Rituals of Dao Gift Set

The holidays are coming and with that comes added stress! It's the perfect time to remember to be good to ourselves. Even small little ways make a difference. I received this Rituals of Dao gift set from Tryazon and Rituals to review and I have to say it's a nice way to pamper yourself.

My small set came with shower gel, shampoo, body cream, and shower oil. The scent is calming and quite nice. I do wish it had included conditioner but otherwise I was very happy with it. The shower oil was perfect for using to shave my legs.

This would make a great gift for anyone for the holidays. Rituals does have a variety of gift sets in different scents. They offer small, medium, and large sets and also gift sets for the men in your life.

* I did receive this gift set complimentary from Tryazon and Rituals to review. Opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

Sambucol Back to School & Healthy Party

I recently hosted a Sambucol Back to School & Healthy Party courtesy of Sambucol and Tryazon. They sent several varieties of their Black Elderberry products to share with my guests. Sambucol provides strong immune system support and going into cold and flu season and all the germs that will be floating around we need to be as protected as we can. Sambucol products offer some of the best protection nature has to offer.

We had a great time celebrating the end of summer. ( I must admit I'm sad it's over and may still be in denial.) The party was fun and we learned a lot. Be sure to visit Sambucol and find out more about their great products.


* Opinions are my own. Samples were provided courtesy of Sambucol and Tryazon.

Save the Day Seasonings Tryazon Party

Save the Day Seasonings

I was lucky enough to get chosen to host a Save the Day Seasonings party via Tryazon. I love to experiment in the kitchen so this was extra exciting for me to try some new seasonings and share with friends and family.


Save the Day Seasonings are very versatile because you can use them for dips/spreads, salad dressing, sauces, pasta, soups, meats, veggies, stir-fry, and marinades. Their seasonings are all natural, no MSG, Gluten-Free, no additives, fillers, dyes or preservatives.

The Real Dill was a hit mixed with sour cream for dipping veggies. I think it would also be great to use the next time I make salmon. 

We used the Italian seasoning with a bit of olive oil to roast potato wedges. They turned out crispy and tasty! The Italian would be perfect of course to use in sauce for making spaghetti or lasagna. 

I had this dish going a bit before guests arrived because it does take a bit longer since it's a bit like a stew/chili type dish. The Mexican seasoning kicked it up a notch for this recipe. I usually just toss in whatever I have in my cupboard but thought this would be the perfect excuse to try the Mexican seasoning. It was delicious and warm for a cool fall day. 

We really enjoyed sampling the different seasonings and while we didn't get a chance to try them all at the party I did send samples home with the guests. We have also tried a few at home and have enjoyed every one we've tried so far. The Alvi's Incredible is great on eggs. The Strong A.R.M. is so good on grilled pork chops. The Jamaican and Indian are perfect for chicken dishes. 

Be sure to check out all the seasonings Save the Day Seasonings has to offer! They will be sure to add great flavor to any of your dishes.

* I did receive the seasonings free courtesy of Save the Day Seasonings and Tryazon to host my party. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.  

#SavetheDaySeasonings #Tryazon 

Post-it Bulletin/Dry Erase Board Review via Shoplet

This Post-it Bulletin/Dry Erase Board was claimed immediately by my oldest two boys. They hung it on their bedroom door in about two minutes. I love that it was super easy to put up and when or if they want to move it, there will be no marks left on the door. 

The dry erase board works great for work and school schedules and of course some messages back and forth amongst all the boys. They really like that the it does not need pins or tacks. No worries about any falling on the floor and getting stepped on. The only thing that could have made this any better is if it included a mini eraser. The boys just grab a tissue to wipe it off so that works fine.

This would be great for an office, classroom, kitchen, or anywhere you need to communicate with others or even just notes for yourself. Shoplet has a wide range of other Post-it products too. 

Shoplet is the #1 e-tailer of business and office supplies. They also carry cleaning supplies, medical supplies, and office furniture. 

You can find Shoplet by visiting them on their social media sites I've listed below. Be sure to check them out!


Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Shoplet

Twitter @Shoplet  https://twitter.com/shoplet

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* I received this item free for this review. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

The Healing Power of Essential Oils - Book Review

The Healing Power of Essential Oils by Eric Zielinski, D.C. has over 150 recipes and remedies using essential oils. This book is full of so much information on oils and how they can help us lead a healthier life. I have learned so much by reading through this book. Some of the recipes included are for a gardener's hand cream, deet-free bug spray, a morning motivation roll-on, and an anti-anxiety spray. It also has sections for using essential oils with your animals, women's health, athlete's, and basic around the house uses.

I received this book from Blogging For Books for this review. Opinions are my own.

The 10-Day Belly Slimdown - Book Review

The 10-Day Belly Slimdown is the first book I've read by Dr. Kellyann Petrucci. I have to admit I'm very intrigued by this book. I did a quick read through of it and found it to be very informative. This 10 day slim down actually doesn't seem that daunting compared to some books I've read. Most of the recipes in the book sounded good and also most of the ingredients would be easily found where I shop. The book does include daily meal plans and 80 recipes.


* I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

Gojo Purell Product Review via Shoplet

Shoplet offers a wide selection of Gojo products. They include hand soaps, hand sanitizers, and surface disinfectants to name a few. 

It is that time of year and this Purell Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Gel is sure to come in handy to help keep the germs away! The bowl comes with 25 1 oz bottles. There are 4 different colors included and you can attach them to your keys, backpack, or purse so you always have it with you. 

Perfect for on the go!

Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant comes in a Fresh Citrus Scent. I have been using this on my counters, light switches, door knobs, and around our dog's food dish area. Any way I can help keep the germs away I will do it! It has the Purell Touch Technology which means no rinse required around food contact surfaces. It's tough enough to kill 99.99% of germs on surfaces including the cold & flu virus and the Norovirus.

We absolutely love this Purell Healthy Soap in the Soothing Cucumber scent! It smells so good. It is gentle on your hands and doesn't leave them feeling dry. As many times a day as I wash my hands this is very important! 

The Purell Healthy Soap also comes in a Clean and Fresh scent. It is also a lovely scent and keeps your hands feeling soft while getting rid of the dirt and germs. 

The Fresh Botanicals scent of this Purell Healthy Soap makes me think of spring. All of the hand soaps we tried had just the right amount of scent so that they were not overwhelming. I liked all three and the combination of knowing that dirt and germs are washed away and my skin was left soft and not dried out makes me happy. 

Shoplet is the #1 e-tailer of business and office supplies. They also carry cleaning supplies, medical supplies, and office furniture. 

You can find Shoplet by visiting them on their social media sites I've listed below. Be sure to check them out!


Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Shoplet

Twitter @Shoplet  https://twitter.com/shoplet

Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/shoplet/

Blog  http://blog.shoplet.com/

Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/user/Shoplet

Instagram  https://instagram.com/shoplet/

* I received these items free for this review. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

#ad #sponsored #GOJOPartner

The Keto Reset Diet - Book Review

I first heard about the Keto Diet from a friend that was following it. I wasn't really sure what it was all about. Shortly after she mentioned it I started hearing more people talk about the benefits of it. I wanted to know more and this book definitely helped me understand what it's all about. 

The Keto Reset Diet by Mark Sisson has so much good information in it. It is laid out in a format that is easy to read and understand. I've read through the book once but it does have so much information I feel like I need to read a few sections again to really soak it in. It has over 100 recipes. It looks like most call for regular ingredients I have already or could easily find. The book does have pictures of some of the recipes. 

Overall, I think this is an excellent book. I'd definitely recommend it especially if you are someone like me who wanted to know more about the Ketogenic Diet in general. It's definitely worth looking into also if you are wanting recipe ideas. 

I received this book from Blogging For Books for this review. Opinions are my own. 

Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker - Book Review

I was really looking forward to some new and exciting recipes for my slow cooker with fall almost here. Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker is definitely full of new recipes. It has 110 of them and some beautiful pictures in it. I, however, was very disappointed with it. There are quite a few ingredients called for that are not easy for me to find where we live. Also, when I think of slow cooker I don't think of Octopus. Yes, there is a recipe for Spanish-Style Octopus. There is also Mexican Oxtail and Duck Ragu. It's just not the cookbook for our family. This is more for the person who likes a little fancier dish in their slow cooker. It's slow cooker Martha Stewart style. :)

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. Opinions are my own.

The Housekeeper - Book Review

Anne Morgan's boyfriend, who is also her boss, has just left her for another woman. She has to find a new job and ends up becoming a housekeeper for Emma and Rob who both have high profile careers. They seem to have the perfect family but Anne quickly finds out that is not the case. She soon discovers their family secrets along with some of her own.

I wasn't sure what to expect reading The Housekeeper. The cover alone made me think dark and creepy. It was an enjoyable read though. I wouldn't say it keep me up late at night waiting to find out what happened like some books, but I did enjoy it. It was dark and a bit odd but a good read.



This book was included in my #wintervention box from BookSparks as part of their Winter Reading Challenge.

* I received this book for free from Booksparks for review as part of their Winter Reading Challenge. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

Avery Ultra Tabs via Shoplet

Shoplet has everything you need for your business or home office. They carry a huge assortment of Avery products including the Avery Ultra Tabs Repositionable Tabs and Avery Dividers with Movable Tabs.

The Avery Ultra Tabs Repositionable Tabs come in a variety of colors. You can write on both sides. They are smudge-free and can be removed and repositioned easily. They have a plastic layer for ultra durability. The Ultra Tabs can be used for many things like indexing, flagging, and referencing. We've been using them in cookbooks, school books, and planners. They also offer the multiuse Avery Ultra Tabs Repositionable Tabs which are a bit bigger.

Makes it easy to find important things like my favorite cake recipe!

The Avery Dividers with Movable Tabs come with 5 multicolored tabs. The dividers have movable adhesive tabs so you can position them where you want. The tabs can also be written on both sides. The dividers are sturdy and make it easier to keep things organized. I've been using ours in a binder for important school papers for our kids.

Shoplet is the #1 e-tailer of business and office supplies. They also carry cleaning supplies, medical supplies, and office furniture. 

You can find Shoplet by visiting them on their social media sites I've listed below. Be sure to check them out!


Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Shoplet

Twitter @Shoplet  https://twitter.com/shoplet

Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/shoplet/

Blog  http://blog.shoplet.com/

Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/user/Shoplet

Instagram  https://instagram.com/shoplet/

* I received these items free for this review. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own. 

Sweet Lake - Book Review

Sweet Lake is the first book I have read from Christine Nolfi. The book is set in small town Sweet Lake, Ohio. The main character Linnie is trying to restore her family inn back to it's glory. She has the support of the eccentric Sweet Lake Sirens and her close friends Cat and Jada. They are also trying to get her to start up a romance with attorney Daniel who has been trying to catch her for years. Linnie also has to battle her brother and parents.

At first I had a hard time getting into the book. It felt like there was a lot of characters introduced right at the beginning and I was getting mixed up. I'm glad I kept reading because I got pulled into the small town drama and enjoyed it a lot.


This book was included in my #wintervention box from BookSparks as part of their Winter Reading Challenge.

* I received this book for free from Booksparks for review as part of their Winter Reading Challenge. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

It Happens All the Time - Book Review

It Happens All the Time by Amy Hatvany tells the story of two best friends, Amber and Tyler, and a night that changes their lives. It alternates back and forth between the two so we get two completely different views of what happens. I think this is important because it shows how tough and uncomfortable a topic it is when one side doesn't feel like they did anything wrong.

I had mixed feelings about the book. A few times I did get a bit lost when it was jumping back and forth in time. Even though Amber was the victim I had a really hard time liking her character in general. It didn't have anything to do with the actual crime that happened but just other parts of the book and things she was dealing with. Tyler also had a lot of issues and I think his character showed how hard it is to believe that such a nice guy could hurt his best friend. The book had a lot going on but it does have a very important message.

Consent is a very important subject that needs to be talked about. So many do not understand when they cross the line. I think the title of the book is perfect because unfortunately it does happen all the time.

This book was included in my #wintervention box from BookSparks as part of their Winter Reading Challenge.



* I received this book for free from Booksparks for review as part of their Winter Reading Challenge. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

Dinner: Changing the Game - Book Review

Dinner by Melissa Clark has over 200 new recipes. It's full of one dish dinners for the beginner or experienced cook. Most recipes are filling enough to be all you need while others might need a nice salad or some bread to go along.

This cookbook has beautiful pictures. I'd say there is about one photo for every third recipe. The book is organized by main ingredient and includes chicken, meat, fish and seafood, eggs, pasta and noodles, tofu, vegetable dinners, grains, pizza, soups, and salads, There really is something for everyone. She has included such a wide range of recipes. A few dishes that quickly caught my eye - Harissa Chicken with Leeks, Potatoes, and Yogurt, Shrimp Pad Thai with Sugar Snap Peas and Basil, and Roasted Sausage and Cauliflower with Cumin and Turkish Pepper.

The book is very well constructed with a beautiful cover and good quality pages. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. I am also happy that the pictures included are just of the food. So many cookbook authors these days include so many unnecessary photos of themselves or random things.  I do prefer when there is a picture of each recipe but this one does still have plenty enough to satisfy me.

* I received this book from Blogging For Books for this review. Opinions are my own.

Drop In: Lead with Deeper Presence and Courage - Book Review

Drop In: Lead with Deeper Presence and Courage by Sara Harvey Yao was exactly the book I needed to read over the last couple weeks. This book is not a quick read. In fact, I think you will get more out of it if you read it slowly and let it soak in. I have several spots marked that I want to go back and revisit because they really spoke to me.

The book is really for anyone who wants to feel more present in their lives. The author reminds us how so many of us are on autopilot and we need to slow down and be more aware of what is going on. I learned so much from this book. I liked that she shared stories of her clients so we can relate and understand better. She gives suggestions like meditation and doing a body scan which will help us connect more with our bodies and everything around us. It's even in the simple things like noticing the texture of your food, noticing the smell and temperature when you are outside, or knowing when it's OK to say no.  I also liked that the author reminds us that everyone will feel things differently when working through the process.

This book was included in my #Wintervention box from BookSparks as part of their Winter Reading Challenge.



* I received this book for free from Booksparks for review as part of their Winter Reading Challenge. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

Sweet Southern Hearts - Book Review

One of my favorite things to do is read. I am a bit obsessed with it. I stay up way too late reading but I enjoy it so much! I was so thrilled to get a #Wintervention box of books from BookSparks to review as part of their Winter Reading Challenge. 

I decided to read Sweet Southern Hearts by Susan Schild first. It is the third book in the Willow Hill Series which follows the story of Linny Avery. I had not read the first two books so I wasn't sure what to expect or if I'd be able to follow along. I had no issues at all and easily fell into the story.

This book begins with Linny on her honeymoon with her 3rd husband Jack. Her happily ever after quickly brings all sorts of unexpected events. Jack's ex-wife can't seem to get her life sorted out and their son Neal comes to live with Linny and Jack. Linny also goes on an RV adventure with her mom and friends and they get into all sorts of shenanigans. I think that was my favorite part in the book. The ladies were such characters. I don't want to spoil any more of the book so I'll just say it was an enjoyable read. I liked that it showed the different relationships between siblings, spouses, children, and friends. 

My box also had two other books so I will be reviewing those on here in the next couple weeks. Happy Reading! 

My #Wintervention box!

* I received this book for free from BookSparks to review as part of their Winter Reading Challenge. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own. 

Emerald Brand Bath & Facial Tissue via Shoplet

Emerald Brand offers environmentally friendly disposable products for your home and office. Some of their products include bath & facial tissue, cups & lids, cutlery, plates, and garbage bags. 

Emerald Tree-Free Facial Tissue is BPA free, chlorine free, USDA biopreferred, compostable, and biodegradable. The tissues are made from bagasse, bamboo, and eucalyptus. 

I found the facial tissue to be strong but a lot rougher compared to what I normally use. It held up well to a good nose blowing but after a few uses my skin could definitely feel the difference. I think I'd have a raw nose after a day or so of constant use during a cold. 

The Emerald Tree-Free Bath Tissue is chlorine free, BPA free, USDA certified biopreferred, and renewable. It is also made from bagasse, bamoboo, and eucalyptus. 

The bath tissue is safe for septic systems.

I actually found the bath tissue to be a bit softer than the facial tissue. It is thinner though. I am used to a much thicker bath tissue. It is a large roll but I feel like I need almost double my normal amount. 

I do like the idea that these two products are environmentally friendly but I'm not sure I'd trade in my regular products for them for our home. I could see these being at places where people are coming and going frequently. 

Shoplet is the #1 e-tailer of business and office supplies. They also carry cleaning supplies, medical supplies, and office furniture. 

You can find Shoplet by visiting them on their social media sites I've listed below. Be sure to check them out!


Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Shoplet

Twitter @Shoplet  https://twitter.com/shoplet

Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/shoplet/

Blog  http://blog.shoplet.com/

Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/user/Shoplet

Instagram  https://instagram.com/shoplet/

* I received a sample of the bath and facial tissue for review purposes. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own. 

At-a-Glance Vienna Weekly/Monthly Appointment Book

I love the colors in this At-a-Glance Vienna Weekly/Monthly Appointment Book from Shoplet! Purple is one of my favorites. I can't believe 2017 will be here within a month! I've already started filling in our appointments, field trip outings, and other stuff in this planner.

It is 8 1/2" x 11" and has plenty of room to write down everything you need all in one book and stay organized. It's printed on high-quality, recycled paper containing post-consumer recycled material.

I really like that it lists so many holidays in it. Many calendars and planners these days omit a lot of them. This book also includes day light savings time, full moons, many Canadian and Mexican holidays, and also several religious holidays of all faiths.

At-a-Glance offers several types of calendars, planners, and appointment books. Be sure to take a look to find the right style for your home or office.

Shoplet is the #1 e-tailer of business and office supplies. They also carry cleaning supplies, medical supplies, and office furniture.

You can find Shoplet by visiting them on their social media sites I've listed below. Be sure to check them out!


Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Shoplet

Twitter @Shoplet  https://twitter.com/shoplet

Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/shoplet/

Blog  http://blog.shoplet.com/

Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/user/Shoplet

Instagram  https://instagram.com/shoplet/


* I received this planner for free to review. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

Thinkfun Brick By Brick

We are huge fans of Thinkfun games. They are fun, educational, and great for the whole family. Brick By Brick is a creative building game. It comes with 5 puzzle pieces and 60 challenge cards. 

Challenge 7 

I figured it out! 

The solution is on the back in case you need help.

Brick By Brick is a single player game. The suggested age range is 8 to adult. It also comes with a Game-Go Bag so you can take it anywhere. 

Game-Go Bag

We're having fun working our way through the challenges. Games like this are great because you can just sit them out and when you have a moment just try a challenge or two. 

Thinkfun has lots of games so be sure to visit their site to learn more about them. You can find Brick By Brick on Amazon.

* I received this game for free for this review. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.

Nourishing Meals - Book Review

Nourishing Meals gives you 365 recipes that will have your whole family eating healthier in no time. They are all whole foods based and Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Soy-Free dishes. This book is huge with over 500 pages. It will take me some time to get through it all. I've skimmed through it a few times and am slowly working my way from the beginning. I've already marked a few recipes though.

I really like the fact that so many of the recipes are for a larger family. That makes me happy! I know it's not a big deal to double a recipe but it's nice when you don't have to. I do wish the pictures were right next to the recipes though. This book has them all together in a section in the middle of the book. Not really that big of a deal since this book is pretty awesome otherwise.

We don't have any food allergies in our family thank goodness but I am trying to get us more into whole foods eating most of the time. We're a work in progress.This book really has it all and I feel like it's doable. I definitely recommend this book if you are looking to eat healthier.

Nourishing Meals  facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/nourishingmeals

Nourishing Meals on Twitter - https://twitter.com/nourishingmeals



* I received this book from Blogging For Books for this review. No other compensation was received. Opinions are my own.