Look out Black Friday, this deal is AMAZING! ABCMouse for HALF OFF! #deals #coupons #savings #children #preschool

Hurry for AMAZING savings! Not just a Black Friday Deal! Get ABCMouse.com for your kiddos, grandkiddos, nieces, nephews or the cute little neighbor for 50% Off ABCmouse.com Annual Subscriptions during their Black Friday Event! Now Only $45 from 11/21 through 11/28!!

REVIEW:

My youngest daughter began using ABCMouse.com when she was only 5.  She was already in Kindergarten and was already reading on a 2nd grade level.  So why try ABCMouse.com?

 She absolutely LOVED it!  She enjoyed reading fun interactive stories, playing games and gettting the rewards for each level she completed!

As she continued progressing even up to the First Grade level, she never tired of the games, books, art, music and so much more.  I would even catch her on the computer right after school before she even had a snack.  

Now my little ABCMouser is 8 years old and has been asking for an ABCMouse.com membership for Christmas this year.  Even though I have explained to her that it is for children preschool up to first grade (she is in 3rd grade) she loved it so much she still wants to play.  She even used the excuse that she could "teach her little cousins" when they come over.

So, whether your little ones are  homeschooled, preschoolers looking for online adventure, kindergarten or older.  Whether they need extra help or just looking for educational fun (and time away from Mine Craft LOL)  ABCMouse.com is an excellent choice!

NOW IS THE TIME - 

50% Off ABCmouse.com Annual Subscriptions during their Black Friday Event! Now Only $45 from 11/21 through 11/28!

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.”.

American Heritage Girls ~ Another year another great adventure!

American Heritage Girls

I LOVE American Heritage Girls. If you are interested in learning more about American Heritage Girls, visit their website at www.American Heritage Girls.org

My two girls and I started with our local AHG troop in August of 2015. Since then we have enjoyed many fun adventures!  My youngest started out as a 2nd year Tenderheart, and my older daughter started as a 2nd year Explorer.

I began as not only an AHG Mom but also an Assistant Unit Leader.  I have also taken on the Assistant Treasurer position as well as help coordinate different outings and events and occasionally teach as the need arises.

My family believes in the core values of the AHG program – growing women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.

While merit badges are not the focus of AHG, my daughters enjoy this aspect and the sense of accomplishment that brings.  With each year in AHG, my girls earn approx 5-8 badges during our troop meetings and at home.  Then with Summer Camp they each earned additional badges. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AHG helps girls acquire skills that will assist them in all areas of life.  These skills may include how to use a computer, sew on a button, protect themselves, learn about their ancestors or what it takes to be an astronaut.



Girls will learn many skills as they earn AHG Achievement Badges.  The badge program allows them to learn from older girls, and also gives them the chance to teach younger girls!





The American Heritage Girls Achievement Badge Program is divided into six "Frontiers."



These frontiers, when offered together during the year, offer a well-rounded program.  Each badge can be earned at three different levels (Tenderheart, Explorer, and Pioneer/Patriot).



The six Frontiers of the American Heritage Girl program include:



Our Heritage                Personal Well-Being                Family Living

The Arts                     Science and Technology           Outdoor Skills

As we start our second year with AHG, I just wanted to spread the word on how much we love this adventure and the morals and lessons that the girls learn.  They make new life long friends and grow in their faith and integrity.  To find out more about American Heritage Girls or to find a troop near you, check out their website at: https://www.americanheritagegirls.org/

The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today - DVD Giveaway

The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today - DVD Giveaway

Sony Home Video provided me with some of the materials I used in this Blog Post/Giveaway. The opinions I share are my own.  This post contains embedded widgets.

The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today is out on DVD September 6 from Sony Home Entertainment!

In the brand new original animated film, Princess Alise is training to be the perfect royal but in her heart, all she wants to do is sail the seven seas as a swashbuckling pirate! After setting sail, Princess Alise is shipwrecked and washes ashore on an island where she meets Lucas, a young boy who has been living there by herself. They have to work together to survive and get back to civilization.

island where she meets Lucas, a young boy who has been living there by herself. They have to work together to survive and get back to civilization.

Buy The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today!

http://sonypictures.us/swan

Follow The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today!

https://www.facebook.com/swanprincessmovie

• Are you fit for a storybook fairy tale or a swashbuckling high seas adventure? Take the quiz to find out and unlock a GIF!

Win It!

One person will win The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today on DVD.  Winner will only have 24 Hours to reply and claim prize - Must be US citizen age 18 or older.  No P.O boxes.  Must NOT have won from Sony Entertainment within the past 30 days.  Must not have won same prize on any other blog.

Entry-Form

Revitalize and Refresh your hair and scalp with Adovia Mineral Balsam Conditioner!

Dead Sea Salt Mineral Balsam Deep Hair Conditioner - Deeply Hydrating and Nourishing on Scalp & Hair

Made with Real Dead Sea Salt - 100% Pure and Genuine for an infusion of 21 Minerals Essential to Proper Skin and Hair Function.



Leaves Hair Looking Hydrated, Healthy, and Silky.

Helps to Reduce the appearance of Dandruff and Dry, Flaky Scalp.



Aloe Vera Deeply Nourishes the Scalp and Hair - Hydrating it from Within.



Dead Sea Salt contains more than 21 skin and hair rebuilding minerals such as magnesium, calcium, sulfur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc, and potassium.







My Review:

The first time I used this conditioner I wasn't sure I would like it.  While using it my scalp was tingling so I know something was happening.  It felt different from my usual conditioner on my wet hair and I was leary of how well it would rinse out.  Later, after my hair was dry, I began styling my hair and it felt so soft and clean.  I loved how soft and silky my hair felt.  It was the conditioner working.



After several uses, I still love how soft and silky my hair is after it is dry.  I do not use this conditioner every day but once a week and love the results.  It has become my favorite way to refresh and revitalize my hair and scalp.  Mineral Balsam Conditioner from Adovia receives a huge recommendation from this blogger!  I purchase mine on Amazon!

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.”.

Scrumptious desert needs a healthy makeover - Post your Healthy Comments!

Ok, I'm a glutton for punishment as they say.  I was looking around Pillsbury.com for a fun and "healthier" desert idea, when I stumbled upon this photo and recipe - and I have such a weakness for chocolatey, fudgey, yummy goodies.  So NOT on my diet plan!  So, I'm asking all my friends out there in the Cyber World to help me find a way to still enjoy this scruptious desert but make it healthier, and still retain the yummy taste!  Any Ideas are Oh So Welcome!

 

Heavenly Hazelnut Torte with Mascarpone Cream

total time
1 hr 50 min

ingredients
7

servings
8

Ingredients

1 roll Pillsbury™ refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 container (8 oz) mascarpone cheese

2/3 cup Jif® Chocolate Flavored Hazelnut Spread

3/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons granulated white or vanilla sugar

Steps

• 
  
  
  1
  Heat
  oven to 350°F. Let cookie dough and mascarpone cheese stand at room
  temperature for 10 minutes to soften. In medium bowl, break up cookie
  dough. Add 2 tablespoons of the mascarpone cheese, 1/3 cup of the
  chocolate hazelnut spread and 1/2 cup of the hazelnuts. Mix with wooden
  spoon until well blended.
  
   
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  2
  Press
  1/2 of the dough mixture in bottom of ungreased 9-inch springform pan.
  In small microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 1/3 cup chocolate
  hazelnut spread on High 10 seconds; stir until spreading consistency.
  Spread over dough to within 1/4-inch of edge; sprinkle chocolate chips
  over chocolate hazelnut spread. Place remaining dough between layers of
  waxed paper. Press into 9-inch round. Peel off one layer of paper. Place
  dough side down over chocolate chips. Remove waxed paper; press edges
  to seal. Gently tap pan on counter to settle. Sprinkle with remaining
  1/4 cup nuts; lightly press into dough.
  
   
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  3
  Wrap
  outside bottom and side of springform pan with foil to prevent leaking.
  Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until puffed and edges are set (center will
  jiggle slightly). Cool on cooling rack 30 to 40 minutes or until center
  is set but still warm. Remove side of pan.
  
   
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  4
  Meanwhile,
  in medium bowl, beat whipping cream and sugar with electric mixer on
  medium speed until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining mascarpone cheese
  with electric mixer on low speed until combined. Refrigerate.
  
   
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  5
  Serve wedges of warm torte with mascarpone cream.
  
  
  

This recipe was found on Pillsbury.com

Too busy to eat healthy? Let Snack Girl Guide the Way!

Do you need to be rescued from bad eating habits and junk food? Are you
looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle but don’t know where to begin?
Well, fear not because Lisa Cain, a.k.a. “Snack Girl,” is
here to help! A busy mother of two, Lisa faces the same challenges to
healthy eating that we all

do—unlimited access to junk food, a
jam-packed schedule, a tight budget, and a love of delicious food. So in
Snack Girl to the Rescue, she has created a way to make small changes that will make a difference in how you eat and live.



On
her mega-popular blog Snack-Girl.com, she shares the simple secrets
and delicious, healthful recipes that have helped keep her budget and
her body in check. without sacrificing fun or flavor. Now with Snack Girl to the Rescue! A Real-Life Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Healthy with 100 Recipes Under 400 Calories,
Lisa is sharing her best, tried and true advice on avoiding common
weight-loss pitfalls, shopping healthier on a budget, and getting in
shape, along with 100 recipes for fun, quick, and affordable meals and
snacks—all of which clock in under 400 calories and are Weight Watchers
friendly!



There are no gimmicks, no short cuts, it's just how
you're supposed to live: a healthy balanced life. Lisa shows us in this
book, that nobody is perfect—but with a few minor tweaks, you can change
your lifestyle, be happy and be healthy.





My Review:

Ok, nobody likes to diet.  I mean really LIKES to "diet" especially me.  Eating Healthy is always a good plan, but can be expensive and difficult at times so I was really looking forward to having some healthier snack recipes and ideas when I chose this book for a review.  Well, I didn't realize that this isn't a cookbook of healthy snacks, but a story of the author's journey to making changes in her lifestyle and diet that helped her lose weight and keep it off.



After she tried many well-known popular diets, Lisa Cain decided there had to be something she could do that would not only work, but keep working and make a difference.  In "Snack Girl to the Rescue" she explains how she makes little changes and looks at food a different way that really made a huge impact on her life and weight.



Some of the easiest tips to implement are:

put salad dressing on the side, not directly on the salad

don't have a bread or chip basket on the table

order grilled meats instead of friend

have a side salad instead of fries

and many many more!



Just those little things make a huge difference in eating habits and healthier attitudes towards food.  Don't be disappointed though, there are many recipes in the back of the book that are pretty simple and easy to make.  Some of her ideas are ones I will personally implement in my life to kick start my healthier me attitude and others just don't suit me personally.  This is a great book to have on hand for ideas of how to make healthier and better choices when eating at home or on the go.



Snack Girl to the Rescue is available in Print and eBook via 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.”.

Life Happens ~ Bloggers NEEDED ASAP

                         

Just a quick update -- Mom Loves 2 Read is still searching for a regular blogger to take over the day to day reviews and giveaways.  Susan Momblogger has her hands too full with returning to work, returning to college, and three kiddos in grade school and high school!



If you know of someone who enjoys blogging and would love to be a part of an established blog with great review connections - please send them my way!