Review: Curious Chef

I think it has been pretty well documented that I have a little chef on my hands. Our big hold up though was that we could not find a knife for him to use. Enter, Curious Chef! Everything at Curious Chef is made for kids 4 and older. They have pretty much everything you could ever want for your little chef. 

We were able to review the medium nylon plastic knife and the 4 piece Halloween cookie cutters. I have completely failed with taking photos of Aaron and his knife. I only scored this blurry photo for the time being. 

Chopping some apples for cinnamon apple french toast

However, I did snag some of Miss Jill and I while we made cookies for Halloween. The girl loves her sugar cookies (with lots of icing and sprinkles, naturally). I also used the cookie cutters for sandwiches leading up to Halloween. 

Her favorite of the four cookie cutters

The products are really durable and super safe for the kids. I will admit, I was still leery with the knife, because, well...it's a knife. But, I think it is a great and safe way for Aaron to learn some basic knife skills. Plus, he can help me more in the kitchen! He has already chopped some zucchini, peppers, mushrooms and carrots for me. He's becoming quick the prep chef :) 

Our finished product.

As I mentioned, there are a ton of items on the Curious Chef website that can fit a wide variety of needs and are super affordable! Their 30 piece caddy collection that has virtually everything your little chef will need to begin cooking is only $79.99. Believe me, I'm eyeing that up because it has everything I will need for him to help me make Thanksgiving dinner for 12. 

If your kiddos are curious in the kitchen, check out the Curious Chef website. 

Disclaimer: I received these products as a review. The opinions are my own and were in no way influenced by Curious Chef. 

Staples Back to School Review

School starts for us next month and I am up to my eyeballs in back to school lists, times two. Staples is basically the best one stop shop for all of your back to school needs.

I cannot even tell you how many hours I spent on the Staples website looking over everything we would need for back to school. I finally decided on the Toshiba L875D-S7332 17.3 inch laptop to review. Scott and I have a Mac, which is great, but when the kids are in school they will be operating on Windows based PC's. I thought it was about time get a Windows based PC for the kids to be able to use while they are in school. Seriously, who ever thought you would need a laptop for a kindergartner?

Before the Mac, Scott had a Toshiba laptop and he loved it, so I knew before we even received it that we were getting a quality product. The screen on this laptop is huge and the keyboard has the separate number keypad, which I love. The Toshiba is also energy efficient (LOVE!), has an HD display and a dual core processor (not that I know what that means, but I'm guessing it's a good thing). 

What else do I like about this computer? For one thing, it automatically syncs to my Hotmail account. How great is that?! Plus, the home screen has a bunch of different apps, very much like a smartphone. Yup, that's Netflix on there and the latest headlines. Amazing, right?

Now I said this computer is for the kids, but maybe, just maybe it is also for me to play Candy Crush. Seriously, who doesn't want to play Candy Crush in HD?

The computer is fantastic and lightweight. For as big as the screen is, I expected more weight to it, but was pleasantly surprised.. I think the larger screen and bigger keys will be beneficial for the kids who are still learning about computers.

 

All in all I'm really pleased with this laptop. Knowing how long our last Toshiba lasted, I know we will have this one for a while and it will be able to hold up against the kids.

The entire Staples process was actually pretty fantastic. This is the first time I have ever had something shipped from Staples, normally I shop in store, but I have to say, it was so easy.  When you order something like a laptop, if you're anything like me, you get nervous about delivery. Staples made it seamless and easy to track. Plus, the box had some extra padding in it to make sure the laptop wasn't knocked around in transit. Little details like that make a big difference!

Thank you, Staples, for letting me check out this Toshiba laptop!

Disclosure: I received a Toshiba L875D-S7332 to review from Staples. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and were in no way influenced.

Vitafusion Multivites and L'il Critters Gummy Vites - Review

I have been trying to live a healthier lifestyle lately (please ignore all posts about my love of cupcakes from food trucks as you are reading this) and taking vitamins is essential.  However, I hate taking large pills, they seriously make me nauseous.

Vitafusion Multivites are the perfect alternative to hard-to-swallow pills because they are gummies. Yes, gummies, like when you were 4. Two of the Vitafusion Multivites contain 200% of the daily value of vitamin D3 (this is as much as 3 oz of salmon), as much vitamin A as one cup of broccoli, as much vitamin C as one tangerine and many, many more good things.  The flavors (berry, peach and orange) are all really yummy too, which is always a plus.

