Friends Series Blu Ray DVD Release + Giveaway

Friends came out when I was in High School. It was one of the first tv sitcoms I got attached to and for that reason it has a very nostalgic value to me. I think that even now, watching reruns, this show is still relevant and funny and I think there is a whole new generation getting attached to it!

In celebration of the long anticipated release of the entire series on Blu Ray, Warner Brothers has come out with an app with all sorts of fun stuff to count down the days until the dvd's are released. You can take a quiz to find out which Friend character you are most like, test your Friends knowledge by trying yourhand  at trivia and relive your favorite moments by watching wonderfully funny clip! Check out the app below!







After you are done reminiscing with the fun Friends app, enter via the Rafflecopter for your chance to win afun prize pack of two oversized cappuccino mugs and a picture frame and don't forget to pick up the complete Friends box set on Blu Ray on November 13, 2012.

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*Disclosure- Warner Bros supplied the materials for this review and giveaway in conjunction with the upcoming Friends Series release on Blu Ray. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook by Melissa Costello Book Review

At the beginning of the summer, I challenged myself to go meatless for the month of June. What ended up happening is that I became a full time vegetarian. Well, I come from a meat loving family and my in laws are Persian, who eat pretty much mostly meat and rice, so at the few times we have been at their houses, I have eaten meat, but 98% of the time for the last five months, I have been eating a plant based diet. I LOVE variety in what I eat and I also enjoy being in the kitchen, so I am always looking for new recipes and cookbooks to try out. I have been very interested in adding more vegan recipes to the mix, but I am a little hesitant on recipes that rely too heavily on soy. I was super stoked to find the The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook by Melissa Costello. The first thing that drew me to it, was that the foreward was written by Tony Horton, founder of P90X, whom Costello is personal chef for. If you know who Tony Horton is, you know he is all about health and is very fit. If you don't know who he is, I suggest you look him up, but I will warn that P90X is not for the faint of heart. It takes some real dedication! I was also very excited to see that while skimming the cookbook that Costello only uses soy protein here and there and still offers many, many delicious vegan meals in Karma Chow.

The first recipe I tried, the banana chocolate chip mini muffins, has become a favorite recipe in our house. It also lead me to learn that I really like oat flour as a substitute for white or wheat flour, which is would have baked with. I have used oat flour several times since and it's now a staple in my pantry. My family also really enjoyed Spaghetti & "Meat"balls and the vegetarian meatloaf. The only thing we weren't a fan of was the quinoa brekkie bowl, but I think we just all have a personal preference for savory quinoa as opposed to a sweet breakfast quinoa.

There are so many other recipes I can not wait to try from The Ultimate Karma Chow Cookbook. I will definitely be buying a paper copy to add to my recipe book collection. I would recommend this book to any new vegetarian or vegan or even someone who eats meat who would like to add more meatless meals to their meal plan. You will not be disappointed with this delicous recipes.

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Purchase a copy of The Ultimate Karma Chow Cookbook on Amazon.com

*Disclosure- I was provided an ARC courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of putting together this review. I was not required to render a positive review and all opionions are 100% my own.

Hospital for Special Surgery

My husband and I got married in 2006, had our first baby in 2007 and added twin boys in 2009. I think the second you become a parent you are almost constantly concerned with their health and their physical well being. We have had some close calls with falls that could have ended up with broken bones, but we have always been lucky that our kids have fallen down just right to avoid a serious injury.

All 3 of our kids had some growth issues with their heads as infants. Our daughter in particular had a strange bump appear on the back of her head. We were not sure what to think about it. She was around 6 months old at the time and as a first time mother I can tell you every little thought possible went through my head, that she could have some kind of fluid or even a tumor. Once again, we were blessed that this problem corrected itself before we ever had to seek treatment for it. (We were awaiting an appointment with a specialist when it disappeared on it's own.)

I know in a few years, my kids will most likley start playing sports and I know the injury risks that come with that. When it comes to our kids' physical well being, it is comforting to have The Hospital For Special Surgery which specializes in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation there to help them get through these bumps in the road in their young lives.

I think when it comes to choosing medical care for our children, especially where surgery or rehabilitation is concerned, the best way to being that journey is to talk to other parents who have already been there. I also think that researching the hospital or facility you are interested in is vital. The Hospital for Special Surgery is a world leader in  orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation staffed by experts in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. HSS is located in New York and has also just opened CA Technologies Rehabilitation Center at the Children's Pavilion providing comprehensive, individualized care for both inpatients and outpatiens from birth to 21 years of age.

When you need specialized care, look to the professionals at The Hospital for Special Surgery.

Connect with The Hospital for Special Surgery on Facebook





Disclosure- I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hospital for Special Surgery. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name as a thank you for participating. You should consult with your physician or other health care provider before beginning any rehabilitation/therapy, sports training, or exercise program.

CuddleUppets Review

What do you get when you cross a cuddly blanket and a fun puppet? A CuddleUppet! Now, you can get a blanket and puppet all wrapped into one! We received a blue elephant CuddleUppet for this review and all three of my little ones have been enjoying him. Your little one can snuggle up with their CuddleUppet at night as a blanket and wrap it around their shoulders and use it as a puppet during play time! These are really cute and ultra soft. I think they would make great Christmas presents for the toddlers or preschoolers in your life.

There are several to choose from in addition to blue elephant including a brown bear, pink poodle, yellow puppy, purple monkey, green crocodile, pink ladybug or  magic unicorn. There is something for every child's taste!

Right now there is a great promotion taking place on the CuddleUppets website. When you buy one at the regular price, you get a second one for a discount price, a really great deal if you plan to buy two or more CuddleUppets. They are also available at major retailers as well as at Amazon.com!

We really have enjoyed our CuddleUppet, I know I will have to get two more so that each of my kids will have their own and that will make things even more fun. With several different CuddleUppets their imaginations will be able to soar even more!


*Disclosure- I received a a CuddleUppet from Jay at Play through The Blogger Connection for this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Happy 1st Birthday Conscious Box + Win a Box!

If you read this blog often, you know that I am a huge fan of subscription boxes. I have reviewed many of them over the last year and I love the idea of getting to try out several products before you buy them or that you might not have thought to try yourself. I have fallen in love with several products by trying them this way! Plus, it's like getting a box full of little gifts each month. :)

One of my favorite subscription boxes is Conscious Box. I love everything about their boxes. I am all about trying to use the most sustainable, Earth friendly products and they are definitely helpful in that arena. You can read my full review of Conscious Box here.

November marks the one year anniversary of this wonderful company and to celebrate they have put together what they promise is an amazing box for the month- I believe it, they ALWAYS are! And to take that celebration even further, they want to offer one lucky reader of Cristi's Reviews a free box! Enter via the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

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If you would like to receive the special 1 year anniversary edition Conscious Box, sign up by November 6th to ensure that you will get your box!

At the Feet of Jesus by Joanna Weaver Book Review & Blog Tour + Enter to win an iPad!

About At The Feet of Jesus:

You were made for more than serving God: you were made to know Him.

Intimacy with God-to know Him and be known by Him. It is what our hearts desperately needs, but somehowlife conspires to keepusbusy and distracted.

For anyone who struggles when it comes to daily devotions, At the Feet of Jesus extends an irresistable invitation to set aside your duties and find the amazing peace and incredible joy that come from Him. Drawn from Joanna Weaver's beloved Bethany trilogy, each reading in this 365 day devotional includes a Bible reading passage and relection question. All-new material and "Going Deeper" sidebars are also woven throughout.

Discover for yourself the riches that come from spending a portion of each day alone with God. At the feet or Jesus-where true life begins!

