Nix Review and Giveaway...

Congrats Viva!

About Nix:
"Among many other things, back to school season is the peak season for lice infestations. While every parent would like to believe it won’t happen to their child, the truth is that it might.  We would like to prepare you for the phone call from the school nurse by introducing you to Nix® Lice Treatment. Nix® is the #1 pharmacist recommended treatment for the removal and prevention of head lice. Not only does Nix® kill head lice and their eggs fast, it protects against re-infestation for up to 14 days, longer than any other lice treatment. Additionally, Nix® Lice Treatment is completely safe, as it has been approved by the FDA for use on children over 2 months of age. Formerly available by prescription only, Nix® is now sold over-the-counter at full prescription strength, which works with a single application.

As with many things, knowledge is a key weapon in the fight against lice. All parents want to protect their children from an itchy, uncomfortable infestation, but without reliable information and effective products, the fight will be an uphill battle. Recently, the makers of Nix Lice Treatment partnered with the publishers of Parents Magazine to develop “Heads Up! The Facts of Lice,” an informational magazine aiming to arm parents with the tools to detect, eliminate and prevent lice. School nurses nation-wide have already received the magazine, and now your readers can too!  This brochure is available for download in English and Spanish at www.factsoflice.net."

What we thought: Fortunately, we didn't have to use our review bottle of Nix (yet) but I remember it being the go-to product for my mom to use on us when we were little and came home with head lice.  There were 4 of us girls, all with hair down to our bottoms and I'm sure it was quite a pain for my mom to have to treat us all, but Nix made the unpleasant task a little less arduous for everyone involved.  I like knowing I am prepared for the dreaded phone call from the school nurse with a box of Nix tucked safely away in the medicine cabinet:)  ABCD Diaries gives Nix an A+!
   
Buy It: You can find Nix products at grocers, mass merchandisers and drug stores nationwide.

Win It: Nix has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a box Nix! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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Giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a box of Nix for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Kashi Review and Giveaway...

Congrats to KPort207!

Kashi is proud to provide a variety of healthy options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  Check out this awesome spread of Kashi goodies perfect for the back-to-school season:

Snack Bars: 34 Varieties!

                                                Crackers: Varieties!

                                               Cookies: 3 Varieties!

Cereal: 24 Varieties!

What we thought:  Kashi has you covered when it comes to back-to-school breakfasts, lunches and snacks!  Start the morning with a delicious and nutritious bowl of Golden Goodness or one of Kashi's other 23 varieties of cereal.  The snack bars are great for mid-morning snack or lunch boxes and come in varieties everyone will love.  They have chewy and crunchy granola bars, soft-baked cereal bars and, my personal favorite, layered granola bars(the Peanutty Dark Chocolate is divine!)  Toss some yummy crackers in the lunch box as well, or pair with cheese or fruit for a healthy snack.  The Pita Chips were great for snacking and dipping!  Looking for an after school snack or a reward treat?  Try one of the three varieties of Kashi's Soft-Baked Cookies!  We had the Happy Trail Mix and everyone loved them!  Thanks Kashi for making Back-to-School meals and snacks such a breeze!  ABCD Diaries gives Kashi an A+!

Buy It: You can find these fantastic Kashi foods at grocers and mass merchandisers nationwide.

Win It: Kashi has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a box of Kashi products just in time for Back-to-School! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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Giveaway ends Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a box of goodies for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Rock 'N Learn Sight Words Review and Giveaway...

Congrats to Kris!

We recently had the chance to review the newest DVD from Rock 'N Learn, Sight Words.

About Sight Words:

"Sight Words, a new DVD program from Rock ‘N Learn, helps kids learn to read. Using fun music and exciting characters, kids learn to read over 60 words. These are the most common words used in the English language and are words kids need to know automatically. This program is perfect for parents with very young kids who appear advanced and eager to learn, as well as older students with remedial needs. It’s effective at helping kids learn to read at all ages. Developed along with four reading specialists having combined classroom experience of over 50 years, Rock ‘N Learn Sight Words is designed to hold the interest of kids and get results. A bonus section helps kids practice their spelling skills and focus on the shapes of words. The program engages kids to participate along with the fun characters. Approximately 50 minutes in length, it’s most effective when kids watch again and again. Before too long, they are reading the sight words with ease."

What we thought:  The kiddos really liked this DVD and it was perfect for A who starts Kindergarten in just a few weeks...tear:(  The Rock 'N Learn series never fails to keep my little ones entertained while teaching them valuable lessons.  Sight Words uses fun songs and rhymes to get the kiddos attention and keep them watching(and learning!)  If you have a little one who is almost ready to start reading, Sight Words would be a great DVD for them!  ABCD Diaries gives Rock 'N Learn's Sight Words DVD an A+!

Buy It: You can find these wonderful educational DVDs and CDs at RockNLearn.com!  Get 25% off your order with the code JQ7711

Win It: Rock 'N Learn has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a DVD or CD of their choice! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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Giveaway ends Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a DVD for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

dotmine Planner Review and Giveaway...

Congrats to Randominities!

What better time to start a new planner than Back-to-School season?  dotmine has you covered with both family planners and student planners.

"Continually taking the world of moms’ planners by storm, family_time.mine® is a bestselling organizer introduced in 2004. It features fashionable covers combined with a unique planning system on the inside. Based on your feedback, we make this planner in a large, notebook size as well as a convenient purse-size.   You want something that lets you organize your work life and personal life, that looks fashionable, that adds sanity to hectic days without being over-bearing. That’s life_time.mine, with charismatic dotmine flair."

Some of the gorgeous designs from dotmine:

What we thought:  First of all, this planner is so pretty!  The variety of colors and prints at dotmine make it easy to find a planner that fits your personality.  My planner is easy to use and easy to read with plenty of space for all my daily entries, important info, contact info and more.  The kids and I really enjoyed using the special event stickers for everyone's birthdays and other important days that need a little extra special reminder...they are a great way to add a little fun and color to your calendar:)  I have found this planner to be super helpful so far.  There are pages for pretty much anything an entire family needs for scheduling and as an obsessive planner and list-maker, I have peace of mind knowing I can rely on my dotmine planner to get me through each day:)  ABCD Diaries gives dotmine an A+!

Buy It: You can find these fabulous planners at dotmine!  dotmine is currently offering 10% off any planner for ABCD Diaries readers...use the coupon code ABCDDIARIES to snag this great deal!


Win It: dotmine has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a planner! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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Giveaway ends Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a planner for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone

Biscoff Spread Review...

Looking for a yummy treat to spruce up this year's back-to-school lunchboxes?  How about Biscoff spread? :)

About Biscoff Spread:
"We’ve just finalized some creative recipe ideas for school lunches and afterschool snacks, using our new product, Biscoff Spread (a product crafted right from the Biscoff cookies!). Like the cookies, it’s low in calories and sugar, and the spread is made without nuts, so it’s a great alternative to peanut butter (for kids with allergies). Biscoff Spread is a new product on shelves at US retailers as of spring 2011 and can be found at a wide variety of store locations across the country. You can find out the nearest store that carries it by clicking HERE."

Check out these fantastic recipes just in time for Back-to-School:

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACK

Biscoff “Ladybugs” on a Log

2 celery stalks, washed and dried

Biscoff Spread

Dried cranberries

Smooth Biscoff Spread into the hollows of celery stalks and place a row of dried cranberries over the spread.  Makes one serving.

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACK

Biscoff Happy Face Snack

1 six-inch multi-grain or whole wheat flour tortilla

Biscoff Spread

Carrots, matchstick-cut or shredded

2 plum tomatoes, washed and thinly sliced

Pimiento stuffed olives, halved

1 whole stuffed olive

String cheese whips (or tear string cheese sticks into strips)

Smooth a six-inch multi-grain or whole wheat flour tortilla lightly with Biscoff Spread. Make a “face” using matchstick-cut or shredded carrots for the “hair”, the thin sliced ends of two plum tomatoes for rosy “cheeks”, halved pimiento stuffed olives for “eyes” and a whole stuffed olive for the “nose.”  Fashion a smiley “mouth” and “eyebrows” from string cheese whips (or tear string cheese sticks into strips). After admiring the “face,” roll up and enjoy. Makes one serving.

LUNCHBOX ESSENTIAL

Favorite Lunch Box Sandwich

1 multigrain thin sandwich round (or two slices whole grain bread)

Biscoff Spread

3 strawberries, washed, dried and sliced

1/2 banana, sliced

1 teaspoon strawberry or apple jelly

Smooth the cut sides of a multigrain thin sandwich round (or two slices whole grain bread) lightly with Biscoff Spread (about one tablespoon per side).  Fill the sandwich with 3 sliced strawberries and 6 slices of banana that have been tossed with one teaspoon of strawberry or apple jelly. Makes one serving.

