Conscious Box Review...

"Conscious Box is a monthly subscription service focusing on sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. You’ll receive one Conscious Box per month, and you can choose the plan that works best for you (with some serious savings along the way!)

• Get a variety of unique pure & natural products every month
• From organic food to vegan beauty products, you’re sure to find new favorites
• Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes
• Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use your box!

Start discovering the best of the planet every month—sign up today!


What we thought:  This is such a great idea!  You get to try a bunch of eco-friendly products each month which allows you to make more informed decisions on which products work best for your family.  Our box was overflowing with "green" goodies, from food and drink products, to health and beauty goodies and even a few really great coupons!  Conscious Box is a fun way to minimize waste and save you money by letting you try out these products before spending money on the full-size versions.  And what could be more fun than coming home to a box loaded with goodies once a month?!  ABCD Diaries gives Conscious Box an A+!


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

TUMS Freshers Review and Giveaway..

Fast relief. Fresh breath.

"Sometimes our favorite foods give us heartburn and food breath. Those are two things you want to get rid of fast. That’s where new TUMS Freshers comes into play. It’s the only TUMS that not only relieves heartburn but freshens breath at the same time. Look for it in convenient 25 count bottles which fit in a purse, pocket, desk, or car."

What we thought:  TUMS rocks!  They have created a "mint" that cools down heartburn and freshens your breath at the same time!  Genius:)  I think a bad taste in your mouth is a pretty common symptom of heartburn and indigestion, so minty fresh pain relief is a brilliant idea!  We tested out the new TUMS with some of my favorite offenders, pizza and chili, and they worked quickly and well.  I love that they come in a sturdy box that is perfect for a purse, diaper bag or even my pocket!  ABCD Diaries gives TUMS Freshers an A+!

Dinosaur Train "Eggstravaganza" DVD Review...

DINOSAUR TRAIN’S EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA!

"It’s almost that time of the year for the Easter bunny to pay a visit to children all across the U.S., and Buddy and the Dinosaur Train clan want to help you to celebrate the Easter holiday!

First, The Jim Henson Company, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment bring to you DINOSAUR TRAIN: EGGSTRAVAGANZA DVD! What can be better than a basket full of colored Easter eggs? How about a train full of dinosaur eggs! Buddy and his Pteranodon family set off for new adventures as they encounter baby hatchlings and dinosaur eggs of all shapes and sizes in DINOSAUR TRAIN: EGGSTRAVAGANZA! They’ll learn that all dinosaur families are different, and so are the ways of nurturing them. And who knows, they might just solve a mystery or two while they’re at it. The DINOSAUR TRAIN: EGGSTRAVAGANZA DVD includes eight exciting edutainment adventures and is packed with loads of special features including interactive games, coloring pages, and a Dinosaur Reference Guide, information for parents and more.

Also to add to your Easter festivities--and a fun way for the family to create Easter themed crafts together—we would like to offer you a FREE download to this adorable Egg Holder Template!"

http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/media/pdf/DT_Egg_Holder.pdf

The hit television series Dinosaur Train® airs daily on PBS KIDS® (checklocal listings).

Follow The Jim Henson Company:

www.facebook.com/hensoncompany

www.twitter.com/hensonparents

Follow PBS Kids:

www.twitter.com/pbskids

www.facebook.com/pbskids



What we thought:  This DVD was a hit with  A and D.  It was full of episodes about different kinds of dinosaur eggs and prehistoric mothers and their offspring.  This Dino Train DVD was very educational and entertaining.  The kiddos had a blast singing along with Buddy, Tiny and the rest of the gang and I felt good knowing they were actually absorbing a ton of facts about long ago and learning lessons that apply to everyday life today.  This timely DVD would be a perfect addition to any Dinosaur Train lover's Easter basket:)  ABCD Diaries gives Eggstravaganza an A+!




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

Illusion by Frank Peretti Book Review and Giveaway...

Illusion by Frank Peretti

Publication Date: March 6, 2012

"Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy’s life—or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970. Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop. Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn’t know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protégée, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy’s powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her.

Frank Peretti has crafted a rich, rewarding story of love and life, loss and restoration, full of twists and mystery. Exceptionally well written, Illusion will soon prove another Peretti classic."

What we thought:  I loved this book!  It is written in such an engaging way it is hard to put down.  Peretti does a great job of mixing real life with just the right amount of science fiction that makes the story believable.  His characters are well-developed and I really felt myself rooting for Dane and Mandy throughout the book. Peretti's knowledge of the magic industry really shines through and gives the reader an in-depth look behind the scenes.  Illusion is a magical page-turner that I highly recommend...a really great read!  ABCD Diaries gives Illusion an A+!

SunRidge Farms Review...

We recently had the chance to review several varieties of snack mixes from SunRidge Farms.

1. "Women’s Vitality Mix - This natural mix is packed with protein, contains almonds, dried blueberries, soy nuts, cashews, dark chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds and more, and is specially formulated for women's health with calcium, iron and antioxidants. It contains zinc, iron and 60% daily value of calcium per serving.

Berries and Chocolate Antioxidant Mix - Packed with protein, fiber, and a hearty helping of the immune system boosting antioxidants Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, lycopene, and beta carotene, Berries and Chocolate Antioxidant Mix is non-GMO and 100 percent vegetarian. All natural, without artificial flavorings and preservatives, the mix includes a hand-selected blend of sun-ripened blueberries, dark chocolate stars, freshly roasted almonds, walnuts, cranberries, cherries, cashews and peanuts.

All Natural Milk Chocolate Rainbow Drops - Rainbow Drops are made with a combination of natural premium quality chocolate and real vanilla that is coated in a cane sugar hard candy shell. Natural and non-GMO, Rainbow Drops are free of preservatives, hydrogenated oils, artificial ingredients and artificial colorings.


Omega 3 Men’s Energy Mix is a scrumptious combination of sweet and savory pineapple, dark chocolate raisins, walnuts, cranberries and papaya. It is specially formulated for men, and includes Zinc, Lycopene and Omega 3’s for good prostate and heart health."

What we thought:  We really enjoyed each SunRidge Farms mix we tried!  They were great for on-the-go snacking and perfect for packing in the lunch box.  They have such a variety, there is something for the whole family!  I like how they blend mixes to meet specific needs like the Women's Vitality Mix and the Omega 3 Men's Energy Mix.  Of course, the whole family loved every mix:)  The Rainbow Drops were a great alternative to other candies that might not be made with natural ingredients and they were very pretty:)  The mixes were full of large chunks of dried fruit, nuts and chocolate and so yummy!  ABCD Diaries gives SunRidge Farms mixes an A+!




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

Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System Review...

"The makers of Lysol just launched a new household product called the No-Touch Kitchen System (NTKS) as part of their Mission for Health initiative. This is an especially great product for moms because it's basically one solution for your kitchen counter. The NTKS is the first-ever hands-free dispenser that cleans dishes, kitchen surfaces and your hands all in one!

On average, kitchens are cleaned more than 400 times a year and studies have shown that the bottles used to clean the kitchen area may be soiled and heavily contaminated with germs, potentially causing cross contamination. The NTKS will help prevent against that because of its no-touch feature and all-in-one solution.

More information and a demo are available here: www.lysol.com/cleaning-products/kitchen-cleaners/no-touch-kitchen-system"

What we thought:  I love this system!  It is easy to use and really works to get all surfaces, dishes and hands clean.  Even the kiddos were able to use it and it added an element of fun to hand washing:)  We were using dish soap for dishes and for hand washing and the NTKS soap is way more gentle on hands than our previous brand and I don't have to worry about picking up more germs off the outside of the bottle.  I love knowing we are eliminating the spread of tons of germs by using the No-Touch Kitchen System.  Another homerun for Lysol!  This handy little pump will remain a staple in our kitchen for quite a while:) ABCD Diaries gives the No-Touch Kitchen System an A+!


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

Little Tikes Ultimate Beach Ball Sprinkler Review...

"Kids and the entire family are guaranteed hours of fabulous water fun this Summer with the award winning gigantic 88-inch Little Tikes Ultimate Beach Ball Sprinkler from Imperial Toy. The Ultimate Beach Ball Sprinkler combines beach ball action with wild water play as the ball splashes tons of water out of 4 sprayers as you roll it around. Just inflate the beach ball, hook it up to a standard garden hose and kids of all ages can roll and chase the ball around on the grass, or simply fill the pouch with water in the bottom of the ball to keep it stationary. Great for family gatherings, parties, or just simply keeping the kids happy all day long! Available at Target nationwide. Ages 3+, SRP $12.99"

What we thought:  This is by far the most fun way to water our lawn:)  Each time we pull out our Beach Ball Sprinkler, we become the neighborhood hot spot and kids flock from up and down the street to play in our yard:)  The Beach Ball is surprisingly durable and a lot of fun.  It has provided hours of fun already this year...I can only imagine we will be enjoying this fun sprinkler for moths to come!  ABCD Diaries gives the Little Tikes Ultimate Beach Ball Sprinkler by Imperial Toys an A+!


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