Vitafusion also has a Multivites Sour version of their gummy vitamins. Now, I'm not a huge fan of sour gummy candy, so this was not my cup of tea, however if you love sour candy, I think you will like it. The flavors for this version are citrus and berry.

Both Multivites sell for around $11.50 for 150 vitamins and can be found at drug, grocery and mass merchandise stores.

Vitafusion also has versions specific for men, women and 50+.  There are also supplements for vitamin D3, C, B complex, B12, CoQ10, calcium, vision, omega 3 and prenatal. Awesome, right?

I was also able to try the L'il Critters Gummy Vites for the kiddos.  When they were younger they took
the vitadrops and I was able to mix it in with their drinks. Now that they are (gasp) almost 5, we needed a big kid vitamin. The L'il Critters are the perfect transition between toddler vitamins and big kid vitamins.  They also have a sour variety. What's even better? The colors are from plants and vegetables, so no need to worry about artificial dyes and colorings.

We are still trying to get used to taking a big kid vitamin. Aaron is definitely showing more resistance than Jill, but we are working on it.

I'm really glad I stumbled upon this brand and had a chance to try them. I can honestly say I have not missed a vitamin since I've had them and love it. And, let's be honest, it's always funny to take gummy vitamins.

Disclosure: I received samples of Vitafusion Multivites, Vitafusion Multivites Sour and L'il Critters Gummy Vites for review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator

I'm an honorary member of Febreze's Common Scents Institute and was able to sample Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator. Since it's summer, smells are here in abundance. A few hours outdoors can turn our clothes in soggy smelly messes, and sometimes it takes a couple of washes to get the smell out.

Febreze's Laundry Odor Eliminator is used in conjunction with your favorite laundry detergent. While your detergent is hard at work cleaning the stains out of your clothing, Febreze deodorizes it so it comes out smelling fresh and clean.

I loved using Febreze's Laundry Odor Eliminator, it really seemed to make a difference in our smelly clothes, you know like the ones that Scott wears when he cuts the grass. However, my only issue is that it is not available everywhere. While I'm all for fresh smelling clothes, driving 15-20 miles to get said product doesn't really motivate me. Perhaps more locations closer to us will start carrying it.

Have you tried Febreze's Laundry Odor Eliminator? Interested in trying it? Check out Febreze's website and do a quick search to find out where you can purchase the product in your area.

Disclaimer: I was provided a coupon to purchase Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator, as well a welcome package. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way. 

SugieWogie Review

I've talked about bathing suit woes before. Seriously, next to a root canal I think bathing suit shopping is my least favorite activity. I usually buy 2 piece suits (takini's) because most one piece suits are not made for amazon's like myself, so naturally I was a little skeptical about the SugieWogie.

What's a SugieWogie you ask? SugieWogie, created by Shari Riehl, is the first ever line of luxury SwimDresses for women of all sizes that control imperfections and trouble spots. Cut from lusciously soft nylon/spandex, the collection of SwimDresses have one-piece body shaping bodysuits complete with legs (thigh-controlling shorts). While most swimsuits cut off at the widest part of a woman's body — her hips — these SwimDresses are a bit longer, to cover problem areas. No more super tight elastic band hugging your upper thigh and causing a muffin leg. The legs are double lined and lay flat for a sleek look.

The SugieWogie Signature Collection consists of 4 SwimDresses and 2 cover-up tops. SugieWogie Signature Collection comes in four designer styles: Cheers for Tiers, Splash Safari, Marilyn Sighting and Ruche Hour. Each SwimDress is crafted from a luxuriously soft nylon/spandex blend with a concealing, sheer mesh overlay. The signature cover-ups are mesh tops that compliment your bathing suits in styles named Ruffles Hide Ridges and Oh So Kimono. All are available in black (but of course), are patent-pending and made in the USA.

I received a SugieWogie in Marilyn Sighting. Of the four this was my favorite style, and seemed the most youthful. What surprised me the most about this SwimDress is the weight. It definitely feels heavier than a normal swimsuit, but once you have it on you forget about the weight. The suit also fit me perfectly, especially lengthwise which is normally a concern. We are going on a cruise this summer and this SwimDress while definitely get packed. It will be perfect for the day we spend on the private island since I won't have to bring along a cover up.

