Happymomblogger

Wholly Guacamole – Products Worth Reviewing and Coupon Offer

There’s no doubt that avocadoes, tomatoes, and onions are good for you. They are tasty by themselves or combined and in the case of Wholly Guacamole, you can get a little bit of all three ingredients. In our household, unless I’m making the guacamole myself, we don’t just snack on any boring guacamole. But I don’t always have the time or the resources to make guacamole and salsas can be too time consuming to make from scratch. So I usually stock my fridge with Wholly Guacamole’s all-natural guacamole and salsas and they go pretty quickly too.

If you’ve never tried Wholly Guacamole (http://eatwholly.com/) then you’re missing out on some really authentic guacamole and salsas. Their ready-to-eat guacamole and salsas are made with natural ingredients that you would probably use yourself if you had the time to make them. Wholly Guacamole’s guacamoles and salsas are made with natural ingredients and are delicious right out of the container. Or if you want to make it snazzy, you can combine your favorite ingredients along with them. But you really don’t have to with Wholly Guacamole products because they make a great variety of dipping sauces that varies from sweet to tangy to savory. My favorite is the Classic guacamole which contains avocados, jalapenos, onions, salt, and garlic – simple yet delicious! But Wholly Guacamole has other great varieties to choose from such as Spicy Guacamole, Organic Guacamole, Roasted Tomato Salsa, Avocado Verde Salsa, Guacamole & Spicy Pico Salsa, Pineapple Salsa, and many more. We’ve tried almost all of their guacamoles and salsas and they are all scrumptious and delectable.

But the best way to find out how yummy Wholly Guacamole’s products are is to try them yourself! You can find their products at most supermarkets and certain natural grocery stores. Since Wholly Guacamole does not use any preservatives, you’d have to enjoy their guacamoles and salsas quickly – but don’t worry, they are so delicious you wouldn’t want to keep them in your fridge for long.

Wholly Guacamole not only does right by their food, but they also help outreach groups such as sending kids to camp and helping military heroes. Currently, their Wholly Guacamole t-shirt is on sale and proceeds go to help Operation Purple which is a camp for military kids. The t-shirts are only $10 plus shipping and with each purchase you also receive a FREE Wholly Guacamole coupon with each order. How great is that? The t-shirts are 100% preshrunk cotton in white and are available in both adult and child sizes: http://eatwholly.com/wholly-heroes/. $10 for a great-looking t-shirt, getting a FREE coupon, plus helping out kids all at the same time? What a great deal! As an official Wholly Guacamole blogger, I wanted to share this offer with you so be sure to pick up a few t-shirts to keep and giveaway.

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.

*If you’re unsure about supplements, please be sure to consult your health practitioner before consuming any.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

November 7, 2012

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organicgirl – Products Worth Reviewing

Salads are pretty much a mainstay in our household meals. It could really be any kind of salad (fruit, veggies, or a mixture of both) as long as it’s filled with the basic ingredients – greens, reds, oranges, and so forth. I didn’t always enjoy eating salads, but I got the hang of it after I tried them with some unique dressings and got hooked on salads ever since. Even my son, who enjoys vegetables on their own, grew to like eating salads as well and we have fun deciding which ingredients we want to add to our basic greens layer. My number one choice in buildings salads is of course organically grown greens and nowadays, you can find organic lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, and any typical green veggies at your local grocery stores and always at your natural grocery stores.

When we were introduced to an all organic salad company called organicgirl (http://www.iloveorganicgirl.com/), I became instantly intrigued. Through their clamshell packaging, you can clearly see the freshly selected vegetables inside them. They weren’t wilted or tattered – the greens just look like they were handled with love and care and carefully placed inside their snug boxes. And the best thing about organicgirl’s salad blends is that they are made with organic ingredients and the varieties are well suited for any occassion. I like eating salads on their own sometimes and if you add more healthy ingredients in them, you can really make a satisfying meal out of it.

Above is a photo using organicgirl’s 50/50 Salad blend which consists of a healthy blend of baby spinach, baby green romaine lettuce, baby red romaine lettuce, baby red oakleaf lettuce, arugula, and many other organic greens. I simply added some soft tofu, radishes, strawberries, and pears from my parents backyard. I find it more enjoyable when you can add any kind of ingredient into your salad greens and make it your own. And when you top it with healthier dressings or even homemade dressings then it’s even more delicious! And I really like the fact that organicgirl’s greens have been prewashed so all I have to do is take it out of the package and plate it up. I do usually run a quick rinse just to refresh them a bit, but it’s up to you if you want to do that too.

