Author: Francine Brokaw

Olen natural products for babies and kids (and adults)

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Olen is a company that has several useful products for babies and kids. Believe it or not, they also can be used for adults and there are other products for the whole family.

Sunblocz is 100%natural sunscreen intended for babies and kids. It has UVA and UVB protection and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. The sunscreen is dermatologist recommended. This is also hypoallergenic. The Sunblocz Baby+Kids is a mineral sunscreen created especially for the sensitive skin of babies and young kids. However, many adults have ultra sensitive skin and even I use baby sunscreen. So, take this tube of Sunblocz with you to protect your little ones and yourself. ($23.99)

They do also make a regular Sunblocz created for the entire family with an SPF of 50. What else is unique about this product (I am always looking for a great sunscreen) is it repels bugs. How often are you out for a family event and are bothered by bugs? While this isn’t a specific product to repel bugs, that is one additional benefit. So, in essence, you get two products for the price of one. ($24.99)

So how does it smell? We have all spent our days smelling the sunscreen we put on. Yuck. That is one of my pet peeves… sunscreen that has a horrible odor. When I opened the tube of Sunblocz baby, all I smelled was a fresh lemony scent. How delightful!

Another product for babies is Baby Butz cream. It was created to heal diaper rash quickly (4-6 hours), for the benefit and comfort of babies. It’s hypoallergenic and all natural. Baby Butz is 30% zinc oxide, which we know is calming to skin. The greatest part about this is it is fragrance free. No more smelly creams.

Diaper rash creams are a must for parents of babies, but did you know they help adults too? If you have ever had a colonoscopy you know the prep can be brutal on your butt. Using a cream with zinc oxide while preparing for your test is definitely a must. And with the fragrance free aspect of Baby Butz, well, you know you’re going to feel a lot more comfortable the day before you go in for your procedure. (2 Oz. jar lists for $7.99 and the 4 Oz jar lists for $12.99)

Check out their website for more products and information.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



I have seen the commercials on TV and heard a lot about the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program, so when my cardiologist mentioned that that is the program she recommends to her patients who want/need to lose weight, I decided to test it out. The company offered me several weeks worth of food with my weekly counseling sessions in order to give this a fair trial. Here is what happened.

There are plenty of food choices from which to order. I mainly stayed on the meatless plan but added the 12/12 hours that is part of the new Rapid Results program. This requires you don’t eat anything for 12 hours and during the other 12 hours you consume your daily food menu.

The breakfasts are delicious. My personal favorites are the cinnamon buns, the cinnamon coffee cake, and the cereals. But I also enjoyed the maple French toast and the waffles. Plus the cheese omelet with potatoes was a nice way to start off the day. I think the breakfast choices are my favorites.

The plan calls for a breakfast, “anytime bar,” lunch, snack (fruit is suggested), dinner, and night snack. They also have delicious boxes of vanilla and chocolate shakes. There are suggested fruits and vegetables to add to the meals.

The lunch and dinner entrees are the same, so you don’t have a different set of meals for lunch and one for dinner. You can mix and match, which is a great way to go.

Some of my favorite lunch/dinner entrees are the margarita pizza, the butternut squash ravioli, the mac and cheese with vegetables, the creamy penne with vegetables, and the broccoli cheese baked potato. I also tried several other foods and none of them were terrible. As a matter of fact, they were all delicious and flavorful.

The nighttime snacks are a great way to end the day. They have several salty/spicy snacks and plenty of desserts. The chocolate lava cake and the cupcake are wonderful. When not in the mood for something sweet, the cheese curls and the ranch snaps fit the bill.

The results will vary. Initially I didn’t lose much weight (although I was never hungry and enjoyed the food) and while talking to my counselor Susan, she made adjustments in some of the foods I was adding (coffee creamer, ketchup) so once that happened the pounds began to come off. I had to take a week off during my testing period to cover an event, and yes, I did gain weight when I was off of the program. I knew I would as I drank sugary drinks and ate French fries. But as soon as I went back on the program I lost it all plus more – all within the first week back on the Jenny Craig program. That turned out to be a great experiment for this reviewer!

I think the best way to get the best results out of this program is to follow it EXACTLY. And write down everything you eat. Plus the telephone sessions with the counselor is another benefit of this program.

If I could change something about it, I would like to have them have meal bars that could be taken on the go. Otherwise, I believe this is a great program that delivers results – with delicious food.

Jenny Craig Membership Progrms:

Jenny All Access membership-Initial fee $99 plus a $19 a month recurring billing fee. Access to the membership for a year

Premium membership – Initial fee $299. You will receive half of the initial fee back once you reach your goal weight. You will receive the rest of the initial fee back once you’ve maintained your goal weight for a year within 5lbs. You will receive 10% off and free shipping on planned menus. Access to the membership for 2 years – includes a maintenance program.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Are you waiting for ‘Christopher Robin’? Check out the trailer

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

In Disney’s heartwarming live action adventure, the young boy who shared countless adventures with his stuffed animal friends in the Hundred Acre Wood has grown up and lost sight of what’s important in life. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin rediscover the joys of family life, the value of friendship and to appreciate the simple pleasure in life once again.

MiniMD from Trophy Skin

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



MiniMD is a personal microdermabrasion system that delivers results. After trying it for a couple weeks, I did notice a difference in my skin.

What is microdermabrasion? Simply put, it gently exfoliates while it smooths the skin. By using the diamond tip, the MiniMD buffs away dead skin cells and gently sucks the top layer of your skin.

Using this unit is easy right from the start, however the more you use it the easier it becomes and the more comfortable you will be with it. The first time I used it my skin was definitely smoother and I noticed some imperfections (blackheads) on my face were gone. As yet, I haven’t seen a reduction in fine lines, however that is possible with continued use, and I intend to keep using this device.

Exfoliation is important to get rid of the damaged top layer of skin. This is the surface layer that is exposed to dirt and pollution every day. By gently buffing it away, the layer underneath is revealed and your skin looks brighter, fresher, and feels smoother. The company says when you use it you will see more radiant and glowing skin, and I have found that to be true.

While I haven’t used it more than a couple weeks, I can definitely see a difference in the texture and color of my skin. Uneven skin tone is now a thing of the past. My skin does look more radiant, and people have noticed!

When you use the MiniMD, you gently rub the unit on clean skin. The diamond tip is gentle and the suction is strong enough to do the job without feeling a harsh tug on your skin.

During winter months the MiniMD will tackle your dry indoor and wind damaged skin, and during summer months it will help clear away the debris from sunscreen and chlorine.

In the past I have had many professional microdermabrasion treatments, each costing at least a hundred dollars. Yes, I did pay that because the treatments always made my skin look fresher and younger, and left it smoother. But you don’t have to pay that any more. You can perform your own microdermabrasion treatment in the privacy of your own house. It only takes about five minutes each time, and you will definitely see and feel the difference after one or two treatments.

I definitely use it and believe in the treatment of microdermabrasion. The company includes additional tips with the unit. That’s a nice touch.

The MiniMD lists for $99. Go to their website for more information and to order.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express when visiting WDW

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



When going to Walt Disney World, the best way to experience little extras is to stay at one of the resorts on the property. They offer additional park hours for guests as well as plenty of fun within the resorts. Getting to and from a Walt Disney World resort is easy and convenient with the Magical Express.

When you make your reservation at one of the many (and different) resorts at WDW, make sure you add the complimentary Magical Express to your plans. They will mail you luggage tags that identify your bags as going to a specific WDW resort. Once you land at Orlando, you have two choices. You can either collect your luggage yourself and take them to the Magical Express gateway, or you can simply go directly to the Magical Express and let the airport staff collect your bags and send them to your resort.

If you don’t collect your own bags, your luggage will eventually make their way to your hotel room while you are out enjoying the parks. Although, if you arrive later in the evening, you would probably benefit from collecting your own luggage as sometimes it takes several hours for your bags to make it to your resort.

Once you are on the Magical Express, sit back and let the driver take you to your resort without all the hassles of dealing with a taxi or the city traffic. Sit back, watch the video, and soon you’ll be registering at your resort, ready to take in all the sights and sounds of Walt Disney World.

When you are ready to return home, the folks at the Magical Express will print your boarding pass and take your luggage. All you have to do is to board the bus and in about a half hour you’ll be at the airport. Your luggage will arrive separately but will be tagged to your flight so they will fly with you. To make sure you make it to your flight on time and to assure your luggage makes it onto your flight (because they go by a separate truck), your reservations on the Magical Express are usually set for three hours before your flight time. But there are plenty of stores and restaurants at the Orlando airport to occupy your time if you have some last minute gifts to purchase.

Whatever you do, when you stay at a WDW resort, by all means take advantage of the Magical Express.

About the Author

Roy Brokaw writes about interesting things to do and places to see. He is also an accomplished travel photographer.

What’s new and coming to Walt Disney World? Plenty!

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Walt Disney World is continually growing and evolving. So, what’s in store for the near future? The construction has begun on several projects that will add convenience, fun, and enjoyment for guests.

First, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is adding a new 15-story tower. The tower will have additional dining areas, including a rooftop restaurant where guests will be able to see plenty of WDW far and wide. And at night some of the fireworks displays from different theme parks will be visible from the restaurant.

“For many of our guests, magical memories begin at one of our 27-themed resorts each and every day,” said Josh D’Amaro, senior vice president of Walt Disney World Resort Operations. “At Walt Disney World Resort, we continue to expand our portfolio and invest in new resort developments that allow even more guests to be immersed in all that a Disney resort has to offer.”

Additionally, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is adding a new waterfront dining area and new shopping experience.

There is also a new resort being built in WDW. Disney Riviera Resort will also include a rooftop restaurant with nighttime views of EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios. Disney Riviera Resort is also a Disney Vacation Club property, adding another option to the many resorts available to DVC members. This is the 15th property for members.

Toy Story Land just opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This 11-acre land is filled with plenty of fun as the guests become toys in Andy’s back yard. With three attractions – Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania – plus Woody’s Lunch Box restaurant along with other activities and intricate details throughout the land (including Andy’s shoeprints), this is a fun place for all the fans of Woody, Buzz, and the entire gang.

Opening in late fall of 2019 is the new Star Wars land where guests will be completely immersed in the Star Wars galaxy. It is described as “one of the most ambitious projects” tackled by the Imagineers at Disney. Guests will be transported to the Black Spire Outpost, just as they have been to Pandora in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With the geographic formations and all the sights and sounds of the planet Batuu, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be a completely new experience.

To go along with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will also be a new Star Wars themed resort where guests will be able to continue their interplanetary experience after leaving the park.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year (2019) will be the first ride-through attraction with Mickey and Minnie. “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” transports humans inside the cartoon world. Don’t ask me how they are going to do this. I cannot explain it, but I can say that it looks like it will be an incredible and fun experience with the visual effects.

And speaking of Minnie, the Minnie Van service at WDW just started transporting guests around the property. If you don’t want to wait for a complimentary Disney Transport bus or a monorail or a boat on any of the property’s waterways, you can call for a Minnie Van. These adorable red and white vehicles can be ordered through Lyft on your Smart Phone and serve as your personal transportation throughout WDW. Sometimes you want to go from one resort to another, and if you have spent any time at WDW you know that can be a daunting experience. Now all you have to do is to call for a Minnie Van to take you wherever you want to go.

And while we’re on the subject of transportation, the new Skyliner is a transportation system (like the old skybuckets) that provide a fun view of the land below while transporting guests from Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century, Disney Riviera, and Caribbean Beach resorts to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at EPCOT. Disney’s Skyliner skyway transportation buckets are just one more way of getting around WDW.

And finally, the Play Disney Parks app was just released. “Play Disney Parks represents the next step in how we use innovative digital technology to enhance the guest experience in our parks,” said Vivek Sharma, Senior Vice President of Digital Guest Experience and eCommerce for Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “The app is designed to help guests immerse themselves in the Disney stories they know and love in a whole new way.”

The Play Disney Parks app is available for both WDW and Disneyland Resorts. There are games to play, quests to conquer inside the parks, and plenty to occupy your time while waiting for your next attraction. Plus there are special effects that will undoubtedly raise the level of fun for the shows in the parks and special magic as guests travel through the parks.

With the opening of Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure in Disneyland Resort, Florida and California have many new experiences for Disney fans and plenty just around the corner, or as Pocahontas says, “just around the river bend.” 2018 and 2019 are years of major growth at the Disney parks. Enjoy the magic.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw writes about travel, products, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Tender Comrade’ on DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Ginger Rogers stars in Tender Comrade, a World War II drama about a group of housewives who bond together while their husbands are off fighting. These “war widows” pool their salaries, move out of their single apartments, and find a house where they can live comfortably while waiting for their husbands to return. By day they work at the war factory, and by night they maintain as normal a life as they can.

Rogers is Jo, the self-proclaimed leader of their little democracy. During the film there are flashbacks with Jo and her husband Chris (Robert Ryan) that fills in the history of their lives and her personality. She is always peppy and upbeat and often says things that she probably shouldn’t. But that’s Jo. She’s loyal and friendly, and has a good head on her shoulders.

Rogers is amazing in this film. She doesn’t dance or sing. She just acts, and her acting is top notch. She was not nominated for an award for her performance in this film, however she should have been. She gives an unforgettable performance.

The women keep up their morale as the days go by and the news from overseas gets grim. But they are hopeful their lives will soon return to normal and their husbands will once again be home.

This 1943 film (in black and white) caused a stir for the House Un-American Activities Committee. First, it was written by Dalton Trumbo (a blacklisted writer) and directed by Edward Dmytryk, one of the Hollywood Ten who was arrested by the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Tender Comrade is a sensitive drama portrayed in a sympathetic way by all the actors: Ruth Hussey, Patricia Collinge, Mady Christians, and Kim Hunter. Pop this DVD into your player and grab some tissues!

Tender Comrade is part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be purchased from their website or online retailers where DVDs and Blu-rays are sold.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

HALO telescoping flashlights

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Have you ever dropped something under the couch and couldn’t see it? I have. Actually, I have dropped things many times but it’s just too dark and too tight to see under the couch. With the HALO Telescoping Flashlight, it’s easy to adjust the light to shine under couches or behind objects to locate items.

Not only is it easy to locate lost items, this telescoping flashlight is also helpful when working on cars. There are countless instances in which a thin flashlight comes in handy.

But these are not only thin flashlights. There have magnetic ends to pick up screws or pins that have fallen out of reach. How cool is that?

The telescoping aspect is just one of the many great things about these lights. They also bend so you can see around corners and into small areas. The also include a built-in ring to hang up the light for storage or for hands-free use.

The lights also can be set as strobes and in SOS mode so if you’re out in the dark, you can be seen and locate assistance.

And these lights are bright! There are 30 LED bulbs in each flashlight. The light can be set to white light, red, or flashing red.

There are two telescoping flashlights in each set. Keep one at home and one in your car. And when you’re thinking of a useful gift for a college student or someone going off on a trip, think about these HALO telescoping flashlights. They come in bronze, red, platinum, and blue. When you order you get two of the same color. Remember – it’s never too early to think about holiday gifts.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Toy Story Land opens at Walt Disney World

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



It seems like there is always something new and exciting coming to WDW. As Walt himself said, “Disneyland [and Walt Disney World] will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” And there is a lot of imagination- from the Disney Imagineers and little Andy.

Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products said, “The opening of Toy Story Land is a big step in the evolution of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as we transform it from a place that took guests behind the scenes into one that puts them at the center of the action. We’re thrilled to invite guests to visit Andy’s backyard and to experience what it’s like to play right alongside their favorite Toy Story characters – all thanks to the amazing partnership between our Imagineers and the storytellers at Pixar.”

Located on 11 acres in Disney Hollywood Studios is the latest and greatest addition to WDW. Toy Story Land is not like anything else. It is where guests become the toys. Guests enter Andy’s backyard and are instantly transformed to the size of his toys. The attention to detail is amazing. You can even see some of Andy’s footprints as you walk through the backyard. They look like giant footprints, but remember you are a toy now, so Andy is quite a bit larger than you are.

Three main attractions are part of this land. First there is the Slinky Dog Dash, which is a small coaster that Andy has assembled with his various toys. Slinky takes riders on a fun roller coaster ride and at night it is a completely different experience. Lights on the track either chase Slinky Dog or he chases them. It’s definitely an imaginative ride.

The second attraction is the Alien Swirling Saucers that take guests on a fun spinning adventure around “the claw.” If you have experienced Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Disney California Adventure, this is similar to the Alien Saucers. On a personal note, I really like this ride. It is not really jerky and it’s filled with bright colors and fun music as the aliens race around in the little rocket ships while “the claw” looms above. “This is a world created by a boy’s imagination,” said Dave Fisher, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Story Editor. “Andy has brought out all his space toys – it’s a really fun and high-energy attraction.” Andy is a creative little boy, and assembled some ingenious activities for his toys to enjoy. And, as a toy, guests enjoy them too.

The third attraction is Toy Story Mania, an interactive ride that lets guests test their skill as they travel from one “game” to another, all the while shooting at objects that pop up in front of them. Guests are actually riding through a shooting gallery, while wearing 3D glasses to see the fun as they stop at one spot after another.

And while you are in Toy Story Land, check out the food at Woody’s Lunch Box where there are new delicacies as well as traditional treats.

Roger Gould, the creative director of theme parks for Pixar Animation Studios, said, “Everyone at Pixar is thrilled to see the Toy Story films coming to life so spectacularly in Toy Story Land. Watching our stories and characters leap off the screen into the fun and whimsical world of Toy Story Land is a joy for all of us at the studio. Naturally, we love animation and we love the Disney Parks, so it’s amazing to collaborate with our partners at Walt Disney Imagineering to create this enormous immersive world. And just as each Toy Story film expands the world of our favorite toy friends, our land gave us loads of opportunities to invent and open up the world with new fun and surprises. We’re delighted to join Disney in the fun and invite guests to explore Andy’s backyard – full of their favorite toys – ’cause Andy’s away and it’s time to play!

Throughout the land, the green army men are on patrol making sure Andy stays away. After all, if Andy were to come into his backyard, all the toys would have to go back to being still, silent, and just toys. So the green army men are constantly patrolling.
While you are walking around make sure you pay attention to everything. The details here are amazing, like benches made of Popsicle sticks and other things throughout the land. Andy has done everything possible to make sure his backyard is a fun place for all his toys to play. Way to go, Andy!

Whether you’re a Woody fan, a Buzz fan, a fan of Potato Head, Jessie, the three eyed aliens, or any of Andy’s other toys, you’re sure to enjoy being among them all, and being one of them while you’re in Andy’s back yard.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about travel, products, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter