Review: Valco Baby Glo Bugz Flashing Safety Lights

Valco Baby Glo Bugz Flashing Safety Lights

The Glo Bugz Safety Light is a small bright light that attaches to a pram or stroller. The safety light has three modes: On, flashing and off.

These lights are a great way to create a safer stroller while walking at night or on a darker day.  They fasten to just about anything. The lights are really easy to use and work well.  They come in packs of two, one white or clear, and the other red, they are made of a solid waterproof opaque plastic representing the defined colors.  I like to carry a pack of these in the survival gear bag too.  They make great signalling devices.  They are inexpensive, less than $10.00 and last a long time.   Make a nice in-addition gift.

For more information, please visit Valco Baby. 

Safari Ltd. Toobs

I LOVE SAFARI LTD.  THEY ARE AWESOME!!!   

As a home schooling mama, I rely on them for many of the educational tools and toys for the little ones.  This company puts their heart heart and soul into everything that they do.  The founders of Safari Ltd.  started producing toys back in 1982, but a few years later in 1986, they signed the most important license agreement in the company’s history with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.  After 3 generations, Safari Ltd continues pioneer with a passionate vision, growing this incredible line of amazing toys, replicas and educational products.  They test every single toy for unsafe substances, such as lead paint, and all products lead-free and phthalate-free. Safari Ltd. also supports global efforts in the fields of conservation, animal protection and ecologically sound business practices. 

I have had lots of smiles from replicas, toys and products from this company. Safari toys are inspired by nature, they are impressively detailed and provide an excellent example of what an animal really looks like for children.  As a home schooling mom, this is really important to me.  I love using these toys, replicas and educational tools to help teach the little ones.  The great thing about home schooling is that the entire family learns including me and my husband.   

I recently had the pleasure of the Safari Ltd® toobs - Ancient Egypt & Wild West.  The toobs are priced really low at $11.99.  These are really cool because you get a selection of smaller figurines to play with.  They are detailed and realistic.  The entire family loves these toobs.  They make great gifts and are especially nice to take traveling, giving the little ones something new to play with in the car or RV.

Highly recommended!!!

For more information, please visit Safari Ltd®.

Pacifier Gift Set

If you are looking for some cute gifts for baby showers take a look at mypacifier.com.  They now have gift sets available.  Each gift set comes with pacifiers that they will personalize for you, a pacifier clip and a bib.  I especially like the monkey set!

For more information, please visit http://mypacifier.com.

Review: TATTLER Reusable Canning Lids

I really enjoy canning.  I love having all those clear jars with all of my produce.  There is great joy to know where my food comes from and it is a good feeling to have lots of food in the case of an emergency.  I have a great product to share today.  Whether you are completely new to canning or a seasoned salsa maker, TATTLER Reusable Canning Lids are going to put a big smile on your face.  First of all they are reusable and they are really durable.  I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the family for decades because they are a great quality and super strong.  They are BPA free!!!  These lids are really great, easy to use, safe and cost-efficient.

If you want to try them before you invest you can buy a sample pack for $2.50 with free shipping.  Each sample pack includes 2 lids of each size, so 4 lids all together.  This is a really great way to see for yourself how valuable these canning lids really are.

For more information, or to order please visit TATTLER Reusable Canning Lids.

Maine Seaweed

 Maine Seaweed

Maine Seaweed, a family owned business on the coast of Maine, the quiet Gouldsboro Bay, sell hand harvested and dried Atlantic seaweed.  A reliable and trustworthy source of a variety of seaweed, Maine Seaweed is run a little bit like a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). 

The owner Larch Hanson, otherwise known as the seaweed man has invited us all for a stay free of charge, for a day or two, to get to know the spirit and source of the seaweed ... giving us a more soulful experience with it.

A wise and spiritual man, Larch often takes in apprentices and educates customers, helping to give others not only a great reliable source of seaweed, but also a deep connection to it.   This kind of customer service is quite rare, clearly above and beyond expectation ...

