Community Coffee : Review & Giveaway ( 10/29)

Community Coffee - "The Genuine Flavor of New Orleans"

It's been more than 90 years since Cap Saurage founded Community Coffee Company, but their mission has never changed – to share their passion for great coffee with our customers. Thus I got to review their aromatic gourmet coffee!

When I buy coffee, I am curious to know where their coffee beans come from...Community Coffee imports green coffee beans directly from coffee plantations in Brazil. They are processed and vacuum-packed in the US.

If you see the collection of some great coffee on their website, you will certainly notice that over the years, Community Coffee Company would take countless steps to ensure the quality of its product. They have not only maintained the traditional coffee but evolved to match the changing needs and tastes of their customers. From Chocolate Almondine to Pecan Praline...what a delightful combination of flavors!

I was sent this beautiful Gourmet Flavored Coffee Lovers Assortment. I am not a heavy coffee consumer..but my husband wakes upto coffee every morning and has a few cups during the day.Gourmet Flavor Coffee Lovers Assortment contains one ground 12 oz. bag of each:

• Cinnamon - Enjoy the snappy aroma and flavor of cinnamon sticks with just the right marriage of Central American coffee intensity.

• French Vanilla - A select blend of rich Central American decaffeinated whole bean coffee, with the delightful flavor of French Vanilla. A superb after-dinner coffee

• Hazelnut- 100% Arabica gourmet coffee is infused with the smooth and sophisticated, nutty taste of fresh hazelnut.

• Pecan Praline - Steeped in the Southern flavors of creamy pralines and sweet pecans, a truly delightful Southern treat

I am pretty sure that the sweet, warm aromas of each of these coffees will tempt me to savor a cup right away! And best of all, less calories! Mmmm..that's even more tempting! And all these terrific flavors cannot just wait to be opened every month one at a time...we ended opening all and they come in easy-open, resealable bag.So you can enjoy a flavor a day!

If you drink coffee regularly, you might want to consider joining the Community Coffee 's Club and enjoy the convenience of fresh coffee delivered right to your door. As a Coffee Club member,

• Get 10% off every order!
• No membership fees, cancel at any time
• Fresh coffee delivered right to your door
• Choose your own coffee and frequency
• Change your order at any time
• Discounts, gifts and exclusive privileges
• Receive a free gift with your first order

"Hey ! What's in it for me? I don't drink coffee"...I hear ya! They have something for you too!

100 Count Tea Bags

Chamomile Tea Pods

Or how about this tangy, refreshing Lemon and Sugar Tea Mix for an ice-cold drink on a hot, sunny day?


Community Coffee also has a great and aromatic selection of gifts for any occasion. They also have Gift Cards that you can give your loved ones and let them choose the aroma pleasing to their senses!

They have excellent customer service - they connect the product with the experience. I was touched by the sweet message that was sent along with the gift " Esther, I hope you enjoy this gift set and I apologize profusely for the delay.Thanks so much for your patience!" I vouch for their great product and service and I bet, it will the best coffee experience ever !

Thanks to Community Coffee , you have a chance win Gourmet Flavored Coffee Lovers Assortment -$34.95!

Here's how you can win it !

Mandatory Entry:

- Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect.
- Visit Community Coffee and leave a comment on which coffee is your favorite.

Extra Entries ( 1 entry each, leave separate comments):

- Like "Community Coffee" on Facebook.
- Like "Toddler Tales by Mommy" Facebook badge on my blog page ( upper right side bar)
- Become "Toddler Tales by Mommy"'s friend on Facebook.
- Follow "Community Coffee" on Twitter
- Follow "Toddler Tales by Mommy" on Twitter.
- Follow on Networked blogs.
- Become an email subscriber to receive TTByM blog updates.

This Giveaway is open to US and Canada until Oct 29, 2010.Random Generator will choose a winner and winner will be announced on Oct 30, 2010.There is no limit to the no.of times that you can win on my blog! Feel free to enter all Giveaways even if you have won before!

(Disclaimer: Thanks to Community Coffee for sending me the featured product for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.All opinions expressed here are only my own.)

