A Visit to @GoApeUSA #BloggersGoApe

A Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course is an outdoor experience that provides participants 2-3 hours of outdoor fun and exercise. The course allows participants to explore the park from an otherwise unobtainable vantage point while navigating through the treetops using zip lines, obstacles and tarzan swings.

20150809_110616Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to facilitate this review. All opinions and experiences are my own.

We visited the Go Ape location in Williamsburg, VA (Freedom Park) and its Treetop Junior course. Once we got harnessed up, we walked along wooden boards and metal wires 20 feet above the ground before zipping back down to the ground.

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Go Ape Treetop Adventure opened in Williamsburg’s Freedom Park in April 2012. Treetop Junior is the first Go Ape course in the United States designed and built for those young adventurers in your tribe to enjoy.
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The course utilizes an easy to use safety system that will keep your youngster safe no matter the obstacles or challenge they come across.  Made up of 20 obstacles and 2 zip lines, Treetop Junior will provide a 1 to 1.5 hr experience that no chimp, baboon, or gorilla will soon forget!

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Go Ape features two Treetop Junior courses: moderate and extreme. My five year old daughter and I enjoyed Course 1 (moderate), which featured about a dozen lines of varying level of challenge and configuration. My 12 year old son took Course 2 (extreme), which was a little more challenging, as it didn’t have a cable line that you could constantly hold on to. On both courses the safety systems are designed so that participants stay attached the whole time they are in the trees.

We were there on a hot Sunday morning, but the course is within the forest, so there was plenty of shade. Go Ape even has a water cooler by the start of the course so that you can easily re-hydrate yourself.

Overall, we had a great time. It took me out of my comfort zone, but was right up my 12 year old son’s alley, and gave my 5 year old daughter and I some much needed bonding time. The instructors were awesome and made us feel very confident and secure every step of the way.
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Go Ape Prices:

Treetop Adventure:

Gorillas (Age 18+) $57
Orangutans (Age 16-17) $57
Baboon (Age 10-15) $37

Treetop Junior:
All Ages $27

Book Online: https://goape.com/booking

Park Facilities:

  • Food & Drink
  • Dogs Welcome
  • Cycle Trails
  • Walking Routes

Follow Go Ape on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoApeUSA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoApeUSA

Instagram: http://instagram.com/GoApeUSA

7th Heaven Face Masks for Beautiful Skin

There is a new UK-based beauty company, 7th Heaven (www.my7thheaven.com), that have some masks that you will want to try out. They specialize in the face mask category and have one for just about every skin care issue or wish imaginable from hydrating to brightening.  Also, the masks come in easy-to-transport single serve sachets, so it’s easy to try several and find your favorite (not to mention it’s easy to take these instant beauty boosters on vacation.)

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Blemishes be gone.  The newest all-natural, high performing facial treatment from 7th Heaven — Tea Tree Oil Peel Off Mask  — has arrived, bringing with it clearer, cleaner, calmer skin.  Just apply it all over the face, indulge in your favorite 20  25 minute relaxing activity and then peel it off for a fresh look! It really does peel off- it has the texture of when you get glue on your fingers, and it came off almost in one piece for me. They show it green on the package, but as you can see, it goes on clear.  Dries that way as well, but it’s not sticky once dry.
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  – A de-stressing mask that delves deep into pores and takes impurities with it when you
peel it off
-Targets the T-zone and other problem areas; ideal
for all skin types
Tea tree oil is known for its anti-blemish properties; in this deep penetrating mask these benefits are
maximized
Other key ingredients include crushed witch hazel
and pressed Canadian willow herb
Calms and soothes skin 
-Comes in single-serve pouches; perfect for travel 
Just cleanse skin, apply mask, relax for 20 to 25 minutes, peel off the mask, and enjoy fresh, fabulous skin.

You can also try the Argan Oil Mud Mask.

