Giveaway: I am Malala book. #WithMalala

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Nat Geo. I received information to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation

Malala Yousafzai.  The girl who was shot by the Taliban for standing up for education.  A girl who has become a worldwide sensation, a girl who has become the face of empowering girls, a girl who just wants girls to have a chance in this world.  The girl who is the face of strength. A Nobel Peace recipient.  

I posted the other day about the world premiere of "He Named Me Malala" on National Geographic Channel on February 29th.

I have just started reading "I Am Malala" in anticipation of the premiere and I am absolutely blown away.  Her story is amazing.  Her love of the Swat Valley, Pakistan is evident.  The love for her people, education and rights for girls is so passionate that the reader can't help but feel an overwhelming desire to help, too.   I am only a few chapters in but.... I can't help but feel the pull on my heart to do something.  Her story drew me in from the moment I first heard of Malala when she was shot.   She believes that educating the population is the number one defense in ending terrorism and oppression.  I agree with her.  

If you haven't seen the trailer, WATCH IT NOW...

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

HE NAMED ME MALALA is an intimate portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted by the Taliban and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. The then 15-year-old was singled out, along with her father, for advocating for girls’ education, and the attack on her sparked an outcry from supporters around the world. She miraculously survived and is now a leading campaigner for girls’ education globally as co-founder of the Malala Fund.

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, Waiting for Superman) shows us how Malala, her father Zia and her family are committed to fighting for education for all girls worldwide. The film gives us an inside glimpse into this extraordinary young girl’s life – from her close relationship with her father who inspired her love for education, to her impassioned speeches at the UN, to her everyday life with her parents and brothers.

TUNE IN!!!!!  This is a MUST watch event!

Would you love the opportunity to read "I am Malala"?

You are in luck!!!


I am giving away ONE copy of "I am Malala" to one of my amazing readers!

Giveaway will end on March 9th.  One winner.  US only. 

How to enter?

Leave a comment letting me know if you will or won't be watching the movie on Nat Geo (include your email so I can reach you!)

Extra entries?

Tweet: 

$1will be sent to the Malala Fund for every tweet using #withMalala today - 3/10 from @NatGeoChannel and @21CF. (Leave the link in a comment)

Share this giveaway on any of your social channels (leave the link in a comment)

Website: 

http://www.henamedmemalalamovie.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/HeNamedMeMalala

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/MalalaFund

Good luck!

He Named Me Malala on NatGeo February 29

He Named Me Malala.  Malala Yousafza.

 Her name is a name we all know.  A young girl from Pakistan who made headlines after being shot in the head by the Taliban and miraculously survived.  

It's  WHY she was targeted along with her survival that has made Malala's story even more powerful.  A young girl blogging for the BBC in an area that was becoming overwhelmed by the Taliban.  She continued to fight with her words and to empower girls to rise up and become educated.   Along with her loving father, they received death threats and then... it happened.  She was shot. 

From a blogger, to an activist, to being shot by the Taliban, to becoming a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala has fought tirelessly.  

I am reading "I am Malala" in anticipation for "He Named Malala" to air on National Geographic Channel on Monday February 29th, 2016. 

Will you be tuning in?

Cozy up with Coconut Hot Cocoa

This post was sponsored by Starbucks as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received compensation and complimentary products to facilitate my review

Oh winter.  I love thee sooo much.  Right now, the evenings are so perfectly chilly.  The temps drop to a comfortable level and I turn to making myself something warm to drink while reading a book.  It's the perfect time to cozy up with a mug of coconut hot cocoa made with Starbucks Hot Cocoa K-Cups.  

I love Starbucks.  

For me, it's such a treat that when I go- I savor EVERY DROP.  Since I don't drink coffee in the evening, I can cozy up with hot cocoa.  Now that Starbucks has their hot cocoa for K-cups, life is good.  

Starbucks K-Cup Hot Cocoa comes in two flavors: Classic and Salted Caramel.  The Classic is your favorite hot cocoa indulgence from Starbucks and the Salted Caramel is complimented with a pinch of sea salt and natural caramel flavor.   These make it so easy to warm up with a mug of your favorite decadent cocoa.  They're made with real cocoa and non-fat milk and allows you to indulge with just the press of a button.  

You can add some additional toppings or enjoy them as is.  You really can't go wrong EITHER WAY! 

I decided to take the classic and play with a bit by adding coconut milk.  I use the canned coconut milk because it's so rich and creamy.  

Coconut Hot Cocoa:

1 tbsp coconut milk
1 Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup
Water for reservoir.

Piece of cake - just put the coconut milk into the mug, brew the cocoa and voila! top with a marshmallow and enjoy the luxurious, creamy decadence in your mug.  Curl up with a favorite book and wrap up in your favorite blank.  

Perfection.

What is your favorite way to enjoy hot cocoa?
How do you prefer to cozy up? With your family pet? Kids? Book? Movie?

If you head over to Starbucks' website, Warm Up With Cocoa and you can learn more about the K-Cups and enter to win a Cozy Collection box! Pretty sweet! 

Oz Naturals Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser Review

I am always on the lookout for good skin care products and I am excited to review Oz Naturals' Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser.

This post contains product received at no cost.  

I don't know about you but it seems like with each decade, my skin changes.  In my teens, I was acne prone and oily.  In my 20s, it was normal.  In my 30s, it was combination. Now that I am ALMOST 40 *screams*, it's dry.  What worked for me back then, doesn't work for me now.  Now, my skin just wants gentle cleansing.  

Easy Sloppy Joe Pockets

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Manwich. All opinions are 100% mine.



Sometimes, we need to be kids again, right? Eat something that is messy-licious and makes our faces a mess.  Manwich Mondays makes it easy to be a kid again and these super easy Sloppy Joe Pockets are just what the doctor ordered.

Three Simple Changes For Better Health

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central

Image via Canva

The hardest part about getting health back on track after being soooo unhealthy for so long? Well, getting back on track! Since Em's traumatic brain injury in 2004, the stress of taking care of her has taken a toll on my health.  I have tried MANY, MANY times to get my health back on track but I have failed.  I am working on it now but I have learned that the best way is through baby steps.  I didn't become overweight, fatigued and eating badly overnight and getting healthy won't happen over night.  

Getting healthy is much more than losing weight.  As I am getting closer and closer to 40, I am learning just how much harder it is to lose weight and instead I am focusing on the healthy living factor over what the scale says.  I'd rather measure my progress in how my clothes fit, the energy I have, the appearance of my skin, etc.  Do you feel the same?

Easy Red Velvet Valentine Cookies Recipe

These super easy and beautiful Red Velvet Valentine cookies are the perfect final touch to any Valentine's Day gift exchange at work or for a sweetheart's gift.  They're so easy and nobody will know! 

Valentine's Day will be here before you know it! I think Valentine's Day is fun or maybe I just like to have an excuse to make holiday themed snacks, crafts and have fun.  Em is super excited and we spent all weekend writing up Valentine's Day cards to give to her friends' class.

$50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Heeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyy!!!  

Have I told you how much I appreciate each and every one of you lately? No? Well, I do.  I really, really do.  Things have been overwhelming in my personal life and I really do want to show you how much you are appreciated.  

Because I DO appreciate you so much, I have teamed up with some phenomenally talented bloggers to give away one $50 Amazon Gift Card to a lucky reader.   

Mardi Gras Snack Mix

Do you go to any of the Mardi Gras celebrations? 

I have ALWAYS dreamed of going to Mardi Gras in Paris.  When I was studying French and French history, the pull of going to Paris for Mardi Gras has always remained with me.  The next best? New Orleans.  It's funny because I have always had plans to go to New Orleans but when Em was brain injured, that travel plan was moved to the bucket list.  Some day.