The price for a SugieWogie is definitely steep (well, at least for me). The Marilyn Sighting SwimDress retails for $272, however, the material and overall construction of the SwimDress makes it well worth the price. You are getting a high quality shapewear SwimDress that will last you a long time.

Be sure to check out the other 3 designs of SugieWogie SwimDresses and keep up with SugieWogie on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: I was compensated by company or PR representative with a SugieWogie SwimDress and write my honest review. The views are strictly 100% my own. Receiving the product(s) did not influence me to produce a positive review.

Harmony Valley Foods Review

As many of you know I don't eat beef. It's not really a "don't kill cows" thing, I just hate the way I feel after I eat it. I usually sub ground chicken or ground turkey for ground beef in my recipes, but it gets old after awhile. I've also been looking for vegetarian options because I want to start cutting out the amount of meat we eat in general. Even if it's just starting with something as simple as a Meatless Monday.

I was able to try Harmony Valley Foods Hamburger Mix. Harmony Valley Foods is a privately owned and operated business in Fort Collins, Colorado since 1984. It creates shelf-stable protein mixes from vegetables to encourage health. The company is dedicated to fully sustainable business practices and is powered by the winds of Northern Colorado. Its products are certified vegan and kosher. Harmony Valley Mixes are available in natural food grocers. Harmony Valley is found in the dry foods aisle- near pastas and whole grains.

With 14 grams of protein and four grams of fiber, Harmony Valley’s soy-based vegetarian mix is the NEW item to have in the pantry to replace ground meat on Mondays. It’s versatile, quick and convenient, and only needs one thing to prepare for cooking – water. Harmony Valley is available in two great flavors: Hamburger and Sausage Mix.

Harmony Valley strives to educate consumers that replacing meat just once a week can improve health and reduce carbon footprints. On the average, Americans consume eight ounces of meat per day – 45% more than the USDA recommends. Going meatless once a week can reduce the risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce carbon footprints, saving resources like water and fossil fuel. With a designated Meatless Monday, people have a scheduled and recurring reminder to start the week off on a nutritious note.

So what did I make with my Harmony Valley Hamburger Mix? I made nachos for the whole family. Prepping the hamburger mix was so simple, you just add water and put it in the fridge for 15 minutes. That's it. After that you just need to heat it through. So simple, right?

Add the hamburger mix with some vegetarian refried beans, low-fat shredded cheese, low-fat sour cream, salsa and corn chips and you have nachos for your whole family. All of us loved it and I cannot wait to sub this into more of my recipes!

Disclosure: I was provided a sample of Harmony Valley Hamburger Mix for review. The opinions expressed are my own and were in no way influenced.

Bounce Dryer Bar Review

I was lucky enough to sample the new Bounce Dryer Bar. I'm not a fan of dryer sheets, but I love the smell of fabric softener (don't act like you don't like the smell). The Bounce Dryer Bar is so easy to install and puts out an amazing scent. Plus, it lasts anywhere from 2-6 months. Isn't that great?

Here's how you install your Bounce Dryer Bar:

Installing the Bounce Dryer Bar is simple and can be completed in just a few easy steps. Just be sure to wipe down the dryer drum before you install the bar.

Step 1:

Select a location on the drum BETWEEN the dryer fins. DO NOT pick the back wall, the door nor the fins (the pieces that stick up from the dryer drum).

Step 2:

Wipe the area clean and dry and be sure it is free of any residue.

Step 3:

Peel back the paper backing from the adhesive on the back of the white holder of the dryer bar.

Step 4:

Stick the bar to your dryer and press firmly for 15 seconds. Be sure it's exactly where you want it before you attach it - changing locations will result in the holder falling off of your dryer. You can not reuse the adhesive.

Step 5:

Wait 15 minutes before using.

Easy, right? But what about when it needs to be replaced? The bar will reveal the word "Replace" when it's time to switch out your bar. How great is that?!

Thanks to the people from BlogHer and Bounce for supplying me with a bar to sample!

Topricin Review

It's no secret I'm training for my second half marathon and with that comes a few aches and pains. I'm not a fan of taking pain pills and would rather try an all natural approach. Topricin is an all natural pain relief cream with formulations that the whole family can use. The three formulations are the original Topricin, Topricin Foot Therapy Cream and Topricin Junior.

