Category Archives: Review

November 9, 2017 · 12:14 am

Help For Your Aching Back-#HolidayGiftGuide

If you suffer from back pain or just love a good deep tissue massage, keep reading. The Gideon Shiatsu Massager is a full size massaging cushion that is easy to customize. Use with heat or without, get a Shiatsu deep tissue massage of your full back or just your upper or lower back. The seat cushion vibrates in 3 speeds.

The cushion can be used on your office chair, recliner, couch or even your vehicle seat. Use at home, in the office or on the go thanks to the AC power adapter and vehicle power adapter.

Have a problem area that you need to target? No problem, just choose spot massage on the remote and pinpoint where you want a deep penetrating massage. You can increase the intensity by how hard you press your back against the cushion. The attached remote lets you easily control all the available options including a timer.

I have been using this when I am working, and it feels great! When you press against it, you get a really deep, intense massage. The cushion is made well, no loose seams or shoddy workmanship. It looks great on my office chair, and I can use it on the couch too! Very portable, it can go wherever I do. Cannot wait to use it on long road trips.

Makes a great gift, we have added it to Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. Let me know what you think? Could you use something like this?

I received this massager at no cost in order to facilitate my review. As always, my words and views are 100% my own.


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November 8, 2017 · 12:36 pm

Parmigiano Reggiano is a Staple in Our Home. #ParmesanAmbassador

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is a staple in our home. As an Italian-American, I cannot imagine not having this cheese in the fridge.  Nor would I dream of eating pasta and may other dishes without it. That is why I was thrilled to be asked to be a blogger ambassador for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
If you truly want rich flavor, don’t settle for pre-grated parmesan cheese. There is nothing like the intense flavor you get from freshly grating a wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano right into and on top of your favorite recipes and dishes.  Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is made by a collective of farmers and producers in Italy. If you see the pin-dots on the rind, you know you have the real deal!
This cheese is great on way more than pasta, grate it on of your salad,  it is delicious in soups, I love it on veggies and a real favorite is using it to make oven baked potato wedges. Even the rind can be used to flavor a delicious homemade broth. If you want to see more ways to use this great cheese, click HERE.
If you are lactose intolerant, you will be glad to learn that due to the long aging process, Parmigiano Reggiano is naturally lactose-free. It is easily digestible and a great source of both protein and calcium. It is a healthy cheese for your whole family. One of my favorite comfort foods is pasta and a simple tomato sauce with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano on top.  It is easy to make, and so delicious.
Recently, after a long day running around,  I was looking forward to getting home and making some cheese tortellini with a tomato basil sauce and lots of grated Parmigiano Reggiano. I can tell you, sitting down with that delicious meal, the stress of the day just melted away and I was in heaven. What can I say,  we Italians are passionate about our food.
Yesterday, I made some super greens because they are so rich in iron. I sautéed them in garlic and olive oil and seasoned with pepper. When I plated them, I topped them with fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano! So healthy and delicious!
More About Parmigiano Reggiano:
Did you know that just three ingredients—milk, salt and rennet—and eight centuries of cheese making experience go into every wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano? From the local grasses and forage fed to the cows, to the milk they produce and then the cheese that is produced by nearly 400 cheese makers, Parmigiano Reggiano is a true reflection of its place of origin and the art of generations and generations of cheese artisans. Parmigiano Reggiano is produced exclusively in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of the provinces of Mantua and Bologna, on the plains, hills and mountains enclosed between the rivers Po and Reno.

Enter to Win:

Would you like  a chance to win a Holiday Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Feast? I knew you would! All you need to do is click HERE to enter. Good Luck!

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November 6, 2017 · 11:43 pm

Epson’s Expression Photo XP-8500 Small-in-One Printer is the Ultimate Family Gift — #Giveaway

Do you give family gifts for the holidays? Many families do, gifts of smart TVs, gaming systems, special trips, trampolines, cameras, etc. make great family gifts. The Epson XP-8500 Small-in-One Printer is a really great family gift. This printer has such a small footprint, but don’t let that fool you, this printer will allow you to wirelessly print, scan, copy and fax and so much more!

Quickly print high-quality photos with top-of-the-line performance in a compact, space-saving design. You can share all those great shots with everyone easily, print borderless photos up to 8” by 10” with six-color Claria Photo HD inks for smooth gradations and amazing skin tones. Since you only need to replace individual ink cartridges as they run out, it makes it much more affordable.

 

This printer is perfect for all kinds of projects , you can even print on heavyweight card stock by loading  it through the rear specialty paper feed. You can also print to a CD/DVD. Talk about ease of use, you can edit your photos right from the printer to remove red eyes, restore old photos and more.  This printer has so many fun features, like the ability to make coloring pages from a photo.

 

The Creative Print Mobile App lets you easily create custom borderless photo collages from Instagram, print stationery and more. This printer is a gift that keeps on giving because with it, you can make great gifts for others!

This printer is your ultimate wireless solution, you can print from anywhere  using and iPad, iPhone, Android tablet and smartphone, it includes Wi-Fi Direct for network-free printing. Scan and share automatically to Facebook and the cloud with the bonus software.

Check out our unboxing and demonstration video below:

This printer is the ultimate family printer and a great addition to any home office. We think it makes such a great gift, we have added it to Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide.

Giveaway:

Epson is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own Epson XP-8500 Small-in-One Printer! Thank you to Epson for the review printer and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to US residents.

Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 Small-in-One Printer Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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November 4, 2017 · 12:21 am

Hearts For Hearts Girls-Changing The World One Heart at a Time #Giveaway #HolidayGiftGuide

Can you believe it will soon be Thanksgiving? I cannot believe how quickly the holidays will be upon us. When you are looking at the doll lovers on your holiday gift guide, why not get them a doll that makes a difference? The Hearts For Hearts Dolls, empower girls to become agents of change in their communities, countries and around the world.

How do these dolls make a difference?

The Hearts For Hearts Dolls are from different countries and include; Rahel from Ethiopia, Dell from the USA, Consuelo from Mexico, and Nahji from India. Each doll has an important story to tell about life in her country, inspired by the stories of real girls who are strong, smart, courageous, and determined to rise above challenging circumstances.

For every doll sold, Hearts For Hearts Girls makes a $1 donation to their charitable partner, World Vision, a global humanitarian organization that supports children through local programs. Whether it’s malaria nets in Africa, schoolbooks in Asia, or food supplies in the US, these programs help kids to thrive and succeed.

These dolls are beautiful, I recently received Dell from the USA. She comes packed in a nice box with a front flap that opens to reveal the doll and accessories. Check out my video below for an in-depth look at Dell and everything she comes with.

These dolls are helping to change the world one heart at a time, and you can be a part of that dream! We like them so much, we are adding them to our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide at Mommy Ramblings.

Giveaway:

MPA Sales is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their choice of Hearts for Hearts doll (subject to availability)! Thank you to MPA Sales for the review doll and for sponsoring this inspiring giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to US residents.

Hearts For Hearts Doll Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

 

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November 3, 2017 · 1:00 am

Rethinking Our Dog’s Diet After a Cancer Scare #NourishForLife #Petcurean

This past winter, our American Bulldog, Delilah, developed a growth on the side of her neck, that grew very rapidly over the course of a few days. Having lost one of our dogs years early to Mast Cell Cancer, we took her right to the vet. He believed that was what it was, but would not know for sure until it was removed and sent to pathology.

We were very upset. I did a great deal of research and started her on an antihistamine until her surgery. Antihistamines are recommended for Mast Cell Tumors, because it can help stop them from spreading.

She came through the surgery fine and came home with an inflatable donut on her neck. About a week later we got better news than we could imagine. Mast Cell Tumors are classified in different grades and by their mitotic index. A grade 1 or a grade 2 with a mitotic index that is less than 5 can behave like benign tumors. Delilah’s came back with as a grade 2 and a mitotic index of 0. That was fabulous news, especially since the vet had thought it was a very aggressive, high-grade Mast Cell Tumor.

This meant Delilah did not need additional treatment and the average life expectancy before a recurrence was 5 years. Since our sweetheart is 7, this was great news to us. Of course, we want her to have more than 5 years, but considering what we thought we were dealing with, we are ecstatic.

The cancer diagnosis got us thinking about all of our dogs ( we have a Westie and Maltese too!) and keeping them as healthy as possible. In speaking with my vet and other pet owners, it seems cancer is so very common these days. When I see that, it makes me think that it is coming from what we are feeding our pets. With so many pet foods on the market, it can be a challenge to know which are best.

I found a dog food I really like, and wanted to share it with you. Petcurean is a family owned Canadian company that manufactures premium-quality pet food recipes; Go!, Now Fresh, Gather and Spike Treats for dogs and cats. They took the time to speak with me and recommend the best food based on our pets’ needs.

Every Petcurean recipe is created using the highest quality, healthiest and most flavorful ingredients available, selected through a trusted network of farmers, ranchers and producers, who must meet or exceed very stringent health, safety and quality criteria. All ingredients are sourced from North America, New Zealand and Australia. Petcurean does not use by-products, un-named meat or any ingredients from China in their pet food or treats. 

Petcurean pet foods are sold exclusively through pet specialty retailers in the United States, Canada and more than 20 countries internationally.

$5 Exclusive Coupon Code:

If you would like to try Petcurean Pet Recipes for you pets, we have an exclusive $5 coupon code for Mommy Ramblings’ readers. Just click HERE and  enter code PS105ZW997 to get your $5 coupon.

We ordered the GO! DAILY DEFENCE™ Whole Body Preventative Care for Life. The GO! DAILY DEFENCE™ recipes are nutrient packed and nutritionist-recommended to give our dogs the preventative care they need to stay strong. All 3 love the chicken flavor and we love that they have healthy food we feel good about.

Even the bag is different and has a very nice resealable strip that keeps their food nice and fresh.

Petcurean has many different pet food recipes and treats. With the wide selection of premium-quality food for dogs and cats, you are sure to find something that addresses your pet’s’ needs.

Giveaway:

Petcurean Premium Pet Food Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:We are so happy to announce that Petcurean is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a 6lb bag dog kibble or a 4lb bag cat kibble, winner’s choice!!! Open to US and Canadian residents.

Petcurean Premium-Quality Dog or Cat Kibble Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below. Good Luck!!!

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October 20, 2017 · 10:19 pm

“God’s Big Plans for Me” Storybook Bible #Giveaway #RickWarren #FlyBy

You have probably heard of the New York Times Bestseller, The Purpose Driven Life.  Did you know there is a storybook Bible based on that book? There is, it is called, God’s Big Plans for Me and it is written by Rick Warren.

Pastor Rick Warren uses lyrical storytelling and engaging illustrations in his chronological approach to 40 Bible stories. Each story is introduced with a theme relatable to readers of all ages. God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible helps children grow closer to God and discover the purpose for their own lives.

If you are looking for a meaningful gift to give to any child in your life, this Storybook Bible would be perfect. I really like the format and how stories from the Bible like Noah and the Ark, Ruth and Naomi, An Angel Visits Mary, The Parable of the Lost Sheep and many others are arranged and written. Another thing I like is reading one story each night with my kids. It is a wonderful way to teach them about Jesus. There is a dedication page you can fill out, which makes the book even more special.

Giveaway:

We have a special treat for Mommy Ramblings’ readers, you can enter for your chance to win God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to US residents. Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway and for the review book. Good Luck!!!

God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!! Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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October 14, 2017 · 3:07 am

Tomorrow Sleep-A Different Way To Buy A Different Mattress

As many of you know, we are in the middle of an entire home renovation. Currently, we are midway through having all new hardwood flooring installed upstairs in all the bedrooms. With all the bedrooms being renovated, we knew it was time to get our 8-year-old son a new mattress. Usually, that would require a trip to the store, laying on multiple mattresses and then arranging delivery of the big bulky mattress and box spring units. Well, mattress shopping sure has changed for the better!

With a visit to Tomorrow Sleep’s website, we were able to shop and select a  medium to firm hybrid mattress. It was delivered quickly along with bedding and a memory foam pillow we selected for his bed along with bedding  pillows and a Sleeptracker Monitor we chose for ours.

 

Setting up the Mattress

You can see the whole process in our video below:

I would highly recommend on watching this video and also read a review of Tomorrow Sleep mattress that goes over their layers, coolness and so much more. That way you will know exactly what you get with this mattress.

As you can see in the video, setting up the mattress was so easy.  I was afraid that it would not be supportive enough for an adult because it ships so compactly and expanded once the plastic was cut and removed. I thought it would be something like an inflatable bed that would not feel firm or supportive enough. That changed as soon as I laid down on the bed, any doubt in my mind evaporated into thin air.

The mattress was incredibly supportive, no matter which way I turned. With the sheets and the comforter, I will admit, I did not want to get out. The mattress felt so good and the bedding so luxuriously soft,  I wanted to settle in for the night right there. My son had other plans, he wanted to try out his new bed, after all, it was a school night and he needed to go to sleep.
He has been sleeping on the new mattress for about a week and a half and he loves it. He says it is very comfortable and the bedding feels amazing. I know the reason he is so comfortable is because the construction of this unique, hybrid mattress combines cooling high-density memory foam with a breathable, supportive coil system creating the perfect balance of cool comfort and support, giving him him real, restorative sleep.
The Pillow
We chose the memory foam pillow. This pillow will keeps its shape, so that the way it feels the same on night one as it does on night 50 and beyond. The ultra dense memory foam uses gravity to mold and conform, helping your spine stay aligned, especially for back and side sleeping positions. If you are one of those that turns your pillow over for the cool side, you will appreciate this pillow.  It uses a phase changing material that absorbs and releases thermal energy to help maintain a regulated temperature that is just right for you.
The Sheet Set
 The 500 thread count sheets are made from 100% supima cotton that is combed for superior softness. The best part is with every wash they get even softer without pilling. The perfect weight, oversized flat sheet and no slip fitted sheet are light and crisp. These sheets feel so good,  you will look forward to turning down your bed at night and wrapping yourself  in these luxuriously soft sheets.
 The Comforter
 The all season, down alternative comforter, has a 300 thread count cover and ThermoBall fill that allows air to flow keeping you comfortable in any temperature.  The ThermoBalls feel and fluff like down, yet are so light that the comforter does not feel like a lead weight on top of you.
I can’t wait to put the bedding on my bed and use the SleepTracker Monitor. I will be posting more videos and blog content about that in the next few days.
You can learn more on Sleep Tomorrow’s website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
So what do you think? Are you looking for a new mattress? Do you think the Tomorrow Sleep Mattress might be the one for you?

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October 11, 2017 · 6:29 pm

“Love You Always” Blog Tour & Picture Book #Giveaway

One of the most important messages for a child to understand, is that no matter what, they cannot lose the love of their family. It does not matter if they are angry, mad, sad or downright bad, their parents love is unconditional.

Eileen Spinelli’s new picture book, Love You Always does just that. Actually, it takes it a step further and shows how grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, cousin and friend will also love them unconditionally.

This book has a dedication page where you can write the child’s name and a message, making it a perfect gift for a new baby. As a bedtime story, this book is wonderful for lulling them to sleep with a tale of never ending love. It makes them feel secure and of course, loved.

We have a special treat, you can enter below to win a copy of this heartwarming book.

Giveaway:

Worthy Publishing is sponsoring this giveaway. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win Love You Always Picture Book ! Thank you Worth Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Love You Always Picture Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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· 10:46 am

Discover Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race & Enter #Giveaway For The 3 Book Set!

If you have been patiently waiting for the third book in the bestselling, critically acclaimed Mr. Lemoncello’s adventure series, you are in luck! Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race by #1 NYT bestselling author Chris Grabenstein was released for sale yesterday! Three times is definitely a charm and this fantastically fun, puzzle-packed  book is the perfect addition to the other 2 books in Mr. Lemoncello’s adventures.

Everyone’s favorite game maker, Mr. Luigi Lemoncello, is testing out his new FABULOUS FACT-FINDING FRENZY game! If Kyle can make it through the first round, he and the other lucky finalists will go on a great race to find fascinating facts about famous Americans. The first team to bring their facts back to the library will win spectacular prizes! But when a few surprising “facts” about Mr. Lemoncello surface, it might be GO TO JAIL and LOSE A TURN all at once! Could Kyle’s hero be a fraud? Kyle and the other kids will have to dig deep to find out the truth before it’s GAME OVER for Mr. Lemoncello.

Filled with brand-new puzzles and games, this fast-paced read will have gamers and readers alike racing to the finish line because, as Mr. Lemoncello’s commercials say, IS IT FUN? . . . HELLO! IT’S A LEMONCELLO!

About the Author:

Chris Grabenstein’s novels with Random House Children’s Books have more than one million copies in print and hundreds of weeks combined on the New York Times bestseller list. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library has spent over 100 weeks on the bestseller list, received nominations for 42 state award lists, and been published in 19 countries and in 19 languages throughout the world. Nickelodeon premiered  a new original TV movie, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, based on the acclaimed children’s book on Monday, October 9, 2017.

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics, The Island of Dr. Libris, the Welcome to Wonderland series, and many other books, as well as the coauthor of numerous fun and funny page-turners with James Patterson, including the I Funny, House of Robots, Treasure Hunters, and Jacky Ha-Ha series. Chris lives in New York City with his wife, J.J., and two cats. You can visit Chris on his website.

We have an amazing giveaway below where one lucky blog reader will win all 3 books in the Mr. Lemoncello series. This series is perfect for readers 8-12 years old.

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House is sponsoring this giveaway. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win all 3 books in the Mr. Lemoncello Series. Thank you  Penguin Random House for the review books and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Mr. Lemoncello’s Adventures 3 Book Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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October 9, 2017 · 1:05 pm

Enter To Win Tickets to “See Same Kind of Different As Me”

I have some exciting news to share about a new movie that will be in theaters nationwide on October 20th. It is called, Same Kind of Different as Me, from Paramount/PUREFLIX Studios. The cast includes Greg Kinnear, Renée Zellweger, Djimon Hounsou and Jon Voight.
With more money than they could ever possibly need, Ron and Debbie Hall have everything they could ever want … except for a loving marriage. When Ron’s unfaithfulness is brought to light, Debbie invites him to stay—as long as he remains truthful and does what she asks of him. But when her request includes serving the homeless at an inner-city rescue mission, Ron would prefer to write a large check instead.  Guided by her faith and spurred on by the dream of a homeless man she senses will change their city, Debbie befriends a disenfranchised man named Denver. More surprisingly, so does Ron. Despite vast differences, their lives begin to intersect and they all are changed … forever.
“Nobody can help everybody, but everybody can help somebody.” Words of wisdom from a homeless drifter; words that never would be shared with the world if not for a wayward husband, a forgiving wife, and an unforgettable true story that brought the three of them together.
Check out the trailer below:
Get Ticket info here. So what do you think? I am really looking forward to seeing this movie.

Giveaway:

 2 Fandango Movie Ticket Promo Codes for Same Kind of Different Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!  You can enter our giveaway to win two Fandango Promo Codes, each code is good towards one movie ticket (up to $15 total ticket and convenience fee value) to see Same Kind of Different as Me at Fandango partner theaters in the U.S. Fandango Promotional Code must be redeemed by 11/2/17 and is void if not redeemed by the expiration date (expires on 11/2/17 or when Same Kind of Different as Me is no longer in theaters, whichever comes first). Only one prize per person and per household will be awarded. Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents. Giveaway is sponsored by Paramount/PUREFLIX and LEV3L . 
 

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