Muay Thai Training in Thailand – A Growing Travel Trend

Welcome to Mom Loves 2 Read.  Today I have a special Guest Post about an amazing over seas travel destination ~ Thailand!

Travelling in foreign countries for various purposes has started since the Middle Age. Today, thanks to the fast progress of technology, people have many different transportation options which make travelling much easier. This is the reason why the number of foreign tourists in every country is increasing every year. People want to travel abroad in order to learn more about some countries, to relax and enjoy the time spent there.  Of course, if they have the chance to improve their health while they are staying there, their trip will be even better. If you are interested in something like that, feel free to travel to Thailand.

Thailand is a truly amazing country and everyone that has visited this Asian kingdom can confirm

that. Endless white sandy beaches, unexplored nature, pleasant and friendly people, low prices on products and services and Muay Thai. Yes. That’s right. Muay Thai or Thai Boxing was invented in Thailand and this is still the best place to start with Muay Thai training.

Many people use the chance to be on an active holiday when they are in Thailand. Just think about it. When you are not training in the camp, you can enjoy the natural wonders of Thailand. This is certainly something that will boost your health. Muay Thai is a fitness activity and combat sport that can be practiced by men and women of all ages. It improves the strength of the muscles of all body parts, strengthens the core, increases muscle mass, improves mobility, stabilizes weight and blood pressure and helps the overall mental health. In addition, Muay Thai students will improve their confidence, esteem and discipline. In other words, this is a complete workout for the body.

As previously mentioned, the best place to start this fitness journey is Suwit Muay Thai . The camp is found in the tourist places in Thailand so you won’t have trouble finding one. Follow the instructions of the professional trainers who work there are you will notice how your body and mind are becoming stronger and healthier.



*Kit* 

Disclosure: Guest Post in collaboration with Kit from Suwit Muay Thai.  A small compensation was received for submission of this post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

How Cool Is that! My Kids Shine when riding their bikes with Super Bright Rim Lights #bikelights

What do your kids do when it is too dark to ride their bikes in the evening?  Do they whine? fuss? throw a fit?  I know I do (LOL)  Now they can ride a LITTLE longer with Longer Lasting Rim Lights - plus they just look so darn cool!

• Light up your bike at night with the Speed Racer rim lights - Choose from three different styles


• Motion sensor LED technology ensures durability along with 50,000 hours of lifetime


• Easy to install - simple attach LED wheel flash light to valve stem on bike. Fits almost all bikes.


• Package includes A 3 pack of 2 x green 2 x blue 2 x colorful LED Valve Bike Lights


• Speed Racer is rust resistant, 1100% waterproof and usable through any terrain.

Review:

I would definitely NOT use these as Safety Lights but as an added fun feature on a child (or adult) bike.  And yes, they CAN even be used on cars and trucks for all you Big Kids!



These "Longest Lasting Super Bright Rim Lights" as the description states, arrived in a package of 6.  2 of each color ~ 2 flashing different colors, 2 blue and 2 green.  I was planning to put them on my bike and ride it fast to see if it would look anything like the photo above that is with the product information but my girls vetoed that idea right away.  They both wanted to be the ones to try out these cool new lights, so of course being the Perfect SuperMom that I am (NOT!) I told them that the could (basically I didn't have anyone to work the camera if I rode - LOL)

Unfortunately that was around 5pm and not nearly dark enough that the lights could be seen so we had to wait for . . . ev. . . .er for it to be somewhat dark enough for the video.  Let me know what you think  -



Video after being put on the tire - doesn't take much movement for them to start working:

10 yr old sister's video:

Now, they were easy to put on, and easy to get off - though I recommend some caution as the parts are mostly plastic.  Don't turn to forcefully they could break - just a warning, it did not happen with us.

The one thing I don't like is the type of batteries.  Yes, I know - what else would fit that small of a space but button cell batteries - but they are expensive to replace! I would say for $13.95 on Amazon, when the batteries do die, it would be cheaper less expensive to replace the lights than to purchase new batteries - each light takes 3 button cells.  BUT, the description says they should last 50,000 hours so that means I should basically NEVER have to replace them . . . .in theory.



Overall they are cute and fun to use, but unless you are a speed demon, they won't look like the picture of the whole inner tire turning colors - but they will look cool and get you noticed!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

LÍLLÉbaby COMPLETE baby carrier with more carry positions that most other carriers! #lillelove Check it out! {Review}

The LÍLLÉbaby COMPLETE baby carriers combines more carrying positions, lasts longer, and includes more features than any other baby carrier. The All Seasons line features an adjustable center panel: zip up for warmth and zip down to reveal cool, breathable, 3D mesh.

1. SIX ERGONOMIC CARRYING POSITIONS – Includes every carrying position without the need for an infant insert: Front-fetal, Front-infant, Front-outward, Front- toddler, Hip and Back carry. 



The COMPLETE grows with your child through

all the baby wearing years, from 7 lbs to 45 lbs. 



The patented cupped seat adjusts to keep baby ergonomically seated in all six carry positions through every development stage.



2. LUMBAR SUPPORT – Increases comfort, maintains healthy posture and alignment, and prevents lower back strain. Combined with an extra sturdy waist belt to maximize parent's comfort. 




3. TWO-WAY STRAP NEW! – Enable wearer to carry "backpack style" or with straps crossed in the back. Dual adjustment buckles simplify breastfeeding and adjusting straps on the go.

4. SLEEPING HOOD– Features dual adjustment points to provide tailored support for baby's head while sleeping, sun protection while exploring, and privacy while nursing. Removable.



5. EXTRA TALL, EXTENDABLE TORSO – So comfortable your baby will fall asleep. Provides extra neck and back support and keeps taller babies secure in the carrier. The adjustable width gently cradles baby's head. Elastic straps provide support while allowing for movement and easy adjustment.



6. POCKETS- Zippered cargo pockets on the panel for easy storage of essentials.



7. WIDE, PADDED SHOULDER STRAPS & WAIST BELT - Evenly distribute baby's

weight for maximized comfort.


Product Review:

For Mommy ~ The Good: 

The best part of the carrier is the lumbar support. After using other brands of baby Carriers such as Baby Bjorn and a Boba Wrap, I feel that the Lille provided twice as much support to my lower
back compared to other brands. As someone who has struggled with back problems on and off, I would HIGHLY
recommend this product to a mom who wants to "baby wear" but is afraid it will
be to

taxing on her back.

Also, I like that this carrier can go up to 45lbs. I
intend to baby wear for sometime, and this carrier would last much longer than
the Bjorn or Boba in that department.  In this way I can continue to carry baby up through early toddler years and still have the comfort and support that I have now with my little one. 

For Mommy ~ The Bad:

It took me a LONG time figure out how to
comfortably wear this carrier. There are many adjustable straps - which I assume
would be helpful as baby grows - but initially it took a lot of adjusting and
readjusting to make it comfortable for me and for the baby. After 4 tries I
started to feel comfortable sitting this on by myself, but before then I needed
help as the carrier hooks in the back by your neck and it was tricky at first.
Also, it took a bit of time to adjust the seat width setting - and it is
essential for you to do this in order for your baby not to be miserable. The
Bjorn and Boba are heads and shoulders above LILLE in terms of simplicity of
design and user friendliness. I still have not figured out the Side position,
and I don't have enough guts to try the back-pack position. But I have no doubt
that with enough practice these too could prove comfortable for mom and
baby.

For Baby ~ The Good and the Bad: 

Once all the adjustments were made my baby seemed
pretty comfortable. Baby sat forward facing comfortably and also really seemed
comfortable facing in. In terms of comfort I would say the Lille is pretty good.
If you are carrying your baby for long stretches of time I would recommend this
over the Boba or Bjorn. I think it is more comfortable for both baby and mommy.
Also the fabric is fairly breathable which helped for Baby not to get too warm
while in the carrier, which can be a problem with the Boba.

Overall opinion:

I would say that overall, the LÍLLÉbaby COMPLETE baby carrier is heads and tails above the rest.  For quality, comfort, and length of use (can continue as baby grows) it would be my first choice of carrier.  For ease of use, it takes quite a bit of practice and figuring out before I felt comfortable doing it on my own.  A great product and one that I highly recommend to anyone wanting to baby wear!



*A special thank you to my friend Jenn and her sweet baby girl for reviewing this product for me and for her thorough review*





To see a selection of colors/styles or to purchase:

visit their website at:  http://lillebaby.com/baby-carriers/completetm

Can also be purchased on Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Check out the Deals for Wisconsin Dells Area ~ Ripley's Believe It Or Not ~ Wizard Quest and More! #coupons @usfg

Discover the world's oddities at Ripley's Believe It or Not in the Wisconsin Dells. Featuring three floors with 11 amazing galleries, you will experience puzzling illusions as you examine the large eclectic collection of odd and interesting things you will never see anywhere else. Become an explorer and survive the curse of King Tut as

you travel the dark cavernous tunnels of his Egyptian temple. Continue your exploration and unveil objects hidden throughout the museum and decide for yourself if you Believe it or Not!



The Ripley's Believe It Or Not in Wisconsin Dells, WI is a great place for the whole family to enjoy together.  With three floors of crazy and amazing galleries full of fun and fantastic objects and items that you will not see anywhere else.  There is something for every member of the family to enjoy!

Wizard Quest is the cutting edge fusion of a story driven computer game and a 13,000 square foot magical wonderland. It is packed with secret passageways, physical obstacles, endearing illusions and over the top artistry. 

Your quest is to locate and release the imprisoned wizards. To do this you must first collect enough glimmers to release them. You collect glimmers by answering the riddles and questions of the Dragons. The answers are found in the realms…some hidden, some obvious and some not so obvious. The quadrashpere is full of secret passages, hidden entrances and some traps. Yes there is an opposition here that doesn’t want you to free the Wizards. His name is Havoc, he and his minions do what they can to hinder your quest.

Downton Dells Discovery Pass - Buy our Dells Downtown Discovery Pass online where you can save more than half off the admission of your second attraction!

Disclosure: I will receive a free ticket to one or more of the event locations mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Summer is here . . . Travel tips for Family Vacation, what do you do?

Are you in need of some ideas for your next family vacation trip?  Kids getting on your nerves fighting with each other in the car?  Tired of them always playing electronic games the whole trip?  Well, you are in luck!



I am working on the plans to keep my 3 kids ages "almost 14", 10 and 7 not only occupied and entertained during our LONG road trip to Maryland and Virginia in a couple weeks, but also quiet and not fussing/fighting with each other and driving mom and dad crazy.

I have compiled some tips online, from friends and some that I have personally implemented to share

with you.  I am also asking for any great ideas YOU might have that I can add to my list.

It is a long trip in a small vehicle with 5 different personalities . . . what can we do to make it fun and not frustrating???



Check it out . . . ..

Travel Tips & Tricks

Things We Do:


* Make sure to have a packing list ~ it helps to make sure all the necessities are there with you when you arrive at your destination - one of the worst things a parent can experience is a little one who's favorite toy or bedtime sleepy friend was left home by mistake!


Here are a few websites that I found while searching the web, that have travel packing lists:

http://www.minitime.com/trip-tips/packing-lists

http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/packinglists/a/packing_list.htm

http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/vacation-packing-checklist

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/travel/planning/family-packing-checklist-00000000000234/index.html


* Make a bag/backpack for each kid with their favorite books, coloring books/baggie of crayons, color wonder books/markers, plain paper & colored pencils, and a few small toys.



 * Have a few small snacks available as well as small bottles of water for each kid.



