Category: Uncategorized

Wholly Guacamole – Rebate offer for Diary of a Wimpy Kid

When Robin said, “Holy guacamole, Batman”, I’m pretty sure he meant to say, “Wholly guacamole, Batman!” In fact, if Robin and Batman served the bad guys Wholly Guacamole guacs and salsas instead of punches and pows, then everyone might get along better. Or at least that’s how I feel when I take a bite of Wholly Guacamole’s deliciously savory all-natural guacamole – everything just seems to be a little better. Now not all of us may enjoy guacamole or even salsa, but with so many health benefits to them, it doesn’t hurt to give them a try.

We enjoy homemade guacamoles and salsas as much as we can, but I don’t always have the time to make them nor are avocados always available at a decent price. So we turn to Wholly Guacamole to replenish our guacamole needs. Since most avocados are grown in Mexico, where it’s sunny most of the time, Wholly Guacamole doesn’t have to worry about running out of avocados. And that’s a good thing considering their yummy guacamole and salsas are really addicting and super easy to enjoy with almost anything. Wholly Guacamole started as a small company offering wholesome, natural guacamole served at the owner and founder’s Mexican restaurant. As a result of wanting to provide freshly made guacamole to the public without the loss of avocado’s healthy benefits when packaged, the founder developed the revolutionary process called High Pressure Processing Technology that can produce up to 400lbs of products in 10 minutes. Wholly Gucamole also promises never to use any artificial ingredients or preservatives and their guacamoles and salsas are made fresh, packaged immediately and shipped to the vendors.

Wholly Guacamole makes a great assortment of homemade style guacamole and salsas in flavors such as Classic, Spicy, and Pico de Gallo style guacomole, pineapple salsa, Avocado Verde salsa, and Classic Salsa. Our favorites are the Classic and Pico de Gallo style guacamole and the Avocado Verde Salsa. All of these salsas and guacamoles are great to enjoy with chips, over burritos, in salads, and practically any dish you’d like. You can find Wholly Guacamole at most natural grocery stores as well as major supermarkets and even at Target. For more info about Wholly Guacamole please visit their website: http://eatwholly.com/.

Currently Wholly Guacamole and Diary of a Wimpy Kid has partnered up to offer you a fabulous rebate. You just need to purchase any Wholly Guacamole product and any Diary of a Wimpy Kid DVD and you’ll get up to $5.00 back. That’s a pretty good rebate considering Wholly Guacamole is very reasonably priced depending on where you purchase it, and they even offer you coupons for their products. And if you pick up Diary of a Wimpy Kid dvd while on sale, you’re really getting a great deal! The rebate offer ends on October 15, 2012. For more info about the rebate, please visit: http://eatwholly.com/wimpy/

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

suzan2 Comments

Overindulgence in America

Just the other day, when my son and I were at Target, we came upon a women and her 3 kids strolling through the store. The kids ranged from ages 2 to maybe 10 years old and they were all sitting in the cart while their mom was shopping. The mom was chomping on buttered popcorn while talking on the phone oblivious to what was around her as she crashed into other people’s carts ceremoniously. But that wasn’t what appalled me. It was the sight of her 3 kids sitting in the cart, eating and slurping on gooey candy and red, sure-to-stain-their shirts slurpees. The youngest baby, who looked to be about 2 years old was holding a red slurpee in his hands while mom was feeding him popcorn. His chubby face grinned excitedly each time he took a sip of that artificially flavored and colored drink, as some of it dripped down his chin. The 2 older girls in the cart each had a slurpee in their hands while one was munching on what looked like taffy candy and the other was stuffing nachos into her mouth. It wasn’t a pleasant sight to see, almost gluttonous to a point and as I watched the mom throw in bags of greasy potato chips and sodas, it makes me wonder what’s inside her pantry at home. But I don’t need to guess as I’m pretty sure it’s ladened with junk foods of all sorts. And unfortunately, those kids of hers won’t know any better unless they change their eating habits now.

Now I’m not saying that we don’t all fall prey to the occassional gooey, sticky candy, or artificial food coloring in our snacks. But we as humans should have more self control and common sense.  And especially as parents, we should be setting good examples for our children so that they can help change the world into a better place by learning to live healthier and to protect the environment in their choices. Sounds too farfetched? By far means it is not. We are already learning that toxins exposed to us on a daily basis through foods and products are not only harming our own bodies, but the environment as well. How we choose to purchase food and products that are better for us all is entirely up to us. Foods made with artificial ingredients such as colors and flavors take a toll on our body’s immune system as well as destroy the natural immune system of our ecosystem. All the toxins that these chemicals produce in making artificial colors and flavors are emitting into the precious air that we breathe. The packaging that contains dangerous phthlates and PVC are leaking into our foods and into our bodies and environment. It’s as Seventh Generation proudly states as their motto, ” In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”

Overindulgence of everything is so normal in the United States. In other countries, food such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy are so scarce and rare to come by. But here in the United States, most of us take for granted what people in other countries would jump for joy to get. There are too many things wasted and the uber rich folks, celebrities or not, indulge on wasting their money and good fortune of “blinging” out their cars – thus using up more resources from our planet, or supporting the wrong causes. Overindulgence isn’t a new word in our vocabulary but many people don’t understand the meaning or the ramifications of it. Overindulging on anything can lead to something we’ll inevitably regret later on. But it’s not too late to make a change – for ourselves, for our children, and for our future generations.

One good way to start is possibly looking in your refrigerator and pantry. What do you really need in there? And what ingredients are filling up those things you have in there? Are there foods in there that may taste great now but you’ll end up regretting eating them later? Are there enough plastics to fill up an entire landfill all on your own? True, eliminating everything bad may be impossible because we are subjects of what the world gives us. But we can start by eliminating things we don’t really need. Like those $100,000 diamond-encrusted rims you want to put on your sports car. Okay, to take it down a notch, how about eliminating food packaged in unrecyclable materials? Or food that is overladened with harmful ingredients? Even if you eliminated just one of those things that are bad for you and the environment, then you’re already taking a step towards something good. And most importantly, buy, use, and eat foods that are as fresh as possible and as close to your home as possible. Yes, the global economy could be affected if we don’t do business overseas, but that’s another story. What we need to accomplish here, in our own homes and lives, is improving our health and the health of our planet.

Buy organic, grow your own food, reduce use of products that are not readily recyclable or sustainable. I’m pretty sure in every household in America, we all have something that are geared towards a healthier life and planet. Now multiply that by 100 and you’ll have eliminated most of the bad things we know all to well of but can’t let go of. We don’t have to overindulge as human beings and we can teach our children the same thing too, so that they can teach their future generations the same philosophy. If you need resources on how to live healthier and help the planet as well, there are many great companies who can help you. Even if you type in the word “environment”, or “organic”, you’ll find an abundance of resources on those topics.

Here are my top 10 suggestions for not overindulging:

1- Buy only what you need and if you need it, buy more of it. If you don’t need it, then think 3 times about it before you purchase it.

2 – Eat as if you’re a newborn; you become very careful of what you put in your delicate new body.

3 – Donate items in your home that can benefit others. You’ll feel better at doing so.

4 – Don’t waste too much money on plastic. Yes, some plastic are important in our lives, but others, like toys, are not necessarily so.

5- Make a shopping list each and every time you go grocery shopping. And make sure you stick to that list!

6 – Portion out your food so that you don’t become gluttonous. It’ll help you maintain a healthy weight too.

7 – Don’t eat and buy foods just because they’re sitting there at the checkout counter. Companies do that to tempt you to buy.

8 – Reuse what you can and keep reusing it until it’s done with. Unless it’s hazardous to your health and the environment.

9 – Buy bulk when possible to reduce packaging waste and fuel emissions and put them in containers to use later.

10 – Most importantly: set good examples and your children will follow suit.

Some good resources to start on: Book, ‘Unjunk Your Junk Food’ (http://www.naturallysavvy.com/). Seventh Generation products (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/). Environment and Health organizations (www.healthychild.org) (http://www.ewg.org/) (http://www.ota.com/).

suzan1 Comment

Kiss My Face Kids Sun Collection – Products Worth Reviewing

Just because official Summer months are almost over doesn’t mean that sunscreen protection has to stop. In fact, over here at sunny California, currently we are getting a bit too much sun for our liking. It’s almost impossible to stay outside for even a few seconds but being outside is necessary especially for kids who want to play outside all of the time. So if you’re going to go outside with your kids, make sure to arm them with the best sunscreen possible. Sunscreen is crucial for preventing sunburns and skin damage later and children’s skin are much more susceptible to damage than adults. But not just any sunscreen will do. If you’re looking for something that is effective and made without any toxic ingredients, then you’ll have to be extra picky in what you choose.

When choosing the right sunscreen, it’s important to buy one that contains both UVA and UVB protection otherwise known as broad spectrum. Because the sun’s super strong rays can penetrate both clothing and skin, be extra diligent when your babies and children are outside. Choose sunscreens that are made with naturally-derived ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – both  are effective minerals derived from the earth. And make sure their products do not contain the controversial toxic ingredient oxybenzone. But perhaps the best protection besides lathering on sunscreen is protective clothing and a sun hat. Combined with both safe, effective sunscreen and protective clothing, your kids will still get the benefit of the sun’s much needed Vitamin D as well as excellent protection. And when you think about the sun, remember that the sun’s powerful rays can still penetrate car and house windows so for little kids riding in the car all day and especially during the strongest ray absorbtion (between 11am-2pm), they’ll need sunscreen before you put them in the car.

When we were searching for suncare products for both my son and I, we were introduced to Kiss My Face’s newest kids suncare collection. Kiss My Face has been making natural and effective skincare products for over 30 years and are constantly improving their products that promises to use only naturally-derived, plant based ingredients. We’ve been using Kiss My Face products for many years now and we especially enjoy their Kids line. In Kiss My Face’s kids line, they make everything from toothpaste to body wash to suncare so there’s definitely something you can find for your children to use. Our favorite is their bubble bath because not only does it create delicioiusly fun bubbles, but the smell is wonderful too. And what child doesn’t like to be bathed in bubbles?

Kiss My Face’s new suncare line currently comes in stick form as well as in a cream so it’s easier to apply to wiggly little kids who hates to stay still for even a few seconds. The easy to use glide on stick applies smoothly and quickly and it comes in fun colors blue, pink, and white. In both blue and pink, the colors stay on until it’s time to reapply. Once the colors are clear, then you’ll know it’s time to add some more sunscreen. Because the stick is a smaller size, it’s made specifically for the lips, nose, cheeks, and ears (often the hardest parts to apply sunscreen without a battle with your kids). And if your kids are old enough, you can even have them apply the stick sunscreen on themselves. It’s a lot of fun to see the light colors go on their skin and I like to tell my son that they are “warrior” paint. The fragrance isn’t overpowering and with essential oils of citrus fruits, you get a nice refreshing scent that won’t have your kids end up smelling like chemicals much like the other generic sunscreens.

I think what’s great about Kiss My Face’s new kids suncare collection is that they are fun to use as well as offer the best sun protection – with an SPF of 30. And I’m pleased with the fact that Kiss My Face cares about their consumers and the environment. If you’re going to use anything that goes on your children’s bodies, be sure that they do not contain anything toxic or might be harmful later on. With Kiss My Face, their ingredients are transparent so you can see what they offer and decide for yourself.  And not only does Kiss My Face make great products for kids, they have an extensive line of body and skincare products for adults too. Kiss My Face’s current lineup of products include bodywashes, handsoaps, moisturizers (my favorite is their Aloe & Olive Moisturizer), bar soaps (which was their initial products), toothpaste, shampoo, sun protection, and lip gloss, to name a few. Their complete line up natural body and skincare products makes it really easy to stick with one company so that you get the combined benefits. And each of their products uses essential oils so you don’t have those yucky smelling “fake” fragrances. You also won’t find any other toxic ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sls, or artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Their kids sun care products also has a low toxicity rating on the Environmental Working Group’s list of safe skincare database: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ with ratings between 1-3.

