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Imagination Movers Concert!

Have your kids ever bugged you about attending a live concert with their favorite musical bands? While some concerts may not be suitable for little kids, there is one band that we have loved throughout the years, and you could probably guess that it’s The Imagination Movers. It seems The Imagination Movers rarely come to the West Coast but when we found out that they were performing their ONLY California performance of the year I jumped like a mad flea. To benefit the arts and music programs at WISH Charter and Goethe International Charter Elementary schools of Westchester /Playa Del Rey in Los Angeles, The Movers are putting on their one and only show of the year at Redondo Beach, California on Friday, October 24.

Here is a full description of their Redondo Beach, CA. performance:

IMAGINATION MOVERS LIVE IN LOS ANGELES! The Mover’s October 24, 2014 “School Rocks” fundraiser show at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center has been opened to the public! Come out and experience the Mover’s legendary live show while also helping raise funds for the arts programs at WISH and Goethe International charter schools. It’s an opportunity to see a fantastic live rock concert AND help enrich the arts for local schools. How cool is that? Answer: Way cool!

Visit Brown Paper Tickets by clicking the link below. The concert will be held at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/850571

If you’re big fans of The Imagination Movers this is your only chance to see them this year. The tickets benefit the programs and the prices are fairly decent. And if you’ve been to one of their concerts in the past, you know that The Movers are energetic and fun and their concerts are great for everyone of all ages. So purchase your tickets and have a ton of fun while helping to benefit the arts and music program.

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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October 17, 2014October 17, 2014

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Moms Meet Whole Foods Healthy Kids Tour

Some of the best things about living in California are access to fresh California grown food, an abundance of organic and natural grocery stores, and meeting people who are as passionate about healthy living as I am. As a Moms Meet Ambassador I am honored and pleased to be able to meet many brands and people who are of sound mind. One of the fun things we did a few weekends ago was visit Whole Foods Market for a Healthy Kids Tour. We already shop at Whole Foods on occasion but it was fascinating to learn about some new aspects of the company that I never knew before.

As my son and I entered the cool atmosphere of Whole Foods Market, our eyes couldn’t help but roam the entire building and smile with excitement. Shopping at Whole Foods Market is always an interesting experience. With their rows and rows of organic and natural products and their aesthetically pleasing cafes and fresh beverage bars, the popular store is indeed a feast for the eyes and the palette. Although some products may be more expensive than necessary, if you know what to look for and how to shop there, you would come out with an abundance of healthy products and a few dollars saved.

Our store coordinator, Candice was a delight to work with. With her cheery smile she led all of us around the store pointing out key features unique to the Whole Foods Market franchise. Certain things I already knew about such as the freshly baked bread sliced to order but if you like cheese, there is also an option to have the clerks cut them into different sizes for you. They also sell remnant cheese in bins that are smaller and less expensive. I was surprised at all the “secret” requests you could make at Whole Foods Market as they benefit the customers with this unique customer oriented services. Other services tailored to your shopping experience would be meat cut to the size and texture you want, an organic juice bar made to order, and pour-your-own honey. Honey can be quite expensive so I really appreciate this feature at Whole Foods.

The point of this Healthy Kids Tour sponsored by Moms Meet and Whole Foods Market is to enlighten parents and friends on the aspect of healthy living. Through healthier food choices, we can all achieve a healthier lifestyle. At Whole Foods Market, they offer an abundance of fresh produce, meat, bread, dairy, and bakery to satisfy the gourmet as well as virgin organics. Although Whole Foods is a bit farther from where we live, I do like to shop with my son there as we usually pick up a quick and healthy snack at their cafe or a freshly-pressed juice at their juice bar. There is also a kids snack zone at customer service where there is always a healthy snack for your kiddos to enjoy while shopping around the store with you.

If you’re interested in learning more about living a healthier lifestyle, please visit the Moms Meet website: http://www.greenmomsmeet.com/ as well as Whole Foods Market: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/.

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October 17, 2014

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Happy, Healthy Halloween

It’s no doubt that Halloween is one of our most favorite holidays of the year. Is it a holiday or a celebration? Either way, it is the best time of the year to go wild with your imagination or stick to something easy and uncomplicated. Regardless of whether you celebrate this fun holiday, one important rule to remember is to be safe! But here we’re also going to talk about how to “green” your Halloween this year and hopefully keep the tradition in your household every year after.

Halloween has always been a fun tradition for me while growing up. Realistically we all know that it derived from an older tradition that dated back hundreds of years ago but in this day and age, Halloween has become one of the most fun celebrations in the world. Some people plan months ahead on decorations, parties, and of course the costumes. But with so many possible haphazards out there, we have to be extra diligent during this much loved holiday. Safety for our children and other children are the top priority of course, but what about safety for our environment? Let’s talk about how to green our Halloween this year with the following guidelines:

***DIY Costumes or Costume Swap – First think of what you want to be for Halloween. Then find things you have in the house already. If not, then be sure to buy materials that are easily recyclable or reusable. Making your own costumes can run from very easy to professionally done. Think of old bedsheets that you don’t want to throw out but don’t want to use either. You can make creative costumes with those or even a simple ghost costume would work. Costume Swapping is also becoming quite the trend. Start off locally with your friends and family. Organize a neighborhood swap. There is sure to be a costume a friend has that would fit your child.

***Organic Candy – If you must hand out candy this year for Halloween, try buying organic candy. They are made without any artificial ingredients and most are packaged in recyclable packaging. However, organic candy may still contain an abundant amount of sugar so be sure to watch out for the sugar content.

***Green Costumes – Many costumes that are sold in stores are made with some type of plastic. Not all plastics as you know, are safe. PVC, a type of plastic that contains phthalates among other compounds have been found to be unsafe for prolonged contacts. So if you must buy store bought costumes made from plastic, check the labels to see what type of materials are used and if possible skip that costume. If you must buy something with potentially toxic plastics, air it out in an open room or outdoors for a few days to dissipate the fumes.

***Pumpkins and Decorations – We all love some kind of decorations for Halloween. Be it a fresh pumpkin or a plastic one, my advice is to buy the fresh ones. While plastic decorations may seem like you’re saving money and resources, it still takes millions of dollars and emission fuels to produce these types of plastic Halloween decorations. However if you still kept yours from last year, by all means reuse them or trade them with a friend or neighbor to freshen up your decorations. I personally feel bad for all the pumpkin farms that sell a whole yard full of pumpkins because really – who’s going to buy up all of those pumpkins anyway?

***Halloween Treats – Who can resist opening up that delightful package of M&M’s filled with colorful chocolate candy? Well, in our household we try to resist them mainly because of the type of ingredients used in those eye-candy. Thousands of pounds of candies are sold each Halloween and many end up in our trashcans or into our tummies which results in some uncharacteristically bad behavior. This year why not just serve one bar of sweets instead of a handful. Or hand out quarters or a roll of pennies. Remember that with anything you don’t use or give out on Halloween, they inevitably end up in the trash and that’s both wasteful and unnecessary.

***Halloween Parties – Whether you’re having a party at home or a party at your kid’s school, there are bound to be a lot of different views on what to serve, what to do, and what are allowed or not allowed. Remember that if you’re having a party at home, keep them safe with non-toxic toys, games, and food. Give out treats as suggested above. Play games that aren’t wasted later one. And make home made food and treats when possible.

***Recycling Halloween – We know that Halloween comes every year. So as we put away our decorations and costumes, let’s also remember to recycle responsibly. Use the pumpkin seeds in your pumpkins by baking them for a delicious and nutritious treat. Compost your pumpkins. Donate your costumes if at all possible or save them for next year’s costume swap. And if you have leftover candy, save the health of your children by either donating them to your workplace or turning them into valuable things at stores that offer a trade-in.

Remember that Halloween can be both safe and fun for children and adults. As long as you plan ahead and consciously decide on making it a green Halloween this year it will be fairly easy.

Have a Happy Halloween!

October 13, 2014October 14, 2014

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Buy this, not that – How to save money on buying organic – Green is Universal Eco Eats Challenge

I learned how to cook mostly from my mom who is an excellent cook. She won many cooking awards in the past and has taught me some of those winning recipes. But it was both my parents who taught me how to shop for certain grocery items for a certain recipe. I learned from them the different kinds of root vegetables and what seasons the harvest will most likely produce. I learned that not all apples taste the same nor do they yield the same results when cooked. And I learned among many other things, that buying the right produce at the peak of the season is the secret to a successful and delicious recipe.

Many years ago, before the USDA regulated the use of the term “organic” for any product, most of the food found in grocery stores were either from locally-grown farms or were mass manufactured products that were genetically-modified for faster production. Local farmers who didn’t spray their crop with chemical pesticides were lucky enough to have their products sold at supermarkets without having to compete with the bigger companies. Only problem was, produce that came from locally-grown farms were extremely expensive and hard to find. And most of the time, you’d have to get them right when they’re being delivered or they were sold out or couldn’t stay fresh because there were no chemical preservations used.

But farmers markets have been around for a long time, and I remembered going to the local farmers markets with my mom and helping her pick out the freshest produce available. It was there that I also learned about what real and fresh produce were all about and I could instantly taste the difference between produce that were ripened in the store and produce ripened on the tree.

My parents also grow their own vegetables and fruits and they don’t use any kind of toxic chemicals on the produce or in the ground. It was quite convenient for us to go to the backyard and snip off some green beans or pluck some apples and pears for that night’s dinner. For me, homegrown fruits and vegetables seemed like the perfect answer to eating healthier. But as years went by, and people became more aware of the importance of eating better, organic and pesticide-free products started showing up more readily in supermarkets.

However, organic and locally-grown produce can still be moderately expensive, depending on where you shop. And where you buy your produce and dry goods is crucial in how much you’ll end up spending on organic food. If you want to start buying more organic food or just starting out, your best choices in organic produce are the natural food stores or farmers markets. However, if you don’t have any of those nearby, then here are some tips in buying organic at supermarkets.

Supermarkets back in the day rarely carried organic and all-natural food and products and if they did, it was very limited and very expensive. Nowadays, whenever I visit my local supermarket, I can see most of them dedicating a certain section called “natural” and “organic” where only natural and organic products are sold. Cheers for them for thinking more abou their health conscious customers. So how do you choose where to shop for the best value and the best selection of organic and natural products? Well, you can start by looking at the ads produced by the store you regularly shop at. Most every market will have their own store circular either mailed to you, online, or available in their stores. If you want the best prices and selections in organic produce, then take a look at their ads. Decide which organic produce you need for that day or week and compare between the different markets. You’ll probably find them competitively priced nowadays but that’s good news for us since we want to save a ton of money when we’re buying all or mostly organic products. After you’ve made your list of what organic produce you want to buy, then list the other organic or all-natural products such as dry goods, snacks, drinks, etc. Once again, look at your stores circular and find out if the product you want is listed or on sale. If they aren’t listed, go online and you’ll most likely find a “secret” ad that is available only online. Very tricky of these markets, but they’re also hoping you’d buy their groceries online as well.

The next step in saving even more money on organic and natural products is using coupons. Where do you find coupons for organic and natural products, you say? Well, most likely you’ll find them from the companies direct websites. Many of them offer coupons for their products if you sign up for their newsletter or simply just visiting their website. Otherwise, you can always give them a call or send them an email requesting some coupons. Organic and natural product companies love hearing from people who want to buy their products so most of them are more than willing to send you coupons. If you use their coupons, then you’ll most likely end up buying more, right?

There are also several stores(smaller natural grocery stores and mass supermarkets) that offer store coupons instead of manufacture coupons and most of them will allow you to “stack” coupons – which means even more money saved! These stores include Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Henry’s Farmers Market, Mother’s Market, and even certain supermarkets that carry a wide selection of organic and natural products. The bottom line is that these markets, whether small or big, want to try to appeal to a wide array of customers and since organic and natural products are becoming more popular, they want to lure their customers into their stores with money-saving opportunities. With the economy the way it is right now, it’s a win-win situation for the farmers and manufacturers, the markets, and the consumers.

Buying organic and natural products and food takes some practice because you can always go to the most convenient store nearby, but you may not be getting the best price. Of course, if you have to drive 20 miles just to get organic grapes for 10 cents cheaper, then it’s probably not worth the gas money unless you’re planning on buying other things. Get to know your local supermarkets as well as the natural food stores and soon enough you’ll know where to get the freshest produce at the best price.

The key is to know what you’re buying, why you’re buying it, and then have fun shopping for them! When you buy organic and natural products, your body will thank you and your planet will reap the benefits as well. By eating organic produce as much as possible, you’re ensuring that your body doesn’t contain toxic chemicals that can store inside your system for a long time and those with fragile immune systems (for whatever reasons) or young children especially need to eat more organic foods. Organic products also help the environment in that the farms and manufacturers uses sustainable methods to help improve the conditions of the environment and in long-term health, the less toxic chemicals in your body, the better.

If you’re interested in joining a revolutionary journey to a healthier lifestyle, check out NBC’s Green is Universal One Small Act Eco Eats Challenge. There are many challenges and goals you can join and they are all fairly easy. Anything from how to buy organic produce from the EWG’s Dirty Dozen guide: https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/400, to choosing a healthier on the go meal: https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/624, and to composting kitchen waste: https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/427. We all can achieve something for the better no matter how small the task. Only we can make our bodies and planet healthier. Only we can make that choice for us.

From September 2- October 17, NBC’s Green is Universal One Small Act is also hosting a sweepstakes when you join the “Eco Eats” challenge . To join, visit their free green-living tool, One Small Act. Everyone who signs-up and tackles at least one action by October 17th will be entered to win one of five 6-month subscriptions to NatureBox. No Purchase Necessary. Must be US resident and 18+. Read official rules here.

Disclaimer: In exchange for participating in the challenge and writing this post, I was given a gift package from Green is Universal. All opinions here are still my own.

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October 11, 2014October 11, 2014

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Livin’ the Vegetarian Life – My Eco Eats Challenge

When I was around nine or ten years old I witnessed a cruel injustice to a stray dog close to my home. I saved him from a heartless dog catcher, took the dog home to give him some water and food, and helped him find a new home. But it was staring into those dark, murky depths of his big, black eyes that a turning point happened for me. Watching the cruelty of the animal being beaten and dragged to the dog truck had somehow given me a distaste for animal meat from then on. When I went back inside the house to tell my mom what had happened, she looked at me with a strange smile and then aptly dumped the hot dog she was going to serve me for lunch.

I have to be grateful for such an understanding mom. She has always been a kindhearted and sweet person and when she saw unabashed tears streaming down my face that day, she knew she had to make a decision – allow a young girl to make a compassionate decision that could forever change her life, or laugh it off as some silly girlhood whim.

There are many reasons why someone would become a vegetarian or a vegan. But for a child to become one, the choice can be magnanimous. Children do not inherently know if they should or should not eat. They eat whatever their parents give them; meat eaters will feed their children meat, vegetarians will feed their children non-meat. It’s pretty simple, but choosing to become a vegetarian is not an easy path and there can be many obstacles in the way once you decide to become one.

But do you think kids should automatically become vegetarians? That’s a tricky question and it depends solely on the household and how they view food as a whole and whether being a vegetarian is a health choice or a humanitarian one. My nephew chose to become a vegetarian when he was around seven years old. Yes, that’s pretty young but he always had a compassionate nature and he had told his parents that he didn’t want to harm animals so the natural path he took would evidently involve becoming a vegetarian. His parents suffice to say also became vegetarians soon after, wanting to follow the benevolent endeavors of their son.

I became a vegetarian when it wasn’t a “trend”, when people looked at me like I was crazy or from another planet. Eating an all plant-based diet wasn’t very hip or cool but little did people know that revolutionary changes in how Americans eat would later become the new standard. There are more and more vegetarian and vegan restaurants popping up, food companies solely devote their entire line to vegetarians, and even magazines are written for those who are non-meat eaters. Vegetarians were no longer looked at funny and mainstream restaurants even dedicated a section on their menus for “vegetarians”.

There are no right or wrong reasons on whether you should become a vegetarian. It’s a personal choice and no one should bully you into it or laugh at you should you choose to become one. It may be a health choice, a reason to try something new, or simply the thought of eating animals is gruesome. Whatever the reasons, it never hurts to try it. There are many companies out there dedicated in helping you become a vegetarian and in staying one. And if you need one simple reason – consider that it’s a lot less expensive to become a vegetarian than it is to put meat on your table every day. You an even grow your own organic garden so you know what you’re eating. And in the long run, it’ll make you a bit healthier too.

If you’re looking for ways to live a greener life, then try the NBC Green is Universal Eco Eats Challenge which runs from September 29 through October 17. There are many actions to try whether you’re just starting out or have been doing this for a long time. Actions include: Eat a vegetarian meal – http://bit.ly/ZYqpTg, Buy organic eggs – http://bit.ly/1rqiU1F, Fill up your reusable water bottle – http://bit.ly/1CtLGSI, an many many more actions that are fun and educational. NBC Green is Universal’s One Small Act website is also hosting a sweepstakes. Read below for more info:

Disclaimer: In exchange for participating in the challenge and writing this post, I was given a gift package from Green is Universal. All opinions here are still my own.

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*Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Living.

October 1, 2014

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One Small Act/NBC Green Is Universal – Eco Eats Challenge

If there ever is a time to challenge yourself to do something good for the planet and for your body, now is it. We live in a world where truth can be twisted and facts can be tampered with. But the universal truth we all believe in is that we can trust ourselves to do what is right for us. Whether it’s changing your eating habits to consume less meat or bicycling to work when possible, every small step, every small change can be for the better. It never hurts to try something that can be better for you and if you’ve at least fallen down once, then you know the triumph of overcoming your own fears.

This month starting from September 29 through October 17, the Green is Universal initiative is challenging people around the world to do something for the planet. Through their One Small Act (https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/)online visual tool, people across the world can participate in this current challenge with goals that can be both fun and easily met. The Eco Eats Challenge itself hosts many actions you can take to participate in this worldwide event. Such actions include: Eat a Vegetarian Meal (https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/125), Eat a healthy organic or natural snack (https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/80), Skip meat for one meal this week (https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/1277), Participate in the “Grocery Shopping Challenge”(https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/1545), Buy organic fruits and vegetables from the Dirty Dozen (https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/400), Choose a healthier option for a meal on the go (https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/624), and many more. All can be found on the One Small Act’s Eco Challenge website: https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/. But perhaps one of the funnest things about the Eco Eats Challenge is that they are all easy to accomplish and many of you probably already do one or several of those actions. There are also wonderful information regarding each challenge so if you’re just starting out, they’ll help you along the way.

When Kermit the Frog once said, “it’s not easy being green”, he didn’t know he had started a revolutionary path towards helping the environment. Being “green” is relatively easier nowadays with so many media coverage and companies out there educating people on the importance of this topic. It could be just a simple step like recycling that can eventually lead to bigger efforts. And the rewards of doing something better for your planet leads to doing something good for yourself. I strongly believe that a cleaner planet means a cleaner body. And to do so, let’s start by eating better and healthier. Take each bite into consideration. Shop with care. And don’t be wasteful.

Disclaimer: In exchange for participating in the challenge and writing this post, I was given a gift package from Green is Universal. All opinions here are still my own.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm