Cook'n Recipe Organizer Review and Giveaway

In the Birbitt Thinks house we prefer to eat mostly fruits and vegetables and only have cuts of meat 3-4 times a week, and we eat mostly organic food finding really yummy recipes is hard work.  Most traditional recipes just don't work out for use very well, because either there's an ingredient that I don't like to use or they aren't hearty enough to create a filling meal with.

As a solution to this problem I scour the internet for delicious recipes that I can use in my own kitchen, well the end result of this has been that I have pages and pages of printed internet recipes that get lost and I have to go back and hunt for them again on the internet, or I have a pile of recipe bookmarks and Pinterest pins that I'll never be able to use when I need them because they just aren't organized! 

Well, of course I have found a solution and I want to share it with you all! Meet the Cook'n Recipe Organizer with this simple download you can not only save, but also organize your favorite internet (and written) recipes!  That's right, you can organize all of your recipes with Cook'n!  Just look at all the features you get in one simple download:

Enter Your Recipes Easily Using Quick-Fill
Type Ingredients You Have On-Hand to Get Recipe Ideas
Sync with iPhone & Android for Easy Access in Kitchen
Drag & Drop Your Recipes to Make Custom Menus
Auto-Generate Shopping List by Aisle to Save Time
Capture Recipes From Your Favorite Websites with One-Click
Calculate Nutrition of Your Recipes to Help You Eat Healthy
Print a Family Cookbook to Share with Friends
Scale Recipes to Easily Adjust Serving Sizes
E-Mail Recipes to Family & Friends
Free Updates! - Recent Updates

In addition to all of this Cook'n Recipe Organizer comes with a 200% money back guarantee!  If you aren't fully satisfied, which I know you will be, then you will get your money back AND Dan Oaks will buy you the recipe software of your choice.  How's that for confidence in his product huh?  

So let me tell you what Cook'n has done for me, I have been able to go through my bookmarks and get all those recipes into the software, organized in a way I'll always be able to find my recipes when I need them, AND generate a shopping list based on selecting the recipes I wish to prepare that week!  For this busy mom, the time I have saved using this software has been priceless.  

Now I did find a few recipes that didn't capture easily for me, but it wasn't a problem I just entered the recipe manually and it still works great.  Seriously this is probably the best software I've ever seen for storing recipes and making the available when needed.  When a friend asked me for my recipe for squash au gratin, I was able to easily pull it up in cook'n and click the email button to send it to my friend and the best part is that unlike other recipe software programs I've tried my friend didn't need to have the software to view the recipe!  

Now in addition to all of those great features, you also get access to additional cook books that you can purchase, and even get one book free with purchase of the software. Seriously, what could possibly be easier?  Now you can purchase your own copy as a download or on CD for only $79.95, and that includes EVERYTHING, all future updates, access to all features in the software, and a free cookbook of your choice!  

But the best part is that readers of Birbitt Thinks are getting a special deal!  If you order your copy of Cook'n after reading this review and use coupon code cookngift you can get 50% off your order!  That is HALF-PRICE, now what could be better? Now don't forget to head on over to their Facebook page for their weekly giveaways!  You can also visit them on Pinterest and Twitter. Did I mention that Cook'n software would make a great gift for the foodies on your list?  

Oh, and because the product is so wonderful, and because I know you are going to love it, and because Mr. Dan Oaks is such an awesome guy ONE lucky reader is going to get their own Cook'n software download for FREE!  That's right yet another awesome Birbitt Thinks giveaway, and you won't want to miss this one! 

So if you want your own copy enter the rafflecopter below, but if you just can't wait that long well use coupon code cookngift and get yours for half price!  If you are entering the giveaway please remember to do all 3 required entries, and for even better chances come back and do the daily entries as well! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birbitt Thinks was provided a free copy of Cook'n Software in exchange for this review.  I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are solely my own.   

Giveaway for a Good Cause

 When I heard of Melissa's concern over her parent's ability to afford travel expenses to get her father to his cancer treatments, I wanted to help any way I could.  She told me she would be doing a giveaway and asked if I'd like to help promote, I decided that this was something I could do to help!  If you would like to help Melissa and her parents you may visit her site Product Review Cafe and use the link there to donate, or leave her a facebook message showing your support!  And now for the part you have been waiting for, THE GIVEAWAY!

Birbitt Thinks, and a great group of bloggers teamed up to help Melissa of Product Review Cafe raise some funds for to help her parent's with their added travel expenses for her father's new Cancer treatments! Thanks ladies ! Now, a few have donated some great prizes for you to win to help with raising awareness for Lung Cancer and ALL OTHER types of Cancer ! Unfortunately , too many of us have been effected in one way or another by this horrible disease and it is nice when people get together to help each other out ! Thanks ladies , You ROCK and Cancer SUCKS!

 
 TWO lucky winner will receive one of the prizes listed below ! The first winner selected will get their choice of either the three Sibu products or the Oral B Professional Care. Giveaway runs from 10/22 - 11/3. In order to enter you must be 18+ and a US resident. All entries are verified. Winner will be announced here, emailed and have 48 hrs to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The prizes are being shipped by the blogger who has sponsored them and not Birbitt Thinks or Product Review Cafe, however please direct all questions or concerns to Product Review Cafe. More pictures of the prizes to come


                     

 

Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter and Good Luck !

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review

I was recently sent a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to review.  We here in the Birbitt Thinks family love coconut oil and use it for so many things!  When I opened this jar the first thing I noticed was how strong the fragrance of coconut was, and I loved it!  I couldn't wait to make something with it, so the first thing I made was coconut granola.

Coconut and Cranberry Granola Recipe:

8 cups of rolled oats

1 cup wheat germ

1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/2 cup Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

1/2 cup brown rice syrup

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (homemade is great!)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Method: 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  

Combine in a large bowl the oats, wheat germ, coconut, and pecans.  Divide this mixture onto two baking sheets and bake for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted.

Cool down enough that you can handle it, then return it to the bowl. 

While you are toasting the oats, combine the coconut milk, coconut oil, brown rice syrup, and honey in a saucepan.  

Cook over medium heat until it boils, boil for 2 minutes, and then remove from heat.

Add Vanilla, pour over the oat mixture and stir until fully coated.

Again divide between the two baking sheets and spread evenly.

Bake for 8 minutes in the oven, or until you can smell the yumminess.

Cool, then mix in the cranberries and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Everyone in the house LOVED the granola, even my husband who doesn't care for coconut loved it!  Of course this oil can do more than just granola!  The next thing I did was to use it for frying pancakes, those pancakes were so delicious, they were nice and moist inside, had a light crisp outside, and didn't need any butter or syrup!  

One of our favorite uses for coconut oil is on popcorn, because once we add the coconut oil there is no need for anything else on it.  So I popped up a batch of popcorn in our air popper, drizzled on some melted coconut oil and served it to the family, they ate it all up!  

Now let's not forget that coconut oil isn't just for your food!  Another thing I did with Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil was to make my favorite sugar scrub.  Now I don't measure my sugar scrub ingredients, so you'll have to bear with me a bit.  In a bowl I combine organic brown sugar, coconut oil, dried lavender, and a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil (I exclusively use Young Living essential oils).  I am looking for a scrub that holds together, but isn't overly soaked in oil and this one was perfect.  I store mine in a cleaned out jelly jar, but you can use any air tight container you have.  I usually keep mine about 2 weeks or so, but have kept it longer on occasion. 

As you can see Coconut Oil is truly one of the most versatile oils you will ever use, and this Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil is the absolute best I've ever tried, and I don't ever want to use another coconut oil again! 

 

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

Birbitt Thinks coconut oil is wonderful, and would love for you to win your very own jar.  Simply fill out the rafflecopter form below and you just might be the lucky winner!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: I received one quart of coconut oil from tropical traditions in exchange for my review, I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are strictly my own. 

