Coming Soon!

I apologize for the delay in posting, particularly the giveaway winners.  We have been dealing with issues from a car accident and sickness and the end of the semester and the holidays and hubby being swamped at work and am I forgetting something?  ;) Expect to see the winners posted soon, along with the belated conclusion to my Month of Gratitude!

Xlear SparX Candy Review

Thanks to Moms Meet (www.greenmomsmeet.com), I have the opportunity to review Xlear (pronounced "Clear") SparX candy.
I was way excited to review this product.  From the company: "Xlear, Inc. is committed to providing consumers with the health benefits of xylitol, a naturally occurring sweetener, by manufacturing all-natural, health-enhancing products. Xlear® Nasal Spray is an award-winning, patented saline and
xylitol solution; a complete line of dental health products under the Spry Dental Defense System® brand; XyloSweet®, raw xylitol crystals used as a sugar substitute in cooking, baking and general consumption; and SparX® Candy, a growing line of healthy, xylitol based candies."
My personal dentist has recommended Spry Dental products to me in the past, and xylitol in general, because xylitol helps reduce the likelihood of cavities, among other dental uses (which I will expand upon in a minute).  I loved Spry mints, so being able to try a candy from the company was something that I looked forward to tremendously.
The candy itself comes in a handy plastic tube, which is portable and functional for mamas like myself.  The candy contains natural flavors and colors, and is sweetened, as mentioned, with xylitol, a natural sweetener, so I feel good giving it to my children.  The candy is in cute little "dot" shapes, and is fun to munch and crunch.  My children thoroughly enjoyed the fruity taste, and I loved the texture of it, which reminded me of an easier to chew version of the Runts candy that I ate often as a kid--but this is so much better for me!  ;)  My husband remarked that the candy was crunchy at first, but then almost seems to melt and soften at once with chewing, which he found satisfying.
Beyond the fact that I feel good giving it to my kiddos, I like another benefit xylitol based products like this one provide.  I am on several different prescription medications for minor health issues, and I struggle with dry mouth.  Dry mouth, in addition to being a nuisance, can also lead to cavities.  My dentist recommended Spry Dental products to me because xylitol helps create saliva, which remedies the dry mouth, and these candies have been great to have around when I have the feeling like there is a sock in my mouth.
For more information, check out Xlear SparX online at: www.Xlear.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/xylitol.experts. The candy retails for $1.49 a tube and comes in Berry, Fruit, and Citrus flavors (I like the Citrus).
There is not a giveaway of this product, unfortunately.  However, due to technical difficulties, I am extending the National Geographic Super Readers giveaway until 12/12/12 at 11:59pm, so you can still enter for a chance to win a Super Readers pack for your family!

UPDATED 12/09/12: National Geographic Super Readers Review and Giveaway

Today, I have the opportunity to share National Geographic Super Readers packs to my lucky readers, thanks to Moms Meet (www.greenmomsmeet.com).  At the end of my review, I'll be posting a giveaway as well!

To give you some background on the packs, National Geographic states,
"About National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events, and a website. It is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization
at its core. National Geographic Kids Books is the leading nonfiction publisher with as many as 100 nonfiction titles each year, including the New York Times best seller National Geographic Kids Almanac and our best selling series
National Geographic Super Readers. Publishing books for kids from 1 to 14 years of age, National Geographic’s best selling titles include: Weird but True series, Treasury of Greek Mythology, National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books series, and Just Joking series.
Find National Geographic online at:
kids.nationalgeographic.com/superreader
kids.nationalgeographic.com
Facebook.com/NatGeoBooks
Twitter.com/NGKidsBks
®, SM, © 2012 May Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved.
About National Geographic Super Readers
• Developed in consultation with literacy education experts, each National Geographic Super Reader is filled
with cool information about nonfiction topics kids love such as dinosaurs, tigers, planes and trains, plus
big, colorful photographs, all in an easy-to-read and kid-friendly design.
• With fun incentives to keep reading, an interactive website, and fun characters to get to know, the National
Geographic Super Readers program has everything you need to get kids SUPER excited about reading.
• At kids.nationalgeographic.com/superreader, kids can sign up to become Super Readers, download the
Super Readers poster, and start reading! Once they finish their book, they can cross it off on their poster
and start getting fun rewards and prizes"

