Happymomblogger

Melt Organic Butter 2.0 – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

Have you ever picked up a loaf of bread in your fridge, dug in to take out sandwich condiments and then frowned, wondering what that essential something is to make a sandwich so delectable? Well I’ll tell you my secret, which may or may not already be a secret to you – but I like to use butter on my bread, spread joyfully after lighted toasted in the oven. There’s just something unique about butter that makes a dish sing and sends you into complete food orbit thanking the butter Gods for inventing such an unrivaled delicacy.

But alas, not all butter are created equal and if you’re looking for a supreme creamy spread, then you’ll have to step away from the conventional versions. Enter Melt Organic spreads (http://www.meltorganic.com/), a truly unique and delicious blend of organic and all-natural buttery spreads that’s designed to be good for you and good for your taste buds too. In fact, their butter alternatives is so unique in their creation that the company has dubbed their creamy spreads as “Organic Butter 2.0”, a newer, tastier, and healthier version that’s an advanced step into the future. Why are they called “butter alternatives”? Because in the true sense of butter, Melt Organic Spreads are made with an ultra healthy blend of organic fruit and plant-based oils instead of the usual fats that make butter, well butter. With Melt Organic butter, you’ll get healthier, good for you ingredients that are actually beneficial to you.

Melt Organic Spreads are made with their own blend of organic virgin coconut oil, palm fruit oil, canola oil, high-oleic sunflower oil, and flaxseed oil. They currently have three versions of their organic spreads – Rich and Creamy, Honey Organic, and Chocolate Organic, and I have to say I fell in love with their chocolate creamy spread. But really, all of their three varieties are delicious and so easy to use. If you want to replace your regular butter and margarine with Melt Organic Spreads, you’re doing something good for your body and for those you cook for. My son loves their Honey Organic so I put a scrumptious dollop on top of his waffles and I spread mine on some freshly toasted English muffins.

Melt Organic Spreads was developed from an entrepreneur health expert who was tired of the conventional butters out on the market that does more harm than good. So she set out to develop something that’s not only healthier but could truly be even tastier than the conventional butters. Melt Organic Spreads is considered a light spread that can be used instead of your regular butter. And because they are full of Omega Fatty Acids including Omega 6 and 3 they are also good for your heart. Melt Organic Spreads are also made without any genetically modified ingredients, are trans fat free, made without any artificial ingredients, and no hydrogenated oils.

Butter isn’t necessarily bad for you as long as you eat the good kind – the ones made with healthy fats like omega fatty acids and other health beneficial ingredients. With Melt Organic, you get a step up in that organic ingredients are used and their 3 distinct flavors will probably become favorites in your household. The good folks at Melt Organic had wanted me to try their organic butter alternatives and I had picked all 3 varieties – Rich and Creamy, Honey Organic, and Chocolate Organic. We use pretty much the honey organic on almost anything you can put butter on and with very little calories but a whole lot of nutritional benefits, it’s okay to slather it on where you see fit.

Melt Organic also wants to give 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger the opportunity to win a MELT prize pack consisting of one cutting board, one spreader, and 2 VIP coupons of Melt Organic products of your choice. Melt Organic spreads can be found at most natural grocery stores as well as most supermarkets that carry natural food products. So how do you win this delicious prize? Read below to find out.

Here’s how to enter the Melt Organic Butter 2.0 Giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Enter here: http://www.meltorganic.com/blog-reader-giveaway-6/

*You must select Happymomblogger as the Blog You Follow drop down menu in order to be included in my giveaway. If you select any other blog you will not be notified if you are a winner and another winner from my blog will be chosen.

Then enter in the comments section of this post and let me know your name and that you entered the contest. You must also provide a valid email address to be contacted with.

Please read the rules and conditions on the contest page for further info. 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 prohibed by law.

Contest Start Date: February 17, 2014

Contest End Date: February 28, 2014 – Congratulations to Holly L. 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!

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.

