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Ozeri Artesio Electric Pepper Grinder - Linda M.

$15 Gift Code to The Mill Fudge Factory - Erika P., Saida A., and Julie W.

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Win $100 Team Abnegation Twitter / Facebook Blast

Want to win a $100 Amazon Gift Code? 

150 Fabulous Bloggers have joined together in this Twitter/Facebook blast to give you the chance to win one!

You have many chances to win and can enter daily from now until April 22nd.  

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$50 Friday Winner

Yesterday's $50 Friday winner is....

Cami A.

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Kool Rider Review

Okay, raise your hand if you stuck baseball cards to your bike wheels to make a clickity-clack sound. How about a crunched up aluminum can? Kool Rider can make your kids' bikes sound like a speeding motorbike!

This sturdy CuPont polymer clip can be customized with the included stickers. Place the velcro strip on the bike, place the clip on the velcro with the flaps against the wheel spokes and as easy as that, you can be a Kool Rider too!

The clip has the reverse side of velcro inside so the clip won't slip, slide, or fall off. It will last for hundreds (maybe even thousands) of miles. Even Texas heat and Minnesota cold won't affect it's performance. Plus they are made in the USA. The company even employs developmentally disabled adults to help with assembling and packaging. Go America!

There are tons of kids on our street and I know they're all going to want a Kool Rider or two after they see my son riding his bike with it. Since he's older, whatever he does, they want to do. For less than ten bucks, your kids can transform their bikes too. Get them out of the house to have some fun in the sun.

Want to see and hear it in action? Click HERE for a video and feel free to subscribe. You can buy yours HERE, and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter, because they're in the process of making some for children under 6, plus cool new major league sports stickers for customizing.

My 2012 in Pictures

My Daughter Heather's College Graduation Announcement

Nutrisystem Update - Week 21 #NSNation

After 21 weeks on Nutrisystem, I'm at a 22 pound weight loss, which means I lost another pound! I was feeling  a bit frustrated because I was only maintaining and not losing more, so I spoke to a Nutrisystem rep. It is such a nice perk to have someone to contact for ideas! She made some suggestions that seem to be making a difference. I'm having my dinner for lunch now, and my lunch for dinner, plus making sure my extra items change constantly so my body does not get "bored" of the same foods. I'm hoping this will help the pounds begin to peel off again. Now that it's spring, it's easier to get outside, so I know I am moving more too. 

Want to lose weight and get healthy too? 

 Join Nutrisystem today by calling 1-888-853-4689 

 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog.

My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler Review and Giveaway

Bullying has become such a big issue lately and I'm excited to tell you about My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler. Providing children with constructive hobbies helps them focus on creating rather than destroying. This type of product is extra special because children are making the bracelets for others. What a wonderful virtue to instill in children!

This travel size edition of the Friendship Bracelet Maker is the perfect go-anyplace crafter. The embroidery threads are stored in a slide-out drawer on the side. There are even five included just to get you started. It comes with clear instructions and even photos.

I invited my son to make a friendship bracelet for me. After reading the directions, he pulled out two black threads, two reds, and two whites. He explained to me that the more threads you use, the wider the bracelet appears.

He showed me how to thread them across the bracelet maker, going under a thread, pulling it tight, then moving the threads over one at a time. It was neat to watch how the bracelet began to take shape. He worked on it for about a half an hour, then took a snack break before heading back to it.

He stayed very concentrated on what he was doing and it reminded me of when I used to make looped potholders as a child. When the bracelet reached the end of the Friendship Bracelet Maker, he pulled off the strings and tied a knot at each end. Then he fixed a sliding knot on the back so it could be easily adjusted to slide on and off a wrist.

Here is the finished bracelet. I got to wear it for the picture, but he's planning on giving it to one of his friends. He has always liked making things, whether it's wood projects, block building, or science messes, so I figured he'd enjoy helping me with a bracelet. I have to admit it was really nice to see him doing something that isn't electronic.

My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler is an excellent gift for a child, tween or teen, and both girls and boys. The company also offers different versions of My Friendship Bracelet Maker as well as My Ribbon Barrette Maker. Help your kids to Choose Friendship and together watch the Inside-Out Anti-Bullying Video starring Marisa Nahas. Then enter to win My Bracelet Maker Traveler below!
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Childhood's Precious Memories

Yesterday, I heard children's squeals of delight and shouts of laughter, so I went out back to see what was so much fun. Over the fence I saw three little girls and two little boys in their bathing suits, running through the sprinkler. It really made me smile because those simple memories are so precious and I can remember doing the same thing with my sisters. I heard one of them exclaim, "Look, it's getting muddy!" followed by the obvious shout of another child, "Let's make mudpies!"

I thought to myself, childhood really hasn't changed much in the past forty years. Even with all the material possessions, all the technological advancements, all the political turmoil, and all the wars across the world, children still see the world through innocent and precious eyes, enjoying life in that very moment, experiencing joy in just the things that exist in nature around them.

As I'm beaming with nostalgia, I heard the back door to their house slam open, and out comes an adult male, yelling, "What are you doing? Get that mud off you! What's the matter with you?" and slammed back into the house. I sighed with deep disappointment because those children were robbed of a beautiful memory.

My 2012 in Pictures

My son Ryan kicking at his first kung fu class.

4/5/12

Mother's Day Bash Event

Get a head start on this year’s BIG Mother’s Day Bash Event! Hosted by voiceBoks, Planet Weidknecht, Good Steward Savers, Terri's Little Haven, and About a Mom Blog.

This year’s Event features 3 Prizes!

1) The First Place Prize will feature will be $600 Paypal CASH Prize for you splurge on your mom.
2) The Second Place Prize will be a Spa Perfect Relax and Rejuvinate Tote worth over $100 from Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts
3) The Third Place Prize will be a 3D Family Portrait on Canvas made by Emsheldesigns.

Please CLICK HERE To Get Your Entries in Early! Ends 4/27.

Weekend Inspiration Blog Hop - Brand New Hop

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Guidecraft's All in One Play Kitchen - Review

Guidecraft has the absolute best play kitchen I've ever seen. Fortunately for me, my husband is always willing to step in when there is "some assembly required." My group of eight daycare kids screamed with delight when the delivery driver dropped off two huge boxes at my door. One side of the box had a picture of the All in One Play Kitchen and one of my kids said, "Miss Lisa, is Johnny going to put it together now?" She was very disappointed when I told her he was at work, so I promised her he would put it together when he got home. I sure love that man! The kids are pretty fond of him too. I sent him a text and he replied with, "No problem."

Right after dinner settled, he opened the boxes to just a "few" different pieces to assemble. I asked if he was intimidated and he said no. He said that since it was labeled Guidecraft, he knew all the pieces would be there and everything would fit together the way it was supposed to fit according to the instructions. A couple hours later, he presented to me the most beautiful play kitchen I've ever seen. He said there wasn't even a screw left over.

The cooling colors of blue and green mixed with the wood veneer finish is perfect for our playroom. There is so much detail in this kids' kitchen! The refrigerator has an inside shelf, with an upper "freezer" area, plus a write-on/wipe-off marker board on the front. There is a stove and oven combination with even a microwave. There is a small upper cabinet and shelf, plus a dishwasher under the sink. There are extra shelves on the side, made of the same beautiful marbled-look countertop material. The doors all open easily and close with magnets. The knobs turn on the stove and faucet. Even the little clock hands move. 

My two four year olds were first to arrive and headed straight for the kitchen. I'd already stocked it with play food and dishes. The little red phone on the side was an instant hit. One of them said, "Miss Lisa, this is the BEST KITCHEN EVER!" They opened and closed all the doors, turned all the knobs, and decided to make a pizza. They even warmed up a piece in the microwave and offered it to me. They loved the little hooks on the "splashback tile" and hung up the two little oven mitts.

