The Future of Ma21cuteboy & A Giveaway...

This is a little different then I or maybe you are used to but it has to be done! I have a few questions and hope you all will have the answers! How it works, I will ask some questions about some concerns or changes that may be happening on the blog and want your opinions. Please answer these & be honest, because without all of you this blog and the opportunities wouldn't be possible!!

-I have been thinking about changing the name of my blog. My son isn't so little anymore and is actually a tween now and feel as though the content that I post is geared more towards a different audience. Would that turn you all off, confuse you, make you not want to visit anymore?

-Would you like to see more music reviews and giveaways? Maybe a 'Music Mania Monday?' I love music and want to bring you all some new music or that might be just new to me. I just don't want to tell my company 'heck yeah', and not have interested or entering to win.

-What do you think of the whole .com issue? Does it make you seem more 'devoted' if you have a .com rather than a free host such as .blogspot?

 -Vlogging. I have some vlogging in the works; want to do more of it. What do you like in a vlog & don't you like in a vlog?

-Recipes. I love to cook, and have to or else my son may just shrivel up and die! Do you like when I post them, do you want to see more, what kinds would you like to see?

As I stated your opinions would be very helpful and are very much needed, would I be asking if I didn't want them? Please let me know what you all want, don't want or just hate. I love to blog and love to hear your comments. C'mon you all are the reason I have this blog and the amazing opportunities. Please don't feel like you will hurt my feelings, I love constructive criticism and feel like it will make my blog better not only for me but for you as well.

To encourage you all to leave your opinions I am going to do a giveaway!!
If you leave a comment with your opinion on any of the following you'll get an entry, if you leave more than one opinion you'll get another entry etc.
What are you going to win?

Leave a seperate comment so it will count along with your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Winners...

Zucka Yucka has been going around round here and guess who caught it? Me! I got really sick last Thursday night and thought I would feel better the next day...nope! I couldn't get out of bed the whole time I had the Zucka Yucka. I would feel a little better so I would get up and try to clean but feel just as bad as the first day I got it. I lost my voice in the midst of it(lucky for Chucky) then on Friday Chucky got it. So we have been down in the dumps together. Fortunately we could both just sleep or lay in bed, there would be nothing worse than having to chase my son around feeling the way I felt! That is why I have been absent and didn't post the winners of the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion and the Kat McGivern giveaway's. I am not feeling %100 but I am back now. This week I have a lot to share with you along with a recipe!!!
Onto the winners...

The winner of the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion is...

The winner of the Kat McGivern CD is...

Thanks everyone who entered, I appreciate you all coming to visit!
I sent you both an email, you have 48 hours to respond or I have to choose a new winner.

Don't forget to enter the $100 MAZE Cord Blood Bank giveaway, there will be 2 Winners!!

BlogMania Sponsor-Batty's Bath

If you've been reading my blog for a while or are just tuning in, I ♥ Batty's Bath!
She makes some of the most amazing handmade soaps, shampoos, lip balms, deodorants and so much more! I have made some purchases from her and have NOT been disappointed. I even got my 9 year old nephew hooked! He has eczema and the skin on his hands has gotten really dry to the point of almost bleeding. So I contacted Jamie, she made a suggestion and I went with it and my nephew is in heaven with soft skin and great smelling lotions for his hands and body.

Jamie is always creating and making items for her shop. She has recently released her 100% Natural Cold Press Soaps. They are made from scratch using old world techniques and ingredients. There are no short cuts when it comes to the cold press method. These soaps take weeks to cure but are well worth the wait.
Batty's Bath handmade method of soap making ensures that the most amount of glycerin possible is retained unlike commercial soap making. Retaining the glycerin makes a softer, milder soap which is emollient and moisturizing to the skin.
Batty's Bath Cold Press Soap is ideal for those with sensitive skin, for conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis or anyone allergic to commercial soap because they don't strip the skin of it's natural beneficial oils. Isn't the packaging stunning?

Along with the release of her 100% Natural Cold Press Soaps, she has an amazing Facial Rescue Kit.
Since being diagnosed with cancer, I have skin like a high school teenager and it isn't getting any better, I am thrilled to know that Batty's Bath offers something that isn't going to be harsh on my skin and will not only clear it up but keep it clear! Whether you suffer from breakouts, scars from previous acne breakouts or uneven skin tone now is the time to change your skin care regiment!
With the Facial Rescue Kit, it will get you started on the path to figuring out what your skin needs to keep it healthy, smooth and glowing!
Products in the kit:
-Patchouli Facial Moisturizer:
Known for it's unique ability to combat skin irritations, acne & inflammation.
-Facial Primer & Day Moisturizer:
Contains 3 natural clays that are each added for specific skin loving reasons.
1st clay is used to add 'slip' making it a good primer, giving your skin a super smooth & soft texture so makeup goes on flawlessly without getting 'caught' on imperfections, dry spots or fine lines.
2nd clay is added to improve the overall state of your skin by working to reduce dryness & flakiness, while improving clarity & tone.
3rd clay is added to combat skin imperfections such as excess oil, break outs & scars.
-Clay Mask(dry formula):
Gives you an extra boost of clay benefits because it is highly concentrated. It is picked for it's known ability to calm break outs, reduce redness, diminish the look of scars & is the strongest of all the clays for detoxification. Minerals in the clay help rebalance oil flow & strengthen the skin.
-Mineral Makeup Concealing Powder:
Conceals scars, redness, blemishes, dark eye circles, black heads and other imperfections.
Made with 100% natural ingredients, doesn't contain nano or micronized minerals, perfume, parabens, dyes, bismuth, oxychloride or talc.
The Facial Rescue Kit retails for $26. That's a steal knowing it is all natural and isn't going to be harsh on your skin like other acne treatments.

I am really excited that Batty's Bath is one of the sponsors for BlogMania and one lucky Ma21cuteboy reader will win a $20 gift certificate to the shop!!

You can visit and show her some ♥ here:
Batty's Bath  Blog
Batty's Bath on Facebook
Batty's Bath on Twitter
Batty's Bath Etsy shop


*Please note this is not the giveaway. The giveaway will take place on April 9th & 10th.*

*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for
this post. The opinions expressed are that of my own & others' may differ. Thank you Jamie for your generosity and providing the winner with a fabulous gift card.*

Comfort Food & A Recipe!

I don't know how but it just hit me BAM on Thursday night, I got sick. I hardly ever get sick but when I do I get it bad! So while I was sick(and not blogging) I wanted some comfort food. One of my favorite things to eat and make with my family is refried beans. Not from a can(I don't know how people eat those) but from my kitchen! I thought while I was making it that I would share the recipe with you!! While it does take a little time to cook the beans, there is nothing like homemade refried beans!

What you'll need:
Pinto Beans- one bag
Garlic Cloves 2-3 depending on the amount of beans using
Crockpot
Water-enough to cover beans
Oil-dollup
Skillet
Potato Masher
Salt-to taste
Cheese-to taste
Tortillas(optional)

-Place your pinto beans into a strainer and into a sink full of water, soak them for about 10 minutes
-Pick out the 'bad' beans, they will look darker, be broken or halved and should float to the top

-Place your beans into a crockpot with cloves of garlic and cover with water(make sure you cover them enough so the water doesn't evaporate)

-Cook your beans on low for about 24 hours or until the beans are soft and the water has turned a dark brownish color

-Heat your skillet with about 2 tbsp of oil(or more)*you want the skillet hot and place your beans with some of the juice inside.

-Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, reduce heat and then with your potato masher start to mash the beans until they are the desired consistency. If you prefer not to mash them you don't have to, they are great either way!

-Add salt to taste and top with cheese!

- Enjoy!

You can serve these as bean & cheese burritos, with eggs(breakfast), enchiladas, chips, basically any way you want.

If you are interested in me doing more recipes for homemade Mexican food like: enchiladas, green chile, chili rellenos, salsa or whatever else you might want to learn to make leave me a comment, I just don't want to take all of the time and energy taking pictures and doing a tutorial if nobody is interested.

SunglassReplicas.Com Winner...

The winner of the SunglassReplicas.com giveaway is:                                                                                   

Congratulations Giant Sis! I sent you an email and you have 48 hours to respond or I have to choose a new winner.

Don't forget to enter my current giveaway's!

$100 MAZE Cord Blood Banking Giveaway{2 Winners}

**CLOSED**

Pregnant mothers everywhere will agree with me when I say how exciting being an expectant mom is. Dreaming of what & who they will look like, what the gender of the baby will be, what color to paint the nursery, what his or her name is going to be? You don't often think of the bad things that could happen, although you think of how painful the delivery will be and sometimes 'what if something goes wrong?'

When I had Chucky I was scared to death! I thought positive and yet still didn't or couldn't hope and pray enough because at 28 weeks my little miracle was born. I got a lot of bad news and a lot of good news but couldn't bring myself to imagine the worst. When Chucky was born they didn't have cord blood banking and if they did I didn't know anything about it and don't know of anybody who did. When you don't know what's going on, what to expect or are just interested in something what do we do, we do research.

What is a cord blood bank?
It is a laboratory that stores your child's umbilical cord blood. The blood collected from the umbilical cord immediately following the birth of a child. This blood is provided nourishment for the baby during pregnancy, but once the baby is delivered umbilical cord blood is no longer necessary for the baby. Umbilical cord blood is rich in multi potent hematopoietic stem cells(or blood stem cells). These cord blood stem cells produce the cellular ingredients necessary for the blood and the immune system. When the umbilical cord blood cells are transplanted into patients, they can help restore the immune and blood systems to help fight diseases and replace diseased blood.

How does Saving Cord Blood & Cord Blood Storage work?
Immediately after the baby's birth, a physician or nurse will collect one bag of umbilical cord blood, which is approximately 150 ml. or 5 oz.

The cord blood will be collected after the umbilical cord has been cut and either before or after the placenta has been delivered. Therefore, there is absolutely no risk to you or your baby.
•Additionally, the physician will draw three tubes of the mother's blood for testing.
•You, or your partner, will notify us that the cord blood collection is done; then a medical courier will be sent to the hospital.
•A medical courier will bring the cord blood collection kit containing the cord blood and the mother's blood to M.A.Z.E. Cord Blood Laboratories.
In the lab, the technician will:
•Reduce the volume of the blood to about one quarter of the collected volume (approximately 25 ml or 63 oz.) by removing a large proportion of the red blood cells and plasma (liquid portion of the blood). The red blood cells and plasma do not need to be stored as they do not contain stem cells.
•Analyze the cord blood to determine how many transplantable cells are present and create a report with this information. This information will be useful in case you need to use the cord blood later.
•Add cryopreservative (special chemicals to help in the freezing process) to the remaining stem cell collection.
•Slowly chill the bag at a rate of 1º centigrade (C) per minute until it reaches the optimal freezing temperature of -130º C (-320º Fahrenheit).
•Transfer the stem cell collection into storage.
•Run the mother's blood through a wide variety of tests to ensure that there are no diseases present at the time of delivery that could have transferred to the child's cord blood.

Chucky is doing amazing and yet I am still terrified not knowing if he will get cancer and if one day he could have used his umbilical cord blood to help save his life. I think that as parents no matter what happens we can beat ourselves up over all of the 'what ifs,' and the story of baby John is an example of how cord blood banking could help not only save the life of your child but also others in your family.

If you choose to use a cord blood bank these are some of the diseases that can be treated:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Leukemia
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Sometimes called Pre-Leukemia
- Lymphomas
- Inherited Red Cell(Erythrocyte)Abnormalities
- Other Disorders of Blood Cell Proliferation
- Bone Marrow Cancers
- Other Cancers

Buy It:
If your thinking of saving cord blood, MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories is an affordable cord blood bank. They offer nationwide delivery and no additional storage charges.

Win:
MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories is giving two(2) Ma21cuteboy readers a $100 cord blood banking coupon!
*Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Don't forget to leave your links, names, urls & email address*
Mandatory Entry:
Visit MAZE Blood Cord Laboratories and tell me one thing you've learned or like about them.

Extra Entries:
'Like' MAZE Blood Cord Laboratories on Facebook
Follow MAZE Blood Cord Laboratories on Twitter
'Like' Ma21cuteboy on Facebook
Share this giveaway on your Facebook page
Follow Ma21cuteboy publicly via GFC
Grab the Ma21cuteboy button & place on your sidebar
Subscribe to Ma21cuteboy by Email or RSS-2
Add this giveaway to a linky, forum sweepstakes etc.-4
Post about this giveaway with a link to this giveaway-5
Follow Ma21cuteboy on Twitter and tweet:-can be done 2x daily
Enter to win $100 GC to MAZE Cord Blood Bank @cord_blood_bank at @Ma21cuteboy 2/10 US/CAN http://bit.ly/f1213w

Contest Guidelines:
Giveaway will close on at March 10th at 11:59 MT Giveaway is open to residents of U.S. & Canada 18+
Coupon is transferrable & can be given as a gift to a relative or friend.
Winners will be chosen via Random.org
Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner(s) will be chosen
Winners will be notified via email as well as in a winning post here on the blog
I verify all entries and if they are not done, you will forfeit your prize!

*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I was sent some educational products to facilitate this post. The opinions expresses are honest, that of my own & others' may differ.*

Spring Preview

Over at one of my most fave places EVER Evy's Tree, she is showcasing her 'Spring Preview.' There are some amazing things in store and she is going to be taking pre-orders for all of the 'Spring Preview' items like this:

So you better get on over and check it out and get yours pre-ordered!

Kat McGivern Review & Giveaway

**CLOSED**

I love music, I listen to it while at the grocery store, driving in the car and often times when I am cleaning house! When you hear an artist that you love, what do you usually do? I share!

Kat McGivern is a sassy, spunky, fun and talented musician. She not only sings, plays guitar and the keyboard, she is an awesome songwriter too. She is Boston based and started her career at 13, performing at local mic nights. Kat taught herself traditional Gaelic ballads and shortly after started classical training. She eventually abandoned classical music and college to record her first album. She then quit music for two years to go back to school and realized that it was music she loved.

'Kamikaze Heart' was released November 23, 2010 along with 7 other songs. 'Kamikaze Heart' is about her inability to walk away from the things she loves. It reached the Top 10 on FMQB's AC Top 40 chart.

Kat said, 'I see myself a bohemian Judy Jetson with a bad attitude,' and that's how I would describe her and her music. Bohemian but with a good attitude! Her unique sound is what makes me love her and her music.






Buy It: If you would like to buy Kat's music, you can get it on iTunes

Win It:
One Ma21cuteboy reader will win a copy of Kat's CD

*Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Please leave your email address in your comment for winning notification purposes.*
Mandatory Entry:
Like Kat on Facebook

Extra Entries:
Follow Kat on Twitter-leave your twitter handle ie @Ma21cuteboy
Follow Ma21cuteboy publicly on GFC
Subscribe to Ma21cuteboy RSS-Email
Follow Ma21cuteboy on Twitter and Tweet:-can be done 1x daily for extra entry-Leave a link
Enter to win @KatMcGivern CD @Ma21cuteboy U.S. 2/24 http://bit.ly/fC7pGu


Contest Guidelines:
Will close on 2/24 at 11:59 MT
Open to U.S. residents 18+
Winner will be chosen via Random.org
Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen
Winner will be notified by email as well as in a post here on the blog
I verify all entries if they are not done, you will forfeit your prize

*Disclosure: I was provided with a song download to facilitate this review honestly. The opinions expressed are that of my own & others' may differ.

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion Review & Giveaway

**CLOSED**

As we get older our skins elasticity isn't what it used to be. The skin becomes thinner and therefore loses it's moisture, starts to become dry, flaky and can even become itchy. It isn't something we should be embarrassed about but we often are.

I started getting dry skin on and around the scar on my upper arm and it won't go away. Yeah I am sure people will understand but I get enough people staring at it without drawing more attention to it!

Before using Skin MD Natural.

I was recently sent a bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion to try out. I was a little hesitant and must admit when I first put it on didn't really like the watery texture and thought it would just stay on my hands like a greasy watery lotion, but it didn't. Shortly after rubbing it on, it soaked into my skin and I felt as though I had a layer or 'shield' that was protecting my skin. I don't have the dry skin on or around my scar anymore and it actually feels a lot better. I also have a c-section scar that itches like crazy and it often times feels as though it's going to tear open. I place some of the Skin MD Natural Shielding lotion on it after I get out of the shower and don't get that feeling anymore. Needless to say, I found a new part of my skin care routine.

After using Skin MD Natural

Skin MD Natural shielding lotion does the real work to prevent dry skin in two ways.
First, it assists the inner layers of skin to absorb moisture. The humectant(an ingredient that attracts moisture)used in Skin MD Natural is unique that it has been laboratory tested to be 6 times more effective than any other you will find in common creams.
Second, a shielding lotion enhances the power of the op layer of the skin to resist environmental irritants while protecting the inner natural moisture.
This can be a big benefit for those who work in the medical profession, cook, garden wash dishes or are constantly washing their hands because Skin MD Natural helps skin retain its natural moisture and oils in the face of all those irritating soaps and chemicals.


What dermatologists say:
"By using a shielding lotion that bonds with the outer layer of your skin you can keep irritants out and moisture in. Most moisturizers do not seal in the body's own moisture, they artificially lubricate the outer layers of skin. When they wear off, the lubrication is gone and the original dryness remains. Sometimes this process will draw out the body's natural moisture and contribute to the skin's dehydration," writes Dr. Peter Helton, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology.


"A conventional lotion is not formulated to protect the skin like a shielding lotion does. Conventional lotions only add surface moisture to temporarily alleviate the dryness or itching. Shielding lotions are an effective dry-skin treatment because they bond with the skin and protect it for long periods of time. With this protection in place your skin keeps its own moisture in and has a chance to use this natural moisture in the deep layers of the skin to heal itself," states Dr. Lisa Benest, a board certified dermatologist of Burbank, CA.



Skin MD Natural is not only for dry skin it's also used to address severe dry skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. People with sensitive skin and those of us who like to live naturally will appreciate that Skin MD Natural is hypoallergenic, free of fragrances, parabens and colorants. It is made with more than 90% natural ingredients and 100% food-grade ingredients that are on he FDA's 'most safe' list.

WIN:
Skin MD Natural is offering one Ma21cuteboy reader a bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion!

*Mandatory Entry must be completed. Please leave your email address in your comment for winning notification purposes.*
Mandatory Entry:
Like Skin MD Natural on Facebook
Follow Skin MD Natural on Twitter

Extra Entries: are optional & not required.
Follow Ma21cuteboy publicly via gfc
Like Ma21cuteboy on Facebook
Subscribe to Ma21cuteboy via Email or RSS(2 for each)
Grab the Ma21cuteboy & put it on your sidebar-leave a link(2)
Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post-leave a link(3)
Put this giveaway into a giveaway linky, site etc.-leave a link(5)
Follow Ma21cuteboy on Twitter & tweet the following: can be done 1x daily for extra entry
I just entered to win @SkinMDNatural from @Ma21cuteboy 2/24 U.S. http://bit.ly/fp67hB


Contest Rules:
Open until February 24th at 11:59 MT
Open to residents of the U.S. 18+
Winner will be chosen via Random.org
Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen
Winner will be notified via email as well as in a winning post here on the blog
I  WILL VERIFY all entries. If they are not done, you will forfeit your prize!


*Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, I was provided with the above said product to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed are honest, that of my own & others' may differ.

The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari Book Review

The Dragon and Turtle Go on Safari
by. Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark

Padraig a dragon and his friend Roger a turtle, go on safari and are determined to spend the whole night out on Mount Sillymanborrow. They have a fun night planned with marshmallow roasting, eating baked bugs and making s’mores, but it wouldn’t be a safari without fun English accents and an imagination!

Throughout the night on their safari they run into some strange sounds that cause some alarm and adventure! An owl’s hoot becomes a howler monkey, swinging through the trees,. ‘What makes leaves rattle in the tippy top of a tree?‘ Rattling leaves high in the sky have to be caused by a giraffe. On Mount Sillymanborrow giraffes are the tallest. Sillymanborrow is the best place in the world to hunt for fierce and fantastic beasts.

They boys finally nestle inside of their tent for ‘just-in-case’ and prepare their voices for storytelling. Although Padraig wasn’t in the mood for a scary story he didn’t want to disappoint his friend so he asked if he would tell it to him tomorrow and his friend Roger thought it was a great idea so he could have all night to think about it. They snuggled into their sleeping bags to then hear another noise that sets them off onto another adventure. While they decide which animal is lurking outside of their tent Roger claims his friends a ‘professor,’ because he believes he’s an animal expert that must have gone to school for a long time to learn all about jungle beasts.

Between munching and figuring out which animal beasts are lurking outside their tent Padraig get’s a tummy ache and wishes he were home. His buddy reassures him that they shouldn’t give up and to lie down and rest. They end up falling asleep and are awoken suddenly by another strange animal’s noise. They are at it once again! They take the flashlight and are off to search for this mysterious animal who made the mysterious noise. Unfortunately the flashlight runs out of batteries and they are stranded in the dark with a beast on the loose. Padraig sucked in his breath and blew out a tiny flame and his friend is shocked to learn that he had such a talent. The flame went out but Roger encourages him to do it again; they find their beast and return to their tent. They wonder if morning will ever come and make the decision to head home. They left their items up on mount Sillymanbarrow and Padraig wonders why they had done so, Roger said it was another day and he still had to tell him his story….

This book isn’t just about two friends on a safari, it is the strength that they each have and the faith that they have in each other. It encourages not only Roger and Padraig to be strong, courageous and over come fear but for your child to be strong and brave. It's also an opportunity for parents to teach their children to overcome some of their fears and be brave like Roger and Padraig. Even though they were hyped for their 'safari' they had fears but made the best of them with each other and their imaginations! Mom's and kids alike will love reading this book together!

Chucky Said:
I liked the book The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari because I thought it was cool. It was full of adventure, and showed how friends can help each other and stick together. My favorite part was when they heard a noise from an owl and they decided it was a howler monkey. I liked that they turned a simple noise from a specific animal into something that their imaginations wanted it to be. The book also makes me want to be strong, courageous and not afraid.

Be strong and courageous, Do not be afraid… God goes with you; he will never leave you.

Deuteronomy 31:6


About the Author:
Donita is a best-selling contemporary Christian fiction novelist. She is best known for her fantasy Dragon Keeper Chronicles series. She won a finalist medal in the Christy Awards for he first installment of the Dragon Keeper Chronicles and Dragon Spell. She has also written romances and children's books.

You can purchase The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari at WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for $11.99
You can find more books from Donita or WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group on Facebook.

*Disclosure: This is a MamaBuzz review. I was provided with a product for review & the product was provided by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. The opinions expressed are that of my own and others' may differ.