Infant Nutrition Center Keys To Your Baby’s Development

Becoming a new parent is one of the most exciting and overwhelming times in your life.  I can remember finding out that I was having twins, and as much as I was excited, the amount of information you have to process when having a new baby or babies can sometimes be a daunting task.

Infant nutrition is key to your baby’s development. One of my prime concerns with the boys was making sure that received what they needed in terms of their nutrition.  I had almost certainly known that I wanted to breastfeed but there are so many other things that come along with that one decision.  I can remember looking at what I needed to help maintain a healthy milk supply while breastfeeding, what the boys needed in terms of additional nutrition if they weren’t getting what they needed from me.  For instance, the doctor had them taking vitamin supplements to get adequate Vitamin D, and I paid close attention to formula when I had to supplement.  Then, it is a whole new ballgame when you introduce them to solids.  There are so many things just outside of caring for children and yourself, that having a resource to go to can offer a new mother that extra support during and overwhelming time.

InfantNutritionCenter.com is a site developed by Mead Johnson that takes an awesome and incredible 3D journey through infant nutrition.  The site lets you explore and learn current research findings through video, pictures, and graphics, in depth questions like why infant eyesight depends on getting enough DHA and what key nutrients contribute to the healthy growth of your child’s brain.  There is a wealth of information, and I love that it offers more than just reading the information.  I found myself engrossed looking at the nutrients infants need and how they are broken down and how their bodies break these down and how they are important in development.  I was amazed to learn that infants grow so rapidly that their bodies must take in the equivalent of 9000 calories a day!  There is so much more in the way of information included in the interactive libraries and I think we forget just how fine tuned the human body is.

InfantNutritionCenter.com is a really great site with wonderful resources for moms.  I love the graphics and there is so much there to learn if you are an expecting mother or if you already have children.  There is always room to learn something new!

**I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mead Johnson. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.**

Smuckers Uncrustables *Review*

I can remember when I was a kid and one of my most favorite meals was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and chicken noodle soup.  I know this may sound a little quirky but I loved to actually dip my sandwich in the soup and I still do it to this day.  I was also the kid that always peeled of the crust on my sandwiches and both of my boys are the same way.

We are huge fans of Smucker’s Uncrustables, and when we were given the opportunity to try their new whole wheat sandwiches, I was happy to try this already great product but with the healthier choice of wheat bread.  This makes buying this classic even more appealing as a mom and the boys loved them and didn’t even notice the difference.  I love Uncrustables because you just take them out of the freezer and let them thaw for about twenty to thirty minutes and they are ready to eat.  They are so yummy, they have no crusts, and the bread that they use is so soft, just like it was freshly baked.  I find myself sneaking a few for myself and I love them with my favorite chicken noodle soup.   They are perfect for lunches, and even as an afternoon snack.

Each sandwich is low in sugar, about 10g for the strawberry and peanut butter on whole wheat, and  you would never know it because taste is definitely lacking in these perfectly round sandwiches.  They are perfect when you are on the go and you want the kids to get that little extra bit of protein and you want something you know they will eat.  I always keep a few of them on hand for trips to the park or when I know we are going to be out and about.  Smucker’s Uncrustables make a perfect snack for the kids and for big kids too!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Smucker’s Uncrustables and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

MSN Homeroom

Education is something that I find important even in the early years before children officially start kindergarten.  It seems like each year the kids are expected to learn even more and the things we learned in first grade are now being taught in kindergarten.

As a mother to three year old twins, their education seems to be one of the things I am most anxious about.  You want to see your children succeed and you want them to be eager about learning.  At the same time I have fears about being able to help them along, is the school system going to be good enough, and are they going to learn the right things in the classroom.

Recently I was introduced to another great resource for moms.  Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats sponsored the development of the MSN Mom’s Homeroom site where Moms can connect and learn about various ways in which you can help your child and give them a boost in their education.  There is a wide range of topics such as reading, attentiveness, learning, and memory. The site features four Moms one a teacher, another a psychiatrist, a former marketing coordinator, and an obstetrician/gynecologist. The Moms participate in discussions and post unscripted videos of their views on helping kids succeed academically.

There was one particular article I ran across discussing how to help your preschooler with writing at home.  The boys are right at the age where we are trying to recognize the letters in the alphabet.  Although they can recite their abc’s we haven’t really gotten identifying them.  This article suggests ways in which you can encourage your child to write and ways in which to help them recognize them.  It is great to have these ideas on hand and guidance to give your child a leg up, so when they get into the classroom they have the tools to succeed.

