Tag: organic foods

Clean Eating 101 – What you need to know

 

Once upon a time, people grew their own food with a backyard full of luscious fruits and vegetables. They knew that growing their own food enables them to know what they’re putting in their soil, how they treat their food, and if any chemicals are used. But as time grew and society purportedly progressed, so did our ability to find clean and healthy food in the markets.

So what exactly does clean eating mean? Is it as simple as washing your vegetables and fruit in clean water? Does it mean making sure your food doesn’t fall onto the ground thus making it clean? There seems to be much confusion to the true meaning of it. So simply put – clean food means food that is unprocessed, preservatives-free, and made with as few ingredients as possible. But many foods are processed and can be hard to avoid. The key is to avoid or limit overly processed foods as they are not considered clean due to the tremendous damage they can do to our health. And as always, choose organic whenever possible.

What’s the best way to start eating clean? Here are five easy steps to remember:

1- Buy fresh produce – organic and locally grown when possible. Fresh produce is the number one rule to eating clean and simple.

2- Buy whole grains and lean protein. Whole grains are still intact with all of their nutrients ensuring you’ll get all of the health benefits. Lean protein with little to no fat are not as taxing on your body when digesting and processing through your system.

3- Make meals and snacks from scratch at home. When you start with ingredients that you are in control of, you know what you’re putting in your food.

4- Use as few ingredients as possible. The risk of eating out or buying cooked food in stores is because of all the ingredients in there that companies need for flavor and preserving. When you make your own food, use just the basics – lean protein, vegetables, salt, pepper, light olive oil, etc.

5- Limit sugar or cut it out entirely. While cutting out sugar entirely might be hard to do, try eating more fruits and using fruit-based sweeteners to sweeten your food.

How can you teach children to eat clean? Try these tips:

1- Take your child to the grocery store with you. Let them start by learning about all the fresh produce that are available. If the stores have samples of the produce, encourage your child to try it out if it’s a fruit or vegetable that they typically don’t eat.

2- Depending on the age, have your child help you prepare the meals at home. Teach them and let them help you cut up from the fresh produce you just brought at the store. When children are involved in making meals from scratch, they feel a connection to the food they eat.

3- Serve up fresh fruits and cut them up in cute shapes if necessary. Mix it up once in awhile by including honey (for children over age 2) or plain yogurt for kids to dip their fruit in. Continue with this style of snacking so kids can learn to grab fresh fruits instead of an overly processed sugary snack.

4- Teach your kids to be mindful of what they eat. Don’t be distracted by the TV, tablet, or phone while you’re eating. Being mindful is an ancient practice to be more aware of what you are eating and how food should taste. It also helps with proper digestion of food.

5- Use simple recipes when it comes to teaching kids to eat clean. The less ingredients used, the more their taste buds can distinguish between processed food and food made with less ingredients. This delicious and healthy noodle dish is fun and healthy for both kids and adults: http://deliciousliving.com/recipes/soy-soba-buddha-bowls?cid=nhbc

6- Teach your kids to read labels. If your child likes a certain store bought food, let them read the ingredient label as well as the labels on the packaging. If it’s a snack that isn’t all too healthy, let them see how many unpronounceable words there are in the ingredients list. You’d be surprised at their reactions to all the ingredients that they don’t recognize.

So what happens when you’re eating out and not at home? Short of driving your server and the chefs crazy, here are some tips to make it smoother for everyone:

1- If you can choose the restaurant, then choose one you regularly frequent. This way you already know what’s on the menu and how the restaurant and staff works.

2- If you know the name of the restaurant you’re attending (but you didn’t choose it), look at the menu online so you can get an idea of what’s available.

3- Get to know your server. The servers at restaurants are usually very accommodating. Peruse the menu first and ask the server ahead of time if they allow changes or alterations to the menu items. If they do, then know ahead of time what you’d like to order. If they don’t then just stick with the basics, such as a fresh salad, dressing on the side, and a fruit plate if it’s available. Then if the server brought out your dish accurately, be sure to tip well as they usually have to be specific with the chefs and food preps.

Whether you’re just starting to eat more clean or you’re a seasoned pro, remember to have a plan on how you want to eat clean. Make grocery lists, search online for ideas and tips such as mine, and have self control over what you eat.

Here’s to clean eating! 🙂

*photos courtesy of Martha Stewart Living and Delicious Living magazine.

