Dino Dan - Mighty Machines Children's DVD Movie Kidtoons Review & Giveaway - 5 Winners, Ends 2/2/12

Movies

Giveaway details below

Weekends in January Kidtoons Family Matinees presents the children's movie Dino Dan featuring Mighty Machines at select local theaters nationwide. The kid-friendly feature from NCircle Entertainment -- which includes four exciting episodes -- is the story of boy paleontologist-in-training Dan Henderson. Using scientific method to study dinosaurs, this curious and adventurous young man gathers clues to solve mysteries. Also includes Mighty Machines: Ride the Mountain Rails! This is the tale of Work Trail who has the job of keeping the train tracks maintained for the powerful engines and rugged mountain rails.

All images in this post provided by Kidtoon Films

To celebrate the month's quality family entertainment theater program Kidtoon Films is providing Dino Dan Prize Packages for MommyBlogExpert to give away to FIVE lucky readers. 

First, enter to win one of these fun gift packs for kids right here on MBE. For a chance to grab one, all you need to do is leave a comment and your contact info below this post; full contest details below. Then, after you've entered the contest, be sure to see the movie trailer plus download the free Dino Dan coloring page. 

Dino Dan - Mighty Machines

DVD & Movie Poster 

Giveaway

ENDS 2/2/12 

Kidtoons Dino Dan Giveaway includes

• One Dino Dan: Dino Trackers DVD
• One Dino Dan theatrical poster

HOW TO ENTER

Just leave a comment(s) below this post, Contest ends January 2, 2012 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Winners will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email.

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you want to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow MBE on Twitter

2. Like MBE on Facebook

3. Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert

4. Follow Kidtoons on Twitter

5. Like Kidtoons on Facebook

***Bonus Entries***

You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet:

Dino Dan Mighty Machines @KidtoonFilms Family Movie GIVEAWAY, Ends 2/2/12 http://tinyurl.com/6q3cc6n #kids #movies RT 2 #WIN

Mommy Blog Expert is excited to be one of the few blogs to hosting Kidtoons family friendly monthly movie giveaways in connection with screenings for children in theaters nationwide. 

Past Kidtoons movie giveaways on MBE include: Spookley Square Pumpkin  Care Bears: Share Bear Shines Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas Barbie A Fairy Secret   Little Engine That Could  Strawberry Shortcake: Sky's the Limit Olivia and the Great Outdoors  Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails Babar and the Adventures of Badou: Swing Into Summer Candy Land The Great Lollipop Adventure, Sid the Science Kid Spookley Square Pumpkin 2011, Thomas & Friends Day of Diesels and Olivia Wintertime Cheer.

Each Kidtoons giveaway is unique, based on the monthly movie offering. But, they're always family friendly and wholesome for children, so don't miss out on entering the current giveaway as well as subscribing to MommyBlogExpert, so you'll be the first to know when next month's giveaway is announced.

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LOTS More 

Family-Friendly Giveaways!

Currently Being Hosted by Mommy Blog Expert

ENTER Them All HERE

Thanks to Online-Sweepstakes.com for including this contest in your directory of current giveaways.

FTC Disclosure: Kidtoon Films is providing the prizes and shipping for this giveaway.  However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Dino Dan Kid Movie Opens in Select Theaters Nationwide Weekends in January

Stay Tuned...

NEW Dino Dan Children's Movie

Kidtoons GIVEAWAY

Details To Be Posted Saturday

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Wild Truth Movie Review

Movies

Cartoon Network DVD Review, Giveaway

MBE partnered with Cartoon Network, post contains affiliate links 

Back in August this blog reviewed and gave away Ben 10 Ultimate Alien - The Return of Heatblast. Now MBE is pleased to be reviewing and giving away Ben 10 Ultimate Alien - The Wild Truth Volume 4 the latest Cartoon Network Ben 10 Ultimate Alien DVD release from Warner Home Video.

In this installment, hero boy Ben is on another non-stop action animated mission and will be hanging out with some bad and good aliens -- both familiar characters and some  new. Ben's foes now include another enemy: a roaring giant alien known as Ultimate Wildmutt that looks like a cross between a saber tooth tiger and some kind of fierce dinosaur. To counter the red beast's advances, Ben 10 pulls out all the stops to race to the rescue with Fasttrack, his newest alien comrade. 

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien - The Wild Truth

Double DVD Set Giveaway

Ends 1/31/12

How to Enter

Just leave a comment(s) below this post!  Contest ends January 31, 2012 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Winner will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email.

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you want to win this prize.  Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries

Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter

2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook

3. Follow @CartoonNetwork on Twitter

4. Like @Cartoon Network on Facebook

Super ***Bonus Entries***

You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day.  Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet:

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien The Wild Truth Vol 4 @cartoonnetwork #DVD Review GIVEAWAY http://tinyurl.com/6ozpvc4 #kids RT 2 #WIN

 

LOTS More Family-Friendly Giveaways!

 Hosted by Mommy Blog Expert

ENTER Them All Here

As an Amazon Affiliate, Mommy Blog Expert will receive a small bit of compensation, at no extra cost to buyers, when you click on Amazon links in this post and make a purchase

 
FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received this DVD from Cartoon Network (CN) to facilitate the review. Additionally CN is providing the prize and shipping to winner for this giveaway. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

What to Do With All Those Unused Gift Cards - How to Donate These Unwanted Holiday Gifts to Charity

Community 

Who didn't give and/or receive at least one gift card this holiday season in this day  and age where giftcards have never been more popular, politically correct and widely used? Whether via the  internet with online codes as well as those physical pieces of plastic that work like debit cards when you take them to a traditional store -- chances are that you are a member of that card-carrying club. And you are not alone because the National Federation of Retailers estimates that 8 in 10 consumers bought at least one gift card in 2011. 
'C' stands for Consumer Cards to Charity
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Consumer and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch 's wisdom is no stranger to this blog. She points out the season of giving isn't over yet, especially here in the U.S. where Americans are still looking to make tax deductible contributions to legitimate non-profits before the federal fiscal year officially ends just before midnight on January 1, 2012. With unwanted gift cards being so prevalent right now and people still in generous frame of mind, it makes sense to introduce a concept many consumers may have not considered before. That is, the possibility of contributing those cards to a worthy charity rather than allowing them to waste away in a drawer for years.

Woroch suggests some questions to ask prior to donating gift cards 

How Much Are You Actually Donating? 

What percentage of the card will be directed towards the charity's mission and how much towards administrative and overhead? Carefully research the non-profit you are thinking of giving to and feel free to contact them directly if you have questions. 

What is the Minimum Balance You Can Donate? 

Some charities are grateful to accept any balance, while others won't accept a card that's worth less than $10 or $20 because of handling of the gift outweighs its benefits. 

How Will the Charity Use Your Donation? 

Gift cards sometimes end up being given directly to the charities clientele, while other non-profits resell the card for a percentage of the face value so they can take advantage of the cash. 

Should You Simply Resell the Card Yourself? 

Remember donating gift cards for charity is still relatively new, so there are still many non-profits that don't accept gift card contributions for a variety of reasons. If the group you want to give your gift card to doesn't take that type of contribution, you can always convert your gift card into cash yourself on websites like GiftCardGranny and then donate all or part of the money received directly to the organization of your choice. 

Would the Charity Prefer You Donate Purchased Items? 

Another good idea is to check with the non-profit to see if they would rather you purchase groceries, clothing, etc. and donate these items, instead of the cards or cash. If your gift card comes from a merchant selling products the charity doesn't need,some stores will let you exchange these for another store. 

Can You Donate the Gift Card to a Silent Auction or Raffle?

One way to make sure cash goes directly to the intended non-profit is to contribute your card as a biddable item for a fundraising auction. 

Please leave a comment. Have you contributed a gift card to charity before? Why or why not. If yes, I should you'll share your particular experience as well as additional thoughts on this topic. 

Happy Holidays!

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FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog,including this one.

Kwanzaa December 16 - January 1 - 7-Day African American Cultural Festival With Roots in History

Celebrations

Yesterday, African Americans held events across the U.S. to officially kick off the beginning of the seven day celebration of Kwanzaa. I'm not of African American descent and don't celebrate this relatively modern holiday. Still, I have studied about African culture before and am particularly interested in their folk and fine arts. This background prompted me to look into how this special season is celebrated. Knowing my readers,  I thought you might enjoy learning more about this too.

Hand-Embroidered 40,000 Stitch Traditional African Folk Art Tapestry

Purchased from North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry's Embroidery Program 

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Here in metro Los Angeles the holiday's customs and traditions -- which like the holiday, have little to do with any particular religion -- were celebrated by thousands. Both in private homes and also on Crenshaw Boulevard and in Leimert Park as well as elsewhere across Southern California, African Americans joined in marking this colorful festival by holding customary candle lighting ceremonies, getting together with friends and families and enjoying foods, music and cultural activities that connect them to history and origins of the motherland.

Festivities will be going on in virtually every community with an African American population in America over the course of the festival which began on December 26 and runs through January 1. Kwanzaa is Swahili, a language spoken in various parts of the African continent and literally means first. This originates from the phrase Matunda ya kwanza which translates to mean first fruits in English.

The holiday, first celebrated in 1966, was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, formerly executive director of the Institute of Pan-African Studies in Los Angeles and now chairman Department of Africana Studies at California State University Long Beach. His premise was simple: To inspire his people to remain connected to the African way of life of their ancestors.

Each of the 7 days is associated with a different concept

• December 26 - Umoja or Unity - Cooperation as family, community, nation and race
• December 27 - Kujichagulia or Self-Determination - Knowing self, speaking out and preparing for one's personal journey in life
• December 28 - Ujima or Collective Work/Responsibility - Building community, sharing with others and being part of the solution not the problem
• December 29 - Ujamaa or Cooperative Economics - Creating and maintaining an infra structure of business and sharing profits
• December 30 - Nia or Purpose - Building communities and reawakening traditional morality: respect for others, especially parents and elders; also responsibility for self and others
• December 31 - Kuumba or Creativity - Using intellect, physical skills and natural gifts to preserve the culture's history
• January 1 - Imani or Faith - Heart felt belief as a people in righteousness and ultimate victory in the struggle for equality

Kwanzaa yenu iwe heri!

Happy Kwanzaa! 

Native Art Handmade by African Craftsmen

Grass basket, gourd shaker, clay frogs

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

I encourage everyone, whether you celebrate or not, to leave your thoughts about this annual commemoration. If you do celebrate Kwanzaa or know someone else who does, definitely feel free to tell about your/their favorite annual traditions associated with it.

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8 Nights of Hanukkah Candle #7 - Lunch with Hubbie at Kosher So Cal Winery & Restaurant

Celebrations

Seven candles are burning in our menorahs as I finish up this post. Just one more night till we reach the cusp of 8 lights tomorrow at sundown. But, before that last candle lighting ceremony of this holiday season, there's still so much more to celebrate.

Decorative wine cork menorah at Tierra Sur Restaurant at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California

Hanukkah day was extraordinary this year as my hubbie and I spent a good part of it in Oxnard, California sans the children, a world away from the hub bub of the city of Los Angeles. The sky was blue and the weather warm as we arrived at one of our favorite places: Herzog Wine Cellars. 

As wine club members of this kosher winery, we started in the wine tasting cellar and tried some truly sensational wines. We progressed through the flights, trying some reds, whites, and sweeter varietals, finally selecting about $200 worth to enjoy at home together as well as to serve our frequent guests. 

My top choice today: the Herzog Late Harvest White Riesling 2010, a rich and deep golden wine with hints of pineapple, dried apricot, and baked apple. Described in a word: scrumptious. There's also a self-tour of the winery that you can take upstairs that's interesting to see.

Barrels of Kosher Wine Aging at Herzog, Oxnard, California

iPhone photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

With our reserved table for two beckoning, we stepped into Herzog's highly rated Tierra Sur, the exclusive restaurant in Ventura County, California that's overseen by Chef Todd Aarons. We've eaten here before and have tried various elegant dishes all so good I only wish this restaurant wasn't over an hour's drive from where we live. 

The winery grounds are set in small business park that is surrounded almost entirely by farms growing everything from strawberries to lettuce and other fruits and vegetables nearly year-round thanks to California's mild winters.

The main courses -- many incorporating the gorgeous local produce -- we've had before have been adventurous and superb. Even today, when both of us wanted to try something cooked over the outdoor open flame and we ordered succulent hamburgers with avocados and sweet potato fries, we weren't disappointed. At $15 for the burger on top of the extras ($2 for avocado and $3 for fries), these are pricey hamburgers, but definitely beautiful and delicious too.

Local Organic Farmstand Produce, Oxnard, California 

iPhone photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

After a lovely meal together -- which BTW included seeing quite a few random people we knew -- friends, teachers, and their families, we stopped at a roadside farm stand where Tierra Sur gets some of its locally grown produce. Then, hubbie braved the freeway and we headed back to the City. Once home tonight we enjoyed an evening with our teens that was exponentially brighter than last. 

All in all, it was the perfect blend of just us time and quality family togetherness, all rolled into another memorable day and night of Hanukkah.

Two menorahs, 7 lights each magnify the reflection on our marble tabletop

iPhone photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com 

New post each night of Hanukkah!

Meanwhile, check out these other 2011 Chanukah posts

Hanukkah Candle #1 

Hanukkah Candle #2

Hanukkah Candle #3
Hanukkah Candle #4
Hanukkah Candle #5
Hanukkah Candle #6

Make your own Hanukkah Gingerbread House

Paper Hanukkah Menorah Centerpiece Decoration

Read additional MBE posts from past years for lots of ideas to enhance your holiday: crafts, cooking, baking, activities, and gift ideas. Just enter the word Hanukkah in the search window in right hand column of this blog for lots more content.

What is the most unusual thing you've done to celebrate Chanukah this year or in the past? Please comment and share.

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FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog,including this one.

8 Nights of Hanukkah December 20-27 - Candle #6

Celebrations

Chanukah always goes so fast, I can't believe that the kids all lit the 6th candle already on their menorahs this evening. Since they're all teens they've done this each holiday for a number of years now and really look forward to it. However, this is the first Festival of Lights holiday for little Dexter, our miniature pinscher, so up until he moved in with us, he had never seen one menorah lit, never mind a whole bunch of them all at once.  Understandably, he has been quite afraid of all the brightness that's intensified each night we light and usually goes in the other room while we kindle the candles.

Dexter decides NOT to Lick the Candles Tonight

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

A surprising thing happened tonight, though. The little guy thought he had finally overcome his fears and came right up out of the blue to one of the burning candlelabras on the table and got a little too close to the flames for comfort. Luckily, he wasn't near enough to be hurt in any way, burned, or catch fire, mind you. It's a good thing this pup was smart enough when he felt the heat to back safely away rather than to lick the flickering candles which is what he was getting ready to do when he quickly (and wisely) changed his mind.

After the excitement calmed down, I made some hot spiced apple cider for us and then we watched some videos together while the candles burned in our family room. When the last candle burned out and I was sure it was safe to leave the dog unattended, I went to the kitchen and made my mom's famous sugar cookie recipe. I made the dough as well as rolled and cut it in festive shapes, then one of my daughters and I decorated Hanukkah cookies together till we were both too tired to keep our eyes open.

In the end, it was another holiday night well spent with my family.

Hope Your Chanukah is Just as Sweet...

Decorated Hanukkah Sugar Cookies ready to eat

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

New post each night of Hanukkah!

Meanwhile, check out these other 2011 Chanukah posts

Hanukkah Candle #1 

Hanukkah Candle #2

Hanukkah Candle #3
Hanukkah Candle #4
Hanukkah Candle #5

Make your own Hanukkah Gingerbread House

Paper Hanukkah Menorah Centerpiece Decoration

Read additional MBE posts from past years for lots of ideas to enhance your holiday: crafts, cooking, baking, activities, and gift ideas. Just enter the word Hanukkah in the search window in right hand column of this blog for lots more content.

How are you and your kids celebrating Hanukkah as a family this year? What traditions do you have from your childhood that you've passed on to your children? Please share in a comment.

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FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog,including this one.

Merry Christmas Readers - The Classic Legend of Santa Claus - From the 3rd Century to Today

Celebrations

As readers know, I enjoy researching other cultures as well as sharing interesting customs with you that both involve kids and adults from a family perspective. I don't celebrate Christmas myself; nevertheless, I've covered a huge range of topics on today's holiday observance before.  Just a few weeks ago, an Arthur Christmas movie giveaway ran on MBE and then there was the post about how to easily create heirloom quality ornaments with personal photos. In past years I've also written about everything from the movie Curious George - A Very Monkey Christmas and the origins of the 12 Days of Christmas to a gift showcase of ideas for kids that enhance family living to Christmas iPhone and iPad apps for kids and moms to free and frugal DIY Christmas crafts the whole family will enjoy. This year, for something different, I decided to look into the legend of Santa Claus which is probably the number one thing that children the world over who celebrate this day associate with it.
Santa Sighting in the sky above Beverly Hills
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com


The big fat jolly guy in the red and white flocked suit, it turns out, didn't start out looking the way he does today in the eyes of children who sit on his lap to tell him what they want for Christmas. As a matter of fact this holiday symbol wasn't even known as Santa originally.

The person that historians regard as the original source of this tradition is St. Nicholas who was born in the 3rd century in a town on the southern coast of Turkey and was known throughout his life for giving gifts to the poor, children, and mariners. He even was persecuted by the Roman Empire for his religious beliefs and did time in prison during his life. 

Then in 1822, many centuries after the original St. Nick had died on the other half of the globe, Clement Clarke Moore, a New York native, wrote the poem An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas for his three daughters. This came to be known as the popular classic story 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. With the continued rise of commercialism and advertising of the holiday in the mid 1800s, especially in the U.S., the popular image of Santa Claus as he is portrayed in modern times emerged. Today that old-fashioned depictions seems to have changed little over the past 75 years.
Santa, Sleigh & 8 Reindeer Seem Oblivious to L.A. Traffic
At the busiest intersection in Beverly Hills
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com


If you celebrate Christmas what are some of the traditions you have that are rooted in your own childhood? What new customs have you created for your own children to enjoy?

Merry Christmas to those celebrating today

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FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog,including this one.

8 Nights of Hanukkah December 20-27 - Candle #5

Celebrations

It's the fifth night of Chanukah. Just got back from taking the dog for a walk and enjoyed walking through a Jewish Winter Wonderland Southern California style. No we didn't get snow and I seriously doubt it has ever snowed where we live, not even flurries, since on a clear day you can practically smell the ocean air down at the beach not too far away. What I did revel in was on my block the windows were aglow this evening with menorahs each with 5 candles lit to, "Remind us of days long ago," as the Hanukkah song says.

Our menorah now has 5 lights & 1 helper candle
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

As I walked, I saw over a dozen individual menorah window displays including a few family homes with one menorah and some with many menorahs, one for each child in the household. There's even a neighbor having a child's Hanukkah party for about 15 tonight and each kid is lighting their own menorah. That means that after the little ones each have their 5 candles lighted, it's going to be burning brightly over the whole neighborhood.

Happy Chanukah wherever you are

New post each night of Hanukkah!

Meanwhile, check out these other 2011 Chanukah posts

Hanukkah Candle #1 

Hanukkah Candle #2

Hanukkah Candle #3

Make your own Hanukkah Gingerbread House

Paper Hanukkah Menorah Centerpiece Decoration

Read additional MBE posts from past years for lots of ideas to enhance your holiday: crafts, cooking, baking, activities, and gift ideas. Just enter the word Hanukkah in the search window in right hand column of this blog for lots more content.

Do you think Hanukkah is for kids or adults or both? Relate your answer and tell what you are doing tonight to celebrate?

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FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog,including this one.

Purina Dog Chow Vote on Facebook & They Donate to Service Dog Groups - Hanukkah Candle #4

Community

During the holidays it's great to see so many companies leveraging Facebook to raise funds for worthy organizations. Recently I told you about Toyota Prius and their Toys for Tots Facebook campaign where the company will donate toys to that charity for the holidays filling up Toyota Prius cars one by one with toys selected by Facebook participants.

Dexter, our miniature pinscher, wishes you a Happy Hanukkah!
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Since I'm an animal lover, a pet dog owner, and also an advocate of non-profit Service Dog Organizations I could not pass up sharing another corporate charitable program where, at no cost to you, they'll donate $1 for each person who Likes Purina Dog Chow on Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog,including this one.

8 Nights of Hanukkah December 20-27 - Candle #2

Celebrations

Attended our high school triplet's Hanukkah Choir Recital today. Tonight, I made more homemade traditional Potato Latkes by hand grating potatoes and chopping some onions and fresh garlic, then adding a small amount of flour and salt and pepper to taste. Fried in hot olive oil till golden brown and served with applesauce and sour cream, everyone loved these and they're already asking me to make more for the rest of the holiday. It's the second night of Chanukah now and the candles on the menorah are now 50 percent brighter. That's what I like about this celebration, daily for eight nights and days the beauty of the candles only intensifies.

Happy Chanukah!

New post each night of Hanukkah!

Meanwhile, check out these other 2011 Chanukah posts
Hanukkah Candle #1
Make your own Hanukkah Gingerbread House
Paper Hanukkah Menorah Centerpiece Decoration

Read additional MBE posts from past years for lots of ideas to enhance your holiday: crafts, cooking, baking, activities, and gift ideas. Just enter the word Hanukkah in the search window in right hand column of this blog for lots more content.

If Hanukkah is your holiday, what are you doing tonight to celebrate?

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8 Nights of Hanukkah December 20-27 - Candle #1

Celebrations

Chanukah, the 8 day and night Jewish Festival of Lights, begins tonight at sundown. After dark Jews living in Israel and in countries around the world will use a service candle called the shamesh to kindle  the first candle furthest to the right on the branched candelabra known as a menorah. Blessings will be said in Hebrew before this special nightly candle lighting ceremony over the next eight evenings of the holiday. 

Our oldest son on the first night of Hanukkah a few years back

Vintage family photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Then families and friends -- children and adults -- will gather to sing songs, play with the dreidel, a toy top that you spin, and eat customary foods fried in oil such as latkes potato pancakes and sufganiot jelly donuts. Kids especially enjoy receiving Hanukkah gelt money which depending on the age of the recipient means gold foil covered chocolate coins for little ones and cash, checks or gift cards for teens. Traditionally, to publicize this historical event, Hanukkah candles are lit in the front window of one's home or by a doorway.

Gold Hanukkah menorah & coins

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Watch for a new post on each of the subsequent nights of Hanukkah.

Meanwhile, check out these other 2011 Chanukah posts
Make your own Hanukkah Gingerbread House
Paper Hanukkah Menorah Centerpiece Decoration

To read additional MBE posts from past years use the search window and enter the word Hanukkah in the right hand column of this blog.


How will you be spending Hanukkah this year? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog,including this one.

New Tech Device Promotes Family Fitness

Technology

Have Fun Exercising While Saving Rainforests

As little as 30 minutes of physical movement throughout the day can be transformative to your health. In addition to benefits of weight loss, leading studies show that walking 30 minutes a day can dramatically reduce risks of heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes.

MBE partnered with Striiv for the story

Striiv Product Review

My family and I have tested lots of tech products for this blog. I have to admit, though, that a new product called Striiv has got to be one of the most cool and novel the kids and I have had the opportunity to try so far. At first glance it might appear to be just a glorified pedometer or a mere hand-held fitness device. What we found out -- and you will too when you take a closer look -- is that Striiv is those things and a whole lot more. 

Like a personal trainer this gadget will motivate you to move, walk or run more, but by inspiring you to be more active it is not only motivating you to improve fitness. This pedometer, replete with innovative apps available in no other similar product, expands its functionality, paving the way for you to positively impact causes around the world. For example, you can aid rain forests with every step you take, since Striiv and its corporate partners donate on your behalf.

Just by exercising holding this in your hand, wearing it using the included belt clip or key chain or carrying it in your pocket or bag, Striiv detects each step when you walk, run or climb stairs. You can use this alone without a computer to motivate you to increase physical activity.

However, if you plug this into your PC or Mac with the USB cable that comes with it you can upload your progress data to the company's site and do a whole lot more than maximize your health prospects. That's because based on the number of steps recorded, Striiv ensures that funds are transferred to the cause you choose from one of their three charitable options: clean water for families in South America, polio vaccines, and rain forest protection. For example, after just 18,000 steps you'll earn the equivalent of a parking spot size rainforest for one year in Tanzania. Talk about making a difference both at home and in the world at large.

This is a product the whole family will likely benefit from: kids, moms, and dads. As a matter of fact you don't even have to be a parent or have children at home to have fun with this. Likely it would be an original gift to give a senior citizen you know that is in good health but needs some motivation to get out for a daily walk around the neighborhood.

At our house the kids got really competitive about racking up their steps using the single boxed device set we received from Striiv. So based on that experience let me warn: this gadget is addictive -- even though you could share one device for your entire household, you may want to buy several of these to keep everyone happy.

The product works right out of the box after you charge it using the included USB adaptor and cable, without the need of a computer. However, if you want to participate in fund raising walkathons and get Striiv to donate money for all the exercise you do, you'll need either to connect this with a Mac or PC. What a great idea for a holiday gift or to give yourself or someone you care about to start the new year by exercising more.

Striiv, which will be exhibiting at CES 2012 in January in Las Vegas, is the flagship product manufactured by Striiv, Inc. Priced at $99, this is affordable and available now.  Not only is this really easy to learn and use, it is also very cool, sleek and compact, weighing just 1.5 ounces and measuring 2.75" high by 1.7" wide, a fraction of the size of an iPhone. See the Striiv.com website for exact technical requirements, more product details and to purchase this clever piece of technology.

What kind of new year resolutions are you making about getting more exercise? Do you think the Striiv can help you make a difference in your own health and the world? Please leave a comment with your thoughts.


FTC Disclosure: I received the Striiv to facilitate this review. MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.