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Travel Pack Giveaway with Downey Wrinkle Releaser Plus

As a blogger for Fresh Families Brands, I have the unique opportunity to present my readers with a very special giveaway that’s only available on Twitter. If you don’t have a Twitter account it’s fairly easy to open one and you’ll want to do it soon so you can win this fabulous prize!

Hosted by My Life and Kids (http://mylifeandkids.com/five-travel-hacks-youll-love/)blog, this giveaway runs from March 9 to March 20, 2015 and all you have to do is enter your name, email, and twitter handle. Then select @Happymomblogger as your Bonus Entry options and you’re entered to win! And while you’re there, check out Anna’s post about travelling with kids and informative tips on how to travel well and efficiently. If you have kids, you already know packing can be quite an adventure. Heck, even travelling without kids can be a puzzle as you’ll inevitably want to pack everything but still end up forgetting something once you get to your destination.

So be sure to enter this fun and easy giveaway. One winner will be chosen and the prize consists of:

– Travel size Downey Wrinkle Releaser Plus 3/box

– T-shirt

– Lands End beach bag

– Tervis Tumbler water bottle

– Travel toiletry bag

– Dreft stain stick Boogie Berry Blaster 10 count

– $50 Target Gift Card

Prize is valued at $150. Please see the contest page for rules and further details.

Click on the link to enter:

https://promosimple.com/ps/6ceb

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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March 10, 2015

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Show Your Disney Side – Disney Side @Home Celebration

If you’re like most people living on Earth, you’ve probably heard of Disney and the entire Disney franchise. From their Disneyland theme parks to their movies, Disney has truly become a household name. Each year Disney Parks and MomSelect chooses hundreds of people across the country to help host the ultimate Show Your Disney Side party. For me, it is a great honor as doing anything creative epitomizes the true essence of Disney. After all, Disney is the name of imagination and creativity and the fun never stops.

This year, the theme I chose for our party was “Idea Mouse in the House” and it was all about creativity, imagination, and fun. It was hard at first to come up with a theme since Disney has literally taken over the world with their adorable animal characters and their fearsome villains. You can’t go anywhere without seeing something Disney related. And with their franchise recently acquiring the Star Wars/Lucasfilm enterprise and Marvel Entertainment, their entire repertoire of assets has grown exponentially and will probably continue to grow as I’m typing this. But through many discussions with my son, we did finally come up with a theme and it was a lot of fun to plan it and host it!

The DisneySide (#DisneySide) Celebrations began from a love for Disney and the meaning behind the parties is to show love and appreciation of what Walt Disney brought to the world many years ago. I remember going to Disneyland as a young girl and after the first time, I was hooked. Now, many years later, I am honored to have been chosen as a hostess for this one-of-a-kind Disney celebration. Disney Parks and MomsSelect were incredibly generous in selecting the best goodies from Disney and making sure the hosts and their party guests had the opportunity to have the best time. Although an assortment of prizes were given to me including Mickey Mouse and Disney Princesses, it was really up to us, the hostesses to decided on how we want to best represent Disney.

My son and I invited some of his school friends and everyone had a blast. The park we had the party at was gorgeous and spacious and the weather was absolutely delightful. I had wanted to really give the kids an opportunity to “show their Disney side” so I had set up three stations for creative fun. The first table had Disney-themed food such as Mickey Mouse ears cupcakes, a “create your own trail mix bar”, and “brain juice”, which to the dismay of the Disney villains, weren’t really made from brains but was there to fuel the kiddos brains. On the second table we had a crafts table which included cut out Mickey ears and foam stickers, Disney coloring pages, and Disney bubbles. And the third table was the goodie bag table in which I included all the extra prizes that were given to me including some extra sponsors for my party such as Good Boy Organics, the Disney store in Brea, and TruSweet.

My son and I truly love hosting our very own “Show Your Disney Side” celebration and I am ever grateful for the wonderful folks at Disney and Moms Select/BSM Media for choosing me again this year. Everyone including me dressed in something Disney and we were happily showing our Disney side. I would also like to thank HP for the printer photo paper, ALL detergent, Wisk detergent, Snuggle Fabric Softener, Beyond Meat, and of course Disney. I didn’t expect so many goodies to come in my party pack but we had so much fun trying them out and using them.

If you’re interested in hosting your own non-sponsored Disney Side celebration, you can visit: www.DisneySide.com for ideas on how to have one. There are no rules in how to throw your own DisneySide party. It could be as simple as a child’s birthday party or as extravagant as a full on costume ball. However you want to show your Disney side is up to you – just remember to have fun and enjoy the moments!

Disclaimer: I received free products in order to host the Disney Side @Home Celebration. The opinions expressed here are my own.

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March 4, 2015

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Van’s Granola and Pasta – Products Worth Reviewing

I’ve never really been crazy about granola until one day, a few years ago when someone taught me to make my own homemade granola. From then on I was hooked and although I still enjoy making my own granola now and then, time constraints have made it a bit difficult to take the time out to make it from scratch. I do enjoy granola more often now and I have found that certain store-bought ones are just as good if not better than homemade, mainly because of the assortment of flavors offered. But I’m also extra choosy on what goes inside store-bought granola as I’m very cautious of those made with too much added sugar.

When Van’s Foods (http://www.vansfoods.com/) introduced me to their newest granola, I was very intrigued. Their granola is a softer and chewier version than the typical crunchy granola you might be used to. Made with only whole grain oats, not only are Van’s Foods granola healthier, but they are also gluten-free so they’re perfect for those who are sensitive to gluten. And because they are made with whole grains, you get a more satisfying and wholesome snack that can be versatile and easy to digest. I personally enjoy granola with milk or over yogurt, but with this new chewy texture, they’re perfect straight out of the bag.

Van’s Foods are known for their wholesome and natural pancakes and waffles but have expanded their line to include wholegrain cereal, multigrain chips, crackers, snack bars, and their newest gluten-free pasta and gluten-free chewy granola. And because Van’s Foods makes delicious and natural foods for the busy family, they have recently revamped their tagline to be simply, “Van’s Simply Delicious” which is most befitting of a company who uses basic ingredients producing excellent results. We have enjoyed Van’s Foods for many years and my favorite is their Chocolate Chip mini waffles which has delectable little chocolate chips and perfect with melted butter and some whipped cream – yes whipped cream!

Van’s Foods had wanted me to try their new Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Granola and Gluten Free Cherry Almond Granola. My favorite was the Cherry Almond Granola as it was very distinctive between the slight sour taste of the cherries with the natural sweetness of the mixed granola. I got a nice crunch from the pumpkin seeds but it was still soft and easy to chew. Both of them were unique in their own ways so whether you’re a cherry fan or a lover of blueberry, you’ll find that they are both different yet similar. I was also given their newest pasta dishes to try which included, Gluten Free Creamy Herb and Garlic Pasta, Gluten Free Rotini and Red Sauce Pasta, and Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne. I really enjoyed the Creamy Herb and Garlic Pasta and my son liked the Ultimate Cheddar Penne. They are all made with brown rice flour for the gluten-free part and I couldn’t really taste any difference from the gluten-free version and the regular wheat version. You just have to make sure not to overcook as it could get kind of sticky.

While in our household we don’t have a gluten sensitivity, I am trying to reduce the amount of it for the purpose of a healthier digestive system. With gluten-free products, I don’t feel as weighed down and I can enjoy my food without feeling as if I ate too much. But for those with a gluten sensitivity, avoiding it at all costs is important and it’s just as important to read your labels carefully before purchasing packaged food. With Van’s Foods and their gluten-free line, you can definitely enjoy the taste of regular snacks without the dangers of wheat gluten hidden somewhere in the ingredients.

Van’s Foods can be purchased at supermarkets that carry natural products as well as natural grocery stores. They come in a variety of frozen and dried food so it’s fairly easy to stock up on their products. For more information about Van’s Foods please visit their website: http://www.vansfoods.com as well as their social media sites which you can find links on their website.

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March 4, 2015

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Surf Sweets/TruSweets – A Valentine Treat!

Red hearts, cupid’s bow, and chocolates – what do they all spell? Valentine’s Day! For many, Valentine’s Day is an annual holiday where people go all out with the extravagance of buying sweets and gifts. And while chocolates seem to be the main choice in offering sweets, this year why not try something different. The idea behind Valentine’s Day really isn’t about giving the most expensive gift or dining at the poshest restaurant. It should be about celebrating the idea of love and friendship. With this holiday being advertised at almost every store since January, my son has already asked me what to give his classmates or if he should get them something. His question was, “do I have to buy everyone a valentine candy?” There are a few girls who’d probably be disappointed if my son didn’t so we decided we should include everyone on the Valetine’s list.

In the previous years we’ve always given his friends and classmates non-sweets as treats but this year when Surf Sweets offered for us to try their new TruSweets organic fruit lollipops as well as their gummy hearts, well, our hearts literally swelled. Surf Sweets makes such delicious and wholesome candies that we tore open the samples the minute they arrived and ate a few bags. Luckily the bags were small enough that we didn’t get a sugar high and of course we had to save some for an event I was hosting.

Surf Sweets a division of Tru Sweets (http://www.surfsweets.com) makes only natural and organic candies. Using the finest ingredients available, Surf Sweets makes deliciously sweet and yummy gummy candy and jelly beans that are perfect for little kids. Kids will inevitably eat a sweet now and then so if you’re going to offer them candy, then why not give them something healthier? There are so many candy choices out there and if you peruse the aisles at any grocery store, you’ll find them catered to this holiday right at this moment. I’m not big on the regular candies for Valentine’s Day as I’m a true Chocoholic, but there’s something adorable about Surf Sweets gummy hearts and their entire line of “love” candy.

Each one of the individually packed heart gummies and lollipops are the perfect portions for little kids. And while you’re probably thinking, “wait, didn’t they just have a ton of candy for Halloween?”, well, Valentine’s Day seems to be one of the most popular holidays for kids and teenagers alike. Sure, you’ll probably expect bags full of sweets from your kids when they come home from school, but if you’re the one who’s going to be handing out sweets, then give their classmates a better type of candy – ones that aren’t full of artificial ingredients. And guess what – they’ll probably end up loving Surf Sweets and TruSweets more than the conventional candies. They are shaped adorably like little hearts and the gummy bears are fun to eat and play with. As a parent, I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that companies such as Surf Sweets/Tru Sweets are dedicated in providing healthier candies.

So this Valentine’s Day or really any day of the year, if you’re inclined to buy sweets for your kids and sweethearts, give them something a lot healthier than those with artificial ingredients. After all, your love isn’t artificial so why should your sweets be? Surf Sweets can be purchased at most natural grocery stores and online through their website: http://www.surfsweets.com/store-locator/buy-online/.

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February 7, 2015

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Good Boy Organics – Fun Snacks for Kids Products Worth Reviewing

How do you reward your child for good behavior? It could be a new toy, a fancy book, or a trip to some place fun. But how about rewarding them with something fun and healthy to eat? Of course healthy food should be eaten every day, but once in awhile finding a really delicious snack that’s also made with high quality ingredients is just as important. Add organic ingredients to it and without any unnecessary junk and you’ve got a winner in the snack option.

We don’t snack that often but when we do, I try to find something that we all enjoy. So when we were introduced to Good Boy Organics I was intrigued and wanted to taste these delightful little dinosaur snacks. Yes! Dinosaur savory snacks. These adorable dinosaur shaped crunchy snacks are definitely delicious. They are slightly crunchy, not too salty, and pack a whole lot of flavor. I could easily finish off the whole bag on my own but restrained myself and I even had to keep it away from my son before he polished off the entire bag as well. They are incredibly delicious and I don’t say that often about snacks.

Good Boy Organics (http://www.goodboyorganics.com/) was founded through the love of delicious and healthy eating. With the company’s mission of producing high quality, organic ingredients that are designed for children, Good Boy Organics makes savory snacks that goes beyond normal snacking to a new kind of relationship in the organic snacking industry. With their signature “Organicasaurus” organic savory corn and their “BOPS” (Baked Organic Potato Snacks), the flavors and distinctive profiles makes it hard not to finish off the entire contents within the bag. I can honestly say I have never tasted anything so fun and unique. The dinosaur shaped corn snacks are so fun and adorable to look at that we can’t help play with them a bit before popping them into our mouths and I think that’s one of the main reasons behind these Organicasaurus- so that (for once) you’re allowed some fun with your food before you eat them.

I love putting these little dinosaur-shaped snacks into my son’s lunchbox as a healthy snack alternative. With so many snacks out there to choose from, it’s our job as parents to find ones that are healthier for our children. Children, much like adults, love the opportunity to snack but there are so many hidden dangers in food nowadays, how do we know who to really trust? But you really can’t go wrong with something made from organic ingredients and products that are made without any artificial additives. With these yummy Organicasaurus and BOPS chips, I don’t have to worry about what I’m putting in my son’s body or my own. I always snack whatever I buy for my son because I want to snack healthy too!

The wonderful folks at Good Boy Organics had sent me their entire selection of Organicasaurus snacks and BOPS chips to try and review. We couldn’t resist trying every single flavor and variety and I was amazed at all the distinct flavor profiles. Usually with corn and potato snack chips they all end up tasting pretty much the same, but not with these gems. Good Boy Organics has very unique flavors such as Organicasaurus Cheddar, Tangy Tomato, and Sea Salt. And the BOPS comes in Sea Salt, Barbeque, Aged White Cheddar, and Sour Cream Onion. I love the fact that not only are they made with organic ingredients, but that they have very low sodium content per serving size and they are the perfect size to munch on.

Good Boy Organics can be found at most natural grocery stores and with the adorable packaging you can spot them on the shelves right away. I recommend picking up a few to try because you really won’t be disappointed. If you’re going to snack anyway, then try a better version of corn and potato snacks. Your kids will love them and so will you! For more info about Good Boy Organics, please visit their website: http://www.goodboyorganics.com/, Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GoodBoyOrganics, Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodboyorganics, and Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/goodboyorganics/

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January 16, 2015

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Thrive Market – Products Worth Reviewing

If you’re like me, you probably do all kinds of research on natural products whether online or in physical stores. I love walking down the aisles of natural food stores to see all the new and wonderful products that can help us live a healthier life. But I also love to shop online because I for one know that you can probably find a lot more unique brands that way.

If you like shopping at online boutiques that specializes in natural and organic products then you might want to check out the new online store called Thrive Market (https://thrivemarket.com/). Selling only naturally derived and organic products on their site, Thrive Market makes it easier for everyone to buy natural products at affordable prices. In fact, Thrive Market’s whole theory is that one shouldn’t need to compromise good health with low quality products. With Thrive Market, you can afford to buy natural and organic products at a much lower price than you’d find in retail stores. I do shop both online and brick-and-mortar stores and I did notice some differences in the prices. If you like the convenience of shopping online, then Thrive Market is the perfect destination for you.

I was approached to try out the new Thrive Market and give my opinion on their site. After comparing Thrive Market with a couple other online natural and organic stores, I do have to admit that Thrive Market has some pretty good pricing. While I can’t name the other companies, it wouldn’t hurt to try out Thrive Market and see for yourself all the different natural and organic products available on their site. Shipping is free with $49 and over purchase but you can easily pick up a few stuff in their online store that will still end up saving you money and time.

One of the main reasons why Thrive Market started their company was for the purpose of offering affordable products to people of all income and status. They also donate an annual membership to a low-income family for every membership purchased.

Thrive Market also partners with many philanthropic, socially, and environmentally responsible companies who have the same determination and goal. They believe that in giving back to the community and the planet, the reward itself is in helping others live healthier and better lives. It’s admirable when a company can give back to others when in fact it doesn’t really take much at all. Certain companies that Thrive Market works with are the Boys + Girls Club, LA Fund, and Common Threads. All are great charities and if you’re going to do some shopping online, why not help benefit others as well?

On Thrive Market, you’ll see many products from companies you’ve already heard of such as Garden of Life, Desert Essence, Clif Bars, Popchips, Earth Balance, Seventh Generation, and many more. Some of the prices are comparable to other online natural stores but mostly it is the convenience and the fact that you are also helping out others while you’re shopping. With each paid membership, Thrive Market will donate to another membership to those in need.

So check out Thrive Market (https://thrivemarket.com) and see for yourself how much you can save when shopping online. Right now Thrive Market is offering a 15% off discount for your first order. You can browse in their online store and if you decide to make a purchase, you’ll receive a 30-day membership trial. If you decide to stay with Thrive Market, you just pay a one time annual membership fee of $59.95 and Thrive Market will also donate a free membership to a low-income family.

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