Hiding in Sunshine Book Review A+ #HidingInSunshine @Influenster

@influenster #HidinginSunshine
I just finished this book, Hiding in Sunshine by John Stuart that I received complimentary through Influenster I love reading but you never know with books they either get you or they don't. I have to say I would go and buy this book I liked it so much. I stayed up WAY past my bedtime (LOL) and needed to finish it. The end of Hiding in Sunshine just totally blew me away. They really did a great job of getting you freaked out and totally into this book as it related to technology, computers and the current banking system. If you like mystery, intrigue, deep cover and that kind of good stuff you will LOVE this book. I thought it was a nice extra that it was written by a father-daughter team. Hiding in Sunshine is the work of a father and daughter duo who actually live in the immediate area where these fictional events transpire. John Stuart is a successful high tech entrepreneur. Caitlin Stuart is a student and an aspiring writer.  I just passed Hiding in Sunshine on to my mom who is now in the middle of reading it too. She is also enjoying it.

EBATES - Save Money When You Are Shopping Online Painlessly

 If you haven’t checked out Ebates yet and you shop online even a little bit you are missing out on some great promotions and real cash back sent right to you with no catches, tricks or issues. Ebates is an online website that gives you cash back ranging from 1.5%-30% or more for shopping at, your fave stores including Amazon, Ebay, Kohls, Land's End, Verizon, Orbitz, Saks 5th Avenue, Staples, JC Penney, Lowes, Macy's, Justice and many more. Ebates is adding new stores all the time!

The often have big promotions offering double cash back at a great selection of stores including Omaha Steaks, Shari’s Berries, and Entertainment.com. You can receive up to 35.0% Cash Back on Entertainment books too! You can't beat that.

If you haven’t joined yet what are you waiting for? They even give you $5 just for joining.  Click the link here to Ebates and check out all the great online stores that are offering double cash back. 

I always used to think that online shopping was totally overrated, I mean I couldn't touch or feel the fabrics or try on the shoes when shopping online or even see how big that gorgeous looking piece of furniture really was. Then my crafty little mind figured out four key things:

• It is way easier to shop from home between working and children.  

• I can actually get great deals shopping online..in my pajamas or in my yoga pants.  

• Free shipping almost all the time too!

• No shoving huge items in the car with the kids and dragging them into the house. They just appear at my door. No work involved!

You go to their site, sign up with Ebates, find your favorite retailer and shop. They even have coupons for free shipping and and other deals too.  Ebates takes you directly to the site, say Old Navy, that you were going to visit anyway.  Except when you are done? You will have a percentage in cash back waiting in your Ebates account. They cut you a big fat check quarterly and stick it in the mail, or even deposit in your Paypal account. Whatever you like. 

I have gotten as high as THIRTY PERCENT in cash back from purchases I was going to make anyway. There are more than one THOUSAND retailers and online merchants, even Ebay, linked through their site. Love those coupon codes too!

Shopping for less + cash back = more shopping money maker and time saver for us all!  Check out Ebates and let me know how it works for you!

Global Green USA Green School Makeover Competition Presented by Pureology

I just heard about a wonderful new contest through my partnership with Influenster.com.
Purology is hosting a Global Green USA Green School Makeover Competition from January 1-March 31, 2013.  You can enter to win a green school makeover for your own child's school.  Let's hear why you might want to do this and why it is so important to be thinking about greening our schools!

The greener a school becomes, the more the children AND the environment benefit!  

Purology shared with me that Green schools lead to:

• Improved student performance. When children learn in classrooms filled with natural daylight, better sound quality and non-toxic building materials such as non-VOC carpets and paints, their test scores can skyrocket as much as 20%. Would you believe attendance also jumps up!

• More funds for student resources. When green upgrades are made to a school, total water and even energy costs can be reduced by as much as 40%. I was so surprised by this fact!  These savings can be moved towards resources that really benefit students, such as textbooks, computers and other essentials.

• Reduced carbon footprint. Greening a school really reduces carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.  We all know that is a good thing!

You can nominate your own child's school for consideration in the Global Green USA Green School Makeover Competition Presented by Pureology by clicking on the links and just uploading your submission.  You can even get the principal or other school personnel to give you a hand if you like. I know your child's school needs green upgrades just like mine does.  Think about what they need and submit your nomination.  It is that easy.  I always say, someone has to win so why can't it be you and your child's school?  Take a few minutes and submit it your nomination to the Global Green USA Green School Makeover Competition Presented by Pureology today.

Alpina Revive Greek Yogurt is Fitness Mag Award Winner

I was introduced to Alpina yogurts a few months ago at a fun blog conference I attended in New York City.  I couldn't believe how yummy they tasted and I was impressed that the Alpina Greek yogurt had a lot less sugar than the leading brands. If you are always watching the extra sugar and calories like me, that is important.  Now they have even more flavors with the additions of  Vanilla Bean with Chai Spice Granola, Strawberry with Almond Berry Granola, and Peach with Tropical Chia Granola.  They are all yummy!  

I was excited but not surprised to hear that Alpina Revive Greek yogurt is featured in the January 2013 issue of Fitness magazine as a Healthy Food Award winner (page 90)! Fitness noted that Alpina Greek yogurt has two-thirds less sugar than most of the yogurts they tested, plus 17 grams of protein.  I was smiling to myself when I read that a  Fitness staffer even said the granola is so delicious that she would “buy the bag if it was sold separately". It sounds like something I would say....I love add ins. 

Alpina Revive is authentically strained Greek yogurt paired with artisan-crafted granolas created by health and wellness chef Laurie Erickson.  The Greek yogurt base contains skim milk and live, active cultures, paired with fruit or syrups made with all-natural ingredients.  Alpina Revive is now available in seven flavors: vanilla bean, strawberry, peach, blueberry, honey, mango, and plain.

You can also visit Alpina online and check out their fancy new re-designed website  and find their store locator and yogurt product details. Alpina Revive Greek yogurts are now available in a wide variety of retailers, including; Delhaize group stores, Hannaford and Sweetbay; Northeast retailers Tops Friendly Markets, Gristedes, Morton Williams, and Duane Reade;  in the Midwest at Hiller’s in the Detroit area, Shop & Save in the Chicago area, and The Andersons in Columbus; and in select Walgreens in Miami, FL.  Just a heads up, the Vanilla Bean and Strawberry flavors will be introduced in newly designed, contemporary packaging and will be available in stores in January, 2012, with Peach becoming available at the end of March.

Check them out and let me know what you think!