The Photographic Life : Review & Giveaway -10/15

"The Photographic Life" is a website for mothers by a mother. I love taking pictures of my little son and my camera is always in my bag. I have a great interest in photography and also started using Photoshop recently to do some magic on the " not -so-good pictures". I am still a bud when it comes to photography so I haven't ventured out yet to pick one of the high-end cameras.

I was given the opportunity to review this website, just on time! Couldn't have been sooner or later ! The site is meant to help you work with whatever equipment you might have. Mary, the founder of this website is a mother and a professional photographer. She encourages moms to let her know if there are topics you want to hear about.

The language used in describing various tips and techniques is simple and easily understandable.

The main topics covered are:

• Gear - camera types & accessories
• How to take photos of children of different ages?
• What to do after the shoot - scrapbooking and how to organise your pictures?
• Editing using softwares like Photoshop, Picasa and other such softwares.

The topics include practical information and tips on how to capture the moment in the correct light and the options available to you for editing. There is quite a bit of tips on lighting, tips on how to read and understand certain functions in your camera. Ordinarily, it is most likely that we will overlook these functions.But after reading the topics covered for these functions, you will understand the truth behind these functions and how they can give you a much better picture. Do we ever bother to read the histogram that appears at the back of your camera? Now, I do know what it all means!

Mary has done a good job in creating a simple yet practical way to offer some understanding about photography to moms like me who like to click away and then sulk over the bad shots! Clicking with knowledge of the background, subject in focus and the equipment used, will yield much better pictures.

One video in particular, educated me about Photoshop. Mary explains in simple steps about how you can transform a picture into a much presentable format by using Photoshop. For a Photoshop beginner like me, it has provided me more insight on how effectively Photoshop can be used.

If you are a mom, interested in knowing more about how to take good pictures or looking to improve your photography skills, you should definitely check out this website. There is also a forum where you can post your shots and you can request for feedback or there will be something to learn from each other at the forum.

Membership costs are just $1 trial membership, and after that a very affordable $6 per month,
and a portion of the membership fees benefits two non-profit children's charities, The Tiny Sparrow Foundation and Wipe Out Kids Cancers.

"The Photographic Life" is giving away 1 year membership to one lucky reader to benefit from this beautiful website!

Leave a comment on what you'd like to learn from this website!

This Giveaway is open to Canada and US until Oct 15, 2010.Random Generator will choose a winner and winner will be announced on Oct 16, 2010.

(Disclaimer: Thanks to "The Photographic Life" for giving me the opportunity to review their website. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.All opinions expressed here are only my own.)

Seventh Generation Products : Review

Do you wear a mask when you use those strong chemicals to clean? Do you hold your breath while cleaning your toilet bowl with a strong cleaner ?

No more wearing a mask or holding your breath.....Seventh Generation believes that no one should hold their breath while they're cleaning. By choosing non-toxic products, you create a safe environment for you and your family to grow up in.

My son who likes to follow me everywhere usually is forcefully sent out when I clean the bathroom as I do not want him anywhere near the cleaning products. Most of the cleaning products available across North America, I have to admit, are very, very strong and unsuitable for little ones. I cannot imagine children inhaling dangerous fumes from cleaning products.

Seventh Generation got its inspiration to produce not only safe but environmentally friendly products that everyone can use without hesitations." In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations"...this is the Seventh Generation belief.

I had the opportunity to review some of the products from Seventh Generation.

Chlorine Free Baby Diapers have soft, cloth like comfort which is best suited for a baby as well as an active toddler. They come 6 sizes and check out their coupons for some savings on these diapers! I used them on my toddler and there were no leaks nor any signs of discomfort. It has my " mommy's seal of approval " !

Some of the features of the chlorine free diapers:

* Wood pulp processed without chemicals containing chlorine
* Hypoallergenic
* Fragrance and latex free
* Premium fit and absorbency
* Has stretchy leg gathers, which means it allows free & unrestricted movement and resealable closure tabs ( helpful when you hit potty training!).

All disposable diapers, including Seventh Generation’s, rely on man-made materials to deliver the high-level performance that parents expect of modern diapers. These materials are mostly petroleum-derived and are not renewable, which adversely impacts the environmental footprint associated with these products. At Seventh Generation, we are pleased to offer an alternative that is not bleached with chemicals containing chlorine, and are working hard to further improve the sustainability of our diaper products.

