Because I Said So!!! Mom Knows Best!

Who has guys in the house? Who has
guys that are into football? Ugh, I feel for you
for those weeks when football are on have got
to be the longest of my life. Not only do they
take over the TV and become sacks of lazy potato's
who would not help me with anything even if I lit
their sneakers on fire they also eat all day long
and drag that food into the living room and make
the biggest mess in the world. These guys who
are so lacksa daisy and have no structure at all
in anything they do have this perfect down to the
minute routine they do every single Sunday. First
thing, make a great breakfast, ( I clean up) second
thing run up to the store and get supplies. When they
get back they set up their snacking table for the
game. Once again I am left cleaning up the total mess
they make. Andrew has to have his Salsa in one bowl,
chips in the next and then a bowl of cheese to
dip everything in. John on the other hand has to
spread all his Chip on a sheet pan and then mix
some bean stuff with a cheese stuff and cook it
and then drizzle his Salsa on top. Now he just sets
everything up for Half time for that is when the
snacks come out. What cracks me up is these two
have never agreed on any food item ever, in fact
when John cooks Andrew eats a sandwich no matter
what it is. There could not be two people with tastes
as different as these two but the one thing they have
in common is they both have to have the chips and
the salsa. It is a must have. In fact Salsa is huge
period at my house on a lot of things. Potato's, chips,
bread, in soups and chili and tacos and every other
kind of food you could think of. It also can't be just
any Salsa. They each have brands they prefer and the
each have to get their own jar on Sundays. I could never
understand how they thought it was normal to spend 30 bucks
on snack foods every Sunday but they do. Now Andrew
is more adventurous when it comes to salsa and he will
try anyone that claims it is hot at least once. John on
the other hand has two brand he will stick too and is so
picky if they don't carry those brands he will skip the
Salsa all together. I think they are both ridiculous and
yeah, I love Salsa but I have never been a fanatic about
it to the point these guys are. They will go so far as to
hide their bottles under their bed so nobody else can touch
them. Now if you didn't think they were ridiculous before
you have to now for what you don't know is they go out
of their way to hide them but there are only four people
in the house. Them, who will not touch each others Salsas
for the two John eats are probably the only two Andrew
refused to touch, and John would never touch Andrews for
John can't handle the spice like Andrew can and his are
always hot no matter what brand and if they are not hot
enough he will add more spice himself. Also in the house is
me, and I know both of their hiding spots so what is the
point, and Rowan who can't even walk yet let alone go
snooping for their Salsas. Yet every single Sunday the make
a huge deal out of labeling their jars and hiding them under
their bed.

I am sure you guessed by now they are both big time
Salsa fanatics. Andrew has even gone so far as to grow
his own peppers and make it from scratch in an attempt to
get the perfect mix. All Summer long I had Peppers all over
my tables and window sills and in cups and bowls and
Tomatoes were stuffed in every drawer in my fridge. He grew
everything though and I will give him credit, right down to the
spices he used but the next Summer I had to nix it for we just
don't have the space for it and fruit fly's were driving me nuts
for he swore the Tomato's had to be a certain level of ripe and
if he didn't make it within a day of being that ripe they would
start to rot. YUCK! When Mrs Renfro's gave me a chance to
review their line of Salsas I jumped at it for I would do just
about anything to keep Andrew from taking over 80 percent
of my house with his yearly Salsa Project and would be even
more thrilled to find a Salsa they both can agree on so I
wouldn't have to worry about finding rotting bottles of Salsa
under our bed and Andrews for they are worse then Squirrels
hiding their acorns with their stash. We were sent a variety
of their Salsas and I got to try them first for the boys
can not eat them to like 3 PM. Don't ask me why for thank
the stars football season is over but their excuse was
somewhere along the lines they would blow their ritual
up if they varied from the schedule. I liked the Mango
Salsa the best. It was spicy but sweet and reminded me
of this Summer Salsa I had bought at a homemade stand once
that I had never been able to get again. This was a Salsa
perfect for just eating plain with Chips and the Saltier the
chip the better for the salt complements the Salsa even more.
It is also a perfect Salsa for young kids to enjoy as well for
it is tangy and is not over bearing in the spice department and
is chunky and hearty enough so they can dip their chips in
it and not have it run down their little fingers. Rowan is
a little too young for the chip part so I gave her a little on
a cracker and I was a mad generous for she loved it.
( I am so hoping I don't find a bottle stuffed under her crib.)
When 3 PM came I had the Salsas poured into bowls so only
I would know what one was what for I didn't want the names
to cloud their opinions and they guys got to a tasting. Here
are the results.
My order was:
1. Mango
2. Roasted
3. Green
4. Habanaro
Johns were:
1. Roasted
2. Mango
3. Green
4. Habanaro
Andrew was:
1. Habanaro
2. Green
3. Roasted
4. Mango
As you can see Andrew went for the spice big time and
John was close to mine other then I put the Mango number one,
I just loved that Mango. All of the Salsas were the perfect
blend with hearty pieces and rich and flavorful. If you are a
Salsa fan you are destined to find your match here for the
list of flavors they have is not only impressive it is all encompassing.
If you like hot or mild they have it. We have decided as a family
to get the Green and the Roasted for they were pretty high on
every ones list and middle of the road so to speak. For special
events though I will make sure to grab some of Andrews Habinaro
and my Mango and I am itching to try the Pomegranated too.
They also have relish and I was so excited for my Grandmothers
baked bean recipe calls for a relish and she made it herself and
I have never been able to find anything close to it and the Mild
Tomato looks just like it and I am eager to try it. They also have
cheese sauce, BBQ sauce and Syrups that look just as tasty
and if they are half as good as the Salsas were I just can't wait.
The most exciting thing to me is after years and years of having
to buy a different brand for everyone in the house we now have
not only a brand but a type we can all agree on and I never
thought I would live to see the day that happened.
The Mrs Renfro's web site alone is fantastic for it has a
load of different recipes to make with Salsa and some I never
would have dreamed of putting together. Both the Taco Pie
and the Mexican Fudge are on our to make list for they just
sound scrumptious. Personally I am really wanting to try the
Spinach and Strawberry Salad but the boys are a little against
it for heaven forbid they have something a little on the healthy
side. No matter what your tastes, how hot or mild you like it
or if you want to walk on the wild side these guys have what you
want. I totally enjoyed this review and they saved me from a
lot of Sunday headaches and now we might even be able to
snack as a family. YUM!
Mrs Renfro wants you guys to try their delicious
Salsa too and is going to give one of my readers a chance
to win a gift pack of four of their Salsas! To enter just head over
to their site and take a look around then come back here and
post what sounds the most delicious to you! The contest will
start tonight and run to midnight on April 21st.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.