 Seaweed: Health and Nutrition

Seaweed is a plant that is found growing naturally in salt water and is considered to be a valuable nutritional vegetable. This vitamin and mineral rich sea vegetable has plenty of nutritional value and lots of healing potency to share with us.  Seaweeds are the most mineral-rich of any vegetable and also contain a variety of vitamins, fiber and protein. Seaweed provides a rich source of calcium, iron, iodine, potassium and magnesium because these minerals are concentrated in sea water. Seaweeds contain vitamins A and C. They are also one of the few vegetable sources of vitamin B-12. Most seaweeds also contain the fiber molecule algin, which is capable of binding minerals.  Most seaweeds are high in essential amino acids, which makes them valuable sources of vegetable protein in a vegetarian or mostly meatless diet. Coming from an ocean environment, they also contain sodium, but a much smaller amount compared with salt, and work great as a salt substitute.

The health benefits of seaweed include blood sugar regulation, cancer prevention, cardiovascular health, hair growth, degenerative disease combatant, hormone support, detoxification, infection control, weight loss, intestinal cleanser and healer, respiratory enhancer, sexual health, wound healer and thyroid balancer.

Maine Seaweed & The Seaweed Man

Maine Seaweed has been in business for four decades and it shows.  If you are looking for a safe source of quality seaweed at a great price I don't think it can get any better than this.  Seaweed is important, not only as a food, but also as a medicine.  Fresh harvested seaweed from a reliable source is much more safe than any supplements or packages on the shelves.  Seaweed makes a great survival food because most varieties are able to be stored for two years.

The Seaweed Man, Larch Hanson is soulful, rich in personality and nice to talk with.  I am sure the waters are just as happy to have him there as he is to be there.  To learn more about him, visit him at his blog or at Maine Seaweed.  There is so much to be learned on both sites including lots of great recipes.

My Experience

My family and I tried several different varieties of seaweed from the seaweed man, all included in the variety pack.  The variety pack includes individual bags of kelp, alaria, digitata, dulse, and a soup mix/survival pack blend of seaweeds. The Variety Pack comes complete with recipes that emphasize simple and delicious healing soups.  The cost is $35.00.  This is a pound of seaweed that will last awhile, even if you eat some everyday.  The seaweed was really good ... dried nicely and tasted great.  We especially liked the kelp, which is delicious to munch on, especially after you bake it.  Yummmm!!!!!  I cannot recommend Maine Seaweed enough.  For more information, or to order please visit Maine Seaweed.

"I didn’t come to this forest to become the seaweed harvester. I came to sit, emptying myself. I don’t go to the garden to just get food. I go to become empty/receptive to plant voices/pulsations. A boat is not for “getting to the islands”. It is for sitting, zazen, and rather than “watching the breath,” one may start with “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream". " - Larch Hanson

Ridgerunner Belts: Handwoven custom paracord belts,​ bracelets and rifle slings

These cool, fashionable survival bracelets and belts can save your life!

I love practicality coupled with style.  Paracord is a versatile nylon rope that has unlimited applications in everyday life and survival situations and lucky for us, comes in an array of beautiful colors!  Many people carry this cord on there person at all times by weaving it into many different things including belts and bracelets.  As exciting as purchasing paracord and paracord gear may be, it is important to purchase them from reputable sources.  There is way to much paracord on the market that simply said is fake, so it is important to be sure that the paracord you purchase is genuine.  Authentic paracord is golden!  

I have found this really great shop that has bracelets, dog leashes, rifle slings and belts made to order in beautiful Reedsville, West Virginia by hand with genuine 550 paracord purchased from a very trustworthy source, Camping Survival.  This paracord is DOD approved, passing all government quality control and inspection requirements.  550 paracord is made by taking seven two ply threads of nylon and wrapping them in a shell braided from 32 nylon strands.  This construction gives the paracord a  tensile strength of 550 pounds, and is also mildew and rot resistant.   

Wearing bracelets and belts made of 550 paracord allows you to carry a useful amount at all times, in case of an emergency.  Let's first take a look at paracord, why it is so awesome and get to know some of the many uses of this must-have cord.

Paracord 101

Paracord (also known as parachute cord, survival cord or 550 cord) is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope that was used by the in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II.  Once the paratroopers were on the ground, they found multiple uses for this amazing cord.  An extremely versatile cord, paracord is currently very popular, used by the military and civilians alike. Paracord is extremely strong and durable, quick to dry, fusible and resistant to mildew.  Seven inner strands of paracord can also be separated into three thinner strands making and utilized for another variety of uses only adds its handiness and the importance of always keeping it with you. There are many uses for paracord and it is therefore considered an important survival tool. Paracord can be used as a simple shoelace or clothesline and for more serious situations as a tourniquet, firemaking and fishing.  Paracord is an ally no matter the situation and is sure to be a friend for life.

