earth's best - Stuff Parents Need

How My Snack Stash Saved the Day

June 29, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 7 Comments

Last week I told you all about my toddler snacks that I took for our road trip up to Asheville. They were a great help in the car, to be sure. But they also totally saved the day in the most unlikely of all places:

AT A RESTAURANT.

That may surprise you to hear me say. But then again, if you have a toddler, then you understand that when they want to eat, they want to eat NOW. Tim and I took a while to figure out what we wanted to order, and then the food took a little while to come out. That span of 20 minutes was 8 eternities to little Layah, and she quickly started to lose her composure.

At first I thought one of us would just have to leave with herand we’d have to take turns eating our food. Then I remembered that I stuck an Earth’s Best Sunny Days Snack Bars in my purse.

I handed it over to Layah, and then turned around to grab my camera so I could snap a picture of our lunchtime hero. Here’s what was left of the bar once I turned back around:

This snack bar earns full credit for keeping Layah from losing her cool, and for keeping our family all at the same table, eating our food at the same time. It saved the day!

What snacks do you keep in your purse, either for your little ones or for yourself?

I am an Earth’s Best Preferred blogger, and as such, have received complimentary products to facilitate my review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend what I already buy and love.

Toddler Snacks for the Road: DON’T Leave Home Without Them!

June 23, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 5 Comments

Before we left for our recent weekend trip to Asheville (a 4 hour drive away from us, factoring in a few stops with kids), I made sure that we had a fully stocked snack bag. Specifically, I packed all of this:

And while we stopped 4 times on that 4 hour trip, we never did stop because of hunger. So I’m confident that my heft supply of Earth’s Best provisions kept us from stopping 6 or even 7 times each way. In that sense, they were a major sanity saver!

I carefully selected each item you see here for different reasons, but the common theme for all of them is that they are highly portable and relatively mess-free. Even Layah is getting tot he point where she can feed herself a yogurt smoothie, and she can definitely tear up a Sunny Days Snack Bar! It is so nice to finally reach that point where we don’t have to pull over in order to give her any food! And I absolutely love that you can purchase the Earth’s Best Yogurt Smoothies in the 6 pack. I have a hard time finding that option in my local stores, but it is available on Amazon in sets of two 6 packs at a time.

One tip I have for you if your kids love the smoothies: If you aren’t taking them on the road, try sticking them in the freezer for a few hours before you give them to the kids. They are DELICIOUS as a cool slushy treat this time of year!

Are you taking any road trips? What kind of snacks do you pack for your kiddos? I’d love to hear what makes your “must have” list!

I am an Earth’s Best preferred blogger, and I such, I have received complimentary products for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions listed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Does Your Baby Suck on Wipes? Yeah…Mine Too (Here’s How We Deal)

May 26, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 7 Comments

Any diaper changer can tell you with certainty that all baby wipes are NOT created equal. I’ve actually written on this topic extensively because I have such strong opinions about which wipes rock and which ones don’t. I’ve talked about the worst baby wipes on the planet. And I’ve talked about the best value in wipes (hint…purchasing in bulk helps). I’ve even talked about the best baby wipes for Darah.

So you’d think I would be all set with wipes for Layah, right? I mean, this girl has done her research! And then I realized that my precious second child was different from her big sister in one important way. She does this:

And she does it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. She is really good at getting wipes packages open and at pulling out 27 wipes at a time and then licking/chewing/sucking on every one of them in mere seconds. If I put them on the edge of the table, she can now reach up and knock them back down. She is highly skilled and determined.

And that, my friends, is why Layah uses Earth’s Best Chlorine Free Baby Wipes. Edit: they are no longer available on Amazon, so if you shop there, I suggest going with water wipes!

These wipes are scent-free, chlorine free, and the “lotion” contained in the wipes is a gentle blend of aloe vera and vitamin E. Perfect for wiping up messes OR for an afternoon snack! 🙂 All kidding aside, I swear that I work diligently to keep her from munching on her wipes all day, but it really makes a big difference to my peace of mind to know that when (not if) she gets to the wipes, they will be Earth’s Best.

