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What happens when you pour cold, organic milk over crunchy, delicious cereal? You get an incredibly happy face and tummy. What is it about really good cereal paired with milk? Is it the delightful blend of sweetness and smoothness that satisfies your hungry tastebuds? Or perhaps it’s the delicate crunch of a nut or the soft chewiness of a piece of cranberry in the cereal? For whatever reasons you enjoy cereal, there’s also the fun fact that you can eat cereal on its own, without any milk. You can also mix it with other ingredients to create a healthy, customized trail mix. Cereal is so versatile and delicious that it’s a basic food staple in most US households.

One particular company which has also become a regular household name is Kashi. Kashi makes wholesome, natural, and delicious food which includes ready to eat cereal, hot cereal, cereal bars, granola bars, cookies, crackers, pizza, frozen entrees, waffles, and pilaf. In fact, they make such a great assortment of products that you probably have a few of their items already in your pantry. Kashi has been making all-natural food for over 20 years and began with a young couple in La Jolla, California who initially searched for a nutritionally balanced breakfast that was both satisfying and fulfilling. Their experiment and expertise eventually led them to create their signature 7 Whole Grains and Sesame, with each grain carefully selected for its nutritional benefit and flavor. As the company grew, more products were added to their lineup with their 7 Whole Grains and Sesame included in each recipe. Kashi makes a wonderful assortment of products for everyone of every age. My son loves their Original 7 Grain TLC Crackers and their organic Strawberry Fields cereal. Kashi’s organic Strawberry Fields cereal is truly unique in that it’s both sweet and tart and has a unique blend of organic strawberries and rasberries.

Kashi uses only natural ingredients so you’re getting natural goodness in every bite – they make every effort in omitting any artificial or unnnecessary ingredients in their food. They are also supporters of sustainability in all of their company efforts and promotes healthy living regularly through their tours, on their website and Facebook, and through partnerships. Currently Kashi is running several programs for the public such as their 2011 Kashi REAL Tour, Recylebank Rewards, and several others: http://www.kashi.com/events. So in a nutshell, Kashi is truly about promoting a healthy life and a healthy planet.

What sets Kashi cereal apart from other conventional cereal is their unique 7 whole grains blend that’s a part of their entire cereal line. What’s 7 whole grains you may ask? Well, Kashi’s creative and ultra-nutritious cereal contains a blend of hard red wheat, brown rice, triticale, barley, oats, buckwheat, and rye. In fact, their motto is, “7 Are Better Than One”. According to Kashi’s philosophy, eating more than one grain is like eating a diversity of fruits and vegetables – you’re giving your body more nutrients and vitamins that is essential to a healthier life. We all know that whole grains is a natural part of our diet. Be it rice, pasta, cereal, bread, or oatmeal, grains fuel our life and provide us with energy and overall vitality. But when you eat them as whole grains (without being stripped of its essential nutrients), you’re eating more of it in it’s natural state, therefore you’re getting more vitamins and minerals out of it. Kashi also adds sesame seeds to their 7 whole grain blend which provides additional nutrients and taste to their already delicious line of healthy food.

Kashi sent me an assortment of cereal and crackers to try and review. With Kashi’s healthy partnership with Recyclebank, they are currently highlighting 7 unique cereals that is tied with Recyclebank’s current rewards program. The seven cereals are: Autumn Wheat®, Cinnamon Harvest® , Island Vanilla®, and Strawberry Fields cereals (organic), and  Kashi® Honey Sunshine®, Berry Blossoms™ and Golden Goodness™ cereals. And with each box that you purchase and recycle, you earn 50 points each. The two crackers that I tried which are not part of the Recyclebank program are TLC Pita Crisps
Original 7 Grain with Sea Salt and TLC Pita Crisps in Zesty Salsa. Both are crunchy, crispy and super tasty. The pita crisps were not too hard to bite into and the flavors were just right – not too salty and just the right amount of spiciness in the Zesty Salsa flavor.

In conjunction with Recyclebank, Kashi has once again partnered with Recyclebank to help you learn more about their products and earn points for really great rewards on Recyclebank. If you’ve never heard of Recyclebank, it is a really impressive program that specializes in all about being environmentally conscious. Through their program, you can watch videos, read articles and tips, earn recycling points by curbside recycling or sending in your used electronics, and many other ways of earning and learning. With this current program running with Kashi and Recyclebank, Kashi has also generously offered 1 LUCKY winner of Happymomblogger a chance to win their 7 cereals. The winner will receive 7 of the above mentioned cereals in full size boxes to enjoy! To learn more about the program and for a chance to win, please visit the following websites: http://www.kashi.com/events/recyclebank and http://www.recyclebank.com/kashi.

You may be interested in watching a brief clip that details the interesting lifecycle of a cereal box – from original purchase at the grocery store to gaining a second life at the recycling facility.  Any participating Recyclebank members who watch the video and answer a few short questions will earn 25 Recyclebank points (good towards a variety of rewards).  You can earn points for watching and answering a few short questions. You can view here: www.recyclebank.com/kashipoints ·Look out for specially marked packages of Kashi cereals with the “Recycle for Rewards” callout to earn bonus Recyclebank points.  

I’ve been a Recyclebank member for several years now and have racked up a lot of points. I’ve been able to redeem my points for rewards such as free product coupons and I’m planning on saving my points for other rewards coming up. If you visit their site regularly, you’ll learn about a lot of great things on how to save money, live a greener lifestyle, and participate in fun and interesting activities. So become a member of Recyclebank, participate in Kashi’s program at Recyclebank, learn, and make your points grow!

To enter in the Kashi/Recyclebank 7 Cereal giveaway, read below for details:

Here’s how to enter in the Kashi/Recylebank giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Kashi on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/kashi and write on their wall that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger: http://www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com/. Please put Happymomblogger as the heading. “Like” Recyclebank on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RecycleBank and write on their wall that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: 

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

#3 entry – Visit http://www.kashi.com/ and tell me what flavor/variety you would like to try.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Enter in my other contests.

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

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: September 30, 2011

Contest End Date: October 14, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED.

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s names 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

When you’re in the mood for a warm, comforting, and satisfying bowl of soup, sometimes you want it instantly but you don’t have the time to make it. You look in your pantry and heave a big sigh of relief when you discover that you have a few cartons of Pacific Natural Food’s premade soup waiting for you. You open up the carton carefully, sniff the fragrant aroma of something creamy and herby and delightfully pour the soup into your pot on the stove. As you impatiently wait for the soup to heat up, stirring every so often, all of a sudden, the boiling broth indicates that your soup is ready. At last! Now you can sit down on your comfy couch and enjoy your healthy and delicious bowl of soup.

There is nothing like a really great bowl of soup or a refreshing glass of soy milk. In my house, we’re always drinking soup and some kind of dairy product – whether it’s organic milk, organic soy milk, or organic almond milk. One of my favorite brand that makes exceptional soups and beverages is Pacific Natural Foods. Pacific Natural Foods is an industry leader in making food products that are convenient, delicious, and wholesome. Their ingredients are all natural based and they also have a large organic line. The ingredients in their food are natural and simple – no unnecessary additives or preservatives.  It’s like making it yourself from scratch. Pacific Natural Foods make products such as organic and free range broths, creamy soups such as creamy tomato, roasted red pepper tomato (our favorite), french onion, curried red lentil, spicy black bean, and a few others. They also make hearty soups which are thicker with familiar flavors like poblano pepper and corn, chicken and wild rice, vegetable lentil, chicken noodle, butternut squash and few others. Other products are condensed soups, soup starters (a filling base soup where you can add your own ingredients to it), nut and grain beverages like almond milk, hazelnut milk, hemp milk, rice milk, and 7 grain. They also have soy beverages which includes vanilla, plain, and unsweetened, pot pies with flavors like beef, chicken, and turkey, and artisan pizzas. And one important factor of Pacific Natural Foods is that all of their soups and beverages are packaged in aseptic, recyclable cartons so they’re easy to store and safe to use.

