Sports Parent of the Year – Sports Illustrated Kids Contest

 

In an unique effort to include more sports into the lives of our children, Sports Illustrated Kids, the leading magazine for children who love sports, is offering a contest to nominate a parent as Sports Parent of the Year. This is a special contest that ends on September 24, so act quickly! For more info about nominating a parent, please read the details below:

For the first time ever, Sports Illustrated Kids is naming a “SportsParent of the Year” and would like to invite you to enter or nominate an inspirational SportsParent!  Modeled after the famed Sportsman and SportsKid of the Year awards, the SportsParent of the Year title will honor a parent who embodies the essence of sportsmanship.
 
After all, we wouldn’t have a Sportsman or SportsKid without the role model who initially set the example.  A true SportsParent is dedicated to using sports to support family and community, not scores and trophies. The SportsParent will exemplify qualities that SI Kids aims to impart to children through a shared passion for sports, including fun, dedication, healthy living, and the value of community and team.    
 

Here’s how to enter:
 
1.)  Decide who to submit for the award, whether it is yourself, your spouse or another parent
2.)  Simply go to www.sikids.com/sportsparent and follow instructions to submit your nomination
3.)  Remember there is (1) nomination per person or email account.
4.)  “Like” the Sports Illustrated Kids Facebook page
5.)  Share your entry with all of your friends and followers via social media (Twitter Hashtag: #SPOTY2012)

And here is the best part. The winner will receive a $1000 VISA gift card to support his/her child’s or community team’s sports needs! The winner may also be featured in an upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated Kids magazine and/or on SIKids.com.

 
Sports Illustrated Kids is also offering their September tablet issue COMPLETELY FREE just for entering! The tablet edition has everything that the print magazine has, but also includes bonus photos and interactive features like games and sports cards that kids will love! Simply download the SI Kids app on iPad or Kindle Fire, and use these credentials to access this latest issue:
 
•           Login: freeissue@sikids.com
•           Password: september2012
 
Hurry and nominate a parent today! Deadline for contest entry is September 24!

Disclosure: Happymomblogger received a year subscription, promotional merchandise and information from Sports Illustrated Kids in conjunction with this post.

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 labels carefully before 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.

 

Earth Balance – Products Worth Reviewing

In our family, we do our best to eat healthy every day, make healthy living choices, and be conscious of our planet Earth and our environment. In order to accomplish all of these feats, choosing the right foods and the right companies are extremely important. To make a conscious effort to do better for your health and our precious Earth may not be easy for everyone, but it can be accomplished – even in small steps. One way of starting is to evaluate what you eat on a daily basis and determine if the foods you eat are detrimental to your health, or beneficial. I chose to be a vegetarian mainly for health and ethical reasons as are with most vegetarians and vegans, but I also know a few vegetarians who do not eat as healthy. And although these junk food vegetarians eat a meat-free diet, they prefer to dine on salty, fried french fries and foods made with hydrogenated oils and other unhealthy additives. But if we were to look at the common American diet in the United States, we’d see a lot of people eating foods cooked with artificial food coloring and flavors, and food that will eventually ruin their health. And although we can’t truly blame those who eat a lot of junk, because after all, junk food is prominent in the US, we can as individuals, make the right decisions when it comes to eating the right kinds of food.

Cooking your own food and buying organic ingredients as often as possible is a surefire way of eating healthier. And when you buy packaged foods, it’s extremely important to read the labels. I’ve been a label reader for many years now mainly because I was aware of how eating foods ladened with unhealthy ingredients were affecting my health. I’ve even gotten most of my family and friends to read labels on the foods they buy and it has helped them a great deal. So when I see a product that contains natural and organic ingredients and ingredients that also enhance my health I’m doubly excited. That’s why when I discovered a company called Earth Balance I was very intrigued. Earth Balance (http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/) is an all-natural food company that makes organic and natural soymilk, spreads, dressings, nut butters, baking sticks, coconut, and soy nog. All of Earth Balance foods are made without any genetically modified ingredients, are plant-based, vegan, without any artificial ingredients or hydrogenated oils, and do not contain gluten, lactose, and eggs. We are particularly nuts over their spreads and nut butters and can easily polish off an entire jar or bottle in less than a week. Yes, they’re that good! And I feel better knowing that when we eat Earth Balance foods, I am actually giving my loved ones something better and healthier. And Earth Balance is an environmentally-conscious company too. They strive to make the world a better place for both people and the planet.

You may have heard of Earth Balance. You can see their products in most natural grocery stores as well as conventional supermarkets who carries their Smart Balance brand. Earth Balance makes a great amount of better-for-you everyday food that definitey beats the conventional nut butters, spreads, and soymilk. Their nut butters are smooth, creamy, and intense in flavor and their soymilk are refreshing and easy to mix into your dessert recipes. We particulaly enjoy Earth Balance’s Creamy Coconut and Peanut Butter Spread because there’s just something unique and unusual about coconut and peanut butter. If you’re a fan of coconuts, then you’ll enjoy their robust coconut flavor and if you’re fairly new to coconuts, then you’ll be surprised at how delightful the blend of coconuts and peanuts can taste. I like to spread their Creamy Coconut and Peanut Butter on bread of course, but it’s also really tasty on crackers and graham crackers. I’m sure you can also use them to make Rice Crispies and I’ll have to try that soon.

Earth Balance began when a need for more natural, wholesome, and plant-based foods arised. With so many overly processed foods nowadays, and foods ladened with unnecessary additives, it’s no wonder that more and more people are trying to make smarter choices in the foods they purchase and eat. It’s not hard to avoid unhealthy foods – just don’t buy them. And yes, sometimes that may be hard to accomplish, but if you start somewhere and you keep at it, then eventually your refrigerator and pantry will be stockful of healthier foods. It’s always better to buy fresh produce whenever possible, but we aren’t all Martha Stewarts in that we can’t make our own butter or soymilk or dressings all of the time. So if you’re going to go for convenience and practicality, then it’s important to buy those items that are made with natural ingredients and at best, organic ingredients. With Earth Balance products, I can clearly see the ingredients listed, and I can certainly taste the superb quality of them too. Although I’d love to make my own mayonnaise and butter eventually, right now, I can stick with products that I know contains at least the same ingredients I might use if I were to make them from scratch.

So if you’re in the market to try something different, and that isn’t made from unknown ingredients, then you’d have to give Earth Balance a try. Currently their lineup of products include Soymilk, which comes in flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, and Unsweetened; Spreads, which come in flavors such as Olive Oil, Whipped, and Soy Garden (and all of their spreads come in a base of Palm Fruit, Soybean, Flax, and Olive); Dressings which are made from canola oil; Organic Soy Nog; Nut Butters with flavors including Creamy Coconut, Creamy Peanut, and Creamy Almond; Baking Sticks which also includes Vegan Baking Sticks; and Coconut Spreads which can be used in place of regular butter. All of Earth Balance’s products are made without any genetically-modified or engineered ingredients and they source their coconuts and palm fruit responsibly and ethically.

Earth Balance had kindly sent me coupons to pick up and try any of their products for review. The products I tried were: Soymilk in original flavor, Olive Oil and Original Spread, Organic Dressing, and Creamy Coconut Nut Butter. We really liked their spreads and dressing and nut butters and although I’m a constant soymilk drinker, I wasn’t overjoyed by their original-flavored soymilk. To me, it tasted really strong, unlike the soymilk that I’m used to, so perhaps I will have to try their Vanilla or Chocolate flavor next to see if I notice a difference in taste. All of the products I tried can be easily incorporated into your daily meals whether as part of the meal, as a supplement, or as an addition to a recipe. In fact, if you’re looking for some good recipes using their products, please visit their website: http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/recipes/.

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.

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

Lady Soma – Products Worth Reviewing

We all love to look younger, feel healthier, and be happier. But in order to achieve those things, we have take care of ourselves first and foremost. And to do that, we need to eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest, drink enough water, and exercise regularly. Not all of us are blessed with perfect skin and bodies. Even celebrities need help now and then. I’m sure most of them have a slew of health experts at their beck and call. And most celebrities rely on pure, clean, and natural skincare products to ensure their million-dollar faces and bodies stay on top.

We’re all pretty much aware that what goes on our skin will most likely go into our bodies. All those tiny, open pores absorb elements in the air as well as topically. That’s why it’s important to choose skincare products free of harsh chemicals or chemicals that can cause bad side effects later on. And your best bet is to find skincare products that uses naturally-derived and organic ingredients when possible. Natural skincare products doesn’t have to be costly either. It’s really just the name brand that most companies are selling you because if you looked at the ingredients, you’d be apalled at what they offer to their consumers. While on the other hand, you can pay just as much if not less for a natural skincare product that isn’t sold in major department stores. Being diligent about reading labels for skincare products is just as important as reading labels for the food you buy. When I was introduced to a company called Lady Soma not too long ago, I was intrigued at their ingredients and the health benefits that they offered. Lady Soma is a fairly new company but their philosophy on providing natural health and skincare products solely for women appealed to me.

Lady Soma’s philosophy is providing healthy, natural, everyday products specifically designed for women. They believe that all women should have the ability and the power to take control of their own health. That’s why they’ve created products that can be beneficial to the specific needs for good health. Products such as renewal serum, detox and cleansing supplements, facial and skin treatments, as well as a few others are formulated to help enhance, rejuvinate, and protect women’s delicate bodies and skin. Lady Soma strives to use ingredients that are derived naturally from nature as well as certain beneficial ingredients like flaxseed oil and acidophilus. They have targeted treatments for those who want to cleanse their bodies naturally, provide concentrated Vitamin C for antioxidant and beauty enhancement, and repair problem skin on a topical level. For women who seek certain beneficial products for their bodies and skin, Lady Soma provides a great assortment to choose from.

When I was introduced to Lady Soma not too long ago, I was intrigued by their products and the ingredients that they use. A majority of their products are made with certified organic ingredients and do not contain dangerous ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, artificial fragrances and color. And they pride themselves in procuring ingredients that have not been genetically modified, nor tested on animals, nor contain chemicals that can harm the body and environment. Their ingredients are ethically wild-harvested in the US and have been approved and certified by the Organic Trade Association. All of their ingredients are fully listed on their products so there are no second guessing on what you put on your skin or into your body. I was given several products to try and review in the following: Renewal Serum, Antioxidant Berry Masque, and Lady Mint Tingle lip balm. The Renewal Serum is unlike anything I’ve ever tried before. Not overly greasy and really easy to apply, it also has a delicate scent that smells very citrusy. When I tried the Renewal Serum, I was skeptical at the claims of this unique product, but my face did indeed feel much smoother, glowed appealingly, and was more supple. The Antioxidant Berry Masque contains Vitamins A, C, and E and is meant to detox and enhance cellular renewal and collagen production. The mask gave me a tingling sensation and my skin felt tighter afterwards. The Lady Mint Tingle lip balm is an adorable lip balm that contains natural blueberry and cranberry extracts meant to keep your lips smooth and soft. And yes, although it tasted rather deliciously, the lip balm isn’t meant to be eaten.

Lady Soma’s line for women is truly a unique approach to enhancing, protecting, and helping women make better and informed choices on their skincare products. The only thing you may have to decide on is their addition of Retinyl Palmitate, a version of Vitamin A, as certain people may be allergic or affected by this ingredient. However, as indicated by the company, Lady Soma does not use ingredients that are deemed hazardoes by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. For more information about Lady Soma and their unique line of women-specific products, please visit their website: http://www.ladysoma.com/.

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.

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

Mom Deals (and for dads too) – Current deals going on right now.

Buying organic and natural products all the time can get quite expensive but it’s absolutely necessary for our health and for the environment. You may ask – what do I care about the environment? Well, the environment is all around us. We live in it, we breathe it, and we support it through our daily activities. With so many diseases arising out of toxic chemicals in the foods we eat and toxins in the air, it’s important to buy and use organic and natural products whenever possible. Below I’ve outlined some great deals that are happening right now which will benefit you and your children as well as not harming the environment. Some of these are limited-time offers so take advantage of them now!

Kiwi Online – ( http://www.kiwishoponline.com/) entire order! THANKS10

Sibu Beauty(http://www.sibubeauty.com/exfoliating_scrub.php)  – Buy a Sibu Beauty Exfoliating Scrub with sea buckthorn and apricot kernel oil works great on face and body for $19.95 and get a FREE Clarifying Toner (MSRP $24.95).! SBTONER10

Nature’s Gate (http://www.shopnatures-gate.com/) – 20% off purchase! NATSAV20

Mambo Sprouts ( http://www.mambosprouts.com/messenger/september-2012-messenger) – Great coupons on organic and natural food and products!

Amazon Mom Event (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000829351&ref_=pe_190830_25735550) – Get 20% off if you join Amazon Prime and Amazon Mom.

*Happymomblogger is in no way affiliated with any of these companies and have not been monetarily compensated to bring you these deals.

Organic Bistro – Products Worth Reviewing

As parents, we’re always running around doing stuff that we just don’t have enough time during the day to do. Sure, you can have a nanny, a gourmet live-in chef, and a housekeeper to get things done, but in reality, not many of us have those luxuries. And then when it comes to cooking delicious, wholesome meals, sometimes that can be even harder when you’re trying to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds. I’m always looking for new recipes and new ideas to make meals that my husband, son, and I can all enjoy. Since I’m the only vegetarian, cooking something that can be enjoyed by all 3 of us can be quite daunting sometimes – but challenging in a fun way. I don’t really like cooking with meat as it is, so sometimes I have to be ultra creative. Either way, my family will eat what I cook no matter what.

But when there are times when I don’t feel like cooking a meat dish, I’m stumped at what to offer. Although I prefer cooking from scratch or at least semi-scratch, I like to find good alternatives in ready made meals. When we were introduced to a brand called Organic Bistro, I thought I found something that was both delicious and satisfying and easily prepared. Organic Bistro (http://www.theorganicbistro.com/) makes wholesome, filling, delicious frozen food using only organic and natural ingredients. In fact, their frozen meals are filled with ingredients that you’ll typically find at 5-star gourmet restaurants. They use only the finest, highest quality organic and natural ingredients such as Wild Alaskan Salmon, organic walnuts, grass-fed beef, organic coconut cream, and organic extra virgin olive oil, just to name a few. At Organic Bistro, they don’t skimp on the good stuff and you can see and taste great quality that’s just as good (if not more so) than something you made on your own.

Frozen foods have come a long way from back in the TV dinner days. Now, most frozen foods are made with higher quality ingredients. But you really don’t know what they’re made from unless you look at the packaging and the labels. When I read the ingredients of Organic Bistro’s frozen gourmet meals, I was really impressed. All the ingredients were something that I would use in my own cooking and since they don’t add any artificial ingredients or preservatives, I knew I found a great new company to look to when I need something quick to cook and eat. And because Organic Bistro uses organic ingredients, I don’t have to worry about any genetically modified ingredient or something that’s sprayed heavily or made with toxic chemicals. We all should try eating more organic foods and at Organic Bistro, you’ll probably find a dish or a few that’ll become regulars in your freezer.

Organic Bistro’s gourmet frozen meals uses recipes from actual recipes developed in their kitchen facility. Each of  their frozen meals are carefully planned and the ingredients meticulously selected to give you only the finest frozen cuisine that’s wholesome, flavorful, and healthy. At Organic Bistro, they create frozen meals that’s the right combination of protein, vegetables, and whole grains, and all balanced with delightful seasonings including organic herbs and spices. My husband, who’s not used to eating organic frozen meals, was more than delighted when he chose a few entrees that soon became his favorites. Although I’d love to prepare Wild Salmon or Grass-fed beef to my husband and son, honestly, I just don’t know if I can make them flavorful enough. My son, loves the Wild Alaskan Salmon and I’m so glad that salmon is filled with important omega fatty acids that are so important for growing kids. And I think what makes Organic Bistro’s Wild Alaskan Salmon so flavorful is with the orange zest, onion powder, and ground celery seeds. And it looks like a gourmet meal that I would prepare given the time and extra ingredients that I’d have to buy. And with organic ingredients and a balanced meal, I can feel better and not too guilty that I didn’t prepare it myself.

What’s great about Organic Bistro’s gourmet frozen meals is that there are organic vegetables or fruits in every dish. Oftentimes I find a lot of frozen meals with barely any vegetables in them and yet the photo on the box indicates there are quite a lot. Until you open the box and you find otherwise. But not with Organic Bistro. What you see on the box, is what you’ll find inside. And there are plenty of organic vegetables for your kids to get some much needed vitamins and minerals. The portion size is just right too, so they’re great for lunch or for dinner. If you want to pair one of their dishes with a salad or bread, you can too, but since each meal already includes a whole grain product, they’re pretty filling already. In most of their frozen meals, you’ll find quinoa, brown rice, or pasta and they’re paired nicely with either their cheddar bakes, complete meals, or savory bowls. Organic Bistro makes a great assortment of flavors and varieties to choose from too so there’s something for everyone. They make gourmet frozen meals with delicious dishes such as Spiced Chicken Morocco, Sesame Ginger Wild Salmon, Chicken Parmesan Bake, Thai Style Red Curry With Beef, and many other mouth watering varieties.

Organic Bistro really is about wholesome, healthy, and responsible gourmet meals. Not only do they use solely organic and natural ingredients, they use sustainably-caught and raised seafood, grass-fed beef, and natural chicken without any added sulfites or sulfates. All of these are important factors when eating and buying foods that uses humane methods. And vegetables raised without any toxic pesticides, herbicides, or germacides are better for your health and for the environment. Besides, I think organic vegetables really do taste so much better than the conventionally-raised.

Organic Bistro can be found at most natural grocery stores and certain supermarkets that carry organic products. The lovely folks at Organic Bistro had given me some coupons to pick up my own flavors and varieties and we tried their Wild Alaskan Salmon, Beef Sirloin Tips, Alaskan Salmon Cake, Wild Alaskan Salmon Bake, and a few others. Each of them had their own unique taste and satisfied both my husband and son’s tummies. And there’s just something really adorable about a beautifully-plated frozen meal that’s steaming hot and smells fantastic. For more info about Organic Bistro and their delicious and wholesome gourmet meals, please visit their website: http://www.theorganicbistro.com/.

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.

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

Nordic Naturals Back-to-School Campaign to Benefit Healthy Child

As parents, we do our best to protect our children from bad guys, from upset tummies, from falling off a bicycle, and basically anything that can harm their sensitive soul and mind. But sometimes we tend to forget that children’s delicate growing bodies need extra care and protection. With a myriad of “junk” food aimed at kids, sooner or later they will develop bad eating habits and unhealthy living habits. So in order to start them off right, feed them healthy, wholesome foods made preferably from organic sources.

Sometimes however, eating the right balance of foods containing proper vitamins and minerals can be hard to do. Even as adults, we may have trouble knowing how much vegetables, fruits, and whole grain are needed in our daily intake to get the proper amount necessary to maintain our health. Sometimes adults turn to vitamin supplements to fill in the gaps for those lacking essential nutrients and sometimes children need them too. When we were introduced to a company called Nordic Naturals, I was incredibly curious as to the products they offered and how they were procured. Nordic Naturals has been in the natural vitamin supplement business for almost 20 years and was founded by the belief that people needed pure and clean Omega supplements to better enhance one’s health and well-being. Using only fish oils derived from fishing farmeries that are protected and monitored, Nordic Naturals ensures that not only do their customers get the best possible Omega supplements available, but that the sea animals and harbors are not damaged or harmed in any way.

We’ve been using Nordic Naturals products for a little while now. My son enjoys taking their Omega-3 Gummies and Nordic Berries and both my husband and I have enjoyed using their Omega supplements for adults. Since I’m a vegetarian, Nordic Naturals produces a 100% vegetarian Omega-3 vitamin supplement containing both the essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA. The Omegas formulated for children are all naturally flavored with citrus and although my son says you can still taste the “fishy” taste, it didn’t bother him too much since he’s had seafood before and is accustomed to the flavor. With the Algae Omega, I couldn’t taste anything “fishy” at all and perhaps it’s because of their use of microalgae and since I love seaweed and sea vegetables, I couldn’t taste anything sea-like in the supplements which may bother certain people.

Currently, Nordic Naturals is teaming up with Healthy Child Healthy World as its 2012 cause partner. For every bottle of selected children’s products you purchase at participating retailers between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31, 2012, $1 will be donated to Healthy Child Healthy World up to $16,000. Selected products include: Nordic Berries™ – chewy multivitamins with the sweet-and-sour taste of Scandinavian cloudberries, Nordic Omega-3 Gummies™, Children’s DHA™ and Baby’s DHA. You can find Nordic Naturals products at Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Markets, Pharmaca and other independent health retailers nationwide. As an official Healthy Child Healthy World blogger, I was given the unique opportunity to try their Nordic Omega 3 Jellies, which are soft, sweet and tart Omega supplements for children with the texture of jelly, and Algae Omega, which is 100% vegetarian, microalgae Omega supplement.

So it’s really easy and important to participate in this campaign. Simply purchase a bottle of the aforementioned vitamins for yourself and a bottle for your children, and you’re helping not only you and your kids, but other children around the world as well. For more info about Healthy Child Healthy World and their causes, please visit their website: http://www.healthychild.org/. And for more info about Nordic Naturals, please visit their website: http://www.nordicnaturals.com/consumers.php

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.

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