The versatility of this cord is endless.  Here are some other great uses for paracord.  This is a short list however, as there are many.

• Tow lines
• Bomb lanyards
• Shroud lines
• Building shelters or raftsShelter ridge line
• Tent guy out string
• Boot laces
• Arm sling
• Fishing line
• Dental floss
• Snares and traps
• Gear repair
• Luggage tags
• Luggage handle
• Security (door lock, tattle tail with bell)
• Gun sling
• Fishing nets
• Sewing repairs
• Lashing cargo
• Hang food from a tree
• Pole lashing
• Knife lanyard
• Sandals, with a piece of tire
• Dog collar & Dog leash
• Shredding the fibers with a knife, it can be used as tinder
• Hair tie
• Bow drill string
• Tourniquet
• Wash cloth (woven together like a crocheted pot holder)
• Bow string, bolas and other primitive weapons
• Lanyard
• Fire bow drill string
• Improvised gun sling or pants belt
• Log pull
• The inner strand can be used as a fishing line
• Fishing net 
• Bird net for traps

Ridgerunner Belts

Wow ... this shop rocks!  I ordered a belt, the buckle and color chose by me and three earth colored bracelets from Ridgerunner Belts.  Customer service was great, from the very beginning and within one week my products arrived.  My custom ridgerunner belt was a lot of fun designing and I feel so great wearing it.  I am proud of it! There are many colors and buckles to choose from, so you can mix and match, designing your own creation.  This is so much fun and really makes it easy to make survival cord an easily worn fashion accessory.  I am so happy with the belt, very pleased with the craftsmanship.  These products are all great conversation pieces.  The belt and bracelets all fit perfect and look great, very professional.  The weaving work is nice and tight, neat and even.  I have wore my belt and bracelets since they arrived, so they have about 2 months of normal wear and they still looks brand new.  I am certain that they will look new for many years.  Customer service is really amazing.  They answered all my questions and really care about the customer.  The company has a great vibe.  This is quality work that I will happily recommend to all my friends and family.  They have a great guarantee too.  See below.

“If you ever have a problem with your belt caused by normal usage, I will repair or replace it free of charge. Also, if you ever have to use the paracord in your belt in an emergency situation, send me the buckle and tell me your story and I will make a new belt for you”

Is that guarantee awesome or what. This is a great business, trustworthy and honest.  The prices are low too. All Ridgerunner Belts gear is made from the highest quality paracord available and the products themselves have the mark of a true artisan with great craftsmanship.  I highly recommend all Ridgerunner Belts products.  

For more information, please visit Ridgerunner Belts.

EarthCalm

EarthCalm: Protection from dangerous electromagnetic radiation

When I heard about the dangers of electromagnetic radiation I remember thinking ... I knew all this great technology of our time had too be too good to be true.  I felt as though I had to choose between two worlds, one of technology or one of living completely without electricity or the conveniences of modern living.  Living without would not even keep me and my family completely safe, because our world is bombarded with EMF whether we choose to be a part of them or not.  I began to realize the frightening truth here - There is nowhere to hide!  This is before I knew that there are ways to protect myself and my family from man made EMFs. Yay!!!!

In today's world, EMF protection is a must!

I first heard about EarthCalm while searching for holistic solutions to health problems, such as headaches, fibromyalgia and nervousness.  When I found EarthCalm it was like I discovered a whole new world ... a safe world that allowed me to have the best of both worlds ... a world of technology and a world where I could be tuned into the frequency of our beautiful Mother Gaia to help protect me from the effects of man-made electromagnetic fields.  It cannot get any better I thought, that is ... if the products work.  So I decided that I must learn more about this company and their revolutionary products, while giving one a spin and recording my experience.  The company suggested a Nova Resonator, a beautiful necklace with EarthCalm technology.  Both myself and my husband used it.  I am excited to share our thoughts and experiences with you.  First, however let's learn a little more about what EMFs are all about.

What Are EMFs?

Electromagnetic waves are produced by the motion of electrically charged particles. These waves are also called electromagnetic radiation because they radiate from the electrically charged particles. They travel through empty space as well as through air and other substances. When electromagnetic waves are at low frequencies they are referred to as electromagnetic fields.   Those at very high frequencies are called electromagnetic radiations.

