Food, shelter, and clothing. These are some of our basic necessities. I have been in positions where I was not always sure where my next meal was coming from and now I don’t have to worry about those things. Still, I remember what a scary and humbling experience it was to need help from others. Growing up, my mom was a single mother that received no help from my father. She was on Food Stamps, which are now called SNAP. She didn’t get a whole lot of money because she worked full time, but what she did get she used every penny to feed me and my brother. Today, the same program that helped make sure I wouldn’t go hungry is being threatened and it makes me worry about all of the kids that are going hungry now and the hundreds and thousands of kids that will be joining them if cuts to SNAP go into effect.

Known as SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was created to help people in their time of need. SNAP is in danger because of something known as the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill provides legislation for funding to the SNAP program and for the SNAP education program. Severe cuts to SNAP are on the table. Regardless of what you think of public assistance, nearly 50% of the recipients of SNAP are children. These children will go hungry and they did not ask to be born into a world that would deprive them of one of their basic necessities. Millions of children and families will suffer if cuts to SNAP are put into effect.

This is sad for a number of reasons, but when you consider that we live in a country that is one of the wealthiest in the world, you realize that children starving should not be a major issue that we need to worry about. Sadly, when people turn a blind eye, it becomes a very real problem.

As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, we cannot afford to let our children go hungry. Ensuring our children have enough to eat must be a priority for our nation.

You can learn more about the Farm Bill at the No Kid Hungry website.

By now I am sure you’re wondering how you can help. The best answer to that is to learn all you can about the Farm Bill and to let Congress know that you stand with the kids of this country and do not want to see any of them go hungry! Visit the No Kid Hungry website and contact Congress to show your support today!

Technorati Tags: Share Our Strength, No Kid Hungry, SNAP, Food Stamps, Childhood Hunger, Congress, Farm Bill

Gnome Intro-Film Clip

Synopsis:

From a director of Shrek 2 comes your chance to step into the secret world of garden gnomes — Gnomeo & Juliet. Perfect for the whole family, this fresh and funny makeover of one of the world’s most timeless stories features music from Sir Elton John, and the voice talents of Emily Blunt, James McAvoy and Sir Michael Caine. Caught up in a feud between neighbors, Gnomeo and Juliet must overcome as many obstacles as their namesakes. But with flamboyant pink flamingos and epic lawnmower races, can this young couple find lasting happiness? Complete with hilarious never-before-seen bonus features, Gnomeo & Juliet is an out-of-the-ordinary animated comedy your entire family will love. We just gnome it!

Balcony Scene-Film Clip

Special Features:

DVD & Movie Download:
• Elton Builds a Garden
• Frog Talk with Ashley Jensen
• “Crocodile Rock” Music Video, featuring Elton John and Nelly Furtado

Blu-ray:
• DVD Bonus plus:
• 2 Alternate Endings with Filmmaker Introductions
• Deleted & Alternate Scenes with Filmmaker Introductions, including:
o 1 Alternate Opening
o 1 Alternate Scene
o 6 Deleted Scenes
• The Fawn of Darkness, featuring Ozzy Osbourne

Doomed Love-Film Clip

Technorati Tags: Gnomeo and Juliet, Classic, Movie, DVD, Bluray, Comedy, Animation, James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, May 24, Disney Home Entertainment

So, if you’re unfamiliar with the site, you’re probably wondering what Goalforit is. The simple answer to that is that it’s an organizational dream. When it comes to things like charts and to-do lists I am an organizational disaster. I thrive on chaos, but I want to be more organized. I would love to be able to look at a list and check things off or to track progress on a chart. However, whenever I start something like this (and I always have the best of intentions) I never seem to be able to follow through.

When CT was in public school (way back in the 1st grade) his teachers thought that the answer to his behavioral problems (the teacher didn’t understand what Asperger’s was) would be sending home behavior charts every day. Of course, her chart only charted his behavior in each class. So, everything he did wrong was listed in order of his day. Goalforit offers a much nicer setup for the behavioral charts they have. One of the reasons that I like them so much is because you can put clear cut and simple to remember goals for the kids.

