Review: 365-Day Devotional Journal from Ellie Claire

Part of what I love about reviewing products is that I often get to sample and see things that I consider purchasing - but then never actually do. Behold the latest example of this - the Ellie Claire 365-Day Devotional Journals. 

When I got these journals in the mail a couple of weeks ago, I resisted the urge to dive in right away for a couple of reasons. First - I prefer to start a 365-day journal on the first of the year and second - we were leaving for a Disney trip in two days and I thought I'd better not distract myself from the task of packing.

Even though I prefer to start 365-day journals on the first of the year, I did spot sample a couple of the devotionals for the review purposes and take a good look at these journals. For those of you, like me, who like writing and can appreciate a good writing notebook or journal - you will not be disappointed if you pick one of these up. Why, you ask? Well let me tell you.

To start, the weight of the cover is a good thickness for a paperback journal and is coated with a plastic-vinyl type material. The paper itself handles a good ballpoint pen (my preferred writing implement, I especially like the BIC Velocity series of ballpoint pens) and doesn't seem like it would tear under standard writing; it's thicker than notebook paper and thinner than cardstock - which is exactly what I like in a good journal.

The devotions themselves are well written and succinct. For a busy mom like me who may only have a few minutes per day to set aside for a devotional, the readings are perfect. They offer a tangible framework for the point of the day, the devotional point to reflect on, and a quick verse reading to tie it all together. I've found that these kinds of devotionals readings - whether in an app or in a paper journal - work best for me. Hit me quickly, give me something to think about, and don't make me feel guilty that I don't have a ton of time in the world to sit and read something lengthy.

Last - and this is a small thing - I am one of those people who really likes to have a marker in my journals. I have found that a standard bookmark doesn't work for me in a journal because it always falls out in transit (I often toss journals in my bag) and then I get frustrated. These journals have one of those elastic bookmarks which I absolutely adore and appreciate. It's a feature that is essential for me in a journal or a daily notebook both for keeping my place and for keeping the edges of the pages down.

There are two minor downsides to this journal that you may want to consider. The first is that these journals aren't exactly pocket-sized, so if you're someone who prefers to have something you can fit in a smaller purse or your pocket rather than carry a larger bag (which I do) or sit at home for a few minutes with a cup of your favorite warm beverage - you may want to consider that. I personally find this journal size perfect for my preferences, but I know not everyone is like me. Second, the devotional pages ARE dated. I say this because if you're like me and like to start at the beginning of a notebook or it gives you heart palpitations but you're also the kind of person who likes to start things when you want to start them and not wait for a specific date... then this journal might drive you crazy. They're minor things, but things you may want to consider if you're looking for a devotional journal. Otherwise...

If you're someone like me who has a hectic life and want to make time with little to no excuses for a daily devotional - I highly recommend this journal. I especially recommend it if you - like me - don't want an electronic daily journal that just forces you to have "one more thing/reason" to look at your phone. There are 3 gorgeous styles - all of which are under $20 - and would make a perfect gift for yourself, a gift swap, or a dear friend or loved one who wants to make it a goal to spend more time in devotions in the new year.

Where can you buy them? Amazon and Barnes & Noble both have all 3 versions of this journal available for your purchasing pleasure. If you buy one, comment below and let me know what you think!!

365 Devotions - Peace Begins with Me:
Amazon: http://bit.ly/PeaceonAmazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/PeaceonBN

365 Devotions - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:
Amazon: http://bit.ly/EyesonAmazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/EyesonBN

365 Devotions - The Earth is the Lord's:
Amazon: http://bit.ly/EarthonAmazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/EarthonBN

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Disclaimer: One copy of each version of journal was provided to me by the publisher for review. I received no monetary compensation for this review and all opinions are my own. I am not receiving any commission or other compensatory measures for any purchases made through affiliated links in this post. In other words - I got the journals and a deadline to post and that's that, no coercion or begging to say nice things or anything.

Also if you're reading this disclaimer props to you because I've often wondered how many people actually read these things. 

Review: Hillsong Kids - "Can You Believe It?" (With a Giveaway!)

One of my favorite worship groups is Hillsong United, so when an opportunity came up to review the new Hillsong Kids DVD/album "Can You Believe It?" - I took it. Especially since I haven't had a chance to sit and write in a while and I thought this would give me a great opportunity to get back into doing so.

This was my first foray into Hillsong Kids and I have to say that I was impressed. A lot of times kids music - even just generally speaking - is very ear-wormy and sometimes, dare I say, annoying. Further, I am so particular when it comes to my worship music; it can't be too campy or I lose interest rapidly and since kids' music is often campy as well I knew that anything with the word "Kids" in it relating to music had a potential to be a danger zone. This was not at all the case with the music on this album. Some of the songs were kids singing some Hillsong favorites ("Oceans" and "What a Beautiful Name") and the ones that were a bit more kid-focused ("My Best Friend") were far from campy and were - dare I say - sweet and fun.

As far as the DVD itself, I snuggled in with a cup of tea and crocheting after the kids went to bed to be able to watch it. The format is fun and reminiscent of the days when MTV actually played music with a real VJ. Hosted by Funny Man Dan (and another guy whose name I completely forgot to grab when I watched it... John? Doesn't matter... the straight man to Funny Man Dan's goofiness), the program itself is about 25 minutes long and easily could keep the attention of a 6-10 year old. I feel like the humor would be lost on anyone younger than that and older you might run the risk of the kids thinking the jokes or attempts at engaging the audience in scripture was a bit, erm, dorky. It alternates between music videos and the hosts conducting interviews with members of the worship team, games, or scripture. Like the music, it is kid-focused without being campy or annoying (unless you're in that "I'm too cool for things" teenager phase).

Speaking of teenagers... if you're a youth leader or middle/upper elementary kids' ministry leader, this DVD is a great tool for pre-teaching/activity worship. In addition to the program detailed above, every song on the album is available in an age-appropriate lyrics-only video format. These videos are perfect for kids/teen worship with fun fonts and bright, flashy, attention-keeping graphics. If you're looking for worship time before classes or retreats or events for kids and teens and don't have a worship band/worship leaders for those groups, this is seriously a great and contemporary tool to have in your back pocket.

Overall, my recommendations/reviews would flow like this: 

- Definitely recommend the CD/album itself for anyone with kiddos that is looking for age-appropriate worship music to listen to at home. I mean, how can you go wrong with Hillsong?

- Definitely recommend the DVD for anyone who leads a kids' or teen ministry. Fantastic tool for worship times with the lyric videos section of the disc.

- Medium recommendation for home viewing. While the video is well done, you'd have to have kids that are interested in watching music videos and that like silly grown-ups. This could be good for a snow-day background viewing while doing puzzles or crafts, but personally at our house we'd rather listen to the worship album on CD than watch it on TV. Could also be good if you have a small group with childcare to play for the kids while you meet or if you have a home church with a kids' portion.

And now... the giveaway!!!

Want to win a copy of the DVD for yourself? I'll make it easy this time:

- Share this post on your page & comment that you did so.
- When you comment that you did so, name your favorite Thanksgiving food.

That's it! Contest ends Monday 11/19/18 at 9:00 AM and the winner will be notified by Monday at noon.

And now... time for me to bundle up the kids and clear the snow from my driveway. I've put it off long enough. 👍


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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Cauliflower Sausage "Chowder"

Ah, cauliflower. A vegetable that comes in many colors (my kids are big fans of the taste of purple cauliflower) and is versatile in its uses. People use it to make pizza crust, the "bread" to grilled cheeses, as a rice substitute in stir fry dishes, and mashed. It's used in soups, in pasta dishes (sometimes even as a dairy substitute in "alfredo" sauce), in casseroles. In our house, we love ricing it in our food processor, mashing it as a topper for a take on shepherd's pie, and even just tossing it with a bit of olive oil & seasonings and roasting it until the edges are golden brown.

It's a favorite for sure, and after fooling my husband yet again with cauliflower in a dish in place of something else - it's even been declared to be "magical".

So imagine how my curiosity piqued when I was poking around at recipes and saw people using pureed cauliflower as a thickener. I decided that I would experiment with this concept and went blind (meaning no recipe in front of me) to attempt a "chowder".

The results were delicious, healthy, low-calorie, and filling. Requests were made to put it in our regular menu rotation and no one added any hot sauce or ketchup. It's a great way to try and get your kids to get more veggies into their routine (since the liquid itself is 40-50% cauliflower) and a way to get your chowder fix even when you're trying to stick to those New Year's Resolutions.

Ingredients:

• 1 large head white cauliflower, chopped & divided (about 2-3 cups florets, remainder chunks)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (I used light olive oil)
• 1 6-link package uncooked chicken sausage of your choosing (I used garlic & herb from Aldi) OR 1-1.5 lb ground chicken sausage
• 3-4 small to medium carrots, shredded (about 1 cup)
• 4 cups stock (I used 4 cups water and 5 tsp Better than Boullion chicken base
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup frozen corn
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• Garlic Salt grinder blend, to taste (I used Trader Joe's Garlic Salt grinder)

Method:

Chop the cauliflower separating out about 2-3 cups of just florets (about half a head's worth) and put the remainder in a small pot with 4 cups of stock. Cook chunks in stock until tender (5-7 minutes once stock boils/simmers) and set aside the florets. 

Heat olive oil in a dutch oven or large stock pot and squeeze sausage from casing so it can be browned & ground. Dispose of casings in garbage. You no longer need those.

Once sausage is browned, add cauliflower florets and shredded carrots. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until cauliflower is tender. 

Reduce heat and add water to sausage and veggies to get up the "brown bits" (or "deglaze the pot" for you fancy-worded folks). There's tons of flavor here - don't leave the flavor behind!!

Add corn to sausage and veggies and toss until well combined. Turn off heat.

Once cauliflower chunks have become tender, turn off heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. DO NOT DRAIN - Puree stock & cauliflower together using either an immersion blender or a standard blender in batches. 

Pour all of the puree into the sausage & veggies. Stir together, add seasoning. Voila!

Makes 4-6 servings.

For a printable version of this recipe, click on this link.