Happymomblogger

For some parents, grocery shopping with their kids can be a fearful experience. We’ve all been there, when we’re walking down the aisles with our children and the colorful and cartoon packaging instantly draws our kids like moths to a flame. We inevitably break down through all the pleading and negotiating and end up buying something we didn’t plan to. Sometimes we give in and buy what they want but when we get home, we look at the ingredients and then…cringe. Did I really have to buy that?

But as parents, it’s our purpose to provide healthy and nutritional food for our growing children. Hopefully when we teach them good eating habits, they’ll take those good skills and apply it to adulthood. That’s why it’s important to know what we’re buying and why we’re buying it. Take for instance kids juices. Perhaps that is one of the largest food product in the industry because well, besides water and milk, juice would be the most popular choice for most children. Why? Because it’s sweet, tangy, and fun to drink. Even adults like drinking them and while there’s nothing wrong with a glass of juice now and then, let’s be diligent about what type of juice we’re actually buying and serving our children.

As a mom and health advocate, I’m constantly reading labels, doing research, and when I can’t make it from scratch, I do have to rely on packaged goods. As a blogger for MomsMeet, I was given an opportunity to try good2grow (good2grow.com) and provide my own thoughts about this healthier and nutritious juice and vegetable beverage. I don’t give my son juice every day, but on days when I do, I prefer juice that do not contain added sugar and any other unnecessary additives. After all, juice should come straight from the source – whether it’s fruits or vegetables.

Good2grow is a family owned and operated business which began 13 years ago. With the realization that there aren’t enough healthier beverages out there for children, good2grow put their knowledge and expertise to good use. And while there are many juices out there for children, none of them by far has provided not only a healthier option but a funner option as well. Good2grow juices are made up of only fruits and vegetables with no added sugar. There are 3 main options: 100% juice, Fruit &Veggie Blends, and Organic. All of them are made from BPA-packaging, grown without the use of genetically modified organisms, and the best of all – they are spill proof!

But I think what I like the most besides the ingredients inside the bottles is the actual bottles itself. They come in fun and adorable cartoon characters that your child would most likely recognize. Characters include Cinderella, Thomas the Train, Hello Kitty, Sponge Bob, Ariel from the Little Mermaid, Dora the Explorer, and many many more. I’m sure you will find something your kids will love and the tops can be easily swapped with refillable containers. All you have to do is unscrew the character top and replace it on a new bottle. Very simple and efficient. And since the bottles are all recyclable, you don’t have to worry about using up too much plastic. The interchangeable tops are also dishwasher safe or easily washed by hand. And they come in 4, 6, and 8 ounce sizes so it’s easy to pick a smaller or larger size depending on the age of your children.

My son and I had a lot of fun picking out his favorite tops from the stores. Good2grow can be found at most major supermarkets in the juice aisle and the pricing is decent enough to pick up a few bottles and refill packs. Currently, as an offer for my readers, good2grow and MomsMeet are offering a special contest. You can enter to win a themed birthday party by going to: win.good2grow.com/mmblogger. Each person that enters will receive a free refill pack with purchase of a single serve beverage. 

So if you are going to give your kids all-natural juices, why not give them a fun way of drinking them as well? You no longer have to refill your own store-bought juice bottles because good2grow already offers their own unique refillable bottles.

 

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

 

What would the world be like if there were no beverages to drink. Not even water. Well, we’d all be pretty thirsty and probably not in the right mind. Beverages, even something as uncomplicated as water is the essence to life. We live for it literally as it not only quenches our thirst, but it can also provide vital nutrients that our bodies desperately need. So of course in order to honor the beauty of beverages, the World Tea Expo and Healthy Beverage Expo honors us with beverages around the world, giving us insights to living a healthier life.

This year in May at the Long Beach Convention Center marks the second year for the Health Beverage Expo where companies come together to showcase healthy beverages for the general public. As a business to business venue, people from all over the world attend the event to learn about healthier beverages choices. Companies from the United States to across the sea bring their beverages to the event hoping to provide the beverage industry more insight on the benefits of healthier drinking. The event may not change the world’s view on beverages, but it can help enlighten us a bit on why we don’t need artificial food coloring or preservatives in our beverages.

This was the first year for me attending the show and a bit similar to the Natural Products Expo, the Healthy Beverage Expo joins with the World Tea Expo giving us what we desire to learn more of – that healthier beverages really can enable a healthier lifestyle. Ranging from exotic teas to more common beverages that we may find in our supermarkets, I was able to go from booth to booth to sample and experience what these companies bring to the general consumer. Whether it’s an organic blend of fruit and vegetable juice or rare oolong teas, almost every company taught me something new and different about the beverage industry.

It was a pretty fun and exciting event and I brought my son along with me to be my true taste tester. Who could be more honest about their opinions than a child? While he didn’t enjoy the mineral infused black water from TRACE, he did like the all-natural raw fruit and vegetable juices from Raaw and the natural juice blends  from good2grow juices with the unique interchangeable tops.  There were so many companies showcasing their beverages ranging from fresh pressed juices to herb infused vodka to rare and exotic concoctions that it became a dizzying effect of what to try next.

Companies such as Arty which is an artichoke infused juice was very different and unique. And other companies including Silk Road Soda, Zen Tea Traders, and Marquis were distinctive infusions of tea and gourmet sodas. Many of the companies attending were generous with their samples and taste testing and some even offered an exclusive sitting area where you can get a massage while sipping their aristocratic beverages.

Hopefully these beverage companies will appear in your local markets and restaurants soon so we can all get a taste of something rare and extraordinary. For more information about the Healthy Beverage Expo and World Tea Expo, please visit their website: http://healthybeverageexpo.com/. And keep an eye out on my blog for reviews and giveaway opportunities.

 

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

Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) comes out with a detailed report on pesticide residue on the most popular produce items. It’s pretty sad to know that what we eat and buy most in the grocery stores – and what we feed our kids the most – is laden with heavily toxic pesticides. Ever since I read about the EWG’s goal to educate the public on the dangers of eating and buying non-organic foods, I’ve become extra diligent in buying fruits and vegetables for my family. Based on the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration data of most commonly grown produce in America, the EWG analyzes each of the produce below to give consumers a chance to make intelligent choices when buying produce. Not everyone has the resources to buy organic all the time ,but when it comes to the most popular produce you buy in your household, it’s best to stick with the organic versions. For those who are still a bit iffy about organic foods, know that in order to be labeled “organic” the USDA puts in strict guidelines for companies to follow. Tests are done on a scheduled and random basis for farmers and plants to ensure that the consumers in the US are actually getting an organically grown item. The term organic simply means, any organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.

When shopping for these produce items, look for the USDA Organic seal and at best, shop at natural grocery stores who are dedicated in providing all if not most organic produce. But also be aware of farmers markets. Not all farmers markets sell organic produce. Some may sell produce that have not been sprayed with toxic pesticides but that doesn’t mean their soil and irrigation systems aren’t treated with toxic chemicals. Always ask the vendors at the farmers market whether their produce are organic and if not, how are their produce grown and treated.

Below is the newest list from the EWG and to download a guide to print out, click on the link: https://donate.ewg.org/images/2014_Shopper_Guide_to_Pesticides_in_Produce.pdf

All produce listed below are from most pesticide to least pesticide. So if your family tends to eat one fruit more than the other, be sure to take a look at the list first before deciding on which to buy. The general rule is if you eat more of it, then buying organically grown produce is worth it in the long run.

 

 

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As children we’ve all dreamed about becoming a hero who can save the day or even the world. Some of us actually do grow up to be everyday heroes such as firefighters, police officers, or doctors realizing that a childhood dream could eventually happen. In the popular children’s TV show, Heroes of the City which originated in Europe, the story follows two brave car heroes, “Pauli Police Car” and “Fiona Fire Engine” and their oft-misunderstood friend, Calamity Crow. The heroes along with the citizens of their city find every day adventures where a little danger and excitement can happen to anyone at anytime. Whether it’s helping put out a fire in a building or guiding a whale across the ocean, the heroes and friends all help each other in one way or the other.

Heroes of the City (http://www.rutaett.com/en/hotc) is produced by the entertainment company, Ruta Ett and can be seen on their website which also offers lots of other visual goodies for kids between the ages of 3-7 years old. There are Apps(http://www.hotc.nu/apper) which can be found in the Apple Store or Google Play, Videos, Games, Stories, Coloring Pages, and Fun Facts. Currently showing on their website is Season One and that’s where you meet all of the citizens and heroes of this delightful town where mysteries are solved and friendships are cemented. There are adorable characters such as police cars, fire trucks, tug boats, tow trucks, delivery trucks, bull dozers, and many more who interact with one another and teach us about life’s little lessons.

I was given the opporutnity to receive a Heroes of the City DVD, Book, and two cute little car figures to try and review. My son and I enjoyed watching the DVD as well as read the book and play along with Pauli and Fiona. The book is a nice decent size and the pictures are colorful and the words easy to read along. I personally had never heard of Heroes of the City prior to this review but am very glad that these little heroes indeed offer something meaningful to those who watch the program and learn about what they do every day. Children especially take on role models around them and what they see on TV greatly affects how they view life in general. With so many inappropriate programs out there for kids, it’s always nice to find something new that are age appropriate and help teach kids life lessons that enable them to grow up healthy and smart.

With Heroes of the City, kids learn about helping one another and making smart decisions. What I particularly liked about Heroes of the City is that they use mobile figures such as cars, trucks, and planes and animate them to be like human beings. They have similar problems as people do and they learn to resolve them in a constructive way. They talk in nice, cute voices and the animation is fun to look at – anytime of the day.

Currently you can purchase the Heroes of the City DVD on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_18?url=search-alias%3Dmovies-tv&field-keywords=heroes%20of%20the%20city&sprefix=Heroes+of+the+City%2Ctoys-and-games%2C122 but on their website they offer free Apps, shows, and fun activities: http://www.hotc.nu/apper. As readers of Happymomblogger however, Ruta Ett has decided to offer 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger the opportunity to win their own Heroes of the City DVD, Color Book and 2 Action Figures. The DVD, book, and action figures are all part of the animated series and can be enjoyed by children between the ages of 2-7. This would be a great prize for those I-don’t-know-what-to-do Summer days. So how do you win this fun prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter the Heroes of the City giveaway:

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” Heroes of the City on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeroesOfTheCity 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 Heroes of the City giveaway. Become a follower of Heroes of the City: https://twitter.com/HeroesOfTheCity and “Tweet” that you are entering the Happymomblogger giveaway.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Tell me what you and your kids like to do for fun.

#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 contacted 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: June 6, 2014

Contest End Date: June 23, 2014

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

 

At this year’s Natural Products Expo West, we visited the Amy’s Kitchen booth and as always was delighted at their presentation. When we stepped into their booth – which couldn’t really be called a booth given it’s huge size – we were greeted with smiling faces and food stations set up to tempt you to try their products. Since we already enjoy Amy’s Kitchen there were no pulling and tugging to get both me and my son to try their delicious food. In fact, we jumped with glee at all the variety of products they showcased – some new and some of the more popular dishes. At Amy’s Kitchen’s booth they were not shy about handing out samples to you and they encouraged you to try everything and as often as possible. It took some well orchestrated maneuvering to get through the crowd but as I was able to speak personally with the representatives of Amy’s Kitchen I was treated to an insider’s look on this wonderful company.

For those of you who have heard of Amy’s Kitchen (www.amys.com) and are big fans, you’ll be delighted to know that this family-owned and operated company has developed many new wonderful and scrumptious dishes – some already available in select stores, some still in the works. Ranging from snacks to desserts, they literally have become an all-encompassed vegetarian food company. Their products are designed for vegetarians and vegans, those who are gluten-sensitive, and dairy-sensitive individuals. And there’s no denying the fact that their frozen and ready-to-eat dishes are absolutely delicious! I’ve been a vegetarian for a very long time and sometimes not having the time to cook a complete and healthy meal for myself, I have come to rely a lot on Amy’s Kitchen to fortify my vegetarian taste buds and stomach. Although I prefer to do my own cooking, there are times when I’m just too tired or unmotivated and I’m glad Amy’s Kitchen offers a wide array of vegetarian fare for me to choose from. In fact, I am so impressed with the variety of dishes they create that I stockpile their products in my freezer.

My son absolutely loves Amy’s Kitchen. And I love the  fact that they truly use only organic and naturally-derived ingredients. They’ve been a family-owned and operated business for almost 30 years and grew their business from the ground up when Amy, the namesake and only daughter was born. They were one of the pioneers in the organic and natural food industry back when people weren’t too sure about the claims of organic food. But Amy’s Kitchen stuck to their grounded values and have been developing wholesome, natural, and delicious foods ever since.

At Amy’s Kitchen the staff and family tries all of their newest developments personally to ensure that not only do their products meet the highest standards but that they are also desirable to eat. Vegetarian and vegan meals usually get a frown from those who are not accustomed to them but as a long time consumer of Amy’s Kitchen, I have almost always found their food to be delicious enough for non-vegetarians. My son eats them and so does my husband on occasion and he even comments on if I can buy more.

Currently, Amy’s Kitchen carries a hugely extensive lineup of products ranging from breakfast entrees, to burritos, to soups. They also carry family-sized meals which have really come in handy in the past! I absolutely love their gluten-free brownies and with one bite I was instantly hooked. One wouldn’t think gluten-free desserts would be delicious, but they actually are and Amy’s have them beat. I was pretty fortunate to be sent some of their newest products to try and shared them with my son who is my official “taste tester”. After all, who else can be blatantly honest about their thoughts than kids, right?

 

Amy’s Kitchen had sent me their Thai Red Curry which was a bit spicy and savory, their Gluten-free Garden Vegetable Lasagne that was extra gooey and delicious, their Meatless Veggie Meatballs which were so versatile and just the right amount of texture (I made meatball sandwiches on pretzel rolls and my husband and son devoured them like crazy!), their Gluten-free biscotti which were crunchy and not too sweet, and their yummy candy bar line which comes in crispy, chewy, creamy, and crunchy textures. The candy bars are made with organic ingredients and are not too big but just big enough to satisfy a sweets filling.

You really can’t go wrong with Amy’s Kitchen whether you’re a vegetarian or a major meat eater. Their foods are made without the use of genetically-modified ingredients and are dedicated to provide wholesome and delicious choices. If you’ve never tried Amy’s Kitchen now is the time to do so as they can be found virtually everywhere. And if you’d like a chance to win some great prizes from Amy’s Kitchen, they would like to offer 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger the chance to win a fabulous prize. The winner will win an Amy’s Kitchen t-shirt and 3 FREE product coupons to pick up any Amy’s Kitchen products of your choice! So how do you win this wonderful prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter the Amy’s Kitchen giveaway:

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” Amy’s Kitchen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmysGoOrganic 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 Amy’s Kitchen giveaway. Become a follower of Amy’s Kitchen:https://twitter.com/amyskitchen and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Tell me if you’re a vegetarian/vegan or have tried vegetarian food.

#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 contacted 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: June 6, 2014

Contest End Date: June 23, 2014 – CONGRATULATIONS TO JANICE W. FOR WINNING THE PRIZE!

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