Lalaloopsy: Friends are Sew Special Review and Giveaway! -CLOSED!

**This is a sponsored post.  I was given the product(s) mentioned in exchange for this post.

 On February 4th, Nickelodeon will be releasing a super cute DVD entitled: Lalaloopsy: Friends are Sew Special!  My daughter Bella fell in love with Lalaloopsy dolls a couple of years ago and has been collecting them ever since.  She was very excited to see these adorable dolls come to life on the Nickelodeon program: Lalaloopsy!  All of the dolls have different personalities and I love that this program shows preschoolers that everyone is unique and has special talents!  This DVD contains 4 adorable episodes and Bella was thrilled to find a "Sew Cute Lacing Kit" inside her DVD!  This DVD would make the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your Lalaloopsy fan!  You can pick up your copy on February 4th!

DVD Synopsis:

The Lalas are bringing their special skills to DVD for the first time with four exciting adventures in Lalaloopsy: Friends are Sew Special! Take a trip to Lalaloopsy Land and overcome obstacles with over an hour of magical fun! And for a limited time only, you’ll get a “Sew Cute Lacing Kit” inside, which includes laces, stickers and different pattern cards to design! Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution, Lalaloopsy: Friends are Sew Special! will be released on DVD just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 4, 2014 for the suggested retail price of $16.99.

Lalaloopsy is an animated adventure series starring the Lalaloopsy friends, who magically came to life once their last stitch was sewn. The lovable characters are all unique. Each has a personality that comes from the fabric that was used to make her, with a pet and house fancifully constructed from found objects to match. The group of friends comes together for daily, "fun-tastical" adventures in a whimsical world full of silly surprises called Lalaloopsy Land. While each "Lala" has different talents and points of view, it's these differences that make this world such an exciting place where anything can – and does – happen! Lalaloopsy is a celebration of diversity and teamwork, teaching preschoolers that everyone is special in his or her own way and each of us has something important to contribute.

Lalaloopsy: Friends are Sew Special! Episode Synopses:
Dot’s Moon Mission
When Dot's spaceship breaks down and prevents her from taking a long-planned trip to the moon, her friends create a fake moon for her in Lalaloopsy Land.

Princess Parade
Jewel enlists her non-princess friends to help throw a Princess Parade to show off her tiara collection and learns that there’s more than one way to be a princess.

Spot-it-is
It’s up to Rosy to cure her friends of a mysterious illness spread through Lalaloopsy Land.

Flight Plan
Pix E refuses to let her fear of heights get in the way of disappointing her friend and her dream of flying.

Lalaloopsy: Friends are Sew Special! Fast Facts:
Street Date: February 4, 2014
Catalogue: 805404
DVD SRP: $16.99
DVD Running Time: Approximately 88 minutes

About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 34th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 18 consecutive years.

About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment, digital and television distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for certain DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment titles.  PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

BUY IT: 
 

You can purchase Lalaloopsy: Friends are Sew Special on Amazon for only $15.29!

WIN IT:

 

Thanks to Nickelodeon, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a DVD copy of Lalaloopsy: Friends are Sew Special!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Enter to Win a Fitness Tracker and a Year's Supply of Purex Crystals!

**I am posting this on behalf of the Purex Insiders.  I will be entered into a giveaway for posting this.

Stay fit & fresh this year with help from Purex. Enter to WIN a Basis Fitness Tracker & a year’s supply of Purex Crystals! Purex Crystals do not interfere with moisture wicking fabric; they work great for all your sportswear! Let Purex help you stick to your resolution this year. Enter here for your chance to WIN!

Enter to Win $1,000 From Purex!

**I am posting this on behalf of the Purex Insiders.  I will be entered into a giveaway for posting this.

Let Purex start your new year off in style! They’ll take care of your new wardrobe and detergent needs for all of 2014. Enter to WIN $1,000 towards a new wardrobe and a year’s supply of Purex detergent!

Enter to Win $500 in the Getting Crafty with Borax Sweepstakes!

**I am posting this on behalf of the Purex Insiders.  I will be entered into a giveaway for posting this.

Get crafty with 20 Team Mule Borax. There are so many ways 20 Mule Team® Borax can help beautify your home, learn how to get crafty and get entered to WIN $500!

It's simple to enter!  Head on over to Pinterest and create your own board entitled "Getting Crafty with 20 Mule Team Borax"  Then pin at least one craft item you'd like to try.  You can find ideas here:  http://www.pinterest.com/20muleteamborax/getting-crafty-with-borax/

Then just fill out this form to be entered to win!  I'm excited to try some of these fun ideas of things to do with 20 Mule Team Borax!  Good luck!