About Chlorine
The wood pulp used in these diapers has not been processed with chemicals containing chlorine. This prevents dangerous chlorinated toxins from being released into the environment through the pulp production process.

Shower Cleaner

This is an awesome product to remove that stubborn soap scum and leave it as white as snow!

• Non-toxic & biodegradable
• Does not create harsh fumes
• No glycol ethers
• Not tested on animals
• Kosher-certified

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

My joy knew no bounds when I finally found something that is as effective as the store brand ones without the danger of inhaling strong fumes. So effective cleaning doesn't really have to be done by strong chemicals. Seventh Generation's Toilet Bowl Cleaner not only cleans but deodorizes.

• Non-toxic & biodegradable
• Does not create harsh fumes
• Safe for septic systems
• Not tested on animals
• Kosher-certified
• Convenient squeeze nozzle

Natural Dish Liquid

We all would love an extra hand, when it comes to dishes or wish they cleaned by themselves! But now with Seventh Generation's Natural Dish Liquid anyone can lend a helping hand as it is gentle on hands and on the earth, when the work is done.

• Non-toxic & biodegradable
• Hypo-allergenic
• Free of phosphates
• Safe for septic systems
• Not tested on animals
• Kosher-certified

Natural 2X Concentrated Laundry Liquid

The laundry liquid has a unique combination of plant-derived cleaning agents and enzymes to power out even the toughest stains. When your clothes are freshly laundered, they smell naturally fresh and chemical-free , safe on your skin.To conserve water, please run full loads.

• Non-toxic & biodegradable
• Hypoallergenic
• Free of phosphates & optical brighteners
• Safe for septic & greywater systems
• Not tested on animals
• Kosher-certified

Natural Fabric Softener

I don't always use fabric softener and use it only for certain clothes. As again, I do not feel the need to make my clothes smell artificially fragrant by using chemicals. This is a canola-based softener that makes your laundry naturally fluffy, cuddly, and static-free. Add to your final rinse cycle when machine washing. Use less Natural Fabric Softener when hand washing.

• Non-toxic & biodegradable
• Hypoallergenic
• Free of phosphates & optical brighteners
• No animal tallow derivatives
• Safe for septic & greywater systems
• Not tested on animals
• Kosher-certified

Itching to switch to this wonderful line of products by Seventh Generation? See the store closest to you that carry Seventh Generation products!

(Disclaimer: Thanks to Seventh Generation Canada for sending me the featured products for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.All opinions expressed here are only my own.)

Daily Guideposts 2011: A Spirit- Lifting Devotional : Review

America's favorite devotional continues to inspire new generations

Guideposts is a non-profit organization that has products and services that inspire, encourage and uplift.Through magazines, books, a prayer network and outreach programs, Guideposts helps people connect their faith to their daily lives.

My dear brother had gifted me a beautiful Guideposts book which had a collection of very inspiring stories. I was in high-school and I couldn't have gotten a better gift! I loved every page and remember reading the stories over and over again.I was pleasantly surprised when I was given the opportunity to review "Daily Guideposts 2011: A Spirit- Lifting Devotional" . The author Andrew Attaway is a senior editor at Guideposts Books. This is his 14th year as the editor of Daily Guideposts

In this special 35th anniversary edition, you'll learn how simplifying your life can give you more room to love, share a harrowing journey from the darkness of depression back into the light, find healing for the heart in the heart of Africa and discover how a casual postcard helped a sorrowing widow discover a new and still growing love.

I am sure that I am going to enjoy every page of this devotional as I take in the essence, in just 5 minutes everyday.It is simple to read and I love to read a devotional when I take the bus to work.Every page has a scripture reading followed by a small true story.There is a short and sweet prayer in every page for 365 days.

This will even make a nice gift for someone you love ! Buy it from Guideposts for $ 15.95 or from Amazon for $13.59.

(Disclaimer: Thanks to Phenix Publicity for sending me the featured product for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.All opinions expressed here are only my own.)

Winner of Funky Monkey Snacks !

Congratulations !

Comment # 6 - "ruthhill74" is the winner of the Funky Monkey Snacks.

I will be emailing you today and you are expected to acknowledge and respond with your postal address. No P.O. Box address will be accepted.

I will be choosing another winner if you do not respond within 48 hrs.

Wholesale Costume Club - Review

Wholesale Costume Club is a place where you can shop for costumes for ALL ages. If you are planning to dress up your baby in a bunny costume or you just want to dress up like Cleopatra, you have come to the right place! Here's a sneak peek of the some costumes for children:

Blues Clues Romper for Infant/Toddler

Peanuts Charlie Brown Boys Costume

Sleeping Beauty Child Ballerina Costume

And something from the boys section that any little boy would love! Wholesale Costume Club is really a club where you can member for just $5 a year! If you have kids at school and need costumes for competitions or dramas or a theme party..the annual membership is worth it as it gives you the following benefits:

• The lowest priced Costumes & Accessories on the internet.
• The best selection of wholesale priced costumes.
• No minimum order requirements.
• You will not be sent unwanted products throughout the year.
• There is no recurring billing for membership fess after your first year's membership expires.You will be notified by email within 30 days of your membership expiration date and you will be invited to renew it online.
• Because the membership fees is so low, the savings on your very first order usually covers more than the cost of your membership!
• Also, save $1 over non-member shipping rates!

I had the opportunity to review a costume from Wholesale Costume Club and I chose the Orange Junior Astronaut Suit Costume. I haven't had the time to photograph my toddler in this lovely orange piece as my little one is too busy to model for me :) But that doesn't stop me from saying all the good things I have to say about this costume. It is made of good quality material and designed and put together very nicely. It can turn anyone into an astronaut! It comes with a really cool cap with "NASA" embroidered on it.I chose 1 size bigger as this costume is a great fit for any school projects and my little boy will be able to proudly model this costume! It can be easily worn over a snow suit and not heavy to fold and keep in a bag. There are more accessories that can be ordered at a very affordable price.The accessories that will compliment with this astronaut suit are :

Childs Jr. Astronaut Space Gloves

Jr. Astronaut Backpack

Jr. Astronaut Boots

Jr Astronaut Helmet for Astronaut Costume

Shopping at Wholesale Costume Club can only save you more money! You will save more than 50% as a Wholesale Costume Club member ! So go and see for yourself, I am sure there is something for everyone at Wholesale Costume Club.

(Disclaimer: Thanks to Wholesale Costume Club for sending me the featured product for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.All opinions expressed here are only my own.)

Eco-Responsible Diapers - Review + 10 % DC

Got a baby in diapers? Concerned about using disposable diapers and polluting the environment? Worried about not having enough time to launder clothe diapers? I betcha..you'll be one happy mama with Eco- responsible baby diapers by Mama Zone.

Before I delve into the great qualities of Eco-Diaper, here's some food for thought from Mama Zone's press release:

" 4 000 000 disposable diapers are being sent to landfills every day in Canada . Each traditional disposable diaper can take as much as 500 years to decompose and is manufactured with non-sustainable resources. When choosing a diaper, today’s families have to consider efficiency, comfort, practicality and ecological impact. Knowing that we will change our baby from 5000 to 7000 times, it is important we make a choice that will fit our lifestyle without compromising performance. Mama Zone eco-responsible diapers by Moltex offer a high performance, high end, eco-friendly and healthy alternative that every conscientious parent can appreciate."

Mama Zone is a Canadian family inspired company that started their own line of eco-responsible diapers still manufactured by Moltex. Moltex has been a leader in eco-friendly diaper ranges for more than 15 years . Moltex Diapers comes with some great features that is worth talking about.Their fast and long lasting absorption time, easy adjustment and unbeatable leak guard protection keeps your baby dry longer leading to less diapering and less waste.

When I was asked to review Eco-Diapers, I was thrilled as I was still trying to find one diaper that was not only environmentally friendly, but friendly on my toddler's skin. The one brand I tried was very thin and was somewhat like a thin stiff piece of cardboard. So I was anxious to feel the diaper.


It was very soft to my surprise and just felt perfect for a baby's skin!

