Campbells Skillet Sauce Review Creamy Parmesan

In my kit I received a package of Creamy Parmesan Chicken Campbell's Skillet Sauce. Each package serves four people and with there being 8 of us, another package was definitely needed. Thankfully the price was really affordable so I didn't break my food budget. I used the extra $1.00/1 coupon I received in my coupon book and put it to good use! I grabbed some boneless, skinless chicken, some green onions, and I was ready to go.

 The package was really easy to open and contained more sauce than I thought. It's so simple all you have to do is open it up and pour it on top of your cooked chicken. You can bake, broil, boil, or grill your chicken before hand. You don't even need pasta, but I definitely felt like it needed some some so I made some veggie rotini. The sauce was creamy and rich, and thankfully not salty tasting. Since I've started cutting down on my salt intake I've noticed that things that aren't salty to the family, are salty for me. With that I was sure that I wouldn't be able to stomach this because sadly cheese is salty.

The recipe is practically not needed, but here it is anyway just in case.

Creamy Parmesan Chicken

What You Need 

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil 
• 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 1/2" pieces

3 Simple Steps

• Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. 
• Add chicken and cook until browned. 
• Stir in sauce and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 5 min. or until chicken is cooked through.

 Campbell's Skillet Sauces come in 7 different varities including:

• Creamy Parmesan Chicken
• Sweet & Sour Chicken
• Chicken Marsala
• Sesame Chicken
• Thai Curry Chicken
• Bacon Cheddar Beef
• Shrimp Scampi

All of them only require a small amount of ingredients and only 3 simple steps to make the meal. Just because it's simply and easy, doesn't mean you aren't getting quality. From the ones I've tried (shrimp scampi, creamy parmesan, and sweet & sour), you get a ton of flavor for a really affordable price.




Disclaimer: I received the product for FREE in return for my honest review from Crowdtap and Campbell's. All opinions are my own and no further compensation was received.

Swanson Cream Starter Review

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

made with Swanson Cream Starter

So part of my Crowdtap #DiscoverCampbells mission kit I received a carton of Swanson's Cream Starter. I was sort of at a loss at what to make because I've never used this type of cream before. I am not a fan of clam chowder - or any chowder for that matter, so I went online. I went to CampbellsKitchen.com and looked up some recipes using the Swanson Cream Starter. I found the website easy to navigate, but sadly not many recipes utilizing the cream starter. I opted for the very simple and very safe: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Who doesn't love mashed potatoes? They're certainly a main staple in my household so I knew they would go over well.

The recipe is as follows -
Ingredients:

• 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes (about 5 cups)
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup Swanson® Cream Starter Traditional or 25% Reduced Fat or Swanson® Cream Starter 25% Reduced Fat
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened 

Instructions

1. Place the potatoes and garlic into a 3-quart saucepan.  Add water to cover.
2. Heat over medium-high heat to a boil.  Cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.  Drain the potato mixture well in a colander.  Return the potato mixture to the saucepan.
3. Mash the potatoes.  Stir in the cream starter and butter.  Season with salt and black pepper.

This recipe is so simple that I know the kids could make this themselves. This is so simple that even the person with the worst cooking skills ever couldn't really mess this up. I made some baked meatballs with gravy and some corn to finish off the meal.

The carton was easy to open and easy to hold, so if you have issues with arthritis it won't give you any problems. The cream itself smelled pretty good, the thickness was good, and tasted good as well. I did get a little taste of the cream before I put it in the mashed potatoes. At that point there was still time to back out if I didn't like the smell or taste. The kids and I are those kinds of eaters - if it doesn't smell or look good, we ain't eating it.

The potatoes came out really good, really creamy and smooth. The only thing I'd do different would be to scale back the garlic as it was just too intense a flavor for the kids. They still ate it and said it was good, but just that it was too garlicky. I liked it and thought it was fine, so I would add half the amount of garlic first and then go from there.

Overall the cream starter is super easy to use and I'm looking forward to using it in many more different recipes. If you only buy it for mashed potatoes though, it'll be totally worth it, much creamier than when using milk.

 Disclaimer: I received this product  for FREE with the sole purpose of trying it out in my home. All opinions are my own and no further compensation was given.

Easy Off Oven Cleaner Product Review

gross roasting/broiler pan

I was sent a $5 Walmart Gift Card by Smiley360 in order to do this review. I had a choice between the different Easy Off Oven Cleaner varieties: Fume Free Trigger, Fume Free Spray, Heavy Duty, BBQ Grill Cleaner, and Cooktop Cleaner.

 My father pretty much lives alone so he cooks and cleans for himself. I know there are things that get neglected, one being the oven, so I decided I'd try and clean it for him. Well I don't know what I got myself into because wow, that oven was a mess! But before all this I had to head to Wal-Mart and buy some Easy-Off to try out. The $5 gift card was more than enough to cover the product and taxes. I can honestly say I don't normally shop at Wal-Mart. The lines are always horrendous and most times the cashiers are hard to work with. This is not a generalization of all Wal'Mart shopping, this is just about my own area store that I normally avoid like the plague.

Like I mentioned above there are 5 different varieties to choose from and Wal-Mart had all of them available. The first two are the same product just in different packages. Easy Off Fume Free comes in a trigger spray and regular can spray. This type of Easy-Off is better for every day use so your oven doesn't get bad enough for the Heavy Duty cleaner. The trigger spray can be used in more ways than the can spray and doesn't need gloves, but both are fume free and leave a light lemon scent in the air. The BBQ cleaner is obviously made specifically for your grill, and would be a must for summer time grilling. It is safe to use on all types of grills as well as stainless steal, and aluminum/non-chrome pots and pans. The cooktop cleaner won't scratch or leave a residue on your cooktop, and is safe for all cooktops. It also can be used on glass-ceramic, enamel, stainless steel and chrome.

inside back of oven, before and after

The last is Heavy Duty which is obviously for those really bad messes that you need a little oomph to clean up. Because it seemed like my dad's oven had never been cleaned I opted for this choice. Gloves are a definite must and I advise you to open up a window or door when you use it. Even with the door open the fumes were a bit intense. I can say I never really knew what the roast/broiling pan was. I knew there was a little handle at the bottom of the stove and some weird looking grill thing down there. By the way, that grill thing was filthy! It must had had years worth of whatever built up on it. I hadn't realized it was supposed to be blue-gray until I started cleaning it. One thing that wasn't mentioned is the time needed to clean anything other than your oven. I was left to estimate the time needed to clean the broiler pan. I sprayed it on and left it for 5 minutes and scrubbed it. I noticed it was still dirty so sprayed it again and left it for another 5 minutes. The results are fantastic, not really surprising, and so now I moved onto the oven. Again I can not stress the need for ventilation when using this. If you're oven is as filthy as my dad's was be prepared to use a lot of spray. Obviously that means you are going to have quite a bit of fumes in the air so take care so you don't breath it in. I covered my face while spraying the oven down and it was still pretty intense.

Oven door, before and after

It says on the can that all you need is 5 minutes for it to get to cleaning. Well I know that oven is going to need more than just 5 minutes. I feel like a horrible daughter knowing that my dad was essentially cooking in a death trap. That oven looks one step away from igniting on all the grease and going up in a big ball of flames. So this review couldn't come at a more better time for me. I knew going into this I'd be in for the long haul. I also wondered why the men in my family can't seem to find time to clean their ovens. My brother's oven is not as bad, but certainly was getting worse before I went by to clean it. I thought it would be a hard job, but thankfully with Easy-Off it was just that - easy! I sprayed the oven and left it to sit overnight. The next day I got a little hot water and started scrubbing. I was amazed at how dirty the oven was, and how easily the built up grease was coming off. I changed the water a few times and kept at it. The oven was looking great! There were just a few spots that had some build up still, but I can spray those down at a later time.

Overall, I'm totally impressed with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. It definitely will continue to be used in my household and my father's house as well. I'm actually going back to get the fume free to keep at both houses to use on a regular basis. Easy-Off Oven Cleaners are all under $5.00 in my area and are totally worth every penny!



Disclaimer: I was sent a $5 gift card to Wal-Mart to buy this product for free. I was provided it by Smiley360 and Easy-Off for this review. All opinions are my own and no further compensation was given.

Chapstick Dual-End Hydration Lock Review

 I was super lucky to be chosen for this great Smiley360 mission. Chapstick came out with a great new product - dual chapsticks! Why deal with having two different chapsticks when you can have just one.

The Dual Ended Hydration Lock Chapstick is for day and night to give you 24hr care. The day end has a built in sunscreen of SPF12 to make sure your lips don't shrivel up in the sun. While the night end works all night to replenish moisture and soften your lips.


They obviously are both so easy to use and even with the dual ends it isn't heavy and bulky. You don't need a lot of product from either end to do the job. One quick swipe and you're good to go, and feel free to reapply as much as you like during the day. I did notice a difference in how smooth and supple my lips looked. Yea, I said supple, because you're lips will look and feel fantastic!

