Kashi TLC Granola Bar – Products Worth Reviewing

Granola Bars are like socks. Socks keep your feet warm and from harm as so do granola bars. Why? Because properly nutritioned granola bars keep your body from harm – when you eat a healthy granola bar, it feeds your body and your mind.

Kashi makes an assortment of delicious and healthy granola bars that are appropriate for kids and adults. As a leading brand of natural and organic food products, it’s easy to see why Kashi has really made a great name of themselves in the food industry. You probably even have a few of Kashi’s products in your pantry right now. They make everything from granola bars to cereal to pasta and in our home, we’ve enjoyed many of their products on a regular basis. We always have one of their organic cereals in our pantry or my son and I will have one of their frozen meals for lunch. And Kashi has introduced some new products to their fans recently. One of them is their new TLC Granola Bar in Peanutty Dark Chocolate – and it sure is chocolatey!

As a member of Moms Meet, I was given the opportunity to try and review the Kashi TLC Granola Bar in Peanutty Dark Chocolate.  They kindly offered me samples of Kashi’s new TLC Granola Bar in Peanutty Dark Chocolate to try and I absolutely loved them! We had a party with my son and his cousins and it passed the kids test for sure. As one of his cousins said, “Mmm, this doesn’t taste yucky!”. I’m assuming he meant that he’s had some yucky-tasting granola bars before. The result was, that the kids wanted more and their parents were happy to read the ingredients didn’t contain any refined sugars, artificial flavors or colors, or preservatives. And the best part yet- you can really taste and see the layers. That’s why it’s called “Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars”, because you can taste the layers of rolled oats and grains, smooth chocolate, and crunchy roasted peanuts. It’s a perfect blend for those who enjoy both chocolate and peanut. It’s not overly sweet and it’s slightly chewy and crunchy at the same time.

Kashi’s Peanutty Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bars contain 7 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein in each serving so it does pretty well in satisfying the hunger area. I usually eat one for breakfast with my hot tea and it’s quite filling. Then I again I don’t eat a heavy breakfast, so it’s really up to you on how many bars you think will satisfy you. With all of the grains and Kashi’s signature 7 Whole Grains and Sesame included, their Dark Chocolate Layered Granola Bar really packs a punch.

Kashi has been making wholesome, natural, and organic food for over 25 years. Their food caters to people of all ages and genders and even the picky eaters too! Kashi currently makes ready-to-eat cereal in both organic and non-organic versions, hot cereal, snack bars, crackers (we love their crackers!), frozen entrees, frozen pizzas, cookies, pilaf, and waffles. Their food can be enjoyed at home, at the office, or even at parties. For more info about Kashi and their products, please visit their website: http://www.kashi.com/.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetSM blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product. 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

Rice Select/Mambo Sprouts – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

There’s nothing like a hot bowl of fresh, steaming, moist rice to have for lunch or dinner. Or even breakfast. Rice can be enjoyed any time of the day because it’s healthy, filling, and so versatile. One particular type of rice that we’ve come to enjoy in our household is Jasmine rice. Jasmine rice is slightly fragrant, slightly sweet, and slightly moist. Because Jasmine rice is made using the essence of the Jasmine flower, the rice itself takes on the flavor and aroma of the Jasmine flowers. If you know the intoxicating scent of Jasmine, you’ll most likely enjoy Jasmine rice too. If not, don’t worry – you’re not really biting into a mouthful of flowers. There are several kinds of Jasmine rice and each country makes various versions of their own. One company who makes a unique type of Jasmine rice is called, Jasmati, made by a famous rice company called, Rice Select. Rice Select makes an assortment of traditional rice as well as uniquely flavored and blended rice.

Without a doubt, rice, either white or brown, has quickly become a household favorite throughout the world. Although it is known to have originated in Asia, many other counties eat rice as either a main dish or as a side dish. In Asia, rice is usually eaten steamed or as a porridge. In Southern America rice is enjoyed as a side dish usually flavored with something else. And in the US, because of its diversity of people, rice can be enjoyed virtually in any way – whether it be steamed, fried, or flavored. When I discovered a rice company that makes exceptional, delicious, and natural rice grown in the US, I’m happy to support them. Rice Select has become a favorite brand in our household because they make an assortment of organic and naturally-grown rice right here in the United States. Rice Select also supports sustainable agriculture by developing high yielding rice varieties that require less pesticides, fungicides and water resources as well as organic foods by developing new organic products. Rice Select’s production facilities operate pollution free and use only minimal processes to mill and package nutritious, high quality, all natural food products. Rice Select’s PET jars are also re-usable and recyclable and BPA- free.

Rice Select is a company based in Texas and they have been in the rice-growing business for over 30 years, which started with their famous Texmati Rice. Texmati Rice is basically a combination of basmati rice and traditional American long grain rice. The result is rice that’s a bit fragrant, chewier, and fluffier. Rice Select makes both non-organic and organic versions of their Texmati rice which also comes in brown rice. I’ve tried their organic Texmati rice in both white and brown and I have to say, that their brown Texmati rice is incredibly delicious and unlike other traditional brown rice. It’s a bit nuttier in texture and flavor but it’s also slightly fluffier than other traditional brown rice. My son also enjoys brown rice and I’m so glad since brown rice is a bit more nutritious.

Rice Select is a leading maker of rice in the United States. But they don’t produce just rice – they also make whole wheat couscous, Texmati with red rice and beans, Texmati with red rice and lentil, Texmati with brown and wild rice, pearl couscous, orzo, Texmati Mushroom Medley, Texmati Vegetable Medley, and Risotto. So I’m sure you’ll find something that will fit your exquisite palatte. All of their rice are grown in the United States and they are completely natural without any added colorings or preservatives. Their products are also non-genetically modified and kosher and they support many programs and charities. One charity which they are currently running a promotion on is the Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness. During the months of September, October, and November, you will find their specially-marked boxes of Texmati rice sporting the prominent pink label and lids in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. They plan on donating up to $50,000 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure fund and they hope you will lend support by purchasing their special Pink Texmati Rice.

 

Through a unique partnership between Mambo Sprouts and Rice Select, I received a jar of Rice Select’s Jasmati Rice which I was super delighted! I have been eager to try their unique Jasmati Rice and it was a wonderful experience. With Jasmati Rice, I was able to cook it as regular steamed rice and with leftovers, I usually make it into fried rice. Fried rice is super easy. Here’s a basic recipe:

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked Jasmati Rice, 2 tablespoons canola oil, 1/4 chopped green onions (or scallions), 3 eggs (beatened and seasoned with a dash of salt and ground pepper), 1/2 cup of frozen or fresh vegetables (you may use any vegetable to your liking, but mostly chopped organic carrots, peas, and onions will work fine), 1 teaspoon organic soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, 1 teaspoon sesame oil (use pure sesame oil for best flavor).

Instructions:

Add canola oil to a heated frying pan or wok. Add beatened eggs and stir until fully cooked and fluffly. Add frozen vegetables and cook vegetables through. Add cooked Jasmati rice and stirfry together. Add soysauce (you can add more according to taste), ground pepper, and sesame oil. Stir fry until well-blended. Add green onions last and stir fry for a minute. Enjoy!

You can also add any kind of meat if you prefer or tofu. Tofu works great if you saute it first to get that crunchy and nutty flavor.

As a special giveaway through Mambo Sprouts, they are kindly offering 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger a chance to win a Jasmati prize pack. The prize will be a jar of Jasmati rice and a Rice Select tote bag. Mambo Sprouts is a company dedicated to helping individuals learn more about the benefits of organic and natural foods and products. They are constantly offering coupons to purchase organic and natural food and products and on their website and in their newsletters, you will receive tons of great info about organic, natural, and healthier living: http://www.mambosprouts.com/. I encourage you to sign up for their newsletter because they are always offering coupons, giveaways, and recipes that you don’t want to miss!

So how do you win this fabulous prize pack from Rice Select and Mambo Sprouts? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Rice Select/Mambo Sprouts giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Rice Select on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/RiceSelect?v=wall  and Mambo Sprouts: https://www.facebook.com/gomambo?sk=app_163211140433110#!/gomambo?sk=wall and write on their walls 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: https://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Rice Select giveaway. Become a follower of Rice Select: http://twitter.com/#!/riceselect and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger. Become a follower of Mambo Sprouts: http://twitter.com/#!/mambosprouts and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Visit  http://www.riceselect.com/ and tell me what variety of rice you would like to try.

#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 as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: Ocrober 25, 2011

Contest End Date: November 8, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED. Congratulations to Becky W.!

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s 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

Wholesome Sweeteners – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

Sweets are an important part of my life – it fuels my energy and it makes me smile. But I don’t just dive into any ol’ sweet. Nope, I’m still pretty particular to how I want to sweeten my day. Chocolates of course are my first choice, but I’m referring to sweet things that I use in conjunction to whatever I’m eating. And those sweet things are organic sugar and honey. I love honey with practically anything. Honey is so good for you and it tastes fabulous! I grew up eating honey and I think that’s why I enjoy it so much. When my son was old enough to start eating honey, I would serve him honey juice (honey mixed with water) and sometimes a teaspoon of honey a day. He still enjoys eating honey every day and I think it’s a lot better than eating candy. I’ve heard great benefits of honey and with it tasting so great, it doesn’t hurt to eat it, right?

One company who makes exceptional tasting honey is Wholesome Sweeteners. But they don’t make just honey (if you can tell by their name). Wholesome Sweeteners makes a comprehensive range of sweeteners from organic sugar, to organic agave syrup, to corn syrup, to molasses, to pancake and waffle syrup, and of course, to honey. They have such an extensive selection of sweeteners to choose from, that they’ve become a regular household product. We use their organic brown sugar for sweetening beverages and for baking. We use their agave syrup to drizzle generously over our pancakes and we use their honey for making candy and for sweetenting beverages. If you’ve heard of Wholesome Sweeteners before or have tried their products, then you know they make exceptional sweeteners and if you’ve never tried their products before, you really should pick up a bag or bottle. They’re sold practically everywhere, so you’re sure to find them quite easily.

Wholesome Sweeteners is a fair trade company and they do not source any ingredients that have been genetically modified. Their sugars are certified organic and they take great care to ensure their products are sourced responsibly and knowledgeably. They even recycle their spent sugar canes or blue agave remnants as fuel to generate electricity for their mills and neighborhoods! Talk about sweetening the environment! With a company as large as Wholesome Sweeteners, it’s good to know that they care about the environment too.

Wholesome Sweeteners have been producing organic, natural, and fair-trade sweeteners for over a decade and originates in Texas where the land is lush and vast. They cultivate their sugar cane from seed stock to harvest by hand and it’s grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. And the best thing is, you can truly taste the quality of the sugar made by Wholesome Sweeteners. After using their organic brown sugar and organic cane sugar, I no longer use the regular sugar you find that are conventionally made. Their sugar and their honey just tastes absolutely real. And since their sugar have not been bleached like those regular sugars, you know you’re ingesting something healthier. And if you’re baking with their sweeteners, you know you’re providing your family with sweets that are sweetened with something purer and better.

I was overjoyed when Wholesome Sweeteners had sent me their entire collection of sweeteners to try and review. Among the products I tried were their Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Light Brown Sugar, Organic Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Powdered Sugar, Organic Sucanat, Organic Blue Agave Maple Syrup, Organic Honey, Organic Blue Agave Cinammon, Organic Molasses, and many more. They also want to send 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger their own basket of selected Wholesome Sweeteners products and among them will include their famous sugars and syrups.

 

The photo above is just a smaller version of their gift basket as Wholesome Sweeteners promises that the winner will receive a much larger gift basket with more products. So how do you win this super sweet prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Wholesome Sweeteners giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Wholesome Sweeteners on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/Wholesomesweeteners?ref=sgm 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: https://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Wholesome Sweeteners giveaway. Become a follower of Wholesome Sweeteners: http://twitter.com/#!/WholesomeSweet  and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Visit  http://www.wholesomesweeteners.com/ and tell me what products you would like to try and what you would use them for.

#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 as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: October 25, 2011

Contest End Date: November 8, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED. Congratulations to Janice W.!

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s 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

Pharmacopia – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

Being a mom can be rewarding and satisfying but it can be even more rewarding when you can find time to pamper yourself too. That’s why from time to time I’d like to indulge in skincare and bodycare products that are good for me and for the environment. When I discovered an all-natural and organic bodycare company called Pharmacopia, I was instantly drawn to the rich fragrances and the delicate balance of deep cleansing and gentle ingredients. Pharmacopia uses plant-based ingredients that are both therapeutic for the mind and body and their fragrances soothe and enhance.

Pharmacopia is relatively new to the bodycare line industry. As a self-starting business, the owners and founders of Pharmacopia wanted to develop a line of all-natural skincare products that were good for the body and harmless to the environment. Pharmacopia began with the knowledge that natural ingredients derived from nature was better for the planet and using essential oils of certain plants and flowers benefited the mind, soul, and body. Essential oils have been used for hundreds of years and you can find essential oils of lavender, grapeseed, lemon, tangerines, and other ingredients that work in harmony with each other in Pharmacopia’s products.

Products made by Pharmacopia are derived from natural sources such as lavender, green tea, verbena, shea butter, and jasmine and their products do not contain potentially harmful ingredients like parabens, pthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and colors, and any other ingredients used in typical, commercial-based bodycare. They promise to use 99% of natural ingredients instead of synthetic and most of their products consists of organically-grown plants and flowers.

When you take a deep, cleansing whiff of their bodywash or their soaps, you are instantly reminded of how nature should be – simplistically elegant. And that’s how I felt when I opened their bottle of Verbena and Green Tea Body Wash and Body Lotion. The scent of citrus was clear and a hint of tea lingered slightly on your skin. Green Tea has also been known to have therapeutic and anti-oxidant powers.

Pharmacopia sells a pretty comprehensive line of skin and body care products ranging from body washes, soaps, hand cream, bath salts, and lip balms. All of their products contain healing ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, lemon peel, olive fruit oil, and other similar elements. But aside from using ingredients derived from nature, I was really surprised at how well my Verbena and Green Tea did at cleansing and moisturizing. I’ve found that most natural products which do not contain synthetic surfactants usually don’t lather or clean as well, but the Verbena and Green Tea bodywash did its job quite well. And the scent was so amazing that I used the entire bottle too generously. I’m also glad to know that Pharmacopia is animal cruelty-free and do not use any animal-based ingredients. They are also part of the Safe Cosmetics Act which helps lawmakers to hopefully eliminate toxic ingredients in skin care products. For more info about Pharmacopia and their array of useful information on health and well-being, please visit their website: www.pharmacopia.net.  Currently you can find Pharmacopia products in certain beauty supply stores, certain natural grocery stores, and you can also order online at their website and at The Vitamin Shoppe:

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/en/category.jsp?type=brand&brandId=b100325

Pharmacopia had wanted me to try their products so I had chosen the Verbena and Green Tea Body Wash and Body Lotion set and they also want 1 LUCKY winner of Happymomblogger to experience their salon-quality, therapeutic skin and body care products. The winner will receive the Verbena and Green Tea Body Wash and Body Lotion set. So how do you win this luxurious prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Pharmacopia giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Pharmacopia on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pharmacopia?ref=nf  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: https://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Pharmacopia giveaway. Become a follower of Pharmacopia: http://twitter.com/#!/pharmacopia and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Visit  http://www.pharmacopia.net/store/pages.php?pageid=12 and tell me what product you would like to try.

#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 as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: October 25, 2011

Contest End Date: November 8, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED. Congratulations to Schmidty!

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s 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

Funky Monkey Snacks – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

Over the years it seems that there are more demands for organically grown, locally grown, and foods made with natural ingredients. This is good considering how important our health is and how much more important our children’s health are. After all, their still growing bodies are successible to all kinds of stuff. So feeding your children healthy, nutritious, and natural foods are very important. But sometimes that can be hard to do when you see all sorts of snacks and food in your grocery store that are not so healthy. So what can you do when your child is reaching for a sugar-ladened donut or sticky candy covered in sugar? Face it – kids will want to snack. They see their parents do it, they see their friends do it. And it’s okay to provide small snacks during the day to keep their energies up. But how do you provide healthy snacks to your children? Well, when I was searching for some new healthy snacks for my son, I came across a company called Funky Monkey Snacks. Funky Monkey Snacks make dried, bite-sized fruit snacks for kids and adults. They have exciting flavors that will surely entice your kids tastebuds!

With an adorable name like Funky Monkey, how can you not want to give them a try? Funky Monkey is dedicated in making all-natural, wholesome fruit snacks that can be easily eaten, packed up, or even used in your recipes. Their current flavors are: Applemon, Bananamon, Carnival Mix, JiveALime, MangOj, Pink Pineapple, and Purple Funk. The Applemon flavor is made with apples and organic cinnamon; the Bananamon flavor is made with organic bananas and organic cinnamon; the Carnival Mix is made with organic banana, organic pineapple, apples, and papaya; JiveALime is made with organic pineapple and lime juice; MangOj is made with mango and orange juice; Pink Pineapple is made with pineapple and guava; and Purple Funk is made with organic banana and organic acai. My favorite is the Carnival Mix because of the unique blend of sweet and tart flavors and my son’s favorites are Bananamon and Applemon.

Funky Monkey Snacks was created with the belief that sweet snacks should be good for you and good tasting as well. After all, if a sweet snack doesn’t taste good, then you’re not likely to eat it, right? All of Funky Monkey Snacks are made from whole fruits with no sugar added. Each ounce of Funky Monkey contains 3 servings of fruit and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Funky Monkey dried fruits are freeze-dried so that all the flavors and nutrients are sealed in. Their dried fruit snacks are also gluten free, wheat free, and dairy free. They are peanut free and tree nut free and are great for Vegans. And they use certified non-genetically modified ingredients and are part of the Non GMO Project verified program.

I’ve used Funky Monkey’s bite-sized fruit in cereals and baked them in cookies. They’re also perfectly sized for little kids and they’re slightly crunchy but not too hard. And with nature’s natural sweetness in real fruit, you really wouldn’t want them to be drenched in sugar anyway. Eating fruits and vegetables are an important factor in our lives but too many people are not getting enough of it in their daily diet. Dried fruits are a great way to add some important vitamins, minerals, and fiber into your diet and if you eat just one bag of Funky Monkey snacks, you’re already getting 3 servings of fruit in a 1-ounce bag. And if you’re not the dried fruit type of person, you can always add them in your cereal, bake with them, or mix them in your homemade trail mix. Trail mixes are easy to make and you can add virtually anything into it, such as dried fruit pieces, chocolate chips, nuts, pretzels, flax seeds, and anything you like.

Funky Monkey Snacks can be found in most natural grocery stores, certain supermarkets, and online. They sell their dried fruit snacks in both 1 ounce and .42 ounce sizes so the smaller sizes would be great  for kids school lunches or an afternoon snack. For more info about Funky Monkey Snacks, please visit their website: http://www.funkymonkeysnacks.com. Funky Monkey had sent me each of their 7 flavors to try and review and they want to give 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger their own sample snack box of the 7 flavors mentioned above. So how do you win this fruitalicious prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Funky Monkey Snacks giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Funky Monkey Snacks on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/FunkyMonkeySnacks 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: https://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Funky Monkey giveaway. Become a follower of Funky Monkey Snacks: http://twitter.com/#!/FunkyMonkeySnck  and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Visit   http://www.funkymonkeysnacks.com/ and tell me what flavor/variety you would like to try.

#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 as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: October 25, 2011

Contest End Date: November 8, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED. Congratulations to Julie M.!

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s 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

Nana’s Cookie Company – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

It seems that there are more and more people nowadays who have some sort of food intolerance whether it’s celiac disease or intolerance to some form of gluten or wheat. Or it’s an interolerance to eggs or nuts – people’s stomachs are becoming increasingly sensitive to certain foods. Luckily, there are a few companies out there that makes delicious and nutritious food for people with certain intolerances or preferances. One company that we’ve come to appreciate is Nana’s Cookie Company. Nana’s Cookie Company makes sweets that are specially formulated for those that are intolerant of gluten, wheat, dairy, and eggs. They use all-natural ingredients in their sweets and do not use any genetically modified ingredients. Their sweets are sweetened naturally with fruit juice without any use of refined sugars and their vegan sweets are packed with 12 important vitamins and minerals since it’s hard for most vegans to get the necessary dietary nutrients.

Nana’s Cookie Company is a real gem for those who are looking for something sweet to eat but can not find sweets that are not made with wheat, dairy, eggs, and gluten. Aside from baking these naturally delicious cookies and bars yourself, sometimes it’s easier to just open up a box of Nana’s Cookie Company’s sweets, unwrap an individual cookie and be satisfied. Since they are all individually wrapped, they stay fresh longer and they make great snacks to pack in lunches or when you’re on-the-go. I think they’re also great to pack in a basket to give to a friend who is either vegan/vegetarian or gluten intelorant.

Nana’s Cookie Company started as a humble little home business when the owner and creator baked cookies and bars sweetened with natural fruit juices. When her sweets became an instant hit, she decided to expand her business which is now known as Nana’s Cookie Company.

I know several people who are either vegan or have an intelorance to gluten and when I gave them a cookie bar to sample, they were surprised that the cookie was sweetened with fruit juice instead of regular sugar. I think you can definitely taste the difference between fruit juice sweetened and regular sugar sweetented cookies. The cookie bars are moist because of the fruit juice and it’s not too sweet, but sweet enough to satisfy a sweet tooth. Nana’s Cookie Company’s cookie bars are not too big and they’re great to enjoy with a cup of hot tea or milk (if for the kiddies). I was lucky enough to try their Fudgy Wudgy, Chocolate Chippy, and Peanut Butter Bites since Nana’s Cookie Company had sent me a few boxes to try and review. My son really likes the Fudgy Wudgy bars because of its rich chocolate flavor and so do I.

If you or your kids are big fans of Curious George, you’ll be happy to know that Curious George the Monkey is their official sponsor. You’ll find the adorable little monkey on their packages which would be a delight for the little kids and you can also save the packages to redeem for either a Curious George DVD or Matching Game: http://www.nanascookiecompany.com/index.html#4. When my son and I were at the Natural Products Expo earlier this year, we had the sincere pleasure of meeting Curious George the Monkey and had some fun photo ops with him too. My son and Curious George the Monkey kept hugging each other and giving each other high-fives – it was a lot of fun!

So whether you are a big fan of Curious George or looking for some healthier alternative to the traditional cookie and cookie bars, then check out Nana’s Cookie Company. Because Nana’s Cookie Company wants to share their values on natural, good-tasting and healthy sweets, they are kindly offering 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger a chance to win 1 box each of their Vegan cookie bars in Fudgy Wudgy, Chocolate Chippy, and Peanut Butter Bites. And if you are on a gluten-free diet, they will send you 1 box each of their gluten-free Chocolate Munch, Nana Banana, and Berry Vanilla. So how do you win these yummy sweets? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Nana’s Cookie Company giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Nana’s Cookie Company on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nanas-Cookie-Company/54790729083 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: https://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Nana’s Cookie Company giveaway. Become a follower of Nana’s Cookie Company: http://twitter.com/#!/nanascookieco  and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Visit  http://www.nanascookiecompany.com/ and tell me what flavor/variety you would like to try.

#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 as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: October 25, 2011

Contest End Date: November 8, 2011 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED. Congratulations to Lori D.!

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s 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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