organic food – Page 2 – Happymomblogger

Moms Meet Whole Foods Healthy Kids Tour

Some of the best things about living in California are access to fresh California grown food, an abundance of organic and natural grocery stores, and meeting people who are as passionate about healthy living as I am. As a Moms Meet Ambassador I am honored and pleased to be able to meet many brands and people who are of sound mind. One of the fun things we did a few weekends ago was visit Whole Foods Market for a Healthy Kids Tour. We already shop at Whole Foods on occasion but it was fascinating to learn about some new aspects of the company that I never knew before.

As my son and I entered the cool atmosphere of Whole Foods Market, our eyes couldn’t help but roam the entire building and smile with excitement. Shopping at Whole Foods Market is always an interesting experience. With their rows and rows of organic and natural products and their aesthetically pleasing cafes and fresh beverage bars, the popular store is indeed a feast for the eyes and the palette. Although some products may be more expensive than necessary, if you know what to look for and how to shop there, you would come out with an abundance of healthy products and a few dollars saved.

Our store coordinator, Candice was a delight to work with. With her cheery smile she led all of us around the store pointing out key features unique to the Whole Foods Market franchise. Certain things I already knew about such as the freshly baked bread sliced to order but if you like cheese, there is also an option to have the clerks cut them into different sizes for you. They also sell remnant cheese in bins that are smaller and less expensive. I was surprised at all the “secret” requests you could make at Whole Foods Market as they benefit the customers with this unique customer oriented services. Other services tailored to your shopping experience would be meat cut to the size and texture you want, an organic juice bar made to order, and pour-your-own honey. Honey can be quite expensive so I really appreciate this feature at Whole Foods.

The point of this Healthy Kids Tour sponsored by Moms Meet and Whole Foods Market is to enlighten parents and friends on the aspect of healthy living. Through healthier food choices, we can all achieve a healthier lifestyle. At Whole Foods Market, they offer an abundance of fresh produce, meat, bread, dairy, and bakery to satisfy the gourmet as well as virgin organics. Although Whole Foods is a bit farther from where we live, I do like to shop with my son there as we usually pick up a quick and healthy snack at their cafe or a freshly-pressed juice at their juice bar. There is also a kids snack zone at customer service where there is always a healthy snack for your kiddos to enjoy while shopping around the store with you.

If you’re interested in learning more about living a healthier lifestyle, please visit the Moms Meet website: http://www.greenmomsmeet.com/ as well as Whole Foods Market: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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October 17, 2014

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Buy this, not that – How to save money on buying organic – Green is Universal Eco Eats Challenge

I learned how to cook mostly from my mom who is an excellent cook. She won many cooking awards in the past and has taught me some of those winning recipes. But it was both my parents who taught me how to shop for certain grocery items for a certain recipe. I learned from them the different kinds of root vegetables and what seasons the harvest will most likely produce. I learned that not all apples taste the same nor do they yield the same results when cooked. And I learned among many other things, that buying the right produce at the peak of the season is the secret to a successful and delicious recipe.

Many years ago, before the USDA regulated the use of the term “organic” for any product, most of the food found in grocery stores were either from locally-grown farms or were mass manufactured products that were genetically-modified for faster production. Local farmers who didn’t spray their crop with chemical pesticides were lucky enough to have their products sold at supermarkets without having to compete with the bigger companies. Only problem was, produce that came from locally-grown farms were extremely expensive and hard to find. And most of the time, you’d have to get them right when they’re being delivered or they were sold out or couldn’t stay fresh because there were no chemical preservations used.

But farmers markets have been around for a long time, and I remembered going to the local farmers markets with my mom and helping her pick out the freshest produce available. It was there that I also learned about what real and fresh produce were all about and I could instantly taste the difference between produce that were ripened in the store and produce ripened on the tree.

My parents also grow their own vegetables and fruits and they don’t use any kind of toxic chemicals on the produce or in the ground. It was quite convenient for us to go to the backyard and snip off some green beans or pluck some apples and pears for that night’s dinner. For me, homegrown fruits and vegetables seemed like the perfect answer to eating healthier. But as years went by, and people became more aware of the importance of eating better, organic and pesticide-free products started showing up more readily in supermarkets.

However, organic and locally-grown produce can still be moderately expensive, depending on where you shop. And where you buy your produce and dry goods is crucial in how much you’ll end up spending on organic food. If you want to start buying more organic food or just starting out, your best choices in organic produce are the natural food stores or farmers markets. However, if you don’t have any of those nearby, then here are some tips in buying organic at supermarkets.

Supermarkets back in the day rarely carried organic and all-natural food and products and if they did, it was very limited and very expensive. Nowadays, whenever I visit my local supermarket, I can see most of them dedicating a certain section called “natural” and “organic” where only natural and organic products are sold. Cheers for them for thinking more abou their health conscious customers. So how do you choose where to shop for the best value and the best selection of organic and natural products? Well, you can start by looking at the ads produced by the store you regularly shop at. Most every market will have their own store circular either mailed to you, online, or available in their stores. If you want the best prices and selections in organic produce, then take a look at their ads. Decide which organic produce you need for that day or week and compare between the different markets. You’ll probably find them competitively priced nowadays but that’s good news for us since we want to save a ton of money when we’re buying all or mostly organic products. After you’ve made your list of what organic produce you want to buy, then list the other organic or all-natural products such as dry goods, snacks, drinks, etc. Once again, look at your stores circular and find out if the product you want is listed or on sale. If they aren’t listed, go online and you’ll most likely find a “secret” ad that is available only online. Very tricky of these markets, but they’re also hoping you’d buy their groceries online as well.

The next step in saving even more money on organic and natural products is using coupons. Where do you find coupons for organic and natural products, you say? Well, most likely you’ll find them from the companies direct websites. Many of them offer coupons for their products if you sign up for their newsletter or simply just visiting their website. Otherwise, you can always give them a call or send them an email requesting some coupons. Organic and natural product companies love hearing from people who want to buy their products so most of them are more than willing to send you coupons. If you use their coupons, then you’ll most likely end up buying more, right?

There are also several stores(smaller natural grocery stores and mass supermarkets) that offer store coupons instead of manufacture coupons and most of them will allow you to “stack” coupons – which means even more money saved! These stores include Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Henry’s Farmers Market, Mother’s Market, and even certain supermarkets that carry a wide selection of organic and natural products. The bottom line is that these markets, whether small or big, want to try to appeal to a wide array of customers and since organic and natural products are becoming more popular, they want to lure their customers into their stores with money-saving opportunities. With the economy the way it is right now, it’s a win-win situation for the farmers and manufacturers, the markets, and the consumers.

Buying organic and natural products and food takes some practice because you can always go to the most convenient store nearby, but you may not be getting the best price. Of course, if you have to drive 20 miles just to get organic grapes for 10 cents cheaper, then it’s probably not worth the gas money unless you’re planning on buying other things. Get to know your local supermarkets as well as the natural food stores and soon enough you’ll know where to get the freshest produce at the best price.

The key is to know what you’re buying, why you’re buying it, and then have fun shopping for them! When you buy organic and natural products, your body will thank you and your planet will reap the benefits as well. By eating organic produce as much as possible, you’re ensuring that your body doesn’t contain toxic chemicals that can store inside your system for a long time and those with fragile immune systems (for whatever reasons) or young children especially need to eat more organic foods. Organic products also help the environment in that the farms and manufacturers uses sustainable methods to help improve the conditions of the environment and in long-term health, the less toxic chemicals in your body, the better.

If you’re interested in joining a revolutionary journey to a healthier lifestyle, check out NBC’s Green is Universal One Small Act Eco Eats Challenge. There are many challenges and goals you can join and they are all fairly easy. Anything from how to buy organic produce from the EWG’s Dirty Dozen guide: https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/400, to choosing a healthier on the go meal: https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/624, and to composting kitchen waste: https://onesmallact.practicallygreen.com/acts/427. We all can achieve something for the better no matter how small the task. Only we can make our bodies and planet healthier. Only we can make that choice for us.

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

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

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October 11, 2014October 11, 2014

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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.

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October 20, 2012November 1, 2012

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Amy’s Kitchen – Products Worth Reviewing

People often ask me if being a vegetarian is hard to do. But honestly, I’ve been a vegetarian for so long, that I really can’t recall when I started. I think it was around when I was in junior high or maybe younger. But the main reasons for being a vegetarian is for the love of animals and for wanting to live a healthier lifestyle. There’s never a wrong reason to start being a vegetarian but you have to know what type of foods to eat to sustain your energy and maintain good health. Being a vegetarian isn’t about eating potato chips or fried okras all day. And yes, although they’re vegetables, they’re not altogether nutritious or necessarily healthier.

On the other hand, you don’t have to be a strict vegetarian to enjoy vegetarian food either. Vegetarian food is all about a balanced diet and obviously not eating any animals. In fact, most plant-based foods such as soy and nuts contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that you can’t necessarily find in meat. And vegetarian fare can be really delicious and satisfying. I personally think there are more flavor in vegetarian-style foods because you can use any kind of spices, seasonings, and condiments to add to your dishes. And they’re also beautiful to look at to what with the glorious reds, oranges, greens, and yellows, vegetarian dishes are pleasing to the eyes and the palettes. I’m constantly finding new ways to cook more vegetarian food mainly because my husband was raised on eating meat and only meat and I want him to understand the importance of eating more plant-based foods. Our son loves most vegetables as it is and he absolutely enjoys fruits no matter what. So luckily getting my son to eat more vegetables isn’t a problem.

If you’re seriously thinking about starting a vegetarian lifestyle, then there are countless of resources to help you with that. One great company who dedicates their business on feeding people healthier meat-alternative foods is Amy’s Kitchen (http://www.amys.com/). Amy’s Kitchen has been making meatless frozen foods for over 20 years and their perfection in making high quality, delicious, and nutritious foods are indicated in every dish that they make. Amy’s makes frozen foods that ranges from frozen pizzas, to veggie burgers, to burritos, to Asian-style meals, to kid’s meals, and they recently added gluten-free shortbread cookies to their immaculate line of desserts. Speaking of desserts, if you’ve ever wondered about the taste of gluten-free cakes, then wonder no more! Amy’s makes a gluten-free chocolate cake that is super moist, not overly sweet, and oh-so-chocolately. Of course they make regular cakes and desserts as well and they are all equally good and delicious.

Amy’s Kitchen originated over 20 years ago when a love for wholesome, natural, healthy foods was just starting. The founders, who named their company after their daughter, wanted to provide other families with foods made from natural and organically-grown ingredients that also tastes like they were made from your own kitchen. With a “made from scratch” quality and recipes, Amy’s little home-based business soon grew into a much larger company and their products can now be found in most natural grocery stores as well as major supermarkets that carry natural and organic products. At Amy’s, every aspect of their business, from sourcing locally grown foods to packaging to manufacturing is under the strict eye of the family. They believe that in order for food to taste good and to be appreciated, it’s important to be part of every aspect possible. Amy’s owners promises to make every dish from scratch, using scratch sauces, organically and locally grown ingredients, and recipes that everyone can enjoy – whether you’re a vegetarian or not. And at Amy’s health is the most important part of their business – healthy food choices promotes a healthier lifestyle and eating less meat is better for the environment and for the animals.

My son absolutely loves Amy’s Macaroni and Cheese and Veggie Loaf. The Macaroni and Cheese is made with organic whole flours, organic seasonings, and organic milk. It has a delicate and creamy texture and the flavor of cheese is delightfully smooth and not too heavy. The Macaroni and Cheese comes in several versions – Dairy Free Rice Macaroni and Cheez, Light in Sodium Macaroni and Cheese, Regular Macaroni and Cheese, Macaroni and Soy Cheez, and Rice Mac and Cheese. That’s one of the great things about Amy’s – they provide delicious food for everyone in mind. The Veggie Loaf is loaded with nutritious ingredients such as organic peas, organic carrots, organic corn, organic mushrooms, organic oats, and several other wonderful ingredients. The Veggie loaf resembles your typical meat loaf but it’s filled with so much more nutritious ingredients and loaded with lots of vitamins. Their sauce is really extraordinaire and if only they would include more sauce or even sell it in a bottle! We’re also fans of Amy’s pizzas because they are made with a thin crust and filled with so many ingredients, the local pizza restaurant couldn’t even compete. Amy’s makes over 20 different varieties of frozen pizzas so I’m pretty sure you’ll find something to your liking. Our favorites are the Broccoli & Spinach White Pizza which is made with a gentle blend of organic cream sauce and organic broccoli and spinach. And their Italiano Pizza which is made with meatless sausage, mushrooms, and bell peppers, and their Spinach Pizza which is loaded with lots of vitamin-rich spinach. If you ever want to “sneak” vegetables into your children’s diets, then let them try Amy’s frozen pizzas. The vegetables are all in there, but they’re blended so well and seasoned so finely, that your kids won’t mind eating their veggies at all.

The good folks at Amy’s knew that we were fans of their food so they sent us some coupons to pick up any variety that we wanted. We decided to try their Broccoli and Spinach White Pizza (which has now become our favorite frozen pizza), their Indian Paneer Tikka which was paired nicely with organic basmati rice and swimming in a delectable tomato and coconut cream sauce, and their Cheese Pizza Snacks, which by the way, is my son’s other favorite Amy’s food. Amy’s makes such a great selection of organic and natural foods that it’ll take awhile to try them all. I’m so glad that there really are so many products to choose from that if I’m ever too tired to cook a meal for myself or I want to fix a quick, wholesome, delicious, and natural snack for my son, I can count on Amy’s to provide them for me.

If you need more info about Amy’s Kitchen’s foods, please visit their website: http://www.amys.com/. Their website also contains tons of great information about how to eat healthier, incredible recipes, as well as their delightful food blog, The Lemonslice. Amy’s carry products for those with gluten-sensitivity, for vegans and vegetarians, and for those with certain food allergies. And since all of their products are made with ingredients that have not been genetically modified or engineered, whether they’re organically grown or not, I have another thing I don’t have to worry about feeding to my son.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happym omblogger” 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.

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August 21, 2012

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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!