What a Morning!

It's pretty scary to wake up at 6am to the sound of the Civil Defense Emergency Sirens...

As most of you know, Hawaii was under a Tsunami Warning yesterday, and that's why the sirens went off.

At first I was a little confused--I was wondering what date it was, since the sirens are always tested on the 1st of the month, but then I realized it's too early in the morning for the test.

Then I immediately turned on the TV and saw that the local news was on, which is unusual, since the local news doesn't broadcast in the mornings on the weekends.

It took a few minutes for me to realize that we were under a tsunami warning.

So what did I do? I immediately went on to Twitter, and noticed Hawaii was the #2 trending topic. Hawaii twitterers were tweeting the latest updates, and wonderful twitter pals throughout the world were sending their thoughts and prayers.

In fact, ohMariana had sent a tweet 2 hours before I even logged on hoping that we knew what was going on and to get to higher ground if needed.

And the tweets didn't stop. I got so many other tweets wishing us safety from Mami2Mommy, keralita13, frugalgirl, SarahBHawaii (who lives on Maui), lovemykeiki, KidsAreHeroes, californiaboyz, barb_wired, mail4kids, LorieShewbridge, HomeEverAfter, uberabby2...just to name a few (sorry if I forgot any names--I just tried to quickly copy and paste the user names so if you're missing, I'm sorry--but I truly appreciated your concern!).

Fortunately, once the tsunami arrived, there was very little activity and nothing catastrophic, but just the thought was scary enough. Having to wait for 5+ hours was difficult in itself--especially since DH was at work, one street above an evacuation zone, and they decided to not shut down!

At least we were as prepared as we could be. Although no big waves hit us, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Technology these days is simply amazing. We can do so many things that we couldn't do before, and with Twitter, the word quickly and easily spread--whether it was an update on the latest store closure, or simply tweets to send each other prayers and good thoughts...

We were able to stay connected and informed.

Thank you again to everyone for their care and concern!

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Star*Burst Review

I recently got a chance to download Star*Burst, an addicting iPhone game that is difficult for me to stop playing!

Designed by the creator of KLAX, Star*Burst feeds on the obsessive compulsive nature to make order out of disorder that lies inside all of us. Streams of brightly colored gems flow down a wide Conveyor Deck and must be caught on a paddle before falling into the pit and being destroyed. Your paddle will only hold 5 gems so you must act quickly to toss them up to the rack and create Bursts (patterns) to score!

Star*Burst is really simple to play, but difficult to put down (at least for me it was!). Once I got the hang of how to maneuver the paddle and create patterns (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal) to achieve the highest scores, I kept playing level after level, and before I knew it, I was on Level 11!

It's pretty easy to get points and clear the beginner levels, although I have yet to master how to achieve consistently high points and create multiple patterns without letting any gems fall.

I could play this game for hours--it's that addicting!

I can't wait to start playing Star*Burst again to get to the higher levels and see how challenging they are!

Shop: You can purchase Star*Burst on iTunes (ARV $1.99).

I received this app as a member of the Game Review Network. Visit the site to win a copy of this app for yourself. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Rainbow Brite Interactive CD-ROM Review and Giveaway

Like so many of my favorite toys from when I was growing up in the 80s, Rainbow Brite is back!Rainbow Brite has delighted generations of children with her exciting and imaginative adventures. Among adults who grew up with the original cartoons and dolls, Rainbow Brite has a significant following as a nostalgic property…but her unique brand of sweetly futuristic fantasy – and her sincere message of courage, kindness and hope – make her a true 21st century hero.

Thanks to MomSelect and Hallmark, I received a fun interactive CD-ROM full activities, such as puzzles and games, featuring Rainbow Brite and her friends. The CD also features the theme song, an animated short, and so much more!

You can even visit the Rainbow Brite website for even more activities!

Although Rainbow Brite has gotten a makeover and looks different from when she was popular during my childhood, she still evokes fond memories from my youth, and I'm sure young girls will be excited to meet the new Rainbow Brite and her friends, and moms will enjoy being reintroduced to Rainbow Brite as well.

Shop: You can purchase Rainbow Brite products at Target.

Win: Three lucky winners will each receive a Rainbow Brite Interactive CD-ROM!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Tabathia, VickeC, Jennifer!

• To enter, simply comment on why you'd like to win!
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Rainbow Brite (leave the link in your comment)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed
• 3)Add my button to your sidebar
• 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is March 5, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on March 6, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.

Good luck!