Mrs Renfro's Gourmet Salsas and More.




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Kids in the Kitchen? You Betcha! I love
to have my kids help me cook and even though
Rowan is just over 7 months I still drag her
walker or high chair into the kitchen and we
spend the time talking about what Mommy is
doing now. Not only does it foster a sense of
closeness between your child and you it also
allows them to start picking up early tips in the
kitchen and retain a level of comfort around
appliances and cooking in general that will stay
with them for the rest of their lives. Andrew started
really young, just like Rowan and by the time he
was 13 he cooked a complete Thanksgiving Dinner
by himself. And not a normal, run of the mill
Thanksgiving Dinner either but a full on Michelle
Style Holiday Meltdown Dinner. I never have just
a Turkey or a Ham or Roast for a Holiday meal
for with the hoards I feed I have all of the above
and that year I was recovering from a pretty serious
surgery I had only days before and there was no
way I could cook. I thought for sure Andrew would
just go with his Dad to an Aunt or an Uncles for
normally his Dad and Grandmother came to my
house but Andrew insisted on keeping the tradition
alive and making it himself. I didn't even have
a recipe box to help him for all mine are kept in
my head so he sat by my bed and wrote down what
I rattled off and made it all, complete with 4 pies
of different flavors, by himself. It was delicious and
quiet a feat for a 13 year old boy and there isn't a doubt
in my mind that he never would have been able to
pull it off if he had not pretty much grown up in
a kitchen. Part of the trick to get them so interested
is to offer them items to use that they can call their
own. Cookware that is made for them or if it is something
that does not offer a pint size variety, really cool to use!
Kids love to get down and dirty and would do anything to
help if you only give them a chance. Don't worry if
you are the blind leading the blind in the kitchen for it
does not matter how something tastes when you
are done it just matters that you made it together and
that fact will make it taste like a creation from the
kitchen of Cordon Bleu itself!

Recently I got a chance to do a product review
for some kitchen items that pretty much hit everything
a Kid could want. They are made for them, look cool,
fun to use and inspire a child to get up and cook!
Duralex makes dishes just for your children called Kiddishes
and Cuisipro makes some awesome tools for creating some
dishes they will just have a blast making. I was sent a complete
set for one of the Kiddishes and from Cuisipro a flour sifter
and a peanut butter and Jelly spreader. We never use
our Bread maker though Andrews Dad lives with his, better
model I think for mine is a pain, but anyway I thought it
would be pretty neat to make some bread to make an
awesome Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich to serve on the
dishes. It was a hoot! Andrew and I drug the Highchair
into the kitchen and started the bread. Now with our recipe
you don't have to shift the flour but what they hey, it is
a cool gadget and we wanted to make something for
lunch. Andrew claimed it and we had a little bit of flour
tossing going on in the kitchen for it was so much fun.
The 4 cups for the recipe went by so fast so we decided
we need desert and I grabbed some for a cream puff shell
recipe for this is what a shifter is made for, those yummy
good, knock your socks off pastry's where you need some
prefect flour and it needs to be just so. The part I want
you guys to understand it with my old sifter I hate shifting
flour and never make pasties anymore though I am certified
as a pastry chef. Some day I will give you all the details
but to be a master chef you have to go through levels and
each level takes a lot of effort and time. I went through two of
them and pastry would be one. I used to love it, when I had
the kitchen to go with it and Andrew and I have made some
really great things but as I grew older it just became a
hassle and I just bought from a bakery instead. My old shifter
was hard to use and you got quite a work out just turning
the dang handle and by the time I got around to kneading
I was already through for I was beat. Cuisipro's sifted
was like a hot knife through butter and so easy and fun I
had to beg Andy to give me a turn. I could have sat the boy
down with a hundred pound bag of flour and he would have
done it all. Once I got that away from him I wanted to
see if it was difficult to clean for that was also another
issue with my old one, wet flour turns into glue. At
a professional Kitchen you have power hoses at a dish
tank and the force there can knock anything off, at home,
no such power. With a lot of peoples water pressure you are
lucky to get a stream at all so I was a little worried, even more
since we sifted a lot and the thing was covered. Such an
easy cleanup, I just could not get over it. It was like Teflon
with the flour just falling off. Okay, Gadget one;
A blast
Easy to use
Easy to clean
Perfect for kids and parents alike!
While the bread cooked we made our puffs and
Andrew made some filling and we set the table. I love the
Kiddishes. They are just the right size for kids and stylish
too. I wish they made a Momdishes set for they were
that nice. See through, so when cleaning you know if
there is any kid goo left and also easy to clean and
the plates and cup are just the right size for young hands.
Rowan is now hooked on drinking from a cup and the only
down side to the Kiddishes is she does not want to drink
from anything but them now. I have bought 7 different kinds
of Sippy Cups for as cute as the kiddishes are she is still
to young to drink from something without a lid ( ah, let's
dump this too Mom!) and if I don't hold it for her she
will flip it. As a busy Mom I can't always sit there and hold
a glass for the baby so I need those lids. Rowan does not
agree. Rowan says make time Mom, I like the cup better
and I am a big girl now! The whole set just makes the
family feel she is apart of it and has her own place
in this world. It will not be long before she joins us
at the table and her own set of dishes screams she
is ready now to us. The fact that they are virtually unbreakable,
dishwasher safe, Microwavable and shock resistant is just
a perk on the whole package. The big sell here is they are
the right size and perfect for little eaters. That fact they are
100% recylcable is also a pretty big sell!
Back to the cooking now, the bread turned out
great and I have to say I think that is the first time
it did in our bargan basement machine. It might be
the sifter or it might be the fact Andrew has more
patience with things like that then I do but it was really
good for a change and I ate about 3 pieces before we even
broke out the spreader. Sorry, I just couldn't help mysefl,
there is nohting like fresh bakery bread! The thing that
made me mad was once we used the spreader I realized
it was worth the wait had I known how cool it would be.
Don't you hate it when you are making a PB and J and
you do the Peanut Butter first and then you are stuck
with two options:
1. Lick off the Peanut Butter, fine if you are making it
for yourself but you still need to rinse it so you are
not tossing your germs into the Jelly.
2. Wipe the Peanut Butter off on the bread. This idea
stinks, it always tears the bread and you never get it
all off and you end up getting Peanut Butter in the Jelly
all the time! YUCK!
Now there is a new option and a darn good one, the spreader
by Cuisipro works like a charm and no more Peanut Butter in
the Jelly, no more stopping mid-stream in your sandwich making
to clean off your knife and no more hassel. Peanut Butter on
one end, Jelly on the other and smiles all around! I loved it and
it is also big enough where even young children can handle
it and are able to make thier own sandwich for there are no
sharp edges and clumbsy fingers will have no problem grabbing
the thick middle and clean-up can wait to you have enjoyed
your sandwich, not before you can slather on the jelly. It is
also cute and we all know how I love things that are
cute for it is color coded, Jelly is purple and the
peanut butter is brown. If that isn't good enough for you
it is dishwasher safe and has a 25 year warrenty. I am
thinken they are pretty confedant on thier products to offer
something like that. Your Grandchildren will be making sandwiches
before the warrenty expires.
So let's recap here:
1. Andrew and I road tested some pretty cool kitchen
gadgets made by Duralex and Cuisipro.
2. We used the Flour Shifter when we made fresh bread
and it worked like a charm, easy to spin and cleans up
with no effort.
3. We used that bread to make some out of this world
Peanut Butter and Sandwiches and use our Cuisipro Spreader
to do it and decided that was one of the best kitchen inventions
ever!
4. The dishes were used to serve our feast and were
pretty much the icing on the cake! What a lovely time in
the kitchen.
Duralex and Cuisipro made for one fine time in the kitchen
at our house and a awesome review. If you have children or
even if you don't and just like to bake the items we used are
a perfect addition for any kitchen! Don't argue or get into Jam
every again, use your spreader and no more broken plates with
KidDishes! Want perfect flour for your baking? Cuisipro's Flour sifter
is the right tool for the job, Six thunbs up here!

You too can win this bevy of kitchen tools! To enter just head
over to Cuisipro or Duralex's web sites and take a look around then
come back here and post what one of their awesome kitchen
devices would work best in your house? The contest will start tonight
and run to midnight on April 8th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Cuisipro

Duralex


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Port a Pong and Sleepy Wrap Contests!

I spent my Summers at our House up in Northern
Michigan. My Grandmother was a school teacher at
a local Catholic School so not only were school years
shortened to begin with, she also had the summers off.
My Grandfather was a Paper Pusher at Fords and had
no such luck. Every year on the day after the last
day of school my Grandmother and I would pack up the
car and leave for the Lake House. Grandpa would come
up on the weekends and take his Vacation through July
since he had worked his way up to about 6 weeks a year.
Now my Grandfather was an outdoor guy but my Grandma was
more into arts and crafts and cooking and canning then
the Lake, woods, beach or fishing or boating. During the
week when he was not there, her and I would be alone and
we would pass a lot of time with Arts but I was a Tom
Boy and wanted to get out. Lucky for me we were not only
in the country but it was a different world still in
the 70's and I could pretty much go where I wanted since
I knew the area like the back of the hand. It was not
rare for me to ride my bike or walk many miles every day.
I also would swim for hours and my best friends were
just down the hill from me and and though they did not
live on the Lake their Grandparents did and were across the field
and a short walk through the woods from my back door and
owned a resort so they had everything there and it was
a virtual playground for us kids to spend our summers in.
We used to help clean the guest homes during the week
and be rewarded with a couple of bucks that we would use
to ride up to the local store. Now when I speak of a local
store here and now I am speaking of a CVS about a block
away but there we were lucky to have one so close, about
a mile down a dirt road. Shaw's! When you first walk in
they have two isles of bins that all had penny candy in them.
The State Park was right across the road and they made
a killing catering to them and had anything a kid
could ever want inside. We would buy a huge bag then split
up the loot once we got back to our home. I gotta say
that was the best time in my whole life. The thrill of
getting a little brown bag and reaching into bin after
bin of Penny Candy was enough to make a little kids
excitement level fly through the roof and even then
places like that were a rare find.
Andrew spent most of his life experiencing candy
the way a large percentage of kids today do. At the
Supermarket or Drug Store, maybe Target but every place
has the same routine. A row or selection near the checkout
with full sized candy bars and gum where people are prone
to make an impulse buy. 7-11 and Gas stations are not
much different though they have an isle with the same
candy. The point is no longer do children get the thrill
of walking into a store that has been set aside just for
Candy and filled with not a few rows on a rack or one
isle out of 20 but rather isle after isle of bins and
shelves and buckets that hold every confection the world
has to offer. Now you can find some chocolatier's around today,
a candy bar for 9 bucks if they carry a bar at all for most
offer items like Truffles or Bon Bons, ask Andy what a truffle is
and he would say something along the lines of pigs and woods for
it just isn't something a child is into. They want Chocolate
Bars and Penny Candy and Sour whats its! Not gourmet Chocolate
with an inflated price tag and a filling they have never heard of.
We lucked out when we moved here for there is a Penny Candy
Store on the other side of the Park from us called "Z's" Penny
Candy. Now they are pretty darn cool but even the fact they are
dedicated to Penny candy is lost on me for their whole store
does not even come close to the Candy Section at Shaw's and
it is pretty much the same 10 Candy's over and over again.
More or less a bin of Orange Tootsie Rolls, then a regular one,
then Grape and so on and so forth. Nothing special from my
view but the kids still looked forward to it and even listened
to my tales on the way there about the Penny Candy shops
when I was a kid. I would give each of the children a couple
of bucks then buy 20 dollars worth of mixed candy for the
house and what really got me was if I were to spend 20
dollars when I was a kid I would have needed a forklift
to bring it home with, now a days Penny candy is a quarter
and it just isn't the same. Lack of choices and a huge
price tag does not bring back the memories I was so fond
of. When I was searching for Candy for the Valentines day
gift guide I stumbled on a store that was in a different
league now. Old time Candy has the Tootsie Rolls but
also all the other Candy I remember as a child, an my Mom
remembers and so on. They have it all!
Old time Candy has candy from 1920 on up to what is
hot today! Everything I remember from being a child, to
when Andrew was little and so on. I was squealing like
I was back at Shaw's with a couple of bucks in my hands
as I was flipping through the pages. Andrew came running
in the room thinking his Mom has finally lost it and you
have to remember he is two floors away on the opposite
side of the house but that was how loud I was. They sent
a sample box for review and it was like some sort of
political sum-met meeting in my living room when it came.
All of us gathered around the box peering inside trying
to decide a way that was fair and even to dole out the
contents. Everyone got five picks of their all time
favorites then we went around in a circle to divide the
rest. I grabbed my Pay Day, Marshmallow Ice Cream Cones
for you have no idea how much I love those things, Sugar
Daddy, Swedish Fish and Bit O Honey. I wish I could tell
you what the boys grabbed but I can't for I really didn't
care, I was too busy keeping an eye on the loads of other
items I wanted and hoping their hands went over them when
they were making their five picks. The rest were dolled out
one at a time for there were too many items we all liked
to do another large draw but I was tickled to see one of
the handle suckers from when i was little. You guys know
what I am talking about, the stem is shaped in a loop so
it is easy to hold and we rewarded Rowan with that little
gem for she was so behaved as the adults acted like 5 year
old over the box of Candy. I also do not know how Andrew
always ends up with all the Gum, no matter where I get
Candy from that boy always gets the Gum. John sat hording
his bag and munching in the corner the rest of the day and
I swear he growled whenever someone encroached his area as
if they might make a move for his stash. Talk about Junkies!
I am so Happy my Grandmother was not here for they have all
her favorites and for a kind woman that would share anything
with you if you can anywhere near her Jelly candies, LOOK OUT!
It could be my Birthday and she could say what would you like
and if I told her the only thing I really wanted was one of
her Jelly Candies she would have looked me square in the
eye and Growled, Pick again! Old Time Candy
can even cover her and her addictions! I really wish she was
here too see this for we are not sure where my Grandfather
used to find some of her candy and after he passed it
fell on my mother and I's shoulders to find it and
we had a heck of a time. We had no choice but to find
things that were sorta like, or similar too but never
the real deal. Old Time Candy has the "Real Deal"


They also have any real deals you can remember from
your youth too and to order is a snap. You can go a
little or a lot and Mix and Match and the possibilities
are endless. Not sure what you really loved for those
memories are a little fuzzy? Just get a sample and pick
the decade and they are sure to have just the thing
you are looking for even if you can't remember the name.
Gifts are covered too for they have some awesome ready
made theme packs that take out the guess work and are sure
to bring a smile to any ones face. I just love this store
and yes, I have done reviews for some pretty fancy, smancy
gourmet shops but nothing, and I repeat nothing, beats my
Marshmallow Ice Cream Cones and Old Time Candy flew straight
to the top of my list with just the simple fact I could order
those as often as I like! Remember how I told you part of
the fun was getting a bag and filling it with as many
different candy's as you could in all different flavors? The
bins calling your name and a little of this and a little of
that was half the fun of getting the candy? You guys can relive
that too with Old Time Candy's Pack A Bag. Pick what ever you
like and toss it in a bag and that's how it is going to come to
you, just like when you were a kid. Share your memories with your
children and pack a bag with them. The shipping was super fast
and there is nothing like the trill of opening that box!
Gift, Holiday, restock the house hold stash or just for you,
Old Time Candy is there to help you out! I have a order in
my cart all ready to go for as soon as I am down to my last couple
of pieces all I have to do is hit send for I need me some candy!
Perfect for Valentines Day and Easter, they have what it
takes for any age from any decade! They even have gift baskets!
Enjoy!


Old time Candy was also sweet as candy and offered
to give one of my readers a 4 pound sample pack too!
To enter just head over to the site and take a look
around and come back here and post what your favorite
candy was as a child. The contest will start tonight
and Run to April 8th at Midnight. Right in the Middle
of Valentines and Easter to give you time to look for
both! USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.


Old Time Candy!




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.


2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.


Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Port a Pong and Sleepy Wrap Contests!


Don't forget to look for Old Time Candy on my
Valentines Day Gift Guide!

We have eaten a lot of food that is good for you.
Everything from Gluten free, to dairy free and Vegan
to all Natural and Organic. Some were for review and
some were for the heck of it and some I was experimenting
with some recipes for a couple of friends and family
members. I go all out for the Holidays and also a couple
times a year I put together seasonal gift baskets of home maid
Candy's and baked goods for my Neighbors and friends and
family and I learned the hard way some of them were strict
vegan and a couple diabetics and could not eat pretty much
anything in the baskets. I found new homes for them but
felt like a heel for not asking in the first place and went
out of my way to learn some recipes they could eat and put
a basket together just for them. I have about 10 things I
make for them and they love them. Out of all the reviews
and store bought items and even the stuff I have learned
to make I have always wondered one thing.

How do people eat this stuff?