 

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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Natural Products Expo West 2015

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This year in March, the Natural Products Expo West comes back to Anaheim, California for their prestigious natural and organics products event. Showcasing over thousands of natural and organic brands as well as B2B marketing, the Natural Products Expo West along with New Hope Media and Engredea, welcomes companies from across the world to present and educate the public with their newest products.

I was happy to have the opportunity to attend the show again this year and while I noticed a few dramatic changes, the expo was still an exciting and impressive event. This year the security was definitely tighter as anticipated, as I’m sure there are those unregistered to attend will inevitably sneak into the show. There were more information booths which really helped and signage was clearer than last year’s. But what really impressed me this year was the extra events at both the Marriott Hotel and Hilton Hotel. This year a new section called “Hot Products” showcased brand new companies who introduced their newest products, some not yet out in stores. It was nice to see new companies who brought innovative and useful products to the natural products industry, such as design your own reusable glass water bottles and chocolate hot sauce.

Of course I had to bring my son to the show and it seems that each year companies are involving kids more with their interactive booths and games tailored only to kids. There were companies who also gave out unique toys and trinkets to kids that visited their booths. With so many companies to visit and sample their products, I still had to stop by my usual contacts which included Stonyfield Organic (www.stonyfield.com) who my rep had kindly demonstrated their newest interactive organic sourcing map which was pretty cool. Stonyfield also came out with a couple of new types of yogurt last year and early this year including, Stonyfield Organic Protein, Oh My Yogi!, Greek & Chia, and a few new flavors of their traditional varieties. I will be writing a review of their newest products in a later post. I also visited Amy’s which is coming out with some new Asian-inspired dishes and pasta dishes. They were so delicious it took a bit of willpower to leave their booth instead of staying there all night sampling their new dishes.
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Other companies including Nordic Naturals were celebrating their 25 years in the business and they had some fun interactive games for kids and adults. Yummy Bears had new products as well and I had a nice greet and meet with the founders of Veri Organic Soda, which I will have a giveaway very soon.

There were so many companies this year and so much walking as well! But the good thing was that every few steps there was something you can sample or interact with and so we were able to take a breather now and then. And as offered every year, there were seminars upon seminars educating everyone on the world of organic and natural products and food. This year’s show broke last year’s attendance record by about 7%. Here are some highlights of the show:

New Hope’s team of editors and analysts identified the five macro trends influencing the marketplace. They include:

  • Transparency advancements: Consumers are increasingly demanding to know what is in their food, and brands are responding by using technology and other innovations to provide greater transparency and traceability for their products.
  • Ancient Wisdom Gets Wiser: Brands continue to innovate by producing simple, delicious products that take minimally processing to new levels and contain short lists of nutrient-dense ingredients.
  • Paleo 2.0: Paleo-positioned products were even more prevalent. The newest Paleo offerings are popping up in every product category, from English muffins to chocolate.
  • Packaging Innovated: From edible cups to packages featuring famous cookbook authors, the packaging innovations made advancements in sustainability, consumer education and shelf stability.
  • Protein Invasion: Responding to consumers’ insatiable hunger for protein,natural and organic brands are packing new offerings with protein in every conceivable form.

 

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Thursday before the start of the show, there was the Fresh Ideas Marketplace where companies showcased some of their newest and most innovative products yet to be out in the market. This year Organic Valley did something really fun by bringing their Save the Bro campaign with their Organic Fuel milkshake to the event. The milkshake is really delicious and has high amounts of protein so it’s great as a post workout drink or a mid day healthy snack. Pictured above you see several muscle men wearing the Save the Bro t-shirts and challenging anyone to show off their strength with the carnival-like test your strength game. The “bros” were cute and funny and definitely drew in a lot of crowds as they flexed their muscles and handed out prizes to the winners.

Overall, this year’s Natural Products Expo West had a lot more going on than last year. With the additional hotel sites hosting new products and special events and the evening parties on the promenade, there were more to see than anyone could take in a 4-day event. For more info about the Natural Products Expo please visit their website: www.expowest.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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Van’s Granola and Pasta – Products Worth Reviewing

 

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I’ve never really been crazy about granola until one day, a few years ago when someone taught me to make my own homemade granola. From then on I was hooked and although I still enjoy making my own granola now and then, time constraints have made it a bit difficult to take the time out to make it from scratch. I do enjoy granola more often now and I have found that certain store-bought ones are just as good if not better than homemade, mainly because of the assortment of flavors offered. But I’m also extra choosy on what goes inside store-bought granola as I’m very cautious of those made with too much added sugar.

When Van’s Foods (http://www.vansfoods.com/) introduced me to their newest granola, I was very intrigued. Their granola is a softer and chewier version than the typical crunchy granola you might be used to. Made with only whole grain oats, not only are Van’s Foods granola healthier, but they are also gluten-free so they’re perfect for those who are sensitive to gluten. And because they are made with whole grains, you get a more satisfying and wholesome snack that can be versatile and easy to digest. I personally enjoy granola with milk or over yogurt, but with this new chewy texture, they’re perfect straight out of the bag.

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Van’s Foods are known for their wholesome and natural pancakes and waffles but have expanded their line to include wholegrain cereal, multigrain chips, crackers, snack bars, and their newest gluten-free pasta and gluten-free chewy granola. And because Van’s Foods makes delicious and natural foods for the busy family, they have recently revamped their tagline to be simply, “Van’s Simply Delicious” which is most befitting of a company who uses basic ingredients producing excellent results. We have enjoyed Van’s Foods for many years and my favorite is their Chocolate Chip mini waffles which has delectable little chocolate chips and perfect with melted butter and some whipped cream – yes whipped cream!

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Van’s Foods had wanted me to try their new Gluten Free Blueberry Walnut Granola and Gluten Free Cherry Almond Granola. My favorite was the Cherry Almond Granola as it was very distinctive between the slight sour taste of the cherries with the natural sweetness of the mixed granola. I got a nice crunch from the pumpkin seeds but it was still soft and easy to chew. Both of them were unique in their own ways so whether you’re a cherry fan or a lover of blueberry, you’ll find that they are both different yet similar. I was also given their newest pasta dishes to try which included, Gluten Free Creamy Herb and Garlic Pasta, Gluten Free Rotini and Red Sauce Pasta, and Gluten Free Ultimate Cheddar Penne. I really enjoyed the Creamy Herb and Garlic Pasta and my son liked the Ultimate Cheddar Penne. They are all made with brown rice flour for the gluten-free part and I couldn’t really taste any difference from the gluten-free version and the regular wheat version. You just have to make sure not to overcook as it could get kind of sticky.

While in our household we don’t have a gluten sensitivity, I am trying to reduce the amount of it for the purpose of a healthier digestive system. With gluten-free products, I don’t feel as weighed down and I can enjoy my food without feeling as if I ate too much. But for those with a gluten sensitivity, avoiding it at all costs is important and it’s just as important to read your labels carefully before purchasing packaged food. With Van’s Foods and their gluten-free line, you can definitely enjoy the taste of regular snacks without the dangers of wheat gluten hidden somewhere in the ingredients.

Van’s Foods can be purchased at supermarkets that carry natural products as well as natural grocery stores. They come in a variety of frozen and dried food so it’s fairly easy to stock up on their products. For more information about Van’s Foods please visit their website: http://www.vansfoods.com as well as their social media sites which you can find links on their website.

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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Earth Balance – Products Worth Reviewing

In our family, we do our best to eat healthy every day, make healthy living choices, and be conscious of our planet Earth and our environment. In order to accomplish all of these feats, choosing the right foods and the right companies are extremely important. To make a conscious effort to do better for your health and our precious Earth may not be easy for everyone, but it can be accomplished – even in small steps. One way of starting is to evaluate what you eat on a daily basis and determine if the foods you eat are detrimental to your health, or beneficial. I chose to be a vegetarian mainly for health and ethical reasons as are with most vegetarians and vegans, but I also know a few vegetarians who do not eat as healthy. And although these junk food vegetarians eat a meat-free diet, they prefer to dine on salty, fried french fries and foods made with hydrogenated oils and other unhealthy additives. But if we were to look at the common American diet in the United States, we’d see a lot of people eating foods cooked with artificial food coloring and flavors, and food that will eventually ruin their health. And although we can’t truly blame those who eat a lot of junk, because after all, junk food is prominent in the US, we can as individuals, make the right decisions when it comes to eating the right kinds of food.

Cooking your own food and buying organic ingredients as often as possible is a surefire way of eating healthier. And when you buy packaged foods, it’s extremely important to read the labels. I’ve been a label reader for many years now mainly because I was aware of how eating foods ladened with unhealthy ingredients were affecting my health. I’ve even gotten most of my family and friends to read labels on the foods they buy and it has helped them a great deal. So when I see a product that contains natural and organic ingredients and ingredients that also enhance my health I’m doubly excited. That’s why when I discovered a company called Earth Balance I was very intrigued. Earth Balance (http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/) is an all-natural food company that makes organic and natural soymilk, spreads, dressings, nut butters, baking sticks, coconut, and soy nog. All of Earth Balance foods are made without any genetically modified ingredients, are plant-based, vegan, without any artificial ingredients or hydrogenated oils, and do not contain gluten, lactose, and eggs. We are particularly nuts over their spreads and nut butters and can easily polish off an entire jar or bottle in less than a week. Yes, they’re that good! And I feel better knowing that when we eat Earth Balance foods, I am actually giving my loved ones something better and healthier. And Earth Balance is an environmentally-conscious company too. They strive to make the world a better place for both people and the planet.

You may have heard of Earth Balance. You can see their products in most natural grocery stores as well as conventional supermarkets who carries their Smart Balance brand. Earth Balance makes a great amount of better-for-you everyday food that definitey beats the conventional nut butters, spreads, and soymilk. Their nut butters are smooth, creamy, and intense in flavor and their soymilk are refreshing and easy to mix into your dessert recipes. We particulaly enjoy Earth Balance’s Creamy Coconut and Peanut Butter Spread because there’s just something unique and unusual about coconut and peanut butter. If you’re a fan of coconuts, then you’ll enjoy their robust coconut flavor and if you’re fairly new to coconuts, then you’ll be surprised at how delightful the blend of coconuts and peanuts can taste. I like to spread their Creamy Coconut and Peanut Butter on bread of course, but it’s also really tasty on crackers and graham crackers. I’m sure you can also use them to make Rice Crispies and I’ll have to try that soon.

Earth Balance began when a need for more natural, wholesome, and plant-based foods arised. With so many overly processed foods nowadays, and foods ladened with unnecessary additives, it’s no wonder that more and more people are trying to make smarter choices in the foods they purchase and eat. It’s not hard to avoid unhealthy foods – just don’t buy them. And yes, sometimes that may be hard to accomplish, but if you start somewhere and you keep at it, then eventually your refrigerator and pantry will be stockful of healthier foods. It’s always better to buy fresh produce whenever possible, but we aren’t all Martha Stewarts in that we can’t make our own butter or soymilk or dressings all of the time. So if you’re going to go for convenience and practicality, then it’s important to buy those items that are made with natural ingredients and at best, organic ingredients. With Earth Balance products, I can clearly see the ingredients listed, and I can certainly taste the superb quality of them too. Although I’d love to make my own mayonnaise and butter eventually, right now, I can stick with products that I know contains at least the same ingredients I might use if I were to make them from scratch.

So if you’re in the market to try something different, and that isn’t made from unknown ingredients, then you’d have to give Earth Balance a try. Currently their lineup of products include Soymilk, which comes in flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, and Unsweetened; Spreads, which come in flavors such as Olive Oil, Whipped, and Soy Garden (and all of their spreads come in a base of Palm Fruit, Soybean, Flax, and Olive); Dressings which are made from canola oil; Organic Soy Nog; Nut Butters with flavors including Creamy Coconut, Creamy Peanut, and Creamy Almond; Baking Sticks which also includes Vegan Baking Sticks; and Coconut Spreads which can be used in place of regular butter. All of Earth Balance’s products are made without any genetically-modified or engineered ingredients and they source their coconuts and palm fruit responsibly and ethically.

Earth Balance had kindly sent me coupons to pick up and try any of their products for review. The products I tried were: Soymilk in original flavor, Olive Oil and Original Spread, Organic Dressing, and Creamy Coconut Nut Butter. We really liked their spreads and dressing and nut butters and although I’m a constant soymilk drinker, I wasn’t overjoyed by their original-flavored soymilk. To me, it tasted really strong, unlike the soymilk that I’m used to, so perhaps I will have to try their Vanilla or Chocolate flavor next to see if I notice a difference in taste. All of the products I tried can be easily incorporated into your daily meals whether as part of the meal, as a supplement, or as an addition to a recipe. In fact, if you’re looking for some good recipes using their products, please visit their website: http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/recipes/.

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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Happy Baby Happy Family – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

There’s nothing like feeding your baby the best food possible. As parents, and especially first-time parents, we do everything possible to make sure our children have the best food, the best toys, the best of everything possible. We do countless research on how to raise our children properly and safely and it’s a rewarding yet sometimes tiring labor of love. But when it comes to feeding our children the right kinds of food, sometimes we can have conflicting information. Especially as a first-time parent, you’ll hear information from everyone and everywhere – so how do you know what’s right exactly? Well, I always say do your own research first and trust your instincts. When I first discovered Happy Baby Happy Family and their line of organic, all-natural, and wholesome food for children, I was intrigued and excited. Finally a company that makes organic food for babies and young children and absolutely delicious and nutritious too!

HAPPYBABY (http://happybabyfood.com/) makes organic and all-natural food specifically designed for babies and young children. And that means food that are free of dangerous pesticides, chemicals, GMO’s, preservatives, and food coloring. They also add important nutrients such as DHA to help with brain growth and probiotics for digestive health. And most importantly, their food is delicious! My son loves their Happy Melts and Happy Bites and I love the fact that they are made from organic ingredients and do not contain any yucky stuff.

HAPPYBABY was developed by a mom with the idea in mind that all parents need some help in feeding their children nutritious food. We as parents try our best to provide our children with the best food, the best toys, and the safest car seats. But we don’t always have the time to make our own food for our babies and younger kids. And babies and toddlers can not necessarily eat what adults eat because of digestion, allergies, and not enough teeth to chew. And we don’t always have the resources to buy organic ingredients either. That’s why HAPPYBABY is a great choice for babies and toddlers because they do all the work for us.

HAPPYBABY makes organic frozen food, organic snacks, organic cereal, organic yogurt melts, and organic pureed food. Their products contain only natural ingredients so you don’t have to worry about what goes into your kids tummies. Their products are also allergen friendly with complete ingredients disclosure. Their products are also packaged in BPA-free materials so you don’t have to worry about the toxic chemical leaking into the food.  Most importantly though, their food is absolutely scrumptious! And they’re easy to prepare and eat. Their frozen bites make excellent complete meals or as a side dish or a snack and I myself even enjoy their yogurt melts. Their yogurt melts have a truly unique sensation and flavor. You really can’t go wrong with HAPPYBABY foods. This company does everything possible to ensure your children will get a nutritious, delicious, and organically-made meal.

I discovered HAPPYBABY and their HAPPYFAMILY line of products awhile ago and because they also practice sustainability methods as well as being socially responsible, that’s a great plus in my book. So if you’re going to buy something that’s as important as a nutritiously-made meal for your kids, then why not also support a company who believes in giving back to our planet and to the world?

HAPPYBABY believes in helping families with the hassle of making their own baby food because sometimes we simply just don’t have the time to make a complete and nutritious meal. With a complete line of products to choose from, you’re sure to find something that your baby and toddler will enjoy. Their prices are also very reasonable and you can find most of their products in Babies R’ Us, Toys R’ Us, Target, and some of your local natural grocery stores and supermarkets. They even offer a newsletter on their site and if you sign up, you’ll get offers for discounts and coupons.

Happy Baby Happy Family had kindly sent me free product  coupons to try their HAPPYFAMILY Frozen Bites, their HAPPYMunchies, and HAPPY Tot Plus and my son and I were super excited to try all of them! So we decided to purchase the Salmon Stix HAPPYFAMILY Frozen Bites , the Broccoli, Kale, and Cheddar Cheese Munchies, and their Strawberry, Kiwi, Beet, and Pear Happy Tot Plus. The Salmon Stix Frozen Bites were delightfully mushy yet yielded a cruncy exterior and it is filled with yummy and nutritious ingredients such as Wild Pollock, Organic Butternut Squash, Wild Salmon, Organic Potato, and a few other seasonings to bind the delicious and unique flavor. My son decided to dip his Salmon Stix in some organic ketchup and loved them! The Broccoli, Kale, and Cheddar Cheese Happy Munchies were so light and airy and so fun to eat, even I didn’t want to stop eating them – but okay, they were for my son, so I let him finish the carton on his own. And with wholesome ingredients like Organic Whole Grain Yellow Corn and Organic Cheddar Cheese, as well as Organic Broccoli and Organic Kale, the Munchies were more like a meal rather than a snack. The Strawberry, Kiwi, Beet, and Pear Happy Tot Plus reminded me of a fruit smoothie that wasn’t too heavy and not overly sweet. And if you freeze them, they also make nice frozen treats! All of the 3 products we tried contained important and necessary nutrients and vitamins such as Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as Magnesium, Calcium, and Iron. And with wild salmon, you’re getting the ultra-important nutrient EPA and DHA found in certain fish that’s crucial for growing brains.

Happy Baby Happy Family would also like to give 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger the chance to win some of their great products. The prize will be 2 FREE product coupons for each HappyFamily Frozen Bites, Happy Munchies, Happy Tot Plus and a Happy Family Recipe guide, a Nutrition Guide, and Happyfamily FAQ pamphlet. So how do you win this wonderful prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Happy Baby Happy Family giveaway:

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

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” Happy Baby Happy Family on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/HAPPYFAM 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 Happy Baby Happy Family giveaway. Become a follower of Happy Baby Happy Family:http://twitter.com/#!/happybabyfood and “Tweet” that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Sign up for the Happy Baby Happy Family newsletter: http://happybabyfood.com/component/content/article/79/126-sign-in 

#4 entry – Answer this question that can be found on their FAQ’s tab (http://www.happybabyfood.com/view-all-faqs): How are HappyBaby Food tested?

#5 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

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

You can enter by telling me the 6 entries in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. You can only enter ONCE and up to 6 entries only. 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: April 19, 2012

Contest End Date: May 3, 2012 – Congratulations to Debbie L. on winning the prize!

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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PJ’s Organics – Products Worth Reviewing and Giveaway

Over the years I’ve come to really appreciate frozen foods. Although I do prefer and advocate fresh foods first and foremost, frozen foods can be just as nutritious and delicious if you know what you’re buying and what you’re freezing. Most frozen foods are partially cooked and freezed right away to seal in the freshness and taste so you’re not really missing much there and if you cook and freeze your own food, then you know exactly what ingredients you have in there. But what happens when there are days where you don’t have a lot of time to cook lunch or eat a quick dinner? There are lots of frozen food companies out on the market and deciding which ones are right for you and your family can be a daunting game. Luckily, there are several natural grocery stores near my home so I can always pick up some healthy and nutritious frozen foods.

One company which we came across is a company called PJ’s Organics. I thought it was a cute name at first and decided to read the labels and ingredients to see what they’re all about. Turned out they make only organic burritos with natural ingredients you don’t have to play a guessing game with. Their organic and all-natural burritos are simple yet incredibly delicious and satisfying and they’re filled with natural meat and vegetables. Since I’m a vegetarian, I didn’t try the meat-filled burritos but my son and husband did and they really enjoyed it. Although the serving is about the same as you would expect any other frozen burritos to be, there are a lot more ingredients in the filling and the tortilla wraps are made with organic wheat flour so they’re a lot more satisfying.

PJ’s Organics started in a small town in Northern California from an outdoor loving fellow who loved burritos as much as he did surfing in the California sun. When he couldn’t find any healthier versions of frozen burritos out on the market, PJ’s Organics was born and to this day, they still make their tortillas and burritos from scratch. And since healthy food and a healthy lifestyle is important to the founder, he also promised to use only organic ingredients and no added preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, and no genetically-modified ingredients. In fact, if you looked at the list of ingredients on their Traditional Chicken Burrito, you’ll find only organic white chicken meat, organic black beans, organic white short grain rice, organic tomato paste, organic onion, organic cheddar cheese, and a few other organic spices for extra flavor. Steak and Cheese is my husband’s favorite because of the flavorful organic beef steak and he likes to cook it in the toaster oven to give the burrito an extra crunchy crust. And my son really enjoys the Breakfast Burrito which is filled with organic turkey, eggs, corn, and cheese.

Currently PJ’s Organics burritos comes in the following flavors: Traditional Chicken, Steak and Cheese, Breakfast, Skinny, Five-Layer and Southwestern-Style. Hopefully they’ll make more flavors soon because their burritos taste wholesome and really unique and I think it’s great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any time. They’re perfect for a quick bite to eat and virtually any one of any age can enjoy them. You can also find them in most natural grocery stores in the frozen section.

PJ’s Organics was interested in having me try their burritos so they sent me some product coupons to pick up any flavors that I wanted. So we bought all of their flavors just to be fair. They also want to give three LUCKY readers of Happymomblogger a chance to try their products as well with 2 FREE product coupons to each 3 winners. So how do you win these wonderful burritos? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the PJ’s Organics giveaway:

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

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” PJ’s Organics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjsorganics 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 PJ’s Organics giveaway. Become a follower of PJ’s Organics: http://twitter.com/#!/pjsorganics and “Tweet” that you are entering the 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. You can only win 1 prize per giveaway period. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibed by law.

Contest Start Date: March 23, 2012

Contest End Date: April 6, 2012 – Congratulations to Eliza L., Janice W., Layne G.

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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