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Snacks My Kids Can Freely Eat: FreeYumm Review + Giveaway

June 19, 2018 52 Comments

Disclosure: I received free products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

One of the most exciting discoveries for me at Expo West was the number of companies dedicated to nut-free foods. Both of my kids are allergic to tree nuts and peanuts, so we are always on the lookout for snacks that they can safely eat.

One of the brands I found is FreeYumm, a company that has a bakery dedicated to producing bars and cookies without the following allergens:

Milk (all dairy)
Eggs
Peanuts
Tree Nuts
Wheat/Gluten
Soy
Fish
Shellfish
Sulphites
Sesame

I have taught my kids to always check food labels. It seems like so many companies produce products that do not contain nuts listed as an ingredient, yet they add the disclaimer “may contain nuts” which is so frustrating.

It is nice to be able to have peace of mind about these snacks.

FreeYumm offers several types of goodies:

Honey Apple Oat Bars
Blueberry Oat Bars
Raspberry Chia Bars
Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Double Chocolate Cookies
Ginger Cookies
Banana Maple Cookies

We tried a few of the varieties. They are “kid-size” and have just the right amount of sweetness. My kids liked the Honey Apple Oat Bars the best.

These bars and cookies do not contain any fillers, refined sugars, or preservatives–yes!

I also like that the bars and cookies are individually wrapped. FreeYumm bars would be a fun and allergy-friendly treat to include in a kids’ birthday party favor bag.

Even if your own kids do not have allergies, they are a good healthy snack to have on hand for school lunches, after sports practices/games, etc.

FreeYumm products are available at certain retail outlets (I hope they are able to expand soon!) and can be ordered on Amazon in the United States. Use promo code: YUMMGF20 for 20% off at checkout.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

If you are in Canada, you can go to Well.ca and use promo code: FreeYumm20 for 20% off your first FreeYumm order.

FreeYumm is generously offering my readers a chance to win 3 boxes of their allergen-friendly bars (varieties may vary).

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Book Review, Sponsored

Navigating Relationships: A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages Review

June 18, 2018 No Comments

Note: I received this book as a Moody Newsroom Blogger. All opinions are my own.

I have read a good number of relationship books, but few have made as lasting an impression as Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages. I cannot remember if the first time I read the book was before our marriage or in the early years in our marriage, but it made an impact. The concept of people primarily responding to and expressing love in one of the five love languages (Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Acts of Service, & Physical Touch) made so much sense. I related to the examples and recognized the similarities and differences between me and D. Because D is also familiar with the book, we both try to make a conscious effort to speak each other’s love language and our marriage is stronger as a result.

Therefore, I was excited to find out that Gary Chapman has also written A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages. The basic concepts are the same, but it is written in a manner that is more relevant to teens. The book talks about all of a teen’s relationships: family, friends, and dating. I was not sure how much this book would focus on the dating part (and if it is too early to share it with my 11 year old daughter) but I found it age-appropriate (with maybe the exception of one page in the “Touch” chapter). The first five chapter are each dedicated to one of the five love languages. The other five chapters delve more deeply into certain relational issues. At the end of the book is an easy quiz to help you determine your primary love language profile. This is a quick read (126 pages) that would help all young people navigate the relationships in their life, both now and in the future.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Screen-Free Playtime With #GoliathGames + Giveaway

June 15, 2018 48 Comments

Disclosure: Product provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

When my kids get bored, it is natural for them to gravitate toward the iPad, a tablet or our Xbox for entertainment. While I think that is fine in moderation, I have been trying to encourage them to play screen-free games as well. Goliath Games is a company I have found that has a wide variety of “traditional” games that appeal to kids of all ages. Today I am reviewing two of their most popular games.

The first game is Pop the Pig:

n has speech therapy at school to help him say his “r” sounds. His speech teacher incorporates a lot of games into his group sessions, and this is one of them. He was excited to play this game at home with k.

It looks like k was excited too! To play, players take turns rolling the die. Then you pop “hamburgers” into the pig’s mouth and push down on his head. The more you pump, the more the pig’s belly grows until it suddenly pops! Pop the Pig is designed for ages 4 and up, 2-6 players.

The second fun game is Catch the Fox:

First you roll the die to see how many chickens to add into the fox’s pockets. Then, you push his head one time. Like magic, the fox’s pants disappear and the chickens will roll everywhere!

Once the fox’s pants drop, it is a mad dash to pick up the chickens one by one and place them in the coop.

A victory dance! Catch the Fox is for 2 to 4 players; ages 4 and up.

Both of these games are available on Amazon:

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I am excited to announce that Goliath Games is offering one of my readers the opportunity to win both Pop the Pig and Catch the Fox!

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Reviews, Sponsored

A Fun Way to Develop Fine Motor Skills: Giggle Wiggle Review #GoliathGames

June 12, 2018 No Comments

Disclosure: Product provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I work as a special needs paraeducator at my children’s school, and I have witnessed firsthand how games can be used to develop certain skills. Giggle Wiggle is an example of a game my school uses that makes working on fine motor skills fun!

The concept is really simple:

Players race to place their colored marbles on the caterpillar’s hands while it sways to the music and spins.
The first player to get all their marbles on in a row wins!

It is nice that it comes with 7 marbles for each color, even though only 6 are needed. The marbles really roll around, so it might be best to play on a carpeted area. Also, the marbles look like candy, so make sure toddlers who still put things in their mouths are not in the vicinity. The game requires 3 AA batteries, not included.

The music and giggling is cute, but I do wish there was a volume control–ha! This game is designed for 2-4 players, ages 4+. However, as you can see, my son enjoyed the challenge of placing the marbles on the caterpillar’s hands all by himself, too!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Reviews, Sponsored

Fast-Paced Fun: Color Smash Review #GoliathGames

June 9, 2018 No Comments

Disclosure: Product provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Summer vacation is here, and that means the kids will be looking for things to do at home.

Color Smash is a fast-paced, simple game. You flip the cards, and if the color word on the card matches the color of the card, you slap it and you collect the stack. If there is no color word, you leave the pile alone, and if the color name does not match the color of the card, you do not slap it. If you accidentally slap a card, you place five of your cards back into the pile.

This is an easy game to teach to young kids, and it is small and portable. Screen-free entertainment is always a good thing!

Color Smash is recommended for ages 5 and up, and 2-6 players.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Book Review, Sponsored

Summer Reading Series: How To Survive As A Shark Review

June 6, 2018 1 Comment

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My son really likes to learn about animals. It all started with watching a few episodes of Wild Kratts–ha! I am always on the lookout for books about animals for him to read. How to Survive as a Shark is a fun book for the young animal lover in your life.

First of all, it is a beautiful book. The illustrations are so bright and colorful and really draw the reader in.

The story is about a grown up pirate shark teaching baby sharks about themselves. This pirate shark has a sense of humor! There are also a ton of facts about sharks interwoven in the story, as well as in separate “fact bubbles” that pop up throughout.

I work in a kindergarten class, and I thought this book would be perfect for the teacher’s sea animal book collection. Doesn’t it fit right in?

D recently bought us a hammock for our backyard. I envision many reading sessions occurring here this summer! Do you have any animal book recommendations?

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Cleaner Cleaning: Quinn’s Pure Castile Organic Soap Review + Giveaway

June 4, 2018 50 Comments

Disclosure: I received product samples to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I have been on a quest to reduce the toxic chemicals in my home by evaluating my stash of personal care and cleaning supplies. Quinn’s makes an organic castile soap made with certified organic argan, jojoba and hemp oils. It is made with 100% biodegradable ingredients, so it is better for you and for the environment.

This 32 oz. bottle of Quinn’s Unscented Pure Castile Organic Soap is pretty hefty. (I love the cute design of the packaging as well!) There are so many uses for this soap. A handy list is printed right on the box. I am seriously going to keep this picture on my phone and save it as a reference.

I started out by making Multi-Purpose Cleaning Spray by mixing 1/8 cup castile soap with 2 cups of warm water. I poured it into a spray bottle and made a label with my trusty label-maker.

I personally like that this version is unscented. If you prefer scent, you can customize it with your favorite essential oil. I think a citrus essential oil would also be nice for this multi-purpose cleaning spray.

Quinn’s products are sold exclusively on Amazon, and as you can see, I am not the only one giving this soap rave reviews.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Quinn’s has generously agreed to give away a bottle of their castile soap to one of my readers!

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Food, Giveaways, Sponsored

A Paleo, Keto, Whole30 Approved Snack: Nick’s Sticks Review + Giveaway

May 31, 2018 59 Comments

Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

For those of you who are Gluten Free or follow Paleo, Keto, or Whole30, I have found another snack for you: Nick’s Sticks! These snack sticks come in four varieties: Free-Range Turkey, Free-Range Turkey Spicy, Grass-fed Beef, and Grass-Fed Beef Spicy. Their tag-line is “All of the Goodness, None of the Garbage”. This means their products do not contain any MSG, nitrates, sugar, soy, antibiotics, hormones, or red dye.

D likes to go to the gym before work and is usually snacking throughout the day at his desk. These are the perfect snack for him to pack for his long days. He liked the Grass-Fed Beef Snack Sticks the best.

They would also be good for school lunches, road trips, hikes, and camping.

How about a giving someone a bouquet of Nick’s Sticks? Think Father’s Day, care package for a college student, or really anyone who appreciates healthy snacks!

Nick’s Sticks has generously allowed me to host a giveaway for a 12 pack!

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Giveaways, Sponsored

Be Prepared: Keep a First Aid Kit in Your Car + Giveaway

May 29, 2018 39 Comments

me4kidz provided us with a free product in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.

