I was given the opportunity to review the new Country Dance game for Nintendo Wii by Gamemill. I live very close to the country music capital however am only slightly familiar with country hits. That being said, I knew almost all of the songs included on this game. Do you want to have some fun and burn some calories? This game will help you do just that. The rating is E 10+ I'm sure for the lyrics of some of the songs. My daughter and I enjoyed battling it out against each other with the various dances. I actually found myself wanting more song choices and dances. I hope they release a second version with a longer play list.
If you like to dance this game is worth a try. If you like country music try Country Dance for some dancing fun.
The tracklist includes 25 country music songs:
Alan Jackson - Chattahoochee
Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown
Brooks & Dunn - Boot Scootin’ Boogie
Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky
Toby Keith - A Little Less Talk
Dierks Bentley - What Was I Thinking
Darius Rucker - Alright
Gretchen Wilson - Redneck Woman
Laura Bell Bundy - Giddy On Up
Randy Travis - Forever and Ever Amen
Tracy Byrd - Watermelon Crawl
Josh Turner - Why Don’t We Just Dance
Luke Brian - Ran is A Good Thing
Mary Chapin Carpenter - I Feel Lucky
Jerrod Niemann - Lover Lover
Josh Thompson - Beer on the Table
Easton Corbin - A Little More Country Than That
Carrie Underwood - Cowboy Casanova
Brad Paisley - Water
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
Tim McGraw - Just to See You Smile
Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried
Rascal Flatts - Life is A Highway
Blake Shelton - All About Tonight
Miranda Lambert - White Liar
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
*Disclosure: I was provided a copy of Country Dance for Nintendo Wii for review. The review and opinions are my own. I have not received any monetary compensation for this post.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Let's Move! May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month ~ GNC $100 Gift Card Giveaway~ Giveaway Closed
Let's Move is the challenge started by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to help combat obesity.
Let's Move focuses on four key components:
I'll be the first to admit that I am not a gourmet chef nor do I particularly enjoy cooking but I do love to eat. Throughout my pregnancy and when I became a parent were the real eye openers for me to look at my eating habits more closely. Today's family has so much packed in their schedule that they often overlook healthy eating habits by sliding through the drive through or ordering pizza. I can admit that this has been the case with my own family especially when I held a job outside of the home. How do we work nutritious meal choices into our schedules? One of my best friends in the kitchen is my Crock Pot/Slow Cooker. I love being able to toss ingredients into my crock pot in the morning then presto! I have a fast and nutritious option for dinner. I've also avoided heating my house with the oven which is an added bonus. I am fortunate in my home as that we all love vegetables. I keep a freezer full of them. Look out though be sure to read the packaging and go for the no salt added versions. Most frozen veggies can go from microwave or stove to the table in less than 15 minutes. We really can eat fast food at home with a little planning and discipline. This will leave our families healthier and our wallets too! For the ultra organized family plan your meals and put them on your calendar along with soccer practice, ballet, football, school functions etc. Doing this you can adjust your meals to fit with the activity. Just remember small changes over time can make a big difference.
Snacking is also something we do a lot of. I too am guilty of grabbing prepackaged snacks for on the go. We have recently cut way down on the number of prepackaged snacks and started buying fruit to take for snacks. One of my favorite snacks has become nuts. They are delicious and often give you the pick me up that you need. (here too look for low or no salt added) Wash fruits and go ahead and prepackage them in snack sizes for easy grab and go accessibility.
Staying active is also a part of fighting obesity. I know by now this probably sounds like a confessional but, I have a motto that I am allergic to exercise. My husband and daughter are both avid runners but that is not my thing whatsoever. I do however enjoy aerobics, walking, swimming and love the new active fitness options for the wii. Did you know that it is recommended that children get 1hr of physical activity a day and 30 minutes per day for adults? Here again think small steps. When I was working outside of the home I had a 3rd floor office conveniently located across from the elevator. I made the decision to use the stairs instead and it was a change that was easy to do and I didn't miss the elevator at all! I was reading today a study on colon cancer, the study looked at physical activity and the incidence of colon cancer and found that those who exercised an hour a week were at lower risk of developing colon cancer. Wow! That really opened my eyes especially since my father has colon cancer.
Water, Water, Water. Yes, water can help in the fight against obesity. I am NOT talking about bottled water. Please invest in eco-friendly reusable containers. Did you know that most Americans do not get the recommended amount of water per day? When you don't have enough water your body may tell you that you are hungry. Think about that before you hit the snacks between meals. Keeping water at your desk or with you can help curb hunger, stay hydrated and fight obesity.
There are many resources for the Let's Move initiative:
http://www.fitness.gov/
http://www.letsmove.gov/
http://www.smallstep.gov/kids/flash/index.html
http://www.smallstep.gov/get_the_facts.html
http://www.healthfinder.gov/
GNC http://www.gnc.com is sponsoring this post by providing a $100 GNC giftcard to one lucky StuffSmart reader.
Rules:
Contest begins Monday, May 16, 2011 at 1:00pm EST. Contest ends Monday May 30, 2011 at 10pm EST. Contest open worldwide. Winner will be chosen using random.org. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48hrs to reply. If no reply is received a new winner will be chosen. Limit entrants to one person per household. Entrants are subject to disqualification if rules are violated.
Mandatory entry(must be completed before any bonus entries to count): Like GNC on facebook, follow @GNCLiveWell on twitter and follow @jeffhennion returning to leave a comment saying that you have done so.
Bonus Entries: Please make a comment for each entry. ie: If a bonus entry=3 Make 3 comments adding entry #1,#2,#3.
Let's Move focuses on four key components:
- Making Healthy Choices
- Healthier Foods in Schools
- Access to Healthy Affordable Food
- Increase Physical Activity
I'll be the first to admit that I am not a gourmet chef nor do I particularly enjoy cooking but I do love to eat. Throughout my pregnancy and when I became a parent were the real eye openers for me to look at my eating habits more closely. Today's family has so much packed in their schedule that they often overlook healthy eating habits by sliding through the drive through or ordering pizza. I can admit that this has been the case with my own family especially when I held a job outside of the home. How do we work nutritious meal choices into our schedules? One of my best friends in the kitchen is my Crock Pot/Slow Cooker. I love being able to toss ingredients into my crock pot in the morning then presto! I have a fast and nutritious option for dinner. I've also avoided heating my house with the oven which is an added bonus. I am fortunate in my home as that we all love vegetables. I keep a freezer full of them. Look out though be sure to read the packaging and go for the no salt added versions. Most frozen veggies can go from microwave or stove to the table in less than 15 minutes. We really can eat fast food at home with a little planning and discipline. This will leave our families healthier and our wallets too! For the ultra organized family plan your meals and put them on your calendar along with soccer practice, ballet, football, school functions etc. Doing this you can adjust your meals to fit with the activity. Just remember small changes over time can make a big difference.
Snacking is also something we do a lot of. I too am guilty of grabbing prepackaged snacks for on the go. We have recently cut way down on the number of prepackaged snacks and started buying fruit to take for snacks. One of my favorite snacks has become nuts. They are delicious and often give you the pick me up that you need. (here too look for low or no salt added) Wash fruits and go ahead and prepackage them in snack sizes for easy grab and go accessibility.
Staying active is also a part of fighting obesity. I know by now this probably sounds like a confessional but, I have a motto that I am allergic to exercise. My husband and daughter are both avid runners but that is not my thing whatsoever. I do however enjoy aerobics, walking, swimming and love the new active fitness options for the wii. Did you know that it is recommended that children get 1hr of physical activity a day and 30 minutes per day for adults? Here again think small steps. When I was working outside of the home I had a 3rd floor office conveniently located across from the elevator. I made the decision to use the stairs instead and it was a change that was easy to do and I didn't miss the elevator at all! I was reading today a study on colon cancer, the study looked at physical activity and the incidence of colon cancer and found that those who exercised an hour a week were at lower risk of developing colon cancer. Wow! That really opened my eyes especially since my father has colon cancer.
Water, Water, Water. Yes, water can help in the fight against obesity. I am NOT talking about bottled water. Please invest in eco-friendly reusable containers. Did you know that most Americans do not get the recommended amount of water per day? When you don't have enough water your body may tell you that you are hungry. Think about that before you hit the snacks between meals. Keeping water at your desk or with you can help curb hunger, stay hydrated and fight obesity.
There are many resources for the Let's Move initiative:
http://www.fitness.gov/
http://www.letsmove.gov/
http://www.smallstep.gov/kids/flash/index.html
http://www.smallstep.gov/get_the_facts.html
http://www.healthfinder.gov/
GNC http://www.gnc.com is sponsoring this post by providing a $100 GNC giftcard to one lucky StuffSmart reader.
Rules:
Contest begins Monday, May 16, 2011 at 1:00pm EST. Contest ends Monday May 30, 2011 at 10pm EST. Contest open worldwide. Winner will be chosen using random.org. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48hrs to reply. If no reply is received a new winner will be chosen. Limit entrants to one person per household. Entrants are subject to disqualification if rules are violated.
Mandatory entry(must be completed before any bonus entries to count): Like GNC on facebook, follow @GNCLiveWell on twitter and follow @jeffhennion returning to leave a comment saying that you have done so.
Bonus Entries: Please make a comment for each entry. ie: If a bonus entry=3 Make 3 comments adding entry #1,#2,#3.
- Please share whether or not you/your family have made any changes in your diet and/or activities. If so please share the changes you've made. 3 extra entries
- Visit StuffSmart Blog's facebook page
- Follow @StuffSmart on twitter.
- Tweet : Sample tweets; "Let's Move! May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month ~ GNC $100 Gift Card Giveaway http://bit.ly/iNEtDk #gnc #letsmove #fitness" "@StuffSmart say's join National Physical Fitness & Sports Month & enter to win a $100 GNC gc http://bit.ly/iNEtDk #letsmove #fitness #GNC. (May tweet up to 2x's per day at least 2 hours apart and leave tweet link.)
- Follow StuffSmart using Google Friend Connect. 3 extra entries
- Tell a friend! Tell someone about this post. If they enter and say that you referred them you will get an additional entry. unlimited
- Blog about this giveaway including a link back. Post must be at least 75 words and blog must have at least 20 followers. 5 extra entries
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Attention: New York Area Readers: BARNES & NOBLE AND SANDRA BOYNTON JOIN TOGETHER ~ Boynton to Digitally Sign and Inscribe The Going to Bed Book App
Press Release April 25, 2011 New York, New York Via Boynton Moo Media and loudcrow interactive:
- On Monday, May 2, renowned writer and illustrator Sandra Boynton will become the world's first author to sign an eBook app for the general public. This historic signing will take place at 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble's Upper East Side store, located at 150 E 86th Street at Lexington Avenue, in New York City.
"This is a thoroughly incredible opportunity that Barnes & Noble is providing," says Boynton. "I am so proud of what Loud Crow and Moo Media have done together to re-envision The Going to Bed Book for the digital age. When it was finished, we all wanted so much to present our new book app publicly. So Loud Crow and Barnes & Noble came up with the app-signing concept, and it's such a cool idea. My only disappointment is that I was hoping some Esteemed Couture House was going to try to get me to wear their latest Haute Flannel Pajamas for the event, but so far, no luck."
"We're definitely excited to be able to make history with this first-ever eBook app signing with Sandra," says Calvin Wang, Founder and President of Loud Crow Interactive. "It's been an amazing collaboration between Loud Crow and Boynton Moo Media and for us to share this watershed moment in book publishing makes this partnership even more extraordinary."
For this event, children and adults alike are encouraged to come to the store in their pajamas. Boynton will first present a Storytime reading from the traditional version of her classic best-selling board book, The Going to Bed Book, published in 1982 by Simon & Schuster. (To date, there are over 5 million copies of this book in print.) She will then, using Barnes & Noble's NOOK Color eReader tablet, demonstrate the new app version of her book, with a screen projection behind her so that the audience will be able to easily watch her demonstration.
Joining Boynton in her Storytime presentation will be famed British Invasion rocker Billy J. Kramer, the narrator of The Going to Bed Book app. Also performing will be Boynton's long-time songwriting and music producing partner, pianist/composer Michael Ford. There will also be on hand an energetic "Moo Brigade," a team of ten college students, each with a Nook Color tablet, ready to offer children individually the opportunity to try out The Going to Bed Book app themselves.
Following the Storytime, and using a feature created for this event by her award-winning Vancouver-based digital publisher, Loud Crow Interactive, Boynton will digitally sign and personalize their debut collaboration, on customers' own NOOK Color eReader tablets.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FACTS:
The World's First eBook App Signing, with Sandra Boynton
Monday, May 2, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 150 East 86th Street, NYC, (212 369-2180)
Author and illustrator Sandra Boynton, British Invasion rocker Billy J. Kramer, and pianist/composer Michael Ford
store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/71922
- On Monday, May 2, renowned writer and illustrator Sandra Boynton will become the world's first author to sign an eBook app for the general public. This historic signing will take place at 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble's Upper East Side store, located at 150 E 86th Street at Lexington Avenue, in New York City.
"This is a thoroughly incredible opportunity that Barnes & Noble is providing," says Boynton. "I am so proud of what Loud Crow and Moo Media have done together to re-envision The Going to Bed Book for the digital age. When it was finished, we all wanted so much to present our new book app publicly. So Loud Crow and Barnes & Noble came up with the app-signing concept, and it's such a cool idea. My only disappointment is that I was hoping some Esteemed Couture House was going to try to get me to wear their latest Haute Flannel Pajamas for the event, but so far, no luck."
"We're definitely excited to be able to make history with this first-ever eBook app signing with Sandra," says Calvin Wang, Founder and President of Loud Crow Interactive. "It's been an amazing collaboration between Loud Crow and Boynton Moo Media and for us to share this watershed moment in book publishing makes this partnership even more extraordinary."
For this event, children and adults alike are encouraged to come to the store in their pajamas. Boynton will first present a Storytime reading from the traditional version of her classic best-selling board book, The Going to Bed Book, published in 1982 by Simon & Schuster. (To date, there are over 5 million copies of this book in print.) She will then, using Barnes & Noble's NOOK Color eReader tablet, demonstrate the new app version of her book, with a screen projection behind her so that the audience will be able to easily watch her demonstration.
Joining Boynton in her Storytime presentation will be famed British Invasion rocker Billy J. Kramer, the narrator of The Going to Bed Book app. Also performing will be Boynton's long-time songwriting and music producing partner, pianist/composer Michael Ford. There will also be on hand an energetic "Moo Brigade," a team of ten college students, each with a Nook Color tablet, ready to offer children individually the opportunity to try out The Going to Bed Book app themselves.
Following the Storytime, and using a feature created for this event by her award-winning Vancouver-based digital publisher, Loud Crow Interactive, Boynton will digitally sign and personalize their debut collaboration, on customers' own NOOK Color eReader tablets.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FACTS:
The World's First eBook App Signing, with Sandra Boynton
Monday, May 2, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 150 East 86th Street, NYC, (212 369-2180)
Author and illustrator Sandra Boynton, British Invasion rocker Billy J. Kramer, and pianist/composer Michael Ford
store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/71922
Monday, April 18, 2011
Yoga Magazine 1year Subscription for $5
Today's Magazine deal of the day on Amazon is Yoga Journal for $5 for a one year subscription.Get yours here: Yoga Journal (1-year auto-renewal)
*Note that this offer includes one year auto-renewal and that will most likely be at Amazon's regular price. However, you can go to "My Account" under your Amazon page and click Manage Magazine Subscriptions to turn the auto-renewal off if you don't want auto-renewal.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Dropper Bopper Plush Giveaway Winner
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tiecoon.com $25 Giveaway and Tie Review ~ EXTENDED ~ Closed
I was given the opportunity to review the Fleur de lis Tie. It is the perfect tie for any New Orleans Saints fan! One reason I was so excited to work with Tiecoon.com is that I have had so few opportunities to work with male specific products since beginning my blog. This is the tie that I received for review:
Tiecoon.com has been generous enough to offer a $25 off coupon code good on anything on their site for one lucky StuffSmart reader. Just think of the shopping spree you could have! (Code expires 5/31/11). Please be considerate and limit entries to one person per household.
Mandatory Entry: This must be done for any additional entries to count.
Follow StuffSmart publicly via Google Friend Connect AND visit Tiecoon.com and leave the link to your favorite tie in your comment.
Extra Entries: Optional~Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.
- Follow @StuffSmart and leave your twitter name in your comment. (twitter account must have at least 100 followers to qualify for twitter related entries) (2 entries)
- Tweet: "I'm entering to win $25 to Tiecoons.com on @StuffSmart 's blog. Enter here: http://bit.ly/gfQVNp " (You may tweet 3x daily leaving at least 2 hours in between tweets. Leave a seperate comment for each tweet entry including the tweet link)
- Follow StuffSmart via Networked Blogs (see left sidebar) (2 entries)
- Promote this giveaway via a social media site not already mentioned and link back to this giveaway. (3 entries each) This includes: blog linky's, facebook, gather.com, myspace, forums etc. Please be sure to leave the link you your post so that your entry/s will count.
- Just for fun give yourself 2 additional entries for comments made from this point until the end of the contest on any StuffSmart 2011 post. Comments must pertain to the post itself.
Sponsored by Tomoson.com
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Shoes for Me! By Sue Fliess ~ Children's Book Review
I am always excited when I am approached to review a new book for children. I think reading is one of the best ways that we can connect with our children and encourage a lifelong interest in reading.
I was not disappointed when I received "Shoes for Me!" By Sue Fliess. I immediately opened it and read it to my mom. Yes, you read right. I was with my mom at the time so flipped it open and read it with her. She thought it was a really cute book. I agree. I love the Hippo's. I also love that the author used an experience that we all have to go through (shoe shopping with toddlers) for a subject of a lighthearted and fun book.
Shoe's for me is a book about a little hippo who must find new shoes and travels to the shoe store with her mother. The hippo faces the challenge of all of the choices the shoe store offers. I loved the flow of this book and rhyming. This is such a fun book to read with kids. I am looking forward to future books in this series. Check out the author's page: http://www.suefliess.com/
I read "Shoe's for Me!" to my 4yr old niece who loved it. She was pointing out items in the illustrations that I had missed. She loved the book! She even looked for it on her next visit (I had it put up for this review) and we read it again.
I must also mention that the illustrator Mike Laughead created the perfect illustrations for this book. I can't tell you how much we loved the hippos!
*Disclosure: I was provided a copy of "Shoe's for Me!" by the author in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I received no other compensation for this post. I am an Amazon affiliate. Purchasing this book through the Amazon link to the left helps support my blogging and is much appreciated.
I was not disappointed when I received "Shoes for Me!" By Sue Fliess. I immediately opened it and read it to my mom. Yes, you read right. I was with my mom at the time so flipped it open and read it with her. She thought it was a really cute book. I agree. I love the Hippo's. I also love that the author used an experience that we all have to go through (shoe shopping with toddlers) for a subject of a lighthearted and fun book.
Shoe's for me is a book about a little hippo who must find new shoes and travels to the shoe store with her mother. The hippo faces the challenge of all of the choices the shoe store offers. I loved the flow of this book and rhyming. This is such a fun book to read with kids. I am looking forward to future books in this series. Check out the author's page: http://www.suefliess.com/
I read "Shoe's for Me!" to my 4yr old niece who loved it. She was pointing out items in the illustrations that I had missed. She loved the book! She even looked for it on her next visit (I had it put up for this review) and we read it again.
I must also mention that the illustrator Mike Laughead created the perfect illustrations for this book. I can't tell you how much we loved the hippos!
*Disclosure: I was provided a copy of "Shoe's for Me!" by the author in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I received no other compensation for this post. I am an Amazon affiliate. Purchasing this book through the Amazon link to the left helps support my blogging and is much appreciated.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Great "April Fools" from Boogie Wipes
This is one April Fools joke that you won't want to miss. Only available while supplies last!!!
http://ow.ly/4qREN
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