Organicgirl began with a small group of women and men who wanted to bring to the public exceptional organic greens that anyone and everyone can enjoy. Most of their produce are grown on farms in California and Arizona and are grown using strict food safety practices to ensure their consumers are getting the best produce possible. And each of their packaged greens have been triple washed and packed instantly in a 100% recyclable clamshell container. Organicgirl believes in helping the environment and people live a healthier lifestyle and knowing that they use 100% recycled California PET bottles (5 and a half bottles per clamshell to be exact), it makes me glad that this organic company really takes a step further into helping the environment. And since the clamshell packaging are made from recycled materials, they can also be easily recycled.

Organicgirl produce can be found at most natural grocery stores and currently at Ralphs. You can always do a store search on their website to find their products at your local store. Currently organicgirl’s organic produce are offered in the following varieties:

50/50, baby arugula, baby spinach, baby spinach & arugula, baby spring mix, five happiness, fresh herbs & greens, i heart baby kale, QUICK COOK! baby kale, QUICK COOK! spinach, QUICK COOK! spinach powergreens, romaine heart leaves, SUPERGREENS!, and vive la France! So you see, with so many delicious varieties to choose from, you can definitely find something that will work for any meal. All you’ll need to supply is your favorite dressing and add a few more ingredients to them and you’ve got a great dish.

The good folks at organicgirl had kindly sent me several of their organic greens to try and review. And right now on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/iloveorganicgirl, they are running a recipe contest where you can submit ideas for “dressing up your greens”. The prizes are a gift card, 5 FREE product vouchers, the winning recipe featured on their webpage, and the winning recipe printed and used at shows and demonstrations. All you have to do is suggest what you’ll use with their newest vive la France! salad mix and you’re good to go. And to help you save on buying a vive la France! so that you can enter in the recipe contest, organicgirl’s website offers a coupon too.

So start eating healthier and making healthier food choices. Eating salads everyday is a good way to start.

*If you’re unsure about supplements, please be sure to consult your health practitioner before consuming any.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

November 7, 2012

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What a Waste! – Teaching Kids Not to be Wasteful

I’d like to think that I was raised in a good and wholesome household. My parents were well educated and taught me ethics, beliefs, and the importance of being a good person for society. I learned a lot growing up from my parents as well as my siblings and I only hope that I’m able to teach my son the important lessons that I’ve learned from them. Parenting can truly be the hardest job we ever have and sometimes it”s thankful, sometimes you’re lucky you get a nod. We are constantly growing and learning and hopefully changing the world to be a better place. We may not be able to make our Earth a true “Heaven” so to speak, but we can teach our children and they can teach their children and so forth, that we only have one planet to live on and we must all try to take care of it.

While I was reading the newest issue of Whole Living, I came across an article about waste and how the US is the single most wasteful country in the world. It’s not hard to believe since the US is currently the most desirable country to live in – what with easy access to food, stores at every 100 paces, and the latest electronic gadgets sold every few seconds – we really live in a country envied by most other countries. But we are also part of the destruction of our fragile planet that we ALL live on. It’s easy to say we can make a change to improve our planet, but it’s even harder to actually do something about it. But a good place to start is within our own homes and in our minds.

In the aptly titled article, “Spoil Alert”, in the November issue of Whole Living magazine, the article vividly describes the astounding amount of food that is wasted in the US on a regular basis. The article states that in 1980, food waste made up of 9.5 percent (by weight) of municple landfills. And by 2010, it more than doubled to 20.5 percent. The Natural Resources Defense Council had released a report in August that Americans waste around 40 percent of all edible food. The Environmental Protection Agency equates that to be about 33 millions tons of wasted food in a year. That’s an incredible amount of wasted food in my opinion and most of it are not even necessary waste. When I mean unnecessary waste, I’m referring to Americans buying too much food and then either forgetting they were bought or not eating and saving any leftovers. It’s a common mistake and there are times when I’ve looked into my fridge and found old vegetables or cheese that were long forgotten.

With so many hungry people in the world and with our planet slowly deteriorating, it makes me wonder if we can ever make Earth a better place. Although it may sound idealistic, but I believe that any small step towards a change of good is possible. And the first step is within ourselves and then to teach our children to do the same. So let’s start first with what we buy at the grocery stores. I like to always make a shopping list first and I usually try to stick with it. Then, within that shopping list, I have to calculate what I’m making with the food I’m going to buy. Some people decide on food for the week beforehand and that’s perfectly fine, but it’s always good to have a shopping list or a mental list so that you don’t overbuy or impulse buy (which is the biggest culprit to wasting food and your health!). Next, I determine the quantity of products. Say, if I’m making minestrone soup for 3 people and to last at least 3 days, then I know I’ll need to buy 2 carrots, 1 celery, 2 potatoes, 2 cans of tomatoes (or 3 fresh tomatoes), either water or vegetable stock, pasta, and any other vegetable I feel like throwing in there. Now that’s a typical grocery list for just soup but if I’m accounting for food for the rest of the week, then I really have to plan even further. And then the hard part is – telling my son to resist impulse buying because a kid will most likely always want something they see at the checkout counter or as you’re walking through the aisles.

So, after you’ve diligently made an accurate shopping list and sticking to your guns, then the next step in not wasting food is when you’re eating out. That may be the hardest thing to do unless you’re going to one of those trendy European restaurant where the amount of food on your plate greatly under weighs the amount you pay for it. We usually like to pick a restaurant where we know there will be leftovers and where of course the food is really good. Taking home doggy bags are an important step in not wasting food but the next important step is to actually eat your leftover food. Otherwise, if you know you’re not going to eat it, then don’t bother bringing it home. It’ll just stay in your fridge making you feel guilty if you end up having to throw it away. If you’re not hungry when you eat out, then try sharing a plate or ordering a half plate. Most restaurants will let you do that. We love going to Asian restaurants because you get a great amount of food for a decent price and you’ll most likely end up with food to take home. And then what about those leftover food that is no longer appetizing? Sometimes I like to stretch that meal out by adding more ingredients to it. If it’s pasta, then I’ll throw in more pasta sauce, a bit more veggies, and more noodles if necessary. Then it’s another complete meal. Leftovers may not always be tasty, but if you can change it up a bit, then you’re creating a new plate and new palate. And, you’re saving money as well, because you’re stretching the meals throughout the week.

The other most important trick to not wasting food is using up those bothersome extras that are stuck in your jam jars or leaves off greens that don’t necessarily make the cut but you don’t want to throw them away either. In the article, there is a great little section with suggestions on what to do with certain leftovers. They got ideas from famous chefs, cookbook writers, and other culinary experts. Here are some ideas:

BOTTOM-OF-THE-JAR JAM – Make a jam-based vinaigrette. Add equal parts vinegar, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and some pepper. Shake up the jar and you’ve got a great new dressing.

DAY-OLD-BAGELS – Make bagel pudding. Use the same technique as in bread pudding but substitute with old, dry bagels.

BRUISED FRUIT – Make ice cream topping. This one is my favorite and I often do this too. Just cook the bruised berries with a bit of sugar and balsamic vinegar and add some zest from juiced-out lemons or oranges.

FISH HEADS – Fertalizer for your plants. Bury the fish head and as the fish head slowly decomposes, it is also feeding the plant. Haven’t tried this yet and I probably wouldn’t suggest using this in fruit plants (can’t imagine the taste of fish strawberries!)

GREEN, LEAFY THINGS – Use up any remnants of your veggies such as celery leaves, leftover lettuce, etc. They can go into soup to make stock, into stir-fries, pasta sauces, etc.

So you see, there really isn’t a good excuse to waste food. As long as we remember to buy only food that we’ll actually eat and eat the food we’ve already bought, then that’s a good start. And then if you set good examples with your children and friends, then maybe they’ll learn those techniques too.

November 3, 2012

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Be a Food Superhero – Campaign and Giveaway

Stonyfield Farm likes to ask, “What’s a Food Superhero?” Food superheroes know their food and make food choices that protect their health, family farmers, animals, and the planet. So are you a food superhero and if not, how do you become one? One simple answer is to visit Stonyfield Farm’s latest campaign at: https://iwillknowmyfood.com. Through an ongoing campaign partnered with Food Corps ( http://foodcorps.org/), Stonyfield Farm will donate $1 to each superhero profile that’s created on their site, when you share through Facebook, Twitter, or email, and when you Tweet using hashtag #FoodSuperhero. Stonyfield Farm (http://www.stonyfield.com/), a leading organic and natural yogurt company in the US, has been making great food choices for their consumers – by providing the best possible yogurts and yogurt-based frozen desserts.

According to a report made by LetsMove, a government-sponsored health initiative, child obesity has tripled over three decades in the United States. Our children and possibly future generations may be in jeopardy of obesity if something isn’t done now. It’s crucial for parents, especially parents of young children to teach their kids to eat responsibly and make responsible food choices. When kids learn at an early age to eat the right kind of foods, then they’ll grow up to eat more healthily and make healthier choices. That’s why Stonyfield Farm and Food Corps has teamed up to help kids in America live a healthier lifestyle through their everyday food choices.

As an official Healthy Child Healthy World blogger, I was given the opportunity to become a “Food Superhero”. I created a Superhero profile and my profile is: “The Green Organics”. My food superpower is: Kapow! I use food choices to protect the little guy. And my Kryptonite: Nothing! It’s super easy and super fun to create your own Food Superhero on their site. Simply select from the choices given and you’re instantly transformed into a well-informed food superhero. Much easier than falling into toxic waste to gain superpowers! And what’s even better is that with each Superhero profile created, Stonyfield Farm will donate $1 to Food Corps for each activity performed (Create a Superhero profile, Tweet, and Like). So not only are you helping your little ones, but you’ll be able to help other little ones too. And the more activities you do on their site, the more money will be donated.

When I was given an unique opportunity to create my own Superhero profile, I was also the winner of a $50 Whole Foods Gift Card, a blue Superhero Cape, and a coupon for any Stonyfield Farm yogurt. As an official Healthy Child Healthy World blogger, I was also given the opportunity to offer 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger the opportunity to win the Be a Food Superhero prize pack. The winner will receive a $50 Whole Foods Gift Card, a Superhero cape, and a Stonyfield Farm coupon. So how do you win this wonderful prize as well as help others? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Stonyfield Farm Food Superhero giveaway:

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

ENTRIES:

#1 entry (2 tasks) – “Like” Stonyfield Farm on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stonyfieldfarm and write on their wall that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger: http://www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com/. Please put Happymomblogger as the heading. Create your Superhero Profile on https://iwillknowmyfood.com and tell me what your profile is.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

#2 entry – Become a follower: http://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Stonyfield Food Superhero giveaway. Become a follower of Stonyfield Farm: https://twitter.com/Stonyfield and “Tweet” that you are entering the Stonyfield Food Superhero 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: October 19, 2012

Contest End Date: October 29, 2012 – Congratulations to Sara 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!

*If you’re unsure about supplements, please be sure to consult your health practitioner before consuming any.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

October 20, 2012November 1, 2012

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Surf Sweets – Products Worth Reviewing and Halloween Giveaway

What is it about Halloween and candy that just goes perfectly hand in hand? Candies are the treats, of course, and what kid isn’t wishing for candies at Halloween? After all, stores all over the country are already packing their shelves with candies of all assortments. You’ve got plain chocolates, chocolate covered peanuts, gummy candies, caramel candies, lollipops, gum, and well, basically anything sweet that you can imagine. And there are even non-sweets for the more “responsible” parents I should say. Halloween is perhaps the only time in the year where you can have an excuse to polish off your kids entire bag of candies just so you can save their health. Well, at least that’s what most parents claim to say. Then of course, you feel guilty afterwards as you watch your little kids stare at you with their big, tear-pooled eyes and looking into their empty bag.

Well, this year for Halloween you don’t have to feel guilty about the candies that your children will be snarfing down. At least not where it comes to Surf Sweets candies. Surf Sweets ( http://www.surfsweets.com/) are candies made with natural, organic, and healthier ingredients. You won’t find any ingredients in their candy that makes you cringe more than the scary goblins walking down the streets. And Surf Sweets candies are more than just better-for-you candies than the conventional ones, they actually taste delicious, unique, and are quite extraordinary. My son absolutely loves their Gummy Worms and Gummy Bears and with each serving containing 100% Vitamin C, he’s at least getting some useful vitamins in his sweets. No, it doesn’t beat actual fruits with Vitamin C of course, but if you’re going to give your kids candy, then it should contain natural ingredients and have some benefits to them.

Surf Sweets, a division of TruSweets was created with the idea that good-tasting candy should also be good for you. They created an entire line of sweets made with natural and organic ingredients and are all free of geneticially modified or engineered ingredients. Their sweets include an array of tart and sweet varieties such as Gummy Worms, Gummy Bears, Gummy Swirls, Fruity Bears, Sour Berry Bears, and their newest – Spooky Spiders. Some of their sweets are vegan friendly and all of them are gluten-free. There are no artificial flavors or colors and no high fructose corn syrup or preservatives. I don’t give my son candy that often, but as an occassional treat, I give him Surf Sweets gummy candy because they’re definitely better than the conventional candies you find in supermarkets.

Halloween may be coming up in a few weeks, but it’s wise to stock up on Surf Sweets candies all year round. They make great gifts for any age and they’re not too sweet and just the right proportion. You can have one or a handful – either way, they will completely satsify your sweet tooth. They currently come in individual packs as well as boxes and you can find Surf Sweets at most natural grocery stores. We keep a couple of bags on hand for those special treat days and they are so fun to eat and so incredibly delicious too! The little shapes of bears and worms also make it a fun treat event and to make it educational, you can teach your kids about math and colors as well.

The sweet folks at Surf Sweets had sent me an assortment of their most popular sweets to try and review. They are also giving 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger the opportunity to try their Sour Berry Bears. The winner will receive 4 boxes of the Sour Berry Bears to enjoy with their children or share with other kids. So how do you win this yummy prize? Read below to find out!