Key Ingredient Recipe Reader Giveaway - Sweet Summer Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the

Sweet Summer Giveaway Hop

hosted by

Planet Weidknecht

and

Passport to Frugal

From August 17-31, you can visit all the participating blogs listed below and enter to win their wonderful prizes to top off your summer in a sweet way. Each blog is offering a giveaway prize of at least $25.00 and you might be lucky enough to win them all!

Enter below to win a
Key Ingredient Recipe Reader,
a fabulous interactive electronic tablet cookbook!
Read my full review HERE.

Key Ingredient Recipe Reader - Review

Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

I am having so much fun with my new toy, um tool, for my kitchen! It's called the Key Ingredient Recipe Reader and basically it's an electronic interactive tablet cookbook. It is so easy to use that even your great-great-grandma would be completely enamored with it.

It is kitchen-safe with its sealed glass touch-screen. The Recipe Reader is completely mess-proof and can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth. Not only can I load all my own recipes on it, I have access to the entire online recipe database via my wifi connection.

The base of it is angled so I can leave it right on my counter-top to have easy access to the recipe I'm making for that meal. The easy tabs at the top navigate through the recipe, while the buttons at the bottom of the Recipe Reader offer me even more options.

There are full color photos, ingredient lists, and step by step instructions for the recipes. It would be the perfect gift for moms, dads, grandparents, college students, newly married couples and anyone else who loves to cook. If they don't love to cook, maybe this will motivate them to cook more!

Navigating around on the Recipe Reader takes just minutes to learn and there's a handy user guide included. It comes with an electrical connection, turns on with one click, then searches for wifi connections and allows you to log in. The touch screen is very responsive without being overly sensitive.

The Recipe Reader is equipped with three kitchen timers that can run simultaneously and a planner feature that allows quick access to selected recipes to make planning meals a breeze! A substitution tool is available in case my pantry is missing an ingredient and there's also a conversion calculator.

Key Ingredient (www.keyingredient.com) hosts the web's largest shareable collection of over 1.5 million user-generated recipes. I can log onto my laptop or the Recipe Reader to access my free account. I have had such a great time playing with it and have already made three of the recipes I found on it. I love mine and totally recommend it!

Visit www.keyingredient.com to check out the Recipe Reader, sign up for an account, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest too.

Then go HERE to enter to win your very own Recipe Reader in the Sweet Summer Giveaway Hop!

Key Ingredient presents the Community Cookbook Event - Key Ingredient is sponsoring individual events to help build a bridge between older and younger generations in your community. They facilitate this connection through a unique offer and opportunity called the “Community Cookbook Contest" - they are offering to sponsor a Cooking themed event with more than $400 in gifts, prizes, and other materials, for the first 200 communities to sign up to host such an event. Also, you have a chance to win $2000 from Key Ingredient! Click HERE to get all the details and get ready to cook for a cause!

Disneynature’s BEARS Video Clip - #DisneynatureBears

Go see BEARS during opening week (April 18-24, 2014) and Disneynature, via the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, will make a contribution to the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to protect wildlife and wild places across America’s national park system.

Check out the video clip below!

“Like” Disneynature on Facebook: Facebook.com/Disneynature

Follow Disneynature on Twitter: Twitter.com/Disneynature

Visit the website: Disney.com/Bears

#DisneyPlanes More Free Printable Activities

Krazy Big Fix Sweepstakes

FIX. SHARE. WIN!™

Don't just sit there. Fix something! We're on a mission to collect as many Krazy Glue fixes as possible. Share your best handiwork and you could win great monthly prizes — or even the cash grand prize! The value goes up based on the number of submissions, so be sure to enter every day.

CLICK BELOW TO GET STARTED!

Current Giveaways

• Copy of Best Lunch Box Ever plus 3 Containers - Ends Aug 23
• Chevy Silverado Strong Swag Giveaway - Ends Aug 31
• AllClear Natural Mosquito Repellents Table Top and Sidekick - Ends Aug 31
• Two Winners each win Two Bags of Pork Chomps Dog Treats - Ends Aug 31
• Green Smoke Ecigs Ultimate Kit - Ends Sept 15

Old Horror Films - Throwback Thursday #tbt

Includes affiliate link.

Welcome to Throwback Thursday Link Up!

