"The Dragon King" Book Review

 

 

His mother had always told him that he would one day be responsible for saving his people using his faith, courage, and wisdom. And it is with these traits that young Ethan, king and leader of his land, must battle the dragon that has been destroying his kingdom. Join Ethan on his journey and become immersed in this wonderful story by Vivian Slade.

 

Even though this book is written for children, I really enjoyed the plot! Ethan's character is very likable and it is interesting to follow along with his inner and external battles. I also liked the illustrations, which were actually drawn by the author's daughter. While it's maybe a little long for a bedtime story, this book can easily be broken down into shorter segments.

 

Another great feature of this book is why it was written. Vivian Slade met a young boy who was in the hospital recovering from burns and she developed this story as a tribute to him! You can get your digital copy of The Dragon King HERE and the audio MP3 version HERE. The audio version is perfect for younger readers to listen to while they follow along with the book and the voices are great!

 

 

Disclaimer:  I was provided with this item free of charge for review. This post contains affiliate links.

 



NUBY Booster Seat Review

One thing I love about mealtime is having my whole family sit around the table and spend time together. But having my 15 month-old daughter join us at the table wasn't very practical because she couldn't sit high up enough to see her food...until I tried the NUBY Booster Seat!

The NUBY booster comes with a three-point buckle and two longer straps to secure the seat to an adult chair. My chairs have a large cushion area, so I had to attach the two straps together to make one long strap. It still did a great job of holding the booster firmly in place.

When I first put my daughter in the chair, I was surprised at how high she sat. A definite plus! Her feet rested perfectly on the cushion below the booster and the booster's handles were at just the right place for her to grasp. She seemed very comfortable.

I was very happy with the way the NUBY booster positioned her at the table. She was able to sit high enough to see down into her plate versus having the plate a chest-height. This is very important now that she feeds herself with a spoon.

And because the NUBY booster can accommodate children up to 65 lbs., even older kids can use the seat. It does appear that 3 and 5 year-olds develop strange facial expressions when in the seat. I might need to do some further testing! ;)

Probably my favorite part about the booster is how much my daughter loves it! When using the booster as a stand-alone chair on the floor, she can't seem to get enough of it. She will climb in and out of the booster for 15 minutes and be perfectly happy. And if I buckle her in, she is fine sitting with a book. It's too cute. (It is recommended that the longer straps be removed when using the booster on the floor).

 

The NUBY Booster Seat is a great choice if you want your little one to join you at the table. It is also the perfect travel booster for trips to Grandma's, or when you don't want your toddler sticking to old goo in restaurant high chairs! You can get your own Booster Seat HERE.

Connect with NUBY on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Disclosure:  I was provided this item free of charge for review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

 

Genghis Grill Restaurant Review

 

 

My family and I recently had an opportunity to eat at a very unique restaurant called Genghis Grill. As soon as we were seated, by two boys noticed something sitting out on our table. It turned out to be a tablet! That's right. Genghis Grill has tablets! And before long, the kids were playing games all on their own (and I could actually concentrate on the menu). The great thing was that there were games for both children and adults! Plenty of entertainment for everybody!

 

Another interesting feature on the tablets, that I have never seen before, was the ability to place and pay for orders from your table. All you do is select what you want to eat, order, and pay. Within minutes, your server brings the food to your table. Awesome!

 

The menu was fantastic. My children and in-laws ordered specific dishes right from the menu, but my husband and I decided to build our own bowl. This is where the fun began. We each got a bowl and went up to the first counter. It was full of about 10 different types of meat. The server encouraged us to select as many and as much as we wanted. If you'd rather be hands-off, the server will fill your bowl for you.

 

Once we had our meats (proteins), we moved on to the spice counter. Again, there were more than 10 different spices to choose from. They all sounded so good, it was hard to settle on just a few.

Next, we made our way to the veggie area. We piled our bowls high with all sorts of fresh vegetables. There were even a few fruits here to add for a bit of sweetness. Then we got to the sauce section. Here is where my decision-making problems began to act up. In the previous stations, I could pick as many items as I wanted. In the sauce section, I wanted to pick only one or two so I didn't wind up with a big mess of flavors in my bowl. But which to choose? Genghis Grill has made it easy for people like me. They have labels by each sauce with recommendations, such as 'for chicken and seafood' and there are even little spoons available to sample the sauces. You know...before you commit.

