Author: cvegnad

May 20, 2014

Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder #review

For the past week and a half I have been using Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder. This has been my first exposure to Matcha green tea powder (and actually hearing about it!) so I was really curious to learn more about Matcha and it’s benefits.

Matcha refers to finely milled or powdered green tea. Matcha is made from shade grown tea leaves. After harvesting, the tea leaves are left out flat to dry and will begin to crumble and are referred to as tencha. Tencha is then ground into matcha. Research has found that matcha green tea powder contains three times the number of antioxidants then regular green tea. This is believed to be because the whole leaf is ingested. It also delivers a higher potency of chlorophyll and catechins.

The Kiss Me Organics Organic Matcha (sold exclusively on Amazon) is sold in a 4oz (113g) bag. This brand of Organic Matcha is found to have 137 times the amount of antioxidants as brewed green tea. Antioxidants are important to help boost the body’s natural immunity and system. Organic matcha has also been found to increase the body’s natural metabolism from 8-10% of daily expenditure to 35-43% of daily expenditure and a natural energy boost.

The recommended daily dose is 1/2-1tsp a day that can be added to lattes, smoothies or baking. When you place an order you will actually receive a recipe book full of healthy recipes and tips of adding more matcha to your daily food intake. I found it pretty neat that you can add it in to normal recipes without altering the taste.

I am using my Matcha in my daily smoothies. I found at first that a 1/2 tsp was a bit too much for me as it did give me an energy boost so the next day I dropped it to 1/4 tsp and had the benefits of increased energy (without any side affects). After a week I increased it to 1/2 tsp and have no noticed no side affects. I was very impressed with the taste and quality of the Matcha – once in my smoothie it had no taste, left no after taste and did not alter the appearance of my smoothies. I definitely noticed an increase in energy and metabolism. I had more energy for exercising and at work then normal.

You can find more information on Organic Matcha on the Kiss Me Organics website and read more reviews on Amazon here.

I wanted to share with you my favourite smoothie recipe:

Ingredients:
– 1/2 tsp Organic Matcha
– 1 banana
– 1 cup of sliced frozen strawberries
– 1/2 cup of pineapples
– roughly 3/4 cup of cold water (enough to make the smoothie thinner)

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until desired consistency. Enjoy!

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

May 18, 2014

Daisies Are Forever #review & #giveaway

Daises Are Forever by Liz Tolsma is set in World War II and is the story of a young American caught in Eastern Germany with her family who must hold on to hope and love in a war torn country.

Daisies are Forever is the story of Gisela Cramer, an America living in Eastern Germany with her cousin Ella Reinhardt when the Red Army invades. They must leave their home to escape to the safety of Berlin. Ella, a nurse, refuses to leave sending her young daughters with Gisela.

During their journey, Gisela meets Mitch Edwards – an escaped British POW. She pretends that she is his wife in order to preserve his safety amongst other Germans especially one particular wounded German solider, Kurt who has suspicions about Mitch’s identity. Kurt also has feelings for Gisela and tries to uncover the truth about her marriage.

Their journey to Gisela’s mother in Berlin is riddled with tragedy and hardship as they strive to keep Ella’s daughters safe in order to reunite them with their Mother. During this journey, Gisela and Mitch begin to develop feelings towards each other beyond friendship. Once they reach Berlin, their struggles are far from over. They must learn to live for the day and find hope in the darkest of circumstances.

In this moving, historically accurate portrayal of WWII Germany, the characters learn that even with destruction all around them that some things last forever.

Daises are Forever is an incredibly powerful and moving novel. There were times I cried and had to put my novel down, other times I had to re-read chapters to ensure I read it correctly. The fact that the novel was historically accurate made it harder to understand how people can treat others in such a way and even so much more important to read it to help stop it from happening again. I can only begin to imagine how real this story would be for so many people and it is heart breaking. I loved how the lives of Gisela and Mitch are showcased and that through all odds they are able to find love even if it is challenged at all times. A definite must read for all historical fiction fans.

To find more reviews of this novel, visit the Litfuse blog tour here. To purchase a copy of the book you can do so here.

Rating: 5/5

Liz Tolsma‘s latest WWII historical fiction novel, Daisies are Forever, is getting rave reviews.

“. . . compelling and fast-paced tale about the atrocities and tremendous losses. . . .” —Library Journal

“Excellent storytelling, accurate historical reporting and gritty, persevering characters make this WWII-era novel a must-read.” —CBA Retailers + Resources

Liz celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway!
One winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire HDX
Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 31st. Winner will be announced June 2nd on Liz’s website.

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz’s website on June 2nd to see if you won.

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

May 18, 2014

Moms’ Night Out #review

As a mom (or even as parent!) we can all use a good laugh sometimes – laugh at the hilarious situations we find ourselves in and the joys of being a mother. Moms’ Night Out has all of this and more!

Moms’ Night Out by Tricia Goyer is a novelization of the hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life – where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.

All that Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown up evening of dinner and conversation – a much needed moms’ night out. But in order for them to enjoy adult conversation and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours – what could go wrong?

Chronicling one right out gone awry, three harried moms, their husbands, a sister in law with a misplaced baby, a tattoo parlor owner, a motorcycle gang and a bewildered cabbie all learn to embrace the beautiful mess called parenting. This book spotlights the unfulfilled expectations and serial self doubts many moms feels and reassures us that the key is raising kids in a loving home.

Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I miss written by Kerri Pomarolli is inspired by the true to life movie by the same name. Kerri has created this light, inspiring devotional that will definitely make you laugh but also help you discover that you are not alone and that God’s love is at work in our lives and in our loved ones.

Whether you are running full speed ahead or disappointed that it is Monday you will find joy in these devotions where Kerri shares hilarious stories and insights on daily life. Messy homes, kids, lost pets and the desire to just take a long bath. Read a devotion to brighten your morning or catch a few words to make you smile before bed.

Both of these novels were hilarious and enduring reads! I have never laughed out loud so hard at a book! Literally almost crying from laughter at some points. You could almost see all of the events happening in real life – Elmo playing non stop on your one night out – yup Frozen sound track is the only sound track played in our car! A heart warming, funny look at real life. Real life has it’s ups and downs. We make mistakes, we yell, we cry but at the end of the day we love our family with all of our heart and that is what matters. If you are in need of novels that will help you laugh and see the best in life then these two are both for you!

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour here (for Moms’ Night Out) and here (for Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I Miss). You can purchase a copy of the book here (for Moms’ Night Out) and here (for Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I Miss).

Rating: 5/5 +

Check out this fantastic clip from Kerri Pomarolli:

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

May 16, 2014

A Bridge Unbroken #review

In Cathy Bryant’s novel, A Bridge Unbroken, Dakota Kelly wants nothing more than her painful past to disappear. Her plan to start fresh in her hometown is sent flying in the wind when she co-inherits her late Grandfather’s farm with Chance Johnson. Chance Johnson also happens to be the man who left scars upon her heart. Chance is not the only ghost emerging from her past. A ghost from her past is back to ensure that he gets her and will stop at nothing to do so. Chance and Dakota must put aside their differences and grudges in order to re-build the farmhouse and bridge otherwise the ghosts from Dakota’s past will sabotage their lives for good.

I fell in love with A Bridge Unbroken. It has all the perfect elements of a novel that I love – suspense, mystery, romance and a tale of forgiveness. Cathy Bryant has a wonderful way of writing that gives you just enough in each chapter of the book but at the same time left you craving for more. It had such incredible movement and build up through out the book that I could not stop reading it – even after my lunch breaks were done!

You could not help but fall in love with Chance and Dakota. They were so very real to me and hurting in the ways so many of us have been hurt in the past. I love how the novel focused on forgiveness which is one of the hardest things to do in life. It is also one of the most important things we can do for our spiritual help that allows us to move forward and truly enjoy life. I loved how strong Dakota’s faith was. No matter what had happened to her she always remained close to her faith and God.

A Bridge Unbroken is a definite must read – you will love every aspect of the book!

Rating: 4.5/5

Cathy Bryant is now giving you the chance to win an e-book version of her book, A Bridge Unbroken. This giveaway is open to residents of the US/CAN, 18 years of age and older. You can enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

May 15, 2014

A Bridge Unbroken Book Tour & Launch Party

$100 Visa Card Giveaway & A BRIDGE UNBROKEN Book Tour & Launch Party

Welcome to the BlitzKat blog tour for Cathy Bryant’s A Bridge Unbroken. Another Miller’s Creek Novel set in the heart of Texas, A Bridge Unbroken brings two new characters to the forefront while still giving fans a glimpse of their favorite characters from the past, including the old geezers and Mama Beth.

About the Book, A BRIDGE UNBROKEN

Letting go to build a bridge…

Dakota Kelly wants her painful past to disappear. A plan to start afresh is derailed when she co-inherits her late grandfather’s farm with the man responsible for the scars on her heart. But Chance Johnson isn’t the only ghost from the past. Someone else is out to get her and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will Chance and Dakota lay aside their grudges to restore the old farmhouse and bridge, or will evil forces sabotage their attempt at forgiveness?

Click HERE to read a sample chapter of A Bridge Unbroken.

| Purchase Print Version | Purchase eBook Version |

The Other Miller’s Creek Novels

“Miller’s Creek, Texas…where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet, and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons…”

About Cathy

A native daughter of the Lone Star State, Cathy loves spinning tales about life in small town Texas. When she’s not weaving stories about the fine folks in Miller’s Creek, you’ll find her rummaging through thrift stores, feeding her reality TV addiction, or up to her elbows in yet another home improvement project in the mountain cabin she shares with her minister husband of over thirty years. You can find out more about Cathy and her books at www.CatBryant.com.

You can also connect with Cathy at:

Reader friends on Facebook may want to visit the following groups, the first for book bargains and the second to discuss all things Miller’s Creek.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChristianBooks.Giveaways/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MillersCreekReaders/

About the Blog Tour and Launch Party

Cathy is celebrating the new addition to the Miller’s Creek family by making several prizes available to reader friends–including a $100 Visa Card Giveaway. Winners will be announced at the interactive Facebook Launch Party on May 22, 2014.

Other prizes include: t-shirts, coffee mugs, tote bags, bookmarks, eBooks, print books and Amazon Gift cards.

Enter the grand prize drawing for the $100 Visa Card now by clicking one of the links below. But hurry, because the contest ends May 22, 2014.

(NOTE: Some contest tasks can be completed daily for extra chances to win.) The grand prize winner will be announced at the A Bridge Unbroken Facebook launch party on May 22.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE DRAWING VIA CATHY’S WEBSITE.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER VIA THE GIVEAWAY TAB ON CATHY’S FACEBOOK PAGE.

See you at the party!

Watch out for my review and e-book giveaway going live tomorrow too!