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Gerber Grabbers: Review

September 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

imageIf I had a nickel for every time I heard, “Jack do it all by himself,”  I could quit my day job.  Like any typical 2 year old, my son wants to do everything with no help.  As you can imagine I spend a lot of time cleaning up after the mess he makes.   Finally, a solution to the messy snacks!  Gerber has come out with a new product called Graduates Grabbers. These snacks are perfect for on the go and for youngsters that want to be independent.  My son loves the fact that he can have them in the car, at the park and just about any where we go. I love the fact that there is no clean up.  From Gerber Grabbers website:

Product Highlights

  • Made with 100% natural fruit
  • 2 Servings of fruit per pouch*
  • Excellent source of Vitamin C & E
  • Unsweetened, unsalted, no added starch, artificial flavors or colors

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*One serving is 1/4 cup of fruit for toddlers

Not only are the Grabbers full of vitamins that your toddler needs, they are also in the words of my son, “very very delicious.”  They come in five different flavors: Banana Blueberry, Apple, Mango & Strawberry,  Apple and Sweet Potato with Cinnamon, Pear & Squash, Apple, Pear and Peach.  Although we liked all of the flavors my son and I both agree that the Banana Blueberry was the best and they were even better once they were refrigerated.  The pouch is rather large and Jack never finished one in a single sitting; however, since it has a resealable top, we put it in the refrigerator for later. For an easy to go, easy to stow you can’t go wrong.

Check out the latest Gerber news by becoming a fan on Facebook!

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Find It Games: Veggie Tales

September 6, 2011 By 1 Comment

With two young daughters, sometimes going out and enjoying a nice meal together can be challenging.  There are long wait times, “different” foods, and little entertainment for kids.  We expect them to sit quietly and use their manners for well over an hour on some occasions which admittedly can be difficult for any child (even me!).

I do not allow my children to bring electronic toys into a restaurant, so I usually have crayons and paper on hand.  My kids love to draw, but even their favorite glitter markers get old after about 30 minutes?  In my constant search for “quiet activities”, I came across Find It Games last Christmas.  I purchased the Find It Glitz and Glamor game (it’s pink and purple, after all!) and my daughters absolutely love it.  About Find It Games:

Photobucket“A creative game that never needs to be put away. Find It is ideal to play anywhere: at home, in the office, in your car. People of all ages will enjoy the hunt for the hidden objects buried within the layer of recycled plastic pellets. Alone or with friends, everyone will enjoy spinning it, shaking it, and twisting it until all the objects are found.”

Basically a handheld scavenger hunt, my daughters loved to take turns shaking the games and looking for the object listed on the container.  At a recent family dinner, we actually passed the game around the whole table until all the object were found!  My daughter who is 3 all the way to my Dad (or Pops as we call him) loved playing the game.  So, I was thrilled to hear that Find It Games unveiled a Veggie Tales version!

We decide to take the Veggie Tales Find It Game on a Summer car trip.  It was the perfect activity to keep the kids occupied for a while hour!  Both of my girls are familiar with Veggie Tales (the videos are shown at their school), so they couldn’t wait to find the Bob the Tomato or Junior Asparagus hidden in the colorful pellets.

Find It Games can be found in national retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, Hallmark, Target, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and Christian book and gift Stores. I am looking forward to seeing what Find It Games has in store for the upcoming holiday season.  Most games retail for about $25, so they will definitely be on my Christmas list this year!  Become a Fan on Facebook to keep up on the latest news!

This post is the opinion of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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“Slap Ya Mama” Hot Bacon Dip Recipe

September 5, 2011 By 8 Comments

Our boys in Black and Gold play this Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers and the whole City is gearing up for some infamous parties!  Here in New Orleans, the centerpiece of our parties isn’t the football….it’s the food!

One of the staples in our repertoire was given to me by one of my best friends (and Experimental Mommy product reviewer), Jennifer.  She calls it:

Slap Ya Mama Hot Bacon Dip

What you need:

  • 1 bread bowl
  • 8 oz. sour cream
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 2+ cups of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3 stalks green onion
  • 1 bag of Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits

How to Make it:

Mixture before baking

Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Cut off top of bread bowl and hollow out carefully.  Mix cream cheese, sour cream and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.  Add bacon and chopped green onion.  Place mixture in bread bowl and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Top with a little extra shredded cheddar and return to over until melted.

Serve with crackers.

It’s so good you will want to “Slap Ya Mama!”  What are some of your favorite football foods?

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EnDangerbles: Review and Giveaway

September 4, 2011 By

Beyond teaching my children the basics like saying please and thank you, not talking with their mouth full, and cleaning up their messes, I try to squeeze in important facts about the world we live in.  One of the things the kids need to know about is how important it is to protect and care for the Earth’s animals, especially those that are endangered.

The EnDangerbles are an endearing cast of characters that help teach kids fun facts about a variety of different creatures from the majestic eagle to the adorable baby seal, and everything in between.  I recently received an EnDangerbles CD with 10 tracks to teach kids about important animal facts using catchy tunes and upbeat lyrics.  My daughter especially loved “Girls Rock and Rule” and “Crocodile Shoes” and we all enjoyed listening to the CD on a recent car trip.    A visit to the EnDangerbles website is a wealth of information and fun, age-appropriate facts about a variety of exotic animals.

GIVEAWAY

We have a CD to give away to one lucky reader, along with a plush EnDangerbles toy!  In the meantime, all entrants can receive a free song from The EnDangerbles by visiting their website and signing up to be a deputy!  Please choose “SSA” as how you heard about the site and you’ll receive an e mail with a link to the free download!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me which EnDangerbles plush toy you would like to receive!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and EnDangerbles (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on September 20th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
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Hershey’s Air Delight Chocolates: Review

September 4, 2011 By 3 Comments

My daughter Emily’s first sentence was at the tender age of 15 months…..and it was, “More chocolate, Momma!”  After getting a Hershey’s kiss from a clerk at our local post office, all she knew was that she wanted MORE of that goodness!  We all love chocolate in this house and when we want it, we turn to Hershey’s.

Hershey’s has introduced a brand new way to experience chocolate in its Air Delight aerated chocolates.  It’s a treat for your taste buds with its light, airy texture.  The chocolate melts effortlessly in your mouth and has that same classic Hershey’s taste that you love.

I received a 9.4 ounce bag of Hershey’s Air Delight Kisses and a 1.44 ounce single-serving bar to sample.  Of course, like any good chocoholic, I hid the bar for me to have handy one day in the midst of a chocolate attack, but shared the Kisses with my husband and kids.  Their responses ranged from “Bubbly!” to “YUM!” and all agreed the light and airy texture was something we all enjoyed as a change from the regular texture of chocolate.

Hershey’s Air Delight is available at nationwide grocery, drug, and convenience stores.  Feed your inner chocolate monster this Halloween with Hershey’s!

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was provided to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
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MyBabyClothes.com: Review and Giveaway

September 4, 2011 By

Shopping for children’s dress clothes and accessories is not always the easiest thing to do. It is so hard because most of the stores carry the same clothes which means you go to a party and three children are wearing the same outfit. I always like my little one to stand out in something cute and different, but at an affordable price. I was recently asked to pick a dress from My Baby Clothes Boutique.  From the website:

“At MyBabyClothes.com we strive to bring you the most fashion forward and unique baby clothes on the web, all at a Guaranteed Lowest Price! Our team searches to find the cutest, most comfortable, and highest quality clothes and accessories available. Our goal is to offer these unique and trendy boutique style clothes at affordable prices.”

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The hardest part was narrowing down my choices. I loved all of their clothes and accessories so much that I had a hard time picking something out. They sell everything from tutus, baby headbands, baby hats and newborn-4T baby clothes for both boys and girls. The best part about purchasing from My Baby Clothes is that your child will stand out and be unique!

On My Baby Clothes’ website you can search by category, size and style which makes navigating the site super easy. When I finally made my decision, I ordered the Mud Pie Cow EIEIO Bubble Dress, because my husband loves anything with cows on it. He was thrilled when it arrived and would put it on her everyday if I allowed him to. The dress is fully lined, has precious little bows on the shoulders and, of course, an adorable cow.

I was completely satisfied for the ordering, delivery and quality of the clothes. I know like many others, I hesitate to purchase products online because of the shipping costs.  But right now you don’t need to worry about shipping because My Baby Clothes is currently offering free shipping on ALL orders. Not only are you getting a good price on your clothes but they will be shipped for free! Check out their adorable Halloween items!

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive a $25 gift card to My Baby Clothes Boutique!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me how you would spend your $25 My Baby Clothes Boutique gift card!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Aurora (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @mybabyclothes on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and My Baby Clothes on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

6.  Subscribe to My Baby Clothes Boutique Newsletter and let me know you did!

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on September 21st.  Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Beth of The Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample product was received to facilitate the review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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Confession: I Love Laundry #WhirlpoolMoms

September 3, 2011 By 6 Comments

I have many roles in my life….Mom, Wife, Daughter, Friend, Employee, Business Owner, and Blogger to name a few.  Admittedly, I am better at some of these than others and I have gradually gotten better at these roles over time.  But, there are two roles that seem to be my nemeses, cook and housekeeper, mainly because I don’t strive to be the best at either.  I cook and clean out of necessity, but I dread it every.single.time.

I actually envy those that love to experiment in the kitchen and make their homes into works of art. I wonder if I was born without that gene.  But, to be honest, since I work outside the home full time, when I get home I want to gobble up my kids and play, play, PLAY!  I hate to spend any of my precious evening hours with them in the kitchen or the laundry room.  I am always looking for better ways to manage my time or a shortcut to get chores done quickly.  So, I am thrilled to announce that I am one of fifty Moms chosen to review the time saving features of the Whirlpool Duet Washer and Dryer!

Before I begin reviewing the set, I thought I should introduce you to my old washer and dryer…….

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Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

My husband and I received these as a wedding gift from my in-laws over 11 years ago.  They have served us well and even made it through Hurricane Katrina, but they have seen better days.  After the Storm, the washer retained a strong sewer-like smell and clothes needed to be run through at least 2 cycles in the dryer.  One load of laundry began to take an obsessively long time, so the majority of my weekend was spent chained to the dirty clothes.  I was sad to see them go, but got over it rather quickly when our new shiny Whirlpool Duet set appeared…..

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My Little Vanna White

Pretty, right?  The great thing is that it’s looks aren’t even the best part!  This 4.3 cu. ft. front load washer is equipped with Precision Dispense Ultra, a reservoir that holds up to 36 loads worth of HE detergent, which dispenses just the right amount of detergent, fabric softener or bleach at the right time during your cycle.  No worries about over-using detergent which saves you money!  Another feature I can’t wait to explore?  Fan Fresh!  No time to switch laundry?  The washer has the capability to dry a small load of laundry on its own!  Amazing!  I can start a small load of laundry before work and have it washed AND dried when I get home?  LOVE.

In the coming months, I will share some tips and tricks to using the Whirlpool Duet and how it can simplify your life.  Stay tuned!

As a Mom Central Whirlpool Test Drive Mom, the Duet Washer and Dryer were provided to me in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions remain 100% mine.
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Skip Back to School with Native Shoes

September 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Have your kids returned back to school yet? Have you taken them school shopping for their supplies and new stylin’ kicks? While my kids both wear uniforms to school, I am always on the lookout for easy and comfortable shoes for weekends and dance class. Fortunately, I was recently introduced to Native Shoes! From the website:

“Inspired by classic, casual silhouettes, but made with the lightest and most comfortable material available , native shoes are the best of both worlds. “

After taking a look at the options for kids, I had a hard time deciding between the Miller, Corrado or the Jefferson. They are all crazy cute, so after a bit of thinking, I decided on the Miller style in pink for my 3 year old daughter. When they arrived, I knew she would love them! The soles were soft and the construction sturdy. The look of the shoe will work with shorts, capris, jeans or even dance clothes on the way to weekly classes. When she tried them on, they ran true to size and she did not want to take them off. She has not once complained of any pains as she often does with new shoes. I would definitely purchase another pair for my oldest daughter or even myself. Take a look at the women’s shoe selection!

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Need another reason to love Native shoes? They are also eco-friendly, as they are manufactured through a low energy emission process which produces zero waste and does not use any animal bi-products. Top it off with the fact that the are waterproof, washable and odor resistant makes them the perfect shoe for my kids.

Take a look at all the bright color and style options at Native Shoes for the perfect back to school shoe!

This post is the opinion of Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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Nestle Family Back to School {Giveaway}

September 1, 2011 By

Well, we are almost done with another week of school.  We are finally settling into a routine here and both girls are thriving in their new classrooms.  My oldest had her very first test and scored a 100 (proud mama moment)!

Earlier this week, Nestle Family challenged me to pledge a New School Year Resolution.  I decided to pledge a new, healthier school year for my girls by preparing nutritious dinners and packing healthy options for lunch and snacks.  My main obstacle is finding time to prepare, so my husband and I decided that we would take one hour every Sunday morning to plan a menu for the entire week followed by a shopping trip at the grocery store to stock up on essentials.

I found a very useful app for my iPhone to aid in planning and shopping trips, Dinner Spinner from Allrecipes.com. Almost like a slot machine, you can “spin” the categories to find something fun to cook.  Looking for something specific?  You can select main dishes made with chicken in 45 minutes or less and instantly view many recipes that fit the bill!  I am hoping this app helps me to find new recipes so I can stick to my resolution.

Have you made a New School Year Resolution?

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive a $25 Nestle Family Mastercard Rewards Card, $20 in school supplies, free coupons from TOLL HOUSE Refrigerated Cookie Dough and OVALTINE, an OVALTINE straw dispenser and recipe booklet,  as well as a Nestlé Family coupon booklet!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me your New School Year Resolution!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Nestle Family (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Nestle Family on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on September 19th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While this is a compensated post, all opinions remain 100% mine.
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