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Surf Sweets – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway (A Valentine’s Treat)

What do kids love more than anything in this world (well, besides their mommy of course)? I can safely say, candy is a great love of any child. There’s something ethereal in the connections between a child and his sweets. It could be anything – chocolates, lollipops, gumballs, and they’d act like it’s their best friend. Perhaps it’s the sugar rush or the way candies look. You can find some pretty interesting-looking candies out there that are of course, designed specifically for a child in mind. My son loves gummy candies. I’m not particularly fond of their stickiness, but a good teeth brushing should clean up any stickiness afterward. However, when it comes to gummy candies, it’s best to choose ones that are made with natural ingredients rather than the artificially-flavored, commercial gummy candies you can find anywhere.

If you’re looking for a really unique, delicious, and healthier version of gummy candies, then look no further than Surf Sweets. Surf Sweets makes organic, and all-natural candies for kids of any age. Surf Sweets makes a fun assortment of sweets that any kid will recognize, such as Gummy Worms, Gummy Bears, and Jelly Beans. All of their sweets are made with natural ingredients and natural fruit juices and do not contain any artificial colors or flavors or any kind of preservatives. And each serving of Surf Sweet sweets (1 bag) contains 100% of Vitamin C, so your child is getting his much needed Vitamin C. And the most important part is – their gummy sweets are so delicious and not overly sweet. I like to give a bag of Surf Sweets gummy candies as a treat for my son and I can’t help myself but nibble on a few pieces as well. Their candies are easy to eat and fun to look at and the portion size isn’t too big so you can really limit on how much gummy candies you want to give your children.

I think at one point in our lives, we have all fallen in love with the chewy, sweet, oh-so-fun gummy candies that we all grew up with. There’s just something really fun and unique about a gummy candy shaped like a teddy bear or a worm or a frog. It reminds us of simpler, happier times when we can just sit in front of our porch by the lake, dip our feet into the warm water and take a bite into our chewy gummy worms. Childhood is very important and eating the right kind of snacks for a child is equally important. It teaches children the importance of snacking responsibly and that it’s okay to have a little fun with your snacks. With Surf Sweet sweets, your child can snack happily, and you can feel good about serving your child something made with organic and natural ingredients.

Surf Sweets was built with the idea that it’s okay to snack – as long as you do it with natural ingredients with added health benefits. For Surf Sweets, those added health benefits is the addition of Vitamin C in each pack of their gummy candy. A full serving contains 100% of Vitamin C, a vitamin crucial for any growing kids and adults. Surf Sweets makes a great assortment of gummy products such as Gummy Worms, Gummy Swirls, Gummy Bears, Fruity Bears, Jelly Beans, Sour Worms, and Sour Berry Bears. Gummy Swirls, Fruity Bears, and Sour Berry Bears have a sugar coating to give it an extra kick of flavor and crunch so watch out for sticky fingers! Although they do contain some organic sugar, you can limit your children’s intake of sugar with these gummy candies since they are bite-sized and you don’t need to eat an entire bag to be satisfied – a few are already deliciously satisfying.

Surf Sweets are also supporters of The Ocean Project. After all, their name indicates that they love water! Since we also love water and gummy sweets, Surf Sweets was kind enough to send me samples of their gummy snacks and their newest Fruity Hearts which is available only around Valentine’s Day. So be sure to pick up a few bags of their Fruity Hearts http://www.surfsweets.com/products_fruityhearts.php for your child’s Valentine’s Day treats or even for yourself! Imagine giving your sweetheart a small tray of Surf Sweet’s Fruity Hearts for him/her to place on their desk at work to munch on anytime. Surf Sweets would also like to give 1 LUCKY winner of Happymomblogger a goody bag of an assortment of Surf Sweets candies, including the Fruity Hearts. You can share with your children or your sweetheart or eat them all by yourself – either way, you won’t be disappointed with their candies. So how do you win this goody bag of sweets from Surf Sweets? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Surf Sweets Valentine giveaway:

(Please note, the rules have changed slightly. Please read carefully before entering)

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” Surf Sweets on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-Sweets-Organic-Gummy-Candy/37388756721?ref=ts and write on their wall that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger: http://www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com/. Please put Happymomblogger as the heading.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: 

#2 entry – Become a follower: http://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Surf Sweets giveaway. Become a follower of Surf Sweets: http://twitter.com/#!/SurfSweets and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#4 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#5 entry – Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs using the link provided below.

You can enter by telling me the 5 entries in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. Please be sure to give me your name and email address so that I may contact you if you win. Contest is open to residents of US only. 18 years and older please. Please be sure to provide a physical address and not a P.O. Box. Only 1 contestant per household please. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of prize. Any violation of the rules will deem your entry as disqualified. Happymomblogger is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged prizes but will do the best to ensure your prize gets there. In the event the winner can not be reached within 3 days of email sent then another winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

Contest Start Date: February 6, 2012

Contest End Date: February 20, 2012 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED.

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s name on my blog.

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

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

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Pampers Kandoo at Target – Temporary Price Cuts!

If you’re a fan about teaching your kids to be self-reliant, then Pampers Kandoo toddlers and kids line will help you achieve that. Pampers Kandoo is a unique line made specific for little kids who want to wash their own hands, learn how to sanitize their own hands, and even wipe their little bottoms after going to the bathroom. They sell a complete line of cleaning products designed for kids who want to be “big kids”. Pampers Kandoo carries wet wipes (which can be entirely flushable), hand soaps, hand sanitizers, body washes, and shampoo. They sell a comprehensive line of products with natural fruit extracts that kids of any age will enjoy.

You can find Pampers Kandoo at most supermarkets and Target and currently Target is running a limited time offer at their stores. Now through Saturday, February 11, 2012 the best pricing on flushable wipes at Target can be found with the Pampers Kandoo 150 count package and the 400 count package. The 150-count package comes with a FREE TUB and is also $1.00 off. The 400-count package has been reduced by 15% off.                      So hurry in to Target and pick up some wipes to use at home, on the road, or anywhere else you might need them.

Happymomblogger is happy to provide you with deals across the nation targeted for children. The views in this post does not necessarily reflect Happymomblogger’s personal views and is listed as a special deal to her readers.

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Germaphobes Unite – What your dirty floors won’t tell you!

Some people say I’m a germaphobe. Well I’m fine with that and I’m not embarrassed to admit it. Without germaphobes in this world the personal and house cleaning industry would be bankrupt. Germaphobes keep the antibacterial hand soaps a popular item and disinfectants a common household word. Germaphobes know the difference between keeping bad germs at bay and keeping good germs within arms distance. Most importantly, germaphobes have a tendancy to really know how to keep themselves clean and their homes clean.

So besides keeping our bathrooms and kitchen clean (for obvious reasons), there is one thing that most of us tend to neglect in the cleaning department. That department is our floors. Our floors in our house is one of the dirtiest areas you can ever imagine. The floors in our house connects us from room to room, therefore it’s essential to keep them clean. But a lot of people clean them only once  a week or as needed. And that’s not nearly enough. Let me give you a scenario.

Imagine walking around outside all day, whether at the park, at your work, at school, at the bus station, or at the supermarket. Imagine you are walking at the park and you accidentally stepped on dog poo. And then you’re at the bus station and you stepped on someone’s leftover hot dog. And then you’re at the supermarket parking lot and you step on gum or what looks like gum, but could be anything sticky. Then imagine arriving at home and you walk inside your house, with your shoes on. Now you’ve brought into your lovely home all the stuff you just stepped on and has gathered ceremoniously onto the bottom of your shoes and is at that moment, being tracked all over your carpets, your wood floors, and your tiled floors. And then imagine your kids and your newborn crawling around on the same floors your shoes just smudged all over. Basically, they just got all that gunk that were on the bottom of your shoes onto their hands, clothes, or worse – in their mouths. Kids will be kids after all, and they don’t know about gross stuff underneath the bottom of shoes.

So if you can picture that scenario in your head, wouldn’t you be pretty disgusted by all the stuff that’s left on your floors? And if you only clean your floors once a week, then you’re just adding more dirt, grime, and germs onto the floors. And whatever you track on your floors will get tracked everywhere else in your home. So what can you do at this point? You’ve got a week’s worth or germs on your floors and probably in your bedroom as well. You can do a hard scrubbing at this point, disinfect, and then scrub really hard again. Or, you can take preventative measures in keeping your floors as clean as humanly possible.