My thoughts: I will admit that I am one of those people that does have a hard time with daily devotions. I've never really been able to find a devotional book that spoke to me enough to open more than one time. There are usually the same thoughts just rehashed in different forms, but with the same  meaning. I want to go deeper and maybe that is why I have a hard time. At the Feet of Jesus definitely is the right devotional for me. It is set up that there is a devotion for every single day of the year starting with January 1, so I just opened it to begin on the day in October it was when I first got it and went from there. I can't even tell you how many times in just a few short weeks I felt like the devotion I was reading was speaking directly to me! I love that in addition to a thought provoking question at the end of each devotion, there is also a cordinating Bible verse to further extend the study and get you in your Bible daily. There is also a wonderful guide in the back for reading entire Bible in the year, once again you can start from which date you begin reading it, so it doesn't necessarily have to be started on January 1st. I have really enjoyed these devotions so far and I will continue using this as my daily devotion book. It will also go on my list of great gifts to give other women.I would highly recommend this book to  anyone wanting to find a way to really get themselves in the Word daily and to really raise some thoughtful questions about  their walk with God.


What other bloggers are saying about At the Feet of Jesus!

Buy the book on Amazon.com

About the Joanna Weaver:

Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. Joanna has aide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatheringsand several high profile events each year.But Joanna's greaetest joy in found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor's wife.

Find out more about Joanna at joannaweaverbooks.com






Celebrate the release of At the Feet of Jesus with Joanna Weaver by entering to win an iPad and RSVPing for the "True Life" Webcast Event on 11/8!

One blessed winner will receive:

• An iPad
• The Year in Bethany Trilogy (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening 
• At the Feet of Jesus for YOU and Five of your friends.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "True Life" Live Webcast Event on November 8th. Connect with author Joanna Weaver and her special guest for an evening of encouragement, laughter and a Q&A! There will also be gift certificates and books given away to participants.

So grab your copy of At the Feet of Jesus (or one of Joanna's other books) and join Joanna on evening of November 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

*Disclosure- I received a complimentary copy of At the Feet of Jesus for the purpose of rending this review. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

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The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie Book Review + Giveaway

I think most parents want a way to teach their kids the spirit of giving. When they are especially young, the best thing we can do is lead by example. I think that the holiday season is a great time to teach kids about giving. There are just so many opportunities big and small to make a difference in someone's life. There are food pantries that need food, Christmas trees with Angels on them that need help getting presents under the tree, soup kitchens that need volunteers, tossing change in the Salvation Army containers or maybe even something as simple as taking a cup of hot cocoa to a lonely neighbor. There are opportunities all around to be compassionate, to give. The Sparkle Box introduces a fun way to celebrate giving during the holiday season. There is a box included with the book, that you can put under your tree. The idea is every time someone in your house helps someone in need, you add a piece of paper to the box saying what you did. Then on Christmas, you open the box and read them aloud. The Sparkle Box contents are your gift to Jesus. What an adorable lesson in giving and how wonderful to celebrate the true sense of Christmas in addition to all of the hustle and bustle and gifts that come along with the holiday.

The book explains how the box works in plain terms so that young children can understand what they are to do. My 5 year old daughter and I have already read the book several times and she already wants to put our Sparkle Box out. There is a part in the book when the main character, a little boy, has bought candy with his own money and since he has been learning about giving he notices a man that looks hungry and gives it to him. It makes me tear up every time I read it. I am tearing up now just thinking of it! I think this book is a great teaching tool for adults and children alike and I think that putting out a Sparkle Box to fill up each year is a wonderful idea. I know our family will definitely be adding this tradition to our Christmas celebration each year!



THE SPARKLE BOX - Official Book Trailer from Ideals Books on Vimeo.

About the author:

Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday. The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt profound joy and peace. Jill hopes that the Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives.

Interview with Jill

About the illustrator:

At a very early age, Christine Kornacki developed a  love for painting and bringing stories to life. After receiving a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford, her dream of illustrating children's books began to take shape. She spends her days painting in her studio, which ajoins a charming cafe in New Haven, Connecticut.


Ideas for your Sparkle Box! Remember, these things don't necessarily have to cost money! Even a kind  gesture is sure to brighten someones day and help them out!

Enter below via the Rafflecopter to win your own copy of the book & get started on a new family tradition this Christmas!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure- I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hopes that I would mention it on my blog. However, I only recommend products or services that I use personally that I think will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Comission 16, CFR part 255: "Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertisements.