Pink Dandy Vegan Whipped Satin Luxury Cream: A Review and Giveaway

As I sit here typing this review, I feel pampered with my most recent application of Pink Dandy Whipped Satin Luxury Cream for Hands & Body (4 ounces  - Vegan Friendly).  This cream is color-free, vegan and phthalate-free.  The product ingredients include:

• Grapeseed Oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, linoleic acid and other essential fatty acids; which, help to strengthen tissue cells and preserve the natural moisture of the skin.
• Coconut Oil is perfect for dry, itchy, sensitive skin. It will not clog pores and it absorbs readily into the skin.
• Cocoa Butter is well known for healing sun burnt skin and softening the appearance of stretch marks and wrinkles. This butter also has a high reputation for providing a barrier on the skin, which helps retain moisture and to help restore hydration to the skin. 

Pink Dandy Whipped Satin Luxury Cream for Hands & Body does the following: 

• Thick formula that deeply penetrates the skin

• Does not leave an oily or greasy residue

• Does not clog pores

• Gentle formula which is great for sensitive skin types

• Aids with the appearance of stretch marks and wrinkles

• Great formula for extremely dry skin and every day use

• Extremely hydrates skin

How do I like Pink Dandy Whipped Satin Luxury Cream for Hands & Body?  Thumbs up, peeps! The thickness of the cream feels a bit scandalous, like I'm spoiling myself, when I put it on.  I chose the Relaxing Blend (Lavender, Bergamot & Sweet Orange) from the Scents page (you can seriously customize the scent of the cream or any other product Pink Dandy offers!)--the scent is wonderful and has serious staying power.  I can apply the cream and smell good for hours!  Even though the cream is thick, it is not greasy and really moisturizes my skin.  I have some other habits I indulge in to relax and reward myself after a long day but  Pink Dandy Whipped Satin Luxury Cream for Hands & Body is an affordable luxury for my mind and body.  Plus, it's calorie-free!  For Mother's Day, any of the products Pink Dandy offers would provide affordable luxury for the mom in your life.

 

SHOP: Go to Pink Dandy and take 15% off your next online purchase when you use this code: Summer22 (exp 6/30/11).

WIN: One lucky Moana Saves reader will win Pink Dandy Whipped Satin Luxury Cream for Hands & Body (4 ounces  - Vegan Friendly) in the scent of her choice.  To enter this giveaway, go to the Scents page and then come back to leave a comment saying which Pink Dandy scent you'd love to try.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).

2. Become a  Google Friends Connect follower of Pink Dandy Chatter.
3. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
4. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

5. Follow Pink Dandy on Twitter.

6. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win the hand and body cream from @pinkdandy and @moanasaves ends 5/14 http://bit.ly/lhRkKN

7. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
8. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

9. Like the Pink Dandy Facebook page.

 

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends on 5/14/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Choffy Review and Giveaway

Choffy is brewed chocolate.  To say I was fascinated by the idea of Choffy when I heard about it is an understatement.   As a multi-tasking mom who works outside the home, I'm always on the go and often in need of gentle stimulant to stay going.  Add that to what I already know about koko samoa, a Samoan brewed chocolate drink and/or flavoring (for koko rice, for example), I was excited to try Choffy.  A healthy, chocolate-y, gentle energy boost?  I'm on it!

Choffy is simply 100% organic fair-trade roasted cacao beans that have been coarsely ground.  One makes Choffy as one would make coffee, steeping the cacao in a french press and then gently pressing down on them to extract flavor.  And how does it taste?  Deep and rich.  Did I mention that a 6 oz cup of Choffy has only 20 calories and 3 carbs?  True Story! The consistency of the brewed Choffy is like coffee or tea.  You can add milk and/or sugar to make your Choffy more like hot chocolate.  I'm experimenting with refrigerating Choffy for a cold, refreshing chocolate drink, adding the brew or ground beans to smoothies, and adding non-dairy natural creamers (like coconut milk) to my Choffy.

