#SimpleGoodness

Thanks to Influenster, I am enjoying #SimpleGoodness with my breakfast each morning.  The new Country Crock butter spread is as good as ever!

My favorite recipe:
Cinnamon Sugar topped Bagels

- Bagel
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Country Crock spread

Toast your bagel.  While it is toasting, combine a cinnamon and sugar to your liking (less cinnamon, more sugar).  When bagel has been toasted, immediately top with Country Crock spread.  As it is melting, top with the cinnamon sugar mix.  Enjoy!

Under The Sea Holy Bible Review

Under The Sea Holy Bible

There are many Bibles available for children today.  A new Bible has just been released by Zondervan that reaches out to young readers who are captivated by sea life.  The Under The Sea Bible is a hard covered book with a glittered cover depicting sea life.  It contains the full Bible text in the New International Reader's Version (NIrV) which is being called the NIV for kids.

Throughout the Bible, there are colorful pages with topics such as prayer, love, the 10 commandments, famous children of the Bible and the ABCs of salvation.  I expected to see more colorful pages and illustrations in this Bible than what are truly there.  This is really just a basic Bible with 4 colored pages (front and back), one of which is the opening page with spaces for the child's name.

While it is marketed as a child's Bible, I have seen more captivating and interactive children's Bibles than this one.  It is cute, but beyond the few colored pages, it is full Bible text as any adult Bible.  There are no other child friendly entries or commentary.

I feel bad rating a Bible poorly, I really want to like this Bible, but I don't see my kids getting into it all that much.  They are the age to enjoy the ocean and the bright sparkly cover, but I feel like by the time they will be old enough to use it as a full adult level Bible, they will be over the ocean theme.  I wish there were more child friendly content within.  Still, it is a Bible, full and complete, and in a very common and familiar translation. A fun gift Bible for sure!

My readers have the chance to win a copy for themselves as I have one to give away.  You can enter by simply commenting with the age of the child you would like to win it for.  The winner will be chosen at random on Monday, March 28 by 12pm.  Good luck!

You can also purchase a copy here

* I received this book in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

18-Inch 3 Sided Grill Brush review

A good grill brush is necessary for anyone who enjoys grilling in the summer. A good quality brush makes cleaning the grilling surface so much easier. I have used my fair share of cheap brushes and ended up tossing them after a few uses, never making it through a full grilling season with the same brush. This is why I was thrilled when I got the chance to try out a new brush.

The 18" Three Sided Grill Brush was different than my usual throw away cheap brushes. Instead of a flat backed square brush head, you get 360 degrees of wire brush, with the brush wrapping around the sides of the triangular brush head, offering even more ways to use the brush. Now, instead of brushing back and forth, with little option to clean more than the tops of the grilling surface, I can clean the sides and into corners and angles as well.

Last night's grilled remains...

Come clean quickly and easily with this awesome brush! It works best right after cooking, while the grill is hot, having a bowl of water on hand to dip it into for effortless cleaning. I can affirm that this method also works great. Whether the grill is hot or cold, this brush steps up to the task.

Despite several uses, the heavy duty stainless steel wire brush bristles seem to be standing up to the job, not getting matted down or flattened as they tended to with my old brush.

The handle is sturdy, easy to hold and maneuver, but with some flexibility as well. Complete with a loop for hanging, this brush has become my new favorite grilling tool! Backed by a no questions asked lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with this grill brush! I definitely recommend you check out this brush and get one for yourself here.

You can find one for yourself here

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.  

Ohuhu 50ft Expandable Garden Hose Review

I do a lot of gardening and yard work in the summer, so a reliable garden hose is always necessary for me.  Recently, I had the chance to try this expandable garden hose.

 I had already tried a similar hose from a different manufacturer and was pleased with it - until recently when I tried to use it and found it's inner hose burst despite it being stored empty.  Sad day for me, because I really like the convenience of these hoses.  So, when I got the opportunity to try a new one, I took it.

This hose already starts out better because it comes with a spray nozzle, where others just come with the hose.

 An 8 function sprayer, it is not anything special or fancy, just your basic plastic model, but for general around the house stuff, it works just fine.

 The hose comes with brass ends, which is much better than other hoses with plastic ends.  These feel strong enough to last, not cheap and definitely will not break or crack if dropped.

The hose starts out coiled up.  Once filled with water, it expands to 50 feet in a matter of minutes.  Once the hose is filled, it is ready to use and will continue to fill as it is being used.  Once the work is done, simply let the water out and the hose re-coils for storage. 

This style of hose is really convenient!  No kinks, bends or bulges that interfere with water flow.  They are lightweight and easy to pull around the yard, and durable enough to be drug over rocks, sticks and other obstacles without causing damage.  I love that it stores so neatly and that I don't have to fuss with coiling it back up carefully or needing to find a hook to hang it on.  So far, I am very pleased with this hose and have hopes that it lasts me several gardening seasons.

You can find this product here

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review

PURGGO Car Air Freshener Review

I am not a big fan of scented car air fresheners.  The never last, there are very few scents I actually like, they are so overpowering at first and then not noticeable after just days...  They just don't seem worth it to me.  But, I wanted something for my car to address the pent up winter/wet car smells that accumulate in the cold weather months.  When I came across the opportunity to try this bamboo charcoal air freshener from Purggo, I took it.

Right away, I was impressed with this product.  It comes packaged so simply yet attractively.  With a sleeve just big enough to house the item and no overkill, it simply and easily explains how to use the product without added inserts and wasted paper.

Once removed from the package, one finds a simple dark gray pillow of sorts with a blue cord handle.

The cord is well secured to the air freshener by webbed straps sewn onto the back of the product.

These cords, for hanging the air freshener on the car seat headrest, are easily adjustable simply by sliding the cord.

Installation is simple.  Just slip the cord over top of the vehicle headrest in whichever seat location you choose and slide the knots along the cord to adjust the length at which it hangs.  I opted to remove my headrest and slide the cord through the seat handle and then over the headrest posts to make leave the entry handle accessible. 

Once in place, the air freshener is pretty much out of the way and not really noticeable unless you look for it.  I t does really seem to work. Of course, that can't be proven, but I do not notice the closed up winter car smell I had been noting, so i believe it is doing what it is designed to.  

What I love about this air freshener:

- the pouch is filled with bamboo charcoal, a natural odor absorber

- there is no scent that comes from the air freshener.  No perfumey smell to cover over odors,

- it is easy to use

- it lasts for 365+ days.  Directions suggest placing it out in the sunshine occasionally to help dry out any moisture it might absorb.  Aside from that, there is no maintenance, and it lasts for a whole year!

I am very pleased with this product and definitely recommend it.

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review

Working Class Lab Coat Review

One of my littles is in 4-H and will soon be needing a lab coat for showing her animals.  When I came across this Working Class lab coat in my search, I bought with high hopes.

My child just turned 6, and tall for her age, but I went with the coat for ages 4-6 because I figured if it didn't fit it could be great for dress up play, and because I was afraid the next size up would have her swimming in it.  The coat comes folded and wrapped in a plastic bag, well protected and kept clean during shipping.

 The coat is made of a really nice, heavy quality material, not at all cheap feeling.  It feels like the real deal, and more expensive than it really was.

 The coat closes with three large buttons, easy for younger hands to manipulate.  It has two front lower pockets and a third upper chest pocket, plenty of space for storing whatever little scientists, doctors, etc. might need.

 Surprisingly, the coat fit my child really well, and with plenty of room for her to grow into it yet this year, we even rolled the sleeves up a bit. I am glad I decided to go with the size true to her age.  She is excited about her new lab coat and wears it all over the house.

When the time comes that I need a bigger size, I will definitely be returning to Amazon.com to purchase another Working Class lab coat.

You can find them here

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

Healthy Baby Home Party Opportunity

Check out this awesome opportunity!  Seventh Generation is preparing to do another Healthy Baby Party selection, and you could get in on a party pack for yourself and your friends.  This home party is packed with great product samples, information and fun.

What is a Healthy Baby Home Party? 

Seventh Generation's home parties are powered by people like you who are focused on creating a healthy environment for the next generation. Developed with input from non-profit partner, Healthy Child Healthy World, they are a great way to get together with friends, share helpful information, and make an impact!

Healthy Baby Home Party kits are provided to all selected hosts and are filled with educational info about our environment, helpful tips, a fun game, and samples and coupons from Seventh Generation and other favorite family-friendly brands like bobble, Plum Organics and Zarbee's Naturals.

What is the Application Process?

• Sign up atgenerationgood.net to join the Generation Good community, or log in if already a member.
• Accept the Healthy Baby Home Party Application offer on your Generation Good dashboard and complete the application.
• Applicants will be notified by end of March if they have been selected to host a party, via an email to the email address assigned to their Generation Good member profile.
• All selected applicants will then need to confirm their participation by accepting the Healthy Baby Home Party Mission in Generation Good and confirming their shipping address.
• 1,900 FREE Party Kits will be distributed in this round.
• Hosting spots are open to US residents only at this time. Canadian parties are planned for later in 2016!
• Full terms and conditions are available within Generation Good in the "Healthy Baby Home Party Application" offer.

Fleece Ponytail Headband Review

My job as a crossing guard puts me outside a lot in the winter.  The cold winds, chilly temps and snow leave me needing something to protect my ears.  I typically wear a basic fleece headband, but with really long hair that I often wear up, I was intrigued by the ponytail headband I came across, so I bought it.

This headband has a cut out in the back specifically for ponytails to fit through, making it easier for women to use, and more convenient as the headband stays in place instead of slipping around hair.

The headband is made of soft fleece with a binding around the edges to give it a finished look and hold it all together.  This binding also criss-crosses in the back around the hole for the ponytail.

I love the concept of this headband.  It is well constructed and of quality materials.  Sadly, it is much too large for my head.  I got it in a medium, the only option offered to me, and it is quite loose on my head.

It is so loose that it slides all around, even with my ponytail in place, and the cold air just sneaks right around the gaps.  So, unfortunately, it will not be of any use to me.

I also feel like the fleece is pretty thin in comparison to my basic fleece headband.  It has dual layers, while this is just a single layer of fleece, so it is not nearly as warm or protecting.  I can't add this one to my list of recommended products at this time.

You can find it here

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

Reflective Running Belt with Reflective Arm Bands Review

High visibility is important when exercising outside. A secure place to put valuables such as keys and a phone or MP3 player is also important to me.  So, this combo I just purchased is a perfect pairing of visibility and function.

This reflective running belt and arm bands are well constructed, bright, reflective and functional.

The arm bands Velcro with a wide, strong patch to make a loop for wearing around one's arm.

They are plenty big enough to go over heavier clothes.

The belt appears to have a small compartment, however, this is not the case.

Once unzipped, the belt opens up to create quite a large capacity pocket that will easily hold a phone, keys and more!

The pocket zips open along a secure, well constructed zipper that does not grab other materials or snag up.  Along one side of the pocket is a reflective loop for holding keys or whatever else you want to clip to it.

The belt itself is very flexible, made of a soft material that is smooth and soft against skin.  The buckle is plenty large to clip the belt closed, easy to manipulate without being seen, such as when the belt is buckled behind the back.

The belt is comfortable to wear, stays put when active and offers a great solution for holding important items.

You can find it here

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review

Hanging Toiletry Bag Review

As spring draws near, my anticipation for vacations is growing.  After adding packing cubes to my luggage set last year, I was on the lookout for a good toiletry bag.  I am currently giving this one a try.

The Jagurds hanging toiletry bag is a nice, compact bag made of a smooth vinyl that is easily wiped.  

The bag opens up and folds open to reveal flat inner panels.

Those inner panels open out to expose the full internal parts of the bag.

This bag has a durable hook for hanging.

The strap sewn to the hanger is stitched securely and made of strong material to hold weight.  The opened bag reveals 4 main compartments.

The top compartment is comprised of two smaller separated pouches connected by one zipper. It is a flat compartment.

The second compartment opens out to hold as much as the depth of the pocket will contain.  There is a lot of room in this pocket, and it zips open on three sides to allow full access.

The third compartment is a large, expandable pocket with a zipper across the top.  It also will hold a lot, but is only accessible from the top.

The bottom compartment is able to completely zip off.  The zipper is a bit difficult to undo and re-assemble once unzipped, but aside from that, it is a small flat zippered pouch.

My current toiletry bag is just a larger bag that everything is tossed into, so I was excited to have something with pockets and some organization.  I  took everything from my current bag and put it into the new bag - this included stuff for myself, my husband and three girls, so probably a lot more than was intended.  Everything I put into the bag was travel sized with the exception of hairbrushes and combs.

 With a little bit of shifting of bottles and other items, I was able to fit everything into the bag and close all of the internal zippers with no strain or struggle.  However, when I went to close the bag fully, I found it was not as big as I had hoped.  I realize I asked a lot from it with a full family's supplies in it, so I was not surprised.

 However, with a bit of extra shifting and some cautious zipping, I was able to fully close the bag without removing anything.

I will re-assess contents or consider a second small bag when it comes time to travel, but overall, I am quite pleased with the capacity, strength and durability of this bag!

You can find it

* I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.