Category Archives: Product Reviews

Product review of family, living, cooking, fashion,kids,toys, healthy including Photography and honest reviews.

How to Avoid the Funsukers #CutterRepellents

July 22, 2014 superexhausted 6 Comments

I sit I watch lap after lap, the water splash then calm.. then I hear a buzz.. I see it then the buzz stops. I smack my forehead but I am too late the vicious vicious creature sucks my blood leaving a welt the size of a quarter. The welt wakes me up at night scratching. How can such a little vicious creature create such havoc, they are family funsuckers.

For the month of July every year we live at the pool.. we are there at 8am to 10 am every morning, swim meets 2 twice a week going for about 5 hours. That’s is right I am a pool Mom. I watch my kids swim for hours hoping that they will swim a 50 yards in less than 30 seconds. My family is a swim family, which means we are near water and heat all summer. Being out doors all summer there is always a constant companion .. the Mosquitoes and bugs.. which I am in not a fan of of the funsuckers.

My husband Jeff, I have said in the past is covered in psoriasis- so the bugs love him, he is not a fan of them. He prefers to stay indoors all summer because the bugs tasted for his blood. But we both support our competitive swimming kids, so the two of us try to make the best of the bugs. He always carries Cutter® insect repellent in his pocket., he actually has been know to return to the house if he forget his Cutter®, which is a necessity.

We Keep Cutter® insect repellent in the Pool Bag, near the back door, bottle near the front door, in the car, and on my husbands person.. I am so not joking really.

I really love the Cutter® line this season they are so easy to use and perfect from my family with so many great products that are convenient keeping away the FunSuckers: .

Cutter® Dry – Is a spray can and the bug repellent goes on dry and not greasy
Cutter® Skinsations – is wonderful, my daughter and I use it daily when fighting of the bugs in the yard.
Cutter® Family Wipes- are great because they are refreshing and also provide a Insect repellent protection. They work great when you are in a tight spacial area like a Ball Game where you don’t want an over spray to hit the people or food around you.

Be sure to check out Cutter® Facebook fanpage for a great giveaway. http://on.fb.me/VlNAVm to learn more about products and their “like to win” promotions that happen weekly/bi-weekly in the news feed, making it easy to enter.

We love experience summer in all it glory and Cutter® really allows us to do so as a family.

#CutterRepellents, AD, @cutterinsectrepellent

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cutter® Insect Repellents

Product Reviews

Bling Goggle review

July 17, 2014 superexhausted

My summer is all about being the pool with the kids. I spend many many hours watching my kids swim. I also send many hours looking for goggles. My daughter is the queen of loosing goggles, she also can swim with out them. Being all about the girly she loves the sparkle. So I was thrilled to learn about BlingBling Goggles, when I asked to review these goggles we were thrilled.

Being goggles are perfect for getting you kids in the water and there face in the water. If you recall from my post What to expect from kids at what age fro swimming, goggles are imperative for getting your kids swimming.

Being Goggles are really goggles not just for looks. My daughter is a competitive swimmer and she need goggles that really work and hold the water out and allow for clear vision.

So I say your daughter will love them.

My daughter loves these blue ones The are similar colors to a certain popular Ice Queen.

Result- She has been wearing them for the entire competitive swim season. Love them and no leaks top notch.

Check them out also they are coming out with a Ski Goggle as well. How cool!

Disclosure I was provided the goggles for review purposes but the opinions in this post are my own.

Cooking, Product Reviews

Seeing Isn’t Believing:USDA Food Safety &Twitter Party

June 27, 2014 superexhausted

4th of July is almost here so let the barbeques rule. Many people assume that if a hamburger is brown in the middle, it is done. However, looking at the color and texture of food is not enough— you have to use a food thermometer to be sure! According to USDA research, 1 out of every 4 hamburgers turns brown before it reaches a safe internal temperature.

Meat and poultry should be cooked to a safe temperature to destroy harmful bacteria that may be present. Color of meat and poultry is not a good indicator of safety. Use a food thermometer to make sure meats have reached a safe minimum internal temperature.

When a hamburger is cooked to 160 F, it is both safe and delicious! Check out Safe Cooking Temperature Chart: “Is It Done Yet?” Brochure:

Top Tips for Healthy Summer Picnics and Camping Trips:

Bring water for cleaning if none will be available at the picnic or camping site. Pack clean, wet, disposable cloths or moist towelettes and paper towels for cleaning hands and surfaces.
Carry cold perishable food like raw hamburger patties, sausages, and chicken in an insulated cooler packed with several inches of ice, frozen gel packs, or containers of ice.
Be sure raw meat and poultry are wrapped securely to prevent their juices from cross-contaminating ready-to-eat food. If possible, store these foods near the bottom of the cooler, so that juices don’t contaminate other foods in the cooler.
If you can’t keep hot food hot during the drive to your location, plan and chill the food in the refrigerator before packing it in a cooler. Reheat the food to 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer.
A general rule of thumb for entertaining: keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Keep cold foods chilled to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below and hot foods heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
The two-hour rule is also in effect: food should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. If bringing hot take-out food (like chicken fingers, wings etc.), eat it within 2 hours of purchase (1 hour if the temperature is above 90 °F).
Instead of using large serving bowls, serve dips and items with dairy in smaller containers. Make several in advance and keep them chilled in the refrigerator or coolers until you need them.
Offer serving spoons and small plates to reduce opportunity for guests to eat items like dip and guacamole directly from the serving container (double-dipping is a no-no and can increase the chances for food contamination).

Visit FoodSafety.gov to learn about best food safety practices, utilize “Ask Karen,” an online database with nearly 1,500 answers to specific questions related to preventing foodborne illnesses, in both English and Spanish, or to call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline.

Join our Twitter Party on June 30^th at 1 PM EST

hashtag #FoodSafe4th.

Hosts include: @martieparty @buzzmommy @usdafoodsafety

Happy 4th of July

Philadelphia, Product Reviews, Travel

Field Station Dinosaurs Review, Secaucus NJ what to expect & #giveaway

June 21, 2014 superexhausted 7 Comments

Field Station Dinosaurs Review, Secaucus NJ Kid Review what to expect This past weekend we Travel to North New Jersey to enjoy the Field Station Dinosaurs. Imagine steping back in time and seeing the dinosaurs as they one were large and roaming the earth. We did experience what it must have been like at Field Station kind of a Dinosaurs Amusement park . The landscape is perfect grown and wild then desert and vast. It is a fun day to see your kids light up and enjoy the time with these magnificent creatures, The detail of the Dino s are accurate and the staff knows Dinosaurs. The trip took about 1 ½ from my home which is north of Philadelphia. Check out my video for a full review and giveaway at the end of this post.

Driving to Field Station Dinosaur : The Field Station Dinosaur was very easy to get to from the Turnpike/95. Parking was easy $10 per car you pay when you purchase tikes then provide the receipt when you leave. From NYC in Minutes

Lunch/food at Field Station Dinosaur : They have usually park food, The Pizza looked good. You can also Bring your food in a cooler bag, the have a large tent area with picnic tables.

Shade at Field Station Dinosaur : Down below look out there is trees so the paths are shaded, Look Point no shade on the Plateau, they did have a Shade Pop up need the concession . and the Commanders Tent

Walking at Field Station Dinosaur : It is a walking park so Comfortable shoes the paths are gravel or dirt for the most part, adds to the feel of the park. Mostly flat walking except whe n you go up to the Lookout point and head to exit. There are benches to relax.

Souvenirs at Field Station Dinosaur : You do have to walk through the gift shop to exit the park. you have been warned.

Hours of Field Station Dinosaur: Only open Saturday and Sundays April -October

2014 Tickets for Field Station Dinosaur purchased a head on line are $17.50 for kids and $20 for adults. If purchased at Box office are $20 kids $25 adults.

Commander Tent is a Pass to get you in a large tent that has Fans and is out of the shade, they have special activities for members (season pass holders or anyone who upgrades for it)

Dinos after Dark which has Dinosaur Dance Party, make s’mores and sing around the campfire

Dozin’ with Dinos is an outdoor overnight adventure that starts at 8:00 p.m. and ends at 8:00 a.m. the next morning. Activities are scheduled between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. Guests sleep in large army-style tents on cots that are provided. Ages 5+

3d movie Field Station Dinosaur: Cost extra $5 more and is located close to the exit. I did not see the movie.

