Menu Plan Monday

Ok...The Prodigal Menu Planner is returning!  It seems like the less I plan, the more we eat out.  So, I am returning back to the land of organizing the menu!  Here's the plan for the week:

Monday - Taking a family trip to Grandfather Mountain.  We will eat there.  Happy Memorial Day!
Tuesday - Hamburger Helper, Green Beans
Wednesday - Ham, White Beans
Thursday - Fish with Mango Salsa (using Mrs. Wages...review coming soon!), Pasta Salad
Friday - Crockpot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
Saturday - Leftovers or Eat Out

I am looking for some new recipes for the season.  How do you lighten it up for the summer?  Leave me a comment!!!

Have a wonderful week!

What Happened to My Life Blog Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

A 40-Day Journey to Authentic Joy

Life Coach shares life-transforming habits and Biblical truths

to help readers rediscover contentment in their lives

Though they may not voice their frustrations aloud, many women are faced with the aching feeling that their lives have fallen short of their hopes and dreams. Instead of joy and celebration, they seem filled more with frustration and heartbreak. ‘What happened to my life?’ they ask with disappointment.

Danna Demetre, popular conference and motivational speaker, knows that this scenario is all too common in the lives of women today. Many are reeling from broken relationships, unfulfilling careers and other personal disappointments, leaving them feeling discontent and empty. That’s why Demetre, also an accomplished author, has released her latest book,

What Happened to My Life?, where she helps readers discover authentic and lasting joy—despite the dispiriting circumstances they may face.

What Happened to My Life? is a 40-day journey that teaches readers a few simple yet transforming life habits that will help them discover the joy and passion that God has in store for their lives. With daily devotionals and thought-provoking questions, readers will learn to break the cycle of discontentment.

As readers work their way through Demetre’s 40-day journey to joy, they will learn:

• How to fight discontentment in every situation
• What the Bible says about discontentment
• How to “walk in the Spirit” and rely on God's strength for joy that will last
• How other women have changed their lives using these principles

Demetre invites women to “Join me on a journey to discover the one thing worth pursuing, to implement a few simple yet transforming life habits, and to realize the incredible life God has for those who love him.”

Whether dealing with a life crisis or simply feeling that life is not all they'd hoped for, readers will find that this new book will help them discover authentic contentment and joy, regardless of their circumstances. And it will help them transition from simply surviving to truly thriving once again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danna Demetre is an author and popular conference and retreat speaker. She is the president and founder of Women of Purpose, an evangelistic outreach ministry. Danna lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, Lew, and adopted 13 year-old grandson, Jesse. They also have three grown children and are expecting a new grandchild.

BUSYJULIE'S REVIEW

I enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Demetre in this book.  She really puts it all out there and doesn't hold back in relating her life struggles and how she overcame them.  I appreciate her honesty.  This really is a not a "follow these steps and your life will be perfect and complete" book.  It's more about finding your own path and trusting God to see you through.  She says, "You can create contentment and joy (with His help) regardless of your circumstances."  I thoroughly agree!

Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclaimer:  I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.  These are my honest opinions.

Almost Forever Blog Tour

About the Book:

Deb Raney delivers an emotion-packed, gripping story with the creation of Bryn.

A firefighter's wife, Bryn thinks she knows more than most just how dangerous fire can be. Yet when it takes the life of her husband and four other firefighters, Bryn sees fire for the thief it truly is.

From their mutual despair, Bryn and another firefighter's surviving spouse form a close friendship. As the relationship begins to blossom into more, though, the thief comes again and Bryn must face the question: what caused the fire that stole her husband's life?

About the Author:

Deborah Raney is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty novels. She always delivers poignant stories of what it means to wrestle with the realities of a world in chaos...and emerge triumphant.

Her books have received the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her novel, A Vow To Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title.

BusyJulie's Review:

What a great read!  The beginning of this book will leave you on the edge of your seat.  You will not want to put it down until you finish the last chapter!  Bryn is a real, normal, flawed woman and what she goes through is difficult.  The story is one of faith, forgiveness and redemption.  I have not read Mrs. Raney's other books, but I am going to see what else she has to offer!

Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this book by Glass Road PR in exchange for my honest review.

Guest Post from Adopt Us Kids!

Did you know it would take less than 1% of the U.S. population to provide a family for every child in foster care?

May is National Foster Care Month and there has never been a greater need to bring attention to children waiting for forever homes. More than 463,000 children are currently in foster care and 123,000 children are waiting to be adopted.

Children in foster care are loving children. They are children like Shaquane and Edlina and Albert. Every child deserves to have a home with caring and supportive parents.

Help us spread the message this month to reach all Americans and teach them about the love and joy that foster care adoption can bring to your life.

Visit http://www.adoptuskids.org/ to learn more about fostering and adopting. You can also join our online communities on Facebook and Twitter.

Shoe Carnival Coupon!

Need some new shoes? Get an Extra $5, $10, or $15 off on top of BOGO savings! Sorry, not available in AK or HI. Go here to get yours!!!

Scrubbing Bubbles Review and Giveaway

I don't mind most household chores. I love doing laundry. I love to cook. But when it comes to cleaning the bathroom, nothing grosses me out more than cleaning the toilet. And we have 3 bathrooms in our house. Yuck! There's just nothing fun about it! That is, until I tried the Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush Toilet Cleaning System and Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel.

The Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush 2-in-1 Starter Kit includes a plastic handle, 2 disposable single-use Max Pads with Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner, 4 flushable pads with Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner, and 1 hook for storage of the handle.

The handle snaps together and was very easy to assemble. There's a little grasper at the end of the handle and it holds whichever cleaning pad you choose to use.

I used the Max Pad first and it really got the job done. These are great for when you've just let the toilet go too long without cleaning it. Tough stains will be annihilated! Be very careful with the Max Pads, though. You cannot flush these!

The flushable cleaning pads work just as well, in my opinion. You can really angle the wand in all directions, including up under the rim of the bowl, and this helps to clean every surface and allow the pad to open up and release all its cleaning fluid. And you get to flush it down the drain!

After cleaning with either pad, you can just hang your handle to dry on its hook. No more germy, smelly toilet brush hanging out in your bathroom!

Once you get your toilet all sparkly, you can keep it that way with the Toilet Cleaning Gel. The disposable dispenser holds a stamp on gel that, once applied, clings to the bowl and activates each time the toilet is flushed. You just stamp on a clean little neat circle of product and with each flush, you get a fresh and clean toilet bowl! Neat! It's also safe for septic systems. The entire unit lasts up to 6 weeks.

If you are like me, you may be sensitive to smells of household cleansers. Sometimes I feel products have way too much fragrance; other times, just not enough! The scent of all the Scrubbing Bubbles products is not too strong or overwhelming, but very pleasant and fresh.

Visit http://www.rightathome.com/ for a fresh deal from Scrubbing Bubbles. For a limited time, buy one Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel and get a Scrubbing Bubbles® Fresh Brush 2 in 1 starter kit or refill free. Go print that coupon now before the offer's gone!

Now for the giveaway!

You can enter to win these two products free!  Just leave a comment and tell me your favorite household chore and your least favorite household chore. 

Here are the rules of the giveaway:

You must be a follower of BusyJulie to enter.

This contest is for US entrants only.

Giveaway ends at 11:00 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, May 21, 2010.

Winner will chosen at random and will be notified by email. You have 24 hours to reply. If I don't hear from your, I'll have to choose another winner!

Get extra entries by: (Leave a separate comment for each extra entry!)

Becoming a new follower of BusyJulie. If you are already a follower, leave a comment telling me so!

Following BusyJulie on Twitter.

Tweeting about this giveaway. Leave the link in your comment.

Blogging about this giveaway will earn you 3 extra entries - Be sure to leave a link in your comments!

Disclaimer: This post was written for SC Johnson, who provided the complimentary product for review and giveaway in exchange for my honest review.

Review and Giveaway - Breyers YoCrunch 100 Calorie Packs

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

YoCrunch 100 Calorie Packs are the first yogurt products to be naturally sweetened with Truvia rebiana.  Never heard of Truvia?  Well, it's a natural sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia plant.

YoCrunch 100 Calorie Packs are the only calorie-controlled yogurt products that are naturally sweetened, providing all the taste of full-calorie low-fat yogurt but without all the calories and sugar.

YoCrunch 100 Calorie Packs are made with nonfat yogurt and are perfect as a healthy snack or dessert for those craving a nutritious yet decadent sweet treat.  They are available in 5 great flavors:

Cheesecake Yogurt with Graham Cookie Pieces

Strawberry Yogurt with 100% Natural Low Fat Granola 

Vanilla Yogurt with Chocolate Chip Cookie Pieces

Vanilla Yogurt with Chocolate Crème Cookie Pieces

Vanilla Yogurt with Nestle Buncha Crunch Candy Pieces

Made with no artificial sweeteners, YoCrunch 100 Calorie Packs have added Vitamin A and D, and are a good source of calcium and protein for women and kids.

BUSYJULIE'S REVIEW:  They should rename this stuff YumCrunch because it tastes delicious.  I was able to try the Vanilla Yogurt with Chocolate Cookie Pieces.  I was kind of worried when trying this product that there would be a funky aftertaste from the Truvia, but I am happy to report that I did not experience any aftertaste at all.  The yogurt was creamy and delicious, and the cookie pieces added just the right complement and added texture to make this a satisfying dessert for me.  The 100-calorie portion is just perfect...no diet buster here!  Because this product is not made with high-fructose corn syrup like many yogurts on the market today, and because it's high in calcium and protein, I feel confident in giving it to my kids for a snack.  I can't wait to try the other flavors!

GIVEAWAY INFO:  BusyJulie is offering 10 winners each a coupon for 1 Free YoCrunch 100 Calorie Pack (US only). 

Giveaway ends at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, May 7, 2010. Winner will chosen at random and will be notified by email. You have 24 hours to reply. If I don't hear from your, I'll have to choose another winner!

Leave a comment and let me know which flavor you want to try.  That's all you have to do!

Get extra entries by: (Leave a separate comment for each extra entry!)

• Becoming a new follower of BusyJulie.  If you are already a follower, leave a comment telling me so!
• Following BusyJulie on Twitter.
• Tweeting about this giveaway.  Leave the link in your comment.  
• Blogging about this giveaway will earn you 3 extra entries - Be sure to leave a link in your comments!

ADDITIONAL GIVEAWAY RULES:

• You must be a follower of BusyJulie to enter this giveaway.  
• This contest is for US entrants only. 

Disclaimer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. These are my own opinions. I received a sample of the product described above in exchange for my honest review and for hosting this giveaway.