Category: Promotions

Posted on

3D Star Theatre

Are your kids into certain subjects in education? I have noticed that my eldest son is very much a math and science boy, learning grammar and the basics is ultra dull to him, while he enjoys his learnings he is much more engaged with the sciences. I can see why and I can understand why. Especially when you have cool shows and toys about science as well as the educational part with using your mind for higher learning.

So while on the hunt for great gifts for my oldest that is not only kid cool and friendly but is educational I came across Uncle Milton Toys and the 3D Star Theatre. The Star Theatre is more than just an interstellar look at the universe from your room, but it is a 3D planetarium projector, for children to experience a planetarium in the comfort of their own room and whenever they so wish. Delve into the deepest realms of the universe to explore stars, constellations and planets. My son loved this toy, he immediately wanted to turn it on, of which I had to suggest to him we turn it on at night to get a better view of the stars and planets.

At first it seems too simple to project such lovely 3D photos of the heavens but seeing is believing. The projector is just a bit larger than a softball and the operations are not complex which allows young children to operate the projector without struggle or confusion. The focus dial at the front of the projector allows the picture to be clarified and is best seen against the back of a white wall. If you have painted walls then the picture will likely not appear, be as clear or may be distorted. Of course keep in mind this is 3D so the glasses are necessary to see the most optimal picture.

Kids are sure to enjoy the pictures of the stars up close and personal in the comfort of their own home at any time with being able to view these images from space. Battery powered by four AA batteries and a push button power switch the 3D Star Theatre is sure to project your child’s learning of space to a higher level.

Uncle Milton’s has even more learning toys such as a planetarium, Fire and Ice Volcano, and solar racers to name a few. Be sure to check out their entire line of fun learning toys this holiday season for your little scientist.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a 3D Star Theatre at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

Posted on

HINT Water – Cure to the Holiday Hangover

The holiday season is upon us and some of us are still reeling the effects of the Halloween hangover with indulging too heavily into sugary snacks, candy bars, or we drank too many sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages and the like. But now are we crest into Thanksgiving, the epic holiday of overindulgence some of us may not want to partake in the overeating, pie hole stuffing of sweet desserts, and of course the alcoholic drinks to celebrate. So how does one or anyone combat the temptations and the sugar hangover from Halloween? Well I was introduced to HINT water.

HINT water is a sugar free, no sweetener, “hint” of flavor water beverage. I personally think it is a great beverage to help curb cravings for your sweet tooth and it is filling because of the amount of pure water you are putting into your body. 16 ounces of water in each HINT bottle is just the start to your total 64 ounces of recommended water intake daily.

I found HINT at my local Sprouts Marketplace and Whole Foods in the bottled water section and I found it in many different flavors: cucumber, raspberry-lime, blackberry, honeydew-hibiscus, mango-grapefruit, pomegranate-tangerine, watermelon, lime, kiwi-strawberry, and pear. All the sweetness of the fruit without the calories, sweetener and empty calories found in soda and juice.

HINT is great for even after the holidays if you are going to kick off your new diet plan or New Year’s resolution because the water of HINT can help you keep your goals and stay on track. By no means am I stating or endorsing that this will help you lose weight, but as someone who lost 65 pounds through diet and exercise after having my twins and is now down 13 pounds on the HCG diet, HINT has been a companion of mine during my weight loss journey. When I have a moment of weakness where I may have a sweet craving, I reach for a bottle of HINT, with zero calories, zero sugar, and all natural flavor not to mention no funky aftertaste often associated with other similar drinks. HINT is water through and through and sure to keep you hydrated through the holidays without the guilt.

Now if the holidays are still wreaking havoc on your system and you are feeling the holiday bloat, drink up with lots of water and add some Usana Digestive Enzyme to your daily vitamin intake to help ease the holiday bloat, upset stomach, and ease normal digestion after large meals. USANA’s Digestive Enzyme is unique in that it contains an enzyme found in the blend called lactase. Lactase assists in the digestion of food containing lactose. In addition, USANA’s Digestive Enzyme is different from others on the market because it contains spirulina, a nutrient-rich blue-green algae “super food” that contains chlorophyll. Chlorophyll supports the body’s natural processes for eliminating toxins from the body*.

With these two products and a whole lot of HINT you are sure to feel free of the holiday hangover.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a bottle of HINT and USANA at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

Posted on

Zippies Fun

Are your kids losing their belongings at school or friends or functions? No matter how you try to identify their items, with no slip, no peel stickers with their names, permanent marker which can bleed and end up ruining your clothes or items. Now there is a great new product to help identify your children’s items or identify them and their special needs. Zippies.

zippies, zippies ID tagsZippies are a fun collectible ID tag for your children. Attach them to their back packs, water bottles, lunch boxes, bikes, and winter jackets, you can even attach the labels to indentify if your child has an special allergies or health conditions without having them feel out of place or too old for their age.

We like them in our house to help identify the many toys the kids share that are the same or similar. This helps to eliminate fights and they are able to identify what are their items and learn to respect each others space and personal belongings. Additionally when in a large group or at events with people more than just our family you can clip the Zippies on a bottle of water or drink to help identify what is theirs and prevent the spread of germs by mistakenly taking someone else’s water bottle and or drink.

What is questionable about the Zippies is the construction. The chain that attaches to the ring which attaches to the adjustable zip line. The chain appears and feels like it can snap at any moment and if you are dealing with kids, we know how they can destroy anything in a matter of seconds, literally they have nothing on Hiroshima or Nagasaki. The plastic Zippie face mold is great and as smooth plastic which seems to stand up to a lot of wear and tear, but again can it withstand the smoldering Arizona summers and heat when kids toss their backpacks in the sun waiting for the bus, parents to pick them up, or while on the playground. I even questioned the use of them on bikes with the breakdown of the extreme heat and dry weather. So more to come on how these products can stand up to the test.

Overall a great product and the kids love them. Lots of fun to use and collect and make great stocking stuffers. For the holidays Zippies has special holiday pricing of buy one set for $12.99 and get another set for free. Normally $39.99 a set this is a savings of over 80% off the retail value! You get the original 10 Zippies plus another 10. Buy yours online just in time for the holidays and help spread the collectible fun with Zippies.

“Disclosure: I was provided with Zippies at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

Posted on

Pajama Jeans

Ladies, admit it, when you saw the infomercial you giggled and laughed but then thought…damn those might be awesome. I know I did. I wanted to know what exactly are these pajama jeans. Like the Snuggie, I wondered how I got roped into such pure awesomeness. Laugh it up all you want about pajama jeans but I think they are great.

I was the ultimate skeptic for these, I thought, “Oh wow, these are just a pair of “Mom Jeans” that they are trying to market as stylish.” That is until I received my pair and again was skeptical but liked the fabric. A cotton blend that truly looks like denim except with the soft, fleecy, cotton insides like pajama’s.  Hence the coining of pajama jeans.

When I received my pair I told all the ladies I work with about them and they had a hard time believing they were the infamous pajama jeans that I was wearing. With the smooth front and stylish back side with fashion stitching and rivets to mimic real jeans. They come to a boot cut bottom which looks great with any pair of shoes, but I definitely like wearing boots considering we are into fall. The waist is not an elastic waist which means there is no bunching, a smooth looking tummy and the small pockets  on the back help accentuate your assets. But not only do they look good they feel good, they are warmer than your standard jeans and they move with you like your favorite pair of pajamas. Hey you can laugh it up, but my pajama jeans are my casual staple on the weekends and you can add them to your wardrobe as well for only $39.95 you can order them online and at specialty retailers and they come in an assortment of sizes to fit anyone. Buy a pair for the woman in your life this holiday season as a stocking stuffer or a wardrobe staple to enjoy as well.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a pair of Pajama Jeans at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

Posted on

JumpStart Escape from Adventure Island

My kids are huge fans of learning games and learning video games. A few years ago The Five Fish originally reviewed the PC version of JumpStart learning video games. My son LOVED the games, the interaction, the learning to follow the directions and the various learning aspects such as addition and reading. JumpStart also has more than just PC games, they have games for the Mac, Wii and DS, and mobile games and books for the iPad.

Here is some back story about what JumpStart stands for and how they enrich our children:

Absolutely. Over the past 20 years, the JumpStart brand has earned the trust of over 30 million parents by providing safe, age-appropriate games for kids. JumpStart.com is no exception. Our parental controls, canned chat and pre-programmed names ensure that kids are completely safe and cannot share any personal information. JumpStart is a magical online world packed with friends, games and adventures! From training dragons to exploring lost islands, JumpStart.com includes thousands of games and activities for kids ages 3-12. But what really sets JumpStart apart is our commitment to education. We believe that learning should be an adventure, not a chore. That’s why the games at JumpStart.com are specially designed to make math, reading and critical thinking fun! After all, there’s no stopping a kid with a JumpStart!

Escape from Adventure Island is an action-packed game that invites players to use their explorer skills and brain power to find a way to escape a mysterious island after a crash landing strands them there! As players race to collect the pieces needed to repair their blimp, they’ll need to ward off the pesky fur balls known as Punk Punks and navigate 3D worlds both above and below the water. Along the way, players can practice over 150 math, reading and critical thinking skills – the fun way! My son jumped into this game and was immediately hooked. Being that my son is the ultimate critical thinker this game was great for him, he is currently working on all his math skills at school so the game could not be more fitting for him. He was intent on getting through the levels and conquering. But with all good things, the game was played in moderation, even though it is a learning game, nonetheless a video game.

Video games are a great stocking stuff and or gift for children, so why not get them a game that is not only fun but educational. Find JumpStart online or at your local retailers this holiday season.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of JumpStart® Escape from Adventure Island at no cost by Knowledge Adventure in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

Posted on

Cooking with Fagor America Cookware

Living a green lifestyle to a tee can be a truly difficult task when you search out the products that carry so many harmful materials that increase your carbon footprint. Often the items that harm us the most are not only the foods we eat but the materials in which we prepare them. Sol I sought out Fagor America with their fabulous line of cast iron cookware. Cast iron is a great and healthy option when cooking, no leaching of plastics and or Teflon from aluminum pans into your food. Fagor America has several lines of cookware, of which is their Cast Iron Lite series by Michelle B. This line of cast iron pans is 50% lighter than traditional cast iron, a resilient non-stick interior, and silicone handles to protect from the heat disbursement the pan puts off. Since these pans react just like standard cast iron only with half the weight for ease of use on newer cook tops and they are greatly attractive. Here is some history about Fagor America:

Fagor America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fagor Electrodomesticos. Since opening their offices in 1992, the Fagor brand name has become synonymous with high-quality stainless steel pressure cookers. Fagor is currently positioned as a top cookware brand, sold at major retailers nationwide and our presence has been largely responsible for the resurgence of pressure cooker sales in the US. Along with Pressure cookers, Fagor America also offers a line of specialty cookware.

I requested the red chefs pan. I couldn’t with good conscience review a chicken fryer if I am seeking out healthier alternatives. The chef’s pan has been great for all our cooking needs from eggs, to casseroles on the cook top, to steaming vegetables. I love using it and clean up is the easiest with warm water and soap. Plus I can cook with the piece of mind that aluminum and Teflon are not leaching into the foods my kids eat and the foods my husband and I eat. Fagor America products are available on Amazon.com and are affordable when compared to other quality cook ware products. So if your loved one is looking for cast iron or even new cook ware why not give her the best of both worlds with the Michelle Bernstein cast iron lite series from Fagor America.

Posted on

Jambu Footwear Nomad

Shoes are a bit of a side hobby of mine. Admittedly I have probably over 100 pairs of shoes in my closet, in storage in my closet, yeah they are a problem as my husband would say. But hey, you can never have too many shoes, variations and or colors of the same shoe. However, boots are a whole different story.

One woman cannot have enough shoes, let alone the right pair of boots. Boots are the perfect fall and winter weather accessory and face it ladies, when the weather even begins to show signs of cooling off, we dig into our closets and bring out our boots.

I found Jambu shoes a few years ago when I was originally seeking out vegan and eco-friendly footwear options. The shoes are absolutely fantastic. Soles that bounce and give and support when you walk. Materials that move with you and are soft to the touch.

This time when I wanted to review their products I saw they have boots, a wide variety of boots, including an electric boot that keeps your feet warm. Seriously, electric boots? A bit frivolous, even for me. So I was offered the opportunity to review the Nomad waterproof, lined boots, second to my first choice of the Colorado Vegan.

Standing at about 11- inches high and weighing one pound the Nomad – Waterproof truly lives up to its name. Made with waterproof leather and brushed suede this shoe is the perfect example of comfort and security. This boot is built with laces so that you may design your own comfort! It is available in black/grey and brown/saddle. This shoe is surely t be the perfect fit against any surprises that the weather might bring. Cold, rain, hail, snow move over! The Nomad-Waterproof is here to make sure that style and comfort prevail against any weather surprises (Jambu, 2011)!

The boots came in an eco-friendly wrapper and box. I immediately tried them on for size and comfort. For fur lined boots they were extremely cool, very little, if not, no sweating at all which is what you normally experience in fur lined boots. I wore these boots today to work with a pair of skinny jeans, loose, off the shoulder elbow length tee with a tank underneath. All in the name of cool weather. The moment I stepped foot in the door at work I was flooded with compliments. “Cute boots!” “Oh my god, let me see your boots!”

Needless to say these boots are a Fish favorite and they will be for years to come.

Let’s not forget that shoes come with more than just the accessory factor. With them they carry a name that supports their mission and how it affects the environment. Additionally the company has people behind the name, with that being said, know your brand, know the people behind the brand. While I may think these shoes are fabulous, knowing the company I work with is even more fabulous.

Posted on

Roku2 Streaming Players – Gift Ideas for Him

Roku 2 was a foreign name in my household. I was told about Roku at work by a co-worker when we engaged in a conversation about Netflix, cable, and the insane costs to maintain cable. From there I did not hear mention again and disregarded our conversation. However, our family took huge cuts to our budget and eliminate frivolous spending. With that we began to research alternative options to cable and I stumbled across the Roku box and the options and streaming channels with Roku.

Not knowing what it is about I asked to review the Roku2 XS for my husband. We love it. The amount of streaming channels, Netflix, and let’s not forget the full blown edition of Angry Birds, this gadget is great for him and the entire family. In addition to the streaming from Netflix, catch all your live sports, UFC fights (my husband’s favorite), music from Pandora, scroll through your pictures on Flickr, entertain the kids with Disney, movies on Crackle, choice of your favorite shows on Hulu Plus, the options are endless.

In addition to all the cool streaming options and channels, is the full blown edition of Angry Birds. This feeds an addicts urge to slaughter some pigs with those angry birds. Hours of fun to be had!

The setup for the Roku box is the most simple; plug and play, and no need for any fancy or complex remotes and installation instructions. You probably want to go out and buy an HDMI cable for those of you who want your HD like we do, so that is the only additional cost to the box. My husband did all the setup while I was at work and I was blown away at how little this device is, yet how powerful. So not only is it energy efficient, it does not take up a lot of space, it also has the smallest energy footprint, using less than 2 Watts when you’re watching a movie. That’s less power than a nightlight. 15 times less than a DVR. And 60 times less than a popular game console (Roku.com, 2011). A selling factor for this green family when considering purchases for our household.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for him, her, or the entire family the Roku2 is a great gift for any and every member of the family. Prices start at $59.99 and was revered as a CNET best for 2011. For more details visit the Roku site.

Posted on

The Dog Who Saved Halloween

The Five Fish is excited to share with you on this Halloween the review and giveaway of The Dog Who Saved Halloween. For parents you will be happy to hear a flashback of child star names; Joey Lawrence and Mayim Bialik our favorite brother and sister duo from TV’s Blossom.

Everyone’s favorite four-legged friend Zeus (voiced by Joey Lawrence) and the Bannisters are back in The Dog Who Saved Halloween, an all-new adventure jam-packed with family-friendly thrills and chills! When George, Belinda and their kids Kara and Ben Bannister move into a new house – just in time for Halloween! – everything seems to be fine…until they notice eerie glowing lights and strange sounds coming from their neighbor’s house where creepy Mr. Cole (Lance Henriksen) lives with his protective pooch Medusa (voiced by Mayim Bialik). When a black cat suddenly goes missing, George Bannister (Gary Valentine) insists on investigating the matter himself – and ultimately enlists an odd yet familiar pair (Dean Cain, Joey Diaz) to help. But after the trio and Belinda Bannister (Elisa Donovan) get trapped inside the spooky house, it’s once again up to Zeus to save the day (Anchor Bay Entertainment & Grand Communications, 2011)!

My kids loved this movie, not only for celebrating Halloween and the upcoming holidays, but everyone loves a super hero and a dog all in one.  Lots of laughs and slap stick fun in this family favorite. Add it to your family’s holiday collection of movies this Halloween and in time for Christmas where you can celebrate this holiday favorite all year round.

Here is how you can win a copy for your kids this Halloween Day:

  • Leave a comment telling me what your kids are dressing up for this Halloween or what is your favorite part of Halloween.
  • Like this movie on Facebook and follow on Twitter @DogHalloween
  • Like the The Fish on Facebook (Worth 3 entries)
  • Post/Share this giveaway on Facebook (Leave the link for verification)
  • Follow my blog
  • Follow me on Twitter @KariewithaK
  • Tweet this giveaway for daily entries: Celebrate fun all year enter to win @dogHalloween The Dog Who Saved Halloween with @Kariewithak & The Five Fish https://thefivefish.com/dog-saved-halloween
  • Blog about this giveaway (Worth 5 entries, leave the link)
  • Subscribe to my feed via email or to your reader (verified by email)

Contest ends Friday November 17th at midnight Arizona time.

As always: No Purchase Necessary, available to US and Canada residents. One entry per household. US postcard entries also acceptable if you do not have access to the above entry options, no limit to postcard entries as long as all are received before the close of the contest, email contests@thefivefish.com for your postcard entry details or to use email as your postcard entrance as these entries will be logged by the administrator of the blog. Winners will be chosen by “And the Winner is” Failure to adhere to the aforementioned rules set forth by this contest will result in forfeiture of your entry with no notice. Facebook does not promote, endorse, nor sponsor this review and giveaway and will be held harmless. As always, good luck and enjoy.

Posted on

Cinema Twin – New Music

Are you up for some new sounds? Tired of the same old like Nickelback, The Fray, and sounds of the radio that all seem to blend together? Why not check out some new sounds from Cinema Twin. When I first heard this group the sound that came to mind was The Smith’s of the 80s and even The Cure, timeless, upbeat makes you want to move music. Needless to say they have a great beat and sound and my kids danced to the great sound of C’Mon Today.

So come on and take a listen and enjoy this great band.

C’mon Today by thecinematwin