-
Living my best mom life with Frusli Cereal Bars {GIVEAWAY!}
I love food. There, I said it. Snacking is like, one of my favorite hobbies of all time. But the thing about snacking is that it can get kind of difficult to snack healthily. I mean, in all honesty, the thought of chewing on a celery stick doesn’t exactly thrill me. Which is why I was so excited when I received a special drop from Frusli – a deliciously crunchy, chewy cereal bar packed with flavor and goodness!
There are many reasons why a worthy cereal bar would excite me more than the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy. For starters, these Frusli bars are individually wrapped, so it’s easy to pop one into your handbag or into your kid’s lunch box. They are also great for ‘on the go’ snacks or if your child is acting the fool in the mall and you need to keep her occupied. (Whaaaat) I also love that it serves as a healthy treat alternative.
These bars are not baked, do not contain added salts, artificial colors or preservatives and the Frusli team (over at Jordans) are committed to using only natural ingredients where possible. They strive to reduce sugar and fat levels without comprising on the taste. These bars are Non-GM and is suitable for vegetarians too!The flavors – oh the flavors – simply delicious! Well, firstly the bars are made with wholegrain cereals (keeping processing to a minimum) and are power packed with healthy stuff such as crunchy hazelnuts and juicy raisins, cranberries and blueberries. The texture is rather chewy and juicy and quite zingy. I love that 25% of it is fruit and that you can actually taste the fruit pieces!
WIN with Frusli!
So what do you think moms? Would you give this a go? Well, Frusli is giving FIVE My Spreadsheet Brain readers the chance to try out their amazing cereal bar. Want in on this giveaway? Okey dokey. Follow the rafflecopter below and keep your eyes peeled to my Facebook page on April 30th to see if you’re a winner! -
Be the light – Be the hands and feet {Giveaway}
The thing about living a life of excuses is that it kinda gives you no options. You literally put yourself into a mental hole and then wonder on how earth you got there. The truth is that starting each sentence off with an ‘I can’t’ leaves no room for the ‘can’s’. It’s easy to allow your lack to hinder your journey. I know all about basing your next move on what you don’t have right now, and feeling pretty stuck. Mole hills are suddenly the size of Mount Kilimanjaro and all I want to do is throw a million pity parties for myself. Are you like me? Well, I think that both you and I need a double dose of Nick Vujicic’s book titled ‘Be The Hands And Feet’.
Nick is a well known Australian motivational speaker who was born with a rare disorder called tetra-amelia syndrome. This condition rendered him limbless… yes, he has no arms and no legs. Nick explains how he’s never allowed his disability to affect his ability. Even though he’s unable to do certain things that an able-bodied person could do, he still went on to become a successful business man, popular speaker, radio talk show host, husband and a father!
In ‘Be The Hands and Feet’, Nick shares tips on how to become an agent of inspiration and hope. You guys, the first part of the book is actually called “Letting Your Light Shine”! Uhm, yes please! You guys that that’s been my motto since like, birth. (Yes, I am being slightly dramatic). Anyways, in the first part he shares his testimony and how he believes that he was called to share the Gospel and make a change in the world – and having no arms or legs helped him to do just that!
In the second part, called “Build The Team”, he talks about how to become a mentor and gives solid advice on how to plan for success, against all odds. The third part, “Finish Well”, is a beautiful memoir to his father. He shares about how his father was a role model to him and shares personal stories and victory’s about his dad’s battle with cancer.
The theme through out the book is one of encouragement and hope. It is impossible to put this book down, in between chapters (and you’ll want to do just that, to soak as much of it in as possible), without feeling challenged and ready to live a life open to endless possibilities! Nick reminds us that God’s purpose for our lives is to be a success… no matter what it looks like in the natural! He so famously said: “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!”
Win a copy of Be The Hands and Feet!
Are you in need of some encouragement, or just a good ol’ kick on the butt, today? Well, my friends at Christian Art Media has sent me a copy of Be The Hands and Feet by Nick Vujicic to give to one of my fabulous My Spreadsheet Brain readers! To enter this sweet giveaway, simply:1. Compulsory: Make sure you’re following the blog – it’s how I get your email address, to let you know that you’ve won – and drop me a comment below to let me know that you’ve entered! You can subscribe via the little subscription box on the top right hand corner of this page.
2. Bonus: Grab an extra entry by tagging your friend in the Facebook post.
3. Bonus: Grab another entry by tweeting: Guys, I’m so excited to enter @luchaewilliams of #myspreadsheetbrain @CArtMedia #giveaway, to win a Be The Hands And Feet book, written by the amazing Nick Vujicic!
The winners of all my April ‘Be The Light’ giveaways will be announced on my Facebook page on April 30th! Aaack!
Update: Congratulations Caronessa Moss!
Images of Nick and his family taken from social media. You can learn more about his ministry by visiting his website, Life Without Limbs
-
How’s your oral health? {GIVEAWAY!}
Today has been lauded World Oral Health Day by the World Dental Federation and I’m just over here, counting my teeth, trying to make sure that my impending senior citizen status hasn’t caught up with me yet. But while I have you here, tell me, how’s your oral health? Did you know that senior citizens should possess a total of 20 natural teeth at the end of their life to be considered healthy? Children should possess 20 baby teeth and healthy adults (that’s us, yo) should possess a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities! A healthy mouth and a healthy body go hand in hand!
World Oral Health Day is an international day to celebrate the benefits of a healthy mouth and to promote worldwide awareness of the importance of oral hygiene. This year’s theme is “Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health”, a message used to drive home the fact that 90% of the world’s population suffers from oral diseases. Many of these are avoidable though!
Oral diseases can impact every aspect of life… besides for personal relationships and your own self-confidence, it can even affect your enjoyment of food. The crazy thing is that many people are not aware of the basics to good oral hygiene.
Seriously, some of it is “no-brain-required” stuff. Things like:Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months
Flossing and brushing your teeth twice daily
Eating a balanced diet that is high in fruits and vegetables (and low in sugar)
Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smokingNon-prescriptive dental care products, such as the Andolex C range, is a really easy way to help prevent and relieve common oral health problems, like gingivitis. The Andolex C range includes products such as Andolex C oral rinse, oral spray, oral gel and the new Andolex C antibacterial mouthwash, which can be used for up to 10 days. These products contain Benzydamine which provides an analgesic (pain reducing), anesthetic (numbing) and anti-inflammatory effect.
Andolex-C also contains chlorhexidine gluconate; the gold standard in chemical plaque control, which has been proven to effectively reduce plaque by 33% and gingivitis by 26%.
Speak to your dentist or go to www.andolex.co.za for more information about how to prevent many common oral health problems.
Want to up your Oral Health game? You can win a legit hamper to help you do just that! Simply:
1. Comment below and tell me one way to ensure good oral hygiene
2. Subscribe to My Spreadsheet Brain (subscribe box is on the top right)
3. Check out Facebook on March 30th to see if you’re a winner!DISCLAIMER: This editorial includes independent comment and opinion of the author and is not necessarily that of iNova Pharmaceuticals.
References:
- World Oral Health Day 20 March. Say Ahh Think Mouth Think Health (http://www.worldoralhealthday.org/)
- Benefits of Good Oral Health. Pharmacy Times. 18 March 2013 (http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2013/march2013/benefits-of-good-oral-hygiene) Website
- Andolex-C oral rinse approved package insert.
-
Stopping the clock with Oh So Heavenly
So I’m almost 40 years old. No, this is not an exaggeration. My birthday, this year, has me knee deep in feelings and I don’t know how to make it stop! I must admit, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time, looking in the mirror and wondering when the mommy bags under my eyes decided to make permanent residency on my face. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve never had a legit skin care regime simply because I didn’t think I needed to have one. But this year – oh this year – everything’s changing! And fortunately, Oh So Heavenly has decided to help me “stop the clock” with their delicious range of skin care and facial treatments. And since it’s my birthday, we’ve got a hamper to give away to one of you too! Eeeek!
Turn back the clock on ageing
You guys, the Oh So Heavenly Stop The Clock range is divine! Besides for the pretty packaging (Mother’s Day gift, anyone?) and amazing scent, it is also clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth by up to 15% and improves skin firmness by up to 16%. The range is specially formulated for dry and/or mature skin. The Anti-Wrinkle Complex actually helps to replenish moisture and reduce the signs of wrinkles. With extracts of Argan Oil, Shea Butter, Flower Extract Complex and Avocado, these babies help to increase elasticity in your skin, while keeping it hydrated and fabulous looking.
I’ve been using it for the past month and immediately feel a difference on my skin. I love that the Stop The Clock Facial Wash doesn’t leave my skin dry. The Stop The Clock Eye Cream reduces the appearance of mommy-luggage (under the eyes) and the lifting and tightening active ingredients works within 5 minutes to give your eyes a more radiant appearance!I am totally enjoying the Stop The Clock Day and Night Creams. The night cream boosts cell regeneration and replenishes skin overnight. The day cream has SPF 15 against UVA and UVB sun rays and provides long lasting hydration.
Find your perfect balance!
I also tried out the Oh So Heavenly Healthy Balance range. This rich product smells like something I’d like to eat please (it’s the coconut, blame the coconut) and contains milk proteins, omegas and vitamins. The range – filled with good stuff, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Prebiotics and Coconut Extract – has been specially formulated for normal and combination skin.My faves in the range include the Healthy Balance 3-in-1 Spa Facial which can be used as a balancing mask, exfoliating scrub and deep cleansing face wash. I’m also a huge fan of the 3-in-1 Facial Wipes. So legit! The range also contains a night cream, day cream, facial beauty bar and a face wash
Something for everyone!
I love that the Oh So Heavenly skin care range caters for everyone. The Oh So Heavenly Set The Tone range is specifically formulated for even skin tones. It improves skin complexion, reducing pigmentation and dark marks. The Oh So Heavenly Bye-Bye Shine range has an Oil Control Complex that reduces shine, to mattify skin. With ingredients such as Green Tea, Grapeseed and Aloe Vera, the range helps to prevent excess oil build up that can cause problem skin.
It is quite easy to determine your own skin type; you just need to understand what the different skin types are:
• Normal – soft, smooth and even skin tone with not much oil.
• Combination – skin has an oily T-zone (the skin on the forehead, nose and chin). This may be accompanied by larger pores in this area as well. The skin on the cheeks is then drier and may even be patchy or flakey if it is exceptionally dry.
• Oily – skin produces oil in all areas (you can pick this up by blotting the skin with a tissue in the morning). It can be caused by hereditary factors, diet, hormone levels, pregnancy or stress to name a few things.
• Mature / Dry – skin has a low oil level and may thus feel tight and/or be flakey.
• Sensitive – skin is irritated easily and may become inflamed or itchy.
WIN an Oh So Heavenly skin care hamper for YOUR skin!
Come and celebrate my birthday with me! Win an Oh So Heavenly skin care hamper, designed just for your skin. Here’s how to enter:
1. Find the specially marked posts on either Facebook or Instagram, and tag a friend.
2. Complete the form below
3. Grab a bonus entry by tweeting something along these lines: You guys, @luchaewilliams over at #myspreadsheetbrain is giving away a legit Oh So Heavenly skincare hamper! #giveaway4. Winner announced on March 30th!
[contact-form to=”luchaeg@gmail.com” subject=”Oh So Heavenly Giveaway”][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Which social media did you respond on? (Facebook, Instagram or both?) ” type=”text” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Want to grab a bonus entry? Share the following (or something along these lines) on Twitter: You guys, @luchaewilliams over at #myspreadsheetbrain is giving away a legit Oh So Heavenly skincare hamper! #giveaway” type=”checkbox”][/contact-form]
-
Easy peasy mommy makeup with Essence {Giveaway!}
Moms, I get it. Putting on a full face of makeup is probably on your list of things to do one day when you’re kids are old enough to move out of the house. Until then, lip gloss and eye pencil should be enough to get rid of the zombie-esque look, right? I mean, who has the time to apply copious amounts of product using 103 makeup brushes that pretty much all look the same?! Mommy makeup should be an uncomplicated thing! Well, what if I told you that it’s not that difficult, yo. And it doesn’t have to take you 20 minutes to look like a superstar. To prove this to you, my friends over at Essence has agreed to help me help you uhh… help yourself. AND they are giving away a fabulous make up hamper to one lucky mama!
