Many, many years ago-in what seems a different lifetime at this point, I was a drama teacher. One of the places I worked was a summer drama camp for kids ranging in age from 5-18. Way back then, the Harry Potter books were new and we were still waiting from book to book for them to come out-there were no movies. I was asked to start a Harry Potter class at this drama camp. It was my favorite job ever-EVER!

We did all sorts of fun things-a sorting hat, played Quidditch, and had potions class (to name a few). I was a newlywed and my husband was a chemistry major in college at the time and he came in and did the potions class each session for me. Probably the favorite activity to do was to make slime out of the crazy ingredients (I think we called them like ogre snot, werewolf dandruff and unicorn sweat). BUT the actual ingredients were Water (unicorn sweat), Elmer's (or white) glue (ogre snot), and BORAX (Werewolf dandruff). That lesson was always a favorite and it made me LOVE the magic ingredient of BORAX!!

So, when my Purex family over at the Purex Insider team asked me to review Borax, I immediately flashed back to that fantastic experience in my life and JUMPED to review it!

Now here is my sad, sad admission, other than using it to make slime, I had no clue what Borax was used for, or really even what it was. So let me tell you what I have learned.

What is it?

From the info provided to me from the Purex Insider:

• 20 Team Mule Borax is 100% natural Mineral from the earth. Once removed from the ground it is washed, dried and boxed for consumers
• Borax is the common name for sodium tetraborate
• NOTHING is added.

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As I have mentioned before, I am a Purex Insider and as such I get to try a lot of their awesome laundry products. Most recently I was sent some Purex Baby Detergent!

What is it? 
This product is new for babies and specifically for infants! Here are a few things about it:

• Provides same bright, white clean you expect from Purex, but is sensitive enough for baby skin! 
• Baby-inspired freshness (fragrance)
• Hypoallergenic
• Dermatologist-tested formula guarantees to remove stubborn stains without hurting delicate clothing (like footie pjs-yes this is SAFE detergent to use on baby footie pjs)
• Like all Purex detergents this is formulated for use with all washers
• AND because it is Purex, you can get the best for your baby without breaking the bank

***By Way of Disclosure, I was sent a free bottle of Purex Baby Detergent for my review, and was given the 3 Free coupons as prizes for this giveaway. I was not however compensated in any other way and all opinions expressed are my own!***

A couple of weeks ago this beautiful box of yumminess showed up at my door:

We were so excited to get all this great stuff to try from SunRype and She Speaks. I thought it might be well liked in my home, and to say it was would be an understatement! It was LOVED and fought over, and gone quickly. You should have seen the "negotiations" my kids were doing to try to get the last one! Seriously! It was a little funny and a little sad.

Let me tell you a little about the SunRype company. From their website:

At SunRype we're proud to say we use nothing artificial! Our 100% fruit snacks contain naturally occurring fruit sugars. The great taste of SunRype also comes with no artificial flavors and no artificial colors because we know that what's not in our fruit snacks is just as important as what is. 

I want to tell you all about all the items we tried. First I will tell you about these gems, the Fruit Stripes:

These are basically the perfect kids snack! We were sent the Strawberry and Wildberry flavors to try. Both were really good! The kids loved these the most. They were especially excited about the fact that they are tasty AND fun-they peel apart like pull n peel licorice. It was funny to watch my 6 year old literally trying to hide these for snacks later before the other kids could get to them. I took a couple pictures of my youngest 2 kids enjoying the first of these (before everyone else came home from school):


And what does mom love about them? Well, first, they taste GREAT! I wanted to hide some for me too...But on top of that, they are 100% fruit-no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. (Note to ANDREA-no Red dye in there babies!!)

The second product we tried was the FruitSource 100% Fruit Bars:

As their website says, Fruit snacks aren't just for kids. And as I would tell you-these are like fruit snacks grew up! We got to try the Blueberry Pomegranate and Strawberry varieties. Both were scrumptious! And just like the Fruit Stripes, these babies are 100% Fruit! Plus, these bars, have 2 servings of fruit in each bar! TWO!

The last product we got to try was the Just Fruit and Grains bars:

This was my favorite! We got to try the Strawberry Mango and the Summer berries varieties. They are bars that are 70% fruit and 30% grain. JUST fruit and grains.

I was certain I would like the Strawberry Mango best (as I love both those fruits), and found I did like them, BUT the Summer Berry flavor was EVEN BETTER!! LOVED it! I could really eat these anytime and be a happy camper! I would eat them instead of a cookie or sugary sweet treat ANY DAY! LOVED these a lot!

Have you tried SunRype products yet? If not, go, go now and get some! You can thank me later! If you have tried them, you should go show them your love by Liking them on Facebook! Oh, and ALL of you should check out their Facebook deal too!

Hey-by way of disclosure, I should tell you that I was sent $40 worth of free products from SunRype and She Speaks for the purposes of this review. I did not receive any other compensation. AND as always all opinions expressed are my own!

In case you have not yet hears, today in National Pancake Day which means you can get a free short stack of pancakes at IHOP today!

You can read all the details here on their website. (Basically you get a free short stack of pancakes per person and they ask you to consider donating some money that will go to benefit the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.)

Check here for a location near you (Once you get there click on the location tab across the top of the page! And before you head over there I would recommend giving them a call and making sure they are participating (though to be honest I have never been to an IHOP that was not on Pancake day!)

Do you like to have fun? Are you always looking for something funny to read? AND do you like awesome giveaways?

Well, then you absolutely must go check The Song Stuck in my Head. My friend Brady (actual friend in real life-not JUST an online friend) writes it and the blog is as fun as he is!

He gives away some really fun, silly things and right now he is doing a giveaway that I personally think it pretty sweet. There are a number of prizes, my favorite is this awesome scorpion:
Yes, you could win that (though I hope I do as my boys would LOVE it and it would creep out ALL the kids at the same time)! So, go enter the giveaway here and make sure to tell Brady Hi for me (not that you are required to do that, but just because I would love it if you would!)!

Here are my favorite deals in Scottsdale grocery this week:

Albertsons Market (I no longer shop here due to their terrible customer service and their rude manager, but I post the deals for pricematching purposes...just an FYI...)

• Cuties Clementines 3 lb 2/$5
• Coke Pepsi or 7Up 12 packs 4/$9 (When you buy 4 WITH a minimum $25 purchase)
• Lay's Potato Chips 10-10.5 oz, Santitas 11 oz or Chester's Puffcorn 3.5-4.5 oz $1.88 (limit 4 on the Lay's)
• Jennie O Blue Ribbon Deli Turky Breast $2.99/lb (limit 2 lbs-additional $4.99/lb)
• Kellogg's Cereal 11.4-18 oz $1.99 (This is part of a mix and match sale where you have to buy 8 participating items to get this price. If you do not buy 8 items, the price is $.50 more)
• Capri Sun or Kool Aid Jammers 10 pk $1.79 (This is part of a mix and match sale where you have to buy 8 participating items to get this price. If you do not buy 8 items, the price is $.50 more)
• Super Lean Ground Beef 93% Lean 3 lbs or more $2.77/lb
• Extra Lean Ground Beef 85% Lean 3 lbs or more $2.59/lb
• Chicken Breasts of Thighs $1.99/lb
• Armour Meatballs 14 oz Frozen BOGO (Buy one at regular price of $3.99 each, get second free)
• Fresh Made Guacamole 12 oz $3.99

Bashas (Remember, their sales are almost always WITH your Basha's Thank You Card)

• Fresh Baby Back Ribs Buy 1 get 2 free
• Blueberries (fresh full dry pint) $1.77
• Large Slicing or Red Ripe Roma Tomatoes $.77/lb
• Lay's Potato Chips 10-10.5 oz $1.88
• Food Club Chunks, Bars, bars, or shreds (6-8 oz) $1.88
• Chex Cereal 12.8-14 oz 4/$6 (when you buy 4 in single transaction)
• Welch's Grape Jam or Jelly 2/$4
• Danimals Crush Cup or Dannon Activia Breakfast Blends 4 pack, 4or 6 oz 3/$5
• Large Haas Avocados 10/$10
• Large Fuji, Ambrosia, Braeburn or Red or Golden Delicious Apples $.99/lb
• Sweet Onions or Jicima $.99/lb
• Large Green Bell Peppers 2/$1
• Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce 2/$3 (18 oz)
• McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning 2.5-3.5 oz 2/$3

In addition to their regular week long special, Basha's also has a 3 Day Sale Friday 2/1-Sunday 2/3 that includes the following:

• Haas Small Avocado 5/$1

Fresh & Easy

• f&e tri tip roast $2.99/lb
• f&e Guacamole 12 oz $3.49
• Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps 7.2 oz 2/$5

Fry's (Remember their sales are almost always WITH card)

• Pork Loin Back Ribs or St Louis Style Ribs Buy 1 get 2 Free
• California Seedless Mandarines or Cara Cara Navel Oranges 3 lb bag $2.47
• Kroger boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts or tenderloins $1.88/lb
• Kroger Cheese 6-8 oz $1.99Kroger Orange Juice Gallon $2.99 (from concentrate)
• Mini Peeled Carrots 1 lb bag $.98
• Mini Sweet Peppers 2 lb bag $2.99

Safeway (Remember their sales are almost always WITH card)

• Rancher's Reserve Whole Beef Top Sirloin (sold whole in the bag) $2.77/lb
• Farmer Johns Hot Dogs 16 oz $.88
• Pantry Essentials Milk $1.67
• Fresh baked Muffins 9 ct $5
• Safeway Select Artisan All Butter Croissants 15 ct $5Fresh Baked Cookies 50 ct $5
• Mangoes 10/$10
• Red Vines or Sour Punch Twist Tub 2.78 or 4 lb $6.99
• Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Carton 30 oz $6.49

In addition to their regular week long special, Safeway also has a 3 Day, $5 Sale Friday 2/1-Sunday 2/3 that includes the following:

• Signature Cafe Family Size Cheese Pizza OR 15 ct (18 oz) Bone In Chicken OR 1.5 lb Boneless Chicken Wings $5 each
• Fresh Bakes Strudel or Gourmet Croissants (Dare I hope they are chocolate Croissants?!) $5
• Tony Roma's Ribs (16 oz) OR Bar S Sausage (40 oz) $5 While Supplies last!
• Lucerne or Open Nature Cheese 24-32 oz Chuck or Shredded $5
• Safeway Trash Bags 18, 20, 25, 38, 45, or 50 count $5
• Foster Farms Corn Dogs OR Smucker's Uncrustables OR Totinos Pizza Rolls $5
• 5 lb Clementines $5
• General Mills Trix 10.7 oz, Cocoa Puffs 11.8 oz, Cereal or Quaker Chewy Granola bars 8 ct 3/$5 ($1.67 each)
• The Snack Artist 28-31 oz Peanuts $5

Sprouts

• Roma Tomatos 3 lb/$1
• Organic Red delicious apples $.48/lb
• Crisp Cucumbers or Green Bell Peppers $.48 each
• Red, Yellow, or Orange Bell Peppers $.88 each
• Strawberries 1 lb clamshell 2/$4
• California Navel Oranges $.48/lb
• Braeburn or Fuji Apples $.88/lb
• Garnet or Jewel Yams $.88/lb
• Grape Tomatoes (1 dry pint) or hothouse cucumbers 4/$5
• Baby Carrots $.88 each (1 lb bag)
• Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps 7.2 oz 2/$5

***Remember that I generally just price match at Walmart as much as I can rather than go to all the stores separately! I LOVE being able to do that. You can also pricematch at Target, but I find it easier to pricematch at Walmart.

Have you ever heard of Swagbucks? They're a completely free, no strings attached site that rewards you for all of the things you're already doing online. Search, Watching Videos, Playing Games, Taking Surveys, Shopping and more - as you do these activities, you'll earn Swag Bucks, which are reward points that you can redeem for all sorts of gift cards in the Rewards Store. You can download their toolbar or download their OS and Android apps for more opportunities to earn. Choose the activities you like or have time for - how much you earn is up to you!

Today is a Swag Code Extravaganza so you can get lots of points today (See the Swag Blog here for info)!

I've used Swagbucks for 3 years and so far I've earned 20,774 Swagbucks. You can do the same!

To sign up for Swagbucks, click this link and join me.

Mrs Cubbison posted the following on Facebook: LAST CHANCE for FREE Salad Toppings! Our giveaway begins in 1 hour at noon ET (9am PT). Click "Like" now to get ready!

So they are giving away free salad topping so the first 200 in about 15 minutes, See their FB site here for details and to sign up for your freebie-I hope some of you get one!! Here's the Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/#!/mrscubbisons

Hello. First, sorry for the lask of posts. We went home to Utah for the holidays and since our return have been fighting off the sickies! Yuck. I am feeling a bit better (knock on wood)! Anyway-I love this deal each year so I am sharing it.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 23, 2013) is National Pie Day. Which means Village Inn will give you a free piece of pie with any purchase.

(I know in Omaha this is only an ok deal since VI has free pie EACH WEDNESDAY is free pie day, but that is not the case in all VI's...)

Anyway-here are the details...No Coupon necessary. Free slice of double crust fruit pie of feature pie with any dine-in purchase. Offer available 10am-10pm. One slice per person per per purchase per visit. Valid only at Participating restaurants (So make sure to call your local VI before you head over to see if they are participating). Not valid with other offers.

 See their National Pie Day webpage here.