Product Review: Scott Naturals® Paper Towels

I received a free roll (unsolicited) of Scott Naturals® paper towels. According to the company's website, this hybrid towel contains a blend of 60% recycled fibers that keeps them absorbent. The instructions that came with the package asked me to secretly swap out our regular brand of paper towel and replace it with Scott Naturals.

That was easy enough to do because I'm fairly certain no one else pays attention to what I put on there in the first place. Our family used the roll until it ran out and then I put back the regular brand. As I feared, no one else knew but me.

The claim for this brand is that they "help you take a green step without sacrificing quality." For the most part, I agree, but there was one issue with this product that ensures it won't be my preferred brand. The towel is a slightly smaller size than my usual brand, but that isn't a big deal. I use washable towels for large messes anyway. The problem for me was that I couldn't get the paper towels to tear using only one hand. As a busy mom, I'm constantly juggling a million different things at once. It's not unusual for my left hand to be busy while my right hand is reaching for a paper towel. No matter how many times I tried, it required both my hands to rip off the Scott Naturals paper towel from the roll or me leaning on arm on the roll and pulling with the other hand to get a towel free. I found it frustrating. Maybe it's silly, but I don't want to grab for one paper towel or half a paper towel (they come in Choose Your Size) and end up unraveling half the roll simply because I only have one hand free.

Other than that, I can say they worked just as well as my regular brand. If these were on sale at the grocery store in the future I might try them again, but I'm not looking to switch right now.


I received a single roll of Scott Naturals paper towels from the manufacturer. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Simple Ways College Students Can Maintain their Health and Lifestyle by Diet

TheBestColleges.org sent along this graphic that I found very interesting. As you know, we're trying to eat better and live a healthier overall lifestyle. Dad is doing great. He exercises five times a week and immediately cuts out anything his doctors suggests is a no-no. If only all of us had such willpower.

Though my son lived at home when he attended college, I still worried about what he ate when he wasn't here. In this colorful graphic, college students--and their parents--can quickly see what types of food are helpful for each area of student life. I like that it starts off with a short explanation of how often average college students eat fast food and indicates its negative impact on daily activities. The graphic quickly moves into what foods students should be eating for each task they need to accomplish.

I love this simple visual aid. Printing it off and hanging it above a desk in a dorm or apartment would be a great way to keep it handy. With a regular reminder of what foods help with their daily activities, the chances of your college student eating better while away at school is more likely. I'm even considering keeping this graphic by my desk to keep me focused on my healthy living goals.





I received a link to this graphic from the designer. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

First Chapter Review: Two Are Better by Tim and Debbie Bishop

Tim and Debbie Bishop are on tour with Pump Up Your Book to promote their inspirational travel adventure memoir, Two Are Better.

BLURB: From an engagement to a cross-country trip in just ten weeks? And with no experience in bicycle touring—or marriage? While Tim left behind a 26-year corporate career and familiar surroundings, Debbie was about to enter a “classroom” she hadn’t seen in her 24 years of teaching. Was it a grand getaway or a big mistake?


COVER: Fabulous. I love it when an author or designer puts a great deal of thought into a cover, and that's what happened here. The book is a memoir about two people getting married for the first time at the age of 52 and embarking upon a cross-country bicycling tour. The wedding rings and the list are nice details. The globe makes a great background, and the pictures--like the ones inside the book--make a big difference.

FIRST CHAPTER: Like a proper opening, the first chapter of Two Are Better starts at the beginning. Tim tells the story of how eight days before his retirement, Debbie and he were atop Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, and he proposed. Then they both discover they have a dream to bicycle across America.

KEEP READING: Definitely. After reading the Preface, I already had an idea of what Tim's style would be like. While he comes across as calm and steady, with an air of authority, you can also feel the excitement and spontaneity as this couple, brought together by God, quickly decides on their plans, figuring they will work the details out later.

The first chapter isn't overly long; just enough to give you a feel for how this material will be delivered to you. But that opening certainly encourages you to continue. Two Are Better is refreshing and engaging. I look forward to reading more of the Bishops' story.


Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Open Road Press (May 15, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0985624825
ISBN-13: 978-0985624828

Purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Two-Are-Better-Midlife-Newlyweds/dp/0985624825/

Purchase from Open Road Press: http://www.openroadpress.com/store/

About the authors:

Tim Bishop
Originally from Maine, Tim Bishop has over thirty years of experience in business, first as a CPA, then for many years in various roles in the corporate world. In addition to consulting for small businesses, Tim serves as a Hope Coach for TheHopeLine, a nonprofit organization that seeks to reach, rescue, and restore hurting teens and young adults.

Debbie Bishop
Debbie Bishop has taught for over twenty-five years, for the past ten years as a literacy specialist in Framingham, Massachusetts. She has a passion for reading and seeing that young people do it well. She also has high interest in recovery issues and encouraging others with her own triumphs over struggles earlier in her life. Debbie also serves as a Hope Coach for TheHopeLine.

Visit the authors online at www.openroadpress.com.

I received a free mobi version of this book from the publicist. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Two Are Better Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Tuesday, September 3^rd

Guest post at Lori’s Reading Corner

Wednesday, September 4^th

Interview at Blogcritics

Thursday, September 5^th

First chapter review at Cheryl’s Christian Book Connection

Friday, September 6^th

Book spotlight at Diane Estrella: That’s What I’m Here For

Monday, September 9^th

Book spotlight at The Writer’s Life

Tuesday, September 10^th

Interview at Examiner

Wednesday, September 11^th

Interview at As the Pages Turn

Thursday, September 12^th

Interview at Literarily Speaking

Friday, September 13^th

Book spotlight at 4 the Love of Books

Monday, September 16^th

Interview and book giveaway at Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways

Tuesday, September 17^th

Book review at JoJo’s Corner

Wednesday, September 18^th

Guest post at Paperback Writer

Thursday, September 19^th

Guest post at Review from Here

Friday, September 20^th

Guest post and book giveaway at The Busy Mom’s Daily

Monday, September 23^rd

Interview at Pump Up Your Book

Tuesday, September 24^th

Book excerpt at Between the Covers

Thursday, September 26^th

Book review at My Devotional Thoughts

Friday, September 27^th

Book review at The Book Connection

Tuesday, October 1^st

Book review at Maureen’s Musings

Friday, October 4^th

Book review at Library at the END of the Universe

Friday, October 11^th

Interview at Spoilers, Sweetie

CFBA: Threads of Change by Jodi Barrows

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThreads of ChangeRiver North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2013)
byJodi Barrows

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Over the past twenty years, Jodi has remarkably touched thousands of quilters throughout the world with her unique method called Square in a Square®. Her point of view provides the quilter with the freedom to create most any quilt design with speed and accuracy.

Jodi has spoken to quilting audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy and S. Africa. She has appeared as a guest on several quilting shows, including TNN’s Aleene’s Creative Living, TNN’s Your Home Studio, Perfecting Patchwork on Family Net TV and a pbs series with Kaye Wood.

Jodi was raised in southwest Kansas, has two grown sons, and is married to Steve, her high school sweetheart.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Conflict develops in the South,

Four granddaughters travel into uncertainty,

And Grandfather sells their precious home.

In the first book of A Quilting Story series, the four cousins-with social graces, charm, and a love for quilting-will face the anguish of life on the frontier in 1856 with every turn along the wagon trail. Raging storms and adversities hit the small band of travelers. Relieved to finally arrive at the abandoned military post at Fort Worth, Texas, they begin the hard work of establishing a new home. When trials follow them, they must decide to become true warriors of their hearts, minds, and souls or fall to the sufferings of prairie life.


Join the four women on a passage of friendship, love, and self-discovery as lives are mended around the quilting frame.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Threads of Change, go HERE.

Wordless Wednesday

Coming Thursday: Two Are Better First Chapter Review!

Things have been crazy around here. We're just getting back to school and it is soccer and cheerleading season.

This Thursday, I'll be reviewing the first chapter of the inspirational travel adventure memoir, Two Are Better by Tim and Debbie Bishop.

From an engagement to a cross-country trip in just ten weeks? And with no experience in bicycle touring—or marriage? While Tim left behind a 26-year corporate career and familiar surroundings, Debbie was about to enter a “classroom” she hadn’t seen in her 24 years of teaching. Was it a grand getaway or a big mistake?


Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Open Road Press (May 15, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0985624825
ISBN-13: 978-0985624828

Available for purchase at Amazon and Open Road Press.

You've Got Mail Monday

Yes, it's Tuesday, but I needed a day of rest yesterday. This weekend we had the sleepover for the Lil' Diva's birthday party. Check out the cake she designed herself. She printed the two photos and then drew a picture of the design she wanted so the bakery would get it right.

After eating out, cake, and presents, the girls decided to perform blind makeovers--the Lil' Diva's idea. One girl was blindfolded and had to make up her partner. Then they switched. In a rare moment of silliness, I allowed each girl to take a turn making me up. Here is the result.

After the guests left on Saturday, Dad took the family into Boston. We wandered around the Boston Public Library, and then watched the Red Sox beat the White Sox.

Fenway replica

On Sunday, we joined the in-laws and drove to Marlborough to meet my brother-in-law, his wife, and their son for a trip to the local Greek festival. 

I ate way too much. I really want to try my hand at making loukoumades.

So now you know why I had to take it easy on Monday. The girls are back to school today, so it's quiet. Here's what the mail carrier brought last week.

Cabela’s® sent not only their Garden Harvest catalog for me, but Dad received the hunting one. Not that he hunts, but they probably have our name from somewhere. I'm very interested in their vacuum sealers. Too much food can go to waste if it isn't sealed probably. I've tried the Ziploc® Vacuum Freezer System, but it's not that easy to use and I've had some things I thought were airtight that ended up not being so.

The only other two things worth mentioning are the books I received. I'm reviewing Winter Wishes by Charlotte Hubbard in November at The Book Connection. Just What Kind of Mother Are You? by Paula Daly also arrived. That is a prize I won from Broken Teepee.

Right now, I'm waiting for the fall garlic and bulbs to arrive from Burpee so I can plant them. I also have plans to move my fruit plants before the first frost. Hopefully I'll be able to manage it. It seems time goes quickly right now.

That's it for this edition of You've Got Mail Monday. Hope you have a great week.