Make it a Sparkling New Year With SodaStream!

Here in our home, we do not drink a lot of soda. It just isn't something that we have ever done...only for an occasional treat. Even though we do not drink soda regularly, we do enjoy sparkling water and other tasty beverages like that and so I do buy that a bit more than soda. It is especially fun for my children as they don't get "pop" very often and LOVE the treat of getting a VERY small cup of soda with their dinner. 

If you are someone who loves to drink soda or flavored, sparkling water than I would like to introduce you to a fantastic product called SodaStream! You may or may not have heard of them before, so I will tell you all about them...just in case. SodaStream is a product that allows YOU to make your very own soda, sparkling or flavored water! I reviewed a SodaStream machine last year and simply fell in love with it...I still love it! Before I continue with my review, here is a bit more about SodaStream...

SodaStream is the world's largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of Home Carbonation Systems. Our brands are sold in over 55,000 retail stores in 43 countries including home & electrical appliance stores, hypermarkets, supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, DIY, specialty and "green" stores, water specialists & dealers, as well as online and in catalogs.

Our long standing and deep heritage dates back to 1903, when we introduced innovative solutions to the beverage market. We continue to grow as market leaders in both technological advancements and the quality of our products.

The SodaStream system enables consumers to carbonate water and to flavor carbonated beverages at home as an alternative to purchasing pre-packed bottles or cans. This has many important benefits to the consumer including cost savings and no hassle with bottles.

I remember seeing SodaStream for the first time and thinking "Wow...that looks like it would be so handy!" Boy, was I right. One thing that I always loved about this company was that their product were always in stores that I regularly shopped including Bed Bath & Beyond. It is nice to see a product online, but it is even better when you can get it at a store near you! 

So, for this review I was sent a SodaStream Genesis - Seltzer Starter Kit. I was really excited about this review and could not wait to receive my machine! My plan was to have it be in my Holiday Gift Guide but that totally exploded and I just could not squeeze it in. So, here we are in the new year and that means one thing...a new resolution to never carry a 2-liter in from my car again!!! :)

Let's start with the basics. Upon opening the box, I found my machine and also a nice Sodamix Variety 12-Pack. This makes finding your favorite flavors simple! 

You also get two Carbonation Bottles, made especially for SodaStream. The machine itself requires a bit of assembly but it was so simple...three parts needed assembled. All you do is twist the carbonation tank into it's place and then put the two pieces together. 

Once your machine is assembled (it took me less than 5 minutes) you are ready to make soda!! Now comes the fun part...the flavors!! SodaStream offers over 100 FLAVORS to suit just about anyone's tastes. I was sent a whole bunch of flavors to try and because I have tried SodaStream, I already know what my favorite flavors are. :) 

You can see in the picture above that some of the Sparkling Natural Flavors are Black Currant & Pear, Ginger Ale and Cola. Don't they look awesome?!?!?

You also have choices like Diet Lemon-Lime, Cranberry Raspberry, Diet Pink Grapefruit and Cola Free. There are loads of other flavors that you can choose from as well...these are just a few. 

They also carry some really yummy MyWater Essence Flavors that basically are unsweetened, all-natural flavor essences for making lightly flavored seltzer or sparkling water. I have tried these before and they are wonderful! Very refreshing...especially on hot days. 

Once you have gone through the process of figuring out which flavor you would like to use, fill your Carbonation Bottle with very cold water. I have a Brita Water Filter in my fridge and that is what I use for my soda. Twist the bottle securely onto the soda machine and press the button on the top. Keep pressing until you hear it "BUZZ" loudly. Three buzzes should give you the right amount of carbonation. After you have finished carbonating your water, you can add your flavoring. I chose to try the Cranberry-Raspberry. 

My soda tasted amazing. It was bubbly, refreshing and very flavorful. I have absolutely no complaints...SodaStream is PERFECT! I have totally amazed people who have visited me...they cannot believe that I make my own soda. You should see their faces when I show them how easy it is. Believe me when I say this is a wonderful product to have on hand when you are entertaining guests. :)

The SodaStream Genesis - Seltzer Starter Kit retails for $99.95 and you have your choice of two colors...red or black. Also, if you order now you can get free shipping on any Home Soda Maker by using the code FREEFIZZ! 

