Enter the Boost Your Buzz $1,000 Giveaway! One lucky person is going to win $1000 USD paid via Paypal!
Gain entries in this giveaway by following Newly Crunchy Mama Of 3 on GFC, Facebook, and twitter! The giveaway starts August 1st 12 am EST and will run until August 15th 11:59 pm EST and is open worldwide. $1,000 CASH prize will be delivered via Paypal after the winner has confirmed. The winner has 48 hours to confirm their winning notification. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours of receipt of the winning email a new winner will them be drawn and so on and so forth. Boost Your Buzz $1,000 Summer Giveaway can be entered on Survey Junkie, Simply Stacie or Little Yaya’s (you only have to enter on one of the sites as the forms will be the same on each).
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Hooray! Christmas In July is finally here! The Christmas in July Giveaway Hop is brought to you by Just Married with Coupons, Matter of Cents and Money $aving Michele. The Giveaway Hop will take place July 25-31.
The giveaways will launch at 9am EST on July 25th and end at 11:59 pm EST on July 31st. .This is an event I am personally very excited about. There are a whopping 125 blogs participating, and all of them are offering some really fantastic prizes! I almost never have time to enter giveaways, but I think a big pot of coffee will be made at some point so I, too, can try to win! I have a great baby package available here thanks to my very generous sponsors. This is a package sure to make any mama or expectant mama very, very happy! So what can you win? Let's recap! I will admit, while I use cloth diapers about 95% of the time, I do like to keep disposables on hand for trips, babysitters who aren't as enthusiastic about fluff as we are, and for occasional overnight use for Xander, whose poop is still mushy and not quite formed yet. He wakes up poopy every single morning, without fail, so depending on what he ate, I will sometimes put him in a disposable diaper overnight. For example, if he has had sweet potatoes or carrots, he will definitely be sporting a sposie that night. Those foods in particular cause messes of epic proportion, and the occasional break from the spraying and scraping associated with cloth is nice. I would never give up cloth in a million years, but since we do occasionally use disposables, I have been searching for a more environmentally friendly disposable alternative to the typical disposable diapers. Most disposable diapers can take up to 500 YEARS to biodegrade, and are not manufactured in an eco-friendly manner. They use TONS of cardboard for packaging, and often contain nasty chemicals in the diapers themselves! No wonder so many babies get rashes! So after doing my research on a kinder, more responsible disposable diapering alternative, I was intrigued when I found Bambo Nature diapers. Here is more about Bambo Nature, from their website: Bambo Nature’s commitment to protecting the environment is long-term with the intention that both we and future generations will be able to live in harmony with nature. They achieve this by focusing on the following: Abena only uses state-of-the-art renewable raw materials. The wood used for pulp is derived from sustainable forestry; where more trees are planted than felled. There is absolutely zero chlorine used in the bleaching process. No chemicals or compounds from SVHC (REACH Article 33(2)) are used – Substances of Very High Concern. No known substances that are harmful to health or the environment are used in Bambo Nature Diapers. - No Phthalates - No Formaldehyde (HCHO) - No Organotins (MBT, DBT, TBT) - No Colophonium - No Heavy metals - No AZO-pigments - No Chlorine (CI) - No PVC Abena adheres to requirements on resource consumption. There are criteria on factory emissions into the air, water and land. There are no chemicals used during production. - No optical brighteners - No skin care lotions - No perfumes, essential oils - No odor eliminators Abena has almost completely reduced all waste during manufacturing. Abena does not use cardboard boxes to package and ship Bambo Nature Baby Diapers.Products and packaging materials can be disposed of through recycling, incineration or composting.Products are designed to be easily dismantled so that parts can be recycled and/or composted.Bambo Nature is 80% biodegradable, more than 3 times as much as other brands. Abena’s environmental requirements are strict and they are careful to ensure minimal environmental impact in all they do. With over 80% of diapering using disposables, it is estimated that over 18 BILLION diapers are used per year; and probably more since the introduction of pull-ups and training pants. It is imperative that companies invest time, energy, research, and technological development to create products that are eco-friendly and sustainable. Abena acknowledges that all consumption affects the environment. However, their products have a significantly lower impact on the environment than others. Working with their raw material suppliers, accepting independent tests and inspections, and producing one of the most environmentally-friendly baby diapers, Abena has demonstrated their commitment to improving the world we live in. Needless to say, these are leaps and bounds in the right direction where the environment is concerned. More diaper companies need to adopt these practices for the sake of the world we live in as well as for the health and well-being of our babies. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to review these revolutionary diapers. They arrived quickly, and were not packaged using any cardboard. I received a size 3, since my youngest is about 17lbs.
I immediately noticed how soft these diapers are in comparison to traditional disposable diapers. They have a smooth, almost cloth like feel to them, and they also feature standard, velcro like tabs. My favorite part of the visual aspect of Bambo Nature diapers? They have a cute little monkey on the waistband area! I LOVE monkeys, so this was a really nice surprise that's sure to please many parents. Sure, a diaper needs to work, but being cute helps, too! I also noticed there is a wetness indicator to help show how wet the diaper is at a glance. I LOVE this, since most diapers do not include this. The only other diaper I am aware of that does this also contains horrid chemicals and I refuse to use the brand ever again since their last product "advancements". (I use that term loosely, as I feel the new formula ruined their diapers.) So I was quite excited to see that much-loved feature in an eco-friendly disposable diaper. Here are some photos of the Bambo Nature Diaper, and then I will get into my experience with this brand. I have some lucky winners to announce! So without further ado, here they are! Congrats!
GoGreen Pocket Diapers: Brittan Aetrex Bodyworks Sport Lace: Katy I am contacting you both now! Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prize, or I will have to draw a new winner. Thanks to everyone who entered! Just a reminder, I have TONS of active giveaways open now, and Christmas In July will go live tonight at midnight! Check back often! I am sure many of you have noticed by now that I LOVE guacamole. More than chocolate, more than sex, and even more than a hot bath and a good book. It's funny...Until I was pregnant with my youngest, I would never even try avocados. Yes, I am a picky eater and have been since I was a child. If something looks or smells funny in the slightest, it is not passing my lips. But last summer at a party at my Father-In-Law's house, there was this beautiful bowl of fresh, home made guacamole. And it was beckoning me to taste it. I was pregnant and ravenous, so I decided to throw my inhibitions out the window and just try it. After all, the man who prepared this dish looked oddly like Alton Brown of Food Network fame, so it couldn't be THAT bad, right? Well, I took a tortilla chip, dipped it in the guacamole, and I was immediately in love! The creaminess of the avocados, the tartness of the lime, the fresh cilantro, the smoky blend of seasonings...Lo and behold, a guacamole lover was born. And I have never looked back! Guacamole is one of my all-time favorite foods. Even if it DID take me until the age of 29 to try it! Since my introduction to the awesomeness of avocados, I have used them often in many of my dishes. Even in ice cream! And I think I have basically perfected the dish that started my love affair: Guacamole. Yes, my guac is THAT good. I spent hours tweaking my recipe to absolute deliciousness, and it is something I make often in my home. So when I got the opportunity to sample California Haas Avocados from Paradise Grove, I was very excited. I had a few recipes I wanted to experiment with, like avocado ice cream and homemade baby food, and I wanted to make a batch of my now famous guacamole with these California grown avocados. You see, not all avocados are created equal. Not by a long shot! I actually take the extra time to drive to a separate store for my avocados, since the ones at my regular grocery store are not up to par. So I will drive another 5 miles out of my way to get the good ones. Or what I thought were the good ones....Paradise Grove has blown them out of the water! I have a few winners to announce for giveaways that have ended over the past couple pf days! Congrats, everyone! I am e-mailing you all now. Please reply within 48 hours to claim your prize! If I don't hear back from you, I'll have to redraw. And I hate having to do that :(
Boudreaux's Butt Paste: Lori B. Build A Dream Playhouses: CoS Gazillion Bubbles: Karen M. Spiritex: Gladys P. Thanks to everyone who entered! I always have tons of great giveaways, so check back often to win some wonderful products! Also, Christmas In July is only 2 days away! Be sure to get your extra entries in! The pediped Flex Adrian As the mother of a toddler AND an infant, I am very picky when it comes to my babies' footwear. Actually, for the first several months of life, I do not put shoes on my babies at all. Ever. If it's cold, 2 pairs of socks and some footie-pajamas does the trick just fine for me. Why don't I use shoes on smaller babies? Simple! I don't feel that confining baby feet to shoes they're not ready to walk in is ideal for their foot development. Babies' feet are shaped differently than an adult's foot, and their shoes need special construction in order to preserve and encourage proper foot development. So in my mind, bare foot is best, as long as possible. Once a baby is standing and walking, that's an entirely different story, as shoes protect those tiny tootsies from the elements, sharp objects, ooey-gooey gum on the sidewalk, and any other hazards that come along with mobility. However, something has recently changed the way I look at baby footwear. My daughter is 18 months old now and needs to be wearing shoes whenever we are outside running around and in public when she'll be walking. So naturally, I wanted to find the best suited shoes for an active toddler that would allow her feet to breathe and would not hinder proper development. That's when I learned about pediped. Sure, they are plenty of childrens shoe manufacturers, but not many are committed to bringing adorable shoes that actually HELP with foot development as well! What makes pediped a step above the rest? (No pun intended!) From its inception, pediped® has designed footwear to promote healthy foot development. Their mantra has always been comfort, quality and style, in that order. This is why pediped® shoes were among the first children’s footwear to be awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for promoting healthy foot development. You can rest assured that pediped® is a footwear company that cares about the health and well being of your child’s growing feet. pediped offers three unique lines of shoes, each specifically tailored to different stages of your child's growth. Please note, these stages overlap to allow for a seamless transition between styles! Originals: Ideal for ages newborn-2 years. Grip n Go: Ideal for ages 9 months- 3 years. Flex: Ideal for ages 1 year-7 years. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to review a couple of wonderful summer styles from pediped! Sophie loves playing outdoors and is always on the go. We received an adorable pair of sandals and a cute pair of athletic style shoes to test on our little monster! My chocolatey girl in her Flex Adrian pedipeds! The first pair of pedipeds I would like to share with you is the Flex Adrian in Fuchsia and Light Pink! These shoes are absolutely adorable, and are perfect for summertime play dates and trips to the park. These mini "sneakers" are fun, feminine, and go well with skirts, shorts, and jeans alike! There are great casual shoes that can be dressed up or dressed down easily. I immediately noticed that the Flex Adrian is a very well constructed shoe. All of the stitching on the fabric uppers was expertly done, and there were no loose threads of crooked seams. The soles of the Adrian are a flexible, durable rubber that offers great grip on all indoor and outdoor surfaces. These shoes are easy to put on and take off, since they feature a wide velcro closure. Another thing I love about these shoes is that they also come with the Flex-Fit System, which provides additional insoles that can be inserted for a snug fit then removed for room as your child's foot grows. These insoles can reduce shoe size by almost half a size, extending the life of the shoe. This is great, since I can order a size larger than Sophie needs, and there will be plenty of room to grow. I hate buying kid's shoes and having them be outgrown in less than a month. pediped has this problem covered with their Flex-Fit System! Sophie seems to love her pediped Adrians. They offer fabulous support for her little arches and ankles, and she can run around comfortably wearing these without tripping over her own feet. That's pretty impressive, since my Sophie is like a little Tazmanian Devil and never looks where she's going! I love these shoes! Not only are the colors beautiful and fun, these were made with active kids in mind. Oh, I should probably also mention that you won't have to keep the kids out of mud-puddles in these great shoes. They're machine washable! So you can let your kids make a mess and just be kids while wearing their Flex Adrians. My daughter has gotten hers muddy, sandy, and chocolatey, and they have come clean beautifully every time and still look like new! I also received the Grip n Go Daisy in Light Pink Multi for review. Oh. My. Goodness. These are the cutest little sandals! I truly think these are a must have for any little girl. These offer a classic, yet modern design that is fun and super feminine. These sandals are cute with casual play clothes,but can easily be dressed up by pairing them with cute little sundresses! The Daisy is also very well constructed, and I love the pale pink leather upper and the fun, colorful daisy design that adorns them. These Mary Jane style sandals are easy to put on, as there is a velcro closure.They feature durable, natural rubber soles to ensure good grip on walking surfaces. The Grip n Go Daisy also features pediped's advanced G2 Technology. G2 Technology™ is specially designed for children transitioning from early walking to walking with a more confident stride. G2 Technology™ includes a soft rubber sole, rounded edges that mimic the natural shape of a child’s foot, heel stability, and a soft toe box that allows toes to curl and grip the floor. So with this great technology, your baby can walk in a way that feels natural to them, rather than being forced to feel awkward due to improper footwear for their foot's developmental stage. But the thing I love the MOST about the Grip n Go Daisy are the Memory Foam Technology insoles. Yes. I said Memory Foam. I don't know if any of you have a Memory Foam mattress, but this material is the best thing since sliced bread. I have had a Memory Foam mattress for a few years now, and no other bed has ever given me the comfort of this one. And pediped is putting this miracle-material in their shoes?! I'm sold! I cannot imagine how comfortable these shoes must be for Sophie, since I am already a lover of this technology. Why is memory foam in kids' shoes such a great addition? They behave just like a custom insole by shaping perfectly to your child’s foot and supporting it in all the right places. Memory Foam Technology also provides excellent absorption, prevents foot slippage in the shoe, and ensures a secure, comfortable fit. Sophie really loves her Grip n Go Daisy sandals. She often brings them to me for no reason at all because she WANTS to wear them! This says a lot, because when my daughter was first introduced to shoes in general, she would fight me tooth and nail to avoid having to wear them, and would then try and rip the offending footwear off of her feet. Now she is bringing me her pediped Daisy's because she wants to have them on. If that doesn't convince you how great pediped is, I don't know what will! Take a look at a very happy Sophie rocking her Grip n Go Daisy sandals from pediped! Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with pediped's line of products. I love that they cater to the ever-changing needs of growing feet and promote proper foot development with their thoughtful design. I also love the quality of these shoes. They are not flimsy or poorly constructed. These shoes are made to withstand the activities of even the messiest and most active of children. (Even my crazy Sophie-Monster!) And if those weren't enough reasons to pick up a pair (or 3) of pedipeds, just look at how stinking CUTE their designs are! From traditional to trendy, pediped offers something to cater to the tastes of all boys and girls! I can't wait to add more shoes to my pediped collection. I may even get Xander a pair of his own...Even though he's only 6 months old and is not walking. With pediped, I can feel secure knowing that covering his little toes with their shoes will not hinder his development in any way. After all, they ARE the next best thing to bare feet!
HOW TO CONNECT: You can purchase pediped shoes on their website. Be sure to sign up for their exclusive newsletter while you're there! You can also connect with pediped on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their newest products and promotions! I hear their upcoming Fall Line is going to be amazing! ***Disclosure: I received sample products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** As a mom, one thing that really matters to me is providing my children with wholesome, organic snacks when hunger strikes. Sure, it's relatively easy to allow kids to fill up on traditional snack foods that are loaded with added sugars and preservatives. There are many prepackaged snacks that we can offer our children, but a good number of these snacks are full of empty calories and additives, and offer very little in the nutrition department. Why do we continue to give these snacks to our kids? Because they're convenient. While we run errands and keep various appointments, it is easy to just grab something...anything...and go. Convenience is definitely a factor with the busy schedules we lead. Finding portable, organic snacks has not always been an easy feat. Sure, a piece of fruit is a great idea, but fruit can spoil and tends to bruise easily. And for the littlest eaters, whole fruit is not always an option. Babies and toddlers often need special preparation, as they can't just bite into an apple yet. As a matter of fact, my toddler will not touch whole fruit. Ever. At all. Getting Sophie to eat fruit has been a losing battle in my home, since my daughter doesn't enjoy it much of the time. She much prefers vegetables. I guess I shouldn't complain, since I know a lot of kids who hate their veggies! So when it comes to finding delicious, organic fruit snacks for my toddler that she'll actually eat, I have been forced to get creative. I sneak her fruit into smoothies, and I hide it in her cereal. I try and take advantage of every opportunity to make sure Sophie gets the essential nutrients found in fruit. A lot of the time, I have to give her a fruit and veggie blend to "fool" her discriminating taste buds.That's why I was so excited when I learned about Peter Rabbit Organics! As the mama of 3 kids and a dog, one thing I rely on every day are eco-friendly, safe cleaning solutions. I am no stranger to messes. As a matter of fact, messes are an everyday occurrence in my home. Kyle, my preteen, often tracks dirt onto our white carpet. (Why would anyone put white carpet into a house? Why?!) My toddler is notorious for trying to create abstract art with her food and drink, and if often ends up on the floors and walls, and my 6 month old likes his tummy time so much that he oozes all over the carpet, leaving a milky mess in his wake! So until they make children self-cleaning by design, I am the designated clean up crew. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it! And unless Daddy is home and feeling helpful, that someone just happens to be me! I have given up on using most household cleaners, as they aren't safe for my family or for the environment. Most of them contain harsh chemicals and aren't exactly safe around children or pets. Even traditional chlorine bleach has been known to cause harm to humans and animals alike! Plus, have you ever accidentally gotten bleach on an article of clothing while you were cleaning? I have more times than I'd care to count over the years, and have had to sacrifice a few favorite items that got discolored and ruined all in the name of cleaning. It's always a sad day when I have to prematurely retire an article of clothing because the Bleach Monster got to it. That's why I was so thrilled when Oxygen Bleach products first came onto the market. I have been using them for years. My love affair with Oxygen Bleach all began several years ago when Billy Mays told the world about a great new Oxy action product on infomercials...You all know the product I am talking about. I have been using this product for YEARS, and it has saved my butt many, many times. Oxygen Bleach is an ingenious innovation in cleaning, if you ask me. It is color safe, (Hallelujah!) effective, and is safer to use around children and pets than traditional chlorine bleach. It is based on sodium percarbonate which uses oxygen for destaining and deodorizing. Oxygen Bleach is safe to use at all temperatures, on most washable fabrics, and all colors, in hard or soft water, and is compatible with other household cleaners. Also, it produces no harmful by-products which negatively affect the environment. That's why I was excited to try Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach. I already knew how effective oxygen bleach products are when it comes to household cleaning. But I also know that not all oxygen bleach products are created equal. I have tried several different brands and formulations in the past, and not all of them have measured up in my book. Some have been hard to dissolve, making cleaning difficult. Others just didn't pack the punch against stains I was hoping for. So I was eager to try out Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach to see how it stacked up against every mess my household could throw at it. When my Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach arrived, the first thing I noticed was the size of the container. It is a HUGE 6lb tub of oxygen bleach! WOW! Now that's a lot of cleaner! With most oxygen bleach products, a little goes a long way for most cleaning applications. When dissolved properly, just a tablespoon or so usually does the trick for spot cleaning. For laundry, I generally add a scoop full to my wash, as it helps fight stubborn stains on our clothing as well as deodorizes. When I'm dealing with stinky man socks or messes made on clothing by exploding diapers, this is a lifesaver! I waited for the first available mess, which didn't take long, and I eagerly went to work using my Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach. Even though I am no rookie in the world of oxygen bleach, I made sure to read the instructions and follow them exactly. My son's dog, Chloe, got overly excited and ended up leaving a puddle on our white carpet. I get SO frustrated when that happens! So I mixed up a batch of Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach and went to work. I blotted up as much urine as I could, and then treated the spot with a solution of hot water and Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach. I let this set for about 10 minutes, which easily took the stain out completely, and then I used the carpet shampooer on the affected area to get up any residue from the oxygen bleach. I am happy to say, it worked like a charm! I also used this product on my bathtubs, in my kitchen, and in my laundry. I even used this product when I recently stripped my cloth diapers with no adverse effects whatsoever! I am thrilled to say, Tropical Traditions packs quite a punch against messes and odors, and it cleans gently and effectively. I noticed that this product dissolves very rapidly, is easy to mix, and has no harsh odor or fumes when using it. It also works very quickly and doesn't leave behind an oddly colored residue behind like my usual Oxy product has the tendency to. I would definitely recommend Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach to anyone looking for high-powered, eco-friendly cleaning products for their home. In my humble opinion, this product is a great "multi-tasker", as it can be used almost anywhere messes or odors hide! BUY IT: You can purchase this and other fantastic products on the Tropical Traditions website. You can also follow Tropical Traditions on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions! Also, sign up for the Tropical Traditions newsletter for deep discounts, FREE product offers, and great eco-friendly living tips! WIN IT: One very lucky follower will be receiving this HUGE tub of Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach to use in their home! How cool is that?! Please use this handy Rafflecopter form to enter. IMPORTANT: For the mandatory comment entry, please include a valid e-mail address IN THE BODY OF YOUR COMMENT! Feel free to use the following format to combat spam: yourname(at)yourprovider(dot)com. If you do not do this, I may not be able to view your e-mail address to contact you if you win! This giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents 18+ and will be open until 12:01AM EST on 08/05/2011. Winner will be chosen at random and will be announced here, tweeted, shared on Facebook, and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to reply and claim their prize. If I receive no response, I will be forced to draw a new winner. *Please note: Tropical Traditions is not responsible for any duty or customs fees, if any, that may be present if my winner is in Canada. So Canadians, please consider this when entering! * ***Disclosure: I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** Daddy and Sophie relaxing in their Jammies! While I like getting dolled up and looking super-girly on occasion, the one thing I cannot live without are my comfy pajamas. I am a firm believer that no one can have too many pairs! I probably have a couple dozen pairs of PJ's, and when I am at home, I practically live in them. After all, I am taking care of babies all day, and I like to be able to do so in comfort. Besides, the babies don't care how glam their Mommy looks while she changes their diapers. I will also do housework and scrub floors in my pajamas. Now, while I do love my jammies, you will never catch me rocking my fleece Eeyore PJ pants in public. I am not one of those people. I prefer to look a bit more polished when dealing with people over 3 and a half feet tall. But that's just my preference. I will fully admit that I own and LOVE Pajama Jeans, and have worn those in public many times, and no one knew the difference. They seriously don't look like jammies. I wore them almost daily when I was pregnant with Xander, and I loved them! But that's an entirely different post. Anyway, since I love comfortable pajamas so very much, when the nice folks at Crazy For Bargains asked if I would like to review their pajamas, I jumped at the chance. And when I found out they carry a HUGE selection of pajamas for the whole family? Even better! It's sometimes hard to find a broad selection of pajamas for babies, toddlers, teens, and adults all in one place. At Crazy For Bargains, outfitting the entire family in comfort is their specialty! And if you couldn't already tell from the name of their company, their prices are rock bottom! For $50.00 or less, you can buy new PJ's for your entire family. How cool is that?! I was shocked at how quickly my package from Crazy For Bargains arrived. From the time I was first contacted by Crazy For Bargains to the time the package hit my doorstep was LESS than 72 hours. Talk about fast! Their staff is also very friendly and helpful. This company has been a pleasure to work with. I was also very pleasantly surprised to see that I was sent comfy pajamas for my entire family of 5! Talk about making my day! My family was quite excited, and immediately put on our new pajamas. I would like to say, the quality of these products is amazing for their price. This is department store quality for Walmart prices. I love the pair of monkey pajamas they sent for Xander. I am a HUGE monkey freak, and thought these were absolutely adorable! The monkeys are embroidered and stand out quite nicely. The colors are bright and vibrant, and the fabric itself is soft and very durable.There is even a cute little banana on the butt of these pajamas! If they made these in adult sizes, I would wear these...Even if I looked ridiculous! I love them that much! This cute one piece sleeper is excellent in quality and contruction. I didn't notice any manufacturing defects of loose threads at all. Look at how cute these are!! |
PR Friendly Mama!
I'm Brandy, a happily married, proud Mom of 3 amazing kids. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at: NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com Links We Love :Archives
June 2023
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