Never have I tasted something from one of those category's where
I went, "Oh, my Golly Gee Jumping Jahiminees, I can't wait to
go out and get this again!" Now the freeze dried fruit snacks
I have tried were good, I will give them that. I will keep them
in the house for I am a fruit fanatic and buy too much at one
time for you guys know how I hate the Grocery store, and most of
the fruit ends up going to waste. I just threw away a bunch of
Oranges today in fact. The dried fruit tastes pretty much the
same as the fresh and has the same nutritional value so yes,
I will most likely always have it in the house. But I don't stay
up at night and think about it. I have never once said, "Hey,
John, Andrew, you know what I really want right now? An Apple!"
They are just one of those things that are there or not. You
don't stress, you don't panic and you really don't crave. I have
never once in my life seen a person go out at 8 PM to run up to
the fruit stand and grab an Apple. I have yet to see a person
sit down an gorge on a whole bushel of them for they are so
good you just couldn't stop eating them. Birthday parties don't
end the evening with an Apple and a candle and you don't gaze
lovingly into your sweethearts eyes after a romantic dinner and
say " baby, want to share an apple with me?"
Now take that Apple and put it in a strudel or a pie and you
have a deal. Face it, people love sweets and can't get enough
of them. If it wasn't true Hostess would have stopped with
the Twinkies and not made tons of other snack cakes. Basken
Robbins would have only one flavor and Dairy Queen would
be out of business ( an Apple Stand maybe?) and Chocolate
Thunder from down under would have a whole other meaning.
We Want Cake!!
And Cookies!
And Pie!
And Candy!
And Chocolate!
We want it often and it better be good! Organic, Gluten free,
Dairy free, Egg free, Not so good! Thank you, I will take the
Apple.
I got the chance to do a review for Divvies. I always try these
places for you never know. One of these days lightening might
strike but I pretty much have given up on holding my breath. Now
I want to feed my kids and my self healthy. I do have that goal
in mind but you just can't tell your kids, hey, I know you wanted
some Jelly Beans in your Easter Basket but I thought some Tofu
Dingies would be better! You will get the glazed over stare and
Blink
Blink
"Say what Mom?"
Sometimes you have to let them have the real thing and hope some
day a person will have that magic touch and do a healthy goodie
the right way instead of cardboard with a cherry! When the Divvies
came they were in a big box and it was jammed packed full of all
sorta of treats. Cookies and Jelly Beans and Candy bars and Pop-
corn. When I say full I mean really, really full! As if that was
not enough it also came with a box with a dozen Cup Cakes you
could frost and decorate your self so they stayed super fresh.
Now if I didn't know how they were made I would have been Hyper-
ventilating just looking at them and all that Delicious chocolate
and baked goods, I am not the worlds biggest candy bar eater
but I love chocolate. I mean not like LIKE Love But LOVE LOVE
as the kids say! BUT, I knew and groaned for if it tastes like
a lot of other foods of this caliber it would end up going to
waste for even the boys won't touch it and they eat almost anything,
even those 20 cent fruit pies that taste like sawdust and wax fruit.
Egg free, Dairy free products, not even with a ten foot pole.
Andrew was the first one in the house and saw the box, he just
about started to jump up and down like he did when he was 5 and
you gave him a charm pop and then paused.
"Review?"
"Yeah"
"Of?"
"Sweets!"
"Yeah, catch?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Fat Free?"
"Nope."
Gluten free?"
"Nope."
"Taste Free?"
"Nope."
"Come on Mom, whats the," Just then he saw the folder on the table.
Before I caught on he already had it in his hands.
"No Eggs? You need eggs to make half of this stuff! Milk too!"
"Not this stuff Andy."
"I don't see you diggen in Mom. No thanks I will pass."
"Um, Andrew, we have a deal. You help me with the food reviews and
items that are for everyone and you get to keep some of the cool stuff
we review."
"I helped you with the last one like this and I can still taste it."
"You also helped with the steaks and got a really good filet I never
would have given you if we didn't have this deal."
"Come on, feed it to John, he doesn't know yet and just don't tell him."
"Look Andrew."
"Come on Mom, I really.................
Just then John walked in the Door and straight to the kitchen. I didn't
tell you but Divvies comes in a really pretty product box with the most
gorgeous bow and looks like it comes from some French Bakery and like
it would be super expensive. John walked in the kitchen and the box was
still sitting on the table. Bow and all. Filled with Goodies and that
man loves his sweets. Don't ever let him know you have anything chocolate
it you ever want to see it again.
"Is this for everyone?"
"yeah" Andrew blurted before I could speak.
"Cool." He grabbed a couple of the cookie packs and walked out.
I started to give Andrew the glare down for though he didn't lie I felt
like he had omitted the truth and he knows I hate it when he tries to
be sneaky. He was shuffling his feet, looking down. Rowan was sitting in
her high chair trying to reach the box. John came walking back into the
room before I could say something for Andrew and we both thought the
jig was up. In truth I thought he was on his way to the garbage to
toss the cookie out.
"Hey, you guys mind if I get a couple more of those before they are
gone?"
"You mean you like them?" Not me, that was Andrew.
"AH, I wouldn't say like. I like your Moms Cookies, these are gourmet
and even your mom can't compete with that."
"You mean they are that good?" I couldn't help it, I had to ask.
"UH, Yeah, why? Whats wrong with them? Were they like really day
old or something and you got a good deal on them? You better not
have paid a small fortune for them like that 25 dollar pie you
bought. Tell me I didn't just eat 100 bucks worth of cookies?"
As I was looking for a good answer Andrew was already making a mad
dash for the box. John was trying to get his hand into grab some
more cookies as Andrew was pulling out what he wanted and that
was half the box or more for the most part. I grabbed a cookie and
the packs hold two so I gave one to Rowan who the guys were totally
ignoring as they were too busy shoving their faces full. I knew by
now they had to be good for Andrew wasn't even talking, just eating and
that boy never shuts up. But I was still a little afraid to
try them. This was all the stuff I liked to eat best in the world and
I agreed with Andrew. I just do not know how you could make a cookie,
let alone a Cupcake without eggs. How could it be good? Rowan was
now lost in the same world as the boys happily munching away. I still
held the cookie in my hand. Well, I know it isn't terrible, just look
at the rest of my family. Did Andrew grunt? I could have sworn I heard
him grunt. They were really shoving it down and now the Jelly beans were
being opened. What are we, Willy Wonka here? They are getting a little
carried away.
"Mom, can we frost the cupcakes?"
I looked over and Andrew was rubbing the box like it was his new
best friend and John was shoving Jelly Beans in his mouth nodding.
"Fine." As Andrew started tearing into the packaging I took a nibble
of the cookie in my hand Rowan was straining to get.
Chew Chew Chew, Swallow.
Woah. "Let me grab the knife!"

Less then an hour later every single item in the box was gone and
we didn't even eat dinner. It was that good. Wait, it was sensational.
Not only do Divvies not taste like they are missing anything if you
were to compare them in a blind taste test with any other pre-packaged
item such as Entenmann's, Pepperidge Farm and others it would not even be
a contest. Divvies would blow them out of the water. I can't even compare
them to home maid for I have never have eaten a home maid item that was
this moist and Rich and scrumptious. TO be honest with you when I do
a review I seldom speak to the sponsor from the time we arrange delivery
to the time I post the link. I do not wish to be on friendly terms with
them no matter how much I might like them for I would not want it to
influence my review in anyway. I speak to them prior and 99.9 percent
of the sponsors I speak too are fantastic people and I would love to
keep talking to them for we all know how much I love to talk but I
need that distance for I do not want to confuse the fact that I like them
with the fact I like their product. I NEVER tell them how the review is
going until it is completed and the first time they read it is the
same time you do. I don't do affiliate programs for the same reason, my
reviews are an impartial opinion to help you decide what items to buy
without having to go through the same research process I go through. So
you get the best value for you dollar. If I were to join an affiliate
program I would profit every time you bought that item via my site and
that is throwing my impartial standing out the window so I just don't
do that either, other then Amazon for they sell everything and
not only do I shop there I offer the link for your convenience and
don't shove it down your throat. Any ways, the point is I have never
spoken to a sponsor from that conformation letter to I send them the
letter letting them know the review was posted. With Divvies and
that first night I had to rush to the computer and send them an email
for I was that flabbergasted at how spectacular they really were. Their
items are so rich and flavorful they reminded me of this Bakery right
in the heart of Greek Town where they sell fresh, handmaid confections
that are so fantastic people will drive hours to get them and
wait in an hour line at midnight on a Friday night to take
them home. Even before the Casino's hit Detroit this place was packed
from open to close and Divvies are as good as if not better then
them. Their Kettle Corn is the only thing I can give any sort of
comparison too for when Andrew was like 8 we took a road trip
through DC and then Atlantic City, New York and on the way home
through Pennsylvania we stopped at Hersey's theme park that had a
fresh Kettle Corn Kiosk complete with an old fashioned Copper Kettle
and I bought a bag on the way out for I had never had Kettle Corn
before. I was more then an hour away when I opened the bag to grab
some for Andrew had this huge sampler box of Hersey's Candy and it
was driving me nuts knowing he could eat a sweet treat and with my
perpetual diet I could not. I thought Popcorn would keep my mind
off of his darn chomping. I took one bite and turned the car
around and went back to buy more. Well people at Divvies and
readers of the Blog, turn the car around for I need more. Mouth
watering and delectable. They will leave you wondering what is
so special about eggs and milk to begin with! I wonder if I camp
out on their front lawn will they send me another box to get me
to leave. I can wear fuzzy Bunny Slippers, Hair Roller's, Long Johns
with the drop butt and bring my kids to chant, "More for Michelle,
More for Michelle," to I get one more box! Even more so, my son,
who never uses his own money for anything when he can just wait
for me to ask him to run to CVS and grab something an disappear the
change, asked me how much they cost and if he gives me the
money would I order something for him. He has never done that
in his entire life. He even manages to get the money for my own
Christmas present out of me. If  Mr. Money Hoarder is willing to
dig into his own pockets to buy Divvies you can not get a better
testimonial. That good!
Divvies knows you just can't always take one word for it, some
times it takes more. To honor that they are going to give one of
my readers a Smorg Gift Box filled with chocolate caramel popcorn;
caramel popcorn; Divvies Chocolate BingGo bar; peppermint &
chocolate BingGo bar; super stars gummy candies; blue rock candy;
and five two-packs of chocolate chip cookies. Let me know about
yours too for a lot of those we didn't get and I am dieing to try!
To enter just head over to the site and take a look around then
come back here and post something you have learned in a comment.
The contest will start tonight and run to midnight on March 27th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Divvies


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

5. Tweet about this and post the link here.
5 entries, please post 5 times!

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Costumes for Less and Happy Baby Food Contests.

Rowan has learned to eat! Well if that
is what you want to call it. I say it is
Rowan has learned to make a mess, John
says it is Rowan is oh, so cute and Andrew
says it is Oh, I am so glad I do not have to
clean that up! She is now demanding to eat
what we have though she is not ready for most
she has to try and see for herself. Right now
her all time favorite is bread sticks from the
Pizza place but they have to be dipped in
sauce like the big peoples. If you don't she
will scream at the top of her lungs to
you do. Little baby watches everything the
big people do and has got to do the same,
step by step! I will give John points for the cute
factor for the first time I gave her a bread stick
and put some sauce on it, I had only put a little
sauce on for her and gave it to her. John
and I sat there to catch her reaction and
it was obvious she loved it for she has it all
over her face and could not get enough. When
the sauce on it was all gone I tried to
grab it to dip it in some more for her and
that little baby fought me. Grunting and
pulling with both hands and the classic baby
"Ehhhhh, Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
I could not believe how determined she was to
hold onto it. John tried and she didn't even bother
fighting she just burst into tears.
She got the bread stick back!
She loves other foods too but she is also
so darn stubborn and her thing now is to
grab the spoon.It seems now she thinks she is
a big girl and gone are those days of Mommy
and Daddy doling out the bites, now it is all
her. Soft foods are just too much of a mess to
even humor her. We tried once and I spent the
rest of the afternoon scrubbing peaches
off of every surface in the kitchen, the
rugs, the dog and her and I. Now for soft
foods I give her a spoon but distract her with
some cereal's as I scoop in the main course. Solids
she could grab with her fingers but she is determined
to be a lady and use her silverware. This also leads
to chaos! She can't get whatever she is eating on
the spoon and I will be drained if she thinks I
am going to give her a fork at her age for yeah,
Mom, you are right, she will loose and eye. What ends
up happening it she tries and tries and bless her little
heart she tries but it still rolls off if it even
bothers to get on in the first place. Then the water
works and the temper tantrum begin. I have been pretty
much at my wits end before I got the chance to
review Tiny Tongs.
These are great! Tiny Tongs are pretty much just
what you would expect them to be, tiny and tongs.
Perfect for fat little fingers to grip and they
give her some measure of control with items that
she just couldn't get a grip on before. They are
durable, non-slip, non toxic and Dishwasher safe
and gives your toddler the illusion she or he is
all growd up and can run with the big dogs at the
dinner table. The ergonomic shape, grip and tension
are made especially for fumbley fingers that are
just learning their small motor control and secretly
I think they are great for practicing and allow your
child to fine tune theirs while eating some yummy snacks!
Kids grow up so fast now a days, cliche but true and
sad to say the world around them is slow to catch
up with their advancing needs. I think I was ahead
of the grade if I knew my colors and could count to
ten by the time I hit kindergarten. Now kids are already
ready and doing simple math. How can we expect to
educate our kids so fast in academics and not expect
them to want to be learning home skills at the same
rapid pace? We can't. Once you open those little pliable
minds they absorb everything and its even worse if
they have an older brother or sister. With the age
gap between Rowan and Andrew I am just thankful Rowan
isn't asking for the keys to the car and happy so
far it has just stopped at wanting to feed herself.
Tiny Tongs is a transition from Fingers to Fork and
though the Transition may be fast and the tongs maybe
gone in a month it is an important one to make for
it allows her to develop table skills and feel
confident as she does. She gets to feel "all big!"
Plus it is a hoot watching her make sure she grabs
little Gold Fishes with her Tongs and not let a single
one slip by without hitting the Tong first. Her
determination is amazing and I can breath easy
for there isn't a doubt in my mind that if she did
not have the tongs she would grab whomever leaves
their plate unattended for just one second too
long fork or worse! Tiny Tongs are a cute and useful
addition to any home and got a two tongs up from
Rowan who will want her own seat at the table and to
leave the high chair behind any day now!

Tiny Tongs

Perfect for Tiny Hands!
If you would like to purchase
Tiny Tongs and save some loot
just use the Code bmkb2010
and you will get a 20% discount
at checkout!

YUM food! Michelle Loves to eat and it shows on my
hips. I have been trying to lose the last 20 pounds of
Baby weight I put on with Rowan for 6 months now and
I am just not making any headway at all. I started out
with a Bang and lost 70 in less then a month then I
stalled out and can't lose another ounce. It is because
I love to eat and do it often, um, all day, and every
day. Just a munch munch munch away. One person
in this house who's food is pretty safe from my constant
snacking is Rowan. Have you seen baby food? YUCK!
I can't believe most kids will even allow you to put it
in their mouths. Now I will admit that a few things,
the desserts mostly, smell pretty good and I have tasted
a finger or two but the main courses, yikes, too nasty to
even think about. The combinations alone are enough
to make it hard for me to even feed her without a Chuck
the Yuck bag nearby. Now I am not a fanatic that has
to eat off a plate where no food touches the other and
don't have issues like that but it is just some of the choices
I see them toss into a jar of baby food. How are our kids
going to learn to eat healthy and well when we don't offer
them the foods we are going to eat in real life? I don't
understand how I am supposed to offer Rowan healthy foods
when she is a little older when I am shoving junk in her
little body now. Let's be real here, most food is an acquired
taste and if we acquire the taste for garbage first that is
what we are going to want to eat later. Andrew was
born before the Organic craze and there were not many options
out there but I still made sure to have plenty of fresh foods
and lots of options available to him at home. By 3 years
of age he was eating Calamari and every kind of vegetable
out there and would pick Grapes over Chips every time you
gave him the choice. Now he is 16 and yes, the last 5 years
since he started Jr High he has slipped into junk food but he
still often asks for food other kids would push off their
plates and whatever foods out there you are thinking no
way a child would eat, he has and loves it! With Rowan
I have noticed a lot of healthy items available right at
a retail store but have not noticed many that look
like something I would want to even eat let alone feed
to her.
Food, YUM
Baby Food, YUCK!

Then I got the chance to do a review for Happy Baby. Here
is an Organic Food I can get behind and when I say Organic
I mean FRESH Organic and not just a brand that slaps the
label on the Bottle and puts them on a shelf. Their baby
food is just like something you would make in your own
kitchen and instead of adding a ton of preservative to keep
it on the retail shelves longer they freeze it so when you heat
and eat you know your Baby is getting a food that comes
right from a kitchen to you. You do not get fresher then
that! Even their Baby Cereal is fresh and tasty for they
take natural grains and no genetically engineered ingredients
and the only thing they do add is DHA that is spectacular for
eye and brain development and recommended by doctors
everywhere. Even their snacks are ones you can feed your
little bundle without stressing that you are doing the right
thing. These are PERFECT for me because Rowan is at that
age and so determined to feed herself she fights me every
step of the way. I end up giving in an letting her have a
cracker or something only to watch her shove it in and
almost choke for she just isn't old enough. The Organic
Puffs from Happy Baby melt in her mouth so she doesn't
end up with too much food in her little mouth and I can
let her eat without trying to pry everything she stuffs
in right back out and breath a sigh of relief. They are made
with Whole Grains and come in 3 flavors to add a little
variety to a Baby's limited diet selections and again, the only
thing they add is extra vitamins and minerals. Even the
packaging is green! The part I like best is they not only
have Apple and Banana Puffs we know our kids will
like they also have Green Puffs that will sneak in some veggies
and she just thinks she is enjoying a treat!

Now when looking for a sweet treat I have now fell in love
with the Happy Melts. These are the only Freeze Dried Yogurt
snacks out there and offer all the yummy goodness of yogurt
in a finger sized snack they can pop in their mouth and go.
They are low in everything but flavor and also add what should
be Happy Baby's trademark of added probiotics to make
sure she not only enjoys what she eats she gets super
healthy perks too! Organics really did just get better. Now for
meal time Happy Baby has Happy Bites and instead of the
Yuck I have been, or now HAD been feeding her these are
complete yummy balanced meals in handheld sizes and have
some really great flavors and some hidden veggies so Mom
can smile when she enjoys it and know it is super good for
her! Now we all know kids love Mac and Cheese and Chicken
Bites but these also come in Salmon and Vegi Tots because
like I told you before what you feed your kids when they are
little will reflect in their eating habits later. Happy Tot also
has Salba, natures super grain and comes in handy pouches
that not only make eating on the run easy as pie, storage
at home just got a lot more simple too. Plus remember
the nasty combos I told you about, well you are not going to
find that here. With meals such as Green Beans, Pears and
Peas and Banana, Peach, Prunes and Coconut, no more
Chuck the Yuck bags at my elbow. I have a hard time not
grabbing a spoon and digging in myself!

Happy Baby also has a book to help Mom and Dad
with feeding Jr and making the right choices. It is all
inclusive and tells you tips and offers advice on when
to feed baby this and what time is best to introduce that
and perfect for not only first time Moms and Dads but
people unfamiliar with Organic foods. They also don't
stop at food and let you know all about wipes and diapers
and everything else that you would need to know. The book
is in such an easy to follow format even with my crazy
lifestyle and busy pace I can just flip it open, go right to
where I want to go and be on my way in a heartbeat. Um,
did I mention the book also have well over 100 bucks in
coupons right in the back. Now there is a way to not
only get started on the path to a great wholesome
Organic life but save some cash too! This is a must have
for parents and perfect for cluing you in on what is
the perfect time to feed baby foods you had questions
about! Happy Baby in general offers everything Moms
and Dads need for their little one and all of their products
are not only super fresh and yummy but packed with
Vitamins and Nutrients you just can't find elsewhere. I
am super pleased that I got a chance to do a review for
these guys for I had not heard of them before this and
might have missed a super chance to feed Rowan right
and now I get to chuck those Yuckiest foods I have
been feeding her right into the trash where they belong!
Happy Baby made one happy Mommy out of me!

Happy Baby wants to make a happy Mommy and
Daddy out of you guys too and have offered to give one
of my readers the same goodies I got to review. One
winner will get the book and all the spectacular coupons
plus free product coupons for their product line. You
guys will get to try a little of everything for once you do
I promise you that you will say Gerber who? next time
someone asks! To enter just head over to their web site
and take a look around. Check out the products and then
come back here and post what you have learned in a comment.
The contest will start tonight and run to midnight on
March 21st!
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Happy Baby


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
Snow Stoppers and Lyons Creations contests!

Now you guys know I love to cook and I love
to have the kids help me. Andrew could cook
an entire Holiday meal and has and I plan to
raise Rowan with the same skills. When something
tastes good we have got to rush right home and
figure out how to make it and I have just about
every piece of kitchen equipment there is on the
market, some times several variety's of the same
product because each kind is tweaked to do just
something a little bit different. I also have shelf
upon shelf of cookbooks and always am on the
lookout for more to add to my collection. From
Desserts to appetizers, candy, cakes and sauces
all the way to ethnic food and vegan I have a book
for each or ten! When Andrew was little I started
collecting cook books for children and now it is
huge and I have over 30 titles and they are really
going to come in handy for Rowan. I am not against
adding more though and this next review gave me
a chance to do just that.
Handstand Kids is a store that caters to the
culinary skills of children. They have a host of
characters that guide you and your child through
their cooking adventures and make learning about
the kitchen and food exciting and fun. They all have
unique personalities that reflect the different culinary
styles and flavors and will give your child a zest for
cooking they will never loose! From Ari to Izzy they
have kids to pave the road for you and your family and
not only do they offer cook books they also offer
accessory's too! The book I received was so easy to
follow even a well, child, could follow it and was fun
to boot! I received the Chinese Cookbook and it
was darling. The book came in a Chinese Carry Out
container and was complete with chopsticks. The top
of the page indicated the difficulty level with 1 to 4
chopsticks ( so darling) and it also has handy guides
on ingredients and tells you fun and informative facts
and offers the Ingredients listed in English and in
Chinese. They let you meet the kids and the kids guide
you on you journey and give tips on pricing and what
items are their favorites and many many other things
too! But hey guys, we are here too cook so I picked
something simple to test out the recipes that you
guys could make with your own kids as well! The recipe
I am listing is a one chopstick skill level and something
we all love! The book offers more detail such as Tools and
alternatives but with this you will get the gist!
The Emperor's Favorite Treat
Chocolate Noodle Clusters

Ingredients
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups of Chinese Chow mien noodles
1 1/4 cup of salted peanuts

Line a baking sheet with wax paper or aluminum foil.
Melt the chocolate chips and butter together in the
Microwave stirring every 30 seconds. Heat until the
chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
In a large bowl toss the noodles and peanuts together
and pour the chocolate mixture over the top and stir
gently.
Use 2 soup spoons to scoop up spoonfulls and place
them on your paper or foil. Set in the refrigerator for
15 minutes to set.
Store in an airtight container.
After that eat and YUM! I love these little guys and
look forward to Holiday parties where someone
always makes them now you can be that someone
with the help of your kids. Handstand kids
other such books as the one I received including
Italian and Mexican and more are sure to come for
they are just a perfect way to enjoy the kitchen with
your children. I am going back for the others for though
I have tons of books in my collection I don't have anything
quiet like these!

Handstand kids is going to share their wonderful little
books with one of my readers and they are going to
gift the same book I received to one lucky winner!
To enter just head over to the site and take a look
around then come back here and post what you saw
in a comment. The contest will start tonight and run
to midnight on march 24th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Handstand kids


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Lyons Creations and Snowstoppers Contests!

Let me tell you guys, I am not at all worried about
Rowans appetite! You place anything in her hand and it
is straight to the mouth. Because of the rushed birth and
the fact she had some breathing issues right off the bat
and lost a lot of weight right away they were very concerned
about her and her ability to thrive. She dropped from 6 pounds
to 5 in days and spent a whole week in NICU before I begged
to have her home. We had more then the normal doctors visits
at the start to watch her weight but now, 6 months later she
is a very very very, might I add a dozen more very's to that list
healthy little baby. She is 18 pounds and full of energy and
zest and eats like a tanker! She can eat a full thing of
Baby food then a bottle for dessert and want a cracker to
top it off! But it wasn't always this way.

When I first tried to feed her solids for it was either
that or hook an IV of Formula up because she was going through a full
can of the special formula the doctor ordered every day at
16 bucks a pop. I tried the regular cereal at every store first
and it was an Ut ah, no thanks Mom, cry cry, you eat it. I ended
up finding some organic products and for some reason she liked
them so much better. I decided to try more Organic baby foods
and look for brands that offered more then just Pureed items
as well for she is quickly deciding she wants something to
gum and chew on rather then soft and liquid items. There are
so many brands on the market now I thought I would never be
able to negotiate the maze of items out there and was a bit
overwhelmed. After reading a few reviews I crossed a couple
of names off of the list ( see, I read reviews too!) and ended
up with about 12 names left. Some are brands we have known
forever, others are new. The only way to proceed from that point
was to let her try them.Talk about a messy endeavor!

One of the first brands that stood out for me was
Tasty Baby! They have a great selection of products and I
really loved the fact the come in packs of 6 for their stage one
foods on up. You have no idea what a pain it is to have 7,412
bottle jangling around in your cart. You can also order them
from Amazon and have them shipped right to your front
door.That is convenience! They have cereal, Baby Foods and
even fruit snacks that are all organic and just plain Delicious!
The stage one items consist of only one ingredient so you
are safe on allergy concerns and are made with the finest
produce and you will find even your toddler or school aged
child wanting their apple sauce in their lunch box. I liked it
too! The stage two products allow them to expand their
pallet and still have that creamy constancy and this is
when your kids start to find out their own taste preferences.
Rowan has already started with some of these and that is
why she is eating a whole one at a time, she just loved them!
Last of all is the stage three and this is where the texture starts
to come in. Rowan is a tad too young for chunky style but
she thinks she is ready and I am doing everything I can to
hold back. I have a feeling she will win and after her doctors
appointment tomorrow I will know more. They also have
cereals and Rowan is eating them every morning for
breakfast and this is one of the few brands she will eat as
is and I do not have to mix with a fruit. Just perfect! I still
give her some applesauce for Breakfast dessert though for
she is so cute I can't help it! They also have Gummy Fruit
snacks that are good for you and not all sugar and though
she is way to young for them I know this will be a biggie in
our house for that Baby is a fruit eating machine! These little
ditty's have NO high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors or
flavors and that makes them too cool and I am already thinking
of grabbing some and stocking up for when she is ready!
Tasty Baby has been featured on many TV shows and
publications and is widely acclaimed as "The Baby" food for
your child and after testing it I can see why! They are totally
Earth Friendly and the list of celebs that love them is as
long as the trail of drool Rowan often has running off her
chin! Truly delicious and nutritious they combine the best
this planet has to offer and package it up for the best thing
you have at home, Baby!

Tasty Baby is giving one of my readers 3 product
coupons to try Tasty Baby for themselves! To enter just head
over to the site and take a look around then come back here
and post what you have learned in a comment. The contest will
start tonight and run to midnight on March 3rd.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Tasty Baby


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Natural and Easy Lunch Box Systems Contests!