Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

Have you guys checked out the HUGE GameStop Giveaway going on over at TodaysMama until December 10th! If you haven't then you should go check it out!!! Here is just a sampling of the things they are giving away:

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.



1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
My holiday wish would have to be seeing my girls happy.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?
When the girls wake us up we head to the Christmas tree to open presents. After they open all the presents then I head to the kitchen to make breakfast.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
Oh, that would so be a bigger house!


4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
I try and play games that are fun with the girls.


5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
We used to play a lot of card games especially Hawaiian Rummy! That was my fave!


6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
That would have to be opening presents as soon as we get up.


7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?
I would love to take the girls to Disney World!


8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?

1.  Nintendo DS Lite Cobalt/Black
2. Nintendo Wii Black Bundle
3. Kinect for Xbox 360 with Kinect Adventures  



BUT WAIT. Did you think we were done? Oh, you must not know us at all.


We have another stockpile of gifts from GameStop that you can enter to win with our extra entry options.


■Runner Up #1 will receive a XBox 360 250 GB with Kinect and a $250 GameStop gift card.

■Runner Up #2 will receive a Nintendo Red DSi XL Bundle and a $250 GameStop gift card.

■Runner Up #3 will receive a Nintendo Red Wii Bundle and a $250 GameStop gift card.

Extra Entry Options include:

■“Like” Gamestop on Facebook

■Follow @gamestop on Twitter

■Head back to the tippy-top of this post and hit that “Retweet” button.

Our Breast Cancer Support!

I know I didn't talk at all last month about Breast Cancer Awareness, but I would love to right now!! A local hair place did an amazing event! For $5 you can get your hair highlighted pink to support our Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute. So, my daughter and I had a girls day and went and got our hair highlighted PINK to support the cause.

Breast cancer has affected my family and I for a long time. When I was about 12 my aunt was diagnosed with a very aggressive type of cancer. She had 3 boy, the littlest was 3.... After being diagnosed she lived for about a year. One night my mom decided to take the littlest to our house to stay the night. Well, that was the night that she passed.... He usually slept with his mommy at night, so it was a blessing that he was with my mom. *She was waiting for him not to be there.*

It is just heart wrenching when someone so close is just gone.....

Yoga Event Winners!!

The Winner of the alo Bamboo Short Sleeve Tee is:

True Random Number Generator


Result:
11

11. sarah said...
I follow you on Friend Connect and I follow alo on Twitter
October 8, 2010 8:22 PM

Congratulations Susan!!

The Winner of the Aurorae Yoga Mat & Slip Free Rosin Bag is:

True Random Number Generator
Result:
77

The Winning Comment:

77. susan said...
I follow via gfc and I would choose the pink one :)
October 22, 2010 5:01 PM

Congratulations Susan!!

Truvia Swap Out Your Sweetener (SOYS) Challenge!

Honey can be sweet and yummy, but also can get very expensive when you drink lotsa coffee! Splenda was outta the house a long time ago, and sugar well its around I just don't like to use it all that much because it just makes me feel like crap.

So join me on this 30 day Challenge to swap out my sweetener! I know lots of you are thinking "oh no another too good to be true sweetener!" Well, that's right it is TOO GOOD, or shall I say sweet! If you have not heard about Truvia then let me give you a little info...

Truvia begins with the Stevia plant that people have been using for hundreds of years to sweeten their food and drinks. The taste comes from a part of the leaf that is called rebiana. This rebiana is what gives Truvia the sweet simple taste. Rebiana, Erythritol and natural flavors are the only ingredients that are in Truvia. Erythritol is also a natural form of a sweetener that is also found in naturally in fruits and fermented foods.

If you may still be a little sceptical here is a little more info on the Stevia plant:

Stevia is a genus of about 240 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), native to subtropical and tropical regions from western North America to South America. The species Stevia rebaudiana, commonly known as sweetleaf, sweet leaf, sugarleaf, or simply stevia, is widely grown for its sweet leaves. As a sweetener and sugar substitute, stevia's taste has a slower onset and longer duration than that of sugar, although some of its extracts may have a bitter or licorice-like aftertaste at high concentrations.


With its extracts having up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. Medical research has also shown possible benefits of stevia in treating obesity and high blood pressure. Because stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to people on carbohydrate-controlled diets.

The availability of stevia varies from country to country. In a few countries, it has been available as a sweetener for decades or centuries; for example, stevia is widely used as a sweetener in Japan where it has been available for decades. In some countries, stevia is restricted or banned. In other countries, health concerns and political controversies have limited its availability; for example, the United States banned stevia in the early 1990s unless labeled as a supplement, but in 2008 approved rebaudioside-A extract as a food additive. Over the years, the number of countries in which stevia is available as a sweetener has been increasing.

