Hail Merry® Merry Bites™

Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer.  As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog.  The opinions in this post are my own.

Whether for myself or my kids, I am always on the hunt for nutritious snacks that are not only good for us, but tasty too.  Lat month Moms Meet asked if I would be interested in trying Hail Merry's Merry Bites.  And after reading about Hail Merry's Merry Bites and doing a little research to see what other moms were saying about them, I said yes.  My package arrived about two weeks ago and I'm so glad that I decided to give them a try.  Keep scrolling to find see the adorable package they sent me as well as my first impression and unboxing video!

What I Received

Before I get into exactly what in my package, can we take a moment to admire how pretty the Hail Merry tin is?  How adorable is this tin?  The lid features the Hail Merry Queen surrounded by stars and "Raw Love" underneath while the side of the actual tin is decorated with the words "Vegan," "Raw," and "Gluten-Free" all separate by cute little blue hears.  And the use of our nation's patriotic colors only adds to the cuteness factor.  I think this is probably the cutest package I've "ever received from a sponsor.  Other companies should definitely take note.

Nestled inside of this cute tin were the following:

• 1 Hail Merry fitted baseball cap


• 1 Hail Merry poncho style t-shirt


• 1 Caramel Sea Salt Merry Bites sample pack


• 1 Pure Vanilla Macaroon Merry Bites sample pack


• 1 Lemon Macaroon Merry Bites sample pack


• 1 Salted Brownie Merry Bites sample pack


• 1 Dark Chocolate Macaroon Merry Bites sample pack


• 1 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Merry Bites sample pack


• 1 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Merry Bites full-size sample


• 1 Hail Merry information pamphlet


• 2 Hail Merry roller durby girl temporary tattoos


• 2 Hail Merry Merry Bites coupons

What I Liked

What liked right away about the Merry Bites was that they were gluten-free, vegan and made from 100% plant-based ingredients.  There weren't any artificial preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or other not so healthy ingredients.  Merry Bites are certified vegan, C.L.E.A.N., gluten-free, peanut-free (they contain almonds though), paleo-friendly and Non-GMO verified.  In the spirit of full disclosure Moo nor JJ could try these because they are allergic to almonds in addition to peanuts.  However, if they weren't this is exactly the snack I'd purchase for them.

I enjoyed that the Merry Bites came in six different flavor varities: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Caramel Sea Salt, Salted Brownie, Pure Vanilla Macaroon, Lemon Macaroon, and Dark Chocolate Macaroon.  Out of all six flavors my absolute favorites were the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Dark Chocolate Macaroon and Caramel Sea Salt.  I don't think you can wrong with those flavors if you're looking to just taste test Merry Bites for yourself.  The shredded coconut and coconut oil made these so moist and almost melt in your mouth soft, chewy and the maple syrup along with the vanilla add just the right amount of sweetness.

I was definitely bummed when all of my Merry Bites were gone. Thankfully, they threw in some coupons for some more.  I can't wait to scurry to my local Whole Foods or Fresh Market to pick up some.  I've already raved about how much I liked the packaging.  Seriously they had everything packed away so neatly.  And the t-shirt was wrapped in a cute ribbon that I will be repurposing as a hair ribbon for my puff. #NaturalHairLife  Check out my First Impression and Unboxing video below to see all of my reactions to the different flavors.

Visit HailMerry.com/where-to-buy to find out if a grocer near you sells Merry Bites.  Trust me you want regret trying them.  If you don't have stores near you that sell these be sure to put in a request.  You can also keep up with Hail Merry and any future product releases by giving them a like on Facebook, following them on Twitter or following them on Instagram.

And if you do get a chance to try Merry Bites or any of the other Hail Merry products-Miracle Tarts and Mini Miracle Tarts-feel to stop by and let me know how you liked them.

What is your favorite healthy snack?

Murchison-Hume: The Natural And Effective Way To A Beautifully Clean Home

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Moms Meet, May Media Group LLC, and Murchison-Hume.  I received this product free to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own. 

Do you know what's in your cleaners?  Seriously, when was the last time you picked up a bottle of spray cleaner and read the ingredients?  Chances are there are a ton of harsh and harmful chemicals in it.  While I'm not above pulling out the disinfectant spray every now and again during cold season, for the part I do prefer to clean our home with products that have natural ingredients and that line up with our journey to living a healthier, more honest lifestyle.  Therefore, I was glad when Moms Meet reached out to see if I was interested in trying out the Murchison-Hume Home Starter Kit.

Murchison-Hume was started by former fashion editor Max Kater after doctors diagnosed Charlie, her son, with allergies to common household soaps and cleaning products.  "Armed with a mother's determination, I set out to create safe cleaning solutions for my son's sensitive skin that were simple to use (and actually worked).  As a mom of two kids with sensitive skin and allergies, I commend Max on taking matters into her hands and creating Murchison-Hume.  We moms will do anything for children including making a line of cleaning and personal care products made from naturally-derived ingredients. 