If you would like to keep up with SodaStream, you can do by liking them on Facebook, following them on Twitter and also on YouTube! Staying connected is important...especially if you like to stay current on their special deals, promotions and other great events that they may be having! 

So, in my opinion...SodaStream is an amazing product and company! I absolutely love my SodaStream Genesis Soda Maker. The flavors are so yummy and making my own soda could not be any easier. My family loves the special treat of a glass of soda every now and then and SodaStream makes that an affordable treat that I can create all on my own! I would definitely recommend this product to everyone!!!

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a free SodaStream Machine and  Starter Kit for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the SodaStream website and email.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

A Day in Our Classroom :)

My daughter has started Pre-K this year and although we had a late start, she is making great progress. She really seems to like school, although some days we do struggle. She is retaining what she is learning, and that makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. :) She has learned all her vowels and we are embarking into learning our consonants. I have found that Jacob needs to feel like he is a part of the homeschooling process so I give him some busy work to do while I am working with Hannah. He loves to write in an empty journal book and doodle with a pen. He also enjoys digging through a bowl of dry rice looking for little trinkets that I have hidden in the rice. Trying to be creative is always fun...but that is what homeschooling is all about. I love being my children's teacher!!

This is where we do our school. As you can see, I work with what I have. :) We have a tiny kitchen and that is transformed into our classroom during school time.

 Matching up her capital letters with the little letters. She did well with this!

 Writing her letters.

 Jacob doing his "school". He is a good little pupil! :)

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So, that is just a peek at how we do school around here. Every day is fun and sometimes challenging...but so worth it! Hannah is learning and in the process, I am learning about her. She is a good student and I am looking forward to the rest of our year! :)

Happy Not-So-Wordless Weekend!

He's such a cute little shopper, don't ya think? :) 

Enjoy your weekend!!

FREE Sample Of Jelly Kids Vitamins

My children rang in the new year with a horrible cold. All three of them are sick. They still have it, in fact, and gave it to me too!!! So, needless to say, Mommy has been busy keeping them comfortable and administering them their vitamins and medicines.

I found out today that you can get a free sample of Jelly Kids Vitamins! All you have to do is click HERE and fill out the form...your sample will be on its way after that! I am looking forward to trying Jelly Kids out...hopefully they keep away some nasty bugs this winter season!!

FREE Pouch of KIND Healthy Grains Oats & Honey Clusters

Hey all you health nuts!! If you made a new year's resolution to eat healthier, here's a good start for you. :) Get a free pouch of KIND Healthy Grains Oats & Honey Clusters by clicking HERE. You will be directed to a page with a very simple form that you can fill out.

Enjoy!

My Hubby's Favorite Christmas Present

Our family had a wonderful Christmas this year. I was amazed at how we planned to get the children gifts and then a week before Christmas, hubby walks in the door with loads of presents for them. We always get too much but it is soo fun to give them new things to enjoy!! Because I am on a very, very VERY limited budget, I was not able to buy a whole lot for my husband, but I did have a few things in mind that I knew he wanted.

I think the one thing that he needed was a really good electric shaver. He had been talking about getting a new shaver for some time now and it has been several years since I have given him one. Even the best straight razors out there were just not doing as good a job as he needed. His facial hair is very thick and rigid so he pretty much dulls straight razors after one use. We have been trying different brands and types of blades but nothing has been working as well. He was also tired of catching his skin and bleeding after each shave. Even with shaving cream, he was still having issues with his skin bleeding.

So, when I headed out to do my shopping for him I knew that I wanted to get him an electric razor. As I stood in front of the men's razor section of the store I was amazed at all the different brands and how high the prices went. Honestly, you could easily spend over $80 for a really good electric razor. My budget did not allow me to spoil my man that much so I settled for a $40 razor. This was a razor that would meet his needs and provide him with a close and clean shave.

When we did our Christmas as a family (which was actually the day after Christmas), he was VERY excited about getting a new razor. So excited in fact, he ran to the bathroom and plugged it in immediately. He could not wait to try it out! Several hours after charging it he gave himself a shave. I was impressed. I don't think his face has ever felt so smooth!!

My husband went from shaving twice a week to shaving daily, all thanks to his new razor. I like to think it was his favorite Christmas gift because he uses it so much. Hopefully, it will last him awhile and he (and I) will enjoy it in the months to come!

This is a sponsored post however, all the points and views are my own.

Make it a Sweet New Year with King's Hawaiian Toasted Coconut Moloka'i Whole Bean Coffee

So, Christmas is behind us and here we are in 2013! I am so excited about this month because it means one thing for our family...WE ARE MOVING! So many emotions surround this event in our lives...thankfulness, fear, happiness, excitement, nervousness, etc. I have been trying to pack a little bit each day so I can be ready for moving day...whenever that will be. We do have a target date but you know how things go; not always as planned. :) So, in my busyness I have been trying to take a bit of "me time" each day. Do you know someone who could use something special to pamper themselves in this new year? Well, I have a some fantastic news for anyone who is a King's Hawaiian fan...they now have virtual storefront that allows you to shop for yourself or someone else!

Today, I am going to introduce you to King's Hawaiian Toasted Coconut Moloka'i Whole Bean Coffee...a wonderful and tropical beverage that will help jump-start any day-the Hawaiian way! This is also a product that is available from their new virtual store! Here is a bit more about why this coffee is such a favorite...

In 1865, King Kamehameha V chose Moloka'i as the place to grow his personal supply of "royal" coffee and coconuts. Descendants of those trees still grow wild in the rainforested highlands of Kalae and at Kapuaiwa Coconut Beach Park. Today, the nearby village of Kualapu'u has rediscovered the unique coffee-growing microclimate that Moloka'i has to offer - bountiful sunlight tempered by cooling tradewinds, red volcanic soils and the natural purity of an island that still doesn't even have a traffic light. The estate-grown beans in this coffee result from the roastmaster's original "washed arabica" process, which purges the natural acidity. That, plus a gentle roasting, releases subtle, resonating essences that are unique to the soil of Moloka'i. This coffee is the perfect companion to our Original Hawaiian Sweet rolls and bread. Share the Aloha Spirit with every delicious cup you serve!

I love coconut. Some of my favorite candies are coconut based or have some sort of coconut flavoring in them. Coconut can be an acquired taste for some but for me it is a favorite!

So, for this review I was sent a bag of King's Hawaiian Toasted Coconut Moloka'i Whole Bean Coffee. I wasn't expecting to receive this so it was a real treat when it arrived in the mail. Right away, I could smell the luscious coconut aroma. Mmmmmm!

 

Upon opening the bag, I noticed that this was indeed a whole bean coffee. I don't have a grinder so I borrowed my mom's. I should really get a grinder...those are handy to have! Another thing I noticed is that the beans look shimmery. This is because they are tossed in coconut creme to totally capture the essence of the tropical islands! Yum!

So, after grinding my beans, I was ready to brew it! I cannot even begin to tell you how fantastic this coffee smelled while brewing. The fresh fragrance of freshly ground beans and coconut still lingered in my kitchen while my pot was dripping the coffee into the pot. It was amazing.

The taste of this Toasted Coconut Moloka'i Coffee was wonderful...not to mention it helped keep me awake to welcome in the New Year last night! My sister was visiting and we stayed up past midnight painting our nails, playing games and playing our guitars together. I had my cup of freshly brewed Toasted Coconut Moloka'i Coffee beside me the whole evening and it did a fantastic job of helping me greet 2013! :)

This particular coffee pairs well with King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls too so when shopping for the coffee, don't forget to pick up your other King's Hawaiian products to make sure your New Year's celebrations will be sweet!

King's Hawaiian Toasted Coconut Moloka'i Whole Bean Coffee can be purchased directly from the King's Hawaiian Virtual Store and retails for $15.00 for an 8oz. bag. Be sure to "Like" Kings Hawaiian on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter so you don't miss any special deals, coupons or promotions this year!

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free King's Hawaiian Toasted Coconut Moloka'i Whole Bean Coffee for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the King's Hawaiian website and email.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.