Live Below The Line Challenge

Last year I learned about the Live Below The Line Campaign via Bzzagent. I am always looking for ways to help and I think that the world wide hunger crisis really needs our attention. A few dollars really can go a long way! Last year, I attempted to raise money and didn't get a single sponsor. This year I am committed to try again and hopefully have a few people donate and help me and my cousin meet our goal and contribute to Unicef- The United States Fund. The reason we chose this charity to "play" for is we wanted to see the funds we raised be put to use right here in the United States. There are 1.2 billion people worldwide who live below the poverty level and may not know when their next meal will be. Please consider donating, even if it's just $5, every cent counts! My cousin and I set a goal of $250. If we get 25 people to donate just $10 we will have met our goal and helped feed thousands of people. Be a part of this remarkable campaign by donating below. Thanks to anyone who considers doing so!!

As part of the campaign, we are taking somewhat of a walk in poverty stricken people's shoes. We were allotted $7.50 to spend to buy 5 days worth of groceries. That's for breakfast lunch and dinner. I ended up getting oatmeal, ramen noodles, a bag of oranges, a couple of pudding cups and a dozen eggs. It was not an easy shopping trip for me and it has not been an easy week eating. I am on day two and I am definitely feeling hungry a good majority of the day. I have been drinking a lot of tap water to try and fill up a little bit. I know that one week is no big thing in the grand scheme of things. There are people that have to live like this every week. Let's help see to it that less of them have to do so.

I will be writing daily in my diary if you are interested in keeping up with my journey.

If you feel led to donate, you can do so at my team's Live Below The Line page.

Conquer Your Fears and “Live to Give” Webcast TONIGHT!

Thomas Nelson Author and Hoops of Hope founder, Austin Gutwein, to host September 6 online event to focusing on themes his latest release, Live to Give. On September 6 at 8 PM EDT, Austin Gutwein will be hosting a live Facebook web event to encourage participants to conquer their fears and use their talents to help others. The webcast will center on the themes Gutwein writes about in his latest release “Live to Give: Letting God Turn Your Talents into Miracles” (Thomas Nelson/August, 2012). At the conclusion of the webcast, the winners of a month-long social media fueled “Get and Give” contest will be announced, including the winner of a Kindle Fire and $250 donated to the winner’s charity of choice. Join Austin on the evening of Thursday, September 6th as he shares about his own experiences and encourages others to conquers their fears and “live to give”. Austin will also be taking audience questions and interacting with participants. PLUS – there will be several “Live to Give” giveaways – books, gift certificates and much more! RSVP today and tell your friends. Based on the John 6 story of Jesus feeding the 5000, in “Live to Give” Gutwein challenges his readers that regardless of age and talent, God can use them to make a difference. Even though God could take care of everything Himself and doesn’t really need our help, He desperately WANTS us to help Him care for others. Gutwein walks young people through discovering and embracing their unique God-given strengths and abilities, then figuring out how to use those talents to help others. Sometimes doing that takes a leap of faith on our part, and often becoming fearless in the process.

More about Austin: At eighteen years old, Gutwein speaks with wisdom and has the experience to reinforce his message. When Austin was just nine years old, he watched a video that showed children in Africa who had lost their parents to AIDS. Gutwein realized these kids weren’t any different from him—except they were suffering. Feeling called to help, he took his love of basketball and decided to shoot free throws to raise money for orphans in Zambia. On World AIDS Day in 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school. Through sponsorship from parents and friends, Gutwein raised over $3,000 that day to give hope to eight orphans in Zambia. Over the past eight years, Gutwein’s efforts have created Hoops of Hope, the largest free throw marathon in the world. With an estimated 40,000 people in more than 25 countries participating, Hoops of Hope has raised more than $2.5 million to build schools, medical clinics, dormitories for orphanages, and the only computer lab in Zambia. Enter to win a Kindle Fire and have $250 donated to your favorite charity. Click for the banner for details and entry or visit http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13528976/livetogive. Learn more about Austin and Hoops of Hope at www.AustinGutwein.com and www.HoopsOfHope.org.

God gave this kid an amazing heart! We should all strive to help others in this way! Check out my review on Austin's book Live to Give!

Help kids that are not getting enough to eat through No Kid Hungry

A new public survey reveals that nearly 1 in 5 children are facing the threat of hunger this year.

When a child is hungry, he/she can't concentrate in school. This is such a huge problem on many different levels. Not only are some kids not getting enough nourishment, they are unable to learn what they need in school as a result.

The good news is you can help! You can donate money to help this crisis here! Every little bit helps! You can also help by sharing this page about the study I mentioned above on your social media outlets in order to help spread awareness. These kids need us. Let's see to it that there is #NoKidHungry!

The American Bible Challenge + Giveaway!

There is a new game show premiering this week on The Game Show Network called The American Bible Challenge. I'm kind of excited at the prospect of this show. Not only will it be good to see a Bible related show on a mainstream network, it will be fun trying to answer the questions from home and learn more about the Bible in the process. Watch the video below for a glimpse behind the making of The American Bible Challenge and more background information on it's host, comedian Jeff Foxworthy. I think many people will be surprised to find out some of the stuff Foxworthy shares about his personal life (he's been attending a Bible study weekly with the same men for 15 years!) It looks like a great show and I love that the people are competing for money to help OTHER people. If anything, maybe this show will ignite a spark to help others.

It is sure to be fun and include humor as well with a comedian as the host. If you enjoyed Jeff Foxworthy on Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?, you will probably enjoy The American Bible Challenge!

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 the behind the scenes video, there is a rafflelcopter form to enter the giveaway. One lucky reader will receive a American Bible Challenge t-shirt as well as a Zondervan NIV Quest Bible! 

The American Bible Challenge Premieres on Thursday, August 23 at 8/7c on Game Show Network.
Connect with The American Bible Challenge on Facebook
The American Bible Challenge's Website
a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Disclaimer- I was given the opportunity to do this giveaway through Flyby Promotions. No monetary exchange took place and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

Live to Give by Austin Gutwein- Book Review/Blog Tour

About the book-

Want to do something for God, but don't know what? Want to help others, but don't know who? Want to know what it is that you are really good at doing? Your gifts may seems small and insignificant. But God can use them to work a miracle!

Inspired by the Biblical story of the feeding of 5,000, Live to Give delivers a message of hope that we all have something to give. Written in the down-to-Earth, candid voice of the gifted young man, who as a kid founded a relief ministry that has save and improved countless lives in Africa, Live to Give is the message that every teen needs to hear.

Jesus proved that no gift is too small when He used 5 loves and 2 fish to feed thousands. And if no gift is too small, too ordinary, too random, there is no limit to what the youth of today can accomplish!

A teen philanthropist, who has built a high school, two medical clinics and a dormitory in Africa- all before the age of 16- Austin Gutwein shares how to make what may seem like the simplest of talents, gifts and interests and use them for something Jesus can use to move mountains!

Meet Austin-

As found of Hoops of Hope, Austin started what is now known as the worlds largest Free-Throw marathon. Austin's Hoops of Hope has raised more than 2.5 million to help orphaned children in Africa. Austin also serves as Co-Chair of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's Youth Council. A highly sought after speaker, Austin has spoken and shared his heart in venues around the world. In 2009, Austin was selected into the Caring Hall of Fame, as one of the top 10 most caring Americans.

Austin's first book, Take Your Best Shot, shared stories that captured readers hearts and won a Moonbeam Award. For information of booking Austin or for general inquiries, please visit AustinGutwein.com.

My Thoughts-

Austin Gutwein saw a little girl on tv that was orphaned in Africa when he was 9 years old and he decided he should do something about it. With the support of his family, he started Hoops for Hope, an organization that aims to help orphans of the AIDS epidemic.

Austin is just 18 years old and from the content of this book, wise beyond his years. I found myself thinking, "I wish this book was around when I was younger!" Live to Give is aimed at an audience of ages 12-18, but anyone can pull lessons out of this great book full of inspiration and encouragement.

Austin uses great analogies to help illustrate how to get on the road the helping others by using your spiritual gifts. He stresses the point that with patience, perseverance and faith, we can all make a difference and that whether that difference is on a huge scale like Hoops of Hope or a simple as giving a few dollars to someone who is homeless, every little bit counts. I found Live to Give to be a wonderful, encouraging book. I would recommend adults without teens read it and that those with teens pick up a copy for their kids. Who knows what Austin's encouraging words might ignite in the heart of another compassionate teen!

< Austin's new book Live to Give is about "Letting God Turn Your Talents into Miracles"! Celebrate with him by entering his "Get and Give" Campaign - you could win a Kindle Fire for yourself AND Litfuse will donate $250 to the charity of your choice!

See what people are saying about Live to Give.

One winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
• Five copies of Live to Give by Austin Gutwein
• $250 donated on the winner’s behalf to the charity of their choice

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/25/12. The winner will be announced on 8/27/12 on the Live to Give Landing Page!

Just click one of the icons below to enter. Tell your friends about Austin's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

*Disclaimer- I received a free copy of Live to Give via Litfuse Publicity Group for the purpose of this review for the blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

Dark Light Book Review/Kindle Giveaway

There is nothing that makes me jump on the chance to promote something more than to hear that it is raising money for charity. What pulls even more on my heartstrings is when it is a children's charity. The Book Dark Light is a compilation of short horror stories. The 42 writers of the book have come together to raise money for The Ronald McDonald House. The Author who edited the book- Carl Hose- has had personal experience with the Ronald McDonald House when he daughter Ireland was born premature.

Here are some pictures of the Hose family during which they 

utilized the Ronald McDonald House charities personally-

Carl Hose's daughter Ireland.

Daddy & daughter.

The whole Hose familly!

Summary from the back cover of Dark Light-

Make no mistake, though. These are horror writers and the stories they’ve written are not pretty. Traditional and non-traditional horror, dark humor, ghosts, serial killers, alternate universes, magic, zombies, and other creatures of the night hide between these pages. Shadows move and dead fingers stroke unsuspecting flesh, razor sharp knives shimmer in the moonlight, and unknown things hide in closets and under the bed. The stories here are as varied as the writers themselves. If you’re a fan of horror, you will not be let down.

Despite the horrific nature of these tales, however, their very existence in Dark Light stands as proof there will always be a light at the end of every tunnel.

Turn the lights down low and enjoy the show.

_________________________________________________________

My Review-


I really enjoyed this compilation. If you like the horror genre, you will probably enjoy this book full of short stories. There are some really good ones in here and to my delight there are a few stories full of dark humor sprinkled in. I like that Dark Light is packed full of short stories, this one will keep you reading for a while with over 500 pages, but it's nice since they are short stories so you can read just a few at a time if you want. I will warn that for those who are easily offended, there is some swearing throughout, but nothing too outrageous.  I am really impressed that so many authors would come together to compile this anthology and help raise money for the Ronald McDonald charity which is so near and dear to Carl Hoes's heart.

Stories I really enjoyed within the book:

Crasher by: Debbie Kuhn

Harbinger by: Carl Hose

Death Comes Calling by: Randy Chandler

After the Fall by: Paul Fry

Death Comes Calling by: Randy Chandler

Resurrecting Mindy by: Joe McKinney

The Bride of Frankenstein Dances with Celebrity by: Chris Hugh

Carl Hose online:

Connect with Carl Hose on his website

Connect with Carl Hose on Facebook    

Connect with Carl Hose on Twitter    

Connect with Carl Hose on Goodreads    

Enter via the rafflecopter below to win a Kindle!

a Rafflecopter giveaweay

*Disclaimer- I was provided a copy of Dark Light for the purposes of this review. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

Win a chance to visit the set of "Safe Haven" & help support a great cause!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share with you a great opportunity to support a great cause, The Nicholas Sparks Foundation. As a bonus, if you donate at least $10 by June 30, 2012 you will be entered for a chance to visit the set of the newest movie adaptation of a Sparks book- Save Haven, Starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough in July!




The prize will include-


*Visit to the movie set of Safe Haven
*Airfare, hotel and transportation
*Meet Nicholas Sparks on set!
*Meet Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough
*Signed copy of Safe Haven


Okay, they had me at airfare, hotel and transportation included, but getting to meet Nicholas Sparks? Now that would be a trip! I love everything about this contest and above all that it's entrants will help support such a great cause!


From the Safe Haven Fundraiser webpage-


"The Nicholas Sparks Foundation is a nonprofit committed to improving cultural and international understanding through global education experiences for students of all ages, as well as support of global organizations dedicated to helping communities and people in need."


"Donations to the Safe Haven fundraiser will go directly to Hope for the Warriors and The Epiphany School."




Donate Today!


More information on The Nicholas Sparks Foundation
More information on Hope For the Warriors
More information on The Epiphany School


And if you happen to win, please come back and share the details with us! If I win, I will be sure to do the same. 


Oh and if you haven't read Safe Haven, well...get to it! It is one of Sparks' best novels, in my very humble opinion. :)

Let's Help Wipe Out Global Poverty- Live Below the Line Campaign

If you only had $1.50 to spend on your daily needs, what would you spend it on? Must of us do not face this problem, but for people living in extreme poverty, it is a struggle they face daily. Imagine trying to just feed yourself on that tiny amount of money per day. Seems impossible, doesn't it?  Oh, the things we take for granted.

For the week of May 7 through May 11, I will join thousands of other people dedicated to bringing awareness to this global extreme poverty crisis by participating in Live Below the Line Campaign via the Bzzagent team. I will be living off of $1.50 a day. I will have to figure out how to make this happen and what food I can buy on this little amount of money to make 3 meals a day for myself. I know it won't be easy, but that is the point. It isn't easy for those people that have to make these decisions every day. This is a great way to see first hand how many people in our world are living daily because of their circumstances.

Live Below the Line is a campaign to bring awareness to the poverty crisis, but it is also a means to help. There are several ways you can help support me and this campaign. The biggest way is to make a donation via my Live Below the Line fundraising page. A little bit can go a long way. If I could get just 25 people to donate $10, we would have raised $250 to donate to the Global Poverty Project. If that same amount of people donated $20, we would raise $500, the amounts and possibilities are endless. Donate what you can, let's bless those who truly, truly need it!

You can also help by spreading the word through your various social media outlets. I would love it if you might consider sharing a link of my fundraising page via email, facebook, twitter, pinterest, anywhere really.

Another way you can help is to join the Live Below the Line campaign yourself. The more people that join, the more people can be reached and more awareness and funds can be raised.

Let's help eradicate extreme poverty. We have the power to do so, we just need to work together to get it done.

For more information on the organization I am raising funds for, visit The Global Poverty Project

Oogie's Gourmet Popcorn- Facebook giveaway

I just got my first Conscious Box (review coming very soon!!) and one of the products that really stood out to me was Oogie's Gourmet Popcorn. The sample I received was a bag of original kettle corn and it was SOOO good. It contained just the right amount of sweetness and I love that is is made from GMO free corn and without the use of high fructose corn syrup. (we do not consume genetically modifed food or anything containing high fructose corn syrup in our home, so this is a BIG WIN for me!)

I liked the product so much, I immediately went to Oogie's Facebook page to find out more about the company where I discovered they have a pretty amazing ongoing giveaway. You can enter for a chance to win a box filled with 8 packages of Oogie's Popcorn. They draw a new winner every week and you only have to enter once! This will also enter you for a chance to win the grand prize, which is 1,000 bags of Lil Oogie's to be donated to the local community organization of your choice! If I were to win, I would donate mine to our local food pantry! Some other places you could donate the prize pack to are a church, school, homeless shelter, women's shelter, the list is pretty endless!

I love supporting companies that make their products with our health and the wellness of the environment in mind. I am always ecstatic when they also have the well being of those less fortunate in mind as well. "Like" Oogies Gormuet Popcorn on Facebook and enter for your chance to not only possibly win something for yourself, but something that could help out someone who may really need it!

Cureology Shine Mist Review

photo courtesy of CureologyBeauty.com

As a mom of three kids all aged 4 and under, I am constantly looking for products that will add to my beauty routine that will make me look nicer, but in a quick manner. I found just that in Cureology's illumination shine mist.

Cureology is a special company. Not only are their hair products free of a bunch of junkie chemicals that are no good for your hair or your health (you won't find any parabens, sulfates, aluminum, synthetic fragrances, phalates or any other harsh chemicals in these products. They are 100% natural.) Cureology products are  green, sustainable and vegan friendly. They are also full of antioxidents, cruelty free and organic to boot. If that set of standards isn't enough to show you how truly amazing this company is, Cureology is a cause product. That means that portions of their sales go to a specific cause, in this case, The National Breast Cancer Foundation. Through the sales of Cureology products the NBCF is able to provide funding for free mammograms, increased awareness through education and cancer research.

The Cureology products are salon exclusive. That means if you want to buy them, you have to do so at your local salon. If your salon doesn't carry these products orif you are a stylist interested in carrying Cureology products you see about starting at the Cureology website. If you want to find out if a salon near you carries these products, you can call 855-444-2873.

As far as the Shine Mist goes, I really liked it. The bottle directs you to style your hair as you normally would and then spray it evenly on your hair. I love the shine that it adds and I noticed after using it a few days in a row that it also added some volume. Something I really loved about the Cureology Shine Mist is that it smells so good. That is the awesome thing about all natural products, they smell so fresh and clean, not like hair spray, which a lot of traditional styling products smell like. It also makes my hair feel super soft. I could really tell this was a salon quality product. Not only does the Cureology Shine Mistmake your hair soft and shiny, it also offer's uvb protection. Does your hair product do that? I think that is pretty innovative.

**Disclaimer** I was provided a free sample of Cureology's Illumination Shine Mist for this review, however all opinions stated here are 100% my own.