With over 20 years of experience in the natural and organic food business, Pacific Natural Foods is located just outside of Portland, Oregon where they also have their own organic farms not too far away. Pacific Natural Foods is also the first company to establish their own program with the ability to identify and trace all of the ingredients used in their food. Because Pacific Natural Foods sources some of their ingredients from other farms, it was crucial for them to know all about the farms from where they get their ingredients from. Thus, the Certified to the Source program was established with the enviable ability to “trace every ingredient back to it’s roots”. In other words, they have clear and concise knowledge of how their ingredients are grown, harvested, and treated. This sounds like a wonderful concept as many companies out there do not know the source of their ingredients and sometimes their food gets compromised. Pacific Natural Foods also believes in giving back to the community and the environment through their Wetland Projects : http://www.pacificfoods.com/what-we-believe/wetlands , as a regular donor to the Oregon Food Bank, through their low carbon footprint impact, and with humane treatment of their animals on their farms: http://www.pacificfoods.com/what-we-believe/happy-animals. They also believe in using non-genetically-modified soybeans in their soy milk since it seems that soy products are among the rise in being genetically-modified.

As a wonderful gesture from Pacific Natural Foods, I was given many products from their soups and beverages to try and review. The products I received are included in the photo above and it was an ultimate joy to try them all. My favorites were the Organic Almond Milk and Ultra Soymilk, Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato (this soup was slightly sweet and tangy), Poblano Pepper and Corn Chowder (thick and smooth), and I enjoyed using their Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth to make many vegetable-based soups and stews. I also found their organic condensed soups to be a great base for additional ingredients. For instance, I added to their Cream of Celery soup some chopped organic potatoes, sauteed baby bella mushrooms, and some fresh herbs and it was an instant meal! Try their organic condensed soups in a breadbowl like you find in restaurants, except Pacific Natural Foods condensed soups are organic and made with ingredients that you know of. Their nut beverages, such as almond, soy, and hazelnut are refreshing by itself, but you may also use them in smoothies, in coffee, or in anything where you may want to replace regular cow’s milk. You’ll find that using a different type of milk in your usual recipes definitely adds an interesting and delicious twist! People will be asking about your “secret” ingredient.

For more info about Pacific Natural Foods, please visit their website: http://www.pacificfoods.com. On their site, they also offer coupons periodically and if you sign up for their newsletter, you’ll receive really great and creative recipes using their products and sometimes coupons too! You can also visit them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PacificNaturalFoods and Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/pacificfoods. You can currently find Pacific Natural Foods at most natural grocery stores and certain supermarkets throughout the country.

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

With the holiday season sneaking up on us, we have enough to worry about with the preparations, cooking, buying presents, decorations, and so forth. So when it comes to safety in our home and with our families, we sometimes put that on the back burner. September is Baby Safety Month and in coordination with UL (Underwriters Laboratories), I’ve provided some basic and easy tips and info on keeping our young children safe from birth to toddler age. UL has been an industy leader in providing safe, environmentally-friendly, and comprehensive certification on products and services for the home and business. Below are outlines of  their safety advice for Baby Safety Month and Halloween Safety:

Baby Safety Tips:

PURCHASING A CRIB:

When purchasing a crib, make sure there is no more than 2 3/8″ between slats; corner posts do not extend more than 1/16 of an inch above the end panels; and headboards and footboards do not contain cutout areas.

FROM 1-3 MONTHS:

Do not keep large pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in your newborn’s crib. These may pose a suffocation hazard for infants.

FROM 4-6 MONTHS:

When shopping for a highchair (or inspecting a hand-me-down), look for a base wider than the top; safety straps for that go around the waist and between the legs; and a post between the legs to prevent your baby from slipping under the tray.

FROM 7-9 MONTHS:

Get down on your hands and knees and search each room for objects or situations that may endanger your baby. You’d be surprised at the sharp corners and small objects that you may have missed from an “adult” viewpoint.

FROM 10-12 MONTHS:

If your child has a nightlight in his/her room, unplug it and place it out of his/her reach when not in use. The bulbs in the light can easily break if your child grips it or puts it in his/her mouth, or can pose an electrical shock hazard.

FROM 13-18 MONTHS:

It’s okay for children to play with dirt sometimes. But it isn’t a good idea for them to eat it – and they will try. A small amount of ingested soil may not be something to panic about, but keep it to a minimum as dirt can be contaminated by bacteria.

FROM 19-24 MONTHS:

Constant supervision is always crucial when children are playing in or around a pool. In an event that your child tries to explore your pool area on his/her own, a safety fence can keep her from getting too close. You can also install a motion sensor alarm that will alert you if your child ventures near an unattended pool.

FROM 25-35 MONTHS:

Keep your child at least three feet away from the stove while cooking. A great way to implement this is to use tape to create a border three feet from the stove in all directions. This provides both you and your child with a visual reminder to stay “three feet from the heat”. The three feet rule should also be applied to other heat sources such as grills and fireplaces.

Now these are pretty easy rules to abide by but you’d be surprised at the many adults who are clueless about these things. Pay extra attention to your younger children when they’re around other younger children and older adults (seniors); sometimes age really is a factor in common sense. And always use your own common sense and best judgement as a parent.

While Halloween can be a time of fun and mischief for many people, younger children still need supervision and guidance during this festive holiday. Below are some common tips to help keep your children safe during Halloween season.

Halloween Safety Tips:

DON’T FRANKENSTEIN YOUR LIGHTS:

When purchasing electrical decorations, make sure to shop at a reputable retailer and look for the UL Mark. Be sure to check the rating on your extension cords and do not plug in more than the recommended wattage. Use special, heavy duty extension cords for high wattage decorations such as fog machines and electrically-powered inflatable decorations.

INSPECT DECORATIONS WITH FIENDISH CARE:

Inspect all of your electric lights and decorations for damage and wear. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard. Replace damaged light strings with energy-efficient LED lights. Look for a red UL Mark to indicate that lights are certified for both indoor and outdoor use. A green UL mark indicates certification for indoor use only.

BEWARE OF CANDLES:

Candles, especially in a Jack O’Lantern, should be off the ground and out of children’s reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for an even safer option.

DON’T TRIP UP YOUR GOBLINS:

Halloween costumes should allow full movement for your kids. Costumes that drag, constrict or drape pose a dangerous hazard, especially at night. Check to ensure that costumes don’t restrict your children’s vision, and instruct them to watch out for tripping hazards, such as cords.

SAY BOO TO UNSAFE COSTUMES:

Be sure to purchase or make costumes out of flame-resistant materials such as nylon or polyester as these specially marked fabrics will resist burning and extinguish quickly. Make sure your child knows to stop, drop, and roll in case their costumes catches fire.

BE SAFE AND BRIGHT:

Choose costumes that are lighter in color and attach reflective materials to costumes. Make sure each child has a flashlight to help them see and be seen.

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays because it’s fun, it’s entertaining, and it’s creative. It can also be pretty scary for both kids and adults especially if proper precautions aren’t initiated. Although the scare of tainted or poisoned candy are probably a thing of the past (hopefully), my usual advice is to visit a local mall for trick-or-treating or stay within your neighborhood. Most likely you’ll know who your neighbors are and know that they won’t do anything bad or wrong on Halloween. It’s also important to remember about your pets for Halloween as well. Keep them indoors if possible and be especially aware when they get frightened by all the trick-or-treaters. And most importantly, let your children know that the masks and costumes they see that day are just make-believe. Children often believe anything they hear and they may get frightened or have nightmares if they think the scary costumes and decorations are real.

While I outlined the safety guidelines for home baby safety and Halloween safety, you can find a more comprehensive list of safety tips at UL’s website: www.SafetyAtHome.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

Love spelled backwards is Evol. And I love Evol’s food. If you want frozen food that tastes absolutely scrumptious, then look no further than evol. You’re probably thinking – what a great name for a company, they must make great food! Well, you’re right. I’m not a full-time frozen meal gal, but when I do find a company that makes really wonderfully delicious frozen meals, they become a favorite in our household.

