Happy Holidays 2012 Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Happy Holidays Giveaway Hop hosted by Mom to Bed by 8 and Life With Two Boys!

The holidays will be before you know it so to make things a little easier on you and your wallet we decided to give you an opportunity to WIN your gifts this year! Several awesome blogs have to come together to bring you some amazing prizes that will look great sitting under your tree Christmas morning. After you enter our giveaway make sure you hop around to the rest of the participating blogs for more chances to win!

My Journey to Living Well has partnered with Gaiam to bring you Rodney Yee's Core Centered Yoga DVD along with a Yoga Essentials Block Giveaway! 

Click here to read my full review and enter to win on the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Along with all of the individual prizes we also have TONS of awesome Grand Prizes for everyone on your list including Baby, Kids (boys and girls), Teens, and Adults. The Grand Prizes include a Babyhome Emotion Stroller, Little Tikes Classic Castle, Pillow Pets Dream Lites, Pillow Racers, Furby, $50 The Children's Place Gift Card, Nokia Lumia 900, and a Keurig Elite Brewing System!

Enter the Grand Prizes here!

Disclaimer: Please note that the Happy Holidays Giveaway Hop hosts and participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prize. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation that they will fulfill their prize in a timely manner. While we are not responsible, we will make every effort to assist the winner in obtaining their prize.

Gaiam Rodney Yee's Core CenteredYoga DVD Review

Gaiam's Rodney Yee's Core CenteredYoga DVD Review

Rodney Yee's Core Centered Yoga is all about balance. Being a beginner at yoga, that is exactly what I needed. I stretched muscles I didn't know that I had using this DVD, I mean honestly, who knew there were so many ways to turn your legs? 

Giving Green 2012 Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Giving Green 2012 Giveaway Hop! A great group of bloggers have gotten together to give you many chances to win GREEN gifts for holidays. Giving green for the holidays says "I love you" in more ways than one! You'll find a linky at the bottom of this post to enter all the giveaways and enter to win the Grand Prize which is valued at over $350! The more giveaways you enter, the more entries you can earn toward the Grand Prize.

My Journey to Living Well is proud to have teamed up with Gaiam to offer you a way to both give green and help with those inevitable New Year's resolutions. We will be giving away Maya Fiennes' Yoga for Real Life DVD and a Taos Stainless Steel Water Bottle.

Please click here to read my full review of these awesome products then enter to win on the Rafflecopter below. This giveaway will run from 11/12/12 to 11/27/12.

Gaiam Maya Fiennes' Yoga for Real Life Review

Maya Fiennes' Yoga for Real Life from Gaiam

I have heard for quite awhile about the positive effects that yoga can have your life and health. Recently, I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to experience it first hand when I received the Maya Fiennes' Yoga for Real Life DVD from Gaiam :

Maya Fiennes combines her talents as a successful classical pianist and performer with her upbeat personality to create a unique style of Kundalini yoga for modern living. In this 60-minute practice, she takes you through a series of exercises to stimulate the powerful centers in the body, the chakras. Through breathing techniques, movements and mantras, Maya demonstrates how to clear the mind and body, allowing viewers to tap into the universal forces and manifest anything in life. 60 minutes. Made in the USA.

I have to say that I was very impressed with my first real taste of yoga (okay, I have done a few poses from my Wii, but I don't know if that really counts?) Maya Fiennes was very easy to follow along with and the DVD began with a short chant and then a warm up. I was a little skeptical about the chanting in the beginning and frankly felt a little silly doing it, but once I got the hang of it, I'm really glad that I did it. There is something about it that really puts things into perspective and I'm not sure yet how to express it.

What stood out the most is how very relaxing it is. As a former classical pianist she has made great use of her musical knowledge and creates a very calming vibe throughout the entire DVD. Maya uses breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga to help you get into a very balanced state. She talks about balancing your chakras and stimulating the kundalini. I have personally researched techniques for balancing and opening chakras for awhile now and I feel like the techniques included in this DVD are very effective. I felt much more clear headed and calm when I was finished. I would recommend this program for anyone looking into trying yoga for spiritual, mental and physical health as this DVD covers all three aspects.

