Chewy.com Challenge: Tylee's Beef Recipe Human Grade Food, Part 2

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Time for part 2 of our 30 day challenge in partnership with Chewy.com, for Tylee's Human Grade Food in Beef:

About the food:

Tylee's Beef Recipe Human-Grade Dog Food gives you all the benefits of a homemade meal for your pup, without any of the prep time. Tylee’s is made with human-grade ingredients just like you’d find at the grocery store—real, whole foods you can see and identify. Real meat is cooked and combined with nutritious fruits and vegetables then frozen to keep in all the flavor and nutrients. To prepare this nutritiously delicious food, simply defrost it and serve it. Each recipe is grain-free and has only one source of protein, so it’s perfect for pets with sensitive tummies or allergies. In Tylee’s Beef Recipe you will find real USDA-grade beef plus sweet potatoes, mango, broccoli, spinach and zucchini that are full of fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals to help keep your pal in top shape. Ingredients like flaxseed and sunflower oil offer alternative sources of omega-3 and 6 for a healthy coat. With all this good stuff on the menu, there’s no room for things like fillers, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meals, artificial flavors, artificial coloring or any ingredients sourced from China. Tylee’s is made in the USA with ingredients from around the world and is available exclusively at Chewy.com.

Jessie is really enjoying Tylee’s!  I love that you can actually see all of the bits of REAL food. B actually saw the bag in the freezer and asked if it was dinner:)  It’s so easy to serve and works as a meal topper for dry food or as a meal by itself.  If you are changing your dog’s diet, you should always transition slowly so that their sensitive digestive system has time to adjust.  

Jessie has had no problems transitioning.  

I love that you can store Tylee’s in the freezer to keep longer or in the fridge if you are going to use it within a week or so.  So far, Tylee’s seems to make Jessie a pretty happy pup!

You can find Tylee's Beef Recipe Human Grade Food in several sizes at Chewy.com.  The 96 oz bag is just $34.99.

Stay tuned for our final post after Jessie has made it another week or so into this challenge! 

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Maple Holistics: Beauty Products the Natural Way!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

These days, there are a lot of beauty products that claim to be "better for you" and sometimes it's hard to know what to believe.  We recently had the chance to try out some lovely hair products from Maple Holistics.  So, what makes Maple Holistics different?  Their products are all natural, cruelty-free, sulfate-free and proudly made in the USA.  

The two products we tried were the Sage Shampoo and the Silk18 Conditioner.

About Sage:

Sage shampoo is a serious solution for a serious problem. By taking advantage of a synergistic formula which works to solve the root problems which are the cause of dandruff, Sage is dermatologist-recommended for its ability to fight the causes and conditions of dermatitis. Made of the most organic and mild ingredients, the shampoo which holds our signature formula is great for all hair types, especially those sensitive to SLS or other detergents of that degree.

Our thoughts:

With this shampoo, a little bit goes a long way.  It works up into a rich lather as you massage into to your scalp and you can feel the tingling of the tea tree oil at work.  Sage left my hair squeaky clean and my scalp noticeably less flaky.

About Silk18:

Silk18 conditioner contains more than just a masterful blend of harmless conditioning ingredients to help do the job, Silk18 is formulated with a maximized portion of silk amino acids. These aren't fake chemicals: naturally derived from silk are eighteen different silk amino acids which have marvelous benefits to “behind-the-scenes” of conditioning. Helps with frizziness, dry hair, curly hair, static reduction, and gently conditions to result in soft, shiny, and easy-to-manage hair. Contains a holistic synergy of conditioning agents and natural ingredients to condition all hair types. No artificial fragrances, coloring, sulfates, or any harmful ingredients. 100% natural vanilla provides a delicious and warm aroma that appeals to both men and women alike. Maple Holistics Silk18 conditioner is the perfect shower aid and compatible with any shampoo.

Out thoughts:

An aromatic treat for your senses and a great conditioner to boot!  This conditioning treatment left my hair silky smooth and smelling great.  Living on the coast with crazy humidity levels and constant wind, my hair is often a frizzy mess.  While using Silk18, my tresses were noticeably tamer:)

Both of these Maple Holistics products are great for all hair types, even color-treated hair, and the fact that they are made with natural ingredients is an awesome bonus!

Want to try before you buy?  Sign up for Maple Holistics' Free Sample Program!

Click to shop Maple Holistics!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Book Review: My Last Lament by James William Brown

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

My Last Lament

by James William Brown

A poignant and evocative novel of one Greek woman’s story of her own—and her nation’s—epic struggle in the aftermath of World War II.

Aliki is one of the last of her kind, a lamenter who mourns and celebrates the passing of life. She is part of an evolving Greece, one moving steadily away from its rural traditions. To capture the fading folk art of lamenting, an American researcher asks Aliki to record her laments, but in response, Aliki sings her own story...

It begins in a village in northeast Greece, where Aliki witnesses the occupying Nazi soldiers execute her father for stealing squash. Taken in by her friend Takis’s mother, Aliki is joined by a Jewish refugee and her son, Stelios. When the village is torched and its people massacred, Aliki, Takis and Stelios are able to escape just as the war is ending.

Fleeing across the chaotic landscape of a postwar Greece, the three become a makeshift family. They’re bound by friendship and grief, but torn apart by betrayal, madness and heartbreak.

Through Aliki’s powerful voice, an unforgettable one that blends light and dark with wry humor, My Last Lament delivers a fitting eulogy to a way of life and provides a vivid portrait of a timeless Greek woman, whose story of love and loss is an eternal one.

My thoughts:

I LOVED this book!  It is full of heartbreaking anecdotes from one of history’s darker hours, World War II and set in Greece.  Prior to reading this book, I didn’t really know much about the effects of the war on Greece.  My Last Lament is truly and eye-opener.  The characters are so well-developed and their stories are full of excitement and despair.  I must say, My Last Lament is my favorite book so far this year!!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

BookCase.Club: Monthly Subscription Box for Book Lovers! April Edition

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I am a believer that if you provide a fun assortment of engaging books to your young readers (and listeners:) you are instilling a love for reading early on.

BookCase.Club helps you do just that!

BookCase.Club is a one-stop monthly subscription service for book lovers of all ages. Each case contains handpicked books based on your preferred genre.  There are six monthly categories and two quarterly categories to choose from: Paranormal Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult, Mystery/Thriller, Children’s, Romance, Military History and Cookbooks.  The Children's category recently got a lot more exciting!  It has been turned into Bookcase.Club Kids and the categories have gotten a lot more specific.  More about that at the end of this post:)

Here is an example of the types of books you get in a BookCase.Club Kids box:

Take a look at our fun books:

As you can see, our box included four really great books that my kiddos loved!

We also received a cute little Easter-themed activity page with our books:

The new division of Bookcase.Club is Bookcase.Club Kids.  Each #BCCKids case comes with three handpicked children's books, chosen to ignite the imagination and inspire creativity.   Bookcase.Club Kids is broken down into 5 sub categories based on age: Newborn-2 years, 2-4 years, 4-6 years, 7-8 years and Pre-Teen.  The box we received includes titles from several age groups.  I loved that this month's box included fiction and non-fiction books.

A subscription to BookCase.Club starts at $9.99 + $5.00 s/h per month which is a pretty good deal for books specifically curated to your interests.  Plus, each month, BookCase Club partners with Books For Keeps, and donates one children's book for every active subscription.  Books For Keeps aims to place books in the hands of children who are least likely to have access. This program gives 12 books to every child served just in time for summer. The goal: to keep up their reading achievement outside of school.  

BookCase.Club is definitely our favorite book subscription service...we've never been disappointed by the variety and the quality of the books we receive:)   

Click to shop BookCase.Club!

Use the coupon code ABCD15 to get 15% off of any BookCase.Club subscription!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A New Addictive Game, Smurfs Bubble Story, Is Now Available for iOS and Android!

Today,  Sony  Pictures  Television Networks Games  is bubbling with excitement to announce that Smurfs Bubble Story, a bubble-popping mobile game inspired by the highly anticipated animated film from Sony Pictures Animation, Smurfs: The Lost Village,  is  now  available  as  a  free  download  on  iOS  and  Android.   

In  the  all-new  tiny  screen adventure,  players  can  strategically  pop  matching  bubbles  and  complete  missions  to  create their own Smurfs collection, including Smurfette, Hefty, Brainy, Clumsy, and many more iconic characters.  Global launch of the game coincides with U.S. and European movie openings, and will be available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch.    

Smurfs Bubble Story was developed by Sony Pictures Television Networks Games, an award-winning, world-class mobile games publisher that is recognized for its premier brands, including Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! in collaboration with Sony Pictures Consumer Products.   

“Smurfs  Bubble  Story is  a fresh  take  on  a  timeless  genre,”  said  Geremie  Camara,  Vice President,  Sony  Pictures Television  Networks Games.   “We  blended  a  beloved  franchise  with endlessly engaging gameplay, creating an experience that will delight both fans of the Smurfs and mobile gaming players alike.”  

“Smurfs Bubble Story really captures the charm of the characters from the movie giving fans an opportunity  to  engage  and  interact  with  them  beyond  the  film  in  their  daily  lives,”  said  Jamie Stevens, Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Worldwide Consumer Products.  

Smurfs Bubble Story is available for free download with in app purchases on iOS and Android below:

  iOS: https://goo.gl/XV8P0h  

Android: https://goo.gl/04QAUK 

Social Handles:

Facebook - @SmurfsBubble

Twitter - @SmurfsBubble

Instagram - @SmurfsBubbleStory

Hashtag - #PlaySmurfs

Bernzomatic Detail Torch for Hobby and Household Use

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

We recently had the chance to try out the Detail Torch from Bernzomatic:

Bernzomatic Detail Torch

Designed for precision work including fine soldering, jewelry repairs, craft projects and heat shrinking wire, the Detail Torch for Hobby and Household Use features three interchangeable settings: fine soldering, hot air blower and pinpoint flame. An electric ignition makes lighting quick and easy, an adjustable flame control knob allows for a fine-tuned precision flame, and continuous flame lock keeps the torch lit while in use.

This torch features a CPSC approved child resistant ignition and a limited 3-Year Warranty.  It is a great all-purpose tool to have on hand for craft projects, detailed soldering, heat shrinking, jewelry repairs and even carmelizing desserts!  

B used it for burning a finish on a woodworking project 8 year old D and him are working on:

A little torch action and beeswax seal and voila:

You can find this and other Bernzomatic products at Lowe's and Home Depot!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Loved + Blessed: A Christian Faith-Based Subscription Box April Edition

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

We recently had the chance to review the April box from Loved + Blessed:

Loved + Blessed is a Christian faith-based subscription box service that delivers a box of encouragement right to your door each month.

Each box revolves around a central theme and comes with a mini poster, a sticker, a purse-sized scripture card and a gift.

The theme for the April box was Bearing Fruit :

The scripture card this month featured Galatians 5:22 NKJV "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." 

The special gift for April was a 10 piece stationery set to use as a daily reminder to live by the Spirit:

This box also included an encouragement kit to pass along to a friend:

I definitely think there is room for Loved + Blessed in the subscription box market and I love that their mission is to deliver encouraging products that support a fantastic message!

If that wasn't enough, Loved + Blessed gives a portion of the proceeds of each box sold to Union Rescue Mission, a charity that offers hope and healing to the homeless.  What an amazing cause!

For just $15.99/month + $4 shipping & handling in the US, you can get your Loved + Blessed box or gift someone else with this monthly dose of encouragement today!

Click to buy Loved + Blessed

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.