Winners!

Congratulations to the following winners:
 

Gimme Shelter Movie Tickets: #101 Debra G.
Enough Said Blu-ray: #706 Virginia M.
Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild: #304 Tina L.
Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser: #713 Tony L. and #701 Tammie V.

I have emailed the winner and you have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner.  Thanks to all who entered!

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 2 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

Last week was the second week of my weight loss journey with Nutrisystem.  I had a great week enjoying some great foods and I lost 1 pound!  That puts me at 5 pounds total!  I'm very proud of my results!  Last week I was able to add in more fresh foods.  I didn't get any exercise in last week though, and this week I plan to be more active.  I want to tell you all about the great foods I tried this week!

First of all, I thought I'd let you know my eating schedule.  The important part of making a healthy lifestyle change is to eat healthy foods and to not let yourself get too hungry.  I know that when I let myself get too hungry, I will eat anything in site, and that's not good!  I have eaten a half a can of Pringles before without realizing it just because I was starving and those Pringles were the first thing I saw!  Now I try to eat more frequently and keep things like Pringles out of my line of sight.  I still buy yummy treats for my kids, but try to keep my Nutrisystem foods at the front of the cabinet so that I see those first!

I start my day with a Nutrisystem breakfast such as a peanut butter granola bar, a banana nut muffin, or apple cinnamon oatmeal.  I've also been adding in a cup of skim milk.  This helps to keep me full until my snack.  Nutrisystem wants you to have a Nutrisystem entree and PowerFuel for breakfast.

For my morning snack I've been having the Nutrisystem Protein Shakes.  This week I've been loving the Creamy Chocolate Protein Shake Mix!  It's so easy to mix with 6 ounces of water and some ice.  It's so yummy and really keeps me going until lunch time!  I also add a banana or an apple.  Nutrisystem wants you to have a SmartCarb and a PowerFuel for your morning snack.

 For lunch I eat a Nutrisystem lunch such as chicken noodle soup, cheese tortellini, or even a convenient meal bar.  I also add some fresh veggies or a salad.  I can't get over how convenient and easy these meals are!  There have been a few that I've been worried about trying, but I'm always pleasantly surprised with the flavors and how full I feel! 

For my afternoon snack I get another SmartCarb and PowerFuel.  My go to afternoon snack is some string cheese and grape tomatoes, or an apple and a tablespoon of yummy peanut butter.  I'm amazed that I am feeling full AND satisfied on Nutrisystem!

For dinner Nutrisystem wants you to have a Nutrisystem entree and a SmartCarb and a PowerFuel.  One of my favorite dishes has been the Thick Crust Pizza.  It's so delicious!  I pair it with a salad with fat free dressing, and a whole grain roll.  There are so many other great Nutrisystem meals to choose from!  I never get bored on this diet because I am eating so many different things! 

The best part of my day is DESSERT!  Nutrisystem has so many great desserts to help keep you satisfied!  My absolute favorite has been the Chocolate Cake!  It is so delicious!  I feel like I'm cheating on my diet, but I'm not!!!  I love that I can have such delicious foods with Nutrisystem and I am still losing weight!

Week 2 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 181

Weight Loss to Date: 5 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Nicholas Sparks Limited Edition DVD Collection - In Stores TODAY! - Review and Reader Giveaway!!! - CLOSED!

  **This is a sponsored post.  I was given the product(s) mentioned in exchange for this post.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Warner Brothers has released a wonderful DVD collection of Nicholas Sparks films!  There are 7 great films included in the Nicholas Sparks Limited Edition DVD Collection!  I was thrilled to receive this collection to review!  I have seen most of these movies in the past and have always LOVED The Notebook.  These stories are filled with great love and are perfect for watching with a loved one on Valentine's Day!  I watched "The Lucky One" for the first time the other day and thought it was just precious!  The acting was great and the plot was so great!  I love a good "chick flick" as my husband calls them and this collection is such a great one to have!  If you have a daughter, mother, sister or friend to buy for this Valentine's Day, be sure to give them this wonderful collection of 7 Nicholas Sparks movies!  

DVD Synopsis:

On January 28, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release the Nicholas Sparks Limited Edition DVD Collection. Available for the first time in one collection, the giftset features seven films based on the best-selling author’s novels, including Safe Haven, The Lucky One, Dear John, Nights in Rodanthe, A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle and The Notebook. Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most renowned storytellers as well as a social media phenomenon whose books, movies and personal pages combine to make him one of the most popular people on all of Facebook. All 17 of his novels have been New York Times bestsellers, published in more than 50 languages, with more than 90 million copies in print worldwide, including more than 60 million copies in the United States alone.

The Nicholas Sparks Limited Edition DVD Collection, which includes a special postcard set with images from each film and a letter from Nicholas Sparks, will sell for $69.97 SRP.

About the Films:

Safe Haven (2013)

This deeply moving romantic thriller tells the story of a young woman's struggle to find love again after she arrives in a small North Carolina town.

When a mysterious young woman (Julianne Hough, Rock of Ages) arrives in Southport, her reluctance to join the tight-knit community raises questions about her past. Slowly, she begins putting down roots and gains the courage to start a relationship with Alex (Josh Duhamel, Transformers franchise), a widowed store owner with two young children. But dark secrets intrude on her new life with such terror that she is forced to rediscover the meaning of sacrifice and finds she must rely on the power of love.

The film is directed by Oscar^®-nominated Lasse Hallström[i] (The Cider House Rules), based on the novel by Sparks from a screenplay by Dana Stevens and Gage Lansky. Cobie Smulders (The Avengers) and David Lyons (TV’s “Revolution”) also star.

Special Features:

• Deleted scenes
• Alternate ending

The Lucky One (2012)

Zac Efron (17 Again) stars with Taylor Schilling (TV's "Orange is the New Black") and Blythe Danner (Meet the Parents franchise) in this romantic drama directed by Academy Award^®-nominated writer/director Scott Hicks (Shine, 1996). U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq with the one thing he credits for keeping him alive -- a photograph he found of a woman he doesn't even know. Learning her name is Beth (Schilling) and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

Special Features:

• Zac Efron Becomes a Marine 
• Watch the Sparks Fly -- The Romantic World of ‘The Lucky One’
• Zac and Taylor’s Amazing Chemistry 
• Zac and Zeus

Dear John (2010)

Directed by Lasse Halström, Dear John tells the story of John Tyree (Channing Tatum, Magic Mike), a young soldier home on leave, and Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried, Les Miserables), the idealistic college student he falls in love with during her spring vacation. Over the next seven tumultuous years, the couple is separated by John’s increasingly dangerous deployments. While meeting only sporadically, they stay in touch by sending a stream of love letters which eventually triggers fateful consequences.

Special Features:

• Deleted & alternate scenes
• Alternate ending
• Outtakes
• A Conversation with Channing, Amanda and Lasse Hallstrom
• Transforming Charleston featurette
• Military in Movies: ‘Dear John's’ Military Advisors featurette
• Mr. Tyree, The Mule and Benny Dietz featurette
• The Story of Braeden Reed

Nights in Rodanthe (2008)

This rich tale of hearts awakening stars Richard Gere (Arbitrage) and Diane Lane (Secretariat). Gere is Paul, a surgeon who long ago unwittingly traded family for career. Lane is Adrienne, a devoted mother trying to move on after her husband's infidelity and struggling with his desire to return to their marriage. At a remote inn on the Outer Banks, both separately expect to do some serious soul-searching. But an approaching storm forces each to turn to the other for strength, setting the stage for a life-resonating romance.

Special Features:

• Alternate scenes with director commentary
• The Nature of Love: Richard Gere; Diane Lane and director George C. Wolfe Recall
• A Time for Love: Keeping Up with Nicholas Sparks
• An Intimate Look at ‘Nights In Rodanthe’ with singer/songwriter Emmylou Harris
• Love Remains the Same -- Gavin Rossdale’s music video

The Notebook (2004)

The Notebook is a story of lost chances, growing up, and the power of enduring love. Spanning six decades, the romantic story focuses on two teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) who fall in love during one summer but are tragically forced apart. When they reunite seven years later, their passionate romance is rekindled, forcing one of them to choose between true love and class order.

Directed by Nick Cassavetes, the film stars Rachel McAdams (Midnight in Paris) and Academy Award^® nominees Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson, 2006), James Garner (TV’s “The Rockford Files”), Gena Rowlands (Taking Lives), Sam Shepard (The Right Stuff) and Joan Allen (The Bourne Legacy). James Marsden (X-Men series) and Kevin Connolly (TV’s “Entourage”) also star.

Special Features:

• Audio commentary by director Nick Cassavetes
• Audio commentary by The Notebook novelist Nicholas Sparks
• All in the Family: Nick Cassavetes featurette
• Nicholas Sparks: A Simple Story, Well Told featurette 
• Southern Exposure: Locating 'The Notebook' featurette 
• Casting Ryan and Rachel featurette  
• Rachel McAdams Screen Test featurette
• Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary by editor Alan Heim

A Walk to Remember (2002)

The inspiring coming-of-age story about first love, A Walk to Remember is about two very different North Carolina teenagers: Landon Carter (Shane West, TV’s “ER”), a troubled, unmotivated but very popular student, and Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore, Tangled), the serious and conservative daughter of a preacher. As love pulls them closer, peer pressure and lifestyles seek to break them apart. Directed by Adam Shankman (Rock of Ages), A Walk to Remember co-stars Peter Coyote (Erin Brockovich) and Daryl Hannah (Kill Bill Vols. 1 + 2).

Special Features:

• Audio commentary by director Adam Shankman, Mandy Moore and Shane West
• Audio commentary by author Nicholas Sparks and screenwriter Karen Janszen
• Cry -- Mandy Moore music video

Message in a Bottle (1999)

In this tale of love lost and found, grieving widower Garret Blake (Kevin Costner, Dances with Wolves) may know how to build boats, but cannot rebuild his life. Theresa (Robin Wright, TV’s “House of Cards”), a lonely divorcee and researcher for the Chicago Tribune, comes to his North Carolina village to find him, knowing that Garret is the author of the message she found inside a bottle on a Cape Cod beach. And she knows the message spoke to her in a way that profoundly touched her heart. Directed by Luis Mandoki (When a Man Loves a Woman), the film co-stars Paul Newman as Garret’s father.

Special Features:

• Audio commentary by director Luis Mandoki and producer Denise Di Novi
• Deleted scenes with optional commentary
• Five hidden special effects scenes

NICHOLAS SPARKS LIMITED EDITION DVD COLLECTION

Street Date: January 28, 2014

Order Due Date: December 24, 2013

Catalog #/UPC: 1000439663/883929379897

Pricing: $69.97 SRP

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com and WB Ultra.

About Warner Home Video
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc., commands the largest home entertainment distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Video and New Line Cinema.

---

[i] 1987 (60^th) Directing, My Life as a Dog

                        Writing, My Life as a Dog

  1989 (72^nd) Directing, Cider House Rules                      

BUY IT: 
 

You can purchase the Nicholas Sparks Limited Edition DVD Collection on Amazon for only $48.99!

WIN IT:

 

Thanks to Warner Brothers, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win the Nicholas Sparks Limited Edition DVD Collection!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

"Gimme Shelter" Movie Ticket Giveaway! #GimmeShelter - CLOSED!

Being a mother is the toughest job in the world... Period.

Now imagine... you are young, homeless, and without a family to lean on for support.

That’s exactly what happened to Agnes “Apple” Baily.

Based on a true story, Ronald Krauss’ new film “Gimme Shelter,” stars Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical) as 16-year-old Agnes “Apple” Baily, a teenager who sets out to find her biological father and is forced into the streets in a true journey of survival.

Check out and share the 6 animated gifs to get an inside look at the heart warming tale of Agnes “Apple” Baily before the film hits theaters Friday January 24th, 2014.

@GimmeShelter
http://gimmeshelterthemovie.com/
http://facebook.com/gimmeshelter

CAST:
Vanessa Hudgens (Agnes "Apple" Bailey)
James Earl Jones (Frank McCarthy)
Rosario Dawson (June Bailey)
Brendan Fraser (Tom Fitzpatrick)

Gimme Shelter received 5 stars from the Dove Foundation, their highest rating!

Kelly Rosati, VP, Community Outreach / FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
“GIMME SHELTER” is a deeply moving and meaningful film that celebrates the dignity of life at all ages and stages. A great, gritty depiction of what it means to put your faith into action to help those society far too often marginalizes.”

Check Out the Trailer:

Why you will love the Gimme Shelter GIFs:

• Now that the trailer has you tearing up… Check out and share the 6 animated gifs to get a closer look at the heart warming tale of Agnes “Apple” Baily before the film hits theaters Friday January 24th, 2014.

WIN IT:

 

Thanks to Partner's Hub, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win 2 movie tickets to see "Gimme Shelter"!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

***Each household is only eligible to win ONE (1) Pack of Two (2) AMC Movie Tickets via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Winner!

Congratulations to the following winner:
 

SpongeBob & Friends: Patrick SquarePants: #365 Shanna

I have emailed the winner and you have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner.  Thanks to all who entered!

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 1 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

Last Monday I started the Nutrisystem Fast 5 program!  Although I forgot to take a picture of the scale this morning, I wanted to give you the results of my first week!  Although I didn't lose a full 5 pounds, I was really close and lost 4 pounds!  My current weight is: 182!  I am thrilled with my results!

Well, I'm sure you all want to know how my week went and what foods I liked and didn't like, so I'm here to spill!  The Fast 5 package came with 7 great breakfasts:

• Blueberry Muffin (yummy)
• Banana Nut Muffin (delicious)
• Cinnamon Streusel Muffin (loved it!)
• Double Chocolate Muffin (my favorite of the muffins - I'm a chocoholic!)
• Harvest Nut Bar (my favorite of the breakfast bars! - if you love nuts, you will love this one!)
• Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bar (tasted great!)
• Cinnamon Bun Bar (loved it!)

I really enjoyed all of the breakfasts!  After looking at the nutrition facts of each item, I saw that they each had an ample amount of protein and fiber which really helped me to stay full until my next snack.  I loved how easy all of them were for on-the-go portability!  If you are a busy mom (or dad) like me, you will love how easy it is to throw a perfectly portioned breakfast into you bag in the morning!  I really love that there is no calorie counting, or measuring!

About 2 and a half hours after breakfast I would have my EnergiZING Shake!  As I mentioned earlier I LOVE chocolate and these shakes were chocolate flavored.  I didn't have a shaker cup so these took a minute or so for me to mix up.  I liked adding a few ice cubes because I liked it colder.  The taste was great and it helped me to feel full until lunch time!

The Fast 5 Package also contained 7 great lunches:

• White Bean Chicken Chilli (I was worried about this one because I've never had a white bean chilli, but thought it tasted great!  It had that chilli flavor I like and kept me satisfied!)
• Cheese Tortellini (I loved the sauce!  I'm a pasta lover so this was a great treat for me!)
• Loaded Baked Potato (My FAVORITE of the 7 lunches!  The only problem was that I wished there was more!)
• Three Cheese Pasta w/ Chicken (yummy and cheesy!)
• Spicy Kung Pao Noodles (Not my favorite, but I don't normally eat Asian foods like this, so someone else may really like it)
• Fudge Graham Bar (Delicious - great for on-the-go!)
• Double Chocolate Caramel Bar (reminded me of an unhealthy candy bar - so delicious!)

The lunches were great!  I loved the portability of the bars!  I ate those on the weekend when I was busy running to the grocery store and at my sister-in-law's baby shower.  All of the lunches were satisfying and kept me full until my next snack time.  I always added some fresh veggies with lunch, such as baby carrots, cauliflower, or sweet peppers.  The crunch was always satisfying and veggies always help to keep me full!

In the afternoons when I started to get hungry I would mix up a Craving Crusher Shake!  The chocolatey creaminess of this shake was just what I needed to get me through my afternoon snack cravings!  I'm sure you know all about that!  I remember back when I was working outside of the home, that every day at about 3:00, I'd be craving a candy bar and would make a trip to the vending machine.  Those added calories and fat were detrimental to my waistline.  Now that I work from home, I usually try and opt for a healthier snack like some low fat crackers or an apple, but sometimes that doesn't always work and I raid the kid's snacks, like potato chips!  Well, after drinking a Craving Crusher Shake I felt full and happy!  I would totally recommend them!

Dinnertime options were great too!  Here's what I ate this week:

• Lasagna with Meat Sauce (loved the sauce and cheesiness!)
• Rotini with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce (The meatballs were great and I really like the marinara sauce!)
• Italian Herb Flatbread Pizza (I am a big pizza lover so I found this meal very satisfying)
• Thick Crust Pizza (Again, all pizza is great to me!  I liked the thick crust of this!)
• Chicken Pot Pie (I liked how you put the crust on the last few seconds of cooking time.  The crust was crunchy and tasted great with the chicken and veggies!)
• Chili with Beans (The chili tasted so good on these cold winter nights!  It was just what I was craving)
• Penne Pasta and Chicken in Alfredo Sauce (I haven't tried this one yet.  I'll explain why below)

Each evening when it was dinner time, I paired my meal with a salad with fat free dressing.  It filled me up, however, before bed I always felt like I needed a snack!  This week I get to add a dessert to my diet so I think that will really help with the after dinner cravings!  I was very surprised at how great the food tasted!  I mean it does come from a cardboard box that you throw in the microwave.  I've tried many low fat microwaveable meals in the past.  Some were great and some ended up in the trash because I couldn't stomach one more bite.  Well that wasn't the case with the Nutrisystem foods that I ate this week!  They tasted fresh and satisfying even from the microwave!

Why didn't I lose the full 5 pounds that was promised by Nutrisystem?  Well, this is where the being honest part comes in.  I didn't follow the diet perfectly.  My daughter Bella got straight A's on her report card and wanted to get free cheeseburgers with her A's.  How could I say no to that?  She's being frugal and she worked hard to get good grades!  Well I had every intention of passing up on the McDonald's and eating a Nutrisystem dinner, but I gave in to temptation and had a cheeseburger and a small bag of fries.  Also, when I was at my sister's house last weekend, they ordered pizza and I LOVE pizza, so I did eat a slice of that too.

I am still proud of my accomplishment of losing 4 pounds!  That gets me closer to my goal weight!  This week I get to eat more food following the Nutrisystem plan.  My goal is to lose 1-2 pounds.  I have failed at weight loss so many times in the past and now my mindset has changed.  I'm not always going to be perfect, but if I try my best and lose a pound or two a week, that's great!  It really adds up in the end!  Think about it!  If you lose 1 pound a week, that's 52 pounds in a year!  It may not be super fast, but that is the healthy way to lose weight and you will be less likely to put it all back on.

I am excited about this week to come!  I get to add more fresh food with my Nutrisytem foods.  Next week, I will let you know how it went!

Week 1 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 182

Weight Loss to Date: 4 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Winner!

Congratulations to the following winner:
 

Kellan Lutz Autographed Movie Poster: #140 Denise E.

I have emailed the winner and you have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner.  Thanks to all who entered!

Starting My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

So today is the day!  I am starting the next leg of my weight loss journey with Nutrisystem!  I say the next leg since I lost close to 30 pounds last year just by eating less and moving more!  This year I'm ready for some help.  Although I am proud of my success, I still have 46 more pounds to lose to get to my ultimate weight loss goal.  Nutrisystem is the program that I think can really give me the push to lose this extra weight.  I'm excited to share my journey with my readers and I am going to be as honest as I possibly can.  That starts with the scale.  So here it is...  My current weight is: 186 pounds.  A healthy weight for my body frame and height is 120-150 pounds.  My goal weight is 140 pounds.

Each week I am going to weigh in and post about my progress.  So stay tuned for my transformation!  I also wanted to add some embarrassing "before" photos!  The following picture was taken on my birthday shortly after Ava's birth - 12/9/12.  Even with my daughter sitting on my lap, you can see how I had packed on the pounds.  Shortly after this photo was taken I was committed to making a change. It took me 4 months after having Ava to get a pair of jeans on, that weren't maternity.  I had gained 50 pounds with her pregnancy.

This is me today.  I'm looking better but I am still not pleased with my body.  I'd especially like to lose weight from my midsection.

So there you have it... my before photos.  I'm excited to embark on this journey to be healthier and start looking better in my clothes!  This week I will be using the Nutrisystem Fast 5 kit.  Everything that I will need for the first week is contained in this box.  I found 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners, 7 EnergiZING shakes and 7 Craving Crusher Shakes within this box.  To follow the plan and hopefully lose 5 pounds this week I will eat a breakfast, an EnergiZING shake, lunch, a Craving Crusher shake, and a dinner (in that order).  I can also eat lots of fresh veggies. 

So far today I have had a Cinnamon Streusel Muffin for breakfast and thought it was delicious!  I felt full after eating it and drinking some water.  About 2 and a half hours later I had my EnergiZING shake and thought it tasted great as well!  I think this is really going to work because the foods are keeping me full and I don't feel deprived.  I also love how simple this plan is to follow!  How convenient is it to grab a package that says "Breakfast" and not have to count calories, measure or track anything?!  The following photo is of the foods that I will be eating today.  I'm excited to try the Loaded Baked Potato and the Thick Crust Pizza!

As I mentioned earlier, you can snack on lots of fresh veggies!  I am planning on having baby carrots and sweet peppers with each of my meals.  Wish me luck!  Look for my post next Monday to see how much weight I lose!

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

FREE Mambo Sprouts Coupon Book!

Click here to request a Mambo Sprouts coupon book that you will receive by mail.  There should be coupons from brands like Alexia, Zevia and Silk.

Thanks Freebie Shark!

Bioré Warming Anti-Black Head Cleanser Reader Giveaway (2 Winners!) - CLOSED!

*This is not a sponsored post.  I posted it just for my readers!

As temperatures are dropping to record lows across the nation, it is the perfect time to treat your skin to Bioré Warming Anti-Black Head Cleanser. This soothing, self-heating formula cleanses away pore-clogging dirt and oil as it helps control blackheads and prevent acne. Plus, it helps reduce skin flakiness in just a single use. Simply wet face, squeeze product into palm, massage over entire face while the product warms up, then rinse thoroughly with water. 

Bioré Warming Anti- Black Head Cleanser: Effectively washes away stubborn dirt, oil, and make-up with a powerful formula containing salicylic acid and pore-opening warming clay. Helps treat blemishes and targets blackheads, while removing over 90% of dirt and oil from skin's surface.

BUY IT: 
 

You can purchase Bioré Warming Anti- Black Head Cleanser at most major retailers.

WIN IT:

 

Thanks to Bioré, two lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy readers will each win a tube of Bioré Warming Anti- Black Head Cleanser!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild DVD Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

**This is a sponsored post.  I was given the product(s) mentioned for this review.  All opinions are my own.

On January 21st, Shout Factory Kids, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios will be releasing a super fun new DVD entitled The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild!  My little guy was super excited to receive this DVD to review.  He loves anything and everything with wheels!  This DVD includes 10 great episodes from the program The Adventures of Chuck & Friends, which airs on the Hub TV network.  Sam loved all of the episodes, especially one where Chuck and the gang go on a camping trip!  There is also a brand new sing-along as a bonus feature.  This is a super cute DVD and one you'll want to pick up as soon as it's hits store shelves on January 21st!

DVD Synopsis:

The unbelievably fun adventures of Chuck, the little dump truck with big dreams, and his friends—Digger, Handy, Rowdy, Biggs, Boomer and Flip — continue on January 21, 2014 with the release of The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild on DVD from Shout! Factory Kids. Featuring 10 more exciting episodes from The Adventures Of Chuck & Friends, watch as Chuck and the gang have adventures with a helpful mechanic, a camping trip, a star-studded trip to the beach and more in these awesome cartoons guaranteed to put fun into high gear! Priced to own at $12.97, The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild also contains a brand new sing-along.

The Adventures of Chuck & Friends series is currently airing on The Hub TV Network in the U.S. and on Treehouse in Canada.

Episodes Include:

1. The Checkup

2. Chuck’s Perfect Plans

3. Trucks Vs. Wild

4. Kid Stuff

5. As The Engine Coughs

6. Beach Blanket Uh-Oh

7. Fender Bender

8. Sleep-Driving Chuck

9. Mind Your Own Business

10. The Pothole

Bonus Features:
Also includes a brand new sing-along!

About Hasbro Studios

Hasbro Studios is the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS). The studio is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling for the company across television, film, commercial productions and short-form. It develops, produces and distributes TV shows based on Hasbro's world class brands, including TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and FAMILY GAME NIGHT. Many of these shows air on the Hub Network, a U.S. television network for kids and their families, that is a joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Hasbro Studios shows can also be seen on networks in more than 180 territories globally. Since its formation in 2009, the studio has received seven Daytime Emmy wins and 16 nominations. On the film side, the studio is developing and producing a number of features based on Hasbro's brands, including TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION (Paramount), G.I. JOE 3 (Paramount) and CANDY LAND (Sony). The studio team also oversees the production of commercials that feature Hasbro's brands as well production of short-form content that can be seen on all of the major digital and social media platforms globally.

About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD and Blu-Ray™ offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials in lavish packages crammed with extras. Shout’s audio division boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets, Broadway cast albums, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast digital distribution network which delivers video and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America. Shout! Factory also owns and operates Timeless Media Group, Biograph Records, Majordomo Records, HighTone Records and Video Time Machine. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com

BUY IT: 
 

You can pre-order The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild on Amazon for only $12.97!

WIN IT:

 

Thanks to Shout Factory Kids, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a DVD copy of The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Trucks Versus Wild!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Enter to Win $500 or a FREE Bottle of Purex Crystals!

Right now you can enter to win a FREE bottle of Purex Crystals!  100 will win and one very lucky person will receive the grand prize of $500!  Good luck!

Enough Said - Own it on Blu-ray and DVD on January 14th! Blu-ray Reader Giveaway! - CLOSED!

 **This is a sponsored post.  I will be given the product(s) mentioned in exchange for this post.

Enough Said

James Gandolfini, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Catherine Keener shine in this heartwarming comedy that A.O. Scott of The New York Times calls “a small miracle of a movie.”

Divorced mom Eva (Louis-Dreyfus) may be falling for Albert (Gandolfini), a sweet, funny, like-minded divorcé. But as their relationship blossoms, Eva befriends Marianne (Keener), who’s always complaining about her ex-husband. When Eva realizes that Albert is the target of Marianne’s rants, she begins to question her own perceptions about first impressions and second chances.

Special Features

·        Second Takes – Blu-ray exclusive

·        Promotional Featurettes

·        Theatrical Trailer

Enough Said Blu-ray

Street Date:                  January 14, 2014

Prebook Date:              December 18, 2013

Screen Format:             Widescreen 1.85:1

Audio:              English DTS-HD MA 5.1

Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1

French DTS 5.1

Subtitles:                       English/French/Spanish

U.S. Rating                   PG-13

Total Run Time:            93 minutes

Closed Captioned:        Yes

Enough Said DVD

Street Date:                  January 14, 2014

Prebook Date:              December 18, 2013

Screen Format:             Widescreen 1.85:1

Audio:              English Dolby Digital 5.1

Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0

French  Dolby Digital 2.0

Subtitles:                       English/French/Spanish

U.S. Rating:                  PG-13

Total Run Time:            93 minutes

Closed Captioned:        Yes

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is the industry leading worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox produced, acquired and third party partner film and television programing. Each year TCFHE expands its award-winning global product portfolio with the introduction of new entertainment content through established and emerging formats including DVD, Blu-ray™ and Digital HD™. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.

Everyone’s Favorite Funny Lady - Reliving Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ top moments

 

To celebrate the DVD and Blu-ray release of Enough Said on January 14th, let’s look at some top screen moments from the film’s leading lady, Julia Louis- Dreyfus. Julia’s resume means serious business with star performances in shows such as Seinfeld, Veep and Saturday Night Live. Believe it or not, her screen debut was given by comedy master Woody Allen in the 1986 hit feature Hannah and her Sisters. Working with the great writer/director clearly had a positive effect on her future career playing comedic roles.  Here are a few of our favourites:

Elaine Benes – Seinfeld

Elaine Benes—old flame and now good friend of Jerry—is possibly Julia’s most famous role.

Favorite moment: Elaine's nickname becomes "Nip", after she accidentally shows a nipple on a Christmas card, created by Kramer. Mortified at first, Elaine later crops the wardrobe malfunction off of the photograph and uses it for her health club ID. How resourceful!

Leslie – Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry marks Julia’s second time working with writer-director, Woody Allen. Allen plays a writer, and Julia brings to life one of the fictional characters from his work.

Favorite moment: Julia’s character and another of Harry’s fictional characters are caught in an intimate moment by a blind woman who enters the room unexpectedly. Hilarity ensues when the couple continue to misbehave while the blind women obliviously engages them in conversation. 

Maggie Lizer – Arrested Development

Maggie Lizer, or Maggie “lies her ass off,” is an Orange County attorney and brief love interest of the show’s main character Michael Bluth. Lizer manages to give lawyers an even worse reputation, as she uses every trick in the book to gain sympathy from the judge and juries on her case. 

Favorite moment: Being led to believe that she is blind, we later find out that Lizer has only been pretending to not be able to see to help her cheat on her bar exam—and get free pizza.

Selina Meyer- Veep

With grand ambitions and passions like passions environmental conservation, job creation and Senate reform, Meyer is a politician we want to root for. If only it wasn’t for her incompetent staff and political red tape waiting to thwart even her most humble ambitions…

Favorite moment: Selena suddenly comes down with a stomach virus during a photo op at a local frozen yogurt shop. Her intestinal troubles cause a hasty retreat back to the limo, proving even the Vice President isn’t immune to an embarrassing moment.

Eva – Enough Said

As divorced single parent Eva, we get to see Julia in a role that not only displays the comedic chops that we know and love, but also the softer, more dramatic side of her acting range. Eva’s courtship with fellow divorcée Albert (James Gandolfini) is a modern love story, full of nuances, real moments and—of course—more than a few laughs.

Favorite moment: Awkward! Eva overhears her new best friend talking on the phone with her ex-husband—who also happens to be Eva’s new boyfriend. 

Enough Said is available on DVD and Blu-ray on January 14 

BUY IT: 
 

You can pre-order Enough Said on Amazon for only $19.96!

WIN IT:

 

Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a Blu-ray copy of Enough Said!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.