THE ECO-DIAPER ADVANTAGES :

• 100% Biodegradable plant-based outer layer & packaging
• Chlorine, natural latex, fragrances, dye & PVC FREE
• Fluff 100% from sustainable resources
• Neutralizes diaper rash & odour naturally
• Earth neutral absorbent gel
• Natural protection against skin rash and odours
• Dermatologically tested to be gentle on the most delicate skin. Even recommended to fight eczema and other skin conditions
• Natural Tea tree protection against skin rashes and odours
• Light and soft, it adapts perfectly to your baby’s shape for a perfect fit
• Keeps your baby dry as much as 4 times longer than the leading brands (eco-friendly and regular)
• Fully compostable under municipal composting conditions
• Manufactured in Germany

In many diapers the sticker part, can be a bit rough, so I checked and found that it was so well designed that it was not only soft and comfortable but sturdy enough to stick and hold well.


The vital part is the sides of the diaper.It determines the leak factor and the comfort factor. The sides of a diaper is the most important reason for a diaper rash getting worse or if this part is improperly or roughly designed, it can be extremely uncomfortable to a baby. The above picture doesn't do justice to the quality exhibited in this diaper. Just the feeling of the ruffles with my hands, felt very good and no roughness was to be found.

I put it on for my toddler and he had absolutely no leaks through the night or day. He seemed very comfortable in it and had no issues! So you can trust me when I say that Eco-Diapers are very different and much higher in quality when compared to the store brands that I have tried. Plus, I do not feel guilty for not using cloth diapers ( lack of time for most reasons) nor do I have to worry about filling the garbage with non-compostable diapers.

Eco-Diapers gives you the best value for money in terms of diaper count for similarly priced diapers of other brands. Eco-Diapers gives the most diapers per pack when compared to most other brands! Eco-Diapers come in 4 sizes to suit your child's size.

Can't wait to buy it? You can buy it online from Mama Zone. Request a trial pack to see the quality for yourself!

Mama Zone is giving a 10% discount code for all my readers to enjoy! Use the code "TODDLERTALES" when you check out.

Also, Mama Zone is hosting a diaper giveaway. Enter for your chance to win diapers for 3 months! Hurry ! The next draw is on November 1, 2010.


(Disclaimer: Thanks to Mama Zone for sending me the featured product for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.All opinions expressed here are only my own.)

Queen Vernita's Visitors (Prize Pack): Review & Giveaway ( 10/15)

Do you remember my review of Queen Vernita Meets Sir Heathybean the Astronomer ?


I thought that it was a really wonderful book that can be used as a learning tool and had the opportunity to review the other 2 books of this interesting series written by Dawn Menge and illustrated by Switzer. Plus, I thought it would be neat to giveaway 1 lucky winner a prize pack of the 3 books worth approx $60 !


In " Queen Vernita's Visitors", Dawn uses the story-telling technique to familiarize the reader with months of the year, days of the week and lots more...want to know what is that "lots more"? One read is enough for a child to get inquisitive about the words in this book. Queen Vernita is a wonderful host and loves to invite her friends to her beautiful castle covered in ivy and red roses.
Every month one visitor comes to the visit Queen Vernita. The "area of learning" is what the visitor did on every weekday. Children learn a lot from repetition and this technique is used to get the children use the same words repetitively in different situations.

Other words like, " snoring", "leap year", "think it through", "Merry Marigolds", Thorny thistles" can be stumbled upon and can be used to learn and expand vocabulary. You will soon find your child asking you "What is cosmic bowling / Fressias/countryside / nature trail

Dawn has also included seasonal activities like Apple-picking, Pumpkin in October and Turkey in November..and all those lovely fall colors fill the pages!

Every left page is filled with colorful illustrations about Queen Vernita and her visitor.The text is laid out clearly and just enough for a young mind to look and take-in. I also would like to reiterate my fondness for the presentation of what the visitor did each day. Short, sweet and crisp in one single line!

Buy Queen Vernita's Visitors from Amazon for $19.95 or win a prize pack here on my blog!


