reviews

I've had an opportunity to try some new snacks, thanks to my friends at Posh Mama. I was a bit skeptical at first, because although I do enjoy fruit and nuts... Well, I must be honest and say I'd rather have them dipped in chocolate than simply cut and dried, "organic, nothing added."

But I have to report that I was pleasantly surprised by the Peeled Snacks I tried. My favorite was the "go-Mango-man-go," which is dried strips of mango, no sugar (or anything else) added. They tasted just like mango should taste, but a bit more intense: sweet, tropical, and a little bit tart. Delicious!! Hubby loves pineapple, and he declared the "pine-4-Pineapple" to be the best. The first-grader even liked the pineapple! The nuts were also tasty, even though they didn't have any chocolate on them. :-)

I could get used to these natural treats, and I think I could even get my kids to eat them. I'm definitely going to get some more of those dried mangoes for myself! If you're interested in some organic snack ideas for your family, check these out.

I gobbled up some free samples of Peeled Snacks fruit and nuts, in order to write this informed review.

I hate to reinforce gender stereotypes, but when it comes to my innate navigation abilities, I'm pretty girlish. My hubby never gets lost, and he teases me when I don't remember how to get someplace I've been before.

On the other hand, he also says I'm a bit "mannish" when it comes to using new gadgets, because I detest instruction manuals. I'll be playing with a new toy, asking questions about how to do something, and he'll ask me, "Did you read the instructions?"

Instructions? Ha! I don't need no stinkin' instructions. I usually skim the "quick start" guide, if there is one, so I know how to not break the thing. Then, I power it up and start pushing buttons.

The latest gadget I've been able to test is the Sony nav-u portable navigation device (NV-U83T). Luckily, it is easy to start using, and I didn't have to read through a long instruction manual. It was a very simple start-up.

Once I got it plugged in and running, I took it out on the road. It figured out where my car was, and showed me my local area on the big, colorful, touch screen. As far as navigation goes, I'd say it's pretty much like other GPS devices. I think they use some of the same satellites to do the mapping stuff, so they're not all that different. I'd used a couple of other handheld GPS devices before, but the Sony has a bigger screen, and more features, than any other I've used.

My favorite feature of the nav-u is its Bluetooth compatibility. I was able to pair it with my cell phone, and make hands-free calls through the nav-u. Setting up the pairing was painless (no instruction manual required!), due to excellent on-screen help.

One really cool thing about the nav-u is how you can combine mapping with communications. For example, say you want to find a restaurant. You use the touch screen to get to the list of restaurants in your area. Browse it and narrow it down until you find one you like. Then, just click and call to make a reservation, right through the nav-u! Being the geeky homebody that I am, Hubby and I don't get out to fancy downtown restaurants very often, but if you're a traveling diner, I can imagine this function would be pretty handy!

And, of course, you can use it to find lots of other types of businesses and destinations, as well. Hotels, hospitals, gas stations, fast food, etc.

On the down side, the nav-u had trouble finding my home. It would get me close, but even when I was parked in my garage, it kept trying to navigate for me. I guess that's because we live in a newer neighborhood, and whichever satellite provides maps to the unit is not quite up to date, but Hubby's TomTom doesn't have the same problem. However, once I was out on the main roads, it knew exactly where I was.

Overall, the nav-u was fun and easy to use. I didn't have to read the whole manual to get it working, and I didn't have to ask for directions while I was using it! If you're interested in all of the features (live traffic information and more) and specs on the device, please visit Sony.

I did not receive any compensation for this review.

Penguin publishing sent me a leftover pre-publication copy of "Savvy," by Ingrid Law, and asked me to help get the word out about an upcoming summer reading program for kids. I had seen "Savvy" mentioned in Reader's Digest, as a "don't miss this" summer read. And since I'm between installments of "Twilight," and finished with "The Host," I was grateful for something else to read in the meantime! I'm only about halfway through, but I'm enjoying "Savvy," so far. It's definitely aimed at a younger audience (ages 9-12), and it's written in a folksy storytelling tone. Here's the quick summary:

For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret. They each possess a "savvy" — a special supernatural power that strikes when they turn thirteen. Grandpa Bomba moves mountains, her older brothers create hurricanes and spark electricity... and now it's the eve of Mibs's big day. As if waiting weren't hard enough, the family gets scary news two days before Mibs's birthday: Poppa has been in a terrible accident. Mibs develops the singular mission to get to the hospital and prove that her new power can save her dad. So she sneaks onto a salesman's bus... only to find the bus heading in the opposite direction. Suddenly Mibs finds herself on an unforgettable odyssey that will force her to make sense of growing up — and of other people, who might also have a few secrets hidden just beneath the skin.

I don't know how the story ends, so I can't give anything away about the plot. The book is whimsical and easy to read, with a lilting and sometimes sing-song rhythm. The characters' superpowers will appeal to young readers, who will imagine and wish for their own savvies. In an effort to encourage young children to read, "Savvy" will be available as a free download (pdf file) free online read next week, from July 14-20. If you're looking for something to occupy the kids during the last "Mom, I'm bored" weeks of summer vacation, check it out! Get your free download of Savvy here, between July 14-20, 2008. EDIT: Apparently, the publisher changed the download to a free online version, due to the size of the pdf. If you don't like reading online, or won't be able to finish the book during the free week, you should try printing from within the online viewer/reader. Sorry about that.