Argan oil has long been considered one of beauty’s miracle ingredients.  Now this gift of nature from Morocco stars in a new Argan Oil Mud Mask, a luxurious face treat from 7th Heaven. Coupled with antioxidant-rich acai berries, this wonder mask is the perfect solution to bring the most fatigued face back to life.
A weekly mask formulated for combination and oily
skin
-Deeply cleanses pores, balances oil levels and revives tired skin
-Features vitamin-rich, hydrating and balancing pressed argan kernels, antioxidant rich acai berries,
and squeezed rosehip

After use, skin is pristinely clean yet hydrated and supple, never stripped of natural oils or tight 

-Comes in single-serve pouches; perfect for travel
Both are $1.99 for a generous single 0.5 oz use , available for purchase at Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Harmon Discount and Kmart .  They are cruelty-free, and members of BUAV/Leaping Bunny and PETA.

 

Travel Well, Travel Light on Your Next Flight

With airports gouging you for every little thing, you want to keep your bags as small and light as possible, packing no more then you have to for any trip. When you can, keep it to a carry on  and avoid those nasty baggage fees.  You are allowed one small bag, like a briefcase or purse, as well as your carry on bag, and you can make every inch count!

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The first thing you are going to want to pack- and it doesn’t even count toward your “luggage allotment”! is a head and neck pillow for the flight.  Those seats are awful, and there is no comfortable way to sit that doesn’t cramp up your neck (not to mention sleep even halfway decently).  The new Comfy Commuter Travel Pillow allows you to get some rest, and be as comfortable as possible in those seats.  The plush material cradles your neck to help the head stay upright  and in a position that won’t lead to cramping.  It is one of the more comfortable pillows I have used, and we travel often. It has a chin strap to keep it in place as well, so you won’t be picking it up off the floor.  You can pick one up in several colors at http://www.comfycommuter.com/ for $40.

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Going to be doing a lot of walking?  Check out Waldläufer.  Shoes for every journey- no matter where life takes you.  A new take on the “comfort shoe”, they are orthotic friendly and offer great support. These shoes are also designed specifically for a single width, making them shoes that won’t hurt your feet after long days.  They are stylish as well- no giant, clunky soles or orthodic-looking designs.  The Toni in black and grey suede is both classic and retro- it adds some “kick” to any outfit, and they really are comfortable.  Functional, too- the first day I wore them, I had to jump a fence due to my son being good at being 8.  Not your normal day at the office, but they performed well.  No matter what your day throws your way, Waldläufer will keep your feet comfortable and you looking good. Check out what they have for fall at http://waldlaufer.com

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Travel can be hard on your gear, so you want to make sure to grab items that can stand up to its rigors.  Check out the Eagle Creek Market Handbag.  We all need a good bag (when is the last time you saw a woman sans purse?) and for those on the go, you need one that is durable, lightweight, and has places to put all your important stuff.  The market handbag has tons of pockets and lanyards for your keys, cell phone, pens, business cards (whatever you need to have at hand) and even holders for bottles of water or sippy cups.  It’s outside is water resistant, which is always a good thing. You can wear it cross body or over the shoulder, whatever works for you. It even has a lifetime warranty.  It’s comfortable to wear, which is also key.  You can get one at http://shop.eaglecreek.com/market-handbag/d/1486_c_411 for $80

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While you are at Eagle Creek, check out the Specter 7 Day Pill Organizer.  Many of us have prescriptions and/or vitamins that we take daily, and this is perfect for taking them along.  It is lightweight and easy to clean, with seven clear, zippered pockets that show what is in each compartment. Each pouch can be numbered for the day of the week, or with daytime and nighttime medications.You can lock the zipper on the main compartment if you choose to, and has a zipper pocked that can keep any prescription information that is needed, as well as a pen slot.  It comes in three colors at http://shop.eaglecreek.com/specter-7-day-pill-organizer-/d/1471 for $25.

Win a Krusteaz Back to School Prize Pack

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.
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Back to school season is just around the corner. We know that your family is savoring the final moments of summer while also gearing up for the beginning of another school year. Get ready for all those school lunches and after school cravings by creating your favorite snacks together.

