Thankful Thursday 8/52

This evening I am thankful for Marie Callender's Turtle Pie!  One of my favorite desserts from the freezer case at HEB.  B brought one home today.  It's been a LOOONG week and this really hit the spot:)

Purex Partners With Miracle Network + Giveaway!

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. 

"Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family.

Purex will pay a minimum guarantee of $250,000 to Make-A-Wish, but you can help make a difference and get the payment up to $400,000 by purchasing Purex liquid detergent or liquid fabric softener between February 1st 2014 and February 28th 2014. *

Be sure to stock up on Purex during the month of February as every bottle helps in our effort to support this great cause. Learn more about Make-A-Wishbelow and show your support by spreading the word – share this page with friends and together let’s make wishes come true!"

Enter below to win a voucher for Purex Mountain Breeze Laundry Detergent and don't forget to spread the word about this great promotion!

To learn more about Purex and Make-A-Wish, please visit www.purex.com/make-a-wish

To keep up with the latest Purex promotions visit the Purex Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/purex

Purex Crystals Review and Giveaway!

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. 

"Purex® Crystals Mountain Breeze at the start of the wash directly with your laundry detergent and take the freshness of your laundry to a whole new level!"

What we thought:  We loved Purex Crystals!  They are so easy to use...just throw a cap full into your wash and voila!  Our laundry smells so good and the scent seems to linger for quite awhile before dissipating.  ABCD Diaries gives Purex Crystals an A+!

Follow Purex on Facebook to keep up with all the latest brand information! http://facebook.com/purex

Enter below to win a voucher for free Purex Crystals!

Thankful Thursday 7/52

This week I am thankful for a working washing machine and an amazing husband who is mechanically savvy enough to fix our broken machine so we didn't have to buy a new one:)  (B wouldn't let me post a pic of him, so this pic of the washer will have to suffice:)
 

I am a little on the weird side in that I really enjoy doing the laundry.  If I get nothing else accomplished during the week, I don't get too freaked out, but if the laundry gets backed up I feel like I've failed.  So when our washer broke and it was going to take 10 days to get the replacement part in, I freaked out a little bit.  That's a loooong time to not do the laundry for me and it was pretty rough.  Once the part came in, it took B about 20 minutes to install and we were back in business!  3 days and 14 loads later, I breathed a sigh of relief.  And my laundry room looks amazing:)  We are truly blessed!

Oral-B Deep Sweep Review

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. 

"This Valentine’s Day, instead of the usual box of chocolates, you could get your significant others something that will last them all year long – a healthy, beautiful smile. The Oral-B Deep Sweep is the perfect gift for your sweetheart (male or female) that loves technology while taking care of their oral health. Deep Sweep removes up to 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush, and will make his or her brushing experience something to say “WOW” about.

Oral-B Deep Sweep 1000 Electric Toothbrush
with triple action deep cleaning technology and visual pressure sensor.

The Deep Sweep 1000 with triple action deep cleaning technology removes up to 100% more plaque*, even between teeth. This electric toothbrush features an innovative brush head design, Deep Sweep 1000 provides cleaner teeth and healthier gums.*

• Unique brush head design with 3 cleaning zones
• Superior plaque removal* plus helps prevent and reverse gingivitis
• 40,000 pulsations and 8,800 sweeps per minute
• Made by Oral-B, the #1 dentist-recommended toothbrush brand worldwide

*vs. a regular manual toothbrush"

What we thought:  What a unique idea for a Valentine's Day gift!  If you're still looking for something for your loved one, this is a gift that anyone can use and that keeps on giving year round!  The brush itself is awesome and really works well.  My teeth feel super clean after using it and it's very gentle on my gums.  ABCD Diaries gives the Oral-B Deep Sweep 1000 an A+!

Bart's Cookies for Valentine's Day + Giveaway!

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. 

"Bart Smith has been baking the world's best chocolate chip cookies since he was in college, more than 20 years ago. He bakes milk chocolate chip, dark chocolate chip, milk/dark chip combo, white chocolate chip, white chocolate chip cookies with macadamia nuts, peanut butter with milk chocolate chips, as well as the world's best gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. Bart’s cookie fans are all over the country and around the world. Order the world's best chocolate chip cookies to be delivered to your home/office from Bart Smith at his chocolate chip cookie website, BartsCookies.com."

What we thought:  Looking for fresh-baked homemade cookies to spread the love this Valentine's Day?  Look no further than Bart's Cookies!  The cookies we reviewed were delicious and truly decadent:)  We sampled 2 varieties, Dark Chocolate Chip + Milk Chocolate Chip and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut and they were both fantastic!  They were delivered quickly and packaged well so that they were still moist when they arrived.  Bart's Cookies are chock full of big chunks of chocolate and nuts...so yummy!  He has a variety of flavors to choose from; something for everyone.  These cookies would be the perfect gift to share this Valentine's Day.  ABCD Diaries gives Bart's Cookies an A+!  

Whole Foods Market for Valentine's Day!

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. 


Looking for great, affordable gifts for Valentine's Day?  Whole Foods Market has got you covered!  Check out the selection of goodies available just in time for the big day from Whole Foods Market:

"A Slightly Selfish Valentine’s Day

·       Nothing says “burning love” like sriracha, am I right? Popcorn Indiana’s Sriracha Popcorn the perfect treat to keep your day spicy. Or, make your own with Organicville Sriracha.

·       One of our favorite self-indulgencies is to take a nice, long bath. Use 365 Everyday Value® Bubble Bath in Relaxing Lavender (SRP $7.99) to really help you get into chill mode. If your skin is feeling extra dry this winter season, add a cup of 365 Everyday Value® Organic Expeller Pressed Virgin Organic Coconut Oil (SRP $9.99) for added moisture.

·       Sick of making your usual morning beverage? Gift yourself the new 365 Everyday Value® Whole Trade Organic Coffee Capsules (SRP $8.99). Not only will you start your day with a quick and easy organic drink, but you will also be helping fund poverty alleviation through micro-credit.

·       Take your romance on the road with Whole Journeys, the new travel company from Whole Foods Market. There are 17 worldwide destinations from Colorado to Croatia. With intimate groups of less than 16 people, each trip explores the culture and traditions of food through hands-on interaction with local farmers, chefs, winemakers and producers all while enjoying activities such as walking, hiking, rafting or cycling. Perfect for the active and adventurous couple!

Best DIY gifts for your honey that “does it all”

·       Give your sweetheart all the ingredients for a relaxing at-home beauty scrub this year. We love to mix365 Everyday Value® Organic Mountain Forest Raw Honey (SRP $8.99), Whole Foods Market Turbinado Raw Sugar (SRP 3.99), oatmeal, apple, walnuts, cinnamon and honey for a tasty facial you might be tempted to eat! (For a full recipe, see here.)

·       Make date night sizzle with a fine dining experience in a much more intimate setting – home. Impress with premium surf and turf options like dry-aged steaks and lobster tails. Set the mood with a beautiful bouquet of Whole Trade® blooms, soft lighting and two glasses of your favorite beverage.

·       Are you fond of a foodie? Whip up a simple, homemade spice blend or infused vinegar. Your Valentine will remember your thoughtfulness with every new recipe. Try this aptly named “Hot and Sweet Spice Rub.” Buy ingredients from the bulk department to save on packaging and make sure you’re only getting what you need.

Gifts for a New Spark (or an Old Flame)

·       Can’t decide whether your partner likes sugar or spice? Give them 365 Everyday Value® Cocoa, Sugar & Chili Spice Grinder (SRP $3.49.) It will add a little bit of both to their favorite recipe!

·       Looking to give chocolate this Valentine’s Day? Gift one that gives back: a portion of the proceeds from every Whole Foods Market™ Organic Tanzania Schoolhouse Project Milk Chocolate Bar(SRP $2.99) supports education programs for school children in the Kyela district of Tanzania. Plus, these single origin chocolate bars are made entirely from organic cacao purchased directly from farmers in the Kyela district and are certified by the Fair Trade Certification Program. 

Green is the new red: gifts for your environmentally-conscious loved one

·       Buy roses that make a difference this Valentine’s Day: Whole Trade® Roses help provide fair prices to producers, safe and healthy working conditions for farm workers and promote environmentally-friendly growing practices—plus each bunch provides a one percent donation to Whole Planet Foundation for poverty relief.

·       Everyone needs some extra moisture during the winter season. Africa’s Secret Multipurpose Skin Cream (SRP $13.99) is a gentle all around moisturizer that’s certified fair trade and donates 10 percent of sales back to Africa to help fund community empowerment programs.

·       Made with organic cotton, PACT Socks (SRP $19-$30) go one step further and donate a portion of proceeds to a nonprofit each season. Previous partners that PACT has donated to include Whole Kids Foundation and Whole Planet Foundation.

·       If your eco-conscious sweetie has a sweet tooth, try Alter Eco® Fair Trade Organic Truffles (SRP $7.99 for 10-pack). These individually-wrapped delicacies are made with creamy, responsibly-sourced chocolate and wrapped in 100% compostable packaging, wrapper and all. Available in Black (dark chocolate) and Velvet (dark milk chocolate) flavors and exclusive to Whole Foods Market."


What we thought:  The Whole Foods Market Turbinado Raw Sugar and the Milk Chocolate Chips made delicious chocolate chip cookies and the Whole Foods Market™ Organic Tanzania Schoolhouse Project Milk Chocolate Bar was a wonderful treat that supports a great cause!  The 365 Everyday Value® Bubble Bath in Relaxing Lavender was very luxurious and would make a great addition to a basket of goodies for relaxing this Valentine's Day.  The 365 Everyday Value® Organic Expeller Pressed Virgin Organic Coconut Oil is so versatile!  You can use it in cooking or baking and you can even use it as a beauty treatment as explained above.  What a wonderful, multi-purpose gift!  Whole Foods Market is your one-stop shop for items for all of your Valentine's Day needs, whether your creating a fabulous gift basket or cooking a yummy gourmet meal!

ABCD Diaries gives Whole Foods Market an A+!