TOS Crew: E-Mealz Review

I cook.  I cook because I like to and because the people that live here with me like to eat.  Since I am cooking several meals a day I decided many years ago that I would be a meal planner, I think it is just easier to come up with a dinner plan before 5pm each day.  I also feel like meal planning helps to save money (hypothetically anyway), since I go shopping armed with a list of the things we NEED. 

BUT sometimes I get so tired of coming up with new recipes and meal ideas.  Have you ever thought how much easier meal planning would be if someone else would just come up with the plan and hand it over?  I know I have.  There is this company called e-Mealz and that is pretty much what they do.  Not only to they give you the meal ideas, they also give you the recipes and shopping list.  I know some of you who have not been faithful with meal planning are probably starting to sweat nervously at this point because you know now you are with out excuse : )  But don't worry, e-Mealz has done the work for you. 

It's easy as 1,2,3! Choose a Plan, Print and Go Shopping, Cook and Enjoy!

e-Mealz offers 28 different meal plans that you can choose from

So whether you shop at Aldi's, Walmart or somewhere else, e-Mealz has a plan for you.  Not only do they have regular meal plans for families then even have plans for those that are using portion control with their meals, and those that eat gluten free.  e-Mealz pretty much has a meal plan for everyone.  The only thing I didn't see is an option for those with egg or peanut allergies. 

Okay, let's talk food.  I am sure you guys are wondering what the food is like.  Here is a run down of some of the dinner recipes that I received on the Any-Store Family Meal Plan:

• Brunswick Beef Stew (which is a crock pot recipe, so that is major bonus!), Simple Slaw and French Bread
• BBQ Chicken Packets - these are made in tin foil and thrown in the oven.  Simple, simple, simple!!
• Creamy Pesto Ravioli and Tomato Salad Toss
• Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Lemon Butter Broccoli and Herb Pasta
• Easy Cheeseburger Pie, Skillet Corn, Celery Sticks & Ranch Dip
• Chicken & Cannelloni Soup with Cornbread Muffins
• Hamburger Pizzas and Broccoli n’ Dip
• Pesto Pepperoni Wraps, Chips and Sliced Pears
• Beef Hash and Steamed Broccoli
• Mexican Casserole, Tortilla Chips and Garden Salad

Mouth watering yet?? Not only do you get a nice variety of good meals each week but you also get a variety in the type of meals.  For instance each week's meal plan is peppered with crock pot meals, one dish meals, easy meals and even company favorites!  Did you also notice that they no only give you main dishes but sides too!

Here is a sample menu.  You can also view samples of all the e-Mealz Menu Plans here.

The recipes may sound difficult and time consuming but I assure you they really aren't.  For the most part these meals are made fairly quickly, in my opinion.  One great thing about e-Mealz plans is that they are created by moms just like you and me, they get that we are busy because they are busy too!

Let's talk price.  e-Mealz is also super reasonable, each meal plan is only $5.00 per month, which breaks down to only $1.25 per week.  I think $1.25 a week is well worth the many benefits you would get from using e-Mealz.  It would save you time by meal planning for you, save you money by having a plan when you shop and not having to always order out.  Just imagine, you could be feeding you family good home cooked, healthier meals during the week and keep your sanity at the same time!  Wouldn't it be wonderful to actually have an answer when your family asks, "what's for dinner?" 

I love this product and think it is well worth $5.00 per month.  Whtether you are new to meal planning or you are a veteran, I know you will love e-Mealz.  Great meals, great price and less stress, what's not to love?

We were given a subscription to e-Mealz at no charge for review purposes only.  I was not paid in any way and the opinions expressed here are mine.

TOS Crew: Always Icecream Review

 

The TOS Crew asked us if we would be interested in reviewing a learning website called Always Icecream and my girls were so glad that I said yes! 

Always Icecream is a fun and educational website where girls can learn and be creative!  Over the last few weeks the girls have enjoyed playing games that have helped them learn about human anatomy, math facts, geography (USA  and Europe), dog breeds and Bible verses.

They have also enjoyed all the fun that they get to have creating their own people and rooms in the Mini World part of Alway Icecream.  This is the area where they really get to create and have a great time!  Computer Girl told me that this is her favorite thing about Always Icecream.  Oh, and believe it or not she really likes playing the math facts games (which her mama really likes too!) 

On Always Icecream, girls (and I keep saying girls because it really is geared toward girls) can invite there friends to play and chat with them too.  My girls have not done this but it is an option.  I appreciate that they have it moderated. 

Girls can also watch some pretty cool learning videos.  For instance one video taught us how to make baby shower cupcakes (too cute!), one showed us how to teach a dog to sit and another one taught us the origin of ice cream cones. 

Another fun thing about the Always Icecream site it that the kids get to earn ice cream "scoops," by watching the videos and playing the games.  They can then use these "scoops" in the Mini World to buy things for their rooms.  The kids of course LOVE THIS!! 

Always Icecream is geared toward girls ages 7-12.  My girls are 8 and 10 (almost 11 as she says) and they both enjoyed this website.  The cost is $4.99 per month, $29.99 for a year or $99.99 for a life-time membership.  Personally, I would try it for a month or two before deciding on a life-time membership. 

Your kids can even try it for FREE to see if they like it before purchasing.

We were given a subscription to Always Icecream free of charge for review purposes only.  The opinions expressed here are my own and we were not compensated in any way. 



TOS Crew: Scruble Cube Review

We were given the opportunity to review the Scruble Cube for the TOS Crew, which is 3D word game that is a cross between a Rubik Cube and a Scrabble board game.  See, check it out...





This is a educational and fast paced game that is recommended for kids 8 years old and up.  According to the makers of Scruble Cube, "If you can spell C-A-T then you can play! " The Hubs was in charge of reviewing this game with the kids (I am not a cross wordy, Rubik cube kinda girl). 

I think they struggled at first with the Scruble Cube thinking that after one player built a word, the next player had to build on it, which is not the case.  You can build on another players word but it is not necessary to play.  It is quite easy to form words as you can make a totally new word or add one or more letters to an existing word to make a new word.  We soon learned that you simply make words while racking up points at the same time, each letter is given a point value.  The bigger the words the more points you earn.  The people with most points wins the game!

We liked that this game is pretty versatile and 1 to 4 players can play at one time.  You can make the rules easy or more challenging.  You can play with or with out the included timer.  You can have a three letter word minimum or four to make it more difficult.  They have even included "wild cards" to make any letter you want.

Scruble Cube even has several other options for play on their website that offer even more educational value, like sentence building.  I think it would be great to have kids try to spell out some of their spelling list words to spice up spelling. 

As a mom, I love that it is educational.  I also like that this is a simple game, in other words there aren't 37 pieces that I have to track of.  You have the cube, a sand timer, a rubber band and a pad of score cards.  One other bonus, is that when your 3 year old is so excited about this new game you have bought that he rips the box open in excitement, all the contents will fit perfectly in a Ziploc bag : )

We aren't the only ones that think the Scruble Cube is great, it received the Dr. Toys Best Pick for New Products as well as the Creative Toy Award for 2010 from Creative Child Magazine.

Scruble Cube would make a great gift for kids, adults and even teachers.  It can be purchased directly from Scruble Cube for $24.95.


We were given the Scruble Cube free of charge for review purposes only.  We were not paid in any way and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Come, Sing Allelu

by Russ Borchardt and Stan Pethel

Celebrate what the Father has done for you;
celebrate the gift of his Son;
Celebrate how the Spirit renews in you life everlasting!
Come, sing allelu!

Chorus: Alleluia!
Our highest praises we bring to our King,
singing alleluia!
Celebrate, come, sing allelu!

Celebrate every blessing upon us poured;
celebrate each gift from the Lord;
celebrate every work that he bids us do.
Celebrate him; come sing allelu!


My girls sang this a few weeks ago in choir, it is a beautiful song!  They are still singing it around the house.  My oldest was even this song in Target the other day, THAT WAS A BLESSING!! 

You can listen to Come, Sing Allelu! here.

Hand Me Downs and Yard Sale Finds

I am so thrilled and blessed that we don't have to spend a bundle for kids clothes once the weather is starting to get cooler.  The Lord has tremendously blessed us with hand me downs and great bargains at yard sales. 

There are a few people that continually bless us with kids clothes that they no longer need, this is one way that the Lord has provided to our family.  I have also been amazed at the prices I find on kids clothes at yard sales, I mean like nice, looks like it has never been worn, church kinda clothes.  Like this past weekend I bought a few church outfits for Little Bits, they were dress shirts, dress pants, a sweater vest and 2 cozy pairs of pj's (17 items total) and I paid $10 for the whole bag.  I was very excited to say the least.  I had them babies washed and ready to go as soon as we got home, he even wore one of the outfits the next day to church. 

It is not only a blessing to get but it is a blessing to give.  I am thankful that we have been able to bless others.  I pretty much have a designated home for most of the clothes that the kids out grow.  Whatever these families can't use, we give to our church's Great Clothing Giveaway, which is actually coming up and part of my motivation to go through all our clothing bins.  Well that and the freezing cold weather we've been having : )

While I will admit that it is so tiresome to go through all our clothes bins in the fall and again in the spring, I am very thankful that we don't have to go buy all new stuff.  i am thinking that buying all new stuff for 4 kids would probably cost lots.

This year I am wising up though, I am pulling out the fall/ winter stuff that we need now and while I am at it I am also getting all the spring/ summer ready for next year.  I am going to just stick the bins on the top shelf of their closets.  Please don't ask me why I haven't been doing this all along, it really was one of those Duhh! moments. 

Have you switched out your clothes yet?  Any helpful hints to make the clothing switch out easier?