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Krusteaz, a delicious brand of convenient, high quality boxed baking mixes, wants to help by sharing their new Bakery Style Cookie Mixes with you and your family.  To get you ready for back to school, we’d love to send you a kit for review that would include the following:

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  • New Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mixes including:
    • Triple Chocolate Chunk
    • Meyer Lemon
    • Double Peanut Butter
    • Brown Sugar Oatmeal
    • Oatmeal Scotchie
    • Butter Vanilla Sugar
  • A Krusteaz lunchbox
  • Some fun kitchen items like a Krusteaz-branded oven mitt and aprons (one for an adult and one for a child!)
  • A selfie stick (for fun family photos taken while baking and enjoying cookies!)
  • Cookie cutter and measuring spoons for kids from Curious Chef
  • Cookie recipe inspiration cards

One of you can win a great prize pack!

New Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mixes including:
Triple Chocolate Chunk
Meyer Lemon
Double Peanut Butter
Brown Sugar Oatmeal
Oatmeal Scotchie
Butter Vanilla Sugar
A Krusteaz lunchbox
Some fun kitchen items like a Krusteaz-branded oven mitt and aprons (one for an adult and one for a child!)
A selfie stick (for fun family photos taken while baking and enjoying cookies!)
Cookie cutter and measuring spoons for kids from Curious Chef
Cookie recipe inspiration cards

Enter to win the prize pack using the RC form below. Ends Sept, 19, 2015. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Mill Fudge Factory

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Family-owned and operated Mill Fudge Factory & Ice Cream Café is now offering its delectable line of hand-crafted fudge nationally through its online shop at www.themillfudgefactory.com . The Bristol, NH-based small business, founded by the Munro family in 2006, uses the family’s secret Scottish recipe and 100% natural ingredients to create authentic fudge unlike any that can be found on this side of the Atlantic.

The Mill Fudge Factory fudge is available in an assortment of classic and inventive flavors, including Belgian Chocolate, Chocolate Walnut, Natural Peanut Butter, Scottish Whiskey, Pure New Hampshire Maple, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Pumpkin Pie and much more. The Factory also offers an assortment of decadent truffles and toffee. All confections are available in gift baskets and elegant sampler boxes.

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“We take pride in creating fudge true to the recipe of my grandfather in Scotland and we do it right here in New England,” said Mill Fudge Factory Co-Owner and General Manager Noah Munro. “People tell us they can taste the care we put into our fudge. We’re so happy that we can now share it with folks across the U.S. Our fudge makes for a unique Halloween treat, a great addition to the Thanksgiving table and a fabulous Christmas or Hanukkah gift.”

Advocates of the slow food movement, the Munro family make their fudge with all natural ingredients including Callebaut Belgian dark chocolate, Cabot butter, pure honey and cane sugar and staunchly avoid corn syrup, preservatives, artificial flavors and colors. The hand-crafted fudge is now available for shipping across the United States through the Factory’s online store at www.themillfudgefactory.com .

Healthy Snacking With Yoplait #ad

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

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With Summer winding down, it is prime season for snacking- lunch boxes, beach visits, going to the park- the whole nine yards. The days are long and appetites even bigger then they are normally.  The ideal snack to help bring energy up, aid in digestion, and scratch that itch for something sweet is with Yoplait yogurt. It makes a great snack for everyone, from Moms and Dads to teens and kids. With different varieties for different tastes, and even different yogurt delivery systems (GoGurt, anyone?) there is a variety for everyone in your house.  Check them out- there is Original, Light, Greek, and Gogurt®, just to name a few.

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A little nibble here, a bite there, it may not seem like much- but a handful of snacks a day a few times a day adds up and can lead to an extending waist band as well as a decline in funds.  In our house there is a different preference for each of us, the little guy loves go-gurt, especially when branded with his favorite characters like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Minions.  Mom likes her light yogurt, light fluffy and dessert-like flavors are her favorite. Dad, on the other hand, likes the thick and creamy Greek yogurts made by Yoplait in fruit flavors.

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Yogurt makes great after dinner snacks when a dessert isn’t really wanted but that sweetness would be appreciated. It also is perfect for lunches for everyone in the family, a sandwich, yogurt and raw vegetables is one of Dad’s favorite ways to eat a healthy lunch. The little guy enjoys all foods for lunch except for sandwiches so his lunch is often peace mail. Be it to enhance your lunch or just enhance your day Yoplait can help your every snacking need.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Yoplait®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Take Your Dinner Beyond Meat

When is meat both better for you and easier to use? When it’s Beyond Meat, 100% plant based protein.

This new meat substitute has the same consistency and similar flavor as ground beef or chicken, but with less fat and perfect for vegetarians and vegans who just want a delicious taco with ground meat- or omnivores who want to eat less meat or a change of pace.

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Beyond Meat is perfect for nachos- check out the recipe at http://www.beyondmeat.com/recipes/view/beyond-beef-nachos

We have personally found meat substitutes fall into two categories.
1- The “meh”-  this means this is not meat, has never been meat, does not taste like meat- it tastes fine but I would not go out of my way for it.  This “meh” meat-less meat is ok, but not anything special. Usually, my husband hates those products.

2- Then there is the ’wow’ this is almost meat! The flavor is good, the texture is right, and I enjoy it (even as a meat-eater). This category is harder to reach and there are a few winners- Beyond Beef is one of them. It can easily be passed off as ground beef for Mexican dishes, Italian meatballs, and any other ground meat based dish. The tacos came out very good and to the point there my husbad went for a second helping- and he hates what he calls “fake meat”.  On the other hand, I’m less picky, but this so far has been my very favorite.

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Another one of my favorite things in life- chili! Make it meatless with thi recipe http://www.beyondmeat.com/recipes/view/beyond-beef-chili

When cooking Beyond Meat, realize it is already cooked and ready to go, you just need to heat it up so it is the same temperature as the rest of your food. Easy Breezy. When making Italian meatballs, I started with one egg to about a half pound of Beyond Meat, then added bread crumbs to firm it up and hold it together. I then baked the meat-less balls along with the rest of the meatballs and they came out perfect. Beyond beef is non-GMO based pea protein product so you will not find any odd unprocessed bits of veges in your burger, just meat-less food.  There are also chicken-less strips made from soy protein and pea protein, which look just like grilled chicken strips.

Beyond Beef and Beyond Meat is available now in your grocer’s freezer section at local Fairways, Kings, and Target stores.

Schick Disposable Razors at Walmart #SchickSummerSelfie

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Schick®. The opinions and text are all mine.

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It is back to school time for all students, from your little ones to your bigger ones to the biggest ones.  Back to school also applies to college students, of course.  What are some things your college aged students might need?  Pencils, pens, calculator, notebooks, computer, laptop/tablet, and don’t forget toiletries and personal hygiene items.  And Ramen, lots of Ramen…LOL. In leaving the nest, college students now have to take care of their own personal hygiene without their parents telling them they smell and need a shower or to shave because they look like a jungle man.  One of the best ways to go about doing this is with the new Schick line of disposable razors- not only can your students feel fresh ,clean, and refreshed but also not worry about losing the razor because these are disposable.  Razors aren’t only for men, though check out these new razors available from Schick-  the  Hydro® 5 Razor (Men), Schick® Xtreme 3® Ultimate Razor (Men), NEW Schick® Xtreme3®, Schick® Quattro For Women®, and Schick® Hydro Silk® Razor (Women).

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We really like the new Schick®  Xtreme3®  Ultimate  is  reinvigorating  shaving  for  men  with  an  improved  design  and  50%  more  lubricant providing  men  with  ultimate  glide  and  ultimate  comfort.  Xtreme3®  Ultimate  fits  nicely  in  your  gym  or  weekend  bag  and  is  ideal  for  shaving  on  the  go.  It  brings  comfort  to  shaving  with  disposable  razors,  with  three  flexible  blades  and  50%  more  lubricant  for  impressive  glide.  Your  razor  is  disposable,  but  your  comfort  is  not.

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We recently took a trip over to WalMart to grab some of these new razors.  Dad now and again forgets to shave in the morning, and has to keep one in his desk at work  for those special days so he can clean up before anyone sees his (what I like to call) “homeless and disgruntled” look.  As with every trip to WalMart, we had some good finds, some necessities, and some not so needed items.  We were able to hunt down the razor for a low everyday price.  Be sure to check out your Wal Mart for similar deals on Schick products and other assorted goodies.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Schick®. The opinions and text are all mine.

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