Redakai X-Reader Starter Pack Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

Have you checked out Redakai yet?  This game is going to be hot with the kids this year!  It has already been voted #1 in the" Top 5 toys to watch in 2011" by the Associated Press.  It has been rated "Best of Toy Fair 2011" by Popular Science.   And, it has been rated "The Coolest Toy" at the 2011 Toy Fair by CNBC Consumer Nation.

In case you are catching up, here is something to get you started:

"Redakai: Conquer the Kairu is an animated kids adventure series starring Ky, a 15 year old student of ancient martial arts who embarks on an incredible quest to find the Kairu, a primordial alien energy force. Helped by his friends Maya and Boomer, Ky travels the globe looking for the Kairu to protect it from his extraterrestrial teenage opponents, with the hope that one day he will become the greatest Kairu warrior of them all  - a Redakai."

The Redakai X-Reader Starter Pack is a great addition to any fan of Redakai!  It comes with a X-Reader, with is a portable battlefield, and 22 X-Drives.  The X-Reader is large enough to hold lots of cards for fun while at home or on the go.  From a parents perspective, I love that this toy does not require batteries.  You never have to worry about batteries running out in the middle of play, which is always a nice aspect!

The Redakai X Reader Starter Pack retails for about $19.99.  Do you want to win a Redakai Starter Pack of you own?  Fill out the form below for a chance to win.  The Giveaway will run from 10/14/11 at 12:00pm to 10/26/11 at 12:00pm.

Congratulations to Bernadette D, winner of the Redakai Giveaway.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.


SpinMaster provided me with the item above in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Sante Nut Review

Snacking on nuts is a great way to provide nutrients your body needs while helping to keep your energy levels up.   I try to keep a pack of trail mix, almonds or peanuts with me as a quick pick me up.  It helps fill me while keeping me satisfied until my next meal.

I usually by whatever nuts or nut mixes are on sale in the store, but recently, I tried Sante Nuts and I may never go back.  Sante Nuts are some of the best tasting nuts I have tried.  They are light and crunchy, with a perfect combination of sweetness and seasoning.  All the nuts are slow roasted in organic canola oil.  There are 4 varieties to choose from: Candied Pecans, Candied Walnuts, Garlic Almonds, and Roasted Salted Pecans.

Makers of Sante Nuts use a technique to prepare their nuts that allows for minimal absorption of the oil used in cooking.  Benefits of this process include a lighter nut with amazing crunch, Less oil = less fat per nut = a healthier nut, a perfect, wafer-thin coating of pure cane sugar, and more nuts per ounce than other brands.  The are also all natural, Gluten Free and Kosher.

To read maore about Sante Nuts, check out their website at SanteNuts.com.  If you want to try Sante Nuts for yourself, you can get a 25% discount on any order at SanteNuts.com.  Just enter code 2011-Blog-133 during checkout.  The coupon is valid on orders through December 16, 2011.

Sante Nuts provided samples in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Slow Cooker Recipe: Crock Pot Applesauce

I love the Fall and all that comes with it, including the delicious recipes that I come across.  I've been a little slow this year on the apple and pumpkin recipes, but here is a new one that I found on my favorite blog, Mama Cheaps.  I am definitely going to add this one to my arsenal of apple recipes!

Makes: About 4 pints

You will need:

• 18 cups apples (one variety or mix and match) – cored, peeled and sliced.  *Note: some people prefer to leave the skins on – this is totally personal preference.  I usually peel my apples.
• 3/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 TBSP cinnamon

How to make:

• Add cored, peeled, sliced apples to your slow cooker.  Stir in all remaining ingredients.
• Turn slow cooker on low.  Simmer apples on low for about 5 hours, stirring every so often.
• Apples will break down into a mush (<–official, technical term).  Turn slower cooker off and let apples cool for an hour or so (until it’s cool enough to handle).
• You have several options when it comes to preparing your applesauce – and this will all depend on your consistency preference.  If you like a chunkier applesauce, you might just use a potato masher.  If you like it with a smoother texture, like I do, you can run it through a food mill or other processor. I broke out my trusty KitchenAid Blender and used the puree mode on pulse a few times to get the desired consistency.
• Your applesauce is now ready for freezing/canning!

New Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionalities Review

Did you have a Cabbage Patch Kid when you were growing up?  Did you have the diapers, clothes and accessories that went with them?  I did!  I confess, I still have my Cabbage Patch Kids and just recently pulled them out for Mason to play with.  After all these years, they are holding up and in pretty good shape for all the years of being played with and loved. 

I was very excited when I heard that JAKKS Pacific was going to bring back Cabbage Patch Kids, and with a twist.  Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionalities have a modern look that kids today will easily relate to while maintaining the Cabbage Patch Kid "look" that everyone have come to know and love. 

Did you know that over 123 million Cabbage Patch Kids have been adopted to date?  The 12 new Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionalities will continue the tradition of Kids being adopted.  You will be able to adopt Fashionalities like "Preppy Boy", "Playground Girl", "Artsy Girl" and "Skater Boy", each with a unique personality and style.  Kids will easily be able to relate to these "Kids", some of which wear glasses, have long hair, short hair, brown hair, or red hair.

What do I love about the new Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionalities?  I love when I opened the box, my doll smelled like baby powder, just like when I was a child.  I was happy to see that this detail was not left out.  Included was the adoption papers and birth certificate, just like mine did when I was a child.  Included is also a unique code to download the adorable Cabbage Patch Kids video, “The New Kid”! 

The dolls hair was super soft.  I loved that the hair was red, curly and long enough to easily be restyled.  She wore a super cute, soft and sporty outfit.  I love the layers look, that is so popular with kids today.  No detail was left out, from the bow in her hair to the socks and shoes on her feet.  I also loved that this doll stands 14" tall, which is a perfect size for any toddler or child to carry.

New Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionalities are recommended for ages 3 and up.  They retail for $34.99 and can be found at Toys R Us. You can also get accessories for your new Cabbage Patch Kid Fashionalities, which retails for about $9.99.  Don't forget to check out more about Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionalities online or on Facebook.

JAKKS Pacific provided me with the item above in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

New Squinkies Boys Review and Giveaway (Closed)

Squinkies are back and better than ever!  Blip Toys now has a line of Squinkies geared for the little man of the house.  In case you don't know what Squinkies are...they are soft, squishy mini-figures that kids all over are collecting.  Available are animals, princesses, cars, etc.  Squinkies come in a little plastic bubble, a smaller version of the big plastic bubbles that come out of a vending machine with a surprise inside.  Kids can also get a line of accessories and playsets to accompany thier collection of Squinkies.

Skull Cavern Playset

A cool new Playset is the Squinkies Skull Cavern Dispenser Playset.  It is like a traditional style gum ball dispenser. All you have to do is load your Squinkies in the top, insert magic Squinkies coin, or you can use a  nickel or dime, and turn the dial for a Squinkies to come rolling out!

This playset is really cool.  Not only can you store up to 20 Squinkies, but it dispenses them too.  The Skull Cavern Playset also opens up for additional play.  Included is 6 themed Squinkies characters and 4 magic coins. 

Squinkies Rides

Squinkies Rides are mini-dispensers shaped like vehicles that have places to display and interact with your Squinkies.  I love that you can store all three characters in their bubbles inside the dispenser when play is done.

Squinkies Xtreme Ride features a cool half-pipe with 3 skater "dudes".

Squinkies Low Ride features a "tricked out street racer with 2 street fighters and their trusty bull dog".

Squinkies Space Ride features a "futuristic spaceship with 2 astronauts and an awesome alien".

Squinkies Tuff Ride features a "heavy-duty tank with 3 soldiers armed and ready for combat."


Squinkies Bubble Packs

Squinkies Cars 2 Bubble Pack - Series 2: If you love the movie Cars, you will love Cars Squinkies!  In this Cars Squinkies Bubble Pack, you will find all your favorite characters from the movie including Lightning McQueen, Mater, Guido, and more!

Squinkies Hot Wheels Bubble Pack - Series 2: Calling all Hot Wheels fans!  Race around with the all-new, very cool Squinkies Hot Wheels cars.  These are the perfect cars to race around or to trade with friends. 

Marvel Universe Bubble Pack - Series 2:   This is the ultimate Squinkies Bubble Packs for boys!  You will find all of your favorite super heros and villains from the Marvel Universe!


Squinkies Bubble Pack Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3

 

"New Squinkies Bubble Packs themed just for boys! Featuring robots, ninjas, aliens and more. Grab your favorite Squinkies and battle ‘em. Roll the dice for super attacks, but don’t let your crew get knocked out or you lose! Squinkies Boys:
                                           Compete. Combat. Collect."

Would you like to win some of your own Squinkies?  Fill out the form below and enter to win!  The Giveaway will run from 9/26/11 5:00pm to 10/5/11 at 5:00pm EST.  You may enter once daily, including bonus entries.

Congratulations to Christine S., Michelle F., and Rebecca P, winners of the Squinkies Giveaway.   All winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.




Blip Toys provided me with the items above in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Life Insurance Options

I know my family is protected with life insurance.  We wanted to make sure there was money to pay for the funeral, bills, and that our children would be taken care of.  But how do you know you have the right coverage for your family needs?  Aptus Insurance can help to get you the coverage you want and need.  With Aptus life insurance quotes, you know that your policy will be affordable too.

Maybe a term life insurance policy is the best option for you.  It is the most affordable type of life insurance.  You can pay a fixed rate over a pre-set amount of time.  With a Term Life Insurance policy, you pay a fix rate over a certain amount of time. Your beneficiaries will receive a lump sum of money of you should happen to pass away during this time you are insured.

There are many choices out there.  Whether you are looking for a term life policy or universal life insurance policies, Aptus Insurance can help you customize a life insurance policy that will fit all of your needs.   For more insurance information, you can also check out IIX.com.

Free Life Insurance Quotes Online from Aptus Insurance

Talking about and finding life insurance is not something most people like to do.  It can be overwhelming and confusing.  How do you know if you have the coverage you need to protect your family if you should pass away?  How do you know the life insurance quotes you received are fair and will provide enough coverage?  Wouldn't it be easier if there were someone to help find a life insurance policy that fits your needs?

Aptus Insurance can help you customize a life insurance policy that will fit all of your needs.  Aptus life insurance quotes are also affordable while providing the protection you need.  Whether you are looking for
whole and term life policies or universal life insurance policies, Aptus Insurance can provide when Life Happens.