According to the frequency and energy, electromagnetic waves can be classified as either ionizing radiations or non-ionizing radiations (NIR). Ionizing radiations are extremely high frequency electromagnetic waves (X-rays and gamma rays), which have enough photon energy to produce ionization by breaking the atomic bonds that hold molecules in cells together. Non-ionizing (NIR) is a term for that part of the electromagnetic spectrum which has photon energies too weak to break atomic bonds. Non-ionizing electromagnetic fields include radio waves, ultraviolet radiation, microwave fields and infrared radiation.  All technological devices emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that erode your immune system and eventually cause health symptoms. 

EMFs are everywhere today, coming at you from all your favorite devices, your cell phone, your computer, your router, your TV and your car. They’re coming out of your walls at home and from every appliance. All of these man-made EMFs are a serious problem!

Electromagnetic Sensitivity? 

The dangers of electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic fields are becoming quite evident, as technology grows across the globe, EMFs are becoming increasingly associated with many diseases and health problems.  There are many studies available, with mixed results and findings.  Regardless of the finding of this highly controversial subject, one thing is certain ... those who are sensitive have measurable, conclusive, evident symptoms and problems from these man-made electromagnetic fields that they are exposed to.  If you feel weak or ill around electrical, electronic or wireless devices you may have a medically-acknowledged disease called Electrosensitivity or Electromagnetic Sensitivity.  As the technological revolution continues to explode around us, more and more people are falling ill from exposure to the electromagnetic fields.

Some common Electrosensitivity symptoms are memory loss, digestive disorders, chronic pain, sleep disturbance, mind cloudiness, heart palpitations, concentration and memory problems, headaches, chronic colds and flus, anxiety and depression.  Electromagnetic Sensitivity is also associated with Alsheimer's, Diabetes, Chronic headaches, ADHD, Fibromyalgia, Asthma and Cancer.

EMFs have a great effect on the body's nervous system and immune system, effecting a person's health even on a cellular level.  EMFs cut you off from the Earth’s electromagnetic field––the life-giving field you are meant to live in. They also break apart DNA strands and set you up for serious diseases down the road. Despite increased warnings by scientific researchers, hazardous electro-smog continues to fill our environment. Without EMF protection, we are more and more vulnerable to stress and immune-system degradation.  Children are even more vulnerable to EMFs than adults are, because they have thinner skulls and developing nervous systems. 
 
This is really scary stuff!  That is why I was so excited when I found this great company called EarthCalm.  EarthCalm addresses these problems with powerful, scientific solutions. For nearly 25 years, EarthCalm products have provided vital protection against the harmful effects of EMFs to thousands of people.  

The EarthCalm products help to reduce the stress caused by EMFs, thus strengthening the immune system and allowing it to fight off other toxins. EarthCalm products provide you with a progressive elimination of stress or chaos in your body’s nervous system caused by EMFs, both household and microwave. 

EarthCalm

The man-made electrical grid we live in has robbed us of our bio-electrical connectedness to the earth. By enhancing a person’s connection to the earth’s electromagnetic frequency, EarthCalm products protect the human nervous system from the hazards of man-made EMFs.  EarthCalm products enhance a person’s connection to the earth’s electromagnetic field, by grounding them to the earth and thus allowing the dissipation of biologically meaningless and stress producing currents.  By freeing the meridian or analogue nervous system from chronic stress, EarthCalm products support the body to fully heal itself by nature’s design.

EarthCalm utilizes a totally different concept of protection, which can be compared to the principles in Tai Chi.  EarthCalm products work differently from other products that offer EMF protection by blocking EMFs. Instead of opposing or blocking the hazardous energy of EMFs, EarthCalm products modulate information into the fields themselves such that they are no longer destructive. The products do not affect the EMFs themselves, rather they affect our bodies, in that they serve to ground us into the electromagnetic field of the earth.  EarthCalm products give the bad, hazardous man-made EMFs some place to go.  The hazardous impact of the EMFs is thus transferred or dissipated into the ground of the earth at the speed of light.  Our bodies are protected because the man-made current immediately exits the body and the resonance between the electrical system and our body’s nervous system is broken.

EarthCalm products strengthen our connection to the earth, otherwise known as the Schumann Resonance by utilizing geometric circuits or antenna which mirror the electromagnetic structure of the earth. The circuits consist of different geometric shapes that mirror the structure of the earth’s electromagnetic field, thus amplifying the natural ground or resonance of the human organism to the EMFs of the earth. 

These are revolutionary products from a company that has been around for almost thirty years.  EarthCalm founder and inventor, Jean Gallick created these products out of necessity.  She had been adversely affected by EMFs since childhood and began early in life to find a way to protect herself from them, eventually creating EarthCalm and sharing her products with the world.

EarthCalm has a large selection of products.  Please visit EarthCalm for more information.

EarthCalm Pros

• Products Independently Tested & Approved with IIREC Seal
• 90 day money-back guarantee
• All the circuits that are used in EarthCalm products are quite intricate and time-consuming to make, requiring precise attention to detail. They are made by hand in the United States to ensure superior quality control, with all employees receiving a living wage
• EarthCalm products have been researched, tested and steadily improved over a 25-year period. They are hand-crafted and closely monitored here in the United States, (rather than being built by machines somewhere else in the world, where little is known about the manufacturing methods) 
• Excellent personal customer service; phone calls and emails are generally answered within 24 hours.
• The products have no harmful side effects 
• The products do not emit harmful EMFs 
• Since EarthCalm products have no moving parts, they will last indefinitely. 
• Do not need an mantenance
• Do not need to be charged and recharged

Nova Resonator

The EarthCalm Nova Resonator is a beautifully crafted and powerful EMF pendant for personal protection, 24/7. It comes in black onyx, rose quartz, lapis and a sterling silver tube. All come with a nice long sterling silver chain. It is also available as ankle bracelet as shown.  

Price: $349

From the EarthCalm website 

The Nova Resonator has technology that grounds you into the earth’s electromagnetic field, which is the natural home for your body. It’s the field that’s designed to nurture and heal you. Man-made EMFs pull you out of this field. What’s more, they disrupt the functioning of your cells and DNA, setting you up for all sorts of health problems. The Nova Resonator gently pulls you back into the earth’s field so that EMFs are no longer harmful to you. You’re safe. 

What people report initially with the Nova Resonator: Relaxation A “rush” of energy Sense of well-being Alertness Warmth Clarity of Mind Greater calm in the field of WiFi

And then, as time goes on… Chronic headaches from WiFi disappear Joint and muscle pain evaporate Sleep comes more easily Mental performance improves Resilience to effects of stress increase “Mind fog” disappears Healing takes place in the area of old injuries

My Experience

Both my husband and myself experimented with the EarthCalm Nova Resonator.  As soon as it arrived I had a good feeling ... The resonator itself is gorgeous, something I would like to see on either my husband or myself regardless of the health benefits ... very stylish and cool!  

My husband wore it first.  He noticed something from the necklace right away, as he felt light-headed, warm and a little dizzy.  This feeling dissipated within a few hours he said and then he did not feel much different at all.  

I called customer service the same day I received the Nova Resonator and they gave me some important information about using it.  They were very kind and informative, quick to answer my many questions, without hesitation or pause.  They told me that if the resonator causes too many symptoms at once, ease into it by taking breaks from it.  Customer Service told me that sometimes the detoxification process is very difficult, therefore it is important to go at a more comfortable speed, meaning only wear the resonator for a little while and then take it off.  Luckily, after the first few hours my husband did not notice any differences.  He wore the resonator for two months, without fail ... in the shower, in the tub, while swimming, when exercising and while sleeping.  He even began to tape it to his chest, so that it would not move around at night or while exercising.  He looks good wearing it ... it is sexy!!!

He wore it and we waited ... to see if he felt any better.  My husband is sensitive to EMFs, so he is a great person to experiment with these products.  He said that within the first day of wearing the Nova Resonator he felt more focused, calm and at peace.  His headaches improved within the first week.  We did some blood pressure tests and were amazed because his BP levels were very good.  They are usually a little high.  He also said his heart felt healthier ... less stressed.  We were both totally amazed by all of this and I could not wait to wear this beauty myself.


When I put the resonator on I was expecting drama, but honestly I am pretty healthy already.  I am not as sensitive to EMF as my husband, but no one is completely safe so I knew that I would benefit from the necklace anyhow.  I thought maybe I would get dizzy and flushed like my husband did but I did not.  What I did experience within 24 hours of wearing the resonator was an intense calm ... an earth calm!  It was as thought the silly, trivial, petty worries that normally flood my brain with anxiety on a daily basis simply were not important anymore ... and that was that!  I LOVE IT!!!

This is a great product and I highly recommend it to everyone.  It really works.  After experiencing profound changes and witnessing changes with my husband, I decided I wanted to educate people about the detrimental effects of EMFs and bring EarthCalm products to people’s attention and by so doing, help people enter into a healthier state of being.  It is important to me to help people live as nature intended, connected to the frequency of our beautiful mother earth.

For more information, or to order please visit EarthCalm.  Also, be sure to watch the video below.  It is an interview with EarthCalm found Jean Gallick talking about the products and why they work. 

The Story of Cosmetics

From Campaign For Safe Cosmetics

Review: Kaito KA500

Kaito KA500 - Dynamo & Solar Powered Radio with all the Dream Features

The Kaito KA500 dynamo and solar powered multi-band radio with multiple power sources including a hand crank generator gives you three different radio options (AM/FM, NOAA and shortwave) as well as three different lights.  It is about 1lbs 6oz measuring approximately  8" w x 5" t x 2" d, durable and water resistant.  Kaito KA500 is the ideal companion for emergency preparedness, outdoor activities, traveling and everyday use.

 
The KA500 offers 6 different methods to power itself, including three AA batteries (not included), AC/DC adapter (not included unless specified),  the built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery which can be recharged from the AC adapter, by hand, by solar panel or by a PC, and the dynamo hand crank which not only can recharge the built-in battery, but provides power even when no batteries are installed.   

When powering the radio with sunlight, the solar panel is designed to tilt at any angle to receive the most charge from the sun.  Cranking the radio for a minute or so will give you about 20 minutes of playtime, depending on the volume level. The crank tucks away when you aren't using it, making it easier to handle.  

Designed to charge many small electronic items, such as a cell phone, the Kaito KA500 radio is built with a USB jack that can connect to USB devices.   I love this feature!!!

The 7 Band Weather radio gives you weather bands and the weather alert, signals you in case a disaster were to arrive.

The Kaito Voyager KA500 emergency radio is available from Camping Survival.  The price changes, but it is always low.  Camping Survival has the best price for this radio that I have found on the web.  You can purchase the AC adapter with the radio for only $4.00, which is almost 75% less than other places.  

Product Features

•     5-way powered emergency radio, AC, battery, hand crank, solar, computer
•     AM/FM/Shortwave radio and 7 pre-set NOAA weather channels with alert
•     180-degree adjustable solar panel
•     High-capacity replaceable rechargeable battery
•     Rubberized water-resistant housing + 5-LED reading lamp + Flashlight 

6 Ways of Power

• Dynamo Cranking Power: 120 turns per minute of cranking will power the built in Ni-MH battery pack with strong current and voltage.
• Solar Panel Power: Under the direct sunlight, the solar panel will power the radio without a problem.
• AA Batteries: You can use 3 normal AA batteries to run the radio for maximum reception.
• A built-in Rechargeable battery pack.
• AC adaptor charge from the 3.5 mm jack. (Optional)
• Charge from a computer via USB port.

Lighting

• 5 LED reading lamp for camping and emergency use.
• White LED flashlight
• Red LED blinking for emergency alert.

Radio Reception

• AM: 520-1717 KHz
• FM: 88.00- 108.00 MHz
• SW1: 3.20-9.00KHz
• SW2: 9.00- 22.00KHz
• Weather Band: 7 standard bands for all stations, PLL crystal control circuit for stable reception
• Weather Alert: To be activated by weather alert signals.

Includes

• 6 Cellphone Tips
• Earphone
• USB Cord
• AC adapter is an option when ordering, but not included without specifying
  

My Experience

My husband and I are so pleased with the Kaito KA500.  When it arrived my husband was like a child on Christmas morning.  Note to all the girls out there ... your husbands will probably be like that too because this little portable radio device is really something special and guys really love it.  With a patented design and many product features, the KA500 is unlike any other unit on the market.  Compact and lightweight, this tough, water-resistant, durable radio does it all.

The Kaito KA500 Voyager solar and crank weather alert multi-band radio with cell phone and MP3/ iPod charger arrived just in time for a weekend family camping and fishing trip, so we had a chance to use it in different areas.  This was a great opportunity to test the reception of the unit, along with using it on long hikes, and in place where electricity is not available.  

The first thing that my husband did when we received the KA500 multi-band receiver was take it out of the box and turned it on.  It surprisingly had some juice when it arrived, so we tuned into some of the local stations and started dancing.  All the local stations sounded great including Coast to Coast and NPR.  Many sounded better or equally as good as they were on the receiver in the house.  This was a good sign!  

Over the course of the next week or so, before the camping trip my husband tried out several of the different ways to charge the unit.  He was a little upset that the radio did not come with the USB cable to charge it with, so we went out and purchased one.  Many people will have one already on hand though, so ours was a unique case.  One of the best parts about this radio is all the different ways that you can charge it.  It is really easy to use and to charge.  If you know a lot about radios or nothing at all you will still find this to be a great multi-band radio.

I was happy to find out that the reception was just as good everywhere that we used it, as it was from the living room at the house.  The radio alert came in handy a few times during our camping trip, and the shortwave radio was a lot of fun to listen to, while in the deep woods of the Northern States.

We used the reading lamp to read our books, the LED flashlight to take our romantic night walks on the beach, the headphones to listen when everyone else was sleeping, and we charged our cell phone and MP3 with the built-in USB jack.  

We took it with us everywhere we went while camping, even on a long hiking trip.  It made me feel safer, and that was such a comforting thing.  It continues to give me this peace of mind.  I absolutely, positively LOVE IT and my hubby LOVES IT TOO!!!

The Kaito Voyager KA500 emergency radio is a great investment, especially if you purchase it from  from Camping Survival because it is the cheapest price that I have found online.  Add an AC adapter to your order for $4.00.   

This radio is a great addition to any disaster preparedness kit and it makes an awesome gift.  Highly recommended!!!

What I Love

• Affordable (especially if you buy from Camping Survival)
• Available in many colors, Green, Black, Red, Yellow, Camo and Blue 
• Portable
• Lightweight
• Durable
• Well-built
• Nice carrying strap
• Easy to carry
• Great SOS feature
• Lots of extras
• Patented design
• 6 different methods to power itself 
• Weather Alert
• AM/FM, plus short wave 

Reviews: Jo MacDonald Had a Garden & Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond

Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond
Author: Mary Quattlebaum
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant

Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond is a sing-along for ages 3 - 8, inspired by the sights and sounds of a pond. The text, art, design, and layout of this new version of the classic and familiar childhood song is lovely and lots of fun to sing along with little ones.  The winner of numerous awards, Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond is an instant hit.  The illustrations are uplifting and beautiful. Bryant s softly colored watercolor creatures echo Jo s rosy-cheeked childhood innocence and have just a touch of expression in their faces.

When Jo visits her grandfather's farm, she observes the plants and animals she finds by the pond, sketching them so she can share them with Old MacDonald later. She first notices the reeds, and the sound they make: 

"Jo MacDonald saw a pond, / E-I-E-I-O. / And in that pond she saw some reeds, / E-I-E-I-O. / With a swish-swish here."


I love how the engaging and catchy this song is.  The young ones catch on quickly, singing the familiar tune to the grandparents who can certainly sing along with them.  Highly recommended - E-I-E-I-O!

There are also additional downloadable activities for this and all other Dawn Publication books at their website.  For more information, please visit Dawn Publications.

Jo MacDonald Had a Garden
Author: Mary Quattlebaum
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant

In the second book of the Jo MacDonald series, Jo MacDonald Had a Garden is a sing along with young Jo MacDonald as she grows healthy food for people and wild creatures. 

"And in that garden flew a bird, E-I-E-I-O. With a flit-flit here and a flit-flit there, here a flit, there a flit, everywhere a flit-flit. Jo MacDonald had a garden, E-I-E-I-O."  

I love how the book brings the reader full circle in the garden cycle.  The perfect book to inspire young gardeners and naturalist into action.  Youngsters learn about garden ecosystems and stewardship. Highly recommended - E-I-E-I-O! 

There are also additional downloadable activities for this and all other Dawn Publication books at their website.  For more information, please visit Dawn Publications.