Courtesy From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here is some more info on  Erythritol:

Erythritol ((2R,3S)-butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol) is a natural sugar alcohol (a type of sugar substitute) which has been approved for use in the United States[1] and throughout much of the world. It was discovered in 1848 by British chemist John Stenhouse.[2] It occurs naturally in fruits and fermented foods [3]. At the industrial level, it is produced from glucose by fermentation with a yeast, Moniliella pollinis[1]. It is 60–70% as sweet as table sugar yet it is almost non-caloric, does not affect blood sugar, does not cause tooth decay, and is absorbed by the body, therefore unlikely to cause gastric side effects unlike other sugar alcohols. Under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling requirements, it has a caloric value of 0.2 kilocalories per gram (95% less than sugar and other carbohydrates), though nutritional labelling varies from country to country—some countries like Japan label it as zero-calorie, while European Union regulations currently label it and all other sugar alcohols at 2.4 kcal/g.
Courtesy From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

After reading this it's no wonder our country is so over weight! Other countries have been using these things for years as natural sweeteners and it seems that we are just being introduced to it! After reading all this information, because I do have to admit that I was skeptical at first about Truvia, but know after trying it for the first time and reading this info Truvia will be the only sweetener that I use!

So, join me for the next 30 days as I Swap Out Your Sweetener(SOYS)! I am planning on making a few things that Truvia has on their recipe page. You can also join in on the challenge! Just head on over to MapTruvia.com and to get your free sample and tell them that I sent you! Its that simple and sweet!

Disclaimer: I'm one of 30 bloggers who have been selected to be a part of the 30 day Truvia “Swap Out Your Sweetener” Challenge. This campaign is put on by Collective Bias. I was sent free full size products to use and review, but this is my simple honest opinion of this product!

Every Little Girls Princess Dreams......

It's alot of fun having two girls sometimes.Every little girl dreams of having her very own princess wand, I do too sometimes. Here is a beautiful wand for any little girl big or small!

Our Whiskey Lullaby is giving away a princess wand to a very special little princess! Any little girl would love this! Ends October 28!

Next a little princess needs to have her own magical horse. Whether it be a Pegasus or a unicorn every little girl needs one of these!

Lisa Reviews has a magical giveaway going on over at her site to win both a Pegasus and a unicorn! That would truly full fill those little dreams! Ends October 27th at 11:59 pm CST

And last but not least every little princess needs a cute pair of leggings! They also look especially cute with a little tutu!

The maker of these little tutus and leggings is hosting a giveaway on her blog Mama runs with scissors. This is a weekly contests so check it out, each weekly contest will open on the prior MONDAY and close on THURSDAY 12am pacific time.

Seeing how this is Friday and the other contest isn't open right now, head on over to Baby Gear Today she is  giving away a pair of Kool Kid Legs to 1 viewer! Ends October 31, 2010 at 1159 Pacific Time


 And these cute books from The Fry Company would so complete the look for the cute little princess! Not to mention the durable quality that my girls need because I am sure these would be handed down to the Little Princess!

For my little Cowgirl Princess that is! Head on over to Just for Me...and You to enter the giveaway! Ends October 31st at midnight!

My two Cowgirl Princess!

Getting back to Me.....

Its been over two years since I have been on depression medication. During my pregnancy with my last girl, I became severely depressed because of the pregnancy. I had to quit my job because of all the complications that I was having. Bella was also sitting right on my sciatic nerve, which caused me server back and hip pain. I could not sleep at all because of the pain. At about six months into the pregnancy I just had had enough. I ended up calling my mom balling my eyes out because I just could not take any more of it. My mom being the RN that she is told me to call my doctor NOW and tell them that I needed something for depression. That is when my life became numb...................

Now over two years have passed and I was still on it. Two weeks ago I ran out of my prescription. I had a doctors appointment on Tuesday, so I figured I would be ok until then. The first week was like any other week except for all the new drama that we have been dealt with(furnace shooting flames out of it{resolved have a new one waiting to get hooked up} JR hit a deer with the Jeep, dealing with my insane grandmother, just to name the major issues). The medication also takes a few days to get out of your system.

This week I have been actually experiencing EMOTIONS. Something that I have not felt in a long time. I have been happy, sad, funny, a bitch, and playful. These are things that I have not felt in a long time and it just really hit me at this moment what all I have been missing out of my life.........

JR and I used to playfully bitch at each other and play around wrestling with each other. I can't remember the last time that we actually did that, besides tonight. I have been more involved with playing with my girls than I have ever been. I used to love to bake and I have been baking and cooking more things. I used to be so creative and for awhile I thought that I had really lost my spark, but even just in typing this post I can feel that it's coming back. I have actually cried this last week....the last time that I cried was before I was on medication. It's healthy to cry once in awhile to let out the emotions that you are feeling, but I wasn't felling any emotions so I never cried.

I may have been somewhat of a bitch at times this week, but now that I am thinking about it I have been expressing my opinion. Any more if I had a thought I would not voice it, I would just let it go. This week I have been truly voicing my opinions.

One side effect of the medication is a low sex drive and I have to agree with that one. I have had no drive what so ever and JR has been somewhat understanding. It is also very difficult to achieve an O. Well, I have to say this week has been amazing!!

I want my life back, the old me, the girl that my husband fell in love with! I don't think I will be picking up my medication.... Do you have any thoughts? If you do feel free to tell me! As soon as I tell my mom she is gonna go off on me and tell me that I need to keep taking them, so good bad, please comment!!

~Exhale: Core Fusion Yoga~ Review & Giveaway

Exhale Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow with Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp features a flowing, energizing, fast paced yoga workout! Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp are the creators of Core Fusion and the founding team members of Exhale spa, who have transformed peoples bodies with exhale.

Let me tell you this is a great yoga workout! The first time that I did this one I was sweating like crazy, but loving it! Fred and Elisabeth lead you through five, ten minute segments, or you can choose to play them all for a full fifty minutes of some fast paced yoga!

Most of the yoga poses that is performed in this DVD are somewhat basic yoga poses, but with a little added umph to really get your body moving. I did this workout numerous times all the way through and also selected different segments. Most of the segments really focus on core work, but this is so an overall body workout. They also perform Chaturanga Dandasana or also called low push up, and let me tell you they are very challenging! I could only come down part of the way.

I would recommend this Exhale Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow with Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp for anyone who likes yoga and is looking for a great workout!

Head on over to Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans to enter to win a copy!!

*I received Exhale Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow from Acacia. I was not compensated in any way to write this post. This is my true, honest, simple review of this wonderful DVD.

CSN Review

CSN stores is an amazing company that I am sure by now that many of you have heard of. They have over 200 online stores where you can find everything from  cheap bedroom furniture to yoga accessories! CSN was kind enough to send me some great yoga accessories for this Yoga Event! I received a Gaiam Yoga Essentials Block, Gaiam 8' D-Ring Organic Cotton Yoga Straps, Gaiam Damask Printed Yoga Mat Bag, & Gaiam YogaKids 1 for Ages 3-6 DVD.

The Gaiam Yoga Essentials Block is an excellent block for beginners as wells advanced people the love to do yoga!

Here are some of the features of this great block:

•Yoga essentials block

•Lightweight

•Provides the stability needed for optimal alignment, deeper poses and increased strength
•Feel tight, don't risk injury

•Durable foam with a nonslip surface

•Available in the following colors: Purple, robin's egg

This block has really helped me with stretching! I have never been this flexible in my life.

 Gaiam 8' D-Ring Organic Cotton Yoga Straps

This strap has really come in handy with many poses, especially with Ardha matsyendrasan (Half Spinal Twist, advanced). I have been able to slowly bring my hands closer together, but still cannot quite get them together. This one will take alot of time to get, but this strap has really helped me to get closer.

Some of the Features:

•8' D-Ring organic cotton yoga strap
•Gaiam's durable 100% organic cotton webbing stretch strap is easy to thread and adjust thanks to its sturdy metal D ring
•8' strap available in natural only
•100% organic cotton webbing
•Helps you stretch and properly position your body in yoga poses
•Easy to thread and adjust

 Gaiam Damask Printed Yoga Mat Bag





First of all I cannot tell you how much I love this bag! Being a sucker for Damask prints I saw this and I just had to have it! At first I was a little concerned if my mat would fit in this bag, but I was pleasantly surprised that it did!! There is actually plenty of room not only on the sides, but on the top when the mat is in the bag, just enough room for a change of clothes or a towel. Also to my surprise this bag features three more outside pockets! The larger pocket could holds my strap and towel, with more room to put stuff. I was also very surprised to find another pocket just for an ipod! It even has a little hole for your head phone cord to come out of. Another pocket has a zipper closure for any money that you may have.

Here are some other features to this great bag:

•Damask printed bag

•Drawstring closure
•Coordinating color and graphics help you to avoid bag mix-up at your studio
•100% cotton
•Shoulder strap
•Zippered pocket holds your keys or cell phone
•Printed damask design

Gaiam YogaKids 1 for Ages 3-6 DVD

I really want my girls to love and enjoy yoga as much as I do. Joc has always been trying to follow me with it and now Bella has also tried to follow me. In fact whenever I do practice when they are up, they are usually pushing me off the mat. They are trying to be like mommy and do what she does, so that is one of the biggest reasons for choosing this DVD, so that they can have their own yoga time.

This DVD is not only fun for the kids, but it is also a bit educational. Joc and Bella really have a great time with this DVD, when they aren't fighting for room on the mat. Note to self... will have to purchase another mat so they are not fighting over mine! Joc loves to do the whole thing through, but Bella, being only 2 it holds her attention for about 20-30 minutes. Bella is so funny trying to do the poses. Joc for the most part can do all of them well, *when she feels like it*. Mind you these two girls have some attitude! I have noticed that when they do practice this their attitudes are a little bit better than they were before they did the yoga.