National Geographic provided me with an activity kit (which included a National Geographic reader called Ape Escapes), a program information guide, a poster with reproducible activity sheets, and price incentives likes stickers, badge, and bookmarks.  They also included a very vivid, glossy, hardback book called Ultimate, Weird But True, which had bright illustrations that caught my son's attention from the get go.  This book had 1,000 wild and wacky facts with photos, and my son gobbled up the information.
I feel like this program would be very successful in encouraging young readers to seek out knowledge.  The information captivates them, and the materials are bold and created in such a way to entice reluctant readers to them.
We have not tried any reading programs as a family before because many of them seemed too "academic" on the surface, as in, they seem like they possess the right "stuff" in terms of education, but they fail to possess the ability to lure in children with interesting graphics and information.  National Geographic clearly knows what children are looking for, and it is refreshing to see a program that is neither too "school like," nor is it loaded with cartoon characters from movies and television.  This program focuses on useful information and real world knowledge and packages it in a way that makes kids have fun while learning.
Three lucky readers will win a Super Readers book, poster, bookmarks, and badges.  Each participant is limited to one entry or he/she will be disqualified.  To enter, write a comment about why you feel the Super Readers program is right for your child/children.  Entries will be accepted until December 8th at 11:59pm, and will be chosen via random.org. Good luck!
UPDATE: Due to technical difficulties, I will be extending the giveaway for three more days, and will be choosing a winner on 12/12/12.  Submit a comment to enter until 11:59pm that day.

 Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms
MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the
manufacturer. As a Moms MeetSM blogger, I agreed to use this product and
post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

Update on Giveaways

I am working on giveaways and reviews of both National Geographic Super Readers packs and Xlear Candies/Spry Dental children's toothpaste, and they should be completed in the next few days. Something for YOU to be thankful for...upcoming goodies! :-)

A Month of Gratitude, #14, 15, and 16

Day #14: I am grateful for the beauty of this earth, for the oceans and lakes, ambling rivers, peaceful plains, and majestic mountains.  I am also grateful for the opportunities that I have to enjoy them, through hikes and travel, and so forth.
Day #15: I am grateful for laughter, and those moments where I can make others laugh, or when I get to experience those rare belly laughs that make me teary eyed.
Day #16: I am grateful for two reliable cars. I know that as soon as I write this that one of them will break down because I am a champion at jinxing myself, but I am thankful that I have a dependable mode of transportation to get me and my family everywhere that we need to go.

A Month of Gratitude, #10, 11, 12, and 13

I'm totally not very good at this whole "updating daily" thing.  ;)
I am grateful today for:
-Second chances.  The fact that we can wake up every morning and start anew.  And as someone who makes a lot of mistakes, I really need that gift.
-My job.  I can be frustrated with my work at times, but I still truly love what I do, and I am grateful that I have an employer who works with me and my schedule, allowing me to still spend the days at home with my little ones.
-Good books.  I struggle going to sleep at night these days without the escape of a good read.  When I first received my Master's in English Literature, I went through a spell where I had trouble reading for "fun" instead of for "work."  Luckily, I am past that, and now have 5 hard copy books and 5 e-books I am working through all at one time.
-My friends.  My friends have taught me that family is what you make of it, and that there's more to the concept than simply blood.  I am blessed to have and know them.

A Month of Gratitude, #7 and #8

I have some catching up to do....
I am grateful for my animals.  Although they shed and make me sneeze, and sometimes they drive me bonkers, they also are so wonderfully cuddly, and they are a constant source of unconditional love, my flaws and mistakes and all.
I am also grateful that we live in an area where I have access to bulk food stores, thrift shops, discount grocery stores, active online yard sale sites, inexpensive local produce/farms, local butchers, reasonably priced organic foods, etc.  This area makes it easy to find high quality clothing, furniture, and food for my family at good prices.  And if I cannot find what I need, there are multiple resources an hour in any direction.