Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

I love Thanksgiving!  I love being with family, I love spending the whole day celebrating, I love the food, and oh yes, I love me some pie!  What I don't love is those extra pounds that seem to sneak on this time of year.

Enter Just Dance 4!  This is so much fun!  It's so fun you don't even realize that you are burning up those calories!  My family and I had the chance to preview this game, and it is definitely a winner!  I love that it has music we can all enjoy!  I personally loved dancing (or flailing - depends on who's telling the story!) to Livin' La Vida Loca.   My husband was rocking out to Jailhouse Rock, My son loved Rock Lobster, and my daughter loved Call Me Maybe!  There are over 40 tracks on this game!

Up to four people can dance at once and they each have their own choreographed moves, that look so cool all together (or hilarious - depends on who's telling the story!)

Just Dance 4 solves one of our annual Thanksgiving dilemnas.  My mom always wants to play games after we've stuffed ourselves on all the yumminess.  We all just want to digest (or sleep - depends on who's telling the story!)  Just Dance 4 would get us all moving and having a great time!  Mom would be happy, we would be happy, and much hilarity would ensue... mostly the kids laughing uproariously as the parents take their turn!  Though we WILL get those little stinkers back when we challenge them in Battle Mode!  Some of us have had decades to build up our dancing repetoire!

Just Dance 4 is great for Thanksgiving Day, but I also plan to use the "Just Sweat" mode for after Thanksgiving.  I want to exercise during this holiday season, but it's usually hard for me, cuz I just want to play!  Well, this feels like play to me!

You can find Just Dance 4 at retailers who carry video games like Amazon or Toys R Us!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go brush up on my moves!  Come tomorrow, those kids are going down in defeat!

Disclsoure:  I received this product for the purpose of a review.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge!

I've mentioned before that my daughter has Type 1 Diabetes.  We are always on the look-out for great products that are healthy for her, but still allow her to be a normal teenager (is there such a thing?)
 
So, when Moms Meet gave me the opportunity to review a healthy candy, well... I was all over that!
 
Let me introduce you to Xlear SparX! 

From Xlear, Inc:

It is a candy that is sweetened with xylitol, a plant-based, dentist-recommended sweetener that's been proven to improve dental health and strenghten tooth enamel.  It also doesn't interfere with the body's blood sugar levels or insulin production, making it safe for kids and adults on a sugar-controlled diet.

Xlear SparX Candy is available in Citrus, Fruit and Berry flavors.  They retail for about $1.49 for one tube.
 
So what did I think of it?  I only got to try a little because my kids glommed onto it!  They both really liked it!  Because it is free of artificial colors or flavors, the colors of the little candy beads were not too bright like you see in some candies, but they tasted great.  I didn't notice any after-taste.  It absolutely satisfied my craving for something sweet!  I loved the size of the tube, and loved all the little candy beads!  I'm so glad I got the chance to review this, because I may not have discovered it otherwise, but now it's a candy of choice!  Plus, my daughter can now have candy without all the accompanying blood sugar issues she has with other brands.
 
Xlear, Inc. also has a complete line of dental health products.  We tried the bubble gum flavor and the Strawberry Banana flavor toothpaste and loved it!  Check them out at facebook.com/xylitol.experts

Thanks, Xlear SparX for  helping my daughter feel a little more "normal"!

Disclosure: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer.  As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog.  My opinion do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

Have I mentioned yet, how I love Simply Potatoes?  I really am a potato fan, love the taste!  But, boy do I dislike peeling them and cutting them up.

Simply Potatoes saves me all that hassle.  And yes, they are real potatoes!  Not instant, not fake, simply real potatoes!

There are lots of different varieties like Southwest Style Hashbrowns, Sour Cream and Chives Mashed Potatoes, Diced Potatoes with Onion, Red Potato Wedges... they even have Macaroni and Cheese.  Can you hear my children cheering?

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and all the prep work that goes into it... why not make your life a little easier with Simply Potatoes?  The quality is amazing, and they are so quick!

Another way I use Simply Potatoes is for those quick meals when I want something delicious, but don't have a lot of time.  I just threw some Diced Potatoes with Onion in the crockpot, added some milk, cheese, diced ham, and some chicken stock.  Voila! In a few hours I'll have a delicious chowder!  Yummmmmm!

On Thanksgiving morning I'm going to make a breakfast pizza using the Southwest Style Hashbrowns.  I'm excited already!  Here's the recipe, if you're interested:

1 (8-ounce) can  crescent dinner roll dough

Click to see savings

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Separate dough into triangles. Press triangles together to form a single round crust on a 12-inch pizza pan coated with cooking spray. Crimp edges of dough with fingers to form a rim.
3. Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain.
4. Top prepared dough with sausage, potatoes, and cheese. Combine milk, salt, pepper, and eggs, stirring with a whisk. Carefully pour milk mixture over sausage mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until crust is browned.

So, is your mouth watering yet?  Is your mind a-swim with all the possibilities using Simply Potatoes!  Want more recipes?  Check out http://www.simplypotatoes.com!  Want to win a coupon for free Simply Potatoes?  One of your lucky readers can!

Mandatory Entry:Please leave me a comment, how easy is that?!  You can tell me your favorite type of Simply Potatoes, or just wish everyone Happy Thanksgiving, if you want. Please include your email in the comment if it's not visible in your profile (jane smith at yahoo dot com)

Extra Entries:
Leave a separate comment for each extra entry:
Like Simply Potatoes on Facebook
Like Simply Potatoes on Twitter
Follow my blog publicly on GFC
Follow me on Twitter
"Like" me on Facebook

Contest ends Tuesday, November 27, 2012. One winner will be randomly chosen from all correct entries. Winner will be notified by email and have 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This contest is open to residents of the US, 18 years and older.

Disclosure:  I was given a product for the purpose of a review.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge! Ü

Contest is over and winner has been chosen!  Thanks to all you amazing readers!

You know I love contests, sweepstakes, giveaways, etc!  Well, I have a fun one to tell you about!  You can build your own Chanukah House using the new Manischewitz® Chanukah House Decorating Kit!


The Grand Prize Winner will receive $500, Second Prize $200, and Third Prize receives $150 worth of Manischewitz® products.  Additionally, there will be One Fourth Prize “Lucky Voting Participant” Winner, selected at random from a list of those who participate in the Facebook online voting, who will receive $100 in assorted Manischewitz® products.

See, I told you it was fun!  I get the opportunity to review the Chanukah House Decorating Kit!  I'm pretty excited!  Keep checking  back for the reveiw to post soon!

Now, go get your kit, get decorating, and let those creative juices flow!  Good luck!

Some may call it a sickness... but I like to try new things!  So check out my latest craze! 

I've been reading blogs and of course, playing on Pinterest about refinishing furniture, or upcycling, or whatever it's called these days.  I looked at the pictures and thought, "Hey, I can do that!"  So.... I did.

Here's my first project:

Before:


After:


Okay, the nightstand doesn't lean... I must when I take pictures! Ü

Is that cute or what?!  So simple to do, and now I want to paint everything white!  Seriously....

I just started on my kitchen table and mis-matched chairs.  So far three chairs are now white, one to go plus the table.  I'll share the transformation in another post!  I also did a really cute project with some old milk cans and black paint.  Coming soon, so stay tuned.... and Happy Crafting!

If you've read some of my other posts, you know I'm a fan of Exuviance products.  So, when I was asked if I'd like to try out another product, you can bet I said a resounding, "Yes"!

Exuviance has come out with a product called Exuviance Targeted Filler T5.  It is a high precision soft tip pen that allows you to apply the filler directly to problem areas... like my forehead lines, happy little laugh lines around my eyes, and the ever-deepening line between my nose and mouth.  Wow, that's a lot of problem areas!

It has a triple boost formula with CitraFill, NeoGlucosamine and Matrixyl Peptides that help stimulate collagen.

Check out these results:

Clinical studies indicate that after using the Exuviance Targeted Filler T5 after 8 weeks of twice daily use:

• 93% Overall signs of aging less noticeable
• 93% Skin texture is smoother
• 91% Skin looks younger
• 91% improvement in crow's feet
• 86% improvement in scowl lines
• 86% improvement in smile or laugh lines
• 86% Skin lifted and less droopy
• 86% Targeted lines less noticeable
• 84% improvement in fine lines under eyes                             

Percentage of respondents reporting. Data on file, NeoStrata Company, Inc.


So, I got my Targeted Filler Pen out and being the somewhat mechanically challenged person that I am, couldn't figure out how to get the cream to come out.  p.s.  Turn the barrel on the plunger and then depress the plunger directly onto your problem areas.  Easy right? Yeah, well now it is for me too!  I applied it to my forehead wrinkles, mouth lines, and around my happy, little laugh lines.  I instantly loved the way my skin felt, nice and soft!

I started noticing a slight improvement in my forehead wrinkles within a week.  Now that I've been using it for two weeks, I'm starting to see more results.  I was really surprised because the instructions said that it may take up to eight weeks of twice daily use to see results.  I'm sold!  I'm really happy with the improvement I'm seeing already.  The forehead wrinkles aren't nearly as deep and the lines from my nose to my mouth seem more filled out.

You can purchase Exuviance Targeted Filler T5 at the Neostrata website or at selected beauty retailers.  I recently found it at Ulta.

Thanks Exuviance!  I'm well on my way to smoother, better looking skin!

Want to find out more?  You can check out Neostrata on facebook or twitter also!


Disclosure:  I received this product for the purpose of a review.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge!

Wowza!  Yes, I said it.... Wowza!  We had the opportunity to see Wreck-It Ralph and it was a smash hit with our family!  My husband loved the "gamers" humor, my daughter thought it was funny, I loved the 3-D and the love-story (yes, there's a bit of romance in there) and my son... well, my son is still talking about the show!

So, what is Wreck-It Ralph about? 

From Disney:



This show was incredibly well done!  I loved how the different game characters were animated like their games.  The newer "Hi-Def" game characters, were more... well Hi-Def.  The story was so much fun and had some unexpected twists and turns!  I loved that our whole family enjoyed the show from the opening credits to the closing credits!

I love that as soon as the arcade closes, all the different game characters can visit each other at Game Central Station (yes, it reminds you of Grand Central Station).  I loved seeing characters from when I was a child, to ones that my kids recognize, plus some new ones!

Here's a little clip to give you an idea of how great this movie is:

Our whole family gives Wreck-It Ralph a enthusiastic thumbs up!  We want to go see it again!  It opens in theaters November 2, 2012.