If brushing teeth is a problem or remembering to clean up their room, you can make this part of their charts. The same could be said for things like remembering to use manners, not screaming, or not talking back. You have the ability to make a chart (in the background theme of your choice) that will suit your child’s needs and the needs of your family. Best of all, a chart like this gives your children a chance to understand that each action has a reaction and that there can be consequences to the things that they do. If they are good, you might have a reward system that goes in line with the chart. Equally so, if they are bad you will likely want to handle that, as well.

Goalforit offers several types of lists and you can also create your own. If you need ideas you can click the browse section and choose from around twenty categories of user-made lists. The categories include things like education, relationships, community, event planning, and finances. If you’re trying to lose weight, save money, or plan for a trip you could create a number of different type of goal charts or lists to help you accomplish these tasks.

I highly recommend giving Goalforit.com a look. If you’re like me, you could use all the help you can get. Then again, if you’re nothing like me and just love being organized, the site might just give you a few new ideas and will definitely help keep you organized, especially when you’re planning your next set of lists!

Technorati Tags: Goalforit, Goals, Charts, Behavioral, To Do List, Organized, Organizational, Free, User-Made, Kids

The downfall to Netflix, as most subscribers have realized, is that they do not offer brand new movies. In fact, this is the only real downfall to Netflix. Still, they succeed because they offer so many good older movies and some amazing newer television shows. The addition of Starz Play doesn’t hurt either, especially if you don’t subscribe to Starz.

Still, some days I want to watch new releases. If Redbox offered a streaming service (unlimited, that is) I would certainly sign up. However, the only movie rental company that offers streaming is Blockbuster and it is offered at a ridiculous price. Luckily, I was offered a chance to review the Movies on Demand service and I decided to give it a whirl. Movies on Demand is a pay-per-view type service. Offering prices comparable to the video store, you can order movies with the click of a button and avoid the perils of having to visit a video store, fight over new releases, and there is no pain of having to leave the house, to return them the next day.

Offering a service as simple as can be, Movies on Demand allows you to pick from new releases and in some cases, you can view movies (at a higher price) that have not even been released in theaters. The cost of each movie ranges from $1.99 to $9.99 or more if you’re watching an actual pay-per-view event such as WWE or UFC. Most of the new releases are $2.99-$3.99, which is fair considering this is similar or less than the cost at most movie stores these days.

We were sent a gift card to choose some movies and try the service out. To put it simply, I love Movies on Demand. Like Netflix, MoD pleases the lazy person in me. I can pop some popcorn, lay on the couch, and enjoy the cheapest form of entertainment ever made, short of something free. Movies on Demand offers something for virtually everyone. We chose a variety of movies from The Last Airbender (what a huge mistake that was) to Inception. Horror fans will also be pleased to know that there are usually a number of titles to choose from on the MoD list of offerings. We had a chance to watch about six or seven films with the $30 gift card that we received for this review.

While we didn’t love every movie we picked in the few nights that we reviewed Movies on Demand, we do love the service as a whole. This is fabulous for people too busy to deal with the hassle of renting movies. It’s also a great service for people short on money. As the fee for each movie goes on your cable bill rather than being an up front cost, as long as you’re not watching every movie on the service, it gives you a chance to receive entertainment even when you’re waiting for your next pay check.

The Movies on Demand service is available through your cable guide and most likely on the Internet through your cable providers website. Each channel (there are many to accommodate all of the various movie choices) is clearly labeled as MoD (or Movies on Demand). You just choose the movie you want to watch and the cost will be added to your bill. The price for each movie will show when you’re on the info screen for the movie. You also have an additional chance to cancel your purchase, should you hit “Play” on accident.

All in all, this is a great service and as someone that spends plenty of time working at home, it’s great to know that I can take some time off without having to actually leave home to do it.

Technorati Tags: Movies on Demand, Netflix, Blockbuster, Avatar, Cable, Inception, Product Review, Movies

One of the most recent sites I’ve come upon that CSN Stores owns is Swing Sets & More. With summer right around the corner plenty of parents will be planning some new toys and outdoor furniture to keep their kids busy and provide them with some healthy fun in the sun. This is just one way that Swing Sets & More will be helpful to shoppers as summer weather approaches.

