You may have heard something about “Super Fruits” recently, and if you are like me, you might have wondered what that meant? A super fruit is nutritionally dense, and very good for you. Thanks to the Family Review Network, we recently got a chance to try out one such super fruit, the prune! Not just any prunes though, Sunsweet Ones!

I know, I know… prunes! They often get a bad name, or get made fun of, but they are really very good for you. Sunsweet Ones are individually wrapped prunes, making it easy to keep some handy on the go. It’s also great because the packaging keeps them super moist and keeps you aware of the serving size. They were the best prunes that I have tasted.

Below is more information on why prunes are so super and you can find information at http://www.pop-a-prune.com. Want a chance to win some, and a fun tote as well? Keep reading!

What makes a Prune SUPER:

* Antioxidant rich. Prunes have a high antioxidant (ORAC) score. Antioxidants help to slow the oxidative damage to our bodies, and many researchers believe that antioxidants slow the aging process.
* Potassium punch. Move over bananas! Ounce for ounce, prunes have more potassium than bananas. Studies have shown potassium helps prevent hypertension and stroke.
* Bone health. A handful of nutrient-rich prunes a day may help bone metabolism and the reversal of bone loss for people with osteoporosis. They may also lead to improved bone formation.
* Low Glycemic Index (GI). Prunes are a low GI food, and therefore help to contribute to a low Glycemic Load diet and can aid in preventing and managing conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and obesity.
* Heart health. Prunes can help play a role in preventing heart disease and chronic diseases because they’re rich in antioxidants, which slow the chemical process of oxidation and protect key cell components from damage.
* Prebiotic power. Prunes naturally contain prebiotics, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine. This helps dietary fiber perform well and promotes immune system and digestive health.
* Weight loss. Prunes are a good source of fiber, and this can help keep hunger pangs at bay. As a food component, fiber isn’t absorbed, so it doesn’t contribute calories that’s why high-fiber foods are included in weight loss diets. Plus, four prunes have just 100 calories!

5 Lucky Readers will win a a Sunsweet reusable shopping bag and a Sunsweet VIP Coupon, which is good for ANY Sunsweet product up to $5.50 in value. This giveaway is open to those in the USA only. To enter leave a comment on this post (you may comment daily) before midnight on December 7th, 2009.

“This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Sunsweet Ones, who provided the product for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.”

*this giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Judy, Cheryl, and Sherrie.*

VeggieTales has done it again! Just in time for Christmas, a new VeggieTales story, Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving. With all your favorite characters, and a new Silly Song with Larry called “Donuts for Benny”, the story is perfect for the holidays. There is even a new character, Nicky the Pepper, the first new VeggieTales character in five years!

We have always loved VeggieTales, especially the Silly Songs, but most of all because they always present good stories in a fun way. This story was great, with a message about giving, not just at the holidays, but all year long.

Laura Carrot’s Christmas stocking might be empty this year because her dad is in danger of losing his job. While Larry thinks a letter to the North Pole should fix the problem, Bob knows what will really help … and tells the story of a little boy named Nicholas who made a discovery in Bethlehem that changed Christmas forever. But what did Nick learn and how can it possibly help Laura and her family?!

To help promote this new story, and in the spirit of giving, there is a special offer! Those who purchase the Saint Nicholas DVD will receive a FREE VeggieTales DVD to give to a friend in need! Through this offer inside the DVD, you can log onto a special website and select a free VeggieTales DVD to send to a friend with only $2.99 shipping and handling.

In addition the the feature, the DVD also includes:

• “Give This Christmas Away” Operation Christmas Child music video
• Behind The Song with Matthew West and Amy Grant
• Art Gallery
• Audio Commentary
• Sing Along with Larry
• Discussion Guide
• Family Activity – “Bob & Larry’s Sugar Cookies”
• VeggieTales: St. Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving Not Rated-45 minutes-Color-5.1 Surround Sound-English & Spanish Subtitles-Close-Captioned

We think this would make a great gift (maybe an early Christmas present so you can watch it during the season)! You can buy Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving, as well as other VeggieTale goodies by visiting the Big Idea website.

Also, we think it’s great that they have partnered with Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, is the world’s largest Christmas gift project. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has hand delivered more than 69 million gift –filled shoe boxes to needy children in more than 130 countries. In 2009, the project hopes to collect and deliver 8 million shoe box gifts. For more information on Operation Christmas Child, visit: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for Big Idea, who supplied the DVD for review.

We are always on the look out for fun games to play! Playing games of all kinds is something that we enjoy doing often, so when Family Review Network offered us a sample of a new game called Rummino, we wanted to try it!

Rummino – The Tile Rummy Game combines Rummy with the strategy of word tile games. Although the game has a bunch of tiles with letters on them (92 to be exact), there are no words to create because it is played like Rummy. The game combines the game play of Rummy with the strategy of word tile games

To play, you draw tiles, play them off sets and runs already on the table, and work to get the highest number of points. If you are familiar with Rummy it should be a fun and easy switch for you. For those who aren’t, it might take some getting used to at first, but it’s really an easy game, though you can throw in a lot of strategy as well.

Rummino – The Tile Rummy Game is recommended for ages eight and up, and while we didn’t try it with any children, it was certainly good for the adults! Do you enjoy games in your home as well? If you do, this is one that is worth checking out. Don’t let the simplicity of play fool you though, it’s a game that can be both challenging and entertaining every time you play! You can purchase Rummino – The Tile Rummy Game online at Amazon.com.

Souplantion/Sweet Tomatoes is having a great contest! From now until the end of October, you can enter the crEATE Recipe Contest for a chance to win a year’s worth of free dining passes and be featured in an upcoming ad! Just visit the site and submit an original recipe for something made from Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes menu items! The recipe must contain at least 2 to 5 Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes menu items only and will be judged based on menu and visual appeal, ingredient list, and creativity.

You can also enter through their Facebook page, or by e-mail to create@gardenfreshcorp.com. The contest is open to those who live in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas Utah and Washington. Click here for full contest rules.

WANT TO WIN DINING PASSES? Three lucky winners will each receive a set of two dining passes to Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Friday, October 23nd at Midnight and tell me what your favorite menu item is. Winners must provide a US mailing address.

Thanks and good luck! I know we both wish there was a Sweet Tomatoes closer to us!

*This giveaway is now closed, congrats to Laur*

My Yoga 2 Go

I recently got the chance to try out a new yoga system called My Yoga 2 Go. The My Yoga 2 Go Practice System makes it easy to customize your workout and practice yoga in the comfort of your own home, or take it with you when you travel.

The system features different 71 posture cards organized by level of experience and available workout time. The front of the card shows an illustration of the pose, and the back has information about the pose, which is helpful for those poses you may not have done before.

What makes the system unique is that it comes in a custom tote for displaying and storing the cards. The tote has pockets for each card, allowing you to select a color-coded sequence, organize the cards by pose number, then insert the cards into the clear multi-pocket display tote. Not only does the tote easily fold for carrying with you on the go, you can also hang the it on a wall hook or doorknob for easy viewing while doing your yoga practice.

There are 7 different programs, three for beginners, two for intermediate, and two for advanced. I chose a beginner program to try out first, the energizing sequence. All I had to do was go through the deck and pull out all the cards that had a green circle on the bottom. Once I had all the cards in the sequence, I put them in the tote in order (each circle has a number in it as well as a color). It did take a little bit of time to arrange my cards and get them in, but once that was done I now have a quick and easy reference that I can do anyplace I have enough space.

This is a great system if you have done yoga before. If you aren’t as familiar with yoga, it might be harder for you, but the cards are well illustrated and explained. There were even some poses in the deck that I hadn’t seen before, which excited me because I love doing yoga.

Would you like to try it for yourself? One lucky reader will get their own My Yoga 2 Go Practice System.

To enter, leave a comment on this post before midnight on October 19th, 2009. Tell us your favorite way to relax, or your favorite way to workout. You may comment daily until the giveaway ends as long as you follow the entry requirement. Please be sure to fill out the email portion of the comment form correctly, as the winner will be contacted by email. You may get an additional entry by becoming our fan on Facebook (use the button on the sidebar, then leave another comment letting us know you became our fan). This giveaway is for those in the USA only.

About My Yoga 2 Go
Dedicated yoga practitioner and busy mom Beth Siegel founded My Yoga 2 Go in 2007. Siegel created the My Yoga 2 Go Practice System to address the need for a comprehensive portable practice solution that provides both the challenge and versatility of a traditional yoga class with the convenience of a home instruction tool. The company has since expanded its product line to offer an array of unique, quality products to inspire yoga practice, including: practice tools, accessories, jewelry and apparel. My Yoga 2 Go products are available nationally at select national and independent bookstores, luxury spas, yoga studios and online at www.myyoga2go.com .

Thanks to My Yoga 2 Go, who provided the product for review and giveaway, and to the Family Review Network.

*this giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Janet who wrote: I like to take long walks to relax.”* If you didn’t win, you can still try Yoga2Go with a special discount for blog readers (valid until November 15th, 2009). Use the code “BLOGYOGA” to take 15% off your order.