Food, Giveaways, Sponsored

Choose Chuao Chocolatier Chocolate {Giveaway}

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Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Last Christmas, my sister gave me some Chuao mini chocolate bars and the unique flavors intrigued me. I looked up the Chuao website, and found out that they are a local company based in Carlsbad, California. I was really excited to find out that they offer factory tours. When our schedule allows, we would definitely like to take a tour!

The company kindly sent me two golden goodness bars, an oh my s’mores bar, and a Taste The Joy Gift Set for review.

The oh my s’mores bar immediately caught my attention: fluffy marshmallows and crushed honey graham crackers reunite in milk chocolate. I always enjoy s’mores while camping, and this bar recreates the flavor experience in one bar–ingenious! I love how this bar incorporates contrasting textures to elevate the taste experience.

The description of the golden goodness bar is also intriguing: carmelized sugar and pure 100% cacao nibs dazzle in sweet white chocolate. This flavor is so good because the cacao nibs add a nutty texture and also provide a savory contrasts to the sweetness of the white chocolate. The bar itself is also very visually appealing, with different words “stamped” into each individual square.

Taste The Joy Gift Set

The Chuao Chocolatier Taste The Joy Gift Set is the perfect gift because it allows the recipient to try a variety of the mini bars in the following fun flavors:

  • baconluxious chocolate mini bar: delicate maple sweetness, a sprinkle of bonfire smoked sea salt and crispy, uncured bacon in milk chocolate.
  • firecracker mini bar: sea salt, a dash of chipotle and popping candy crackle in dark chocolate.
  • honeycomb mini bar:  luscious amber honey, caramelized into crisp bits and enrobed in dark chocolate.
  • mintfully brownie mini bar: crispy brownie bites and frosted mint gems unite in deep dark chocolate.
  • potato chip mini bar:  crisp kettle cooked potato chips and a hint of sea salt, mix and mingle in milk chocolate.
  • salted chocolate crunch mini bar: crunchy, toasted breadcrumbs dusted with sea salt and swirled in dark chocolate.
  • spicy maya mini bar: seductive cinnamon, pasilla chile and warming cayenne bedded in dark chocolate.
  • sprinkle dreams mini bar: crisp waffle cone, hazelnuts, and rainbow sprinkles party in milk chocolate.

Don’t all of those flavors sound so interesting and delicious? We especially liked the firecracker and potato chip mini bars. Each mini bar is just 60 calories, so they feel like just a small indulgence. In addition, it is notable that Chuao chocolates are free of artificial preservatives, additives, colorings, flavorings and hydrogenated oils. Chuao Chocolatier products can be purchased through their website, or at a store near you.

Giveaway Time

One of my readers will win the same products I received: two golden goodness bars, one oh my s’mores bar and a Taste The Joy Gift Set, so enter below!

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Reviews, Sponsored

Kids Smart High DHA Fish Oil Chewable Burstlets Review

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Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Although I have been hearing about the positive health benefits linked to fish oil for a while now, our family does not regularly use it. However, my daughter’s pediatrician recently recommended that she start taking DHA fish oil supplements. Fortuitously, Moms Meet also recently sent us Kids Smart High DHA Fish Oil Chewable Burstlets for review!

Kids Smart Fish Oil is unique because it comes in fish-shaped caplets, or “burstlets”. Although the entire burstlet is edible, my kids prefer to twist off the tail, and squeeze the gel-like substance in their mouth. My kids like the fruit flavors (berry, blackcurrant, strawberry and orange), but they do usually eat something else right after.

Omega-3 Fish Oil nutrients DHA and EPA has been found to help to support and maintain healthy brain function, eye health, and nervous system health. Kids Smart Fish Oil is a good choice because it contains a high amount of DHA fish oil (133 mg) which is higher than many other brands geared for kids. All together, each burstlet contains 500 mg of natural fish oil.

Kids Smart High DHA Fish Oil Chewable Burstlets are free of gluten, yeast, wheat, and dairy. They are recommended for children 3 and up. Be sure to consult with a physician or pharmacist before using this product.

Purchase Kids Smart High DHA Fish Oil Chewable Burstlets On Amazon

Save 20% when you purchase a 30-count bottle of Kids Smart High DHA Fish Oil Chewable Burstlets on Amazon at momsmeet.link/kidssmartamzn with the promo code 20MM20KS. Offer ends March 14, 2020.

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Book Review, Sponsored

Loving Your Community Book Review

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest 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.

Loving Your Community, by Stephen Viars, is a thought-provoking book that challenges churches to love their communities instead of only serving the needs of their members. This book presents stories of how meeting a community’s physical and practical needs can serve as a pathway to meeting people’s spiritual needs. Viars is a pastor at Faith Church in Indiana. This book draws from the steps that Faith Church took to reach out to their immediate community and show them God’s love. The ways Faith Church stepped out in faith are truly inspiring. For example, they bought a piece of dilapidated property and built a community center, started an annual Passion Play that serves as an outreach to thousands, and started rehabilitation centers that provide counseling and shelter.

Such projects may seem overwhelming to smaller congregations. However, Viars encourages churches to dream big, but to not be afraid to start small. He makes a good point that many churches sit vacant six days out of the week. If your church has a building with a place to meet, that could be a valuable space for those in the surrounding community. The church that I am a member of recently built a gymnasium and there has been a lot of talk about how we can use it as an outreach ministry. Loving Your Community illustrates what is possible when the Church opens it doors to their community and how God can be glorified in the process.

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Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Clean Up Naturally With Sapadilla Soap

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

The Sapadilla Soap Co. is another company I discovered through Expo West (which I am looking forward to next month, by the way!) This Vancouver-based company is dedicated to making eco-friendly cleaners for a naturally clean home.

I had the opportunity to try the Grapefruit + Bergamot Dish Soap, Lavender + Lime Countertop Cleanser and Rosemary + Mint Hand Soap. Don’t those scent combinations sound lovely? The scents come from 100% pure essential oil blends, with no artificial ingredients. In addition all of the Sapadilla products are plant-based and biodegradable, making them a smart choice to use in your home.

It seems like I have been washing my hands more now than ever, so the Sapadilla Hand Soap came just at the right time. I like how this soap cleanses, but does not dry out my hands. It has a refreshing scent that makes hand-washing a joy.

The Sapadilla Dish Soap is also a wonderful product that makes cleaning kind of fun! I prefer to hand wash most of my dishes, so it is important that the soap I use is not drying. I really like citrus scents, so the Graperfruit + Bergamot scent is perfect for me.

Finally, the Sapadilla Countertop Cleanser has effective cleaning-power, without the chemicals. It cuts through grimy messes while delivering an uplifting scent. Isn’t that what we all need while going through our cleaning routines?

To find Sapadilla Soap products, go to their store locator here or order online through their website here.

Giveaway Time

Enter to win a set of the same Sapadilla Soap products that I reviewed in this blog post!

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Food, Sponsored

Valentine’s Day Idea: Chuao Love Child Bonbons

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Disclosure: I received a sample in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Valentine’s Day is just a week away! I always tell my husband that I would much prefer to receive chocolate than flowers-ha. If you’re looking for a special chocolate treat, Chuao Chocolatier has so many great options!

We tried the Chuao Love Child Bonbons, and wow, they are so good! They contain dark chocolate, dried strawberries and port wine. Doesn’t that just sound like a delicious combination? Also, love the upscale packaging, which makes this decadent chocolate feel even more special.

Do you like to give or receive chocolate on Valentine’s Day? I am excited that I will be reviewing more Chuao Chocolatier products on the blog soon. There will also be a reader giveaway, so stay tuned!

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Food, Giveaways, Sponsored

Warm Up With Boulder Organic Soup

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Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

With the chilly temperatures we have been experiencing, soup is an especially appealing meal option. While homemade soup is always nice, sometimes it is just more convenient to have a quicker option on hand. We recently tried Boulder Organic Foods Organic Chicken Quinoa & Kale Soup, which we found in the refrigerated deli section at our local Whole Foods.

Check out this “clean” ingredient list: Chicken Bone Broth* (Filtered Water, Chicken Bone Broth Base* (Chicken Bone Broth*, Chicken Fat*, Sea Salt, Vegetable Stock*, [Onion*, Carrot*, Celery*, Tomato*], Bay Leaf* Garlic Powder*, Black Pepper Extract)), Tomatoes* (Tomatoes*, Water, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride), Onion*, Chicken Meat* (Chicken Meat*, Water, Rice Starch*, Sea Salt), Navy Beans*, Carrots*, Quinoa*, Kale*, Garlic*, Extra Virgin Olive Oil*, Spices*, Sea Salt,Red Chili Pepper Flakes* *Organic

I like how this soup tastes fresh and is not overly salty like other packaged soups. The quinoa still had a nice bite and the chicken bone broth had a good flavor. I also liked how the kale added some “greens” to the soup. Each container of soup is 24 oz. and contains three servings.

Boulder Organic Foods makes eight delicious varieties of soup:

  • Organic Chicken Quinoa & Kale Soup
  • Organic Green Chile Corn Chowder
  • Organic Minestrone Soup
  • Organic Potato Leek Soup
  • Organic Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Organic Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
  • Organic Creamy Autumn Squash Soup
  • Organic Red Lentil Dahl Soup

Boulder Organic Soups can be found at stores across the United States. Go here to find out where you can find their soups near you.

Giveaway Time

Enter to win three vouchers for free Boulder Organic Soup (up to $30 value)!

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Sponsored

The Importance Of Having A Support System To Prevent ACEs #FindYour3

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This post is made possible with support from the American Academy of Pediatrics through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All opinions are my own.

What are ACEs?

Have you ever heard of the term ACEs? ACEs is an acronym that stands for “Adverse Childhood Experiences.” ACEs are traumatic events that occur in childhood, including violence, abuse, or having family members with mental health or substance abuse problems. Until recently, I was not familiar with the term ACEs. However, ACEs are quite prevalent in our society, with 61% of adults reporting they had at least one ACE and 16% reporting they had four or more types of ACEs. 

Even if you’ve never experienced an ACE, listen up because their impact on individuals can impact communities, which in turn, affects you, too. Luckily, YOU can be part of the solution.

It is important to recognize the presence of ACEs because the toxic stress caused by ACEs can potentially have a significant negative impact on a person’s well-being as an adult. These harmful effects are far-reaching and can range from depression to obesity to heart disease to substance misuse. There have been studies that show that preventing ACEs can help decrease the likelihood of experiencing chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse as an adult. See the charts below for some recent statistics: 

For further information regarding ACEs click here.

What Can Be Done To Prevent ACEs? #FindYour3

Because the causes of ACEs are largely societal and systemic, trying to prevent them seems like an overwhelming task. While there are certainly broad policy changes that need to be made by employers, legislators, and healthcare providers, we as individuals also have an important role to play. 

The ultimate goal is to create safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children. Establishing these healthy relationships and environments goes a long way in the prevention of ACEs and their potentially harmful consequences.  And this is where you can be involved…

#FindYour3

The American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention want to encourage everyone to identify three people or resources they can rely on to create the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments that are necessary to prevent ACEs. Examples of such positive role models can be anyone you interact with, including teachers, pastors, coaches, or neighbors. Having three people or organizations that you can turn to and rely on can make a huge difference in coping with problems. 

I am so grateful that my kids are fortunate to have a network of trusted adults in their lives in addition to their dad and me. My kids’ support system includes their grandparents, school teachers, youth group leaders, basketball and soccer coaches, and scout leaders. As a parent, I think it is important to have a discussion with your children to help them identify their “three.”  That way, they will know exactly whom they can trust if and when problems develop.

In addition, it is also important to think about how we can be part of someone else’s network of “three.” As a paraeducator at a public elementary school, I see how my everyday interactions with students in the classroom can make a positive impact on a child’s life. While everyone has a unique role, if we work together as a community, we can create the support systems that are necessary to prevent ACEs.

So think about it right now and tell me: who are your three?

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Vacation

Cachuma Lake Eagle Cruise Tips

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During our yurt stay at Cachuma Lake, we made advanced reservations to take a nature cruise. Since it happened in December, it was called the Eagle Cruise. Cachuma Lake in Santa Barbara County is man-made, but it is quite large. We were told that the cruise would take about two hours (it ended up being about 1 hour and 45 minutes).

The weather was nice and clear. It was a lot colder when we were in the middle of the lake than when we were on shore, so be sure to bundle up!

The boat is quite spacious. There are thirty swivel seats which are quite convenient for bird-spotting. There is no restroom onboard, so make sure to go before boarding.

If you are age 12 or under, you are required to wear a life jacket while on the boat. If you are over 12, you just need to keep it nearby. n was not too happy about this rule, but it is a good precaution.

They had enough binoculars for all the passengers to borrow. They were good ones, too!

Our tour guide was a park ranger who was quite knowledgeable about all of the birds and other wildlife that we saw. We also happened to go during their annual bird-counting day, so there was another ranger who recorded all of the birds that we saw.

Here are just a few of the birds that we spotted. We also saw multiple hawks, coots, and many others I do not remember the names of. I do not believe we saw any eagles, however.

On the way back to our campsite, there was a flock of what I think are turkey vultures?

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Book Review, Sponsored

Still: (7 Ways To Find Calm In The Chaos) Review

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

We all experience difficulties in life. The difference is how we handle these difficulties and who we turn to. In Still, 7 Ways To Find Calm In The Chaos, Jenny L. Donnelly provides an outline as to how we can experience authentic rest in Jesus. Donnelly is almost alarmingly candid in sharing about her own life experiences and how she dealt with them. However, it is through her unabashed openness that the reader is able to see how God was able to transform her from the inside out.

For each of the seven ways Donnelly lays out to find calm, there are examples from the Bible as well as examples from her own life. There are thought-provoking questions and blank spaces for reflective journaling. I believe that this book would be helpful for everyone, whether they are currently in a season of “chaos” or not. We all know that the storms of life will come at some point, so studying what the Bible has to say about how we should handle them will ultimately be invaluable.

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Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Organize Your Kitchen With Zoku Neat Stack Containers

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Disclosure: I received a sample product in exchange for an honest 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 seems like I am constantly in search of new organizing products, especially for the kitchen. The beginning of the year is always a good time to go through and edit the random, mismatched food containers that somehow seem to multiply. If you are looking for containers that do not take up a lot of room, the Zoku Neat Stack Nesting Container Set is your answer. Aptly named, these containers truly do stack and nest very neatly!

This 11-piece container set includes:

  • 1x 3 cup
  • 1x 4 cup
  • 1x 5 cup
  • 2x 1.5 cup
  • 1x Neat Stack Freezer Pack (Snaps under the lid or can nest on top!)
  • 5x Lids

D has been trying to do more weekly meal prep lately. The Zoku Neat Stack containers are great for this because the containers are leakproof and come in all different sizes. These containers also come in handy to store leftovers. The Freezer Stack is convenient because it keeps food cold on the go.

It is also important to note that the Zoku Neat Stack containers are BPA and phthalate-free, microwave safe, freezer safe and dishwasher safe. Look for the Zoku Neat Stack Nesting Container Set on Amazon and the Zoku website.

Giveaway Time

Enter below to win a Zoku Neat Stack Container Set!

Win Zoku’s 11-pc Neat Stack #12
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