Green Virgin Soap Nut and Moringa Soap Review

A few weeks back I did a review on Green Virgin Products Soap Nuts and Mineral Stick Deodorant, you all know I loved the products and so when I was asked to review some more Green Virgin Products I was thrilled!  I was sent an assortment of products and I will review them for you one at a time. The first product I want to tell you about is the Green Virgin Soap Nut and Moringa Peppermint Bar Soap.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the soap was the wonderful scent of peppermint!  It was a very uplifting and invigorating fragrance and I knew it was the perfect morning wake up call.  Once I removed the wrapper I was able to see the lovely dragonfly stamped into the soap, as well as all the little bitty bits of Moringa Leaf.  Aside from being real, honest soap which I love this soap is also great because it left my skin soft, and residue free as well as feeling fully moisturized and refreshed after my shower.  I found that when showering with this soap in the morning I was perky, and alert after my shower and that lasted all through my morning and into the afternoon.  I also found this soap to be gentle enough to use on my 3 year old, and he even liked the scent. 

Now for those of you who don't know what Moringa is or why it's so good for you, you may read all about that here.  If you do know what is so awesome about Moringa, then you know why I love this soap! This soap is made with high quality, all natural ingredients.  The ingredients contained in Soap Nut and Moringa Peppermint Bar Soap are: Soap nuts liquid, Moringa leaf powder, Olive oil, Coconut oil, Palm kernel oil, Sunflower oil, Shea butter, Peppermint essential oil, and Sodium hydroxide.  How is that for a natural ingredient list?  

Because this is a natural soap it does melt quickly in water so you must store it in a well draining soap dish.  Please do not use those decorative ones that simply hold water next to your soap, you will be greatly disappointed at how quickly your soap melts away in those.  Now I have some lovely wooden ones that drain the water away quickly, but if you don't already have a well draining soap dish Green Virgin Products Sells a very nice vertical soap dish that will keep your soap dry between uses to preserve it longer.

If you are looking for gift for the upcoming holiday season may I suggest this lovely gift set which contains Green Virgin Products' beautiful vertical soap dish as well as a bar of their wonderful soap!  It would make a great teacher or secretary gift, as well as something nice to give for a white elephant swap, or just a lovely little gift for friends and family!  

Birbitt Thinks Green Virgin Products has truly proven their commitment to bringing high quality, safe, and natural products into your home.  It is because of this that Green Virgin Products has earned a spot in my own home, and I believe it should have a place in yours as well!

I received this product from Green Virgin Products in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review and was not compensated in any way other than the free product for my use.  Some links in this post may be affiliate links, and I receive a small commission from your purchase using those links.  

Nerf FireVision Review

I was recently sent a Nerf FireVision football set by BzzAgent for my reveiw.  Having boys and living in the desert, I was eager to give this a try!  See when you live in the desert often you don't get to go outside and play in the summer time until after 6pm when the sun starts to go down and the temperature drops below 110.  Even now in October it's still in the high 90's during the day, but in the evening it is so much cooler.

So the idea with Nerf FireVision is that even when the sun is setting you can play football because the visors have small LED lights on them in two colors, red and green for spotting team members, and the ball has reflective material on it to make it appear to light up.  Here are a couple pictures from them learning to toss the ball to each other:

Overall I think Nerf has a great concept here with the FireVision, I mean the boys think it's super cool, it makes it easier to play ball outside in the summer evenings, and it's fun! My only complaint with this particular set is that the green LED lights are more difficult to see on the ball than the red LED lights.  Also as you see in the pictures above the reflective material will reflect any light including my camera flash!  In case the pictures aren't doing it for you, I had the hubby shoot a video of the boys playing with the Nerf FireVision at the park!





You can purchase the Nerf FireVision sets where you normally purchase Nerf products, and the sets come in football and basketball currently. In addition you can purchase the light up visors separately so you have enough for forming teams.  Our football set came with two visors and the ball, the basketball set comes with one visor, a ball, and a hoop.  The football set retails for $19.99, and additional visors for just $5.99.  You can purchase the basketball set for $14.99, and again just $5.99 for additional visors.  The FireVision is recommended for ages 6 and up. 

Birbitt Thinks this is a great toy for the kiddos, and would be a perfect addition to your holiday shopping list for the young ones in your life.