Linda's Lunacy

Faith, Home, & Family

Super Pretzel Review and Giveaway

by

My family loves pretzels, especially big, soft pretzels. They were excited to try the new Super Pretzel Sweet Cinnamon. Once they opened the shipping box and found these pretzels they kept asking me to make them. lol So impatient!

Super Pretzel

The new Super Pretzel Sweet Cinnamon is made with cinnamon infused sweet dough with a cinnamon sugar packet included in the box. These are perfect for breakfast, snack or dessert. You can find them in the frozen snacks section of your store. The pretzels are fully cooked. Just take them out of the freezer, place them on a cookie sheet and heat in the oven for 5-6 minutes.

Eat them plain, top them with the cinnamon sugar included in the box, or try them in a fun recipe. I spread melted butter on ours, then sprinkled them with the cinnamon sugar. I was very pleased to find out that there was plenty of cinnamon sugar for all the pretzels. I used it liberally, and there was even a little left over. Of course, if my kids had done the sprinkling, there wouldn’t have been any leftovers. lol

 

super pretzel

As you can see from the picture, there was plenty of cinnamon sugar to go around.

Super Pretzel

As we were sitting down to eat our pretzels, I asked for volunteers to let me take a picture of them with their pretzels. My oldest son actually volunteered. It looks like he’s smiling while eating his pretzel. The whole family loved these pretzels! The Super Pretzel Sweet Cinnamon made a great night time snack. My kids would love it if we had them for breakfast some day, too.

Super Pretzel

You can visit Super Pretzel on Facebook, Super Pretzel on Twitter and on the Super Pretzel Blog.

I’m happy to say that I get to give away 2 boxes of Super Pretzel Sweet Cinnamon pretzels! These boxes of pretzels will be shipped directly to the winners door. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received two boxes of pretzels to review in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The American Bible Challenge Review and Giveaway

by

The American Bible Challenge game show premieres tonight on The Gameshow Network. I was able to watch a preview online so I could share it with you.

 

About The American Bible Challenge

Comedian and author, Jeff Foxworthy hosts this studio-based game in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible.  Utilizing current as well as historical references, questions will be drawn from the rich, dense narrative found in the world’s best-selling book.  The contestants will share their compelling back-stories and each team will be playing for a charitable organization. The American Bible Challenge is produced by RelativityREAL for GSN, with RelativityREAL’s Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) and Embassy Row’s Michael Davies (“The Newlywed Game,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”) serving as Executive Producers on the project.  Nick Stuart and Maura Dunbar of Odyssey Networks are Consulting Producers.

 

 

About Host: Jeff Foxworthy
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy® Award nominee and the best-selling author of 11 books. Widely known for his redneck jokes, his act goes beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature.

Below is the preview that I watched for this review. I was hoping to see a whole episode, but this “The Making of The American Bible Challenge” was great, too. You really get a feel for how the people working on the show love the show and are trying to make it the best it can be.

 

 

What I really LOVE about this show is that the teams aren’t playing for money for themselves. They are all playing for charities, missions or churches. You’ll see the teams on every show talking about their charities and why they are important. The game itself looks like so much fun! Since there are pastors and others that know the Bible well writing the questions, I believe the questions will be biblically sound. The writers have worded the questions so they are not boring. It’s not a dry, stuffy game show. Families can gather around the tv to watch the game and have fun while answering the questions together.

For more information, visit The American Bible Challenge website, and The American Bible Challenge Facebook Page. You can download an app to play the game yourself, or you can play on Facebook. I played on Facebook, and it’s fun!

It looks like GSN will be showing full episodes online! That’s awesome. I know we’re not the only ones that don’t have cable or regular satellite tv. We’re going to the neighbor’s, (who just so happens to be my mother), house tonight to watch the premiere.

