Reviews

EdenFantasys Website-Review and Giveaway

January 12, 2011 by Kathryn

Like many women, I’m a little bit shy when it comes to shopping at an adult store. Being able to shop online definitely makes the process a little easier, but it can still be an overwhelming event for the inexperienced. That’s why I’m so glad that I discovered EdenFantasys. I’ve had a chance to review some of the company’s wonderful products in the past, and I am continually impressed by the easy shopping experience and the quick and professional service.

When I shop for adult merchandise, chances are pretty good that I just want something romantic that I can enjoy with my husband like a fancy massage oil or a flavoured lotion. EdenFantasys makes finding the product I want so easy, thanks to the company’s easy-to-use website that lets me browse through romantic items with just a few clicks of my mouse.

The easiest way to navigate the website is probably to search for a specific set of products. Whether you want a nice massage oil or a novelty gift for a friend’s bachelorette party, a few well-chosen words in the search box will quickly provide you with pages of fitting results. As an added bonus, if you create an EdenFantasys account, searching for specific terms will let you collect points through the EdenPoints Program which can then be redeemed for gift cards for free EdenFantasys merchandise!

Those that aren’t quite sure what they’re looking for will love the navigation tabs. Instead of restricting yourself to a specific product, you can simply choose a tab like sensual love or sexy lingerie. Then, you can browse through all the subcategories to find products that interest you. For example, sensual love has categories for candles, massage oils, and sensual bath and body products.

In addition to providing a very comfortable shopping experience, EdenFantasys also offers customers tons of opportunities to earn free merchandise by liking the company on Facebook, rating reviews, adding products to your wish list and other incredibly easy tasks. So why not check out EdenFantasys for yourself and see how easy shopping at an adult store can be?

Buy It: To purchase any of the huge range of products from EdenFantasys, shop online now

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a $50 gift certificate from EdenFantasys

To Enter (mandatory): Visit EdenFantasys and tell me about something that caught your eye

Bonus Entries:
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Giveaway ends 11:59 pm CST on February 7, 2011. Open to US and Canada

Disclaimer: I received a $50 EdenFantasys gift card in exchange for featuring the company in this post. Opinions expressed belong to Mommy Kat and Kids and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view full Terms of Use and Policies

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: couples, EdenFantasys, EdenFantasys reviews, Reviews, romantic, sex toys

TshirtPrinting.net Custom T-Shirt Printing-Review

January 11, 2011 by Kathryn

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There are many occasions in the life of a parent where obtaining customized t-shirts is necessary. From shirts for sports teams to corporate activities to charity events, so many activities seem to require custom t-shirt printing for the participants. In fact, at the elementary school in our small town, there was recently a need for over 400 bright pink printed t-shirts for the school’s anti-bullying day campaign.

There are lots of businesses that offer custom t-shirt printing and recently I had a chance to review a promotional shirt from TshirtPrinting.net, an online shop that prides itself on providing shirts of exceptional quality at a great price.

I received a white t-shirt in an XL printed with a colorful monkey. The shirt was 100% cotton and had a nice medium thickness to it. The monkey was definitely the highlight of the shirt; printed in pink, blue and yellow, he added a dash of color to the front of the shirt that was just adorable.

The print was incredibly vibrant and well-applied, and my husband loved the new shirt. The XL fit him perfectly just like most extra-large shirts do, so I would say that the sizing is quite accurate. I washed and dried the shirt and there was some very slight shrinking but not enough to affect the size. It still fit my husband very well, though he did notice it didn’t hang quite as low as it had before washing.

One of the wonderful things about TshirtPrinting.net is that the company is always willing to work with you to get you the exact order you need. From offering men’s and women’s shirts made from organic cotton to printing shirts in a variety of sizes for children and adults, the company is willing to go the extra mile to get you the custom order you need. They offer shirts in any style and various qualities, in quantities ranging from 12 to100,000 so there is no question that they will be able to fulfill your request.

I was impressed with the quality of both the screen printing and the t-shirt itself that I received from TshirtPrinting.net. The monkey print still looks like new after washing and the shirt itself is such a nice medium weight instead of being excessively thin like other custom printed shirts I’ve seen. If you have an event coming up and you need t-shirts for the participants, why not get a quote from TshirtPrinting.net?

Buy It: To purchase custom t-shirts from TshirtPrinting.net, visit them online and fill out the contact form

Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been provided free of charge by the manufacturer or PR firm for the purposes of this review. Opinions expressed belong to Mommy Kat and Kids and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view full Terms of Use and Policies

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: clothing, customized, customized clothing, Reviews, t-shirt, t-shirt printing

CSN Stores Ginsu Knife and Cutting Board Set-Review and Giveaway

January 10, 2011 by Kathryn

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Is there anything better than finding that perfect item you’ve been searching for at a perfect price? When I’m looking for a great new item for my home, I know that there’s no better place to begin my search than at CSN Stores. With a huge assortment of products ranging from modern office furniture to stylish kitchen accessories, there is no problem finding just what you need when you visit CSN Stores.

When I was given the chance to review an item from any of CSN Stores’ over 200 websites, I knew from past experience that I had to have some direction before I started. I pondered and browsed the website before finally deciding that I wanted something great for my kitchen. Our old chopping board was definitely showing some signs of wear (my husband using it to punch snaps onto his vest had something to do with its current state) and the selection of cutting boards at CSN Stores was so incredible that I knew I would be able to find something that would fit my requirements. When I found the Ginsu 7″ Stainless Santoku Knife with Cutting Board Set, I knew I had found what I was looking for.

Since I placed my order right before the Christmas holidays, I did find that my purchase took a little longer to arrive than previous items from CSN Stores had. But the shipping time wasn’t unreasonable and I still received my item within two weeks. The knife and cutting board were just beautiful, and I was so excited to test out the Ginsu knife. I decided to make a stir-fry for supper that night just so I could test out my new set right away.

Santoku knives are prized possessions in many kitchens because their perfect balance ensures comfortable handling and easy use and their unique indentations help food to slide off the knife instead of sticking to the side. I had heard of the benefits of these knives in the past, but I had never used one before receiving the Ginsu set. I chopped up an onion less than a minute and knew at once I was in love with this knife. It cut through every vegetable with complete ease, including a somewhat tough old parsnip. I loved how easy chopping up a piece of meat was; the knife literally glided through a cut of beef. I don’t think I’ve ever owned a knife that was as sharp and cut as well as the Ginsu Santoku Knife. In fact, I’ve even nicked my finger once or twice because I’m so used to duller knives!

The cutting board is a medium size that is perfect for those with limited space, and the fact that the knife slips into the back of the cutting board is, for me, the ultimate convenience. As soon as I’m done using the knife, I immediately wash it and ensure that it is put back into the cutting board so that I always have it ready for use. The knife slot even features a magnetic sheath to ensure that the knife stays in place!

The only part of the design that is in any way awkward is the fact that when I wash the cutting board, I have to be careful to keep the water away from the knife slot. I definitely don’t want to risk damaging the board or my knife so I find I have to be very careful to keep the space out of the water. It’s a small price to pay for such a great kitchen accessory though, and since most of the time I can just wipe the cutting board with a damp cloth it really isn’t too much of an inconvenience.

I was so impressed by the Ginsu 7″ Stainless Santoku Knife with Cutting Board Set and I use both of them at least once a day. The knife gives me the control and comfort I need for the ultimate speedy chopping, slicing and dicing, and the cutting board is always right where I need it when I’m using the knife. The look of the set is so stylish, and I love its convenient design. When you need something for your house that offers convenience, style, function and a great price, CSN Stores is sure to have what you’re looking for. Check out their incredible selection for yourself!

Buy It: To purchase any of the great items from CSN Stores, shop online now

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a $35 gift certificate from CSN Stores

To Enter (mandatory): Visit CSN Stores and tell me how you would spend your winnings

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Giveaway ends 11:59 pm CST on January 31, 2011. Open to US and Canada

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: cooking, CSN Stores, CSN Stores reviews, cutting board, giveway, kitchen, kitchen utensils, knife, Reviews

CLEANCut Touchless Paper Towel Dispenser-Review and Giveaway

January 7, 2011 by Kathryn

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Even though I am far from the neatest person in the world, it occasionally still amazes me that my children can make such huge messes with such a minimal amount of effort. I can’t even remember the last time I had a full day without at least one major mess to clean up, and that’s on top of the usual toy-covered floor and slopped food at mealtimes.

Needless to say, if I find a product that can make cleaning up the inevitable spills of childhood a little easier, I am ecstatic. The brand new CLEANCut Touchless Paper Towel Dispenser seemed like just the kind of product I was sure to love and I was delighted when I was given a chance to test out this incredibly convenient new kitchen appliance for myself.

The CLEANCut Touchless Paper Towel Dispenser is a quick, easy and economical way to dispense a perfect amount of paper towel whenever the need arises. I received the CLEANCut in black to review. The dispenser is designed to mount on the bottom of your kitchen cupboards for the ultimate space-saving convenience. I read through the instructions to be sure that I knew exactly how to install the unit.

Since the dispenser plugs into a wall outlet to power itself, the first thing I did was make sure that the spot I had chosen had an outlet nearby. Then, I measured the space between the bottom of the cupboard and the top of the counter to make sure that I would have the ten inches of space recommended for proper operation. Once I had determined that the spot I had chosen was the best place for the dispenser, I was ready to install the CLEANCut under my countertop.

The unit comes with a template to tape to the bottom of the cupboard so that the holes to mount the CLEANCut dispenser will be in the proper place. If you have an overhang on your counter, special instructions and hardware for proper mounting are included with the machine. I didn’t have that requirement, so I was ready to undertake the most labor-intensive part of the mounting process, drilling four holes where the template indicated for the mounting screws. My husband took over at this point and drilled the holes for me in a matter of about a minute. Then he dropped the screws through the holes he had drilled and fitted them into the CLEANCut’s mounting holes. I held the machine while he tightened them to ensure that the appliance was secure. With that, I was ready to start using my CLEANCut dispenser!

I plugged the machine into the wall and pulled out a roll of paper towel. One of the great things about the CLEANCut dispenser is that it works with absolutely any size and any brand of paper towel, so whether you favor the $1 bargain roll or the expensive brand-name paper towel, you can still enjoy the benefits of the CLEANCut dispenser. I used an eco-friendly recycled brand in the middle price range the first time I used the machine.

The CLEANCut features a convenient center latch that opens the unit for filling. Loading the paper towel is done by simply lifting out the rod, putting on the paper towel, dropping it back into place and then feeding the end of the paper towel between the rollers. Finally, a quick push upwards locks the machine back into place. With the towel loaded, I was ready to test out the CLEANCut’s handy no-touch operation.

The machine features two infrared sensors beams, one on each half of the machine. The sensor on the right dispenses paper towel for as long as you hold your hand in place while the sensor on the left cuts it off with a unique self-sharpening blade when the correct length has been obtained. My husband and I happily dispensed various lengths of paper towel as we tested out the machine.

The next time my oldest son spilled his drink on the floor (something that seems to happen at least once every two days), I was able to quickly grab the perfect amount of paper towel to soak up the mess instead of scrambling around frantically like I had in the past. After cleaning up a few such messes, I was completely in love with the CLEANCut dispenser.

Initially, I activated the machine by holding my hand parallel to the countertop when I put it in the sensor’s path. I noticed that occasionally I would miss the line of the sensor beam when I held my hand that way, so I turned my hand on edge instead. By making that little switch, I ensured that I never missed the sensor beam when I wanted a piece of paper towel.

Aside from the obvious convenience of the CLEANCut, it is also an incredibly economical appliance. The roll of paper towel I put into the machine lasted for over one week, far longer than I was accustomed to, and for those that use paper towel frequently, the CLEANCut saves up to 208 rolls per year!

The CLEANCut dispenser comes in white, black or stainless steel to match any modern kitchen décor. I love the sleek look of the CLEANCut, but what really blew me away was the convenience. Being able to grab a small section of paper towel when the baby dropped his food on the floor or a large sheet when I spilled my coffee was incredible, and the fact that the paper towel was automatically cut to the exact length I needed has already saved me so much potentially wasted paper towel. As an added bonus, if my hands are dirty and I need to wipe them off, I can grab a piece of paper towel without touching anything else. With two boys and a mechanics-loving husband in the house, this is a feature that I really adore!

If you use paper towel and have children in the house, the CLEANCut dispenser is a product you will absolutely love. Even as you’re enjoying the incredible convenience of the dispenser, you’ll also be saving money and creating less waste. Why not check out the CLEANCut Touchless Paper Towel Dispenser for yourself, and take the hassle out of life’s little mishaps!

Buy It: To purchase the CLEANCut Touchless Paper Towel Dispenser, visit the website to find a retailer near you or shop online now

Win It: One incredibly lucky reader is going to win their very own CLEANCut Touchless Paper Towel Dispenser in their desired color, up to a $160 value, from CLEANCut

To Enter (mandatory): Visit the CLEANCut website and tell me about something you liked or something you learned there

Bonus Entries:
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Giveaway ends 11:59 pm CST on January 31, 2011. Open to US and Canada

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: appliances, CLEANCut, CLEANCut reviews, cleaning, Giveaway, kitchen, paper towel, Reviews

Netflix Canada-Review and Giveaway

January 6, 2011 by Kathryn

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When my husband and I first met, one of our absolute favorite activities was watching movies together. In fact, on our second date we curled up on the ratty couch in my basement apartment and watched a marathon of Back to the Future. We both tend to favor similar genres and both really like movies in general, from cerebral sci-fi shows to the most crass comedies.

I would never have guessed that having children could affect that hobby so greatly, but when our oldest son reached about two years old, our movie and television habits changed dramatically. For one thing, we didn’t want him exposed to too much television, so we limited the amount of time the television was turned on. For another, he was old enough to start noticing some of the violence and bad language in the movies and programs we watched. I sadly said goodbye to one of my very favorite shows, Supernatural, for an entire season because it happened to be on at only one time, and that one time happened to be when my son was still awake.

With two children in the house the challenge is even greater, and for the longest time I didn’t even consider renting a movie or trying to watch some of my favorite television shows because of the children. But then Netflix came to Canada, and suddenly I had a way to fall in love with movies all over again.

Netflix is an absolutely amazing subscription-based service that lets users watch an unlimited number of movies and television shows for a mere $7.99 per month. I received a fun holiday gift pack from Netflix that included popcorn, hot chocolate, a pair of oh-so-comfy slippers and a 6-month Netflix subscription. I couldn’t wait to test out the program and signed up at once.

Our desktop computer’s monitor is a 19” HD screen, so I was incredibly excited to see how a movie looked on the screen. The computer itself is a Pentium 4 that uses Windows XP Home Edition and has an 80G hard drive and 1G of RAM. For those that can’t analyze the components…well, let’s just say it’s a pretty outdated computer by today’s standards. I was a little worried about how Netflix would work on an older computer like ours, but I pushed my doubts aside, let my son choose an episode of Thomas & Friends and started the show.

The movie played flawlessly with a great look and sound. I couldn’t believe how easy putting on a movie for my son had been, and the best part was, if I didn’t want to listen to what he was watching, I could just plug in his headphones and let him watch a show while I did something else!

When I opened up my Christmas presents, I was overjoyed to find the laptop I had been craving tucked under the tree and couldn’t wait to test it out. Of course, one of my first tasks was signing into Netflix and choosing a movie to watch. My husband also received a laptop, and I was completely thrilled when I learned that we could now play three movies simultaneously using our single Netflix account!

For those with the latest gaming systems, Netflix is even more fun, since users can stream from their PS3, Wii or Xbox 360 directly to their television! I didn’t get to experience this feature for myself just yet, but since we have an LCD screen for our computer and just a regular tube television, I think watching movies on our desktop computer was just as enjoyable as watching them on TV would have been.

netflix screen shot We only once had an issue where a movie stopped playing, and when we received a message that our Internet connection had slowed down and Netflix was adjusting the system accordingly to avoid future freezes, we waited patiently…for about two minutes. Then my husband decided to just exit the movie screen and go back to the main page. He was able to see the latest movie that he had watched, click on it, and restart it at the exact moment that it had stopped playing, all thanks to Netflix’s very user-friendly system!

Netflix carries movies from all genres and features some great tools to help users find movies that they will love. From choosing your interests to rating movies you’ve seen to searching for specific films, there are tons of ways to find movies you’ll love, and usually the entire system is automated so well that you’ll find a great movie right on your homepage.

Thanks to Netflix, my husband and I have both rediscovered our love of movies. When we want to watch something with more than a G rating, we just plug in a pair of headphones and enjoy the show. Our children have a huge library of great children’s movies to choose from, and we can enjoy shows that are geared towards an adult audience without exposing our children to any potentially upsetting scenes. It took my husband and me about one week to decide that we would be keeping our Netflix subscription when our trial expired. This really is a system that offers everything to every family member. For the shows you and your family want, when you want to watch them, check out Netflix today. You’ll love the ease and convenience of having your favorite movies right at your fingertips!

Buy It: Netflix is currently offering new subscribers a free one-month subscription. Visit the website to try out Netflix for yourself

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a free 3-month subscription to Netflix Canada

To Enter (mandatory): Visit Netflix and tell me about a movie on the site that you would like to watch

Bonus Entries:
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Giveaway ends 11:59 pm CST on January 21, 2011. Open to Canada Only

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: DVD, entertainment, family, Giveaway, movie, Reviews

gaddy nipper crayons Your Name In Crayons-Review and Giveaway

January 4, 2011 by Kathryn

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Now that Benjamin is walking and starting to talk, I’ve noticed that his personality is really starting to develop and he is becoming less a baby and more a little person with his own ideas and opinions. He loves his older brother, and though his speech is currently limited to about four words, he doesn’t let that stop him from trying to actively participate in whatever activity his brother is engaged in.

He sometimes succeeds and sometimes doesn’t, but one of the activities which both boys seem to enjoy doing together is coloring. They will sit happily on the floor pulling crayons out of a basket and scribbling in books for almost an hour without a word of complaint, and the sight of them working side by side is just heart-warming. The only downside is that since Benjamin is still so young, he does tend to break his brother’s crayons fairly often. So when I was given a chance to review some of the beautiful custom recycled crayons carried by gaddy nipper crayons, I leapt at the chance.

I received the Your Name In Crayons crayons in solid colors to review. The package contained eight crayons that were each molded into one of the letters in Benjamin’s name. When I pulled the crayons out and lined them up, I had a beautiful and colourful name display!

These chunky crayons are about two inches high and are perfect for Benjamin’s chubby little hands to grasp. He immediately grabbed the blue J and started scribbling on one of the pages of the coloring book. As an added special touch, each molded letter also features a small interior picture of something starting with the letter. The B crayon featured a bird, while the E featured an elephant. Initially, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what the picture was on the J crayon, and finally I realized it was a single jack. Who didn’t love playing jacks as a child?

The crayons provided me with a great resource to start introducing Benjamin to his colors and letters. I occasionally just sit down with him and let him pick a crayon and scribble on a paper while I talk about the letter and the color as he works. I then point out both the color on the paper and the crayon in his hand as I repeat the name of the color. He loves it when I talk to him about what he’s doing, and usually mimics me as I point and then claps and says “Yay!” to celebrate his good work.

The company also carries custom crayons shaped like bricks, ladybugs, footballs, racecars, princesses, and almost any other fun shape you can think of! All of the company’s unique and beautiful crayons are handmade using only Crayola® brand crayons for the best and brightest colors. Any child would be sure to love a set of gaddy nipper crayons, and they would make a sensational party favor for a child’s birthday or group windup as well.

I just love Benjamin’s gaddy nipper crayons, and I am so glad that he has his very own special set of crayons to use when he sits down to color with his brother. Now Zackary doesn’t have to worry about Benjamin breaking the regular crayons and Benjamin can enjoy sitting and playing with his beloved big brother. For crayons that are anything but ordinary, check out gaddy nipper crayons for yourself. You’ll be sure to fall in love with these beautiful and original crayons, and your child will love them too!

Buy It: To purchase any of the custom recycled crayons from gaddy nipper crayons, shop online now

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win their own set of Your Name In Crayons crayons of up to ten letters with either solid or swirled colors from gaddy nipper crayons

To Enter (mandatory): Visit gaddy nipper crayons and tell me which product is your favorite

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Giveaway ends 11:59 pm CST on January 21, 2011. Open Worldwide

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: crayons, eco-friendly, Giveaway, handmade, party favors, recycled, Reviews

Chiquita Bananas Chiquita Mom Kit-Review and Giveaway

January 3, 2011 by Kathryn

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I really try hard to make sure that my family gets plenty of delicious, nutritious food every day. My husband has an incredible sweet tooth and he often shares his less-than-healthy snacks with our two sons. I don’t mind an occasional treat, but I know that unless I keep a close eye on the food consumption in our household, there will be far too much junk food being consumed.

Fortunately, there are quite a few healthy treats that my boys both love. And like most kids, one of their favorite snacks is a banana. So when Chiquita asked me to take part in their Chiquita Mom program, I was happy to oblige.

I received a Chiquita Mom kit full of fun Chiquita products for participating. The kit contained recipe cards, banana freezer bags, a beautiful and sturdy reusable shopping tote and even an infant Chiquita cup and bowl for my baby! Of course, no Chiquita kit would be complete without a coupon for some tasty Chiquita bananas! I noticed that the coupon was only valid in the United States but since my family loves bananas so much, I didn’t mind getting my own Chiquita bananas to snack on.

I really loved the freezer bags that came in the kit. Each one had a place to write the date and instructions for freezing bananas. I never thought about it before, but in the past I always mashed bananas prior to freezing them. When I read the freezer bag, it recommended breaking the banana into pieces so that you can remove just the amount you need. It’s so simple, yet so sensible and I can’t believe I didn’t ever think of it myself.

The recipe cards included tasty-sounding treats ranging from snacks to side dishes to desserts. I made the Chocolate Chiquita Banana Pops for my children, and they both adored the frozen, chocolate-dipped banana treat. I have made these in the past and usually dip the pops into chopped peanuts, but the instructions recommended considering rice krispies as an alternative. I loved the extra crunch that the cereal added to the treats.

I liked that so many of the recipes were suitable for children to prepare themselves, or with a bit of help from an adult. The innovative Chiquita Banana No Bake Cookies were definitely my favorite recipe. The combination of oats, nuts, peanut butter and banana is guaranteed to please children and adults alike!

The Chiquita Mom kit also contained an information book full of fun facts about Chiquita bananas. I learned that under-ripe bananas provide healthier carbohydrates that contribute to long-lasting energy throughout the day, while over-ripe bananas have the highest antioxidant levels. I also learned how to properly store and ripen Chiquita bananas (most people have heard of the paper bag trick, but did you know that an apple in the bag speeds ripening even more?) and about the many nutrients Chiquita bananas contain.

Benjamin, like so many babies, ate mashed banana as one of his very first solid foods. He absolutely loved the fruit and to this day when anyone tries to eat a banana he will yell and tug at them until they break off a piece for him. I’m so glad that he likes them, since I know that the Chiquita bananas I give him are natural, easy to digest and packed full of important nutrients. Chiquita bananas are filling, energizing, versatile and a great kid-friendly snack. Why not pick up a bunch today and enjoy one of nature’s superfoods with your family?

Buy It: To purchase Chiquita bananas, check your local supermarket or grocery store

Win It: Five lucky readers are going to win their own Chiquita Mom kits containing a Chiquita Mom grocery tote bag, Chiquita Mom freezer bags, a coupon for free Chiquita bananas and more!

To Enter (mandatory): Visit the Chiquita Mom website and tell me about something you liked or something you learned there

Bonus Entries:
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Giveaway ends 11:59 pm CST on January 21, 2011. Open to US and Canada

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: bananas, child, Chiquita, food, Giveaway, kitchen, mom, Reviews

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters-Review and Giveaway

December 22, 2010 by Kathryn

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I was about halfway through my teenage years when I realized that my family was completely “out there.” Some of my relatives were infuriatingly embarrassing. Others were hilariously bizarre. But overall, they just weren’t on par with the rest of society.

Then, when I reached my early twenties, I realized that everybody else felt the exact same way. Families are nuts. There’s just no other way of putting it. Everyone thinks their family is odd, and really, everyone is right. But of course, the other thing all families have in common is their unfailing love for each other, and that is something that makes all the nuttiness worthwhile.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters, the amusing new book from the Chicken Soup for the Soul creators, is packed with 101 stories about the most lovably wacky family members imaginable and their various escapades. The book sounded like such enjoyable reading that I started flipping through it immediately.

I was looking for entertainment when I opened the book, and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters definitely didn’t disappoint. The stories were hilarious and heart-warming and I spent a large part of my time laughing out loud as I read. Whether I was reading about the elderly father that had tried to shoot the television because he didn’t like Conan O’Brien’s laugh or the women who finally conquered her fear of her family’s favorite sledding hill only to lose the sled halfway down and end the run with her pants around her ankles, I loved the tales of love, laughter and misadventure in this book.

One of my absolute favorite stories was the recounting of a mother who was sleepily awakened by her son when he called to his brother about “more spray stuff.” The mother opened her eyes to see her son standing by her bed with an empty bottle of Windex, shot out of bed in a panic and rushed down the stairs to see what had happened. She found her oldest child diligently spraying Windex and 409 on the sofa, and when he moved aside she saw that the floor and couch were both covered in syrup.

As the family cat streaked around the house tracking syrup up the stairs, the poor mother walked somewhat dazedly to the kitchen to look for something to clean up the mess and saw a puddle of syrup that seemed to be moving across the floor. The mystery was explained when she took a closer look and saw that a bevy of ants had invaded her house to take advantage of the unexpected feast. Finally, she turned around and looked at her two boys, both in their underwear, holding empty bottles of cleaning products and covered in syrup. At that moment, she couldn’t help but laugh and the three cleaned up the mess together. What mother hasn’t experienced these same emotions?

Like all Chicken Soup for the Soul books, the stories are divided into different sections covering various topics such as Kids Will Be Kids and Relatively Embarrassing. While most of the book is light-hearted, there is a final section that deals with more serious stories. All of the stories were enjoyable to read and many were very touching as well. The book is a great reminder of how powerful the family bond is, even when it is tested with the most trying of circumstances. It is also an excellent reminder that the most mortifying family moments today will most likely be the most cherished family memories in the future.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters would be a great gift for a family member this holiday season and would be a good book to pick up for yourself too. When the stress of irritable in-laws and holiday hosting seems overwhelming, picking up this book will be sure to leave you feeling better, and will most likely also have you realizing that your family isn’t so bad after all! If you’re looking for a book that delivers laughter and love at the same time, check out Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters today.

Buy It: To purchase Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters, check your local bookstore or shop online now

Win It: Three lucky readers are going to win their own copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters

To Enter (mandatory): Visit the Chicken Soup for the Soul website and tell me about something you liked or something you learned there

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Giveaway ends 11:59 pm CST on January 15, 2011. Open to US and Canada