Tag Archives: review

Physical Apps, TheO SmartBall Review & Giveaway!!!

Physical Apps Logo

Are you looking for a fun way to help your kids aged preschool to 5th grade learn?  Did you know that active kids learn more and retain more of that knowledge?  They do and TheO SmartBall lets kids learn while they play!  TheO SmartBall is an orange foam ball that is soft and uses revolutionary technology and your smart phone to entertain and educate kids.  The Physical Apps Website offers a variety of kids learning apps featuring engaging games to stimulate kids mentally while they have fun physically.

TheO SmartBall In Bag

The O Smart Ball

 

It is easy to get started with TheO SmartBall, all you need to do is download the entertaining and educational apps to your smart device. Physical Apps offers 8 free apps to get started. See them all HERE!  You can download them from the iTunes or Google Play. Insert your device into TheO SmartBall as shown on the website tutorial and then toss, roll or shake the ball to initiate lots of learning fun!

TheO SmartBall Graphic

 

Theo Smart Ball

My kids were so excited to try TheO SmartBall and since my kids are really active this was a great combination to stimulate learning.  TheO SmartBall makes a great holiday or birthday gift for a child. 8

Giveaway!!!

Physical Apps is sponsoring giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their own TheO SmartBall ($39.95 Retail Value)!!!  To enter just use the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!  Open to US residents.

TheO SmartBall Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!

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How To Bake a Perfect Artisan Round Bread and French Baguettes Easily

 

EmileHenry-Logo

I consider myself a good baker but I never thought I could make bread the way I did last weekend.  I had help from Emile Henry.  I was sent the Emile Henry Bread Cloche  and Baguette Baker in beautiful, warm red.

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emile henry baguette baker

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As I looked at the recipe book, I marveled at how quickly you could make bread, artisan style bread that looked delicious. I still doubted mine would turn out as perfectly.  I started making the quick-bake recipe of the round bread and it was so easy.

3 cups of bread flour

1 cup of warm water (95 degrees F)

2 tsp of salt

2 tsp of granulated sugar

2 tsp of dried baker’s yeast

2 tbsp. of milk

In a large bowl mix the bread flour, salt, sugar and dried yeast.

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Pour in the warm water and knead for about 2-3 minutes.

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 Form the dough into a ball and cover with a dish towel.

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Put the covered bowl in a warm place away from drafts to rise for 20 minutes.  Uncover the dough and knead to remove the carbon dioxide, form the dough into a ball.  Sprinkle some flour on the platter of the bread cloche and place the ball of dough on the platter.

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Cover with the cloche and let rise for another 45 minutes at room temperature.

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Brush a little milk over the top at the end of the rise time and sprinkle with flour.

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Make several incisions on the top and cover again with the cloche. Bake in a preheated oven of 460 degrees F for 35 minutes and then allow the bread to cool on the platter with the cloche removed.

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The whole process was fast and easy and I cannot tell you how impressed I was when I removed the Cloche after baking and saw that beautiful round artisan style bread on the platter.  It tasted as good as it looked and the whole family enjoy it right from the oven.

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The baguette baker was the next thing I tried and even though the first time baguettes could use a little artisan tweaking the taste of them was better than anything we have ever tasted.  The way the baker cooks the crust but leaves the middle soft and chewy is unbelievable.  My kids ate those faster than you could say Bon Jour.  The are definitely one of our new favorites and I only wish my parents were still alive to taste these breads because they would have loved them!  I never knew that you could bake this kind of bread at home and now that we know, we are baking bread almost daily.

For the Baguettes we used the “Real French Baguette” recipe below:

2 cups of bread flour

1 cup of warm water (110 degrees F)

1 tsp of fine salt

1 tsp of dried yeast

I added about 2 tsp to 3 tsp of granulated sugar ( I added by eye)

Mix flour, salt and yeast in a mixing bowl and add the warm water and knead the dough about 5 minutes until you can form a smooth ball.  Cover the bowl with a dish cloth and let rise in a warm location, away from drafts for about 40 minutes.

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After 40 minutes, knead the dough again to remove the carbon dioxide and then divide into three equal portions. Sprinkle each piece with flour and shape into a rectangle about the size of your hand then roll the dough a little longer in length than the depression in the baguette pan and about 10 cm wide.  Fold one side about 2/3 of the way over and then the other side 1/4 of the way over to form a cylinder shape.

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Sprinkle the baguette pan with flour and turn the formed dough with the folded side on the bottom and place in the pan.  Repeat with the other 2 pieces.  Cover with the lid and let rise for 2o minutes while you preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

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After 20 minutes open the cover and brush with water, sprinkle with flour and make several diagonal cuts in each baguette.

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Replace cover and bake for 25 minutes and then remove the cover and continue baking for 2 minutes until they are nice and brown.

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As soon as these came out we ate them hot with fresh butter and they were gone in minutes!

If you like to bake bread or if you have never made bread, you have to try these Emile Henry accessories.  You will not believe the bread you will be making and neither will your family.

Quality Bakeware For Breads:

Emile Henry enters the artisan bread baking category with the Bread Cloche. The ceramic Bread Cloche with its bell-shaped cover allows you to proof your bread directly in the bread cloche. The lid also traps steam from the baking bread to create an environment similar to a steam-injected oven. The steam gives the bread a crunchy, chewy crust. The Emile Henry Bread Cloche is sized for a round loaf made with 3-cups of flour. Recipe and Instruction booklet included. Like all Emile Henry products, the Bread Cloche is made of all natural materials and is backed by a ten-year warranty, which is not offered by any other ceramic manufacturers. Emile Henry is located in the Burgundy town of Marcigny, France.

The new ceramic Baguette Baker from Emile Henry bakes three, 13½inch long by 2¼ inch wide, artisanal French baguettes. The Baguette Baker traps steam from the baking bread to create an environment similar to a steam-injected oven. The steam gives the bread a crunchy, golden crust and a chewy interior. The Baguette Baker simplifies the process so home bakers have more consistent, delicious results every time they make bread. A recipe book is included with the product so even a novice baker will be confident in baking bread at home. The Baker, made in France from Burgundy clay.

 

Emile Henry’s Oven Ceramic bakeware and tableware is made in Marcigny France since 1850 from high fired Burgundy clay. The natural clay is unsurpassed for conducting and retaining heat. Emile Henry’s Oven Ceramic is made with an exclusive process to produce strong and durable ceramic bakeware and tableware for everyday use.

  • Resistance Against Mechanical Shocks: During everyday use, there are many opportunities to bang a dish or a set of plates. Particularly resistant to shocks, our ceramic is even used in restaurants!
  • Resistance Against Temperature Changes: A dish or stewpot should be able to withstand wide variations in temperature. Our ceramics allow our products to be taken directly from the freezer to the hot oven (+250°C/500°F).
  • Resistance Against Fading Colors: Heat, the dishwasher or sharp instruments will all have an ageing effect on a product. Our glazes are particularly resistant to the dishwasher and the most aggressive of detergents.

The quality of these pieces is extraordinary and the ease of use and clean up is absolutely divine.

Emile Henry is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will receive their own Bread Cloche and Baguette Baker- A $260 value!!!  Thank you to Emile Henry for the review pieces and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Emile Henry Bread Cloche and Baguette Baker Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Primula Cold Brew Glass Carafe Iced Coffee Maker Review & Giveaway!!!

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I don’t know about you, but I love iced coffee and I don’t live down the street from a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. If you found when making your own at home it tasted different, it’s was because hot brewed coffee is highly acidic.  Did you know that there are cold brew coffee makers that make coffee concentrate? I recently had the chance to try the Primula Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker.

Primula Website Photo

 

The coffee made in this cold brew way makes coffee concentrate that is 65% less acidic than hot brewed coffee. The 50 oz Carafe will make enough concentrate for 16 cups of iced coffee. You can store the concentrate in the refridgerator for up to 14 days so you will easily be able to whip up a refreshing iced coffee whenever the mood strikes. There are also recipes for other delicious coffee drinks in the instruction guide. The glass carafe is BPA free, stain and scratch resistant and features a non slip silicone bottom ring. The carafe easily fits in the fridge without taking up much room.

The Cold Brew Glass Carafe System has the MyBev Flavorcore that is a stainless steel mesh basket core where you place the ground coffee.  The handle on the Flavorcore makes it easy to maneuver and it rests inside the lid and locks firmly in place with a twist while brewing  After 12-24 hours you simply remove the lid and unscrew and remove the Flavorcore, the coffee grounds are easily emptied from the bottom.

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It’s so easy to make the coffee concentrate. All you do is put freshly ground coffee in the Flavorcore, then cover slowly with one cup of water then continue filling until the grounds in the Flavorcore are submerged by water. Next, put the top on and place in the refrigerator to brew for 12-24 hours.  When the brewing time is over, just remove the Flavorcore and dispose of the grounds.  you can insert the flavor mixer to mix and then use the concentrate for iced coffee, cold brew frappe, iced cappuccino, iced mocha or any of your other favorite iced coffee drinks.

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The concentrate is so handy to have made so that my favorite iced coffee treat is seconds away.  I love this system and the concentrate tastes great mixed with water and flavored creamers.  I had an iced pumpkin coffee today after some extensive yard work and it was what I had my mind focused on as my reward for my hard manual labor 🙂 .  If you are looking for a Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker that’s easy to use and easy to clean then the Primula Cold Brew Glass Carafe System is for you!

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Want a chance to win the Primula Cold Brew System?  One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win a Primula Cold Brew Glass Carafe System!  Thank you Primula for the review unit and for sponsoring this refreshing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Primula Cold Brew Glass Carafe System Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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Chicken Soup for the Soul: “The Dog Did What?” Book Review & Giveaway!!!

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Are you a dog person?  Do you have one or more family members with four legs?  Do their antics and abilities amaze you?  If so you will love The Dog Did What?  This new book from Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing contains 101 Stories of Magical Moments, Miracles and Mayhem!  The book features a forward from Miranda Lambert.  You are sure to recognize your own dog(s) in this entertaining collection of stories about our best friends who save lives, help heal their human companions with an uncanny sense of intuition, goofy dogs and of course those bad, bad dogs!

CSFTS The-Dog-Did-What

The Dog Did What back cover

There is a special emphasis on the benefits and joys of adopting abandoned and rescue dogs!  The stories are sure to put a smile on your face, make you laugh out loud and even tear up a bit as you see your dog in a whole new light.  The royalties from this book support the American Humane Association.  Consider giving it as a gift to a dog lover and it truly becomes a gift that keep on giving to help dogs in need.  You can purchase on Amazon.com.

Chicken Soup for the Soul is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  Three lucky blog readers will win their own copy of The Dog Did What?  Thank you to Chicken Soup for the Soul for the review book and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, The Dog Did What? Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Pre-Order Train’s “Bulletproof Picasso” Album Now & Watch Them Live Today!!!

Train is back on the music scene with a new album Bulletproof Picasso!  If you’ve missed the band that had you cranking up the volume and singing along to Drops of Jupiter and Hey Soul Sister, you won’t need to wait much longer.  Grammy Winning San Francisco Band, Train will release their 7th studio album on September 16th!!!  I had the opportunity to review the album recently my favorite song was Don’t Grow Up So Fast because as a mom I totally relate to the message of the song.  Angel In Blue Jeans the first single released can be heard now on the radio and you can view the official video below.  You can pre-order the album on iTunes and Amazon for $7.99.  Be sure to watch Train’s hour-long live performance on the QVC channel on Friday, September 5th at 5pm ET.

 

Train, Bulletproof Picasso

1. Cadillac, Cadillac
2. Bulletproof Picasso
3. Angel In Blue Jeans
4. Give It All
5. Wonder What You’re Doing For The Rest Of Your Life
6. Son Of A Prison Guard
7. Just A Memory
8. I’m Drinkin’ Tonight
9. I Will Remember
10. The Bridge
11. Baby, Happy Birthday
12. Don’t Grow Up So Fast

Official Angel In Blue Jeans Video is below:

 

I participated in the Train Bulletproof Picasso album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.


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MAGFORMERS Magnetic Construction Set Review & Giveaway!!!

magformers LOGO new LUX

My kids are fascinated by magnets and love creating things.  MAGFORMERS gives them both in colorful construction sets that foster brain development through fun and educational exploration. With high quality, durable construction and intelligent magnetic design, the possibilities are endless!  When we received this set, I’m not sure who was more excited to open it.  My boys and both my husband and I were having a blast creating different structures and showing them off to each other.  This is a toy my kids have come back to over and over and would also be wonderful in a classroom setting as well.  Everything is quality and it’s a toy that can be handed down and still be going strong when the next generation arrives!

Magformers

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MAGFORMERS is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog winner will win a MAGFORMERS Building Set!  Thank you MAGFORMERS for the review set and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.
MAGFORMERS, Magnetic Construction Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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Peekaboo Barn, Lift-The-Flap Board Book Review & Giveaway!!!

Candlwick Press Logo

Peekaboo Barn is an adorable new Lift-The-Flap  book based on the iconic toddler app Peekaboo Barn will thrill fans with its tactile feel and keep them busy with lots of flaps to lift in this sturdy board book. And for those who’ve never seen or played the app, the barn setting, adorable animals, and sound words make this a book for the very young that easily stands on its own. Includes a free app with purchase!

Written by Nat Sims and illustrated by Nathan Tabor the book is suitable for ages 1 month to 3 years. Little hands will love opening the barn doors to discover the animals inside.  This book makes a great gift for any young child!

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ABOUT THE APP

Peekaboo Barn, which celebrated its fifth birthday in early 2014, has been played over 85 million times worldwide.

Night & Day Studios recently unveiled an updated look to their classic app that features vibrant colors, more robust and playful animations and three new farm animal friends. The app includes twelve different language options, as well as a feature for caregivers and children to record their own voice in the app.

Enter The Giveaway:

Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a copy of Peekaboo Barn, A Lift-The-Flap Board Book!  Thank you to Candlewick Press for the review copy and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

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Orblue, Propresser Garlic Press Gives You The Garlic You Crave Without Stinky Hands!!!

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Do you love to cook with garlic but hate the peeling and mincing of the garlic cloves?  Do you hands smell like garlic for days after peeling and mincing?  If you answered yes, I’ve got good news. The Propresser Garlic Press is what you need!  Right out of the box you will see that the Propresser is a cut above cheap zinc alloy garlic presses.

Garlic Press

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Garlic Press 2

The Propresser is made for 100% stainless steel that won’t rust or weaken at the joint.  This garlic press was designed to meet your needs for years to come.  The company is so sure that their press is the best they give custoerms a double guarnatee for the lifetime of the product.  If anything goes wrong they will not only refund your money but send you a brand new unit too!  You do not have to peel the cloves and it presses the garlic right out leaving the skin behind.  The press is comvortable and it is so easy to effortlessly produce minced garlic for all your cooking needs.

Garlic Press 3

 

I tried it first with an unpeeled clove, super easy and fast.

I tried it first with an unpeeled clove, super easy and fast.

 

 

In goes unpeeled garlic.

In goes unpeeled garlic.

 

The garlic pressed just as easy and left the skin behind in the basket.

The garlic pressed just as easy and left the skin behind in the basket.

Trying a bigger piece of unpeeled garlic.

Trying a bigger piece of unpeeled garlic.

Garlic all minced just as easy.

Garlic all minced just as easy.

And the skin is left behind.

And the skin is left behind.

Yummy Garlic Bread!

Yummy Garlic Bread!

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Garlic Press No More Smelly Hands

When you are done, clean up is just as easy!  All you need to do is flip up the Propresser Garlic Press’s basket and rinse or put right in your dishwasher.  You can buy the Propresser Garlic Press at Amazon.com.  Happy Pressing!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.


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Send Kids Back To School In Style With an I See Me! Personalized Lunchbox & Enter To Win One!!!

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I See Me’s  personalized lunch boxes make your child feel special every day! Each one of their lunch boxes features your child’s name on multiple sides. On the inside lid, there’s a chalkboard where you can write a personalized note to your child each morning!  These lunch boxes are great because you can comfort a child who is just starting school with a special note or picture from mom or dad inside the chalkboard lid.  Your child will look forward to lunch and the message or picture will remind him/her that you love them and will see them at the end of the school day.

I See Me Lunchbox

I SEE Me Open Lunchbox

These boxes are good for more than lunch, your child can use them to store special treasures and they make a great way to present a gift for a new baby or any child.  My kids love to keep special collections in theirs and carry them around.  Whatever way they are used, you and your child are sure to find them very handy.  They come in a variety of designs that appeal to boys and girls ages 2-12.  Lunch Boxes are safe for food and constructed of lead-free tin. Wash with soap and water, do not put in dishwasher.  Chalk is not included. 
I See Me Lunch Box Planets

 

I See Me Lunch Box Desk

 

I See Me Lunch Box Desk Open
Right now through 8/13 you can save 25% on the lunch boxes!!!  Save even more by using the code UNIQUE and take $10 off $40 purchase through 8/31!  Shop Now By Clicking HERE and save big!!!

Visit ISeeMe.com for the best personalized children's gifts.

 

I See Me! is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a personalized lunch box of their choice (subject to availability).  Thank you I See Me! for the review product and for sponsoring this great Back-To-School Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

I See Me! Personalized Lunch Box Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Giveaway For A Handmade, Adorable Toddler Purse From MegExpressions!!!

Meg Expressions Logo

There are so many crafty people making and selling adorable, handmade products on Etsy.  I was recently contacted by Meg from MegExpressions and she sent me a sweet toddler purse and tissue holder to review.

Meg Expressions

The little purse is perfect for small hands to manage and can hold little girl treasures, crayons or even a special note or card from a loved one.

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Toddler Purse 1

 

Meg sells women’s wallets, toddler purses, checkbook holders, coin pouches and more in her shop.  Everything is handmade from her original designs and with repurposed fabrics.  To see more of Meg’s great work, you can visit her Etsy Shop  and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Meg Expressions Bag 2

 

Meg Expression coin purse.

 

Meg Expression bag 3

MegExpressions is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a toddler purse similar to the one I was sent.  Since they are all handmade no two are exactly alike.  Thank you to MegExpressions for the review products and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

MegExpressions, Toddler Purse Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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