As a mom, I think that having any amount of help and resources like these are a great way to help your child and give already stressed out parents different ideas to encourage your children.  Education is extremely important to your child and any help that you can give outside of the classroom, is just as valuable.

**I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.**

Yoplait Makes For A Great Frozen Anytime Treat

My kids are huge Yoplait Yogurt fans and ask for it just about anytime of the day.  I have almost always bought the Yoplait brand yogurt because it offers a variety for the whole family.  My husband doesn’t like yogurt that has chunks of fruit so he gets the smooth and creamy and I love Yoplait’s regular and whipped yogurt.

It wasn’t until I was visiting Costco that I had actually tried it frozen.  They were passing out Yoplait yogurt that had been frozen and to my surprise it tasted really good and the boys loved it too.  So thanks to My Blog Spark, I was able to try Yoplait Whips and I decided to try them frozen.  They were really yummy and the boys couldn’t get enough.  The best part about them is that they are low in fat and are actually a healthier treat than ice cream.

Yoplait Whips! are currently available in a variety  flavors like Strawberry Mist, Chocolate, Key Lime Pie, Orange Crème, Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon Burst, Peaches ‘N Cream and Raspberry Mousse. As well as their  newest flavor Vanilla Creme which just came out.

If you want to offer a healthier alternative to other frozen novelties, I would suggest giving frozen Yoplait a try and I think y ou could freeze just about any kind of Yoplait yogurt and it would taste just as good.  And even  better, you can make your kids think they are getting something really special yet it is a much helathier alternative.

If you would like to try out frozen Yoplait whips, you can visit here and print a coupon for .60 off of three Yoplait Whips.  Additionally, right now, new members who sign-up to become subscribers of Betty Crocker’s newsletter, will receive a free coupon for Yoplait Whips!

Would you like to win a fun gift pack from My Blog Spark and Yoplait? The Summer Cool Down” gift bag includes two free coupons for Yoplait Whips!, cooler tote, Popsicle molds and a set of 12 color-changing spoons.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED

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Tell me you favorite way to enjoy Yoplait Whips and what flavor you like

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Contest Starts August 31, 2009 and Ends September 21, 2009

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**Thank you to My Blog Spark who provided me with free samples of yogurt and a gift pack to try for review**

Oscar Mayer Lunchables Lunch Combinations *review*

Making lunches and finding different ways to make the ordinary interesting for kids is often a task that us moms dread at times.  You often hear about how kids are bartering away their lunches in the school cafeteria in exchange for something they find more exciting.

I was recently given the opportunity to try out Oscar Mayer’s new Lunchable Lunch Combinations.  My husband is a huge fan of the smaller Lunchable packets and he takes them for a snack at work or in the morning.  Even though my boys aren’t in school yet, I can see that this would be a perfect alternative to brown bagging it.

In comparison to an unhealthier choice of fast food or cafeteria foods, this at least offers a source of more rounded nutritional value.  We tried the Ham and American Sub combination and I was surprised at how much was actually in the package.  Included in the package was ham, american cheese, sub bun, mayo,sugar free jello, chewy chips ahoy cookies, water and kool aid drink mix packet.  The only thing that I personally would have liked is that there just be plain water in the meal, regular jello since I am not one to give the kids artificial sweetener, and maybe apple slices in place of the jello or the cookies.  I think it is a great idea especially on days where you are running behind and it makes for a hearty meal.  I think if I were a kid this would be a real treat and you wouldn’t find me trading a single morsel.

You can find Oscar Mayer Lunchables Lunch Combinations in your grocer’s refrigerated section next to the packaged lunch meats.  There are six new varieties that include: Turkey + Cheddar Sub Sandwich, Ham + American Sub Sandwich, Turkey + Cheddar Cracker Combos, Ham +American Cracker Combos, Deep Dish Cheese Pizza and Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza.

**I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of Oscar Mayer Lunchables and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.**

What To Expect Healthy Home Growth Chart

When I first became pregnant with my boys, I was a bundle of nerves.  Not only was I first time parent, everything was new to me, so I always felt a little overwhelmed.  I quickly gathered as many books as I could to help ease my mind and to feel like I was as prepared as I could be.

One of my biggest things is maintaining a germ free and healthy home and encouraging my kids to take steps to minimize the spread of germs and bacteria.  My best tips come from being persistent and developing routine with my boys.  Some of the simplest tips in helping to maintain a healthy home, are hand washing after playing in the dirt, after going potty, and before meals.  If you develop routine with kids they will carry this with them.

One of my favorite books was What To Expect When You’re Expecting books, answered a lot of my questions, and explained my pregnancy month by month.  I used this book daily and carried it with me throughout the house.  Recently I was introduced to another great resource. The What to Expect Foundation (which takes its name from Heidi Murkoff’s best-selling What to Expect series) just developed the “What to Expect Healthy Home Growth Chart” with a grant from The Clorox Company and it’s free for you to download!

The Healthy Home Growth Chart, offers insider tips to help Moms keep a healthier home over the course of their child’s first five years. Moms can find tips to coincide with the developmental stages children go through, such as:
•    Disinfecting hard toys at 3 months
•    Baby-proofing the house when they start walking around 1 year
•    Removing allergens from stuffed animals for play dates starting at the age of 2
•    Making hand washing and no-shoes a rule after coming in from playing outside around age 4

There is a ton of useful information in this guide, and I love that it breaks it down into your child’s first 5 years and presents common instances where you can teach your children how to keep germs and bacteria to a minimum.  I know we can’t protect our kids from everything and make them live in a bubble, but teaching yourself and them along the way to maintain a healthier lifestyle will help minimize the spread of germs and possibly expensive trips to see the doctor.

I know as a new Mom it is often hard to remember everything along the way and having as many resources available, are always a huge help.  The What To Expect Healthy Home Growth Chart presents some good information that is simple to follow and can maybe even give new parents and existing parents another resource to gain valuable information and quick tips to maintain a healthier home.

**I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox and the What to Expect Guide and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.” And of course disclose that Mom Central has asked you to review the guide in connection with the tour**

Mrs Dash Makes Creative Cooking Healthy *Review*

As a stay at home mom, I do a lot of cooking.  Sometimes it isn’t always easy coming up with new ways to make scrambled eggs, or new ideas for that frozen chunk of chicken sitting in your freezer.   I have spent many days just staring into the pantry or fridge wondering what I could whip up for dinner that night.

After awhile you just have to find ways to be creative in preparing the same old chicken breast or steak.  I have spent days where I pounded chicken, breaded it, boiled it, you name it, just to make it interesting.  A few times, it wound up in the trash or I got some “what is this?” look from all members of my family including my twin toddlers.

I am always looking for healthy ways in which to prepare our meals and I usually tend to use a lot of butter or something to compensate for the lack of taste in some of the things I have made.  I have found, that using the right seasoning can make a world of difference when you are preparing a meal.  You can often give chicken a totally different taste based on what seasoning you use.

I recently received a bottle of Mrs Dash Fiesta Lime seasoning and I was more than eager to give it a try.  When I saw that it was Fiesta Lime, I automatically thought of a meal with Mexican flair.  So I cooked up plain old chicken breast and sprinkled a little of this on it.  We made some spanish rice, cut up some fresh tomatoes from the garden, lettuce, and warmed up some soft tortillas.  It gave the chicken a southwest flair and wasn’t overly spicy either.It was delicious and the only thing I added to the chicken was Mrs Dash!  The whole family devoured everything on their plate and my sons were asking for more.

Mrs Dash has no salt or MSG which makes it a nice healthy alternative to overloading your food with sodium and butter.  It was as if I created an entirely new meal and the only thing I added was a different seasoning.  It was a refreshing change from the ordinary yes using familiar ingredients which made meal preparation easy.  Mrs Dash has a whole collection of various seasoning you can try and they aren’t just good on meat.  You can sprinkle a dash here ans there on your salads vegetables and even soups.  It is a great addition to your spice cabinet and can make ordinary meals you have prepared over and over have a new an exciting taste without adding a bunch of unhealthy ingredients.

Thank you to Mom Central and Mrs Dash for sending out a sample for me and my family to try.

Wendy’s Boneless Wings

As a busy mom to twins I don’t always necessarily want to cook three meals a day, 7 days a week.  You tend to get burned out really fast.  For me it is a treat when my husband brings me home something, or makes a late night run, or when we can all just grab something that doesn’t require me standing in the kitchen.

One of my favorite things to eat are chicken wings, but the worst part about them, is the fact that they are all bone and not enough of the good stuff and tend to be rather messy.  I like mine a little on the hot and spicy side but I also love  barbeque wings as well.  To my surprise, Wendy’s now has new boneless chicken wings.  Made with 100% whole chicken breast,  hand tossed in one of three sophisticated flavors: Bold Buffalo, Honey BBQ, and Sweet & Spicy Asian Chicken you are sure to find one that you will love.  We really enjoy going to Wendy’s especially for their Frosty’s in the Summer, and I love the fact that you can get more than just a plain burger when you go.

In addition to a great menu, I also feel like Wendy’s offers a healthier selection of food.  I can’t wait to try their new Boneless Chicken Wings!  I might be sending my poor husband on more late night runs to Wendy’s.  You gotta love cravings!  You are sure to find something to please all members of the family, and it is a great way to give Mom a break from the kitchen to let the whole family indulge in something they all love.

**I wrote this review while participating in a blog and giveaway campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Wendy’s and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.**

Kellogg’s Cinnabon Snack Bars *Review*

I have always  loved Cinnamon rolls of almost any kind and I usually have to refrain from eating them, otherwise I tend to over indulge.  I had always walked by the Cinnabon stores in the local malls, but never actually stopped to give them a try and I finally gave in on a day where, I was starving and had a craving for something sweet.  I sat down with my drink in hand and this huge cinnamon roll, and took my first bite.  That was when all those happy joy endorphins started partying like it was 1999 and I had found one of the best cinnamon rolls I had ever had.

I love to head to Cinnabon when I can, but that isn’t always possible with our busy schedule and having two toddlers, makes it next to impossible to just head to the mall whenever I feel like it.  I was delighted to find out that there was a way to enjoy that favorite Cinnabon flavor in a snack bar.  Mom Central offered me and my family a chance to give Kellogg’s Cinnabon Snack Bars a try so, I quickly accepted because I was eager to see if they tasted just as good as the Cinnabon rolls that I bought in the mall

The Kellogg’s Cinnabon Snack Bars can be eaten right out of their package or warmed slightly in the microwave.  I prefer to eat mine a little warm so I microwaved mine for about 10-15 seconds.  After taking a bite, I was pleasantly surprised.  Although, they aren’t quite like a sticky gooey Cinnabon Cinnamon roll, they are pretty yummy.  They are perfect for the kids too, and excellent when you want to give them a snack, or you need something to bring when you are on the go.  They are a little heavy on the cinnamon which I don’t mind since I love cinnamon, so the more their is the better.  Each bar is an amazing 150 calories, so  you can indulge and not feel guilty about having a treat.

If you haven’t tried them yet, they are a perfect treat to share with the family or keep to yourself.  I found them in the breakfast isle next to all the granola bar type snacks.  Kellogg’s Cinnabon Snack Bars are a really yummy alternative to the same old boring granola bars.

Making Life Better

Summer is always a great time for us as a family, and we spend a lot of time outdoors taking walks in the evening or just playing with the boys.  No matter what though, I tend to spend time doing all the things around the house while my husband takes the boys outdoors during meal preparations and I almost never seem to be caught up with everything.  Family time is incredibly important and helps children with a sense of security and their confidence, and I place a high value on that, so I try and get as much time with my kids as I can.

One of the things I seem to dread is figuring out what is for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Let’s face it, as a Mom, things can become overly routine and you start to get bored with the same meals every day and the same routines.  You have to start to get creative and to help you do that, there is a great resource for family meal planning.  Unilever has  teamed up with Jennifer Bushman, the author of the “Kitchen Coach” cookbook series,  to create the ultimate Family Fun Book.  This book is filled with great recipes and affordable meal ideas that help bring family together.

Bushman recommends making meal time “family time.” Some ways in which she recommends are allowing the kids to help with meal preparations, keeping a well stocked refrigerator/freezer and pantry with versatile ingredients. In addition she wants you to be creative and make meals fun by incorporating a theme.  One of my favorite ideas that she suggests is a carpet picnic right in your living room.  I know that we always are sitting at the kitchen table, so the change in scenery and the way we eat would be exciting and fun for the boys.

The Family Fun Book can be downloaded for free and it is an excellent resource for bringing families together and is loaded with creative ideas to make meal time special for you and your family.  MakingLifeBetter.com offers the Family Fun Book, but their site also has tons of valuable information as well, so gather up some meal tips with the Free Family Fun Book, and then have a look around, and I bet you can find some really useful information!

***I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Unilever/Making Life Better. Mom Central sent me a gift card and a copy of the Family Fun Book to thank me for taking the time to participate.***

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