Here is some info about the health benefits of cacao beans from the Choffy website:

Antioxidants

• There are more antioxidants in an 8oz. cup of Choffy than a serving of blueberries! Choffy acts as a super-detoxifier, helping your body rid itself of the toxins that tax your system, keeping you younger, longer.

Theobromine

• Theobromine provides you with a healthy, heart-friendly, non-addictive energy lift without the crash or jitters of caffeine.

Circulation

• Drinking Choffy can help improve your blood circulation and even reduce blood pressure while protecting against vascular disease.

Feel Great

• Choffy can give you that feel good feeling of being focused, alert and elated. Some people say its a little like falling in love.    

The benefits of drinking Choffy are all good and well BUT adding those to the rich, chocolate-y taste make Choffy a winner in my book.  So much so, that I'm now selling it (and, believe me, I usually don't sell stuff).  

BUY: To buy Choffy, you can go HERE.  

WIN: The folks at Choffy are giving away one 12 oz bag of Ivory Coast Choffy to one lucky Moana Saves reader!    To earn a mandatory entry, tell me what your favorite chocolate treat is (mine is now Choffy). Mandatory means that if you don't do this first, all of your other entries will be disqualified.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

4. Follow Choffy on Twitter.
5. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
6. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.
7. Like the Choffy Facebook page.

8. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win your own 12 oz bag of brewed chocolate from @choffy and @moanasaves #giveaway ends 5/4 

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on Wednesday, 5/4/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive some delicious Choffy to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Horrid Henry Rocks, a book review and giveaway

Horrid Henry is a familiar character in our household along with Perfect Peter and Moody Margaret.  My son even did a book report on another book in this series, so it was a fun chance to preview the new book Horrid Henry Rocks! written by Francesca Simon and illustrated by Tony Ross.

There are 4 short chapters in this book aimed at kids ages 7-10 years old.  The chapters lead up to Horrid Henry wanting tickets for his favorite rock band, but his family got tickets to see Daffy and her Dancing Daisies instead.  Daffy was for babies!  That wasn't at all what he wanted.  He tries to come up with ANYTHING he can think of to get those other tickets to the coolest concert of the year!  You'll have to read Horrid Henry Rocks! see what Horrid Henry is up to and if he gets to go!  In the meantime, check out this video where Francesca Simon reads an excerpt from Horrid Henry Rocks!:

This book was released April 1, 2011 and is sold for $4.99 through sites like Amazon.

Win a copy of Horrid Henry Rocks!  One entry for each item on the list, leave a separate comment:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Like Moana Saves on Facebook.
4. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

5. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #Win Horrid Henry Rocks from @moanasaves Ends 4/30 http://bit.ly/h5kt7h @alohadeals  
6. Subscribe to Moana Saves in your favorite reader or via RSS (in the sidebar).
 
Only one person per email/household/IP address can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends Saturday 4/30 at noon HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a copy of the book to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Organize It Mom! review and giveaway!

I got to try out the Chore charts from the Organize It Mom!

 These charts are handy for keeping track of your daily and weekly chores around the house.  I could even hand the chart to my older kids (who can read) and have them check off what they've done.  Easy for rotating between family members as well.  It comes with a pen to check off what has been done in 8 different areas of the house:

• Bedrooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Living Room
• Laundry
• Outside
• Extras (such as windows, walls, microwave)
• and more Extras- fridge, pantry, outside

Those Extras are good family projects to work on together or divide and conquer the house at once. Cleaning the house can be overwhelming, but this set of charts make it so that I could just take one chart at a time and even see the progress as I worked down the list.  I added some holes and a ring to keep them together so we can just flip to the area I was currently working on or unclip a chart and hand it to whoever was working on a different chart that day.  The bedroom one got handed around the most- when that was done, it moved to the next bedroom.  Another solution to help with card-sharing would be to have different color pens. 

BUY: The Chore Chart and other helpful tools- kids job charts and potty training charts are on the website www.organizeitmom.com.

WIN: Organize It Mom! has offered to give away one set of Chore Charts to a Moana Saves reader. For your mandatory entry, leave us a tip for staying organized (or motivated!) that can save Mom's sanity.

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Like Moana Saves on Facebook.
4. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
5. Follow Organize It Mom's blog. (Definitely check out some fun freebies!)

6. Follow Organize It Mom on Twitter.

7. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #Win @orgmomdotcom 's Chore Charts from @moanasaves ends 4/26  (@alohadeals)  http://bit.ly/gJfEeF
 
Only one person per email/household/IP address can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, 4/26 HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a product sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Lilla Rose Flexi Clip Review & Giveaway

I've always preferred to have my hair up in a ponytail, braid, or bun and save flat ironing, blow-drying, and curling for special occasions. Because of my preferred "hairstyle" and because my hair has always been thick and heavy,  I have broken numerous claw clips, rubberbands, barettes, and other hair accessories!  I was certainly intrigued when I heard about the Lilla Rose Flexi Clip.

"No more headaches, no more pins, no more plastic claws! Our Clip is different from other hair accessories because of the following features: Our clip is ornate: beautifully designed in a multitude of colors; it is amazingly flexible which most items of it’s kind are not; it is one-piece so you do not have to worry about losing a piece of it; the Flexi Clip is also very durable and finally, it locks so the pin does not slip out. Our flexible clip will fit in just about any thickness of hair. We have six sizes: mini’s, extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large."

My Lillarose Flexi Hair Clip arrived the day before my daughter's 7th birthday so my first impression was YES, speedy shipping!

It wasn't one of her surprise birthday gifts. I had actually let her pick the clip she liked best because there was such a wide selection of colors and styles to choose from. We had ordered online and watched the instructional videos that showed the eight beautiful styles we could do with our clip that was coming in the mail.  When it arrived, I was impressed at how sturdy the clip was.  Because all the pictures on the website show the beautiful beads and designs the various clips are made of, I had assumed that the clip would be a bit fragile and honestly wondered how long it would last before it snapped.   My assumption was wrong.  The clip is very flexible, very sturdy, and a lot more durable (not to mention WAY more pretty) than any claw clip I've ever owned.

Even though I'm pleased that my daughter asks to wear her clip just about every morning, I kinda wish she would give me a chance to wear it.  I guess its time to order a few of of my own!

SHOP: To shop for a Lilla Rose Flexi Clip (or two!) of your own, check out the line HERE.

WIN: Jennifer, our independent Lilla Rose consultant, is offering one lucky Moana Saves reader a chance to win a Lilla Rose Flexi Clip (winner's choice, up to a $15 value) of her own! To earn a mandatory entry for this giveaway, go HERE, find the style you like best and then leave a comment here telling us about it. To earn a mandatory entry,  Mandatory means that if you don't do this first, all of your other entries will be disqualified.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4. Follow LillaRoseClips on Twitter.
5.  Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win a Lilla Rose Flexi Clip from @lillaroseclips and @moanasaves #giveaway ends 3/29 http://bit.ly/gHx6XV
6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
7. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.
8. Like the Lilla Rose Clips Facebook page.


Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S./ Canada. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, March 29th at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive  a product sample to facilitate my review.  All opinions on this review are mine!

Vaseline Intensive Rescue, the Dry Skin Patrol, and a Giveaway

The brand, Vaseline, has nostalgia clout behind it.  I remember growing up and always having Vaseline Petroleum Jelly in the bathroom cupboard.  It had so many purposes!  So, as a mom, I’m happy to see Vaseline developing new skin products and helping busy moms who struggle to keep their skin supple like me!

I was able to try Vaseline Intensive Rescue which is a non-greasy,  hypoallergenic lotion especially formulated to rescue the dry, itchy skin folks get in the winter.   I’m lucky; I can get that kind of dry skin during any season these days.  I’ve noticed as I get older, I need to be kinder to my skin to feel and look better overall.  I’m happy to report that Intensive Rescue gets the job done.  During application, it feels like a light moisturizer but once its on your skin it really penetrates, effectively banishing dry skin.  I especially like the fragrance-free formula which means I can share with my hub who is also experiencing the same age-related skin dryness.  The efficacy and versatility of Vaseline Intensive Rescue makes me a fan!

As part of their mission, Vaseline is hitting the road with the Dry Skin Patrol, a five-woman team who suffer from dry skin.  The Dry Skin Patrol ventured across the country to 4 destinations, like snowy Aspen and Duluth, MN, where they put their skin to the test.  You can follow the Dry Skin Patrol, along with entering for a chance to win an experience similar to the stops on the Mission Tour, on the Vaseline Facebook page.  I’ve been following the Dry Skin Patrol via Kailani’s blog since she has become a bloggy friend of mine and its been exciting to follow her travels with the Dry Skin Patrol.

Wanna try Vaseline Intensive Rescue for yourself?  You can sign up for a free sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue HERE.

Wanna win your own full-sized Vaseline Intensive Rescue?  You’re in luck! We’ve got one to give away--

To earn a mandatory entry, like Vaseline’s Facebook page, like it and return here to leave a comment saying you’ve done so.  Mandatory means that if you don't do this first, all of your other entries will be disqualified.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4.  Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win a Vaseline Intensive Rescue from Vaseline and @moanasaves #giveaway ends 3/27 http://bit.ly/i9ntLq
5. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
6. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

Only one person per email/household/IP address can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on Sunday, 3/27/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this blog post although I did receive a product sample to facilatate my review.  Any and all opinions are mine.

Ziploc is Going Green! A Review & Giveaway

I LOVE Ziploc and couldn't go a day without their products.  Quite honestly though,  I didn't realize how dependent I was on Ziploc until I was given the opportunity to write this review.   It dawned on me that I use Ziploc products from morning to night, just about EVERY day.  I use Ziploc sandwich bags and storage containers every morning, to pack our lunches, and afterschool snacks.  I like how the products keep dry contents dry and fresh & wet contents from spilling all over.  I am an anti-food waster and pack up any leftover food from breakfast, lunch, and dinner into Ziploc storage containers to be reheated for future meals.  At any given time I have at least 4 Ziploc containers (which stack perfectly and have leak resistant seals) in variable sizes in my refrigerator.  Here is a picture of the Ziploc containers I pulled out of my fridge this past Thursday, and this is a typical example of my usage:

The bags in the back of the picture are the Ziploc slider bags that have an expandable bottom to help the bag stay upright.  I find them perfect for storing and keeping fresh the rolls I bake. The long rectangular Ziploc container had the cookies I baked early that morning.  In Hawaii keeping flies out of the kitchen and other critters (like roaches, & geckos) is a year round task due to our climate.  I have no worries when my food is packed away in Ziploc! The rest of the stackable containers held our "healthy" leftover mac n cheese, potstickers, vegetable curry, and fish sticks.  Here I should probably also mention the stack of Ziploc freezer bags in my freezer and refrigerator that are perfect for dividing up meat and vegetables from Costco.  Out of the kitchen, we use Ziploc bags and containers for organizing my daughters' hair stuff, craft stuff, son's trading cards, and bakugan toys, it goes on and on!

I LOVE Ziploc because it is probably the most organized part of my crazy life. It brings convenience to many areas of my life, keeps my freezer and refrigerator clean, and it gets better.  I just learned that Ziploc bags are recyclable.  I know our local Safeway has recycled plastic grocery bags for years but was unaware that (clean & dry) Ziploc bags can be put in the same receptacle.  It makes me feel great to know that big companies like Ziploc are truly making an effort to help save the Earth!

Ziploc sustainability efforts also include:

o    Launching Ziploc evolve bags in 2009, which use 25 percent less plastic than the same size regular Ziploc Brand Bags and is partially made with wind energy
o    Manufacturing many Ziploc products in Bay City, Mich., using a combination of renewable wind energy and energy from traditional sources
o    Partnering with Recyclebank, the leading sustainable action platform that motivates and enables individuals to make a collective impact on the environment, to provide families special incentives to increase recycling, which, in turn, will help keep our country’s landfills from growing. The initiative aims to educate and inspire families to divert more waste from landfills. Check out this video to see how it works: http://www.ziploc.com/Sustainability/pages/Recyclability-and-Earning-Rewards.aspx
o    Product recyclability
o    Producing containers that can be used multiple times

To WIN your own stock of Ziploc products,
WIN: To WIN your own prize pack of Ziploc products,  become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar) and leave a comment saying you’ve done so.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
3. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win a Ziploc prize pack from @moanasaves #giveaway ends 3/23 http://bit.ly/gDUcTX
4. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
5. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.
6.  Like the Ziploc Facebook page.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on 3/23/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive product samples to facilitate my review.  All opinions on this review are mine!

Review and Giveaway of EcoMom Flip and Tumble Set of 5 Produce Bags

Sigh.  I love Ecomom.com.  I could browse for hours creating a wish list to turbo charge my commitment to a greener lifestyle.  From the Babo Rosemary Tea Tree Lice Repel Conditioning Spray (always good to have on hand in case ukus are going around at school) to the Stainless Steel Compost Pail (must.start.composting.again)—it all looks wonderful and such great prices!

And while our first review item from Ecomom, the Flip and Tumble Set of 5 Produce Bags, seems a bit mundane, it’s the next step to take in your green grocery shopping routine.  If you’ve become expert at toting along your reusable grocery bags to avoid using plastic, it makes sense that you take that commitment further with reusable produce bags.
The Flip and Tumble bags came in a set of five, each with a different colored tag sewn into the side so that you can color code what goes into each bag and keep filling it with the same item over time (and between washes).  The bags themselves are made of polyester and with the transparent fabric it’s easy to see what’s in each bag.  The ties at the top are sturdy and each bag is roomy, measuring 12 x 14.  Best of all, I love how the fabric is breathable and allows condensed water  on the produce to evaporate.  The way plastic bags kept in that moisture just led to soggy, rapidly decaying veggies.

Personally, I think every green home should have two sets of these produce bags.  One set in use in the crisper and one set ready to go with your reusable shopping bags so that you’re never in need of a plastic produce bag at the store or the farmer’s market.

SHOP: You can purchase the Flip and Tumble Set of 5 Produce Bags HERE.

WIN: Thanks to the great folks at EcoMom, one lucky Moana Saves reader will win at $20 Gift Certificate to EcoMom.com!  To win, follow the mandatory entry requirement below and any optional ones you'd like with a separate comment for each:

To earn a mandatory entry, go check out the EcoMom site and tell us what you would spend your $20 GC on.  Mandatory means that if you don't do this first, all of your other entries will be disqualified.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4. Follow EcoMom on Twitter.
5.  Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win an EcoMom $20 GC from @EcoMom and @moanasaves #giveaway ends 3/22 http://bit.ly/i0YqbE
6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
7. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.
8. Like the EcoMom Facebook page.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, 3/22/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

**I was not compensated for this post although I did receive product samples to facilitate this review. Any and all opinions here are mine. 

Technorati Tags: anna,giveaways,reviews,green

Justin's Nut Butter - Review & Giveaway

I am a mom on the go and often my stomach remains empty as I rush to fill the mouths of all the little munchkins in my home. Eventually when I do have a moment to feed myself I'm usually so famished that I grab the first carb or sugar-loaded unhealthy snack I can find. Can you relate?

Recently I was introduced to Justin's Nut Butter, a relatively young company based out of Colorado (my old home state! hello, CO Rockies!). Justin Gold, the founder of Justin's Nut Butter, began by making his gourmet nut butters in his home kitchen as a means of satisfying his vegetarian diet needs for protein. Demand from associates and local natural food stores grew quickly and the rest is history!

Here are some of the perks of Justin's Nut Butter concoctions:

• Only the best ingredients go into these nut butters. Go organic!
• All ingredients are sourced as locally and sustainably as possible
• It's a great healthy substitute for the sugar-loaded nut butters on the market today.
• The butters are made with palm fruit oil because it minimizes oil separation. Palm fruit oil contains NO trans-fatty acids and much less saturated fat than coconut and palm kernel oil. (I love that I'm not loading up on hydrogenated oils!)
• All of the nut butters are gluten and dairy-free.
• You can purchase the nut butters in 16 oz jars or .5 oz packs. Packs?!? That is the perfect solution for the on-the-go mom! I was sent some honey almond butter in packs and found it useful one Sunday as I left for church before noon (skipping lunch) and didn't return until late in the evening. These would also be great snacks for the outdoors while biking or hiking. By the way, honey almond butter had great flavor. My young toddler is a really picky eater but she gobbled up her nut butter and toast.
• Justin's is going green. They are aware of how production of their product affects the planet and are taking steps to minimize this including using solar and wind power and recyclable containers.

SHOP: You can purchase Justin's Nut Butter in many local markets including THESE. You can also make your purchases online HERE.

GIVEAWAY: To enter to win your very own jar of nut butter (flavor of choice!) leave a comment here telling me what your favorite nut is. Peanut, almond or macadamia? Or you could be perfectly unique and prefer pecans or cashews. (Wouldn't a cashew butter be delicious? Hint hint.)

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).

2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).

3. Like Justin's Nut Butter on Facebook.

4. Follow Justin's Nut Butter on Twitter.
5. Like Moana Saves on Facebook.

6. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends 3/22/11 at 11:59 PM  HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive free product samples to facilitate this review.  Any and all opinions here are mine.

Superbowl time with Vlasic!

VLASIC® PICKLES SHARES SANDWICH IDEAS THAT ARE SURE TO BE PARTY PLAYMAKERS FOR THE BIG GAME

Warning: These Ideas May Result in Penalty for Excessive Celebration

MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ (February 2011)—For Super Bowl, pickles are the ultimate side and topper for the sandwiches that will be devoured in front of the TV, at tailgates and at the big game on February 6^th. Vlasic® Pickles are always delicious with your favorite game day foods and have the added bonus of each serving being low in calories and containing NO fat. Even if fans root for different teams, they can still agree on one thing: great food equals a great party.

Vlasic ®has a pickle for every sandwich and is also the perfect no-fuss snack for game watchers everywhere. This Game Day, Vlasic ® is making it more convenient and affordable than ever to host a great party. Through February 10^th, the brand is offering 55 cents off of ANY Vlasic ® product in stores nationwide through www.coupons.com and www.smartsource.com –just look for the online banner that says “Vlasic. It’s How a Sandwich Parties.” Here are some super sandwich ideas from the “Food Dude” himself, Chef Kevin Roberts, guaranteed to inspire a touchdown dance or two:

TEXAS-STYLE HOT DOG

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

For the Hotdogs:

4 Kosher All Beef hot dogs

4 good quality hot dog buns

For the Pickleslaw:

2 cups shredded cabbage

2 teaspoons celery seed

4 tablespoons Vlasic® Relish

3/4 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups barbecue sauce (use your favorite smoky flavor)

Directions:

1. Add shredded cabbage to a large mixing bowl.

2. Add celery seed, relish, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well and put aside.

3. Grill/boil/bake hot dogs and buns until desired doneness.

4. Now build your Texas Dog. Spread some barbecue sauce on the bun, add the hot dog, as much Pickleslaw as you want and enjoy!

 

 

GRILLED CUBAN SUBS

This is really similar to the Hoagies we make on Super Bowl Sunday!

Makes 2 subs

Ingredients:

2 loafs hero-style French bread

4 tablespoons French’s® Yellow Mustard

4 Vlasic® Kosher Dill Stackers

4 slices, Swiss cheese

6 slices, Virginia ham

4 tablespoons roast pork, chopped or pulled

Directions:

1. Half the bread lengthwise.

2. Spread the mustard on both sides.

3. Add 2 pickle slices per sub on top of the mustard, then add the Swiss cheese on top of them.

4. Fold ham in half and add evenly. Then add the pork on top of the ham.

5. Fold Subs together and grill until bread is nice and toasty and cheese is melted.

(You can place a large, heavy pan on top while grilling to make this a true Panini!)

What are your favorite uses for pickles?  3 winners will each receive a coupon for a free jar of pickles!

To enter:

1. Leave a comment telling us your favorite recipe using pickles.

2. Become a public follower of Moana Saves via Google Friend Connect in the sidebar and leave a comment.

3. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar) and leave a comment.
4. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter, also leave comment.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends on Thursday, 2/10/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post.  Any and all opinions here are mine.  Vlasic will provide the coupons to the winners.

HandMade with Love Blog Hop: Introducing Ron of Ostlund Custom Works

When Ron turned me on to his work, I was amazed.  Here were pieces with seemingly lifeless parts (such as metal and machine parts) that, when repurposed through his art, became dynamic and functional!  Also, something I’ve noticed about handmade products is that often their function is determined by or through gender.  I can appreciate that Ron’s work doesn’t have those restrictions and therefore become universal pieces.  In particular, I love this clock he created, titled Walnut Tear.
Ron says that the clock was “realized at the hardware store when I was buying wood! I was going to buy cherry wood until I saw this piece of walnut! The grain pattern is so beautiful and reminded me of a tear drop. It has brass hands and little brass ‘stand off’ pieces for number accents. The stand offs were recycled/up cycled from the scrap yard I used to go to. The actual clock face is off centered just a bit because I put the clock shaft through the knothole.  This one-of-a-kind piece is signed and dated on the back.” In his Etsy shop, Ron has some other wonderful one-of-a-kind pieces to fit every budget.  Want a functional accent piece for a table top?  How about this cardholder?   Or how about a lamp that is both traditional and contemporary?  Ostlund Custom Works reflects the artist’s ability to see the potential energy in industrial objects. To find out more about the artist, check out this recently published article about Ron here (great interview, Ron!). To learn about the stories behind his pieces or about his philosophy on art, check out Ron’s blog here. 
SHOP: And of course you can shop the range of Ron’s work at his Etsy shop here where you’ll find one-of-a-kind functional pieces that will energize your living space!
WIN: You are lucky because Ron is donating some items a $50 gift certificate for his Etsy shop to the Handmade with Love Blog Hop!  You can enter the Ostlund Custom Works giveaway right here on Moana Saves.  Here’s what you need to do to enter: As the mandatory entry, go to Ron’s Etsy shop and leave a comment below telling me which handmade piece you absolutely love.  (Mandatory entry means that if you don't do this first, all of your other entries will be disqualified.)
To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:
1. Become a public follower of Moana Saves via Google Friend Connect in the sidebar. 
2. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4. Follow Ron on Twitter.
5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win a $50 GC for 0ne-of-a-kind functional art from @RonOstlundJr and @moanasaves #giveaway ends 2/6 http://bit.ly/dVSojT
6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
7. Favorite Ron’s Etsy shop. 
8. Like the  Ostlund Custom Works Facebook page.
Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends on Sunday, 2/6/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.
I was not compensated for this post.  Any and all opinions here are mine.