Spritzal Cookies are made with simple ingredients from a family recipe going back one hundred years. These bite-sized cookies are made with flour, sugar, real butter and eggs. The Spritzal story is so inspiring-the mother/daughter team built their business from their kitchen to farmer’s markets to national retailers like Costco.
Spritzal cookies come in a variety of flavors, including: Birthday Cake Shortbread, Key Lime Shortbread, Almond Chocolatey Chip Shortbread, Blueberry Pie Shortbread and Ooh La Lemon Shortbread.
Spritzal Cookies Are a Bite-Sized Treat!
The brightly colored packaging of all the varieties is cheerful, but the Birthday Cake Shortbread packaging is particularly fun. Wouldn’t this be so cute to include in a birthday surprise package? These Spritzal cookie bites contain colorful sprinkles without any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Even if you do not have a birthday to celebrate, Spritzal cookies make the everyday special. These Key Lime Shortbread cookies are a nice afternoon treat. The lime flavor really shines in this buttery shortbread.
Did you see Like Air Puffcorn on Shark Tank? I guess I missed that episode, but it is always exciting to see a smaller company gain momentum. I believe the first time I saw their products was at Expo West. This snack is non-gmo, has no artificial ingredients and is gluten-free. It is also dairy-free and made in a nut-free facility. Unlike regular popcorn, these puffs do not have kernels. Therefore, these snacks are very easy to eat for all ages. They are lightly crunchy, but almost melt in your mouth, if that makes sense. The name “Like Air” is quite apt.
Keep Like Air Puffcorn On Hand For Packing and Snacking
This school year I have started to pack my lunches again. It is always convenient to have pre-packaged individual snacks on hand in the pantry. Like Air is a welcome addition to any lunch bag, for kids and adults alike.
This is a close-up of the Cinnamon Bun flavor. It has just the right amount of sweetness (less than 2g of sugar per serving) and the cinnamon flavor really comes through. If you are looking for a light sweet treat, this will satisfy your craving.
The savory flavors, including white cheddar and sour cream and onion are also very tasty (my kids’ favorites). They are a healthier alternative to chips.
Where To Purchase Like Air Puffcorn
Like Air Puffcorn snacks are available to purchase through their online store or at a store near you. I also want to mention that Like Air does daily giveaways on their Instagram account. There are five contest winners every day, which is pretty amazing. The best part is that in addition to winning a pack for yourself, they also give you a code so that you can send a pack to a friend. Share the Like Air Love!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
It is always a good idea to have a few card games on hand. You never know when an opportunity to play a quick game will present itself. Not too long ago, my son was on a camping trip with his scout friends when it started to rain. Thankfully, he had packed a card game to keep them entertained. These Winning Moves games are all easy to throw in a bag or keep in a small box at home.
I know that I have professed my love for Scattergories on this blog many times. This card game version makes it easy to play, without the need for pencil and paper. One deck of cards lists categories, and the other deck has the letters of the alphabet.
I like that the categories are creative but not too obscure. This game is designed for 2 or more players, ages 8+.
Instant Insanity is not actually a card game, but it comes in a card game-sized box. Although the concept is quite simple, it is definitely not an easy puzzle to solve. The goal is to arrange the four cubes in a row so that each of the four sides show four different colors. According to the box, there are over 82,944 possible configurations. After several attempts, I can see why this game is called “Instant Insanity”! This one player game is for ages 7+.
Canasta is one of those games that I have heard about, but have never actually played. This card game involves laying down sets of cards and adding to them. The object is to form a Canasta (7 or more cards of the same type). There are also special Caliente cards to make the game even more exciting. Canasta Caliente is for 2-6 players, ages 8+.
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win Scattergories The Card Game, Instant Insanity and Canasta Caliente. (Open to U.S. continental residents only).
Disclosure: Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
The timing of the April 26th release of Unsung Hero in movie theaters makes it the perfect movie to watch in celebration of Mother’s Day. Unsung Hero tells the story of a family who made it in America against all odds thanks to their faith and determination. I thought this movie would center around the early days of the Christian music duo FOR KING+COUNTRY, but it actually starts way before that chapter of this family’s life. My family saw a FOR KING+COUNTRY concert not too long ago, and it was quite amazing. (I would highly recommend seeing them in concert if you ever have the chance).
Joel Smallbone plays the role of his father, David Smallbone, a music producer who risks it all to move his six children and his pregnant wife from Australia to the United States. I remember seeing Joel Smallbone recently in Journey to Bethlehem, and I can tell that his future in acting is bright (hopefully he continues with his music career as well).
I had no idea that Rebecca St. James grew up as part of the Smallbone family. Unsung Hero largely centers around her rocky start in the music industry. I remember liking her music back in the day (ah, the ’90s)!
However, the title Unsung Hero deservedly goes to the matriarch of the Smallbone family, Helen (played by Daisy Betts). Her strength in holding her family together through their darkest days is inspiring and uplifting. Unsung Hero is a movie that will inspire families everywhere.
Buy Tickets Today to See Unsung Hero
Buy tickets today to see Unsung Hero in theaters starting April 26th!
Unsung Hero Amazon Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card!
Disclosure: I received a sample in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
KÜHL Renegade Cargo Convertible Pants are the answer if you have ever had a difficult time deciding whether to wear shorts or pants when spending time in the outdoors. These pants allow you to wear pants during a cooler morning and change to shorts when it starts to heat up.
The high quality of KÜHL pants is evident in both the construction and material. As you can see, the seams are built to last.
The KÜHL Renegade Cargo Convertible Pants are made with a special Duralux fabric that is quick-drying and water-resistant. This material also has some stretch which my son found to be quite comfortable.
These are the perfect pants for my son to wear to all of his Boy Scout events.
The side pockets provide a convenient place to carry a phone. The snaps make the pockets extremely secure.
It is very easy to convert the pants from pants to shorts. The hidden zipper design is quite clever.
These pants even have snaps on the bottom so that you do not have to take off your shoes to take the pant legs off.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
My favorite type of games are those that make you think. Below are three different games from Winning Moves that will challenge your brain in different and fun ways.
Yahtzee Words is a version of Yahtzee that uses letters and words instead of numbers. If you are a fan of Boggle and Scrabble like me, then Yahtzee Words will have a similar appeal. This game is designed for two or more players, ages 8+.
As a kid, I had a jigsaw puzzle of the United States map that I did on repeat. The colorful gameboard in Game of States reminds me of that puzzle and brings back fond memories. Playing Game of States is a great way to learn about all fifty states, including capitals, and STEM facts. The business component is also an excellent way to teach kids about money math skills. Game of States is for 2-4 players, ages 8+.
Scattergories Stackagories is a fast-paced version of the classic Scattergories game. Players try to name things that belong in the category card that start with one of the nine letters on the table. When they say the word out loud, they put their color marker on top of the letter. If there is already a marker, they stack it on top. When the timer is up, points are awarded to the color that is on top according to how many markers are underneath.
All of the components for Scattergories Stackagories fit nicely into this compact box. This game is designed for 2-4 players, ages 8+.
Where To Purchase Winning Moves Games
Winning Moves games and toys, including Yahtzee Words, Game of States and Yahtzee Words, are available on their website, Amazon and other retailers near you.
Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win Scattergories Stackagories, Yahtzee Words and Game of States. (Open to U.S. continental residents only).
Disclosure: I received a sample box in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The brief sakura (cherry blossom) season in Japan is a prime example of the concept of appreciating fleeting beauty. If cherry blossom trees bloomed year-round, they would not be nearly as cherished. Our family went to Washington D.C. a couple of years ago, and I remember being so excited that we caught some cherry blossom trees in the beginning of their bloom when I had thought we were going to be too early. They really are magnificent flowering trees, and I can see why cherry blossoms are cause for celebration each year.
Sakuraco is a subscription box that captures the beauty of sakura through Japanese snacks.
First, can we take a moment to appreciate how pretty this box is? Just looking at the outside of the box made me excited to see what was inside.
Look at all that pink! The variety of sakura goodness inside the March Sakuraco box is so much fun.
Each Sakuraco box comes with a booklet that explains what each snack is. The March edition also has beautiful photographs and descriptions of the different cherry blossom viewing locations throughout Japan. In addition, the booklet has short articles that tell the stories behind some of the artisan makers of the products that are included. The following are some of the highlights of the March Sakuraco box I received.
Sakura Candy
Look at the delightful detail of this Sakura candy. As the name implies, cherry blossom is a floral and fruity flavor that is not commonly found outside of Japan.
Anko Castella Cake
While this little cake is not sakura-flavored, the pink packaging makes it fit right in. I am a fan of red bean paste in Japanese sweets, so this was a treat!
A Lovely Assortment of Sakura Snacks
The Sakuraco box included this beautiful postcard, along with an assortment of these individually wrapped snacks. I have not tried all of them yet, but the ones that I have tasted have all been fresh and delightful.
Sakura Shiruko Biscuits
These biscuits have an interesting flavor profile. The booklet describes them as biscuit dough enriched with sakura powder and a touch of ume juice with a layer of sweet adzuki paste.
Neko Sakura Dish
I know that I overuse the word “cute” in describing products from Japan, but that is the word to describe this little dish. This bonus non-food item made the Sakuraco box feel uniquely special to me. According to the booklet, the design of this dish is a collaboration between Sakuraco, merry laugh and Bloom. I will continue to use this dish for years to come, and inspire me to recall the fleeting delights of sakura.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Have you tried Ritter Sport chocolate? These premium chocolate bars frequently appear in our family’s Christmas stockings. I like how each individual square bar feels hefty in the hand. Plus, the flavor combinations (which are each assigned their own colorful packaging) are unique and tasty. I especially enjoy Milk Chocolate with Cornflakes and Milk Chocolate with Butter Biscuit & Cocoa Creme.
Ritter Sport has been around since 1912 and is based in Waldenbuch, Germany. I am not sure where the name “Ritter Sport” comes from, but it is memorable. One way in which Ritter Sport ensures the quality of their chocolate is that they started their own sustainable Cocoa Farm in Nicaragua, which is quite impressive!
These miniature size Ritter Sport chocolates are so cute and a nice size for a little snack break or post-meal treat. Which flavor is your favorite? Remember to look for Ritter Sport the next time you are in the chocolate aisle, especially during the holidays.
Disclosure: Many thanks to AFFIRM Films, Inc. for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.
Watching movies with my family is one of my favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit. Journey to Bethlehem is a new movie coming to theaters on November 10th. This movie musical delivers the true story of Christmas in a highly entertaining format.
Journey to Bethlehem is a faithful re-telling of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. This movie hits just the right notes of drama, joy, comedy and reverence. In addition, throughout the movie, the characters burst into catchy pop songs that captivate the heart.
I would imagine it was difficult to cast Mary and Joseph for this film. However, I think they found two excellent actors who are perfect for their roles. I was surprised to learn that Milo Manheim is the son of Camryn Manheim. I guess acting runs in the family.
The performance I was most looking forward to (aside from Antonio Banderas as King Herod), was that of Joel Smallbone, who plays King Herod’s son. Smallbone is one of the two brothers who make up the popular Christian group For King & Country. We had the pleasure of attending a For King & Country concert last year, and there was a definite theatrical element to their performance. Therefore, it was not surprising to see Smallbone’s solid delivery in his role as a conflicted son of the king. (Lecrae also does an amazing job as the angel Gabriel).
The three wisemen did a wonderful job of bringing some levity to the story. Even though the movie portrays them as “three wise guys”, it also shows what an important role they had in pointing the way to baby Jesus.
Buy Tickets Today to See Journey to Bethlehem
Buy tickets here to see this family-friendly and uplifting film in theaters opening weekend, beginning November 10th!
Journey To Bethlehem Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win two tickets to see Journey To Bethlehem in a theater near you.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I love a good word game. From Bananagrams to crossword puzzles to my beloved Speak & Spell (RIP), words games have always been at the top of my list. Today I am reviewing two classic word games from Winning Moves that also serve as excellent travel games: Scrabble To Go and Big Boggle. Both of these games have mass appeal and can easily be transported to your next holiday get together or vacation.
Sometimes you need a game that you can set up, play a few rounds, and continue at a later time. Scrabble To Go answers that need with a smartly designed gameboard with snap-in letter tiles.
As you can see from the package, this game is designed for 2-4 players and is recommended for ages 8+.
This version of the game comes with mini “shelves” that have a flip top to keep the tiles in place.
These shelves then snap into place behind the gameboard.
The snap-in tiles fit snugly in the game board and will not slide out of place.
I really appreciate that all of the game parts fit into this nifty zippered carrying case. I wish more games were available in such a neat format.
Big Boggle is another convenient word game to play when you don’t have a lot of time. After all, the included timer makes each round last only three minutes! (As an aside, isn’t an hourglass sand timer so quaint when everyone is accustomed to using the timer on their phone or smartwatch?)
The rules for Big Boggle are quite simple. It can be played with two or more people and is recommended for ages 8+.
Again, since everything is contained in the blue box, Big Boggle is an easy game for fun on the go.