The final counter was the starch area where we chose our noodles. Here is where they cooked up the whole concoction and then brought it to us at our table.

 

 

Here is my children's dinner, ordered from the new menu!

This is what I created from the Build Your Own Bowl option.

My little girl's meal.

 

 Do you think she liked it?!

 

No matter how full I am, I always have room for desert!

 



We had a wonderful dinner and I enjoyed all the little surprises that kept my boys (and husband) entertained. Genghis Grill has locations in 24 states. Stop by and prepare for a delicious, filling, and fun meal!

Menu items and prices might vary by location. I was compensated by the sponsor in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

 

 

Review and GIVEAWAY: BISSELL Perfect Sweep Turbo Vacuum

So I love to vacuum. I loved it as a kid and I still enjoy it today. Maybe it's the excitement of seeing a clean floor, or knowing that I am taking care of my family and home, or perhaps it is the calming and repetitive motion of moving the vacuum back and forth, and... oh. What's that? This is not normal? I see. Well, for those of you who might need a little something to boost your vacuuming pleasure, I introduce to you the BISSELL Perfect Sweep Turbo.

I was so graciously provided with this little vacuum for review and I really, really like it! I will start out by saying that at first, I was a bit skeptical as to how well the Perfect Sweep would preform compared to my regular vacuum. Being the vacuumaholic that I am, I figured that I would use the Perfect Sweep for the occasional crumb, but stick to my more powerful, fancy vacuum for everything else. Surprisingly, I found myself reaching for the Perfect Sweep for so much more than I expected!

My favorite part of the Perfect Sweep had to be the simplicity. With just a simple click of the handle, I was using the vacuum within seconds of opening the box. (I did plug it in to charge fully, but only after I played with it for a few minutes. I was just too excited to wait). I tested it out on three different floor types:  Tile, wood, and plush carpet. It preformed wonderfully on both the tile and wood, as expected. All the little crumbs, bits of paper, dried mud chunks, dog hair, gerbil cage fluff, ladybugs, etc. were sucked right in. And oh my garsh! The Perfect Sweep's low profile allowed it to glide right under my cabinets. One thing that bugged me so much about my larger vacuum was that I always had to whip out the clunky hose to get all the crumbs from under the cabinets. Not any more!

Now I didn't expect the Perfect Sweep to do so well on my carpet. I figured that there wouldn't be enough suction power to really pull up the fuzz (and ladybugs) from the carpet, however, I was wrong inaccurate. Although I had to go back and forth a few times to really pull up all of the little bits of debris on the carpet, the Perfect Sweep was able to suck most of it up. It did well with hairs and discarded stickers too.

After a good cleaning, I went to see/dig through what had been collected in the see-through debris chamber. (No, this is not a regular habit. I was simply curious to compare the thickness and quality of dust to that of my other vacuum. Look, I said I had vacuum issues). It was super easy to remove the collection chamber from the Perfect Sweep. I lifted it off and, to my enjoyment, I found a rather thick dust wad. Strange, because my house is usually clean, but it's good to know that the Perfect Sweep can remove dust comparably to a larger vacuum.

There were also a couple things I was able to do with the Perfect Sweep that I cannot do with my regular vacuum. Again, the low profile allowed me to vacuum under the couch and the easily detachable handle let me vacuum the pillows on my couch without having to set up a blasted hose. So fun! If you don't believe me, ask my boys. They couldn't get enough of the Perfect Sweep. Both my 3 and 5-year-old ask me daily to vacuum with it. Despite the fact that they are also vacuumaholics, there is no doubt that the Perfect Sweep is easy enough for kids to use.

Features I Like:
-lightweight
-detachable handle
-rotating edge brushes
-clear debris chamber (great for locating that toy you just vacuumed up)
-long battery life

Possible Issues:
-debris spills out of the chamber if the vacuum is tilted too far (like when vacuuming the side of a couch)
-plastic seems fragile (could crack if it hits something hard)
-edge bushes only spin when wheels are rolling

While I love my larger vacuum for its excellent suction and allergen trapping features, I have found a special place in my heart for our newest addition, the Perfect Sweep Turbo. It is definitely one of those things you never think you need until you get it. Then you wonder how you ever functioned without it! Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a BISSELL Perfect Sweep Turbo of your own.