Providing children with realistic educational toys and furniture is very important. Children have a natural curiosity about appliances and want to copy what they see their parents doing in their kitchens at home. Unfortunately, that can lead to dangerous situations, so by providing them a safe alternative, we can better protect them. Role playing is one of the ways children learn to relate to others. It expands their language and social skills and gives them spontaneous opportunities to work together in small groups. You can purchase the Guidecraft All in One Kitchen HERE.
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Guidecraft on Pinterest ~ Guidecraft on Facebook ~ Guidecraft on Twitter

Does Your Dog Walk You?

I've had two dogs in my adult life, both of them were big dogs. My first dog was impossible to walk. She dragged me all over the neighborhood. My second, and current, dog is a much better walker. We walk together and he doesn't pull near as much as the first one. The Instant Trainer Leash is designed to help dog owners gently but firmly discourage dogs from pulling.

It's a really neat design. It hooks onto the dog's existing collar and around the dog's belly. It has a slide loop on it that only tightens up when the dog pulls, so it's like a self-correcting leash. Buddy seemed rather insulted when we put the Instant Trainer Leash on him. He wouldn't even look at me.

But when we asked him, "Do you wanna go for a walk?" he was much happier and couldn't wait to go. It worked really well and after a few light pulls on the leash, Buddy walked nicely beside us the entire walk. If you have a dog that prefers to walk you, rather than you walk the dog, this is a great dog leash to help with training.

It comes in two sizes...one for dogs under 30 pounds and one for dogs over 30 pounds. Buddy weighs around 90 pounds, so it will even work for very large dogs. You can pick up an Instant Trainer Leash at http://www.instanttrainerleash.com/ and start enjoying the fresh air and healthy exercise with your pet!
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Glass Dharma Glass Straws - Review

Stop tossing plastic straws in the trash! Instead be eco-conscious and fashionable with these stunning glass straws from Glass Dharma. Let me just say, I love these glass straws! They come in several lengths and widths. You can choose from bent straws or straight straws. You can even get them with words etched on them. How cute would that be for wedding favors?

By rinsing and reusing glass straws, we can take another small step in saving our Earth from disposable plastics that fill up our landfills. Having a party? Hosting a lucheon? Look at these darling Decorative Dots straws. They come in six different colors!

Glass Dharma straws come with a lifetime guarantee against breakage. They are handmade in the USA, kid friendly, and even safe for use in the microwave and dishwasher. You can buy the original glass straw at http://glassdharma.com/. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter as well.
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

CoreHome.com Bamboo Bowls - Review

I am always looking for fabulous items to add to my kitchen. I absolutely LOVE these bamboo bowls! CoreHome.com has several different lines of beautiful, environmentally friendly houseware products. My favorite line is from CoreBamboo.com. I received the Bamboo Bucket Bowl (above) and the Bamboo Flower Bowl (below).

Their bamboo bowls are so unique! They come in natural colors and even color finishes, like chocolate brown, teal, lime, lilac, and many others. The finish on these bowls adds a splash of color to your kitchen or even a coffee table. Any of their beautiful bowls would be an amazing Mother's Day gift! You could even fill it with things your mom loves.

The chocolate Flower Bowl looks great filled with fresh fruit or maybe some baking mixes that mom loves. If you have small children, you could have them make cards or pictures, then fill the bowl with little love letters made by them. Or help them make muffins to fill the bowl. It's scalloped edges lend a soft look and it's big enough to hold nearly a dozen apples.

The Bucket Bowl is even larger and has carved out handles on both sides. The handles give it so much charm and make it perfect for carrying pasta to the table for Mother's Day. Add a big teddy bear and make mom gush over cuteness and practicality in one! You will love the high quality of these housewares.

You could fill it with her favorite books as a great gift. Or make a small flower arrangement from nearby fields to fill it up for mom. Honestly, I bet she'd be thrilled with the empty bowl! These gorgeous bowls are very versatile and will certainly make a statement. You can buy these and many other wonderful eco-conscious housewares at http://www.corebamboo.com. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter too!
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Would you like to win one?
One lucky Planet Weidknecht reader will win a Bucket Bowl from CoreBamboo.com. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on 4/20/12 at midnight ET. Good luck, my friends!

Char Crust Dry-Rub Seasonings - Review

Prepare to be hungry! Char Crust has a line of dry-rub seasonings that will make people think you are a professional chef. Each package has enough seasonings in it to be used over and over. The packaging is designed to easily fold over to keep the seasonings fresh. From Roasted Garlic Peppercorn, to Ginger Teriyaki, to Amazin' Cajun, to All American Barbecue, you can make a mouth-watering meal of pork, chicken, steak, and more. There are even more flavors to choose from!

My fabulous husband volunteered to make dinner so of course I accepted, then grabbed my camera. He trimmed the fat and bone off a few pork chops and used the Roasted Garlic Peppercorn rub on both sides of the chops. The rubs are made from premium blends of herbs and spices that are healthy. Each 3g serving has zero fat, 1-2 carbs, and no more than 9 calories. All their rubs are certified kosher as well.

Johnny pan-fried the pork chops, making the house smell like a fancy restaurant. Just a few minutes on each side and they were done. Then he drizzled a tad of oil in the skillet and tossed in fresh asparagus to mix with the seasonings left in the pan.

Char Crust gave our pork chops a taste I don't think we've had before. The Roasted Garlic Peppercorn sealed in the juices of the meat and even spiced up the veggies a bit. An absolutely amazing meal. We can't wait to to try the other three rubs! You can buy them in grocery stores nationwide or at http://charcrust.com/products/. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter for great ideas and recipes too.
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Would you like to try these?
One lucky Planet Weidknecht reader will win all four of these flavors of Char Crust! To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on 4/20/12 at midnight ET. Good luck and enjoy your dinner!

GourmetGiftBaskets Brownie Sampler - Review and Giveaway

Love brownies? Me too! I bet YOUR mom would love this amazing Brownie Sampler from GourmetGiftBaskets.com for Mother's Day. I know I did. There are six big, individually wrapped brownies in this collection. Butterscotch, Peanut Butter, Cheesecake, Belgian Chocolate Chunk, Fudge Walnut and White Chocolate Macadamia.

I cut each delicious brownie into four pieces so I could share with my guys. They were definitely happy about that! Every flavor is simply scrumptious, but my favorite is the cheesecake brownie. Or maybe the peanut butter. Or maybe the chocolate chunk.

These gourmet brownies are so moist and delicious. They are also very scrumptiously rich and not one of us could eat all six quarter brownies in one sitting. GourmetGiftBaskets.com definitely gets five stars for this Brownie Sampler! Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter to be first to hear about new products and special promotions.
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

How about another Delicious Giveaway?
One lucky Planet Weidknecht reader will win the GourmetGiftBaskets.com Brownie Sampler pictured here, one of each flavor! To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway will end on 4/20/12 at midnight ET. Good luck!

Snip.It Earth Day Contest

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Last Minute Easter Coupons to Print

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More Winners on Planet Weidknecht

Rubbermaid Hidden Recycler - Mary R.

Nightmare Nibbler - Susan S.

Thanks to all who entered!

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Liquid Gold Clean Screen - Review

Our house is full of screens - televisions, computers, smart phones - you name it. Fingerprints? Yes, everywhere. Especially the daycare computer. Scott's Liquid Gold Clean Screen is an excellent product because it's safe to use - safe for all your screens, and safe because it contains no alcohol and no ammonia!

I've always heard not to spray the screen directly and that is exactly how the Liquid Gold Clean Screen is used. One squirt of liquid onto the included suede micro fiber cloth will clean most small screens, larger screens may need two squirts of liquid. It leaves no residue, just a crystal clear screen. It will also work on your DVDs, CDs, sunglasses and even tinted car windows.

I decided to test it out on the daycare flat screen computer monitor. Look at all those preschooler fingerprints!! They are always touching the screen. What a difference Liquid Gold Clean Screen makes! It uses Reverse Osmosis technology, removing the mineral deposits and impurities smaller than water molecules.

You can find Scott's Liquid Gold clean screen at grocers and retailers nationwide or at http://www.scottsliquidgold.com/clean-screen/. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter too!

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.