A Few Remarkably Average Parenting Tips

Super moms, they're everywhere. I personally am not a super mom. Unless that description is placed in front of average mom. *Super Average Mom*. I like my average days and my average mornings. (I'll throw something crazy in there every once in a while...) I don't like conflict and the kids give me conflict if anything differs from their usual routine. So no fancy weekday breakfasts for us, I'm lucky to get my coffee before I run them out the door and to school. While it is perfectly okay to look upon those super parents with awe and also a sense of confusion as to how they do it, don't forget to also praise your own personal style of child-rearing. Think about it, maybe those "perfect parents" would lose their minds doing things your way, which in turn means, you're perfect at what you do!

Ilana Wiles and General Mills want to bring the spotlight back to average mornings, and the parents who are super at achieving them! Ilana's new book, The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting, pays homage to what she calls the "every-parent". It is meant to make you laugh, and realize that what you're doing IS enough and that being that remarkably "average" parent might just be the best experience for your child, as well as yourself. General Mills wants to assist you in that never-ending journey to average-ness. They know that average parents depend on their cereal to get through those stressfully average mornings, and they're doing all they can to make their cereals even better for you. For example, for all of you Chex lovers out there, seven flavors now have no artificial preservatives, including Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Chocolate Chex, Cinnamon Chex, and Vanilla Chex... this is in addition to them already containing no artificial flavors or colors above average cereal for the average person. ;)

 

I hope Ilana and General Mills have made you feel a little bit better about your average mornings, if not, be sure to check out her book as it has really made me feel like I am not alone in my average-ness. Be sure to pick up a box of General Mills cereal to help you get through your own mornings, I promise that the cereal will be the only thing that is above average and you will still have your perfectly average morning. Actually, General Mills sent me a box of Vanilla Chex for exactly this reason, I had yet to try it until now and I am happy to say they have provided me with a new favorite. I will be using this and Cinnamon Chex in a holiday snack mix come Christmastime. Thanks General Mills!
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The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

This year, give your Harry Potter fan a gift unlike any they've received before (unless they've actually received this one). If the fan you know, and are buying for, is anything like me then the things they want most cant always be bought. Harry Potter (both the books and the movies) was an immersive experience, you imagined all of the magic and the clothing and the food! oh the food, glorious goodies that were described in delicious (and sometimes disgusting) detail. The only problem being that those treats are only available in the books and movies. However, thanks to the minds of a few imaginative cooks, the tastes of the "Potterverse" may be close at hand with The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook.

The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook by Dinah Bucholz gives you a taste of everything you could only see or read about in the movies and books, you will rival Molly Weasley with recipes like this up your sleeve and you will blow away any Harry Potter fans. The best part about this book (aside from the obvious food & Harry Potter) is that the book shows more than just desserts, the book has appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The chapters are divided up into how or where you encountered the food. Chapters are as follows:

1. Good Food with Bad Relatives
2. Delights Down the Alley
3. Treats from the Train
4. Recipes from a Giant and an Elf
5. The Favorite Cook's Dishes
6. Breakfast Before Class
7. Lunch and Dinner in the Dining Hall
8. Desserts and Snacks at School
9. Holiday Fare
10. Treats in the Village

 Each chapter hints to the treasures that lie inside, and the amazing feeling you'll have in your tummy when you explore it. The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook gives you the freedom to have all the Treacle Tarts your heart desires. You can give the book as a gift this year, or you could really go all out, and give the recipient the gift of a Harry Potter feast.

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A Cold Creek Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne

I received this sample in the hopes I would share my honest opinions. No compensation



Few things are better than curling up on a snowy wintry night with a good book and cup of hot chocolate.  For me this year it will be A Cold Creek Christmas Story by RaeAnne Thayne

More about A Cold Creek Christmas:
Celeste Nichols has always preferred to keep to herself in her hometown of Pine Gulch, Idaho…until she becomes an instant celebrity! When one of her children's stories becomes a major success, she's suddenly the talk of the town. Celeste should be gloriously happy…but something, someone, special is still missing from her life. Could the return of her childhood crush be the answer?

Flynn Delaney has moved back home for his daughter's sake. Yet all the millionaire's resources can't help the little girl heal from the tragic loss of her mother. Shy librarian Celeste and her stories do hold some indefinable magic, though. Flynn came home looking for support—can he find that, and true love, in the one who got away?


Wonder what the best and most luxurious Hot Chocolate to serve with A Cold Creek Christmas takes:
4 cups of milk (whole is best)
8 ounces of high-quality chocolate … I like Guittard semisweet chips. White chocolate works too, for a different taste.
3 teaspoons of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (pure, not imitation)
1/8 teaspoon salt

Finely chop the chocolate. Even if using chocolate chips, the smaller the pieces, the better it will dissolve in liquid. On low heat in a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a low boil, whisking occasionally to keep from scorching. Add the vanilla, powdered sugar, salt and chocolate and whisk vigorously until the chocolate has melted. Heat for another 4 minutes, constantly stirring. Serve with a dollop of real whipped cream.

You can add lots of things to this recipe: Mint, vanilla bean, cinnamon stick. Whatever your preference. Just add herbs or spices to the milk while simmering. After it boils, remove from heat and let the milk steep for 10 minutes then strain off your add-ins and return to simmer before adding the chocolate and other ingredients.

Now all I need is a snow at home to enjoy!

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An Amish Noel by Patricia Davids

I received this sample in the hopes I would share my honest opinions. No compensation.

 To celebrate her newest book, An Amish Noel, Patricia Davids has taken time to share one of her favorite recipes.

Merry Christmas from me, Patricia Davids. If you love pecans the way I do, you'll want to enjoy this delicious holiday recipe all year round. They are called Kentucky Pecan Bars and they are YUM. Pair them with a cup of hot peppermint cocoa and you'll have a real treat to savor while you enjoy my latest book, An Amish Noel.

Ingredients

Crust:
Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small dice
3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

Filling:
1 2/3 cups pecans
6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 cup honey
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons bourbon
Zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
For the crust: Adjust the oven rack to the bottom position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, salt and butter until the butter is pea-sized. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough begins to pull from the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a floured surface, gather together and pat into a rectangle. Roll the dough into a 1/8-inch-thick rectangle that measures about 13 by 15 inches. Trim the rough edges and ease the dough into the prepared pan, pressing it onto the bottom and about halfway up the sides (trim the dough more on the sides as needed). Prick the dough a couple times with a fork. Cover with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the dough starts to set up, about 15 minutes. Remove the weights and foil and continue to bake until the crust is just golden, about 5 minutes more. Let it cool completely.

For the filling: Meanwhile, lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and spread the pecans out on a baking sheet. Bake until toasted and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool and then coarsely chop.Bring a couple of inches of water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Put the white chocolate in a heat-safe bowl that sits comfortably in the saucepan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Spread it evenly on the crust and let it set up. Beat the honey and brown sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the eggs. Pour in the melted butter and continue to beat. Add the flour, bourbon, orange zest and vanilla. Sprinkle the pecans over the white chocolate and pour in the honey mixture.

Bake until the top of the filling is golden brown and the center sets up, 30 to 40 minutes. Cover and put in the refrigerator until cool. When ready to serve, cut into 36 even bars.
**Recipe courtesy of Damaris Phillips, From The Food Network website.

While you are enjoying your pecan bars grab a copy of An Amish Noel and enjoy!

Luke Bowman's homecoming is turning Emma Swartzentruber's carefully ordered world upside down. Gone is her rebellious girlhood crush, and in his place is a handsome man who seems committed to serving the community. Luke's even agreed to work for Emma's ill father, whose last wish is to see his daughter wedded to a stable, loving man.

But Luke—a man who flirted with the outside world with disastrous consequences—is hardly marriage material for a good Amish woman. Yet this Christmas, when her family is flung into crisis, Emma finds that he may just be the one to capture her heart for good.

Enjoy and let me know what you think of the book.

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Her Mistletoe Cowboy by Marie Ferrarella

I received this sample in the hopes I would share my honest opinions.   No compensation

It is that time of the year where we are all rushing around trying to get ready for the holiday. This year why not take time to sit back and enjoy a few moments for yourself and read a book, like Her Mistletoe Cowboy by Marie Ferrarella.

Kimberly Lee isn't sure what she'll find when she comes to Forever, Texas, to do a story on a groundbreaking program that could put this small town on the map. It certainly isn't the warm, friendly community that makes the roving reporter feel instantly at home. Or the accident that lays her up at Garrett White Eagle's ranch, where the blue-eyed rancher awakens feelings she long ago gave up.

Giving people hope again is the goal of the healing ranch Garrett started with his brother. And the lovely, hardworking writer is no exception. Doesn't Kim realize how much good they can do—together? Her future is here with him if she's willing to trust in a love that could fulfill the promise of forever.
 
Marie was kind enough to take a few minutes and share with us her Marzipan Cake recipe and share why "I think Christmas and everyone I know thinks of my mint chip brownies and my marzipan bundt cake. The brownies are more or less a standard recipe, except doubled (so the brownies are nice and thick) and add in lots of mint chips.  Here’s the marzipan, enjoy".

Marzipan Cake

INGREDIENTS:
1 (18.25 ounce) package moist white (or yellow) cake mix
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ cup of vegetable oil
¾ cup of Amaretto
4 eggs
½ cup of almond slivers
1 tube of almond paste (marzipan)

DIRECTIONS:
1.         Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 10 inch bundt pan with Pam (with flour)

2.         Cut almond paste into approximately 14 slices, then put into blender (or something that resembles coffee bean grinder). Object is to break up the slices into tiny pieces to distribute the flavor throughout the cake.

3.         In medium bowl combine all the above ingredients then beat with an electric mixer for 5 minutes.

4.         Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes (insert knife in center, cake is done when knife comes out clean) Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert and remove cake from pan (with luck!). Let cake cool completely, then drizzle with powder sugar.

5.         Enjoy with a nice warm cup of coffee and a copy of Her Mistletoe Cowboy
 
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Kids Explore Chinese Culture in Bowls of Happiness Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

The world is such a diverse place, it is becoming rare to find a place that hasn't been touched by a different culture, because of this children are becoming more and more curious about other cultures, their traditions and their folklore. Introducing different cultures at an early age is important, so the China Institute in America has released a four-book series that aims to bridge the Asian culture gap. The book series called "We All Live in the Forbidden City"  was originally created in Hong Kong and the U.S. editions are co-published by Tuttle Publishing. The first two titles in the series, "In the Forbidden City" and "This is The Greatest Place", were praised in reviews when they were released last fall, and now this Fall, there are two more installments to continue the tradition, "Bowls of Happiness" and "What Was It Like, Mr. Emperor".

China Institute in America is a non-profit educational and cultural institution that helps people gain a deeper understanding of Chine through different programs in education, culture, business, and art. They believe that doing so will strengthen our global community, and in times like these nothing is more important.

 In Bowls of Happiness, there is a story of a young girl called Piggy. Piggy's mom has decided to make Piggy her own special, porcelain bowl. The story follows Piggy as she is transferred into the world being painted onto the bowl, there she learns about all of the plants, animals, and other elements that are traditionally used in Chinese artwork and the messages of happiness and good fortune that they stand for. There is even a special spot at the end of the book for children to create their owl special porcelain bowl. The book is created by artists Brian Tse and Alice Mak, and exposes children to the Chinese culture filled with generosity, love, and respect for nature. 

In a child's pursuit of knowing about China, they're bound to have some questions about the emperor. Its hard not too. In What's It Like, Mr. Emperor?, readers get the chance to ask all of those questions they have wondered about. This book will teach them about all of the real people who lived in the palace, the price who fought off a rebel invasion, the maids who live in the Inner Court, the emperor who got to be emperor TWICE, and the emperor who loved crickets! The author, Chiu Kwong-chiu, is an artist, designer, and professor, he explores Chinese traditional visual arts and interprets the art and culture.

Expose your children to just one part of this vast and beautiful world with "Bowls of Happiness" and "What Was It Like, Mr. Emperor", the third and fourth book in the "We All Live in the Forbidden City" series from China Institute in America. In times when cultural diversity is needed for tolerance and even acceptance, there is no better gift than the gift of knowledge of another culture. 

 

Would you like to win a set of these two books?

 

Giveaways ends at 8pm on Sunday, December 27th

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Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
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Dark Turns by Cate Holahan

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

For the avid reader on your Christmas list, nothing pleases like a good murder mystery. Cate Holahan's debut book Dark Turns is the perfect gift to get your reader through the holiday downtime.

Dark Turns follows the story of Nia Washington, who fought her way from nothing and was near the height of her career when she was thrown off track by an injury and a broken heart. She took a job at a dance instructor at a boarding school to allow time for both her body and soul to heal. A safe haven. Not long after she arrives however, a body is discovered at the campus. The murder sends her life down a dark turn. Nia is suddenly thrown into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, and Nia isn't the only target. Nia must use all of her talents to save her dancers, her students, and the man she loves.

This Christmas give your reader a story to remember, one that will put them into the mind of a killer and the woman who must stop the killings. Dark Turns by Cate Holahan is perfect as a gift or a stocking stuffer.

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We are Raising a Rock-Star Reader & You Can Too

When I was in school reading was not something that interested me at all.  My Mother went as far as to hire tutors to get me interested and even that did not work.  Now, 30 plus year later, I have a second grader who would live at the library if we would let her.   Our school does the AR program and to date she is the top point earner for the entire school (k-8th)  I believe at the last count she has read and tested over 350 books.

Her love for reading started in kindergarten and while we knew she could read some sight words we did not know just how fluent she was until she was asked to read a passage at church. After I asked the teacher how long it took for her to memorize it and I was told she had only be given the material that week.  I was shocked since it was basically a page of material with words that honestly I may stumble through.

 

Three nights a week she goes to the library after school and brings home a stack of books.  This is just what she read last night by herself before going to bed.  I never understood where her interest in reading came from until I had the chance to look at Raising A Rock-Star Reader.  It was then that I realized without even knowing it, my husband and I have been helping her develop a lifelong love of reading. 

A few tips that we have incorporated come right from the book: (tips curtsy of Scholastic)

1. Pack books with you. Picture books in a carry-on or maybe an e-reader filled with a series are waiting to be devoured. If you don’t pack it they can’t read it, so make room for books in your bag!
2. Listen to an audio book on a road trip. This is a fun way to “read” a book together as a family. 
3. Plan ahead and read a book that has been made into a film before your trip and watch it on the trip. After you are done watching don’t forget to compare the book to the film adaptation. 
4. Read yourself. Being a reading role model is not optional, it’s something we as parents must do. Amy and I can’t stress this enough, it’s really important. You don’t have to be reading War and Peace to be a good role model. Just be an example of someone who reads for fun.

No matter what you need to make reading part of your daily routine and fun when possible which is exactly what Amy Mascott & Allison McDonald show you how to do in Raising a Rock-Star Reader.

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Casey's Bright Red Christmas - Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

Kids love seeing their favorite characters doing the same things that they do, and celebrating Christmas is no different. Little ones that love farming and farm equipment will enjoy seeing their favorite tractors getting ready for Christmas and experiencing the holiday season in Casey's Bright Red Christmas by Holly Dufek.

Casey has a touch of a cold, but is far too busy getting ready for the year ahead to worry about that. In between feeding animals, repairing fences, ordering seeds and organizing tools Casey wonders if she will even have time to get ready for Christmas too. On her break for lunch, Tillus the worm suggests she takes a nap since she has been working really hard and must be tired. Once Casey falls asleep, Tillus goes into the shed and explains to the team that Casey is ill. The team decides to give Casey a Christmas surprise and they begin preparing for Christmas. They work hard hanging lights, finding the perfect Christmas tree, and even making cookies. Inside the house, Casey wakes up and hears the laughter and Christmas carols. The team surprises Casey with all of their hard work and they spend the rest of the evening singing carols, drinking hot cocoa and eating the cookies they worked so hard to make.

The Casey & Friends book series helps kids understand the importance of lending a hand. In Casey's Bright Red Christmas the team lends a hand to help Casey prepare for Christmas after she worked so hard and wasn't feeling well, helping little ones get into the spirit of giving, at the most important time of the year.

 

Would you like to win a copy of Casey's Bright Red Christmas?

 

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

What are your kids doing to lend a hand this Christmas season?

How do you motivate your kids to want to give back?

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The Best Parts of Christmas - Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinion. No compensation.**

One of the most iconic parts of the Christmas season has to be the tree. So much of the Christmas season is centered around the tree, even I hadn't really realized it before. In "The Best Parts of Christmas" by Bethanie Deeney Murguia you see just how much the Christmas tree means, from the eyes of a little boy named Fritz.

Fritz loves his Christmas tree, he got to help pick it out, he got to help decorate it, and it draped ever so softly over his gifts on Christmas morning. In the days following Christmas, Fritz reads to the tree, and naps next to it, it makes good company. However, as most things do, Fritz's beloved tree began to wilt and his mom and dad say its time for it to go. Fritz isn't ready to say goodbye to his tree yet, and he searches for a way to keep his tree with him. His hope lies in a single leftover Christmas tree branch and a few handpicked ornaments.

Bringing to light the true position of the tree, "The Best Parts of Christmas" shows how the tree is at the center of most of the Christmas festivities, and how sometimes its okay to want to spread holiday cheer all throughout the year.

 

Would you like to win a copy of The Best Parts of Christmas?

 

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

What is your favorite part of Christmas?  Why?

What one thing do you do to ensure great holiday memories for your kids.

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Sam Usher's Snow - Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

Without a doubt, for some people anyway, snow is the most exciting and magical part of winter. There is nothing that compares to that first real snow that covers the ground. Living in a region that doesn't get snow all year, I wait all year for it. I love the quiet that comes after a snow and I love how beautiful it looks undisturbed. Now my boys are more like the little boy in Sam Usher's book, Snow.

For a little boy and his granddad, the first snow of the year means an exciting and fun adventure is about to take place! If only granddad would hurry. Granddad doesn't get ready fast enough to be the first in the snow... and he isn't fast enough to catch the little boys friends as they head off to play in the snow... even the cats and dogs beat him to the fun! Eventually granddad is ready and they set off for the park. When they arrive at the park, it is a zoo of people having fun in the snow and the boy and his granddad cant wait to get in on the activities, granddad even wins the snowball fight. After heading back home, while enjoying what I can only imagine is hot cocoa, they both agree that some things are worth waiting for and they cant wait for the next snow day.

Snow by Sam Usher is the perfect holiday season gift. Sit back and read it while the snow is falling, and then enjoy the fresh snow just like the little boy and his granddad did. Snow is a book that will teach children that patience is a virtue and some of the best things are worth waiting for.

 

Would you like to win a copy of Snow?

 

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

Share a memory of your childrhood snow days

Share your current opinion of snow days

What do you do to make snow days memorable for your kids?

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The Complete Brain Exercise Book

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

Keeping your brain sharp as you age is important. It is hard to not get lost in doing the same thing every day, when our daily lives are so routine. Keeping our brain on its toes is a good way to prevent and treat memory issues, and The Complete Brain Exercise Book has many way to do just that.

Providing so much more than just a diet, this book offers over 150 brain exercises and puzzles. It gives your brain new ways to learn and work, keeping it busy and at the same time, young. The book features chapters on:

1. More Than Memory - learning what normal and impaired brain functions are.
2. Brain Strength Training Exercises - visual-spatial intelligence, language growth, sensory processing, motor learning, and memory augmentation.
3. Brain Hygiene Exercises - information on proper sleep and rest, social and emotional support and health, sports and rec.
4. A Healthy Body - Exercise and its benefits on the brain, the best workouts, and your return to nature.
5. Brain Food - tips on keeping a food diary, "bad" brain foods, 20 preventative foods, and an anti-inflammatory diet.

This book would be a good gift idea for anyone who may be worried about memory issues, or someone who is simply health conscious. The Complete Brain Exercise Book shows you how to get that perfect balance between diet and exercise and how its not only important for your body, but for your brain as well.
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The Diabetes Comfort Food Diet

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

As a member of a family that has seen its share of diabetes, I know how hard it is to maintain and  manage sugar levels. Many people don't even realize what foods can affect the sugar in your blood, its not just "sugary" foods that can cause a spike. Finding ways to deal with diabetes is incredibly important when you're pre-diabetic or even when it runs in your family and you want to prevent it from getting to a dangerous point. The Diabetes Comfort Food Diet gives you the lowdown on diabetes and gives you ways to change your diet to deal with it, while still giving you the comfort food you crave.

Based on a three-step program, this book will show you ways to make your favorite dishes into diabetes-friendly meals. Meals that will not only help you reverse insulin resistance, but may also help you lose weight! Sounds like a win-win to me! The best part is you get that and the satisfying food you tend to miss out on while on a diet. The cookbook contains recipes such as: Chocolate Banana Stuffed French Toast, Steak Burrito Bowl, Caramelized Onion and Fennel Pizza, Lemon-Raspberry Cheesecake, and Creamy Pumpkin Mousse.

Just because you're diabetic, or pre-diabetic, it doesn't mean that you have to suffer through life eating food that doesn't appeal to you. With The Diabetes Comfort Food Diet, you can have the food you know and love, and still have control of your diabetes.

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The Night the Lights Went Out on Christmas Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

If your family is anything like mine, you enjoy many books around the holiday season. My boys love books about snow, snowmen, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, you name it, if it has anything to do with Christmas they're game. I however, needed a new book because all of the ones they have are getting a little bit repetitive. I found a new and heartwarming story in "The Night The Lights Went Out On Christmas" by Ellis Paul.

The book follows the story of Christmas Block, a neighborhood known for its competitive nature when it comes to their Christmas lights, everyone has to have the biggest and brightest display. One year however, they take the whole competition too far and power gets blown out for the whole neighborhood, then the country, then the whole world! The whole event turns into a blessing in disguise as everyone realizes that the universe has been putting on its own light show the whole time. They are all reminded that its the simple joys that are the true meaning behind the holidays and that when everyone stops trying to compete with each other, that's when they can all truly come together and enjoy them.

"The Night the Lights Went Out On Christmas" features brightly colored illustrations and is a great gift idea for Christmas, or even an early gift so you can enjoy it on Christmas Eve.

 

Would you like to win a copy of The Night the Lights Went Out on Christmas?

 

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

What is your favorite part of seeing holiday decorations?

Have you ever been through a community that "goes all out" with lights?

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The Polar Express Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

Every Christmas I have read The Polar Express to my sons. My youngest (5) loves trains so this quickly became a tradition. This year The Polar Express is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and with it you get a new release of the book, in perfect time for you to start your own tradition with your little ones.

The Polar Express written by Chris Van Allsburg was an immediate classic, gathering fans young and old. You follow the story of a young boy who goes on a wonderful adventure one dark and snowy night. Through dark forests, tall mountains, and a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the North Pole, where one little boy will make a very special Christmas Wish. In the 30th anniversary release you get a new jacket cover design, an expanded interior layout, a letter from the author, a downloadable audio read by Liam Neeson, and a golden Polar Express keepsake ornament.

Just in time for Christmas, either as an early gift, or for one under the tree, The Polar Express will give your little train lover a story to remember, and start a tradition for you and your family.

 

Would you like to win a copy of The Polar Express?

 

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

What about The Polar Express story is your favorite?

What is your child's favorite part of the story?

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The Smallest Gift of Christmas Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

Although the holiday season is full of excitement about the gifts you might receive and how big they might be, there are many little gifts, gifts that are always given but sometimes never realized. Those are the gifts you want your children to notice, the ones you want them to appreciate. Peter H. Reynolds book, The Smallest Gift of Christmas helps to remind not only children, but maybe some adults as well, that it is not only the gifts under the tree that make Christmas enjoyable.

The Smallest Gift of Christmas follows a young boy Roland, on a quest of epic proportions. After waking Christmas morning and finding a teeny tiny gift under the tree, Roland sets out to find the gift he deserves. he travels outside, out to the city, then out to space and still no gift is big enough for him! While in space he soon realizes that he is without his family, and he starts to get lonely and wish he could be with them, He peers out his rocket window at the tiny earth disappearing behind him, and wishes to be back on that distant speck with his family. His wish gets him home and as he lands he runs straight into the arms of his parents, finally understanding that being with the ones you love, is the best (and not at all smallest) gift of Christmas.

The small version of the book is the perfect size for stockings and even comes with an ornament. The Smallest Gift of Christmas will teach little ones that sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for... wishing for more and more out of life might end up with you being away from what truly matters. This book will teach them that the best gifts are the ones that cant be given in wrapping paper and bows, they're given from the heart.

 

Would you like to win a copy of The Smallest Gift of Christmas?

 

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

What advise do you have on teaching children that the best gifts are not always big.

Share a moment when you learn that Christmas is about more than gifts.

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A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

For me the cooler seasons are full of days spent cuddled in a blanket, with a cup of hot coffee (or tea, or hot chocolate) and reading a book. Oftentimes, my books are recommended by friends or simply bought by my husband who knows the kind of stories I am interested in reading. For some however, finding a book to read can be a problem, there are so many genres and so many authors that the idea of scouring the shelves is a bit off-putting. I have a book suggestion for you that is sure to please, A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison.

Jan Ellison is a mother of four, a novelist, essayist, and short-story writer. On top of all of that she is an O. Henry Prize winner for her first printed short story. Her book "A Small Indiscretion" is the perfect lazy day book, a novel that takes you on a story of desire, obsession and dealing with mistakes from your youth. Nineteen year old Annie Black leaves her hometown for a winter in London full of drinking and yearning. Two decades later she has the ideal life. She is married with three kids and living in San Francisco with a successful career in interior lighting design. On day, when a photograph arrives in her mailbox it brings back memories of the past and ignites old feelings of longing. The photo sets of a chain of events that will affect her marriage and threaten her family's happiness. The novel is written as a letter, and goes back and forth between that fateful winter in Europe and the present. Annie returns to London for answers, her indiscretions come to light and she receives shocking news about her son. Annie is left fighting for her family by piecing together her past.

The perfect novel for either a gift or a just because, A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison takes you on a journey of forgiveness, love and the modern day marriage. A book that will have you longing for the story between the pages when you're away.

Would you like to win a copy of A Small Indiscretion?

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

Like Jan Ellison on Facebook

Follow Jan Ellison on Twitter

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Real Food Real Kitchens New York Cookbook Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation.**

This holiday season you may find yourself wanting to try something new or maybe the family cook is getting tired of using the same old recipes over and over. The holiday season is a perfect time to try out new recipes because you have plenty of people around who are usually more than willing to try new foods and even take the leftovers (if there is any) home with them. An important part of trying out new foods is experiencing new cultures and the way they prepare and cook their food, the book "Real Foods, Real Kitchens New York Cookbook" by Greg Chapman gives you ideas as to what to try and even a peek into the lives of the families who use these recipes regularly.

Real Food Real Kitchens is part of the Taste Network and is promoted by Taste of Home and Readers Digest. The cooking series goes farther than most cooking shows of the past, it takes you into the lives of a person, their family, and their culture. It will show you how their most cherished dishes create an emotional bond that connect them and keep them all together. The company is all about family, food, culture, and history and the company is part TV series (on HULU), part quarterly magazine, part website, and part cookbook.

The perfect gift for the explorative cook in your family, or for anyone who is ready to try something new. Real Foods Real Kitchens New York Cookbook takes you in depth beyond a family's recipes and into their heart and soul.

 

Would you like to win a copy of Real Food Real Kitchens New York?

 

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

 What make a recipe special to you?

What is your favorite real food?

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The Little Snowplow Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No compensation**

There are many lesson in life and sometimes as parents we struggle to find the best way to introduce these lessons to our children. My youngest son is into anything with wheels, anything, and it seemed like I struggled for the first couple of years finding books that I felt he could benefit from and that featured characters that he liked. The Little Snowplow by Lora Koehler fits my criteria and is super cute as well.

The Little Snowplow plays on the "I can do it" theme. An adorable little snowplow joins a team of mighty trucks, however, all of the big trucks think the little snowplow is much to small to do anything. The little snowplow looks forward to winter and spends the beginning of the year doing small jobs while the big trucks tell him he just cant do the big truck jobs. Finally, winter comes and the little snowplow is hard at work plowing snow. One of the bigger trucks ventures out into the horrible winter weather and gets stuck! It's up to the little snowplow to rescue his big buddy and show the big trucks that he is just as useful as they are. Featuring wonderful illustrations by Jake Parker, The Little Snowplow shows children that even if you're small, you can do big things and help other people. It also teaches them that even if someone says you can't achieve something, that doesn't mean you should give up, you never know what you can achieve until you try!

This Christmas give the gift of courage against all odds and the gift of perseverance, while also giving an adorable book that your little one will cherish for years to come. The Little Snowplow will delight any child who receives it as a gift this season.

 

Would you like to win a copy of The Little Snowplow?

 

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

We all have talents that make us useful, how do you show your child this?

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Coloring Mandalas Giveaway

**I have received this sample in the hopes of sharing my honest opinions. No Compensation.**

For many years people have used art to relax and de-stress. One easy way to do that without investing tons of money into supplies is coloring. Coloring is one of the most basic of art and is super easy to do, there's no wrong way to go about it. My sons and I color regularly and not only do we have fun just being together and creating our pictures, but we have fun showing off our creations afterward. It wasn't until recently that I discovered coloring books for adults and I haven't looked back.  Ulysses Press and Wendy Piersall, a lifelong artist, have a set of coloring books that will help you unleash your inner artist while also allowing you to color away your daily stresses.

Mandalas (Sanskrit word for "Circle") have been used for thousands of years, they are spiritual symbols that represent the universe and have their roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. Wendy Piersall has over 17 years of professional design experience under her belt and has been drawing mandala coloring pages since 2009 as the founder of the Woo! Jr. Kids Activities website for kids. Her four books from Ulysses Press include: Coloring Animal Mandalas, Coloring Ocean Mandalas, Coloring Flower Mandalas, and Coloring Dream Mandalas. (She has more so be sure to check them out, but I am focusing on these four.)

• Coloring Animal Mandalas is inspired by all the beauty of the animal kingdom and includes 30 mandalas that feature butterflies, tigers, snakes, lions, and even dragons.

• Coloring Flower Mandalas takes you beyond your typical garden, and gives you one you can color yourself, it features 30 mandalas that include flowers like hydrangeas, tulips, and sunflowers.

• Coloring Dream Mandalas (*my personal favorite*) includes everything you see in your fondest dreams, 30 mandalas feature images of sacred geometry, angels, castles, dragons, butterflies, birds, and dream catchers.

• Coloring Ocean Mandalas captures the soothing movement of waves on paper and includes 30 mandalas that feature seashells, dolphins, whales, and mermaids.

A fun way to achieve relaxation and connect with your inner child while also expressing yourself, Wendy Piersall and her Coloring Mandalas can help you gain peace of mind by relieving your mind of daily stressors.

Would you like to win a Coloring Mandalas?

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, December 13th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. entries only

**Please note I can not promise a pre-christmas prize delivery** 

Want to win?

Which of the Coloring Mandalas themes do you like most.

Have you taken up the hobby of coloring?  Why?

What is your preferred coloring style?  Crayons, Markers....

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