I’m on a mission to unjunk my life, whether it be cleaning the closets, giving clothes to Goodwill, or just in general getting rid of things that I and my family no longer need.

Last Sunday I had a party for family and friends to share some good music, laughter and to introduce them to UNREAL Candy. UNREAL Candy supplied the treats so I had plenty to give to my guests and enough to give them goody bags to take home! It was misty outside, but we were warm inside enjoying the treats along with some snacks and beverages. 

So, you may be wondering what is so unreal about UNREAL candy. Well, it all started with a question from a 13-year old. A few years back, Michael and his son Nicky got into an argument since Michael had taken most of his son’s Halloween candy away.

Nicky went online to prove to his dad that candy wasn’t so bad, only to find that it actually was worse than he thought with all the hydrogenated oils, corn syrup and artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. He thought that candy would taste better without all that junk and set out to prove it with his dad and older brother and that’s the genesis of UNREAL Candy.

Today, UNREAL candies have replaced the “junk” in candy with double the cacao, more peanuts, real milk, cane sugar and organic palm fruit oil. They also have 30% less sugar, 60% more fiber and 250% more protein on average compared to the competition. They use natural coloring using beets and red cabbage (don’t worry you don’t taste it!). They are also committed to responsibly sourcing their products.

But, you’re probably wondering how they taste. Well, we sampled all the different kinds at the party. They had Peanut Butter Cup, Candy Coated Chocolates, Candy Coated Chocolate with Peanuts,  Chocolate Caramel Nougat and Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat.

The favorite here was the Candy Coated Chocolate with Peanuts, the shell was crispy and the large peanuts were delicious. The Peanut Butter cups also went over great. They were slightly less sweet than what I’m used to, but then again, I always thought the others were too sweet. I’d take a few bites and then it was too much. The peanut butter cups from Unreal just melt in your mouth. So good!

The adults were pretty happy all aound though it took the kids more time to get used to something “different”. I have to say though that by the end of the party, they were wanting more and excited to take home the goody bags! They loved the chocolate caramel peanut nougats and the chocolate coated peanuts best. 

I’m very pleased that UNREAL candy is out there. What’s cool is that you’d think it might be overpriced, but it’s not at all. It’s comparable with the competition and you can find it at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Kroger, Staples, Ralph’s and many more retailers.

 I’m thinking I’ll be hitting CVS to pick up UNREAL candy for Halloween this year! Time to unjunk!

Disclosure: Party supplies and candy were provided by Global Influence and Unreal Candy, however all opinions herein are strictly my own.

  For more information, or to sign up to The Club for fun tips on how to get kids enjoying brushing or for a free sample of Aquafresh Fresh & Minty, please visit http://www.aquafreshclub.co.uk.  This video is based on research that Aquafresh conducted of 1,500 moms of children aged 2-12 that reveals that more than one million children under age 5 in the UK have at least two fillings already, as moms struggle to get kids to brush their teeth.  Other findings from the research are:  • One in six (17 per cent) moms say their child has at least 3 fillings  • 13 per cent of moms have children who have at least one filling by the time they start school (aged 3)  • Almost one in four (24 per cent) moms say their children only brush their teeth once a day and one in fifty say they don’t brush at all  • The research showed that almost half (47 per cent) of kids under 12 have been told they have dental decay, one of the most preventable diseases in the UK  • Over half of mothers (53 per cent) admit to finding getting their kids to brush their teeth stressful – potentially leading to arguments in over 2.5 million families  • One in fifty moms even admitted that their kids never brush their teeth.  As you can see, it’s never too early to start good habits which will carry your children through later life and prevent dental problems and enormous bills! Aquafresh wants you to have a healthy smile and enjoy brushing! 
 

A Military Republic by Haythem Bastawy

 Egypt is in a state of turmoil, beggars have filled the streets, unemployment is at a record high, random individuals are vanishing under mysterious circumstances, and the president is grooming his son to take over. Fear clings to the air as secret police wait in dark corners and love withers under the crushing will of authority. Haythem Bastawy, an Egyptian himself, succeeds, through his captivating narrative to depict a dangerous yet absorbing world of a country in crisis and a people on the verge of  revolution. A Military Republic is a novel based on the true events that were the spark to ignite the blaze of the Egyptian Revolution.

About the Author

Haythem Bastawy was born in Alexandria, Egypt and  holds a B.A in English Literature from Alexandria University. He taught English for Berlitz-Egypt, before working for them as an English Language Lecturer based at both Cairo and Ain-Shams Universities. He also worked as a free-lance journalist for local newspapers. He currently lives in Yorkshire with his wife and son. A Military Republic is the first novel in a series of books set in the year before the Egyptian Revolution, traveling back in time to the early nineteenth century.

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson

Since she was unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers that her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors. Furthermore, it’s up to the viewers–not her–to decide which bachelors will stay or go.

Forced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hopes of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke is an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and as soon as he discovers what she’s up to, it means revenge.

But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together? Or will they be able to forgive and forget, proving that love really does conquer all?

About the Author:
Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She’s the mother of four, can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Links:
FB fan page
Website
Twitter

Giveaway Details:
$50 Amazon Gift Code compliments of Author Rachael Renee Anderson
Ends 10/31/12

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

I’m starting to think about the holidays and gifts to send to those both near and far. The reason that I love gift baskets is that they often contain things the person wouldn’t buy themselves and they are so much fun to unpack. It’s more than one gift in one.

Over the years, I’ve sent sports baskets, gardening baskets, and sometimes make my own depending on what the person’s favorite interests are.

A lot of friends of mine, especially from when I worked in the food industry are wine lovers and I’ve discovered a great site for wine baskets.  They have Thank You gifts, Birthday, Congratulations and Holiday gifts of every sort and price range.

I love indulging my foodie friends with gifts they will enjoy with friends and family. One of my favorites is the Tuscan Trattoria Italian Wine Gift Basket. Packaged in a five-quart stainless steel colander are ingredients for savory Italian pasta dinners. Two types of pasta and two classic sauces are paired with Banfi Col di Sasso, a Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Plus, almond anise biscotti for dessert.

I would love a basket like this and love shopping for the holidays when I get to indulge my friends and family with treats they would not buy for themselves. I already have my list started.

Ever since I was small, I loved to lie on the ground and look up at the sky through the trees. I would find pictures and images in the clouds. I took this recently and was wondering if anyone sees anything particular in it? Feel free to comment.

My mom was a teacher her whole life and she really loved it so much. She always said, when you’re a teacher, you never know how many lives you touch all over the world. I have had her students tell me they have become teachers due to her influence.

College was one of my favorite times. I learned so much and made so many great friends, but the cost of education rises every year and that’s where GradSave can really make a difference.

GradSave is givng away $10,000 towards college so why not sign up and make the future a little easier.

Just sign up here and best of luck!

A paper found.
A secret revealed.
A girl’s life changed forever.

Myra Gibson’s life is a lie. For sixteen years her parents have kept their secret, but the adoption paper she discovers while cleaning the guest house tells the truth. As the past and present collide, Myra finally stands up for herself and begins a journey she may regret.

About the Author

When Beverly Stowe McClure was a child she hated to read. Even though her eighth grade teacher sent her poem “Stars” to the National High School Poetry Association, and it was published in Young America Sings, an anthology of Texas high school poetry, she hated to write. In spite of her rocky relationship with books, she attended Midwestern State University, where she read too many books to count, and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. She taught in elementary school for twenty-two years. Reading Dr. Seuss to her sons and Newbery winners to her students made Beverly realize what she’d been missing: Reading was fun.
Now, she reads most every day. She also writes. Her articles for children’s magazines, many of them about activities her classes did in school, have been published in leading children‘s magazines. One article was reprinted in a Scott Foresman Anthology, Grades PK/K. Her doggie story appeared in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.

Beverly’s five novels for teens and tweens are published by small Indie Publishers. Her YA historical novel, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, is a finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Novella Division. The book also is a finalist in Dan Poynter’s Global eBook Awards, Teen Fiction, and is an Honor Award Winner in the Reader’s Favorite Book Award Contest, YA Category, as well as an Honor Winner in the Eric Hoffer Book Awards, YA Category.  Listen to the Ghost was a finalist in the 2003 Dream Realm Awards. Her first picture book came out in June 2011. Her latest book, Life on Hold, is a YA contemporary novel. She lives in the country with her husband, two cats, and a variety of wild critters that come to visit.

Links:
http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com
http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/beverlymcclure
http://www.goodreads.com/beverlysmcclure
http://www.facebook.com#!/beverlysmcclure

$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Ends 10/4/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an
Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase
necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen
by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new
winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any
other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of
winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway