Good for you AND good tasting?

   Ann Marie and Alisha from 'Get Buttoned Up', had inquired if I would be interested in doing another product review for one of their patrons. My reply had been, "Sure. Why not."  The package had arrived the day that we were leaving for our grand daughter's 2nd birthday party, so I had nicely tucked it away.
    You guessed it, out of sight is out of mind. But as we know, the Lord does work in mysterious ways. The other evening, Brian was out at church seeing to some of his janitorial duties, we planned on eating whenever it was he got done and got home. But in the mean time, I got hungry. I never know just how long things are going to take him. I didn't want to fix too much to eat, but not eating is not a good option for me either. So I went browsing. There wasn't many options... or at least not that sound appealing. Hum mmm. "But I really need to eat something!" As I was walking back out of the kitchen, planning to think on it for a bit, the Lord directed my eyes to that nicely tucked away box. "Okay then, I guess I'll try those."
                  
     I hadn't even opened the box the day it arrived, so I really had no idea what type of nutrition bars they were going to be. In my heart, I was hoping they weren't almond flavored, or mixed berries, or some other such flavor that I don't care for. Therefore, I opened the box with a bit of skepticism.  See, way to often, the above mentioned ARE what 'good for you' bars are made out of. That, combined with the fact that my experience has been, that the better they are for you, the drier, or blander, or just plain blahzay they are. But I did needed to eat something. And I had agreed to doing the review. And the Lord had brought the box to my attention. So open it I did. this is what I found.

     And then I smiled. 'yup Lord, yet again you have looked out for me'. They had sent me six bars. Three of one flavor, and three of another. And the flavors? 

                         (you can click on picture to see it clearer/better)
     Chocolate Fudge  and Peanut Butter Chocolate  - both things I like!  :->

     So I ate one that night. And another one a couple of days later, when a similar situation occurred. And thus far, I've eaten half of them. Two of one type, one of the other.
     My opinion?
     Surprisingly, pretty good! To the point that when the situation had happened the second time, my stomach gladly brought the bars to mind. ;-p.
     Both are chocolate coated. Personally, I think it's a bit flat tasting as chocolate goes, then again, I'm such a fan of the chocolate chips that come in those yellow bags.... yeah. o;-p  The peanut butter too was a bit flater tasting than my favorite brand (with the red label) is. But that having been said, while the flavors were a bit flat tasting, they honestly were not bad. I was not tempted to try salting them or anything. o;-p. And they aren't all dry like! A wonderful surprise!
      And to be completely honest, last night when Brian questioned if I would continue to eat them if he was to buy them at a store for me, my answer was yes. To continue with the honest part - he was considerably surprised.
     See, unlike him, I do like oats in things. And I do like peanut butter. And peanuts. And lots of other things, which they sometimes blend into what they dub as nutrition bars. And yet the majority of the time, I just do not care for the texture or the taste of the bars themselves. And I have yet to conquer eating something based solely on the fact that it's good for me, when I do NOT like the taste nor the texture of it. I could site examples, but this posting is about the Promax (TM) Bars.  o;-p!

     So, would I recommend that you too try them?  YES!
     More honesty here - I had originally figured I'd try a bite of whatever kinds they sent me, and then let Brian eat them. He's been being a good boy about eating such things, and he's been losing weight. Quite a bit actually! ( :-D) But after trying these, I'll let him buy some more of them for me. o;-b

    Let's see - my posting was suppose to cover a couple of different things.
       -  My opinion / review of the product. check.
       -  I am suppose to encourage people to enter the DOer Promax Contest. All-righty then.

       The name of their current contest is:
'I AM THE NEXT DOER: THE PROMAX BUILD YOUR OWN AD CONTEST'
  
       The contest is currently up and running and you only have until June 30th to enter. Now, don't think, 'that's not very long' and shrug it off!!!  Why not?  First of all, wouldn't it be fun to create an ad that would be used in a companies promo?  Secondly, it's quite the prize package they have lined up for the winner! And if you personally aren't interest in it, I have a son (or two...) that would be thrilled to go on the adventure on your behalf! ;-b! (IF the prize is transferable that is.)

     So how do you enter?  Glad ya asked!
   Here's a link to the contest page - www.facebook.com/promaxnutrition
   You then use the 'Next DOer tab' to go build your own ad.
   To submit an ad, you must upload an action photo of yourself and fill in the blanks (in a mad-lib format) for your own "run-on" sentence to be populated into an ad.
    The entry will then post on Pormax's web site, where views can leave comments and share links with friends via Facebook and Twitter.
   The links are available for public viewing here --> www.promaxnutrition.com/iamthenextdoer.

     AFTER June 30th, Promax will have an expert panel of judges select the top 20 entries. Voting will take place July 11 - 25th, 2011.

      And what is the prize package?
      "The winner will be featured in the 2012 "DOer" campaign and will win a 6-day action pack adventure weekend for two to Kauai, Hawaii. The winner will also receive a year's supply of Promax bars."
       The winner will be announced in August 2011.

     And now for some of the nutritional information about the bars -
     They are low sugar protein bars. They contain 18 grams of replenishing protein, 14 grams of fiber, only 9 grams of sugar, and is naturally sweetened with stevia (a plant that contains zero calories).
     They do NOT contain preservatives, any artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, gelatin or maltitol.
     They ARE gluten free, Kosher and vegetarian.
      For more on this part, visit the PromaxLS section of the Promax Nutrition website: http://www.promaxnutrition.com/products/ls-flavors.


(I am very confused as to why no matter what i do, the text herein is showing up in various sizes. SORRY!) 
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"For the Record"  Disclosure :
    Yes, We are being paid / compensated for doing this particular posting.
    First off, the nutrition bars were shipped to us completely free of charge. :-)
    Secondly, once this is posted, and they verify that it is, they will send our payment to us right away.
   Nice, huh?  ;-) 

Lego's (R) and the Newsboys (R) together = AWESOMENESS!

    In the process of doing some research on yet another project I am working on, I stopped by the blog, 'Tee and Thee' this morning. Am I ever glad that I did!! Back on March 25th, Beth (the blog owner) had posted a You-Tube (R) link to the singing group Newsboys music video, which had been made using Lego's (R). The song she featured was 'Born Again'.
    As many of you know, we are HUGE Lego (R) fans!!! To the point that even though our sons were all in their twenties, they complained about no longer getting Lego's (R) for Christmas. This past December they were thrilled when the evidence proved we had heard them AND done something about it!
   And as for the Newsboys, ever since that camping trip when we took Mike Sw. Jr. with us, and the boys played, and re-played, and re-played that one tape of theirs, Newsboy's song 'Shine' has been my 'life verse'.  
    So, how could I not click to watch the video?!?  ( o;-> )
    Even though due to still being 'Ms. Vertigo' I had to close my eyes at points, the huge smile never left my face!
    Once that song ended, You-Tube (R) had another video available, featuring a Christian group and their music in a video made using Lego's (R). And then another, and another ....  I spent 17 minutes wearing a huge smile watching them. ;->  AWESOMENESS  I tell ya!!!

           Newsboy's - 'Born Again'
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDVI8X15Ru4

       Casting Crowns - 'If We Are The Body'
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpboWWrIv6A

     Casting Crowns - 'Christian Life'
  (it starts out very similar to the, 'If We Are The Body' one, but hold on... ;->)
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW-4JSo93Bs

     while there were others, and this one isn't quite as good or involved as some, I couldn't pass up sharing -
      Newsboy's - 'They don't Serve Breakfast In Hell'
         (I hear some of you already singing it ;-> )
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFTE0xbVPH8
( o/~ "When the toast is burning, all the milk has churned, and Captain Crunch is waving farewell..." o/~ )

    Never would have thought that my soul could be encouraged and my spirits brightened, while sitting in front of my computer monitor, watching Lego's (R) perform.  o;-p  AWESOMENESS!

    God DOES work in mysterious ways! To the point that I was even reminded about some actions of mine, and convicted about them, during one of the songs.  Like a different song states, o/~ "Our God IS an awesome God!" o/~

Winning entries accepted HERE!!

    Back on Oct. 28th, I was approached about reviewing a book and doing a posting about it. The book has to do with getting organized, so you know it's something I'd be interested in. :-)
    But then they sweetened the pot even further. If I did review their book and do a posting about it, I would then be entered in a contest to win Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars. Yes, you read that right, $250.00!!  But they then took it one step further. Our blogs 'readers' could also enter a contest to win $250.00 for themselves. I know what I'd like to do with $250.00, and I bet you do too, so I figured that I had better say "yes" to their offer, so that we could both win! o;-) Yes, both of us could win!!! Stay focused, I'll explain how later on in this posting. ;-p

    First off, whom was I approached by? Alicia Rockmore [and her 'right hand gal', Anne Marie].  Alicia and Sarah Welch both co-founded the company 'Get Buttoned Up' and co-authored the new book. I had first stumbled upon Alicia via one of her ideas in a magazine article, which you can read all about in THIS POSTING. Then in early Oct., they had asked me to put to use and then do a product review on some of Smead's (TM) new file folders. I did, and you can see and read about them HERE. I guess they approved of my postings, because come late Oct., they asked me to review and blog about their newly released book. I was intrigued. Then they offered me a chance at winning cash. AND our 'readers' could enter a different chance to win cash. Triple reason to do it right there folks! ;-p

   What book am I talking about? "PRETTY NEAT - the buttoned-up way to get organized and let go of perfection."
   Here is a picture of the book, for your viewing pleasure. ;-p

   My 'review' of the book? W-e-l-l, back when I originally agreed to do this, I was sure that I would no longer be dealing with this darn Vertigo by the time the book came. That's what I get for 'thinkin', huh? 8-/  Nope, I'm not. Over it that is. So-o.... I am not up to doing a "quick read" (which all of you whom know me, know IS something I can usually do).  And then to add to it, the book was 'suppose' to have arrived back before Thanksgiving. It arrived today. But I still haven't shed this Vertigo. Yes, I'm grumbling. Sorry! So I'm not up to reading the whole book and reviewing it. But don't worry, I came up with a 'plan'.  :-). Hey, who did I just hear mutter, "Ought Oh"?!?  o;-p
    I did read a part of the books introduction, and really like what I found there. So much so, that it gave me an idea (yeah, hold on o;-p). I checked, after the intro., there are twelve (12) chapters. Twelve, area specific, problem solving titled chapters.
     So what I aim to do is, every day for the next twelve (12) days, I will give you a brief glimpse of something about or from each of the chapters. Trust me, they will be tid-bits!! You know, just enough to entice you to go buy the book for yourself. o;-p But also enough so that once I can handle regular reading, I will read the whole book myself !!

    For today, I'll just give you a small glimpse of the books intro .. (first part of fourth paragraph) "Instead of holding yourself to an impossible org-porn (def. - "that glossy, airbrushed fantasy world, where everything is pristine, serene, and perfectly in order, ....") standard, we advocate ditching perfection and instead focusing on why you want to get organized in the first place. Remind yourself that org-porn is merely entertainment and an escape that few, if any, actually achieve." 
    I do know a couple of people whom have achieved it. All I'm going to say, is that there are other areas of their life which paid the price for that achievement. In the long run, I don't think their accomplishment was worth the price. But that's my perspective.
    But as you also know about me, that does not mean that I think we shouldn't strive for some organization. We should! Strive away!! Just don't set 'perfection' as the end goal.
    So so-far, this book definitely get's a "thumb's up" from me! Why? Because it's realistic. Yup, that plain and simple. But woo-hoo for that!!! Not all such books are.

    Now for the "how". As in, how can we both be entered in contests to win $250.00?
    Seeings how I've done this posting, I am now entered. :-D! All of the blog owners whom they approached to review and post about their new book, are entered in what we'll call drawing #1. The winner of drawing #1 will be the blog owner whom has the highest number of comments on the posting about the book. The comments must contain a organizational tip of your own.. AND, the comments must be left on our blog. So-o-o, all of you whom get our postings via emails, to enter, you must go to OUR BLOG and enter your organizational tip or shortcut {"comment"} at the end of this posting, you can't just send me your organizational tip or shortcut {"comment"} via a email reply. Don't worry, if you do not have a blog of your own, you can use "anonymous" to leave your comment under. HOWEVER, you MUST include your name in order to get credit for the organizational tip or shortcut ("comment")!!!
    Did all of you notice that in order for a blog owner to be the 'winner', they must have the blog that receives the most organizational tips or shortcuts ("comments")? In other words - HELP US WIN!!! Leave us your own organizational tips or shortcuts !!!
   Drawing #2 then, is for all of the 'commenter's'. "The reader who submits the best tip ("organizational tip or short cut") across all participating blogs will also win $250.00." So-o-o, hit us with your best tip! And (in another comment) what you think is your second best tip, and then your third....  cuz you can't be sure that they look at things the same way you do, and thus they might like something a LOT that you think is only 'okay'. ;-)
    The winning 'tip' will be selected by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch, the books co-authors.
    The dead line for having submitted your tip is Midnight, December 31st (New Years Eve).
    The winners will be announced on their blog 'Get Buttoned Up' on Jan. 10th, 2011.

:-)  ...  :-)  ...  :-)  ...  :-)  ...  :-)  ... :-)  ...  :-)  ...
   For your convenience, we are going to put a "link" in the side bar of our blog, so that every day after you read that day's little 'tid-bit', you can click on the link and come back to this here posting to leave that day's comment / organization tip or short-cut, that way it will be counted for our overall number, and then they will be sure and find it to consider it in drawing #2. :-)  The link to this posting will remain in our side bar for the entire month of Dec.

~  > - <  ~  > - <  ~  > - <  ~  > - <  ~  > - <  ~  > - <
For Future Reference :
   All of the "tidbit" postings about the various chapters of this book, etc., will be able to be found in our 'Blog Archive' under the listed postings for December, 2010.
   They will not have 'Labels' attached to them, but you will be able to find them in our 'Blog Archive's'. ;-)

;->  ...  ;->  ...  ;->   ...  ;->  ...  ;->  ...
  To the owners of other blogs - YES, you may mention this contest and link to this posting on your own blogs ;-) 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"For the Record"  Disclosure :
    Yes, We are being paid / compensated for doing this particular posting.
    First off, the book was shipped to us completely free of charge. :-)
    Secondly, We will be winning the $250 prize due to having the most comments (organizational tips/ short cuts) of all of the participating blogs. [You ARE going to help us win that, r-i-g-h-t? o;-p]

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(NEXT WEEK) I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts' (http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)

Blog Theme Day Hosts - If it is a problem that I got 'paid' for doing this particular posting, please let me know and I shall remove my link from your blog theme day. Thanks!

I LIKE the contents of the package !!!

 The Package arrived today and I have already started using it!!! :-)

..

...

....

     See?!?!!!  I knew I was not the only one whom likes 'details'!!!!  o;-p !!! chuckle, chuckle ...

     Back on Oct. 8th, I had received an email from Alicia Rockmore questioning if I would be interested in doing a product review for Smead (TM). They wanted me to put to use and then do a product review on some of Smead's (TM) new file folders. Yup, right up my alley!!! I asked Brian about it and he said to go for it, as long as we weren't out any money. "What's there to lose?"  So I told Alicia yes and sent her our mailing info..
     For those of you whom aren't remembering whom Alicia is, She is the founder of 'Get Buttoned Up'. I had posted one of her ideas that I had stumbled upon in an old magazine, in this posting. Alicia's 'right hand gal' is Anne Marie. I have had email correspondence with both of them over the last couple of weeks. I still get a wonderful chuckle out of their blog's by-line: "Tips and Tools For Getting Imperfectly Organized". Most of us are that type of organized, huh?!?!!

     Here is a picture of the contents of the package, for your viewing pleasure. ;-p :

   
      Originally when I said I would do it, I had no idea what exactly I was going to use the file folders for. But once I opened the package and started taking pictures of it's contents, the answer came to me. The "financial records" drawer of our file cabinet!! Yes, there were already files in folders in there. This is what the drawer looked like:

     Even though Brian is a good sport and will often go looking for things himself, he has always had trouble finding the right file folder. As have the boys upon occasion, like when they are looking for a vehicle title, or some such.  The new folders have such nice large tabs on them, thus making it possible for you to write larger and clearer, that it should definitely aid them in their searching!!
    Speaking of the new styled tabs, here is a picture of what the little flier instructed about them:

    Instead of each end of the tab having a little piece that slides into the slot on the folder, the tabs have little knob like things on them, which sink into the slots. I had put one tab in the wrong place and at first got frustrated when attempting to move it. It was hard to move!!! But then I chuckled at myself (yes, that happens on a regular basis.). How often have I gotten frustrated with the old style tabs, due to them coming loose while I have a file folder out of the drawer?!?  I bet I won't have that problem with these!
    The flier also stated they were "easy slide tabs". It took me a second to figure out how to get the paper into the plastic tabs. The tabs are sealed at the bottom. With the old style, you opened the tabs up from the bottom and slid the paper up into the top. Hum mmm. But then I attempted to slide it in from the back side of the top. They inserted ever so smoothly!
    Seeings how I strive hard to be totally honest as well as real on this blog, I will also admit this next part to you. While it was easy to slide the paper into the top from the back, I only seemed to be able to slide it in to the end of the paper. That meant the paper was not centered in the tab. I know that for some of you, that would be no big deal. Let's just say it's one of my inconsequential O.C.D. traits o;-p  I tried using the pointed tip of a pen top to move the paper, but it wouldn't fit into the tab. :-(   So I just left them. Well, that is, until way into setting things up, when my fingers felt the paper through the back of the file tab. What?!?  I looked. There is a slot back there by which you can maneuver the paper to where you want it. Yes, mine are now all nicely centered. ;-p

       The package of hanging file folders they sent me, contained red, yellow and blue folders. Previously, I had also been using orange, bright and dark green folders. I both liked the cheerfulness of the multi-colored look, as well as making it easier for me to remember where things were. Such as, the utility bills were in the bright green folder. I shall now have to re-train my brain (who said "that's no easy task"?!!? ;-p). But at least these new tabs are ever so much easier to read!
      And no, I am not just saying that due to my age and how they are now making print smaller than they use to ... !!! Brent just came in and was very impressed with how easy they were to read, and was pointing out the difference between the new size and the old ones to Kayla!!! (I will refrain from saying "so there!" o:-p)
     The new styled hanging folders also have much heavier metal hanging 'rods' in them. It will be some time before I learn whether the new folders are also sealed better where those 'rods' are, or if I again need to staple along the tops of the folders to help keep the 'rods' in place. Time will also reveal if these thicker rods slide out the ends of the folders when the folders are removed from the drawer, as easily as the old style use to.
      Here is a closer up picture of the package of hanging file folders, as well as a link to where you can order your own :
  [The hanging file folders are called "Tuff (TM) Hanging Folders" ]

    The package had also contained some manila file folders. They too have large sized tabs. :-)  I did use a few of them in with the hanging files in our financial files drawer. I am definitely now a fan of the large sized tabs!!! Here is a close up picture of the manila file folders, as well as a link to where you can order some for yourself :
[They had only shipped me the manila ones, but there are colored ones available for you to order]
[The manila folders are called "New Heavy Weight Super Tab Folders"]  



     As you can see in the picture below, they had also included a one pocketed folder, which had contained various fliers. That individual folder will come in mighty handy! Like when I have a clipboard of lists for doing the food for something. Receipts will slide into that pocket ever so nicely, and the folder won't slide lose like envelopes have a tendency to.

     One of the fliers is about 'Smead Organomics'. "The "Go To" website for getting organized."  Here is a close up picture of that flier, as well as a link to their web site:

      Here is what our file drawer now looks like:

     So.... I said yes to reviewing the products, the package finally arrived, and I put it straight to use! And yes, I am impressed with the product! And no, I would not say that if I wasn't!! Honest!!!
     I was also asked to provide a link to Smead's Face book page. Here it is.

:-)  ... :-) ... :-) ... :-) ... :-) ...
check out these postings for more ideas on ways to use file folders ;-)
"Life Files" - great for baby shower gifts, etc.

"2 Calenders And A File Box" - so the whole family can keep track of events

"Non Tax Important Papers To Save"


"Clippings from magazines, etc."


You have now seen our financial files.

And soon I shall be doing a posting about my two types of recipe files ;-)
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"For the Record"  Disclosure :
    Yes, We are being paid / compensated for doing this particular posting.
    First off, all of the filing products were shipped to us completely free of charge. :-)
    Secondly, We will be sent a $20 (twenty dollar) gift card to Target after this particular posting is officially posted on our blog.
   Nice, huh?  ;-)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

(NEXT WEEK) I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts'
(http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)

Blog Theme Day Hosts - If it is a problem that I got 'paid' for doing this particular posting, please let me know and I shall remove my link from your blog theme day. Thanks!