So yea, there are obviously many chapsticks that do the same thing, the major upside is that it's all in one. Everyone loves convenience, and who doesn't need more space in their purse. With the dual end you can have two different chapsticks all in one and you won't have to dig around the bottom of your purse (aka: the bottomless pit) to find the chapstick you want. Because I know you have more than one chapstick in there.



There really isn't any flavor on/in the chapstick. Not that it really needs it, but I'd love a cherry flavor. Seriously, that stuff is amazing, not that I sit there and eat it.

So if you're looking for a chapstick that does it all, then you need to run out and get Chapsticks Dual Ended Hydration Lock, your lips will thank you.

Disclaimer: I was sent this product for the sole purpose of giving my honest review. All opinions are my own and no further compensation was given.

Goody TangleFix Brush

Another great product included in the Influenster #ParadiseVoxBox was a Goody TangleFix Brush. I had never heard of this brush before so it was a totally new product for me. I was pretty excited to read that it was 70% more gentle (with detangling) than your regular brush. For my niece this was totally going to be a worthwhile product.

The brush features:
• Super-flexible bristles work with the hair, not against it
• Lightweight for less fatigue
• Easy grip sides for better control
• Dual size design for children's or adult's hands


So looking at the features themselves, the bristles are super soft. They're made out of plastic, and honestly I didn't think it would work with my niece's hair. She has thick unruly hair so I use a heavy duty brush for it. My niece is 13 so she can brush her own hair now. She started out from the bottom and worked her way up her hair. She didn't complain at all about the bristles being to hard.

The brush is really lightweight, and the shape helps to grip it better. I have hand issues and can't really grasp things for too long. I didn't have any issues with using this brush, it was pretty easy and went quickly. I have a smaller hand and found that the brush still sat comfortably in my palm. Because you're able to grip it easier you don't get any slippage just in case the brush does get caught in your hair. I couldn't really say if it would be easy to hold if a young child were to use it as I don't have any. My niece's hand is actually bigger than mine and she definitely didn't have issues grabbing onto it.

My niece had fun playing with this brush, really trying to get her hair tangled up so she could try it. I thought it would be better for her to try because over the years my hair has thinned out. She said it went through really easily, it didn't hurt at all, and it left her hair feeling really soft.

The brush is fairly inexpensive being less than 8 dollars it definitely won't hurt your wallet to try this out. You can buy it at Target, for sure but I'd keep an eye out at other major big box stores. This brush will definitely make brushing your little ones hair much easier, less painful, and tear free.



Disclaimer: I received this product in the Influenster #ParadiseVoxbox for the sole purpose of reviewing it. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

Dr Scholl's Heel Insoles

One of the products that I received in the #ParadiseVoxbox from Influenster were Dr. Scholl's High Heel Insoles. They sent insoles that would fit a size 6 shoe up to a size 10. I have a size 7 foot so can't comment on how the insole works for a larger size shoe.

The package was easy to open up and the insoles were really easy to put on the shoe. The insoles are clearly labeled with left and right, heel and toe for easy application. You just have to peel off the backing and stick it on. Yup it has a sticky backing which means you can stick it on any shoe you have in your closet. Sadly the stickiness doesn't last forever and you're left with insoles that don't stay put. I understand that they aren't meant to last forever though, so I think the length of time it did last was very reasonable. For me that amount of time was about a month or so, and that was with numerous changes from heels to my favorite flats.

See the orange line - thats the arch on the insole!

It is perfect for all kinds of shoes,not just heels. For me sandals tend to hurt my feet the most because they have no arch. I have a natural arch on my foot so when I wear flats my feet pay the price. The insoles have some extra gel support where the toes are, and they have an arch. It makes wearing flats and heels so comfortable, especially when they don't have an arch. It means I can wear them longer and be on my feet for longer periods of time without wanting to cut my shoes off and chuck them out the window.

Now their price is a little more expensive when compared to other insoles, but they are well worth it. Also you'll get a good amount of wear before having to replace them. Dr Scholl's runs coupons in the paper periodically so you'll never really have to pay full price for them. So if you're looking for some comfy insoles and haven't decided on the ones you want to buy, then you should definitely try Dr Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles.

Disclaimer: I was sent this product for the sole purpose of doing a review. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

NYC Sparkle Eyedust Eyeshadow

New York Color Sparkle Eyedust

Inside my #ParadiseVoxbox was a NYC Sparkle Eyedust eyeshadow in "Smoky Topaz". It is a shimmery light bronze with a hint of purple. The eyeshadow itself is super pigmented and at first I felt like I had applied too much. The color is bright and shimmery, and definitely popped. I added some green to it because I felt it really went well with it. Of course I hadn't realized my eyeliner was messed up until after editing the photo, doh! my bad. As you can see though the color looks great and blended really well. I used the applicator and a regular make-up brush. While the applicator worked alright, I still really prefer a brush instead. The applicator is like the type you'd have on a lip gloss. I found it to be a bit messy when pulling it out to use it. It would get a little bit too much eyeshadow onto it which cause a bit of fallout. No matter how I pulled the applicator out (slow, fast) it still ending up dropping eyeshadow all over the place. It wasn't too big of a deal at the beginning, but I had to be careful when reapplying it because I didn't want it to get all over my clothes. Speaking of reapplying, it actually was hours before I had to touch it up a bit. It definitely would last the whole night if you had a date or ladies night out, and you wouldn't have to mess with it.

There are a total of 10 shades

1. 879 Opal Sparkle: Shimmery White
2. 880 Golden Champagne: Light Shimmery God
3. 881 Pink Topaz: Very Light Pink S
4. 882 Smokey Topaz Light Purple Shimmer with brown undertones
5. 883 Amber Glitz: Darker Shimmery Gold
6. 884 Bronze Shimmer
7. 885 Amethyst Dazzle
8. 886 Aquamarine Sparkle
9. 887 Brilliant Sapphire
10. 888 Diamond Dust

The best thing is that they're super affordable so you can get every color and not have a huge hit to your wallet. They're only about $2 a piece so why not try them all out? You can find pictures of all the available colors on the NYC Color website: Click Here.

Disclaimer: I received this product in the Influenster #ParadiseVoxbox for the sole purpose of reviewing it. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received. 

Hormel Rev Wraps

I was excited to try out the new wraps from Hormel courtesy of BzzAgent. They're called "Rev" Wraps and there are 8 different varieties:

• Pepperoni Pizza
• Ham & Cheese
• Peppered Turkey
• Meat Lovers Pizza
• Italian Style Ham
• Hot Pepper Ham
• Italian Style
• Spicy Italian Style

They come packaged in a plastic container and are really easy to open. Sadly my area grocery store only had four of the varieties - Ham & Cheese, Peppered Turkey, Meat Lovers Pizza, and Pepperoni Pizza. Of course I bought all four of them so I'd be able to try them all out.

Click to Enlarge

 The first one I tried was the #3 Peppered Turkey. The wrap uses one large round piece of cheese, three slices of turkey, and wrapped around that is a wheat flat bread that reminds me of a tortilla. It has 220 calories, 90 Fat calories, and 18g of protein. I was a little alarmed with the sodium in the wrap, it was 41% (950mg). Right now I am watching my salt intake so I changed up my dinner as to not go over my limit. I decided that I could make it my own by adding some of my favorite ingredients - spinach, mixed greens, and avocado. The result was super delicious and really filling. I wasn't sure that I would be satisfied with just one wrap, but I really was. The flatbread didn't hold up very well and did start to tear a bit when I started working with it. It held up enough for me to finish my meal and in the end it wasn't that big of a deal.

Click to Enlarge

The next wrap I tried was the Ham and Cheese and again I wanted to be a little creative. I figured I'd have this one for lunch so I got an egg, some spinach, and the Rev. The Ham & Cheese has 240 calories, 110 fat calories, and 17g of protein. This wrap too had a lot of sodium in it: 990mg to be exact. I didn't want to use up too much of my daily intake so I took out two of the slices of ham. Each wrap comes with three small round slices of meat, and one large slice of cheese. I separated the egg white from the yolk and poached it. The spinach I left alone as I don't care much for cooked spinach. This was a fantastic late breakfast for me and really held me over till I had my small lunch later in the day. I didn't feel hungry in the least and didn't feel tired afterwards.






Sadly I wasn't able to get pictures of the last two wraps as they mysteriously disappeared from the fridge. I don't know if the nobody ghost visits your house, but it practically lives in mine. You know the nobody ghost, right? Something gets eaten and nobody touched it in the house, even when you have 5 suspects they of course push the blame onto the nobody ghost. Either way I'll do my best to give you some info on the last two: Pepperoni Pizza and Meat Lovers Pizza. When I went to the store they didn't have any in stock so I may do another post featuring these two wraps as I actually had some great ideas for them.

Obviously they're both pizza wraps and I wanted to turn them into pizzas. I planned to unwrap them and throw the flatbread into the over to crisp up a bit. Then I would have taken it out, put a bit of pizza sauce on it, cut the cheese and pepperoni (for the regular pepperoni wrap) into small shreds to evenly coat it. I think doing it this way would be a totally fun way to get the kids involved in their own lunch making. You could also cut down on the ingredients so the sodium isn't too high. The pepperoni pizza has 300 calories, 180 fat calories, and 16g of protein. It has 990mg of sodium in it, so you can obviously see the trend. The last is the Meat Lovers Pizza, again I wanted to make it into an actual pizza and think it would have turned out awesome. It has pepperoni, spicy salami, genoa salami and mozzarella cheese. The nutrional value is: 280 calories, 160 fat calories, and 15g of protein. The sodium is 950mg making it a 41% dv.

I would love to see some low sodium varieties hit the market because these are really great. They're convenient, tasty, and relatively inexpensive. The cost about $1.98 for each wrap and while they do look small, they will definitely fill you up. I also would have liked to have seen some condiments inside because I normally don't eat a ham and cheese sandwich without mustard. I don't know if that would cost more to add, but I think it's something they should definitely look into.

You can find Rev Wraps at most grocery and supermarkets, although you might not be able to find all varieties at first. So if you see them in your store don't pass them up because they have potential to be a great meal. Don't be afraid to customize it either!



Disclaimer: I received 1 free product coupon and 9 - $1.00 coupons to share. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own and no further compensation was given. 

Remedy Skincare Review

REMEDY SKINCARE 

I was very fortunate to get the chance to try out a few products from the Remedy Skin Care line. They so generously sent me four different products: lip balm, nourishing skin cream, hydrating cleansing gel, and hydraguard skin cream. All the products have phytoplex in them, and to be honest I didn't really know what that was or what its benefits were.

So what exactly is phytoplex?
- Phytoplex is essentially a combination of all-natural, plant-based ingredients, including soy, algae extracts, green tea, and cloves.

- It’s free of ingredients that might cause an allergic reaction, such as aloe, sulfates, parabens, petroleum derivatives, and phthalates.

- Because of its unique blend of gentle ingredients, Phytoplex is perfect for people with sensitive skin.

- The marine-based algae extracts in Phytoplex provide an intense dose of vitamins, proteins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants - all of which nourish skin and protect it from signs of aging.

- Phytoplex has more antioxidant capabilities than olive oil, apples, or red wine!

- When used in skin care products, Phytoplex works to reduce redness, soothe skin, prevent moisture loss, reverse signs of aging, and
protect skin from radical damage.

So now that we have a grasp on what phytoplex is, how does it really work in the products?

The first product I tried out was the lip balm. It doesn't have any weird smells, and it is petroleum free. Some of the ingredients include sunflower oil, beeswax, and mango seed butter.  It did tingle a little when I put it on, but it wasn't unpleasant. It left my lips feeling soft and moisturized, no chapped lips here.

Next was hydrating cleansing gel  which can be used as a regular liquid soap in a typical shower or it can be used as a soap for a sponge bath. I liked that it was also no rinse because my mom, who can't stand in the shower long, was able to use it easily. It isn't meant to get sudsy so it definitely wouldn't make for a great bubble bath. There isn't much of a scent and it's pretty non-evasive so people with sensitive skin could use it daily . I mainly let my mom use it as she has skin issues. She really liked it and was sad I didn't have more. It made it easy for her to get in and get out because she didn't have to worry about not rinsing off correctly. It left her skin soft and there was no skin irritation.

You then can use the nourishing skin cream after your shower. Like the other products there isn't much of a smell, well untill you spread it out. The smell almost reminds me of cookies and honestly it can be a little overbearing. Now a lot of lotions say they absorb into the skin quickly, but Remedy's Skin Cream really does. The cream is a bit stiff, but quickly breaks down to an almost watery consistency.  Now remember that smell well it lasts for a few seconds and then goes away. I'm sure anyone can deal with the smell, and if you do you'll definitely be rewarded with some super soft skin! Seriously I don't think my skin has felt softer with other lotions. The smoothness lasts for hours, longer than some of the leading brand lotions.

The last product I tried out was the hydraguard lotion. This was the lotion I was most excited to try. It's a water-resistant, nourishing hypo-allergenic lotion for dry and cracked skin. I first thought of my horribly dry cracked feet. I have to be honest, I walk around bare foot a lot. I'm normally never in shoes at the house, even if I step outside. Yup I will walk outside on the hot concrete and asphalt which does nothing for my feet. Years of doing this had left them gross and calloused. With one application I was already feeling smoother, not so rough skin on my feet. If you try any of Remedy's products this is the one I'd definitely recommend. I really wanted to try this out for a while to show a great change in my dry heels, I wasn't disappointed with the results.

You can head over to the Remedy SkinCare Website - where you can find more general information on all the products they offer.



Disclaimer: I was sent products from Remedy Skincare for the sole purpose of reviewing them. No further compensation was given. All opinions are my own.

Influenster Paradise Voxbox

INFLUENSTER PARADISE VOXBOX

I was so excited to hear that I had been chosen to get a voxbox from Influenster. I am always finding new great products through them. They always have great reviews by other users to help give you an idea of what products are best for you. Included in my voxbox were five awesome products: NYC shadow, Suave Moroccan Oil, Dr. Scholl's Heel Inserts, Olay Shine Shine Go Away Cleanser, and a Goody's TangleFix brush.

I think this voxbox has a great variety of products for a woman on the go to pamper herself. So look for some great posts coming up on all these great products.




Product Reviews:

• Dr Scholl's High Heel Insoles: Coming Soon
• Suave Moroccan Oil: Coming Soon
• NYC Eyeshadow: Click Here
• Goody TangleFix: Coming Soon
• Olay Shine, Shine Go Away Facial Cleanser: Coming Soon

Disclaimer: I received these products from Influenster to try out. Reviews were not required, no compensation was given, and all opinions are my own.

Beauty Review: Essie Nail Polish

So I normally I tend to choose polish on the lower end of the price range, but this time I grabbed some Essie. It can now be found in Walgreens and Target which means I see it A LOT. So I bit the bullet and bought me a couple. At $8 dollars I had to pick colors that I totally loved, it had to be a commitment. So the two I chose were "Dive Bar" and "Can't Filmfest" because they were totally calling my name.



I got them home and had to play with them right away. First off they were a little "runny" compared to other polishes, but I tried them on anyway. The first choice I made was "Dive Bar", it is a blue shimmer with black undertones and it's absolutely wonderful. I loved the way it changes color in the light. You have to put two coats on for this to be solid though. I tried with just one coat and it was completely uneven. It does dry superfast though.

Now for "Can't Filmfest", it's a super bright pink with a slight blue undertone. It's not typically a color that I would go for, but I was feeling bold. It's so wonderfully pink and thankfully my skin color goes with it nicely. lol Again you need 2 coats to cover and don't forget your topcoat!

Overall I think they are an okay value at $8 and will last at least 10 days, which for me is a very good reason to buy. Don't be scared to bite the bullet and buy your own Essie Polish/ Lacquer. 

Review: Captain America Costume

Now I don't have to tell you that there was a very excited little boy waiting for this costume to arrive. It was shipped quickly and the costume arrived in excellent condition. I had to hide it when it got here because I wanted to make sure I got before pictures of the costume itself. Do you know how incredibly hard it is to hide something from a 4yr old? Yea, not easy at all.

So the costume comes much like costumes you buy in the big department stores. Paper cover showing the costume in all its glory, a plastic "bag" with a hanger attached, and the costume folded neatly inside.










The first thing I photographed was the hat or headgear. It had a large silver "A" on the front and silver wings on the sides. It has some elastic dead center on the back for a more snug fit on the head. The kiddo apparently has a larger than average sized head as it didn't fit him very well. It did stay on his head, but the eye holes were a bit off for him. It is a definite easy fix, something that I can take care of with my sewing machine. I just need to take a little from the inside of the eye holes and then fix the edging so it doesn't unravel or anything. It didn't seem to bother him at all so its something that I can take some time on doing.

The rest of the costume is an all in one type deal. Like footie pajamas, but without the feet. There are 4 velcro "buttons" on the back to keep the costume closed. They worked really well and were strong enough to keep it closed even after a few hours of play. The size I got was a 4-6 and it fit perfectly, the kiddo is a size 5.







He jumped, leaped, ran, kicked and punched in the costume and it held up great. He definitely gave it a bashing while giving the bad guys, a.k.a his cousins, a bashing. He really enjoyed the fake muscles and even flexed to show me his muscles. He found it really funny for some reason that they made him look so big.

It has now been a few weeks and I've had to hide it because he wants to wear it out everywhere. To the store, park, mall, grandma's house - everywhere! He sleeps in it as well and I'm sure if he could bathe in it he would. I'm sure he could battle some "sea monsters" while in there. This goes to show you that costumes aren't just for Halloween, but can be used for daily play time.









