Cabin Fever Vacations Smokey Mountains

October 15, 2012 By

 

This is the view I got to see every morning I was in Pigeon Forge while attending #Brandcation. I always considered myself to be an ocean girl who married a mountain boy, but after spending 3 nights in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee in this Cabin Fever Vacations luxury cabin I may have been converted. Truly this is an amazing set of cabins way up in the Smokies. And smokey they were, our last morning there, each mountain top was tipped in the fog and clouds that give the Smokey Mountains their name. It really was a breath taking view – and an extreme ride up the mountain side to our cabin. We had a lot of fun on that winding road.

Our cabin was big enough to sleep all 34 bloggers attending #Brandcation. There were 8 bedrooms, 3 large bunk beds, and several futons. The cabin came equipped with a hot tub, pool table, Pac Man machine, plus 2 refrigerators! (This came in handy with 34 people around.) Although we didn’t spend a ton of time there, because we were out having a great time in Pigeon Forge, we did get great use out of our cabin. We congregated for morning and before bed announcements, the all important (and sometimes life saving) morning coffee, and our enormously fun 80’s Party where I dressed up like the punk rocker I was in college. Sshh, yes I am THAT old.

“Cabin Fever Vacations offers over 200 economy to luxury Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg cabins for guests vising the Smokies. Secluded honeymoon cabins with romantic mountain views, family reunion cabins, and log cabin resorts with swimming pools.”

I loved the areas so much (and some of the other exciting things I’m going to tell you about in later posts) that I was thinking our extended family may wish to join us in Pigeon Forge for our summer vacation. I will be checking with Cabin Fever Vacations to find the right Pigeon Forge cabin for our stay.

Connect with Cabin Fever Vacations on their website, through Facebook or on Twitter.

Post to Twitter

Jake and the NeverLand Pirates Jake Saves Bucky

October 12, 2012 By

 

Jake and the Never Land pirates

“Aw, Coconuts!” I hear that a lot around my house, along with “Yo ho, let’s go!” since my boys love Jake and the NeverLand Pirates. When I told them I got Jake and the NeverLand Pirates Jake Saves Bucky they burst into excited chatter all at once. I heard all about Izzy and Cubby, Captain Hook, Sharky and Bones, and especially Jake and Peter Pan. Matthew told me how much he loves this episode but that it is a little scary when Jake and Peter Pan have to get past the fire-breathing dragon to save Bucky from the sneaky Captain Hook.

I love the fact that all three of the boys enjoy Jake and the NeverLand Pirates from Disney Junior. The stories teach about friendship and respect without being scary and without including violence or inappropriate language. Jake and the NeverLand Pirates Jake Saves Bucky is available on DVD and Digital Copy on October 16, 2012 and includes Jake Saves Bucky, Peter’s Musical Pipes/The Never Night Star, Captain Hook’s Hooks/Mr. Smee’s Pet, Race-Around Rock!/Captain Hook is Missing!, and Captain Hook’s Lagoon/Undersea Bucky! In addition there is a bonus feature of Pirate-oke “A Karaoke-like feature that allows viewers to sing along to a collection of the songs featured in the episodes.”

You can buy your own Jake and the NeverLand Pirates Jake Saves Bucky for $19.99 US, $24.99 Canada.

The show runs for approximately 135 minutes, which is great for those long rides in the car. I know we will be bringing our copy along on our next trip.

I was provided with a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review of the product.

Post to Twitter

My Favorite Stevia Giveaway

October 9, 2012 By

 

Stevia

When we decided to remove all artificial sweeteners from our diet I had a hard time with drinks. I used to drink diet soda all the time, and for some reason I never used to enjoy plain water. I started adding lemons and limes to my water and I tried using sparkling water too in an attempt to make it more palatable. Then someone suggested I try vanilla Stevia. I got some and found that it was a sweet addition. I love using NuNaturals vanilla Stevia in my San Pellegrino and sometimes even add a dash of lime. It reminds me of an old fashioned cream soda without all the calories and it isn’t full of artificial junk.

Recently I started using NuNaturals orange Stevia in my water and that has fast become my favorite. I made the mistake of letting the boys try it once and have officially created NuNatruals Stevia monsters. Matthew loves the peppermint in his water and I suspect as the winter approaches he may really enjoy it in his homemade hot chocolate. Nico adores the orange and lemon, while Lorenzo seems to be hooked on the vanilla. At dinner we often hear little voices asking for vanilla water. We all love the fact that unlike many other Stevia products, NuNatruals Stevia is non-bitter and NuNaturals uses real essential Orange, Lemon and Peppermint.  I plan to use NuNaturals in my peppermint meringues this Christmas.

My mom is a diabetic and I have recently gotten her hooked on NuNaturals. After reading that Dr. Mercola feels Stevia is the near perfect sweetener, I suggested she try it to replace the artificial sweeteners she used in her tea and oatmeal. She loves it and doesn’t miss the other sweeteners one bit.

NuNaturals also has a new product called Tagatose. It is a sweetener safe for diabetics that is naturally occurring in milk, fruits and vegetables. It is lactose and gluten free, low calorie, low glycemic index and low in carbohydrates. One of the really amazing things about Tagatose is that it will “brown” and “carmelize” like sugar and helps retain moisture longer, making baked goods remain softer longer. NuNaturals PreSweet™ Tagatose is also a prebiotic ingredient, which means it feeds probiotics and helps promote good bacteria growth. I recently saw a recipe for a ginger and mint syrup made with Tagatose. I can’t wait to try this as I have previously made ginger syrups with regular sugar and although I love the taste I don’t love the calories that go along with it. Tagatose may be the answer to some nagging sugar problems, as I would love to make some delicious desserts that my mother could also partake of, without risking raising her blood sugar or exposing her to artificial sweeteners and chemicals.

NuNatruals has been generous and offered to give away four (4) sets of Lemon, Orange and Peppermint Stevia Liquids to Matthew’s Puzzle readers.  Simply enter using the RaffleCopter entry form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with free samples of all of the items discussed in this article. All the opinions are mine or my family’s.

Post to Twitter

The Universe Knows Gift Guide Review

October 1, 2012 By

the universe knows hoodie

With school back in session I have already started thinking about Christmas. Mostly because being the parent of a special needs child means I have tons of people on my gift list. The classroom parents always remember the general teacher and her teaching assistant but they never remember the special educator that sits in the classroom with our special needs kids. And so I’m always on the lookout for interesting and useful gifts. I found out about the universe knows and instantly fell in love with some of their products.

My Gift Guide from the universe knows

Immediately I was drawn to the women’s  100% cotton V-neck hoodies.  They are very stylish and effortless looking. I picked out the really pretty fuschia pink with the inspirational “love without limits” stitched on the front. That quote really spoke to me, because being the parent of a child with anger issues can often put a damper on our relationship, and I like being gently reminded that only with loving my child without limits will he grow into all he can be. After I tried on the hoodie I liked it so much that I now want the cafe colored one “be in gratitude”. Really, these are beautiful and wearable, pieces of courage.

the universe knows, inc. is an apparel company dedicated to inspiring people. the company was founded on and is dedicated to a unique vision:

to remind people of the wisdom that resides within, and inspire strength and courage to live with passion and purpose.

we created Inspiration Wear® because we believe that each thought we have and each action we take influences a link in a universal chain of events. our pearls™ (of wisdom) motivate, drive introspection and remind us to live as our best selves and be mindful of our passion.

trust your wisdom. share your gift. stretch your boundary. the rewards will be most gratifying – this the universe knows.

the universe knows mug

I also received a 16 oz. bistro mug. This mug has the perfect heft and weight. I love the design with the wide rim, the simplicity of the design makes it a real stand out. I have a few mugs that I just love, and this is one of them. My baby pink mug (which is also dishwasher and microwave safe) carries the message “keep hope alive”, but there are other quotes that are just as special. Some of my favorites are “be the change”, “practice self love” (that is one I can always use to remember), “expect the best”, and “believe in yourself”. So many of these would be great reminders to new college students, teachers, therapists, coaches and retirees.

the universe knows

I think the perfect gift for Matthew’s teachers would be their leather inspiration journals. What teacher doesn’t love to write? Not only do the journals have the inspirational quote on the front, but they also carry a very special message on the first page. The pages are a creamy off-white with steel gray lines and the books carry an attached ribbon page marker. These are beautiful books that would be treasured gifts. I think they would make fantastic stocking stuffers.

I encourage you to stop by the universe knows and take a real look at their products. I think they are uplifting and strengthening, and I know I would love anything from their line. You can like them on Facebook to keep up with their latest trends. Stay Well.

 

I was provided with samples of their products in exchange for a truthful review.

Post to Twitter