Doctor-recommended Topricin® is called "a miracle treatment" by doctors and patients alike. It works because it doesn't just mask the pain. Topricin® uses no volatile oils such as camphor, menthol, or irritating chemicals and can be used as many times a day as needed with no fear of overuse or interference with other medications.

Effective For:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Bruises
• Bursitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Minor burns
• Sciatica
• Scrapes
• Sprains
• Strains
• Tendinitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Podiatrist-recommended Topricin® Foot Therapy Cream is specially formulated to relieve foot and ankle pain. It offers soothing treatment for swelling and soreness and effectively treats dry, cracked skin. Whatever the reason causing you to have aching feet, this fast absorbing, paraben-free formula will get you back on your feet in no time.


Effective For:

• Achilles Tendinitis
• Bruising
• Gouty Arthritis
• Heel Pain
• Impact Injuries
• Leg Cramps
• Nerve Pain
• Neuromas
• Overuse
• Planar Fasciitis
• Sports Injuries
• Sprains
• Strains

Pediatrician-recommended Topricin® Junior Children's Pain Relief and Healing Cream is specially formulated for a child's delicate skin. Whatever the mishap, bump, bruise, or boo boo, this paraben- and petroleum-free, patent pending formula treats pain associated with a wide range of children's injuries safely and quickly, delivering fast relief.

Effective For:

• Bruising
• Bug/Insect Bites
• Eczema
• Growing pains
• Joint pain
• Minor burns
• Muscle sprains
• Scrapes
• Scratches
• Strains

I have to say that my favorite thing about this product, aside from the fact that it works, is that it doesn't have a medicine smell to it. Other creams I have used have an awful smell that everyone can smell from a mile away. Nobody will know you even have this cream on, and like I said, it really works.

Topricin also makes a "The Boo Boos Happen First Aid Kit" ($19.99), which is a must-have for every family and includes: a 1.5 tube of Topricin Junior and 20 standard size ‘Ouchies’ self adhesive bandages in five colors (pastel purple, blue, yellow, green, pink) that kids can decorate themselves with three markers (dark blue, red and purple) that are included. The Boo Boo Happens First Aid Kit retails for $19.99 and can be purchased at Topricin’s online store at http://www.topricin.com/product/boobooshappen/. Enter in promo code BOO25 to receive 25% off your order.

Topricin is available in pharmacies, natural food stores, and other fine retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, Vitamin World, Fred Meyer, Wegmans, and other retail stores throughout the U.S., as well as direct from the Topical BioMedics’ online store.

If you have any muscle aches and pains definitely check out Topricin, it's a fantastic product!

Thank you Topricin for supplying me with products for this review!

The Ultimate Cake Mix Cookie Book Pt. 1

I've been able to review this amazing cookie cookbook called The Ultimate Cake Mix Cookie Book by Camilla Saulsbury. The book features 375 recipes that all start with a box of cake mix. If Camilla's name sounds familiar to you, you may know her from Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown Best Cookie Recipe (she was the winner). Her recipes in this book are so easy to follow and the ingredients are all things that you probably have in your house, or you at least know where they are in the grocery store.

The book is broken down into three different types of cookies, drop cookies, bar cookies and specialty cookies. I've decided to break my review into three sections as well. This one is for her drop cookies. There are a ton of recipes in this section and it was honestly hard to narrow down my selection. I decided to make the chocolate-covered strawberry cookies. These cookies will be perfect for our Valentine's Day bake sale at church!

You need:
1 (18.25 oz) package strawberry cake mix
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/3 cup butter softened
2 large eggs

Icing:
1 1/4 cups semisweet or white chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place cake mix, sour cream, butter and eggs in a large bowl.
Blend with electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute until blended.
Drop by the tablespoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 9-12 minutes until the edges are firm and golden.
Cool for one minute, remove from cookie sheet and then cool completely.
Microwave the chocolate chips and shortening in a medium microwaveable bowl on high for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds until smooth.
Using a fork, drizzle tops of cooled cookies with the melted cookies.
Chill cookies for 10 minutes to set the chocolate.

It's really important to chill them so the chocolate sets, otherwise you will have a mess when you go to eat them. All of us loved these cookies, even Scott who is not a huge strawberry fan.

Be sure to check back for my next post on cookie bars!

Smilegram Paper

I had a chance to review some really adorable and fun stationary for kids by Smilegram Paper. What I love about this stationary is that it is lined, which really you do not see a lot of for kids. This stationary is perfect for kids who are just learning to write and want to send a note. Plus, the colors and options are so fantastic.

I chose the Fun Jumpin Froggies Stationary because it is perfect for either a boy or a girl. The stationary can be personalized and there are 12 sheets/envelopes in a set.

You can also purchase a writing tablet in the same pattern, which I think it great for practicing writing with your kiddos. The cost of the stationary is $9.99 and the writing tablet is $8.99, which are fairly good prices.


There are so many design options to chose from. Other designs I liked were the Color Me Happy and Movin and Groovin. Like I mentioned before the price is really reasonable and the sets are perfect for kids who are just learning to write.



Now for the awesome part of this review, Twice the Love...Half the Sleep readers will be able to get 20% off their entire purchase until 10-31-11 at Smilegram Paper! Simply use the code SMILE20 at checkout.

Be sure to check out all of the amazing designs at Smilegram Paper's website and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

*I received sample paper in order to write this review. The review is my own opinion and was not influenced in any way.*

The Complete Idiot's Guides For Dummies Challenge

I had the opportunity over the last few weeks to compare The Complete Idiot's Guide to Total Nutrition against Nutrition for Dummies. Both books are really great resources and I think everyone should read them to have a better understanding of the foods they eat and why you eat them.

So why did I choose the nutrition books over the dozens of other books they have? Simple, I want us to eat better and more balanced. High cholesterol and high blood pressure run in my family and diabetes runs in Scott's family, so I want to be able to keep all of this in check with the least amount of medication possible.

First I'm going to talk about Nutrition for Dummies. The book is broken down into 6 parts: The Basic Facts About Nutrition, What You Get From Food, Healthy Eating, Food Processing, Food and Medicine, and The Part of Tens.

Here's what I liked about Nutrition for Dummies:

• There is a cheat sheet in the front of the book that includes easy ways to cut calories and online websites.
• There are chart that shows what vitamins and minerals you are getting from which foods and how much food you should be eating to get the recommended daily amount.
• There is a chart that tells you how long foods can be stored and whether or not they can be frozen.
• There is a chart that tells you how certain medications affect the absorption of different vitamins.
• The entire Part of Tens section that covers the top 10 websites, the 10 super foods, and 10 ways to cut calories.

Here's what I didn't like:

• There is way too much scientific jargon. I feel like 90% of the material went right over my head. I did not do well in chemistry and the only reason I passed biology in college was because the TA was gorgeous.
  
• The material is pretty dry and I didn't feel like it was put in a context that made it enjoyable to read.
  
• I feel like it was all about teaching you the science and not about how to really implement it into your life.

Now onto The Complete Idiot's Guide to Nutrition. This book is also broken down into 6 parts: Nutrition Tune-Up, Making Saavy Food Choices, The ABC's of Exercise, Nutrition for Special Needs, Pregnancy and Parenting, and Weight Management 101.



Here's what I liked about the book:

• This book was not overly scientific, it was easy to read and easy to absorb the information.
  
• At the end of each chapter there is a review of the info that you should at least know from the chapter. Basically, it's the key points.
  
• All of the charts are easy to read and most break it down by male and female and then by age which makes it easy to understand what exactly you need.
• There are recipes!
  
• There are sample menus, especially for managing special needs, like diabetes.
  
• There is a section on herbal supplements and how they work with certain diseases.
• There is an entire section on diet and exercise for pregnancy.
  

What I didn't like:

• Yeah I got nothing...this was a pretty awesome book.

Hands down I preferred The Complete Idiot's Guide to Nutrition over Nutrition for Dummies. I feel like I learned more, there were more "special needs" in there, and the recipes were an added bonus. If you are looking to learn more about nutrition I really recommend picking up this book.

As a way of saying thank you, the people at The Complete Idiot's Guide are offering 50% off of one order of regularly priced books from www.idiotsguides.com. Simply enter the code CIGBlog11 to receive the discount. There are a ton of great books out there and I'd love to know which ones you are looking at getting!

*I received both books from The Complete Idiot's Guide in exchange for the side by side review. In no way did this influence my opinion and yes I really only passed biology because of my TA, and because my friend Kristin took awesome notes during the lectures.*

Imagination...By Disney

I had a chance to check out the newly-designed Disney Store at Florida Mall. This is one of many newly-designed stores to open in 2011, the interactive shopping destination offers magical experiences for Disney fans of all ages. Disney Store's new design aims to deliver "the best 30 minutes of a child's day" through immersive experiences, including a Disney Princess Castle with Magic Mirror, Translucent Magical Trees, Disney·Pixar CARS-branded Ridemakerz custom toy car building experience and the Disney Store Theatre, featuring the latest in Disney entertainment.

The newly-designed Disney Store location at Florida Mall has a unique skyline bordering the store, which features a number of iconic Disney moments and Orlando landmarks. Some featured landmarks include the Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando and nods to the Florida landscape, including the Everglades.

In addition to the unique skyline, the Disney Store Theatre at Florida Mall features fresh new content for guests to enjoy, including the interactive "Mickey Mouskercize" and "Dance Like a Robot" clips, new Disney Channel original music videos and a preview of the new Disney Muppets Movie trailer. Inside the Disney Store Theater there is also a coloring table, where on certain days there will be different activities for kids (and kids at heart) to participate in.

You can see the complete list of activities for the week on the digital screen outside the store.

The Orlando store joins the growing list of newly-designed stores already opened around the world, including a location in New York's Times Square. By the end of 2011, the specialty retailer will have 60 new concept stores in 16 major cities in North America and eight countries.

The store was truly an experience. From the moment you walk in you are literally surrounded with their signature "imagination" scent and you almost feel like a kid again. Before the doors were even open I was pointing things out to Scott, this store is definitely a cut above the rest. Also, in true Disney form, each morning is magical and there is an opening ceremony where one child "unlocks imagination" so the store can open. The girl that unlocked the store on opening day was with Give Kids the World. It was definitely hard for me to not tear up because this was such a huge thing for this girl and her family.

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To find a Disney Store location, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, become a fan on www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected to your favorite destination.

Van's Natural Foods Giveaway

The kids and I had the chance to try some of the latest products from Van's Natural Foods this past week and cannot wait to tell you about them!


One of the newest products are the Muffin Crowns, basically the part without the stump (go ahead, insert that episode of Seinfeld, I know I did!). There are two flavors, wild blueberry and triple chocolate. I, personally, love the wild blueberry and Scott is a fan of the triple chocolate. The Muffin Crowns are made with at least 7 grams of whole grains and pack 6 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein per serving, in only 120 calories or less. They’re individually packaged and can be eaten oven toasted or simply thawed, so they’re great as a quick, portable breakfast or snack. For Scott this is a perfect, quick breakfast that he can eat on his way into work.


Another new product is the waffle sticks, which come in two flavors, vanilla and chocolate. We tried the vanilla sticks and the kids loved them. Van’s new Waffle Sticks have only 70 calories per serving and they are sized perfectly to fit in kids' hands, so they're a great treat on-the-go. You can either microwave these, put them in a toaster oven or toast them in the oven. We did them in the microwave and I'm happy to say they were not soggy at all! The vanilla flavor is sweet, but not overpowering, which is perfect for the kids.

I haven't been able to find these at the Publix by my house yet, but thanks to the handy store locator feature on Van's website I was able to find them at my nearby Whole Foods Market. I'm a huge fan of the whole line of Van's products (the french toast sticks are without a doubt one of my favorites, followed closely by the apple cinnamon waffles and now the wild blueberry muffin crowns) and the fact that they are nutritious while still being delicious. A huge thank you to the wonderful people from Van's for allowing me to sample these new products!

One lucky reader will have a chance to try out these new products as well! Simply visit Van's Natural Foods website, check out their list of goods and tell me which product you'd like to try the most.

For additional entries:
Follow Twice the Love...Half the Sleep
Like Twice the Love...Half the Sleep on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Like Van's Natural Foods on Facebook
Tweet about this giveaway (be sure to include @amandanethero in your tweet)

The winner will be announced Friday August 12th! Good luck everyone!

Review: Buzzy

I've been able to check out this new product called Buzzy. Buzzy is used to help take the pain out of getting shots. Here's some more info on Buzzy from their website:

What is Buzzy®?