I did wash the costume and it held up really well. It does have a little bit of the white furries, but I can just use some "tape" and take them off. It's really simple and not that big a deal. The colors are still vivid, the velcro still works, and there is no piling at all. The costume didn't seem to have any shrinkage either which is great. The costume goes for $30 at BuyCostumes.com which is a great price because it is a quality costume. They have free shipping for orders over $75 so you can get for all the kiddos and yourself and not worry about having to wait in line. If you're like me then you end up waiting till its almost too late and have to fight to find a decent costume at the store. You end up leaving with some cheaply made costume that isn't worth the $20 you've paid for it. But with the kiddos screaming and getting pushed around by other late shoppers you take it. It doesn't last till next year either because it shrinks in the wash and doesn't fit. Or the colors fade, the buttons or velcro fall off and you're left with a new rag for your car windows.



So if you're looking for a great wide selection of costumes then check out BuyCostumes.com and you will definitely not regret it. Also, don't think that buying in July is too early because before you know it October will be on us and then it'll be too late for you.


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.

Book Review: Sheep!

Sheep

by

Martin D Rothery

Remember that hilarious book I reviewed a while back called, "Cows". Yup this is also written by the same author and is just as funny. Now I do think Martin Rothery has an unhealthy obsession with barnyard animals. I honestly don't know what went through his mind when he wrote these books. They're crazy and unbelievably ridiculous and that's what makes them so great. It's okay to have fun sometimes and read something that isn't educational and won't forward your career in some way. Well I guess if your job has to do with talking sheep and cows going up against humans, well this book is perfect for you!

Seriously, Martin D Rothery is the best animal psychic I've ever heard of. Psychics are the ones that talk to things, correct? Well either way he happens to be able to see into the minds of barnyard animals, aka dinner. Yea, that's right I said dinner, although it wasn't always that way. There was a time where cows and sheep ruled the world! Yea I know it's hard to see a hamburger and lamb chop leading anything, but it's true. Martin R got it straight out of the sheep's mouths. This book is a must read if you're wanting to find out the real history of man.

Okay so it's not really a reference type book and shouldn't really be taken seriously. Sheep and cows are known to be sworn enemies, everyone knows that. Sheep just happen to keep cows around because they offer protection. You know if you are going up against a human, who do you think will look more appetizing? The tiny little furball or a delicious huge steak? Yea, I thought so. I almost felt so horrible when the cows and sheep started dropping like flies when man first realized they would be good to eat...almost. Oh and if you think football was a human creation, think again. You've also probably never even noticed how sneaky sheep and cows are because of...camouflage. Yup, another thing you thought men came up with.

Martin D Rothery really brings barnyard animals to life in such a funny way. You will definitely be cracking up throughout the book. It's well written and I would highly recommend it as a great summer read. I would read this book before reading Cows!  because it kind of touches on some of the things found in that book. Of course there is no problem in reading this one second just as long as you read it.

Extra Links:
Follow Sheep on Facebook: Click Here
Check out Fishcake Publishing for more great books: Click Here


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.

Sponsored: What's Essential Rescue Pet Photo Contest

Budha - 11yrs old

When I was approached to do another sponsored post by Nordic Naturals I jumped at the opportunity. I have worked with them on two separate occasions and both were great experiences. They are a great company who sell products aimed at your health, your children's health, and even your pet's health! Who knew that omega-3s were also really great for your furry babies as well. 

So what exactly can omega-3s do for your pets and why is it important? Here are some questions answered by Jodi Ziskin - Holistic Nutrition and Wellness Specialist for Pets. 

Questions and Answers:

Q: Why is omega-3 fish oil important for joints?

A: Omega-3 essential fatty acids are considered essential nutrients for us and our pets because they can't be produced by our body naturally. That's why we need to supplement them through our diets or supplement pills. The omega-3 EPA is a companent of all cell membranes while DHA works to develop and maintain neural structures. Together these omega-3s help support optimal pet health and diet.

Q: What is the best way to add omega-3s to my pet's diet?

Beast when we first got him - pink is for real "men".

A: The answer is simple the same way it is for us - fish oil. Omega-3s are found abundantly in cold-water fish like sardines, anchovies, and cod. Fish oil from wild caught fish is optimal for safe and effective use. They should be independently tested and proven to meet the standards for heave metals, PCBs and dioxins. Also please only use fish oils specially formulated for pets as many marketed towards humans contain flavorings and preservatives that may not be suitable for animals.

Q:Can exercise really help keep joints healthy?

A: As important as exercise is for humans its just as important for our pets. The simple act of walking a dog (or a cat) helps to lubricate the joincts preserving flexibility, maintaining muscle mass, and keeps the blood circulating. For cats, its helpful to provide things to climb on, like kitty trees and towers. 

