Purex, Let’s Be Honest – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

Purex, the leading manufacturer of laundry care has come out with a new “Let’s Be Honest” promotion where you can enter to win a year’s supply of Purex products! Purex makes laundry detergent in liquid, powder, and sheets form as well as in-wash fabric refreshers, stain removers, and dryer sheets. Purex has dedicated themselves to improve their cleaning products to be safer for the environment and non-toxic to people. Their products are readily biodegradable and free of NPE’s, APE’s, and phosphates. Purex has also been awarded Champion Status by the United States E.P.A. Design for the Environment with their Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative. They also have a natural laundry detergent called,  Purex Natural Elements Liquid Detergent which has naturally sourced cleaning ingredients, is hypoallergenic and free of dyes, has natural fragrance extracts, and is 95% natural.

On April 30th Purex launched their new ‘Let’s Be Honest’ promotional campaign featuring Second City Comedian Molly Erdman. Purex created a funny series of short video vignettes sharing honest moments that reflect the ironic truths of everyday Life, Laundry, and Whatever: http://www.purex.com/lets-be-honest. And through mid July, there will be new funny videos uploaded every few days at www.purex.com, plus posts on Facebook and promotional tweets on Twitter. And the best part is – you can enter to win a year’s supply of Purex products! The daily sweepstakes will run through July 20th. You can find entry codes on specially-marked Purex products and after you register on their site, you can enter your codes as often as you like, but only one code entry per day. There are several unique videos on their website and my favorite is “Lost and Found” – Honest Moment #16. Hilarious! You’ll have to watch it to know what I mean.

As a Purex Insider, I was given the opportunity to view these comedic videos as well as try their new Triple Action liquid detergents – formulated to work better than before. The new Triple Action Liquid Detergents currently come in the following: Purex Complete with Shout, Regular formula, Free & Clear, Natural Elements, Coldwater, With Color Safe Bleach, With Fabric Softeners, and for Baby. Purex is also offering 3 LUCKY readers of Happymomblogger the chance to win 1 FREE product coupon for each winner. So how do you win this wonderful prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Purex Let’s Be Honest giveaway:

(Please note, the rules have changed slightly for this particular giveaway. Please read carefully before entering)

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – Watch the Let’s Be Honest videos on http://www.purex.com/lets-be-honest or http://www.youtube.com/user/purexlaundry/videos

#2 – Tell me which one is your favorite video and why.

#3 entry – Like, Share, Retweet your favorite video.

#4 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

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

You can enter by telling me the required entries in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. You must complete the first 3 entries in order to qualify. 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: July 11, 2012

Contest End Date: July 18, 2012 – Congratulations to Ashley, Janice, and Janet for winning the prizes!

Only 3 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.

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Crofter’s Organic – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

We love fruits in our family. We eat them fresh as is, baked into pies, and as jams and spreads. Once I even made my own jam which turned out pretty good but it was a bit too time-consuming as I had to make a bunch for the holidays. So for me, it’s just as easy and delicious to buy some really extraordinary jams and spreads that are made with natural and organic ingredients. In fact, if I had to make it from scratch using all organic ingredients, it would probably cost way more. And if I was going to make it from scratch, I definitely wouldn’t use inferior ingredients – it wouldn’t be fair to my family and to the recipients.

There are many fruit jams and spreads out on the market today, but most of them use generic, low quality fruits and more sugar than necessary. Sugar is addicting and that’s why conventional companies put a lot of sugar in their jams and preserves so that people will buy them.  But in reality, a really good and simple fruit jam or spread does not need to contain a lot of sugar. With Crofter’s Organics, they use less sugar than the conventional brands and they use organic white grape juice as a sweetener when possible.  In fact, their Just Fruit Spreads line uses 100% fruit ingredients and is sweetened with organic grape juice. And since their jams and spreads are made with organic fruits, you don’t have to worry about any toxic pesticides or herbicides sitting in them. We really enjoy their Just Fruit Spreads because you can really taste the true flavor of each individual fruit inside the jar.

Crofter’s Organic (http://www.croftersorganic.com/) was founded and developed in Canada when a young German couple imigrated to Canada with hopes of bringing fresh, simple, and delicious jams to their new country. With a philosophy, “be serious about keeping it simple”, Crofter’s Organics soon became the leading organic and all-natural jam manufacturer in North America. With over 20 years of experience in the jam-making business, Crofter’s Organics really knows their jam-making business. When you first take a bite into their luscious fruit jams, you’re instantly reminded of how jam should taste like – simple, wholesome, and mouth-watering. Their fruit jams and spreads are not overly sweet and they’re super easy to use on almost anything. I like to eat them on toast, waffles, and bagels, and both my son and I love drizzling them on our ice cream and yogurt. In fact, we buy plain ice cream and yogurt just so we can mix some of Crofter’s Organic jams in them.

Breakfast is really important in our family as it should be with anyone but fruit jams and spreads aren’t just for breakfast anymore. As previously stated, we like Crofter’s Organic jams on our ice cream just for an extra special treat and I don’t feel too bad giving it to my son since their jams are made with only natural and organic ingredients. And since they contain much less sugar than the other conventional brands, it’s okay to spread a little bit more than usual. I truly taste only the fruit when I eat their jams because they pack a lot of fruit inside them. And Crofter’s Organic promise to use only fruits grown from nearby organic farms and organic sugar that are Rainforest Alliance certified. In fact, they hope to use only organic grape juice in all of their fruit jams and spread in the near future as a sweetener. It’s healthier by definition and definitely taste a whole lot different.

Currently Crofter’s Organic produces the following varieties and flavors: Premium Spreads which has 11 different fruit flavors and one-third less sugar than conventional jams. And their Premium Spreads jams are made with impressive fruits such as Blood Orange, Morello Cherry, and Wild Blueberry as well as the more popular flavors including Strawberry, Rasberry, and Grape. They also produce Superfruit Spreads which features unique fruit blends from four different continents – Asia, which includes organic yumberry which is known for maintaining and restoring health; Europe, which includes Pomegranate and Black Currant known for antioxidants; North America which includes Wild Cranberries and Blueberries known for their antioxidants and vitamins; South America which includes Maqui Berries and Passionfruit known for their potent antioxidants. I really enjoy their Superfruit Spreads because they’re thick and loaded with tons of fruit pieces and bits. They’re absolutely wonderful on toast because of the thicker consistency and for those who love a lot of “superpower” fruits, you’ll really enjoy Crofter’s Superfruit Spreads. Crofter’s Organics also produces Just Fruit Spreads which are made with 100% fruit ingredients and sweetened with only grape juice concentrate. But because they are packed with more fruit than usual, they really don’t need a lot of sugar in them anyways. We really appreciate that Crofter’s Just Fruit Spreads contain only organic fruits and are not too sweet but sweet enough.

Crofter’s Organic fruit jams and spreads are currently sold in natural grocery stores and their adorable bear mascot surrounded by fruits and flowers are easy to spot on the shelves. Crofter’s Organic knew how much I enjoy real fruit jams and spreads so they sent me several coupons to try and review their products. They are also offering 2 LUCKY readers of Happymomblogger the opportunity to pick up their own flavors to try. Each winner will receive 2 FREE product coupons to pick up any flavor and variety. So how do you win this scrumptious prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Crofter’s Organic giveaway:

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

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” Crofter’s Organic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/croftersorganic?ref=s 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 Crofter’s Organic giveaway.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Visit: http://www.croftersorganic.com/ and tell me which flavor you would love to try.

#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: July 11, 2012

Contest End Date: July 18, 2012 – Congratulations to Julie and Carol on winning the prizes!

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

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Minami EPA/Garden of Life – Products Worth Reviewing

Over the years, I’ve heard a great deal about Omegas, EPA, DHA, and the importance of essential fatty acids. Our bodies naturally produces them due to a unique process however, they are especially important for babies and young children as their brains and bodies are developing quickly and they need those essential fatty acids for optimal brain growth. The fetus and young babies usually get them from their mothers womb and breastmilk, but as we age, we tend to produce less of these essential fatty acids (mostly due to saturated fats in unhealthy foods) which results in certain health problems. In order to regain and maintain healthy amounts of essential fatty acids in our bodies, we need to eat more food that naturally produces more of them. Fish, dark leafy vegetables, and certain nuts and seeds like flax and walnuts have high concentrations of EPA and DHA and are easier for our bodies to accept and convert them into useful fats. But people in this day and age do not consume enough cold water fish, dark leafy vegetables and healthy seeds and nuts in order to gain the necessary health benefits of EPA and DHA. Therefore, many of us have learned the importance of supplements.

Because cold water fish contains the highest amounts of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), it’s pretty difficult for vegetarians and vegans to get enough of those essential fatty acids. As a vegetarian, I’ve come to enjoy flax seeds as part of my regular diet in order to add more Omega-3 fatty acids. But not everyone enjoys the taste and texture of flax seeds and for those non-vegetarians, sometimes supplements come to play. However, it is important to choose the right kind of Omega-3 supplement as not all brands are created equal. When I was shopping around for EPA and DHA supplements to try, I came across a brand called Minami, which is a division of Garden of Life. Minami makes Omega-3 supplements for vegetarians and non-vegetarians and their products contain the purest and highest quality of ingredients available.

Minami Nutrition, a company founded under the philosophy that providing the best and most pure form of Omega-3 supplements, produces Omega-3 supplements that goes through strict extraction, purification, and certification. Their fish oil supplements are derived from small deep-sea fishes off the coast of Antarctica which are not affected by extinction. And after these small deep-sea fish are caught, Minami uses a precise distillation process called “Supercritical CO2” which uses 400% less heat to process the oils leading to a more purer and less contaminated form of fish oil. Because high heat can destroy the vital nutrients of the fish and algae, most fish oils on the market do not contain a high amount of Omega-3 in their products. With Minami, their supplements contain between 75% to 95% of fish oils as compared to other conventional Omega-3 supplements. And because of their philosophy of using fish and algae from clean and pristine waters, their supplements have won many awards and accolades and received many certifications to ensure the purity and quality of their products. Moreso, because Minami produces only essential fatty oils supplements, they concentrate their efforts on producing the best possible supplements to the general public. Their products are clearly defined and formulated for general use as well as those looking for specific results.

Minami makes supplements for adults, children, pregnant women, women, and vegans/vegetarians. The supplements that they currently produce are: MorEPA Platinum with added Vitamin D, Cardio 3 which is their basic Omega-3 supplement, MorEPA Smart Fats for more concentrated EPA and DHA efforts, PLUSEPA 60 contains higher concentration, MOR O-3 in triglyceride form, Children’s EPA Chewy for children ages 5 and up, MorEPA Mini-Junior for children ages 5 and up, PLUSEPA 30 for children ages 5 and up, MorDHQ Mini I.Q. for babies and toddlers, MorDHA Prenatal for pre- and post natal, PlusKenkO that contains GLA, and Vegan DHA that is formulated using 100% vegan ingredients and contains Astaxanthine. So, looking at the list, they certainly have  a product designed for everyone. And because they come in either chewable or gel forms, they are also fairly easy to take.

Minami Nutrition/Garden of Life had sent me MorEPA to try and review. I had given it to my husband to try since I’m a vegetarian and he’s been taking it every day. I think with all supplements, it depends on the individual and of course individual results will vary but a basic supplement that includes DHA and EPA should be highly looked into. If you’re interested in more information about the benefits of Omega supplements, you can visit Minami’s website: http://www.minami-nutrition.us/website/index.php.

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

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Drew’s All Natural – Products Worth Reviewing

Being a vegetarian, I rely mostly on vegetables as a mainstay for my meals. I like to eat vegetables raw, stir-fried, baked, in soups, and pretty much any way possible. But mostly, I enjoy vegetables as a salad because of the raw factor and that you can drizzle any type of dressing you like on them. Sometimes I like to make my own dressings for my salads but when I don’t have the time or the necessary ingredients, I like to stick by my favorites like Drew’s All-Natural. Drew’s make a wonderful assortment of dressings and marinades for almost anything you can think of and they are made with all-natural and organic ingredients. In our household, Drew’s dressings have definitely become a favorite of ours mainly because they’re made with natural, high-quality ingredients and because simply, they taste fabulous.

You may have heard of Drew’s All-Natural. You can find their products pretty much everywhere. They also make salsas along with their dressings and marinades and their salsas are incredibly unique and fresh-tasting. You wouldn’t think salsas in a bottle would taste fresh, but with Drew’s salsas, they taste close to making them from scratch. And that’s because they are packed immediately into the bottles for the freshest taste possible. All of Drew’s products are considered gourmet and artisan because they were designed and originated by Chef Drew Starkweather himself, a renowned chef with many years of experience in the culinary industry. In fact, Drew’s All-Naturals dressings and marinades were the original creations from his earlier line of work in Deerfield, Massachusetts. When his friends and customers wanted more of his unique, personalized dressings, Chef Drew decided to start his own line of natural, gourmet dressings and marinades. Later, he added fresh salsas to his line of products.

One of the main reasons why we like Drew’s is that there are a great variety of flavors to choose from. We’re pretty picky when it comes to different flavors in our households. Each of us likes a different flavor and sometimes it can get quite daunting to find a flavor that my husband, son, and I will all enjoy and use. That’s why when I first discovered Drew’s dressings, I was immediately intrigued and tasted as many of their flavor profiles as possible. It was hard to narrow it down, but we do like their Organic Asian Ginger Dressing, Organic Peppercorn Ranch Dressing, and Lemon Goddess Dressing. The Organic Asian Ginger Dressing was slightly sweet with a bit of a kick to it and the Organic Peppercorn Ranch was amazingly creamy and not too spicy. The Lemon Goddess Dressing was tangy and lightly flavored with tahini and it worked well with salads and as a dip as well. In fact, with Drew’s dressings and marinades, they are created to be used as both dressings for salads and for marinating vegetables, meat, and seafood. Currently, Drew’s carries the following flavors and varieties: Rosemary Balsamic Salad Dressing,Thai Sesame Lime Salad Dressing, Romano Caesar Salad Dressing, Classic Italian Salad Dressing, Sesame Orange Salad Dressing, Roasted Garlic & Peppercorn Salad Dressing, Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing, Smoked Tomato Salad Dressing, Lemon Goddess Salad Dressing, Shiitake Ginger Salad Dressing, Greek Olive & Caper Salad Dressing, Soy Ginger Salad Dressing, Poppy Seed Salad Dressing, Raspberry Salad Dressing, Honey Dijon Salad Dressing, Organic Aged Balsamic Salad Dressing, Organic Peppercorn Ranch Salad Dressing, Organic Classic Caesar Salad Dressing, Organic Harvest French Salad Dressing, Organic Asian Ginger Salad Dressing, Organic Black Bean, Cilantro & Corn Medium Salsa, Organic Thick & Chunky Mild Salsa, Organic Thick & Chunky Medium Salsa, Organic Thick & Chunky Hot Salsa, Organic Double Fire Roasted Medium Salsa, and Organic Chipotle Lime Medium Salsa.

Drew’s All-Natural dressings and salsas can be found at most natural grocery stores. I really hope they start carrying them in regular mainstream supermarkets because their dressings and salsas really beat the conventional dressings and marinades. And with using only natural and organic ingredients, more people should be buying and eating the healthier versions. After all, if you can’t make salad dressing and salsas yourself, then you might as well buy them made with natural ingredients and ingredients that are unique and better for you. The good folks at Drew’s had sent me a variety of their products to try and we couldn’t stop eating them. My husband and I absolutely loved their salsas, especially the Organic Black Bean, Cilantro & Corn Salsa which is made with organic black beans, tomatoes, corn, onions, and chipotle peppers and yes, although it was spicy, it was incredibly addicting! My son and I love salads (yes, a little kid who loves fresh salads!) and he really enjoyed the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing as did I and we drizzled that thing on salads, used it as dips, and even ate it plain! I think if you’re going to start your young children on the benefits and enjoyment of fresh vegetables, then have them try it with some natural dressings. And since all of Drew’s products are made without any genetically modified ingredients or any use of artificial flavors and colors, then you can feel pretty good about having your kids try them too.

For more info about Chef Drew and Drew’s dressings, marinades, and salsas, you can visit their website: http://www.chefdrew.com/ and thei Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DrewsllcVT.

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

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Music Soothes the Savage Beast

The kids are yelling and chasing each other around the living room coffee table. Scruffy barks loudly along with the excitement as he nips the ankles of his little owners which makes the children scream even louder. The phone rings incessantly in the background and in the onslaught of the children playing tag in the house, a vase shatters onto the floor with a loud “crash” . Suddenly, in the not too far distance, the sound of stringing violins flow effortlessly into the living room causing all commotion to stop. Not a child was moving or yelling and the dog stops barking once the yelling stops. The phone stopped ringing and all was quiet in the house. As the smooth, melodic music glides into the living room, all ears perk up to hear what it is and where it’s coming from. And although the high-pitched tone of the violin is almost as exhilirating as the children playing, somehow and miraculously,  it stimulates quietness and peacefulness throughout.

Music can do wonders for people of all ages and genders. It is an inherent love for music that began in our mother’s womb. Our moms sang or hummed to us while we were growing inside her tummy and whether she had musical talent or not, her singing voice soothed or excited us. Even the constant “boom boom” of her heartbeat was melodic and soothing to the growing fetus, lulling the growing baby to be happy and safe inside. No matter what type of music we hear, music in some form can create emotions and sensations that help us learn and grow. And most importantly, music plays an integral part for growing children and teaches them about creativity, respect, and provokes learning abilities.

I fell in love with music and instruments at a young age. My parents wanted me to learn several types of instruments after realizing that my love for music was affecting my schoolwork. I learned how to play the piano, the flute, and even the drums. And strangely enough, after taking up music and voice lessons, my schoolwork was finished faster and I got better grades. Ofcourse at that time I didn’t realize that learning about music was helping me learn more effectively overall. All I knew was that music, in any form, was in essence, “music to my ears”. And not only did listening to music and playing music made life happier, it helped me appreciate the c0mplexity of music and the intricate notes and tones that music creates.

No doubt that music is enjoyed by anyone of any age and gender. Music has no boundaries and does not discriminate. Music teaches us to be creative, to think outside the box, and to appreciate the emotions and feelings that it brings us. Music enlightens our mind, lightens our heart, and brightens our outlook. Even the most primitive music brings some kind of emotions for us. Even music that incites a change can be looked upon as something creative.

Music can ignite a movement that brings about change for many other kinds of music. It is the catalyst for all things creative and unique. Without music, our lives would be duller and less productive. You may wonder why music helps us throughout our lives? Well, try listening to music while you’re doing something – anything. Whether you’re studying, cleaning the house, or trying to fall asleep, music can help in some way. When I’m doing housework, I like to listen to my favorite music in the background. Ofcourse my son fights to listen to his music which he wins in the end anyways. But it helps us both in similar and different ways. Music soothes and calms my son as it does with most children. And when we play his favorite CDs, he sings and dances along with the tunes. Music no doubt has a positive effect on anyone. To not have music in our lives is like not breathing. For my son and I, music plays an important role in our lives and we’ve come to enjoy each other’s taste in music as well.

So whether you’re a novice in the field of all things musical or an audiophile, it’s never too late to start appreciating and enjoying music. Music is especially important for children and the sooner you start them on it, the better. Great resources would be http://www.junobaby.com/, http://disney.go.com/disneyjunior, http://www.nickjr.com/. Engage your children in music and you will see wonders happen.

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Van’s Natural Foods – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

Most people will agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In the morning, you body has already gone through its nightly rituals of cleansing and rejuvinating after a good night’s sleep and is ready to tackle the day. You wake up hungry and ready to devour just about anything. But wait – this is where you must stop and ask yourself if you want something ladened with sugar and fat or something made with whole grains, nutritious, and real ingredients? For me, the answer is simple –  I prefer something that is made with natural ingredients and fills me up with energy and a good attitude. And yes, eating a balanced diet of foods will give you a good attitude throughout the day. For my son and I, we’ve come to enjoy our natural waffles and pancakes for breakfast but sometimes we like to eat them for lunch or dinner too. Who says waffles and pancakes are for breakfast anyway? If you enjoy them for dinner, they make great desserts with natural ice-cream, natural whipped cream, and drizzled with organic chocolate syrup. But for breakfast, you can eat them as is, or with some organic powdered sugar, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Either way, waffles and pancakes are filling and if you make them yourself, then you can add whatever ingredients you want in them.

But what happens when you don’t always have the time to make waffles and pancakes from scratch? Of course it’s always better to make them on your own, but busy moms know that isn’t always possible. And instead of turning to those overly sweet, fattening donuts you see sitting on the store shelves, why not try something that’s nutritious, wholesome, and made with natural and organic ingredients? And best yet, no preservatives or anything artificial. One company whom we’ve come to really enjoy their products is Van’s Natural Foods. You may have heard of Van’s Natural Foods. You can find their breakfast items at any natural grocery stores as well as major supermarkets in the natural food selection. We’ve been enjoying Van’s Natural Foods for many years and we’ve come to rely on their breakfast products when we want something quick and delicious for breakfast.

Van’s Natural Foods has been making all-natural, organic, and wholesome frozen breakfast foods for over 30 years and had actually started as a small, family restaurant. When the need for wholesome breakfast made with real ingredients became apparent, Van’s expanded their humble restaurant business to frozen breakfast foods that can be available for anyone of any age. At Van’s Natural Foods, they believe that eating well and eating great food is the path to healthier living. That’s why they do not use any artificial ingredients or preservatives and you can find their frozen products made with only the finest organic ingredients. They also make a gluten-free line for those who still want to enjoy a traditional waffle breakfast without worrying about the possible gluten and wheat allergens.

Currently, Van’s Natural Foods makes the following frozen breakfast products: Waffles, in an assortment of flavors and varieties including Blueberry, Flax, Multigrain, Waffle Sticks, and Mini Waffles. We love the Chocolate Chip Mini Waffles as they remind me of eating a cookie-cake variation; they’re super good with ice-cream too! They also make French Toast Sticks which are like flat wafers – really yummy! Other products include Pancakes, Muffin Crowns, and English Muffins. With so many selections, Van’s Natural Foods can easily become a regular staple in any household. We like to keep a regular stock of them in our freezer because they are super easy to heat up and even easier to polish off! And they are really delicious as is or drizzled with any kind of syrup of your preferance. As mentioned earlier, we like to eat Van’s waffles any time of the day because really, who says waffles are only for breakfast?

The good folks at Van’s Natural Foods had kindly sent me free product coupons to pick up any of their frozen products to try and review. So we tried their Chocolate Chip Mini Waffles, Belgian Homestyle Waffles, Organics Totally Natural Waffles, Totally Natural French Toast Sticks, and Multigrain Pancakes. Our favorites were the Chocolate Chip Mini Waffles, Belgian Homestyle Waffles, and the Natural French Toast Sticks. But really, all of them were equally delicious and equally enjoyable eaten as is or with syrup. I also think they make great on-the-go snacks and because they are made without any artificial junk, they’re really great for kids. My son loves the Chocolate Chip Mini Waffles just as much as I do and because they are smaller, they are easier for little kids to hold with their hands and munch away.

The good folks at Van’s Natural Foods has also sent me enough FREE product coupons to give to 3 LUCKY readers of Happymomblogger. Each winner will receive 1 FREE product coupon to pick their own variety. The giveaway is simple so read below to find out how to enter!

Here’s how to enter in the Van’s Natural Foods giveaway:

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

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” Van’s Natural Foods on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/vansfoods?ref=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 – Tell me which Van’s Natural Foods products you would most like to try.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

You can enter by telling me the required 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. You can only win 1 prize per giveaway period. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibed by law.

Contest Start Date: June 6, 2012

Contest End Date: June 13, 2012 – Congratulations to Julie, Janice, and Aubrey on winning the prize!

Only 3 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.

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