Wednesday Whine

May I just say that I have forgotten how exhausting it is to work a full five day work week? If it sounds like I am whining, I am. I am fortunate to be able to work an alternative work schedule and have every other Friday off. Between holidays and flex Fridays I have not worked a full five days in a long time. This Friday is my Friday to work and I had forgotten how long the week is when you have to work the entire thing!

Yes, I know - it is only Wednesday. Between work, school and doing the mom thing I really, really enjoyed the extra days off. 5:01 pm Friday cannnot come soon enough.

Speaking of doing the "mom thing", have I mentioned that my baby is taking driver's ed? His permit test is Tuesday. I am not sure I am ready to let my baby behind the wheel and out on the road with all of those crazy people.

Amazon Student

As a self-confessed Amazon addict, and a college student I love Amazon Student! 

Just what is Amazon Student? It is a Amazon Prime for college students. All you have to do is register and meet the requirements and you will receive Two Day Shipping from Amazon Prime  FREE for six months. Amazon Student members also receive exclusive discounts and the ability to renew their membership for up to 4 years for only $39 a year! Full details and restrictions can be found here.

What are you waiting for? Sign up now!

Big Game Cravebox by Zatarain's

Have you signed up for the Big Game Cravebox featuring Zatarain's products yet? 

I just received an email letting me know that I have been pre-selected AND that my box is party sized with two of every item instead of just one! The drawing closes this week, so be sure to enter. 

Edited to revise spelling/grammar errors and add links.

January Love With Food Box Review

I received my January Love With Food box yesterday. Like others have posted, the card included in my box did not list any of the items in it, nor were many of the items clearly identified on their packaging.

Love With Food had previously sent an email acknowledging this admission and included in that email was a list of items included. A nice perk was that everyone who purchased a January box was credited with 500 points to their Love With Food account. 

Almond Anise Biscotti by Biscotti di Suzy

Plantain Chips by Turbana

Firecracker ChocoPods by Chuao Chocolatier

Gluten-Free Shortbread Tea Cookies from Kyotufu (These are not currently listed in the Love With Food Shop) 

Flavors: Genmai Toasted Brown Rice, Matcha Green Tea and Black Sesame. Yum?

AppleStrawberry Apple Sauce from GoGo squeeZ (These are not currently listed in the Love With Food Shop)

Tiger Spice Chai by David Rio

Organic Cinnamon Milk Chocolate Leaves by NEWTREE and Organic Belgian Biscuit Dark Chocolate Leaves by NEWTREE

All in all, it was honestly a disappointing box. I am looking forward to the applesauce pouch and the chocolates, especially the Firecracker Chocopod, but that's about it. The flavors of the gluten free cookies are a little scary. Brown rice? Hopefully, they are better than they sound. I am allergic to wheat and am always looking for a good wheat-free/gluten-free snack. 

I like the idea of buying a meal for someone less fortunate than myself, but I am not too impressed with this month's box. I really liked December's box and am now hooked on 479° Popcorn. Hopefully, the boxes improve in February or I may cancel my subscription. 

Did you receive a box from Love With Food? What did you think?

Zatarain's Big Game Cravebox Drawing Now Open

The drawing for the Zatarain's Big Game Cravebox is now open. You can sign up here. 

The box is priced at $15 including shipping. You also have the option with this Cravebox to request more than one box, up to three. 

I entered this drawing just because I am a fan of Zatarain's products. We don't eat much boxed or packaged food, but we all like Zatarain's Dirty Rice. Note: I am not reimbursed by Zatarain's, I just like their product!

Cravebox also announced the launch of their referral program! The only catch is that instead of a referral link, new members are asked to put the Cravebox Username or Email Address of the person who referred them in the Referred By section of their Profile. My username is: aashleyjc. If you found Cravebox through my blog I would appreciate it if you put me down as your referrer. Thanks!

So how does their program work?

According to Cravebox:

So What Will My Referral Points Get Me?

Your Referral Points can win you FREE Craveboxes in every shipment!

• Starting in 2013, we will be giving away 20 FREE Craveboxes from every shipment.
• TEN of those boxes will be awarded randomly to any Member who scored at least one Referral Point for each drawing.
• The other TEN will be awarded to the 10 members who racked up the most Referral Points for each Drawing
• There’s no catch. You do not have to enter a drawing yourself to win. And your Referral Points accumulate automatically – even while you’re sleeping!
• If you win, you will either receive a Free Box Credit in your Account, or, if you’ve also entered the drawing where you scored Referral Points, your box will be FREE

I will keep you posted if I am picked for this box or not.

100 Years Old

My Great Uncle Gus turned 100 years old yesterday. His family celebrated his birthday today at his retirement community. He was surrounded by grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nephew, great-niece and great-great-nephew. Five generations of his family gathered today to celebrate a wonderful man. 

He even received a congratulatory letter from the White House signed by the President and First Lady. 

Happy 100th Birthday, Uncle Gus!!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! 

Did you make any resolutions this year? I have a few. I would classify them as goals more than resolutions, though. 

1. Finish my degree - 8 more classes!

2. Cut out wheat from my diet - I have an allergy to wheat, not gluten but wheat itself, and I have been lax in removing it from my diet.

3. Become more organized.

4. Spend less, save more 

5. Become more active

Here's to 2013 being the best year of your life!!