Table of Plenty Mini Rice Cakes

I am not a huge fan of rice cakes. In fact I remember mum buying a packet when I was younger, me taking one, taking a bite and spitting it out. They were bland and had the texture of cardboard. So when I was asked if I would like to try Table of Plenty Mini Rice Cakes I was a little hesitant. Would they be bland? Would they have no flavour? Would they be as yuck as I remember rice cakes from my youth being? Did I want to subject Miss K to them if I myself wouldn't eat them?
I can say I'm glad I did agree to try them and I was pleasantly surprised.

When the rice cakes arrived we dove into the milk chocolate ones first. Cause, well they were chocolate. Hmm not bad. Hubby thought they were a bit bland so didn't have any more. No biggie - more for me & Miss K. Triple Berry was next. OMG yum. Nice berry flavour. They went in a day. Last but not least was the dark choc. Nom nom. The chocolate was scrummy.

Table of Plenty are an Australian owned company established by mum, Kate Weiss (you can read more about Kate here) ‘to bring top quality products into the supermarkets; products with life, education, innovation and style that stands out from the ordinary’.

The Mini Rice Cakes are only 15 calories per cake, have no preservatives, don’t contain any palm or vegetable oils AND are gluten free. The chocolate on both the milk & dark is Belgian (yum) and the Triple Berry topping is made from yoghurt and berry powders. They are also mini and cute. Perfect for a snack for littlies or Mum while putting your feet up with a cuppa (yeah right). A great on the go snack. I found it hard to just have one or two.

Overall I was very happy with the rice cakes and can see the dark chocolate and berry flavours making their way into our groceries as a healthy snack for me & Miss K. I gave a couple of packets to Mum to try and apparently Dad ate the whole Triple Berry packet (minus one or two) and that’s pretty impressive for someone who doesn’t eat yoghurt. Mum agrees they taste better than the old plain rice cakes. So there you have it, a great healthy snack that actually tastes good.

Cool Gelmat & Toasty Buns

Disclaimer – I was provided a Cool Gelmat pillow size & a Toasty Buns to try. All opinions are my own.

So a cool mat is probably something you would think wouldn’t be that useful in Tasmania, especially in winter when it does get very chilly BUT this little gelmat has been a saviour on a couple of occasions recently. I, like many others, am one of the unfortunate sufferers of migraines. You know the ones that get so bad that you have to go into a dark room to get any relief.

The last time I got a migraine I decided to give the Cool Gelmat a try. Usually, I’ll lie down in our bedroom, with all the curtains shut, some essential oil burning (anything but lavender as I’m allergic to it) and a cold face washer over the temples. After about 10 minutes, I’ll be yelling at hubby to cool the face washer down again. This time I popped the Cool Gelmat on my pillow and lay down. It’s quite comfy and doesn’t feel like there is anything bulky on your pillow. Bonus. Hubby came to check on me after about 15 minutes, apparently – don’t remember it as I’d fallen asleep! I woke about an hour and a half later feeling much better and refreshed. Not the usual drowsy I’ve-just-had-an-afternoon-nap feeling. Another bonus.

I also suffer from lower back problems and after doing some lifting over the last few days of boxes that were a little too heavy (yeah I know bad me) I was suffering from the tell tale back twinge that was a sign of worse things to come. After a nice relaxing bath (well as relaxing as a bath can be when Miss K decided to join me lol) I thought I’d give the gelmat a try to see if it offered any relief. I was very surprised to say it did. Cooled the sore regions and left me feeling a lot better than just a bath alone. Was still sore the next morning but not as sore as usual when I do something silly – like lifting stuff that is too heavy.

Cool Gelmats are advertised to provide heat relief from Headaches, Fevers, Migraines, Hot Flushes, Menopause, Radiation treatment, Oncology, Multiple Sclerosis, Sun Burn (look forward to trying it out if I get sunburnt this summer), Sleeping Hot, Heat Stroke, and Diabetic side-effects. You can find out more on their website http://www.coolgelmat.com.au/

Toasty Buns are such a cute idea. I spent the first couple of nights using it to warm my bum. Hey it was cold lol.

Toasty Buns “Works by retaining your body's own natural warmth. Thousands of isolated bubbles capture and accumulate body heat and prevent cold air from circulating. Doesn't rely on electricity making it safe and portable. No expensive power bills makes Toasty Buns cost effective and environmentally friendly. Perfect for on the couch, at the office, in the car, going camping, at the footy or anywhere you feel the cold!”

It’s now being used in Miss K’s bed to keep her warm. She (like her mother) feels the cold of a night. I don’t like the idea of having an electric blanket or a hot water bottle in kid’s beds (I recently saw a child’s electric blanket advertised with pretty patterns on it) so Toasty Buns sounded like a great solution. It seems to work well. Miss K is sleeping a lot warmer and her bed doesn’t feel cold if I have to give her an overnight feed. I do know I’m looking forward to taking it to the footy next year. That’s if I can get it away from Miss K.

More information on Toasty Buns can be found at their website

This review was also posted on my personal blog.

DVDs - Secretariat

I remember loving going to the races with my family when I was a kid, I remember my parents always put a bet or two on for me. Of course my system was foolproof. I'd study the form guide carefully and then choose the horse that had the same number as my age or my birthday. Now that I'm an adult I have a slightly more sophisticated system, I now choose the horse with the best name. There are so many great ones - Waikikamukau, Interval Revenue or Solzhenitsyn anybody? I always admire the people that call these races.

My horse tipping prowess aside, I love the races. I don't go nearly as much as I like, but I love the atmosphere. I love that people take the time to dress up a bit. I love putting a dollar down on a horse and just screaming "Go Horsey" while they run around. I love the sound of the trumpet indicating the start of a race. I love that the Melbourne Cup is still the race that stops the nation and I hope that never changes.

So it probably won't be a surprise that I love a movie about a racehorse.

Secretariat is a true story about a horse (funnily enough named Secretariat) that went on to win the 1973 Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) for the first time in 25 years. Secretariat was a very well done movie, that is perfect for screening to the whole family regardless of age. The thing that I really found fantastic about the movie was the suspense that the film makers could cram into it.  The audience is already aware of the final outcome, with Secretariat winning the Crown, but it still made me sit on the edge of my seat and will him home. The racing scenes were very impressive.

I think ultimately the story of Secretariat is not so much about the horse, you know he's going to win. It's about the owner Penny Chenery/Tweedy (wonderfully played by Diane Lane) and her determination to overcome financial troubles, a male dominated business and a lack of family support to hold onto her horse and see him triumph. She is helped by Secretariat's trainer Lucien Laurin (a role perfect for John Malkovich, who doesn't like John Malkovich??) who has an impressive array of adjectives to describe people and horses as well as a fabulous wardrobe. I loved seeing what we was going to wear next.

I won't lie, the movie is predictable and it's probably more than a little cliche. But it's uplifting and when you finish watching it you feel good. Just sit back and enjoy watching some beautiful horses charging across the screen and remember that anyone can do big things with a little determination.

There is a nice selection of extras on the DVD (RRP $39.95) and Blu-Ray Value Pack (RRP $49.95) - including a nice little feature called "Heart of a Champion" which looks at Secretariat in more detail and interviews all the important people from his life as well as from the filmakers. There are also some deleted scenes and on the Blu-Ray a cool feature called "Choreographing the Races" which details how the director recreated the Triple Crown races.

Giveaway time! We have a Blue-Ray Value Pack of Secretariat to giveaway to one lucky reader! Who wouldn't want to win this?

To enter just live in Australia and leave a comment on this post. That's it!


Purely out of interests sake if you would like to let us know what your favourite horse name is (real or made up) that might be fun (but it's not necessary to enter).


Want to increase your odds of winning? Then tweet or facebook the giveaway and leave another comment letting us know for more entries.

Entries will close on the 15th August and drawn with a little help from a random number generator. Good luck!

Disclaimer – I was given a copy of the DVD Secretariat to review. All opinions are my own


Hosted by Three Lil Princesses and Tina Gray {dot} Me

Winners: I am Number Four

Congratulations to our two winners (drawn using Random.org)

The winner of the I am Number Four book is

and the winner of the I am Number Four Blu-Ray pack is

Congratulations!! Please contact me at 4mumsreviews@gmail.com with your mailing address

Giveaway: Sometimes

(originally posted on my blog Nightwolf's Den)

I wished I lived on the mainland. I mean I love living in Tassie but then things like Nuffnang Blogopolis, Digital Parent Bloggaroke and the Organic Expo & Green Show International 2011 come along. Maybe I just need to become rich so I could fly over to these things
But back to the reason for this post – the Sydney Organic Expo & Green Show International 2011.

I try where ever I can to buy organic and I try to live green (but in no way consider myself to be a Greenie – a bit of a hippy/spiritual/goddess yes). I grow my own vegies, well when I have a veg garden (it’s on my list of things to do in our back yard – I’m growing veggies in pots atm). We recycle as much as we can. Miss K wore reusable nappies until recently – I need to find eco friendly disposables or just buy some new reusables. I can’t bring myself to use moon cups or the like yet. I love going to organic/sustainable living/green expos and finding out ways I can impact a little less on the environment. When I found out about the Organic Expo & Green Show I knew I had to check it out. Shame I can’t get there

The Organic Expo & Green Show International is returning to Sydney for it’s 7th year. There are over 200 exhibitors predicted to take part this year. Exhibitors will be representing the very best from fashion, beauty, health, food & wine, gardening and much more.
I checked out the website & there are some awesome presentations & guest speakers including Tobie Puttock, Costa Geogiadis, Kylie Kwong and many more. Things I’d love to check out (if I was going) would be the Foods the harm and foods that heal presentation by Holly Davis and Kylie Kwong Freestyle (I LOVE Kylie, so does my Dad). Then in the Speaker’s Corner I’d check out Natural Mama – Before, During & After Birth with Dr Sarah Lantz and Gardening 101 with Jerry Coleby-Williams.
AND there’s the Organic Kids Fun Zone and the Organic Vineyard.

So when & where is the Expo? Saturday August 6 (10.00am-6.00pm) and Sunday August 7 (10.00am-5.00pm) at Hall 3, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour

Why visit the Sydney Organic Expo & Green Show International? At the Organic Expo & Green show you can indulge your senses in so many ways with an extensive range of exhibitors showcasing the very latest in green and organic products from all over the world.

Where can I buy tickets & how much will it cost me to go? You can buy tickets online (& go into the draw for an exclusive Meet & Greet with Kylie Kwong). Ticket costs are as follows:
General Pass $18
2 Day Pas $30
Family $55 (2 adult + 2 concession)
Concession $15 (kids 12-16 yrs & holders of senior, full-time student & disabled ID cards – proof may be required)
Under 12 years FREE (proof may be required)

I’ve been given the opportunity to give three of my readers a double pass to the Sydney Organic Expo & Green Show 2011. The double pass will be valid for EITHER Saturday August 6th or Sunday August 7th. To enter, head on over to Nightwolf's Den

Comments

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DVDs – I am Number Four

I’ll start with a warning – this isn’t a movie for young kids. It’s rated M so it’s something teenagers & adults may enjoy. If your into sci-fi/suspense/action movies.



I am Number Four is based around the story of John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) (who I think looks like Hayden Christensen). Smith is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. Smith isn’t your average teen though and we learn more about him through the film.

I really didn’t know what to expect from this film. We’d seen the trailers and discussed going to see it at the cinema but, as is often the way when you have young kids, it never happened. The movie throws you right into it from the get go. It’s a bit sci-fi, a bit suspense and a bit teen flick.

The effects are awesome. The wire work is spectacular. The two Aussie actors, Teresa Palmer & Callan McAullife are great. The dog rocks! Sarah (Dianna Agron) reminds me a little of her character in Glee. The ending, well I’m not one for spoilers, but it’s open for a sequel. Did I enjoy it? Hell yeah. Did hubby enjoy it? In his words “It’s a teen movie that adults would enjoy” (He liked it). The bloopers are funny too. There is a fair bit of product placement from Apple (lots of iPhone shots). Overall a great movie I’d recommend to friends.

The soundtrack is great & something I will be keeping an eye out for. Kings of Leon, Jimmy Eat World, Adele and Beck just to name a few.

You can find out more on the official site, on Facebook & by following them on Twitter

I am Number Four is released on July 6th and will be available on DVD and 2 disc Blu-Ray Value pack.

Now onto the giveaway. I’ve got two goodies to giveaway. An I am Number Four Blu-Ray Value pack will go to one lucky reader and a copy of the book I am Number Four on which the film is based to another.

Have you seen I am Number Four? We’d love to hear what you thought of it. Comment & share your review and go into the random draw to win the book.

Haven’t seen it & would like to? Leave us a comment letting us know and we’ll do a random draw so one lucky reader will get a copy of the Blu-Ray Value pack. We’d love for you to also come back here if you win and do a guest review of I am Number Four.
Want an extra chance? Share on Facebook and/or Twitter, then come back here & let us know

Giveaway closes 10th July 2011. Entry is only open to Australian residents.

Disclaimer – I was given a copy of the DVD I am Number Four to review. All opinions are my own (or my husband’s)



Hosted by Three Lil Princesses and Tina Gray {dot} Me