Queen Vernita takes her visitors to the Blue Ice Mountains to learn about the flora and fauna ! Her visitors were sure to have a fun time! As organized as Queen Vernita is, she decided to send out invitation for one visitor each month.

In this book, your child will learn a lot of about different features of animals, glaciers, wildflowers, whales, birds, bears..and kayaking too! This is a really fun book with little descriptions about every little activity that Queen Vernita undertook with her friends.

Filled with delightful colors and captivating pictures, the text is easy to read and simple enough to pause and talk about what is being read. A simple approach to some details, in a "Once upon a time.." tone has made this book very impressive!

For home or classroom, Queen Vernita is a great read for young readers! It is most suited for ages 6+ yrs. But my 2.5 yr old seemed to love the pictures and any book that can attract a child's attention is just perfect for a young mind!

Buy Queen Vernita's Visitors from Amazon for $17.96 or win a prize pack here on my blog!

Thanks to author Dawn Menge, 1 lucky winner will get a prize pack of all the above 3 books!

Here's how you can win it:

Mandatory Entry:

- Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect.

Love on the Sponsor ( 1 entry each):

- Follow author on Facebook

Bonus Entries( 1 entry each)

- Like "Toddler Tales by Mommy" Facebook badge on my blog page ( upper right side bar)

- Become "Toddler Tales by Mommy"'s friend on Facebook.

- Follow "Toddler Tales by Mommy" on Twitter.

- Follow on Networked blogs

- Become an email subscriber

This Giveaway is open to Canada and US until Oct 15, 2010.Random Generator will choose a winner and winner will be announced on Oct 16, 2010.

(Disclaimer: Thanks to author Dawn Menge for sending me the featured books for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.All opinions expressed here are only my own.)

New winner for Beautiful Creatures CD!

I did not hear back from Leanne ( comment # 20) & Shanna ( comment # 14) and it is more than 48 hrs.

So the new winner is karasceviour (comment # 8) ! Congratulations ! I am emailing you right away!

Winners!

Hello Ladies !

Excuse me for the delay in posting the winners. I am down with the flu and couldn't bring myself to do anything.

Here are the winners! Congratulations!

BPA Free Easy Lunch Boxes - Liz ( comment # 84)
Dr.Seuss : Wings and Things DVD - karasceviour ( comment # 25)
Beautiful Creatures CD : stacythemagnificentmommy ( comment # 3)

I will be emailing you today and please respond withing 48 hrs. If I do not hear from you by 48hrs, I will be choosing another winner.

ETA: I just realized that there are 2 more winners for the Beautiful Creatures CD giveaway!

Congratulations!

Beautiful Creatures CD : Leanne ( comment # 20) & Shanna ( comment # 14)

CSN Stores Review: Warm for winter!

Do you remember my post Dine in Style : CSN Stores ?

It was a post about a tiny portion of the wonderful things you can find at the world of CSN .You can find items as big as this dCOR design Ryan 3 Piece Bedroom Set in Ebony Pecan..just see for yourself how beautiful this looks!




Or something as tiny as this cute and adorable Comfy Feet Colorado Buffaloes Baby Slipper in Brown


When i was asked to do a review for CSN Stores, I had to find something that suited my upcoming winter needs.I warmly narrowed my choice down to this Alfi isoBottle 0.5-Liter Swiss Cross Red Thermos. This isoBottle combines the convenience of a drinking bottle with the benefits of vacuum jug. Check out the sale price of $29.95, you save $15.05 !

Alfi designs, produces, and sells thermal carafes with both aesthetic value and functionality. Alfi is the world leader in high-quality thermal carafes. Alfi's team of qualified specialists, together with environmental friendly, technical equipment, gives customers the guarantee that every carafe leaving Alfi is in perfect condition. I will say without a doubt that CSN Stores has the best products from the best companies!

Alfi Vaccum Flask comes with these extremely satisfying features:

• Inner cup welded and hygienically sealed.
• Stopper with inner insulation improves insulation performance.
• Copper plated inner wall prevents the escape of radiant heat.
• Ceramic vacuum base.
• Spout system with valve for uninterrupted drinking
• Pop-up cap with stopper
• Capacity: 0.5 liters / 16.9 ounces

And the features I love the most :

• Manufactured in Germany.
• Steel vacuum liner. Neither heat nor cold can escape. Neutral odor or taste.
  
• Spring Steel: Light as feather and dent resistant.The lightest vacuum flask of its class.

Stainless steel is food safe, resistant to acid and extremely shockproof and impact-proof, even with beverages containing fruit acid or carbonate.


There is a 5 yr guarantee on the insulation efficiency..now that's some quality i call "excellent"! However, one has to take this caution to avoid the danger of scalding. Before filling hot drinks, allow them to cool to drinking temperature. the high insulation efficiency keeps the contents at an almost constant temperature for several hours.

The drink tube makes it just convenient to sip the drink straight without having to worry about finding or carrying a glass.


When I want to enjoy my hot or cold beverage, i just turn the cap anticlockwise to the mark "drink" and the cap springs open and the drink valve opens automatically. Drink by sucking through the drink tube. I took some cold milk for my son in this flask today and when he wanted some, i poured out some in his sippy and the rest remained cold and fresh! It won't be long when i will have to share my flask with him as it has a drink tube for sipping !

So, with this Alfi isoBottle I say to winter " Bring it on Mr.Snowman! "....I can be sure to fall back on my isoBottle for some hot-chocolate or masala tea when I am on the go. I can also take juices with some ice cubes in it during the summer. This great multi-purpose flask comes different colors and patterns. There is something for kids and adults. Maybe a little girl will like this 1000 Kisses,


or this pretty one in Horses Pink

This really majestic Royal Blue is sure to be liked by adults as its a unisex color.


I am sure that this Alfi isoBottle will go places with me! Thanks CSN Stores for having such a product. I am extremely satisfied with the product and great job in choosing the best for your customers!

(Disclaimer: CSN sent me the featured product for review purpose only. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. I did pay a little for shipping. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.All opinions expressed here are only my own.)

Book Review: Queen Vernita Meets Sir Heathybean the Astronomer

" Welcome to the Oceaners Kingdom !! "

Ages: 9-12

Authors: Dawn Menge and Heath Rhoades.

Discovering about what lies far, far away from the Earth..is what this wonderful book is all about. Children will learn about the planets of the solar system, months of the year and it is the most fun way to learn!

Veteran author Dawn Menge and astronomer Heath Rhoades in their new juvenile fiction book, Queen Vernita Meets Sir HeathyBean the Astronomer, take children on a learning voyage into the solar system. The third volume in the popular Queen Vernita series, their newest work uses Rhoades’ expertise in astronomy and Menge’s storytelling skills to inspire their young readers to learn more about the nine planets, the sun, the moon, the asteroids and the comets.

What makes this book appealing to young minds ( I'll include myself here as i enjoyed refreshing my astronomy facts!):

• Vibrant colors of the pages with colorful illustrations.
• Every left page is picture-filled.
• Every right page, has details about the planets, sun, moon etc.
  
• The text is presented in a good-size and aptly-spaced to make it look clear and comprehensible.
• The facts are formatted in the text page, giving it the "bullet-ed" look without actually bulleting it. It is easy to grasp factual information when presented like this. So great job!

Queen Vernita invites 12 visitors over a period of 12 months to Oceaners Kingdom. The visitor will be taught by Sir HeathyBean the Atronomer and Cora the Teacher. Sounds like a plan! The visitors have a great time learning about the marvelous celestial objects and space.

This is a great book that you can use for your children over 1 yr to learn about the solar system. Pick one planet a month and read from the book, make planets with a ball or even why not a visit to the planetarium? This book will open up your mind to many ways in which you can familiarize the solar system to your child.

Make sure to add this book (" the Telescope Book" like my 2 yr old calls it) to your library collection for your children!

You can buy Queen Vernita Meets Sir HeathyBean the Astronomer on-line in paperback

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Outskirt Press Bookstore

( Disclaimer: I was sent a review copy of this book. I was not compensated monetarily for this review. All opinions expressed here are my own)

Book Review: Katie Up and Down the Hall

“The true story of how one dog turned five neighbors into a family”

This is a "true" story that happened and the author Glenn Plaskin has courageously put in words his feelings, regrets, relationships and most of all...how one little cocker spaniel named Katie, brought so much into his life.

The author moves to Battery Park City ( A city or community on the southwestern part of Manhattan. It was built from the soil and rocks excavated when the World Trade Center was built.) where he finds new friendships which lead him to owning a dog.He goes on talk about how Katie adapted to his apartment life-style and found new friends down the hall-way. Katie's presence brings life and light into the life of an elderly couple, a single-dad and his son and most of all Glenn.

Glenn also lived through the traumatic 9/11 experience and describes it in a real, dramatic manner that captures the tragedy that struck.

Veteran journalist and celebrity interviewer Glenn Plaskin is the bestselling author of Horowitz: The Biography of Vladimir Horowitz and Turning Point: Pivotal Moments in the Lives of America’s Celebrities.Plaskin, a resident of Battery Park City, is surrounded by more than 500 dogs in Lower Manhattan neighborhood, a waterside community that inspired this book and the remarkable events in it.

Katie Up and Down the Hall is available online for anyone who wishes to purchase it.

( Disclaimer: I was sent a review copy of this book. I was not compensated monetarily for this review. All opinions expressed here are my own)

Tropical Traditions Laundry Detergent - Review & Giveaway ( 10/1)

Tropical Traditions has convinced me that there can actually be a laundry detergent that not only cleans well but fragrance free, doesn't smell funny and environment friendly. The clothes smell naturally fresh and i love it when i dry my clothes in the sun!

I was very happy to try this and I am very satisfied with Tropical Traditions laundry detergent and not worried anymore about using the really, really strong detergents that are available across North America. Most detergents in the market are very strong with chemicals and not bio-degradable, that the normal rinsing process does not rinse out all the soap or should i say chemicals? So when i finally wear freshly laundered clothes, i have chemicals in my clothes in constant contact with my skin. I certainly wouldn't want these chemicals on my baby's skin.

I am more than happy to wash my family's laundry with Tropical Traditions Laundry Detergent. And most importantly, this laundry powder dissolves easily and doesn't leave residue on clothes.

Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent cleans and removes stains from your laundry with the power of Oxygen Bleach Destainer and Deodorizer.

Some of the features of Powdered Laundry Detergent:

• Safe and effective at ALL temperatures
  
• Safe and effective on whites, permanent press, bright colors, pastels, prints and delicates in hard or soft water. (Not suitable for Silk or Wool)
• Non-toxic , environmentally safe and contains no phosphates.
  
• Cleans and safely bleaches your clothes with the added power of Oxygen Bleach Destainer and Deodorizer.

Tropical Traditions has a variety of products that are non-toxic and environmental friendly. Here's a sneak peek of their product category:

• Organic food
• Skincare Products
• Household goods
• Supplements
• Healthy Oils
• Books
• Pet Products
• Coconut Oil
  

Don't forget to check out Tropical Traditions on how you can whip up a yummy dish with coconut!

You will be able to acquire your own complimentary copy of the Virgin Coconut Oil book by taking part in the Referral Program.Choose “Referred by a Friend” and enter coupon code: 6519881, the book will be automatically added to your order.Tropical Traditions has excellent customer service and you can contact them here, if you need help with placing your first order and getting the book.

Tropical Traditions is giving away one 5 lb Powdered Laundry Detergent to one winner!

Here's how you can win it :

Mandatory Entry:

- Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect.

Extra Entries ( 1 entry each, leave separate comments):

- Sign-up for Tropical Traditions Newsletter
- Like "Toddler Tales by Mommy" Facebook badge on my blog page ( upper right side bar)
- Become "Toddler Tales by Mommy"'s friend on Facebook.
- Follow "Tropical Traditions" on Twitter
- Follow "Toddler Tales by Mommy" on Twitter.
- Follow on Networked blogs
- Become an email subscriber
- Drag my button to your page and leave a link to where i can find it.

This Giveaway is open to Canada and US until Oct 1, 2010.Random Generator will choose a winner and winner will be announced on Oct 2, 2010.

( Note for Canadian bloggers: Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge if you decide to participate in this Tropical Traditions sponsored blog giveaway. )

( Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.)