Buzzy® uses natural pain relief by confusing your body's own nerves and distracting attention away from the poke, thereby dulling or eliminating sharp pain. In the same way that rubbing a bumped elbow helps stop the hurt, or cool running water soothes a burn, Buzzy® bypasses sharp pain.

In an emergency department, nurses and doctors can get too busy to wait for numbing creams for needle procedures. For newly diagnosed diabetic children, the medical community has a history of expecting kids to just get used to needle pain. For shots, for bee stings, for boo-boos, for injected medicines . . . for all acute pain management, we developed Buzzy® to put instant pain management in YOUR hands.

A pilot study in adults for IV starts in the October 2009 Clinical Journal of Pain found that Buzzy significantly decreased pain. Even more interesting, the more needle anxiety subjects had, the better Buzzy worked, with a significant reduction for each centimeter of increased anxiety on a 10 centimeter scale, suggesting those who fear needles may have more sensitive nerves.

A randomized controlled trial in children needing IV starts in the emergency department was dorsum_of_handpresented at the 2010 International Society of Pediatric Pain meeting, showing significantly decreased pain by observational behavioral distress shown on videotapes, as well as child and parent report with improved IV success! Buzzy has been used for travel immunizations, fertility shots, and finger pricks, splinter removal, and flu injections with good results.

Buzzy is now being tested for immunization pain in children of all ages.



I was able to check out the Buzzy First Aid kit and it's pretty neat. I haven't been able to use it for shots yet since the kids didn't get shots at their 3 year appointment. Inside my kit there are 5 Bee-Stractors, 1 Blue Gel Wing Ice Pack, 5 Buzzy Boo-boo Bandages, 1 Really Big Boo-boo Bandage, 6 Buzzy Bravery Badges, 1 Distracting Kazoo, 2 Antiseptic Wipes and 7 BuzzDudes sticker sheets.

What I love about this is you can put the distraction cards on top of the bee so your child does not see where the needle is going.


My only concern with this product is how loud the actual Buzzy is. I think it is something you need to expose to your child before you use it for shots, that way they are used to the noise. I love the idea behind this though because the wings are an ice pack and help numb the area before the shot is administered. I know before our kids start school we're going to get flu shots for the kids and I plan on taking this with us.

Be sure to check out Buzzy's site to learn even more about this product and to order your own Buzzy. Thank you again to the amazing people at Buzzy for introducing me to this product!

Solise Review

I got to try out a new body wash called Solise, it has sunscreen built in, which is perfect for me since I have super fair skin. Here's the details from the Solise's site:

A world’s first in preventative anti-aging skincare, Solise is a rich and gentle liquid body wash containing soy oil. In that way it is different from a common soap, which can be harsh and drying. By simply using in the shower or bath, Solise provides protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays, one of the leading causes of skin cancer and aging. A premium body wash, Solise protects, hydrates, and clarifies your skin. Simply lather up with Solise, rinse, and then towel dry. Protection from daily sun damage has never been this easy. Your skin will be clean, refreshed, and protected every day all year round!



* Cleanses and protects your skin with a unique patent-pending formula containing SPF 15 sunscreen.
* Daily UVA/UVB protection.
* Feels and works like a premium body wash.
* Non-Greasy.
* Hypoallergenic.
* Skin Cancer Foundation recommended. Dermatologist tested.
* Non-Comedogenic, does not clog pores.
* Formulated with natural emollients and skin conditioners to leave your skin soft and hydrated.
* Paraben Free.
* Anti-Aging.
* Not tested on animals and contains no animal by-products.

How Solise Works

A unique emulsion-based technology allows Solise to bind sunscreen to your skin’s natural oils while a mild cleansing system washes away dirt and impurities. Natural emollients and skin conditioners leave your skin soft and hydrated without any greasy residue, unlike traditional sunscreens!

What surprised me the most about this body wash is that it did not smell like sunscreen. My skin was really soft afterward and there was no soapy feeling/film after (you know how some body washes leave a film?).

I think this is a great product, especially if you live somewhere with constant sunshine, you know, like Florida. It's a great way to start your day and help protect your skin from UVA/UVB rays.

Solise also has hand wash that includes the same benefits of the full body wash. Check out Solise's website for more information and prices.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes from Solise. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."