September 26 is Mesothelioma Awareness Day

Mesothelioma -- a long word you may have heard on a commercial or two, but do you know what it means? This rare and deadly cancer is sadly lacking awareness. In honor of Mesothelioma Awareness Day on September 26, read below for the top 8 things you don’t know about this cancer, but should. Then share them. The key to saving lives starts with education. 

1. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is invisible to the naked eye. Once inhaled, these fibers may infect the protective lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity, or cardiac cavity. 

2. No amount of exposure is safe. Just exposing yourself once could put you at risk for developing the disease later on in life. If you were exposed today, you may not be aware until 2043, as the average latency period is about 30 – 40 years. 

3. Asbestos was once used in more than 3,000 consumer products. These include household items, some of which may still be in use. Some of these even include hair dryers, crock pots, and cigarette filters. 

4. It can be found in many older homes, schools, factories, and commercial buildings. Homes built prior to the 1970’s, along with a myriad of public buildings still could potentially contain asbestos because of the materials used in the original construction. 

5. Asbestos exposure is still the LEADING CAUSE of occupational cancer in the US. Even after 30 years since the United States government issued stern warnings about the continued use of asbestos, many workers who were once exposed are now at risk of developing the disease. 

 6. United States Veterans are at the greatest risk. For many years, asbestos was used across all branches of the military. Many veterans and shipyard workers were exposed to high levels of asbestos from several different applications. US Navy veterans who served during World War II and the Korean Conflict unfortunately have the highest incidences of asbestos related disease, including mesothelioma. 

7. Asbestos is still not banned in the US. Federal law requires the newly manufactured products contain no more than 1% asbestos. Although its use is regulated, roughly 30 million pounds are still being used each year. 

8. Mesothelioma can be caused by secondary exposure. Family members of those who were directly affected by on-the-job asbestos exposure may also at risk of developing mesothelioma. 

Want to do something to help this Mesothelioma Awareness Day? Our friend and 7 year survivor, Heather Von St. James, needs your help. Check out her campaign and share her message to help educate and save lives. Be a voice for the victims. Read more: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/emily/8-things-you-should-know-about-mesothelioma.htm#ixzz2eiv5TGnt

LUIGI'S Italian Ice Review

   

Summer has come and gone but temps are still rising.  In fact this week has been the hottest week on record in a long time in my home state.  We reached a sweltering 100+ on Monday and have gradually decreased to the mid 90s as the week has progressed.  After a long day at school the kids are really not into having a hot snack and no worries as I'm not overly thrilled at the idea of turning on the oven to prepare one either so we reach into the freezer for a cool LUIGI'S  Italian Ice.



I grew up in the Midwest and I remember visiting my aunt in Chicago and all the Italian Ice carts.  So when I found LUIGI'S Italian ice in my local grocer it brought back memories and I wanted to try 'em to see if they tasted anything like those cool treats I remember from my childhood.  Guess what?  They do.

LUIGI'S Italian Ices are creamy, smooth, and oh so chill.  The kids love them because they're not ice crystals, the ices are blended to a smoother texture that's really refreshing on a hot day.  Each cup is the perfect serving plus the cups don't crush easily like some other frozen treat cups.

LUIGI'S  Italian Ices are deliciously fragrant and full of flavor.  I've tried the cotton candy, sour apple, cherry, mango, orange, blueberry, watermelon and the no sugar added lemon and cherry varieties and every single one of them is great!  There are several other varieties of LUIGI'S Italian Ice available but I have yet to see them on my local store shelves.

For more info and to locate a retailer near you visit http://www.luigis.com

Sign up for savings on your next purchase of LUIGI'S Italian Ice by visiting http://www.luigis.com/offers.aspx?parents=96

Celebrate International Chocolate Lovers Day with Balance Bar...and a Giveaway

 

Celebrate International Chocolate Lovers Day with one of the new Balance Bar dark chocolate varieties.  There are three new flavors to try:  Dark Chocolate Coconut, Dark Chocolate Peanut and Dark Chocolate Crunch.

Keep reading to check out my review and enter to win a box of Balance Bar Dark Chocolate bars.

Balance Bar Dark Chocolate varieties are:

   ♦  Gluten Free
   ♦  Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa
   ♦  Balanced 40-30-30 Nutrition
   ♦  High energy food
   ♦  Healthy snack alternative
   ♦  Did I mention DARK chocolate and we know how good dark chocolate is.

If you've never had a Balance Bar, you will probably be surprised at how filling each bar is. I usually take them when I travel because they're truly portable and the perfect combination of carbs and proteins to keep you going til your next meal.  I have friends who run who use them as part of their fitness routine because of the balance of carbs and proteins.  Balance Bars are really a very healthy snack alternative and these new varieties are 100% delicious.

As much as I would love to share my Dark Chocolate Coconut Balance Bar with each and every one of you, I can't BUT one lucky Three Boys and an Old Lady blog reader will receive a box of the new Balance Bar Dark Chocolate bars.

For more info:
Visit http://www.balance.com/

* * * G I V E A W A Y * * * 

One lucky Three Boys and an Old Lady blog reader will receive a box of Balance Bar Dark Chocolate (ARV $17)

Click Here to Enter this Giveaway

Disclosure: Many thanks to the sponsor for providing this prize for the giveaway. Opinions are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. The opinions expressed above are mine. Click here for the Disclosure Policy of Three Boys and an Old Lady blog. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. I received a product in exchange for this review and post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255: \'Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Ultimate Life in Theaters September 6 #Giveaway

Disclosure: Many thanks to the sponsor for the opportunity to present this giveaway. 

Are you living THE ULTIMATE LIFE? Between the pressure of running a foundation started by his late grandfather, being sued by his greedy extended family, and seeing his beloved Alexia leave on an extended mission trip to Haiti, Jason Stevens' world is unraveling. But when Jason discovers a journal that his grandfather began as a Depression-era lad, his writings transport Jason on an incredible rags-to-riches ride. With everything he loves hanging in the balance, Jason hopes he can discover THE ULTIMATE LIFE. 

 Opening in theaters September 6, THE ULTIMATE LIFE (the sequel to The Ultimate Gift) reminds us some things are worth more than money! 

With The Ultimate Life Blog App, take the quiz to find out if YOU are Living Life to the Fullest! Read six great ways to start living the ultimate life NOW, as written by Jim Stovall, author of The Ultimate Life book. And watch the official trailer for this inspiring movie!

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One lucky reader will receive The Ultimate Life prize pack pictured below containing: 
• DVD of The Ultimate Gift 
• The Ultimate Gift book by Jim Stovall
• The Ultimate Gift charm bracelet 
• The Ultimate Life leather-bound journal

Click here to enter-Form

Celebrating 20 Years of Chicken Soup for the Soul #Giveaway #SPON

Chicken Soup for the Soul: 

Reader's Choice 20th Anniversary Edition 

The Chicken Soup for the Soul Stories that Changed Your Lives 

Twenty years later, Chicken Soup for the Soul and its stories are still changing lives! This special twentieth anniversary collection celebrates the power of storytelling. Readers share their personal, inspiring stories about how a Chicken Soup for the Soul story made a difference in their lives, paired with the life-changing story itself. It's a double dose of inspiration!

One of my favorite stories in this collection is Sticks and Stones.  The writer reflects on the power of words and how the often shared "sticks and stones" childhood tease caused her to realize the pain behind those three little words.

For more info:
Visit the website:  www.chickensoup.com/
Buy It:  Chicken Soup for the Soul books are available in bookstores everywhere and also at many online retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Walmart to name a few.

* * * G I V E A W A Y * * *

Win It:  3 lucky Three Boys and an Old Lady blog readers will win Chicken Soup for the Soul's 20th Anniversary Edition Readers Choice
Please be patient while page loads.

Entry-Form

Disclosure:  Many thanks to the sponsor for providing this prize for the giveaway. Opinions are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. The opinions expressed above are mine.  Click here for the Disclosure Policy of Three Boys and an Old Lady blog.  The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. I received a product in exchange for this review and post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  

The Fifth Estate Coming to Theaters October 18

Triggering our age of high-stakes secrecy, explosive news leaks and the trafficking of classified information, WikiLeaks forever changed the game. Now, in a dramatic thriller based on real events, “The Fifth Estate” reveals the quest to expose the deceptions and corruptions of power that turned an Internet upstart into the 21st century’s most fiercely debated organization. The story begins as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl) team up to become underground watchdogs of the privileged and powerful. 

On a shoestring, they create a platform that allows whistleblowers to anonymously leak covert data, shining a light on the dark recesses of government secrets and corporate crimes. Soon, they are breaking more hard news than the world’s most legendary media organizations combined. But when Assange and Berg gain access to the biggest trove of confidential intelligence documents in U.S. history, they battle each other and a defining question of our time: what are the costs of keeping secrets in a free society—and what are the costs of exposing them?" 

A dramatic thriller based on real events, “The Fifth Estate” reveals the quest to expose the deceptions and corruptions of power that turned an Internet upstart into the 21st century’s most fiercely debated organization.

 “The Fifth Estate” is presented by DreamWorks Pictures and Reliance Entertainment in association with Participant Media and is produced by Steve Golin and Michael Sugar, with Bill Condon directing. The screenplay is by Josh Singer, based on the book “Inside WikiLeaks” by Daniel Domscheit-Berg and the Guardian book “WikiLeaks” by David Leigh and Luke Harding. The film will be released in U.S. theaters on October 18, 2013. 

 Check out this clip
 

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure Coming to DVD 9/10

Get ready to skate into three new-to-DVD wheely big adventures with Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure. Join Dora and Boots as they zoom into Skate Park and stand up to the bullying Big Wheeler! Plus, enjoy two extra adventures as Dora brings her friends to the doctor and goes to the Green Power Science Fair. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution, Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure will be released on DVD on September 10, 2013 for the suggested retail price of $14.99.

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure Episode Synopses:

Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure
Dora wants to take Boots to Skate Park, but the big bully Big Wheeler closes Skate Park for all! Help Dora stand up to him so everyone can skate together.

Check-Up Day
Dora travels with Boots to visit Dr. Valdés for her yearly check-up, and along the way she meets friends who need to go to the doctor too.

School Science Fair
Dora and her friend Emma made a volcano for the Green Power Science Fair. Help them get over Magnet Bridge, through Diego’s Animal Rescue Center, past Swiper and to school in time for the Science Fair.

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure Fast Facts:
Street Date: September 10, 2013
Catalogue: 804294
DVD SRP: $14.99
DVD Running Time: Approximately 69 minutes

 
Buy It:  Dora the Explorer:  Dora's Great Roller Skate Adventure is available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble and many other stores nationwide.