The good folks at Kiss My Face had sent me their Kids Sunstick in Blue, Pink, and White, as well as their sunscreen in cream form. My son thought the colored sticks were rather funny and I was glad that when the color was no longer blue, it indicated to me to add more sunscreen. Now that’s a real time-saver for parents! For more info about Kiss My Face and their new Sunsticks, please visit: http://www.kissmyface.com/. You can find Kiss My Face products at most natural grocery stores, in some Babies R Us and Toys R Us, as well as certain supermarkets that sells organic and natural products.

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.

*If you’re unsure about supplements, please be sure to consult your health practitioner before using.

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

suzanLeave a comment

Amy’s Kitchen – Products Worth Reviewing

People often ask me if being a vegetarian is hard to do. But honestly, I’ve been a vegetarian for so long, that I really can’t recall when I started. I think it was around when I was in junior high or maybe younger. But the main reasons for being a vegetarian is for the love of animals and for wanting to live a healthier lifestyle. There’s never a wrong reason to start being a vegetarian but you have to know what type of foods to eat to sustain your energy and maintain good health. Being a vegetarian isn’t about eating potato chips or fried okras all day. And yes, although they’re vegetables, they’re not altogether nutritious or necessarily healthier.

On the other hand, you don’t have to be a strict vegetarian to enjoy vegetarian food either. Vegetarian food is all about a balanced diet and obviously not eating any animals. In fact, most plant-based foods such as soy and nuts contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that you can’t necessarily find in meat. And vegetarian fare can be really delicious and satisfying. I personally think there are more flavor in vegetarian-style foods because you can use any kind of spices, seasonings, and condiments to add to your dishes. And they’re also beautiful to look at to what with the glorious reds, oranges, greens, and yellows, vegetarian dishes are pleasing to the eyes and the palettes. I’m constantly finding new ways to cook more vegetarian food mainly because my husband was raised on eating meat and only meat and I want him to understand the importance of eating more plant-based foods. Our son loves most vegetables as it is and he absolutely enjoys fruits no matter what. So luckily getting my son to eat more vegetables isn’t a problem.

If you’re seriously thinking about starting a vegetarian lifestyle, then there are countless of resources to help you with that. One great company who dedicates their business on feeding people healthier meat-alternative foods is Amy’s Kitchen (http://www.amys.com/). Amy’s Kitchen has been making meatless frozen foods for over 20 years and their perfection in making high quality, delicious, and nutritious foods are indicated in every dish that they make. Amy’s makes frozen foods that ranges from frozen pizzas, to veggie burgers, to burritos, to Asian-style meals, to kid’s meals, and they recently added gluten-free shortbread cookies to their immaculate line of desserts. Speaking of desserts, if you’ve ever wondered about the taste of gluten-free cakes, then wonder no more! Amy’s makes a gluten-free chocolate cake that is super moist, not overly sweet, and oh-so-chocolately. Of course they make regular cakes and desserts as well and they are all equally good and delicious.

Amy’s Kitchen originated over 20 years ago when a love for wholesome, natural, healthy foods was just starting. The founders, who named their company after their daughter, wanted to provide other families with foods made from natural and organically-grown ingredients that also tastes like they were made from your own kitchen. With a “made from scratch” quality and recipes, Amy’s little home-based business soon grew into a much larger company and their products can now be found in most natural grocery stores as well as major supermarkets that carry natural and organic products. At Amy’s, every aspect of their business, from sourcing locally grown foods to packaging to manufacturing is under the strict eye of the family. They believe that in order for food to taste good and to be appreciated, it’s important to be part of every aspect possible. Amy’s owners promises to make every dish from scratch, using scratch sauces, organically and locally grown ingredients, and recipes that everyone can enjoy – whether you’re a vegetarian or not. And at Amy’s health is the most important part of their business – healthy food choices promotes a healthier lifestyle and eating less meat is better for the environment and for the animals.