While swingsets are the primary purpose of the Swingsets & More website (they offer metal, plastic, and wooden swingsets), there are plenty of other items available that your kids (and some adults) will be sure to enjoy! Along with the swingsets, you can find trampolines, playhouses, and even above ground pools!

Visit Swingsets & More today to find specials and sales on trampolines and sandboxes.

In the meantime, be sure to check back in the coming weeks to see our review of one of the many CSN Stores to find out what we picked for review and our thoughts on the purchasing and shipping process when you buy from CSN Stores.

Technorati Tags: CSN Stores, Swingsets and More, Online Shopping, Sandbox, Trampoline, Play Tent, Sale, Teaser, Review

Share Comments & Graphics – Layouts – Photobucket

Technorati Tags: Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, Fun Graphic, LI Kids, Website, Greeting, Holiday

Our main child reviewer for this product was a young tween, who represents the 5th to 8th grade age range recommended for this product. We also had our 9th grader, who has an objective view on learning toys, checking it out. While both thought the Encyclopædia Britannica Interactive Science Library was colorful and educational, neither felt they would play with it in the long term. Their reasoning was that they were both too “old” for the toy. Our son, EmoTeen (ET), has an appreciation for toys that are recommended for those a little bit younger (and a little older, than him), so we had no doubt if he found it engaging, so would a 12-15 year old. The thing is, this wasn’t something they wanted to play with in the longterm. When I spoke with both of them frankly, they were surprised to learn it was recommended for our tween reviewer’s age range. ET even thought it would be fun to use with his younger cousin, Lil B (age 6), as opposed to using it on his own.

The Encyclopædia Britannica Interactive Science Library comes in 3-book and 6-book sets. We received one of the the 3-book sets, which included the books Animals, Under the Sea, and Dinosaurs. The other set we did not receive features Space, Earth and Humans. All of the sets come with an SD-X pen, which is an interactive reader. When the pen is placed over pictures and words in the books, it provides additional, audio-presented information on the topics within the book. This includes fun facts and word definitions. When scanning over the green titles on a page, it expands on the topics quite a bit. The pen acts as a scanner and camera, to read micro-text that has been included, making the books more in depth without having them be college textbook size.

On a positive note, the books and the pen/reader are made of high quality material. The images inside the book are gorgeous and it features glossy pages, which make them durable and add to the longevity of the product. However, it is hard to get over the fact these books are promoted for a group of kids who feel they are too old for the material. As our tween reviewer stated, “I am to old to be read to. I learned to read in Kindergarten. These books are cool, but I definitely would prefer to have a book I can read to myself.” That seemed to be the sentiment of ET, as well. He liked the glossy pictures and felt the product provided an educational benefit, but he also said younger kids would enjoy this far more than tweens.

Initially, I was mad about the price for the Encyclopædia Britannica Interactive Science Library, but that is because I saw the prices individually. Each book costs over $14 and the pen is almost $30. That seems a bit exorbitant to me. However, I am pleased to let you know that the cost of the sets is much more affordable. The three-book sets run around $30-$40 depending on the place you purchase it, while the six-book set is closer to $70. This seems much more reasonably priced and is obviously done to encourage the purchases of the sets. You can purchase the Encyclopædia Britannica Interactive Science Library at the Encyclopædia Britannica online store, as well as at retailers that include Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

So, while the title of this review might be somewhat misleading (we had to get your attention, somehow), as the Encyclopædia Britannica Interactive Science Library is not a total dud, when it comes to the audience Encyclopædia Britannica has geared this learning book-set towards, it fails on every level. What we MUST add though is that we fully believe the Encyclopædia Britannica Interactive Science Library is a great product. We just think your money would be better spent buying it for a child in the 7-10 age range who still enjoy an interactive experience that includes audio being read to them.

Technorati Tags: Dud, Holiday Review, Encyclopædia Britannica, Interactive Science Library, Kids, Science, learning, learning toy

Oneida Stainless Pro Series – Stainless Steel Multi-Pot
The Oneida Stainless Steel Multi-pot is such an awesome part of the kitchen that I wanted to use it as soon as I unwrapped it from the packaging. Whether you’re making pasta, steaming some vegetables, or making a delicious winter soup, Oneida and the Stainless Steel Multi-pot have got you covered. This is the first multi-pot I have owned and I knew I was going to love it from the moment I started using it. Cooking is a breeze no matter what you make with this pot. Just drop your pasta into the colander and you can cook and drain it all in the same pot. Steaming vegetables has also never been easier. Oneida gives you plenty of excuses to make family-style meals that the whole family can enjoy, all in one pot.

You can learn more about the Oneida Stainless Steel Multipot at the Oneida website. You should be able to find this where fine kitchen products are sold online or offline. It currently has a list price of under $70 on Amazon.

Cuisine Foundations: The Chefs of Le Cordon Bleu
It doesn’t seem to matter whether you know how to cook or you’d just prefer to eat, most people are familiar with the Le Cordon Bleu name and reputation. This is one of the reasons that I am thrilled to recommend Cuisine Foundations. Sold in a box set, you receive two books that will take any cook and make them a chef, if only for a meal. Not only that, but if you can’t cook this will be sure to propel you to at least a basic cook status.

If you have no cooking knowledge reading or looking through Cuisine Foundations can be a daunting task, but if you read and follow the basic instructions you will find that cooking is easier than you ever thought it could be. With a wide range of recipes you have the ability to start in your comfort zone and venture into the unknown once you are more comfortable. Each book offers plenty of full-color illustrations, step by step instructions, and the ability to look up cooking terms as you need them. The Cuisine Foundations set also includes a Chef’s Tea Towel.

Any foodie that likes to cook from recipe books needs this set. This will end up being the foundation for any gourmet meals cooked by new chefs at home, so if you’re buying for the person that loves to cook you should really consider this set for their present this year. Amazon has the Cuisine Foundations Set available for around $50.

Capresso Automatic Milk Frother – FrothPRO
The Capresso FrothPRO is the absolute perfect gift for the budding barista. Coffee drinks are incredibly popular these days, but they are also unnecessarily expensive. That being said, with a FrothPRO and a cappuccino, espresso or even a coffee maker there is no reason why someone can’t create the same amazing drinks at a fraction of the price. The froth PRO includes settings for hot, warm, and cold and you can choose to froth or just warm something up. While the froth setting will help to create delicious coffee based drinks, the warm setting is perfect for creating hot chocolate or just warm milk, if you like that sort of thing. The froth PRO is a standalone small appliance that won’t take up much space. It even includes an auto shut-off feature for safety. Two frothing discs and one heating disc is included. All parts are even dishwasher safe, so even cleanup will be a breeze.

I love our Capresso Froth PRO and use it often. While it may not seem to be the normal holiday gift, if you have a coffee shop fan in your family, this will be an invaluable present and they will love it!

The FrothPRO is also cost effective as far as presents go. You can order this through the Capresso website for $59.99. If you really want to splurge (or let your relatives feel like they live in a coffee shop) you might even want to consider the Capresso Impressa C9 One Touch Coffee Maker.

NuWave Oven
The NuWave Oven was something I had been curious about for some time. Whenever I see something on an infomercial I tend to write it off and move on, but I kept coming back to this intriguing item. The thing I liked the most about this was the convenience factor. Cleanup is simple and there is almost nothing that this oven won’t do. The NuWave oven will fry, bake, broil, grill, and dehydrate. I am sure it does other things, but you get the idea. You can cook poached eggs in the NuWave for breakfast and have ribs for dinner. You can even cook meat from a frozen state.

Using three cooking methods (infared, convection, and conduction) the NuWave Oven offers a fast, easy, and simple way to get dinner made in a healthy, delicious way. The NuWave doesn’t take up too much space but it will hold plenty of food. It comes with an extender ring to allow it to hold more food, but to give you an idea, without the ring it will cook a ten pound turkey. If you add the extender, the turkey can be as heavy as sixteen pounds! After hearing about this I considered buying it just for the convenience during holidays. I don’t know about you, but I always need more room in my oven. Foodies might be shocked at this present, but everyone I know that has one loves it. It will just take one meal for them to be incredibly thankful (if they aren’t to begin with).

You can learn more about the NuWave Oven at the NuWave Oven Website. This is available through the website for $120 and you receive numerous free extras at the time of purchase.

Conserving Now – Bring Your Own – Family Starter Eco Kit
If you have someone in your family that wants to make shopping trips easier or that cares about the environment then Conserving Now needs to be on your radar. Offering a host of eco-friendly products including ways to educate classrooms on the environment, Conserving Now offers excellent products at fair prices. We received the family starter eco-kit, which includes two oversized cotton totes, a set of three market bags with a cinch bag for storage, a bag recycler, some door hangers, and some static clings. While things like the door hangers and the static clings have not really been used by us, I have found the bags to be invaluable. They are huge, hold a great deal and are incredibly well made. With that in mind, these make a fabulous gift for shoppers and people hoping to avoid plastic bags in the future. These bags would easily hold the contents created in a small to medium shopping trip.

You can learn more at the Conserving Now website. The Family Starter Eco Kit is available on the website for $40.99.

Green Ostrich – Preserve Recycled Plastic Large Apple Green Colander
Green Ostrich offers a host of products that are all eco-friendly. Offering everything from kitchen products to various school supplies, Green Ostrich has you covered. I was shocked to find out how much I loved the Preserve line they carry. We recently moved and I was missing some key kitchen essentials so we decided to focus on those things. We received one of the Plastic Large Apple Green Colanders and its been love at first use ever since. Not only is it sturdy and made to last, it’s also incredibly inexpensive. I have priced other (non eco-friendly) colanders of this quality and found then to be in the $20 range. The Preserve colander is $8 less than that. It’s also a vibrant, gorgeous color. If you’re looking for practical gift options, I highly suggest putting this towards the top of your list.

You can learn more about the Preserve line and the Apple Green Colander at the Green Ostrich website. The Preserve Apple Green Colander is available on the Green Ostrich website for just over $12.

Green Ostrich – Preserve Recycled Plastic Apple Green Tableware Pack
Preserve eco-friendly tableware made me consider switching to completely eco-friendly dishes. While I have yet to make the full transition I will say that for about the last month this set of dishes (cups, plates, and bowls) has been our main set. We use them for the majority of our casual meals and snacks. As someone that needs to diet, I love the plates because they are a tad smaller than some dinner plates, which means less food. I still end up getting enough, but find that I am not taking too much because there just isn’t room for extras. Cleanup is simple and these packs come in a variety of great, vibrant colors. We chose the green and I absolutely adore them! These would be great for young families, college students, and people considering the switch to eco-friendly products.

You can learn more about the Preserve line and the Recycled Plastic Apple Green Tableware Set at the Green Ostrich website. The Preserve Apple Green Tableware Set is available on the Green Ostrich website for just under $20.

George Foreman Healthy Cooking Smart Kitchen Multi-Cooker
One of the coolest brands for cooking with small appliances these days is George Foreman Healthy Cooking. I have used George Foreman products in the past and it seems that everything works fabulous for my needs. We have an Evolve Grill that we received awhile back and I use it often. I was thrilled to try the Multicooker because it’s not what you’d normally expect from the George Foreman Healthy Cooking name. However, it works just as well as other products in the brand. Sporting a 26-cup (5 quart) cooking space, the Smart Kitchen Multicooker can steam rice, cook vegetables and meat, and is the perfect space to make delicious soups and strews. Like other Smart Kitchen products, this Multicooker is nonstick so you do not need to use excessive amounts of butter or oil. It’s also a cinch to clean. The Intelli-Probe has cook settings for rice, steaming, and different temperature settings including searing for stews and other foods. A stainless steel steaming basket is also included for fish, vegetables and other foods. Best of all, when you’re done cooking you can remove the pan (which is quite stylish) and bring it to the table for some delectable family style meals. This makes an excellent gift for the entire family or your favorite foodie.

You can learn more about the Smart Kitchen Multicooker at the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website. Some other great options (I have yet to try, but have my eye on) include the Skillite Searing Skillet and the Panini Grill. You can order the Smart Kitchen Multicooker at the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website. It’s normally $80, but is currently on sale for $40 so it’s the perfect time to buy one. We’re also giving one away so make sure to enter for your chance to win one!

TJ Maxx Kitchenware Products
I have been a TJ Maxx shopper for years. While the clothing section can always be hit or miss, I often find amazing deals on home products. If you’re looking for a brand name cookware set at the fraction of the price or you want some beautiful accent pieces to brighten up your kitchen TJMaxx is the perfect store to look. On a recent trip I purchased some glass canisters for around $12. They sit on my counter holding dried pasta, sugar, and flour. This is just one of the great finds that was available that day. From knife sets to gourmet pans, TJMaxx has just about everything your kitchen might need and could be missing. This makes TJMaxx an excellent option for holiday shopping. If you have any picky relatives or friends you’re buying for, TJMaxx offers such an eclectic range of products that you shouldn’t have a problem finding something for everyone. If you find you like what you see, but can’t find that perfect gift you can even consider a gift card, which would allow the gift participant to do the shopping for themselves.

You can visit the TJ Maxx website to find a store near you!

Novica Hand Blown Glass Products
We have had the pleasure of writing about Novica products in the past. We received a few items from them when we moved into our home. One of the items that we received, the Spirals of Thought Glasses in Blue were a huge hit. These handblown glasses are absolutely amazing. They are thicker than your average glasses and the art work involved in creating these offers something simple yet dynamic. The spirals running through the glasses are fabulous. Our friends love them and we use them all the time. Purchasing from Novica also allows you to support artisans from around the world. The glasses we purchased were made by a duo of artisans that are incredibly talented. The men hail from Mexico and offer a number of different products through the Novica website.

You can learn more about The Spirals of Thought glasses at the Novica website. You can currently purchase these glasses for under $40 and there are a host of other amazing products available on the site.

Noodle and Boo Reed Diffuser
I’m a sucker for any product that adds a light, breezy scent to the room. The Crème Douce scent of the Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser is simply exquisite. It combines the scents of peach, water blossoms, mixed berries, clover honey, milk and vanilla beans. You’ll get a whiff of the individual scents, which combine to form a sweet, delicate flavor within the air. What I love about the Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser is that the scent isn’t overpowering. Just the right hint of each scent combines to form a new, layered scent that gently wafts through the room or any other environment where you place it.

This gift is great for those who are looking for ways to make their home unique. This is definitely an original product. So many air fresheners do not last, but this reed diffuser is continuous, leaving the room smelling delicious. To find out more about Noodle and Boo visit the following website.

Don’t forget to visit our other holiday guides:
Food – Books – Toys

Technorati Tags: 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Gift Giving, Ten Items, List of Ten, Home, Kitchen, NuWave, TJ Maxx, Novica, Recycled, Preserver, Capresso, Le Cordon Bleu, Oneida

Novica offers everything from furniture to kitchenware. Knowing that we needed some unique items for the kitchen led me to looking at everything from salad bowls to drinking glasses. I had $75 to spend, which is often not a lot of money when you’re buying for the home, but Novica does have a nice variety of lower priced items, so if you’re looking for something small or practical you can often make your money go a long way.

After much deliberation about what was going to make our new living space shine, we decided to go with some drinking glasses and a glass pitcher. To be more specific we ended up choosing, the Spirals of Thought Glasses in Blue and the Glass Pitcher in Aqua.

Javier and Efren are the artisans that made our Spirals of Thought Glasses. These glasses are far more beautiful than the picture gives these men credit for. You really do need to see them to fully appreciate them. Each glass is slightly unique due to the fact that they are actually hand blown. The glass is quite thick, which I enjoyed as I am used to the standard sets bought in stores that are plain and often break quite easily due to being lightweight. These two men have been working together since the 1990s and offer excellent products. We received a six glass set for $39.99, which was an incredibly fair price for the thickness and the beauty of the glasses. We couldn’t be happier with them.