The products for review and/or giveaway were provided free of charge, and I was entered in a giveaway for posting about the product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart Review and Giveaway

Thanks to Music Moms, I was fortunate to review the new Celtic Woman CD, Songs from the Heart.

The Irish music phenomenon, Celtic Woman has earned international recognition for their heavenly melodies and magnificent live shows...Beautifully capturing the pure essence of Celtic Woman, musical director David Downes showcases the celestial sounds of vocalists Lisa Kelly, Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary and Alex Sharpe along with the dynamic inventiveness of Celtic Violinist Máiréad Nesbitt on Songs from the Heart.

Songs from the Heart CD Track Listing:
1. Fields of Gold
2. Amazing Grace
3. Níl Sé'n Lá
4. My Lagan Love
5. When You Believe
6. The New Ground – Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
7. The Coast of Galiçia
8. Non C'è Più
9. The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress
10. You’ll Be In My Heart
11. Goodnight My Angel
12. Galway Bay
13. The Lost Rose Fantasia
14. O, America!

Songs from the Heart is a beautiful CD filled with both contemporary and Irish classics.

Goodnight My Angel is my favorite track. Originally by Billy Joel, this song brought tears to my eyes whenever I heard it. Such a sweet song, and made even sweeter with the angelic voices of Celtic Woman.

The covers of other popular songs, such as You'll Be In My Heart and When You Believe were also great.

I also really enjoyed The Coast of Galicia. It was an instrumental track, but still so moving, and I could imagine myself watching a travel show that featured the coast and all of its rivers and bays while this track played in the background.

The vocalists and violinist of Celtic Woman are so talented, and they've really made the songs on this new CD their own.

They are currently on tour at Radio City Music Hall, and I wish I were nearby or planning to visit, so I could see them perform live!

Overall I thought Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart is a wonderful CD, and it is simply a beautiful CD that I could never tire of listening to.

Shop: You can purchase the Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart CD on Amazon.com and at various other retailers online and nationwide. (ARV $18.98)

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Celtic Woman Songs from the Heart Deluxe Experience CD, which includes an 18-month desktop calendar, heart charm keepsake and VIP access to a virtual Celtic Woman community.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to kimbo1970!

• To enter, simply comment on why you'd like to win!
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Celtic Woman (leave the link in your comment)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed
• 3)Add my button to your sidebar
• 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)The deadline for entries is March 3, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on March 4, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.

Good luck!

The products for review and/or giveaway were provided free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Mrs. Dash Review

As most of you know, February is Heart Health Month, and I've been reading so many magazine articles lately on how important it is to eat healthy, which includes reducing your sodium intake. As someone who usually uses packet seasonings to give foods flavor, I know it's something I need to be more careful about, and thankfully Mrs. Dash is a product that can add lots of flavor to food without adding lots of salt.

Today, Mrs. Dash® Seasoning Blends are available in 13 different varieties that add flavor to foods - everything from seafood to salad and meat to mixed vegetables.The salt-free flavor is also available in Mrs. Dash® 10-Minute Marinades in 6 varieties: Zesty Garlic Herb, Lemon Herb Peppercorn, Mesquite Grille, Southwestern Chipotle, Spicy Teriyaki and Garlic Lime.

I was fortunate to receive some samples of Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends, and I recently made two dishes.

The first thing I made was a Taco Pizza. The recipe I used calls for taco seasoning, but since I know how much sodium is in taco seasoning, I decided to use the Fiesta Lime seasoning.The pizza turned out really good, and I think it turned out much better than if I had used regular taco seasoning. I really liked the subtle lime flavor--it really gave the pizza some character.


I also made Cheddar Shortbread, a recipe found on the Mrs. Dash website, using the Tomato, Basil, Garlic Seasoning Blend. The shortbread turned out great. It was very tasty, and my boys loved them too!
Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends provided a flavorful boost to the pizza and shortbread, and I can't wait to make more dishes with the seasonings!

Here are more tips to help reduce your sodium intake:

-Choose fresh, unprocessed or fresh, frozen foods
-Read food labels for sodium content - Choose foods with less than 200mg of sodium per serving
-Consume pre-prepared foods that are “low in sodium” or “no added sodium”
-Limit processed foods such as canned or dried soups, canned vegetables, frozen dinners, "instant" foods and flavored rice/pasta packages
-Use less sodium at the table and in cooking
-Use no-sodium or low-sodium seasonings
-Flavor food with lemon juice, fresh garlic, spices, herbs and flavored vinegar
-Use only small amounts of condiments, like pickles, sauces, olives, etc.
-Ask for less salt or sodium to be added to your food when eating in restaurants

Shop: You can purchase Mrs. Dash products at various retailers online and nationwide (ARV $3.09 for the seasoning blends)

The products for review and/or giveaway were provided free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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GoGo squeeZ Review

Little Music Man loves applesauce, so when we received some samples of GoGo squeeZ, I already knew he'd love them!

Materne GoGo squeeZ was launched in the US in June 2008 to offer American families the opportunity to enjoy our no spoon, no mess, all natural squeezable applesauce when on the go! Each pouch contains the equivalent of one fruit serving and supports our mission to American consumers: Helping parents feed their kids better foods when they are on the go!

GoGo squeeZ is available in five different flavors: appleapple, applebanana, applepeach, applestrawberry, and applecinnamon (ARV $2.99/4pk or $.99/single pouch).

Little Music Man loved GoGo squeeZ! The very first time he tried one he ate it up so fast! He sucked the pouch until there was absolutely nothing left!

I gave GoGo squeeZ a taste myself and I thought it was good too!

What I also love about it is how it's easy to squeeze, not messy, and is made from 100% fruit with no sugar added.

If for some reason the applesauce is not eaten all up, it can be stored in the refrigerator--just replace the cap, but I seriously doubt that leftovers will exist...at least in my household.

GoGo squeeZ is delicious, nutritious and convenient, and I'm sure Little Music Man can't wait to try out all of the flavors that GoGo squeeZ has to offer!

For the latest news on GoGo squeeZ, you can follow them on Twitter.

Shop: To purchase GoGo squeeZ, click here to find a retailer.

The products for review and/or giveaway were provided free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes iPhone App

One of Little Music Man's favorite songs is Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes, so naturally I couldn't pass up the opportunity to review the preschool iPhone game of the same name by Last Legion Games.

Created by a mom with a desire to share a fun and engaging mobile experience with her kids, HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES & TOES features the beloved children’s song in an interactive game designed to entertain and educate preschoolers. This game was developed by Animal Crackers and features 4 distinct mini-games – Song, Tap Along, Puzzle and Tickles.

Little Music Man enjoyed playing each mini-game in Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes, but his favorite was Tickles--he loved tickling the lion on his ears or his toes, and wherever else he was told!

He also really enjoyed the Puzzle, and he loved singing along to the Song itself!

I thought the colorful animal cracker rewards for completing the games were a cute touch, and it was a lot of fun shaking up the jar!

Overall I thought this was quite an entertaining app and liked how it was actually 4 mini-games in one, however each mini-game could have been a bit longer, and I thought the tempo of the actual song was a little too slow.

Other than that, Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes is a great game that has become one of Little Music Man's favorites!

Shop: You can purchase Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes on iTunes (ARV $.99).

I received this app for review free of charge as a member of the Game Review Network. Visit the site to win a copy of this app for yourself. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Tommee Tippee Review

We have all kinds of sippy cups that Smiley Boy drinks from, so I was very eager for him to try out sippy cups from Tommee Tippee.

Tommee Tippee®, from the UK-based Mayborn Group Limited, is the number-one brand of infant and toddler feeding products in Great Britain. Since 1965, Tommee Tippee has earned a reputation for its clever ideas, product quality and simply intuitive designs that promote natural development at every age, stage and feeding need. Today, Tommee Tippee innovations provide comfort for babies and peace of mind for parents in 45 countries around the world.

We were fortunate to receive a 2-pack each of the Explora Truly Spill Proof Trainer Cup and the Explora Truly Spill Proof Sippy Cup.

Explora is a progressively staged feeding range, promoting seamless transitions from first sips & tastes to freedom in independent feeding & drinking. Our superior advance-flo(tm) technology guarantees easier, super sensitive drinking without spills or leaks and the feeding products are intuitively designed for less mess and stress.

The Trainer Cups are very similar to the Sippy Cups, except for the fact that they have handles. Since Smiley Boy has already been drinking from sippy cups for several months now, he's been using the Sippy Cups more.

Smiley Boy appeared to have no problems drinking from the Explora Sippy Cup, no matter if we put milk, juice, or water in it. I can't tell whether he has an easier time drinking from the cup versus from other sippy cups, but as long as he's drinking, that's a good sign.

I like a lot of features of the Explora Sippy Cups--they're BPA-free, they come in bright fun colors, are easy to clean, and there's a handy hygiene cap that is connected to the cup and does not hinder drinking. The cap is a great idea, especially since whenever we're on playdates kids are notorious for picking up other kids' cups and drinking from them.

Another great feature is how liquid does not leak from the spout. I've turned it upside down myself and was impressed that no liquid comes dripping out.

I did notice, however, that the cup can leak liquid when on its side. Smiley Boy loves throwing his cups on the ground, and I've noticed several times that liquid has leaked out from between the cup and the lid. No matter how tight I close the lid, liquid always seems to come out, but fortunately it's not that much liquid.

I think it's great that Tommee Tippee products have been introduced to the US, and I can't wait for Smiley Boy to try out their other drinking products!

Shop: You can purchase Tommee Tippee products at Babies 'R' Us.

The products were provided free of charge from Tommee Tippee as part of a Mom Bloggers Club blog tour. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Singing Flower Pot with Built-in Moisture Sensor Review and Giveaway

I am TERRIBLE when it comes to taking care of plants. Many plants have died on me, mostly because I don't water them enough, so I thought the Singing Flower Pot with Built-in Moisture Sensor from Rockconcepts, Inc., (ARV $19.99) could be just what I needed to help prevent me from killing more plants!

Rockconcepts, Inc. creates novelty products that are fun yet functional because each product serves a purpose. Our products can be used and enjoyed every day. They make great gifts for any occasion and are usually the life of the party!

About the Singing Flower Pot with Built-in Moisture Sensor: Alerts you when your plant needs water by playing the classic song, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”. This ingenious flower pot monitors the moisture in the soil once every hour. If the moisture in the soil falls below approximately 20% it reminds you to water your plant once an hour until the plant is watered. Includes the following features: Automatic Light Sensor – Prevents flower pot from singing at night! Soil Retainer – Helps prevent root rot from over watering! Battery Indicator - Blinks red when batteries are low! Includes 3 AA batteries.

For school Little Music Man planted some seeds and brought them home, so it was perfect to test out in the flowerpot.

It looks like a regular flowerpot, and once I put the plant in the pot, I activated the moisture sensor by sliding the switch, and waited to see how long it would be before I heard the song.

It wasn't too long--less than 5 minutes (because yes, I haven't been watering the plant), and actually the first time i heard the song, it startled me a bit! The song is not too loud, but loud enough so I could hear it from any room in my home.

Well, I didn't water the plant right away, and I thought I wouldn't hear the song again for another hour, but for some reason the flowerpot sang about 5 minutes later.

So I watered the plant, and sure enough, no more singing!

There's an automatic light sensor that prevents it from singing at night in the dark. So far I haven't heard it sing while we're all asleep--so the sensor must be working, or maybe I'm just doing a great job watering the plant!

If for some reason you no longer want to hear the singing anymore, just turn the switch to "off," or just make sure you water the plant consistently!

I think the Singing Flower Pot is such a cute idea and it would make a really fun gift! I also think the Singing Flower Pot can be a practical product for those without a green thumb, like me!

For more information on how it works, watch the video below.

Shop: To purchase the Singing Flower Pot with Built-in Moisture Sensor, click here to find a retailer.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Singing Flower Pot with Built-in Moisture Sensor!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to one frugal lady!

• To enter, comment on what feature you like about the product AND why you'd like to win!
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Rockconcepts, Inc. (leave the link in your comment)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed
• 3)Add my button to your sidebar
• 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is March 4, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on March 5, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.

Good luck!

The products for review and/or giveaway were provided free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Crazy Dog T-Shirts Review

Thanks to Crazy Dog T-Shirts, DH has a really cool 80s tee that he loves wearing!

We are the go to shop for funny tees, clever shirts and hilarious Couture. We wear the shirts we sell, and we think that stands for something nowadays...We are everything you think a company should be, and we stand by our promise to give you the quality shirts you deserve...So give us a call, join the party on Facebook, Tweet us on Twitter, or peruse the site and have a giggle at some of the tees.

DH was fortunate to receive the Karate Kid Daniel T-Shirt (ARV $18.99).


Isn't it cool?

Karate Kid is one of our all-time favorite movies, and it's just a neat tee to have, especially since the remake is coming out soon (although I don't think anything could beat the original--such a classic!).

Crazy Dog T-Shirts has a lot of great tees. I love the 80s category--so many fun, retro designs, including those with Care Bears and My Little Pony. I also love The Office tees!

I found some awesome designs that I know would be a hit with family members and friends, and a bunch more that I know DH would love.

Crazy Dog T-Shirts has a vast collection of tees--cute, trendy, funny--something for everyone!

Shop: You can purchase cool and fun t-shirts for any occasion on the Crazy Dog T-Shirts website.

This product review was made possible by the Double Duty Divas. I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample provided by Crazy Dog T-Shirts. All opinions are 100% mine.

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My Misadventures in Crock Pot Cooking

Thank you to everyone who commented with recipes or left me links in my search for Slow Cooker recipes.

The first recipe I decided to try out in my brand new Crock Pot was one left by Carrie. Below is her recipe:

6 frozen chicken breasts (or a bunch of frozen chicken tenderloins)
8 oz fat-free sour cream
2 cans fat-free cream of mushroom soup (don't dilute)
1 package dry onion soup mix

Put chicken in bottom of crock pot, add sour cream and cans of soup, sprinkle onion soup mix on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. You can stir it after about 2 hours if you're home and then again at about 6 hours but it's not necessary.

Serve over egg noodles or rice.

The morning I set out to make this recipe, I was so excited, even tweeting about how I was about to use the slow cooker for the first time!

Well, my excitement soon faded when I took out the chicken from the freezer. They had SEVERE freezer burn!

They looked awful.

I was really bummed, but then I thought maybe I could try and use frozen meatballs instead.

So I used the frozen meatballs instead of the chicken, and it turned out okay--Little Music Man loved them!

Well, a few days later I went to buy some frozen chicken breasts, so I could finally make the recipe.

I put all the ingredients in the Crock Pot, set it on low, and was eager to try it out that evening.

Unfortunately, that afternoon was the day when the ambulance came to take Smiley Boy to the ER.

In our haste to go, we did not turn off the Crock Pot.

We were hoping we'd be back before the 8 hours of cooking were up, but we weren't.

The chicken ended up cooking for an extra 2 1/2 hours.

And we ended up not even eating the chicken that night. We were just really tired and hungry from the ER visit, so we picked up something to eat on the way home.

However, the next day I did try the chicken. Because it was cooked for almost 11 hours, it did turn out a little dry, but the sauce was very delicious.

I will definitely be trying this recipe again, and many of the others that were submitted.

And hopefully my next Crock Pot meal will turn just fine...

Wish me luck!

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Organic B.R.A.T. Wellness Drinks Review

Recently both Little Music Man and I have been having upset stomachs, so the timing couldn't be better for us to try out some Organic B.R.A.T. Wellness Drinks.

At last! A deliciously creamy, non dairy wellness drink for kids and grown ups alike. Inspired by the B.R.A.T. diet (a commonly prescribed diet for an upset stomach consisting of Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) Organic B.R.A.T.™ wellness drink is formulated with ingredients that support digestive health while also naturally restoring electrolytes and nutrients.Free of pesticides, the common allergens and any added sugar, Organic B.R.A.T.™ wellness drink is an all-natural and tasty way to to settle an upset stomach and aid in re-hydration. With four delicious flavors to choose from, Organic B.R.A.T. ™ wellness drinks are perfect for children and adults suffering from a variety of ailments such as the flu virus, digestive disorders, morning sickness, and chemotherapy side effects.

We were fortunate to receive the following flavors: Original, Chocolate Honey, Vanilla, and Cinnamon Toast (ARV $7.50/32 oz.).

Before letting Little Music Man drink some, I decided to try some of the Organic B.R.A.T. myself first. I tried the Vanilla flavor, and it was pretty good! It was light and tasty, and reminded me a little of soy milk.

Initially Little Music Man only took a few sips the first time we gave him the Organic B.R.A.T wellness drink, but after a few tries and several more sips, he got used to the taste.

We also tried the Chocolate Honey. That was pretty good too.

The drinks are shelf-stable, but once opened you need to refrigerate them. It's recommended to drink them chilled, so I've been storing them in the refrigerator.

I think the Organic B.R.A.T. Wellness drinks are ideal to have on hand for when any of us get an upset tummy, especially the kids, and the fact that it's organic and tasty is all the better!

We'll be saving the other two boxes for when the need arises (hopefully not anytime soon).

Shop: To purchase Organic B.R.A.T Wellness Drinks, click here to find a retailer.

The products for review and/or giveaway were provided free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey Soundtrack Review and Giveaway

Thanks to the Family Review Network, we were able to review the Curious George 2: Follow that Monkey Soundtrack.

Join Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they set out on a madcap cross-country adventure to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. This unlikely trio faces all types of comic calamities and colorful characters and in the end learn that with family, friends and determination you can achieve anything. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Matt Lauer, Jamie Kennedy and Jerry Lewis, CURIOUS GEORGE 2: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY, “proves that family, friends—and curiosity—are number one.” (Francine Brokaw, Los Angeles Family Magazine).

Track Listing of FOLLOW THAT MONKEY:
1) “Life Less Ordinary” Carbon Leaf
2) “The Friendship Song” Carbon Leaf
3) “California Sun” Brian Wilson
4) “On A Roll” Carbon Leaf
5) “Heart Of The Day” Carbon Leaf
6) “Let Your Troubles Roll By” Carbon Leaf
7) “Walking In The Sun” Carbon Leaf
8) “Follow That Monkey” Jackie Greene
9) “Moon Man” Heitor Pereira
10) “Going East” Heitor Pereira
11) “Giving A Hand” Heitor Pereira
12) “Zoo” Heitor Pereira
13) “Friendship” Heitor Pereira

I really enjoyed listening to the Curious George 2 Soundtrack--it was full of a lot of great songs, several of which are by a band that I've never heard of before-Carbon leaf, but now I'm such a huge fan of theirs!

My favorite track on the CD, which also happens to be one of the nicest songs I've heard in a while, is The Friendship Song. The lyrics start off with I wanna be the smile/I wanna see the change/I wanna be your friend from the start and once it starts it never ends...

I love that song!

I enjoyed a lot of Carbon Leaf's other songs, including Life Less Ordinary and Heart of the Day, and the other tracks--California Sun, Follow That Monkey, and the ones by Heitor Pereira rounded out this very nice CD.

After listening to the Curious George 2 Soundtrack, I can't wait to watch the movie when it comes out on DVD!

Shop: You can purchase Curious George 2: Follow that Monkey Soundtrack beginning March 2, 2010 at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a copy of the Curious George 2: Follow that Monkey Soundtrack!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Hotsnotty2!

• To enter, simply comment on why you'd like to win!
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Curious George 2: Follow that Monkey Soundtrack (leave the link in your comment)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed
• 3)Add my button to your sidebar
• 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is February 19, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on February 20, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.Good luck!

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for 429 Records, who supplied the product for review. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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StarStruck Soundtrack Review and Giveaway

Thanks to Walt Disney Records, I had a chance to listen to the StarStruck Soundtrack (ARV $18.99)!

The soundtrack to the newest hit Disney Channel Original Movie "StarStruck" will have everyone singing and dancing as a look into teen idol Christopher Wilde's pop superstar life will take you on an adventure with unforgettable performances and musical moments that feature pop, rock and dance songs. Don't miss a beat from this music packed movie and soundtrack that will have kids everywhere feeling "StarStruck"!

The tracklist includes:
Starstruck-Christopher Wilde
Shades-Christopher Wilde
Hero-Christopher Wilde; Stubby
Something About the Sunshine-Christopher Wilde; Anna Margaret
What You Mean to Me-Christopher Wilde
Party Up-Stubby
Got To Believe-Christopher Wilde
Hero (Unplugged)-Christopher Wilde; Stubby
Something About the Sunshine-Anna Margaret
New Boyfriend-Anna Margaret
Welcome To Hollywood-Mitchel Musso
Make a Movie-Jasmine Sagginario

StarStruck was such a great CD full of pop and rock songs. Even though I haven't heard of some of the artists before, I really enjoyed it. There were so many songs I felt like I could dance and party to!

My favorite track happened to be New Boyfriend. It's such a fun and catchy song, and I can totally imagine many young girls calling that song their own, as they long for a boyfriend that Treats me like a superstar/Always keeps a smile on my face.

Something About the Sunshine was another great song. There's a solo and duet version, and I especially love the duet. It's a feel good song that can't help to bring a smile to my face, with lyrics such as Now that you're here/It's suddenly clear/The sun's coming through...

I really enjoyed listening to the StarStruck Soundtrack, and I'm sure it'll be a hit with teens and tweens, especially once StarStruck premieres on the Disney Channel on February 14!

I actually can't wait to see the movie myself and see the songs performed on screen!

Shop: You can purchase the StarStruck Soundtrack at various retialers online and nationwide.

Win: Two lucky winners will receive a copy of the StarStruck Soundtrack!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Jennifer, katklaw777!

• To enter, simply comment on why you'd like to win!
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and StarStruck Soundtrack (leave the link in your comment)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed
• 3)Add my button to your sidebar
• 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is February 18, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on February 19, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.

Good luck!

Thank you to Walt Disney Records for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Breath Holding Spells

The first time I ever heard of breath holding spells was when Smiley Boy went to the ER last year.

One evening he got upset, started crying, wouldn't take a breath, turned blue and limp, and lost consciousness for a few seconds.

Needless to say it was a terrifying experience, and after an hour or so in the Emergency Room, the ER physician told us it appeared he had a breath holding spell.

I had never heard of breath holding spells before (neither had any of my friends), but when I came home and researched it online, I discovered many babies and kids experience breath holding spells.

Since that first spell, Smiley Boy has had several more. We try our best to prevent them, and usually if he does have one he'll get out of it pretty quickly. On occasion it'll be a really frightening spell (they're all frightening, but some more than others), and he'll end up just falling asleep in my arms because the spell took so much out of him.

Well, he recently had another spell, but this time it was really bad--so bad that he ended up twitching and appeared to have a seizure for about two minutes.

After another trip to the ER and a meeting with a pediatric neurologist, as well as discussing with Smiley Boy's pediatrician the events that transpired, we were advised that although it appears his seizure was due to the breath holding spell (and all kinds of literature state that seizures are possible), that Smiley Boy should get an EEG done "for peace of mind."

Right now my only concern is that he'd have to be sedated.

As I write this I'm still awaiting a call from the hospital to find out what dates are available to schedule one.

Although everything I've read about breath holding spells says they don't hurt the child, it's simply terrifying for us.

I've come across one person via Twitter who has a son that experienced breath holding spells, and her sharing her experiences with me has been so helpful. Other than her, I personally know of no other parent who has a child who experiences breath holding spells. Although, as I mentioned, after searching online I discovered that many children experience them, not too many people have heard of breath holding spells--even the paramedics that came to treat Smiley Boy!

I'm hoping and praying that once the EEG is scheduled that everything goes well and that the seizure was really due to breath holding spells.

Have you heard of breath holding spells?

Has your child ever had to get an EEG done?

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YooHoo & Friends Review and Giveaway

My boys always enjoy getting surprises in the mail, and recently they were surprised by some adorable furry friends--YooHoo & Friends!

"We have some very exciting new additions to the YooHoo & Friends line including new plush and other merchandise" says Michael Kessler, SVP of Sales at Aurora. “This product line is a smash hit across the nation, so we have really invested heavily in product development to bring the absolute best items to market. Not only are these creatures based on endangered species from around the globe, but they are entertaining and educational"…Kids of all ages, adults and collectors love the five and eight inch YooHoo & Friends characters, which make a unique and funny sound when you squeeze their tummies.

We were fortunate to receive Pammee and Shooga 5” YooHoos (ARV $7.00), as well as a Kookee keychain (ARV $3.00). Smiley Boy loved them! He thought they were so cute (how can you not love those huge eyes?), often cuddling with them and kissing them. He enjoyed playing hide and seek with them too. I’d hide the YooHoos, and when he’d find them, I’d squeeze them so he could hear the fun sounds.

Little Music Man thinks the YooHoos are cute too, and since he loves using the computer, he’s able to go onto the YooHoo & Friends website, which is a free interactive website where kids can play games, get “greens,“ and use the “greens” to buy items for their online room! Kids will also learn all about the endangered animals that the YooHoos represent, and so much more!

Children who don’t have YooHoos yet can still play games and participate in other activities online, but don’t be surprised if they start asking to get their own YooHoos because the characters online are super cute as well!

YooHoo & Friends are so much fun and are just so adorable, and I think it’s neat that they help to teach kids about endangered species at the same time.

Shop: You can purchase YooHoo & Friends items by clicking on the following link: http://shop.auroragift.com/.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a random five inch selection and keychain from the YooHoo & Friends line!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Brooke!

• To enter, visit YooHoo & Friends and comment on your favorite character (exlcuding anything mentioned in this post)
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and YooHoo & Friends (leave the link in your comment)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed
• 3)Add my button to your sidebar
• 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is February 16, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on February 17, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.

Good luck!

Thank you to Aurora World Inc. for providing the products for review and/or giveaway free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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Sade: Soldier of Love Giveaway

Can you believe the last album Sade released was in 2000? Sade fans need not wait any longer, as their new album, Soldier of Love, will be released on February 9.

'Soldier of Love' is only the sixth studio album the band Sade released during their 25 year career, and the first since 'Lover's Rock' in 2000. For Sade herself, as the lynchpin of the group's songwriting effort, it's a simple matter of integrity and authenticity. "I only make records when I feel I have something to say. I'm not interested in releasing music just for the sake of selling something. Sade is not a brand."

The call went out in 2008 for the group to re-convene at Peter Gabriel's Real World studio, near Sade's home in the countryside of south west England. It was the first time the four principals had met up since the Lover's Rock Tour wrapped in 2001. Bassist Paul Denman de-camped from Los Angeles, where he had been managing his teenage son's punk band, Orange. Guitarist and sax player Stuart Matthewman interrupted his film soundtrack work in New York, and keyboardist Andrew Hale gave up his A&R consultancy.

In a series of fortnightly sessions at Real World, Sade sketched out the material for a new album which, they all felt, was probably their most ambitious to date. In particular, the sonic layering and martial beats of the title track, "Soldier Of Love", sounded quite different from anything they had previously recorded. According to Andrew Hale: "The big question for all of us at the beginning was, did we still want to do this and could we still get along as friends?" The answer soon came back as a passionate affirmative...

For most of the past 20 years, Sade has prioritised her personal life over her professional career, releasing only three studio albums of new material during that period. Her marriage to the Spanish film director Carlos Scola Pliego in 1989; the birth of her daughter in 1996 and her early 21st century move from North London to rural Gloucestershire, where she now lives with a new partner, have consumed much of her time and attention. And quite rightly so. "You can only grow as an artist as long as you allow yourself the time to grow as a person," Sade says. "We're all parents, our lives have all moved on. I couldn't have made 'Soldier of Love' any time before now, and though it's been a long wait for the fans – and I am sorry about that - I'm incredibly proud of it."

Track list:
1 The Moon and The Sky
2 Soldier of Love
3 Morning Bird
4 Babyfather
5 Long Hard Road
6 Be That Easy
7 Bring Me Home
8 In Another Time
9 Skin
10 The Safest Place

Shop: You can purchase Soldier of Love beginning February 9 at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win: Two lucky winners will each receive a copy of Sade: Soldier of Love.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to kathy pease, Musical Thought!

• To enter, comment on your favorite Sade song (excluding any on the new album)
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Sade (leave the link in your comment)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed
• 3)Add my button to your sidebar
• 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is February 15, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on February 16, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.

Good luck!

The products for review and/or giveaway were provided free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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International Federation of Snowball Throwing Giveaway

The Winter Olympics starts in a few days, and I've just discovered the International Federation of Snowball Throwing, a fun new campaign run by Coca-Cola that's helping to get everyone excited for the Olympics!

The Coca-Cola Company is running an online parody campaign called the International Federation of Snowball Throwing designed to generate excitement for the upcoming Olympics and promote TCCC’s Olympic sponsorship in an unexpected way.

The “IFST” campaign is built around their global television commercial called “Snowball” which features representatives from different countries participating in a spontaneous snowball fight. As part of the program, Coca-Cola created a fictional governing body called the International Federation of Snowball Throwing and hired an actor to serve as the IFST President.

The IFST is an “organization” created to rally support from citizens of the world who love throwing snowballs and want to see snowball throwing added to the Olympics. The IFST supports snowball throwing in various forms, including individual accuracy competitions, team events and even competitions with ‘fake’ snow. Any competition involving a handmade ball made of soft, crystallized precipitation is recognized as an official sport by the International Federation of Snowball Throwing. Skill levels ranging from world-class athletes to anyone who loves to throw things are welcome.

The International Federation of Snowball Throwing is an amusing site, and if you love to throw snowballs too, you can sign the petition to get snowball throwing recognized an official sport!

I've never been in a snowball fight, but I was able to play a virtual one on Coca-Cola's Open the Games website, and you can too (you can also go snowboarding!).

Whether you love snowball fights or want to throw some virtual snowballs, or simply want to visit a site that's amusing and will help generate excitement for the upcoming Olympics, visit the International Federation of Snowball Throwing and the Open the Games website for some totally cool fun!

Win: Three lucky winners will each receive an International Federation of Snowball Throwing T-Shirt and a 2008 Collector's Edition Coca-Cola Bottle Set from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to denise, amanda, Derk Thomas!

• To enter, visit International Federation of Snowball Throwing and comment on your favorite video.
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and International Federation of Snowball Throwing (leave the link in your comment)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed
• 3)Add my button to your sidebar
• 4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is February 14, 2010, 11:59pm HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on February 15, 2010 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
• Valid for US addresses only.
• By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.

Good luck!

The review and/or giveaway products were provided free of charge. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

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