 

Buy it on Amazon.com or Bissell.com using code 'sweepupLEGO'.

 

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Beauty's Secret by Debra Gano

 

UPDATE:  The winner is Tiffany S.

There are a few special books that make you want to keep turning the pages because you are rooting for the character. This is one of those books! Debra Gano, editor of BYOU Magazine, has written a unique and very special series called Heartlight Girls. The first book in this series, Beauty's Secret: A Girl's Discovery of Inner Beauty, is about a young girl who has always had an inner beauty that radiated from within. When she gets a chance to participate in a contest, she looses sight of that inner beauty and instead focuses on her external looks. She and everyone around her begins to feel the consequences.

Debra's story takes you on a fast-paced and believable ride as you travel along with Beauty. Discover the power of being your true self and even learn how to find and radiate your own heartlight!

You will love the illustrations too. Dawn Pitre does a wonderful job of capturing the emotions of Beauty as she grows from a child into a teenager.

 

 

Girls of all ages will enjoy reading this story. Beauty's Secret is definitely a book that parents will feel good about giving to their child. My daughter is only 8 months old, but I am putting this book on her bookshelf tonight!  Enter below for your chance to win your own copy of the book.

 



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I have always enjoyed being my true self, no matter what others think of me. No apologies! :) Were you ever tempted to hide the real you?

Tuttorosso Tomatoes Review and Giveaway!

  

I was recently sent a sample kit from Tuttorosso packed full of some of their tomato products for review. To be honest, I had never used Tuttorosso tomatoes before and I was really curious to try them out and see if I could tell a difference between their products, and my 'usual' pre-made tomato sauces from the grocery store.

 

The sample kit that I received included three tomato products (crushed tomatoes, plum-shaped tomatoes, and tomato sauce), three recipes, a measurement converting chart, pot holder, and a soda can insulator. I looked through the three recipes and selected a fairly simple one for making Savory Skillet Chicken. Because I generally do not cook meals from scratch, simple recipes with just a few ingredients are very important to me. This chicken recipe called only for chicken, pasta, mushrooms, and two of the included tomato products.

 

 

I began by cutting up the chicken into small pieces. The chicken I used was already seasoned in the package, so I didn't even have to think about adding any additional flavor! I also began to boil the water for the pasta at this time. The chicken had just barely thawed, which actually made it a bit easier to handle and cut. 
 

 

Although the recipe suggested just browning the chicken, I chose to cook it a little more thoroughly, partly because it was still very cold, and also because I get stressed out about undercooking meat.  

 

 

While the chicken was cooking, I put the pasta in a pot to boil. I then set the pasta aside for later. (It turns out I cooked the noodles too early. They were cold by the time I went to add the sauce to them later).

 

 

I then opened the can of plum-shaped tomatoes, and immediately noticed the scent of real, fresh tomatoes. You might think this would be obvious and not surprising to me, but I do not smell anything close to this when I open a jar of pre-made sauce. Let's just say that it made me feel more like I was preparing a wholesome meal versus simply adding sauce to some noodles.

 



 

I followed to recipe pretty exactly, except for accidentally adding more sauce than what was called for. Had I not put in so much sauce, the overall result would have been a thicker, chunkier sauce. Not a problem though. We had plenty of pasta and four hungry people ready for dinner. Oh. And I also used the 'Sauce' that was included in the kit instead of the tomato 'Paste' that I was supposed to use. I didn't notice that the paste wasn't in the kit until I began cooking. I am assuming that this also would have added to the richness and thickness of the sauce.



 

The final steps were adding the mushrooms and chicken to the sauce and pouring it over the pasta. Here is how it turned out! No laughing at my attempt to use apples as fancy plate decoration.
 



 

I think the meal turned out very good. My favorite part...the juicy tomatoes! Really! They were a little sweet and tart and definitely fresh. I know when dinner is a success because my boys clear their plates and ask for more. They seemed to really like this dish too!

 

Tuttorosso Tomatoes strive "to produce the freshest, best tasting tomato products in the world. [Their] premium tomato products are made in America, all natural, preservative free, gluten free, and packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals." Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Tuttorosso kit of your own.

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This giveaway is open to residents of the United States only. All entries will be verified. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook. Live Like a Mom is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Disclosure- I received this product free of charge and I provided only my own, honest opinions in this review.

BYOU Magazine Review and GIVEAWAY!

UPDATE:  The winner is Sarah H.P.

I was recently asked if I would be interested in taking a look at a magazine called BYOU, or Be Your Own You! I was very excited to do so because I really like what BYOU stands for. Its mission "is to build the self-esteem of girls worldwide by encouraging them to embrace the unique and authentic self they came to this world to be." What a great idea! I think it is wonderful that tween and teen girls now have a magazine that relates to their life and promotes healthy, positive messages.

Each bi-monthly issue of BYOU begins with a letter from the CEO and editor, Debra Gano. Debra shares a little about her own struggles, interests, and successes with her readers. The rest of the magazine is filled with all sorts of goodies, including:

- a spotlight on young stars and role models
- interviews with real-world girls
- checklists that get girls thinking about their own feelings and ideas
- articles on inspiring women in history
- puzzles, games, and activities
- contests
- an excerpt from Debra Gano's book, "Beauty's Secret"
- shopping in the BYOU apparel store
- and more!

Thinking back to my own teen years, I recall looking at magazines that highlighted physical beauty, dramatic make-up, complicated teen relationships, and clothes that were clearly not made to be worn at school. While entertaining, there was very little in those teen magazines that were actually relevant to my 'real' life. It was very refreshing to find BYOU and see that there is an alternative to mainstream magazines, which clearly focus on looks and materialistic wealth.

Quizzes and Checklists

Women in History and Current Role Models



The actual magazine is very well done. The pages are thick and everything is clear and bright! I really enjoyed reading the two issues that I received. If there is a tween or teen girl in your family, I definitely recommend considering this magazine for her. It would make a great gift for the holidays! You can order a subscription here. Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a year's subscription.


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Review and GIVEAWAY: Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream

Does cold weather have an affect on your skin? Cool and dry weather definitely causes changes to my skin. I usually begin to notice dry areas near my chin and my skin feels tighter and itchier overall. One way that I combat this 'winter skin' is to make sure that I use a moisturizer every day. There are many different moisturizers available and I want to get the most out of what I am using. Not only do I want to remedy the dryness of my skin, but I want to help beautify my face and reverse the effects of aging and sun-damage.

Sibu Beauty has a unique daily moisturizer that is made from 100% natural ingredients, including Sea Buckthorn Berry. Containing vitamins, minerals, and the collagen boosting fatty acid Omega 7, the Sea Buckthorn berry promotes tissue recovery and diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Small amount of cream.

I tried the Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream thinking that it would be similar to the other lotions that I have stored in my bathroom drawer, but I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing I noticed was the scent. It smelled of citrus and was very energizing. Only a small dab of the cream covered my whole face and was absorbed instantly with no oily or sticky film. If I looked closely (especially at my hand), I could see a faint pearlescent residue, but that also absorbed within a couple minutes. I was able to apply my regular make up over the cream with no problems.

Pearlescent luster.

The overall hydration was great! My skin felt moisturized throughout the day and I did not notice any itching or tightness from either the cool air outside or from the cream directly. By late afternoon, I did notice a bit more oiliness in the T-zone versus some other facial moisturizers I have used, but that's nothing unusual for my skin. (Moisturizing is recommended for oily skin as well, because extra oil is produced when skin has trouble regulating its own oil production. Give your oily skin moisture and it will produce less oil). ;)

I really liked the hydrated feeling my skin got when using this cream, and it is great to know that the Sea Buckthorn is there working to heal my imperfections. The Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream works with all skin types. Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for your chance to win a full size bottle.


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This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada only. The winner must not have won any other giveaways associated with Sibu Beauty. All entries will be verified. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook. Live Like a Mom is not responsible for prize fulfillment.