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Tag Archives: Product Review
Star Review Announcement — K5 Learning
As many of you know, I have two kiddos, Little Diva who is starting kindergarten next year and Sonny-Bunny who is currently a second grader. While we are immensely blessed that they go to great schools, I am always open to opportunities to reinforce at home. I am pleased to announce that starting this week, I am getting an opportunity to augment their time at school.
We’re trying out K5 Learning.
K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I’ve been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.
Follow me here as I share our experiences and please check out their website. They have sample lessons, assessments, and a blog. I’ll keep you posted.
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What’s Happening Wednesday #3
Howdy, folks! Welcome to the third edition of What’s Happening Wednesday. And first on my list is a BIG happy birthday to my LITTLE brother!
Happy birthday, Kid! Your big sister loves you.
The fact that he shares it with one of my teenage crushes, Robert Downey, Jr. and a great cousin makes it even more “happening”!
Secondly, I am over at another awesome Austin (Triple A!) blog, Unexpectedly Expecting Baby. I am sharing the lessons I have learned over 17 years of marriage. Please head over her way and send her some love!
Also, I have posted my review of Annie s Organic Rising Pizza from my first What’s Happening. Please check it out here.
And from my first What’s Happening Giveaway, we have a winner! Congratulations to Laurie Rahn! She has a wonderful blog where she shares her story about her daughter’s injury due to a child’s dresser. Check her out and her passion to educate all parents about furniture straps!
Finally, I had an amazing experience yesterday that I am eager to share. I had the great pleasure of meeting Austin chiropractor, Dr. Amanda Gibson. She invited me to experience what she does and share it with you. She works at Clear Point Wellness where they promise gentle adjustments and they mean it! I thought I would a review ready today but honestly I am still processing what I experienced. It was incredible and I will be sharing more thoughts with you soon. Let’s just say this is not the back-cracking chiropractic experience that you may image!
So that’s what’ happening this Wednesday. What’s happening in your world?
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Posted in Austin, Product Reviews, What's Happening
Tagged Product Review, What's Happening
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Star Review — Annie’s Frozen Pizza
I shared with you in my first What’s Happening Wednesday that Annie’s has come out with a new “Organic Rising Crust Pizza“. I also promised a review. Well, here it is.
Here’s a preview. Not a lot left on the plates…
We tried the Organic Cheese Pizza. Here is a little info from their website:
Organic Cheese Pizza 
Say please for Organic Four Cheese! This pizza offers a delicious combination of mozzarella, provolone, parmesan and romano cheeses. Each bite blends creamy cheese with savory tomato sauce over a whole wheat crust. Leftovers? I don’t think so.
- Certified Organic
- Naturally rising crust, 8g whole grains per serving
- No artificial colors or flavors
- 100% real cheese, made with milk from cows not treated with the growth hormone rBST*
- Good source of calcium & protein
- Vegetarian
I liked that it was all real — nothing artificial, and no hormones. And it was pretty tasty. As it is a rising crust pizza, it is similar to a DiGiorno. The sauce, however, is milder. I thought for a frozen pizza, the texture of the cheese was good. In short, I ate all of mine.
But as a mom, the real question is, “Will the kids eat it?”
My daughter inhaled hers. No talking. Just eating. That is an Ebert worthy “thumbs up” from a five year old.
My son was not as eager. He is not a fan of any of the rising crust pizzas so I was not surprised. However, the other day, hes asked for it. He reminded me that my swag bag had a coupon. So, he must have liked it more than I thought. Or he just really wanted pizza that night!
Speaking of coupons, there is a $2 Off Coupon on the website. So check it out. As to be expected, it is a little more expensive than an equivalent frozen pizza. With the coupon, however, this frugal Mommy would definitely consider it as a healthier alternative.
This new offering from Annie’s is available in Whole Food Markets which are available across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Find your store here.
A big thanks again to the very groovy ladies, Heidi at Free Fun in Austin and Nicole at LiveMom, for inviting me to the roll out at Whole Foods Market. I am so lucky!
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What’s Happening Wednesday #1
Now that we have established that I am hip while sustaining a high level of dorkiness, I get invited to do all the cool things. Seriously, I feel like the popular kids invited me to their table! So I am starting a new series called What’s Happening Wednesday. Here is where I can share some of the events, reviews, and giveaways of which I am a part. Now it will be very embarrassing if there is no second What’s Happening Wednesday, but we are going to believe (or at least I am going to believe) that I will stay hip and “Happening”.
Yesterday, my blog allowed me (again!) to be cool to my kids. And as they get older that becomes more and more important. How did this miracle occur? Here’s a hint…
Yes, that is a reserved sign (the closest to velvet ropes and a big man with a list that I’ve gotten). And it was reserved for me! (And a few select others — tee hee hee!) And who is that on the sign — the Annie’s bunny!
Do you know the Annie’s bunny? Boy, do my kids. Especially my son. He loves the little ones that come in purple bags. (An organic alternative to a certain famous fish snack.)
So the folks at Annie’s are expanding their kid-friendly organic options to include frozen pizzas. And two very groovy ladies, Heidi at Free Fun in Austin and Nicole at LiveMom, invited me to the roll out at Whole Foods Market. There were games…
And of course, pizza… (Review to follow)
A truck with a garden in the back! My kids were fascinated by that.
(Note that he is holding on tight to those little bunnies!)
Here are my favorite bunnies in front of the bunny truck…
And of course, swag!!!! Yes another swag bag for this hip chick.
Big thanks to my growing blogging community and Annie’s for a fun, free afternoon with my kids.
But no, that’s not all. More is happening. From this same group, I have gotten two other opportunities: a book review and a fabulous local giveaway.
I am reading “The Thriving Child: Parenting Successfully Through Allergies, Asthma, and Other Common Challenges” by Erica Reid. I can’t wait to share my thoughts when I’m finished.
And yes, I said “Giveaway”. This is an Austin giveaway only (so sorry to my many other geographically distanced friends) but if you have friends or family in the area, please spread the word.
The lovely Jill Ventimiglia of Just Jill Cosmetics is giving away a free signature facial. On my blog! Yay! So here is the link to my first What’s Happening Giveaway.
So that’s what’s happening in my world this Wednesday, what’s happening with you?
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Posted in Austin, Product Reviews, What's Happening
Tagged Austin, Product Review, What's Happening
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A Star Review #3 — CSN and Hoover
Well, my friends over at CSN have done it again. I asked and boy did I receive! As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I was in the market for an alternative to my heavy (and I mean HEAVY) duty vacuum. Having a daughter in love with Cheerios and a son who tracks in enough dirt to create an indoor garden, I was vacuuming everyday. So when CSN asked me to do a review, I knew right where I was going — straight to the vacuum department!
I looked over the very large selection that ranged from stick vacuums to canister style and landed on the hand-held options. That’s where I found the Hoover Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum. Because what do I hate more than spilt cereal? Spilt milk, of course! But I am not crying anymore. (Sorry. You guys know that I can’t resist a bad pun or an overused metaphor.)
Now as usual, CSN got it right out to me and I have been running it through the courses. The vacuum has a nice weight to it and a good amount of pickup. It is light enough that my kids like to help clean up those aforementioned messes and it works well for tight spaces and baseboards.
On the whole, I am very pleased with the vacuum. It does require a full overnight charge before using. It is a little difficult removing the filter wedge to empty the collected trash. I appreciate that it needs to be a watertight fit but I wish that there was a helpful tab, or the like, It is a minor complaint, however, and to answer the key question, “Would I recommend it to my friends?” — the answer is “Yes!”
And I always recommend CSN!
Now for all the disclaiming, etc. I was not compensated for this post. CSN provided me the Hoover Hand Vacuum for the purpose of the review. The opinion reflected is mine and mine alone. Check out CSN to form your own. 
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I’m Sweeping Up!
I live in a small apartment with two very busy kids. Staying above the fray is tricky. Between errant Cheerios and lost Goldfish, I vacuum everyday. But I am tired to hauling out the enormous, fifty pound heavy duty vacuum. So I want a lightweight vacuum. I mean I REALLY want one. So where do I go when I need something? CSN, of course! These guys have everything. Whether you need bar stools, handbags, or stick vacuums, they have it.
So, how happy was I when they asked me to review a product? SOOOO happy (said in annoying sing-song manner!) These guys just keep sharing the love with me. And it was a no-brainer what I would be looking at — vacuums!!! They have stick vacuums, hand-helds, even wet/dry vacs. So much to choose from!
Stay tuned and I’ll let you know what I choose! Because I am sweeping up with CSN!
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A Star Review #2 — Mommy Meditations
Have I mentioned lately that I love blogging?
One of the reasons I love blogging is the wonderful opportunities I have had to meet people, to learn about something that they believe in, their goals and dreams for that project, and sometimes when I am super lucky… participate in some way.
I was contacted by Mommy Meditations about writing a review for their new CD. Filled with guided meditations, “MOMtras”, and beautiful music, it targets the new mom as she faces the inevitable changes physically, emotionally, and spiritually following birth.
Now I am a ways from that difficult time as my younger child is three but I remember those tough days. So I was open to listening to the CD and seeing if it was something that I would recommend.
First, I wanted to learn about the people behind the CD. In a press release, the story of Mommy Meditations was shared. As new parents, Devin Bailey and his wife faced the daunting likelihood of post-partum depression. Wanting to be proactive and to address the issue with other tools besides drugs, they researched their options. They found Dr. Kerri S. Parks, OB-GYN and formed a bond and partnership that led to the creation of Mommy Meditations.
Dr. Parks is the voice of Mommy Meditations. Her voice is so perky that at the top I wondered if this woman could have an understanding of the depths of despair that can follow even the most desired child. Well, this is a woman who knows from what she speaks. A survivor of post-partum depression herself and a tremendous tragedy in the last days of her fourth pregnancy, she has experienced the highs and lows of motherhood. She shares much of her story on the CD in her introduction or you can learn more here.
So the people behind the CD had me intrigued but would I be inspired? Would this little CD help an overwhelmed, frazzled, sleep-deprived woman? While no longer a mother of a newborn, I fit much of that description. So I feel that I can speak with some authority on the quality of the CD.
After Dr. Parks shares her personal story, she introduces the concept and what the listener should expect from the upcoming meditation. Now I have a confession, I have never been good at meditation (which arguably makes me a great candidate for this review) so I appreciated this preparation. She then leads the listener through a guided exercise focusing on relaxing each part of the body starting with the toes.
It is hard for me to maintain focus in this arena but Dr. Parks addresses this tendency by encouraging the listener to notice how they are feeling honestly. Do you feel sweaty? Is the position uncomfortable? The meditation felt patient for lack of a better word. Simply put, I didn’t feel guilty for my distracting thoughts. I was drawn back in and redirected.
After the meditation, there are a series of mantras called “Momtras”. She encourages the listener to say them aloud but acknowledges that this might not be possible. This is the part of the CD that I enjoyed most. Even as a mother of school-age and preschool-age children, I have moments (many) of feeling inadequate, anxious, and frustrated. Few of the Momtras are directed at mothers of infants. They are simply good reminders to all mothers.
The Momtras stress the value of mothers in their children’s lives. The importance in caring for themselves and appreciating where they are in that moment. What mother doesn’t need that?
The CD ends with music to be played during meditation or anytime to soothe. I listened to it in the car while my children were debating the existence of unicorns in the Batman world. Now there’s a moment that needs a little calming influence.
So back to the original question — would I be inspired? The short answer is yes. I especially liked the emphasis on being in control of my emotions if not always my situation. More than that, I like the perspective that Mommy Meditations brings. It is not attempting to replace drugs when they are needed. Dr. Parks in her introduction and in her Momtras validates the need of some woman to seek medical help during this time.
I needed anti-depressants for a while after my daughter. I will acknowledge that right now. And like many, I have been bothered by those celebrities and doctors alike that suggest that vitamins and deep breathing is all that is needed to rise above what they deem “baby blues”. I would, however, have loved other tools in my box to help me be the best wife, mother, and human I could. That is what Mommy Meditations offers and I believe that it reaches this goal well.
So would I recommend it to my friends? Yes. And that of course means you.
I received no compensation for this post. Mommy Meditations provided me with the CD for the purpose of review only. The opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
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A Star Review #1 — CSN and Little Tikes
Those of you who knew me as 38Traci know that I am a HUGE fan of CSN. Before the final days of 38 and Growing, they offered me the chance to review a product of my choice.
Well, I could NOT resist the opportunity to get something for my kiddos. And boy, did I! The incredible folks over at CSN sent me a Little Tikes Adjust ‘n Draw Table.
And it’s made in the U.S.A. — which is an awesome bonus!
So here is the nitty-gritty. It took less than a week from order to delivery. The Fed-Ex guy knocked on my door and I was aghast. (A little extra kudos to Fed-Ex. The delivery guy was polite. He did not drop and run. and the box was immaculate — way to go Fed-Ex!)
So yay to CSN for quick and accurate processing and quick delivery. I am loving you guys all the more!
Now on to the Little Tikes table.
Look how excited my kids are just looking at the box.
First assembly… There are very few pieces — five large heavy-duty plastic pieces and corresponding screws. The instructions indicate that a Phillips head screwdriver is needed.
Here is my team at work…
And here is a picture of me trying to look like I had anything to do with putting this thing together.
You will notice that my son looks more effective than I!
And as my husband did the real work, I shall defer to him on the assembly process. He said that the instructions were very simple and overall he found it easy to assemble. His one complaint was that there are no pre-drilled holes for the screws and he found it somewhat difficult to get the screws started with the prescribed Phillips head screwdriver. After he retrieved his drill with a Philips head bit, however, he found it very easy.
So here’s the result.
Pretty awesome, right? This table has multiple age-appropriate stages. It is made for ages 18 months to 5 years. And it starts with the table flush to the seats as a solid kneeling table for toddlers. My kiddos are older so we have it set to the highest setting (which is ample enough to accomodate my almost seven year old). There is a middle setting, as well.
The top two settings allow the desk to rotate into an easel.
Such a cute model!!!
Now I was very excited by the adjustable options of this table and this was my one disappointment. It is not too difficult to raise or lower the flat top but I found it tricky to rotate the top for the easel. We have since returned the table to the flat position and left it that way.
But overall, I think it is FABULOUS! I would definitely recommend it to friends and that means, of course, that I recommend it to you!
Thanks again, CSN, you made my kid’s day which means you made mine!
I received no compensation for this post. CSN provided me with the table for the purpose of review only. The opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
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