I have a sweet tooth. Give me chocolate and dessert every day, and I would eat them - if it wasn't for some minor other things such as wanting to stay healthy and to weigh less then my house.

Truvia allows me to cut down on calories without sacrificing taste or sweetness. A natural sweetener made from stevia, a South American plant, Truvia has zero calories. My first impression when I opened it was the pleasant aroma. The scent is a proprietary natural flavor. Truvia has a crystalline form and looks much like white sugar. However, it's two and a half times sweeter than sugar.

The name Truvia comes from a combination of the words "truth" and "way". The product is made with rebiana, the sweetest part of the stevia leaf. This plant has been around as a sweetener for centuries - the Guarani people of Paraguay have used powdered stevia leaves in beverages. Today, one stevia plant can sweeten 30 cups of coffee.

Truvia comes in single-serve sachets as well as in spoonable form. The jar I received contains 9.8 oz that can replace about 3.3 cups of sugar. The jar itself is very cute and can be used in lieu of a sugar bowl - you can easily  remove the labeling if you want to. It can also be reused and / or recycled. I tried Truvia in coffee and tea, and baked my kids' favorite chocolate chip cookies. They ate every last bite and had no clue the cookies were much healthier than usual. Even my husband could not tell I cheated!

Last but not least, Truvia is suitable for people with diabetes. You can try Truvia in your favorite recipes or check out the recipe section on their site. The suggested retail price of a 9.8 oz container of Truvia is $6.99, and the product is available at retailers nationwide.

The Giveaway
Truvia is giving away a fabulous prize package, valued at $50! It's a real treat for those who love gardening and guilt-free sweets. The prize consists of a gardening tote and gloves, and the tote is filled with Truvia products and printed Truvia recipes (smoothies, cocktails, baked goods, etc.).

To enter, please tell us how you'd use Truvia.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• check out these Truvia recipes and share what you'd like to make; 
• visit the store locator and tell us where you can buy Truvia near you;
• follow Truvia on twitter;
• subscribe to their newsletter;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a $50 Truvia prize package! #Giveaway for the sweet tooth and green thumb - ends 8/14 @aitmama @truvia #win http://tinyurl.com/2ds7zrb";
• follow them on twitter; 
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is August 14, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received complimentary product sample to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

It's hard to believe July is over! Back-to-school is just around the corner, and I will be celebrating this special time of year right here. The fun starts tomorrow, and will last throughout August.

And now, of course, welcome to Link Your Giveaways Saturday. Link your giveaways below, and check out everyone else's!

Deliver Us from Evil - 3 win (7/31)
Organic Skin Exfoliator (8/4)
Stay a Little Longer - 3 win (8/11)
The 9th Judgment - 3 win (8/12)
Caribbean Opal Sterling Earrings (8/13)

I love Etsy, and admire the creativity and dedication of the many talented people who brighten daily life with a touch of handmade beauty.

Today, I am pleased to introduce two of these people - Angie and Jenny. They are sisters who love handmade, and create beautiful jewelry. Rings, bracelets, necklaces and more are available at their Etsy shop, eyecandycrystal. Here is what Angie says about her work:

After seeing all of my sister's creations (she has a unique ability to sit down with beads and wire and make a one-of-a-kind beauty), we decided to create an account on Etsy!  As a person that has always loved rings, I started there, plus stringing beads to make basic earrings. When I lost my job (like many of us have) I desperately needed something to occupy my time.  It's always frustrating when first starting out with something new, but it's been great fun for me to learn and increase my knowledge of beads, stones, gems and wire. Knowing what Swarovski crystal color I'm looking at is a triumph for me!

Sitting down with my jewelry all around me (literally) and a beading magazine on my lap is fun... Three years ago I would have laughed if you told me I would say that! While I haven't been able to "quit my day job", as many on Etsy have been able to do, it makes me happy when someone loves my pieces enough to purchase them. Giving gifts to friends and family that are created just for them is great. I've also branched out to making cell phone charms, eyeglass chains/lanyards and beaded bookmarkers on my other site: www.angiesjumbledmusings.etsy.com

Deal Alert
Right now, all eyecandycrystal rings are on sale - 40% off through August 31!

