Celebrate Chocolate Truffles: Review and Giveaway

Seldom have I been so excited to test a product and see if it is all it claims to be. Honestly, I usually end up disppointed, and I thought for sure I would be let down when I first was asked by Family Review Network to try out Celebrate Chocolate Truffles. The claim I am going to test? Well eating these about 20 minutes before mealtime is supposed to fill you and make you less hungry.

So since I eat like a trucker on a regular basis, I figure anything that claims to be a bit of an appetite suppressant is incredible, and I obviously can't wait to see if the claims are true. I should also confess to being a huge fan of truffles. It is pretty much a staple for me, and I had recenly finished off the last of my Easter batch from a well known "gold" box company. I was reaaly anxious to test out the camparison.

The first one I tried was two weeks ago, and I was a bit apprehensive because they chocolate had melted a bit in the shipment, and then I put it in my fridge to reset. I tried the raspberry because that is my favorite flavor. I was really surprised. The flavor and texture were rich and and delicious, just what I would expect of qulaty chocolate. the raspberry was a wonderful accent to to the chocolate and not overwhelming in the slightest. I had eaten just one at about 11:30 in the morning and I realized a 1/2 hour later that I still really wasn't hungry for lunch. So not only did this make me eat less, I didn't even really feel like I had to eat at all. I thought maybe that was a fluke, and tested it out again the next day at lunch with the almond version....and the same thing happened. Deliocious quality chocolate, and definitely suppressed appetite.

Want to see for yourself? I am excited to see if your claims match my own.....I really haven't been hungry at luch time in nearly a week. I have had just a big glass of water instead of my usual sandwich or salad. I can't wait to see if you have the same reaction. Win the same 2 boxes of Truffles and Cocoa Almonds that I tried, plus samples of the new products!

This giveaway is open to United States Residents Only and will run until June 17, 2009 midnight CST. Remember to leave an email address if you do not have one attached to your Google account, so that I can get in touch with you

1. Mandatory Entry: Bookmark the site CelebrateLifeNutrition.com and leave me a comment that you have done so.

2.Another Entry, become a follower of my blog/ or Twitter Follower and leave me a separate comment letting me know you are.

3.Another Entry, Tweet about this post and leave me a copy in a separate comment

4.Post my button on your sidebar and leave me the link in a separate comment

5.Post about this giveaway on your blog/FaceBook/MySpace and leave me the link in a separate comment

The Camp Day

Yesterday was a very long day. In the morning we got rid of the last of Rebecca's friends who she "had" to say goodbye too. She IM'd and emailed a few more her final goodbyes, we loaded up her trunk, duffel bag, pillow, and tote bag. Then off to San Antonio where she was boarding the bus to camp. She was sad to be saying goodbye to all of her small town friends.....but very excited to go stay a month with all her camp friends.

You see the same girls are signed up for the same month every year, so she already knows most of the girls who will be attending. She was slightly apprehensive about cabin assignments, and hoping everything worked out just perfectly. We arrived at the Alamo Heights High School parking lot to catch the camp bus, and she was already squealing as we parked the car, because her good friend from Laredo, TX was loading up her stuff. For the first time there were no long goodbye's between Rebecca and I, because this is now her third year at camp, and she loves it so much. I just made sure that I had my phone and no ipods had mysteriously snuck into her bag (there is a no electronics policy). She also had to spit out her gum because it is "illegal" at camp

She immediately worked on saving seats for a few more friends, and giggling with all of the others, and I stood milling around with several other random parents just waiting for the bus to leave. After one final hug, and a promise to write off her bus went. AT least I know she arrived safely and is happy, because like most camps nowadays hers has hundreds of pictures taken daily of all the girls and their activities so that you can see, and read the daily newsletter to see what is going on.

After dropping off Rebecca, it was time to travel another hour to Kerrville to pick up Regan from Texas Lions Camp (she is a former camper of the week woohoo!). They had a wonderful closing ceremony, and I found out when picking her up since so many schools were still in session this week (due to Hurricane Ike and Swine Flu) that they only ended up with 36 campers for the first week. So each camper literally had 3-4 staff to them at all times! Talk about a luxury for Regan. She had a great time and talked endlessly about doing the Zip Line, horseback riding, sleeping outdoors and eating hobo packs and smores. They also had a camp dance and all kinds of fun.

Regan and I then drove back to San Antonio and stayed the night with my brother before heading home today.....to a day filled with festival activities and my husband in the BBQ cook-off. It has been fun!

The first week of summer is over, and my girls are happy and healthy....who could ask for a better blessing?

Not a Pageant Mom

Last night was our local small town pageant that of course coincides with our small town weekend festival. Amidst all the cheering and clapping for the beautiful young ladies and the handsome young men was the sound of constant sighing.

Why?

Because pageants are not my thing.....and Rebecca really wishes they were.

We were there last night to cheer on her best friend Cecilee who was in the junior miss category. The same category that Rebecca was elligible for (a fact which I heard a few times). It really isn't that I am not fully supportive of my girls in their endeavors or pursuits, but I just have a problem with setting them up to value beauty over brains. Here are a few reasons I won't change my mind in the near future:

1. In the small town where I grew up the winner of the pageant was based solely on who sold the most county fair tickets. So basically it was a contest on whose dad had the most money or influence. So my sister and I were too disgusted to ever enter it although I know we were both asked a few times.

2. Rebecca is a very pretty girl I won't deny that, but as she is going through these formidable tween years; we are working hard at keeping her level headed and grounded. Adding a title to her resume will make her head expand to roughly the size of the grand canyon.

3. I really am busy enough without adding more weekend parades and festivals where she would have to be a float rider to my schedule.

4. Even though this particular pageant is based on interview, poise, and beauty (unlike my experience), I have a problem with having my child be judged based on that. What if she lost? Dealing with her tween angst and the fallout that would ensue would probably drive me insane.

We are so proud of her friend Cecilee winning the jr. Miss title, and I think last night was a good lesson in being a supportive friend and learning to watch and admire from the sidelines. You don't always have to get in the game.

Football Season and the Family Television

"Guess what today is?" John Mark announced yesterday as he came bouncing in. I know it is odd to have a husband that bounces, but honestly if you knew him and all of his boundless energy it would come as no surprise. "It's College Game Day!"...he did not even wait for a response from any of us just continues his dancing around in his own world. He dreams of the day of a wall of LCD tvs to enjoy games from every channel in one spot.

The girls and I just watched him for a moment, and then proceeded to go back to our own projects. It is hard to get excited about something you really don't care that much about. It isn't that I don't enjoy football. I just like it as a real life spectator sport. I like the energy of being around a crowd of people who are cheering for their team. I love the social aspect of chatting with friends. I like to watch the sport in real action...and of course I love the cheerleaders because it is familiar and what I used to do.

Watching on TV, I could pretty much do without. I don't mind the Dallas Cowboys because I am interested in how they do, and of course they have the best cheerleaders (Have you seen their show). My girls pretty much feel the same way. Regan would rather be watching anything but sports and Rebecca would rather be doing something other than mindlessly watching television.

Rebecca was the first to break it to her dad that the we had plans for the living room TV. We were doing a Wii challenge since we have a game system on loan to us for the moment. We also had plans to watch Mama Mia later on TIVO.

John Mark looked flabbergasted. Why would we want to play games and watch a musical over football? His shoulders dropped and the bounce disappeared as he headed to the back of the house to enjoy his beloved football in the quiet of the bedroom. Poor guy to have no one on his side once again.

Kobold Toys Science Magic Kit Review and Giveaway

I am always in teaching mode. I search for the teachable moments in life, and look for ways to make learning fun for my girls all the time. It is just the way my quirky brain works....added to the fact that I just love to learn (it is a personal passion). In searching for activities that I thought would be fun this summer I came across Kobold Toys which has the same philosophy that I do about teaching children through fun.

One of my big focuses this past year has been science. Research shows that girls are not as directed or driven to science as boys are, and I want to make sure that both of my girls see the fun and the logic that science can be. This year we have done projects such as making a catapult, growing crystals, and learning about plants. This summer I am going to focus on Science Magic.
Over Memorial Weekend we got to spend some time with our good friends Walt and Meredith with their adorable children Kelly and Zane. We took our Science Magic Kit over there to let all the kids get involved. Rebecca, Kelly and Zane presented us with their first experiment and Regan, Meredith and I were their captive audience. They had a lot of fun, and I look forward to seeing what else we can do with the kit.

Want to do your very own Science Magic show? I am very excited that Kobold Toys is allowing me to give away a kit just like ours. This giveaway is open to United States Residents Only and will run until June 13, 2009 midnight CST. Remember to leave an email address if you do not have one attached to your Google account, so that I can get in touch with you

1.Mandatory Entry: Tell me another educational toy you would like to try from the Kobold Toys website.

2.Another Entry, become a follower of my blog/ or Twitter Follower and leave me a separate comment letting me know you are.

3.Another Entry, Tweet about this post and leave me a copy in a separate comment

4.Post my button on your sidebar and leave me the link in a separate comment

5.Post about this giveaway on your blog/FaceBook/MySpace and leave me the link in a separate comment

Potential Summer Projects

I took another lazy day today, which mean I am really going to do some work after this week off, and one of the most major places I need o focus my time is my house.
We really are trying to put it on the market soon and there are many things I think we can "get by" with , but on the other hand I know that with a little time and effort on my part there are a few projects I can do to make my house look better and more saleable.

The first two things on my list are to finish painting my dining room. I have half painted a beautiful butter yellow color. This room has high ceilings and crown molding which I ignored when I first painted it.....but now it is apparent that I really need to finish the job. This is really the top thing on my to-do list.

Secondly I want to tile the master bath and the girls bath. Mainly because my bathroom has carpet in it (I have no idea why that mildew gatherer was ever a design choice)and the girls is just vinyl which would be fine, but it is the only place in my house with vinyl flooring so in my mind it is a space which can be remedied. I am looking at ceramic and porcelain tile to see which would be my most efficient option and I will let you know how my projects turn out.

How not to relax (several days in a row)

I have been here....I have not vacated the premises....I have much work to do....and I promise summer isn't going to drive me away. So far though I just have felt overwhelmed, and not up to getting the job done. Here is a run-down of the last few days.

Saturday:
1. Take Regan to dance recital dress rehearsal
2. Finish packing Regan for Camp
3. Go to dance recital, and watch with pride as my insanely awesome daughter performs her dance to her very own song.
4. Cut out of dance recital right after Regan performs to get Rebecca to her first group movie date (where I will be sitting in the back with the 7 yr old son of one of my great friends as my date and spying on my child the whole time)
5. Stay up with Rebecca until midnight working out post-movie drama wherein according to her "My World is falling apart mom" and accidentally consume too much caffeine at a late hour.

Sunday
1. Still awake at 3:00 am (stupid caffeine)
2. In the morning prepare for the six hour round trip drive to take Regan to camp
3. Consume more caffeine to drive for six hours.
4. Drive to the Texas Hill Country while rehashing last nights drama with Rebecca in minute detail, and then having her call all her friends to tell them about it and get opinions
5. Be completely touched as my girls hug for a long time as they say goodby e to each other (They won't see each other for six weeks)
6. On the way home stop at a rest stop for much needed relaxation
7. Get Home and start watching "Get Smart" and fall asleep five minutes into the movie

Monday
1. Label and begin packing Rebecca for camp (she leaves Friday)
2. Take Rebecca to friend's pool so she can practice endurance swimming to pass upcoming camp canoe test.
3. Partake in even more of her 6th grade drama...which then needs to be discussed in excruciating details first with me than with at least 6 of her BFF's
4. Take Rebecca to Pool Party for the evening and thank goodness they are feeding us, because I have not been to the grocery store in two weeks and would have feasted on Ramen at home
5. Realize I have once again consumed caffeine at way to late an hour, and post to my blog at 1:00 in the morning......instead of actually working on the reviews that are stockpiling.

Tuesday....oh wait it is Tuesday....Ummmm well,
Happy Tuesday!!!!!!
I am praying for a restful day with no drama from my eleven year old how about you?