What are some of the ways in keeping your floors clean and preventing germs from taking over your house? Here are some suggestions that we use at our home whether you’re a germaphobe or not.

– Remove your shoes before you enter your house. Not only are you tracking in dirt and grime from the outside world, but you could be potentially tracking in dangerous lead from older buildings, certain materials, and dirt.

– If you walk outside barefoot, clean your feet before you enter your house. The same theory applies to shoes as do feet – you’re still tracking in outside dirt and germs.

– Clean your floor with safe, non-toxic cleaning solutions. Good examples are Bona http://www.mybonahome.com/home.html, Bissell, or even making your own solution with vinegar and water (just make sure it’s 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water).

– Maintain a floor-cleaning routine. Clean your floors several times a day, or at best, once a day. Even if you have a huge house and many floors to clean, clean them at least every other day.

– Install non-toxic flooring options such as bamboo or natural wood. Install carpets that are made from non-toxic materials. If it’s not possible, then clean them with a natural solution or baking soda and a good vacuuming every time.

I believe the first 2 points are pretty important because if you can keep your dirty shoes from entering the house, you’re already preventing a lot of common dirt, grime, and germs from entering your home and onto your floors. Germs on your floors are not healthy and if you were to take a UV light used in most crime scenes and wave it on your floors, you’d probably find some pretty gross things. It’s funny, I have a few friends that tell me it’s okay to have germs in your house or on your hands because some germs are “safe”. Well, I can’t argue that certain germs are important to maintain a natural balance, but most germs are dangerous to your immune system. Your immune system is constantly changing and adapting and if you overload it with bad germs, then it’s gonna say to you one day, “hey, give me a break, will ya!”. And what’s ironic is that those same friends who dictate about germs are always getting sick. And I mean they are constantly sick with the cold, flu, or some kind of stomach flu. Hmm, maybe they need to think twice before telling me that germs are okay for you.

As the weather gets colder and we are too cold to clean the entire house, it’s crucial to remember to keep your floors clean at least. If you have little kids then that’s even more important. Kids love playing on the floor, lying on the floor, maybe even eating on the floor, so would you prefer your floors to be as clean as possible for your kids or do you want them to stick in their mouths the partially eaten hot dog that you stepped on the other day? So there you have it – it’s okay to be a little germaphobic when it comes to keeping your floors clean, free of toxins, and safe for your children.

I’m an official Healthy Child Healthy World blogger: www.healthychild.org.

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Plush Puffs Gourmet Marshmallows – Products Worth Reviewing

Ever wonder what real marshmallows taste like? Well, you can spend hours mixing the ingredients and waiting for them to cook, or you can buy something pretty close to homemade. In the instance of Plush Puffs, you get the homemade taste of real, natural marshmallows without the actual wait. And they’re super cute, super moist, and super yummy! Plush Puffs makes all-natural marshmallows for the confection connoisseurs and with one bite, you’ll instantly taste the difference between those other “regular” store-bought marshmallows and the luxurious Plush Puffs marshmallows.

While I enjoy most sweets, I am a bit picky when it comes to certain sweets, such as chocolates and marshmallows. I prefer my marshmallows to be moist, soft, and not too sweet. Also, the way they look is important too. How food looks really tells you how they were made. And Plush Puffs marshmallows not only taste fantastic, but they’re gorgeous looking too! Yes, it may be strange to think of marshmallows as a good-looking sweet treat, but as they say, you eat with your eyes first. Even the packaging for Plush Puffs are adorable too and they can’t help but catch your eye. When we were at Whole Foods Market, that was what caught my eyes immediately – the charming font used for their name and logo and the peekaboo see-through packaging where their luscious marshmallows are waiting for you to pick them up.

Plush Puffs gourmet marshmallows are truly the gourmet marshmallows that you wish you had time to make yet glad that someone else made it for you. They currently come in a variety of flavors such as Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Chocolate Chip, Gingerbread Spice, Caramel Swirl, Luscious Lemony Meringue, Toasted Coconut (my favorite!), Peppi-Mint, Simply S’mores, and a few others. All of them are a gorgeous natural color made with natural ingredients and a decent size to satisfy your sweet tooth. Plush Puffs marshmallows are made with only natural ingredients and contains no preservatives – but they are so moist and delicious, they probably won’t last long in your pantry as it is!

Plush Puffs gourmet marshmallows are made in small batches to ensure high-quality and superb quality control in every batch made. They’re made in their factory and then shipped straight to the stores for your immediate enjoyment. That’s why it may be hard to find them sometimes because they sell out so quickly in stores! And when the seasonal flavors are out, people are snatching them up for gifts, for entertaining, and just to keep on hand when you want some artisan marshmallows to munch on. I like Plush Puffs marshmallows as they are, and so does my son, but we also enjoyed them in our hot chocolate and melted in our toaster oven. They’re like super soft, super moist, and super luxurious marshmallows that you don’t normally keep on hand, but ever since I was given a few boxes to taste test, I still have a box left tucked secretly inside our pantry.

Plush Puffs gourmet marshmallows was created by two chefs who loves sweets just as much as their kids do. So when the chance came up to invent a new kind of flavored marshmallow, the chefs couldn’t help but come up with their own version of gourmet marshmallows. And I do have to say, they really hit the mark with these yummy marshmallows! Currently, you can find Plush Puffs gourmet marshmallows in Whole Foods Market, certain gourmet shops, and certain supermarkets. You can also order directly from their website: http://www.plushpuffs.com/ordering. I was immensely delighted when Plush Puffs sent me a variety of their gourmet marshmallows to try over the holidays and I think you’ll find them delightful too. They are great for children and adults, and because they’re made with only natural ingredients, you can eat them without too much guilt. For more info about Plush Puffs gourmet marshmallows, please visit their website: www.plushpuffs.com. And don’t forget about Valentine’s Day this year. If you celebrate this holiday, then pick up a few boxes of Plush Puffs gourmet marshmallows to delight your sweetheart or children with some decadent marshmallows!

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

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“What’s Essential” – Contest with Nordic Naturals

It’s funny, as I’m writing this new post, I am reminded of my earlier post regarding compassion and the importance of it. It’s what I believe is “essential” to a healthy lifestyle. Why is compassion essential to living a healthier lifestyle? Well, when you show compassion and you practice it, then your life becomes less complicated and you open your heart and mind to better things and higher achievements. There is less hatred, anger, and bitterness and you are also helping someone or something achieve a higher state of being as well.

Compassion is essential in everyone’s life because it helps the world become a better place. Yes, it may sound like a beauty pageant answer, but when you really delve into the reasons behind compassion and why it’s important, you’ll understand that everyone – children and adults – need to practice it.  For me, compassion should be placed especially on those who need it – people, animals, plants, you name it. When you help an old lady carry her grocery bags to her car or help someone who has fallen, or help an injured animal to safety, you are showing those you are helping that they are not alone in their hardship. Thus, you have given them a better reason to be happier and to achieve something better.

I think one reason why I became a vegetarian was when I was a little girl, I witnessed an injustice done upon an animal. It saddened me at that time and I really couldn’t understand why anyone would hurt an innocent animal. From then on, I realized that eating animals wasn’t right – we have no right in eating an animal. I mean, what’s next – eating humans? There may be many reasons why we want to feel compassion and why we feel compelled to be compassionate. If you find your own reason, then it becomes easier to show it and to teach others as well.

Currently, Nordic Naturals, who is a leading manufacturer of natural vitamins for children and adults, is conducting a contest on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/nordicnaturals?ref=ts&sk=wall and their website:  http://whatsessential.com/ on “What is Essential” to you. It could be anything meaningful to you and you have the chance to share your story on their Facebook page or their website. If you win, you can win a trip to Caifornia or a Canon camcorder! As an official Healthy Child Healthy World blogger, I was given the opportunity to share this contest with you. Below are the details to the contest:

Share your What’s Essential™ story, and enter to win a ticket to California!

We want to know what matters most in your life. So we’ve designed the What’s Essential contest that will run from January to April 2012 with prizes to get you motivated and musing! What’s Essential to you? Is it spending time with friends and family? Is it hanging with your pet? Finishing a marathon this year, or perhaps running a mile every day? Share your What’s Essential story, and enter to win!

How to enter? It’s simple…

1. Like us on Facebook or visit www.whatsessential.com
2. Submit your What’s Essential story and accompanying image
3. Tell your friends, and their friends, to share their What’s Essential story, too!

What you will win:
The What’s Essential Contest will award 19 prizes to the top What’s Essential entries. Here’s what they win!
Grand Prize Winner: One winner will receive a trip for two to Santa Cruz, California with all the trimmings, including airfare, car rental, hotel, spending money, Nordic Naturals award winning omegas and more*!
Second Prize Winners: Each of the six Second Prize winners will receive one Canon® Vixia HF M400 camcorder and a one-year supply of Nordic Naturals award winning omegas.*
Third Prize Winners: Each of the twelve Third Prize winners will receive a one-year supply of Nordic Naturals award winning omegas.*
 *See official rules at whatsessential.com.

 Good luck and if you’re a lucky winner, be sure to let us know!

 

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

 

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Year of the Dragon

Some say that the Dragon sign is the most auspicious sign within the Chinese Zodiac. The Dragon is a mythical creature therefore it is known for it’s good fortune, strength, and cosmic abilities. January 23, 2012 marked the beginning of the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar. It’s also celebrated as Chinese New Year in Asia, the US, Canada, and anywhere Asians celebrate the Chinese New Year. The Year of the Dragon Chinese New Year celebration usually lasts around 2 weeks and based on the Lunar calendar, the dates for the start of the new year is around late January to early February.

The Dragon sign according to the Chinese Zodiac sign is the 5th in cycle of the 12 cycles (or animals). The Dragon in Chinese belief is known for its power, authority, and mystical abilities. It is honored rather than slain, like you’ll find in Western tales of the past. Characteristics of the Dragon signs are: Innovative, Enterprising, Self-Assured, Brave, Passionate, Conceited, Scrutinizing, and Quick-Tempered. And the Year of the Dragon 2012 marks the Water Dragon who are usually calmer, more perceptive, and more patient than the other elements.

Chinese New Year is usually a very exciting and fun event. Dragon and Lion dances celebrate the beginning of the event by “scaring” away the evil spirits. There are also traditional Chinese dancers dressed in traditional gowns as they dance and escort the Dragon and Lions. Chinese drums, flutes, and other instruments help celebrate the events with beautiful traditional music. The Dragon and Lion dance is fun to watch as you see the Dragon weave its way throughout the crowd as it follows the sound of the Chinese Drum to eventually lead to the front of the podium and “eats” an auspicious ball as a way of thanking and blessing its people. Fireworks are played thoughout the event to scare away evil spirits as well and the color Red is adorned throughout everywhere. Red is known as a lucky color according to the Chinese traditions and people will be wearing red, having red decorations at home, and eating something red. My favorite of all, is the Red Envelope which is a traditional way of blessing good fortune upon the receiver of the Red Envelope. Inside the Red Envelope there is usually money that you will give to children and elders and sometimes young newlyweds. When you receive the Red Envelope, it is customary to kneel on the floor in front of your elders and bless them with good health and good fortune as they hand you the Red Envelop.

Chinese New Year is usually the largest celebration in China and Taiwan as preparations for the holiday begins months ahead. It is customary to clean your entire house before the start of Chinese New Year to “sweep” away any evil spirits that may be lingering and to clean out the bad and the dirty. Decorations of auspicious words and characters are hung throughout the house and some even have fireworks (if allowed) and the “Nian Gao” which is a traditional year cake made with rice flour is eaten to give the person heightened prosperity. In Chinatown and across Chinese Buddhist temples in the US, the Chinese New Year is celebrated immensely with the Dragon and Lion dances, traditional Chinese dances, music, fireworks and good cheer throughout.

If you search through your local listings, you can probably find Chinese New Year celebrations still going on throughout the week and weekend. If you missed it this year, be sure to check it out next year as the Chinese New Year celebrations are not to be missed!

Happy Year of the Dragon – may you all be blessed with good fortune, good health, and prosperity!

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