Happymomblogger

When people ask me why I became a vegetarian, the answer is simple – I don’t like animals being harmed especially for food and I want to stay as healthy as possible. Vegetarians become vegetarians for many reasons and there are actually several different types of vegetarians. But being a vegetarian hasn’t always been easy, especially in the beginning when cravings for a cheeseburger or seafood sneaks up. And having been a vegetarian for a long time, people used to look at me like I was crazy and didn’t really comprehend the reasons to why I became a vegetarian. Now, as people have become more accepting of personal food lifestyles and with health being a big issue in the U.S., vegetarians are almost becoming the norm. Almost.

I think the one thing holding people back from eating more plant-based foods is that big food companies are trying too hard to make products that are more convenient, rather than help you eat healthier. Convenience is great when you need it to be, however, not all companies are willing to produce healthier foods that are actually better for you and safer for the environment. Plant-based foods come straight from the source and are actually more convenient and versatile than one would think. And when you incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, you’ll soon find that it’s easier to include them into your daily meals.

What if sometimes you do need a little help in preparing more plant-based meals? Soy, for instance is a great base for any plant-based diet. Miso, soy-based burgers, and soy beverages offer great amounts of protein and vitamins. And then when you incorporate vegetables and grains, then your meal is more complete than you’d think. When I came across a company called Edward & Sons awhile ago, I was intrigued to find that they carry an extensive line of plant-based products made with organic and natural ingredients. Their natural and organic products help those who need an extra incentive to eat healthier and less meat. With their comprehensive line of products which include miso soup, vegetarian sauces, and pasta dinners, there’s definitely something for everyone there.

Edward & Sons (http://www.edwardandsons.com/) began as a small company that sold primarily miso soup based on the belief that plant-based foods should also be high quality and available for everyone. This innovative company soon grew to compose of other brands under the Edward & Sons label which includes Let’s Do, Let’s Do Organic, Native Forest, Native Factor, Premier Japan, Road’s End Organics, and Wizards. We first discovered their Let’s Do Organic Ice Cream Cones when searching for a healthier version of the traditional ice cream cones you would find in supermarkets. I was delighted to find that they contain simple ingredients you would use yourself if you had the time to make ice cream cones at home. I was instantly hooked and from then on, we would buy only the Let’s Do Organic ice cream cones. Although the price is a little higher than a mainstream brand, we don’t buy it often and the healthier ingredients definitely pays off.

When Edward & Sons offered me to try some of their products, I was delighted at the chance. I tried their Organic Home Style Mashed Potatoes, Native Forest Organic Sliced Crimini Mushrooms, and Road’s End Organics Golden Gravy Mix. And the result was a delicious, moist, and convenient mashed potatoes with gravy and mushrooms. Although I prefer to make my own mashed potatoes and gravy, it’s always nice to have something available on hand when you’re trying to whip up dinner quickly. The Home Style Mashed Potatoes wasn’t mushy at all and had a nice moist texture to it and its made with organic potatoes, organic onion powder, sea salt, and organic black pepper. The Organic Golden Gravy Mix was smooth and not too salty and is made with a base of organic brown rice flour, organic tapioca starch, and organic Tamari. The Organic Crimini Mushrooms were delicate little mushrooms that tasted extremely fresh for a canned product. In fact, Edward & Sons harvest their vegetables at the peak of freshness and cans them immediately to retain the flavor and freshness. Below you will find a photo of the Mashed Potatoes with Gravy and Mushrooms that’s included with homemade turkey meatballs.

Edward & Sons would also like to give 2 LUCKY readers of Happymomblogger the opportunity to try their Edward & Sons™ Organic Home Style Mashed Potatoes, Native Forest® Organic Sliced Crimini Mushrooms, and Road’s End Organics® Golden Gravy Mix. Both winners will receive the same prize as mentioned above. So how do you win this yummy prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Edward & Sons giveaway:

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

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” Edward & Sons on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/edwardandsons?fref=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 Edward & Sons giveaway. Become a follower of Edward & Sons: https://twitter.com/EdwardandSons and “Tweet” that you are entering the Edward & Sons contest at Happymomblogger.

#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 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 prohibed by law.

Contest Start Date: January 23, 2013

Contest End Date: February 6, 2013 – CONGRATULATIONS TO SARA FOR WINNING THE PRIZE!

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

For the fans of Popchips you’ll be glad to know that there’s a new chip in town. The ingenious folks at Popchips has developed a new tortilla chip that just blows the other tortilla chips out of the water! With Popchips classic style of “popping” their chips rather  than frying or baking them, their newest tortilla chip definitely tastes much different than the regular tortilla chips you’re used to eating. Popchips tortilla chips are lighter in texture but rich in flavor and with four different flavors to choose from, you won’t get bored.

I had heard about Popchips secret new chips awhile back and had waited as patiently as possible for them to come out. As it turned out, their tortilla chips weren’t what I expected them to be at all. But true to Popchips gourmet fashion, their newest tortilla chips stands out from the rest. I was delighted that Popchips had sent me some coupons to try out their newest tortilla chips as well as their other regular potato chips in newer flavors. With their tortilla chips, I tried them in the Ranch flavor and my son and I could not stop eating them. We don’t eat a lot of chips but Popchips newest tortilla chips are possibly better for you because they’re not fried and they aren’t made with any artificial ingredients or preservatives. All you taste in the yummy Ranch flavored tortilla chips are a blend of tangy, savory, and sweet.

Other varieties and flavors that we tried were their Sweet Potato Popchips which wasn’t overly sweet and had a bit more crunch; their Thai Sweet Chili Potato which wasn’t as spicy as I had thought but was definitely unique in flavor; and their Chili Lime which had a nice tangy and sweetness to it. We’ve tried almost all of their other flavors throughout the years and they have so many to choose from, that it’s easy for us to pick one to go with a certain type of meal. For instance, my son and I really like the Original flavor to munch on whenever we’re in a snack mood. The original flavor has an amazing potato taste, a bit salty, and really airy and light in texture. The Sea Salt&Vinegar works well with a sandwich or with soups and the Barbeque flavor tastes amazing with ranch dip!

But what we like most about Popchips is that they do not use any genetically-modified ingredients, they don’t use any unnecessary ingredients, and they taste incredibly light, crispy, and smooth. They are definitely unique in their own taste and texture! That’s why when the new Tortilla chips came out, I was really excited to them. I was imagining the typical tortilla chips that would be extra crunchy but not with Popchips Tortilla Chips. Their tortilla chips has a delicate crunch to them and they are still dip-worthy in guacamole or salsa – or basically any type of dip you would use for tortilla chips. Of course, with the Ranch flavor, we enjoyed them just as much as they are – without any dips or sauces.

So if you’re a Popchips fan, or if you’re new on the scene, get yourself to your closest grocery store and pick up a bag or a few. We’ll be trying their other flavors soon and with their latest Kettle Corn Popchips out on the market, we’re eager to try those too! For more info about Popchips, please visit their website: www.popchips.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

I’m not one to make new year resolutions. I prefer to make corrections of past mistakes or blunders throughout the year, as they happen. For some, making new year resolutions may work and some resolutions might actually be kept. But I don’t know many people who can keep them. Perhaps they set too high of a goal for themselves or make unrealistic, unreachable aspirations. Whatever reasons people decide in making and keeping their newfound promises, I think it’s important to make a list (whether in your mind or on paper), check it twice, and then decide if they are achievable or not. Otherwise, that list will just stay locked in a drawer with the rest of your aspirations.

As a mom, I’m constantly telling myself not to do this, not to do that. Or it’s okay to do this, it’s okay to do that. And no, I don’t really talk to myself, I just try to make judgements based on my own beliefs. Before becoming a mom however, I lived my life more carefree but as most moms know, having children really awakens your sense of judgement. Moms have to constantly think whether they are making the right choices for their children and for themselves as a parent. We try to teach our children to be good citizens of the world and we try hopefully, to lead by examples. One important rule that has never changed for me is to be true to myself. If I’m true to who I am, then my son will most likely be true to himself.

But as new year resolutions go, as I’m growing and learning and trying to find new ways of improving, I do make a mental list of all the things I aspire to achieve. And I try to make realistic and practical goals. See if any of these fit your own goals for the new year and if you have suggestions that others might follow.

1- Reuse, repurpose, reinvent. This is a step beyond just recycling my stuff. I want to find new ways of reusing and repurposing things that are not actually damaged and can be salvaged. I want to find new ways of inventing an item that just can’t be thrown away but may find new meaning elsewhere.

2- Reduce. Okay, this one may be a bit tricky and may be direct opposite of number 1, but reducing is actually a goal I’ve been trying to achieve for many years. And the easiest way of starting is to buy less. If I don’t have to worry about reducing the impact of my carbon footprint, then it’s naturally easier to buy less therefore creating less waste overall.

3- Try to be more patient with those that annoy me. Yes, this may be hard to achieve given the fact that the word “annoying” is so broad. Anything can be annoying or any person. But it’s particularly directed at people who think they know my child better than I do.

4- Never stop learning. I think it’s crucially important to never stop learning. Our minds are the gateway to new beliefs, ideas, and freedom. When we use our minds to learn and grow, we are truly able to be ourselves.

5- Never stop teaching others. You don’t have to be a certified teacher to teach. Teaching brings as much joy as learning. There are many people who enjoy learning something new and different from you so don’t be afraid to teach and lead by example.

6- Declutter the mind and home. I’m constantly trying to find ways of helping the environment, whether it’s using reusable bags, using less plastic, or conserving energy. I think one of the best ways of helping the environment and yourself is to have less clutter. This may be hard when you have kids, but teach your children (and spouse) the importance of less clutter in the home. You can then determine what you need to keep and what to throw away.

7- Volunteer. Volunteering your time and or money is important. Whenever you feel lost in the world, donate some of your time, money, and goods to those who need it more. You’ll feel better about yourself and you’re helping others. Involve your children in your volunteering endeavors so that they understand that the world revolves around us and not just themselves.

8- Find more creative ways of saving money. We all like to save money. That being said, we all like to spend money as well. They both go hand in hand and one or the other will always win when it comes down to a debate. But learning to save money and teaching your children to save money is actually a good thing (unbeknownest to them). It also helps the environment in that you’re producing less waste. Whether or not it helps the economy is a different story.

9- Teach my family and others the importance of eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle. With the age of convenience upon us, it’s easy to pick up a burger through the drive-thru and call it lunch or dinner. But we pay for it in our health and health bills later on down the line. By choosing to eat healthier and live a healthier lifestyle, we are also leading by examples for people to hopefully follow.

10- Remain true to yourself. This should be common sense – well, for most people anyway. If you’re true to your beliefs, then you’ll gain more integrity and self worth. Teach your children this important characteristic and they’ll thank you for it later – hopefully 🙂

So whether your new year resolution is to save more money or to be healthier, or if you make resolutions at all, the best place to start in a new and improved you is within yourself. Tell yourself that you can do better and make better choices. And then remind yourself constantly if you should ever falter. As a parent, it’s important to improve on yourself not only as a parent, but as an individual being.

Happy New Year and wishes for a healthier, happier, and more prosperous year!

Kids can be finicky eaters. There’s no doubt about that. But if you can find something that they’ll eat and actually enjoy, then you’ll most likely buy more of it. However, kids don’t always know what’s good for them and what’s not. That’s why parents like us have to buy foods that are healthy and delicious for our children. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and anything in between should be scrutinized wisely. One of our favorite ways of eating healthier is with dried fruits. Dried fruits, when made in its natural form and as minimally processed as possible, is one of the most versatile ways of getting extra vitamins and minerals into our bodies. It’s also delicious and naturally sweet, which is always a good option for when you’re craving something sweet.

I’ve always wanted to learn how to dry fruit properly and I’ve seen infomercials on special food drying systems that look really tempting. But then again I don’t want another gadget in my house that’ll probably end up being unused. In the past, I’ve tried to dry bananas and apples and they turned out okay, but I knew there must have been a couple of steps missing because they didn’t turn out like the ones you see in stores. So essentially I gave up on the idea of drying my own fruit and just resolved to buying them at the stores. But I’m also really picky when it comes to the types of dried fruit. They have to be natural, wholesome, and without any artificial junk added in them. After all, dried fruit and vegetables should be just that – without any unnecessary ingredients. That’s why when I was introduced to Crunchies Natural Snacks not too long ago, I knew I had found a new dried fruit and veggies company that I will like.

Crunchies Natural Snacks (http://crunchiesfood.com/) makes natural, organic, and delicious freeze-dried fruit and vegetables that can satisfy any finicky palate. Unlike other common freeze dried fruit and vegetable snacks, I knew the real test of taste would be with my son. I had him try the Corn Snacks and Blueberries and he really enjoyed them, but mostly the Corn Snacks. With the dried blueberries, we added them in our pancakes and they were unusually delightful and added a natural bit of sweetness – no syrup needed! In fact, most of their dried fruits could be put into your regular recipes including smoothies, pancakes, baked desserts, fruit salads, and anything you’d like to includes fruits with. But of course, our favorite way of eating Crunchies dried fruits is by themselves as a healthy and filling snack.

Crunchies Natural Snacks came about when the need for a healthier altenative to snacks beckoned the company to make something that people of all ages would enjoy. At Crunchies, all of their freeze-dried snacks are made naturally, retaining the fruits and vegetables nutritional qualities and without any added sugar. They do not use preservatives and all of their fruits and vegetables are grown in the US, with exception of indigenous fruits such as Pineapples and Mangoes grown in South America. Their bags are resealable to maintain freshness and they do not use any ingredients that have been genetically modified or grown. Crunchies carries an extraordinary line of delicious fruits, vegetables, and blends that are great for any occassion. They also carry an Organic-only line that currently consists of Sweet Peas and Strawberries. Currently Crunchies carries the following freeze-dried snacks: Very Berry which is a super-nutritious blend of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries; Strawberries; Rasberries; Mango; Cinnamon Apple; Blueberries; Edamame; Roasted Vegetables; Corn Snacks in flavors such as Spicy Ranch and Barbeque, and many other flavors.

You can find Crunchies Natural Snacks at most natural grocery stores and certain supermarkets that carry natural and organic food. And you can also order their products online if it’s more convenient. Their bags are at least 1.5 oz and there are a great amount of dried fruits and vegetables in each bag – so it can last you a good while. The wonderful folks at Crunchies Natural Snacks had sent me several of their products to try. We tried their Corn Snacks, Organic Sweet Peas, Blueberries, Salted Edamames, and Pineapple. My favorites were the Sweet Peas and Corn Snacks and my son really enjoyed the Corn Snacks – you just have to watch out for a few extra crunchy corn pieces in there.

You don’t have to be a fan of dried fruits and vegetables to enjoy them. Dried fruits and vegetables are an extremely convenient way of enjoying much needed fruits and vegetables that not everyone gets on a daily basis. They’re also easy to carry around and they make great additions to most dishes. We always keep a bunch on hand just in case we need a quick and nutritious snack or I feel adventurous and want to experiment with my cooking!

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

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a great holiday season. In fact, spending less money can also help reduce your carbon imprint on the planet. It can be as easy as making your own gifts or adding a personal touch to a store-bought gift. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a handmade gift crafted to the specific recipient? If you let your ideas soar, you will surely find ways of having a green holiday season, save some money, and save time as well.

Each year we try to make something to give as gifts. We usually start with a theme and use what we have around the house or can be easily recyclable or reusable. The Green Movement is all the rage nowadays and I’m pretty sure most people will appreciate a gift that’s also better for the planet. And whether you plan on spending a lot of money or not, you will most likely find ideas that spark an environmentally-friendly holiday season.

So where’s a good place to start? A good place to start is with a theme. This way you’ll know what ingredients or items to buy and use. And then you can tailor it to the specific person for that extra special touch. Below I’ve listed 10 ways of “going green” this holiday season. Perhaps you’ve already tried some of these suggestions. If not, then I hope you’ll find them useful.

10 Ways of Having a Green Holiday:

1- Make homemade sweets to give as gifts. Bake themed cookies, seasonal pies, petite cakes, whoopee pies, chocolate truffles, candies, and so forth. Homemade sweets are a delicious way of giving someone something they don’t usually make or buy for themselves. You can find great recipes online.

2- Add a special touch to scarves, hats, and mittens. Buy a plain or simply-patterned scarf, hat, or mittens and add some beading to them. To make it personal, decide what the recipient likes such as animals or flowers, etc. Stitch a butterfly, cat, or a favorite flower onto the scarf, hat, or mittens, and the recipient will remember you each time they wear it.

3- If you have sweaters that no longer fit you and you plan on donating them anyway, make mittens and hats out of them. Then decorate them per Idea #2, above. A good place for patterns is Martha Stewart’s website.

4- Use old newspapers for wrapping gifts and shred them to fill up boxes or bags. To make it a “newsworthy” theme, choose the comics page for a gift that’s comical or unique; choose the theater page for a gift that’s dramatic; choose a real estate page for a gift that’s for the home; choose an investment page for someone who loves saving money. Then, if you have leftover pages, shred them to fill inside boxes. Tie the boxes with raffia for an earthier look and raffia can be easily reused.

5- Use grocery paper bags to wrap small gifts. Natural food stores usually offer paper bags as an option. Once you unload your groceries, make sure the bags are clean and use them as wrapping paper. To make them more festive, have your kids draw on them with crayons or watercolor paint.

6- If you do buy wrapping paper, be sure they contain at least 50% post-consumer materials. To save paper when wrapping, measure exactly so there are no odds and ends leftover. If there are odd pieces left over, use them as gift tags so that they perfectly match the wrapped gift.

7- If decorating with holiday lights, be sure to buy ones that are made with LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs use one-tenth the energy of regular light bulbs therefore saving you some money. LED light bulbs are available for both indoor and outdoor – just make sure they are UL listed for safety.

8- When shopping for Christmas trees, it’s actually more ideal to buy fresh trees. One would think that artificial trees are better because you can reuse them each year, but artificial trees are made from plastic which are usually from non-renewable resources and they are shipped from a long distance. If you can get a living tree, which is designed to be replanted, then all the better. And be sure to recycle your tree properly.

9- Buy gifts that donate a certain amount of proceeds to a good charity. Pick ones that donates at least 30% of the proceeds to a charity. If it’s hard to find that high of an amount, then even 5% will be helpful. Not only are you saving money from any extra monetary donations you were planning on, but you’re also helping others in need.

10- Make a donation in the recipient’s name to his/her favorite charity. This is especially great if your recipient is hard to buy for or really just don’t want anything for Christmas (I know a few who are always telling me that).

So you see, there are many wonderful ways of going green this holiday season as well as saving some green in your pocket. If you put your mind to it, you’ll probably find other ways of saving money and time, and helping to save the planet as well. Make a list of all the things you need and you’ll also save a lot of time and money. I find that when I don’t have my list for the holiday season, I end up buying things that I don’t really use or need and then they’re truly a waste. Decide that this year you really are going to go green and you’ll unearth many ideas, items, and creativity that you never knew were available.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!