Free Kindle Book "Fearless" by Tawdra Kandle

I don't know about you, but I love finding a great deal on kindle books.  I always appreciate it when others tell me about free kindle books, so that is what I am doing right now.

Fearless by Tawdra Kandle is free on Amazon from now through Sunday.

In case you are interested, the second book in this series is also out, and it is a great bargain!

Thanks, Mandie!


http://www.takingtimeformommy.com
http://ereadingonthecheap.com
http://time4mommy.com
http://mommyreadstoomuch.com

This Day in History April 3, 1924

What a classy lady!  Anyone know who she is?  Well, I will give you a hint.  She was born on this date in 1924.  And her name is Doris Day--or at least, that is how we know her.  She was my dad's favorite singer--so I was not interested in her when I was much younger.  I always wanted to rebel against my dad's musical tastes, so I nearly missed great singers like the Carpenters and Doris Day.

Her birth name was Doris Mary Ann von Kappelhoff, and her birthplace was Cincinatti, Ohio.  Her father was a classically trained musician, and her mom loved "hillbilly" music.  Early on, her mother encouraged her vocal talent by taking her to a voice teacher who was incredibly impressed with Doris's natural talent.

When she began working with a band as a teenager, she adopted the stage name "Day."  She eventually had several hit recordings, and she also starred in several films.  I'll show you a video of my personal favorite at the end of this post.

I was not aware of the fact that in September of last year, she released a new album (her first in 2 decades) called My Heart.  It is a compilation of previously released material, and she had become the oldest artist in the UK to score a top 10 album of new material.

For more information, please check out:
http://www.dorisday.com/about
http://www.dorisdaytribute.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Day

Her finest role, in my opinion:

This Day in History April 2, 1978

You probably don't recognize this, but I bet you use it regularly.  And on this date in 1978, it was first released.

It probably looks more normal now.  And this hook-and-loop fastener was developed by Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral.  In 1948, he noticed that there were some thistle burrs sticking to his clothes after a hunting trip.  He examined these burrs microscopically, and he noticed the small hooks on these burrs.  From 1948, he worked with a local weaver to create a locking tape that would simulate what he had seen in nature.  He accidentally discovered that nylon, when sewn under ultraviolet light, formed hooks that were virtually indestructible.  The term "velcro" comes from "vel" for velvet and "cro" from the French word crochet (hook).  Although initially met with laughter, Velcro has become a multi-million dollar business!

For more information, check out:

http://www.vickywebworld.org/velcro-fastener-velcro-strap-straps-velcro-tape-velcro-ties-hook-velcro-cable-velcro-sneakers/

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa091297.htm

http://www.ehow.com/about_5377443_history-velcro.html

http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/velcro.htm

http://www.todayinsci.com/4/4_02.htm

Slap Koozies - Like the 80's slap bracelet, but for your beverage Review

The SlapKooler™ band is a banded 'slap koozie' beverage insulator that you can 'slap' on your can, bottle, arm, leg, friends, or people you just meet. Many people call it a 'slap koozie' or a 'slap wrap', but we call the SlapKooler^TM the next generation of awesome. Dual metal recoiling bands slap the neoprene koozie insulator around your can or bottle, just as it's appeal wraps itself around your heart!


I was so pleased to review Slap Koozies.  I am a coffee drinker, and I love those cardboard sleeves they give you at the coffee shop.  I often burn my fingers by picking up a cup that is too hot on the outside.  I have even been known to drop my coffee cup if it's too hot.  


I absolutely loved the feeling of this Slap Koozie!  It was easy to put on my cup, and it was very comfortable to hold.  I could not feel the heat through it, and I felt very secure in holding my cup.  I never had to write my name on it, but I can see where that would be a good thing if you were having a party or something like that.  It was equally as easy to remove.


I would certainly recommend this product to all of the coffee drinkers out there!  You won't regret it!

Teas' Tea Green Tea Review

TEAS' TEA Unsweetened 16.9 oz $1.99
Enjoy the refreshing purity of nature with ITO EN's TEAS' TEA. Made with nothing but purified water, high-quality tea leaves, and vitamin C, TEAS' TEA is meant to revitalize and renew. Available in several varieties, TEAS' TEA is high in antioxidants, unsweetened, and calorie-free. Give your body the very best.
Flavors: Rose Green, Green Jasmine, Golden Oolong, Lemongrass Green, Green White, Mint Green, Pure Green.
TEAS' TEA Low Calorie 16.9 oz $1.99
Purified water, high quality tea leaves, naturally sweetened with a touch of cane sugar. Just 40 calories per serving. Natural "catechin" tea antioxidants. All natural.
Flavors: Blueberry Green, Mango Oolong, Lemon Black.
TEAS' TEA Classic 16.9 oz $1.99  
Flavors: Country Peach, Crisp Apple.

Today, people are looking for a deeper meaning and connection also through their purchases. One way they find this is by purchasing products from companies that are committed to a better planet, and socio-economic betterment - companies that are about more than making money. 

This month ITO EN & Whole Planet Foundation (Whole Foods Market's non-profit initiative), are bringing awareness to the poverty alleviation programs throughout the nation.

ITO EN is one of the original partners with Supplier Alliance for Microcredit to fight poverty around the world. The Supplier Alliance for Microcredit is an alliance of natural foods companies that has collectively pledged $1.05 million to support microlending programs which offer small, collateral-free business loans to the very poor, with a focus on women. With a microcredit loan, an impoverished woman entrepreneur can start or expand a home based business and create the opportunity to lift herself and her family out of poverty.

Socio-economic and planetary betterment is part of ITO EN's DNA from green tea health benefits research, recycling waste, to reuse of the elements if production (such as making vending machines 
and park benches our of recycled tea leaves).  More about ITO EN's sustainability involvement http://www.itoen.com/corporate-social-responsibility-community

VIDEO by Jim Hoagland, ITO EN SVP speaks about ITO EN & the commitment and partnership with Whole Planet Foundation to alleviate poverty.


A Case from Malawi: Salome, A Microcredit Client of MicroLoan Foundation 

Salome, left, is a microcredit client of MicroLoan Foundation in Malawi.  She is a 32 year old mother of six children, two of which are hers and four of which are AIDs orphans she’s adopted. She lives in a one room hut in a rural area, many miles from the nearest town. In the past Salome struggled to feed, clothe and care for her children, and herself. With her microcredit loan her yield per acre has quadrupled, she has been able to purchase fundamental farming tools, she can afford to send all six children to secondary school and she is equipped with essential farming and business skills.  WPF partner MicroLoan Foundation provides her and the other Microcredit clients training, technical advice and financial services in order to become effective local producers and suppliers of agricultural produce.

Salome explains that: “It feels very important, to me, that the MicroVentures project is not simply about giving people money or setting up new businesses. It is about finding people who are working hard to feed their families and making their business more sustainable and more efficient and so helping to create affluent individuals who can in turn provide jobs and incomes for others in their communities. “Look at me” she tells us, “I am happy and the children in my house are happy.”

MicroLoan Foundation is strengthening its agricultural programs in Malawi in partnership with an international fund called FICA, which is helping clients to build relationships with national Malawian food retailers, along with local hotels and restaurants, so they can strengthen their place in the value chain. 

www.itoen.com
www.teastea.com
www.Facebook.com/ITOEN
www.Twitter.com/Ito_En


Indeed this company offers authentic and high-quality green tea products, and they also make a difference in many areas in terms of recycling the tea leaves in their production and working with specialized organizations to alleviate world poverty. 


I feel so privileged to work with such a fantastic company that truly does care about making a difference in this world.  I got to review two of their special tea drinks--unsweetened green tea and low calorie sweetened black tea.  I will tell you that I preferred the low calorie drink the best although it was not quite as sweet as I prefer.  However, after working out, it was perfect!  It really hit the spot.  I had to add splenda to the unsweetened, but if definitely had a good flavor.  I was also sent a reusable shopping tote with their logo.  So I could not complain.


So are you ready to get your own tea drinks?  You can buy Teas' Tea at Whole Foods Market nationwide and also online at www.itoen.com.

$500 Giveaway! (Open Worldwide!)

How would you like to win $500?  I know I would!  And I happened upon a great site today called Contest Chest.  I had never heard of this site before, but it a great site to find and list giveaways.

So, if you would like to win $500, enter the rafflecopter form.  And be sure to copy the URL of my page where you are seeing the giveaway (http://www.mydevotionalthoughts.com/2012/04/500-giveaway-open-worldwide.html) so I can get credit.  You see, if you win the money, I do, too, and I get a month of free advertising!  So, be sure to enter.  It looks like you have quite a bit of time, but don't forget!

This Day in History April 1, 1912

I am glad I happened upon this information today.  It was on this date in 1912 that Branson, Missouri was incorporated and became a town.  So that means that today Branson celebrates 100 years!  I don't know if you have ever visited there, but it is beautiful.  And it is the beauty of the Ozarks that initially drew visitors there.  It only had 1200 inhabitants when it became a town.  And there were no shows either!

My memories of Branson are somewhat mixed.  I first went there on my fourth or fifth wedding anniversary.  I had hoped and prayed that things were changing for the better between my then husband.  I remember that I longed to see Andy Williams in concert, but he would have none of that.  We did see a couple shows--the Chinese Acrobats and the Christian presentation The Promise.


When we went back to Branson, it is was in 2000 when my family took a historic trek across the country.  We went to some show--can't remember.  But we did go on a neat cruise.

I always have wanted to go back, and maybe I will someday.  It is a beautiful place, and it offers wholesome family entertainment.

For more information, check out:
http://www.bransonmo.com/HISTROY1GS.php
http://www.hamnerbarber.com/2012/03/31/no-fooling-branson-turns-100-years-old-april-1st/
http://www.examiner.com/world-travel-in-detroit/branson-turns-100-a-century-to-celebrate
http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/info/category/history/
http://townmapsusa.com/images/maps/map_of_branson_mo.jpg