Five Dollar Shake

Free Admission @ Cedar Point for Military This Weekend

May22nd

It’s no secret that Cedar Point is one of my favorite places on earth. Just when I thought I couldn’t love Cedar Point anymore, they go and send me the nice information below.

I hope that military families will take advantage of this free admission opportunity, and have a great time experience Cedar Point. It really is fun for everyone.

This Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27, Cedar Point is paying a special tribute to men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces with free admission for all active, retired and honorably-discharged members of the military with valid ID. Additional tickets for immediate family members may be purchased at the gate.

This holiday weekend, families can also cool off at Soak City Waterpark, which opens for the season this Saturday, or enjoy Picnic at the Point, an all-you-can eat buffet from 4-6 p.m. Sunday and Monday in Cedar Point’s Coral Courtyard. Tickets may be purchased online at any admissions booth.

In the spirit of honoring those who serve, off-duty members of the U.S. Coast Guard who are traveling across the country in an electric golf cart to support the Wounded Warrior Project made a stop at Cedar Point this week, marking Day 22 of their 28-day journey. Known as GO CARTS: Guardsmen Carting Across the States, their efforts have attracted nationwide attention since they departed from Petaluma, Calif., in April with plans to arrive back at their base at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Va., this Sunday. Their goal is to raise $50,000 for injured men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Pictured from left are U.S. Coast Guard members Travis Sanders, GO CARTS President Ray Rehberg, Nicholas Barron and Deana Nutter posing with their golf cart in front of Cedar Point’s new wing roller coaster, GateKeeper.

Filed Under: Cedar Point Tagged With: Cedar Point, family, freebie, fun, local, vacation 1 Comment

Amazon: Ice Age Trilogy [Blu-ray] Only $21.99

May21st

Right now you can score the Ice Age Trilogy [Blu-ray] for only $21.99 ! Previously a $70 purchase!

Includes Ice Age, Ice Age the Meltdown, and Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Copy.

Filed Under: Deals Tagged With: Amazon, Blu-ray, comedy, Digital Copy, DVD, family, fun, movies Leave a Comment

Trailer Park Tuesday #AboutTime

May21st

At the age of 21, Tim is told an incredible family secret by his father – that all the men in his family have the ability to travel in time. He can relive any moment in his life to try things differently until he gets them perfectly right.

Directer: Richard Curtis

Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, and Margot Robbie

In theaters: November 1, 2013

What!? He’s a “time traveler”??? I think we’ve been here before miss McAdams. Only this time, unlike one of my all time favorite book to screen adaptations (The Time Traveler’s Wife), I see no real chemistry, at least not in the above trailer. I think I’ll wait for the Blu-ray.

Filed Under: Movies, Trailer Park Tagged With: comedy, coming soon, movie posters, romance, trailer Leave a Comment

Homemade Lemonade Recipe & Truvia Review

May21st

Homemade lemonade is special. It helps create family memories that last generations. It’s touching to think of how many hours have been spent on our porch swing, or in our back yard visiting with family, and friends while enjoying my homemade lemonade.
Though the recipe sounds simple, it’s been crafted and handed down in my family like a treasure. It’s one I’m happy share, in hopes of bringing those same special memories to someone else.

4-5 lemons
1 cup of sugar
3 cups of water
Optional garnish, mint leaves or cherries.
Pour over ice.

I squeeze the juice out of four lemons, and slice the fifth.
Dump in one cup of sugar.
Mix it all into three cups of boiling water.
Let cool, pour all of it into a pitcher, and chill in the fridge for 24 hours. If I can keep everyone away from it that long. Then add garnish if you’d like.

I recently received a full size container of Truvia to review. I decided to try it in our homemade lemonade recipe as a replacement for sugar.

4-5 lemons
1 cup of Truvia
3 cups of water
Dropped in three cherries.
Poured it over ice.

I followed the above directions.

I thought it was delicious. Crisp and refreshing. A little sweeter than the original recipe. My husband thought the Truvia added a slight after taste. Being a diet soda drinker, I really didn’t notice or mind it. I plan to mix this again, and enjoy it over the summer. It’s a great way to cut down on my sugar in take.

I also used Truvia in place of sugar over fresh strawberries. This was a big hit with my entire family. To be honest, I don’t think anyone other than myself even knew.

About Truvia:
Truvia sweetener is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener made from the best tasting part of the stevia plant. Packets are available in 40-ct, 80-ct, and 120-ct boxes, and the Truvia spoonable jar makes it easy to spoon and sprinkle just the right amount into coffee, oatmeal, yogurt or more. The new Truvia Baking Blend, a blend of Truvia sweetener and sugar, is specially formulated for at-home baking and offers 75% fewer calories per serving than sugar.

Truvia sweepstakes:
Truvia sweetener has launched the “Turning the Town Truvia” campaign in Dallas, Denver and Miami to promote natural, reduced-calorie sweetness.
Consumers can nominate a food service establishment via the Truvia page on Facebook and be entered for a chance to win a $5,000 grand prize. As result, Truvia sweetener may end up on the tabletop of their nominated bars, cafés or restaurants. A $50 Gift Card will also be given to one winner each week. Hurry! The contest is over on May 26th !!

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: family, food, Recipes, sweepstakes 4 Comments

Trailer Park Tuesday #GrownUps2

May21st

After moving his family back to his hometown to be with his friends and their kids, Lenny (Adam Sandler), finds out that between old bullies, new bullies, schizo bus drivers, drunk cops on skis, and 400 costumed party crashers sometimes crazy follows you.

Director: Dennis Dugan

Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello, and Nick Swardson

In theaters:July 12, 2013

I really enjoyed Grown Ups, so I’m pretty confident I’ll enjoy this sequel. Also, I’m a sucker for almost anything featuring Kevin James.

Filed Under: Movies, Trailer Park Tagged With: comedy, coming soon, movie poster, movies, new movies, trailer Leave a Comment

Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce Review

May20th

In 1968 Country Bob perfected the sauce of his dreams. After years of giving the sauce to friends and family he began to sell it in 1977. The reaction was overwhelming just as it is today.
It was actually October of 1982 when Country Bob, Inc. became the company, which it remains today. Along with their All Purpose Sauce they have expanded their product line to include BBQ Sauce, Spicy All Purpose Sauce, and seasonings.

Around here, my husband does all of the grilling, and he takes his grilling very seriously. It’ all about the meat, the spices and the sauce. I learned years ago, that when it comes to grilling, it’s best I just step aside, and focus on a couple of side-dishes to complement whatever meat he is mastering on the grill. He has yet to let us down. I recently received a couple of bottles of Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce to review. In-fact, the bottles were delivered just in time for our first barbeque of the season. So, after my husband lit the coals and came in for the meat, this is what was waiting for him on the counter.

He reached for his usual spices, but I informed him – nope, you won’t need them this time, I hear the sauce is that good! And, it was!

Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce was all he added to our chicken, and it was delicious! We usually have plenty of leftovers for lunches the next day, but not this time. Even our girls, a.k.a. the pickiest of eaters, finished their chicken. Since then we’ve enjoyed Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce on ribs, and mixed in burgers. Both have been just as out-standing as the chicken. I guess that’s why it’s called “All Purpose”, it goes great with everything. I have plans to try it in all kinds of recipes. Warning, it can be addictive! Yes, it’s that good.

Country Bob’s Sauces and seasonings are available online and in select stores around the nation. Visit their website to shop, locate a store near you, and even find recipes.

Have a dad that likes to grill? Perfect for Father’s Day, check out Country Bob’s Gift Pack!

Gift Pack includes:
1 Bottle of Original All Purpose Sauce
1 Bottle of Apple Chipotle All Purpose Sauce
1 Bottle of Honey Habanero All Purpose Sauce
1 Bottle of Barbecue Sauce
1 Container of Seasoning Salt

Get social with Country Bob’s and following on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclosure: Free product was received for the purpose of this blog post. I was not asked or influenced to write a favorable review. All opinions expressed are my own and honest.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: cooking, family Leave a Comment

7 Things on Sunday

May19th

1. Bought two items on eBay.
2. Spent an evening out with my thirteen year old daughter. Shopping, dinner and the hair salon.
3. Made plans with an old friend.
4. Drove my daughter and her friend to their eighth grade farewell dance.
(next year HIGH SCHOOL! How’d that happen?)
5. Had dinner off the grill for the first time this season.Yum!
6. Went to Motor City Comic Con (total geekville, it was awesome).
7. Enjoyed a movie with my sister and step mom.

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: Ebay, family, movies, photos 5 Comments

GUM EasyThread Floss Review & Giveaway

May17th

GUM EasyThread Floss is designed to make flossing around braces, bridges, implants and crowns easier. Flossing can be extremely difficult for those with dental appliances and we are pleased to announce that GUM has solved this problem with its new EasyThread Floss.

Ever since our daughter started wearing braces, taking the extra steps to keep her mouth clean has been important to her. Often, that means spending more time on her oral care reunite, like brushing longer after every meal, using mouthwash, and lots of flossing.

I’m proud to say that she does all of the above without any coaching or reminding from her parents. Which I understand is very un-teenage like of her. She also loves to find new products that help make these steps easier and more efficient. Her most recent addition to our medicine cabinet, GUM EasyThread Floss. This was sent to me as a review item, and ended up being a very fast favorite of hers.
To quote her “this is awesome!” “Fits between my braces and let’s me clean everywhere” “feels great on my gums” “I love the wheel dispenser, it’s really easy to use”. It’s also a great size to toss in her backpack, making it easy for her floss when she is away from home.

The proof of her efforts are definitely in her beautiful smile!

We are learning more, and more of the importance of good dental health, and how neglect can lead to gum disease, and other major health issues. Regular dental cleanings, flossing daily and brushing twice a day are key factors in preventing gum disease. So when I find a product that helps my family win that fight, I get excited. We all want what is best for our family, and for our health.

GUM EasyThread Floss and other helpful Sunstar GUM products are avaible to purchase online or where ever dental products are sold.

Discount code!
When shopping online be sure to use the discount code “0513ET” to score $0.75 off each Easy Thread Floss! This code expires 7/13/13.

You also have the chance to win a free package of GUM EasyThread Floss here on my blog.

Enter to win by using the Rafflecopter widget below. If you have any issues with the widget or would like to enter by email, please contact me at shakingit@gmail.com. One winner will chosen and contacted by email on June 7, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway