Barbara's Bakery All Natural Food: Review + Giveaway

I have to admit that when I was contacted about attending a recent breakfast get-together to try out some of Barbara's Bakery products, it didn't take much convincing.  The fact was that the LIAYF family already often bought and consumed Barbara's delicious Peanut Butter Puffins cereal.  Getting to try out other delicious flavors of Puffins, as well as other natural breakfast cereals, breakfast bars, and animal cookies was just another bonus.

As I said, the breakfast was delicious.  Lukas was initially most excited about the Puffins, as was Mrs. LIAYF who was able to bring home a box of the chocolate variety.  But later, after we ate lunch, we pulled out a bag of Snack Animals for his dessert. 

"Wow!" he instantly exclaimed (true story) "These are the best cookies I have EVER had!'  Sure, it might have had a bit to do with being the most recent cookies he had had, but what we as a family have come to notice over the years is that natural always tastes better than any preservatives laden alternative.  And the Barbara's products we were given to sample were all excellent in quality and taste.

Graciously, the fine folks at Barbara's also gave me a sample box full of thier delicious products to give away to one lucky reader.  To qualify, just leave a comment below telling me what your ultimate flavor of Barbara's Puffin cereal would be.  You can also gain an entry by leaving an original tweet linking this post and mentioning @SeattleDad, or by retweeting my one of my tweets about this contest.

The contest will run through Thanksgiving, November 24th, and is open to residents of the US or Canada. 

Full disclosure:  I have received samples of Barbara's products to sample, and/or gifts.  However, my opinion can never be bought.  It is my own.

Clarisonic 'Mia' Review + Giveaway

When the fine folks at Clarisonic offered to send me their Clarisonic Mia to review a couple of months ago, I was immediately intrigued.  I don't often review products, but The Mia, however, had potential.

That's because I've struggled with sensitive skin past my teenage years and into adulthood.  I especially have issues along my shave lines.  I have always washed regularly, but my routine was never the best.  As a result my skin health always had room for improvement.
Once I started using the Mia, I could immediately tell that, although not an immediate cure all, it was going to make a big difference in my overall facial health.  The product is extremely easy to use, just apply some facial cleaner on the brush head, and turn it on.  The Mia vibrates and sonically cleanses my pores as I move it around my face.

What's even better to me is there is a timing system built right in.  You cleanse your face for a minute with different areas getting some allotted time before the Mia beeps, letting you know that it's time to concentrate on the next designated area.  I have found this very helpful in my morning routine, when my mind is groggy and focused more on when it will get it's coffee and get out the door than how long I've been cleaning.

Another thing that has impressed me about the Mia is the battery life.  I think I have only charged it twice since I received it.  I keep thinking it will run low on power soon, but it never does.  Contrasted to many of the other electronics I own, this is impressive.

The only drawback to me, and this isn't much of an issue, might be it's size.  It's about half again bigger than my electric razor, so it can take up valuable bathroom counter space. 

The real test for me and the Mia, will be come as the weather continues to change to Fall here in Seattle.  With the colder weather and lack of ample sunshine, typically comes more difficulty with my overall skin health.  So far though, I am very happy with the product and thankful to Clarisonic for allowing me to give it a review.

Now, onto the good part.  Clarisonic has also offered to send one lucky ready their very own Clarisonic Mia as well.   To gain entries into the contest you can do the following (one entry for each, and you have to leave a separate comment here about each of #1, #3, or #4 to let me know they has been completed).

1. Leave a comment telling me what color Mia you'd like.
2. Tweet about the contest on Twitter.  Be sure to link to this post, use the hashtag #SDMiaGiveaway,  and mention @Seattledad & @Clarisonic in the body of the tweet.
3. Become a new Google Friend of  LIAYF Reviews (right navigation column), or of 'Luke, I am Your Father' 
4. Grab the adoption badge below, display it on you site, and let me know in a separate comment. 

The contest, which is open to residents of the United States or Canada, will remain open until October 3rd, when I will use Random.org to choose from the entries. You must also leave a valid way for me to contact you to be eligible.

Full Disclosure ~ As I mentioned, Clarisonic provided me the products free of charge to review.  The opinions, however, remain solely my own.  That is all.

<a href="http://liayf.blogspot.com/2011/09/were-adopting-you-can-help.html"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/hmNLN.jpg"/></a><br />

Sing Along! Caspar Babypants Review + Giveaway

Hey all, exciting news for all you Caspar Babypants fans out there.  The fourth studio album by the Seattle Kindie Pop super group, Sing Along!  was recently released.  We here at the LIAYF household are huge fans of Caspar Babypants, which is fronted by Presidents of the United States of America lead singer and front man Chris Ballew.

Caspar Babypants is hugely popular here in Seattle, and in our neighborhood where we have been able to see several of their shows.  These shows are always packed with kids, and Ballew's quirky but spirited and catchy style (think: tamed down, and kid friendly Presidents songs) has everyone tapping their toes and signing along.  Yes, even the grown-ups.

On Sing Along! Ballew once again delivers a long list of songs which mix in new versions of old favorites, as well as fun new material.  It didn't take long after we put our copy into our player that our whole family was singing and dancing around the room.  Lukas' personal favorites are Spider John and Ba Ba Black Sheep, but really he loves them all as is the case with all the Caspar Babypants music we own.

If you have little ones around the house and aren't familiar with these Cd's, you certainly should check them out.  I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.

You can also leave a comment here, and or tweet this post (mentioning @Seattledad) for a chance to win a your own copy of Sing Along!.  If you are a resident of the US or Canada, just do it before the end of the US Labor Day weekend.

Full Disclosure: We were given a copy of Sing Along! to review, but would not delay to buy a replacement copy should ours become damaged or lost.  Freebies don't influence my reviews.

Review + Giveaway: FLYING! - Recess Monkey

Recess Monkey, the Seattle based kindie pop band made up of teachers is at it again with their latest studio release FLYING!

From the opening line of Flying ~ "News Flash! In anytown America, a young child is embarking on a miraculous transformation.  Watch and see as their powers multiply!" ~ this is an altogether addicting album filled with songs about bravery, super powers, and doing the right thing.

Here at LIAYF, we have been listening to this album in rotation for a couple of weeks straight now, and I must say that it is easily Lukas' favorite musical disc.  Of course, given his recent love of all things Superhero, that is not really surprising.

This album is out now, so if you are looking for some great kid themed music that you, as the parent, won't easily tire of, FLYING! is a terrific choice.

I am also giving away a copy of FLYING! to one lucky reader from the US or Canada.  Just leave a comment here, by July 15th to be entered.  You can also earn an extra entry by subscribing to LIAYF review, or by tweeting this contest.  Just be sure to let me know in the comments, and if tweeting mention @Seattledad.

Yes, I was furnished a free copy of FLYING! to review.  That doesn't make Lukas like it any more than he already does.