Sponsored By:

Passport To Frugal and Planet Weidknecht

Join Us Each Weekly as We Add a New Stroll Down Memory Lane to
Our Weekly Throwback Thursday Link Up.

Each week we will have a quick post about a "walk down memory lane" or "what if" type of post for Throwback Thursday.

Lisa and Bonnie would love it if you would:

Please link back to our blogs or posts. You will find the buttons below.

The "Throwback Thursday Link Up" will benefit those who participate!

Each post should be along the lines of a fond memory our what ever happened...? or even do you remember...? Please do not link to a site other than your own.

Please make sure you use your own photos in your posts, OR make sure to give credit to your photo source.

Also please take the time to visit at least three of the blogs when you add your link, and share upon your visit.

Please do not link to the same post more than once.

All posts must be family friendly!

As an added feature you may add ONE text link (word; not some obvious shout out) to an affiliate link for a product discussed/mentioned in your post. Example: I remember having a favorite pillow that made the rounds to each and every sleepover throughout my youth. Make sure you make you note in your post about the affiliate link for the FCC!

Let's enjoy a stroll down memory lane; maybe a family vacation or a wonderful food from your childhood. Truly the options are endless!

Can you remember the first horror film you ever watched? Mine was "Carrie" starring Sissy Spacek. I remember sitting on the floor of our family room, huddled up next to the couch near the corner of this huge console television, eyes glued to the screen. The story was simply beyond any nightmare I'd ever dreamed and I was totally hooked on horror films after seeing it. If you've ever seen the ending scene in the movie (no spoilers from me), you can probably imagine how scary it must have been for a young girl. The movie pales in comparison to today's horror films but it was quite an experience back then. Have you seen "Carrie" circa 1976? What was your first horror flick?

OMGuac Your Lunch and Win

Wholly Guacamole

is celebrating back to school

with a whole new promotion -

OMGuac One Lunch, Two Ways

Visit HERE to get a $1.00 off coupon, Watch OMGuac videos for lunch ideas, and then enter the photo contest for a chance to win $100 gift card and a cooler of FREE Wholly Guacamole! Three lucky winners will be announced each week of the promotion.

OMGuac Website
OMGuac Lunch Contest Form

Otter Pops #OtterSummerScramble Sweepstakes #YOLO

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jel Sert for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Otter Pops are a great way to freshen up and lighten up during the hot summer months. These delicious, fat-free snacks come in so many delicious Original Fruit flavors and Tropical flavors that you're sure to find at least one you love. Since they are made with real fruit juice, you can enjoy them anytime. With school starting back soon, make sure you've had at least one YOLO experience this summer and celebrate it with Otter Pops.

My YOLO experience this summer actually happens this month. I will be dropping off my two youngest children at college this month and returning to my empty nest home. I'm excited, scared, nervous, and a bit sad, but I know this is just the start of a whole new chapter of my own life. I'll be able to go anywhere and do anything I want to do, but I'll also appreciate the little things, like knowing my Otter Pops won't disappear from the freezer so quickly now. My favorite ones are orange!

What's your YOLO experience from this past summer? For those of you who don't know what YOLO means, it stands for You Only Live Once, so you should take advantage of opportunities that come your way because you don't want to miss out on living with zest.

You can enter the Summer Scramble Sweeps by visiting the Otter Pops Facebook page. All you have to do is LIKE their page, click on the "Summer Scramble Sweeps" tab, and fill in your information. The lucky grand prize winner will get a year's supply of Otter Pops! Three random winners will wina $50 Visa gift card, plus there are 25 chances to earn a weekly prize over give weeks to win a 16-count box of Otter Pops. It's so easy to enter, so don't miss your chance to win. You can also follow @Otterpops on Twitter. Go enter!

I'm in! Are YOU?

Buca di Beppo $15 Off Coupon

Brand New Offer!
$15 off Any Combination of Two Pastas, Baked Pastas or Entrees!

Pork Chomps Dog Treats - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Whenever I get new boxes delivered for reviews, I usually stack them up until the end of the day, then open them all at the same time. If it's a box of dog treats, somehow Buddy knows, and he'll nose around at the box until I give in and open it for him. He was so perky the day the box of Pork Chomps arrived and literally danced around the box.

While opening the box of a wonderful variety of dog treats, I was laughing so hard because Buddy didn't even want to wait until I unwrapped the packaging. Pork Chomps are made from baked pork skin and are 100% rawhide-free. There are no dyes or fillers and they are 99.9% digestible so I don't have to worry about intestinal blockage.

Buddy absolutely loves these dog treats, especially the ones with sweet potatoes. A recent university study even showed that daily treats of Pork Chomps actually reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in dogs! Best of all, they are odor-free and Buddy completely eats each one so I don't have to clean up slimy leftover pieces.

Look at that dog smile on Buddy! Visit www.porkchomps.com for more information, and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Plus you can enter below to win two bags of Pork Chomps for your sweet canine!

Two winners will each win two bags of Pork Chomps!
To enter just fill in the easy Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Giveaway ends at midnight 8/31/2013. Good luck!

Wednesday Wealth Giveaway Link Up

Love to win? Me too!

Enter these giveaways and let me know if you win!

Got giveaways? Link 'em up!

Hemp Authority Drawstring Backpack Review

Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Looking for a more eco-friendly option for your child's backpack this year? This durable drawstring backpack from Hemp Authority is made of 100% hemp. It's lightweight so you'll have more peace of mind when it comes to concerns over heavy backpacks.

Proudly made here in the USA, these drawstring backpacks come in pink (my favorite), green, red, purple, or natural. They are very roomy inside with plenty of space for notebooks, pens, books, lunch and even a lightweight jacket for those unexpected chilly days.

They are reinforced with grommets to ensure long-lasting use. The hemp material is beautiful, comfortable, natural and fashionable. These bags are perfect for school, the gym, shopping trips, and travel excursions! Visit hempauthority.com to shop for drawstring backpacks, hats, clothes and more. Be sure to follow their new Google+ page 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.

First Time Home Buyer Information

When you purchase a home, there are all kinds of things to consider. I bought my first home in 1997, not really understanding everything I was getting myself into. As a single mom, I didn't have anyone close to me that was helping me with the process and I really didn't know what to look for, other than knowing I wanted a safe place to raise my young children. Upon first look, I could tell whether or not I wanted to live in a certain neighborhood, whether I could handle any necessary repairs, and whether I could afford it. I mostly had to depend upon the home inspector about the more important considerations, like the condition of the foundation, the wiring and the plumbing. Many first time home-buyers enter into the buying process with dreams of family get-togethers, birthday parties, and the pitter patter of little feet up and down the stairs. Thoughts of major repairs tend to get pushed to the back in the excitement of those dreams.

A few years after I moved into my first home, the heater broke. It was New Year's Eve and although the house was located in Texas, it was really cold in the house that night. My soon-to-be-husband worked on that heater all night long, while my kids and I were snuggled up in a bed together under mounds of blankets. Six hours later we had heat again. A few months later, just weeks before our June wedding, the unit died and we had to spend a ton of money to get it completely replaced. The best solution to avoid these types of expensive emergencies is to purchase coverage for electrical, HVAC, and plumbing issues. Homeowners should always research a company to see exactly what is covered and whether the company has a good reputation. One such company is HomeServe USA and the Homeserve USA bbb report shows consumers a rating on a scale of A+ - F. These ratings are a pretty good indicator of service, but keep in mind that most people only contact the bbb when something goes wrong. If you're considering a home purchase, do your research and talk to several experienced homeowners during the process.

Hanging the Flag #MyDietCoke Break

We got the flag up at our new home!

Time for ‪#‎MyDietCoke‬!

Butterfly Bakery Perfect Portions - Review

Disclosure: I received products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Sweets are for everyone! Sometimes though it's necessary to go with sugar-free, gluten-free, or even no sugar added. That doesn't mean you should have to go yummy-free, so the Butterfly Bakery has created a line of Perfect Portions sweets that meet those requirements. From muffins and mini-muffins to sliced creme cakes, these desserts are amazingly delicious!

The Sliced Plain Creme Cake is perfectly moist and just waiting to be topped. I topped one of mine with strawberries and another with a drizzle of natural honey. Since my kids ate the rest of them, it was pretty evident that they liked them too!

The Sliced Marble Creme Cake was even more delicious. I didn't even top these cake slices with anything! They use only the finest ingredients and freshest fruit nectar to make indulgent desserts. Even if your diet feels restrictive to you, the Butterfly Bakery can help you break out of that cocoon.

My favorite, of course, is the Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins. Anything chocolate always gets my highest vote! These are incredible and since they are Perfect Portions, I can treat myself without feeling guilty. I definitely recommend them! Visit www.thebutterflybakery.com to find the most delicious sugar-free, gluten-free and no sugar added sweets. You can also check for them at your local grocery bakery department!

Win $20,000 Happy Family Sweepstakes

Have your own funny feeding story?

Share it for a chance to win $20,000

towards your child's education.

Click below to enter!

One Year Anniversary Giveaway - Green Smoke Ecigs

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

I am so excited! 

I'm about to celebrate

ONE YEAR SMOKE FREE!

My official anniversary date of quitting/switching is 9/15. I tried Green Smoke Electronic Cigarettes several months back (read my review here) as well as a few other brands. Green Smoke quickly became my favorite one and I've been a loyal paying customer all year. I'm amazed at how much healthier I am now that I've switched from those nasty, stinky traditional cigarettes to Green Smoke ecigs. I walk every day without getting short of breath. I ride my bike around the neighborhood regularly and get stronger every day. I no longer wake up coughing in the middle of the night, struggling with dry mouth and thirst. I've saved over 50% by switching to Green Smoke and the taste is so much better. My favorite is the Mocha Mist, followed closely by the Vanilla Dreams and Smooth Chocolate. I love being able to "smoke" my Green Smoke electronic cigarettes anywhere! I also love knowing that I'm not putting nasty chemicals into the air for anyone else around me. My list of benefits of switching to ecigs goes on and on! If you are still smoking traditional cigarettes, I strongly recommend you try switching. If you've tried other ecigs, I encourage you to try the Green Smoke experience!

GREEN SMOKE GIVEAWAY

To help me celebrate this fabulous, momentous occasion, Green Smoke is sponsoring a fabulous giveaway here on my blog! One lucky winner will win the Green Smoke Ultimate Kit, that includes includes 3 batteries of your choice, 10 cartomizers in a variety of flavors, 1 USB cigarette and 2 USB chargers, high-powered home and car adapters, a user's guide and member card, plus a deluxe full-grain, precision-stitched leather carrying case. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US residents, ages 18+. Giveaway ends on 9/15/2013 (my one year smoke free anniversary date)! Good luck!

Best Lunch Box Ever Grand Prize Dacor Range Giveaway

This giveaway is hosted and administered by Best Lunch Box Ever. They will select and notify the grand prize winner and the prize will be shipped directly from Dacor to that winner. US only. One lucky person will win a DACOR Distinctive 30” Gas Range (ARV $3199) or a DACOR Distinctive 30" Electric Range (ARV $3399)! The winner can choose between gas or electric and freestanding or slide in models. The giveaway runs from August 12th - August 23rd, 2013. Enter below! Be sure to enter my giveaway HERE for a copy of Best Lunch Box Ever, plus three stainless containers.

Best Lunch Box Ever - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Time for school again! Check out this wonderful collection of ideas, recipes and fun snacks for kids' lunch boxes by Katie Sullivan Morford. The Best Lunch Box Ever shows you how to create 75 simple, made from scratch foods that your kids will love. This beautiful hardcover book would be the perfect back to school gift for any mom!

With tons of mouthwatering photos, Best Lunch Box Ever teaches you the steps to make everything from Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese to Parmesan Kale Chips. Nutrition is easy when food tastes good and your kids are going to love these! Visit HERE to see the book trailer. I love this book and can't wait to make some of these recipes for my husband's lunch box!

You can follow and subscribe to Katie's blog at www.momskitchenhandbook.com, follow her on Facebook and Twitter, plus enter below to win a copy of Best Lunch Box Ever along with a set of 3 nesting, leak poof stainless steel containers by Kids Konserve, perfect to hold Katie's Teriyaki Fried Rice or keep those Cinnamon Wonton Crisps fresh.

Win the Best Lunch Box Ever plus Three Containers!
To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!
Giveaway is open to US residents ages 18 and older.
Giveaway ends at midnight on 8/23/2013. Good luck!
Visit HERE to enter to win the Grand Prize - a Dacor Range!