NOVICA Review and Giveaway

Working with both visual (painters, sculptors, photographers) and performing artists (musicians and actors) on a daily basis at my job has helped me develop a sense of appreciation for the creative process, beauty, and value of ART. 

When I came across the mission of  NOVICA, I was impressed and felt fortunate for the opportunity to review one of their products.  The mission of NOVICA is: "We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow."

NOVICA has a beautiful, wonderful, colorful assortment of home decor, handmade jewelry and apparel, paintings, and is just a great place for unique gifts!  Plus Novica has started a consultant program at Novica Live where they can help folks celebrate world culture and fair trade in homes across the nation.

I chose to review a pair of sterling silver dangle earrings, named 'Tiger Lily' created by an artist named Wadarat Supasirisuk from Thailand.  My cute earrings came by FEDEX express mail in a beautiful gift box with a handwritten note from the artist!  I was very impressed by the quick delivery, presentation of the product, and happy that it was exactly as pictured and described on the website.  My daughters were most impressed of all and they can't wait for the day when mommy lets them "borrow" her (my) jewelry.

SHOP: Earrings are probably the easiest accessory to buy as a gift as they are practical, take little space, thoughtful, and one of the accessories that I don't believe I'll ever have "too many" of. Check out NOVICA.com for awesome gifts for Mom!!

WIN:  You can win a Novica $30 gift certificate by going to the Novica website and then leaving a comment below telling us what you love at Novica.  This is the mandatory entry for this giveaway and must be done before all of the additional entries.
 

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 Novica on Twitter.

5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: #win a $30 GC from @novica and and @moanasaves ends 5/30 http://bit.ly/kKv1iY

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 Novica 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 5/30 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 a free product in exchange for my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

SILVERSPORT Fitness Silver Towel: Review and

What causes odor?  BACTERIA!  I try not to dwell on that fact when the workout clothes/towels my company allows me to check out and borrow at the PE "cage" start to smell fifteen minutes into a workout.  I actually love the fact that I'm sweating but HATE the fact that the odor coming from my t-shirt or towel isn't mine! It  is a brew of who knows sweat bacteria since the clothing is washed after every use but re-used by various employees over and over again.  As a frequent user of sports towels (required at my gym), when I found out about the Silver Towel I was most definitely eager to try it. 

The SilverSport Silver Towel™ provides an extra layer of protection against odor- causing bacteria that other fitness towels just can’t beat. Thanks to revolutionary new Terra Silver™ technology that utilizes antimicrobial silver, the Silver Towel keeps your workouts cleaner than ever by eliminating odor-causing bacteria in your towel.

How does it work? The nanosilver particles incorporated into all SilverSport products are activated by moisture, such as sweat or water. Once activated, the product begins releasing silver ions, which immediately start eliminating odor-causing bacteria on contact. The Silversport motto is "keeping sports clean". 

My husband and I both enjoyed trying out the Silver Towel.  It is super soft and absorbent and can conveniently be washed with any of our other clothes.  I like the stretchiness of the fabric and what I consider to be the perfect size, 20 x 30".  It also come in a 20 X 60" size for heavy duty drying!  If there is one thing that I would change about this product it would be that the backside of the towel on the side that has the writing,  the raised letters can be a little scratchy if you are wiping the sweat off your face.  The other side of the towel, however, is super soft.   I will love it if my company's work out center ever adopts the  technology and motto that SilverSport is all about! 

To learn more about Silversport and their various products, visit http://www.silversport.com/.

SHOP: You can buy a SilverSport Fitness Silver Towel online at Dick's Sporting Goods.

WIN: One Lucky Moana Saves reader will win a SilverSport Fitness Silver Towel. For your mandatory first entry, tell us what kind of activity you do that you need a sports towel for.

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. 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 Silver Sport on Twitter.
6. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #win a Fitness Silver Towel from @Silver_Sport and @moanasaves ends 4/26 http://bit.ly/gZ5yI1

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. or Canada.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, 4/26 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 SILVERSPORT Silver Towel to facilitate this review. Any and all opinions here are mine.

Yu-Be Skincare Products Review

Two memories that stand out among those of my Aunts' visits from Japan while growing up, was the expensive purses and special creams they seemed to have an obsession with.  I remember on one trip, my Aunt forgot to pack one of her facial cleansers she had left in our bathroom and I was secretly SO excited when I made the discovery that she had accidentally left it.  I had first dibs on the cleanser and I remember what a difference the non-abrasive concoction made to my skin compared to the strong astringents and scrubs I usually tortured my skin with to prevent acne. I have always believed that Japanese women are experts on skin care products.

Recently,  I was excited to try out a Japanese skin care product that promised to hydrate, heal and soothe without greasiness, artificial colors, or fragrances.

                                            

Invented by Japanese pharmacist Yoshikiyo Nowatari, Yu-Be (pronounced "YOO-BEE") is a Glycerin-based moisturizing cream enriched with Vitamin E, Vitamin B2 and Camphor.

"Generations of families have used the concentrated formula on all types of dry skin - from split cuticles and cracked heels to diaper rash - even frostbite - and to this day refuse to use anything else."

I was very fortunate to receive a sample of the Yu-Be Travel Set: $21 which has a 1.25oz tube of Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream ($16 retail value), a Yu-Be Lip Therapy ($5 retail value),
a Custom Yu-Be travel pouch, and samples of the moisturizing body lotion, and foaming skin polish. 

The moisturizing skin cream made my skin feel rose petal soft! What I loved is that I could use the same cream for feet as I could for a moisturizing face cream! It is very rich but not greasy and is definitely something I would recommend to any of my family and friends who struggle with skin problems due to dry weather. It definitely beats vaseline which is what I know some of my friends have treated their children with when their skin gets really dry!  I loved how the Lip Therapy really helped moisturize my lips.  I am a very light make up wearer and for one week I just used the lip balm for my lip gloss and my lips never felt so healthy.  Though I only had a small sample of the skin polish, it felt so much better, cleaner, fresher, than the rough exfoliants that my skin usually is treated with.   I look forward to treating my children with the moisturizing skin creams the next time their eczema flares up and I have read that many people have used Yu-Be for rashes and Eczema.

SHOP: To learn more about their line and to purchase products go to http://www.yu-be.com/products.html.  Yu-be products are now also available at your local Sephora or Sephora.com.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.

Rococo chalkboard wall sticker from GrowsUp.com, A Review

Removable and reusable, non-toxic, lead-free, VOC free and made in the USA, this Rococo chalkboard wall sticker is made by Wall Candy and is sold at GrowsUp.com whose mission is to "build a global family-friendly marketplace that supports Mompreneurs and growing businesses everywhere."

Available HERE,  this item will "Instantly turn your room into a palace. The Rococo decorative chalkboard is the ultimate in stylish form and function. Peel and stick on any non-textured surface. This chalkboard decal is completely removable, reusable and repositionable. Will not damage walls."

It measures 31½"h x18½”w and chalk is included.  This design is only $36 and I believe the value is worth every penny!


As soon as my daughters saw what it was, they couldn’t wait to get their hands on it.  They fought over the space on the chalkboard even though they drew a line down the middle so they each had their own side.  I ended up doing the whole “timer” thing.  10 minutes each till the timer rang.   Kids love to doodle and it has added some very much needed variety to their assortment of drawable items.   I couldn't help but think of Christmas and Birthdays where the toys that are bought as gifts are disappointingly broken in a few days and how this will be on my cherished list of "unbreakables".  Finally, after more than a week to let the novelty settle in,  I peeled off the removable sticker chalkboard from the mirrored closet I had originally applied it on and reapplied it on my bedroom wall where I could use it as my daily to do list.   


It would be a great gift item. Pretty, re-usable, clean, no worries about kids putting colorful pen on walls, takes no space!   You need to buy more than one!  Just be ready to buy some extra chalk!

I was not compensated for this post but  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!

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!

GIRL Talk & Pro-Biotics: Fem-Dophilus available at Swansonvitamins.com

As an woman who has been there with periodic yeast infections, I have taken an interest in remedies that can help current and prevent further uncomfortable episodes. I am oral consumer of yogurt but probably more so when I have a Y infection. I have figured what works for me and usually keep something in stock in my medicine cabinet for the future occurrences. Even though I know the routine of what to do and what has worked for me (watching what soap I use, eating yogurt,  taking pro-biotics, being watchful when using anti-biotics, having the right creams on hand), it is still annoying.

Swansonvitamins.com, a great site for discount vitamins and supplements, sent me a probiotic to try.  For several weeks I've been using Fem-Dophilus. Fem-Dophilus is labeled as the MOST EFFECTIVE probiotic for Women's Health. Some info from the makers of Fem-Dophilus: It contains two patented and clinically proven probiotic strains, Lactobacillus GR-1 and Lactobacillus RC-14 discovered and developed by Dr. Gregor Reid and Dr. Andrew Bruce at Urex Biotech. Over 20 years of research supports the oral use of GR-1 and RC-14 to colonize and protect the vaginal tract.

Fem-dophilus® is manufactured under pharmaceutical GMP conditions with guaranteed potency and consistency. The probiotic strains in Fem-dophilus® are in a proprietary polysaccharide matrix, which protects the bacteria from stomach acid and enhances probiotic bacteria survival to the lower intestine.

It is important to keep this product refrigerated. For maintenance, it is suggested to take 1 pill a day and up to 2 a day as directed by your health care provider.

When I started taking Fem-Dophilus, I did not have an infection but because I read that clinical trials have show that the ingredients of Fem-Dophilus 1) help to maintain or restore healthy vaginal flora that are important in maintaining vaginal health, AND 2) support the health of the urinary tract. I was happy to give this product a try!

I have noticed subtle changes down there that are positive and here's my attempt to do this without giving TMI. The first noticeable change I noticed was an increase in moisture. The second change I noticed was that there was less irritation and sensitivity during my monthly cycle than usual. I feel like I haven't been on the product long enough to be able to say that it has solved my problems with yeast infections but I can say I have not had anything resembling the signs of one since I have been taking the product. If you were to google search "femdophilus and yeast infections" or similar, you'll find there are a lot of women out there who have been helped with their chronic yeast infections, B.V. s, and U.T.I.S by using femdophilus. As a woman with these issues, and also a mother of children who have been prescribed way TOO many ANTI-biotics, I am a newer fan of pro-biotics and hope humans can learn to achieve a balance of their consumption of pro and anti BIOTICs.

You can buy Fem-dophilus at Swansonvitamins.com.  Even though a bottle of 30 caps retails for $25.95, Swanson offers this product for $18.17--that's a 30% discount!  Check out Fem-dophilus and more at Swansonvitamins.com

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive a complimentary sample of this product to write this review. Any and all opinions here are mine.

Ola Loa Drink Your Vitamins, a Review

I remember when "Airborne" came out. I remember my mother buying it and keeping several tubes in stock and telling us to take some whenever anyone around us had a cough. I remember my husband taking it on every business trip he went on. Because of the taste, Airborne was my first positive experience with effervescents. When I was younger all I knew of effervescents was that I was given alka setzer when I had a tummy ache and the fizzy baking soda tasting water would make me gag. So later as an adult, "Airborne" seemed like a yummy healthy "soda" (fyi, for mainland readers, in Hawaii its common to say "soda" for "pop"). I learned over the years that there are many kinds of effervescents available over the counter and they have been an effective method of helping many ailments in my family.

The newest type of effervescent drink I've been introduced to is named OLA LOA, drinkyourvitamins.com. Dr. Richard Kunin, M.D., a nutrition-oriented physical and Orthmolecular specialist with more than 30 years of experience in nutrition medicine and practice formulated multi-vitamin mineral products that are suitable for all ages. There are four product formulas that each replace a hand full of vitamin pills:

• ENERGY Super Multi for superior vitality and antioxidant protection
• KIDS Multi Formula
• REPAIR Formula for unparalleled bone and joint support and
• SPORT all-natural thirst quenching hydrating drink formula for active people

All products are available in individual packets of effervescent powder, sold in boxes of 30 packets, and ENERGY, KIDS and REPAIR are also sold in 5 packet “travel Packs”.

Ola Loa is so gentle for your system that it can be taken anytime—even on an empty stomach. And because Ola Loa is mixed in a liquid base, the nutrients will absorb better than any pill or tablet possibly could. This means your body will get the full power of your nutrients, as well as the full value for your money. With Ola Loa, there are no capsules or pills. To get your daily nutrient supplements all you need to do is open one convenient single serving packet, add its contents to a glass of water or juice, and DRINK YOUR VITAMINS.

I was given 5 packets to sample, 2 of the REPAIR and one of each of the other three. I tried the SPORT formula after a long run and enjoyed the refreshing mango tangerine flavor that gave me a boost of energy. On that same day I attempted to give my daughter the KIDS formula but somehow after she saw me pour the powder in her little cup, when I stepped out of the room, she got her Fun Dip (candy sugar my son gave her from a birthday party he went to) and poured the candy sugar in the cup we were making her vitamin drink in, and then it turned super purple, and though she took a couple of sips, it was a little too sweet with all that FUN DIP sugar. For the REPAIR and ENERGY formulas, my least picky child and I sampled two flavors : orange and tropical. We also sampled the Orange REPAIR formula. I was actually excited and hopeful that she might take interest in “healthy” soda. Turns out, we liked the orange REPAIR better than the rest. It tasted the least like “vitamins”.  I would have to have a bigger sample size of Ola Loa to be able to write a review indicating if my family benefited from the drinks health wise but nevertheless I'm grateful for every opportunity I have to introduce my family to products that may benefit their physical and mental well being.

From the makers of Ola Loa: To be considered for a 5 pack of Ola Loa - visit our website  and then become a fan/ 'like' us on our facebook page. Following that, post a message on our page either with why you like Ola Loa or a question about Ola Loa and we will pick a winner. Winners will be chosen a week after the review is posted.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.

FRESSHHH Breath, a Happy Mouth: Review and Giveaway of TheraBreath Products

As an adult with braces, I'm a little more conscious of my oral health than I would be without a mouth full of wires. I constantly have some remnant of my previous meal/snack stuck to one (or more) of the brackets and wires attached to each of my 28 teeth. Anyone who has had braces will know that it can be a challenge. I've gone through quite the assortment of flosses, interdental pics, mouthwashes and other orthodontic/bridge accessories in my efforts to keep my mouth clean and fresh. However, regardless of whether one has braces or not, I believe fresh breath is something that most people in our society try to maintain on a daily basis. Most recently, I started using TheraBreath products and can honestly say that the products have been the most valuable out of all the other new oral care products I've used in the 16 months (which is how long I've had my braces on).

TheraBreath is the #1 Selling Premium Oral Care Brand developed by Dr. Katz, founder of The California Breath Products. Over a million people worldwide have used his formulas for oral care. Their website is an awesome resource of information for those concerned with halitosis. Every TheraBreath product is guaranteed to be the most effective oral care product you have ever used or your money back!
I received a very generous sample from TheraBreath of the following products:

1. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste: The Dentist-Recommended Fresh Breath Toothpaste works instantly and reverses dry mouth. This formula is great for gum health and powerful at fighting cavities. Therabreath Toothpaste is designed to control the anaerobic bacteria that causes bad breath.

2. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse: The naturally oxygenating oral rinse uses the odor-obliterating power of OXYD-8 for treating bad breath, stopping halitosis and eliminating sour, bitter and metallic tastes in your mouth.

AND

3. TheraBreath Mouth Wetting Fresh Breath Lozenges: The unique Lozenges are unlike any breath mint you have ever tried. They work in three distinct stages to make sure your mouth is fresh, moist, and healthy. This three stage approach is not only unique, but incredibly effective at controlling bad breath odor.

Oh my, how clean my mouth has felt since the very first day! BEFORE I started using TheraBreath, when brushing for the dentist-recommended two whole minutes, usually the insides of my cheeks felt kinda burned and the same goes for when I would use strong mouthwashes. I would feel clean but know it was due to chemicals killing bacteria but also killing who knows what else that probably shouldn't be "killed" in my mouth. With the TheraBreath Fresh Breath toothpaste, I enjoy the mild minty flavor with NO Burning. The same goes for the TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral rinse. I rinse and gargle with absolutely no burning. My older two children are able to use it without saying "hot, hot, hot" then immediately rinsing with water.

My favorite part of my new oral care regimen is the Mouth Wetting Fresh Breath Lozenges. If I could create a commercial to describe how I felt when I first started using the mint I would show some beautiful lady (not brace face me by any means) with wind blowing her hair back and then a clean white cloud flowing through her mouth. I honestly feel like its like tasting a clean fresh cloud. Can you picture it? Ha, maybe that silly, but that’s really how I think about it. The mints do not have the sugary aftertaste that I usually get from many other mints.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Therabreath products I reviewed.  To try Dr. Katz’s wonderful dental products, check out the Therabreath website.
 
WIN IT
The makers of Therabreath are offering THREE lucky Moana Saves readers a set of the very same products:

• TheraBreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste
• TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse
• TheraBreath Mouth Wetting Fresh Breath Lozenges

 To earn a mandatory entry, go to the Therabreath website and tell me which of Dr. Katz’s products you’d like to try.  (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 TheraBreath on Twitter.
5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win a TheraBreath dental care kit from @TheraBreath and @moanasaves #giveaway ends 2/14http://bit.ly/gBaMY4
6. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates (in the sidebar).
7. Grab the Moana Saves button and put it on your blog until the giveaway is over.
8. Put Moana Saves on your blog list.
9. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.
10. Like the TheraBreath 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 Monday, 2/14/11 at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  Three winners will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify winners via email and each 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 samples of products to facilitate the review.  Any and all opinions here are mine.

Review and Giveaway of Delicious Soap from YesterYear Soap Co.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Delicious Soap? No, I really don’t eat soap, but always LUV it when lotions and soaps smell yummy. I was delighted when I was given the opportunity to review two bars of hand-crafted natural soap from the YesterYear Soap Company. Finding a soap that can be used by both those in my family with dry skin and those in my family with oily skin is a rare find.

The hand crafted soaps from the YesterYear Soap company are made from organic vegetable oils, scented with pure essential oils from plant extracts and colored with organic herbs. They use no synthetic fragrances, colorants or preservatives in any of their soap products. The result is a gentle bar suitable for all skin types, even for those with sensitive skin. Their most popular soaps are Lemongrass, Pearberry, Mango Papaya, and Cherry Almond. The names of some of the seasonal blends are Vanilla Rose, Cranberry Spice, Candy Cane, Mississippi Mud, Simply Summer, and Sky Blue. Changing to a natural soap is a good choice for everyone. According to the website, “Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. Why use complicated, harsh chemicals when you can capture the nutritive powers of plants, herbs, botanical extracts and essential oils to enhance health and deliver vital nutrients? …Organic and wholesome ingredients are gentle and effective, feel great on your skin and do not burden our precious environment.”

I was fortunate to try the Watercress & Aloe and Cinnamon Latte soaps. The Watercress & Aloe is a minty white bar with a green leaf, and the Cinnamon Latte is a natural textured speckled square. My experience with the soap has been as follows: #1) M-o-i-s-t-u-r-i-z-i-n-g & aromatic! The Cinnamon Latte especially has a rich beautiful scent that fills my whole bathroom. I never knew moisturizing could be the description of a scent but that is REALLY how I think it smells. The Cinnamon Latte scent is very pleasant and not overpowering at all. The Watercress & Aloe bar has a stronger clean plant/herb smell. I imagine my mother who likes the smell of freshly cut grass loving this soap. 2) They create a beautiful lather. I have always used a Japanese wash cloth for bathing like the Salux Nylon Japanese Wash Cloth/towel which is very popular in Hawaii. I don't feel like I've had a good scrub without it! One might think that this natural made soap wouldn’t create much bubbles, but the lather made by my new soap on my Japanese wash cloth is quite generous! 3) The soap has a good consistency. I guessed the soap would melt quickly as many moisturizing bars do but the two bars I continue to use are still firm.The YesterYear Soap company has learned how to “maximize the bar's hardness, lather quality, and moisturizing ability."  And I'm a fan!

 
BUY IT
You can find this soap at Yesteryearsoap.com and you can also enter a chance to win free soap!

WIN IT
One lucky Moana Saves reader will win two full-sized bars of Yesteryear Soap! The winner will receive the same two scents reviewed here or can opt to receive two other popular scents available on the site.  To earn a mandatory entry, go to the Yesteryear Soap Company website and tell me which yummy soap you would like to try. (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.
2.  Follow me on Twitter.
3. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following:
#Win soap from Yesteryear Soap Company via @moanasaves #giveaway ends 1/23 http://bit.ly/gIyr5O
4. Subscribe to my feed via RSS reader and/or email updates.
5. Grab my button and put it on your blog until the giveaway is over.
6. Put Moana Saves on your blog list.
7. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.
8. Like the Yesteryear Soap Company's Facebook page (tell them "Moana Saves sent me" and get automatically entered to win a second prize of soap!)

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, 1/23/11 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 received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.

Review and Giveaway of Kathryn The Grape, Just Like Magic

 Growing up is hard to do. When my kids are sick, frustrated, embarrassed, or in whatever pain life inflicts during the long journey to adulthood, I often wish I could trade places with them for that moment because it hurts me to see them suffer. Ultimately, if this “trade” were possible, it would not help our children in any way because they need to go through trials to get stronger, develop character, and learn the game of life. However, along the way, I always welcome motivational/inspirational tidbits of “magic” that can help us raise our children in the rollercoaster ride of life.

Kathryn The Grape, Just Like Magic is a magical children’s book I would recommend as a perfect “read together” for all families with children. It was written by Kathryn Cloward and Jody Duhamel and illustrated by Christine Winscott, published by kandonpublishing in 2010 and retails for $16.99. It is a vibrantly illustrated 40 page purple hard cover book. My daughters who are 3 & 6 years old have enjoyed repeatedly reading this book with me. The story is about Kathryn and her magical butterfly friend Maggie and how they overcome the daily challenges of childhood such as nervousness, fears of a monster under the bed, and befriending classmates who are lonely or sad. The book has its own website http://www.kathrynthegrape.com/ where one can learn more about the book and sample just how cute the illustrations are. On the Kathryn the Grape blog, you'll find links to Kathryn the Grape printable coloring pages to download.  Through awesome pictures and a fun storyline, young readers will “discover their own inner strength and fearlessness, learn about making new friends, and learn the importance of helping others." I feel that families who make this book a part of their reading collection will be able to use this story as a conversation starter with their children when teaching basic values.  Because of the “magic” and colors spread evenly though the whole book, I see it as unforgettable story to refer to when children have challenging days.

True Story: Two weeks ago I ran my first marathon. I had been training for it so I thought I would finish it without much of a struggle. At mile twenty (which is the number of miles we had trained up to), I hit the wall and wanted to give up. It was a very small race in the country with only 14 runners total so there were no people cheering us on at water stations on the side of the road like you see at big marathons. It was all up to each of the runners individually to get through the run. By mile twenty all of us were all spread out so I had no one I could see in front of me nor in back of me. It was just me and my tired legs pounding the pavement in the hot sun all by myself. It was grueling and became a battle of the mind more than my body! I had to walk for a few minutes then I would push myself to run for a ½ mile or so and then walk again and tell myself to keep going and not stop because I was almost there and it had been a lifelong goal to do a marathon. When there were about 2 ½ miles left I started thinking “I think I can, I think I can….keep running…..don’t stop…I think I can, I think I can."  I thought of the Little Engine that Could, I thought of how hard I had trained, I thought of my kids at the finish line. Out of the blue from my subconscious, I kid you not, came a LOUD, “I AM THE MAGICAL Kathryn the Grape!” which is a line from the book. Honestly, it made me laugh and I thought, “The book IS Magic!” and then laughed again. I was SO tired, SO ready to be done with the long run and then I thought of the other parts of the book that I hope my daughters will remember for the rest of their lives such as “the magic lives inside of you!” and “everyone is magical." I guess I had read the book enough times for the certain lines to become part of my inner storage of backup motivation! So, for the rest of the race I alternated between “I think I can, I think I can…. I am magic, keep running….don’t stop," repeating them over and over again. I got through the race and was able proudly able to check something off of my bucket list! Mahalo for the inspiration, Kathryn the Grape!

BUY IT
To purchase Kathryn The Grape, Just Like Magic for your child (or for yourself!), click here or you can buy the book from your favorite online bookstore like Amazon.

WIN IT
The authors have generously offered one lucky Moana Saves reader an autographed copy of Kathryn the Grape, Just like Magic of their own!

To earn a mandatory entry, follow Kathryn the Grape on Twitter here. Mandatory means that if you don't do this first, all of your other entries will be disqualified.  Make sure to leave a comment saying you've done this as well as your twitter handle.

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

1. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

2. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following (leave the tweet URL in your comment):
#Win Kathryn the Grape, Just Like Magic (hardcover childrens book) from @kathrynthegrape and @moanasaves ends 1/7 http://bit.ly/i2HKV6

3. Become a Google Friend Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the side bar).

4. Like the Kathryn the Grape Facebook page.

5. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

6. Follow Moana Saves on Networked Blogs (in the side bar).

7. Subscribe to the Moana Saves feed via RSS reader and/or email updates.

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 Friday, January 7th 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.

Mahalo to the authors for providing Kathryn the Grape: Just Like Magic for review.  I did not receive compensation for this post.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Review and Giveaway of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

Healthy Cooking Oil, skin moisturizer, and makeup remover all in one? In the Hawaiian climate I live in, the contents of the jar are a silky crystal clear liquid and mmmmmmnn, smell absolutely sweet & fresh! If I was given a blind “smell” test, I would NOT be able to tell the difference between the contents of the jar and a fresh cracked coconut picked from the tree in my front yard.

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Standard Virgin Coconut Oil is made from organic, fresh coconuts in rural areas of the Philippines. Only the highest quality organic coconuts are hand selected for use in the Gold Label brand, and the pure coconut water from inside the coconut is used to extract the coconut milk using traditional methods. This product has been tested repeatedly in laboratories to show that it contains the highest amounts of antioxidants available in Virgin Coconut Oil.

Check out the video below, “How we Discovered Virgin Coconut Oil- an Interview with Brian Shilhavy, CEO Tropical Traditions."

I used Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil 3 times so far and look forward to substituting it for other oils in my cooking and recipes and continuing it in beauty treatments!

1)The first time I tried the oil, I fried Taro . We often cook taro (for those of you who don’t know what taro is, its like a potato/ its also what Hawaiians use to make poi) by boiling it. After a day or two, we cut up any leftovers in small thin slices and fry it using vegetable oil. This time around, I used a thin layer of coconut oil and it was super yummy and crispy!
2) I made lowfat brownies and substituted vegetable with coconut oil and the batch came out richer than you would believe.
3) I used the oil as a makeup remover for my waterproof eye makeup. I simply dabbed a cotton ball in the oil and it worked just as well as my costmetic waterproof makeup remover. It is comforting and quite delightful, actually, to know that I’m using natural products on my skin.

The oil does have a strong smell when it is cooking which is expected because it IS pure coconut oil. My kids WERE curious and complained at the smell but then again they complain about anything new! Needless to say the food cooked with this new oil disappeared quick!

Excellent, kitchen-tested recipes can be found on the company’s Free Coconut Recipes blog: http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/

You can order Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil here.  Receive a complimentary copy of a Virgin Coconut Oil book with your first order.  When you fill in your account information, there is a place to choose "How did you hear of us?" In the drop down menu, choose "Referred by a friend." Below that, please enter user ID: 6672765 and your complimentary book will be added to your order.

The makers of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil have provided one quart-sized jar of their  product to give away to one lucky Moana Saves winner.   To WIN your own jar of virgin coconut oil, follow the mandatory entry requirement below and any optional ones you'd like with a separate comment for each:

To earn a mandatory entry, subscribe to the Tropical Traditions email newsletter here.  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. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

2. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.

3. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following (leave the tweet URL in your comment):
#Win Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from @troptraditions and @moanasaves http://bit.ly/fQKkXY ends 12/21

4. Become a Google Friend Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the side bar).


5. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

6. Follow Moana Saves on Networked Blogs (in the side bar).


7. Subscribe to my feed via RSS reader and/or email updates.

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, December 21st 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.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.