Exercise also alerts us to potential joint problems. Signs that a cat or dog might be suffering from joint inflmation can include stiffness, difficulty walking on stairs, jumping on their favorite spots, change in speed, and limping. If you notice any differences in your pets consult your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment options.

Omega-3s EPA and DHA help support:

• Joint Health
• Heart Health
• Celluar Health
• Skin and Coat Health
• Immune System Health
• Brain development and maintenance
• Eye development and maintenance

Nordic Naturals Products for Pets
For centuries, canine and feline diets consisted of unprocessed foods rich in EPA and DHA, omega-3 fatty acids derived from algae, plants, and fish. However, most of today’s pet foods contain primarily omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils. Even the highest quality pet diets rarely contain adequate amounts of EPA and DHA. This results in an unbalanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 that can negatively impact the health of our pets.

Nordic Naturals offers two omega-3 fish oil formulas that are specifically designed to maximize the health benefits for pet companions. Purchase some Omega-3 products for your pets HERE.

What's Essential Rescue Pet Photo Contest

Bear - 2yrs old and little brother to Beast

So let's get down to why I'm posting about Nordic Naturals "What's Essential Rescue Pet" Photo Contest. With having many furry babies of my own I think its a great way to give back to a great organization: Paws For Veterans. With every vote Nordic Naturals will donate $1 to Paws For Veterans (Up to $5000)! So not only can you and your rescue pup win, so do many others who are in the Paws For Veterans organization. Isn't that fantastic!? I think all pets should be able to have a life with a loving caring family who will care for them. I also think that having a pet definitely helps you lead a happier life. If you're already a pet owner, congratulations you've been blessed. If you aren't then look at your local rescue organization or animal shelter because they have tons of dogs and cats who deserve a great family.

Now while none of my pets were rescue pets I did get my pup Budha from one of my brother's friends. He was the runt of the litter and really small. He was also a very sick pup, they didn't even take him to get any shots done because they figured he would just die. I took him to the vet and they said he was a bit sick, but with meds and some love he would be just fine. That was 11yrs ago and now he is my 70lb big boy who, for the most part, listens well and does what he is told. Beast was my second pup and was actually bought from my cousin. He was the only pup left because sadly his mom accidentally killed his 3 siblings. After 6 short months he was gone, we never knew what happened and the vet couldn't give us any closure. When my cousin told me her Chihuahua's had had another litter I told her I wanted another one. I know it wouldn't be like my Beast, but knowing they were related would help. So along came Bear, my 2yr old furry terror. He totally resembles his name as his bite is as mighty as his bark, with him being the alpha dog. Yup that little 13lb terror pushes around his 70lb big brother. I couldn't imagine my life without my dogs and I know when that time does come, I'll be burying apart of myself with them. They are like children and give you unconditional love - with no talking back! So do you want to win - want to know how to enter?

How To Enter:

• Super easy just head over to Nordic Naturals Facebook page and upload a picture of your rescue pup! You can upload a photo from 6/28 until 7/18.
• Don't have a rescue dog, well you you still win by voting.  Voting runs from 7/19 until 7/31 with the winners being announced on 8/1.

Prizes:
2 Grand Prize Winners will win .

• A 3-month supply of Nordic Naturals Omega-3 pet products and human products – you choose from a list of qualifying Nordic Naturals’ products
• Dog and cat goodies including collapsible water bowl, chew toy, doggie bags and a plush fish toy
• The Dog Bible: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know and The Cat Bible: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know books by Tracie Hotchner
• A custom canvas painting of your pet by beccavision.com
• Mr. or Ms. Omega-3 Pet Award Certificate
• Profile featured on the Facebook app

About Paws for Veterans
Paws for Veterans, Inc. is a community-based organization that provides service dogs, training, supplies, and therapeutic group sessions to Veteran and Active Duty men and women struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Physical Disabilities. As a 501 C 3 non profit, this organization rescues, rehabilitates, trains, and rehomes dogs as service dogs for injured Veterans.

About Nordic Naturals

Based in Watsonville, CA, Nordic Naturals is committed to delivering the world’s safest, most effective omega oils to help provide the essentials of an extraordinary life. Distributing to more than 35 countries, Nordic Naturals offers more than 150 products in a variety of flavors and formulations, all in line with leading standards for safety, efficacy and sustainability. By providing omega oil supplements for adults, kids, athletes and pets, Nordic Naturals helps everyone do more of what they love. Further information is available at www.nordicnaturals.com. Nordic Naturals is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nordicnaturalsand people can follow the company on Twitter at @NordicNaturals.

Disclaimer: While this post is sponsored I definitely love the ideas and products by Nordic Naturals. All opinions are my own and I stand behind them.