Since we have had them, they have been put to the test. They have been used daily for our family and when we have guests. My big worry with them (as with any glasses) had to do with the staying power of the glasses. I don’t know how many times I have purchased a set of glasses only to see them break during washing or after daily wear and tear. We’ve had these glasses for quite a bit and so far we have only lost one. It actually had more to do with a pan slipping out of my hand while washing dishes, as opposed to actually breaking the glass for other reasons.

Javier and Efren also make the Glass pitcher in Aqua. Unlike the Spiral glasses, which have a blue rim and spirals of blue running along the clear glass, the glass pitcher is clear with the exception of a thick aqua colored rim. I cannot say how invaluable this has been to me. We tend to make a lot of frozen juice and this pitcher is the perfect size for that. It sits in the refrigerator with no problem and it makes any flavor juice we want with room to spare. We’ve had friends comment on how much they like it, and we have to agree, we are big fans of it, too. The pitcher was available for under $30, though the last time I checked the website it was not currently available.

With every purchase you make, the artisan that creates your item includes a story card so you can learn more about them and the process behind making your items. This was a nice added touch that I enjoyed seeing in the package. Due to the fact that most items are handmade, shipping can take between one and three weeks. While this could be seen as a deterrent for some, the quality is certainly worth the wait. It’s safe to say you won’t find anything like what you can find at Novica during a local shopping trip! So, if you’re in the market for a great holiday gift or need some unique home furnishings you should give Novica a look, chances are you’ll find just what you’re looking for and a whole lot more.

Technorati Tags: Novica, Hand Blown Glasses, Moving Feature, Product Review, Kitchenware, Drinking Glasses, Artisans, Unique Gifts, Spirals of Thought, Javier and Efren

We received a box of Cottonelle Moist Flushable Wipes with some pretty basic instructions. We just had to use them and explain our thoughts. So, I got the box and hung it in the bathroom (the box comes with a nifty EasyReach hanger) and we set out to using them. We do not have any young kids in the house, so it was just some parents and a teen using these. That being said, I quickly noticed how helpful these could be in a household with smaller children. Not only could they be used for the most obvious reasons, you can also use them to clean up hands, freshen up a face, or to un-dirty a messy child.

I found myself using these for a number of unconventional reasons. I did use them for hand cleansing quite a bit. Even when washing my hands in the sink, the Cottonelle served as a small washcloth of sorts. Once done, I could pop it into the toilet and flush it down the next time someone used the bathroom. They were also nice when cooking, too, because they allowed me to clean my hands without constantly washing them and wasting excess water in the process. When I used the Cottonelle wipes I just had to wash my hands once before cooking and then use the wipes until dinner was prepared.

As far as the bathroom goes, from a female aspect I have grown to appreciate Cottonelle Flushable Wipes more than I ever could toilet paper. If you’ve ever been left feeling less than clean when using toilet paper, you know how uncomfortable it can be. I never had that feeling when using Cottonelle. In fact, fabulously fresh all day long! We used a lot less toilet paper and didn’t have any problems with irritation or dryness the entire time, which makes sense since the wet wipes are incredibly soothing to the skin.

I remember growing up and my mom telling me never to put things like wet naps and other products that were not toilet paper in the toilet because it would back it up. If you were thinking that might happen with Cottonelle Flushable wipes, you can think again. Each Cottonelle wipe breaks down when flushed just like toilet paper would so you don’t have to worry about anything backing up or having any problems when you use these.

Prior to this review I had considered buying Cottonelle wipes. I found them at stores like Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Kmart, though I am sure you can find them just about anywhere that you might buy your toilet paper (especially if they stock Cottonelle). At a couple bucks per box, these are well worth it. The EasyReach hanger makes using these wipes as easy as if it were toilet paper. You will be shocked at the difference that comes from using these wipes. Now that I’ve tried them I cannot imagine going back to just toilet paper!

If you need more convincing about Cottonelle Flushable Wipes you can check out http://www.getfreshwithafriend.com/, where you can find more information about the wipes, watch a pretty funny, Funny or Die video and download Cottonelle’s fresh rewards.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the Cottonelle brand and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

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