 

Now for the giveaway! Thanks of Propeller, I have a The American Bible Challenge T-Shirt AND a Zondervan Quest Bible to giveaway! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Only entries on the form will count. So if you leave a comment, be sure to click done on the form.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I was able to watch the same video above for this review. I DID NOT receive any of the giveaway items as part of this review. I received no other compensation. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tattler Reusable Canning Lids Review & Giveaway

by

I love to can! It’s a lot of work, but it is so worth it. I love feeding my family food that I have preserved myself.  Last year, I shared  Canning Tips and Links, as well as pictures of my canning cabinets. Along the way, I’ve also shared lots of pictures of what I have canned. Earlier this year, I shared how I canned Red Bud Jelly.

When I received these Tattler Reusable Canning Lids to review, I tried to locate some local strawberries to make jam. However, the weather earlier this year was harsh on the strawberries and I couldn’t find any. Luckily, I had some Red Bud juice in the freezer waiting to become more jelly.

So I got busy in the kitchen using these lids for the first time. They were very easy to use, with only a couple of extra steps. You use these lids just like you do the disposable lids, starting with putting them in boiling water.

 

Once your jars are filled, and you’ve wiped the jars clean,  you place the rubber ring on the jar, followed by the lid.

Then, while holding the lid in place with your finger, you screw on the lid, making sure it is only finger tight.

Process according to your recipe instructions. As soon as you remove the jar from the canner, tighten the lid all the way. Be careful you don’t burn yourself! I used a dish towel wrapped around my finger to hold the lid in place, while tightening the band with a pot holder covered hand. This was the only tricky part about using these lids, as the jars are hot! I didn’t get a picture of that step, as it would have required 4 hands and I only have 2. lol

Once the jars are completely cooled, remove the bands to check the seal. It was easy to tell the jar that didn’t seal, as the lid moved easily. The jars that did seal could be lifted just like with disposable lids.

Jars can be stored with or without the bands.

Opening the jars is easy. Simply insert a dull butter knife between the lid and the ring. Make sure not to use a sharp knife as the ring will be damaged.

I really loved using these Tattler Reusable Canning Lids. I look forward to building my supply and using them for many more years.

How would you like to win a set of Tattler Reusable Canning Lids? Tattler will be giving 2 boxes of lids, one regular and one wide mouth, to one winner. Simply fill out the form below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review & Giveaway

by

I have been reading about Coconut Oil for a long time. I have liked everything I read about it. How great it is to cook with. How great it is for your health. Just this week, another news story reported how Coconut Oil is being used to help relieve symptons  of a major disease. All the personal stories that I have read all said how much they loved using it. I have wanted to try Coconut Oil for quite sometime.

There are hundreds of ways to use Coconut Oil. Not just in cooking!

If your interested in watching more videos to learn about Coconut Oil, you can visit Tropical Traditions YouTube Channel.

When Tropical Traditions offered to send me a jar of Coconut Oil to try, I was very happy for the chance try it. I hadn’t purchased Coconut Oil anywhere as I was slightly confused about which one I should buy. Refined? Unrefined? Virgin? Which one would be the best to try first? Just what is Virgin Coconut Oil? Thankfully, I was able to find out more information on Tropical Traditions website.

 

 

Virgin Coconut Oil, Gold Label – 1 quart

If you order by clicking on this referral link and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you. This is the only referral link in this post.

 

 

 

Tropical Traditions has a Coconut Oil Recipe Page with hundreds of recipes. They all sound great. However, I decided the best way to try the coconut oil would be to use it in recipes we already know we like.

So I used the Coconut Oil to make Chicken Stir Fry, Fried Potatoes, and Black Bean Brownies.

 

The chicken cooked for the stir fry was delicious! I sauted the chicken in the coconut oil with no coating on it. Just chicken and coconut oil. Everyone loved the chicken!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We look forward to cooking chicken like this to put on salad. I also sauted the rest of the stir fry in the coconut oil. I go light with the soy sauce, so I could still taste the coconut oil. If you use more soy sauce, you probably won’t be able to taste the coconut. It made a very delicious stir fry. Success #1

We were having breakfast for supper one night, so I took some of our home canned potatoes and fried them in coconut oil. I made a larger pan cooked our normal way. In case no one liked the coconut oil potatoes. They ate them all!

You could taste the coconut oil on the potatoes, but the taste was not overwhelming. I gave the family a choice, and they all wanted to taste them, and liked them. I will definitely make the potatoes with coconut oil again.  Success #2

Next, I used the coconut oil in my Black Bean Brownies. You can definitely taste the coconut oil in this recipe. The coconut flavor was stronger when the brownies were still warm.

After being in the fridge, the coconut flavor isn’t as strong. You can still taste it, though. Since chocolate and coconut go together so well, the coconut oil makes the Black Bean Brownies extra yummy. And even healthier!  Success #3

Coconut Oil is excellent for your skin, also. I rubbed some straight coconut oil onto the back of my hand. A little goes a long way! It didn’t take very long at all to rub it into my skin. No longer than a lotion, really. It made the back of my hand feel so soft. The light coconut scent was nice.

I’ve made my own deodorant in the past, cornstarch, baking soda, and essential oils. Coconut Oil is supposed to be a great addition to homemade deodorant. So I tried my hand at making some.

I didn’t follow a recipe, just made it up as I went along. lol I used 2 Tablespoons each of Cornstarch and Baking Soda and 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil (I didn’t melt it, I used it at room temp). It was a little stiff, so I added another teaspoon of Coconut Oil. I then added 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil. Then it was to loose. lol I had to add a little more cornstarch and baking soda. So I recommend adding any essential oils your using before deciding if the texture is what you want. I have not used this for its intended purpose, but I did test it on the back of my hand. It rubs on easily, and a little goes a long way. I gave this jar to my daughter to use. She doesn’t like using store bought anything. She was very happy to get it. 🙂

I didn’t have a pretty little container to put it in, so I put it in a canning jar. It works. lol  Success #4

 

My first attempts at using Coconut Oil were all successful! My family (including the kids!) loved everything I made with it. I will definitely make Coconut Oil a regular ingredient in cooking and homemade beauty items from now on. I loved this Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil.

Tropical Traditions is giving a jar of Coconut Oil to one of you! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free Quart Jar of Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil  in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I was not obligated to write a postive review, or host a giveaway. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Lovable Labels Friendship Pack Review & Giveaway

by

Lovable Labels are labels invented by a mom when she couldn’t find any labels that worked the way she wanted. She needed labels for all her sons “stuff” when he went to day care. Leave it to a mom to come up with a great product that does what we need it to do!

Even though we homeschool, we have plenty of times that we need to label things for the kids. Day camps, sleep away camps, we also need to keep track of our stuff at church activities. Lovable Labels are great for anything kids need to label or decorate. Because everyone knows kids think stickers are awesome decorations. lol

These labels, along with the other Loveable Labels are dishwasher and microwave safe. Making them perfect for water bottles, thermos’ and lunch boxes.

Visit the Lovable Labels website to see the Friendship Packs that are available. Your kids, and their friends, will love them!

 


 

Lovable Labels has generously supplied us with a pack of “Friendship Pack” for one lucky winner!  Thanks, Lovable Labels!

Enter to win a Friendship Pack for your child to share with a special friend. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway open in US and Canada.

 

 

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Mighty Macs – Movie Review & Giveaway

by

The Mighty Macs is now available on DVD! I’m so excited because this is a great family movie. The Mighty Macs is rated G. Even animated movies these days are rated PG. Really, The Might Macs is a must for your next family movie night.  Your whole family will love it!

 

Mighty Macs

About the Movie:

It’s 1971. Cathy Rush is a woman ahead of her time … and she’s about to embark on an adventure for the ages. A new era is dawning in the country and in collegiate athletics, where a national champion will be crowned for the first time in women’s basketball.
In the lead up to this historical season, major universities are preparing their game plans to win that first title. Meanwhile a tiny all-women’s Catholic college in Philadelphia has a more modest goal: find a coach before the season begins. Providentially, Cathy Rush is about to find Immaculata College.

Recently married, Cathy is dealing with the aftermath of a truncated playing career. While cultural norms would have her staying at home, she’s willing to do the hard work necessary to help her new team reach their goals—or perhaps she’s just trying to achieve her unfulfilled dreams through them.

From the beginning, her challenges are as imposing as the big-school teams Immaculata will face on the court. Cathy learns there is no gymnasium on campus, she receives little support from the school’s Mother Superior, and the school is in dire financial straits. To top it off, she may not even have enough players to field a team!

While it appears the Macs don’t have a prayer, all hope is not lost. With the help of Sister Sunday—a spunky assistant coach—and the support of a booster club of elderly nuns, Coach Rush creates a new game plan that just might bring the team—and the school—together.

Will this pioneer buck cultural norms and spur her rag-tag team to unexpected heights? Or will her hard-driving ways create a wedge between the coach and everyone around her? One thing’s for certain: there’s never been anyone like Cathy Rush at Immaculata!

 

 

The Mighty Macs is an awesome movie! I’m not a sports fan really, I like to watch the Olympics but that’s the extent of my sports watching. That’s ok, you don’t have to be a big sports fan to enjoy The Mighty Macs.

While basketball does have a center position in The Mighty Macs, it’s not the only theme. To me, the main theme is to have a dream. Then do what it takes to make your dream come true.

This scene has my favorite line from the movie, “Have the courage to follow your dream, that’s your gift to the world.”

 

 

 

You can follow The Might Macs on Facebook and The Mighty Macs on Twitter to keep up with the latest news.

 

Thanks to Propeller, I get to giveaway one The Mighty Macs DVD! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cooper and Me and the Military – Book Review & Giveaway

by

Meet Trooper, Cooper’s best friend, and learn how he was adopted by Gracie and Joe and their parents, who both serve in the military. Find out how this family stays close despite being separated.

A must-read during patriotic holidays and for anyone with friends and family in the military, this book helps children know, that even when loved ones aren’t with us, they still love us and think about us.

This book, along with all the other books in the Cooper and  Me series, includes these interactive features:

• A Special Memory Creation
• Life Lesson
• Connections
• Learning Together

 

In addition to a fun adventure, each Cooper and Me story teaches an important Life Lesson and features interactive materials at the back of the book to drive the message home.  Included are activities that help children name and process their own feelings about what they’ve read.

Alexa Peters (age 13) was inspired to write a story about family friends who were separated by deployment.  She wanted to write this book to help kids process their feelings about loved ones being away from home and honor those in service.

 

MY REVIEW:

Cooper and Me and the Military is an awesome book for kids with family or friends in the military. It is hard for little kids to understand when a family member or close friend of the family leaves for a deployment.

Cooper and Me and the Military is a cute little story about 2 kids whose parents, both parents, are serving overseas in the military. I won’t give all the story away, but the 2 kids end up writing letters and sending a package to their parents. Then it shows the parents opening the package.

The pictures in the book are bright and colorful. The kind of pictures little kids love. There are 3 pages in the back of the book with things to do and talk about with the kids who have loved ones away serving in the military.

Cooper and Me and the Military is a great way to keep the lines of communications open with little kids and help them adjust to loved ones being gone. I’m going to send my copy of Cooper and Me and the Military to 2 little boys I know whose father is on a deployment right now. They will love it!

 

For more information, visit the Cooper and Me website. There is also a Cooper and Me Facebook Page, and a Cooper and Me Twitter.

 

Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to win your own copy of Cooper and Me and the Military!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

WOWBouquet offers fast and reliable flower delivery for any celebration.