Thanks to ZOKU for 3 amazing products! Check out my reviews of their Stackable Containers and Pocket Straw if you haven’t read them already.
This month, I get to give away a Zoku Reusable Stainless Steel Bottle. This bottle arrived at my house and my 6yr old son tried to swipe it before I even got any pictures!
He’s basically claimed it as his own and takes it everywhere with him. School, park, back yard, bed, etc. It’s quite sturdy and has held up really well to the drops and bumps of being carted everywhere by a little boy.
Stainless steel – it’s basically impossible to damage!
Insulated – ice water stays cold for a really long time. This is really important to my son, he’s all about ice in his water!
Wide opening – it’s impossible to get ice cubes in a tiny opening. Really, Ice is SO important. It would also be great for adding cucumbers or lemon to your water. It’s large enough to get these things in AND out. Though, I wouldn’t know, because he won’t even share with me…
Blue Lid – I tried to convince him to use a carabiner to clip the water bottle to his backpack, but he prefers to stick it in a pocket. Either way, the blue strap makes it easy to identify the bottle as his, and it makes it easier to grab out of his backpack pocket.
Secure Lid – The lid screws on tight but not too tight. It’s easy to get off when you want it off but it isn’t going to come off on its own. So a 6yr old can safely toss it in his backpack with everything else and I don’t have to worry about water leaking everywhere!
Thanks to Zoku for sending these awesome containers for me to review! AND, I get to give away a full set as well. So, keep reading, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom.
I’m loving these Zoku 11-pc Neat Stack stackable containers. They all stack together to fit well in my cupboard. They come in 4 different sizes and there’s even a freezer pack that clips inside one of the large lids – perfect for those days that I pack a salad! You almost can’t tell that the freezer pack is there. It looks like part of the lid.
I love that the lids clip on on 4 sides. They’re easy to clip down and the clips are large enough that it’s easy to grab them and open them when I want to open the container. They also have a nice seal on the inside edge so when the container is closed, it’s sealed. Perfect for packing lunches that I’m worried about spilling everywhere.
I can put soup in these, lock down the lid, and shake them up, and nothing spills. How awesome is that!
My Favorite Features:
Locking Lids – they snap open and shut and stay shut when I shut them. It’s basically impossible not to love a container with a good lid.
Inner Seal – there’s a seal in the lid. So, when it’s shut, it’s shut tight. Perfect for soup, salad with dressing, pasta with sauce, etc.
Fun Colors – I do love the different colored containers, because colors are just so much fun!
Ice Pack – I really hate eating warm salad for lunch. I mean, I stick it in an insulated lunch box but it’s just not that cold by lunch time. The ice pack is absolutely amazing!
Stackable – They all stack neatly together, lids on the bottom, bowls on top. And it all fits in my cupboard without taking up a lot of room.
Pretty much everyone needs new plastic containers. Honestly, I probably need to throw out all my old ones and just restock with a bunch of these. And you can buy your own Zoku 11-pc Neat Stack Set on Amazon. You can also enter the giveaway for a chance to win your own!
I received 3 different Zoku products in exchange for my review. And I get to give away a very cool Zoku pocket straw!
I don’t know about you, but I am a bit frustrated with all the “no straw” things restaurants are trying to do. First off, it’s super inconsistent. And seems to vary by location. I never know if I’m going to be able to get a straw or not.
Secondly, I go a lot of places that I can’t take a straw. Like my local zoo. (I actually can’t take a disposable straw OR lid) This is incredibly inconvenient with kids. Especially with my 2 yr old. I mean, a straw is way easier to bring than a sippy cup. We pretty much loose half our drink every time because we have no lid and we have no straw. It’s so frustrating!
Needless to say, I was super, incredibly excited about trying out this Zoku stainless steel pocket straw. And I’m just loving the great features! The only thing I’m struggling with is prying it away from my 11yr old. She’s pretty sure I got this straw just for her and that it’s the best thing I’ve done for her so far this year.
It telescopes down and fits in the little straw carrying case (that gray thing) so I can easily tuck it in a bag or pocket. Or there’s a spot in the lid for a string if I need to tie it on to something.
It’s not disposable so even the zoo will let me bring it in – not that they’ll know that I have it, it’s so small!
The silicone mouthpiece makes it comfortable to use. I’m not a fan of stainless steel straws because they’re always too hot or too cold depending on what I’m drinking. The little mouthpieces fixes that.
The telescope feature also means that I can easily use it in a smaller cup without having a gigantic straw. I can just telescope it out a little less and it’s shorter. Perfect for smaller cups and little children.
It comes with a straw cleaner. Because, let’s face it, unless I’m drinking only water, I’m going to want to scrub out the inside of this thing. The cleaner also fits in the case with the straw, so I can easily carry this entire thing with me everywhere.
As much as my kids love this straw, I’m going to have to buy one for each of them so they’ll never be strawless. Maybe if I ask nicely Zoku can make them with different colored silicone mouthpieces so I can tell them apart!
The other 2 items Zoku sent are this stainless steel water bottle. I love the rope on top. These bottles are terrific for my kids because they’re easy to transport without spilling, but we’re constantly struggling with where to stuff them in a backpack so they don’t fall out. A little carabiner clipped to the lid and my son’s backpack strap and our problem is solved. This is a nice sturdy bottle, and I love the stainless steel because it will have to survive many drops.
And, last, but not least, the stackable containers. They all stack together to fit well in my cupboard. And they stack with each other well with all the lids on. They come in 4 different sizes and there’s even a freezer pack that clips inside one of the large lids – perfect for those days that I pack a salad!
I love that the lids clip on on 4 sides. They’re easy to clip down but large enough that it’s easy to grab them and open them when the time comes. They also have a nice seal on the inside edge so when the container is closed, it’s sealed. Perfect for packing lunches that I’m worried about spilling everywhere.
Now for the fun part! Enter below for your chance to win your very own pocket straw.
Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth … until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.
Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box- office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?
ABOUT PROVIDENT FILMS
Provident Films, a division of Provident Music Group, a Sony company, develops, produces and markets faith-based films. A pioneer in the genre since 2006, Provident Films’ partnerships include Sherwood Pictures/Kendrick Brothers (WAR ROOM, COURAGEOUS, FIREPROOF and FACING THE GIANTS), The Erwin Brothers (WOODLAWN, MOMS’ NIGHT OUT and the $83 million box office surprise, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE), Kirk Cameron (CONNECT) and Graceworks Pictures (INDIVISIBLE released Oct. 26, 2018). For more information, go to www.providentfilms.org.
ABOUT KENDRICK BROTHERS PRODUCTIONS
Kendrick Brothers Productions is the company of brothers Alex, Stephen and Shannon Kendrick that exists to honor God and share the truth and love of Jesus Christ through movies, books, curriculum and speaking. By blending engaging stories with doctrinal integrity, the Kendricks seek to encourage and inspire audiences with resources that positively impact their lives and strengthen their faith, families, and personal relationships.
2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the release of FLYWHEEL, the Kendrick Brothers’ first feature film. Produced with a shockingly modest budget of only $20,000 and intended for Albany, Georgia residents where the brothers served on staff at Sherwood Baptist Church, FLYWHEEL went on to sell over a million copies in DVD format.
“We’re just amazed at what the Lord’s done with it,” says Alex Kendrick.
2018 also marks the production of the Kendricks’ 6th film, OVERCOMER. Between those two milestones, the Kendricks’ first film and the production of their latest film, the Kendrick Brothers’ body of work has been credited with creating a subcategory known as faith-based films.
With more than $150 million in box office receipts across five films plus millions more in DVD and on-demand sales worldwide, the Kendrick Brothers are recognized as leading the genre.
WHY IDENTITY?
“The movie OVERCOMER is about identity, an issue that everyone deals with. Everyone needs to answer the questions: ‘Who is God?’, and ‘Who am I?’, and the Scriptures deal with both of those things. When a person discovers who they are in Christ, it opens up an understanding of how they can live that out in a daily basis in what they do in their relationships with others,” said Stephen Kendrick.
“When we started the process with OVERCOMER, Alex began to unpack this idea of a cross-country runner who’s dealing with the issue of identity, and at the same time, I’d been studying Ephesians 1 and 2. We can see how the Lord was paralleling our paths to specifically make this movie.”
“Cross country is a very difficult sport. From the time you start, you do not stop or pause until you cross the finish line. And in many regards, that’s like our life; that’s our journey of faith,” said Alex Kendrick.
“As people are walking out of the theater, we hope that they begin to ask questions about where their identity is found, because too often we find it in our circumstances, in our titles, in what other people are saying about us, in our jobs, in our positions or awards. Those things can be taken away,” said Stephen Kendrick.
“I hope moviegoers will realize their salvation is about much more than just having a ticket to eternity. They were actually given a brand-new identity. Which means, they have access to spiritual blessings, they have an inheritance, they have all this stuff that’s available to them, this side of eternity. And when you realize that, that means the decisions you make, the relationships you have, the trajectory you choose, the ambitions that you hold, all of that stuff will reflect, and be indicative of your brand-new identity. That changes and transforms the way you live,” said Priscilla Shirer.
WHAT IS AN OVERCOMER?
“OVERCOMER in many regards, is a discovery of who we are in Christ, who gets to determine our identity and what we have to overcome to embrace the life God has for us,” said Alex Kendrick.
“Overcoming is about powering through and realizing that on the other side of it you are stronger and more courageous than when you started,” said Shari Rigby.
“Being an overcomer means you keep your head up and you know that you’re going to get through it; you figure out a way to get through it, you keep your faith strong, you get through it, and you just thank God,” said Aryn Wright-Thompson.
“Being an overcomer means there is pain, discomfort, inconvenience, life’s tough, and yet you have joy and peace and all the stuff that you can only have if there is an anchor in your soul,” said Priscilla Shirer.
Twist Suzy’s top to make the nightlight brighter or dimmer.
Adjust the music volume via the app or with the buttons on the bottom of Suzy.
Suzy comes nicely packaged with an international usb adapter. So, you could even travel with your child’s nightlight and monitor! The chord is pretty long so you can easily plug in and place Suzy wherever you need it.
Pros:
Super Cute! Who can resist a sleeping nightlight?
Soft light. Even at the brightest setting, because it’s orange, it’s never too bright.
Can control via the app or the device
Soothing music
My kids think Suzy’s adorable!
Includes international adapter
Easy for the kids to turn on
Cons:
App uses lots of battery – It was a bit of a drain on my battery, I’m using an android so not sure about it on an iphone
Baby monitor has a lot of ambient “fuzz” on it – but hey, I use a nestcam for my baby monitor so I am used to “perfect” sound
I have to unplug it to restart every couple of days – I even installed the update, I’m hoping they work this out in future updates
In summary, I like my nestcam so unless I’m traveling and need a baby monitor I’m probably never going to use Suzy as a monitor. It’s pretty comparable to past baby monitors I’ve owned, I just don’t enjoy the ambient noise on them.
It’s great as a nightlight though. And my boys have claimed it as their own. I have one child who requires a nightlight and one child who doesn’t (and they share a room). The light on Suzy is just right and keeps both of them happy. And they think it’s super cute and fun to have their own “Snoozy” light.
I’ve tried to convince them that the light’s name is Suzy, but they think I’m saying Snoozy. And, honestly, hearing my kids call it Snoozy is so cute! I’m not going to change it.
Want to check it out for yourself – enter below for a chance to win a Suzy Snooze for your kiddos.
I received a copy of 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders for free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.
Review
I like Devotions, to a point. But, what I really like is a good Bible Study. This 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders is a terrific guide to Studying the Bible!
This study goes through the structure of the Bible, the Geography of the Bible, and then walks through all the different eras or time spans in the Bible. And, then after you’ve thoroughly explored geography and time, it goes over 10 Biblical Doctrines such as the Holy Spirit, Angels, and Sin.
At the end of the book are 8 bonus chapters that cover things like comparing the 4 Gospels and different literary forms in the Bible.
I loved all the Geography and timelines! I enjoyed the Biblical Doctrines as well, but my favorite parts were definitely the Geography. It’s so helpful to have a better understanding of where and when events are happening!
I enjoyed this study on my own, but, if you’d rather do this as a group, there’s a 13 session teaching plan in this book. This would make an amazing group Bible study! And something I would love to go through again with a group. I think the Biblical Doctrine sections would be especially interesting in a group. You know, get some different perspectives and really dig into these together.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It got me digging deeper and thinking more and understanding better. And, if you’re like me, and you love all the extra little details – like timelines – you’ll love this book as well!
I cook a lot, and especially this time of year, I’m transporting lots of veggies. From picking up my CSA to all the veggies I’m purchasing for fall cooking.
Even if I don’t use them for vegetables, I can always use a couple more drawstring bags around my house. And mesh means they’re breathable and can be used for just about anything!
This package of 12 bags is an Amazon Prime item (so free shipping for Prime members) and at $1 a bag is a great deal. There’s 3 different bag sizes, and while I grabbed a couple for my veggies, my kids snagged a few for their toys.
The different colors are the different sizes, so I never have to guess which bag I have. The drawstring is secure and simple to use. These bags are washable (though I would recommend hang dry) and so versatile!
And, just for reviewing these, I get to share with you! So, enter below for your chance to win a package of these super handy mesh bags!
About the Music – Thanks to FlyBy for this great CD to review. I love music and have always enjoyed Chris Tomlin so I was super excited to have the opportunity to review Chris Tomlin’s latest CD.
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Holy Roar by Chris Tomlin. Just reading the song list makes me excited! “Resurrection Power”, “Satisfied”, “Praise Him Forever”, “I Stand in Awe”, and many more. I love music that is uplifting, worshipful, and an outpouring of praise to God. This album is all that I expected and more.
The songs are beautiful, and even my kids are loving singing along. The freedom, the experience, the wonder of worship. It is seeing the church come together, hands lifted to God, pouring out our praise with an eternal song in our hearts. It’s every voice together, changing the way we worship.
About the Artist – Chris Tomlin is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world who has amassed an impressive body of work. He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks with 16 #1 singles. Chris is one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, others include Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. The Grammy® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award and more. Chris’ concert tours have sold-out venues in major cities including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks in Denver, among others. This spring, Chris marked another career milestone by launching his own imprint record label, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group.
How to Get Your Own – Holy Roar is available for purchase, download, and streaming. Check out this listing here and pick your favorite.
Also, for a chance to win your very own CD copy of Holy Roar enter below!
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
If you win and do not respond within 24 hours I reserve the right to selected a new winner.
I received a review copy of Like Arrows for free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.
When conflict, rebellion, and resentment overwhelm their family, Charlie and Alice are forced to rethink their parenting strategy. In the process, they realize how critical intentionality and focus are when shaping and molding young lives. FamilyLife’s first feature film explores the challenges and joys that come with raising children. Through a journey that unfolds over 50 years, Charlie and Alice discover the unmistakable power of family. Together, they learn that knowing and living by God’s Word is what brings transformation and hope to any family.
While this isn’t usually the type of movie I choose to watch, I do enjoy a Hallmark type movie from time to time and this was a good one. This story follows a family from marriage, to birth, to children, to teenagers, and beyond. It’s a sweet movie about the challenges and heartbreaks of parenting. And the forgiveness and grace that is needed to parent well.
And now for the fun part. I get to give away 2 Fandango tickets! Enter below for your chance to win. Also, don’t forget to check and see when Like Arrows will be in your theater.
I received this product free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own. This post does contain affiliate links.
I was excited to try out these two varieties of Kitchfix Grain Free Granola. Original Mix and Honey Pecan.
I like to take granola and trail mix along with me when I’m out and about with the kids and to our coop every week. The catch is, I can’t bring peanuts. I’m not allergic but over half of the places I go with my children are “peanut free” so I try to follow the rules.
Trail mix is hard to find without peanuts or peanut butter so I’ve been trying out different granolas. I like both varieties of the Kitchfix granola that I tried. As an added bonus they’re grain free – certified paleo. I can eat grains just fine, so what that really means for me is that this granola has lots of awesome things in it. Like nuts, raisins, seeds, and coconut flakes. It’s sweetened with maple syrup and the Honey Pecan is sweetened with maple syrup and honey. And it’s nut just filled out with oats or other grains.
The original mix is very lightly sweetened. Which I love. I try to limit my sugar intake so a hearty granola that’s barely sweetened is perfect.
For something a little sweeter. The Honey Pecan is delicious. My 9 yr old loves this one even though she won’t eat the original mix because she says it isn’t sweet enough.
My younger kids won’t eat it because they don’t like nuts – which for some reason seems normal for my young kids, my 9 yr old just started liking them. The nuts in these granolas are nice and crunchy but not too hard.
The top of the bag is resealable and it’s perfect for bringing along in the car, baby’s diaper bag, lunch box, etc.
Because there’s so many nuts in this granola I find that it’s rather filling and I don’t have to eat a lot of it at one time.
I’m really enjoying these granolas and will be purchasing more when my free packages run out. They are exactly the kind of granola/snack that I want to have on hand for when I need a little something – or if I forget to pack myself a lunch.
They’re delicious and nutritious! Enter below for a chance to win a Kitchfix Grain-Free Granola Bundle and try these for yourself.
ABOUT KENDRICK BROTHERS PRODUCTIONS
I received a Suzy Snooze Smart Nightlight (or Snoozy as my 5yr old calls it) for free to review. You can purchase this product on their 
In summary, I like my nestcam so unless I’m traveling and need a baby monitor I’m probably never going to use Suzy as a monitor. It’s pretty comparable to past baby monitors I’ve owned, I just don’t enjoy the ambient noise on them.
I was excited to try out these two varieties of Kitchfix Grain Free Granola. 
For something a little sweeter. The Honey Pecan is delicious. My 9 yr old loves this one even though she won’t eat the original mix because she says it isn’t sweet enough.