Surf Sweets All Natural Candies Review

Disclaimer:  I received samples of Surf Sweets through Naturally Savvy.  As always, my opinions are my own.

I was thrilled to hear that Naturally Savvy was partnering with Surf Sweets products to spread the word about how yummy they are.  I had happened upon them on my own last year some time at one of the Stop & Shop grocery stores. I had never seen them before but they caught my eye in the organic aisle by the candy.  Like everyone else, sometimes I enjoy something sweet but I really don't love all the artificial flavors and colors in many of the conventional candies out there.  I was impressed when I saw the ingredients and labeling for the Surf Sweets and I bought them a bunch of times since then.  

My favorites are the Surf Sweets gummy bears but my little one and I also enjoy their jelly beans. Lot of yummy flavors and no artificial flavors or colors to feel guilty about either.  I enjoy them when I am in the mood for a little treat.  I actually was thinking about Surf Sweets the other night when I was catching up on email at night (coincidentally before I even heard from Naturally Savvy about this opportunity) and took a peek on Amazon.  I was excited to see that Surf Sweets are available there too!  Excellent prices too...I think better than Stop & Shop too. I like that Surf Sweets has candy in larger packages but also single serve packages so you don't overdo it when you just want a little bit of a treat.  One of the things I really liked about all the varieties of Surf Sweets is that they are better kind of treat for you versus conventional candies since they have natural flavors and colors.

Surf Sweets  products are free of trans fats, GMOs, corn syrup, gluten, artificial colors and flavors. A better kind of candy, right?  Most of their products are vegetarian and some are even vegan. One of my babysitters has a severe nut allergy and is always looking for new things that she can safely eat. That is nice that it is good for someone looking for a nut-free candy for their child. Surf Sweets are produced in a nut-free facility that is free of other common allergens (wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, tree nuts, shell fish, and fish).  These candies are perfect for lunch bags, after school, and really for anytime enjoyment!  

I noticed on their website that Surf Sweets contributes to 1% for the Planet. What this means is that they donate a minimum of 1% of the sales from each of their products to a bunch of worthy organizations.  A few they mentioned were Climate Cycle, Healthy Child Healthy World and EcoMom Alliance.  That is a nice added benefit of supporting this great company. To learn more, visit: Surf Sweets.

Kid's Chocolate Birthday Party at 2 Chicks With Chocolate #sponsored #kidsbirthdaypartyidea

 

Every year I start searching...a few months ahead of time. You know.  I bet you do it too.  I ask friends, co-workers, I look through the local papers trying to come up with ideas.  Yup, the little one's birthday party.  What to do?  It is always so hard to come up with an exciting birthday party idea that will be a hit with the kids and not be a ton of work for Mommy.  I have had mixed results over the years too.  Not this year. 100% success...I was so happy and so was my birthday girl. Everyone raved about what a great party it was..from the kids to the moms. It was truly seamless and so stress free for me I couldn't believe it.

The birthday parties at home were always just a TON of work. I don't regret them but it just was exhausting. Not to mention the cleanup after. Yikes.  Swimming parties, bouncing parties, gymnastics parties...just to name a few. They were all okay.  Something always didn't go smoothly.  This year was the first exception.  2 Chicks with Chocolate wins the Gold Star Award for kid's birthday parties.  What a fantastic party.  Vanessa took care of every-single-little-thing!  It was completely worry free and the kids all had a fantastic time.

I had been to 2 Chicks with Chocolate a bunch of times over the past few years in East Brunswick, New Jersey.  Once I found them, it became my go-to place for all my chocolate gifting needs.  They have adorable chocolates for kid's and elegant chocolates of all kinds for adults.  I was there a few months ago and noticed a brochure that mentioned kid's birthday parties.  Ding dong!  The perfect kid's birthday party idea had come to me.  Of course I ran it by Miss Little One and she was dancing in circles she was so excited by the idea. 

As the time got closer we narrowed down the invitees, 2 Chicks with Chocolate likes to keep it at a maximum of 15 kids.  We ended up with 12 including the birthday girl.  Elyissia gave me three options for parties from the "Deliciously Simple" to "A lot More Yum." You can see all the options here.  I was on a budget so I decided on the "Deliciously Simple."  The girls loved decorating the hats, dipping all the goodies and decorating the giant chocolate plaque.  They got graham crackers, gummy fish, oreos and a bunch of other items to dip. Each child got their own cup of dipping chocolate. There were plates of decors and the girls went to town. The bar of chocolate they each decorated was the size of a large dinner plate!  Each child got a palette of colored melted chocolate and a paintbrush to draw their own edible designs. After each activity, they received a cello bag to store the treats they didn't eat. 

I had arranged for pizza which they ate before they started with the chocolate activities which worked out perfectly...totally the best kid's birthday party idea ever.  I also brought tablecloths, juices, bottled water, napkins, plates and a beautiful cake.  They can arrange for most that if you like in package #3 below.

I would absolutely recommend 2 Chicks With Chocolate for your child's birthday party.  It was a fantastic time and so easy for me too!  There are now several locations in East Brunswick, NJ and beyond.  Check them both out and tell Elyissia hi for me!

AMF Summer Unplugged Bowling

Disclaimer: I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated in this post are my own.

What are your favorite summer activities are to stave off boredom with the kids?  It can be hard especially when it is HOT HOT HOT outside.  We love going bowling. It is a fun way to hang out and challenge one another offline, no computers or smartphones either. Just good, clean fun.  I never win though no matter how hard I try.   Please let me know if you have any tips for me. Hubby and little one always crush me.  I was excited to hear about all the new improvements for 2013 for the AMF summer programs.

AMF Summer Unplugged has new and improved Summer Unplugged and Summer Pass programs to keep the kids and adults active and engaged.  You can't beat the cool temps inside those AMF lanes either! Summer Unplugged offers two free games every day for each child ages 15 and under registered in the Summer Unplugged program* (Shoe rental not included, but they’re worth paying for.) Sign-up here for free bowling all summer long! One simple sign-up, no coupons to be emailed or printed! Simply present your membership card or your name at your local AMF center and you're all set to go. Also new this year for Summer Unplugged members is the "Stay and Play" option. Additional games can be added for just $1.49! So if the competition is hot and the weather is hotter, you can keep the strikes coming and stay cool for less!

*You can register up to six children in the program. If you would like to add more children, you will need to create a new account using an alternate email address.

Summer Pass- Adults won't be left melting in the heat! An AMF Summer Pass is just $34.95 and includes two games per day for the pass owner and up to three guests ages 16 and up. (Shoe rental not included, but they’re worth paying for.) Sign-up here for AMF's Summer Pass! 

The Summer Unplugged and Summer Pass programs run May 13, 2013 through September 2, 2013. Members can redeem their bowling games every day from open until 8pm using their membership pass, member ID, first name or other unique identifier.

With over 250 locations, AMF is where America goes bowling! Find an AMF Bowling Center near you.

Certain Dri Challenge and Giveaway Certain Dri Solid Anti-perspirant Works up to 72 Hours!

Disclaimer:  I received Certain Dri complimentary in order to evaluate it and share my experiences. As always, my opinions are my own.

 I don't know about you my friends but I was SOOO  ready to challenge myself to be sweat-free this summer and every season.  I recently was contacted by Certain Dri to see if I was interested in seeing how it worked for me.  Are you kidding? Of course!  I have tried so many antiperspirants and they just don't always seem to give me 100%.   It gets hot in the mid-Atlantic here and I need some help so I said "Yes!"   So I was invited to join the Certain Dri No Sweat Challenge.  Do you have excessive perspiration?  Are you ever embarrassed by too much sweat?  What about job interviews? Wedding coming up? Another big event?  Sweat happens but you don't have to be embarrassed really because it is fixable.  There are good solutions like Certain Dri that don't involve doctors at all. 

I was invited to put my usual antiperspirant to the test in a pit-to-pit challenge with the strongest available sweat-fighting formula without a prescription, Certain Dri.  It provides 72-hour dryness protection; triple the 24-hour promise of other clinical strength antiperspirants.  I was pretty impressed with the results too!

Did you know that twenty men and women self-described as excessive sweaters have already taken the Certain Dri No Sweat Challenge?  100% of participants reported that Certain Dri was more effective than their usual antiperspirant at controlling excessive perspiration!  Certain Dri gave them confidence to wear what they want and expand their activities.  All participants plan to switch to Certain Dri. Check out what you can look forward to below: 

 You still have time to join the Challenge and stop embarrassing sweat in time for summer.  Ready?  Apply Certain Dri Solid or Roll-On to your right underarm 2-3 times per week at bedtime just like I did.  Apply your usual antiperspirant to your left underarm per package instructions and track your results for 1-2 weeks. Let me know how it worked!  I definitely noticed a big difference...in favor of Certain Dri. I was pretty surprised because I thought my usual antiperspirant worked pretty well...up until the challenge. Big difference especially on those super hot days and after a long, grueling workout at boot camp.   

 

Certain Dri is available everywhere including CVS, Duane Reade, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Fred Meyer, Meijer as well as online and at Certain Dri.  Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant Roll-On, Solid and A.M. Underarm Refresher (solid or roll-on) is $5.50 - $5.99 (about 40% less than all those  “clinical strength” antiperspirants) too.  You can learn more about Certain Dri by visiting their website here. They even have a  sweat-free community on Facebook for offers and giveaways.

One little trick I use in the summer and the nights before I know I am going to have hard workouts is to roll it on my feet at night. Don't forget to enter my Rafflecopter giveaway below!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway