Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports: June 2011

The Stocked Kitchen (Book Review)

The Buzz:

The Stocked Kitchen is the first complete meal creation system with only one standard list of groceries. If your kitchen is "Stocked" with these ingredients you will always have what you need to create any of the 300 delicious recipes found in this book. These recipes have been used for all of the authors' own dining needs, including meals for drop-in guests, special occasions, and every-night family dinners. The Stocked Kitchen encompasses all parts of the meal creation process from shopping, to storing, to cooking, to serving. The results are delicious, “guest worthy” meals made from real, basic ingredients.

Sarah Kallio and Stacey Krastins have proven The Stocked Kitchen system works. It has reduced their grocery bills, stress levels, trips to the market, and food waste.

Create more delicious meals while removing the handcuffs of pre-planning.
One grocery list, endless recipes!

E.B. Mommy's Report:

At first glance you'd think this 368 paged book with over 300 recipes is just another great cookbook to add to your collection but if you comb through the pages you will see that it is much more. It's the answer to every Mom's overflowing pantry of cans, provisions and more that in all likelihood will not find it to the dinner table for a good several weeks, that is if they don't expire before that!

I love how the book introduces the reader to how the "system" should work if understood and applied right and then only are the recipes introduced. Recipes include a variety of appetizers, salads, soups, pastas, meat dishes, veggie dishes, breakfast dishes, desserts and more.

The recipes are short and easy to carry out. On some recipes you even have a quick practical tested and tried tip for that recipe that just gives it that "touch of home".

I have to admit that I'm yet to put the system into practice but knowing that every product I buy from the store would be used that week and not go into storage, is really egging me to try it soon.

This is a definite recommendation especially if you see your family has been stocking up but not putting to best use the "loot" in the pantry. A planned, practical way to say goodbye to wastage!

Buy It:

You can buy The Stocked Kitchen for 24.99 US$
(Hits the market on July 5th, 2011)

'Love on the Sponsor'

- Follow The Stocked Kitchen on Twitter

- Like The Stocked Kitchen on Facebook

** EBMR Disclaimer: I was sent me the featured product for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: cookbook., Reviews / Giveaways, The Stocked Kitchen

Summertime Adventure With Dinosaur Train

Summertime is here and what better way to spend the summer with family and friends than on an adventure to visit one of our national parks and/or recreation destinations. July is Park and Recreation Month in the U.S., and the theme for this year’s celebration is “Rock Your Park.” The National Park and Recreation Association wants you to show the country how parks and recreation make your life extraordinary! Whether it is visiting your local park, a playground, swimming pool, or taking a family trip to one of our national park treasures, celebrate our country’s love of the great outdoors this month! Visit the NRPA’s website to find out ways to get involved.

You can also turn your visit to the local park into a game by participating in the Dinosaur Train Geocache Challenge. Geocaching is a family friendly outdoor adventure that blends technology, gaming and environmental discovery. Each geocache features one of the dinosaurs found on the online Dinosaur Train Field Guide and contains educational information related to that dinosaur. So, perhaps pick your local park as a destination to hide your own Dinosaur Train container.

Buddy and his friends on the Dinosaur Train are always up for an adventure and exploring the world around them. Why not take them along on your adventure to the park or camping or on a family road trip with all-new fun and easy travel products for camping/outdoors, new games and fun to read books to pack on your adventure!

· New book from Reader’s Digest: Dinosaur Train Lift the Flap “Let’s Go To Volcano Valley” (SRP: $9.99). Ages 2+.

In this book, get ready to board the Dinosaur Train and meet some new friends! Buddy, the adorable preschooler Tyrannosaurus Rex, and this adoptive Pteranodon family are always on the move. Today, they are going to Volcano Valley. Along the way, the train is making stops at the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous stations to make dozens of dinosaur discoveries. With more than 40 flaps to lift, kids will want to explore Buddy’s world again and again!

· New Dinosaur Train product for camping adventures Pacific Playtents (available in October) includes: the Dinosaur Train Station House Tent (SRP: $89.90); Dinosaur Train Dino Bones Dome Tent ($59.90); Dinosaur Train Dino Bones Tunnel ($59.90). Ages 3+.

· New Dinosaur Train soft sporting fun from Kelly Toy: Play All Ball (SRP: $1.99), Bat + Ball (SRP: $9.99), Golf (SRP: $14.99), Football (SRP: $6.99), Baseball Mitt set (SRP: $7.99) and more. Ages 3+.

· New Dinosaur Train 3-Wheel Scooter in colorful buddy and friends graphics, from VM Global. SRP$24.99. Ages 3+.

· New Dinosaur Train game from Patch Products: “Take “N” Play Anywhere™ Let’s Go for a Ride! Magnetic Playset. SRP: $14.99. Ages 3+

And, Buddy will also be spending time in the great outdoors in July. Tune in on July 4th to Dinosaur Train on PBS KIDS (check local listings) in the adventurous episode “Buddy the Tracker.” In the episode, Buddy and Don are “footprint detectives” as they track and find creatures they know at the Big Pond. The plot thickens when they discover fossilized tracks that are millions of years old!

Although the summer vacation comes to an end in August, fun with Dinosaur Train continues! Get ready for an all-new season of Dinosaur Train this August with “Dinosaur Big City” on PBS Kids premieres August 22 and the DVD release of Dinosaur Train: Dinosaur Big City on August 23 (SRP: $14.99).

2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Follow Jim Henson on Twitter

- Follow PBS Kids on Twitter

- Like Jim Henson on Facebook

-Like PBS Kids on Facebook

** EBMR Disclaimer: I did not receive a product for review. This post is based on the information provided by the sponsor **

Labels: Dinosaur Train, Jim Henson productions, PBS kids, Reviews / Giveaways

Summer Scholastic Reads (4 Book Reviews)

Summer has rolled around and with that so have a host of Summer Reading Programs. To add some punch to the reading festivities here are 4 new Scholastic picks that you can introduce your child.
I know three out of the four are better suited for a Father's Day but lets celebrate Dads in July too. Dads are the pillars in our family and deserve to be celebrated the whole year through, right?!

Now to the books....

LaRue across America

In this hilarious book, Ike's plans for a peaceful cruise with Mrs. LaRue are thwarted when their neighbor, Mrs. Hibbins, falls suddenly ill from heat stroke. Mrs. LaRue suggests that she and Ike care for her cats while Mrs. Hibbins is in the hospital, inviting them along on the cruise. But cats aren't allowed, and Mrs. LaRue decides to take them all on a week's vacation of road-tripping.

Ike begs and begs for bus fare in his letters to Mrs. Hibbins, but she does not respond. As they drive farther and farther from the coast, his wistful dreams of a cruise fade into desperation over the desert horizon.

I have to admit that I think this book is one of my favorite "funny" books for kids. The humor spun into each page as Ike's desperation builds, is hilarious. Older children and adults may be able to to better appreciate Ike's snarky postcard jots than the younger ones.

A definite must read for a good laugh!

When I Grow Up

"What will I be when I grow up" is a question all of us will hear tumble out, at some point, of our children's mouths. This beautiful book begins with a little boy asking his Daddy the same question and discovering that everything begins small and then slowly grows to become something magnificent.
The fuzzy caterpillar becomes a colorful butterfly, the little sprout becomes a tall tree.... then the little boy realizes that he has finally found the answer to his question!
(You will need to read the book to find out more!)

Daddy's Little Scout

This sweet book tells the story of Little Fox and Daddy as they go on their own little "house hunting" adventure tumbling down hills, counting rabbits and playing in the stream.
The Daddy-Son duo explore the homes of their woodland buddies and finally find the home that's just right for Daddy and his Little Fox.

My Daddy and Me

My Daddy and Me is a book that shares the love between a father and his child right from the beginning of the book till the end. The bond they share is likened to complementing pairs like peanut butter and jelly, rakes and leaves and the moon and the stars. Truly a love relationship that is special and everlasting!

Buy It:

You can buy

LaRue Across America for 16.99 US$
When I Grow Up for 16.99 US$
Daddy's Little Scout for 10.99 US$ and
Daddy and Me for 3.99 US$.

'Love on the Sponsor'

- Follow Scholastic on Twitter

-Follow the Scholastic Store on Twitter

- Like the Scholastic Book Club on Facebook

** EBMR Disclaimer: I was sent the featured products for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Books, Reviews / Giveaways, scholastic

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - You are of more value.

Location: The Riverwalk, San Antonio.

" Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? "
(Matthew 6:26)

You are so precious to God....never doubt that for a second.
Trust Him with all the big things and those little things in your life.
He will NOT fail you.

Be Encouraged in Him!

Come add your Wordless Wednesday moments on 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday moments on Seven Clown Circus

Labels: 5 minutes for mom, Christian, faith, Reflections, San Antonio, Wordful Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday

Quick Note Regarding New Giveaways!

.
Quick note to let you know that I have a bunch of giveaways that I am holding back on only because I want to make the big move easier on my designer.

There will ofcourse be the big FREEDOM GIVEAWAY BLOG HOP (July 1-7) where 9 winners will walk away with a book of their choice and these giveaways that end on 7/2....
* What's In The Bible Volume 5 DVD
* Team Umizoomi
* Dinosaur Train InterAction Pal from Learning Curve
* DownEast Basics Apparel of choice

I can't wait to move over especially as I have a fantastic 1400 US$ valued San Antonio package giveaway sponsored by Visit San Antonio to announce and lots more!!

Thanks for being patient and sticking through this transition phase and please do say a prayer that all goes through smoothly.

Labels: blogger to wordpress

2 Days Away!....The Freedom Giveaway Hop (July 1-7)

We LOVE books so there was no stopping us from signing up for the Freedom Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Simply Stacie. I love book related giveaways and this hop is just that! Over 175 blogs will be hosting their own book related giveaways from July 1 - July 7, 2011....I can't wait!

Here's are the books you could win right here:

1. The Stocked Kitchen

Value: 24.99 US$ - 1 winner