Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food: Comparison Tool & Free Bag Rebate

I confess I don't normally look at the ingredients in my cats' dry food.  Most of the time if they eat it and aren't sick, I'm happy. I know that the first ingredient listed should be protein, but I don't know what other ingredients should be in there or in what amount.

Well, Hills Science Diet has a comparison tool for people like me. This tools allows you to compare the Science Diet Ideal Balance cat food with whatever brand of other cat food that you use.  What is really helpful though is that they explain what each ingredient is for and what the recommended balance is.  Go here to see how your current cat food measures up.

While you're there, be sure to download the Hill's Science Diet rebate for a free bag of cat food!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food from BzzAgent. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding by American Academy of Pediatrics

Every pregnant woman has questions about how to care for her soon-to-arrive baby. I'm expecting a baby girl in about three months and my husband has been adamant that he wants me to breastfeed. I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but I had heard about the physical benefits for both me and the baby. After reading New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding, I am convinced that I do want to breastfeed and that the benefits far outweigh the hassles.

Far from being a book that glorified breastfeeding and made it sound like a walk in the park, New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding plainly explained the aspects of breastfeeding while emphasizing the benefits. The book's step-by-step approach was very informative and made me feel confident that I can breastfeed my child. It covered a variety of topics and many points that I never even thought to have questions about. I will definitely be keeping this book as a reference tool for when baby arrives.

Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food: First Impressions

A few days ago I signed up for a BzzAgent Campaign for Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food.  I've never used this particular brand of cat food because it is quite pricey at my local pet store. So, when I had the opportunity to get a bag of the cat food for free, I joined the campaign.

The cat food came in the mail today. I first noticed the ingredients listed on the front of the bag. Chicken is the foremost ingredient. I've heard that most dry cat foods use corn or grain as their main ingredient which is tougher on the feline digestive system.  Protein is supposedly better and easier to digest.

My second observation was the resealable bag - how pleasantly convenient! The (cheaper) brand that I normally use does not have a resealable top and by the third day the bag is open, the fresh cat food smell is always gone.

So, my first impressions of this product are pretty good, but the test will start tomorrow morning at feeding time.  More updates/information to come!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this Science Diet Ideal Balance Cat Food from BzzAgent. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Sometimes life circumstances make it hard to make the right choice. Sadie moved to Goldtree, Kansas to take a job as merchantile clerk and opera house singer on the weekends in order to support her family while her step-father heals from an injury. Unfortunately, her cousin, Sid, begins to act strange and the opera house owner, Asa Baxter, demands that Sadie perform a repertoire she is not comfortable with or lose her job. Included in the turmoil are her feelings for the town's new sheriff, Thad McKane, and the ever-present knowledge that she must provide for her family. When Thad begins to suspect Sadie's involvement in the crimes he is investigating, their new relationship fades. Will Sadie be able to support her family? How can she make the right choice in her situation? Can faith, love, and hope bring the peace she seeks? Read more in Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer was an enjoyable read to me. Honestly, it's what I consider a middle-of-the-road book. It has some good themes and there is nothing particularily wrong with the book, but I probably will not remember it six months from now. The storyline was entertaining, but perhaps a bit predictable. Sid's character was strange. Throughout most of the book, he seemed a bit mentally unstable, but became normal at the end without much explanation of the change. I loved Sadie's character though. Her struggles with circumstances of life were authentic and helped keep my attention. I also enjoyed the comic relief that Thad and the Baxter sisters added to the book. I recommend this book to fans of Christian historical romances.

Click here to read an excerpt from Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Don't forget to visit the Blog Tour by clicking here.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. 

After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.

Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of nineteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren.

She invites you to visit her Web site at www.kimvogelsawyer.com for more information. 

 

Win a Nook Tablet from Kim Vogel Sawyer and RSVP for her "Song of My Heart" Facebook Party {3/29}! Celebrate with Kim by entering to win a Nook Tablet and connecting with her at the Book Chat Party on 3/29!





One "songbird" winner will receive:

• A Nook Tablet
• Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/28/12. Winner will be announced at Kim's Book Chat Facebook Party on 3/29. Kim will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and much more!

So grab your copy of Song of My Heart and join Kim and friends on the evening of March 29th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers via Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes

Phoebe Lee hasn't always had a good life, but lately things are better. She finds purpose and contentment as a midwife. However, when she refuses to accompany her pregnant sister-in-law to England, Phoebe is kidnapped by Captain Rafe Docherty's crew. As they set sail on the Atlantic, Phoebe struggles to escape, but eventually finds herself drawn to Rafe inspite of his illegal actions, painful past and thirst for revenge. As danger escalates, Phoebe and Rafe must first find peace with themselves and God before they can open their hearts to love.

Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes is the second installment of the Midwives series. Having read the first book, Lady in the Mist, I can say that Heart's Safe Passage works fine as a stand-alone novel, but the experience with the characters is deeper if you have read the first.

Overall, I really enjoyed Heart's Safe Passage and I'm looking forward to Laurie Alice Eakes' next book. I thought the author did an excellent job of dealing with Phoebe's dilemma of following her heart or following logic. By allowing Phoebe and Rafe to have painful pasts, the author added depth that enhanced the story. I appreciated this aspect as I feel that sometimes in Christian fiction authors use only ideal characters that are surrounded by perfect families and societies. I recommend to anyone who is looking for a historical Christian romance.

Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."