The Giveaway
Angie is generously giving away a pair of Caribbean Opal Sterling Earrings! Aren't they gorgeous?

To enter, please comment below with your favorite piece from Angie and Jenny's shop.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a pair of beautiful Caribbean Opal Sterling Earrings! #Giveaway ends 8/13 @aitmama #win #handmade #etsy http://tinyurl.com/2c3uf66";
• follow them on twitter; 
• *updated 8/2* follow their blog;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

 The deadline to enter is August 13, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: Product image courtesy of the sponsor. No monetary or other compensation was provided for this post.

August will be Back-to-School month here at Just Another New Blog! I have many exciting products lined up for reviews and giveaways. Starting August 1, we'll be celebrating back to school for an entire month. Yay!

Stay tuned and join the fun!

Book Description
Louise Watkins has her hands full. Her mother had been the town midwife, but when her daughter Alice died under her care, she refused to assist in a childbirth ever again. Since then Louise has assumed the work. She also takes care of Alice's six-year old, Charlotte, because the child's father was lost in World War I. But Louise's principal job is running the boardinghouse that is the family's main source of income. One day, Charlotte befriends a stranger ill with influenza, a man who has taken refuge in an old cabin in the woods nearby. Although badly scarred by wounds suffered in the War, he is strong and slowly recovers. When he gradually takes on odd jobs around the house, Louise accepts his help. She is drawn to him despite his disfigurement, and his voice is comforting, vaguely familiar...

My Review
Stay a Little Longer is a charming love story, masterfully written and moving. The story has everything: love and drama, loss and redemption, forgiveness and second chances, the good, the bad and the ugly. War and the scars it leaves on families is condemned without preaching. I felt emotionally involved in the plight of the characters, and enjoyed the book to the last page.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of Stay a Little Longer by Dorothy Garlock!

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 3 copies of Stay a Little Longer by Dorothy Garlock! #Giveaway ends 8/11 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tiny.cc/yg2dl" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is August 11, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information, review copy and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

If candles were clothes, Timothy Jay Candles would be couture.

The story behind these addictive candles is fascinating. One advertising executive decides to change his life and leaves advertising after 25 years. Then he starts pouring candles in his kitchen and ends up being the most sought after candle maker in Hollywood with a host of celebrity clients! His name is Timothy Jay Sullivan. The client list includes Sandra Bullock, Ryan Seacrest, Diana Ross, The Bel Air Hotel, and many more. The company makes candles for all the film studios for big premieres such as Dream Girls and Sex In The City.

I received a votive sampler and a 10 oz Lavender candle. The first thing I noticed when I opened the shipment was the wonderful smell. All candles are individually packaged in beautiful black-and-white boxes. Then the four votive candles are placed in a matching larger box, wrapped with a black ribbon. All candles are handmade, with luxurious fragrances that pamper the senses. The Fruits votive sampler includes 4 votive candles: Pacific Grapefruit, Creme Brulee, More Currant, and Fig/Geranuim. The lavender candle is a pretty shade of lavender. Everything from the scent through the quality to the packaging creates the ultimate candle experience. These candles create a certain relaxing mood in my house, and I am truly addicted to their scent.

Any time you may be looking for delectable candles that are one-of-a-kind, check out Timothy Jay Candles.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received  complimentary product samples to facilitate the review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

As if yesterday's long list wasn't enough, here are some more lucky people who won on my blog this week. Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the following giveaways:

Powermat: #132 ~dab;

Tempted by a Warrior: #57 Angeline, #113 Hodgepodgespv, #144 elaing8, #194 Alicia, and #198 Louis;

Barely a Lady: #7 Katia, #18 chey, #31 Susan M. Heim, #54 Breanne, and #62 rubynreba;

Blue Platybus Shirt: #111 Viva.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsors for providing these great products for giveaway.

Congratulations to the randomly selected winners of the following giveaways:

Desire Me: #12 Tannie's Chatter, #50 budletsmom, #79 holdenj, #100 LAMusing, and #106 Anita Yancey;

Gillette Fusion ProGlide: #50 mandala, #76 jessilyn, and #117 polly;

Juice Beauty Apple Peel: #7 Sandy S.;

To Surrender to a Rogue: #12 Katia, #21 Tannie's Chatter, #28 409cope, #36 Andrea I, and #96 Chantel;

Soap and Lotion from Organix-South: #68 Tylerpants;

Infiniti by Conair YouCurl: #68 Emma;

Men and Dogs audio book: #9 Megan, #17 Anonymous, and #91 Anonymous;

Shampoo Bar: #110 rubynreba;

$40 GC to CSN Stores: #539 Rae (In the Forest);

Silver Enamel Ring: #76 heartnsoulcooking;

Fellowes Paper Shredder: #280 Hannah.

Many thanks to all who entered, and to the sponsors for providing these great products for giveaway.

Whether you won or not, do check out my other current giveaways - more fun prizes are up for grabs!

Smooth, healthy skin is always in fashion but especially so in summer. Short sleeves, sandals, and skirts show off the elbows, knees, and feet that typically need exfoliation the most. These have always been my problem areas, particularly my heels.

Tropical Traditions has organic skin exfoliators that come in three fragrances: unscented, lavender, and citrus-mint. They are hand-made and contain no alcohols, no artificial fragrances, and no petroleum products.I tried the unscented version. All it contains is sea salt, organic virgin coconut oil, organic jojoba, and organic virgin palm oil. I used it to pamper my tired feet and get rid of the roughness on my heels. I followed it with a good dose of Unscented Moisturizing Cream - one of my favorites from Tropical Traditions - and my feet looked about ten years younger the next day!

Deal Alert
Right now, a 4 oz jar of skin exfoliator is on sale for $11.99. If at any time you decide to buy this product or anything else from Tropical Traditions, as a first-time customer you can get a FREE Virgin Coconut Oil book with purchase. Find out all about coconut oil and its uses! Just use code 5251001 in the Referred by a Friend section and the book will be added to your order at no charge.

Oh, and if you hurry and order tonight - get free shipping!

The Giveaway
Tropical Traditions are generously giving away a skin exfoliator to a lucky reader of this blog!

To enter, please take a look at the Tropical Traditions product line and tell me what interests you the most.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• subscribe to Tropical Traditions' newsletter - you'll know all about their specials, sales and promotions - and get 2 entries;
• check out the free coconut recipes here and tell me which one you'd like to try;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a jar of Tropical Traditions #Organic skin exfoliator! #Giveaway ends 8/4 @troptraditions @aitmama #win #eco http://tinyurl.com/2f73vh7"
• follow Tropical Traditions on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is August 4, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. or Canada. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  This post reflects my personal opinion and experience with the product which may differ from yours. Product information and images courtesy of the sponsor. No monetary compensation was provided for this post.

Welcome to Link Your Giveaways Saturday! Bloggers, do link your giveaways below. Everyone - have fun browsing!

Fellowes Paper Shredder (7/25)
Barely a Lady - 5 win (7/26)
Blue Platybus Shirt (7/26)
Tempted by a Warrior - 5 win (7/26)
Deliver Us from Evil - 3 win (7/31)
The 9th Judgment - 3 win (8/12)

Book Description
During an intimate dinner party, a cat burglar breaks into the home of A-list actor Marcus Dowling. When his wife walks in on the thief, the situation quickly teeters out of control, leaving an empty safe and a lifeless body.

The same night, a woman and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down in an abandoned garage. The killer hasn't left a shred of evidence, except for a foreboding and cryptic message: WCF, the letters written in blood-red letters.

With two elusive criminals on the loose, Detective Lindsay Boxer calls on the Women's Murder Club to help her stop them before they continue their spree. But before they can break either case, the Lipstick Killer changes his act and demands a ransom--not for a single victim, but for all of San Francisco. Lindsay puts her own life on the line - but will it be enough to save the city from this deranged killer?

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) audio book copies of The 9th Judgment by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro!

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win The 9th Judgment by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro audio book! #Giveaway ends 8/12 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tiny.cc/yg2dl" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is August 12, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Welcome to Link Your Giveaways Saturday!

Book Description
In South America a 96-year-old man of great wealth reads a book late one night and an hour later he lies dead in his bed, the secrets of his past starkly revealed. Six months later another mystery man lies dead at the bottom of his pool in a villa in Provence. This time, however, there's a witness at the scene: Shaw, the shadowy operative from The Whole Truth, who barely escapes with his life. Meanwhile, a half a world away, photojournalist Katie James is working on a story of international importance.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) audio book copies of Deliver Us from Evil by David Baldacci!

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win Deliver Us from Evil by David Baldacci audio book! #Giveaway ends 7/31 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tiny.cc/yg2dl" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is July 31, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

It's that time again! Welcome to Link Your Giveaways Saturday! Bloggers, please link your giveaways below. Good luck to all who enter!

Men's Lotion and Soap (7/10)
Infiniti by Conair You Curl (7/10)
Powermat Charging System (7/11)
Men and Dogs audio book (7/11)
Shampoo Bar (7/12)
$40 GC to CSN Stores (7/17)
Silver Enamel Ring (7/18)
Fellowes Paper Shredder (7/25)
Barely a Lady - 5 win (7/26)
Blue Platybus Shirt (7/26)
Tempted by a Warrior - 5 win (7/26)

Book Description
Lady Fiona, wed in haste, has never known marital peace. When last she'd seen her cruel husband Will, he'd struck her - and she has no memory of what she did next - only that she woke later alone in her bedchamber. Will has gone missing, and Fiona fears that in her rage and terror she might somehow have killed him. When her husband's cousin Sir Richard comes to search for Will, Fiona is touched by his warm nature. A knight and warrior, Richard is drawn to Fiona's brave manner, quickly seeing in her an equal measure of inner courage. Confessing that she fears having killed Will, Fiona accepts Richard's offer to help her. Pursuing together the mystery of Will's disappearance, they fall in love. Meanwhile the English are reinforcing their garrison in the Scottish Borderlands, putting Fiona, Richard, and Scotland in peril...

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for five (5) copies of Tempted by a Warrior by Amanda Scott!

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 5 copies of new novel Tempted by a Warrior by Amanda Scott! #Giveaway ends 7/26 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tiny.cc/s694z" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is July 26, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post. 

Welcome to Link Your Giveaways Saturday! Bloggers, link your giveaways below. Everyone - have fun browsing!

Gillette Fusion ProGlide (7/4)
Green Apple Peel (7/4)
To Surrender to a Rogue (7/5)
Men's Lotion and Soap (7/10)
Infiniti by Conair You Curl (7/10)
Powermat Charging System (7/11)
Men and Dogs audio book (7/11)
Shampoo Bar (7/12)
$40 GC to CSN Stores (7/17)
Silver Enamel Ring (7/18)
Fellowes Paper Shredder (7/25)
Barely a Lady - 5 win (7/26)
Blue Platybus Shirt (7/26)

Blue Platypus is a clothing company that makes great tees, tanks and sweats for women. Their clothes are 100% made in L.A. Blue Platybus has tops that would appeal to all ages - soft, stretchy and custom designed for great fit and durability.

Probably the biggest inspiration behind their wonderful designs is vintage furniture and clothing (mostly 1920s to 1970s). For summer, they have contemporary sized tees, as well as some in junior sizes for smaller / younger audience. I love the sailor inspired tee, and the Alice Purple! There are so many great designs to choose from.

One lucky reader will win any shirt of their choice from Blue Platybus!

To enter, please browse their store and comment below with your favorite item.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win any beautiful shirt from Blue Platybus - perfect for spring and summer! #Giveaway ends 7/26 @aitmama  #win #contests http://tiny.cc/jcc4u";
• sign up for their email newsletter - see the bottom of the page; 
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is July 26, 2010, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. Open to those 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours.

Book Description
Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.

In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for five (5) copies of Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer!

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a copy of the new romance novel Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer! #Giveaway ends 7/26 @aitmama #win #contests #books http://tiny.cc/jqefm" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is July 26, 2010, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.