Disclosure: I received a copy of this book 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.
In Remember God, Annie F. Downs tells the story about one recent year of her life. As Downs recalls key life events, she takes her readers on a journey of doubt and struggle, as well as hope and trust in God. It took me a while to become accustomed to her narrative’s somewhat choppy style and abrupt transitions. However, maybe this was intentionally done to mirror how life can feel like sometimes. I would say this book is geared towards a female audience, although the act of “remembering God” is something that is vital for everyone.
Downs has written several books, but this was the first time I have read her writing. She is extremely open and honest with her readers about her relationship with God. She is not afraid to reveal her doubts, pain and disappointment. Her introspective writing style makes her relatable and her ability to discern God’s voice is inspiring. Downs also has a playful sense of humor that shines through even through difficult circumstances. The lessons Downs shares in Remember God are a valuable reminder that God is the author of our story and that we should not forget that He is in control.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Has the squishy frenzy hit your house yet? My kids never really got into the slime craze, but they do like their squishies. Squishies provide a satisfying tactile experience, but without the mess! Plus, they are so cute!
Squishy Kiosk is the online go-to source for all things squishy! They offer a wide variety of every kind of squishy imaginable. They also have a Surprise Squishy Box for those who like the element of surprise. Here is what came in the Surprise Squishy Box that I received:
My box contained ten squishies of different shapes and sizes.
1. This kawaii milk carton squishy was my favorite. I was a little disappointed that this one came somewhat dented. However, it is extremely squishy and so cute.
2. This soft serve ice cream cone charm would be a good one for a backpack.
3. This kawaii blue piece of toast is “charm”ing!
4. Here is another piece of bread, but I am not a big fan of the silly face. It is also a charm, but it is really too big to be practical as a decoration.
5. This would be perfect for any panda lovers out there.
6. This is a good size pineapple and it has nice realistic detail.
7. I am not sure if this is supposed to be a Chinese pork bun, but I like it!
8. This donut looks alarmingly real, but it is a little crumbly.
9. n claimed this emoji squishy charm for himself.
10. I like how colorful this rainbow ice cream squishy is. Again, it really is too big to clip onto a bag or purse, but it is satisfying to squish.
Be sure to check out Squishy Kiosk for all of your squishy needs! They ship worldwide and even offer free U.S. shipping with no minimum!
The Original Harlem Globetrotters are known for their amazing feats of basketball, humor, and acts of goodwill on and off the court. The Globetrotters have always been about the fans, but this year, everything they do will bring fans closer to the action more than ever before. Join them as they celebrate fans during the all-new Fan Powered World Tour! There will be over 20 occasions before, during and after the game where you have the opportunity to directly interact with Globetrotters stars. Our family has seen a couple of Harlem Globetrotters games, and they are always very entertaining. Don’t miss out!
Their schedule in Southern California is:
Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State University: Friday, February 15 at 7 pm.
Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario: Saturday, February 16 at 2 pm and 7 pm.
STAPLES Center in Los Angeles: Sunday, February 17 at 2 pm.
Pechanga Arena (on Sports Arena Blvd) in San Diego: Friday, February 22 at 7 pm.
Honda Center in Anaheim: Saturday, February 23 at 2 pm and 7 pm.
Valley View Casino Center in San Diego: Sunday, February 24 at 2 pm.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Today I am excited to tell you about the Nourished Festival (formerly known as the Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo) that is coming to San Diego on February 9-10, 2019. This festival began in 2007 and is currently held in eight different cities throughout the United States. The Nourished Festival is the largest gluten-free, allergy and special diet festival in the country!
The Nourished Festival features a variety of Gluten-Free & Nut-Free exhibitors, along with new Paleo, Keto & Plant-Based zones–something for everyone. Even in these new sections, all products at the Festival are gluten-free!
This will be my first time attending this event and I am excited about checking it out. Although I do not follow a gluten-free diet, both of my kids have nut allergies. Plus, I am always interested in learning about and sampling products that promote a healthier lifestyle. A Festival ticket includes:
Entry into the vendor fair with over 100 brands
Valuable coupons at the vendor booths
Samples from the vendors that are considered to be gluten free
Discounted products available for purchase
Informative classes related to the gluten free and allergen-friendly lifestyle
Free reusable bag to carry your goodies
Meet your favorite vendors, authors and bloggers
Tickets can be purchased here. Get 20% off with code ADVANCE (thru 2/8)
In addition, I have two tickets to give away to my readers (1 ticket per winner)! The ticket voucher is good for one adult or child, single day or weekend.
Last night we had the opportunity to see the dinner show in Buena Park. The last time we went to Medieval Times was about three and half years ago. Looking back, the kids seem so small! I knew this would be a whole new experience for them.
Parking is refreshingly free, and access in and out of the parking lot to the castle is really easy.
We arrived about an hour before our 6:00 reservation as recommended. This gave us time to take some pictures, soak in the castle atmosphere and not feel rushed. There are also “knighting” ceremonies that are kind of fun to watch. (*This is also a good time to use the restroom since it can be inconvenient to go in the middle of the show depending on where you are seated.)
As you can see by the color of our crowns, we were cheering on the Red Knight.
The menu is written on the napkins.
No utensils are provided so the fun part is eating with your hands!
Each person receives half of a chicken! It was amazing how all of the food was nice and hot considering how many people they had to serve at once. (I was unable to take a good picture of the potato and corn sides, but the kids liked everything.)
It is a lot of food, and the kids receive the same portions as the adults. However, they do provide to-go bags on request! (Be sure to bring cash so that you can leave a tip for the hard-working servers at the end of the meal.)
I thought the actors did quite a good job with their roles and dialogue.
Some parts of the show might be a little intense for really young children. There is a lot of sword play and “fighting” which makes it exciting. It is funny how some of the adult men are the ones who really get into it!
Even if your knight does not win, everyone ends up having a good time. I love that we were able to visit Medieval Times together as a family. I think it is experiences like these that bring us closer together because they provide such wonderful mutual memories. During the show they went down a list of everyone who was celebrating something special that night (birthday, anniversary, honeymoon etc.) and there was a lot of celebrating going on! Keep Medieval Times in mind for your next family outing.
Grab tickets now with a special holiday offer: 40% Off Adults & Teens & 20% Off Kids Code HOL4020
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.
I have definitely been noticing an increase in plant-based convenience foods in the freezer aisle lately. We recently tried Alpha Burritos, which are 100% plant-based burritos that are packed with protein and veggies. Alpha Burritos come in four varieties:
Mexicali
Fajita Chick’n
Philly Sandwich
Pizza
Unlike most frozen burritos, Alpha Burritos are free of GMOs, cholesterol, hormones, corn syrup, artificial preservatives, and all animal products.
We enjoyed the Mexicali and Pizza burritos. They were both very flavorful and satisfying. I was surprised by how meaty and cheesy the burritos tasted, considering they do not contain any animal products. Pair one with a salad and you have a quick and healthy dinner! Click here to find where Alpha Burritos are sold near you.
Disclosure: I received a copy of these books 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.
Today I am reviewing three fun books for the new year from Ulysses Press. The first one is called The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges, by Rosanna Casper. The title immediately grabbed my attention because I like the idea of thirty day challenges. This book includes 60 such challenges, ranging from walking 10,000 steps to learning a foreign language. The challenges are divided into six categories:
Fitness
Food
Self-Care
Mindfulness
Organization & Productivity
Networking & Relationships
Creativity & Learning
Even though each challenge is for only thirty days, the intent is that some of these challenges will become life-long habits that improve your quality of life.
The challenges range from “do-able” to seemingly impossible. For example, “Drink 8 to 10 Glasses of Water a Day” is something I know that I should do, but has always been a personal challenge. On the other hand, “Write a Novel” is a challenge that I do not ever intend, nor do I want to take! Even though not all of the challenges will appeal to everyone, the point is to pick the ones that speak to you. I like how the author offers helpful and practical tips specific to each challenge. I would recommend The Big Book of 30 Day Challenges for anyone looking to develop good habits for the new year.
Have you heard of bullet journaling? I have seen various samples on Instagram, but I have never tried it. Beyond Bullets by Megan Rutell, gives an excellent overview of various journaling styles and encourages creativity in the process.
I like how there are many different journaling styles included in the book. I am a visual person, so lists and charts appeal to me. Beyond Bullets inspired me to create a “Water Intake” chart (related to the challenge I want to take from the first book in this review!) Journaling is a tool that can help you organize your life and also be a creative outlet. Beyond Bullets is a wonderful guide to help you get started.
Finally, Twinkle, Twinkle, Social Media Star by Kate Kennedy, is a laugh-out-loud funny picture book about a mama bear teaching her baby bear the ins and outs of social media.
As a blogger, I must admit that I tend to obsess about my Instagram account. Many of the jokes hit a little too close to home, but that’s why this book is so hilarious! As the cover indicates, this book is meant to be “A Parody for Adults”. (My son n started reading it because he was curious, but most of the humor did not translate for him. Social media savvy teens would probably get it, though!) Give a copy of Twinkle, Twinkle, Social Media Star to the blogger/influencer/social media star that you know for some good laughs!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book 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.
The Christian life is a journey of spiritual growth, but it is not always constant. We all experience stagnancy, or even regression. In How to Grow, Darryl Dash shows us how and why it is important to cultivate three core habits:
1. Reading or Listening to the Bible 2. Prayer 3. Pursue Worship and Fellowship Within a Church Community
There is also a chapter entitled “Six Practices to Propel Your Spiritual Growth” that I found particularly helpful. The six practices are:
Keep Practicing the Core Habits
Practice Sabbath
Give Generously
Serve Others
Share the Gospel
Look After Your Body
I appreciate how Dash provides practical steps Christians can take to increase their spiritual growth without being rigid and legalistic. He emphasizes God’s grace and His ultimate role in changing us in order to ensure that How to Grow does not read as merely a “self-help” guide. I found this book to be an interesting and inspiring read and would recommend it to newer Christians as well as those who are more mature in their faith.
Disclosure: I received samples 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.
The new year has inspired me to declutter and organize. One tool that has helped me with various projects around the house is the Scrigit Scraper. If you have never heard of Scrigit Scrapers, they just might be the tool you never knew you needed!
The Scrigit Scraper is a pen-shaped tool that is made of a durable but non-scratch BPA-free plastic. It can be used to remove unwanted substances such as adhesive stickers, labels and grime, without damaging surfaces. I must admit I often use my fingernails for such tasks, and broken fingernails are usually the result! Scrigit Scrapers are much more effective and I would highly recommend them for cleaning and crafts.
I recently used Scrigit Scrapers for two home organizing projects. For the first project, I upcycled a plastic candy container into a container for office supplies.
When D brought this little plastic box of candy home from work, I immediately thought of ways I could reuse the container. I used a Scrigit Scraper to remove the label without scratching the box. Now the container is a cute way to store binder clips.
As I was working on this project, I noticed there were some grimy spots on my desk from a prior craft project. So I used my Scrigit Scraper to remove them!
My second project involved transforming a letter organizer into a charging station. It seems like our family has so many electronic devices to charge and the cords were getting out of control. A while back, my mom mentioned that she saw someone on Pinterest use a letter organizer (similar to the one I already had) to make a charging station. After putting the project on the backburner, I finally gave it a go.
The first step was to remove some yellow tape that I had put on the organizer years ago. It was stuck on there pretty well, so I used a Scrigit Scraper and saved my fingernails! I then used my brother in law’s cordless drill to drill some holes in the back for the cords to feed through. (Be smarter than me, however, and use a drill-bit extension if you are trying to go through a small opening!) I covered some chipped areas with decorative washi tape and made labels so everyone knows where their device belongs. We set up the charging station next to a power strip tower similar to this one so that we have enough outlets and USB ports to charge all of our devices.
Scrigit Scrapers can be purchased on Amazon. The 2-pack retails for $6.99 and the 5-pack retails for $11.99. Keep one handy in different rooms, or split a pack with a friend!
I am pleased to announce that the owner of Scrigit Scrapers is offering my readers the chance to win a Scrigit 2-pack, Scrigit 5-pack AND a $20 Amazon gift card!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
The new year means many people are resolving to try to eat healthier, right? Personally, I am on the lookout for healthier snacks year-round since D, the kids and I are all big time snackers. When I received some CHOMPS snack sticks in the latest #NewHopeBloggerBox, they caught my attention.
Each stick contains 9-10 g of protein that is grass-fed, grass-finished, free-range and antibiotic free. CHOMPS do not contain any GMOs, added sugar, dairy, soy or other “hidden nasties” (e.g. binders, fillers, MSG, artificial ingredients). In addition, CHOMPS are Keto and Paleo-friendly and Whole 30 approved. For more information, click here.
CHOMPS snack sticks come in six delicious flavors:
Original (Beef)
Original Turkey
Crankin’ Cranberry (Beef)
Jalapeno Turkey
Hoppin’ Jalapeno (Beef)
Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt (Venison)
If you like heat, the Jalapeno Turkey or Hoppin’ Jalapeno flavors are the way to go. However, even the Original has a little kick to it. The Original Beef and Turkey flavors also come in a mini size and they are called “Chomplings”. These would be the perfect size for lunchboxes or smaller appetites.
n enjoying CHOMPS after school at the park!
CHOMPS snack sticks can be purchased online or at a store near you. (I see they are available at Trader Joe’s in my local area.) Enter to win a 12 ct. variety pack of CHOMPS snack sticks (2 of each flavor)!
