Book Review: Truth Doesn't Have a Side: My Alarming Discovery about the Danger of Contact Sports by Bennet Omalu

 Many football fans have hard of CTE and the still ongoing controversy about the lasting impacts of contact sports, such as football, on the brain and the general health of the players. While some dispute the connections between contact sports, concussions and brain disease, especially if cited in the context of violent acts, others believe that this connection exists and point to CTE and its prevalence among football players as strong evidence for such a connection.
Bennet Omalu is at the center of this controversy. Not known to many fans, Dr. Bennet Omalu is the neurologist who first detected and wrote the paper for the foundation of CTE as a syndrome associated with contact sports.
 CTE or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is associated with horrific consequences including suicide and violent behavior. But outside of the attention-grabbing headlines, CTE also stands for the daily struggle a lot of NFL retirees experience that involves deterioration in attention, memory loss, and depression.

available on amazon.com

Dr. Bennet Omalu journey started in Nigeria and ended in 2002 with the dead body of former Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Webster on the autopsy table and Dr. Bennet Omalu's discovery of CTE. This book is Dr. Bennet Omalu's attempt to point out that he did not set out to create controversy or start a crusade against the NFL or contact sport in general, it was just him trying to find an answer why Mike Webster's body looked the way it did and how to explain the changes he found in the brain of the NFL player. He used scientific methods, careful observation and conclusions to come to define CTE and link this syndrome to contact sports and the effect such sports can have on a body.
if you are concerned about the potential effect of football on your children and want to learn more about the current CTE controversy, I highly recommend reading this book.



Disclaimer: I received a free book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.

Crowdtap Sampling: SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend

Through Crowdtap I was able to sample a great new sweetener blend that contains sugar, but has less calories than regular sugar, while tasting like real sugar.  Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend is a mix of Sugar and Stevia and while it can be used just like sugar and taste just like sugar, due to Stevia mixed in, it has about 1/2 the calories of sugar. Also a little goes a long way, you use only half the amount of sugar to get the same sweetness. I could not wait to try out Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend in my favorite dessert - homemade Tapioca custard. Easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, the custard is a favorite in my house. I used as instructed, half the amount I normally use for sugar of the Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend and then prepped the Tapioca as always. It tasted just like regular Tapioca, but had half the calories and my family could not taste the difference. 


So if you are looking for a product that can help you cut back on calories without losing flavor or adding in a chemical aftertaste - give Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend a try. We love it.

copyright Durhamonthecheap - Tapioca with Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend is yummy! 

copyright Durhamonthecheap - Tapioca with Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend + raspberry syrup = heaven

copyright Durhamonthecheap - Tapioca with Splenda Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend so easy to make

Disclaimer: I received free products in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.

Crowdtap sampling - Unilever Round 2 - loved everything from Ponds, Degree and TRESemmé!

Through Crowdtap, I recently received another box full of samples from Unilever and they were full-size samples. Loved it! First of all, thanks Crowdtap for selecting me again for the Unilever sampling. I could really get used to this. Second, I absolutely love the fact that I am getting full size samples really to try out. Love that they includes makeup remove towelettes and some more hair care products. I can never have enough shampoo and conditioner in my house, even though I just chopped off about 5 inches - see new haircut below. 
Again, as with the first time, I was lucky enough to get samples that my family can easily use. my mom has not sampled the products yet, but I am sure she will try to steal some of the products from me, so I have been hiding them for now and will enjoy them a little bit first before I share.
I got the following products:

• Pond's Evening Soothe MoistureClean Towelettes
• Degree Women UltraClear Antiperspirant Deodorant - Pure Clean
• Degree Women Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant - Sheer Powder

• TRESemmé Botanique Curl Hydration Shampoo

• TRESemmé Botanique Curl Hydration Conditioner

While all products worked great, I definitely had a couple of favorites- especially the Pond's Evening Soothe MoistureClean Towelettes were great. With the cold cream they contain, removing make up is not difficult and certainly not irritating anymore. One towelette removes makeup in an easy and comfortable way. Another favorite of mine was the Degree Women Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant - Sheer Powder, love the scent and it does keep me dry all day with the scent lasting a long time too. 
Nothing really has been disappointing in this box and I am loving that I get to use these products as full size products for the next few weeks!

copyright Durhamonthecheap - love my Unilever samples, in particular the Ponds Makeup Remover Towelettes!

copyright Durhamonthecheap - love my Pond's Evening Soothe MoistureClean Towelettes

Disclaimer: I received free products in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.

Book Review: Coloring Christmas Devotions by Lizzie Preston, Claire McElfatrick , and Suzanne Khushi

My mother has been totally hit by the coloring craze and she loves to collect also books with proverbs, quotes and sayings that she can use to add to cards and personalize them. So when I came across this book, I figured this would be perfect for her. I was right, she absolutely loves it and her goal is to finish it before Christmas.
I should caution people that have visual issues and need magnifying glasses or use books with large print that some images in this book contain very detailed images that require decent eyesight. The images used as a nice mix of abstract art, stylistic representations of flowers and simple shapes. But there are also very nice nature scenes with animals and the three wise men. This book is perfect for all ages, although little kids will have problems staying in the lines. I would say that 12 years is probably a good starting age for this book to both read and color. That being said, the stories included a good to read to younger kids and fully colored, the book is a nice book to go through with younger kids and discuss the holiday and the meaning of it for Christians.
I should also point out that the book is a perfect size to carry in a purse. it is not too big and can be easily carried in a satchel, no huge tote required.
So if you are looking for a book that the whole family can use and multiple generations can enjoy, this book may be it for the Christmas season. We plan to have my mother color it and then during the holiday read it and enjoy it as a family.

available at amazon.com

A sample image that can be used to color; the book is a nice mix of abstract art and nature scenes

Disclaimer: I received free products in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.

Product Review: Unilever Sample box from Crowdtap

Through Crowdtap, I recently received a box full of samples from Unilever and they were full-size samples. Loved it! Firt of all, full size samples really give you a chance to try out a product. How much can you really tell about a hair product if the sample is good for one use. I prefer to use a sample at least a couple or three times to make sure there is no irritation and the effect can be consistent.
I was lucky enough to get samples that my family can easily use. I even got mom into the game because any hairspray can help her keep a do with her thin hair is something that I hate to steal from her.
I got the following products:

• Suave Professionals Firm Control Sculpting Gel
• Suave Body Lotion Silkening with Baby Oil
• Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Rebalance
• Dove Advanced Care Clear Tone Sheer Touch
• Suave Extreme Hold 10 Hairspray

 While all products worked great, my favorite was the Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant Rebalance. That scent just screamed essence of summer and it made my skin feel soft and lasted with protection from morning until evening. As I already said, my mom is now a huge fan of the Suave Extreme Hold 10 Hairspray, finally a hairspray at lasts all day and still can be brushed out in the evening. The same can be said for the Suave Professionals Firm Control Sculpting Gel; my thick hair will actually hold waves now and looks like I spent some time on it in the morning to give it some shape. What can be said about Suave Body Lotion Silkening with Baby Oil? Who does not love the scent of baby oil and we all know how well it serves us to keep our skin moist and soft. Now with Suave Body Lotion Silkening with Baby Oil we have it in a body lotion and I love it. Last but certainly not least, Dove Advanced Care Clear Tone Sheer Touch is something truly unique among deos in my opinion. It can last up to 48 hours, although I still apply it daily, but without alcohol, it really is excellent for sensitive skin, just like after you shave and the thought of applying deo already gives you bumps. Now with Dove Advanced Care Clear Tone Sheer Touch, I can actually apply deo right after having and my skin is still soft. Magic? Maybe not, but certainly close it it. Like I said, Crowdtap and Unilever product a great selection of products for me and my family. We can and will use everything in this box and some products like the deo Rebalance and the hairspray as well as the Sculpting Gel were really things we discovered through the box and wondered why did we never try out this product before.

copyright Durhamonthecheap - love my Unilever samples, in particular the Dove Deodorant Rebalance!

Disclaimer: I received free products in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.

Book Review: The Potential Principle: A Proven System for Closing the Gap Between How Good You Are and How Good You Could Be by Mark Sanborn

Do you ever feel that your job or your supervisor is holding you back? That, if given the right circumstances, you could be and do so much more than you are presently able to achieve? If this may apply to you, I highly recommend this book. In The Potential Principle Mark Sanborn touches on the subject to maxing out your possibilities. Giving as much as you can during your life and not leaving a bunch of what ifs and the best ideas and plans behind.
I do believe that the fact that Mark works as a leadership expert helps with him not only noticing untapped potential in people, but also providing a workable solution that you can live without relying on others to enable you. In easy to understand language and clearly organized chapters, Mark Sanborn provides an how to for the reader who strives to up his or her game in life and be more successful at work or life in general. Keys to improving your performance are not just learning, but how to apply and use it to further your career and maxing your performance at work is not just work harder, but working smarter. Working more effectively and efficiently with tools that Mark Sonborn provides to the reader in this book go a long way in ensuring that the lessons from this book can be easily applied and translate in a better and more successful human being.
I highly recommend this book to any reader that feels that more is in them, but have a hard time showing to themselves and others. Mark Sanborn's advice can be applied all or just selectively, but will improve your life no matter what by bringing out your potential. 

available on amazon.com

 Disclaimer: I received a free advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.