Organic Matcha - Green Tea Powder Review - Butter Cookies

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I was able to try out a product I've never heard of before, Green Tea Matcha.  It is basically green tea powder and is used in many Japanese foods.  I chose to make butter cookies with my son on  a snowy day.

I got all my ingredients together.

And got started.

My little guy was excited to help.
He just had to use his caboose cookie cutter!

It was a very simple recipe and I decided to roll out the dough and make gingerbread shaped cookies.  Since the dough was so green and it's so close to Christmas I felt it was appropriate.

Some info on Matcha from KissMe Organics:

All day energy with increased focus:

Matcha provides 4 to 6 hours of mild steady energy as it acts as both a stimulant and a relaxant. This is ideal for focusing on whatever the day throws your way.
Metabolism boost:
Consuming matcha green tea can increase thermogenesis (the body's own rate of burning calories) from a normal 8%-10% of daily energy expenditure, to between 35% and 43% of daily energy expediture.
Improved skin health:
​Scientists have discovered that Matcha Green Tea helps protect the skin from harmful UVrays, while improving blood flow and oxygen levels lifting the overall quality of the skin.
137x The antioxidants of brewed green tea:
Antioxidants are essential as you age to boost your body's natural defenses against oxidation. Researchers have found that a high level of dietary antioxidants can prevent many age-related diseases.

The cookies taste great but are not as sweet as you would expect from a cookie.  The three year old approves though so I guess they are a winner!  The only thing that was strange was the water.  In step two it says to add the water with the egg and butter but it doesn't list in in the ingredients.  I left it out and they came out fine so I'm guessing that it was just a typo.

Here is the recipe that I used:

There are dozens of recipes you can use Matcha Green Tea in.  There are other baked goods, smoothies, and even dinners!

Have you ever tried cooking with Green Tea Matcha before??

Click HERE to order your Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Kairos Life Free Membership

I was recently contacted by a representative from Kairos Life to extend an invitation to my readers to receive a complimentary membership of their new service.  This is a great concept and I thought that you would like to try it out!

KairosLife.com is a place for families to save digital memories and heirlooms for kids and loved ones. Then digitally deliver those keepsakes to them at a predetermined date in the future, kind of like a digital time capsule or gift.

Kairos - an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment (the supreme moment). A moment of indeterminate time in which something special happens.

Their founder recently lost a close friend who passed suddenly without warning and was again reminded of how quickly life can be taken away, at any age.

He woke up one night with the idea of this site. He is a father of three and was thinking about the memories we want to keep forever - and how could they be stored, kept for the future, and delivered at just the right moment to have the greatest impact.

How does it work?

1. Upload photos, videos or letters from your PC or mobile device to a “KairosMoment” which is the album or capsule that will be delivered to your loved one on a future date.
2. Tag your loved ones to that KairosMoment and set a reveal date when it will be delivered.
3. As the reveal date approaches, if desired, other family members and friends can share their thoughts on that KairosMoment to add to the memories for that loved one.
4. Then on the reveal date, the loved one will get an email notifying them of a KairosMoment that has been unlocked.

They are still polishing up the site and are giving complimentary memberships to people who can help them. Just visit www.KairosLife.com and enter your email address!

Airborne® Gummies Review and Coupon!

I am a part of Smiley 360 and I finally after months of waiting, qualified for a product to try!  I was sent a bottle of Airborne® Gummies.  They are little fruit slice shaped sugar coated gummies that taste great!  They are chewy but don't get stuck in your teeth.  They are a little tart too which I like.  The serving suggestion is to take 3 which I was upset about because that means the bottle won't last long but I guess that is a sacrifice you make.  I love knowing that I am giving my immune system the boost of vitamin C it needs during this cold and flu season in a fun way.

Click here to get a $1 off coupon for your own bottle of Airborne® Gummies

If you want to join me and get to try out new products too, click here to join Smiley 360!

Mía Mariú Holiday $400 Shopping Spree!

It's that time of year for all sorts of holiday parties and events that you know your picture will be taken.  I know that I always seem to wear more makeup than normal because of this.  I am a "dash out the door" kind of girl.  10 minutes tops is all the patience I have for makeup application.  I also can not stand anything like foundation (even powder) on my face.  I tend to lean towards a tinted moisturizer and have been curious about BB Creams.  Mía Mariú has a collection of products that are not overwhelming and all look very natural.  They have powders, eye shadows, creams and even fragrance!

Mía Mariú is an innovative company that stands for beauty and health in harmony and above all, for happiness and balance for all women. With nature's finest forces, they offer a full line of health and beauty products designed to help you illuminate your beauty from the inside out.

The Mía Mariú product philosophy is that beauty and health go hand in hand. Everything you want. All you need. Beauty and health in harmony.

With Mía you don't have to spend a lot of money to get high quality botanical skin care, mineral cosmetics and nature's nutritionals that you want and deserve. That is what they are all about. Mía Mariú offers real health, beauty, balance and harmony for real women.

Mía‘s natural health and beauty products are available exclusively through an Mía Mariú Independent Adviser or online here: http://miamariu.com/.

I have never tried Mía Mariú makeup and beauty products before but looking at their site I found a few items that I would like to try.  The Satin Magic Illuminator which gives your the final touch to your makeup! It brightens your skin with the Magic Satin, made with Shea Butter and Oatmeal, gives your skin an illuminating effect and soothing at the same time revealing a healthy and beautiful look.  I would also like to try one of their lip glosses of course!

One lucky winner will receive a $400 Mía Mariú Shopping Spree.

Event hosted by Mom to Bed by 8. Giveaway ends December 23rd at 11:59pm, open to US residents only, ages 18+. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. To enter please use the giveaway form below. Good luck.

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Disclosure:Laurel Likes It is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

iCaughtSanta.com Review

It's that time of year again to start thinking about Christmas cards!  I have a fun new site to help get a chuckle out of your friends and family.  iCaughtSanta.com is an easy to use websitethat allows you to add Santa to them!    There are 20 that you can choose from including a sleeping Santa, Santa with Rudolf and even Santa holding his naughty/nice list!  I was able to easily create a few pictures to share with you all.

Right now you can create as many pictures as you want FREE until December 10th.  Just enter code #santashare at checkout!  

The site is very straight forward and easy to manipulate the image so it looks realistic.  No need for a graphic arts degree here . . . just pick a picture that is good quality!  Once our tree is up and our house is decorated I will be sure to take a picture with this in mind to show my little guy!

Also, head on over to iCaughtSanta.com right now to be entered to win an iPad Air!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Kiwi Crate - The Perfect Gift!

A while back I wrote a post about Kiwi Crate.  I am writing again because there is a lot of gift giving coming up and I feel these are perfect for the kid who has everything!

Right now they have several Holiday Themed Kiwi Crates that I just love.  My favorites are the Thanksgiving Turkeys Crate and the Little Christmas Crate.  Kids love getting mail and what better way to spend quality time together.  These crates are reasonably priced at only $19.95 but making memories and creating keepsakes are priceless!

The "Thanksgiving Turkeys Crate" comes with all the materials to make 6 turkey place cards and a turkey game!  Just think of how proud your little one will be when everyone sits down at the table and remarks on how beautiful the place cards are.  They will just beam with pride and satisfaction!

With "The Little Christmas Crate" your little one can create their own miniature tree and ornaments to put on the big one!  I know my son loves to look at the homemade ornaments on the tree so seeing ones that he made himself will be so special.  This crate even includes the the string and crayons!

Kiwi Crate is always posting great content on their Pinterest boards as well so make sure you follow all of them!  Their Fall and Thanksgiving board is packed full of recipes that will make your mouth water.  Also, the Winter Treats board is full of projects and more recipes to keep you and the kids busy on those snow days!

Kiwi Crate's Facebook page is another great way to stay in the loop with all of their great offers!  Right now they have 30% off until tomorrow!



Make a kid in your life happy month after month and subscribe now!

Recycling!

With the holidays coming we all know how much packaging gets tossed in the trash from all those gifts.  We try and recycle as much as we can at our house but there are some items that I'm just not sure what to do with.  I was recently shown this site http://1800recycling.com/ that will help figure out what to do with that misfit trash!

There is a recycle search to help you find the appropriate location to turn in odd items such as Brita filters and even toothbrushes.  Turns out not every recycling facility has the capability to handle items like this.  The item I struggle with are plastic bags!  My recycling pick up doesn't accept them but I just can't bare to throw them in the garbage knowing that they are going to sit in a landfill for the next 500-1000 years!  I simply typed in my zip code, choose the material type, then the item you are trying to recycle and quickly 5 locations that accept them pop up.

The other areas of the site include a blog with great articles, a glossary of terms and resources by state so you can get in touch your states EPA.

Do you recycle?

It’s Christmas Giveaway Event

It’s Christmas Giveaway Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media. Co-hosted by: Bay Area Mommy, My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life, Barbara's Beat, Giveaway Bandit, Slick Housewives, Love Me Some Coupons and Coupons and Freebies Mom.

Now that my son is three Christmas is getting more exciting for him!  Last year we got him this KidKraft Everyday Heroes Play Set as his big present and he still plays with it all the time.  Whenever he has friends over, boys or girls they always want to play with it too!

I am not sure what to get him this year though.  He has several ride on toys.  He has something very similar to this mini kick Scooter - Blue and Kettler Junior Balance Bike 12" along with two regular bikes in different sizes and a power wheels quad!  One idea we had was something like this Skywalker Trampolines 15-Foot Round Trampoline and Enclosure with Spring Pad, Blue.  What do you think?

MPM Network Bloggers are super excited to share their Christmas Recipes, Crafts, Decor Ideas and much more with you this holiday season. Make sure you take a peek at the fabulous posts below. Surely you will find something that makes your holiday even brighter!

One lucky reader will receive a $500 Sears Gift Card!

Giveaway ends December 2nd at 11:59pm, open to US, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below.
Good luck!

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Disclosure:Laurel Likes It is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

TruKid Bath Blasts Review and Giveaway!

I took it upon myself to contact TruKid after reading about their products on another blog.  I was really impressed with their story and with my son's sensitive skin I am always looking for products that have children's safety in mind.  Their founder is a mother of 6 (whoa) so she has experience with what kids need and what they like.

They sent me a few of their Bath Blasts to try out.  The day they arrived was a bath night so it worked out perfectly.

Product Features:

• Extra gentle for kids and the planet: no chemicals or fragrances and made only with fruits and vegetables
• Natural long lasting bubbles: perfect for kids with skin sensitivities • Leaves no icky or itchy feeling behind
• Naturally soothing: after a day of play, milk & honey calm irritated skin
• No mess, no waste: TruKid BathBlast pockets are pre-measured and ready to use 

Certifications:

• All natural and non toxic
• Eczema safe
• Pediatrician and dermatologist tested
• Gluten-, phthalate- and paraben free 
• PETA Certified Animal Cruelty-Free
• Biodegradable with 100% recyclable, BPA-free Packaging 

Description:
All natural and made with fruits and vegetables, TruKid BathBlasts offer the absolute safest…and most fun way to take a bath! Swathing kids in squeaky clean, bubbly bliss, the all-natural formula leaves skin soft and refreshed with no icky feeling left behind. Formulated for kids with extra sensitive skin, BathBlasts provide incredibly safe bath care for little tykes. Ideal for busy families, BlastBlasts provide a super easy, ready-to-use system with pre-measured, single use, water-soluble pockets that offers a fun, natural color pop that dissolves almost instantly.

Now, my son LOVES bubble baths.  He couldn't get his clothes off fast enough once he knew he was getting one that night and almost got in with his socks on!  I followed the directions and held the pouch in my cupped hand and let the warm water run over it.  As soon as the the powder was exposed the bubbles started to fill up the tub.  Once is was gone I had some residue left on my palm but that easily washed off by rubbing my hands together.


I couldn't get over how great these bubbles were!  They lasted through the whole bath and even after the water drained.  I gave the tub a quick rinse with the shower head once he was out and they quickly washed away.

My son had a great time scooping the thick foam up with his hands and playing until he was "pruny".  His skin was clean and soft and he didn't have any reaction.

Not only is TruKid giving you the chance to win some products of your own, TruKid gave me a special code for you at checkout so you can get 15% off your order of $30 or more!  Enter 'trumom' at checkout!

Don't forget to Like TruKid on Facebook, Follow TruKid on Twitter and Follow their Pinterest Boards!
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Countdown to Black Friday Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive 

$1,000 Visa Gift Card OR Amazon Gift Card! {your choice}

Organized by Mom Powered Media and the MPM Blogger Network.

Looking for the best contests around this holiday season? Make sure to visit SweepstakesFanatics where you can find the newest sweeps, blog giveaways and even a special section for Canadian giveaways.

I did what you would call true Black Friday shopping once.  We got up at 3:00am and stood on line out side in the freezing cold.  I can almost say I will never do that again.  I am an online Black Friday shopper.  I get up early, boot up my computer, grab some coffee and get down to business.  Kohl's is usually where I head first.  The past two years I have been able to buy almost everything from them.  Last year I got so much Kohl's cash on Black Friday that I was able to do another shopping trip before Christmas and got all the gifts for FREE!  All in my pajamas!!

A great site that I have been following for many years now is BFads.net.  They always get the Black Friday ad scans early so you can plan out what you want to get from each store.  They have already released several stores including Toys-R-Us and Macy's!  Of course I am anxiously awaiting the Kohl's ad so hopefully it will be released soon.

Even Amazon is having a Countdown to Black Friday! Click HERE to check it out!

So tell me, do you shop on Black Friday?  What would you get it you won??

Event co-hosted by: My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life, Ultimate Coupon Club, The MamaZone, How We Learn at Home, Growing Up Bilingual, Nest Full of New, MomAt40.com, The Preschool Toolbox Blog, It's Peachy Keen, One Punky Mama, Mamamusing, GimmieFreebies, Memoirs of a Clueless Woman and Making of a Mom.

Giveaway ends November 29th at 11:59pm, open worldwide, ages 18+. Please note if the winner is a non-USA or non-Canadian resident, they will receive $1,000 via paypal instead. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below.

Good luck!

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Disclosure: Laurel Likes It is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

Dr. Scholl's Active Series

I received a pair of Dr. Scholl's Active Series Insoles from Influenster to review.  I do feel as though they revived my old sneakers and give them more support.  The only strange thing is that they squeak when I walk in them.  Not a huge deal but thought it was noteworthy.

Lunch Break Harmon Finds

So I went to Christmas Tree Shop on my lunch break and of course I ended up on the Harmon side . . .

I have resisted long enough . . . I have to try this eos lip balm!!  And seriously, how cute is it?

After having a brief discussion with my sister about hair products the other day, I decided to try some cleansing conditioner.  My hair is pretty short (chin length bob wedged up in back) so hopefully I won't need a lot of this stuff to get the job done.  I will be sure to post an update on what I think.  I have a very sensitive scalp so I am always nervous about trying new products on my hair.

Have you tried either of these products or something like them?  Tell me in the comments below!

Bloggers Needed: It's Christmas Giveaway Event!

It’s Christmas Event
Bloggers - This is a great way to boost your site - Don't miss out!

Organized by: Mom Powered Media

Grand Prize: $500 Sears Gift Card

Event dates: 11/11 - 12/2

Open to US

Referral prize: $50 Amazon E-Code or Paypal Cash

There will be also offering a linky in this event where you can submit your Christmas recipes, decor show-offs, crafts, etc. There will be an extra daily entry on the R/C for people to visit a different post each day from that linky and leave a comment. This is a nice bonus push for site visits!

Make sure you tell them

Laurel Likes It

sent you!

Bloggers: Sign Up HERE