* As my kids are getting older, they like to bring electronic games to play.  I prefer they not play them in the car, so instead - we play "I Spy" together, or the "license plate game" or something similar that one of us makes up.  After playing that for a while, they are allowed to play their games for a few minutes as reward.



* An iPod for each child works pretty well for my kids.  When they start to harass each other, having separate iPods with earphones helps them focus on music and less on each other.



* A portable DVD player - one movie they all have to agree on, or Mom picks the movie



* Bring magnetic board games for older kids to play - or chalk board/white boards to play hangman, drawing games and just for crazy doodling fun. 



* Pack a small bag of surprises - I take new books, a new game or movie, small dollar store toys and use them as rewards for behaving in the car.  Each time we stop for gas or potty breaks, they get to pick something new to play with. 



* Have challenging game ideas ready 

      - Who can find the most . . . (red vehicles, license plates with K on them, White buildings, etc).  Gets them interested in what is outside the windows of the car and gives them a contest (until they start arguing again LOL)



      - In My Suitcase I Packed (name the things you pack from A to Z with each person listing something and repeating all the items before them ie “An Apple, A Bear, A Cat…)



      - I'm going on vacation and I'm taking . . . . (make up a theme and see if the others can figure it out . . . I'm taking a bear (furry animals), cell phone (electronics), zebra (anything with stripes) etc. and see if they can figure out the pattern!



* Give them each a disposable camera or for older kids and small digital camera.  Let them take their own photos along the way, you might be amazed at what they see that you might miss!

From the Web:

Bring the things they can't live without: The days of pacifiers and favorite blankets may be past, but that doesn't mean your kids haven't latched on to something else. If he's been reading a certain book every night up lately, pack it. If she's been working on a crossword puzzle for weeks, pack it. That doesn't mean everything goes! Set limits (for example, one toy car, not the whole set) you can live with ahead of time and communicate them early. Kids should carry their most important possessions in a backpack or wheel-tote they can carry themselves.(family.go.com)



Tune them in: Talk to them. And remember to listen too. Turn off the radio in the car and engage the kids in games that require them to use their attention and imagination while keeping them focused on their surroundings. On the plane, watch the movie your son picked together or read the book your daughter is reading with her and you'll have something to talk about later. (family.go.com)

Submitted by friends:

Made them travel bags filled w little games..each hr or two they could pick something out of their bag eyes closed just feeling...pick stuff they like..don't have to spend a lot of money..go to dollar store.... (submitted by Gail G - fb friend)



Once in the hotel, read a chapter book so they can look forward to it each night. Remember to always book a hotel with an indoor pool in case weather gets lousy - mom and dad can take turns with the kids in the pool to give each other some quiet time.

(submitted by Gail G - fb friend)



When we travel across multiple states, I have a "goodie" bag of small toys and treats that each child gets to open.  It helps them focus on the trip and how much fun it can be.  The most recent trip we went through 4 states each way.  So for my 2 kids, they each received 8 little goodie bags!  (Submitted by Rose)

8 Tips to Survive a Family Road Trip

1. Plan to have fun. The car is going to get crowded but remember you are all in this together.


2. Laugh! When things get stressful find something to laugh about. The stress will go away.


3. Switch seats at each rest stop. Siting next to a different family member breaks up the view and potential for sibling arguments.


4. Create Silly Travel Videos or Instagram Pictures to share your Trip with family and friends.


5. Give every passenger 30-45 minutes to have the ride "Their Way". Let them pick the music, lack of music, car game, sing songs, tell stories, or knock knock jokes. Everyone must participate if they want cooperation during their time. The rest of the time the Driver or Parents make the rules.


6. Give children their own spending money. This stops them from asking 100 times and you from saying No 100 times.. They can decide if they want something bad enough to spend their own money.


7. Impromptu Dance and Singing Parties with or without children's stuffed animals are a must. Make sure to capture (see #4)


8. Remember to have Fun, after all you are on vacation! If you aren't having fun what is the point!

- From Mom It Forward ~ read full article

Favorite Places & Spaces

* I love taking my kids to the local ZOO or Museum for a day trip.  I usually have grandma and grandpa come along to help keep track of all three kiddos and makes for a fun day - we also take a picnic lunch along.

* For weekend vacations, we try to go somewhere no further than a 3 hour drive.  It is fun to see what local attractions our family can enjoy not too far from home.



So far we've visited:

~ St. Louis, Mo  (Zoo, Grant's Farm, Museums)

~ Indianapolis, IN  (Zoo, Museum)

~ Grand Bear Lodge in Utica, IL

~ Starved Rock State Park in IL

~ Wisconsin Dells, WI - (Noah's Ark, Wilderness Resort, Rode on the "Ducks")

~ FunCity in Burlington, IA

~ Day trip on Amtrak to Chicago - AG Store

~ Chicago Weekend - (Museum, Shed Aquarium, AG Store, Lego Store, etc).

Places we plan to visit in the near future:

~  The beach - ??

~  Florida (Disney World? Sea World?)

~  Colorado?

~  Maryland & Washington D.C~  

Check out my Family Travel Experiences

and Mommy Moments!

Have an idea you'd like to submit?  Comment below - and I'll gladly add it! Have a favorite family vacation spot?  Let me know and I'll add it to my "Follower Favorites" list!

{Review & Flash GIVEAWAY} StaySharp Commuter Cuff from Exposed Seam ~ ends 6/16

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Velcro strap just not cutting it anymore? Maybe it’s time to check out
the StaySharp Commuter Cuff from Exposed Seam. We all know that if
you’re riding to work in your casual pants, you had better do something
about that cuff before it gets greasy, or worse – caught in the chain
and torn up. Many cyclists simply roll up

their pant legs, though this
isn’t always practical especially in the colder months of the year.
Feeling that they have a product that is better, and only slightly more
expensive than your average velcro strap, Jonathan and Jenifer Stark
have launched their Boston based business with their Massachusetts made
StaySharp Commuter Cuff.

Made with a patent pending design, each cuff is made in the USA from
Cordura fabric in a variety of colors. The shape of the Cuff is designed to keep you pants out of the chain,
while also protecting the laces of your shoes. Designed to be worn of
the right leg, the cuff closes around the ankle using velcro and
includes a reflective panel on the rear for added visibility.

Reivew:

Works well for riding bikes with any type of pant-leg or shoestring issues.  Great for kids commuting to school, men/women commuting to work and for everyday bike rides in cooler weather to keep jeans, pants and strings from getting caught in the chain of the bike!

I have had several times when myself or one of my kids has gotten loose clothing or shoestrings caught in the pedal or chain of our bikes.  It makes it very dangerous and easy to have a serious accident when loose clothing or strings are right where they can get caught in the bike as it is being ridden.

With t
the StaySharp Commuter Cuff from Exposed Seam, a few seconds of time to put this velcro cloth on can save a lot of skin damage and clothing damage.  It is not only sturdy and strong but comes in fun colors.  It also has a reflective area on the back of the cuff to help with safety while riding.

A great item to have on hand for any bike trip - whether for fun, exercise or work/school travel!





Would you like to have a StaySharp Commuter Cuff for yourself or a friend?

Enter below to win a StaySharp Commuter Cuff in the color of your choice!

 Must be 18 or older to enter/win - US only please.  Winner will have 24
hours to reply and claim prize!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review using Tomoson.com. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

{Review} Lots to do in Line at DISNEY ~ the perfect entertainment for waiting in line!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links:

 

How many times have you had to wait in line with kiddos, only for them to turn from "perfectly behaved angels" into cranky little terrors?  Not to mention how aggravating it can be for adults to wait in line patiently, but then to deal with bored and frustrated kiddos can turn a fun family vacation into a nightmare.



Well, author Meredith Lyn Pierce has come up with a unique and fun way to entertain not only the kids but the adults too while waiting for a ride at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.  She has taken the annoying

waiting in line and turned it into a fun adventure just waiting to happen just by
using Disney’s own visuals to create two books packed full of games for every ride
line in each park.  And the games are made so that even younger children can play along!

Lots To Do In Line Disneyland 2nd Ed.



contains 1,100+ engaging questions that
will have the whole family hunting for the answers. There are 90 in-line
hunts for hidden queue treasure buried deep in the wait plus park-wide
scavenger hunts for each of the parks. If you run out of questions in
a line, there are even 22 collections which will have you scrutinizing
your surroundings and even fellow guests to gain points. You need not
have a vast knowledge of Disney Trivia to play. In fact, if you can
recognize Mickey and Minnie you are all set. All of the answers can
be found only in line at Disneyland.








Lots To Do In Line Walt Disney World 



contains 1,282 questions including 109 in-line
hunts listing over 1,850 items to find. Each of the four parks also has a park-wide
scavenger hunt. There's even a "still growing" list of animals on the Tree of Life with 138 entries.
Again, if you run out of questions in
a line, there are 22 collections for points anywhere. You need not
have a vast knowledge of Disney Trivia to play. In fact, if you can
recognize Mickey and Minnie you are all set. All of the answers can
be found only in line at Disneyland. 





It is unfortunate that my family's Disney trip this year had to be cancelled, but I'm still hopeful that in the near future I can still manage to take us all to Disney World - so I'll be hanging on to these books for that future time - and even better - there is also an APP that can be downloaded right to your iPod or iPhone so you don't have to pack the book along if you don't want!  But I love that these books are just the right size to fit in a backpack and are great to entertain the whole family in those long lines or even just taking a break from the busy day - there are even games that can be played while eating or resting along the way!  



Not only that but instead of each kid playing electronic games or listening to music with earphones, the whole family can participate and enjoy the games together - after all that is the point of a family vacation - to spend more quality time interacting together!  You can even have teams - kids against adults - boys against girls - or mix it up with Dad/daughters against Mom/Grandma/sons - there is a ton of ways to creatively have fun even during the not-so-fun moments!



Here are some great links to find out more about Lots to Do In Line: Walt Disney World  ~ Lots To Do In Line Disneyland and author Meridith Lyn Pierce:

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

{Review & Coupons} Planning a Trip to DISNEY? Check out this review before you go! #disney

Book Description

 

Design magical vacations with this FULL COLOR
travel guide and planning system for everyone's favorite playground ...
fully updated for 2014! Fourteen built-in organizer pockets keep plans,
maps, and memories all in one place, and the full-color travel guide
includes everything you need to plan the perfect vacation. All Disney
parks and resort hotels are described in depth, with ratings,

floor
plans, and maps. Comprehensive information for planning, traveling, and
dining is also included, along with an entire section devoted to
extra-special Disney magic. Design your vacation with the help of six
planning worksheets, write your itinerary on the front of each organizer
pocket before you go, store guide maps, brochures, tickets, and receipts
inside the pockets while you're there, and record expenses and memories
to review and share when you return. This is the ultimate traveling
companion for Walt Disney World!



 


From the Founders: 50% Off E-Books This
Weekend

We have a 50%
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Just use coupon code 50off at checkout in the PassPorter Store to get 50%
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click a Read Details link!

Discount Park Tickets for PassPorter Readers





Now that offsite guests can make FastPass+ ride reservations too,
PassPorter is partnering with MapleLeafTickets.com
to bring you awesome discounts on Disney park tickets! You can read all
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PassPorter's Club passholders and YOU, our newsletter subscribers! 



Check out the
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tickets. They have some of the lowest prices we've seen anywhere! ... Read Details



My Review:

I have never been to Disney - Not Disney World, nor Disney Land, but have always wanted to plan a trip and take my kiddos.  My husband and I had planned to surprise them over Spring Break this year with a trip to Disney World so I immediately went online to search for the best way to prepare for a trip to a huge amusement park like DW.  



One of the first places that many bloggers sent me was to Passporter.com to find their amazing trip planning guide.  When I received it I was completely amazed and a bit overwhelmed - it is so organized!  There is nearly everything I could possibly need contained inside!  Pages and Pages full of great information, maps, pockets to keep my personal papers, receipts, tickets and more safe and secure.  It is sturdy, spiral bound and easy to use.  



What a perfect travel planner and companion for a novice like me, but I've also read posts from experienced Disney travelers who ALWAYS use Passporter to make their trip planning easy and much less stressful!  I highly recommend anyone planning a Disney grip to grab Passporter - oh, and if that isn't enough of an incentive - Passporter is also available in ebook - and is currently on sale for HALF OFF!



Passporter is frequently sending me updates on their information - I've included a tiny snippet from the most recent email - it also includes ticket coupons and even a Free Dining, Travel Tips, Discount Coupons, Insider Hints and Tricks and much much more!



**For those who are local to my area - Tonight is our BIG Fundraising event at Inspired Arts Academy and I'll be giving away 2 of these great books along with some other great Disney vacation books!  Join me tonight from 6-9pm!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

{Review} Cold Steel Kudu Knife ~ Strong, Durable, Reliable Swords, Knives and More!

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Swords of the East, Inc. offers a large selection of functional Japanese Samurai
swords and authentic, functional katana for collectors and practicing
martial artists. They also offer a selection of knives, American War Swords, and much much more.



You'll also find premium Japanese swords from Cold
Steel, Paul Chen swords by Hanwei, authentic Samurai swords hand-forged
from Imperial Forge and Thaitsuki Nihonto, and competition-grade katana
swords from

Generation 2 and Last Legend.

For this review, I was sent a wonderful knife, Cold Steel Kudu, from Swords of the East ~ http://www.swordsoftheeast.com/



The Cold Steel Kudu, has a Krupp 4116 Stainless steel flat ground blade, heat treated to
Rc 56-57 for better edge holding ability and ease of re-sharpening, and
a thin razor sharp edge. For safety, it has a thoroughly tested 
locking mechanism and will hold the blade rigidly
open until you decide to close it by pulling up on the ring attached to
the back spring.



The handle of the Kudu also reflects our dedication to
making an effective and affordable folder. It’s made of 43%
glass reinforced Zytel®. This material has proven to be
extremely strong, and is stiff enough to compliment the blade and spring
when locked open. Plus, the gripping surface has a wood grain texture
for traction and features an attractive polished steel Kudu horn emblem
for a little extra flair! It makes a wonderful work
knife, utility knife, bait knife, or hunting knife.





My Review:

I have to agree with everything in the description except for one small issue.  To fold the blade back down, I

have to pull very hard on the attached ring, while pushing on the knife handle and blade at the same time.  It is not easy to do and often hurts my fingers a bit to do it.  Yet, I like that it is not easy to fold, because then I know it will remain strong and secure until I choose to close it.  So it is both annoying and good at the same time.



The blade is strong and cuts through anything I try it on.  Naturally I did not try it on concrete or anything, just food, paper, cardboard and a small stick in the backyard.  But it stays sharp and strong with every use.  I can not see it being used as a pocket knife as it is too long to comfortably be carried in a pocket, but my husband and son have both decided it will make a great knife for Boy Scout Camping Trips.  So, since there is only 1 knife and 2 of them, they will have to figure out who gets it when - lol.  Maybe I'll buy them another one from SOTE - I'd love to get this one for them:  Bear Grylls Scout Knife

Both the Kudo and the Bear Grillis would make great Father's Day or Birthday Gifts - or a Great gift for a Boy Scout who just earned a new level!!  Have a collector in the family?  Check out SOTE's HUGE selection of swords as well!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review using Tomoson.com. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.