How I do my mommy makeup with Essence
When you fall out of bed in the morning, reaching for coffee and a toothbrush at the same time, putting on foundation is probably the last thing on your mind. I love that the Essence All I need concealer palette and Essence Stay All Day foundation is uncomplicated and so easy to use. Seriously though, on most days I even use my fingers to apply! If you’re looking at the concealer palette with a confused heart, please know that yes, the green part really does look green on your skin. But that’s the cleverness of it, yo! The green shade hides redness. Beige covers imperfections, pink hides tired skin and the yellow conceals under eye shadow. So clever. I apply dabs of the concealer to my skin first, before applying the Stay All Day foundation (which lasts for 16 hours, you guys!)
I then get into the seriously pretty Essence All About That Nudes eye shadow palette. This palette has an array of shimmering, long lasting nudes in various tones. I love that Essence gives us super moms (amateur makeup artists) instructions on how to use their product. I apply the lightest shade to my brow and the top of my eyelid. The medium colors go on the upper eyelid, blended in to form a nice gradient. The darker colors would be used on my eyelid crease on the outer eye. Hows that for impressive! And I’m not evens a YouTube beauty blogger!I use the Essence Blush Play sculpting palette in shade 10 Play It Peach, to make my otherwise zombie looking palour a bit more pleasing to the eye. Again, the Essence team has made my life easier by actually engraving instructions on the pressed powders. How cool! The highlight section is used to create a soft glow. The define section is used to accentuate the cheeks and the sculpt section is added to the cheek bones as a hint of color.
My favorite Essence products are the long lasting eye pencil and their range of amazing mascaras. Seriously guys, the Essence mascara is my friend. This time around I gave the Essence Lash Princess false lash effect mascara a go and I am super duper impressed! I also used their Essence Make Me Brow eyebrow gel mascara to make my eyebrows match, somewhat. (They secretly hate each other, I’m convinced).To finish the look I use two Essence lippies. I don’t have to, but I love the look and longevity of these two together. The Essence Ultra Last instant lip color goes on really smoothly and the color is intense. The Essence Matt Matt Matt lip gloss is a long lasting matte effect gloss that comes in the most gorgeous colors! I’m a fan!
And that’s that. What do you moms think? Is this something you could try at home? Well, guess what, Essence would like to help you with that! We are giving away a fabulous Essence makeup hamper to the value of R500, as part of my March birthday giveaway month. That’s right! It’s my birthday and I want you to celebrate with me! Whoop whoop!
To enter, simply check out the corresponding post on either Instagram or Facebook, and tag a friend to let them in on the sweeeeet deal! Once done, complete the entry below so that I can know where to contact you, if you win! Aaaack! Winners of all my March birthday giveaways will be announced on my Facebook page on March 30th.[contact-form to=”luchaeg@gmail.com” subject=”Essence competition”][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Which social media did you respond on? (Facebook, Instagram or both?)” type=”text” required=”1″][contact-field label=”Want to grab a bonus entry? Share the following on Twitter: Aack! I’ve entered the fab @essence_za competition with @luchaewilliams and #myspreadsheetbrain! #giveaway ” type=”checkbox”][/contact-form]
-
Bring your little superhero to the Superhero Fun Run {Giveaway}
Look, I don’t know how to tell you this, but your kid probably is a superhero. Don’t believe me? Just ask them. I know, this is big news. Well mainly because being the parent of a superhero is a big job! Besides for the general cleaning and feeding duty, you now have the colossal task of keeping your masked crusader in tip top shape and ready for action! Well friend, don’t worry, I’ve got you. I suggest you support your little champions escapades by taking them to the Superhero Fun Run this coming weekend. I mean, it’s a no brainer – an undercover superhero conference cleverly disguised as a fun run and carnival in aid of Hospice! You should totally go. And I’m giving away some tickets for you to do just that!
St Francis Hospice’s fun run and carnival takes place on 3rd March in Happy Valley, Nelson Mandela Bay, and it’s going to be exactly what superhero dreams are made of. I’m sure of it. Well, for starters all participants are encouraged to wear a superhero outfit. (Uhm, yes please!) and secondly there will be a bunch of fun activities for the entire family. From performing artists, food stalls and jumping castles, to lawn games and face painting. And guess what, you could even nab the best-dressed Superhero prize!
The event will also be entered into the Recordsetter contest to officially own the record for the largest Superhero Fun Run. So you’ll pretty much be making history. I know, right?
The 3km walk starts at Happy Valley at 07:00, and will proceed down Marine Drive, ending off in Happy Valley again. Entry, including access to the Carnival, is R60 per adults, R30 per child and R150 for a family of four. Corporate packages, from R900, allow branding on the roadside and entry for five staff members, who each receive branded capes and masks.
Enter online at Ticketpros or at Jet, Edgars & Postnet. Tickets can also be purchased from Something Good, Virgin Active Humewood, Brian Bands and at St Francis Hospice. Entry to the Carnival is R20 for adults and R10 per child.To book your spot to exhibit in our Health and Wellness tent, to sell food or other products, to volunteer your services, donate goods, enter our fun-run or enquire how Hospice can help you, contact Lynn van Vuuren via 041 360 7070 or email. Check out the Hospice facebook page or website for more deets.
WIN a family package for you and your family!
Simply visit this post on my Facebook page and tag a friend whose kid is also a superhero (or who would totally enjoy attending the Superhero Fun Run. Winner announced on Friday, 2nd March.More about St Francis Hospice
Hospice provides Home-Based Palliative Care monthly to some 200 terminally ill Cancer, HIV/AIDS and Motor Neurone Disease patients in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and Kouga region – at no cost to the patient. It believes that no one should be in pain or alone during their last days. Social Workers on the Hospice team not only provide comfort, but play a significant role in facilitating guardianship, fostering, grants and schooling for affected vulnerable children. Hospice visits the families for a time after the patient has passed on to make sure they are coping and healing.SFH is a registered NPO, PBO and an exempt micro enterprise that lends 135% to the BBBEE scorecard for procurement recognition and provides Section 18A receipts enabling a tax rebate. Many have been touched by Hospice which has built a credible record of quality care since 1986.
-
Getting that fresh breath fix with Sunstar GUM {Win a hamper!}
February has been dubbed “relationship month” and I’m a fan of the festivities that go with it. I love that we get to celebrate relationships and love and intimacy. But, to be honest, Valentine’s Day in our home, at the moment, looks a lot like every other day. So I’ve made it a point to make sure that my time alone with Hubstopher is extra special. Yep, I might even wear lip gloss to bed.
Pretty pajamas and smooth legs aside, smelling good and having fresh breath are always a priority! Bad breath can be such a buzz kill. But hey, since it’s February (and also National Fresh Breath Month by the way) rather than getting in a twist about bad breath, it’s the ideal time to treat the tongue to a fresh breath fix. Experts say the tongue is often the cause of bad breath, and recommend daily cleaning as part of an effective oral care routine. Seriously though, when last have you intentionally cleaned your tongue? Exactly. When it comes to bad breath the tongue is often the culprit.
Looking good and smelling sweet are important factors when I schedule in some alone time with my love. (Yes, we have a lot of kids and literally have to schedule our quality time). I want to look good for him! And I want to make sure that the garlic roll I devoured an hour ago doesn’t come back to haunt me when I’m whispering sweet nothings in his ear. This is why I love the Sunstar GUM Tongue Cleaner, you guys! It has a brush on one side and scraper on the other for maximum effectiveness. Pair this with the unique GUM Technique Plus toothbrush (designed to provide advanced cleaning with its quad-grip handle), some GUM Original White floss and GUM Original White mouth rinse and you’re good to go!
Treat your tongue to a #FreshBreathFix this February
Does this sound like something you need? Well Sunstar has partnered with me to give one My Spreadsheet Brain reader an awesome Sunstar GUM hamper worth over R600, packed with all the oral care tools you need for a healthy mouth and fresh breath. Each kit includes a Sunstar GUM Tongue Cleaner, plus a toothbrush, floss, interdentals and Original White paste and rinse for a naturally brighter smile. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Winner will be announced on my Facebook page, so make sure you’re following me there. -
First day back at school had me going Crazi Erazi {Win a set!}
You guys, I sometimes wonder if my children do things just to taunt me. Like, for instance, when it’s the end of their first day back at school and I ask how it went. Their answer to everything is: “Okay”. (Insert manic eye twitch here) Okay? Just okay? Details!! I want details! Graphs! Illustrations! Just “okay” doesn’t cut it. Anyone feel me? When it comes to my kids schooling, I get very, very involved. Kyle is 16 and in Grade 11 this year and I still mark every pen and pencil, I cover every book myself (I know, don’t side eye me) and I make sure that the bag is packed. Did I mention that Kyle is 16 and in Grade 11? Fortunately, this year Crazi Erazi has been some sort of a distraction, because I can’t get enough of these mini sized pencil erasers. These bite sized erasers are the new collectible craze and to celebrate your child’s first day back at school (and all the madness that goes with it) we’re giving away three sets of Crazi Erazis on the blog! Yay!
So Crazi Erazi is a new mini collectable series, featuring some of South Africa’s best loved stationery products. That’s right, there’s a mini Pritt, a mini 2 quire hardcover book and even a mini Mondi ream of paper. Aack! Too much for my heart to handle! How cute is this?
The full Crazi Erazi collection consists of 13 erasers (and yes, they really do work). The erasers can be purchased at a variety of participating retailers and stationers for only R6.99 each. There’s a really cute plastic collector box (which your kid can use as a pencil case) which retails at R39.99.I like that each eraser is packaged in a foil bag… gives it that extra hint of excitement, before your kid rips it open. This is also a really cool campaign to encourage children to meet up with friends to swop and compare collections. Did I mention that these mini’s are super duper cute?! Because they so are! The campaign runs until end of January and you can pick your erasers up at one of the following participating stores: Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Game, Makro, CNA, West Pack Lifestyle, Office National, Inovocom and select independent stationers.
What do you think about the Crazi Erazi collection?
Win a Crazi Erazi set for your little one!
Crazi Erazi is giving away THREE eraser sets to THREE fabulous My Spreadsheet Brain readers! Whoop whoop! To enter simply follow these prompts below. Winners announced next week. Make sure to check out my Facebook page to see if you’re one of them!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
-
Spurt, helping us bust the toddler boredom this summer
I love summer, you guys! And I love that I can get my littlest ones involved in the summer fun too! Kari, in particular, is only now understanding the full glory of the summer sun, summer foods and activities and days by the pool. Man, I’m in my element! I was so super chuffed when Spurt sent us some of their swimming apparel to try out. I mean, how perfect is this, right?! Spurt is the leading suppliers of swimming apparel in South Africa. The brand is loved for its innovative patterns and colours and comfortable fit, with an extensive range of accessories and swimming aids for beginners and athletes.I know that you’re looking for fun things to do with your toddler this summer. I mean, who isn’t? With dwindling attention spans and the need to be kept entertained 24/7, keeping my little one busy is a challenge, yo. I found a few really cool ideas on the interweb:
Homemade slip and slide
Grab some plastic sheets, liquid dishwasher or bubble bath and water, to create your own slip and slide! Have your kids take turns slipping down the make shift slide, and give them points for the most imaginative slide poses.Fun in the pool
Baloons filled with water, and water guns, take your pool fun to the next level. We’ve always enjoyed playing little games in the pool and we’ve found that our kids especially enjoy when we do a pool “treasure hunt”. Simply throw a few soft, plastic toys, into the pool and have them search for it.Ball games
Come on friends, you know you were exceptionally skilled at playing ball games, when you were a little tike. I especially remember games like dodge ball or four square (like a four-man tennis match). Your kids won’t know these, because they don’t make em on XBox. I know, right, how old are we?!Eat and play… and eat
How about having ice cream decorating competitions? Or smoothie making contests? Pizza making or waffle/pan cake decorating also guarantees hours of fun (and full bellies). Take pics, and get family members, who live far away, to be the judges.Concert night
Create a fun, concert experience, in the comfort of your own back yard. Build a make shift stage, using scarfs and back drops, and have your kids (and their friends) put on a show for the adults. Don’t forget your video camera. This is what memories are made of!
If all else fails, throw them in the pool! Make sure they are well hydrated, slathered in sun screen, and that they have their Spurt head gear, goggles, and nose guards on. Just in case. Need some help with that? Check out the Spurt website, for more on their swimming aids and accessories.Want to win with Spurt? Sure you do! To enter, simply comment below, letting me know how old your little one is and what you’re getting up to this summer. Winner announced on my Facebook page next Friday, January 5th.
Update: The winner is Janine Augustus!
-
Gifting with intention: Why DVD’s are great Christmas gifts!
I love giving gifts that have meaning. Intentional gift giving (and receiving) is my thing. I get it though. Sometimes a “grab and go” gift makes more sense than a “this made me think of you gift” because: LIFE. But that’s why I love gifting books and DVDs. You can literally check their ratings and synopsis on the internet, make your decision, and then pop into a store (or online, yo) to quickly pick it up. Christian Art Media has an amazing selection of books and DVD’s, this Christmas, that will help you to gift with intention! Plus, have you been following my Christmas music giveaway? It closes tomorrow, and I’ll be adding something from this DVD collection to the prize! Whoop whoop!
Superbook
You guys, I LOVE the latest Christian Art Media release – CBN’s Superbook. It’s an animation series, telling the story of real Bible heroes whose success came from trusting God and following His direction. Your kids will learn valuable, lifelong lessons of faith and victory! Seth reviewed these for me, and he was so impressed with the quality of the graphics (he’s 11) and found the storyline to be compelling. In fact, we learnt a bunch of things that we didn’t know, about some of these Bible stories. CBN’s Superbook team is made up of Emmy-winning artists and storytellers, whose credits include Mulan, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. Together they are collaborating to completely reimagine the classic Superbook series using the latest 3D CGI technology. The new Superbook honors the life-changing legacy of the classic series and introduces the stories of the Bible to a new generation. I LOVE THIS! This is such a great Christmas gift! Check out more on the Superbook website.
Who needs Christmas
I’ve recently been glued to Andy Stanley’s thought provoking teaching, Who Needs God. Andy is the founder and senior pastor of North Point Ministries and I love his way of dissecting the word of God. He brings you facts, arguments and an almost unbiased look at what the word of God says versus what the world says. The teachings are available on DVD (the first segment is called Athiest 2.0 and is especially interesting). Stanley also has a teaching called Who Needs Christmas. I mean, I get it, the details of Christmas can seem a bit sketchy. On the DVD, Stanley goes into the story and talks about WHY we have a “Christmas” and WHY a “Christmas” was needed. Argh, this is so good, I can’t even form the correct words to express it. If you’re looking for a gift that is deeper than your average box of chocolates, then this is it!
Something for everyone
With a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction, story-based or teaching-filled DVD’s available, there is literally something for everyone! How about grabbing that Christmas-themed movie dvd, as the perfect festive stocking filler? If you like to be a little bit “extra” (like me), use a marker to write your special message on the DVD cover. Ta da! The perfect keepsake.Pick these DVD’s up at CUM Books or shop online, to check out their wide variety of Christmas inspired gift ideas.
Remember that I’m giving away a collection of Christmas themed CDs? Well, I’ll be adding something from this post to that set, as well. Yeah, you might not have to hit the shops for Christmas gifts this year, folks! The giveaway closes in 12 hours you guys, so complete the rafflecopter below, asap! Winner will be anounced on my Facebook page tomorrow.Find the rest of the reviews (and more about the giveaway) here:
Lauren Daigle – BeholdMatt Redman – These Christmas Lights
