Cheeky: Tableware Products That Give Back - #MakeMealtimeMatter Review

I received products for review.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

When I am having a large gathering in my home or hosting a party elsewhere, I tend to bring paper plates and cups, and plastic utensils. That way it all can just be thrown away and a bunch of dishes aren't piled up.  If I'm hosting a small event or eating with the family, I get out the regular dinnerware.

Cheeky is a line of fun, colorful tableware that marries style and design with social responsibility.  Its products include dinnerware, everyday paper goods, and tableware for kids and babies.

What makes Cheeky different than other tableware companies (other than the fresh, bright colors) is that Cheeky provides millions of meals to Americans facing hunger.  They are doing this in partnership with Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief organization.  They also work with No Kid Hungry.  The way it works is simple. For every Cheeky Home item purchased, the company will donate the monetary equivalent of a meal to Feeding America.  For every Cheeky Kids item purchased, the same donation happens with No Kid Hungry.  It's a win-win situation!

I received some of Cheeky's porcelain dinnerware for review.  The dinnerware can be purchased as 16-piece sets or individually.  Each piece is dishwasher and microwave safe.  I like the clean, modern designs of my dinnerware and I've been using them quite often.  I love that this brand has functional products and helps serve those in need.

Break Free - #BreakFreeChallenge Game Review and Giveaway

I received product for review from  YULU Toys.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

According to NPD research, games and puzzles are up 18 percent, the largest category in toys last year. Family games are showing no sign of slowing down. 

I grew up playing games with my family, and have passed that tradition on to my kids.  We like to gather around for some friendly competition.

The game, Break Free, joined the new Spy Code game line from YULU Toys in June.  With a great mix of action, strategy, skill and luck, it's perfect for any family game night gathering.

Players in Break Free must race to pick the lock on their handcuff to be the first to break free. Take the #BreakFreeChallenge and record and share your race to escape with the online community. Family and friends are also encouraged to come up with different challenges each round, like playing blindfolded or race to escape after a series of relay races, making the game an endless amount of unpredictable and creative fun.

Contents included with the Break Free game:

hand cuffs with chains - 4

plastic keys - 4

easy level mazes - 4

intermediate level mazes - 4

advanced level mazes - 4

cardboard tokens - 16

This game can be played with 2 to 4 players.  The aim of the game is to use your plastic keys to break free of the handcuffs.  Players first need to decide which level of play they want to try, and connect the hooks of all handcuffs to each other.  The green plastic mazes are easy, the yellow are intermediate, and the red are for advanced play.  

Once each player has placed their plastic maze pieces into the correct position of the handcuff, the players are to close the handcuff on their wrist.  Once that its done, the players have to grab a plastic key and insert it into the keyhole.  Each person has to find their way through the maze with their key by rotating left or right, up or down.  The quickest to unlock the handcuffs is the winner and gets to collect a coin.  The player with the highest points of victory coins after three wins is the ultimate 

Break Free champion.

Break Free can be played in alternating ways for more of a challenge and those game plays are in the instruction booklet.  There is an emergency release button on the handcuffs if you are unable to break free from completing a maze.

I have to say, this game has been quite entertaining.  Even my teens enjoy playing.  It's not hard to catch on, and it works our thinking skills.  And, all this breaking free might come in handy someday if we ever get caught in handcuffs (just kidding!)

Win It!

One person will win a Break Free game.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Power of Prayer Thursdays - Week 81

(Photo by Meiying Ng on Unsplash)

I believe in a God that hears prayers and answers them. I've witnessed the miraculous gift of answered prayer. And, I want to pray for you. I've started weekly Power of Prayer post every Thursday. We are now on week 81. If you are needing prayer in an area of your life, please leave a comment and I'll commit to pray for your need or request. You can be as general or as specific as you like. Whether it be for healing, salvation, finances, emotions, or another area of life, I'd like to lift it up in prayer.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV

It's National Hot Dog Day

Did you know that fans at Major League Baseball parks enjoyed 19.4 million hot dogs during the 2016 season?  Or that Los Angeles residents consume more hot dogs than any other city?

I like hot dogs but don't do anything outrageous with them.  A plain cooked hot dog on a bun is good enough for me.  The best is a hot dog blackened over a camp fire.

In honor of National Hot Dog Day, Sonic is offering  $1 All-American & Chili Cheese Coneys all day today.  Pilot Flying J, a national truck stop chain, is also offering  a free hot dog or other roller grill item just by presenting a special bar code found here. The Pilot Flying J promotion runs through Wednesday, July 26.

What toppings do you put on your hot dog?

Back to School: Fight Bullying With A Smile

I received product in exchange for this post.  The opinions within this post are of my own.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

More than one out of every five students reports being bullied. More than half of bullying situations stop when a peer intervenes. With back to school season right around the corner, Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC) wants to take a stand against bullying with one easy gesture – smiling.

Smiling is one of the best and most simple ways to prevent bullying. As your child prepares to head back to school, GEDC would like to share the following tips with you to ensure your child, and your readers’ children, know how to combat bullying:

1.       Simply smile. A simple smile is all it takes to begin a friendship. Encourage your child to smile at their peers when they head back to school - especially those that are the target of bullies. This simple gesture can help someone in need. If your child is the one being bullied, help them understand that most bullies are just looking for a reaction. Encourage them to simply smile instead of getting worked up in an effort to get bullies to leave them alone.

2.       Get crafty. For bullied students, heading back to school can cause great anxiety. Spend some time with your child before school begins and create a craft that they can hand out to their classmates in an effort to make everyone feel included. GEDC recommends adding beads to a safety pin as a “friendship charm” – a perfect addition to a backpack or pencil case.

3.       Stand up to bullies. If your student sees someone being bullied, educate them on how to stand up against a bully. Most bullies feel foolish after being confronted. After confronting the bully, encourage your child to reach out to a teacher or trusted adult to report the behavior.

4.       Treat others the way you want to be treated. This tip is nothing new, but can be very powerful. As back to school season begins, take time to talk with your children on how to respect their peers and use their smile to comfort others and make friends.

Photo by Loren Joseph on Unsplash

Do you have any tips on how to deter or prevent bullying in schools?

Random Tuesday Thoughts - Birthdays and Bridesmaids

Stacy Uncorked is doing another dose of Random Tuesday Thoughts.  Link up at her site if you'd like to play along.
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This has been the week of birthdays.  Which means a lot of people were busy in the month of October!

Logan and Emma had their birthdays.  He turned 19 and she turned 15.  We took them out to eat at a Mexican restaurant.

My nephew, Ozzy, celebrated his 13th birthday with a carry-in and swimming party at the local campground.  I actually watched this kid be born.

Putting Azra to work.  If I was gonna be there, I was gonna get pampered too!

Saturday I volunteered to help with an overnight spa birthday party.  Seven girls and none of them were mine.  (Never say I'm not a good friend!)  We went swimming, ate pizza, watched a movie, put on face masks, and did pedicures.

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This week is nothing but a mad dash to get stuff done for the yard sale this weekend.  I'm holding a yard sale at my house to raise money for the upcoming mission trip.  I thought I was almost done pricing stuff but tons more was donated last night.  No complaints; Just gotta get busy!

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Shelby asked her oldest step-sister, Allyson, to be a bridesmaid in the wedding.  She said yes!

That's five people down and two more to go.  

There's going to be seven attendants on each side.

Adam was asked to be a groomsman and Logan was asked to be an usher.  

The whole fam damily is going to have to save up to pay for tuxes and dresses!

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What randomness do you have for the week?

How's your summer been so far?

Toy State CAT Tough Tracks Machine Team - Giveaway

I received no product or compensation for this post.  This post is in partnership with PR firm on behalf of Toy State.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Toy State is a leader in the manufacture of radio controlled vehicles and construction toys for kids of all ages. The toys, which have made their way into Toys R Us, are perfect for keeping kids busy during the summer season.

One of the many Cat machine toys available from Toy State is the Cat Machine Team™.  Kids can have hours of fun setting up their imaginary worksite with this dynamic team.  Featuring a push-powered 15” Dump Truck and 10” Cat Excavator, the Cat Machine Team is great for indoor and outdoor use – also perfect for a trip to the beach.

Win It!

One person will win a Toy State CAT Tough Tracks Machine Team.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*
a Rafflecopter giveaway