Fighter

Fighter – Five Keys to Conquering Fear and Reaching Your Dreams
Written by Manafest

About the book

"It's too late it's my fate I can't turn around, there's no fear in the mirror to hold me down"

Musician Chris “Manafest” Greenwood lost his father to suicide at the age of five, and found himself with nothing to cling to but a single mom and his childhood dream of moving to California to become a professional skateboarder. But God had different plans; by the age of 18 Chris fell in love with hip-hop music and quit his corporate job to join the ranks of Toronto’s competitive underground hip hop scene, choosing the name Manafest as a reflection of his goal to manifest his dreams. After years of fighting for success in one of the toughest industries in the world, he found himself living in his dream— a 3-time JUNO award nominee, Top 10 Billboard charted rock artist, living in southern California, selling hundreds of thousands of records worldwide.

Named after his highest charted song, Fighter, this book is the story of how Chris conquered his fears and found success in five stages, which he calls the anatomy of a fighter—courage, perseverance, mindset, discipline, and willpower—the five resources we can all draw on in order to reach our dreams, no matter what they are. The message is simple; we have to replace fear with faith. If God can do something great with a skate punk from Pickering Ontario, imagine what he can do with your life!  

My Thoughts

I was curious when I signed up for this review.  One, the author was a popular Christian musician from Ontario, Canada.  Second, I love reading biographies.  And I was not disappointed.  This young man is being totally honest and transparent with his story.  The goal of this book is to encourage the reader who feels like the dreams are gone, he/she doesn’t know where to start, has regrets, and needs inspiration from someone who went through it as well.   You will discover how Manafest had struggles, battled adversity, let God into his heart, and conquered his fears.

Reading his testimony was uplifting in some ways because I was able to somewhat connect with him on some levels.   I also experienced God’s life changing ways in my own life and I find it inspiring to read about other people who went through though times and were able to raise above it all to pursue their dreams.  

Manafest will show you how you can also conquer your own fears and find success with five stages – the anatomy of a fighter: Courage, Perseverance, Mindset, Discipline, and Willpower.    These five resources will allow you to rise above the circumstances in your life and reach out for your own personal dreams, no matter what they are.   Life is a journey.  It’s not always easy and you will have some blocks on the road at times.  But with God on your side, you can be certain that the Spirit will provide all the things you need to be able to realize your dreams.

Whether you are a youth wondering what to do in life or someone who need to rise above whatever is happening to you, this book will give you’re a great testimony from someone who pursued what he wanted to be in life with the help of God.

Fighter is available for purchase at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com

Disclaimer: Thanks to Chris Greenwood, Manafest Productions Inc. and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. for sending me the above mentioned book for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Celebrating Easter with Hasbro and Target.

When spring arrives (and we sure know it took time to point its nose in Canada this year!), we also know that a big holiday is just around the corner – Easter.   Every year, many parents and grand-parents purchase chocolate to the kids.  I recall getting my traditional Easter Egg from Laura Secord when I grew up.   Nowadays, I don’t get them on a yearly basis for various reasons but I also find that sweets are not as popular as they used to be either.   Many companies like Hasbro offers other type of Easter goodies to kids young and old.   Once again this year, I am presenting you with some ideas for your children that won’t bring cavities or hyper-energetic kids once the long week-end is passed.

And please keep reading because I have a huge announcement from Hasbro and Target at the bottom of this post.

Here’s some fun ideas to bless your kids this Easter season.

Mouse Trap Game

You’ve probably played the game when you were younger yourself.  MouseTrap is an iconic game from Hasbro for many years now.   But this time around, the game is specially designed with little ones in mind.   This specific edition of Mouse Trap will allow your kids to run through the maze as Sneakers Mouse, Nacho Mouse or Pepper Mouse.  All you have to do is spin on the cheesy spinner and start the game.  When one of your friends' mouse is in the cheesy trap area and you land on the right space, you've got a chance to catch them in the zany trap made of Hungry Hippo and Girafalaff contraptions.  Keep scurrying and scampering until someone gets caught. If you're the first to trap a mouse, you win.    The game includes 3 game board pieces, 3 mouse figures, cardboard spinner, cheese wedge spinner and base, tub, ladder, tree trunk, banana branch, cheese wedge slide, boot, branch, seesaw log, tree leaves, trap, Hungry Hippo, Elefun, Jock Croc, Chasin' Cheeky and Giraffalaff figures, 2 marbles and instructions.

I find this version of the game to be very creative.  The giraffe, the monkey, and the hippo are all fun to look at.   Even the mice themselves have a special color and smiling faces.    I think it is great to have adapted an iconic game for this smaller version for younger kids.   Two to three players can play this edition of Mouse Trap.  The pieces are easy to put together and you can expect laughter when your kids will play it.

FurReal Friends Butterscotch, My Walkin’ Pony Pet

FurReal Friends have been on the market for a few years now.  It reminds me of a small dog I used to have when I was younger.  It would yap and then at some point jump backyard.    Theses animals from Hasbro will react at the touch of your child.  Butterscotch is a sweet little pony pet that possess a soft and cuddly fur.  When you pet her, she will move her head in your direction or nuzzle up to you to show how much she loves you. She makes sweet pony sounds and even moves her ears.   This little pony is always ready for a treat, and when you feed your pony friend her ""carrot,"" she makes munching sounds. She'll be the fanciest pony in the show when you groom her soft coat with the brush. With such a caring owner, you both might win best in show!   The package contains one pony, a brush, 1 clip and pet care guide.

My sweet daughter loves pony and I know she will totally enjoy this one.   The fact that Butterscotch is so interative makes it interesting for my daughters doll.   I know she will be able to sit them on the back of this little pony for a ride

Furby Furblings Creature

When Furby first came out on the market many years ago, I was already too old.  When it came back on the market a few years ago, I never had the chance to review one.  I thought they were cute and adorable though.   I kept seeing them on the shelves in stores when I would visit one of the local toy store.   More recently, Furby was once again on the market with the help of a new app.  Well this Easter, check out the new generation of Furby creatures.   This Furblings creature has a mind of its own, but it needs your love and care.   You don't have to do it alone, though, because it will also share a special connection with your Furby Boom creature (sold separately). When you put the two of them together you will be able to watch them talk to each other.   Again you can also download a free app and unlock a virtual Furblings creature to add to your collection.   Get virtual eggs and hatch and raise your Furblings on your mobile device (sold separately)!   The Furby app is optional and works with iPad, iPod touch and iPhone with iOS 5.0 or later.   The app is not compatible with prior Furby generations.    For more details, check Furby.com for device compatibility.

Okay I will admit that I seriously think these little furblings are adorable.  Though we don’t have a Furby Book in our home, I still think this toy will bring some fun time for my  daughter.   It is soft and doesn’t take much place.   In fact, your child can slide it in a purse and bring it with her if needed be. 

Finally, the last item I have received to present you as part of the options for Easter is the Furby Boom Surprise Egg

Again, these are new for this Easter.  Conveniently package in an egg shape you could surprise your kids with a few of these mixed with the other Easter eggs hidden in your house or backyard this year.   In fact, a whole new generation of Furby creatures is hatching.  These Surprise Eggs possess a hidden toy inside each one of them.   I have taken the liberty to include some of the samples you might stumble when opening one of the eggs.  You can scan your toy in the free Furby Boom app and unlock a whole bunch of new Furby fun.  Hatch them all (each sold separately) for a whole slew of virtual Furby hatchlings!   This is original but the toy is quite small.  It’s perfect for collectable and to exchange with friends during recess time.  

As you can see there are many ideas for Easter for all your kids whether they are young or older.  If you prefer blessing them with something different than sweet during Easter, you can be certain to find numerous ideas with Hasbro Canada and Target.   In fact, all the Hasbro Games are on sale now through to April 24, 2014 at Target Canada with a 30% off special on them. 

Now, here’s my special announcement for my readers…

GREAT NEWS!

Hasbro and Target Canada have teamed up to offer a wonderful giveaway to my readers.  

to win the below prize pack:

• $50 Target gift card
• Mousetrap Game
• Monopoly Junior Game
• Disney Princess Pop-Up Magic Pop-Up Magic Castle Game
• Classic JENGA Game
• ELEFUN & FRIENDS HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS Game
• Connect 4 Game
• TWISTER Game

To participate, all you need to do is click on the button below and swing by my facebook page.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

A Year with Six Sisters’ Stuff

A Year with Six Sisters’ Stuff – 52 menu plans, recipes, and ideas to bring families together
Published at Shadow Mountain

About the book

With more than 150 new recipes, complete with individual pictures, shopping lists, and easy-to-follow instructions, Six Sisters’ Stuff transforms an overwhelming list of recipes and ingredients into a no-hassle, tasty meal schedule the whole family will enjoy. You’ll also learn how the Six Sisters bring their families to the table with their fun family traditions and kid-friendly meals.

My Thoughts

I love having a new cookbook.   I was contacted to participate to this blog tour because I have reviewed a previous book from the Six Sisters.  Learning that it contained 52 menu plans, recipes and ideas I thought it would be great to review this book and applied to be part of the blog tour.

I was delighted when I received my copy as I find that both books is a feast for the eyes (not to mention the belly eventually).   Through the pages of this book, you will discover marvelous photos of all the meals included in it.   Each menu – all fifty-two of them – includes a main meal, an accompaniment and something for your sweet tooth.  This book is definitively packed with mouth-watering recipes that I can’t wait to try with my family.

On March 17th, I decided to do a meal from the Six Sisters’ STUFF book in order to celebrate St-Patrick’s Day.   Note that we have incorporated green food coloring in our mashed potatoes as well.  Since we had just purchase some pork that we cut in chops, I thought that the Grilled Pineapple Pork Chops recipe would be perfect.    So here’s the recipe for you.

Grilled Pineapple Pork Chops

Ingredients:

1 (20-ounces) can pineapple rings, juice reserved
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 to 6 pork chops

Mix together pineapple juice (reserved from the can of pineapple rings), brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a large resealable plastic bag until all the sugar is dissolved.  Add pork chops and zip closed.  Store in the fridge 8 to 12 hours.    NOTE:   I find used plastic bags is not environmentally friendly when you end up throwing the bag afterwards.   We have a special container for marinating that we use all the time.   So I mixed all the ingredients and made sure the sugar was dissolved before including the pork chops in the container.   A few times during the 24 hours period of the marinating, I make sure the container is flipped in order to have all sides of the pork chops soaked in the mixture.

When ready to cook, preheat the grill to medium-high heat.  Remove the chops and place on the grill.    Brush the pork chops with marinade while they are cooking to let the flavor soak in.  

Grill until pork chops are browned and no longer pink inside (about 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chops).  Internal temperature should register 145 degrees F.

While the chops are cooking, place the pineapple rings on the grill and cook until they are warmed through and have a slight grill marks on them.   Serve pork chops with grilled pineapple on top.

Make 4 to 6 servings.

The results was fabulous.   Everyone in the family, from the child who is six years old to the adult who was forty-four at the time, enjoyed the recipe.   Mind you I didn’t do the whole menu suggested for this recipe.    That’s the beauty of this cookbook, you can decide to do a menu or just a recipe from a menu.  You have also the possibility of mix and matching the recipes and create a brand new menu if you feel like it.   The possibilities within this cookbook alone are phenomenal.    Alongside recipes and menus, you will find some tradition suggestions, crafts, and other useful information like a measurement conversion chart or a 52 weeks of food storage to avoid being needy when a crisis happens.    You will also find 52 conversation starters for family dinner (assuming you eat together as a family only once a week which I find is not enough) and many other ideas.

Once again, I am impressed with what the Six Sisters have come up in order to offer you a marvelous book packed with menu ideas.   But to be honest, I find that many of these recipes can be find on Pinterest and are not new.    It’s just a matter of if you want to spend the time to search or not.  If you are not a digger (like me), then this book would be a marvelous addition for your personal cookbooks library.   But if you like searching and discovering new recipes you might want to continue to dig in Pinterest.   Since I love both – Pinterest and new cookbook – I am quite pleased to have A Year with Six Sisters’ STUFF in my kitchen.   What makes it even more interesting is that my kids can pick the cookbook, chose a recipe and make it without me worrying that they will stumble on inappropriate images from the internet.

When you see tantalizing pictures like this, how can you not resist trying the recipes included in the book?  The Aloha Burger (picture below) is one of the recipes we want to try as a family.    This burger is already making my kids salivating just by looking at its picture. 

 

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GIVEAWAY

Great news! For this special blog tour, 10 books will be given away. Follow the instructions below for a chance to win!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

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A Year with Six Sisters’ STUFF is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

Paperback Edition

Kindle Edition

Disclaimer: Thanks to Shadow Mountain for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.