Essential Traditions/Real Food Real Frugal

The archives for the old Essential Traditions blog and the old Real Food Real Frugal Blog

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist Review :: Homeschool Review Crew

As a member of the Homeschool Review Crew, I am privileged to be able to try out a variety of really great homeschool curriculum.  But, top date, my favorite has been those by ApologiaI Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist is another fine example of the fantastic apologetics curriculum published by Apologia!

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist is a high school (and above) level curriculum that encourages you to think about your Christian beliefs and teaches you hot to defend them in an articulate way.  This is something I personally need to work on, so I was excited to receive this curriculum. The  I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist curriculum comes with a 447 page soft-cover text ($16) and a spiral-bound workbook ($33).  The text is extensive and contains 15 chapters, plus three appendix and two indexes.  Take a look at the table of contents and sample chapterI Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist is not a quick and easy read which makes the 279 page workbook so wonderful.  Take a look at the table of contents and a sample chapter of the workbook.  The workbook really helps you work through and understand the text.  I have to say that I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist is a real challenge to read.  It really taxed my poor, tired, Momma brain.  Which is a GREAT thing!  We need challenges sometimes to get us out of ruts!

I am, slowly but steadily working through the I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist curriculum.   My goal is to complete one section of the workbook every couple of weeks.  That doesn’t always happen, but I work on it as I can.  I’m choosing not to write in the workbook because I want other family members to be able to use it when they are mature enough or ready enough to use it.  I am honestly getting SO much from this curriculum that I actually think it’s BETTER to take it slowly, just so you can really absorb as much of it as you can.  I set aside 30-45 minutes a day to work on the study.  Working at this pace, it will probably take me over a year to complete.  But, I think it’s well worth the time.

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist has given me much to contemplate.  I love the workbook format.  I’m choosing not to write in it, instead,  I’m keeping track of my notes, by chapter, in a 3-ring binder. Each section of the workbook has you read the associated chapter of the book and works you through learning key topics and terms.  It’s chock full of insightful information that really helps you “get” what the book is teaching.  I loved the short bios of the key people featured in the chapter.  I do feel that the workbook is a MUST for use with the I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist text.  It really helps you understand what the book’s content.  While $33 may seem expensive, it really is an important part of this curriculum that you don’t want to be without.

I also found it really nice that the folks at Apologia provide you with the password to the “book extras” section of their website.  There you will find the answers to all of the workbook questions if you get stuck, as well as chapter tests.  That is a really nice “extra”!

I am so glad that I was able to receive I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist text and workbook.  I honestly think this is one curriculum that will be used by us all (adult and child) and then handed down to the grand kids.  Thank You Apologia!

Want to find out what other people thought of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist text and workbook.? Then check out the rest of the reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the graphic below!

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NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Young Pioneers Review

Young PioneersI have always loved the Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and when I heard about Young Pioneers by Rose Wilder Lane (Laura’s real life daughter), I wanted to read it. David and Molly in the story were modeled after Rose’s grandparents, Charles and Caroline Ingalls. While the book is geared towards young folks, I did enjoy it quite a bit. While the Little House Series are geared towards a younger set, Young Pioneers makes a nice addition to your bookshelves for your older children. I think Young Pioneers is a bit more realistic when it comes to the hardships and dangers that the Pioneers faced, while the Little House Series sugar coated them a bit because those books were more geared towards younger children. Also, Rose’s writing style is different from those that her Mother penned. It’s a bit more stark and not as descriptive.

If you’ve read the Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, you will recognize that many of the settings and events in Young Pioneers are from Laura’s book, On the Banks of Plum Creek. For instance, David and Molly live in a dugout on the banks of Wild Plum Creek. They also lose their wheat crop through a swarm of grasshoppers. But, you also get a glance at what “Ma” and “Pa” were possibly like before Laura was born. The story starts with David and Molly’s wedding. David is 18 and Molly is 16 when they set off on their adventure. From the Little House Series, I never pictured them being that young. Granted, I know that this is a fictionalized account of Charles and Caroline’s early years, but this fact was probably pretty accurate. After reading the book, think about this…how many 16-18 year olds do you know that could survive life as a pioneer in today’s age?

I enjoyed the Young Pioneers quite a lot, but I did feel that the ending was a bit abrupt. I would have like to have had it go on a bit longer to have it feel a bit more complete. I don’t think it has the same magic as the Little House Series, but it was well written and enjoyable.

This book is appropriate for I’d think 6th grade and up. Nothing too violent, just the stark reality of life as a pioneer. Also, there is a mild curse word that is used once when David is upset toward the middle-end of the book.  I think this is a great addition to your homeschool history bookshelf, especially if you’re a fan of the Little House Series.

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Vocabulary Spelling City Review :: Homeschool Review Crew

About Vocabulary Spelling City

Vocabulary Spelling CityAs a member of the Homeschool Review Crew, I recently was able to try out a one year premium membership to VocabularySpellingCITY.com.  Vocabulary Spelling City is an interactive gaming and learning website that helps elementary through high school students to learn spelling, vocabulary and so much more!.  It’s a very affordable teaching tool — it only cost $29.99 per year and you can use it with up to 5 children at a time.

Vocabulary Spelling City is a game based literacy skills builder.  It contains over 42,000 words.  You can even input your own vocabulary and spilling lists.  The words are used in a variety of fun games and puzzles, which can be used online or you can print them off to use offline.  There is so much included in the premium membership, which makes Vocabulary Spelling City a great homeschool investment.  You no longer have to search all over the web for the right worksheet.  Just print them out directly from Vocabulary Spelling City.  And, there’s so much more goodness available such as handwriting worksheets, language arts lessons, teacher training videos and lesson plans. These are just some of the “extras” you will find in the premium membership at Vocabulary Spelling City.

My Thoughts About Vocabulary Spelling City

I loved being able to personalize my lists.  This allowed me to tailor the program to Riley’s needs.  The games really encouraged him and his spelling improved quite a lot.  There was a nice variety of games which kept Riley interested and kept him from getting bored with the program.  We were able to get the free iPhone app which allowed him to play on the go.  The actually wanted to play Vocabulary Spelling City on his own time, which says A LOT about the program.

The Teacher Resources page was a BIG help to me.  There was so much there to help me teach spelling and vocabulary skills.  We’ve been using Sequential Spelling with Riley and I was thrilled to find those word lists available to use within the game.  That feature alone sold me on the program!    This really ramped up him learning his spelling and vocabulary words unlike an other program I’ve tried.  It  kept him interested and encouraged learning.

Summary

VocabularySpellingCITY.com is a wonderful program and well worth the cost of $29.99 per year for up to 5 students.  It is a fantastic price for everything you get.  Vocabulary Spelling City does also offer a free membership, which offers a small sampling of what all it has to offer, so you can try it before you buy it.  There is also a nice FREE app for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch which is great for learning on the run.

Want to find out what other people thought of VocabularySpellingCITY.com? Then check out the rest of the reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the graphic below!

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NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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This Week In History Review from Thomas Jefferson Education :: Schoolhouse Review Crew

This Week in History

About This Week in History from Thomas Jefferson Education

This Week in HistoryAs a member of the Homeschool Review Crew, I recently was able to try This Week in History from Thomas Jefferson Education.  This Week in History is a subscription program that delivers a new weekly lesson in your email inbox.  Each week you receive an email full of links, photos, videos and more to help you teach history in a fun, interactive way.  It only costs $9.99 per month, which breaks down to only about $0.33 per day.  Try a sample week of This Week in History and see what an amazing resource it truly is!

This Week in History provides a great opportunity to learn and discuss historical events.  The wide variety of historical topics is really amazing.  This Week in History is like a mini unit study that you get in your inbox each week.  It’s a really fun and affordable way to supplement your history studies.  Or is you are a more eclectic homeschooler it would be a great way to study history as a family instead of a purchased curriculum.

My Thoughts on This Week in History by Thomas Jefferson Education

This Week in History

We’ve really enjoyed using This Week in History  this summer.  While we didn’t officially homeschool over the summer, we did do a lot of review and supplementing to help keep Riley fresh.  This Week in History was a fun addition to our summer program.  Because the resources are online, we were able to even us it while on vacation and on the go.  It was a great boredom buster this summer as well.

This Week in History was certainly fun for the whole family and I am very pleased with what we’ve all been learning using it.

Want to find out what other people thought of This Week in History? Then check out the rest of the reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the graphic below!

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NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

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Math Made Easy Addition Review :: Homeschool Review Crew

About Math Made Easy Addition

Math Made Easy AdditionAs a member of the Homeschool Review Crew, I recently was able to to try the Math Made Easy Addition Package.  The Addition Package is recommended for children in the 1st-2nd grades, as well as for advanced Kindergarteners and special needs children.  Math Made Easy Addition allow kids to master the addition facts in 6 weeks without resorting to finger counting.  The Math Made Easy Addition Package retails for $24.95. There is also available a book for the multiplication facts that works the same way as the Addition Package.

Math Made Easy Addition  breaks down learning the addition facts by eliminating the facts that are easily learned (+0’s and +1’s) and removing repeated facts (such as 2+3 and 3+2).  Repeated facts are used randomly so the child gets use to knowing tha the same two numbers together always equal the same number.

Everything you need for the program can be found in the book.  The book is 65 pages long and comb bound.  You are allowed to reproduce the pages within your own family.

Math Made Easy Addition

My Thoughts on Math Made Easy Addition

Riley has a pretty good grasp on addition, but has yet to master memorizing the his addition facts.  Math Made Easy Addition seems to be working well for him.  The worksheets are short and simple which keeps him from getting frustrated.  The fun activities also keep him well engaged.

Math Made Easy Addition only takes a few minutes each day.  I can really see that his answer speed has increased with absolutely no frustration on his part.  By the time we finish up the program, I have no doubt he will have mastered the addition facts.  This has been an excellent supplement to our current math curriculum.

While at first, I did think that Math Made Easy Addition was a bit on the pricey side for a supplement, it’s working extremely well for Riley.  For that reason, I think it’s well worth the price.  If the Math Made Easy Multiplication is as great a resource as Math Made Easy Addition, I can see us purchasing it as well in the near future.

Want to find out what other people thought of Math Made Easy Addition Package? Then check out the rest of the reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the graphic below!

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NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Create Better Writers Review :: Homeschool Review Crew

Recently, I got to try three great eBooks from Create Better Writers:

How to Teach a Paragraph by Create Better Writers, teaches students one simple trick that will help them learn to write a well constructed paragraph.  Students learn how to organize their thoughts and write a well constructed paragraph.

How to Teach the Five Paragraph Essay by Create Better Writers, contains a step-by-step plan for teaching students how to write a basic five paragraph essay.  Students are shown how simple it is to outline an essay to help them master the important essay writing skill.

The Home School Writing Action Plan by Create Better Writers,  takes the stress and guess work out of writing instruction.  The Action Plan shows you where to begin writing instruction and how to advance through each writing stage.  When the steps outlined in this book are completed, you will have a student with outstanding writing skills — ready for college and beyond.

My Review of The Create Better Writers eBooks:

So far, I’ve only been able to use How to Teach a Paragraph with Riley (age 8).  Riley is a little slow with his writing skills.  He is partially blind and his hand-eye coordination is a bit behind other kids his age.  So, writing is a bit of a struggle for him.  I found How to Teach a Paragraph to be a really great program for him.  I can really see and improvement in his writing skills.

I really liked that the book offers step-by-step instructions for the teacher.  This was really helpful to me to know where to start and how to progress through the lessons.  I also loved that it could be used across the curriculum that we already use.  Riley can now write a paragraph summary on any subject or book he reads.  That makes this Momma very happy!  I’m looking forward to moving on through the next book from by Create Better Writers, How to Teach the Five Paragraph Essay.  If it’s as good as  How to Teach a Paragraph, then Riley will be writing essays in no time!

Want to find out what other people thought of the eBooks from Create Better Writers? Then check out the rest of the reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the graphic below!

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NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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TimeMaps from Knowledge Quest Review :: Schoolhouse Review Crew

TimeMaps are flash based computer programs from the folk over at Knowledge Quest.  This is the first product I’ve used from Knowledge Quest and I have to say that they certainly “knocked it out of the ballpark” with TimeMaps!  These interactive maps really do bring history to life.  With just a click of a button, you can progress through time to see how civilizations, countries, and continents have changed over time.  It that wasn’t cool enough, the program also includes lots of added information to strengthen your knowledge of the time or area.  The TimeMaps programs are totally interactive, which makes learning, what can sometimes be a really dry subject, a bit more fun.

The included Teacher’s Manual (in PDF format) is so useful.  It is full of worksheets, maps, timelines and a summary of the time period.  It’s a really big help in planning out your day.

You can purchase the TimeMaps programs individually for $9.95 or the complete 7 map set for $44.95.  These are downloadable for Windows and Mac computers.  Currently they have TimeMaps programs for the following:

  • Ancient China
  • Rise of Rome
  • Fall of Rome
  • Rise of Islam
  • The Black Death
  • European Exploration
  • Atlantic Slave Trade

Here is a video showing you how these great programs work!

My son is a very visual learner (like his momma!).  He has to see or do something to really grasp the concept.  TimeMaps were an excellent addition to our history studies because of that.  I also think that they are a great deal.  At only $9.95 per program, TimeMaps is a very economical history supplement that can be used over and over.  The included Teacher’s manual is also full of some really great helps and all sorts of useful information.

TimeMaps are an excellent supplement for many different history curriculum and I love that they have Curriculum Integration Guides on their website that will help you to use TimeMaps with many popular history curriculum.  TimeMaps really do enhance your history studies, making them more interactive and interesting.

Overall, I can highly recommend TimeMaps to other homeschoolers and will certainly be considering other products form the Knowledge Quest family of products!

Want to find out what other people thought of TimeMaps by Knowledge Quest? Then check out the rest of the reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the graphic below!

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NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Keyboarding for the Christian School Elementary Version :: Schoolhouse Review Crew

Recently, I was able to try out the printable eBook, Keyboarding for the Christian School (Elementary Version), by Leanne Beitel.  This version is available in both large print and regular print.  The elementary version is geared towards grades K-5.  You can purchase either the large or regular print version for $12.95.

Keyboarding for the Christian School (Elementary Version) teaches students the basics of typing with the help of the cute little ladybug named Miss Mabel.  It teaches traditional touch-typing skills and explains technique, proper key placement and even proper posture.

I really liked Keyboarding for the Christian School (Elementary Version), as did my 8 year old son.  I learned to type in high school and use to type over 70 words per minute.  But since typing isn’t just for business offices anymore, I felt it was important for our youngest to learn how to type by touch, which is why I was excited to try Keyboarding for the Christian School (Elementary Version).

I really liked that I could print out pages as I  needed them.  This was really a nice option, especially when first trying out the program to see if we liked it.  For long term use, I will have the entire book printed and comb/spiral bound.  I also really like that the curriculum uses Scripture in it’s typing lessons.  The lessons are self guided, so once setting my son up for the lesson he was able to complete the work with minimum assistance from me.

Overall, I think Keyboarding for the Christian School (Elementary Version) is a really great typing curriculum.  It’s low cost and frill-free, but works great!  If you go to the Keyboarding for the Christian School website and use coupon code SUMMER2012 you can get this curriculum at 20% off, until 08/29/12.

Want to find out what other people thought of Keyboarding for the Christian School (Elementary Version)?  Then check out the rest of the reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the graphic below!

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NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Apologia’s “Who is My Neighbor” Review :: Schoolhouse Review Crew

Who is My Neighbor” is the third book in the “What We Believe” series from the folks at Apologia. As with every curriculum that I’ve used from Apologia, this series is a beautiful, quality product. The “What We Believe” series was created to help parents teach their children the basic beliefs of the Christian faith. “”Who is My Neighbor” helps parents to teach their children how to have a servant’s heart. The “What We Believe” series is geared towards children ages 6-14. The complete “”Who is My Neighbor” curriculum includes the stunning hardback textbook ($39.00), a really nice spiral bound notebooking journal ($24.00) and a coloring book ($8.00). Each of the books in the “What We Believe” series is a stand alone curriculum, so you don’t have to use all of them or use them in any sort of order.

While too advanced for the younger students to read on their own, it does work fine as a read aloud. Older students will be able to work through it on their own without any problems. The text includes stories about a variety of people along with devotional readings. the notebooking journal is of high quality and has activities that are enjoyable to a wide age range. The coloring book is a really nice addition for younger students.

I liked that the textbook was written directly to the student. My son enjoyed the stories and retained the “moral of the stories” well. I also really like that the notebooking journal included a schedule, which made it so much easier for me as the planning was all done. The discussion questions also helped my son to really put things into perspective and helped him to understand and apply the characteristics being taught.

Overall, I think Apologia has put out another quality curriculum. While I have minor issues with some of the teachings, they were easy to work around. I would suggest that parents read the lessons first to see if there are any issues they may want to work around for their family.

Want to find out what other people thought of “”Who is My Neighbor“? Then check out the rest of the reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the graphic below!

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NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Professor B Math Review :: Schoolhouse Review Crew

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About Professor B Math

Math is the subject I’ve always dreaded teaching. It was always my weakest subject in school. I want my boys to have a strong grasp of math and so I’ve changed up math curriculum many times. I think I’ve tried all the major popular math programs out there. So, I was a little leery to try yet another math program when I was given the chance to review Professor B Math.

Professor B Math is a really great online, interactive math curriculum. It covers preschool through junior high math. There are three levels in Professor B Math, Level 1 covers pre-k through 2nd grades, Level 2 covers 3rd through 5th grades and Level 3 covers 6th through 8th grades. Professor B Math isn’t a “child directed” program, meaning it isn’t just a game you can plop your child down to play. It is meant to have the parents teaching and interacting with the child, while the child interacts with the program.

I received all three levels of Professor B Math for this review, but have only interacted with level 1 at this time. Each level comes with the E-Learning program and a PDF workbook. Each level costs $20 per month per student, with additional students receiving a discounted price.

What I Liked About Professor B Math

My son really enjoys this math program.  It’s really helping him to “get” the subjects covered.  He is a very visual learner, so I can certainly say that Professor B Math works well with him. I love being able to work at my son’s pace. I want to go slow enough that he masters the lessons, but fast enough that he doesn’t get bored. Professor B Math does a great job at that.

I loved the scripted lessons, which made it so easy for me, as a parent, to teach the subjects. This was a GREAT bonus for me as a parent who does not have strong math skills. Lessons take usually under 20 minutes to complete, which is good, as longer lessons make my son get antsy.

I also love that Professor B Math is available online, so we can do the lessons anywhere with a wi-fi connection on our laptop. This is REALLY nice when we need to school on the run, like we often have to do in the summer.

What I Didn’t Like

While I really did like the Professor B Math program, there were a few things that I did not like. My BIGGEST complaint is that Professor B Math does not have a way for you to bookmark where you are if you have to quit a lesson before completion. I’d just have to write down the place where we stopped at. I think a way to bookmark lessons from within the program would be a great addition.

While I understand WHY Professor B Math is set up to be parent directed, it would have been nice to have at least some areas of the program where the child could do it themselves to help reinforce self-learning. Self-learning is a major focus of how we homeschool.

The only other thing I didn’t like about Professor B Math is that sometimes the program would move too fast for my son. I know that quickness in mental math is important, but my son’s brain is just not wired to work that quickly. I found myself having to pause the program just to give him a chance to answer. Just a minor thing, but it would be great to be able to adjust the speed, but pausing works fine.

Summary

I think Professor B Math is a great program. My son does like it, but I do have to make a few adjustments to keep him from getting frustrated. Overall, I would recommend Professor B Math to other homeschoolers. The system is working well for my son and we will continue to use it over the next school year. I think the main drawback for homeschooling families will be the price — especially when using it for multiple students. But, it might certainly be worth the cost if you have a struggling student. Professor B Math is really helping my son “get” math, unlike any program I’ve used with him before.

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NOTICE:
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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