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February 18, 2014March 13, 2014

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Xlear – National Children’s Dental Health Month

We all know that kids will want sweets no matter what we do to deter them. They see it on TV, when we take them grocery shopping, and most likely in school as well. But we don’t have to let our kids fall prey to candies that will eventually harm their health and their teeth. When you’re armed with knowledge that there are healthier alternatives to good old fashioned candies, then you can indulge your kids once in awhile. You’ve probably seen it in stores and read it in periodicals about the health benefits of Xylitol. Xylitol (http://www.xlear.com/about-xylitol-sweetener/xylitol-benefits/)is a naturally occurring ingredient found in most fruits, mushrooms, and fibers from certain tree barks. It is known to have great beneficial effects on the prevention of tooth decay and other dental problems.

I don’t deny my son sweets. I think it’s a natural progression of childhood and really, how can you prevent them having sweets eventually? But I do try and teach my son to eat sweets responsibly and to always brush his teeth right afterwards. A few years ago I learned about the benefits of xylitol and its exceptional assistance in preventing tooth decay as well as promote healthier tooth and gums in the long run. I started buying more and more products made with xylitol and it seemed that my son liked the taste of its natural sweetness as well. Xylitol is a natural sweetener since it’s found in most foods therefore it can be used in place of your everyday sugar. And if you’ve ever tried xylitol then you’ll know that it has a gentle sweetness to it and easily enjoyed.

One of the major companies who makes products with xylitol is called Xlear. You may have heard of them before as they make dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, xylitol candies and sweeteners, and sinus clear. Each of them contain the beneficial xylitol along with other naturally-derived ingredients. I particularly like the toothpaste as it’s naturally sweet and not very abrasive. It seems to clean as well as the conventional toothpaste out there and I like the fact that it doesn’t cause strange abrasions on my tooth enamel.

Xlear also makes Spry which is a comprehensive lineup of dental products containing xylitol. With Spry, you’ll most likely find yummy tasting gum and mints that the whole family will enjoy. My son really likes their miniature candies and gum and I like the fact that if we’re at someplace where he can’t brush his teeth right away, at least I have some Spry candies and gums to prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to his teeth. I know, it sounds like a contradiction in eating candy to prevent harmful bacteria, but that’s what xylitol is known to do. Studies have proven that when combined with regular dental hygiene, regular use of xylitol gums, mints and candy can reduce dental cavities by as much as 80%.

So if you’re in the market for a new way of cleaning teeth while giving your kids beneficial candies, then you have to give Xlear and Spry a try. For more info please visit their website: http://www.xlear.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

February 15, 2014

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Surf Sweets for Valentine!

For those of you who celebrate Valentine you already know about the abundance of sweets that are bought and given during this holiday. Personally I think this is rather a fun holiday for kids as they get to learn a bit about the history as well as express fun and innocent ways of friendship. Now that my son is a bit older, he sees all the hearts and candies and gifts throughout the stores and at school and it makes him curious. Of course, being a boy he thinks all that romantic stuff is yucky but he also knows that I have something extra special for him on that day.

Whether you give your kids sweets or not for Valentine’s Day, it’s safer to give them candies that aren’t filled will all those artificial ingredients. Given that Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest holiday for sweets, it’s hard to resist stuffing oneself on chocolates, gummies, and other sweet goodies. It may be hard to avoid conventional candies since they are everywhere this time of year, but there are also healthier choices out there too. We don’t have to be stuck buying sweets that will eventually do more harm than good.

One company which makes natural and organic sweets is a company we’ve come to enjoy for many years. I know, you’re probably thinking – organic candy? Yes, it is, and that one company is called Surf Sweets. You may have seen their adorable little gummy hearts or sour gummy bears in stores and they come in a nice little package for lunch boxes or as a sweet dessert surprise. Although I don’t let my son indulge on sweets that often, but when I do, it’s nice to know that Surf Sweets offer candies that contain natural and organic ingredients and without any artificial colors or flavors. If you’re going to let your kids indulge in candies now and then, it’s always best to give them something that aren’t full of junk.

Surf Sweets is a company dedicated to providing healthier sweet alternatives made with the finest organic and natural ingredients. With a love for candies, Surf Sweets developed sweets made from real organic sugar and without any corn syrup. Their ingredients are simple but their candies are not. We absolutely love their gummy candies and jelly beans and this time of year, Surf Sweets also has gummy hearts for those who want to give something unique for Valentine’s Day. Their gummy hearts are delicately shaped into hearts, are bite sized and contain just the right amount of sweetness and flavor. It was hard to resist eating them all, as we wanted to save some for those “I desperately need something sweet moments”.

Surf Sweets currently sells a comprehensive lineup of gummy and jelly beans including Fruity Hearts, Gummy Worms, Sour Bears, Gummy Swirls, Jelly Beans, and their two newest flavors – Watermelon Rings and Peach Rings. I love the Watermelon Rings as I can taste just a bit of the watermelon flavor with a slight tangy afterbite. You can find Surf Sweets at most natural grocery stores and they come in individual sizes that are great for snacking or on the go fun. To learn more about Surf Sweets, please visit their website for more info: http://www.surfsweets.com/

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February 10, 2014

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Livin’ the Vegetarian Life – My Eco Eats Challenge

When I was around nine or ten years old I witnessed a cruel injustice to a stray dog close to my home. I saved him from a heartless dog catcher, took the dog home to give him some water and food, and helped him find a new home. But it was staring into those dark, murky depths of his big, black eyes that a turning point happened for me. Watching the cruelty of the animal being beaten and dragged to the dog truck had somehow given me a distaste for animal meat from then on. When I went back inside the house to tell my mom what had happened, she looked at me with a strange smile and then aptly dumped the hot dog she was going to serve me for lunch.

I have to be grateful for such an understanding mom. She has always been a kindhearted and sweet person and when she saw unabashed tears streaming down my face that day, she knew she had to make a decision – allow a young girl to make a compassionate decision that could forever change her life, or laugh it off as some silly girlhood whim.

There are many reasons why someone would become a vegetarian or a vegan. But for a child to become one, the choice can be magnanimous. Children do not inherently know if they should or should not eat meat. They eat whatever their parents give them; meat eaters will feed their children meat, vegetarians will feed their children non-meat. It’s pretty simple, but choosing to become a vegetarian is not an easy path and there can be many obstacles in the way once you decide to become one.

But do you think kids should automatically become vegetarians? That’s a tricky question and it depends solely on the household and how they view food as a whole and whether being a vegetarian is a health choice or a humanitarian one. My nephew chose to become a vegetarian when he was around seven years old. Yes, that’s pretty young but he always had a compassionate nature and he had told his parents that he didn’t want to harm animals so the natural path he took would evidently involve becoming a vegetarian. His parents suffice to say also became vegetarians soon after, wanting to follow the benevolent endeavors of their son.

I became a vegetarian when it wasn’t a “trend”, when people looked at me like I was crazy or from another planet. Eating an all plant-based diet wasn’t very hip or cool but little did people know that revolutionary changes in how Americans eat would later become the new standard. There are more and more vegetarian and vegan restaurants popping up, food companies solely devote their entire line to vegetarians, and even magazines are written for those who are non-meat eaters. Vegetarians were no longer looked at funny and mainstream restaurants even dedicated a section on their menus for “vegetarians”.

There are no right or wrong reasons on whether you should become a vegetarian. It’s a personal choice and no one should bully you into it or laugh at you should you choose to become one. It may be a health choice, a reason to try something new, or simply the thought of eating animals is gruesome. Whatever the reasons, it never hurts to try it. There are many companies out there dedicated in helping you become a vegetarian and in staying one. And if you need one simple reason – consider that it’s a lot less expensive to become a vegetarian than it is to put meat on your table every day. You can even grow your own organic garden so you know what you’re eating. And in the long run, it’ll make you a bit healthier too.

If you’re looking for ways to live a greener life, then try the NBC Green is Universal Eco Eats Challenge which runs from September 29 through October 17. There are many actions to try whether you’re just starting out or have been doing this for a long time. Actions include: Eat a vegetarian meal – http://bit.ly/ZYqpTg, Buy organic eggs – http://bit.ly/1rqiU1F, Fill up your reusable water bottle – http://bit.ly/1CtLGSI, an many many more actions that are fun and educational. NBC Green is Universal’s One Small Act website is also hosting a sweepstakes. Read below for more info:

From September 2- October 17, NBC’s Green is Universal One Small Act is also hosting a sweepstakes when you join the “Eco Eats” challenge . To join, visit their free green-living tool, One Small Act. Everyone who signs-up and tackles at least one action by October 17th will be entered to win one of five 6-month subscriptions to NatureBox. No Purchase Necessary. Must be US resident and 18+. Read official rules here.

Disclaimer: In exchange for participating in the challenge and writing this post, I was given a gift package from Green is Universal. All opinions here are still my own.

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February 6, 2014October 9, 2014

suzan2 Comments

Herbal Essences Naked Hair Collection – Product Review Update

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of trying out Herbal Essences newest Naked Hair Collection via a Walmart gift card. I’ve been using Herbal Essences shampoos and conditioners for quite awhile now and I can never get over how intoxicatingly wonderful their scents are! The mixture of flower and herbs really entice the senses while it relaxes and invigorates me – all the effects one don’t usually associate with hair care, but somehow Herbal Essences does the job well.

When I received my Herbal Essences Naked Hair Collection which included the Volume Shampoo, Volume Conditioner, Dry Shampoo, and Volumizing Souffle in a neat little white cardboard box, I was eager to open it and take a whiff of their stuff. True as they are, Herbal Essences newest Naked Hair collection still smells wonderful with that subtle floral and herbal scent mixture. Herbal Essences Naked collection uses extracts from certain flowers and herbs such as Grapefruit, Verbena, Peppermint, and Bergamot. The shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, and soufflé all have a sweet yet subtle floral scent that’s not too feminine or overpowering. I’m pretty sure men would like to use these hair products as well.

With normally longer and thicker hair, it’s harder to find a shampoo that cleanses deeply but without stripping away too much nutrients from my hair and I was surprised that the Naked collection left my hair actually feeling lighter and airier. The shampoo has a nice moisturizing quality to it and enhanced with the conditioner, my long hair was smoother and easier to brush out. As you can imagine long hair can easily tangle up if not rinsed thoroughly.

While I do appreciate the fact that Herbal Essences Naked Hair collection uses naturally derived flower, fruit, and herb extracts, I am still wary that they contain sulfates which can strip the hair. But they stated that their naked collection is gentle on color-treated hair so I’m going to give it a try for at least a month or so to see more results.

I’ve also never used a hair soufflé before and assuming that it was the texture of mousse, I used it after drying my hair. It’s suppose to leave my hair light and soft throughout the day. The fragrance alone sent my senses to titillating delight and I couldn’t help (inconspicuously) sniff my hair throughout the day. Yup – Herbal Essences will always do that for me and I bet I’m not the only one who loves their scents. Even my son kept sniffing my hair which of course garnered unusual glances from strangers. But hey- if they used the new Naked Hair collection they’d be catching whiffs of the lingering scents on their hair too. So don’t judge me 🙂

Out of all the Herbal Essences hair products, I’d have to say I found a new line to adore. Although I’m not sure if I would use all four products at the same time, it’s good to know that Herbal Essences does offer the entire kit so you can choose whether to use all of them or just some of them. Everyone’s hair is different as well as product preference.

For more info about Herbal Essences newest Naked Hair collection, please visit their website: http://us.herbalessences.com/en-US/hair-care as well as enjoy this little video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g28hmWjmSo.

Disclaimer: The Walmart gift card and information have been provided by Herbal Essences.

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