Earth Day FREEBIES

Earth Day is 4/22 and several stores are offering freebies and promotions!  Many sites are listing these deals and I'm getting this list from Hip2Save.  If you've never been to this site, please check it out! 

So here are the deals.  If you know about a deal that I don't have listed, please leave a comment about it. 

Lowes
Go to a Lowes store on 4/23 to get a FREE tree (1 million trees will be given away!)!  Go here for more details and to find a store near you.

Starbucks
On 4/22, bring in any reusable mug or tumbler to Starbucks and receive a free brewed coffee (hot or iced) or brewed tea at participating stores!  If you don’t have a travel mug, they’ll also be offering new travel mugs at 20% off!  Head on over here for more details or go here to RSVP.

The Disney Store
Go to your local Disney Store on 4/22 and bring 5 plastic shopping bags with you to get a FREE reusable tote bag.  While supplies last.

Walmart and Brita
To celebrate Earth Month, Brita is offering up FREE Nalgene Water Bottles ($10 value) whenever you purchase a qualifying Brita Filtration system (excludes Slim Pitcher) at Walmart or Walmart.com (rebate offer must be postmarked by May 31st).  Go here for more details and to take the pledge for a $5 off coupon!

Caribou Coffee
On Friday, April 22nd, Caribou Coffee is offering up a FREE Coffee of the Day to guests that bring in reusable drinkware from 5AM-10PM.  Head on over to the Caribou Facebook page for more details.

Anthropologie
If you have an Anthropolgie store nearby, they’ll be hosting a Kid’s Earth Day event tomorrow, April 22nd.  At participating stores across the country, they’ll be hosting Cork Crafting and Potting Classes for parents & kids!  You can see if your local store is participating and more details here (click on your region).

EcoFlow by Water Pik Facebook Giveaway
In recognition of Earth Day, and the importance of water conservation, Water Pik, Inc. will be awarding 10 lucky winners with two (2) EcoFlow water saving shower heads (retail value of $89.98 USD). EcoFlow shower heads are designed to save up to a gallon of water a minute – while maximizing shower performance.  Go to the EcoFlow Facebook page and “like” them and then click back over here to enter to win!  You’ll be able to enter the contest through 4/25 and winners will be randomly selected on or about May 3.

Origins
On 4/22, you are invited to “trade in” any one of your existing skin care products, regardless of brand, for a FREE Origins high-performance, paraben free cleanser (while supplies last) at Origins retail stores and department store counters!  You will have the choice between two full size award-winning products – Checks and Balances Frothy face wash OR A Perfect World Antioxidant cleanser with White Tea ($20 value!)!  All cosmetic packaging collected will be recycled or responsibility converted to energy through the Return to Origins Recycling Program.  Go here for more details. 

ZOYA.com
Through 4/27, ZOYA is offering FREE Zoya nail polishes whenever you send them a minimum of 6 bottles of your non-ZOYA nail polishes (just pay $4 shipping per bottle)!  Go here for more details.

Disneynature: See movie African Cats, save the Savanna Initiative
During Disneynature’s African Cats opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to ensure the future of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the vibrant African savanna!  The film, which will be released in theaters worldwide, opens in North America on April 22, 2011.  Just go to the “Disneynature Facebook page” and make a pledge to see African Cats on Eventful or join the “African Cats” grassroots community and donate to the African Wildlife Foundation on Causes and then buy tickets through Disney Tickets Together.

Evos
If you have an Evos restaurant nearby, they’ll be giving away free organic milkshakes on Earth Day from 11AM-9PM. The healthy fast-food chain has locations in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

CVS
Just a reminder that you can get a FREE CVS/Pharmacy Green Bag Tag after Extra Care Bucks through Saturday 4/23.  Plus, you’ll get a FREE $1 ECB every 4th time you bring in your reusable bag with the bag tag (learn more about this program here).

Drugstore.com
Drugstore.com is offering up to 60% off on green and natural products through April 22nd.

FREE Entrance to National Parks
All 394 U.S. National Parks have FREE admission now through Sunday, April 24.

Travelocity
Travelocity has green hotels on sale for up to 40% off (click on Hotels tab at top and scroll down to find Green Travel Deals box)!  Also, you can also enter to win two round-trip Virgin America tickets and a couple of nights at an eco-friendly hotel!

Sierra Club Contest
The Sierra Club’s Earth Day contest gives a chance to win a trip for two to Vieques Island in the Caribbean along with a $1,000 shopping certificate to BCBGMAXAZRIA, and more!  Just make a pledge to “go green” for your chance to win!

thredUP
When you join thredUP.com on Friday, April 22 you will receive a FREE $13.95 Swapping Credit.  And, whenever you use this credit towards your first swap, you can get a box of children’s clothes for as little as $2!

BabyBond Review and Giveaway

I am past the baby stage but am happy to be able to tell you about BabyBond, a nursing cover for mom, not your baby.  With BabyBond, your baby stays uncovered while you nurse. 

BabyBond offers three stylish options for mom: Original, Flex, and Couture.  Each offers different features.

I had a friend try it out on her 5 month old baby and here are her thoughts on the BabyBond Flex:

I am a mother of four children.  I have breastfed all of them and my youngest is currently 5 months.  For my first three, I used a blanket to cover them up while nursing in public. It worked fine until they got a bit older and curiosity set in and they'd pull the blanket off while nursing. This pregnancy, I received a traditional nursing cover (apron like) as a gift.  It works well for covering, but my son does not like to have anything on his head and to be covered.

I was very excited to try the BabyBond Flex nursing sash for the fact that the baby's head is not covered during the feeding. I received the nursing sash and watched an online video about how to properly use it. 

The Pros: It is stylish and soft and the burp cloth is thick and absorbent.  I like that I can remove the burp cloth and simply wash it if needed rather than having to wash the whole sash every time. 

The Cons: For me, I didn't feel like my breast was covered enough for nursing out in public.  Even when properly wearing the sash, there was always a small triangle of my breast that wasn't covered. My son is at the "distracted" age right now and when he hears something interesting while he's nursing, he'll quickly pull off the breast and look around.  When he did that, my breast was completely exposed.  Also, the sash is designed to use with shirts that you pull down from the top, rather than lift from the bottom.  After using the sash for multiple feedings, my shirts were not holding their shape after being pulled down again and again. 

Although I like the idea of the BabyBond Flex nursing sash, it didn't prove to be practical for my baby and I.  I think it is more suited for a newborn or a young baby that has not yet reached the distracted age and are still for feedings.

Find Out More:  You can find out more about BabyBond products on their website.  All covers sell for $35 and there are size charts, color options, care instructions, and how-to videos on their site.  And as a special gift to my readers, if you would like to make a purchase, just use the code OHR to get 25% off!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

So, here's how to enter to win one BabyBond Nursing Sash!  For each comment, you will get one (1) entry.  

1. Visit BabyBond and let me know what style you would choose.

2. Follow my blog through GFC.

3. Like my Facebook page.

4. Follow me on Twitter @OurHSReviews.

5. Subscribe to my blog by email though Feedburner. 

**Remember to please leave a separate comment for each entry**

One random winner will be selected using Random.org on Monday, May 2, 2011. (U.S. Entries only.) If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected. Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you (either an email address in your comment or on your profile). Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Thrifty Thursday

Last week I could not find many deals (on Thursday at least) but I have more for you today.  I'll be adding more freebies and samples throughout the day so please check back.

My Giveaways
Socks4Life $20 Gift Card: ends 4/22
Sabadil Allergy: ends 4/25
Baby Bond Nursing Sash: ends 4/29

Amazon Deal
Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred only $7.99 down from $14.98.

FREE Starbucks Coffee or Tea - 4/22 Only
Bring in your own travel cup and Starbucks will fill it up for you on 4/22.

FREE Easter Recipe Book
Mr. Food has an Easter Download cookbook for FREE.

RueLaLa.com $20 Credit
You have until 4/25 to get your free $20 credit from RueLaLa.  They are giving $20 credits to new users.  Your credit takes a few hours to show up and is good through 5/25.

Old Navy Easter Egg Hunt
Through 4/24, Old Navy is having a new instant win game called the Old Navy Crazy Code Egg Hunt. You can instantly win big money or other fun stuff.  Ends 4/24.

Lowe's FREE Birdhouse
Go to Lowe’s this Saturday, April 23rd, for the  FREE Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic to build a Build and Grow Birdhouse.  All children who attend and complete their project will receive a FREE apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion. 

Homeschool FREEBIE
The Homeschool Freebie of the Day is The Stephen Foster Story.  Yesterdays is still available as well - Nature Study Made Easy.

Restaurant.com: 80% Off

Save 80% at Restaurant.com using code EASTER at checkout.  This makes a $25 gift card only $2 and $10 gift card only $.60.  Ends 4/24.

Groupon
If you've never tried it, Groupon negotiates huge discounts—usually 50-90% off—with popular businesses. They then send the deals to thousands of subscribers in their free daily email. I use it quite a bit and have gotten some really good deals.  Join now!