What I Received

Murchison-Hume not only specializes in cleaning products, but personal care products like hand soaps and pet wash as well.  Also, they have a variety of starter kits to choose from to suit your needs.  For my testing purposes I received the following cleaning products in my Murchison-Hume Home Starter Kit:

• Murchison-Hume Spit & Polish Stainless Steel Cleaner
• Murchison-Hume Everyday Furniture & Upholstery Cleaner
• Murchison-Hume Effortless Floor Cleaner
• Murchison-Hume Premium Glass Polish
• Murchison-Hume Counter Safe All-Purpose Cleaner
• Murchison-Hume Ladies' Bathroom Cleaner
• 1 Murchison-Hume Jute Tote

What I Liked & Didn't Like

Hands down the Murchison-Hume Counter Safe All-Purpose Cleaner was my favorite.  We are constantly busy here.  Therefore I can greatly appreciate the simplicity of an all-purpose cleaner.  Who has time to use a million and one different cleaners?  With this one cleaner, I can clean the stove top, the counters, coffee tables, TV stand, remotes and anything else with a hard surface.

I highly recommend ordering multiples of this spray because it will automatically become your go-to.  And the Australian White Grapefruit scent leaves your home smelling nice and fresh.  It also comes in an Original Fig scent.  So I'm ordering one of each.

My next favorite was Murchison-Hume Ladies' Bathroom Cleaner.  Bathrooms around here get dirty (and smelly) fast.  Thankfully this spray is a 2-in-1 because it's a surface cleaner and air freshener!  Talk about pulling double duty.  Be sure to follow the directions and leave this on for tough stains and stuck on dirt.  I chose to spray down the counters, sinks, tubs and outside toilet area and let the spray sit while I swept and cleaned the toilet bowl.

The dirt wiped away smoothly with no problems.  Although, you might have to put a little elbow grease in for the tub because we all tubs require a little more effort to clean.  I also received the Australian White Grapefruit scent for this one, but comes in Original Fig as well. 

Murchison-Hume Premium Glass Polish is a must-have in my book.  When you have as many mirrored and glass surfaces as we do, then you know that kids will be kids and smudge them all up every chance they get.  Also, you know that these surfaces can and will attract a good amount of dust.  Thankfully this spray is also a 2-in-1 because it not only polishes all of those sticky smudges from little fingers, but it works to prevent dust re-settling.

With four pairs of feet roaming through Casa de YUMMommy on a daily basis plus our battle against tracking in pet hair from our neighbors' dogs, our floors need daily love.  And now with JJ able to open up the frig and get what he wants whether he can actually carry it or not, our floors need love multiple times on some days.  The Murchison-Hume Effortless Floor Cleaner has really come in handy for both of these situations.   A little bit goes a long way with this floor cleaner.  So be sure to follow the directions and dilute the spray. 

Unfortunately I haven't gotten a chance to try out the Murchison-Hume Spit & Polish Stainless Steel Cleaner yet because our rental has zero stainless steel.  However, our house will have stainless steel appliances and I can't wait to if this works as well as the other products have.  I have no doubt that my kids' little fingers will be drawn to smudging up our appliances once we move.

While I liked the Murchison-Hume Everyday Furniture & Upholstery Cleaner, you really have to scrub, rinse and respray went it comes to lifting up darker stains like red drink.  Unfortunately JJ spilled some of his strawberry juice one day and it took two good scrubs and rinses to lift it out and in some areas the stain didn't lift completely.   

Lastly, I really love that fact that these products don't contain any harsh chemicals like ammonia, parabens, etc.  They also 100% cruelty-free and are made right here on American soil!  The packaging is recyclable, which is another huge plus for us since we're all about trying to live as Green and eco-friendly as possible for our family.

Overall, I'm very pleased with my Murchison-Hume Home Starter Kit and am purchasing more of these products.  I feel a lot better about using these products in our home in comparison to a few of our old ones.  Who says you need harmful chemicals to have a beautifully clean home?! You can stay up to date on new products and sales by following Murchison-Hume on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

How do you keep your home clean?  Share a cleaning tip below. 

Rainbow Light Power Sours and Bear Essentials Multivitamin Gummies

Disclosure: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.

As parents it's important to make sure that our children are getting the right amount of nutrition so that they can grow up healthy and strong.  Whether or not your child is a picky eater, it can be hard to make sure that they are getting all of their vitamins through their food on a daily basis.  Thankfully, there are a variety of multivitamins available to pick up the slack so to speak.  Speaking of multivitamins, we recently got the opportunity to try out Rainbow Light Power Sours and Bear Essentials Multivitamin Gummies.  You can find out what we liked about each multivitamin below.

What We Liked Most

One of the first things I liked about the Power Sours and Bear Essentials was the packaging.  The all of the important information such as quantity, flavors, etc is easy to read.  There's nothing more frustrating than having to pick through tiny text to find out what flavor a product is or what's the net weight, etc.  The actual plastic pouches that the vitamins come are super easy to open.  This is great when you have children who want to be independent and open their own vitamins.

Plus, who has time to wrestle with hard to open packaging or hunt down scissors everyday?  Not I.  We all liked that the multivitamin gummies looked and tasted like candy.  If you've ever had to give a child medicine, you know it can be a very difficult task.  By making the vitamins gummies with a sweet and sour flavor, Rainbow Light helped to make vitamins more appealing to my kids and their taste buds.

Speaking of taste, I liked that there are NO artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners used in these vitamins.   Personally, I feel that artificial ingredients subtract from the nutrients of vitamins (and food in general) when used.  I felt confident that my kids were getting all of their vitamins and no harmful stuff.

Power Sours and Bear Essentials both support optimal growth and development which is huge for me having a special needs child with developmental issues.  I like that he's getting additional nutrients to support his development.  They also promote healthy bones, brain and eyes as well as balance energy.

And of the biggest reasons we'll be ordering more Power Sours and Bear Essentials is that they are gluten-free and soy-free.  Both of my kids are allergic to gluten and JJ is also highly allergic to soy.  It's been a struggle in the past to find vitamins that were both gluten-free and soy-free.

Overall, we really enjoyed trying out the Rainbow Light Power Sours and Bear Essential Multivitamin Gummies.  The only complaints came from Moo.  Her issue was she felt like she wasn't getting the same amount of vitamins with the Bear Essentials because there were only three bears to a pack whereas, the Power Sours were four to a pack.  I did explain to her that the bears were much larger than the Power Sours and so everything did in fact equal out and she wasn't getting swindled. LOL.

So, if you're in the market for a new multivitamin for your littles be sure to give these a try. The Power Sours are $17.99/box and the Bear Essentials are $18.49/box.  Be sure to check out the Rainbow Light official website and you can find them on Facebook and Twitter.

How do you make sure your kids are getting all of their vitamins?

4 Wonder-FALL Things To Enjoy With Family This Autumn

Visit Local Farms

I might live in the city now, but I'll always be a country girl at heart.  Last year, we finally ventured out and explored one of the local farms here in the Queen City.  Let me tell you, if you haven't visited one of the local or nearby farms in your area during the fall, you should.  There's so much to do like visiting the pumpkin patch, picking apples fresh from the orchard and Moo's favorite, getting to feed and see the animals!

There are activities for children of all ages.  With Halloween coming up, many farms even have corn and hay mazes.  This is one family activity that everyone needs to add their fall bucket lists.  Visiting a local farm will be both fun and educational!  Kids will get to see where the ingredients for their favorite fall foods (like soup) come from while having space to run around.

Get Crafty

Fall is such a beautiful season with the leaves changing colors.  Why not bring some of that beauty indoors with fall crafts like making wreaths, paper mache pumpkins, handprint turkeys and more.  Moo and JJ absolutely crafting on the weekends.  Recently we went on a nature walk to collect twigs, pine cones and acorns to make a few fall vases and table wreaths.  We all had a blast!  

Remember, the weather will continue to get cooler for many of us and there will be days when going to park isn't feasible.  For those days, a having a great craft planned out will certainly come in handy to help fight off cabin fever and keep the kids entertained. 

Host Family Movie Nights

We don't watch much tv during the spring or summer months. Between trips to the park, the pool and family cookouts, screen time is the last thing on our agenda.  But come autumn, all this changes.  Fall is hands down the best time of year enjoy screen time with the family, especially hosting family movie nights.

In case you didn't know, fall is the official kickoff to the holiday season.  With Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas right around the corner, every weekend there's never a shortage off tv movies (new and old) to watch on your favorite channels.  What could be more homey when it's cold outside than snuggling together as a family in front of the tv with a fresh bowl of buttery (soy butter in our case) popcorn in the warm of your home?

Eat Soup

Did you know that studies have shown family mealtime is one of the best times for parents to bond with their children?  However, in the fall aka Fall Soup Season, mealtime can end up rushed between work, picking the kids up from school, getting homework done, cooking dinner and making sure they get a decent night's sleep.  Why not let Publix and Progresso help you spend less time at the stove and more time bonding around the dinner table?!

Right now you can stock up on family favorites like Traditional Chicken Noodle, Rich & Hearty New England Clam Chowder or Traditional Italian Wedding.  This year we added Rich & Hearty Beef Pot Roast with Country Vegetables and gluten-free Traditional Chicken Rice with Vegetables to the mix as well.  What's meal screams HELLO FALL more than a warm, delicious soup made from quality ingredients?  Progresso soups have no MSG added, no artificial flavors, are low in fat and calories and they offer a variety of gluten-free options for those of us with gluten allergies!

Need more incentive to try out Progresso's Traditional or Rich & Hearty soups?  Well, you can head into your local Publix and enjoy the following deals:

Oct 1st - Oct 7th: Buy One, Get One (BOGO) on all canned varieties of Progresso soup (this is an in-store coupon)

Oct 5th - Oct 18th:  $1 off any 2 cans of all varieties of Progresso soup (this is an in-store coupon, offered at the shelf)

Oct 1st - Oct 30th:  $1 off any 4 cans of all varieties of Progresso soup (Print here)

To make it even easier for you to enjoy Fall Soup Season with Publix and Progresso, I'm hosting a $15 PayPal Cash giveaway!  All you have to do is use the widget below to enter.  This giveaway is open to US residents 18 and older.

Fall Soup Season $15 PayPal Cash Giveaway

What are some of your family's favorite fall activities?

 

VTech Flipsies™ | Jazz's Convertible & Stage

Disclosure:  This product was provided by VTech to facilitate this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When it comes to creating toys that are educational, fun and teaches positives messages, VTech is our go-to brand here in the YUMMommy household.  We own several of their Go! Go! Smart Wheels sets and cars, Tote & Go laptops and more.  So when they reached out to see if we'd be interested in checking out one of their new Flipsies™ sets, we said yes.  Their offer couldn't have come at a better time as Moo had been asking to get one since she first saw the commercials.  We got Jazz's Convertible & Stage.

What We Liked

• 2-in-1:  Jazz comes with a convertible that transforms to a music stage and ten accessories- wigs (2), guitar, microphone, sunglasses, camera, purse, cell phone and removable tops (2).  Retailing for just $19.99, this is a steal.  Kids can choose to play with Jazz and the convertible together or independently as two separate toys.  Either way, they have two toys for the price of one.

• Fun Features:  Most kids like toys that light up, talk and are transformable.  Jazz talks and sings, her necklace and the car's headlights light up as well as the two lights on the stage.  With the interchangeable wigs, tops and accessories, kids can transform Jazz into a rock star.  Let's not forget that the car converts into a stage too!

• Overall Design:  Moo absolutely loves the colors of Jazz's convertible, especially the purple because it's her favorite color.  VTech did a great job of choosing colors that are bright and cheery without being overpowering.  Since Jazz is a rock star, the music notes on the car's hood, sides, tires and trunk are the perfect touch.  The stage really comes to life with the disco ball, flip out speakers and background concert image.  We also love that Jazz's tops and wigs are removeable.

via Facebook

• Positive Messaging: Imaginative play can be more than educational.  Why not make it inspirational and empowering as well?  That's exactly what VTech did with the Flipsies™.  With the slogan "Let your dreams shine!™" each Flipsies™ doll set encourages kids to dream big and empowers them to have the courage to be whatever they want to be when they grow up.  It was a complete coincidence that we got Jazz, but she was perfect for Moo, who wants to pursue singing professionally someday.

What We Didn't Like

Honestly, there wasn't anything we didn't like about Jazz.  Moo was a bit disappointed that the disco ball didn't light up or spin, but that didn't stop her from loving her Flipsies™.  And my only suggestion would be to increase the appropriate age level from 4 to 9 years old to 5 to 9 years old.  Having JJ, who is 4 years old, I think that most kids this age are still prone to put small things in their mouthes.  However, if you do get this toy for your 4 year old, supervise them with the small accessories like I do.

You can check out the entire Flipsies™ collection and find the perfect set for your little one here.  Don't forget to follow VTech on Facebook and Twitter so that you stay up to date on the latest product releases, sales and more.  Also, the Flipsies™ has their own official website where kids can play games, watch videos and more.  There's even a Parent Corner.

What positive messaging or educational features do you like to see in toys?

Monster High: Boo York, Boo York {Giveaway}

Disclosure:  This giveaway is sponsored by Universal Home Entertainment.

Our favorite ghouls are back at it again. Seriously, you guys should know by now that Moo can't get enough of Clawdeen, Draculaura, Frankie, Cleo and the rest of the Monster High gang.  This time around the gang is headed to Boo York in the first-ever Monster High musical, Boo York, Boo York dropping on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD combo pack on Tuesday, September 29th.  Bring on the fright lights and big city!

Cleo de Nile gets invited to attend a fancy gala to celebrate the return of a magical comet.  Of course she invites her BFFs (Beast Friends Forever) because what's a trip to the big city without your girls?!  Needless to say their trip won't be all fun, shopping and frightseeing.

Cleo's sister, Nefera, decides harness the magical comet's powers to use for her own spooktacularly sneaky plans.  Will our fave Monster High ghouls be able to unwrap the mystery of the magical comet and stop Nefera's plan before it's too late?  Guess you'll have to watch Boo York, Boo York to find out.  The musical will feature 8 original songs.

Want to win a copy of Monster High: Boo York, Boo York for the Monster High fan in your life?  We have you covered.  Universal was kind enough to offer to give three of you a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo pack.  So just use the Gleam widget below to enter.  And don't forget to spread the word!  This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years & older.

Monster High Boo York, Boo York Combo Packs
Check out a sneak peek of Boo York, Boo York, the Monster High musical below.

