easter candies in past years (like jelly beans).  The kids seem to get those through school, so I don't feel like they need them in their baskets.  I have tried to choose healthy snacks that are still a special treat to them.  Plus, I do get them each a small chocolate bunny (or I think last year I may have done chocolate chicks).

I made so many pencil cases when I had vertigo, that I thought they would be a neat Easter morning surprise.  I stuffed this Star Wars case with healthy kid friendly snacks from Clif.  Their kid's bars are made with whole grains, are 95% organic, and don't have high fructose corn syrup. 

 

 After they eat their snacks, they can use the bag to store Star Wars figures.  I know these will be a huge hit, because the boys adore Clif Kid snacks.

Readers, do you do traditional Easter baskets in your house, or do you stray a bit from the norm?  I would love to hear about your plans! 

Disclaimer:  I received snack products from Clif Kid for review purposes.  The opinions in this post are my own. 

Square Peg Book Review

Once in a while TLC Books contacts me about reviewing a book because they know I enjoy anything focused on neuropsychology.  When I was an undergrad at Baylor, my favorite class was neuroscience, and when I was working on my masters degree I focused on neuropsychology classes, and did my thesis in that area as well.  I love to keep up with new trends in the field, and appreciate the opportunity to read new books that come out.

Square Peg - My Story and What It Means for Raising Innovators, Visionaries and Out-of-the-Box Thinkers, by L. Todd Rose, is one such book.  However, don't be scared if just the term neuropsychology intimidates you - this book is written to appeal to the average reader.  The book is partially memoir - Todd Rose was the type of kid that struggled immensely in school.  He acted out so much that he was often suspended, and his mother lost friends because of his behavior.  Eventually, his lack of impulse control and overall frustration resulted in him dropping out of school.

Todd Rose was diagnosed with ADHD, and he feels like in some ways the education system failed him.  Part of the purpose of Rose's book is to make suggestions of ways the system needs to change to better accomodate all styles of learning.  Rose backs up his suggestions with a wide variety of statistics and scientific studies, which I found fascinating.  He explains these studies in simple terms, that the average reader will have no difficulty in comprehending.  In addition, at the end of each chaper he summarizes with 'Big Ideas' that have been covered, along with 'Action Items' - things you can do to help make positive changes in the life of someone you know who might be struggling in school or at home.

By far, my favorite section of the book was towards the end, when Rose writes of changes in technology that may help future students with learning differences to be more successful.  The potential for positive change is impressive, and while there may be a balancing act along the way (to make sure that schools don't overuse technology in lieu of student/teacher interactions and group work), it warmed my heart to know that years from now there may not be as many troubled and frustrated students in school. 

In case you're wondering, the story also has a happy ending for Todd Rose.  Against the odds, he today he is a faculty member at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he teaches educational neuroscience. 

The Secrets of Happy Families Book Review

I've read a lot of books about family dynamics.  To some extent, they all seem a bit similar.  Recently TLC Books asked me if I'd be interested in reading The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler.  I said sure - I'm always up for a few new ideas to improve the way our family is functioning.  I think one of the ways to keep your family happy is just to be consistently thoughtful and intentful in how your family is operating. 

I started reading this book with the assumption that it would be similar to others that I've read.  But I was pleasantly surprised.  Feiler approaches different areas of family functioning by searching out experts in various fields and looking for new ways of improving the family dynamics in a way that works for you.  I love how much he emphasizes open family communication and including each family member.  Often, he applies innovative  business tactics that have been very successful in social networking and businesses.  He tackles touchy topics like resolving conflict, setting an allowance, family reunions, and talking about sex. 

My boys are still a little young to become firmly involved in some of the suggestions.  For example, my 3 year old twins aren't exactly ready to start brainstorming on a family mission statement.  However, I did want to put one of the techniques to the test.  I chose Feiler's suggestions on family dinner.  You've probably all heard the research about how important family dinners are for kids - I've always taken this to heart.  Besides, I grew up in a family where dinner was every night at 5:30, so it's kind of ingrained.  Feiler says that it doesn't have to be dinner though - if your kids are off to sporting events and such in the evenings, make it a family breakfast or a family lunch instead.  The key thing is that everyone is coming together for a meal for the purpose of talking. 

Feiler's suggests that you have discussions of each individual's high and low points from the day.  For a couple of years now we have gone around the table to talk about the favorite part of our day.  But we have never discussed the low point.  I liked this idea, because it gives kids an opening to talk about things that may have bothered them in school or even at home.  Feiler also suggests family meals are a wonderful time to improve vocabulary.  So I've started to try to bring a new word to the table each evening - the first night it was orzo, which was in our soup!  The other idea I liked from The Secrets of Happy Families was to use the family dinner to teach kids about their history - to tell family stories which give kids a feeling of connection and of knowing where they come from.  Do your kids know where their parents met?  Where their grandparents grew up?  Of an illness in the family and how it was handled?  The answers to these questions and more give a child a sense of being part of a larger family.  According to Feiler what has been found in studies is that, "The more children knew about their family's history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem, and the more successfully they believed their families functioned."

I found this book full of valuable and unique ideas that I plan to try to implement in my family.  We won't use all of them, but I do think we'll be putting several to use.  It's a book I'll be hanging on to, to refer to in the years to come.  If you are looking for new positive ways to improve your family (and who isn't?) this is certainly an excellent choice. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free for review purposes.  The opinions stated above are my own. 

I Heart Keenwah Creative Quinoa Snack Giveaway

I grow so weary of the same snacks over and over.  As a runner, I often look for easy portable snacks in bar form that I can grab on the go and eat before I workout.  But they do grow old.  When I heard about the new I Heart Keenwah snacks, nutritious and made from an all natural quinoa cluster, I was excited to try them. 

 I was particularly pleased when I looked at the ingredients and found that there was nothing foreign and unprounouncable on there:  organic quonia, cashews, tapioca syrup, raw sugar, dried cranberries, honey, almond oil, baking soda and salt.  I loved that they were the perfect size to toss a few in the pocket of a running jacket in case I needed a nibble in the middle of a long run. 

But the true test for snacky goodness was, of course, the taste test.  Sometimes the all-natural snacks just don't have much flavor.  Well, let me tell you, these do not disappoint!  First off, they are crunchy and chewy, but without being dry and crumbly.  I loved the sweet burst of flavor.  All three boys really enjoyed them, and Pierce said his favorite part was the cranberries. 

And now I have a little confession (blush).  When I received the email asking if I'd like to review these, I asked if they would send extra so I could give away one for my readers.  I was so greedy to try these that I opened the big bag first and dug right in, without reading the little accompanying note.  I was supposed to eat the sample bags and give away the big bag (OOPS!).  So sorry readers - I'm terribly embarrassed.  What a bad blogger I have been!  And thank goodness this tasty snack is only 120 calories per serving, huh?  Anyhow, so instead, I'm giving away to one very lucky reader two sample bags - one almond and one peanut ginger.  And next time I promise to read first and chow down later (all this running I do - sometimes it just makes a girl mighty hungry!). 

Disclaimer:  I received 3 bags of I heart Keenwah for review purposes and since I piggishly ate the wrong bag, I will be giving away the two smaller bags.  The opinions stated above are my own. 

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