Author: cvegnad

November 17, 2017

Operation: Escape! An Exciting Game for the Whole Family

Escape Rooms have been all the rage in the last year. And if you haven’t heard about them – where have you been? They have been gaining in popularity and are popping up all over the country.

Operation: Escape! combines the problem solving skills, strategy and teamwork that is required in real life Escape Rooms into a fun, portable game.

How To Play Operation: Escape!

Your main goal in this game is to work together as a team to complete three tasks to let the captured player free of the locked belt – all before your time runs out. Sounds simple enough right? Here is where the tricky part comes in!

After you choose your person to lock up, you will begin to solve the clues to unlock keys. There are three problems that need to be solved and three keys that need to be uncovered in order to release your team-mate. The three challenges are based on skill, strategy and luck. The first skill challenge will find you having to wiggle a key out of a locked box. This box has different levels of difficulty and for our first round we choose the easiest (side one). The second challenge is the Strategy challenge which you will use the provided cards (that also come in three levels of difficulty). You answer the questions on the card and enter your answer into the provided device. If your answer is right a portion of the key is revealed. You need to get three answers in a row correct in order to release this key. The third challenge is pure luck! You have to insert the key into a spinning device, spin the wheel and you have three chances to reveal the key. Once this key is finally released, you need to release your locked team-mate. Hopefully you were paying attention to time and completed all the challenges within the time frame – otherwise you all lose.

We had a blast playing Operation: Escape! The first time we played it, we did a run through using the easiest options as I had a harder time following instructions (my kids are so much better at following instructions than me – go figure). But once you understand how to advance from step to step, the game becomes quite simple, although we all had a harder time with the strategy cards. My kids both did amazing at each challenge, only getting better and better each time we played the game. I was the only one who wasn’t able to complete the challenges in time – there is a lot of pressure with that clock ticking and I clearly do not do well under that type of pressure. It was really exciting to play with the time ticking down, this adds a whole new level of intensity to the game. We always choose the suggested time of 180 seconds but we are aiming to cut that down to 120 seconds to see how well the kids can do. I love that each time you play this game it is a little bit different, adding more to the excitement of the game.

Check out the trailer from the Yulu website:

Operation: Escape can be purchased just in time for the holidays from Toys R Us and Amazon.

Make sure to follow Yulu on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest products and more.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 16, 2017

Snacking Made Healthy with Spokes

Snacking, despite its bad reputation, is actually quite important for our body. It helps keep our metabolism up and can actually help with weight loss goals. Many people have even shown that it is actually better for weight loss to eat several small meals a day spaced out every 2 to 3 hours. I swear by this rule and it has helped improve my physical well-being and aided in weight loss.

Where people tend to go wrong is what they are snacking on. We want our snacks to be easy to prepare but sometimes this can lead us to choose options that are not so healthy and full of empty and not so good calories. But we all get that craving for chips now and then (trust me I know!) and I think it’s so important to balance out our diet so we don’t cheat and feel worse afterwards.

Spokes, puffed potato snacks, are that perfect alternative for snacking that lets you feel like you are being bad but you aren’t because it so much better for you than other snacks like chips.

Spokes are a light, crunchy potato snack that is air puffed (no frying in oil here), lightly misted with oil and seasoned for their delicious taste. They taste delicious and are quite addictive (I am munching away on a bag of Barbecue Spokes as I am typing). One cup of Barbecue Spokes equals only 40 calories with 8gm of carbs and only 1gm of sugar. The brand is available in nine different flavours, including: Sea Salt, Mango Habanero, Sea Salt and Vinegar, Barbecue, Dill Pickle, Salt and Pepper, Fiesta Salsa, Sea Salted Caramel and Simply Bare.

Top nutritional benefits:

free of 11 major allergens including: dairy, gluten, wheat, soy and egg
no artificial preservatives or colours
no trans fat or cholesterol
Non GMO project verified
40 calories per a cup

Besides tasting delicious, I loved the fact that they were created by a Canadian Mom who wanted better snack options for her family. Moms are pretty creative when it comes to keep our families healthy! She definitely developed quite a hit – I struggled with just having one cup. They were full of flavour and had that crunch that you are craving especially in the afternoon. The best part was that I felt guilt free munching on them because of how healthy they were.

You can learn more about Spokes on their website. Spokes are sold in many retailers across Canada including: Whole Foods, Goodness Me!, Planet Organic, Blush Lane, Safeway, Sobeys (Western Canada), Thrifty Foods, Metro (Quebec), London Drugs and Bed, Bath & Beyond. To locate the nearest retailer, head over to their handy retailer locator on their website.

Make sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date and learn more about this healthy snack.

Disclosure: I received the above named product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 15, 2017

Beyond Love Book Review

In Beyond Love, Olivia is forced to decide whether to tell Finn or let it live in the past forever. Is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm or will it cause them to part ways for good?

About Beyond Love

After trusting in her beloved friend Dan’s guidance from the beyond, Olivia is finally on the path to realizing her destiny. Staring at a blank canvas after ditching her raucous corporate life and meeting the love of her life, Finn McDaniels, a hot, widowed celebrity chef, she is ready to begin anew.

Arriving back in Chicago, she receives more frightening news further delaying her future journey with Finn. Unable to control the outcome, she begins questioning her trust and faith in Dan once again. She distracts herself the only way she knows how, by diving head first into a new project. What seemed like a time-killer may actually be the thing that saves her and catapults her into a world she never dreamed of.

When Olivia and Finn finally reunite, a looming secret is uncovered threatening to ruin the relationship she has waited for her entire life. Olivia is forced to decide whether to tell Finn or let it live in the past forever. Is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm or will it cause them to part ways for good?

My Thoughts

My favourite character is back in the second installment of this series. Olivia is the girl you just have to love. She follows her heart, trusts in her beliefs, she is funny and honest but she is also very real and suffered her own heartbreak. This was the death of her best friend – something that has haunted her for a long time. She feels that he has become her guardian angel, protecting and guiding her and so far this guidance has taken her to Finn. Which I think many of us can relate to when we have lost someone who means the world to us. We hold on to them, look for signs and rely on what they would have said to us in our time of needs.

The relationship between Olivia and Finn begins to grow in this novel. They discover they have quite a few connections from their former relationships and friendships (can’t divulge much more without giving away the story). One of these past connections threaten their relationship and the trust they are working to build. Olivia first tries to hide the secret but this back fires on her and does it ever! The new couple have to work hard to figure out if this relationships is worth working towards and if so, how do they get over this lack of trust and forgiveness. Something we can all relate to!

I loved the second part of this book series, their story and relationship really develops and we get to know our characters much better. It was witty and well planned out. I couldn’t put this novel down!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

D.D. marx came barreling into this world with the “gift of gab”. Her parents quickly identified a pattern forming when each teacher conference contained the words “she’s a little too social”. d.d.’s biggest life concern was identifying which boy she’d be chasing at recess rather than mastering math problems. She parlayed this gift into creating play dates on the playground. If friendship were a business, she would be a millionaire. She prides her life on maintaining friends from every walk of life in every corner of the country. This is the fuel that fills her tank.

Graduating with a Communication degree from the University of Dayton, she attempted to break into the world of Public Relations but was instead side-tracked with a J.O.B. At the strong encouragement of her friends and family, who dubbed her a “funny story teller”, she stretched her comfort zone by entering the Second City program in Chicago where her itch for entertainment was finally scratched. Determined to share her story and create a legacy, she decided to combine these talents and become a writer. She returned to her alma-mater to immerse herself in a 3-day writing course where this dream finally came to life. Asked to imagine if she was a super-hero, her task was to dig-deep to describe her special powers. Based on the real-life tragedy of one of her best friends, that answer came without hesitation. All she’s ever wanted was the power to visit with him one last time. This is the inspiration that catapulted her into her debut project titled, the Beyond Series. She dove into a world imagining that he never left.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 14, 2017

Cowboy Up! Life Lessons from Lazy B Book Review

Cowboy Up! is a collection of thirty-five personal stories narrated by Alan Day in his authentic western voice. These stories touch on topics that affect us all: friendship, family, business, politics, community, and conservation.

About Cowboy Up! Life Lessons from Lazy B

If you’re served a piece of humble pie, thank the server and choke it down. So says H. Alan Day, an award-winning author and American cowboy, who grew up on a 200,000-acre southwestern cattle ranch, made a hand at age five, and lived adventures most of us only witness on tv. While interacting with cowhands, horses, and the land, Alan learned valuable life lessons about loyalty, trust, humility, forgiveness, persistence, failure, innovation, and success (and so much more!). Now, this cowboy is ready to share his hard-earned wisdom with those who may never own or even ride a horse, much less rope a cow, train a wild mustang, or witch a well, but who, like Alan, contend day-in and day-out with the true grit of life.

COWBOY UP! is a collection of thirty-five personal stories narrated by Alan Day in his authentic western voice. These stories touch on topics that affect us all: friendship, family, business, politics, community, and conservation. As Alan learned early on, a true friend has your back for life, whether that friend has two legs or four legs. If you don’t learn to listen, you may end up swinging from your suspenders on a bunk house hook; and if your pickup is about to get washed away in a flash flood, you better do some quick, two-step thinking. Alan’s stories not only explore what it means to be human, they evoke laughter, disbelief, wonder, joy, and more than a few heartfelt tears.

My Thoughts

I remember the first time I visited Calgary, Alberta for the Stampede. I fell in love with the city, the nature and the way of life. People cared about each other and the value was in the land and the animals. At sixteen, I wanted to move out west and live the rest of my days on the land.

I didn’t follow that path (although there are many times when I see friends photos from out West that makes me want to pack it all up and move) but my love and fascination of living on a ranch and being with animals hasn’t changed. Cowboy Up! is an intimate look at ranch life told in a series of stories that not only entertain but give a great life lesson in many different areas of life.

Alan has a great way of writing that is so personal – you can picture the scenes right before you and at times I was left laughing out loud or became teary eyed. He is honest and real – life isn’t always pretty (and doesn’t have to be!), we learn a lot from the difficult times. This is what Alan teaches us and more. He shares the best and worst moments and some pretty good problem solving skills!

The stories are broken down by specific life lessons. The life lessons all include some background history, the problem and the solution. Alan uses humour and honesty to really drill home the importance of his words and it works. While you may not be able to put yourself in his exact feet with the cowboy lifestyle, those same situations can be seen in city life as well. You learn a lot about living on a ranch, the beliefs of the cowboys (some of the stubbornness too – including wearing not so warm gloves!) and their love of the animals and their land.

Cowboy Up! Life Lessons from Lazy B is an excellent story that makes you laugh, tear up and think about your own life. I enjoyed every moment of this book.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

H. ALAN DAY was raised on and managed the 200,000-acre Lazy B ranch in southeastern Arizona. With his sister, Sandra Day O’Connor, he coauthored the New York Times bestselling Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest. In his second award-winning memoir, The Horse Lover: A Cowboy’s Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs, he tells the story about creating the first government-sponsored wild horse sanctuary and caring for and training 1500 wild mustangs. LYNN WIESE SNEYD is a professional writer and owner of LWS Literary Services, an agency specializing in editing, ghostwriting, and book publicity. She also serves as the literary consultant for the Tucson Festival of Books.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 13, 2017

Interactive Brushing with Grush Smart Toothbrush

We all know how important brushing our teeth is and we know our children know this too but it doesn’t always translate to proper brushing two to three times a day. We also know many times they aren’t brushing for the required amount of time and are relying on dental visits for thorough cleanings.

How many times have you fought with your child over brushing their teeth? Or have they lied to you that they went in the bathroom and brushed their teeth? Or you looked at their teeth and can tell that they tried to brush them properly but they missed so many spots (got to love juice stains)!

The Grush Smart Toothbrush combines technology and interactive fun to help your child learn how to properly brush their teeth for the right amount of time PLUS it gives you feedback on their brushing. This toothbrush is a parent’s best friend!

The Grush Smart toothbrush kit comes with three removable brushes and rotates at the push of a button. The toothbrush uses bluetooth technology to connect to the Toothy Castles app on your phone. The app is interactive and can detect where your child is brushing – right down to the specific tooth and location (front and back). Once the two minutes is up (which feels like a long time but with the game it makes those two minutes short and fun as you try to gain as many points as possible), you can track their current session to see how well they brushed and compare it to previous brushing sessions.

The brush itself fits perfectly into a child’s hand and is soft with natural curves on the handle to make it more comfortable and easier for their little hands to hold. The app was easy to find and was quick to download on my phone without taking up much space. It is an easy to use app, there really is not any set up which we loved. My son just has to hit play and ensure his brush is in the horizontal position for the app to track his movements. That is all it takes to start the brushing game. We set the phone up on it’s stand so he can easily watch the app and see which tooth he is on and which tooth he should brush next.

The app itself is perfect for young children – I loved the graphics and sound effects (think of pows and bams from popular superhero cartoons) with motivating music and voice prompts to engage your child. They also collect coins for every time they get the bad guys hanging out on their teeth so our youngest couldn’t wait to beat his scores. At the end of the session, you can view their results of how well they brushed their teeth. We go to the dentist every four months for my boys and I know he has a bit of room for improvement when it comes to brushing, but I was still shocked at how much he had missed, especially on the inside of the teeth. It was a great visual to be able to show him because he can listen to me tell him he missed spots in his mouth but when I can show him which teeth he is missing each time, it is easier for him to understand. I noticed great improvement each and every time he went back to brush his teeth and I strongly belief this is because of the tracking and results that we are able to see at the end of a session.

My favourite part about the Grush Smart toothbrush? My son had so much fun brushing his teeth, he actually asked me to brush his teeth three times in one day over the weekend. After I got over my shock, we were in the bathroom so he could brush his teeth. Now that is a Mom win!

You can find more information on Grush on their website. You can purchase a Grush Smart Toothbrush on Amazon, Home Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Make sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest news and more.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.