Mommies With Style

We love Revolution Foods (click here to read my review from last year). Our favorite item was the Organic Jammy Sammys - snack-sized sandwich bars . We were psyched to learn they’ve added Blueberries & Oatmeal to their line up. Plus, they’ve also added 3 types of Organic Grammy Sammys — yogurt-filled soft graham sandwich bars.  Choose from Honey Graham & Strawberry Yogurt, Cocoa Graham & Banana Yogurt, and Cinnamon Graham & Vanilla Yogurt. Both of my children loved these snack sized treats.  We will be stocking up on these for lunchboxes. You can’t go wrong with 100% whole grains and organic yogurt!

We love Happy Baby Food in my house! This organic baby food company, recently finalists for NBC’s Shine-a-Light award, has some terrific, healthy products for your children. We swooned over their Happy Bites (the salmon fish sticks were awesome),  but our absolute favorite products were the HappyTots and the HappyPuffs.

We’re crazy about their HappyTots – which are handheld toddler meals. I actually found these at Target and keep a few in the car for quick nutrition when we’re on the go — which is pretty much all te time. The pouch looks like the Trader Joe’s pouch applesauce that we buy, so my kids knew instantly how to eat them. My 4 year old was into them, as much as my 2 year old. He loved the Spinach, Mango and Pear flavor and didn’t realize he was eating a vegetable (which brought a smile to my face).   HappyTots come in flavors such as: Green Beans, Pears & Peas, Sweet Potato, Carrot, Apple & Cinnamon, Banana, Peach & Mango, Spinach, Mango & Pear, Butternut Squash & Apple, and Banana, Peach, Coconut & Prunes.

*Reviewer’s note: There was a recent voluntary recall of HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and HAPPYBABY Stage 1 and Stage 2 pouches (not the HappyBites, as mentioned incorrectly) for possible bacteria contamination due to a packing defect. The products were sold at certain Whole Foods and Targets. The company handled themselves admirably, being open and honest about the recall, which made me like them even more. At press time, no child had become sick.

We also loved their Organic HappyPuffs– which are larger and actually puffier than the standard popular non-organic puff. I was pleased to see they have a organic greens version!

Reviewer received vouchers for product samples.

I’ve been a fan of NUK since my first child was a baby, 4 years ago. He loved their orthodontic pacifiers — and would only use them. They’ve been updated for 2010 and are now called Genius^TM pacifier (around $4.50 -$4.99 ). Designed by orthodontists, they’re BPA-free and go up to size 3 (which is for 18 months plus). It allows additional space for the tongue, enabling better oral development.

Besides the redesigned Genius^TM pacifier, Nuk is introducing many more products for 2010. They’ve got breastfeeding support products, like a Gentle Moisturizing Balm, breast milk storage bags and containers, and reusable nursing pads (as well as disposable ones).

I liked their EZ-to-Hook Pacifier Carry Case. Just stash your child’s pacifier in it,  hook it onto a diaper bag, purse or stroller. It will hold up to 2 pacifiers and it has ventilation holes to prevent moisture build up. Looking for a great first cup –  NUK’s Learner Cup (between $9.99 and $10.99) is suitable for ages 6 months on. This BPA-free cup features a spill-proof soft spout, easy-grip handles, and an extra wide neck make for easier filling and cleaning.

Gerber’s Graduates line of cups, utensils, and tableware are also made by NUK, as well as the Gerber First Essentials line.

I attended NUK’s 2010 Preview Breakfast in and received a gift bag containing samples.

I’m a big water mom. The kids bring water to school every day for lunch (juice boxes rarely enter or leave our house.) And at meals and snack time, the kids know they have 2 choices for drinks: water or milk.

Of course, I naturally wanted to try out a new water.  I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean, water is water, right? Well, kind of. WAT-AAH is water with a bonus. Its water with minerals infused into it to enhance your well-being. WAT-AAH offers 4 choices: Energy, Body, Bones and Brain. While “Body” is straight, pure water, the other three have minerals (like Magnesium in “Bones” to strengthen the bones.)

There is really no difference in taste. The kids never would have known they weren’t drinking our regular water from SAMS Club, had they not been drinking from really cool bottles. The packaging includes easy to handle, crisp bottles with a bright label and a cool kid on it. Getting kids’ attention, of course. Making it cool to drink healthy water.

WAT-AAH was created to give kids a cool, healthy alternative to sodas and juices. And with no artificial coloring or sugars, but still with a cool look, WAT-AAH is a great option for water-friendly households, and even more for households that want to become water-friendly.

Thanks to WAT-AAH for the sample bottles as well as the fun extras like t-shirts and tattoos that were sent for this review.

With all the flight restrictions its a bit nerve-wrecking to pack for a plane trip. And I hate to welcome food into my car if its likely to be messy, so before trips I work hard to find foods that are acceptable for security, acceptable for my car and, of course, acceptable for my kids’ health.

Our last road and plane trips we tested out a few snacks worth sharing:

FruitaBu’s Smoooshed Fruits are the favorite amongst the clean and healthy snacks. There’s a real depth to the flavor and, a bonus for moms, there is never a mess in these flat fruits and rolls. Easy and fun to eat, they’re healthy and made naturally.

We’re big fans of Kashi. Their Heart to Heart cereal in Honey Toasted Oat offers flavor to the healthy bites (and cute little heart shapes, too.) Its great for breakfast or a dry snack on-the-go. My kids would prefer to eat a TLC Bars  over cereal though. Their favorites include Dark Mocha Almond Chewy Granola Bar, Pumpkin Pie Fruit and Grain Bar, and every option of the GOLEAN Crunchy! Bars. But overall, my 4 year old loves the Blackberry Graham TLC Cereal Bar best. And, while I love cooking with their Pilafs, I’m just happy they like Kashi because I’m confident they’re eating healthy, well produced foods.

Finally, I was sent a sample of Popchips. Now, I’m not a potato chip person. I’m one of the people that gives you her free bags that come with sandwiches and leave the chips on the plates. Chips, in general, are too salty. But what I really don’t like about them is that they stick to my teeth. Hate that. That said, I still tried out Popchips. And, honestly, I liked them. Its like that old Mikey commercial. No one could believe I was eating Popchips. But they were harder than the normal chips, didn’t stick to my teeth as much. And the salt was more balanced in the flavor. We tried all of the flavors and, while my favorite was Barbeque, I also really liked Parmesean. The kids loved orignal and cheddar potato. So, I never send chips to school in their lunches, but I did send popchips! They’re all natural and they’re made by popping, not baking or frying. So less grease, less fats. Just less. But lots of flavor.

Thanks to the parent companies and their agency for sending samples for testing.

Got a leaky straw cup? For a true spill-proof version, check out Tommee Tippee’s Truly Spill-Proof Straw Cup ($7.99 for a 2 pack). I reviewed several of Tommee Tippee’s products last month and loved them – click here to read my post.

My two children, ages 4 and 2, use straw cups constantly. While we love one very popular brand, I am sick of seeing milk dribbled on my carpet. Tommee Tippee’s Truly Spill-Proof Straw Cup were truly spill-proof — nothing my children (or I) did made these cups leak! I turned them upside down, shook them and I was thrilled to see no leaks! The 9 oz cup is BPA-free and suitable for children ages 12 months and up. In fact, all Tommee Tippee’s products are BPA-free.
(more…)

In honor of Earth’s Best’s 25th anniversary, they are inviting parents and grandparents to share their own wishes for their baby’s future. The company wants to hear about the hopes and dreams parents have for the next generation. These wishes will be shared with the online community and entered into a sweepstakes where one lucky child will win a $25,000 savings bond from Earth’s Best.

To enter:  Visit www.earthsbest.com and submit a wish to be entered.

Sweepstakes Prizes:

* 1 Grand Prize: $25,000 US Savings Bond

* 4 First Prizes: Earth’s Best Organic Birthday Bash ($850 value)

*25 Second Prizes: Earth’s Best Gift Pack ($38.99 value)

Monthly Prizes: Each month, 25 winners will be randomly selected to receive a $25 US Savings Bond and $25 in Earth’s Best coupons to help them save for their baby now and in the future.

Everyone who submits a wish will be mailed $4.00 worth of coupons for the complete array of Earth’s best products. Parents can also print and frame their wish – choose from 12 wish styles, all are printable and will fit 6×4 frame as a keepsake (for free).

Go to http://www.earthsbest.com/earths-best-wishes/wishes for more information. Wishes can be entered from now to March 31st, 2010.

I really should have taken a picture of our tupperware  cabinet for the sake of this review.  But I decided not to because I try to only open that cabinet once a day since you never know what random piece of tupperware is going to come flying out and whack me in the face. We have different containers, different tops, and it’s chore every night to mix and match the right pieces together.

I have two kids I have to pack for.  One is in Kindergarten and he isn’t allowed to buy lunch.  Not only do I have to pack him 5 lunches each week, but I actually have to also pack him a snack in a separate container every day.  That’s 10 packings.

Then my 3-year-old goes to preschool 2x a week.  That’s two lunches, plus a third lunch on Fridays when I have lunch duty at my older son’s school and I bring him a long.

Got that all?  (There will be a quiz later so you guys better be paying attention.)

The total is 13 times I’m packing some sort of lunch or snack each week.  And that’s with just two kids, one of whom is part-time.  I can only imagine what those of you with more kids and older kids are dealing with each day.

Enter EasyLunchboxes.com.  You guys know the story – one Mom was sick of dealing with the same frustrations I outlined above, so she invented her own system.  Everything fits in this neat little system she’s come up with.

I highly recommend watching the video so you can get the visual.  It’s just an awesome little system so you aren’t scrounging to mix and match containers each day, plus it’s only one item to wash and it’s eco-friendly since it eliminates the need for plastic baggies.

Use coupon code Mama10 to receive 10% off your order on the EasyLunchboxes.com website.

Lastly, even if you aren’t going to buy, check out the EasyLunchboxes.com SmugMug photo folder with lunchbox ideas.  There are some creative and neat lunch ideas – so worth looking at if you’re in a rut for coming up with ideas to put in your kids lunchbox!

Have a used car seat/stroller/bassinet, etc. lying around? I have a few old car seats that are from my daughter and I don’t think they are safe to use for my 2-year old son. So when I heard about the “Great Trade-In” event, I was thrilled!

Through Saturday, February 20th, Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us stores are holding the “Great Trade-In” event providing their customers with the opportunity to trade-in any used car seats, strollers, cribs, bassinets, travel systems, play yards, toddler beds or high chairs in exchange for a 25% off savings on the purchase of a new baby item, in any of the product categories from select manufacturers. Participating brands are: Britax, Babi Italia, Baby Cache, Baby Trend, Bergamo, Bertini, Carter’s, Chicco, Contours by Kolcraft, Cosco, Delta, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Jeep, Little Tikes, Safety 1st, Sorelle and Step2.

The “Great Trade-In” event places an emphasis on specific baby products, that due to safety concerns, may not be the best candidates to be handed down or resold. Beyond recalls, certain older and used baby items can be potentially unsafe for a variety of reasons, including damage or lack of compliance with recent advances in product safety standards.

You don’t need to have purchased the item you want to “trade-in” from TRU or BRU. You can bring in multiple items and you will be given one 25% off discount for each item traded in. The discount must be used that day on another item from the participating categories and manufacturers. Trade-In items and purchased items can be from different categories.

We all know that Omega-3 fish oil contains multiple health benefits, but what if you hate the fishy taste of certain brands or just can’t take capsules? Nordic Naturals came up with a way to solve that, with their Omega-3 Effervescent Drink Mix (7 packets for $12.95 or 21 packets for $34.95). I was recently sent some samples and impressed how easy it was to drink my Omega-3’s. Each packet delivers 500mg of EPA+DHA per packet. Take one packet each day, add between 4-8 oz of water and stir.

Currently available in a creamy orange flavor, it tastes like Tang and does not taste oily or have a fishy after-taste.

Click here to find a retailer.

The reviewer was sent several packets for review purposes.