Low Carb Alfredo Sauce (if you're not low carbing, this is HIGH calorie)

So years ago, I tried the Atkins diet, I did really well on it, lasted about 2 years. It got to be too much though since I don't really eat meat (I eat chicken, turkey and fish SOMETIMES, never pork or beef)

When i was "Low-Carbing" I really missed pasta, especially Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo.

So I decided to create my own. Let me say it is SO good that I do make it now, when I am not on a low carb diet, but I only do so maybe 2 times a year.

When a friend came over years ago, I made some for her and she asked me why I didn't bottle it. It's. That. Good.

Ok, so here is the recipe, sorry no pictures, like I said, i rarely make it.

1 package Philadelphia cream cheese (8oz) You really MUST use Philly

1 CUP Parmesan cheese

1 Pint heavy whipping cream :-)

1 whole chopped garlic

2 tablespoons chopped chives (optional)

Salt and Pepper

Combine all the ingredients into a saucepan and cook until hot. When I didn't eat pasta I put it on chicken or shrimp.

Starbucks will donate to create jobs with every purchase

Help Starbucks Create jobs when you purchase from the Indivisible Collection! From June 12- July 9, Starbucks will donate with every purchase to help create jobs!

K5 Reading and Math Program for kids age Kindergarten--5th grade

K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I've been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program. k5learning.com

Wendymigdalia Caribbean Ocean Candle Review and Giveaway

Have I mentioned I LOVE candles?

When i was contacted by Wendy Migdalia to review her Caribbean Ocean Candle I jumped at the opportunity.

I LOVED how the looked, it comes in a champagne glass (Very unique) wrapped in a clear cover with her sticker on it and bow which makes it perfect for gift giving (I am all for supporting businesses through Etsy VS mall shopping)

The package was sent through USPS arriving in 3-4 days of when she sent it, which is awesome because I know alot of the Etsy sellers have to make items as the orders are placed, so I was very happy with the turnaround time. I choose the Ocean theme because I had done my room decor in it so I wanted to try it in there. I like how the candle smelled, BUT the scent was not powerful enough to carry throughout the room, possibly because of the size of the opening in the champagne glass, i don't know, but the candle would be best as a decor piece or bathroom candle so the scent could carry better in a small place. I loved the over all presentation of the candle and if i got one as a gift I would probably tell the receiver it's to be used in the bathroom while relaxing in the tub. I also received a small bag of potpourri which I placed in my closet and it smells great, when I asked Wendy Migdalia about the potpourri she said she always includes a small gift in her packages (Yay :-) who doesn't love free things!)

The candle I choose had a burn time of about 8 hours, once lit you will want to let it burn out unless you have a long lighter to reach in glass to start again. The colors were very beautiful blues, aqua and sky looking. I would have enjoyed this particular candle as more of a decorative piece.

In her shop on Esty wendymigdalia she has other scents to choose from like pina colada, passion fruit and creamy vailla. The prices range from .40 for a sample to $9 for a candle.

Wendy at wendymigdalia has generously offered a sample tea light box of 6 mini tea lights for me to giveaway to one of my readers.

Please enter by using the rafflecopter form below, open to US residents only giveaway ends 7/7/12 at 12:01am

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Mommy Therapy Candles Review and Giveaway

I was recently offered the chance to try "Mommy Therapy" Candles from the Etsy Store Jenny Bean Beautiful.

When I was offered the candle I was THRILLED, I love candles, especially those geared towards ME-a mom.

When the candle arrived in the mail, I didn't even take it out of the box and already the scent was seeping through, it was an orange-y smell and I knew already I was going to love it.

Upon opening the box I was surpised to see she includes her very own matches! This was really a nice unexpected surprise and made lighting the candle right up so much easier.

When I lit the candle, immediately the room began to fill with a warm, citrus smell that actually made me feel very relaxed, I love that the scent is so strong (I have tested other candles, and they do NOT compare)

So far I have burned the candle for about 12 hours and barely made a DENT in either the candle or the scent, I keep it now next to my laptop and whenever I am feeling stressed, I lean forward and take a deep breath of the candle.

I was very surprised to find out her candles are only $8, I would GLADLY pay this and more for one of her candles, in her store she also offers other scented candles, body lotions and custards (I would LOVE to try this) and "me time" relaxation kits.

Jenny Bean Beautiful has graciously offered one of my readers a "Mommy Therapy" candle just like the one I got.

Please enter using the rafflecopter form below, US only, giveaway ends 7/7/12

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Autism Awareness Bracelet by JewelsZevnik Review and Giveaway

Leslie Zevnik offered me to do a review on her handmade bracelet for autism, I was more then pleased as myself and Paige both have kids affected by this. Leslie has a 9 year old son who also deals with the affects of having autism. I was very pleased to find such a beautiful way to bring more awareness to autism as it's affecting more and more children everyday.

Autism (or ASD) is a wide-spectrum disorder. This means that no two people with autism will have exactly the same symptoms. While experiencing varying combinations of symptoms, some people will have mild symptoms while others will have severe ones.

Empathy - Understanding and being aware of the feelings of others

This is one symptom that really hits home, Paige had lost a pet and her son did not get the fact that the cat passed on, instead he laughed. It's a hard to deal with because of course no one wants someone laughing when they lose someone or thing but you have to breathe and understand that they just don't get it.

Physical contact

When you go to give your child a hug they normally will have open arms and totally embrace the hug. When you have a child with Autism they will pull away, or avoid any kind of contact you offer.

Speech

Speech is off when your child says certain words they do not come out correct like my son says okly but he means only, roliey then Riley and so on.

Repetitive behaviors

They choose something they LOVE and then make you listen, do, or anything over and over and over until you're so sick of it you want to scream but they haven't had enough. Its something that they only focus on if they want to eat only bananas that will be all you can get them to eat for a week.. nothing but the banana. They do not like change! Its very hard for them to play with other kids because they want to play cars yet the other kids all want to play tag, ball or whatever but your child only wants to play with cars.

People with autism are ordinary people... with autism.

Added by Paige: I love wearing my bracelet because I want to help other parents to realize what causes Autism, my son is on the spectrum from being given ONE vaccination. I am a firm believer in going natural, WHY are we injecting babies with hepatitis and polio at 3 months old?? Most parents I have spoken with don't understand the vaccine does NOT prevent the disease, in fact the most recent breakouts of vaccine related diseases have been in VACCINATED children, if you feed your child a nutrient rich diet, that's all the "vaccine" they need. My oldest son was vaccinated up until he was 14 months old, in that time he had pneumonia twice and an ear infection every other month. The month after i stopped his vaccines he was NEVER ill again. I stopped vaccinating because he got sick after a shot and i googled it and found out that with that particular series of shots 9% of children DIE, I wish my doctor had told me that, i spent the next week in tears begging GOD to keep him alive, and I have never vaccinated since, except with my youngest, when we were in the hospital (He was 9 weeks premature) and I was hemorrhaging they had me sign a bunch of papers for him as I laid on the table, and I signed them, I did not know what they were but one was for his hepatitis shot.

Now that you're more aware of autism, Leslie sent both me and Paige 2 gorgeous bracelets to review. She had makes all her bracelets in all sizes, most common size are 6.5, 7, 7.5. I took the 6.5 which is a nice fit, the backs are pretty easy to clasp its a heart shape with a stick that holds it on. Made with Cat's Eye, Red Jade, czech glass and Tibet Silver. Comes together with a beautiful heart toggle clasp. Fully adorned with a autism awareness ribbon charm. Made with the top brand 49 strand beading wire. In the center of the bracelet she has a charm which is the autism awareness ribbon. She ships through USPS, in a padded envelope along with a felt box and the bracelet wrapped in tissue paper. At JewelsZevnik she also has more designs, as well as a blue version of the autism bracelet. Prices are from: $15 to $30. I am proud to wear it, I make sure and wear it to play areas, and also other areas which a lot of kids are. Its a good conversation starter as it brings attention because the colors are so bright that you cannot help but look.

Leslie the owner of JewelsZevnik has offered 2 of these beautiful bracelets as a giveaway they are the 7. size so there will be 2 winners. Enter using the rafflecopter form below, usa only please, giveaway ends 7/9/12 at 12:01 am

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Copy Kids DVD Review and Giveaway

I was offered to review the Copy Kids DVD. When i got the package in the mail i really thought it looked like a great idea, show kids eating fruit (which my kids already love) and vegetables (which my kids are not so crazy about)

As I put the DVD into my laptop to watch it before showing it to the kids, i discovered that each fruit/vegetable has it's own segment, so you don't have to watch the whole thing, or fast forward to whatever you are trying to get your child to eat.

The first segment I picked was "Cucumber"

Honestly, as I watched "Cucumber" I became a little turned off, it shows kids smacking with their mouths open, cucumber juice running down their chins (droll too?) but all the kids seemed to be happy, I decided to try a different segment, so i jumped to "avocado" this was not much better, in fact it was worse, the first scene shows a little girl with a mouthful of green smooshed avocado using her tongue to try to get some off the side of her face.

Just as I was about to turn the DVD off, my 7 year old came over and asked me what I was watching, he is VERY sensitive to watching people eat, he once stopped eating spaghetti for almost 3 months because Aunt Casey told him spaghetti noodles were worms.

I was sure that after watching "cucumber" he would be grossed out, but i let him watch for a second anyway. After the cucumber segment was over I asked him what he thought and he said "Those kids are gross" I agreed.

Later that day we went to the grocery store and down the produce aisle when my son saw the same cucumber as in the video, know what he said? Do you? :-) "mom, can i try it?" I. Was. FLOORED.

"of course!" I said, so after bringing the cucumber home, he asked me to slice it just like in the DVD, which I did, and he ate it! I could not believe he ate it. We are going to watch the rest of the segments as my stomach can allow it, but I am expecting great results.

Copy Kids retails for $19.99 at their website Here and they have offered one of my readers to win their own copy.

Please enter using the rafflecopter form below, us residents only.

Copy-Kids launched in January 2012 with their first DVD — Copy-Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables. The DVD features twelve 7 minute chapters, one for each of twelve fruits & veggies:

•Apples

•Avocado

•Banana

•Bell Pepper

•Blueberries

•Broccoli

•Carrots

•Cucumber

•Orange

•Raspberries

•Strawberries

•Tomato

Each chapters features several adorable and entertaining children aged 9 months to 4 years, eating with joy and delight. It’s a simple but revolutionary tool for parents who want their kids to develop a life-long habit of healthy eating.

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TotsTreasures Owl Blanket Review and Giveaway

I was recently offered to review a blanket of my choice from Tot's Treasures. I received my blanket within 5 days of ordering (Really FAST!). The blanket was packaged very nicely in a bubble envelope.

She allowed me to choose the colors and pattern, so I choose an Owl pattern with brown mink and dark pink ruffle. It. is. gorgeous! My 4 month old daughter loves it, she curls her toes every time I put her on it, which is extremely cute!
The blanket is so large and so soft, i have always been a BIG fan of Gymboree baby blankets (Arv $19.99) I can say, the blankets by Tot's Treasure's are SO much thicker, nicer and much better colors than Gymboree it (almost) makes me sad I am done having children so that I can buy them a cute blanket.

I love how this blanket is double sided, and i especially love the dark colors, which are not that easy to find in baby blankets.

Items in Tot's TReasure's shop range from $7.99 to $29.99 which the blankets are worth every penny! They are made from 50% polyester and 50% cotton, colors are bold and beautiful. I loved the print, it's hard to find stand out things and I have already had people ask me where I got such a beautiful blanket. I love that its more a full size toddler blanket it was much bigger then I thought it to be 32” by 34”, but size may vary slightly because they are handmade. The pictures do not do these blankets justice, most all her blankets you can change colors if you like a certain print but want you can choose a different minky or ruffle color. I was very pleased to do this review and I know this blanket will be the one that we have for a life time for my daughter. Thank you for many years to come of memories.

Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low. I washed and it came out like new! No shrinkage!

Tot's Treasures has graciously offered one of my readers their choice of baby blanket as well, to enter use the rafflecopter form below, open to US residents and ends 7/3/12 at 12:01am

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Kindle FIRE Giveaway!!!!

Welcome to the Literary Addicts Kindle Fire Event where we have teamed up with 10 Amazing Authors and several awesome bloggers to celebrate the

Grand Opening of Literary Addicts a Community for Book Lovers!

Please check out the Fantastic authors bringing the Kindle Fire Giveaway to you! Don't miss out on these great reads even if you don't have a kindle yet. You can download the kindle app for you phone, desktop, or ipad HERE. All of these books are less than a Starbucks Coffee! Immortal Voyage Before the time of the great pyramids, there was a place like none other, a city of glass and metal rising from the depths of the ocean. Shrouded in mist, the island of Hy-Brasil and its capital Atlantis lay hidden from the rest of the world by its people, a race of long lived, interstellar nomads. Read more and purchase for only $2.99     Give Me - A Tale of Wyrd and Fae All she wanted was a vacation - but Dumnos offered a new life. Lilith Evergreen has always lived in the California desert, but when she receives an antique ring as a gift, she dreams of a castle by the sea, a magnificent tree at cliff's edge, and a mysterious woman who bids Lilith to come to Dumnos, a land of mist and rain. Read more and purchase for only $3.99 Paperback   Slow Boat to Purgatory (Slow Boat to Purgatory #1) Gaspar De Rouse, an immortal Knight Templar, a man murdered by his brothers for the secret he possessed, resurrected and given a second chance at redemption. Dominicus Bureau, a renegade priest, torn between his vows and the secret he pursues, a secret protected by an immortal. Alex Donovan, a modern day warrior thrust into an ages old war, a war between good and evil, heaven and hell.Read more and purchase for only $2.99 Paperback     Mark of the Witch (Boston Witches Book 1) Magic flows through Jillian Proctor's veins as surely as blood, but so far her life outside Boston has been peaceful. William Morgan blows into Jilly's life like a hurricane, unleashing her magic and sending her out of control. Unknowingly, William brings an enemy who only wants to posses the power of the witch. Jilly must learn to harness her magic before she loses it - and everything in her life is destroyed. Purchase for only $2.99 Paperback   The Marriage Bargain Camille Chandler is a tabloid journalist whose career is right on track--until her boss sees a curious ad in the L.A. Trades. Wanted: Single actress for an extended gig abroad. France's mega-rich playboy Julian de Laurent is up to something and Camille's boss expects her to find out what. Who knew the eccentric gazillionaire was looking to hire a temporary wife? Read more and purchase for only $2.99   Descended by Blood (Vampire Born #1) Brooke Keller is a high school junior who has never spent much time living in one place. She is finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened after killing a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey in an effort to find out who is after her and how to stop them. In a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Read more and purchase for only $2.99 Paperback     Dirty Blood I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. Read more and purchase for only $2.99 Paperback   Taming the wolf (anna avery series, #1) Attacked by a wolf while hiking in the mountains, Anna Avery's life just got a little hairier. Living in the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming, with a group of werewolves who are more animal than human, Anna must try to hold onto her human side. It's not easy when the alpha continues to persuade her into his bed, while another wolf is chomping at the bit to become her mate. To top it all off, dead bodies are showing up and ..Read more and purchase for only $2.99     Fearless (Kings Series) Tasmyn Vaughn didn't expect much when her dad’s job moved them to a small town in Florida; it was just another new school. But there is more to King than meets the eye, and soon Tasmyn’s ability to hear other’s thoughts is the least of her worries. Entangled in a web of first love, quirky and secretive townsfolk, magic and blood rituals, she discovers the town’s secrets aren’t just bizarre, they’re deadly. Purchase for only $3.99 Paperback   Secrets (Guardian Trilogy) While Olivia Martin observed life through her camera, the Abyss gazed back at her. She discovers mysterious men follow her around, people close to her are dying, and her dreams are no longer her own as she falls head over heels for a perfect stranger. A chance encounter leads to an obsession that could destroy everything she has ever known or loved. Olivia is about to find out there is a lot she doesn't know and sometimes what you don't know can kill you. Read more and purchase for only $2.99   These fine authors are bringing you this Kindle Fire Event via Promotional Book Tours and Literary Addicts This contest is open Internationally! Please fill out the form below to enter. a Rafflecopter giveaway RAFFLECOPTER CODE (in case above doesn't work) http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OWI4MGU5OWFmNGY3ZjJjODIxYjg4NWEzNTc0MDllOjIxNQ==/ If there click on this they can grab the code. Rafflecopter - Preview the Widget -- Kindle Fire Giveaway :) www.rafflecopter.com Rafflecopter makes it crazy-simple to create, run, and enter online giveaways and sweepstakes.

Herbology Organics 100% Organic Healing Hemp Massage Candle

I was offered to review the Hemp Healing Candle from the Etsy store Herbology Organics. When it arrived i was so pleased with the scent, and it has an amazing burn time of just around 60 hours (if using it solely as a candle). I ABSOLUTELY LOVE that they are 100% Organic, being a slightly crunchy mom, organic is important to me, Herbology Organics also offers Bug Be Gone Spray which I will review after i try it out on the 4th of July.

Herbology Organics Hemp candles are just as good as Yankee Candles, maybe even better because the scent fills the home. The fragrance I chose was coconut hibiscus, which made the whole house smell like warm coconut within 30 minutes, even covering the cat box smell! The wick of the candle was long for easy lighting. The jar the candle came in is recycled and can be reused. On top of being a candle you can pour the melted wax on yourself as a massage oil which leaves your skin feeling smooth, and leaves more of a feel of if you had put lotion on yourself. I tried it on my knees and I am very pleased with the results, normally my knees are ashy but I woke up in morning to have a smoother look to them.

I received the package through fedex very quickly after placing my order. The candle was well packaged in a nice box with lots of protection. The owner made sure the box was wrapped in shipping paper and had fragile written on it.

