Back to school has gotten me back into the organized mom mode!   Time to get back to the routine.  This year I am adding a NEW routine.  Money management.  DH and I are last minute impulse spenders.  Usually one spouse is the money sensible one, not with us!  I am talking last minute weekend trips to Disney folks!  Not a Money $mart Mom move!

I was given this book by Sarah Deveau and once I started reading I couldn’t stop.  When DH and I had our first baby over 7 years ago the hardest part about mat leave was figuring out how to live on 50% of my pay!    This book answers a lot of questions and offers real life advice.  Whether you are just starting your family or if it is well under way this book will help you get financially fit!

The first thing that hit me while reading this book is that it is not preachy at all.  Deveau is not saying “You are in debt and you need to do this to get out of it.”  Exactly the opposite!  The book reads more like , “Hey, these ideas work for me you should give it a try.”  It is like chatting with a friend over coffee.  LOVE that!

The second thing that hit me is that it is relevant to ME!  This is one time that Canadian content is great!  No talk of 401ks only RRSPs!  This book will stay relevant for me and my growing family for years to come.  I will return to it again and again.

My copy is already dogeared and highlighted to the max!  As I am sure your copy will be in no time! 

About the Author

Sarah Deveau published her first book, Sink or Swim: Get Your Degree Without Drowning in Debt (Dundurn, 2003) after graduating from the University of Calgary’s Communications program. When she and her husband decided to have children, she searched for books about the impact having children would have on their finances.

Finding little, she decided to write the book she wished she had been able to buy at the bookstore. Or rather, write the book she wished she could have borrowed from the library! She began researching and writing, fitting in her work as she had three daughters in four years, finding time while the kids were napping or at preschool.

Sarah is a frequent contributor to a variety of parenting websites, as well as a regular guest on CityTV Calgary, Lite 96, and 660CFR.

Purchase Money $mart Mom: financially fit parenting here.

I have good news for you all!  Sarah has agreed to give one of you Money Smart Mom to highlight and dog ear yourselves! 

Mandatory first entry:

Head over to Money $mart Moms website and tell me what your favorite tip is.  You can find the TIPS HERE.   THIS MUST BE DONE FIRST OR NO BONUS ENTRIES WILL COUNT.

Bonus entries:

~Like Money Smart Mom on facebook –1 entry comment below that you liked

~Grab our Canadian Product Review Button (3 entries-comment 3 times so they will count)

~Re-tweet about this review/giveaway (1 daily entry-comment each time you re-tweet)

~Blog about this review/giveaway on your personal website (1 entry-leave me the link)

Contest Open to: CANADA 18+

Entries accepted until Sept 22, 2010 12:00 noon MST

 How cute are theses?

I came across this review/giveaway over at My ORGANIZED CHAOS.

The lunch box is by Bumkins.  Check out their website HERE.

Closes September 12/2010 at 9pm MST

So who doesn’t love chocolate? The older I get, the more I crave it. Chocolate,Chocolate, Chocolate. I just can’t seem to ever get enough. I usually doesn’t matter what kind of chocolate, just as long as it is sweet and creamy smooth.

Now I have a reason to “Buy chocolate with a purpose”

FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED CADBURY DAIRY MILK HITS THE SHELVES IN CANADA

If you are not familiar with what it means to be Fair Trade Certified, let me provide you with some information. (Definition from Wikipedia)

Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries obtain better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers and gold.

I am sure that almost everyone is familiar with Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Bars. Nearly 22 million Cadbury Dairy Milk Bars are sold annually in Canada. The really great news is that now all solid Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate without nuts, fruits or other inclusions will bear the Fair Trade Mark. Cadbury obtains their cocoa from Ghana, West Africa and has been trading with Ghana for more than 100 years. Now that Cadbury has committed to being Fair Trade Certified thing are just going to get better and better for the people of Ghana. It is going to improve the lives of 60,000 cocoa farmers and also benefit about 6,000 sugar cane farmers in Belize.

Fair Trade will help provide the people of Ghana and Belize with cleaner water, improved health-care and increased their access to education. Farmers will be paid a fair and guaranteed price for their crops. A premium is also paid and farmers decide how and where to invest it with the help of Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International. Last Spring Cadbury made it’s first premium payment of $750,000.00 to the Ghanaian cocoa farmers. These monies will be used to build wells, mobile health clinics and fund carbon reduction strategies. It will build more classrooms and provide better education. Fair Trade teaches farmers how to be eco-friendly, how to take better care of their land which in turn helps them produce and harvest more crops. This ultimately gives those farmers more income. It helps improve local infrastructure and the community as a whole. It even empowers woman as gives them some equal-opportunities. These woman are able to finally start new businesses and also gain an income.

Cadbury has made buying Fair Trade Certified Chocolate easier than ever. Cadbury Dairy Milk bars are available in almost every store across Canada and now you can feel good about having your little indulgence. Every time you buy a Fair Trade Cadbury Dairy Milk Bar you are making a difference in someone’s life.

Back in the year of 2008 the company began the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership with the help of the United Nations Development Programme. By doing so they help to improve the farmer’s livelihoods in the key cocoa growing regions.Over the next 10 years Cadbury will invest almost $80 million (CDN) as well last year they sent over 5.000 bikes to Ghanna to help the children have transportation to and from school and for uses within their communities

I recently received some Fair Trade Certified Cadbury Dairy Milk bars to try for myself and I can tell you they have the same great taste we have all come to love, the only difference is the wrapper now proudly displays the Fair Trade Logo. So pick up your bar today and enjoy this wonderful treat and have peace of mind knowing that Cadbury is committed to making this world and it’s workers a better, safer and stronger place.

“BUY CHOCOLATE WITH A PURPOSE”

FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED CADBURY DAIRY MILK BARS HAS MY VOTE FOR SURE!

To learn more about Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate and Fair Trade just click on the link below and you can see for yourself how important Fair Trade is and how it is helping the people of Ghana, West Africa. Enjoy.

http://www.dairymilk.ca/fairtrade/en/

Check out Dairy Milk on Twitter Here

“Like” Cadbury Dairy Milk on Facebook Here

Show your support for Cadbury Fair Trade Certified Dairy Milk by leaving your comments below-Thanks

For the last couple of years I have been keeping it fairly short with lots of layers. This summer it was time for a change, so I have started to let my hair grown longer. It is just past my shoulders now and have decided to try using a flat iron on it. My hair is fairly straight as it is but it is baby fine. My hair always starts out looking great but once I get outside It tends to get lots of fly-aways. This is probably due to the fact that I still have tons of layers in my hair. I know it will take a while for those to be grown out but in the mean time I have found a wonderful product that really helps.

I was actually looking around the web for information about flat irons when I can across a company by the name of Misikko. Misikko is a wonderful company that specializes in providing top quality hair care products to consumers and salons. Since they supply hair salons, I figure they must know a thing or two about finding really high end products that perform. I was amazed as I toured around the Misikko site at all the different items they carry. Tons of brand name items all in one convenient place. Misikko has flat irons, hair dryers, curling irons, hair care products, makeup and even skin care products. You can check out brands such as CHI, HANA, CROC, PAUL MITCHELL and many more.

I was very excited when Misikko offered to send me a couple of their new products to try out. The first product I received was the Hana Shine Shield. It is labelled as an advanced heat styling therapy. Sound like just what my hair is screaming for. The Hana Shine Shield is described as an advanced lightweight, leave-in treatment that strengthens and protects your hair from heat styling, UV rays and everyday stress. Conditioning but never greasy. It promotes soft, silky hair, smoothing follicles to lock in incredible shine.

I have to tell you that the Hana Shine Shield truly stands up to everything it promises. I used a very small (maybe a quarter-sized) amount of Hana Shine Shield and massaged it into my towel dry hair. The very first thing I noticed was how fantastic it smelled. It has a very clean fresh scent which I love. I quickly and without any effort on my part, blew dry my hair. My hair seemed pretty good. It was soft and manageable. It did not feel sticky or greasy in any way. It was just really soft! I proceeded to flat iron my hair and became even more impressed with this Hana Shine Shield. My hair was sleek and soft and manageable and looked fantastic. My hair looked so much healthier after just using it for the first time. Amazing. Throughout the day I kept checking in the bathroom mirror at work to see how my hair was looking. As I stated before I usually end up with lots of frizz and fly-aways especially if there is any humidity in the air. I was very pleased to see that the fly-aways were very minimal and my hair was basically behaving itself. I really love the Hana Shine Shield from Misikko and highly recommend it to anyone that wants soft, touchable, healthier looking hair. I am a fan of this one for sure.

The second item I had the pleasure of tying out from Misikko was the CHI Silk Infusion. The CHI Silk Infusion has a reconstructing complex that is specially formulated for thermal styling and hair repair. “Ok so two things that I really need.” CHI Silk Infusion contains no alcohol, so it won’t dry out your hair. It is a leave in treatment that will not cause any build up.

The CHI Silk Infusion that I received is a 2 oz bottle but this will certainly last a while. I only used a couple large drops of this and it quickly worked through my hair. It kinda looks like an oil, which scared me because the last thing my baby fine hair needs is oil to weigh it down. I dried my hair as usual and again was very happy with the results. My hair was soft and manageable. My hair flat ironed beautifully and it was not greasy at all. I love that it feels like you have nothing at all on your hair. It doesn’t feel like there is any residue at all. It just soaks in and does the job it is intended to do. Some other hair products can make your hair feel like straw. Some are sticky or greasy. I hate the ones that make you feel like you need to wash your hair again. CHI Silk Infusion is not like those other products. My hair was amazing all day. It was so soft the next day that I even wondered if I needed to use it again. Thanks to Misikko I have discovered to fantastic products that I will continue to use. I am not sure which one is a favourite yet, but I can tell you I use one or the other every single day and couldn’t imagine growing out my hair with out them.

The Hana Shine Shield is available in a 6 FL oz bottle (177ml) and retails for $49.99 BUT IT IS ON SALE right now for $29.99 at Misikko.

The CHI Silk Infusion is available in a 2 FL oz bottle ( 50 ml) and retails for $12.99 I shopped around my local retailers that carry the CHI Silk Infusion and this is a good price.

So I recommend checking out the Misikko website today and discover all the other wonderful products they have to offer. They are always offering lots of items on sale and sometimes have great shipping deals too.

The kind and generous people over at Misikko have offered to sponsor a giveaway for one of our lucky Canadian Product Review readers. One person is going to win the very same items I tried. 1 bottle of Hana Shine Shield and 1 bottle of CHI Silk Infusion. This is a total value of $63.00.

How to Enter:

Head on over to Misikko and check out items they sell, then come back here and tell me your favourite. (Leave it in a comment below) THIS MUST BE DONE FIRST OR NO BONUS ENTRIES WILL COUNT

Bonus Entries:

~Follow Misikko on Twitter Here (1 entry-leave comment below with twitter name)

~Blog about this review/giveaway on your personal website (1 entry-leave me the link)

~Join Misikko’s Newsletter (3 entries-comment 3 separate times so they will count)

~”Like” Misikko on Face book Here (1 entry-comment below you have liked)

~Grab our Canadian Product Review Button (3 entries-comment 3 times so they will count)

~Re-tweet about this review/giveaway (1 daily entry-comment each time you re-tweet)

Contest Open to: USA & CANADA 18+

Contest Ends: August 16/10

As you all know by now I love discovering new and exciting products. Everything from great food, exercise equipment, beauty products and just about any innovative item. Today I am very excited to introduce you to a fashion forward company by the name of Meridane Design.

Meridane Design.com is a wonderful company that had a very interesting start. Sally Short was playing around one day and created a brand new symbol almost completely by accident. She sat down and started superimposing all the letters of the phrase “Love Is All You Need”. She stacked all the letters on top of each other and completed here design by adding the peace symbol. She liked the design so much that she had it cast in silver to be worn as a pendant. To everyone’s surprise and amazement her family discovered that not only did this design contain all the letters of the phrase and the peace symbol but it also contained every single letter of the alphabet. If that wasn’t enough it also contained all the numbers from zero through 9. This occurred without Sally even intending it to.

This unique design is now the basis of the Meridane Design Line. Meridane Design came by it’s name by Sally combining her two child’s names. Merida and Dane Their most popular piece is called the “What U Love” pendant. It can be interpreted in any way you wish it to be. It can say absolutely anything. Your name, the name of a loved one, a sentement like Happy Birthday or I Love You. The possibilites are endless.

I was so excited when I received the “What U Love” pendant for review. It is a fantastic looking piece of jewellery and I was very pleased with the actual size of it. It measures 1 3/8 “long by 5/8″ wide. It is cast in sterling silver and has a really nice high polished finish. It kind of reminds me of a stained glass window without the stain. The open concept design is wonderful and it has really become a conversation piece. Every single time I wear it someone asks me about it. They are curious as to what it means. The great thing is it can mean anything you want it to. I like to tell everyone it is the word love and the symbol peace. (The two thing that everyone longs for) The “What U Love” pendant would make a fabulous gift for absolutely anyone. It is appropriate for men or woman and just about any age. It is a simple, clean design that is sure to be timeless. Many people have purchased the “What U Love” pendant and found it has become a symbol of empowerment.  A symbol to give you inner strength.  It can remind you of what is important, help you set goals or even be a memorial of someone you have lost. It is personal, powerful and beautiful all at the same time.

Meridane Design has lot of other jewellery that also incorporates this empowering design. They have Bangles, Necklaces, Pendants, Earrings and even T-shirts.  Meridane Designs Mission statement is “Spread Love and Empowerment” and what a nicer way to do that than with a beautiful piece of jewellery.

All of Meridane items are cast in the USA and are currently available online at Meridian Design.com.  Prices start at about $39.00 (USD) for pendants. They come in a nice black box with an explanation card.

The following card will come with each symbol purchased which allows you to “gift” the symbol with a customized message
(1 with each symbol purchased)

The wonderful people of Meridane Design have sponsored a giveaway contest here on Canadian Product Reviews.  One lucky reader is going to win their very own “What U Love” Sterling Silver Pendant. 

Just Head on over to Meridanedesign.com and check out all the great items they have to offer-than come back here and leave a comment below as to which item is your favourite.  (This will get you your first manditory entry into the contest)

Want Bonus Entries?

~Sign up for Meridane Design Newsletter Here (gain 3 bonus entries) comment 3 times to enter

~”Like” Meridane Design onFacebook Here (gain 1 bonus entry) comment that you have to enter

~ Re-tweet about this review/giveaway daily (gian 1 bonus entry per day)

~Add Canadian Product Reviews Button to your website or blog (3 bonus entries)comment 3 times for entries

Contest Open to : Canada & USA 18+

Contest Ends: August 3rd 2010

  is the foundation of this personal empowerment symbol.
Spell out what you want it to say, the combinations are endless!

Hindu philosophy is divided into six schools of thought.

1.Samkhya, a strongly dualist theoretical exposition of mind and matter.
2.Yoga, a school emphasizing meditation closely based on Samkhya
3.Nyaya or logics
4.Vaisheshika, an empiricist school of atomism
5.Mimamsa, an anti-ascetic and anti-mysticist school of orthopraxy
6.Vedanta, the logical conclusion to Vedic ritualism, focusing on mysticism. Vedanta came to be the dominant current of Hinduism in the post-medieval period.

What makes yoga differ from the other five is the amount of body control and relaxation required. Through the practice of yoga one learns certain disciplines that are both physical and mental.  Yoga can help you train your muscles, control you breathing and clear your mind. Yoga is one of the only activities I know of that can help you maintain your exercise routine as well as calm you down and de-stress your mind.  For these reasons Yoga is my choice.

Although no one really knows who invented the practice of Yoga, it  has been around for over three thousand years. In recent years Yoga has had a huge re-sergence.  Most gyms offer Yoga Classes and some even offer what they call “Hot” Yoga, that will really make you sweat. As Yoga gains in popularity the amounts of new Yoga equipment grows too. Whether you are looking for a snazzy Yoga bag to carry your mat in or a Yoga tote bag to carry other essentials, YogaDirect.ca has just what you need.

YogaDirect.ca is a great online company that specializes in Yoga supplies.  They have quality products at reasonable prices. Looking for a eco-friendly Yoga mat? They have them. How about a Yoga totes, Yoga mat bags, Yoga mat cleaners, Yoga straps, Yoga blocks,Yoga how-to DVDs and even Yoga towels.

I was recently given the opportunity by YogaDirect.ca to try out one of their new Yoga Towels.  I was so excited because I had never used a Yoga Towel before.  A Yoga towel is used as a protective layer between you and your Yoga mat. This microfiber towel is exactly the same size as a yoga mat, so you just simply lay it down over top of your mat.  Microfiber is anti-microbial which simply means it will stop or prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that could potentially be lurking on your mat.  This would be especially great if you are going to the gym and using there mats which everyone else uses.  Yuk!  I am sure that they spray them down and clean them but how do you really know what you are exposing yourself too.  I don’t know out everyone else out there but the last thing I needs is to catch someone else’s foot cooties. The great thing is with a Yoga towel all you have to do is pick it up and throw it into the washing machine on a cold water setting and hang it up to dry until the next time you need it. 

Not only are YogaDirect.ca Yoga towels a great hygienic idea they are really easy and convenient too.  They are easy to fold up and take along with you. If your at toting your own yoga mat just roll it all up together and away you go.

When I first received my YogaDirect.ca Yoga towel I was a little sceptical at first.  I thought how the heck is this thing going to lay flat and not move around when I practice my Yoga poses or other strengthening exercises?  I was really amazed at how well the Yoga towel just stays put.  It doesn’t stick to your hands or feet or any other part of your body for that matter. I didn’t move around or get bunched up in places either. I love that YogaDirect.ca Yoga Towels provide an absorbent surface that quickly soaks up any moisture and always gives you a slip-resistant surface to work on.  I am now spoiled for life and can’t imagine working out on a plain rubber mat.. Some Microfiber materials actually feel like they have little hooks that catch your skin-but not the type that YogaDirect.ca uses. The towel’s texture is very soft and almost relaxing. Cloth is a lot more warm that rubber too.

YogaDirect.ca currently offer two different colour choices in Yoga Towels.  They have a wonderful blue colour with blue outside stitching or a cool gray colour with red stitching. If you are like me and have never used a yoga towel, take it from me you are going to love using one.  Check out all the other exciting items featured on YogaDirect.ca today.  YogaDirect.ca is located in Toronto, Ontario but they only sell their items online. This way they can keep their prices very competitive.  A Yoga Towel from YogaDirect.ca is only $34.99 Canadian. What a great deal.

I have Fantastic News…………………..

YogaDirect.ca has graciously sponsored a giveaway for one of our lucky readers here on Canadian Product Reviews.  Someone is going to win there very own YogaDirect.ca Yoga Towel. 

To enter just visit YogaDirect.ca and let me know what is your favourite item they carry. (Come back here and leave a comment as to which one you chose)  MANDATARY FOR YOUR 1ST ENTRY!

Want extra entries?
~ Re-tweet about this review/giveaway on twitter -1 daily entry (comment below each time)
~Follow YogaDirect.ca on Twitter Here -1 entry (comment with twitter name)
~”Like” YogaDirect.ca on Facebook Here-1 entry (comment you have succeeded )
~Sign up for YogaDirect.ca Newsletter Here-1 entry To complete the newsletter sign up, you must sign up and confirm the subscription by clicking on the link found in the sign up email.(comment that you have done so)
~Add Canadian Product Review Button to you website or blog -5 extra entries (comment 5 times to show your entries)

Contest: Open to Canada Only

Contest Ends: July 17/10

As a new Grandmother I am always on the look out for new and exciting companies that have great baby products. I recently came across a company by the name of La Jems and just have to share it with all of you.

But first I have a little story. When my first grand daughter was born back in April, I went to visit my step daughter and son-in-law in the Hospital. Our new little bundle of joy had just finished feeding and was quite fussy. She started to cry and cry and my daughter didn’t know what to do. She (the baby) was fed and just changed, so what could possibly be wrong? As my son-in-law picked his brand-new baby girl up, I asked if she had been burped yet? The new parents looked at me with strange, confused eyes. I laughed out loud and said “that is why she is crying-her little tummy hurts and she needs a nice burp to make her feel better.” The cautious new Dad, gently and softly tapped the little 8lb 3oz infant. I laughed again and instructed him that she wouldn’t break and she needed more than a tiny little tap on the back. Grandma #2 quickly took over and showed my son-in-law how it was done. This sweet, cute, adorable baby girl let out the most enormous belch! We were all amazed that such a little tike could produce such a load noise. I quickly turned to notice that our little angel had also spit up all over the shoulder of Grandma #2. Yuk! Awhhh how quickly I had forgotten what that was like. (Since my youngest is now 18 years old) I quickly retrieved some napkins to help her get cleaned up. Needless to say my Granddaughter was now quiet and quite content.

So now we fast forward two months and I am surfing around the net looking for new and creative baby items. When I found La Jems, I was reminded of the above story. La Jems is a company that specializes in baby burp cloths! I was thrilled when La Jems agreed to let me do a review for them. I received a package from La Jems with two burp cloths. One burp cloth features the most adorable cartoon character called “Bea the Bear” and the second was beautifully labelled with the La Jems logo on it.

I was instantly impressed with these La Jems Burp cloths. They are like nothing I have ever seen before. In my day we always just used a receiving blanket thrown over your shoulder. La Jems burp cloths are a fantastic idea. They are made of 100% cotton cloth diapers! The very first thing I noticed when I opened the package is how gentle and soft they felt. Most of the time when you purchase something new the material is hard and scratchy until you wash it a few times. Not La Jems they are soft to the touch right out of the bag. They are a crisp white cotton diaper that has been transformed into a burp cloth. They are immaculately embroidered with the design. As I mentioned one of mine features Bea the Bear and she is absolutely adorable. Pink and cute as can be. La Jems offers twenty different character designs and each and everyone is created and hand-drawn before being embroidered onto the burp cloths.

These incredibly useful burp cloths come in styles for boys, girls or both. So if you are thinking of using them for a fantastic shower gift idea, but don’t know the sex of the baby yet just choose a design that would be good for either.

                                How about . . .

So cute! La Jems diaper style burp cloths are 14″ x 21″ which makes them the perfect size to fold up and take along with you anywhere. Easy and convenient yet large enough to catch those little accidents. La Jems burp clothes not only will protect your clothing while burping your infant. They look great too. I love how soft and gentle they are against my grand daughters tiny delicate face. La Jems burp clothes are truly absorbent too. Down the centre of the burp cloth there are six thick layers of cotton weave. Again perfect for those burpy messes. La Jems burp cloths are great to just grab in a hurry to wipe a tiny face or hands. They are completely machine washable and just toss them in the dryer. They stay soft and absorbent and according to the La Jems website will last for years without wearing thin.

I really love La Jems burp cloths and think they would be an amazing and useful gifts for any new mom or mom to be. A creative gift with a practical use. They can be purchased in a 2-pack bundle which include one burp cloth embroidered with a design of your choice and one La Jems signature burp cloth.

La Jems are certainly “Made with Love” and it shows in these amazing burp cloths. If you know anyone with a little one, you have to check these out. You won’t be sorry. La Jems are very reasonably priced at $20.00 USD for a 2-pack + shipping.

Exciting News . . . Now save 10% off at La Jems with this special discount code. Just enter the code LAJEMS10 at the checkout when purchasing your set of burp cloths!

Want more Exciting News?

OK-How About a Giveaway?

Melissa, the co-owner of La Jems has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway contest!

Just head on over to the La Jems website and pick out your favourite La Jems burp time Companion. Then come back here and leave me a comment as to which one you would choose. (THIS IS A MUST TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY CONTEST)

One lucky reader is going to win a 2-pack bundle of La Jems burp cloths. The winner will be able to specify for a boy, girl or either (gender-neutral). The 2-pack bundle consists on one signature La Jems cloth and one character design.

Want to gain bonus entries?

~Re-Tweet about this review/giveaway -1 extra entry daily (leave a comment each time)

~Grab the Canadian Product Reviews button and add it to your blog or website -3 extra entries (comment 3 times)

~Follow Canadian Product Reviews on Twitter Here- 1 extra entry (leave a comment w/twitter name)

~And if you buy an item from La Jems you will get -5 bonus entries (comment 5 times and yes I will be checking)

Contest Open To: Canada & USA 18+

Contest Ends: July 12, 2010

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Hurray!- Scentsy Warmers have come to Canada. Scentsy is wickless, leadless and flame less scented wax warmer. Scentsy Warmers are beautifully crafted jar-style Warmers that use a low watt light bulb to warm fragrant wax.

I was so excited when Independent consultant Kristi Evans contacted me to do a review for the New Scentsy Wickless Candle Warmer. Scentsy has so many different Warmers to choose from. In fact there are about 40 different Warmers in all. There are rustic, country-styled Warmers, sporty athletic inspired Warmers, famine flowery Warmers and even Victorian designs like the one I was sent to try out.

I was so overjoyed when I received my parcel from Scentsy. The outside of the box was clearly marked with Authentic Scentsy Product. I couldn’t wait to open it up and check it out. Inside the well packaged box I found my Victorian Scentsy Warmer. It is beautiful and a lot larger than I had imagined. The Victorian is a full-sized version and will be a wonderful accent to my decor. Here is what it looks like

I just love the shape of this Scentsy Warmer and the colour is perfect too. I think it would look great in any room I choose to place it in. After I unpack your warmer, it was very easy to put together. All I had to do was screw in the low watt light bulb. (25watt for the full-sized warmer) and place the melting saucer on the top. All that is left to do is break off a cube of the Scentsy scented wax and place it into the saucer. I plugged it in and flipped the switch to the on position.

I was giving three different Scentsy fragrant waxes to try out. The first of the three scents I tried was the one called Vanilla Suede. I just adore the scent of vanilla and it is the first scent I choose when shopping for regular scented candles. The Vanilla Suede scent is described as;

Classic, comforting vanilla combined with rich amber and hints of sandalwood and spice – a cozy and subtly masculine fragrance.

My husband really likes this scent. The very first night I plugged in my Scentsy Warmer and the scented wax started to melt he said “finally a scent that is truly masculine and not all flowery.” “I like it” I really enjoyed this scent too, but what I enjoyed even more is with the Scentsy Warmer there is no flame that can accidentally start a fire. There is absolutely no soot either. Scentsy fragrant wax is specially formulated to melt into a liquid at a very low temperature. All that is need is a low-watt light bulb to slowly melt the wax and release the wonderful scent. This is great, especially if you have children or pets. One more thing that I really like about the Scentsy Warmer system is if you are going to leave the room all you have to do is just flip the switch on the cord to off. The Scentsy wax will slowly re-solidify until the next time you want to melt the wax. No blowing out the candle and dealing with the residue and smoke.

Scentsy Fragrances are available in 80 different scents. There is something for everyone. Whether you like a scent that reminds of tropical island or fresh laundry from the dryer, you are sure to find a perfect scent for your home or office.

You can choose from:

BAKERY SELECTION,

SPRING AND SUMMER COLLECTION,

FAVOURITES COLLECTION,

ROMANCE COLLECTION,

SCENTSY CAFÉ COLLECTION,

SCENTSY MAN COLLECTION,

SPA COLLECTION

OR THE

TROPICAL COLLECTION.

The Scentsy wax is available in two different sizes too. You can purchase a Scentsy Bar which is 90g or a larger brick size which is 454g.

The Scentsy fragrant wax lasts a really long time too. I used my Scentsy Warmer all week long-in fact I think I used it was every night this week and was amazed that the scent was still as wonderful as the first time I used it. I went back on-line to their website and discovered that one bar will last anywhere from 50-60 hours!! Wow! I don’t know any candles that will last that long. The Scentsy bars are very reasonablely priced at $6.00 Canadian and the Scentsy Bricks which are huge is only $ 24.00 Canadian.

When you are ready to change your Scentsy Warmer scent, all you have to do is turn off your warmer and gently pour the melted wax back into the original plastic container. It will harden and you can use it again if you wish. The wax doesn’t evaporate, the scent just dissipates the longer you use it. Simply wipe out your warmer saucer with a clean paper towel and you are ready to try a new exciting Scentsy Scent.

The next on my list to try was Mocha-doodle. Doesn’t it just sound fantastic? What could be better than the scent of delicious roasted coffee beans and cocoa balanced with sugar, caramel and heavy cream? YUM! I was very pleased with this scent. It was right up my alley. I did find though, that it was a little more powerful than the vanilla, so I just didn’t need to use it as often. This scent seems to last even longer and still smells great when not in use.

So today is cleaning day and although there is a wonderful spring breeze coming through my back door I can’t wait to try out the Clean Breeze Scentsy Wax. Oh my, this is by far one of my favourites. This is just such a crisp and clean scent. It reminds me of fresh laundry straight off the clothes’ line. I really enjoyed all three scents that Kristi gave me to try. The Vanilla for some crazy reason reminds me of my husband. The Mocha-doodle is like visiting a really great café and the clean breeze reminds me of springtime cleaning.

Scentsy Warmers are available in so many amazing styles and colours. There are more than 45 different ones to choose from.

Scentsy warmers would make a perfect gift for absolutely anyone. No matter what the person’s taste or style is. There is a Scentsy Warmer that will go with anyone’s decor.

Full-Sized Scentsy Warmers are $36.00 Canadian Retail and Mid-Sized Warmers sell for $30.00 Canadian. Scentsy also carries Scented Hangers, Travel Tins and Room Sprays. Discover all the wonderful authentic Scentsy Products here https://rn.scentsy.us/Home

Scentsy is one of the fastest growing home party companies. They are very proud of their more than 55,000 Independent sales consultants. If you are interested in hosting your very own Scentsy Party please feel free to contact Kristi Evans at waxywarrior@att.net and she can give you all the info you will need to get started. Here is some background information about Kristi;

Kristi is a full-time nurse manager and full-time mom of 2 little girls. She started working with Scentsy on the side by signing up her first consultant in March of 2009. She now has a successful team of 170 people and is planning on quitting her nursing job in the next couple of months to do Scentsy Full-time!!

Scentsy is growing by 300% annually in the US and will be much higher than that in Canada. If you are interested in a new opportunity to earn some extra cash or maybe sell Scentsy as your full-time business you can visit Kristi’s Website and click the JOIN Link.

Want the chance to win your very own Full-Sized Scentsy Warmer and Fragrant Scent? Well this is your chance. Kristi has generously agreed to sponsor a giveaway. Visit Kristi’s Scentsy Website and come back here and leave a comment as to which warmer and scent you would choose if selected as our winner.

For Bonus Entries:

-”Like” Scentsy on Face book Here (1 extra entry)

-Sign up for Scentsy’s Monthly Newsletter by e-mailing Kristi and letting her know your e-mail address. (1 extra entry)

-Add Canadian Product Reviews Button to your website or blog (3 extra entries)comment 3 X

-Re-Tweet about this product review/giveaway (1 extra entry daily)

Remember with Scentsy you can get the warm glow of a candle, the fantastic scent of fragrant wax without the dangers of having an open flame in your home.

Contest open to: Canada Only

Contest Ends: June 11, 2010

I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period.

The winner is……………Elaine Trenholm-congrats on winning a new Scentsy Warmer and Scent!

Everyone I know is talking about the new “double” bottle kraft salad dressing they are seeing in the grocery store. I am here to tell you what it is all about.  Kraft has just launched a brand new series of Sizzling Salads entree salad kits. We all love to dine out and one of my favourite things to order from a restaurant (especially in the summer-time) is a huge entree salad. I figure it is the best of all worlds protein, veggies and fabulous taste.

Kraft has jumped in with both feet and created a unique way to prepare restaurant style entree salads right in your own kitchen. Sizzling Salads make creating your own meals fun and easy. Just use the cooking sauce for your chicken and the complementary dressing over the salad. It is that easy.  I was recently given the opportunity to try out the Asian Chicken variety of Kraft Sizzling Salad kits.  I had seen these popping up all over the grocery stores lately and couldn’t wait to give them a try.  The Asian Chicken Sizzling Salad kit comes with a Teriyaki Ginger cooking sauce and a Toasted Sesame dressing.

This is what else you need:
½ lb boneless/skinless chicken (cut into strips)
½ tsp. Oil
1/4 cup Kraft Sizzling Salad Teriyaki Ginger cooking sauce
6 cups baby spinach leaves
1 can mandarin oranges (drained)
1 carrot (shredded)
½ cup fresh bean sprouts
½ cup halved snow peas
1 green onion (sliced)
1/4 cup Kraft Sizzling Salads Toasted Sesame Dressing

It is so easy………………….
-Just cook the chicken 6-7 min in the oil,
-add cooking sauce until coated,
-combine all the other ingredients and top with the chicken.

THAT IS IT!!- I used Kraft’s suggestion and added toasted sliced almonds on top-YUM!

The three of us had a wonderful and healthy entree salad for dinner. This recipe easily feed two people, but with us we all ate dinner and I had some left for lunch the next day.  This Asian Chicken Sizzling Salad is truly something I would have ordered while dinning out in a restaurant.  I love the mixture of sweet mandarin oranges with crisp bean sprouts and tangy teriyaki chicken it all goes so well with the slightly nutty flavour of the sesame dressing. A salad like this in a restaurant would probably cost about $8.99 or more especially with chicken.  Kraft Sizzling Salad entree kits are a great value at just $4.29 SRP and the ingredients were not expensive at all.  It was very economical when you factor in that I fed a family of three and no one went away hungry.  Also note that you only use a 1/4 cup so you can make this at least three times over from the same bottle.

In about 15 minutes or less you can have a quality restaurant-style entree salad using Kraft Sizzling Salad kits. There are four different Sizzling Salad kits to choose from.

Greek Chicken=  Lemon Oregano Cooking Sauce +  Mediterranean Feta Dressing
Southwest Chicken= Spicy Fajita Cooking Sauce + Barbecue Ranch Dressing
Chicken Caesar = Cracked Black Pepper Cooking Sauce + Classic Caesar Dressing
Asian Chicken = Teriyaki Ginger Cooking Sauce + Toasted Sesame Dressing

They all sound amazing and I can’t wait to try out the next one.  For me I think It will be Southwest Chicken.

If you are like me and love salad, but get tired of the same old dressing Kraft has you set for the summer. Try a new Sizzling Salad today or why not try one of Kraft’s new Pure Refrigerated Dressings. Pure Kraft Refrigerated Dressings offer great recipes with premium ingredients.
Kraft Pure Refrigerated Dressing are available in six different flavours.
-Asiago Caesar
-Calorie-Wise Asiago Caesar
-Raspberry Poppyseed
-Barbecue Ranch
-Creamy Balsamic
-Greek Feta

I had such a hard time choosing which one to try.  They all look so delicious.  I selected the Greek Feta.  It is amazing!! It is so rich and thick. It is a big chunky dressing, filled with wonderful ingredients like yogurt, crumbled feta cheese, aged red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. ”Oh so yummy!” There is even cucumber juice, Romano cheese, lemon juice and even milk in it.  I am astounded at how many ingredients I can actually pronounce and read on the label.  Now that is new for a change.  Even the bottle is new and exciting. Pure Kraft Refrigerated Dressing looks, smells and tastes like good quality hand- made dressings. I love that there is no preservatives, no artificial flavours or colours. Just like the name says “Pure”. You really should give them a try and the price isn’t too bad either. SRP $3.99.  Since they are refrigerated dressings that have no preservatives the expiration date was a concern for me-but I was pleasantly surprise to see it was ok for almost 2 months.  “It won’t last that long in my house anyways”

Kraft has always been a leader in my mind when it comes to quality family-friendly foods and now they have impressed me once again by announcing that the entire Kraft salad dressing line is be reinvented. They are removing all artificial flavours, flavour enhancers and MSG from more than 50 Kraft dressing varieties. They also are introducing more sustainable packaging on all 250ml and 475ml dressing bottles which equates to 17 per cent less plastic than previous bottles. “Way to go Kraft”Up next for me is the Signature Series of dressing.  I just got the Roasted Red Pepper with Parmesan.  This dressing can be used as a marinade too. Can’t wait to give it a try.  I am thinking Roasted Red Pepper Chicken on a big bed of whole grain brown rice. I really have to stop writting this review now- I am getting hungry again.

Take the tour and explore all the different varieties of dressing Kraft has to offer just click here, but don’t blame me if your tummy starts to growl.

Bye for now-going to make me a salad!!

Well it is finally starting to feel like spring. The sun is shining and a fresh breeze is blowing outside. Unfortunately for many this means ALLERGY SEASON! If you are like my poor daughter, spring means coughing, sneezing and having itchy, watery eyes. Sometimes she even ends up with a dry, scratchy sore throat. Oh how she suffers this time of the year. She loves being outside, taking long walks and playing with friends at the park. .

I am so happy that we just discovered an easy and convenient way to give her temporary relief when allergies attack. Did you know that you can use HALL MENTHO-LYPTUS lozenges to aid in relieving some of those nasty symptoms? That’s right good old Halls. We have all used Hall Mentho-Lyptus for years to help relieve our cold symptoms, so why wouldn’t it help with simular symptoms associated with seasonal allergies? I recently received information from Halls that stated it is perfectly safe and even encouraged to use Halls Mentho-lyptus cough drops with your regular allergy medication. Whether you use over the counter allergy medication or have to resort to prescription drugs, Hall can start acting almost immediately to relieve that nagging cough, sore throat or nasal congestion. You can pop in a Halls lozenge while you are waiting for your regular allergy medications to start working or have a Halls between your doses when you just need a little extra relief. Halls Advanced Vapour Action can help you breathe a little easier this spring. (Don’t forget Halls can be used by anyone over the age of 5 and the Vitamin C ones are acceptable for anyone over the age of 6.)

Regular, Cherry, Cool Mint, Extra Strong, Honey Lemon, No Sugar Added Black Cherry, No Sugar Added Extra Strong, No Sugar Added Assorted Mint, No Sugar Added Kiwi Apple, Halls Centres Cherry, Halls Centres Icy Lemon, Halls Centres Icy Strawberry.

I was recently given Cherry, Honey Lemon, and No Sugar Added Black Cherry to try out and I like them all but my new favourite is Honey Lemon for sure. I don’t usually suffer with seasonal allergies like my daughter but every once and a while I get a dry, scratchy throat and Halls is great for soothing my throat. (Tastes great too) Cherry is my daughter’s favourite flavour.

•Keep home and office windows and doors closed and keep car windows and sunroofs closed when traveling;

•Use air purifiers – if possible with HEPA filters that are designed to remove nearly all airborne particles;

•Change your clothes when you get home and shower before bedtime to remove any pollen from your hair;

•Avoid hanging laundry outside;

•Pollen levels are highest in the morning hours between 6 and 10 a.m., so limit your outdoor exposure during these times – dry, windy days are the most problematic;

To read more about Hall Mentho-Lyptus Drops check out their website Here

Try Halls Mentho-Lyptus today and see if it helps you with your seasonal allergies too.

From now on Halls will go everywhere my daughter and I go!