As you may know, my son plays soccer and my daughter plays basketball. Although I think the benefits of these sports are great, playing contact sports means there is always a risk for injury. Actually, kids (and adults) may require minor medical attention at any time. Scrapes, splinters, bee stings, and nose bleeds are all things you should be prepared for when you are away from your home. With summer coming up and families spending more time outdoors, it is important to be prepared for such injuries by keeping a first aid kit in your car.

me4kidz sells kid-friendly health and safety products and is a company that I feel good about supporting. It was established in 2004, is family-owned, and embraces Christian values. They employ people with different types of specials needs as a way to “give back”. They are also eco-friendly in that they use recycled plastic and their products are non-toxic and bpa-free.

I received the me4kidz Medi Aid & Wellness Kit for review.

This kit includes 100+ items of your typical first aid accoutrements + 3 sampler essential oils including peppermint, lavender & germ defense, along with an all-natural antibiotic/wound care & pain relief cream…wrapped up in a modern neon green neoprene carry case.

Includes:

(1) Natural wound care ointment
(1) Natural topricin pain relief cream
(3) 3ml essential oils – peppermint, lavender & germ defense (in coconut oil w/ roller)
(2) butterfly bandages
(2) fingertip bandages
(20) 3″ sheer bandages
(20) 1 1/2″ junior bandages
(2) 2″ X 3″ knee & elbow bandage
(1) hypo-allergenic tape roll
(1) gauze roll
(2) latex free exam gloves
(10) nose bleed plugs
(1) splinter remover
(1) plastic tweezers
(8) 2″ x 2″ gauze pads
(6) 3′ X 3″ gauze pads
(15) bzk sting free cleansing wipes
(10) 3″ cotton applicator swabs
(1) instant cold pack – non toxic
(1) soft touch carry case

I like how all of the items fit nicely in the carrying case with plenty of room to spare if you have other items you want to include.

me4kidz products can be found at Target, one of my favorite places to shop! In fact, I spotted their products on the shelf with the first aid products during my most recent Target run:

me4kidz has offered my readers the opportunity to win a Medibuddy First Aid Kit. Each kit contains:

(15) Kid-Friendly Assorted bandages
(1) Knee and Elbow bandage
(10) Junior Bandages
(4) 2” X 2” Gauze Pads (2 Two Packs)
(5) Antiseptic Wipes (sting free)
(2) Antibiotic Ointments
(12) Kid-Friendly Fun Stickers
(1) Reusable and recycled Carry Anywhere Case

This first aid kit would be great to keep in the car, and is also small enough to take along in your bag, backpack, etc. It comes in eight kid-friendly designs and would be a fun idea for stocking stuffers or party favors.

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Goddess Garden: Safe Sunscreen For the Reefs and For Your Body

May 28, 2018 No Comments

You may have heard that on May 1, Hawaii became the first state to pass a bill banning the sale of sunscreen containing chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are believed to harm coral reefs. If we are worried about these chemicals harming the coral reefs, it makes sense that we should also be concerned about these chemicals being applied directly to our skin.

We recently had a chance to try out Goddess Garden Natural Mineral sunscreens. This line contains organic natural ingredients such as zinc and titanium. These natural ingredients simply reflect the sun’s rays instead of being absorbed so they won’t cause skin irritation or enter your bloodstream. Their products do not contain harmful chemicals, so they are reef-safe and safe for your body!

(My daughter had a basketball tournament this weekend, so we shared sunscreen samples with all of the girls.)

If you have kids, you know that they want to go outside or jump in the water as soon as you apply the sunscreen. However, chemical-based sunscreens need to be absorbed by the body for about 20 minutes before they are effective. Goddess Garden sunscreens are effective immediately!

I have tried other natural mineral sunscreens before and noticed they can leave a visible white coating on my skin. I found these application tips from Goddess Garden to be helpful:

• Start with moisturized skin. Goddess Garden’s sunscreen lotions contain nourishing ingredients your skin loves. If your skin is very dry, it can absorb the lotion faster than you can spread the minerals, resulting in a whitening effect.

• Cover small areas of your skin at a time. Because the lotion spreads the minerals, apply mineral sunscreen to small areas at a time so the lotion isn’t absorbed before you get it rubbed on. Applying too much in one place can result in the minerals layering up on your skin’s surface. An even application of mineral sunscreen will provide sheer, yet thorough protection.

• If it’s white, you’re not finished. Minerals aren’t absorbed into your skin or bloodstream, so if the minerals are not spread evenly and dry white on your skin’s surface, they’ll stay white.

• Try the Facial Sunscreen. If you have a darker skin tone, or if you’re still having trouble, you may want to try Goddess Garden’s Facial Sunscreen. It’s made with a unique polished zinc that creates fewer reflection points that contribute to the whitening effect. Minimizing reflections results in a sheerer look, while offering the same protection. While it’s a facial sunscreen, your arms and legs will love the extra benefits.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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