Here are some Features:

•YogaKids DVD
•Features beloved instructor Marsha Wenig
•Taking cues from animals, trees and the nature of the world
•3 to 6 year-olds follow she guides creatively-adapted yoga basics set to playful original songs
•Building a sense of accomplishment with every pose
•Give children build physical fitness self-confidence challenge coordination and imagination
•20 basic yoga poses recreated for 3 to 6 year-olds
•Follow-the-leader approach with safe, expert instruction
•Activities to build coordination, confidence and imagination
•40 minutes DVD

Come check out the CSN Giveaway over at Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans!

*I received these items for review purposes only and was not compensated for this post. This is my honest, simple opinion.

Grow to Grow- Review & Giveaway

Practicing yoga can be a great stress reliever as well as a mind and body opening experience. When doing yoga the less that you have to worry about is better. I always practice when my girls are fast asleep at night that way I don't have any distractions to worry about, except for my little hairs that constantly fall in my face! Not that long ago I had bangs and I am currently trying to grow them out, so they are constantly in my face. This can be very annoying and frustrating at times when I am trying to fully relax into different poses. 

This is were Grow to Grow comes to the rescue to solve this little issue.  Grow to Grow features great Yogibands to hold back those loose little hairs that can be very aggravating when doing yoga. These are also wonderful to help with that perspiration that you also may develop during some faster paced movements. She offers an array of colored Stretchy Yogibands to be a little less distracted when practicing yoga.

I received  a Stretchy YogiBand in Lake. The color Blue affects us physically by calming & sedating us, cools, and also aids intuition. This particular color has always been my favorite and when I received it I was totally thrilled! The first time that I used this YogiBand I was thrilled! Not only did it keep away my loose hair, but it also absorbed some of my perspiration. I have not only been using it to practice yoga, but also during working out.

Buy It!

You can purchase your own YogiBand at Grow to Grows etsy store in the color of your choice for only $7!

Win It!

Grow to Grow has given me an extra YogiBand to giveaway to one lucky reader!! The winner will receive a Moss YogiBand! HOW THE COLOR GREEN AFFECTS US PHYSICALLY:

* Soothes
* Relaxes mentally, as well as physically

* Helps alleviate depression, nervousness, and anxiety

* Offers a sense of renewal, self-control, and harmony

-www.sensationalcolor.com

Head on over to Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans to enter!

This giveaway is open to US participants only. Please use separate comments for each entry. Include an email in the comments if it is not available in your Blogger profile. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Ends October 25, 2010 at 11:59 est.

* I was not compensated in any way to write this post. I received a YogiBand for my honest, simple opinion to review. I will be shipping the winner the Moss YogiBand at my own expense.

~Daily Energy: Vinyasa Flow Yoga~ Review & Giveaway

I was so excited to receive Shiva Rea's Daily Energy: Vinyasa Flow Yoga from Acacia. Acacia is such a wonderful company. They have become one of the leading distributors in original and authentic yoga, fitness, and wellness DVD programming in only four years! Some of their best selling lines include Core Fusion, Shiva Rea, Hemalayaa: Bollywood Dance, Yoga to the Rescue, Step-by-Step, Weight Loss, Fit in 5, and Dance and Be Fit DVD lines and the first workout from Bethenny Frankel, Body by Bethenny. Acacia also features some amazing nature-oriented products!

I just love Shiva Rea's Daily Energy: Vinyasa Flow Yoga! I have just been doing the P90X Yoga, and that has been ok, but I don't always have the time to work it into my schedule when I would like to do yoga due to the fact that it is almost 90 minutes in length. I was so excited to be able to review this DVD by Acacia, because you can customize your yoga workouts with the Yoga Matrix! You can select from 7 different practices that are 20 minutes in length or you can choose one of the Pre-Set Practices.

One of my favorite combinations from the Yoga Matrix is:
Chakra Namaskar- 20 minutes
Forward Bends- 6 minutes
Shanti- 20 minutes
Lunar Meditation- 5 minutes
Shavasana- 5 minutes
Total minutes 56

I love to do this combination before I go to bed. It is so relaxing and really de-stresses me from a long day with the kids. Chakra Namaskar and Shanti are two of the 20 minutes practices that are a little less intense from the other practices. The other practices are a bit more intense.  Shiva also does some more difficult poses that may require a yoga strap if you are a beginner to yoga.

At first some of the poses I was not able to do, but with a little bit of time and practice I have been able to achieve some of the poses that I was not able to when I first started this DVD. I don't think that I have ever been this flexible in my entire life as I am now. My back has never felt better. When I was pregnant with my last daughter I developed severe back pain and it has taken awhile for this pain to actually go away. This has really helped me with releasing the stress that I tend to carry in my back.

This is a great combination for a great morning wake up!
Fire- 20 Minutes
Core- 7 Minutes

Fire is a fast paced calorie burning routine that really lites your fire in the morning. It is also great for an afternoon workout as well.

Overall, this is a wonderful Yoga DVD and I would totally recommend this to anyone that loves to practice yoga!

Buy It!
You can purchase Shiva Rea's Daily Energy: Vinyasa Flow Yoga on Acacia's website for $19.99

Win It!

Acacia has kindly provided to giveaway a copy of Shiva Rea's Daily Energy: Vinyasa Flow Yoga to one lucky winner!!

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of this blog! AND check out Acacia's line of DVDs and tell me another one that you would like to try!

Additional Entries:

• Sign up for Acacia's Email Newsletter
• "Like" The Simple Jocabell Life on Facebook
• Subscribe to The Simple Jocabell Life via Email
• Follow me on twitter and tweet the following:

"#Win Shiva Rea's Daily Energy: Vinyasa Flow #Yoga from Acacia! http://bit.ly/aXH3bh "

You may tweet once a day.

• Blog about the giveaway- 5 entries
• Follow my other blog Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans- 3 entries(3 Comments)
• "Like" Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans on Facebook- 3 entries(3 Comments) 
• Subscribe via Email to Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans - 3 entries(3 Comments)
• Enter any other Giveaway for the Yoga Event and leave me a comment as to which one you entered

This giveaway is open to US participants only. Please use separate comments for each entry. Include an email in the comments if it is not available in your Blogger profile. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Ends October 25, 2010 at 11:59 est.

I would like to thank the wonderful people at Acacia for providing me with this wonderful DVD!

*I received Shiva Rea's Daily Energy: Vinyasa Flow Yoga from Acacia. I was not compensated in any way to write this post. This is my true, honest, simple review of this wonderful DVD.

ALO- air.land.ocean Review & Giveaway

  One essential that is needed to practice yoga is some great clothing. Some characteristics of yoga clothing that you should look for is-

• Somewhat form fitting
• Breathable fabric
• Sweat absorbent fabric
• Strectchability of the fabric

When I first discovered alo clothing, I was not only in love with their beautiful designs, but also by their mission. alo stands for air, land, and ocean, and they believe in protecting these great elements by being as green as they possibly can. alo strives with every part of their being to help the planet and I do believe that they have achieved this!

alo Mission:

Create high performance, stylish lifestyle wear with outstanding function, designed and produced with minimal impact on the environmental elements alo stands for: Air. Land. Ocean. We provide customers with a choice that is respectable of the environment with out sacrificing fashion.

alo not only uses solar power, but also
Natural Cleaning Products, Green Office Supplies, and utilizes Eco-Friendly Fashions that are not only stylish, but also Eco-friendly!

alo generously sent me a Double Layer Yoga Tunic in Black/Granite and also a pair of Bamboo Legging in Black. As soon as I got these I tried them on and totally fell in love!

The Double Layer Yoga Tunic is made of 67% bamboo, 27% cotton, & 5% spandex. Let me just say that this is the first time that I have ever felt any fabric that is made of bamboo. Well, let me tell you it is one of the softest and silkiest things that I have ever felt besides actual silk. The bamboo is not only soft and silky, but also antibacterial, hypallergenic, and naturally wicks away moisture. I was totally shocked the first time that I wore this for yoga and my workouts! Usually my clothes are hanging on me covered in sweat, but this was not the case with my alo Double Layer Yoga Tunic! It was just slightly damp nothing like my regular clothing.

The Double Layer Yoga Tunic is criss crossed with the black fabric. Then underneath is a grey tank that is attached to the bottom to create a beautiful design. This top is also very versatile. I can wear it working out and then just throw on a pair of jeans and still look great! I actually had to do this because I was running a bit late picking up my daughter from school. I just love to wear this top any wear that I go!

I also received a pair of Bamboo Leggings and they are made of 68% Bamboo, 28% Cotton, 4% Spandex French Terry. I just love these as well for the same reasons as the top! These leggings come about to your mid calf and have two open holes on the bottom outside calf that are attached with buttons. These are super stretchy and perfect for practising yoga! You could also wear these out as well. Just put on a long tunic and you would be set to go!

I hope that you fall in love with alo as much as I have!

BUY IT!

You can purchase the Double Layer Yoga Tunic on the alo site for $65.00. The Bamboo Leggings you can also purchase for $52.00.
 alo not only offers women's clothing, but also men's. They have a wonderful selection that you can choose from and purchase directly from their site.

WIN IT!

alo has kindly provided a Bamboo Short Sleeve Tee to one lucky winner!! The retail value of it is $30 and it is made of natural, sustainable materials.  It is also antimicrobial and utilizes Stretchflex technology.

  

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of this blog! AND follow alo on twitter!

 

Extra Entries:

• Tell me something that alo has done that makes them a Green company
• "Like" alo on Facebook
• "Like" The Simple Jocabell Life on Facebook
• Subscribe to The Simple Jocabell Life via Email
• Follow me on twitter and tweet the following:

"Enter to #Win a #Bamboo Short Sleeve Tee! @carriesymes LOVES @ALOClothing & hopes you will too!! http://bit.ly/bwTeh2 "

You may tweet once a day.

• Blog about the giveaway- 5 entries
• Follow my other blog Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans- 3 entries(3 Comments)
• "Like" Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans on Facebook- 3 entries(3 Comments) 
• Subscribe via Email to Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans - 3 entries(3 Comments)
• Enter any other Giveaway for the Yoga Event and leave me a comment as to which one you entered

This giveaway is open to US participants only. Please use separate comments for each entry. Include an email in the comments if it is not available in your Blogger profile. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Ends October 24, 2010 at 11:59 est.

*I received Double Layer Yoga Tunic and also a pair of Bamboo Legging. I was not compensated in any way to write this post. This is my true, honest, simple review of these wonderful clothes.

Aurorae Yoga- Review & Giveaway!

In order to start practicing yoga, you really need a great mat. Aurorae Yoga has the perfect mat for your practice. When I first started practicing I did not have a mat and it was a bit uncomfortable at times with some asanas. A yoga mat also helps you to maintain proper alignment as well as helping you to keep your balance. The wonderful people at Aurorae Yoga were kind enough to send me one of their mats as well as Slip Free Rosin Bag & a Sport Sweat Towel for review.

I received a Violet mat which means Spiritual, Soothing, Calming, Telpathic, Healing, Relief & Meditative. I have always been one to believe in color meanings. So this mat was perfect for what I wanted to achieve while practicing yoga. Aurorae has a variety of different colors to choose from to achieve your ultimate yoga experience.

The mat is extra long so you can you have ample amount of room for movement. Even when laying in Shavasana the mat is long enough to accommodate the length of my 5'4" body. I have the original hardwood floors in my house and they can be a bit hard on the joints at times, but with this Aurorae mat being 1/4" thick it has been a life saver on my joints. It's even very comfortable just to lay on it. My two girls love to try and do yoga poses with me on the mat. In fact the youngest(2) sometimes likes to kick me off my mat just so she can do it herself, its to cute.  Yoga is not the only practice that you can use your mat for, in fact I have also been using it for floor exercising as well! Since receiving my mat I have used it just about everyday and it has been holding up strong!

The Slip Free Rosin Bag is somewhat essential in order to keep your hands from slipping. The first time that I used my mat I set my Rosin Bag and Sport Sweat Towel next to my mat just in case I might need them. My hands got a bit sweaty so I wiped them off with my Towel, went to reach for my Rosin Bag, and it was gone... I looked around my mat, and the Rosin bag was not to be found. Then I heard my dog chewing on something. I went to investigate and sure enough he was chewing on it! I snatched the Rosin Bag up expecting there to be holes all over, but to my surprise it was just a bit wet and nothing else! The Rosin bag did dry out and was as good as new. Now I lightly pat my mat and hands with the Rosin Bag before I begin my practice. The Sport Sweat Towel has also been very handy to have! Often when doing different Vinyasa flows I tend to perspire a lot, so having this towel close by my mat is a must! It is also the perfect length to just drape around the neck to absorb the perspiration even when I am on my elliptical!

Aurorae Yoga is such a wonderful company!

"We cannot stress how important each of our customers are to us and will do our best to meet or exceed your trust and support. To prove this, we were awarded an Amazon Top seller 2009 certificate for providing exceptional shopping experiences for our customers (in other words, A+.)"

Aurorae yoga offers extra long and thick yoga mats, as well as yoga bags and yoga accessories such as their Slip Free Rosin Bag, Sport Sweat Towel, Yoga Bag “The Mat Sak,” Yoga Strap, Yoga Block & Yoga Mat Wash. Visit auroraeyoga.com for detailed product descriptions.

Buy It!

You can purchase your very own Aurorae yoga Mat for $34.95.  You can also purchase the Slip Free Package (Yoga Slip Free Rosin Bag with Sport Sweat Towel) for $14.95.

Win It!

Aurorae is so generous that they are offering one lucky winner a basic mat in the color of your choice and a Slip Free Rosin Bag!

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of this blog! AND go to Aurorae's site and tell me what color you would pick if you won!!

 

Extra Entries:

• "Like" Aurorae Yoga on Facebook
• Follow Aurorae Yoga on Twitter
• "Like" The Simple Jocabell Life on Facebook
• Subscribe to The Simple Jocabell Life via Email
• Follow me on twitter and tweet the following:

"Enter to #Win an Aurorae Yoga  Mat at the #Yoga event!! http://bit.ly/cRtkVO"

You may tweet once a day.

• Blog about the giveaway- 5 entries
• Follow my other blog Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans- 3 entries
• "Like" Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans on Facebook- 3 entries 
• Subscribe via Email to Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans - 3 entries
• Enter any other Giveaway for the Yoga Event and leave me a comment as to which one you entered

Open to US only. Please use separate comments for each entry. Include an email in the comments if it is not available in your Blogger profile. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Ends October 23, 2010 at 11:59 est.


I would like to thank Aurorae Yoga for giving me a chance to review this wonderful mat!


*Disclosure: I received a yoga mat, slip free rosin, & sweat towel and was not compensated in any way to write this post. This is my true, Simple & honest review of these great products.

Yoga Event Day 1

Awhile back ago I received the book 27 Things to Know About Yoga (Good Things to Know)
. I had won it in a giveaway hosted by Jennifer from Running With Cake. This book was my inspiration to do this Yoga Event. Before that though I had started to get back into doing Yoga. P90X Yoga to be exact. I had borrowed a friends copy of it and have fallen totally in love with yoga.


At first, YES I was very sore, but I was using muscles that I have not used in years. In fact some of the poses I could not even do at first. I had always been somewhat flexible throughout my life and now that I had not been doing much of anything for the last few years had really caught up with me. This was a real eyeopener(as well as a "hip opener" lol) for me that I really need to get my body back. As a child I was active in ballet, swimming, and softball. I had always preferred a more "solo" type of sports and yoga is just that.

Yoga can awaken your inner you in a way that you cannot imagine, if you let your mind go into it. It is truly a HUGE stress reliever for me. A lot of times I will do yoga at night after I get everyone into bed. After a long crazy stressful day yoga is a godsend. It not only relaxes me, but also somewhat lowers my blood pressure. I have had high blood pressure for about the last 4 years. I am not saying that this can happen to everyone, just that it has lowered my blood pressure. I have become more focused and a bit calmer from doing yoga. So now if I have had a bad, stressful day I just turn to yoga to put me at peace.

Yoga has been a life saver for me the past few months and I am totally in love with it. I am not only doing this Yoga Event to celebrate my passion for yoga, but to also educate and hopefully inspire you to try yoga. I love yoga and I hope that you will too!

Would you like to win the book that inspired me to do this event? Head on over to my other blog Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans to enter!

Do you have alot of cabinet space in your kitchen? Well, I sure as heck don't. In fact my kitchen is the original 1955 kitchen. The cabinets were even custom made to fit inside the kitchen. The kitchen itself is actually a good size, but not alot of cabinet space. Ever since we moved in here over 5 years ago I have longed to have a new kitchen, but other things just needed to be done first. So, I still await a new kitchen....and a dishwasher!

This Original SpiceStack Organizer would be great to make a bit of extra room in my cupboards. The funny part about this is that I just asked my hubby over the weekend if he could make something to put all my spices in. This would really help me to also get the cabinets organized! I don't know if some of you have noticed, but they are making a lot of veggie & soup cans, so that you cannot stack them anymore! I just love when I try and stack them and they end up falling on my toe! I actually swore at the dang stores for doing this. Anyway you can check out how you could win this Original SpiceStack Organizer over at Trying to Stay Calm!

AJ's Bow-tique

Aren't these the cutest little leggings that you have ever seen! My daughter Joclyn would just love these as a Christmas present! Do you know a little girl that would also love to have a pair?  If you do head on over to AJ's Bow-tique and try and win a pair!

My Pillow Pets

Hurry on over to the giveaway at The King's Court IV for a Pillow Pet!

Ends at 10:00 p.m. CST on Saturday September 18, 2010

Winner!

And finally the Winner of the book All I Ever Wanted By Kristan Higgins is....

Julie!

Congratulations Julie!

~Running Around (and Such) By Linda Byler~ Review

Running Around (and Such)

Lizzie Searches for Love, Book 1

By Linda Byler

Published by Good Books

May 2010;$13.99US; 978-1-56148-688-5

"Lizzie Glick longs to fit into her quiet Amish community. Her sisters, Emma and Mandy, are ready to get married and settle into the traditional rhythm of having children and keeping house. But Lizzie isn't sure that's what she wants for her future. It isn't that Lizzie doesn't want to stay Amish. It's just that there's so much to figure out!

Stephen, her quiet, gentle friend, hints that he might be interested in a relationship deeper than friendship, but Lizzie is also drawn to the charming Amos who seems to have eyes for everyone but her.

She has certainly attracted the attention of the egg-truck driver. A thrill runs through her every time the worldly man comes to pick up an order, each time extending his stay a little longer. How long will she keep this a secret from Emma -- and Mam and Datt?

What will become of Lizzie? She has too hot a temper. She hates housework and dislikes babies. She loves driving fast horses but is petrified of going away from home for a week to work as a maud (maid). Is she too spirited, too innocent, and almost too uninhibited for a young Amish woman? "

Lizzie is a spirited young Amish girl, that thinks she quite doesn't fit in. She hates to do chores and thinks that no one likes her. Lizzie is also quite the drama queen in that she likes to make a big fuss over things. Lizzie is somewhat over weight and is a very emotional eater. I sometimes felt I used to feel the same way she did, back also in my teenage years. It can be hard being a teenager and not thinking that people do love you for who you are. Lizzie just has this wonderful innocence about her, but yet when it comes to a situation that may be dangerous she really seems to come to her scenes.

This book really reminded me of a friend that I had growing up. She was the middle child and so totally different than her older and younger sister and she sometimes felt like Lizzie felt, the outcast of the family. If you don't know a lot about the Amish, being a teenager can be a very difficult time in life. At the age of 16 they are allowed to "Run Around" meaning they can go with fellow youths their age and just hang out together. It is also a time where they can start dating.

I have to say I could not put this book down! All of the chapters are fairly short, so I would just keep on reading. The flow of the book is wonderful. I was also thrilled that in the back of the book there are a few recipes that are talked about through out the book. At some points in the book my mouth was just watering at all the wonderful food that was described.

This is a wonderful book that will be staying on my book shelf for many years to come. I do believe that I will have my daughters both read this book as they enter into their teenage years. It is a great book for a teenager to read and really relate to.

Author Bio

Linda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. Growing up, Linda loved to read and write. In fact, she still does. She is well known within the Amish community as a columnist for a weekly Amish newspaper. Linda and her husband, their children, and grandchildren live in central Pennsylvania.

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this post. These are my own and honest opinions and thoughts

Burn those Pantie Liners Ladies! Stride Everyday Review & Giveaway

I bet you never thought that you would have an occasional accident after having a baby. That was probably one of the last things on your mind. Ok, so maybe some of you very lucky ladies don't have the issue when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or run. So, to all of us unlucky ladies this is wear Stride Everyday Panties comes to the rescue for those of us that have that little leakage. You know what this means? Burn those pantie liners ladies because this new

"OQUOS™ technology wicks away moisture 8 times more effectively than cotton for superior dryness. It is designed to maintain its shape to improve body contact during normal activity (such as walking, running or sneezing) and will continue to provide comfort and protection for up to 100 washes. Plus, it’s so discreet no one will know you’re wearing it!"

During and after my two pregnancies I really could have used these. Even during pregnancy my bladder seemed to shrink as many other women also experience. Especially after my second child I experienced even more occasional leakage.

 When I received my STRIDE Everyday™ Sport Bikini, they were so soft and silky! I just love the fit of the Sport Bikini in that they move with you. Never once did I get a wedgie while wearing them, in fact I hardly felt that they were there at all. I do have to say that these are by far the most comfortable panties that I have ever had! The liner that is inside of the panties is about as thick as one of the thinnest liners that you would buy at the store, so you don't really even notice that you do have that extra protection.
 
 

Stride Everyday has five different styles that you can choose from if the Sport Bikini isn't for you like it is for me. Psst...they even have thongs!! Now I used to wear thongs all the time before I had my girls, but with the fear of them constantly coming into the bathroom when I am in there and seeing my butt hanging out of my underwear just doesn't set right with me. It also doesn't help that my six year old asked me if she could get a bra the other day, because her friend at school said that she was getting one! I just about died when she asked me that! I mean she is only six years old! So all my old thongs are in the very back of my drawer, only to be taken out on special occasions if you know what I mean....


Wendy Spencer is the woman behind these wonderful godsend panties. After her pregnancy she experienced just like all of us a few leaks. She found that pantie liners were just such an inconvenience in her busy life style that she decided to embark on something that would be stylish and a washable Eco-friendly solution to her leakage. That is when she developed OQUOS™ patented fabric technology to put inside panties!

I wore my panties a few times and they have great protection as well as odor control! After use I did wash them according to the care instructions and they turned out fresh and clean!

1. For stains: soak overnight, using a mild laundry detergent.

2. Machine wash warm, in a separate mesh laundry bag. For Lacy Thongs, hand washing is strongly recommended over machine washing.
3. Tumble dry (normal cycle) or hang to dry (minimum 36 hours).

DO NOT use bleach with your STRIDE™ underwear, as bleach may damage the microfibers in the OQUOS™ gusset.

DO NOT use any fabric softener (neither liquid in the wash cycle, nor sheets in the dryer), as this creates a buildup that affects the performance of absorption. With proper laundry care, your STRIDE™ panties and briefs will return to their original, absorbent, comfortable state for up to 100 washes!

Buy Them:
You can purchase a pair of your own Stride Everyday Panties on their site. Oh, and here is a special prom code that you can also use with your purchase and Save 20% off!

SIMPLE01

 

WIN A PAIR!

Mandatory Entry:

Go to Stride Everyday and tell me which Stride Style and color you would choose if you won!

 

Extra Entries:

• Subscribe to The Simple Jocabell Life via Google Friend Connect
• "Like" The Simple Jocabell Life on Facebook
• Subscribe to The Simple Jocabell Life via Email
• Follow me on twitter and tweet the following:

"Burn those pantie liners ladies & #WIN a pair of Stride Everyday Panties @carriesymes http://bit.ly/bnMvTS "

You may tweet once a day.

• Blog about the giveaway- 5 entries
• Become a follower of my other blog Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans- 2 entries
• "Like" Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans on Facebook- 2 entries 
• Subscribe via Email to Simply Fitting Into Life...and my old jeans - 2 entries

 Please use separate comments for each entry. Include an email in the comments if it is not available in your Blogger profile. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Ends September 25, 2010 at 11:59 est.


I would like to thank Stride Everyday for giving me a chance to review these wonderful panties!


*Disclosure: I received a pair of panties and was not compensated in any way to write this post. This is my true, Simple & honest review of these great panties.