The folks over at Gaiam offer Maya Fiennes' Yoga for Real Life DVD along with many other yoga DVDs and a whole line of yoga products and accessories. They also included a Taos Stainless Steel Water Bottle that is 100% recyclable, light weight and a great alternative to plastic water bottles. Plus its purple, and I love the color purple ;)

For a limited time you can purchase Gaiam Yoga products for 20% off. Click the banner below for the sale or enter to win your own copy of Maya Fiennes' Yoga for Real Life DVD and a Taos Stainless Steel Water Bottle compliments of Gaiam as part of the Giving Green 2012 Giveaway Hop!

Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned products in order to facilitate my review. I was not monetarily compensated. My opinions are my own and may differ from yours. This post contains affiliate links.

Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

Melissa and Doug are celebrating the holidays by featuring their list of the "Terrific Twenty" Holiday Gifts for 2012! And they are having a Melissa and Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway on their Facebook page! You can enter to win a toy from the Terrific Twenty List everyday! Head over and get your entries in!

Click Here To Enter!

This giveaway is open to US Residents only. For other details and complete rules please refer to the Melissa and Doug Facebook Giveaway page. Good luck!

Disclosure: I was not monetarily compensated for this post. I will receive one of the above listed products for review.

Homeward Bound Sale at Modcloth 25% Off!

I recently posted about a website I just found and LOVE and now they are having a sale!



Save big with ModCloth's ModCloth Homeward Bound Sale! The Homeward Bound Sale offers a great selection of holiday-ready products at an exciting 25% off discount. The featured products are all about going home, getting cozy, and going out! Get ready for the holidays and save with ModCloth.



Here are just a few of the products that they have on sale now!
Click on any of the links to go see the rest.

Armed With Technology Tea Infuser ModCloth	Say High-low to Your Little Dress ModCloth	Lady of the Flower Slipper ModCloth
Natural Likeness Lantern ModCloth	Fawn of Your Style Necklace ModCloth	Scoops of Flower Measuring Spoons ModCloth
Secret Ingredient Spoon ModCloth	Deer Me Out Leggings ModCloth	Fresh Skills Utensil Set ModCloth

Disclosure: This post DOES contain affiliate links. That means if you purchase an item through my link I will earn a small profit. I only post things that I support and/or really really like and would buy myself. Hope you enjoy!

Have you checked out ModCloth?

They have the cutest stuff! 

One of These Days Calendar - $16.99 Get all your dates straight with this incredibly cute calendar! Featuring fun and fanciful designs by illustrator Fiona Hewitt, whose signature color-saturated, vector-style aesthetic blends Asian artistic influences with kitschy cuteness, it's a unique way to mark each day. Made from recycled card, it's eco-friendly as well as helpfully handy! Turn the four dials on the back to reveal the day, date, and month, and use the attached hook to hang it in the perfect place where you'll always see it and smile.

Contain Your Excitement Coffee Canister - $14.99 When you mix marvelous baking skills, a dreamy sense of style, and that irresistible charm, it's no big surprise that your breakfast nook has become a hangout! Whether youre chatting over a game of cards or reflecting on your most recent favorite novel, the group can be captivated by the fragrance from the oven while they admire this fantastical container by artist Fiona Hewitt of UK-based Wu Wu. Illustrated in her signature style, which blends bright colors, an alluring cast of characters, and kitschy, Asian-inspired details, this clamp-to-close canister boasts a heroine on carousel horseback who is hungry for adventure. Framed by lovely scalloped trim, she plans to prance along this canisters dotted pink exterior with a few friends at her side. Just seal your signature blend beneath its pale blueberry lid, and this adorable accessory will keep your guests delighted by the dozens!

Disclosure: This post DOES contain affiliate links. That means if you purchase an item through my link I will earn a small profit. I only post things that I support and/or really really like and would buy myself. Hope you enjoy!

Wholesome Sweeteners Review

Making the World a Sweeter Place

       

Last week I received this fabulous package from Wholesome Sweeteners filled with lots of sweet goodies!!

I have to say, when it comes to promoting their products, Wholesome Sweeteners is not stingy! I also received a cute little bee stuffed animal but my toddler accosted it before it made it into the picture. Its currently M.I.A. No worries though! I still have plenty to work with!

I came across Wholesome Sweeteners when I was learning about Fair Trade products and companies. Since researching what these companies stand for I have been actively trying to support them. They really do make a wonderful effort to help not only the environment, but people as well. Wholesome Sweeteners is fully committed to supporting all of these values and helped lead the way.

Our Mission

• To supply only the finest organic and natural sugar products from ethically and environmentally responsible growers and manufacturers;
• To provide consumers with the choice of safe, flavorful, organic and natural sugars that are produced with respect for the environment, human welfare, food safety and the health and nutritional needs of consumers' families;
• To be the premier supplier of added-value natural and organic sweeteners to retail, foodservice and industrial food manufacturing markets of North America.

Wholesome Sweeteners products are also non-GMO and certified organic. As you can see from the picture above, they offer a wide variety of products including their new Organic Coconut Palm Sugar.



Another interesting fact about this company is that they are the first Fair Trade AND Organic honey product in the United States. I encourage you to read this very interesting article on their blog:

Is Your Honey Even Honey?

Wholesome Sweeteners offers ONLY safe and eco-friendly products. And they taste good too! I mean, come on, its sugar! AND it is sugar you can actually feel good about eating (in moderation of course, I mean, it IS sugar) Go check out my recipe for Sweet and Spicy Soba Noodles using Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Certified Organic Molasses and see for yourself!

You can view a complete list of their products here. They are also available locally in these stores.

Oh, and did I mention that they have also offered to be a sponsor in the You Are What You Eat Giveaway Hop?! That's right, you can enter to win your own fabulous prize pack from Wholesome Sweeteners!
Enter Here and Good Luck!

You Are What You Eat Giveaway Hop

Welcome Everyone to the You Are What You Eat Giveaway Hop! We have some great giveaways lined up for you and you can also enter the win the Grand Prize of the Hop! Keep Reading!

Californians are going to the polls to vote on Prop 37, also known as the food labeling law. The Green Moms Network supports Americans right to know if their food contains genetically engineered ingredients and is committed to showcasing natural and organic eating. 

So, welcome to the You Are What You Eat Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering and Marlie and Me . A team of 20 + green mom bloggers are giving away prizes valued at $20 minimum related to eating healthy. You'll find giveaways for healthful, natural or organic foods, cookbooks, kitchen gadgets and more!  

Vitacost $100 Gift Card Giveaway! ~ Ends 11/30

I placed my first order with Vitacost a few weeks ago after seeing a blog post about it with a $10 coupon. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the prices. I had been needing some essential oils and other supplies to make some of my natural cleaning products. I ended up getting 2 bottles of essential oils, a 16oz bottle of Castor oil and an 8 oz bottle of vegetable glycerin for under $15.00 shipped! I would love to have $100 to spend there! Good luck to you all!

Sponsored by Vitacost and Military Wives Saving

Thank you to our great co-host for helping with this awesome giveaway: 

Always Searching for Savings

WIN IT!

One LUCKY winner will snag a $100 Vitacost Credit to spend on whatever you want at Vitacost.com - and, even sweeter, everyone who signs up HERE with my link will score a FREE $10 credit (so that means $110 to spend)!

Let's Do This!

Sweet and Spicy Soba Noodles

 Sweet and Spicy Soba Noodles

This is a really easy recipe to throw together and very satisfying. I used Japanese Soba Noodles which are made from whole wheat flour and buckwheat and cook in about four minutes. I sauteed the vegetables in coconut oil which has some amazing health benefits (read more about them here), I used the vegetables I had on hand which were mushrooms, onions and sweet peppers. 

I cooked it all up and tossed it into a sauce made from organic molasses, cilantro herb paste, green onions, and asian sweet chili sauce. The molasses mixed with the cilantro makes for a very distinct flavor and I find myself using that combination in a lot of dishes. The sweet chili sauce adds just the right amount of spice to it, without being overbearing. It reallys hits the spot (and the sweet tooth!) I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

• 1 3oz. package of Soba Noodles 
• 8oz sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion 
• 1/4 green onions chopped
• 3-4 mini sweet peppers
• 1Tbsp Cilantro Herb Paste
• 3Tbsp Asian Sweet Chili Sauce
• 1/4 cup of Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Molasses
• 2 Tbsp Coconut oil

Prepare all of your vegatables. Slice the mushrooms, red onion, green onion and mini sweet peppers.

Prepare the soba noodles according to the package directions, drain and keep warm. 

Sautee the mushrooms, sweet peppers, and red onion on medium-high heat in the coconut oil until all are tender (10-12) minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, combine the molasses, green peppers, asian sweet chili sauce and cilantro herb paste and mix well. Set aside.

When your vegetables are ready, toss the soba noodles into the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the noodles are sufficiently warmed back up.

Transfer the noodles and veggies to your sauce bowl and mix it all together. Serve it up!