She is constantly working to develop new, organic, earth friendly, human friendly products. All her products contain hemp and range from $10 to $30 a item.

She can custom tailor her products to suit specific ailments concerning the skin, although each product contains the same, wonderful foundation ingredients, which is nourishing, healing and refreshing for all skin types and issues.

Please visit her shop by clicking here

or visit her Facebook page Here

Herbology Organics has graciously offered one of my readers their very own Hemp Candle in their choice of scents (ARV $20) To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below, contest open to US residents and ends on 7/3/12 at 12:01am

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Robby Dryer Ball Giveaway

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Old Time Caramels Review and Giveaway

Casey and I were given the opportunity to review some delicious caramels from the Etsy shop Old Time Caramels. When they arrived in the mail, they came in a priority box and were packaged very nicely
The owner graciously sent us a 12 ounce Sampler Package, which he sells on Etsy for $8.00, it consists of 9 flavors with 4 samples of each flavor. This is a great way to try all of them!
I wanted to review these as soon as they arrived, so Casey and I headed to the park with the kids and we sat down to sample.

I would definitely recommend putting them in the refrigerator for an hour or so after you receive them, otherwise they are very soft, they tasted great soft, but some people might like a firmer candy. Here is what Casey and I thought of each of the flavors.

1: Green is Peppermint, which tasted like a dinner mint.
2: Red is Cinnamon, which tasted like a red hot.
3: Cream/Off white is cheesecake, this was the best! It tasted like cake mix.
4: Black is licorice, which was my second favorite, it tasted like cherry with a hint of mint.
5: Orange is orange, it tasted like orange sherbet.
6: White is coconut, it was very potent and i didn't taste coconut at all.
7: Pink is apple, which had a caramel taste but i didn't taste the apple.
8: Dark Pink is cinnamon apple, which tasted like a caramel apple, I couldn't taste the cinnamon at all.
9: Yellow is vanilla, it tasted like a vanilla caramel.

So at the end of the day we split what was left, I placed mine into the freezer when I got home. Two days later I opened and ate the rest. WOW what a difference that made! They now tasted more like what the names for each flavor were. I like the texture a lot better as well, when they were warm they kind of melted in my mouth where now I could bite into it.

1: Peppermint was a very strong peppermint taste more like a candy cane.
2: Cinnamon was a strong cinnamon taste.
3: Cheesecake was still the best of all, really tastes like cake batter.
4: Licorice was still very good.
5: Orange was still orange sherbet taste but good.
6: Coconut was way better it tasted very good which I think what happened when we tried them was it was very oily so it probably separated so first thing you tasted was the abstract this was so much better that I can say it would be my favorite.
7: Apple was a very strong apple taste.
8: Apple Cinnamon was a very strong cinnamon with a hint of apple.
9: Vanilla was very good vanilla flavor.

Overall, Casey and I both really enjoyed these, we both agreed that the Cheesecake was one of our favorites, and these are very much well worth the money, Old Time Caramels has packages starting at just $3.00, and they make a fantastic gift.

Old Time Caramels has offered one of my readers the chance to win the same sampler package as I received, to enter please use the rafflecopter form, the giveaway ends on 6/30 at 12:01am, giveaway is open to the US only

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Mederma Advanced Scar Gel and Mederma for Kids Review

I had recently received a sample of Mederma and Mederma Kids. Each week I will do my best to post a picture of the scars I am using Mederma on. I found out with this review that it's not so easy to get a picture of a white scar but I will do my best.

I started with my kids using the Mederma Kids which has a purple color, goes on clear and smells like grapes.
Instructions are as follows; for new scars rub in 3 times a day for 8 weeks, or for old scars rub in 3 times a day for 3-6 months, each use apply a small amount.

First Subject is my 7 year old son Brian, he has a bad scar from surgery when he was a month old, its located on the right of his belly button.

Second Subject my 2 year old daughter Buggy, she has a outward scar in the middle of her head from who knows, but she has had it for a long time now.

Mederma Advanced Scar Gel for adults. Instructions; apply once a day for 8 weeks on new scars, and 3-6 months for older scars. I like that the tube looks like a lip balm case, and the smell is sweet. I am using myself for this one, I also love how it rubs on clear, dries that you can apply make up without any issues.

Only subject myself, scar in the middle of my head from when I was little and walked into a pipe. This one was hard to get a picture of because well I am getting older and it now blends in with a line :-).

I am going to follow up each week with a new picture of each of us to see the results.
click here for more info