My son absolutely loves Amy’s Macaroni and Cheese and Veggie Loaf. The Macaroni and Cheese is made with organic whole flours, organic seasonings, and organic milk. It has a delicate and creamy texture and the flavor of cheese is delightfully smooth and not too heavy. The Macaroni and Cheese comes in several versions – Dairy Free Rice Macaroni and Cheez, Light in Sodium Macaroni and Cheese, Regular Macaroni and Cheese, Macaroni and Soy Cheez, and Rice Mac and Cheese. That’s one of the great things about Amy’s – they provide delicious food for everyone in mind. The Veggie Loaf is loaded with nutritious ingredients such as organic peas, organic carrots, organic corn, organic mushrooms, organic oats, and several other wonderful ingredients. The Veggie loaf resembles your typical meat loaf but it’s filled with so much more nutritious ingredients and loaded with lots of vitamins. Their sauce is really extraordinaire and if only they would include more sauce or even sell it in a bottle! We’re also fans of Amy’s pizzas because they are made with a thin crust and filled with so many ingredients, the local pizza restaurant couldn’t even compete. Amy’s makes over 20 different varieties of frozen pizzas so I’m pretty sure you’ll find something to your liking. Our favorites are the Broccoli & Spinach White Pizza which is made with a gentle blend of organic cream sauce and organic broccoli and spinach. And their Italiano Pizza which is made with meatless sausage, mushrooms, and bell peppers, and their Spinach Pizza which is loaded with lots of vitamin-rich spinach. If you ever want to “sneak” vegetables into your children’s diets, then let them try Amy’s frozen pizzas. The vegetables are all in there, but they’re blended so well and seasoned so finely, that your kids won’t mind eating their veggies at all.

The good folks at Amy’s knew that we were fans of their food so they sent us some coupons to pick up any variety that we wanted. We decided to try their Broccoli and Spinach White Pizza (which has now become our favorite frozen pizza), their Indian Paneer Tikka which was paired nicely with organic basmati rice and swimming in a delectable tomato and coconut cream sauce, and their Cheese Pizza Snacks, which by the way, is my son’s other favorite Amy’s food. Amy’s makes such a great selection of organic and natural foods that it’ll take awhile to try them all. I’m so glad that there really are so many products to choose from that if I’m ever too tired to cook a meal for myself or I want to fix a quick, wholesome, delicious, and natural snack for my son, I can count on Amy’s to provide them for me.

If you need more info about Amy’s Kitchen’s foods, please visit their website: http://www.amys.com/. Their website also contains tons of great information about how to eat healthier, incredible recipes, as well as their delightful food blog, The Lemonslice. Amy’s carry products for those with gluten-sensitivity, for vegans and vegetarians, and for those with certain food allergies. And since all of their products are made with ingredients that have not been genetically modified or engineered, whether they’re organically grown or not, I have another thing I don’t have to worry about feeding to my son.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happym omblogger” 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

suzanLeave a comment

New England Natural Bakers – Products Worth Reviewing

Throughout the years, farmers, bakers, children, adults, even certain animals know about the importance of including whole grains in the daily diet. There’s something magical about a whole grain product as it touches your palette and fulfills a satisfying hunger. Whole grains contain all of the important layers of the grain and maintains all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients found in that particular grain. And a solid known fact about whole grains – they taste a whole lot better than their stripped down counterparts. Whole grains fill you up faster too and keeps you fuller longer and they’re so versatile to eat with.

We started giving our son whole grain wheat bread, whole grain cereal, and whole grain rice (brown rice) since he was old enough to chew them. Then later on, he discovered the wonders of whole grain granola. When I had him taste a handful of granola made with the best stuff on earth, he couldn’t stop eating them and hence, we’ve added whole grain granola into our repertoire of whole grain foods. If you’ve ever had granola, then you’ll know how addicting it can be and how versatile it is too. You can add virtually anything into your granola, granted they’re healthy ingredients of  course, and you can either sweeten them with natural sweeteners or leave as is. I usually like to add chocolate chips into my granola to give it some natural sweetness and flavor. Making granola on your own is fairly easy to make but it can be time consuming and costly if you’re making them with organic and all-natural goodness. So what if you don’t have the time or the resources to make homemade granola? Well, you turn to a company that promises you all-natural granola made with the finest and most delectable ingredients on earth. When we were introduced to New England Naturals not too long ago, I was impressed by their ingredients for natural, organic, and wholesome granola and trail mix and when I tasted them, I was even more impressed. Their gourmet, wholesome granola and baked goods were naturally sweet and naturally good for you. They make unique and delicious granola mixes that will surely please anyone of any age and gender.

At New England Naturals Bakers (http://www.newenglandnaturalbakers.com/vvv/), the family of bakers know their stuff . Starting with only organic and all-natural ingredients, they blend a fusion of sweet, tangy, savory flavors in their granola and they can be eaten as is or mixed into yogurt, eaten with milk or baked into your regular baked goods. Granola can be super delicious sprinkled on top of baked apples or pears and wonderful with ice cream too! There was a time when I ate granola with everything – yes, it was a bit addictive but I found so many uses for granola that it was fun to experiment. Maybe you’ll find new uses with granola and share the experiences! With New England Naturals granola, I didn’t have to worry about any unhealthy ingredients in their granola, so enjoy them as you would any other granola, except they’re made with better ingredients.

With granola and trail mix from New England Naturals, they’re not all about great-tasting food. They’re also famous for making granola filled with healthy anti-oxidant ingredients including flax and chia seeds. Both seeds are full of healthy Omega 3 and 6’s and if you’re going to enjoy some yummy granola, why not include some anti-oxidant powered foods in them too? New England Naturals also makes wonderful trail mixes filled with healthy and delicious ingredients such as Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, chocolate “drops” (which are chocolate chips), dried fruits, and many others. Their granola include scrumptious ingredients such as organic flax seeds, maple syrup, sunflower seeds, dried fruits, delicate spices including nutmeg and cinnamon, and all sweetened with organic and natural brown rice syrup or honey. The base of their granola ofcourse is whole rolled oats so you get all of the natural goodness of oat grains which is part of the designation of The Whole Grains Council and their belief that eating whole grain reduces the risk of many chronic illnesses. And as I mentioned before, there’s just something more delicious about the taste of whole grains – they taste nuttier, sweeter, and full of intense flavor. If you’ve never tried granola or any kind of whole grain food, then you’re missing out on some ultra delicious foods.

New England Natural Bakers began as a love for baking wholesome, natural foods that everyone will enjoy. Feeling a need for the community to have fresh, delicious, and good-for-you baked goods, the company New England Natural Bakers arised and soon became a popular name throughout the country. Now, you can find New England Natural’s granola, trail mixes, and granola bars at most natural grocery stores and they sell a variety of flavors to choose from. With interesting flavors such as All Natural Honey Nut Cinnamon Granola, Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice Organic Granola, and Save the Forest Chocolate Mix, your senses will sure be intrigued and your tastebuds wanting more. My son thoroughly enjoys their granola and he eats them like “candy” because his words are everytime he eats a New England Naturals granola, “Yum! They taste like candy!”. Well, that could be a good thing for parents considering we’re all trying to steer our children away from actual candy and substitute it with something that’s just as sweet, but only healthier.

The good folks at New England Natural Bakers knew how much we enjoy our granolas so they had sent us an assortment of flavors to try. We tried delicious flavors such as Organic Maple Nut Chewy Granola Bars, Organic Antioxidant Granola, Organic Chocolate Omega Chewy Granola, Banana Walnut Granola (this was great with milk and sliced bananas!), Honey Nuts and Cinnamon Granola, and several others. They were all unique in their own flavor profile, yet similar in their natural sweetness and flavorful crunchiness. The chewy granola bars were great, because I’m not really into crunchy bars and they were moist, soft, yet yielded a slight bite. But what I enjoy most about New England Naturals baked goods is that they’re not overly sweet yet sweet enough so that you don’t have to add any sugar in them like some people might. With dried fruits and chocolate chips in some of their granola, why would you want to add any additional sugars in them anyway? New England Natural Bakers granolas, bars, and trail mixes are wholesome and uses only the finest of natural ingredients.  And since they also make gluten-free versions, they’re great if you’re on a gluten-sensitive diet. For more info about New England Natural Bakers, please visit their website: http://www.newenglandnaturalbakers.com/vvv/. You can also order their products online.

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

suzan2 Comments

Seasnax – Products Worth Reviewing

There’s something magical about seaweed that’s hard to explain, but once you’ve tasted them, you’ll know what I mean. Seaweed is nature’s natural powerfood. They are full of important vitamins and minerals, contains important essential fatty acids, and have valuable plant protein. Most of us have had seaweed one time or another, whether it’s in Sushi, in Miso Soup, or even as a facial, we enjoy it, but not many people know the health benefits of seaweed. We’re seaweed lovers in our family. I was raised eating them and my son loves them explicitly. In fact, his relationship with seaweed equates to a guy who loves his car. There’s no denying that seaweed has a unique taste and texture and that it also comes in many forms, shapes, and flavors. There are also countless ways of eating them and preparing them. But our favorite way is to eat dried seaweed by itself so we can enjoy the intense flavors that seaweed offers.

Seaweed has come a long way from once being only enjoyed by certain cultures and ethnic groups. For many seaside countries, seaweed is a staple and it’s eaten almost exclusively. In the US however, most people only know them as part of the wrap that goes around the rice in Sushi or they may find bits and pieces of seaweed in some Miso soups. But to truly enjoy seaweed, it’s best eating them raw or dried. When we learned about a company called SeaSnax, I was intrigued at the many varieties of seaweed that they offered and was delighted when they sent us their dried, roasted SeaSnax to try.

The folks at SeaSnax (http://www.seasnax.com/) know a lot about seaweed. They make everything from dried seasoned seaweed snacks, to shredded seaweed, to seaweed salads, to dried seaweed flakes. Their seaweed are all-natural, delicious, and so versatile. In fact, with SeaSnax’s seaweeds, you can enjoy them as is, sprinkled in soups, salads, sandwiches, stir-fried dishes, and ofcourse in rice. We love seaweed mostly eaten in dried form but I also like to use raw seaweed in soups for a different kind of flavor and texture. SeaSnax’s seaweeds come from Korea, which is a major grower and supplier of seaweed and they use the ever-popular Nori seaweed which has a delicate and versatile flavor. And because SeaSnax’s seaweeds are flavored with only non-GMO natural ingredients, you can be sure that you’re getting something wholesome and pure.

The beauty of seaweed, which not many people know, is that they are a superfood and can be enjoyed by vegetarians and vegans. Seaweed contains important nutrients such as iodine, calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium. Seaweed also provides fiber, vitamins including  B1, B6, and E, enzymes and high quality proteins. Sea vegetables also have a higher proportion of essential fatty acids than land plants. One sheet of raw nori usually conatins about .5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. Seaweed is low fat, low carb, gluten free and sugar free. Perhaps the best part of seaweed besides all those important vitamins and minerals is that it’s rich in iodine. The iodine found in seaweed stimulates the thyroid, increasing metabolism and therefore burning more calories. Americans don’t get enough iodine in their daily diet alone, so adding seaweed, whether dried or in raw form can help with more iodine consumption.

The company SeaSnax was founded in the belief that seaweed as part of the sea vegetable family should be an important food in everyone’s life. The owners and creators own children are fanatics about seaweed and thus the company’s motto is: “We make SeaSnax as if our own kids eat them every day, because they do”. Since their own children snack on these seaweed snacks, they are extremely diligent in providing the public with high-quality, safe, and nutritious sea vegetables. They are also non-GMO verified and test their seaweed on a regular basis and since SeaSnax is a family-owned and operated business, quality and taste is what builds their reputation. You can currently find SeaSnax products at most natural grocery stores as well as ordering them online on their website.

The lovely folks at SeaSnax knew how much we adored seaweed so they sent us a variety of their dried seaweed snacks to try and review. We received SeaSnax’s Classic Olive flavor, Toasty Onion flavor, Chipotle flavor, Wasabi flavor, and Sea Sprinkles. Our favorites are the Classic Olive and Toasty Onion flavor. The Wasabi was really spicy but strangely addicting and the Sea Sprinkles are great over basically anything! So for the health of your children and for yourself, give SeaSnax seaweed a try – you won’t be disappointed and your body and tastebuds will thank you for it!

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.

*If you’re unsure about supplements, please be sure to consult your health practitioner before using.

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

suzanLeave a comment