One of the products we were given as part of the Ninja Launch trip was the Euro Pro Shark Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop. While, I love my Swiffer WetJet, the price of the refills can really add up. While, it isn’t totally replacing my Swiffer WetJet because I still need it for quick clean ups, I will use the Steam Mop for weekly, deeper cleanings.

I was delighted to use the Shark Steam Pocket Mop. Seriously, it was so exciting. I don’t get all that excited to clean either. I was a little skeptical at first because it is corded and I do love my Swiffer. However, it has a extra long cord and I was able to complete my whole kitchen/hallway area without finding a new outlet or having to refill the water.

Basically, you fill the water tank up with water, plug it in and let it heat up for about 30-60 seconds. After that, you just start cleaning and the heated water will lift and loosen dirt on your floor. With my other cleaning utensil, it seemed sometimes dirt was just getting pushed around with the microfiber cloth (machine washable) or leaves a chemical residue on your floor. After using the Shark Steam mop, my floor looked shiny and new again. Shark Steam Mop not only cleans but it sanitizes as well.

It was very easy to use. Again, that was my concern, will it take long to heat up, is the cord long enough, will it leave puddles of water? All of those questions were answered by using it. The mopping pads are microfiber and are two sided so you can easily flip to clean and sanitize your floor. Which, you can not do with other cleaning products unless you start completely over with a new pad or new mop. I’ve always thought it was gross it to use the same pad to clean your kitchen and bathroom!

As for the water, it dries almost instantly. So no more “Don’t walk on that floor, be careful you will fall!” I don’t know how many times one of my kids or even myself have slipped on the newly cleaned floor before we started using the steam mop! So another great feature which isn’t even one of Shark’s selling talking point – no more kitchen accidents from still wet floors from cleaning!

If you are concerned with environmental or health concerns of chemicals in store bought cleaning products, you don’t have to worry about either with a steam mop as it just uses heated water. Water is perfectly safe and natural, of course! This makes it good for your health and the environment.

You can read some scary facts about toxins here. I never really thought about it until I read some of the facts such as:

• The average household has 3-10 gallons of toxic products, most of them common household cleaners.
• Only 1% of toxins are required to be listed on labels because companies classify their formulas as “trade secrets.”
• Within 26 seconds after exposure to chemicals such as cleaning products, traces of these chemicals can be found in every organ in the body.

Euro Pro Shark Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop includes:

• All purpose rectangle head and a versatile triangle head
• (5) two sided resusable, machine washable steam pockets and steam duster
• Carpet glider (to freshen and deodorize area rugs and carpeting)
• Telescopic, ergonomic adjustable handle

The suggested retail price is a little steamy (no pun intended) at $119 (Amazon). However, you will get your money back from not having to buy cleaning products on a regular basis. Think about how much you spend on refills or cleaning pads. When I calculated for our household, we would get our money back in just a few months. So think of this product as an investment for future savings!

What do you think? Do you have a steam mop? Are you concerned about the toxins in your normal, everyday cleaning products?

As part of the One to One Network, I was sent Eileen Goudge’s newest book, Once in a Blue Moon, to read and share my thoughts with my readers. This was such a captivating book, I couldn’t put it down and had it read in just two days. If I read a book quickly, I know it is one I love because I just can’t read books I’m not interested in.

Some of you may know Eileen Goudge from previous novels such as Woman in Red and three other New York Times best sellers. After finishing, Once in a Blue Moon, I now want to read the rest of the Goudge’s book especially if they as honest as this Once in a Blue Moon.

Two sisters, separated at a early age, who experienced a hard life growing up but at least they had each other are reunited after almost thirty years. These conditions under which they are reunited are less than ideal. Kerri Ann and Lindsay are like oil and water and raised with completely polar experiences.

Kerri Ann seeks out her sister as learning of her existence because as a former drug addict, she has lost custody of the light of her life her daughter, Bella.  Lindsay in intangled in a court battle of her own as she tries to save the home she grew up in with her adopted parents from being turned into a lavish resort.

While the reunion was not the one either imagined, each sister grows in their way throughout the book. With the help of Miss Honi, the story has humor interwined as well. In the end, you will see that the bond of blood is strong despite the sisters’ differences.

As part of a My Blog Spark, we received two fun Elefun & Friends games by Hasbro to test out! Both games were a hit – one literally!

Giraffalaff Limbo is a new version of classic Limbo. Spin the dial to see which limbo style you will have to conquer: classic limbo, crab walk, crawl, giraffe walk, bend forward, or backward. The game has built in sound which will encourage your preschooler to try not to bump into the Giraffalaff. If he’s knocked over, though, he will roll on the floor in laughter. The player that passes at the lowest level wins.

My two youngest kids didn’t really want to play by the official rules. They were find just spinning the dial and then trying to get under it, which was fun in itself. This is a fun game, which will give your child activity as well as laughter! Plus, it works on the large motor skills

The only drawback to this game is it contains pieces which my boys thought would be fun to use as swords instead of how they were intended. Hence, the big “hit” comment!

The next game, Scatterpillar Scramble, utilizes your child’s fine motor skills and was named the 2009 Preschool Game of the Year by Creative Child Magazine.

In Scatterpillar Scramble, children balance marbles in the hands of a wiggly caterpillar. The music is fun and upbeat and this is a fast paced game. Each player has to try to securely place all 8 marbles in the Scatterpillar’s hands to win! It really does wiggly around and there doesn’t seem to be any way to adjust that.

So again, my kids kind of created their own game. Since our youngest is only three years old, she had some trouble using the tongs to put the marbles on the wiggly scatterpillar, so we let her just use her hands!

You will also want to check out Elefunandfriends.com to play games and sing along to songs like “Friends’ til the End. “

Who doesn’t love Elmo? In this exciting new adventure, Elmo Animal Adventure,  from Sesame Street, you can join Elmo and his friends on three fun filled adventures. Plus, adults will enjoy the guest appearances of Cameron Diaz and Patricia Arquette.

In the first adventure, help Little Bo Peep find her sheep cow by following clues and working together. Next, help Elmo & Abby on “The Find The Amphibian” game show using animal facts. Finally, learn how animals and little monsters are different with Elmo in the wilderness. Not only is this fun but the kids will be learning facts about animals, their habitats, and eating habits along this adventure.

I have fond memories of Sesame Street as a child and I’m happy my littlest children get to enjoy these adventures in the present!

The main program is 46 minutes split into three different stories. Retails for $14.95 at major retailers.

Harry Connick Jr’s newest album Your Songs takes you back to another place and time. The album is a mix of classic songs from the “good ole days.” Like his previous album, Your Songs is full of Harry Connick Jr. singing known songs with a Jazz big band and a string orchestra. For this spectacular album, he teamed up with the legendary Clive Davis.

While, this isn’t my typical genre of music, I enjoyed relaxing to these songs. Of course, it really adds to the music when you can visualize Harry Connick Jr. too! He is most known to me from his time on Will & Grace. He has a wide array of skill sets beyond acting – singer, composer, pianist, philantropist, husband, and father – he is THE complete package!

My favorite songs are Can’t Help Falling in Love With You and  The Way You Look Tonight.

Here’s a full track list:

• All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
• Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
• Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
• And I Love Her (The Beatles)
• (They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
• Besame Mucho
• The Way You Look Tonight
• First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
• Your Song (Elton John)
• Some Enchanted Evening
• And I Love You So (Don McLean)
• Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
• Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
• Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

I think Harry Connick Jr. fans and new fans alike will enjoy this relaxing album!

Bargain Briana Disclosure: One to One Network provided me with this CD.  All reviews/recommendations are based on my thoughts/opinions and are not edited or written by the sponsor.

What’s awesome about the Animal Planet is they actually teach you about the animals and here’s another great DVD to explore a beautiful and just massive creature: Africa’s Elephant Kingdom and Queen of the Elephants. When we visited our local zoo this past summer, my kids were enthralled with the Elephants. They particularly liked the “Baby” elephant who was still massive!

Cross two countries on two unbelievable journeys with the Africa’s Elephant Kingdom and Queen of the Elephants (Animal Planet). In the first story, Africa’s Elephant Kingdom, the largest land mammal and its family struggle to find food, water, and a place to build their family. They will travel across vast lands and experience joy and sorrow.

In Queen of the Elephants, conservationists and activists Mark Shand and Parbarti Barua draw awareness to the elephant’s plights while riding on the backs of elephants for over 1,300 miles. Parbarti Barua is the only femal mahout, which is an elephant trainer/handler in India. They will travel across Indiato bring awareness to the elephant’s plight as the human population in India grows.

This educational and interesting DVD explores the way the elephant species is barely maintaining in a world where they are threatened. Are you interested in viewing this DVD? Sounds fun, right?

Leaving the Bellweathers is an imaginative and whimsical story about a family and their butler, Tristan Benway. Kristin Clark Venuti’s first book is one that will keep the attention of your middle school child through the humor and off beat mayhem.

When the Bellweather’s four children discover that Benway is planning on leaving their family once his “time” is up, they band together to show him how much he is needed within their family. The siblings include fourteen year old Spider, thirteen year old Ninda, and ten year old triples, Brike, Spike, and Sassy.

Benway plans to pack his bags, write a tell all memoir about this eccentric family, and move to a tropical location far away from this family. But does he really want to leave?

I enjoyed this amusing story full of comedy, dedication, and an unforgettable family!

Animal Planet recently released a new DVD called Lions, which travels to various locations with each one telling a different story about the “King of Beasts.” Spanning across Africa, the DVD includes four shows in one DVD including:

• A Lion Called Christian
• The Lion’s Share
• White Lions
• Rogue Lions

Your child will be amazed of the pride of the Lions in this kid friendly DVD. They will explore these stunning animals and their behaviors. If your child has an interest in lions, this is the perfect DVD for them!

The Lion Called Christian

This story will show you a beautiful reunion with “Christian” the lion and his former caretakers a year after he was released into the wild.

The Lion’s Share

This story will take you to Tanzania’s Serengeti, which is a paradise ruled by lions. Starvation brought about by a drought will test the bonds of the tightly knit lion communities which thrive there.

White Lions

The “King of Kings” otherwise known as the white lion will tell a story about their regal position as the golden king of the animal kingdom.

Rogue Lions

This story will tell of the lions who have gone “rogue.” They’ve changed their normal hunting behaviors and started targeting humans as food source. This will take you into the Kruger National Park, where they try to retrain the lions to fear humans once again.

Your child will enjoy this high quality DVD from Animal Planet. The four stories are a total of 172 minutes.

Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death, is a beautifully animated story about someone looking for a fast way to earn dough. Wallace & Gromit armed with a batch of ovens, an army of robotic kneading arms, and an old fashioned windfall, they start “Top Bun,” a new bread baking business. The business takes off quickly and Wallace falls in love with a bread industry icon, Piella Bakewell.

Then bakers suddenly start disappearing. Gromit then realizes his “master” is in danger. An adventure to solve a mystery becomes a Matter of Loaf and Death!

While the movie states it is 87 minutes long, I think this is including the extra features as the main show is only around 30 minutes. Overall, I think it is a movie that will enjoy!

In September, I was invited to the Ninja Launch in New York City by Euro Pro. Robin Miller, who has a Food Network Show as well as Quick Fix Recipe Books, was demonstrating the new product to a group of bloggers as well as traditional media. In addition to the Ninja Master Prep, we were also given hands on experience with the product as well as Shark Cleaning Products. So you have your dinner prep and clean up tools all in one event.

First a little introduction to Euro Pro. Euro Pro is a family owned company, an innovator in the home and housewares industry, and creates products designed to make consumer’s lives easier. In fact, Mark, their guru, has four kid of his own and designs his products with his own family in mind.

Before the presentation, we had a meet and greet with our fellow blogger attendees. I was able to catch up with some bloggers I’ve met previously, Kristen, Lori, Lizzy, Sarah, Allison, and Tara. I was also able to meet some new blogging friends such as Rachael, Jenn, Arianne, Sommer, Amanda, Sky, Daniel, Jen, Laurie, Kimberly, and Niri. It is always so much to connect with people you’ve “talked” to online and meet people who “get” blogging!

After a little socializing, we were taken to the Ninja Master Prep demonstration. I’ve never watched Robin Miller on the Food Network and I’m not that fancy of a cook. After watching her demonstration and listening to her, I think maybe I CAN cook. She has very practical tips, simple recipes, and of course, with the Ninja Master Prep, kitchen life can be more efficient.

Robin Miller adapted several of her recipes to use with the Ninja. Basically, it required deleting steps in her recipes because the Ninja can eliminate the need for different tools. One of the most exciting things the Ninja does is turn ice into shaved ice. Basically, you get snow cone quality with the Ninja.

What else does the Ninja do? It can work with almost any food such as hard/soft cheeses, cilantro, tortilla chips, scallions, chicken breasts, apples, pineapple, and much more. The only thing that Robin said she wouldn’t use it for is if you wanted something sliced like tomatoes. Otherwise, it can take the place of your blender and food processor.

I just received my very own Ninja and will be trying it out at home. At the demonstration here’s a few of my favorite features included its quietness, unlike my blender which makes a loud grinding noise. It includes one “master pod” which is interchangeable with a 48 oz. pitcher and a 2 cup bowl. It seems the 2 cup bowl was more flexible for numerous ingredients.

The Ninja has a lifetime warranty and it was interesting to know that in the test stages, they even put pebbles in the Ninja to test the effectiveness and durability of their product. Freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe to make our life easier. Unlike a traditional blender, you do not have to add liquid to make it work.

How many times have you had to shake or move your blender around because food gets stuck at the top or bottom. With the Ninja, nothing gets stuck at the top or bottom and you can squeeze as much ingredients you can fit in the Ninja. It has the Ninja blade technology which prevents this from happening. Instead you get evenly processed food.

In addition the Ninja Master Prep, we were given a cleaning products demonstration. Of course, I’m always on the look out for cleaning products to simplify my life as cleaning is not a favorite area of mine. My favorite product was the Shark Steam Pocket Mop, which I will write about in a separate post because I’m so excited about it as well as the other cleaning tools!