Disney Movie Rewards: 50 Points

You can get 50 Bonus Points on Disney Movie Rewards when you enter the code M1D17DCYEHGU with a Magic Code from any eligible Disney Blu-ray, DVD, or CD. Expires 5/15.

Disney Store: Reusable Tote FREE on 4/22
Exchange five plastic shopping bags for a FREE reusable tote at your local Disney Store on Friday, 4/22.

FREE Personalized Birthday Song
1HappyBirthday is offering a FREE Personalized Birthday MP3 Song Download.  There are 3,000 names to choose from.

Garnier Pure Clean Sample
Get a FREE sample of Garnier Pure Clean Shampoo and Conditioner when you fill out the form. 

Swagbucks = FREE Gift Cards! 

Swagbucks allows web users to earn virtual currency by doing the things they do every day, like searching the web and shopping at their favorite retailers.  You can redeem your currency for fun prizes, like amazon gift cards.  I use Swagbucks (instead of Google, Yahoo, etc) for all my searching and you can too!  Join now! 

FREE Sample Roundup
For anything I missed, you can get your FREE sample roundup from Deal Seeking Mom!

  

Growing Healthy Homes Review

Growing Healthy Homes was established in 2007 to educate and train families regarding God's plan to optimum health as outlined in the Bible.  Growing Healthy Homes offers many products, including the book I am going to talk about today, Nutrition 101: Choose Life! 

Nutrition 101 is a family nutrition and health program for all ages.  Its 448 pages are broken into six units:

1. Brain and Nervous System
2. Digestive System
3. Respiratory, Olfactory, Auditory, & Visual Systems
4. Muscular and Skeletal Systems
5. Cardiovascular and Immune Systems
6. Endocrine System and Emotions

Each unit contains several chapters which include information about body system and how food effects them.  It teaches and reinforces the why’s of what we should eat.  There are also discussion questions, activities (like science and art projects, for both elementary and secondary students), and additional resources like recipes (almost 80 of them), an activity answer guide, and an enormous appendix which has a ton of charts, tables, and articles.

The authors give recommendations on how to effectively use this book with your whole family and how work with those picky eaters, so it is easy to implement. 

I also want to note that this book is Biblically based.  There are Bible verses throughout which relate to the text. 

My Thoughts:  I let my daughter choose which part of the book she wanted to read first and she chose Unit 5: The Cardiovascular and Immune Systems.  As I said before, this book can be used for all ages, but since it can also be used for high school credit, it is written to the older student.  When reading to her, I hit on the main points presented, the fun facts, and we completed some of the activities.  We also made the Heart Healthy Oatmeal with Fruit.  YUM!

The pictures in the book are beautiful and the information is quite interesting.  My daughter was happy to learn that if our bodies did not have the ability to form blood clots, people would bleed to death, even after a minor cut.  She later told me she was thankful for blood clots.  :) 

I also want to mention, that although the price may seem high to some, this book can be used for children of all ages and levels.  The content can be broken down for younger students and high schoolers can read it on their own.  A larger family would definitely get their money's worth.

Thoughts of a 7-Year Old:  This book has a few interesting parts.  We are reading about (in unit 5) the Cardiovascular and Immune Systems. The pictures are realistic, but I think few look kinda gross.  I wish our heart looked more like a valentine.

Find Out More:  Nutrition 101: Choose Life! can be purchased on a CD-ROM for $79.95, as a hardcover book for $99.95, or as a Combo: Book and CD-ROM for $129.95.  For a limited time though, you can save 15% using the coupon code: TOScrew11.  If you'd like to, you can read an excerpt from the book here.

Also, on Thursday, April 21st, The Old Schoolhouse is hosting a webinar with Sera Johnson, one of the authors of Nutrition 101.  This webinar will take place at 4:00 p.m. EST.

My Crewmates are also reviewing Nutrition 101: Choose Life!, so you can check out what they think HERE.

Disclosure: This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

 

Wordless Wednesday: Zoo Report

Each child on our field trip to the zoo yesterday had to choose an animal to write about.  Ours was on the Cheetah.  Click the images below to read along.

Dear Blog...

I'm home from two back to back field trips.  The first was on Monday from 11:30-4:00, came home to make dinner, then out again to soccer practice, and a late night workout.  Another today from 8:00-1:00, then straight to pick up my daughter's friend, two hours of dance, came home to make dinner (and realized the meat was still in the freezer, so we had breakfast for dinner), and then I crashed on the couch.  I'm sorry I've neglected you and all my unanswered emails.  The kitchen is a mess and I really should workout again.

I'll be home all day tomorrow to catch up on everything.  For now...any early goodnight!

What if...

...I was no longer homeschooling my daughter?  What would my dream job be?  Hmmm, good question!  I think to answer that I should take you back a bit to see where I was headed before I became a mommy.

For the longest time when I was younger, I wanted to be a lawyer.  Maybe it was growing up watching too much Matlock, I'm not sure.  When I got older though, I realized how much school I would have to go through.  So I had to scratch that idea.

As I entered college I still had no clear cut dream profession.  My job skills up to that point had been pizza maker, car washer, and store clerk.  I also had a very short lived telemarketing job...scratch sales. 

I did however work for a very large toy store and after working there for a while, I began handling HR duties, like interviews.  I can still remember one of the applicants asking my age...lol!!  I am pretty sure I was in college by then but I have always looked much younger than I am. 

So, while in college and still unsure of my plan, I decided to go for the ol' Bachelor in Business Administration (double major in Management and Marketing).  I figured that would have plenty of job options.  ;)  Well, my first job after college was in Human Resources, conducting interviews, going to job fairs, and pretty much handling anything administrative.  After a couple years, I moved over to the client side, got my insurance license, and became an Account Manager in Employee Benefits.  Basically doing the same HR duties but now for the client...open enrollments, marketing their plans, etc. 

Five years after college I had our daughter and decided to stay home.  Fast forward almost 8 years, and here we are.

So, looking back at what I have done in past jobs and who I am today, I'm not sure what my dream job would be exactly, but I know it would have to be a job working with and helping people.  I enjoy talking with people (I loved those job fairs!!!) and I like to help others (one reason I love to blog). 

...and if I couldn't have that.  I'd have to settle for professional cruise ship sailing.  Not sure if that is a "job" but sounds good to me!  ;)

Sabadil Review and Giveaway

I don't know about you, but we are right in the midst of allergy season here.  Some days I am fine, but others I am sneezing, my eyes are tearing, and I get a sinus headache. 

There are many allergy medicines on the market, but I'm happy to share with you that Boiron makes one called Sabadil.  Sabadil temporarily relieves one or more symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies which cause itchy and runny nose, sneezing, and itchy and watery eyes. 

Some things I LOVE about Sabadil (along with all Boiron products) include:

* It's non-drowsy, non-habit forming, has no drug interactions, and no risk of overdose
* It's safe for everyone 6 years of age and older
* They are melt-away tablets - no water, chewing or swallowing

I've already used it a couple times and I have felt relief of my allergy symptoms within the hour.  I'm actually headed out today for an outdoor field trip, so I am taking some along just in case.

Find Out More:  You can find out more about Sabadil and other Boiron products at their website.  All of their products are Homeopathic.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

So, here's how to enter to win one (1) box of Sabadil!  For each comment, you will get one (1) entry.  

1. Like Boiron USA on Facebook.

2. Follow my blog through GFC.

3. Like my Facebook page.

4. Follow me on Twitter @OurHSReviews.

5. Subscribe to my blog by email though Feedburner. 

**Remember to please leave a separate comment for each entry**

One random winner will be selected using Random.org on Friday, April 29, 2011. (U.S. Entries only.) If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected. Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you (either an email address in your comment or on your profile).

Disclosure: This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

Menu Plan Monday - April 18

Although many of my meals are the same this week, I am having a great Monday morning because it is only 8:15 and I have already washed two loads of laundry, made beds, picked up in all the rooms, cleaned the kitchen, we've eaten breakfast, school will be starting in about 20 min, and we have a fun field trip today.  :)

Saturday: Fruit and Veggie Platter with Mini Pita Bread and Hummus
Sunday:  Tuna Casserole (didn't make on Friday)
Monday: Spaghetti and Crescent Rolls (soccer night)
Tuesday: Chili and Corn Bread
Wednesday: Something Italian (maybe stuffed shells)
Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas
Friday: ??

For more recipes or to link up, click the picture at the top.

 

FREE World History Resources

I wanted to share with you a post by Maureen over at Homeschool Mo.  She posted some wonderful and FREE online World History Resources on Wednesday.  Several of the links include FREE online games.  I bookmarked almost all of them to go back later and take a better look. 

I listed only a few below, so make sure to visit her site for the rest.  I hope you find some of these links helpful!  Thank you to Maureen for letting me post about them!

Adventures in Ancient Greece
BBC History for Kids
Ghosts in the Castle
Hoernersburg Lego Castle and Medieval Lego Town & Cathedral Tour