Nuk Fresh Foods Cook N Blend

I was given the opportunity as a Mom Ambassador at Green Mom's Meet (through Kiwi Magazine) to review Nuk's Fresh Foods Cook N' Blend Baby Food Maker.

The product title may be a mouthful, but it will provide a VERY healthy mouthful for your child.

Nuk always a leader in the baby product market has come out with a baby food maker that steams AND blends the food for you.

No longer will you need to steam your fruit and vegetables in one vessel and then move them to another (such as a blender or baby food mill).

Now there is an all in one product to handle this.

While not just a pretty face the Nuk Cook N Blend has the following features:

• Dual action function steams and blends food
• Healthy steaming preserves vitamin and mineral content
• With 32 oz bowl it can make up to 4 meals at a time
• Double steamer basket separates food
• Beeps and stops automatically
• Two texture (smooth and chunky) options so that the product can grow with your child
• Dishwasher safe
• Bonus smoothie blade so the whole family can get in on the action
• Free recipe book with  meal ideas from Annabel Karmel
• There is a $20 off coupon available here as well

As a mother of three I loved making food for my kids.  For me it was my way to do all that I could to ensure they would grow up as healthy as possible.

Maybe it was the budding homesteader in me, but it was oh so satisfying to do it...plus it was so much cheaper than store bought food.

Now I used a hand powered baby food mill, like this one, but Nuk has been forward thinking enough to make a product that is useful past the toddler stage.

With that being said I think this would make for a great baby shower gift to a new mom.  It is one that I would recommend to my friends and co-workers.

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

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A different kind of holiday

With the holiday season fast approaching I thought it appropriate to talk about a "different" type of holiday.

Ladies holiday that is.

Each month we women get a visitor, who stays about a week, and usually makes us crave chocolate and sometimes makes us a little cranky.

As a member of Mom's Meet I was given the opportunity to sample Softcup.

Now discussing menstrual cycles and what not is not really my thing, but I do want to say that the use of this product really impressed me.

I felt better protected and that I could participate in all activities (including swimming) and not feel self-conscious.

The cup can be left in for up to 12 hours and I think the coolest thing (although it is a bit of TMI) you don't have to remove it when you use the bathroom.

However I don't want you to just take my word that these are better than any other pad or tampon I would like to gift three readers with a box of 14.

What do you have to do to win?

Simply use the Rafflecopter below.  I will announce the three winners on Monday, December 10th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also check out Softcup on Facebook and Twitter.

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

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SparX

As a Mom Ambassador with Mom's Meet I am given a chance from time to time to sample products.

Most recently I was sent SparX made by Xlear.

Fruit Flavor

Citrus Flavor

These are the cutest little candies, in such pretty pastel colors.

The benefit of these candies, over other crunchy sweets, is that these are sweetened with xylitol.

Xylitol is a plant based sweetener that is recommended by dentists as it can improve your dental health and strengthen your tooth enamel.

What's more the candies don't have any artificial colors or flavors...Amen to that.

My kids were quick to split these up and devour them.  I have to say they were tasty and I am going to look for them in stores the next time candy is on the grocery list.

With trying to provide better treats for my kids I will be sure to check for xylitol as an ingredient when making my choices.

If you would like to know more about Xlear you can visit their website or check them out on Facebook.


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

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Kashi Chocolate Squares giveaway

Today is giveaway #3!

First things first congratulations to Anna (Crunchy Creamy Sweet) for winning the Fiber One gift pack I post about on Monday.

Remember there is still time to win the Progresso Soup giveaway I posted yesterday (see here).

On to today's post Kashi Chocolate Squares.

As a member of Mom's Meet I was given the opportunity to sample these squares with my family.

What particularly intrigued me about the product when I was asked to sample it was that it contained the normal 7 whole grains that Kashi is famous for however the "hidden" ingredients were sweet potatoes, black beans, and agave for sweetener.

I was totally sold when black beans were thrown in the mix, I love them in brownies.

The texture of the squares is chewy and moist, but my kids were less than thrilled with flavor.

I think they were wanting something MORE chocolaty, like dessert, instead of a snack bar.

I think they have just the right amount of sweetness, and for other adults I think this is true.

However if you heat a bar up in the microwave and put a small scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream on top you indeed have one superb dessert/treat.

Guess what?

I have a giveaway from Kashi to share with you all.

What will you win?

Kashi lunch bag and 2 coupons for free Kashi products.

The coupons are good for these bars or for any of Kashi's other fabulous snacks or cereals.

How do you win? 

Fill out the rafflecopter below.

The winner will be announced Friday the 28th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet

SM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetSM blogger, I agreed

to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

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Almond Breeze

No I am not talking about a new type of tropical breeze at the beach (however I wish I was).

Almond Breeze is a brand of almond milk, and mighty delicious I might add. 

As a member of Mom's Meet I was given the opportunity to sample and review their product.

One of the first things I changed when I moved to a vegetarian lifestyle was cutting out milk from my diet, and from that of my children.

I thought there would be some resistance to this new milk, but they switched over like troopers and now find cow milk a little weird.

Almond milk is smooth in taste and can be used to substitute milk in recipes (just be sure you are using original...not vanilla, I've made that mistake).  Even mashed potatoes taste creamy and delicious when almond milk is substituted.

I have tried a couple of different companies versions of almond milk and continually come back to Almond Breeze as I just prefer their flavor.

Speaking of flavors it comes in a small variety:

Original
Chocolate (seriously delicious and rich)
Vanilla

These flavors also come in the unsweetened variety.

You can buy Almond Breeze in the dairy aisle already chilled OR you can pick it up in tetra pak.

Tetra pak is a shelf stable packaging system that allows you to store your milk outside of the fridge until it is opened.

Something I just learned about tetra paks is that they can be recycled.  Learning this was music to my ears as now I can continue to enjoy the delicious taste, but I can also know that the packaging will be made into something else (like building materials, railway ties, or even flower pots).

My favorite way to enjoy Almond Breeze is either in a smoothie or in my cereal, although my kids thoroughly enjoy a chilled glass with chocolate chip cookies. 

I recommend the use of almond milk to my friends as a great alternative and one that is packed with nutrition.  I recommend it to you my readers as well.

For 3 of you I am going to be sending you a coupon to pick up a tetra pak of almond milk in your preferred flavor.

All I need you to do is leave me a comment below, any will do (for example what did you do for summer vacation or what type of almond milk would you try).  I will announce my winner on Wednesday August 8th.

If you would like to learn more about Almond Breeze feel free to check out their website or Facebook page.

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

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Annie's Homegrown Pizza Giveaway

As a part of Moms Meet, a program sponsored by Kiwi Magazine, I get to try products from time to time and then tell you lovely people (my wonderful and fantastic readers) all about them.

Most recently I was given a chance to try Annie's Homegrown Organic Rising Crust pizza.

The same Annie's that brings you the delicious cheddar bunnies and mac & cheese (at least to my house)

So who would say no to an opportunity for a pizza dinner for your family?

Not me that's for sure.

My children love pizza and making sure that the pie has quality ingredients is always at the forefront of my mind.

Annie's takes the guess work out of it for you by making their pizzas:

• Certified organic
• naturally rising crust, 8g whole grains per serving
• 100% real cheese, no cows were treated with rBST growth hormone
• features meat with no nitrates or nitrites (except those naturally occuring in sea salt and celery juice powder)
• available in four flavors (uncured pepperoni, four cheese, supreme, and spinach & mushroom)

We selected spinach & mushroom as those are two favorite toppings for my children (sorry to say that cheddar bunnies wasn't a choice...but maybe a future flavor for Annie's).

As I am going vegan for the month of March I did not eat the pizza, but the rest of my family had no qualms about wolfing down enjoying this Friday night treat.

So what is the verdict?  THEY LOVED IT

Would we recommend it to friends?  Absolutely

I think Annie's is right up there with other name brand rising crust pizzas.

Currently these are being sold at Whole Foods.  But instead of buying one would you like the chance to win one?

I thought you might.

To win leave me a comment and let me know what flavor of pizza you would try if you win. 

The giveaway will be open until Wednesday March 21st.  I will announce the winners (yes you heard me right plural) on Thursday.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of

the Moms Meet

it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet

agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My

opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media

Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.SM program, May Media Group LLC, who receivedSM blogger, I

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