Don't forget you can purchase your combo packs at these retailers:

Amazon
Walmart.com

Destiny: Step Into Your Purpose

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Faith Words.  I received a complimentary copy of Destiny to facilitate this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I was first introduced to the ministries of Bishop T. D. Jakes through my mom.  Growing up my siblings and I knew it was time to get up and get ready for church when we heard Bishop T. D. Jakes shouting "Get ready, get ready, get ready!"  My mom faithfully watched The Potter's House every Sunday morning before church when we got cable.  She has almost every book he's ever written and the songs from his Sacred Love Songs cd are forever memorized in my head from years of hearing her play them in the house and the car.  So when Faith Words reached out to me to see if I would be interested in reviewing his new book Destiny: Step into Your Purpose, of course I said yes.

If you're like me, I'm sure that many of us have often wondered what your purpose is.  I know that I've asked myself (and God) many times "Why am I here?"  Is there more to our lives than just living day to day and bills?  After all we are all put on Earth for a higher calling/deeper reason, right?  

Many of us are of tired going through life feeling like we have no true purpose.  Others of us might have already discovered what our purpose/calling is, but need help navigating this series of adventures called life in order to reach that destiny.  In Destiny, Bishop Jakes not only reminds us that we each have a predestined purpose, but he also teaches us how to uncover, achieve and protect our destiny.  And because we live in a time where it seems more and more people looking for elevator routes to living their purpose Bishop Jakes reminds us that there are no shortcuts.  We have to take the steps!

When the Bible said that we could do all things through Christ, that included letting God guide our steps and having the patience to see our journey to our destiny through.  What I love about this book and so many other books from Bishop Jakes is that he doesn't just say do this, this and this.  Instead, he provides personal stories/learned lessons and observations coupled with advice and tips.  Essentially, Destiny is a step-by-step guide for those of us who are ready to STEP into our purpose and stop going around and around in a circle or living a life of mediocrity. 

President Obama once said, "We are the authors of our own destiny."  Yes, God has purpose planned out for us already, but He gave us the freewill to either create journey that either aligns with that purpose or leads us from it.  So if you're ready to get serious and put in work (remember use the StairMaster not the elevator) to write out and step into yours, Destiny: Step into Your Purpose by Bishop T. D. Jakes is definitely a must-read for you!

About Author

T. D. Jakes is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 books.  His television ministry program The Potter's Touch is watched by 3.3 million viewers every week.  He has produced Grammy Award-winning music and such films as Heaven Is for Real, Sparkle, and Jumping the Broom.  A master communicator, he hosts Megafest, Woman Thou Art Loosed, and other conferences attended by tens of thousands.

You can order your copy of Destiny: Step into Your Purpose from the following retailers:

Amazon

Target

Walmart

Have you ever wondered what your destiny/purpose was? 

Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend Of The Lost Treasure

Disclosure:  This post and giveaway are sponsored by Universal Home Entertainment.

Thomas the Tank Engine has been a part of my life since my little brother arrived on the scene.  I can recall countless afternoons of sitting him in front of the television and being so fascinated by the many adventures of Thomas and his best pals as they worked hard to be "really useful engines" on the Sodor Island.  Fast forward to 2013 and I found myself enjoying Thomas and the gang all over again with my son.  To say that JJ adores "Tom," Percy, Hiro, Caitlin (his faves) and the rest of the gang would an understatement.  Therefore, it's needless to say that we are excited to be celebrating Thomas' 70th anniversary with the release of the new movie Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure and the introduction of four NEW friends on Tuesday, September 8th!

This movie is sure to be adventure packed as Thomas tries to hunt for Sodor's lost treasure and ends up unearthing an old pirate ship.  Can you say "Shiver me timbers?!"  It's no surprise that Thomas will rock boat with some new friends because where there is a possible pirate's treasure there is sure to be a bit of trouble, right?

Will Thomas be able to track down the treasure in time or will Sailor John set sail with it?  Find out on September 8th, when you join Thomas & Friends for what is being described as "their most daring adventure yet!"  Just see for yourself in the movie preview below.

And if you have a Thomas & Friends fanatic/lover in your household, I have a treat for you.  Universal Home Entertainment has gifted me with three Blu-ray combo packs to giveaway to YUMMommy readers!  All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can preorder Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure from the following retailers:

Walmart

Target

Amazon

A Sapphire Season

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Faith Words.  I received a complimentary copy of A Sapphire Season to facilitate this review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

 

1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us that "Love is patient and kind," but often times we forget the patient part.  Being patient doesn't just apply to being slow to anger or act when it comes to our loved ones.  Waiting on God to do His will in our lives is part of remaining patient as well.

In Lynn Morris' A Sapphire Season, we meet Lady Mirabella Tirel.  Once upon a time Mirabella was in love with the young and handsome Captain James Pryce, but due to the disapproval of her parents and his untimely death the two never married and she ended up heartbroken.  Her quest to get married no longer centered mostly around finding a spouse she could connect to romantically.  Instead, as Mirabella prepares to head to London for the "Marriage Market" season, she's determined to take a more practical and less fairytale-ish approach to snagging an engagement.  Little does Mirabella know God is about to derail HER plans for His own.

Sir Giles Knyvet has been Mirabella's best friend almost since before they were born.  Being neighbors it was inevitable that these two were destined to bond and be a part of each other's lives.  Like most besties these two confide almost everything to each other.  However, Giles is sitting on a secret.  He wishes Mirabella saw him as more than just a friend (if only Biz Markie had been born in the 1800s).  And to make matters worse, Giles' parents left him with a mountain of debt to settle.

Mirabella on the other hand is rich and too oblivious to the fact that her best friend is head over heels in love with her.  In fact, she doesn't become "aware" of Giles until they dance one night at a ball.

"I suppose it's that I've never really been aware of Giles as man.  No, that's silly, of course I know he's a man.  I just never have been so conscious of his physical presence, how I can feel the warmth of him, and I've always loved his scent, . . ."

Now that these two are aware of each other, will they each overcome the obstacles blocking their paths and join in holy matrimony?

A Sapphire Season, a historical Christian romance, is a delightful and easy flowing read.  I'm a hopeless romantic and have always been a fan of historical romances because of their romantic and tasteful feel/content.  Lynn Morris does a great job capturing this in my opinion.   While so many authors of doing Alpha males, it was nice and refreshing to see Giles being portrayed more as an average guy who's kind of shy/hesitant to put his heart out there so soon. 

I could relate to Mirabella being so scarred by her past experience that she felt like she had to choose between putting her heart on the line for romance or being practical and pushing love on the back burner in order to get married.  Heartbreak is never easy and it can break us if we allow it.  And focusing too long on those past heartbreaks and being a rush can cause us to miss out on THE one God has placed right in front of us.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading future books from Lynn Morris and seeing what adventures her characters will take me on next.

About Author

Lynn Morris is the bestselling author of over 25 novels.  She is the daughter of Christy Award-winning author Gilbert Morris, with whom she has often collaborated.  She lives in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

You can order a copy of A Sapphire Season from the following retailers:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Indiebound

Were you and your spouse best friends before you got married?

Someday Home

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Faith Words.  I received a complimentary copy of Someday Home to facilitate this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  However, Lynn Lundberg, Judith Rutherford and Angela Bishop can't but feel forsaken as each of their lives have been turned upside down my tragedy.  Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling tells the story of how together these three women help each other manage grief, start over and renew their faith all while forming a friendship.

The book opens with Lynn, whose life came crashing down almost two years prior when her husband Paul got sick and died out of the blue.  Talk about a major heartache.  I loved that as the reader I got to see Lynn battle not with overcoming her grief, but learning how to manage her grief so that she wasn't constantly reliving the past.  With the family's plumbing business slowing down and not bringing in enough money to support three families (Lynn and her two sons, Philip and Tommy) and being worried that's spending too much time depressed and alone, Philip suggests that Lynn sells her house and moves next door with him and his family- Maggie, his wife, and their three kids (2 boys and 1 girl).

Of course, Lynn will hear of nothing of the sort.  For her the house is not just a home, but her connection to her late husband and the memories they made over the years.  Judith spent much of her life taking care of her ill parents.  Her father promised her that she'd be taken care of when he passed for being such a good daughter and caring for them.  After her father's passing, she realizes that her definition and her father's definition of being "taken care of" weren't the same at all.

Instead of leaving Judith the family's estate to with as she will, her father set up a trust to have the estate turned into a heritage center.  She can't help but feel like her father deceived her.  And while we're talking about deception, can you imagine going out and sitting down to dinner in a fancy restaurant to celebrate your 25th wedding anniversary only to have your husband tell you that he filed for divorce earlier that same day?  Despite doing everything to remain a sense of appeal to her husband, this is exactly what happens to Angela.  She's completely blindsided by her husband's sudden need to find himself.

These ladies all meet after Lynn visits with her doctor who suggests that she look into shared housing as a solution to both financially help her be able to stay in her home and as a way for her find a new form of companionship through friendship.  Stubborn and a bit skeptical, Lynn needs a little push and her kids give her just that when Tommy decides to announce on his Facebook page that his mother is opened to sharing her home with other middle aged women who are at a crossroads in their lives and are seeking an alternative living arrangement.  Thus, the ladies meet and soon a friendship between the three start to blossom.

It's not all rainbows though.  While Judith and Lynn seem to bond the fast, it takes Angela a while to come out of her shell in my opinion.  Lynn also struggles with change and has a bit of a meltdown when her boys help Judith build a chicken coup on the property.  In the end these ladies learn how to work past their differences and become not only friends but a sisterhood.  

This was my first reading a book by Lauraine Snelling and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Lauraine did a great job of telling all three women's stories and creating characters that readers will become emotionally attached to.  Get your Kleenex or hankies because I did shed a tear or two reading this book.  I also applaud Lauraine for tackling serious issues such as moving on after death and divorce and painting a realistic portrayal of what it's really like.

I enjoyed the sharing living aspect of Someday Home as well because it's a lifestyle that I've grown up seeing since I was a baby.  I have three aunts on my mom's side who all share my grandparents old house.  Their stories are almost ideal to the main characters with one of my aunt's having loss her husband pretty quickly after he was diagnosis with liver disease and another who went through a rough divorce while trying to balance being a new mom and stopping her health from failing after her pregnancy put too much strain on her weak heart.  And my other aunt opted to stay home and become teacher once my grandparents got sick to help take care of them and pay for medical expenses.

Reading Someday Home has really made look at their situations through fresh lenses.  I never really took into consideration how challenging it must be to have three families under one roof.  Sure there have been times when they disagree, but that's what families do.  But now I feel like I have better sense of the amount of compromise and humbleness that it takes to fully embrace shared living. 

Last but not least the main characters' stories have reminded me that at the end of the day God always has a plan for our lives.  We just need to keep our minds and hearts open to allowing His will to be done instead of our own.  No matter how dark the road ahead of gets, He's always with us and will lead us to sunshine again if we allow Him.

About The Author

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than 65 novels.  Her books consistently appear on ECPA bestseller lists and have been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German.  A hallmark of her style is the empathy with which she explores difficult issues in her compelling stories.  Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a bassett named Sir Winston.  

You can order your copy of Someday Home from the following retailers:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Indiebound

Also, don't forget to check out Lauraine's official website for more information about her other works and to stay in the loop about future book releases. 

Would you ever consider shared living? How do you deal with sudden life changes?

Monster High Scaris: City of Frights {Giveaway}

Disclosure:  This giveaway is sponsored by Universal Home Entertainment.

"We are monsters, we are proud.  We are monsters, say it loud!"  When I hear Moo singing the lyrics to one of her favorite theme songs I don't have to guess what she's watching.  I already know without a doubt that she watching her all-time favorite shows/movies- Monster High.  Seriously, she can't get enough of Clawdeen, Draculaura, Frankie, Cleo and the rest of the gang. 

So you can only imagine her excitement when she saw they were releasing Scaris: City of Frights on July 7th.  In fact, she just stopped talking my head off about it until she saw the preview trailer again last week.  As a mom, I take comfort in the fact that Moo has gotten hooked on such a great animated series.  Monster High is all about teaching children of all ages the importance of being a true friend, embracing what makes you different and unity all while being funny and entertaining.  These monsters are not scary at all but chic, fashionable and very charming!

Needless to say we're excited to watch as Clawdeen Wolf gets the chance of a lifetime to win an apprenticeship with legendary fashion designer Madame Ghostier.  Of course the gang is tagging along to Scaris, France with Clawdeen for what is sure to be a howling adventure in the fashion capital.  As her besties take in the sights, Clawdeen will be busy competing against her two opponents, Skelita Calaveras and Jinafire Long.

While exploring, Frankie and Rochelle (Clawdeen's pals) soon uncover clues that lead them to a secret hidden deep below the cobblestone streets of Scaris.  What will they find in this mystery passage?  We can't wait to find out.  Will you be joining us as we watch the coolest ghouls around take off on this fangtastic adventure in the city where screams really do come true?!

Want to win a copy of Monster High Scaris: City of Frights for the Monster High fan in your life?  I have you covered.  Universal was kind enough to offer to give three of you a Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital combo pack.  So just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  And don't forget to spread the word!  This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years & older.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Check out a sneak peek of Scaris: City of Frights below.

Don't forget you can purchase your combo packs at these retailers:

Amazon
Walmart
Target

Xlear Care Kit

Disclosure:  I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer.  My opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of May Media Group LLC or Xlear, Inc.

I'm always on the lookout for products made with natural ingredients.  Why?  Well, I believe that products made from and with natural ingredients are better for our bodies than those made from artificial and/or harsh chemicals.  A few years ago I was introduced to Xlear, Inc. through Moms Meet and loved them.  So, I jumped at the chance to try out the products from their Xlear Care Kit.

What Was In My Kit

• Spry Bamboo Toothbrush
• Spry Oral Rinse (Spearmint flavor)
• Two Xlear Nasal Spray
• Two Spry Gems Mints (Lemon Creme and Berry flavors)
• Spry Gum (Peppermint flavor)

What I Liked

I've been using my Xlear Care Kit products for a little over a month now and I love them.  As a whole, I love that all of the products are made using natural ingredients, especially xylitol.  As I mentioned before I am very big fan of products with natural ingredients because they are often times better and less harmful for our bodies in my experience.  I also loved that because none of the products I received contained harsh chemicals, my whole family could use them!

The nasal spray is safe for daily use and helps to get rid of congestion, which is really great when you have allergies.  If you follow the dosage instructions on the box, your nasal spray should last you about to 2-3 months.

The toothpaste and oral rinse both had a great taste.  I really loved that the oral rinse had a lot of herbal extracts that I was familiar with like aloe vera, chamomile and even echinacea.  Growing up my mom always kept a few aloe plants on hand not only for personal hygiene, but medical purposes and she swore by echinacea for helping the body to fight off germs.  In comparison to other toothpaste brands, I think Spry is just as good at getting my family's teeth clean.

The gum and gem mints were the kids' favorites.  One of my pet peeve about other breath mints are that they can be too hard or too hot ( or spicy as Moo calls it).  Not the case with the gems, they crunch easily and thanks to the xylitol, a naturally occurring sweetener, they have a nice sweet taste and no burn,   The gum flavoring really lasts a super long time.  I strongly dislike when I chew a piece of gum and after two minutes the flavor gone.  Not a problem with the Spry Gum.

Love the toothbrush.  How awesome is it that I have a bamboo toothbrush now?!  Moo was a bit jealous when she found out there was only one of them in our box and that Mommy was not sharing it with her.

What I Didn't Like

The one complaint that I would have about my Xlear Care Kit is that the oral rinse is a little spicy according to Moo.  I'm not sure what they could to do to tone down the burn a little bit.  But as I said earlier, we love this kit.

How To Get Your Own Kit

Interested in trying out any of these Xlear/Spry products for yourself?  Well click here and use code SAVE50 to get your $65 Xlear Care Kit for only $25!  Talk about a great deal.

Also, don't forget to check out Xlear on Facebook, Twitter and Xlear.com to stay updated on new products as well as to find out where Spry products are sold in your area. 

Do you prefer products with all natural ingredients?

NoGii: Healthy Gluten-Free Snacks For Families On The Go

Disclosure:  I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer.  My opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of May Media Group LLC or NoGii.

Whether you're a family of one or four snacking healthy while on the go can be challenging.  As a wife, mommy of two and blogger I stay on the go quite a bit.  When hunger strikes while out and about it can be tempting to just settle for a junk food run at the gas station.  Thankfully, the lovely folks at Moms Meet have introduced me and the Mr to our new favorite healthy and gluten-free on-the-go snack brand- NoGii (noh-jee).

My goodies

A line of certified gluten-free protein bars, paleo bars and protein powders, NoGii has a variety of options and flavors for active families like mine to enjoy.  I was lucky enough to get try out their full product line with the exception of their Cocoa Chocolate Whey & Quinoa Protein and Cookies & Creme D'Lites.  They even sent me a copy of The G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide by Elisabeth Hasselbeck and a Live Gluten-Free tee.

What I Loved

• Gluten-Free:  For thousands of people eating foods with gluten can be life-threatening or cause severe illness.  Some of you may know that my children, Moo and JJ, are allergic to gluten.  Therefore, it's very important that anything they consume food that are gluten-free.  My husband and I have made the choice to also eat gluten-free 95% of the time as well.  (I'm still working on giving up Twizzlers and biscuits.)

• Family Friendly:  NoGii's products are safe for kids and can be enjoyed by the whole family.  No harmful chemicals or steroids to worry about.  Remember a family that snacks healthy together stays healthy together!

• Variety:  While NoGii offers only bars and Whey & Quinoa Protein, they have a good variety when it comes to flavors.  The Mr. YUMMommy's favorite was the Rocky Road Super Protein Bar.  I'm pretty sure he 80% of the box.  My favorites were the Nuts About Nuts Paleo Bar, Cookies & Creme Super Protein Bar and the Chocolate Caramel Bliss Protein D'Lites.  I'm also a fan of their Vanilla Whey & Quinoa Protein Powder.  I usually have it in the form of a smoothie for breakfast and after my evening workouts.  You can check out the other flavors below.

• Mom Made/Created:  NoGii is the brainchild of Elisabeth Hasselbeck.  So of you may remember her a former host of the award winning talk show The View.  She was also a contestant on Survivor. Elisabeth is also a wife, mom and New York Times best-selling author.  Diagnosed with celiac disease, she became committed to not only raising awareness about the illness, but to creating products that were gluten-free for others who are allergic to gluten or suffer from celiac disease as well.  I have to say that she did a great job and it's great to be supporting a fellow mompreneur.

• Packaging: I love that the packaging is sleek and the color schemes are kept simple.  The flavors and brand logo are easily identifiable.  The bars are easy to open which is important because who has time to struggle with opening up packaging?

What I Didn't Like

• Nuts & Dairy:  While the paleo bars are peanut free, they still contained nuts.  And the protein bars contained peanuts (some) and diary.  Unfortunately the kids weren't able to try any of the bars due to their dairy and nut allergies.  Additionally, JJ has an allergy to soy.  In the future I would love to see NoGii offer a nut and dairy free bar as well as soy free option.

Overall, I am very impressed with NoGii and have already added them to our regular grocery shopping list for myself and the Mr.  If you'd like to try out NoGii, check out your local Harris Teeter, Walgreens or use their store locator  to find out what store near you sells their products.

Don't forget to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date on new product offerings and more.   Also, be sure to enter the NoGii Tablesetters Contest.  You could win a trip to New York City with an opportunity to meet and have lunch with Elisabeth Hasselbeck.  Enter here before the contest ends on July 31, 2015.  Good luck and happy snacking!
  

What is your favorite on-the-go healthy snack?