As Super Bowl XLVI is nearly here, and as preparations for game day bashes begin, it’s imperative to think about safety, in addition to snacks. Did you know the average household will bring together more than 17 people-including kids-to watch the Patriots face off against the Giants?

Given the number of residential parties that take place on Super Bowl Sunday, UL (Underwriters Laboratories), the only independent, global safety organization with more than 100 years of expertise, has developed a playbook for the big day to help hosts safely entertain football fans of all ages.

By dividing the home into “safety zones”, households can take precautions to prevent against emergencies common to Super Bowl entertaining, specifically furniture-related tip-overs and home fires. Did you know that nearly 15,000 children visit the ER each year as a result of furniture tip-overs and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that grilling is the cause of more than 8,200 home fires each year? Unlike the big game, there are no instant replays when it comes to playing it safe. Tips on how to prevent party fouls, zone by zone, include:

Living Room

-   While UL tests televisions for safety, they also test the wall mounting hardware. Homeowners must mount TVs in accordance with the installation instructions supplied with the product.

-   Furniture-mounted TVs may be liable to tip so discourage children from approaching by removing items from the TV top and stand like toys and remote controls that tempt climbing.

-   Caution adults to stand back from furniture-mounted TVs when they celebrate touchdowns with celebratory dancing to prevent a tip over!

-   Older-model second and third-string TVs (often tube-type) that have been traded to other rooms should be placed on sturdy furniture, set back as far as possible from the stand edge.

Kitchen

-   Encourage guests to stay away from the cooking area including stoves, ovens and more.

-   Turn pot and pan handles toward the center of the cook top to prevent accidental snagging and hot spills.

-   Make sure your appliance cords do not hang over counter top edges to prevent snags and spills.

Grilling Area

-   Super Bowl is the biggest grilling day of the winter season and all grilling should take place outdoors only, no exceptions!

-   Never grill in your garage or carport.

-   Keep a spray bottle of water handy and employ to knock grill flare ups down.

-   Whether you are cooking in the backyard or tailgating with friends, always look for the UL Mark on cooking equipment such as grills and slow cookers to ensure the product has been tested for safety.
 

Last but not least, UL recommends getting down on your hands and knees to view all home zones from a child’s eye level to catch and mitigate any lingering safety hazards from stray cords to sharp edges to small objects that can pose a threat to the smallest guests as the final pre-game safety drill. This is a GREAT tip! I would have never thought to do that. I wish I knew about this idea when my kids were little. I think this is a great tip in general, not just for a Super Bowl party.

If you would like more information or Super Bowl safety tips visit http://www.safetyathome.com/home-safety/home-safety-articles/super-bowl-party-safety-game-plan.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this information for the benefit of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Are you going to be hosting, or attending, a Super Bowl party this weekend? If so, I thought you might like to try out these hot and tasty recipes, sure to spice up your Super Bowl party, or any party.

These recipes are courtesy of Frank’s RedHot Sauce.

Franks’s RedHot Buffalo Chicken Dip

This robust creamy dip tastes like Buffalo Chicken Wings but without the mess! Serve hot with celery sticks, veggies or your favorite chips.

Prep Time: 5 min.  Cook Time:  20 min.

Ingredients:

1 (8 oz.) package Cream cheese, softened

½ cup Blue cheese or ranch salad dressing

½ cup of any flavor Frank’s RedHot Sauce

½ cup Crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cans (12.5 oz. each) of Swanson White Premium Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained  

Oven Directions:

1. HEAT oven to 350ºF. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir  until smooth.

2. MIX in salad dressing, Frank’s RedHot sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken.

3. BAKE 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or cut up vegetables.

- OR -

Microwave Directions:  Prepare as above. Place in microwave-safe dish. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 5 min. until hot, stirring halfway through cooking.

- OR -

Slow Cooker Method: Combine ingredients as directed above. Place mixture into small slow cooker. Heat on HIGH setting for 1 ½ hours until hot and bubbly or on LOW setting for 2 ½ to 3 hours. Stir.

Makes 4 cups.

Tip: You can substitute shredded chicken for canned chicken.

Tailgating Tip: Prepare dip ahead and place in heavy disposable foil pan. Place pan on grill and heat dip until hot and bubbly.

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Chicken Wings

Prep Time: 10 min. 

Cook Time:  20 min.

Ingredients:  

2 ½ lbs. chicken wing pieces

¾ cup any flavor Frank’s RedHot Wing Sauce

Directions:

BAKE wings in foil-lined pan at 500°F on lowest oven rack for 20 minutes until crispy, turning once.

TOSS wings in sauce to coat.

Makes 6 to 8 servings 

Tip:  You may substitute ½ cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce mixed with 1/3 cup melted butter for the Wings Sauce.

Alternate Cooking Directions:

Deep-fry at 375°F for 10 minutes.

Broil 6-inches from heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning once.

Grill over medium heat 20 to 25 minutes, turning often.

Sweet Chili BBQ Meatballs

Prep Time: 5 min.

Cook Time: 15 min.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of barbecue sauce

3/4 cup of Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili Sauce

36 (1 inche) frozen meatballs

Directions:

COMBINE barbecue sauce and Sweet Chili Sauce in a large skillet. Heat to a boil

STIR in meatballs. Simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes or until meatballs are heated through. Make sure to stir often.

SERVE meatballs with party picks

Makes 12 servings

Tip: This recipe can be easily doubled and heated in a slow cooker for a party buffet.

Coming to theaters on March 30, 2012 is the movie Mirror Mirror, based upon the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Mirror Mirror stars Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer and Nathan Lane.

I wrote about the film yesterday, but in case you missed it here is the movie’s synopsis;

This spectacular reimagining of the classic fairy tale stars Oscar winner Julia Roberts as the Queen, Lily Collins (The Blind Side) as Snow White, Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as Prince Alcott, Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones”) as the King and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the Queen’s hapless and bungling servant, Brighton.  When an evil queen steals control of Snow White’s kingdom, the exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright. Mirror Mirror is a spirited adventure comedy filled with jealousy, romance and betrayal that will capture the imagination of audiences the world over.

Visionary director Tarsem Singh (Immortals) rewrites fairy tale history as a wicked enchantress (Roberts) schemes and scrambles for control of a spirited orphan’s (Collins) throne and the attention of a charming prince (Hammer). When Snow White’s beauty wins the heart of the prince that she desperately pursues, the Queen banishes her to the forest, where a ravening man-eating beast hungrily awaits.

Rescued by a band of diminutive highway robbers, Snow White grows into an indomitable young woman determined to take back her realm from the treacherous Queen. With the support of her subjects, she roars into action in an epic battle that blends spectacle, magic and contemporary humor in Singh’s signature, jaw-dropping visual style.

It looks like a fun family film.

Here is the movie’s trailer.

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If you subscribe to She Scribes via e-mail you can view the trailer here, http://youtu.be/V9zsP6RAPDs

Oddly enough my husband said it looked like a funny movie too and he said he’s go and see it. It’s not a “manly” film but I think the humor will appeal to everyone. Plus it looks visually stunning.

In honor of the movie’s release, and the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, I have some Mirror Mirror theme Valentine’s Day cards you can print, cut out and give to family and friends.

If you have cardstock (you can find it at office supply stores like Staples and Office Max) I would recommend printing it on that since it’s stronger than regular paper.

CLICK HERE to print out the Valentine’s Day cards.

You can learn more about the movie at www.MirrorMirrorFlim.com. You can also “like” the movie on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/MirrorMirrorMovie.

Be on the lookout for a Mirror Mirror giveaway here on my site which will include a Fandango gift card you can use to go and see the movie.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this for the enjoyment of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own.