The company Evol Foods began as Phil’s Fresh Foods where the owner and creator of these ultra-delicious and super-addictive frozen food started a partnership with two other food experts (one a founding member of Bear Naked) and Evol Foods was born as its own seperate entity. Phil’s philosophy back then and still strong now, is to create wholesome, natural, and good-for-you foods that can be easily enjoyed by anyone. You don’t have to be a rock star or a business man, you just have to like the concept of really good tasting food that you can heat up in an instant. And surprisingly for a frozen food product, Evol’s burritos, bowls, flatbreads, and pizzas tastes amazingly fresh and homemade. Although I don’t think I can imitate the flavors that makes Evol’s foods so incredibly delicious, I would like to personally thank Phil for his mouth-watering recipes. All of Evol Foods are made with all-natural ingredients without any preservatives. And with familiar ingredients like grilled steak, chicken, beans, and jack cheese, you’ll ask yourself – “self, why didn’t I discover these earlier?”

Evol Foods not only make yummy frozen food, but they are also socially and environmentally responsible. They promise to use only the freshest and healthiest ingredients possible and all of their products are free of genetically-modified ingredients and they use naturally-raised livestock and dairy that are not treated with rBST (which is a controversial growth hormone used in cows). Even their packaging uses recyclable and compostable materials so you won’t feel too guilty when your freezer is stockpiled with all of their products.

Currently, Evol Foods makes a great selection of frozen food including frozen bowls such as the traditional Bean and Cheese Enchilada but with a unique twist in flavor, Fire Grilled Steak with cilantro lime rice and roasted green and red peppers (this one is my husband’s favorite), and Teriyaki Chicken using grilled white meat and seasoned brown rice. I found the Bean and Cheese Enchilada bowl quite delicious because it has roasted corn and corn tortillas inside it. Evol Foods also makes frozen burritos such as Veggie Fajita, Cilantro Lime Chicken, Tofu and Spinach Saute, Egg and Green Chile, Egg and Potato and Egg and Sausage. Since I’m a vegetarian, I honestly couldn’t stop eating their Egg and Potato and Tofu and Spinach Saute burritos. The two different varieties were truly different in taste and sensation. They also make authentic tasting wraps like Mediterranean Couscous, Veggie Curry, and Pork Carnitas. Other varieties from Evol Foods include flatbreads such as Italian Sausage and Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese Pesto and Portabella, and Grilled Chicken and Roasted Veggies. They also make gourmet pizza like Chicken, Spinach & Ricotta, Four Cheese and Basil, and Meatballs and Mozzarella.

Ever since I discovered Evol Foods awhile ago, I’m constantly stocking up on them because they can be easily stored in  the freezer. And they go from frozen to heated in just a few minutes. I usually eat the bowls by itself or with a light side salad and their burritos are great for lunch or for dinner. My son also loves their bowls but honestly, we love all of their products. They have so many varieties to choose from, I’m pretty sure you’ll find something to your liking. What’s also fun about Evol Foods is that they are constantly sampling their products at health food grocery stores such as Whole Foods and if you save and clip your boxes, you can send in UPC codes for a really great and collectible EVOL t-shirt: http://evolfoods.com/get-the-gear/.

Evol Foods would love for you to fall in LOVE with their food so they are kindly offering 2 LUCKY winners of Happymomblogger a chance to win 2 FREE product coupons each. So how do you win this delicious prize? Read below to find out:

Here’s how to enter in the Evol Foods giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Evol Foods on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evolburritos 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: https://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Evol Foods giveaway. Become a follower of Evol Foods:  https://twitter.com/#!/EVOLfoods and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Visit  http://evolfoods.com/ and tell me what flavor/variety you would like to try.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Enter in my other contests.

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

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: September 19, 2011

Contest End Date: October 3, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED.

Only 2 winners will be chosen at random and I will post the winners names 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

I’ve been drinking tea for as long as I can remember. It’s not only a tradition in our family, but we drink it almost like drinking water. Just as much as I am a chocolate “snob”, I’m quite particular about the tea that I drink as well. I drink mostly green tea for its health benefits and taste, but occassionally I’ll venture out to other flavors and varieties. One of the varieties that I’ve tried and come to enjoy is called, “Pu’erh”. Pu’erh tea is an ancient fermented tea from China that was discovered many hundreds of years ago. It was once revered as a “healing tea” with more benefits than green tea. However, because it’s also a rare tea and hard to find one that’s truly pure Pu’erh, it is not as well known as other tea varieties. One company, Numi Organic Tea has captured the true essence of Pu’erh tea and in their iced-tea version, the flavors are even more delightful and enjoyable.

Although drinking hot, freshly brewed tea is best for its health benefits, somehow Numi’s got the science down in producing a high-quality, fermented iced tea version in their Numi Pu’erh Bottled Tea. Perhaps it’s because they source their tea from Pu’erh’s origin of Yunnan, China that they are able to produce such a high-quality, organic tea. Or simply perhaps they put great care in the selection of their Pu’erh tea. Numi Pu’erh Bottled Tea are definitely a unique blend of deep flavors with a fruity aftertaste. And that’s because in their bottled tea version, they infuse natural fruits and herbs with the Pu’erh tea to make it an exceptional new way of enjoying “iced” tea. And their organic Pu’erh teas contain more antioxidant than other teas and their bottled version is a delight to the taste buds. In an independant ORAC test, Numi’s Organic Pu’erh tea yields 32% higher in antioxidant properties than one serving of hot green tea. Although to me, green tea has a much sweeter taste, the iced version of Numi’s Organic Pu’erh tea definitely has a delectable flavor to it rather than the bitter taste that I was used to when I first drank Pu’erh tea.

Currently, Numi Organic Pu’erh bottled tea comes in 6 different varieties/flavors and they are:

Invigorate – Classic Pu’erh Black Tea.

Renew – Mint Pu’erh Tea, which is an infusion of green Pu’erh and Numi’s Moroccan Mint.

Shine – Jasmine Pu’erh Tea, which is an infusion of green Pu’erh tea and Numi’s Jasmine Green Tea.

Rejuvenate – Peach Pu’erh Tea, which is an infusion of green Pu’erh tea, real peach puree, and fresh ginger (this one is my favorite!)

Clarify – Earl Grey Pu’erh Tea, which is a blend of Numi’s Aged Earl Grey tea and black Pu’erh tea.

Enliven – Mango Pu’erh Tea, which is blend of black Pu’erh tea, real mangoes and passionfruit.

The company Numi Organic Tea has been around for over 10 years and started humbly in a little studio in Oakland, California. In wanting to create a high-quality, organic, and pure version of tea for tea connoisseurs and beginners all around, the brother and sister team founded Numi Organic Tea and soon the company’s tea became a household staple. They searched all over the world for tea leaves that they could proudly serve their customers and family and friends and developed a great partnership with tea farmers in China, India, and South Africa among a few other smaller countries. Numi produces a large selection of tea for every kind of tea lover (or beginner). Their tea ranges from Pu’erh tea to green tea, to black tea, to flavored tea, to herbal tea, and to white tea. All of their tea are made from organic tea leaves grown in protected organic fields and no toxic pesticides or fertilizers are used or allowed. Their leaves are gently plucked by tea experts on the field and processed minimally to ensure the highest quality.

Numi is also a fair-trade and fair-labored certified company. And this is always good news since their tea are sourced from farms directly. It’s important that companies are being more aware of the equality of smaller farms because this also ensures a better relationship between product growth and company growth. Numi takes great pride in what they do and it shows in their tea products.

So I encourage you to drink more tea – tea of all sorts produce immense health benefits. And you don’t have to take my word for it. For more info on the health benefits of tea, please visit Numi’s website: http://www.numitea.com/pure-tea/health-benefits/.

Numi has also kindly offered 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger an opportunity to receive a prize package of their assorted bottled iced tea. The winner will receive a case of their assorted bottled iced tea (2 bottles each of their 6 different flavors). So how do you win this cool prize? Read below to find out! 

Here’s how to enter in the Numi Pu’erh Bottled Iced Tea giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Numi Organic Tea on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/numitea 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:  https://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Numi Pu’erh Tea giveaway. Become a follower of Numi: https://twitter.com/#!/NumiTea and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Visit http://www.numitea.com/ and tell me what flavor/variety you would like to try.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Enter in my other contests.

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

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: September 19, 2011

Contest End Date: October 3, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED.

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s names 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

If you’re like most vegetarians, you’ll find that tofu (or soy) is really one of the best foods around. Where else can you find something that’s full of healthy protein, iron, Omega 3’s, vitamins, and essential minerals? Plus it’s naturally low in fat and contains no cholesterol. Soy is a power food because it provides incredible nutrients in one single bean and there are many ways of using it. Soy can be used to make into soymilk which can be sweetened or unsweetened. Soy can be made into tofu – soft, medium, or hard texture. Soy can be made into nayonaise which is similar to mayonnaise except made with soymilk and soybean oil. Nayonaise is a perfect condiment for vegans since it usually does not contain any meat by-products. Soy can also be made into hummus which is a healthy alternative as well. Soy is such an adaptable vegetable that you can really use it for anything your culinary imagination can dream up.

Nasoya Tofu is one of my favorite brands that make really healthy and wholesome tofu products. They make organic and natural tofu and Super Hummus which is Nasoya’s first and only hummus to deliver twice the protein and half the fat of the leading hummus brand. Nasoya also makes sprouted tofu which helps the absorption of nutrients, nayonaise, and Asian-style wraps for potstickers, eggrolls, etc. In my household, I’m constantly cooking something with tofu because it’s filling and surprisingly, my husband and son loves it too. Tofu is so versatile that you really can’t say, “hey, I don’t know what to do with tofu.” But if you are ever stuck without a recipe, you can check out the recipes at Nasoya: http://www.nasoya.com/recipes.html.

Nasoya Tofu was founded over 30 years ago in a quaint little town in  Massachusetts. You might be thinking – tofu made in the US? Well, it’s pretty common nowadays and it’s better for us anyway. When Vitasoy USA, Inc. acquired Nasoya in 1990, Nasoya expanded their tofu line to include Asian style noodles and wraps and Nayonaise. Now some of you may have already heard of the company Vitasoy. I was really delighted to learn that one of my favorite brands of soymilk beverages had acquired Nasoya as it meant bigger and better opportunities for a small company such as Nasoya.

Nasoya sources their soybean from non-genetically modified soybeans only and they make every step possible to source their soybeans from socially and environmentally responsible tofu farms. Their products do not contain any preservatives or additives so it’s always best to store their products in the fridge. You can find most Nasoya products in natural grocery stores and certain supermarkets.

Currently on the Nasoya website, they have a program called “Tofu U” http://www.nasoya.com/tofu-u/which offers everyone a chance to “enroll” in their university of tofu learning. There, you will find helpful tips, ideas, and suggestions on how to use tofu and their other products and when you enroll, you can even get a coupon for their products. And once you graduate, you can save your tofu packaging and earn incredible rewards such as t-shirts and gym shorts. Really cute stuff!

At Nasoya, they are really all about healthy living and learning how to live healthily. And Nasoya has also generously offered 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger a Tofu Package which includes 3 FREE product coupons, 2 recipe booklets, and 2 money saving coupons. So how do you win this wonderful prize? Read below to find out:

Here’s how to enter in the Nasoya Tofu giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Nasoya on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/Nasoya 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: https://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Nasoya giveaway. Become a follower of Nasoya: https://twitter.com/#!/Nasoya and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Visit  http://www.nasoya.com/ and tell me what recipe you would like to try.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Enter in my other contests.

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

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: September 19, 2011

Contest End Date: October 3, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED.

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s names 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