My own challenge: EA Sports Active – Introduction

Category : Featured Reviews, Momma's Say

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I know you don’t know a lot about me, you know what I feel about products. You know what my family says about the the things we review too. What you don’t know about is the Moms behind Mommas Review. I want to share with you my struggles, experiences and more. Over time you will see more of the Mommas coming through on our blog. This is one of those times.

This is common knowledge for those who know me in real life. I am overweight. I always have been the bigger girl, it seems. I remember being twelve and going to the beach and my sisters all getting belly buttons pierced, because that is what they did. They were skinny and fantastic in their bikini’s. That was the year my mom suggested I wear a one-piece bathing suit, and I agreed. She promised me that if I lost the weight that I could get my belly button pierced too. Well the fifteen extra pounds on my short frame never came off.  I tried Weight Watchers that year and lost ten pounds. It came back within a few months and then some.

At sixteen I weighed 155lbs, comfortably. I miss that size! I wasn’t overweight to the point that I felt like the “fat” girl whenever I walked into a room like I do now.  I got pregnant at a young age, after I had the baby I was amazed at how fast the weight came on. I went up 30lbs and quickly. I got tested for everything: thyroid, diabetes, and more. All I could ask for is something to blame my weight on. But they all came back okay, the only thing I could blame the size of my butt on is myself.

After much YoYo dieting, and even losing 20lbs during pregnancy (I weighed the same at labor that I was when I got pregnant, it came back full force within months). Now I sit just under the dreaded 200lb point. Oh, how I hate admitting this for the world to see. Though, I think it’s important that I admit my faults first.

When I received the EA Sports Active, I said to myself “Yes! Andrea, you can totally do this. Let’s start tomorrow” And that tommorrow was June 1st. Except I didn’t. I woke up that day and in all the stress and daily life I went to bed thinking “Ok, I will definitely start tomorrow!” Now it is a month later and I’ve only done it once.

Once.

I’ve been delaying on posting this, because it means that I will really be starting. I will begin the EA Sports Active challenge. By doing so I will workout with this Wii game at least three times in the week.  From Saturday to Saturday I will get up, turn on the Wii, put the leg band on and begin my challenge. I will tweet at each workout (@MommasReview) and I will need people pushing me. I will push right back if you need it. Accountability has always been my strong point. When I diet, I do it alone 90% of the time. I need to prove that I can actually do it this time.

For my first challenge week I will not be dieting. Only focusing on working out.

Goals Week One

  1. Workout three times this week with EA Sports Active

Are you working out? What has been your experience with weight loss? Any tips or tricks? Would you like to join this journey with me?

Call of Duty: World at War

Category : Featured Reviews

Call of Duty: World and War is the most recent Call of Duty video game from it’s line. Some call it Call of Duty 5 since it’s the fifth in the series. Activision publishes this game that redefines World War 2 game-play. The war action is chaotic and realistic, the player is constantly kept on his or her toes.

What I like about this game:

  • It tells you the name of the people you are working with. This is helpful when you are actually playing the game. It helps you keep track.
  • Compared to Medal of Honor the game is more realistic. For instance when a grenade blows up next to you in Medal of Honor you don’t necessarily die from the explosion. On Call of Duty: World at War if a grenade blows up next to you it means instant death. Just like real life.
  • The graphics are outstanding. Just as clear as if it was real life!
  • You can use wi-fi connection to play this game against your friends

I would highly recommend using the Wii Zapper for game play, this will make the whole experience even more realistic.  You will use the zapper in a similar way you would use a rifle. You actual will need to reload the shotgun by snapping the zapper down.

Wii Zapper with Link's Crossbow Training

This game is fantastic and fun. Our household has no current negative thoughts on it besides the disclaimer below.  This may end up changing the more we play, so I will certainly update if I feel it important!

We will certainly be keeping Call of Duty: World at War at the top of our played games for the Wii.

BIG disclaimer… I would not play this game with your children in the room! The violence is very graphic. Within the first few seconds of the game the “F” bomb is dropped as well. Graphic language is definitly there.

Wii: Nascar Kart Racing

Category : Featured Reviews, games & toys

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On Saturday night our team: Me, Amanda, and Jen (and our respective families) got together to enjoy some games, fun, and chit-chat.  We were lucky enough to receive a few days before game night the video game NASCAR Kart Racing.

 

The game boasts:

The first and only NASCAR title available for the Wii! Pre-order your copy today, the game ships on February 10, 2009!

Experience the thrill of racing with the pack-on and off the track-with NASCAR® Kart Racing! Grab the steering wheel as a famed NASCAR driver and speed off through treacherous terrain, wind around rocky cliffs, jump rivers and dodge falling boulders. Invite your family and friends to join the fun! Compete together to see who will be the first to fly across the finish line and enjoy the glory of a coveted NASCAR win!

We sat down and went through the initial set up. I was the only person who fully knew who the drivers were so I told everyone who to pick. You are able to pick two drivers. I picked Carl Edwards and Elliot Sadler who are some of the drivers I enjoy. I like Carl Edwards because he back flips and I like Elliot Sadler because he once crossed the finish line on his hood. There is also Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Dale Jr, and more.

 

We established the game to be a four player and it was me, my husband, Amanda, and Jen’s husband Dan. Next we were able to learn how to steer. This was very easy, actually. Especially with the Wii controller, all that we had to do was hold the controller sideways and use the 2 button to use the gas. Then in order to take corners all you have to do is tilt the controller from side to side.

 

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We got the visual tutorial down and moved on to the actual game playing. We got very into it. At first we had no idea how to control the cars, this is mainly our fault as we did not read the instructions fully and we decided to jump on into it. Once we learned how to throw bombs at each other and also to draft using some sort of electrical current, the game really got into action. There was quite a bit of screaming and yelling in excitement and we certainly enjoyed it.

 

Some things I liked about the game.

 

  • NASCAR Kart Racing got the whole family involved into the game. Even those watching were laughing and cheering along. Especially the level that we kept flying off the edges of the road due to bad steering.
  • The graphics are decent and the concept compares a lot to Mario Kart.
  • It was easy to steer and play and only took us one round of trial to learn how to play.
  • The game is rated “E” for Everyone which means the whole family or group can play along.

 

Some things that I would suggest:

  • This is a good party game for those who love racing games or loves NASCAR.
  • We used a 4-player game on a 19-inch TV. The TV was not large enough to get a good visual of each of the players and there was some squinting involved. With a larger TV I feel the game play would be very fun.

NASCAR Kart racing will be sold in all retail stores on February 10th, 2009 and can be pre-ordered through certain retailers now. The game retails for about $39.99.

 

 For more fantastic games check out EA Games who have (in my opinion) the best video games for you and your family!

Karaoke Revolutions Presents: American Idol Encore 2

Category : Family entertainment

My sister in law brought the American Idol Karaoke Revolution game to my daughter’s birthday party. We were all giddy over the concept – especially my SIL because she had played it before.  

Presents American Idol Encore 2 w/Microphone

Description of video game on the box:

Are you ready for your chance at stardom? Live out your dream as a singing sensation with Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2!

  • Sing to 40 chart-topping songs from the 70s to today.
  • Light up the stage with cool special effects in brand new venues
  • Create even more unique looks for your contestant with a variety of new accessories

Rated E for Everyone!

I went first and was told to go with the Spice Girls first.  I began the game by choosing single play where I would get judged by Paula, Randy, and Simon. Afterwards I was able to choose my player. This player is fully customizable. I decided to make mine be over the top with her clothes with a fun beanie hat and black hair and a white stripe (think of Rogue from X-Men).  Next I got to choose where I would be singing. I picked the idol audition stage because it made me think of the current auditions going on.  

 

After a quick microphone check I was off and ready to sing. I broke it down with my girl who was dancing up a storm to the intro music. Next I embarrassed myself by singing and dancing in front of a group of people – thankfully they were my family members! I know I did horrendous but Randy, Paula and even Simon (!) thought my performance was top notch.

 

Soon we will be doing duets! 

 

Here are some examples of songs on this great Wii game which includes songs from the 60s to today: 

 

  • Big Girls Don’t Cry – Fergie
  • YMCA by the Village People
  • Who Knew by Pink
  • Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
  • RocketMan by Elton John
  • My Happy Ending by Avril Lavigne  

Karaoke Revolutions Presents: American Idol Encore 2 was purchased at Best Buy, though almost any electronics store will carry it. It was approx. $50.00 including a microphone which can be used on other games. Such as Guitar Hero: World Tour. This can also be purchased for XBOX 360 or Playstation 3 – on these gaming platforms you can even download songs.

 We will certainly be looking to add this video game to our current collection.

It makes the best party game for large groups.

 Are you ready to be the next American Idol?

About the Momma:

Andrea from Red Knows How
Andrea is a WAHM of two young girls ages 7 and 2. 
She is never found without a book or some new product
to play with. She spends too much time watching
reality tv and surfing the web. She is our resident marketing and social networking girl.
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