If you are married I am sure you recall the proposal. Did your beloved get down on bended knee and pledge their undying love to you? Or did your significant other hire a plane to write the words “Will you marry me?” in the sky?

My husband proposed to me in a silly way, which is typical of him. He’s very sweet, charming and have a fabulous sense of humor.

One evening we were heading out to dinner. We were sitting in the front seat of his car ready to leave when my husband (then boyfriend) said he bought me a present. He handed me something wrapped in wrapping paper. I opened it to discover it was a Barrel of Monkeys. That was one of my most favorite games when I was a little girl. It was very sweet of him to remember that. It showed that he listened to what I said and took things to heart.

My husband happened to notice that the barrel was open. He was concerned that some of the monkeys were missing. He suggested that count to make sure all the monkeys were there. I opened the barrel and took out the monkeys as I counted them. At the bottom of the barrel, hooked onto one of the monkey “arms” was an engagement ring!

I said “yes” and we married ONE WEEK later (eloped). Today (February 2nd) we celebrated the 16th anniversary of our first date. On October 18th of this year we will celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary.

Asking someone for their hand in marriage is a big deal. If you are planning on proposing to the love of your life you’ve probably given it a lot of thought.

As you contemplate your proposal, what images come to mind? Jumbotrons are over-the-top and definitely a gamble, beaches are cliché and flash mobs require a lot of planning – not to mention cardiovascular endurance.

Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Do you know what message you’re sending? Let’s break it down.

-   Jumbotron: The only way I feel confident in getting a ‘yes’ is by putting you on the spot in front of thousands of people. This is how I approach important decisions. When we discuss when to have our first child, expect to do so in front of my parents at the Thanksgiving table.

-   Beach: Everything I know about love, I learned from watching The Bachelor. This bodes well for our future, don’t you think?

-   Flash Mob: I love you, dear, but I am equally in love with myself. This flash mob is my chance at viral glory and you better believe it’s going on YouTube within the next ten minutes. I’ve already advised the camera man on which is my good side. Can you believe I planned all this? Your friends will all think I’m *SO* thoughtful, right? I mean, you’ll tell me what they say, right? Right?? I will also be hiring a choreographer for our theoretical bridal party, just a heads up.

Let’s be real. Your life together will surely be happy and fulfilling, but it probably won’t match the grandeur implied by such an ostentatious proposal. What does that REALLY say about you anyway?

Want to show your special someone that you are high-quality, yet accessible? That you are dependable and fantastic? Let’s just say it: It’s better in the Outback. In fact Outback Steakhouse is helping 3 lucky Facebook fans plan the perfect proposal dinner with a contest this Valentine’s Day.  

To enter visit www.Facebook.com/Outback. “Like” the page and then following the instructions to enter the contest.

HURRY! The contest ends on February 3, 2012. 

Even if you aren’t ready to propose yet, what better way to celebrate the most romantic day of the year than with a special dinner for two?  In fact, right now Outback is offering NEW Sirloin & Seafood Mixed Grill, a signature sirloin paired with seasoned and seared shrimp and scallops on a bed of freshly diced mango salsa for $12.99.

Forget flowers – I’d love to have a Bloomin’ Onion instead.

If you’d like to find an Outback restaurant near you visit www.Outback.com. You can also visit www.Outback.com/Love for more information about the special Valentines Day dinner promotion.

Kimberly

*I will be receiving a free gift certificate to do a review in the near future. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and are not influened in any way.

I have been following the movie Mirror Mirror since last year when I first heard about it. There are actually two movies coming out this year based on the classic story of Snow White. Mirror Mirror is the family friendly version, and judging by the trailer, it’s going to be really funny too.

Mirror Mirror stars Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Mare Winningham, Sean Bean and Michael Lerner. Lily Collins stars as Snow White. She is the daughter of music legend Phil Collins (Genesis). She also appeared in the movie Blind Side with Sandra Bullock (Lily played her daughter).

Here is the movie’s synsopsis;

This spectacular reimagining of the classic fairy tale stars Oscar® winner Julia Roberts as the Queen, Lily Collins (The Blind Side) as Snow White, Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as Prince Alcott, Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones”) as the King and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the Queen’s hapless and bungling servant, Brighton.  When an evil queen steals control of Snow White’s kingdom, the exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright. Mirror Mirror is a spirited adventure comedy filled with jealousy, romance and betrayal that will capture the imagination of audiences the world over.

Visionary director Tarsem Singh (Immortals) rewrites fairy tale history as a wicked enchantress (Roberts) schemes and scrambles for control of a spirited orphan’s (Collins) throne and the attention of a charming prince (Hammer). When Snow White’s beauty wins the heart of the prince that she desperately pursues, the Queen banishes her to the forest, where a ravening man-eating beast hungrily awaits.

Rescued by a band of diminutive highway robbers, Snow White grows into an indomitable young woman determined to take back her realm from the treacherous Queen. With the support of her subjects, she roars into action in an epic battle that blends spectacle, magic and contemporary humor in Singh’s signature, jaw-dropping visual style.

I have to agree. Visually this movie looks amazing. Check out the trailer (below). If you are reading this via e-mail you can find the video here, http://www.YouTube.com/MirrorMirrorMovie.

It looks like a fun movie. I’m excited to see it.

If you would like more information about the movie visit MirrorMirrorFilm.com. You can also follow on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/MirrorMirrorMovie.

Be on the look out for a Mirror Mirror giveaway coming in the next couple of weeks, including a Fandango gift card so you can go and see the movie when it comes out.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this for the enjoyment of my site readers. Any opinion expressed is my own.

Have you tried the Blue Diamond Baked Chips yet? If not, you are missing out on something very yummy.

When I first heard about Blue Diamond Nut Chips I was very intrigued. Nut chips? What in the world are nut chips? I wasn’t really sure what they were. But what I did know was they were available in delicious flavors including Nacho, Sour Cream & Chive and Sea Salt.

Nut Chips I come to find out are baked chips are made from brown rice and almonds. They truly are made from nuts!

I received two bags of Blue Diamond Nut Chips to review in Nacho and Sour Cream & Chive flavors.

They look like regular nacho-shaped chips. Just by looking at them you would think they were a regular chips. However they taste nothing like a regular chip. They taste better!

They don’t really taste like nuts, per say. I mean, you can tell they are different than traditional chips, but I wouldn’t say they taste like nuts. In fact with the flavoring (Nacho, Sour Cream & Chive) there is no way you would ever believe these were made with almonds and brown rice.

These chips are much hardier then regular chips. They are thicker, “meatier” and very crunchy. These are ideal dipping/scooping chips because they won’t crack as easily as regular chips.

I didn’t tell my family that the chips were made out of nuts and brown rice. They gobbled them up just like they would any other chip. My husband said they were very “flavorful”. When I told my husband and kids they were made from nuts and brown rice they were shocked. My husband told me if I told him that upfront he probably would have never tried them. After knowing what they were truly made of he still thinks they were delicious.

Blue Diamond Nut Chips are made with less saturated fat and calories per serving than potato chips. Another words these are a better option then regular chips. These chips are baked, not fried in grease like a traditional chip. These are a great alternative for anyone who is allergic to gluten or wheat. 

My personal favorite is the Sour Cream & Chive. I think it was a lot more flavorful than the Nacho flavor.

My family enjoyed the Blue Diamond Nut Chips. I would certainly purchase them again for my family. They are a better alternative than potato chips or nachos chips.

Look for Blue Diamond Nut Chips at a store near you. For more information about Blue Diamond products visit www.BlueDiamond.com.

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

As a mom I am always on the look out for healthier snack options for my children. In a perfect world they would snack on fresh fruits and raw veggies daily. Thankfully they do, but they also want to enjoy sweet treats too. Most adults feel the same way too. They try and eat healthy all the time, but occasionally they like to have a treat too.

I have never heard of the company Betty Lou’s Inc. before, but I’m glad that I know about them now. Betty Lou’s Inc. offers snacks to suit any dietary needs including Diary Free, Gluten Free, Hormone Free, Vegan, Soy Free, Corn Free and many other products ideal for special dietary needs.

Betty Lou’s carries fruit bars, cookies, protein shakes, nut butter bars and other tasty treats.

I am grateful that no one in my immediate family has any specific diet restrictions or food allergies. However I do know that certain ingredients can have a negative effect on people, like Gluten. I know that people who suffer from Celiac Disease cannot have things made with Gluten. I have read (and they have not been scientifically proven) that a Gluten free diet can boost health and energy, help you lose weight, cope better with ADHD, autism, headaches, and other conditions.

I have tried some Gluten free products in the past and frankly they were also taste-free too (ha ha). Or they tasted gross.

I was asked if I would like to try some Gluten Free Fruit Bars from Betty Lou’s. I checked them out on the website. They did look yummy so I gladly accepted the opportunity.

Betty Lou’s sent me a variety of their Gluten Free Fruit Bars. They came in assorted flavors like Cherry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Apricot and Apple Cinnamon.

The Fruit Bars are not really bars at all, but rather squares. Fruit Squares would have been more appropriate.

Each Fruit Bar is individually wrapped, making them and ideal snack to toss in your child’s lunch bag. They are a nice size too. They look small in the photo but really they are a decent size.

They really are very tasty. I love the fruity flavors. The fruit tastes natural, like a fruit spread. Not something artificial. Blueberry is my favorite. My kids like the Cherry flavor the best.

It’s hard to believe that these are Gluten free. You would never guess from the flavor.

Just one Fruit Bar was very satisfying. My kids have been enjoying them after school with a glass of milk and it holds them over until dinner time. Usually my kids are looking to snack on a few things before dinner.

The fruit bars do not contain any of the 8 major food allergens identified by the FDA. They are Gluten free, Soy free, contains no Barley, are Corn free, no milk, low in fat, no cholesterol and high in fiber. They are just shy of 200 calories each, so you need to keep that in mind if you are counting calories. They also contain 40+ grams of carbs.

My kids enjoyed the Fruit Bars from Betty Lou’s. The only thing they complained about (which I sort of agree with) is that they can be sticky. That is not a bad thing. Just make sure you have napkins available to wipe your hands when you are enjoying one of the fruit bars, or a place where you can wash your hands.

They are also not cheap. They average around $1.50 per Fruit Bar.

I know many people have children who have to eat Gluten free foods. I would recommend trying out the Fruit Bars from Betty Lou. Your child might enjoy them as much as my kids did.

To check out these and other products visit www.BettyLousInc.com.

You can purchase the products online or look for a store near you. There is a store locator on the Betty Lou’s website.

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. I used to love Valentine’s Day when my kids were younger. It was fun to help them fill out Valentine’s Day cards for their classmates and teacher. Now that my kids are teens I have to worry about them giving (or getting) Valentine’s Day cards from potential boyfriends/girlfriends. Sigh…

I also miss the class parties. I was a class parent for many years for both of my kids at one point or another. I loved planning holiday parties. It was fun to go shopping for holiday theme treats and decorations. I used to like to find Valentine’s crafts for the kids to do too.

If you are a class parent, or are planning a Valentine’s Day party for children, you should check out the cute crafts found at Hershey’s special holiday and seasonal website, Celebrate with Hershey’s (www.CelebratewithHersheys.com). They always have the cutest craft ideas.

I love the cute Valentine Favor craft. It’s a nice project for Spring too!

You can click on the image to go directly to the instructions on the Celebrate with Hershey’s website.

I also adore these cute little Valentine Love Bugs. I think it would be fun to supply children with an assortment of Hershey’s candies and various crafting supplies (feathers, pipe cleaners, googly eyes…) and let their imagination run wild. It would be fun to see what they come up with.

One of my all time favorite crafts are the roses that are made out of Hershey’s Kisses. I tried making these a few years ago. My chubby little fingers were not nimble enough to make the roses. However I have seen the roses made by others so I know that they do turn out beautifully. I just haven’t been able to “master” them yet.

You can find a lot more fun things on the Celebrate with Hershey’s website aside from crafts. You can also find mouth watering recipes to make some extra sweet treats for your special Valentine, or to serve to guests at a Valentines Day party.

I drool looking at the recipe for the Black Forest Mini Cheesecakes. 

 The Sweetheart Cupcakes look really good too! Making the chocolate hearts to embellish them is very easy to do. You just have to melt the Hershey’s chocolate, put it into an pastry bag, squeeze out the heart shape design and let cool.

You can find the complete recipe simply by clicking on the photo.

Of course not Valentine’s Day would be complete without Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. These are SO GOOD! I received some not too long ago as a “thank you” gift. My whole family gobbled them up. They are really easy to make. The hard part is finding large, perfect strawberries this time of the year.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day treats, don’t forget to check out all the fun Valentine’s Day goodies available from Hershey’s this season. You can find a list of Valentine’s Day products (and photos) here at this link, http://www.hersheys.com/celebrate/valentines/products.aspx.

One product I don’t see on the site are the cute Valentine’s Day hearts that come with a box of Hershey’s Miniatures attached to the back of it. There is room to write “To” and “From” on the packaging. This is the perfect Valentine for your child to give to someone special.

If you are looking for something special for your child to give to their teacher you should consider the Hershey’s Golden Apple. It’s a hollow chocolate apple that is wrapped in gold foil.

We have one but the packaging got a bit messed up. It’s a nice size piece of chocolate too (I could easily eat it in one shot).

I am a HUGE fan of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I cannot keep them in the house. If we have them – I’m going to eat them. I ♥ Hershey’s Peanut Butter Cups! When the kids go Trick-or-Treating I quickly remove them from their bags.

Imagine how I felt when I received a Reece’s Peanut Butter tin filled with jumbo sized Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups. I was in heaven! Except I can’t enjoy them right now because I’m trying to loose weight. So my family will get the chance to enjoy them. I might just save one  of them for a special treat. We’ll see.

I love the tin because it can be re-used to hold pens and pencils, crayons, stationary or other items.

Speaking of pens and pencils, have you seen the cute Twizzlers container that doubles as a pen and pencil holder? I saw one in the store the other day. What a fun idea! It comes with several individually wrapped Twizzlers. When you are done with them you have a cute pen and pencil holders.

Of course no Valentine’s Day party would be complete without some Hershey’s Kisses, all dressed up for the holiday with red, silver and pink foils.

You can find Hershey’s products at many retail locations across the country.

For more information about Hershey’s products please visit www.Hersheys.com. Don’t forget to check out all the holiday and seasonal products, crafts and recipes at www.CelebratewithHersheys.com.

I have a sweet Valentines Day giveaway. One winner will receive some Hershey’s Hugs and Hershey’s Kisses. Thank you Hershey’s!

To enter please comment on your favorite Hershey’s candy. You can CLICK HERE to see other Hershey’s products.

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done. Extra entries are optional. 

- Subscribe to She Scribes via e-mail or RSS. Both options are found on the right side bar.

- “Like” Hershey’s Pieces on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/Hersheys.

- “Like” She Scribes on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/SheScribes.

- “Like” Hershey’s on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/Hersheys.

- Follow She Scribes on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/She_Scribes and tweet about this review/giveaway. Please include @She_Scribes in the tweet so I can see it too. This is limited to three tweets per day.

- Share this review/giveaway with others on Facebook, Digg, Technorati and so forth. Be sure to tell me what you did and please provide a name and/or URL so I can verify.

- Leave a thoughtful comment on a non-giveaway post on She Scribes and tell me which post you commented on. There is a limit of one comment per post, but you can comment on as many posts as you want for an unlimited extra entry option.

- Post about this review/giveaway on your site and please link back to this post. Please provide the URL.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on February 5, 2012 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box), otherwise a new winner will be chosen.  

Other great giveaways can be found on the right side bar under “Win It”.

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own. Hershey’s will be providing the prize.

On February 7, 2012, the movie Fireflies in the Garden will be released on Blu-ray and DVD. The movie stars Julia Roberts, Willem Dafoe and Ryan Reynolds.

I didn’t see the movie in the theater but I do recall seeing the previews for it on TV. It looked interesting. I also like Ryan Reynolds. He was perfect in the movie Best Friends, so I was curious to see how he did it a much more dramatic and serious role.

This movie was nothing like I thought it would be. It was an emotional roller coaster!

Fireflies in the Garden is the story of the Taylor family. To the outside world they seem like the perfect family. The father, Charles (Dafoe) is a successful college professor who is on his way to becoming the university president. His lovely wife, Lisa (Roberts) quit college to take care of her children and it just about to graduate with her degree.

Charles and Lisa have two children, Michael (Reynolds), who is a successful romance novelist and Ryne (played by Shannon Lucio) who is about to enter law school.

This family is far from perfect.

On their way to Lisa’s sister Jane’s house for a celebration honoring Lisa’s graduation, Charles and Lisa are in a serious accident and Lisa it tragically killed. The accident occur when Charles tried not to hit Jane’s son Christopher when he ran out in front of their car.

Fireflies in the Garden bounces back and forth to present time (when Lisa is killed) and in the past when Michael and Ryne were children. Their home life was far from idyllic.

Charles was a VERY strict father, which put a huge strain on his father-son relationship with Michael. You can tell as an adult how much animosity there is towards Michael and his father. Let’s just say they have a very volatile and explosive relationship. You can see how much it effects the entire family, including Lisa. She is the one that helped keep the family together. She had to be strong for her family.

With Lisa’s passing old wounds are opened up and secrets are discovered that will turn the family upside down.

Will the Taylors ever find a way to come together and be a family again, or are the scars too deep and memories too hurtful to ever allow that to happen? What secrets are revealed and how do they effect the family?

To find out the answers you’ll need to pick up a copy of Fireflies in the Garden.

This is what I would call a “deep” movie. Even my husband said that he needed to down a pint of ice cream after watching it (referring to how people gravitate towards ice cream when they are upset). As I mentioned earlier, it’s an emotional roller coaster.

I think Ryan Reynolds did an excellent job as the part of Micheal. I still prefer him in comedic roles, but he can clearly pull off serious, dramatic roles too.

Willem Dafoe was the perfect choice for the father, Charles. I couldn’t imagine another actor in that role. His mannerisms and facial expressions made me dislike the character of Charles even more. 

Julia Roberts did a great job as the part of Lisa. But I think most of the credit should go to Reynolds and Dafoe. I think they really made the movie.

If you are into serious and some what depressing dramas, then this is the movie for you. This is far from a light-hearted movie. Far, far, far from it. Make sure to have tissues on hand too. Trust me.

It was a good movie. My husband said he’ll never watch it again because it was TOO ’deep” for him.

 Here is the movie’s trailer for your enjoyment.

Kimberly

*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

I sometimes have a difficult time “shutting my brain off” at night. My body might be exhausted but my mind is still churning with thoughts about the day, or things I have to do the next day. This is made a million times worst if I’m stress out about something.

Other times I simply cannot fall asleep for not valid reason. I hate those nights the worst because no matter what I try nothing works. Sometimes I resort to sleep aids (natural, non-addicting, no prescription stuff). I hate to use them but sometimes I have no choice.

I have tried, and reviewed here on my blog, two different sleep aids that came in the form of a liquid that you drank before bedtime. Now I’ve had the opportunity to try a sleep aid that you rub on your skin. It’s in the form of a creamy lotion. Interesting…

AnuMed-Intl sent me a travel size bottle of their Relaxation Cream. It was developed by Physicians and Scientifically Developed, as per the bottle.

I was a bit reluctant at first to try it but after I read the ingredients list it appeared to be safe to use. The formula is made with things like Aloe, Distilled Water, Evening Primrose, Vitamin E, Chamomile and other ingredients that I was able to identify.

The cream is suppose to be applied and massage directly on to your skin prior to going to bed. The ingredients that make up the cream are suppose to help your body feel relaxed and calm. According to the site it can also be beneficial for those with depression, anxiety, insomnia and could even relieve minor premenstrual symptoms. 

The first night I rubbed the cream on my inner thighs and wrists. The bottle suggests those locations as well as your chest and inner arms. It was also suggested to me to try the bottom of my feet and the back of my neck.

I tried the Relaxation Cream several times, varying the location where I applied the cream each time.

I found that it was “hit or miss”. Sometimes I did feel a calmness come over me. It didn’t necessarily help me to fall asleep quicker, but it did help to relax me enough that I was able to turn my mind off. Other times I didn’t feel a thing. It was consistent.

What I should have done is wrote down where I put the cream on the nights that I felt it was working, and keep track of places where the cream didn’t seem to work. The bottom of my feet was one of the locations where the cream seemed to work for me. I know the inner thighs did not work.

It doesn’t have the same effect as other sleep aids where you feel like you are going to pass out and you cannot function. Instead the Relaxation Cream does exactly that – it relaxes you. I think it helps to take the “edge off” a bit so that you can unwind and fall asleep. Since it doesn’t make you sleepy (or at least I didn’t feel that way) I think you could use this during the day if you are having an especially stressful and difficult day. As the mom to two teenagers, that is every day. Ha Ha.

I’d have to give the Relaxation Cream from AnuMed-Intl one thumb up and one thumb down. I did work sometimes and I do like the it’s made with natural ingredients. Sadly it didn’t work all the time for me.

AnuMed-Intl also carries other products like anti-aging products and supplements.

One product that they carry which I thought was interesting is Stevia, in liquid or crystal form. What stuck me as interesting is that the Stevia comes in different flavors.I have never seen that before.

AnuMed-Intl offers Stevia in flavors such as Chocolate, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Strawberry, Caramel, Mango, Mixed Berry, Peach, Pomegrante, Valencia Orange and Natural (plain). 

I tried some samples of several flavors. Each packet is equal to two teaspoons of sugar. I don’t use sugar often but I was happy to give these a try, especially to see if they had a flavor.

I have always eaten pancakes with a little bit of butter and a sprinkling of sugar on top. I don’t use maple syrup like most people do. That is how I grew up eating pancakes. I’m not sure if that is a British way of eating them or not (my mom was from Wales). I tried Caramel Delicioso Stevia on my pancakes, and on another occasion I used the Mixed Berry flavor. Yes, you can taste the flavors a bit, but they are not overwhelming. It’s like there is just a subtle “kiss” of flavor mixed in with the Stevia. I only used one packet each time. Perhaps if you used two packets the flavor would be a bit stronger.

I tried a packet of the Peach flavor in a cup of tea. There was a tiny difference in the taste of the tea, compared to using regular sugar. I don’t know if I necessarily tasted the Peach or it was the Stevia it’s self since I don’t use Stevia.

I wonder if the flavor stands out more in the liquid Stevia that AnuMed-Intl offers?

I like the idea of the flavors Stevia, and I did notice a slight bit of flavor when I used them on my pancakes.

If you use Stevia in place of sugar than you might want to check out the flavored Stevia.

To learn more about the flavored Stevia, Relaxation Cream or other products offered by AnuMed-Intl please visit www.AnuMed-Intl.com.

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.