CardiWrap: A Review

My sister-in-law came into the house last week looking thoroughly anxious.

She had a blind date.

Her first blind date.

Ever.

I don’t blame her for being nervous. I hate blind dates, and for good reason.

You don’t know whom your going to end up spending the evening with.

It could be the most stomach-churning event ever,

it could be fairly pleasant,

or it could leave you gushing and swooning over the man of your dreams. 

No matter which, the suspense and anxiety will kill you before you even walk out the door.

She told me she scolded her friend for not giving her time to lose 10 lbs. and find something to wear!

While I couldn’t help her in losing 10 lbs in 24 hours (she doesn’t need to anyway), I did remember that I had a CardiWrap in my closet!

I whipped it out and she looked at it curiously. I gave her the little book and accessories that came with it, and told her to go play with it. She came back very excited, and needless to say, quite a bit less anxious.

The first thing we both noticed was how comfortable, breathable, and light the fabric is (which we appreciate living in a place where it’s hot 24/7). The CardiWrap by Kymaro is made of 100% viscose, which has a silky feel, drapes beautifully, and doesn’t wrinkle. (Yeah!) We also loved the 50+ ways that you can wear it! She was stoked on the hoodie and jacket versions, while I was excited about the scarf and wrap variations. She’s young and fabulous, and I just had my fifth child. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m still fabulous, there’s just more of my fabulousness than I’m used to...) ;)

Luckily, the CardiWrap can be worn in so many different ways; it complimented both of our body types. It’s incredibly versatile. The CardiWrap comes with 3 bangles, a bow pin, and a flower pin that you can use to create more looks, and accent the wrap.It is truly a classic piece that can be altered to go with any season, fashion trend, or body type.  I received the CardiWrap in Charcoal Grey and it really does goes with anything. You can wear it with your most comfy chillin’ jeans or your favorite dress and high heels.

The CardiWrap comes in seven different colors and has a 30 day money back guarantee.To learn more about the CardiWrap or to purchase it go HERE.

It a wardrobe investment!

*I was not paid to write this review, but did receive the CardiWrap to test drive! I can feel the wind in my hair. Totally. Mahalo nui to the Family Review Network for providing this opportunity.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader DVD - A Review

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) is a fun family movie filled with adventure and fun. In this third installment of the Narnia Chronicles, directed by Michael Apted, Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way, they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world (IMDB.com).

Rated PG (and under 2 hours) made this a very family-friendly movie, especially with my four rambunctious kids. Reepicheep, the large talking mouse, kept them laughing, while "the mist" and other sea creatures had them cuddling up next to me, even covering their eyes at times. Nothing too scary, though. The only thing that was really annoying, at least initially, was cousin Eustace. I guess it helped in making his transformation into a vital part of their survival all the more dramatic, but his voice and bratty antics were wearing on me. Other than that, I enjoyed watching Voyage of the Dawn Treader for our family movie night. There aren't too many adventurous and action-packed movies that I can watch with my kids, so it was nice to share with them the excitement of it all.

One last thing I liked about the movie was how it touched on the consequences of being selfish, greedy, bratty, and unhappy with yourself and who you are. It also showed what happens when you are the opposite of those things: selfless, giving, nice and happy with who you are. My kids made comments throughout the movie and afterward about these things, so it was nice to talk to them about making good choices and having them listen wholeheartedly because I was using examples from the movie! BONUS!

For more information about the movie as well as some fun Narnia games, go HERE.   And, for now, here's a preview of The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader:

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

Milkmakers, A Review! and Giveaway

Another breast milk supplement...

Except this one is way more fun than most!

It's a cookie. 

When I was asked if I wanted to review Milkmakers,

I believe my exact words were 

"Shoot! I'll eat me a cookie!"

A lot more fun than taking a supplement,

or drinking tea, 

or doing a milk-making mantra...

It's a cookie.

A good cookie. 

Well, two good cookies.

I recieved the dairy free oatmeal raisin, and the oatmeal chocolate chip. I asked my hubby and kids if they wanted some, and they were a little skeptical looking at the logo. I think they were afraid that it would make them into the first males to be able to nurse a baby. Ha!

Finally I convinced them that it was just a healthy cookie with a few fun ingredients to help me (not neccessarily them) make milk. And Dad and kids like them too! They ate all of my chocolate chip cookies.

And then I regretted trying to get them to eat them.

The cookies did help my supply increase, and the best part was I didn't have to remember to "take" them! They're pretty tempting on their own.

Milkmakers are specially formulated lactation cookies designed to help moms increase their breast milk supply safely, healthily, and most of all, enjoyably.

The cookies are made with all natural ingredients including oatmeal, brewers yeast, and flaxseed, which all are known to help in producing milk. Here are the snippets from their site on each of these ingredients:

"Oats are eaten by nursing moms worldwide to boost breastmilk supply, and are a nutritional powerhouse providing plenty of whole grains, fiber, iron, and an abundance of healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Brewer's yeast is a traditional herbal remedy used to stimulate and increase the production of breastmilk and is a rich source of the B-vitamins and amino acids essential for nursing moms and their babies.
Flax seed provides an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, necessary for brain development, which can be passed from mother to baby through breastmilk. These ingredients work together to make milkmakers a wholesome, beneficial treat for breastfeeding moms."


More perks:  They are baked fresh, and sent straight to your door! They come in cute simple packaging, and the bags reseal for you to come back to later. 

These are the perfect way to spoil any new mom! Milkmakers have been featured by KUOW NPR, The Doctors, Seattle Magazine, American Baby, Time.com, Glamour and others. 


SHOP: To buy Milkmakers go HERE. Also available on the company's website are links to additional resources for breastfeeding moms as well as suggestions for finding a lactation consultant and dietician.

WIN: One lucky Moana Saves reader will win a supply of Milkmakers Cookies!  To enter this giveaway, go to the Milkmakers home page and then come back to leave a comment saying which flavor of Milkmakers 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 Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

4. Follow Milkmakers on Twitter.

5. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following: are you pregnant or nursing? #win @milkmakers cookies from @moanasaves ends 5/16 http://bit.ly/ldjS2U

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 Milkmakers 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, 5/16/11 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 paid, but did recieve Milkmakers to facilitate this review. All opinions here are mine. 

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.

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.

Moana Saves had a Nutella Party!

On Saturday, March 19th, we, the bloggers here at Moana Saves, threw a party courtesy of the folks at Nutella!  It was as much fun as several women who run away from their families on a Saturday night in a bar-less town can have.  We ate . . . a lot of Nutella and had fun talking about grown-up stuff.  Nutella sent us a large box of goodies, some of which was a 26 oz jar of the good stuff, Nutella spreaders (complete with a curve at the end to accommodate the ridges of the bottom of the Nutella jar--woot!), a few other Nutella branded items and some info about Nutella Hazelnut Spread.

For instance, did you know that there are more than 50 hazelnuts in a 13 oz jar of Nutella hazelnut spread?  And did you know that Nutella does not contain peanuts or peanut ingredients, nor does the product come in contact with peanuts during manufacturing?  We learned all this and more (like Nutella is gluten-free and Kosher!).  (And we ate Nutella on homemade waffles topped with banana slices, see on the right? but I digress).  Probably the most important thing we learned as women trying to feed our families a balanced breakfast to send them off in the morning is that a slice of whole wheat toast with Nutella hazelnut spread, a serving of fresh fruit and a cup of yogurt or 1% milk provides balanced nutrition to start the day.  Which basically goes along with my personal affirmation: Nutella in moderation, Nutella in moderation . . .

Mahalo nui loa to the folks at Nutella for giving us a chance to get together and eat Nutella (in moderation)!  Check out the Nutella website for nutritional info on my favorite hazelnut spread, Nutella sweepstakes and a $1 off Nutella coupon!

And hey--

if anyone else wants to send us big boxes of treats so we can have another party, you can email me at moanasaves at gmail dot com because we're fair like that . . .

48 Things To Know About Sustainable Living: A Review and Giveaway

Living on an island can shape our perspective about how our lives impact the planet and either positively or negatively affect sustainability.  We're not suggesting that we are green experts.  Rather, we are interested in highlighting how we think, shop and spend can evolve so that can sustain the earth's future for our kids.  Plus we're looking at some really cool stuff! Stay tuned!

Wait! Stop! MoanaSaves Green Week is over and I have yet to submit this review!

The book is called 48 Things To Know About Sustainable Living and the reason it wasn't reviewed earlier is because I've been reading it and taking in all the ideas and resources that Victoria Klein offers the reader.

She's informative, she's practical, and she's fun. Klein seems to understand and empathize with the reader who may not know where to start with the whole sustainable living thing and then she provides additional resources for those of us who may feel like we do our best to live as responsible stewards of the earth but feel that we could always do better.

"Use it up. Wear it out, Make it do. Or do without."

This is the introductory golden nugget Klein uses in this book and it's one that my friend with six kids has been using since she was pregnant with her first. To me, this is how we can live. Less stuff and more awareness about our impact on the earth. That's the message of this book and it's helpful for everyone at any stage of sustainable living.

SHOP: You can purchase 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living HERE.

WIN: The publisher of 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living by Victoria Klein is offering one lucky Moana Saves reader his/her own copy of the book!  For your mandatory entry in this giveaway, tell us one thing you'd like to work on to make your life more green and sustainable.

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 Victoria Klein on Twitter.  

6. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #Win 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living from @VictoriaKlein and @moanasaves ends 4/11 http://bit.ly/gvtOix

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 Monday, 4/11/11 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 free copy of the book to facilitate this review. Any and all opinions here are mine.

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!

Review of Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies

Pedia-Lax® Fiber Gummies — Daily Fiber

Supplement

The first complete line of laxatives made just for kids, made by the No. 1 trusted laxative brand. Great tasting Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies are sugar-free with natural fruit flavors. Finally there's a delicious daily fiber supplement to help kids stay regular.*

One word for this product: FABULOUS

Fabulous Points
*Kids Love to Eat them
*Adds that extra Fiber needed for your day
*Great Fiber tips on Bottle

As a mother of 5, I have tried many vitamins for my children. And many brands come in gummy form, which is a favorite among my children. When I heard about these fiber-gummies I was excited to try them, although I wondered about how they would taste. I personally have tried a few fiber supplements, most of which have that traditional "fiberous" texture. When I received the Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies and upon seeing the gummy bottle my kids instantly wanted one. They TRIED & they LOVED. I tried also & I enjoy them MUCH more than our other gummy vitamins, and Yes I do eat the kids gummy-vites once in a while.

Now the true test of a fiber product of course comes later in the day or the next day.....YES I'm talking about the bathroom visit. So after a few days of eating the Fiber Gummies I noticed a big difference in my son's bathroom visit. This Fiber Gummy was working & doing its job just RIGHT.

Lastly I personally always forget about how much fiber is needed in my day. Thanks to the Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummy bottle answered all questions about fiber, how many grams needed & what it compares to. That was a great time saver, saved me a research trip to the computer. Thanks Pedia-Lax.

To find your nearest online or brick and mortar Fiber Gummies retailer, visit Pedia-Lax.com

*I was not paid or compensated for this review. I did receive a bottle of fiber gummies to complete my review. All opinions are my own.

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!

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.

InstantPeel Review

I used to be very aware of how my face felt & I took extra care of it each morning & night. But with each child I had, my morning & night routine got shorter and sometime didn't happen at all.  I haven't had the chance to really search out a good face exfoliator, so when given this opportunity to try INSTANT PEEL, I was more than willing.

Some info from the InstantPeel website about the product:

Peel and Reveal with the Natural Exfoliator

InstantPeel^TM naturally and gently peels away dead skin cells, debris and impurities to reveal skin's true vibrancy. InstantPeel isn't a facial scrub. The gentle action comes from InstantPeel's unique combination of proteins and enzymes, and is proven safe for even the most sensitive skin. InstantPeel is a natural exfoliator and an effective alternative to facial scrubs, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion, which can cause irritation. You can't overuse InstantPeel. Once the dead skin and debris are peeled away, InstantPeel stops working, revealing a youthful glow.
Using the InstantPeel the first time I saw IMMEDIATE results. The product worked just as described; I rubbed the dead skin off & my skin felt softer. I have family members who have had chemical peels--through the pain they got a younger looking skin. I was hoping that as I got older I would find an alternative to the abrasive route.  InstantPeel can give you that result without the irritation. What a Find!

 You can buy InstaPeel here.

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

Bag Ups: Biodegradable trash bags

My house has gone through a trash can makeover!  I normally use bulk brand bags- nothing fancy- but the price is right.  We take out about a bag a day, sometimes more with company and clean-up/recycling days.

I just tie up the draw string and take them out. Hadn't really thought about the process it goes through after that point.  I'm the one that mostly takes care of the trash situation in our house.  But sometimes I make my 8-year-old change the bags because I'm just sick of doing it and it never gets done right away since my trash can and the space where I keep the bags are at different ends of the room.

I came across a great product called Bag-Ups- these bags are much better for the environment and only take 2 years to decompose, instead of the 2000 years that my other bags do.  These are also a drop-in system, so the next bag comes up and tears off of the one you are taking out after it's full- very convenient as well!  Now I only had to change the box every 23rd time!

 
I was able to fill up just as much in them and then tie them shut.  These are something any family could use while still saving time and the environment.

The benefits of undergoing a “Trash Can Makeover” include:

• Going GREEN! BagUps biodegrade over 2 years, as opposed to the industry standard 2,000!
• You're supporting Veterans and persons with disabilities, since they are assembling this product for us.
• You are buying AMERICAN! (Let's face it, this isn't exactly easy to do anymore!)
• Never having to reach down into the can EVER AGAIN! The unique BagUps system ensures that you never have to bend down into the trash can again since the next bag is always attached! Additionally, the time savings of never having to go to a storage closet to get a new bag really adds up!
  
  Learn more about Bag-Ups on their website, Facebook or Twitter page- where you can even ask your own questions about this innovative product!
  
  
  I was provided with a box of BagUps for this review. All opinions are my own.