Review of Field Station Dinosaur: I would strongly recommend showing the video in this post to your little ones so they know what to expect, because I saw a few little ones that were a little taken back but the scale of these Dinos, which are to scale to a real dinosaurs. I think you kids will love it if they are little if they know what to expect.

I think this is a great place for little ones 3-9. My 9 year old liked it, My 13 year old was about 9 years too late. If he was 4 -6 the Field Station Dinosaurs would have been his dream. He was a huge dino kid.

Field Station Dinosaur Giveaway They have offered one of my readers a 4 pack of tickets to visit. Please use the Rafflecopter form to apply for the drawing.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and can only be redeemed at Field Station Dinosaur. These tickets can not be redeemed for cash. The ticket will be sent direct to winner from Brand Representative and Superexhausted or babypop is not responsible for the tickets.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Family Fun Series add you link for Family fun or check out the other great ideas for this summer!

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Giveaways, Product Reviews, sponsored posts

Myths and Facts about Battery Energizer #NoLeaksGuaranteed

June 12, 2014 superexhausted 4 Comments

In my house I have a battery monster. He once was small and now he is tall. This monster was once obsessed with watches that flashed and cars that went beeb beeb. But as the Monster has grown his tastes have changed now he loves orange and blue guns that shoot foam darts, aim his friends when they___.

This Monster He says” but Mom and I need C’s” as he stomps like a giant up a stairs to grab what every makes him glare.

The Little one who also lives in the house She too is a battery monster with many handheld game and furry friends who are not tame, who exhausted the batteries with every cuddle and coo. The little monster is always a fright without out a flashing toy at night.

The noises come from the toy box, at any given point, the bark of a battery dog or croak of a electric frog. As the Mommy Monster questions the lovely toy maker who does not understand he concept of a quieting the band. The batteries monsters friends need an on or off button for the end.

And yet I provide batteries to help the light saber yielding boy and an furry friend loving girl. Because every mom wants to keep their battery monsters happy and safe.

As a Mom I want my monsters to be safe. That include there toys. I expect the batteries we use not to leak. Of consumers who have experienced battery leakage, 53% found corrosion in a toy or game. I am very please we have not had a leakage and that is because we use Energizer MAX with Power Seal Technology is an enhancement to better meet moms’ expectations for battery performance.

Tips for your batteries arsenal:

To recycle old batteries, check Earth911: http://ow.ly/x43z7 . Or dispose of them in the trash.
Storing batteries in the refrigerator will not make them last longer.
Protect your devices from damaging battery leaks with Energizer Max.
the best place for battery storage is in a cool, dry place at normal room temperature. Avoid storing in warm places.
It’s also important to not mix different types or makes of batteries. This can cause leakage or rupture

Fact about Energizer:

Energizer® MAX® AA and AAA alkaline batteries hold power for up to 10 years in storage, providing long life for the devices you use most. What’s more, Energizer® MAX® protects devices from leakage of fully-used batteries for up to 2 years.
In an industry where performance has long been defined by the long-lasting power of its products, Energizer is innovating against evolving consumer expectations, which now include quality and reliability.
While many consumers believe battery leakage is an issue of the past, some batteries can still leak after they have been fully used, causing damage to devices and creating a mess.
Leakage is an industry-wide issue among alkaline batteries. Research shows Energizer® MAX® with Power Seal technology outperforms leading competitors when it comes to in-device leakage*.
Alkaline batteries only start to leak after they’ve been left in a device and are fully used.
Energizer is known for many “firsts” in battery technology, including the world’s first alkaline battery, the first commercially-available zero-mercury AA and AAA alkaline battery, and the world’s first AA and AAA lithium battery

Giveaway

Energizers has provided me with a giveaway for you .. and Energizer bunny and Battery Pack.

Please enter on the rafflecopter form if you wish to win!

Contest ends June 23rd. Prize will be sent from the brand. Please leave a comment and mark on raffle copter form you did so. I will contact winner and you have 24 hours to respond with address. Open to US residents in the lower 48 only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep Going!

Parenting, Product Reviews

The Fault in Ours Stars Movie Review #FIOS

June 6, 2014 superexhausted

The Fault in Ours Stars Movie Review: So Tonight I had the privilege to drive 6- 15 year old girl to the opening night of Fault In Our Stars. Which if you are not a teenage girl : is a love store, with a terminal twist. The theater had 6 movie theater dedicated to the movie.. and everyone was pack with girls. We arrived 20 minute before the movie and the girls sat 2 rows from the front. My girlfriend and I sat about 10 rows from the front. So arrive early.

Shailene Woodley Of Divergent Fame is Hazel a terminal ill from cancer 16 year old that is some what of a recluse. While being forced by her mother to go to a youth cancer suport group she meets Augustus Waters played by Ansel Elgort (from Divergent) who is a cancer survivor age 18. They become friends and sole-mates. The story proceeds and the struggle Hazel allowing this boy to be by herside as she travels down this dark road of illness.

The couple goes on an adventure, and learns about each other and themselves.

The Fault in Ours Stars story does with deal with death, mature relationships sex and more. Their is a sceen where the couple does have intercourse, where is it is not full frontal nudy or show the actually act the inference is made. So be wearing of kids not over 13.

The picture was excellent, I did cry. Shailene Woodley was wonderful and made you love her reserved sensibility. She brought a real related able that connect with every girl/women in the audience. Ansel Elgot was charming and adorable as Gus. The entire theater swooned over him. He was endearing, and thoughtful, the chemistry was spot on between the characters.

The Fault in Ours Stars is a touching love story that will make you laugh and cry. So bring the tissues. It is the Ghost of this generation of girls.

You have been warned

Check out my other post :

Surviving Jack : Teach you how to Talk to your teenage boy

Teenager Blog Take over

Hunger Games

Product Reviews

Life and Menu Planinng

June 2, 2014 superexhausted 1 Comment

So we have been having a fun start of summer. I know that is it not really summer yet but I am loving the weather. This weekend we went to the Field station dinosaur. An thanks to a great deal on Amazon Deals my daughter took her 1st Horse Back Riding lesson. It was 1/2 away from my home. She would love to do a summer program with the horses but 2 hours round trip for me everyday is a little much. Once a week or every other week is good, because it is an 45 minute session. But all day I would need to work with another parent. What would you do?

Later this week My daughter and I have plans to see the Wizard of Oz, which, means the boys will have to fend for themselves.

Monday: Oven crispy wings , tator tots and celery

Tuesday: Venison (my favorite recipe , coming next week) rice and broccoli

Wednesday: Perogies and Smoked Sausage int he Ninja

Thursday: Boys fend for themselves

Friday: Pizza on the Grill

Have a great week!

Liking up with Organizing junkie Menu Plan Monday

Check out some my other Recipes

Easy Taco Lasagna

Left Over Chicken Ideas

Product Reviews

CHARM IT! Review and Giveaway

May 27, 2014 superexhausted 35 Comments

CHARM IT! review: When I was a little girl I always loved a charm bracelet. I remember the girl across the street had her mothers which was a so pretty it had a little ballerina and locket. The charms would dangle and make a little jiggle gaggle. When we were in class she would play with it and the bracelet sparkle in the light. I always want to give my daughter a love charm bracelet. So when I learned abut CHARM IT! , a charm bracelets company for girls, I could no wait to work with them on a review.

CHARM IT! has so many lovely bracelet and necklaces to choose from silver, rainbow, to bling crystal. My daughter had such a fun time on the Charm It site picking out the base bracelet and then going through the many many different designs of the CHARM IT! charms. The charms are so colorful and fun.CHARM IT! is the original, detachable charm jewelry brand for girls ages 5 – 14.

Charm It Charms Include:
Animals
Birthday
Disney®
Fashion
Food
Friends & Family
Hello Kitty®
Hobbies & Fun
Letters
Peace & Earth
Princess
Sports & Dance
Sweets

My daughter picked out this Great Acrylic Link Bracelet. Then she choose charms that meant something to her which was fun. A Smore for camping, Microphone because she loves to sing, video game, claim with a pearl, and a rainbow hedgehog.

It arrived so quickly and the bracelet was a gift box that was so colorful and fun. The quality was top notch the bracelet was polished and sparkly. The CHARM IT ! charms where very colorful an beautifully enameled. You can tell they take the quality seriously.

She was so excited to wear it and share it with her friends.

One of my lucky readers are going to get the experience CHARM IT ! for themselves. Because I am giving a bracelet away and some charms. A $35-40 value shipped direct to the winner from CHARM IT ! Open in US residents in the Continental US 48 states. Enter in RaffleCopter form below:

Just follow the rafflecopter form:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!Sweepstakes

LIfe, Philadelphia, Product Reviews

Wizard of OZ in Philadelphia #BWYPHL

May 26, 2014 superexhausted 1 Comment

Wizard of OZ comes to #Philadelphia Recently we caught up with the Philadelphia’s Broadway series. The wizard of is coming to Philly. I have very fond memories of watching the wizard of Oz on TV as a little girl. The ruby slippers and tin man. As a 6th grade girl I sand Somewhere over the Rainbow during a choir concert. I loved all thing that were OZ related.

When were were invited to the pre-party bu the Philadelphia Kimmel Broadway series I was so excited to share the experience with my daughter and her friend. They loved meeting a Dorthy and learning about the show.

Wizard of OZ in Philadelphia Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy, and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family.

The Broadway series has provided us with ticket to the show so we are so excited to be going next week for a limited time performance. You too can experience the Wizard of OZ.

The Wizard Of OZ

June 3-8

Academy Of Music

Get your tickets at Kimmelcenter.org/broadway

The Friday, June 6 performance is designated as an ASL & AD Performance. Visit www.handsupproductions.com for more information on ASL. Visit www.art-reach.org for more information on AD.

Disclosure: I was provided ticket to the performance in exchange for me sharing this information with my readers.

Product Reviews

Potato Sausage Broccoli Soup & Menu Planning

May 19, 2014 superexhausted 1 Comment

Potato Sausage Soup no milk. I love making soup I make it all the time. it is my go to meal if there is the slights but of rain or cold on the horizon pair it with some homemade bread, check out my favorite recipes here. I finds soups to stretch the budget when pay check are lean and they can make any meal go far. This week I had Polana Polish fresh sausage left so I decided to make a lets see what we have in the fridge soups.

Potato Sausage soup with no milk

Prep Cook Time 1 hour Serves 12

5 large potatoes pealed and diced
1-2 lb of sausage (beef, pork I used Polana Fresh Sausage)
1 lb of carrots pealed and diced
6 celery stalks cleaned and diced (no tops)
2 cups of broccoli crowns fresh
1 -2 med sized onions
1 gallon of water
1 tablespoon for Better Than Bouillon Organic Chicken Base
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
1/4 cup of rice flour (for gluten free) or 1/4 reg flour (this is optional)
1/8 cup of hot sauce

Start to cooking your Mirepoix (aka onions, carrots, celery) season with salt.
Add your sausage on top of Mirepoix, Cook till cooked and slightly brown, ( don’t burn Mirepoix)
Removed link allow to cook sausage to cool, cut into bite size pieces and reserved to side
Add water, potatoes, spices, bullion allow to cook- till potatoes are fork tender
To thicken the soup, you can allow the potatoes to cook, till they start to break down they will make a thick soup (longer cook time 1 hour)
OR Remove a cup or 2 of the broth and add the flour , stir till it becomes a water paste.. then slowly add it back to the soup (cook for another 20 minutes)
Once the soup is almost done 5 minutes add Broccoli and sausage back in. (add hot sauce if you like heat)

Printable version of the recipe here Potato_Sausage_Broccoli_soup_001

Monday: Potato sausage soup Leftovers with fresh bread

Tuesday: Chicken Enchladas

Wednesday: Blue Ribbon Chilli

Thursday: Fried Rices (via my husband)

Friday: BBQ Pizza with Gouda and Apples

What to learn to freeze you Mirepoix so it speeds up your cooking time check out my post Freezing Mirepoix

Check out my review of The New Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day recipe cookbook

Liking up with Organizing junkie Menu Plan Monday

Go to KitchenAid.com Outlet Center for the best buys in kitchen countertop appliances. Get 10% off with the code “CJOUTLET”

Top Tips for Healthy Summer Picnics and Camping Trips:

Join our Twitter Party on June 30th at 1 PM EST

hashtag #FoodSafe4th.

Hosts include: @martieparty @buzzmommy @usdafoodsafety

Tips for your batteries arsenal:

Fact about Energizer:

Giveaway

Potato Sausage soup with no milk

This is my super life uncensored

Join our Twitter Party on June 30^th at 1 PM EST