What we thought:  Yummo!  We had previously reviewed Biscoff cookies and they were absolutely melt-in-your mouth deliciousness, so when the jar of spread arrived in the mail, I was practically drooling!  Biscoff Spread did not disappoint.  It is creamy and sweet and decadent.  I could eat it right of the spoon, but the recipes the Biscoff team came up were super-duper creative and kid-friendly.  We put this spread on anything we would normally use peanut butter for and it was a fantastic substitute.  Biscoff Spread gave us a joyous break from the mundane PB & J:)  This spread would make a fantastic addition to your back-to-school shopping list and sure to put a smile on anyone's face:)  ABCD Diaries gives Biscoff Spread an A+!

Buy It: You can find Biscoff Spread and other tasty Biscoff products here.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a jar of spread for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone

Lefty's Left Handed Store Review...

About Lefty's:"Lefty's online left hand store has the world's leading and most extensive selection of Left Handed Products designed specifically for left-handers. Since 2009, our left-handed buyers have researched and commissioned custom left-handed merchandise ranging from left-handed scissors, left-handed pens, and left-handed notebooks, to left-handed office and school supplies, left-handed childrens' writing guides and shoe tying instruction cards, to left-handed kitchen tools and equipment. And then there are all the fun left-handed sayings and toys, which we print on T-shirts, left-handed mugs, left-handed portfolios, and lots of other items."

We tried out quite a variety of left-handed school supplies:

"Teach your little lefty to tie their shoes with our shoe tie card. It has instructions on one side and a real shoe lace so your lefty can practice shoe tying as you direct him or her. On the back side are portraits of famous lefties with lists of their achievements."
                                            
"Introduce your young lefty to scissors and pencils that are comfortable to hold, and that WORK. A great set for the little lefty just learning to write and use tools. Designed to give young lefties confidence as their fine motor skills develop, and they struggle to adapt to a right handed world.
-True lefty scissors kid' Fiskars are ergonomically designed to be used in the left hand. The Yoropen crayon pencil, an award winning design, is part of our all lefty staff's favorite line - not only does the grip adjust for left handed use, but the unique hooked point allows lefties to see what they are writing.
-Completing the sets are one of our fun jumbo "magic" multicolored pencils, a lefty logo pencil with soft easy to use pencil grip, a left handed pencil sharpener, and a right to left reading colored ruler. Use these tools in our custom Draw and Story pad. Rulers and pencils sharpeners come in a variety of colors. We will pick the color for you."

What we thought:  If you are looking for left-handed school supplies, this is your one-stop shop!  Lefty's has a great variety of everyday products for left-handers of all ages, but the school supplies they offer are awesome!!  D has begun favoring his left hand recently so these items were perfect for him.  He found it much easier to cut with left-handed scissors and the specially designed pencils and sharpener were fantastic!  The crayon pencil was truly unique and one of D's favorite items.  I was most excited about the shoe-tying board...what a great idea!  If you have a left-handed kiddo, check out Lefty's for some really great back-to-school items!  ABCD Diaries gives Lefty's Left Handed Store an A+!
 
Buy It: You can find a fantastic variety of left-handed products at Lefty's!


Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a box of goodies for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone

AirAide Review and Giveaway...

Congrats to slb3334!

About AirAide:
"AirAide ™ is a new botanical supplement designed to naturally enhance your breathing without the use of stimulants and chemical additives.
AirAide ™ contains a blend of 23 herbs that help flush out toxins that build-up in the lungs, soothe bronchial irritations, and physically increase lung capacity to promote better breathing. As it contains no steroids, caffeine, or other stimulants, AirAide ™ has zero negative side effects. It complies with the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency and is used by many professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts. AirAide ™ not only benefits triathletes, cyclists, and runners. It was created to help individuals suffering from asthma and other respiratory problems. In a clinical trial, asthmatics who took AirAide ™ showed a 37 percent increase in their expiratory rates."

What we thought:  We were pretty impressed with the results of AirAide.  Taking these before working out really improved our air intake and the effects are pretty quick.  B loves ocean kayaking and even though he doesn't have a lot of difficulty breathing, he said he noticed that he felt like he could breath deeper while using AirAide.  I've used it before running and swimming and its been really great:)  I imagine this would work wonders for anyone who is looking for greater lung strength from a workout or marathon or for anyone who has difficulty breathing during exercise.  ABCD Diaries gives AirAide an A!

Buy It: You can find AirAide at a store near you with this store locator!

Win It: AirAide has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a bottle of AirAide! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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4.Tweet about this giveaway(leave link)+1 entry per day(1 tweet/day)
5.Enter any other current giveaways on ABCD Diaries and leave a comment saying so. +1 for each entered

Giveaway ends Monday, August 15, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.



Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.