What kind of wipes are you using on your little one? And does your child also love the delicious taste of baby wipes??? I’d love to hear!

I am an Earth’s Best Preferred Blogger, and as such, have received complimentary products for review purposes. All thoughts, opinions, and wipes-loving children shown here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Earth’s Best Chlorine Free Diapers: What We Use to Cure Diaper Rash

May 21, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

One of the many things I love about using cloth diapers is the fact that diaper rash is a SUPER rare occurance while using them. While many disposable diaper users apply diaper rash cream after almost every diaper change as a preventative measure, we break out our stuff MAYBE once a month. And even then we typically use it for one or two applications and then everything is cleared up.

But in those rare instances where we do need to use it, we have found that most rash creams are not cloth diaper friendly. And so, we turn to disposables to use while we treat the problem. It is rather ironic to use a chemical-laden disposable diaper while you are trying to treat sensitive skin that has become irritated, don’t you think?

Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine Free Diapers are my VERY VERY favorite disposables to use every time diaper rash strikes. They are made with non-chlorine bleached materials, and that is friendly to little tushies as well as to the environment. Additionally, they are made with naturally absorbant materials that are also quickly renewable, such as corn and wheat. These diapers have no latex, no dye and no perfume.

Are you worried yet that they sound like diapers that probably don’t work well? I totally hear you. But I have used SEVERAL packages of these diapers over the years, and there’s a reason I keep buying them: they get the job done!

If your little one tends to get a diaper rash fairly easily, either in disposables or in cloth, I strongly recommend Earth’s Best Chlorine Free Diapers as the best choice to wear while healing the rash. Note that if you go through subscribe and save on Amazon, your price per diaper goes down from 32 cents each to 26 cents each. Score!!!

I am an Earth’s Best Preferred Blogger, and as such, I have received complimentary products for review purposes. But rest assured, this isn’t my first time using these diapers! All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links.

3 Earths Best Products I Buy on Amazon Regularly

April 14, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

I’ve been blogging faithfully about Earth’s Best products on my site for about 10 months, now. But I’ve been a loyal customer to the brand since I became a mom, and since the day that I realized we needed to supplement breastfeeding with some formula. I always love to hear about what products other moms are loyal to and how they find the best deals for them, so I thought I’d share with you 3 products from Earth’s Best that I order through Amazon.

My Earth’s Best Amazon Shopping List

1. Earth’s Best Formula. I actually buy the Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron and the Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity Infant Formula. I usually dump one can of each into a very large mixing bowl and combine the two powders, then put them back into their canisters all mixed up together. That is just what Layah seems to like best. Be sure to pay careful attention to the prices Amazon lists for each canister of formula. Right now, for example, it is cheaper to purchase the formula with iron 1 canister at a time than as a 4 pack, but it is cheaper to purchase the sensitivity formula as a 4 pack than 1 canister at a time. It makes no sense to me, but it must to Amazon!

2. Certain jarred foods. Recently I ordered the Earth’s Best Organic 2nd Gourmet Meals, Variety Pack. They offer a variety pack of 12, which includes Chicken Mango Risotto, Creamy Chicken Apple Compote, Sweet Pea and Turkey Wild Rice, and Tender Beef Spinach. Layah definitely loves to eat meat, and this way I know she’s getting organic goodness. And the price is right, at $10.99 for a pack of 12, shipped to my door!

3. Certain pouch foods. I always check out Amazon for the very best price they offer on Earth’s Best pouches. Right now they have a 12 pack of Earth’s Best Pear, Apricot, Barley Pouches for$14.08 for a pack of 12, which makes each pouch just $1.17. That’s a good price for an organic squeeze pouch, in my book! We often like to make our own squeeze pouches, but I have these on hand for an extra special treat, too.

That’s what I’m buying on Amazon from Earth’s Best. What about you? Do you have any favorites from the brand? Or is there anything else for baby that you love to order on Amazon? Please share!

I am an Earth’s Best Preferred Blogger, and as such, receive complimentary products as a thank you for posting. I really do purchase these items on Amazon on my own, though! This post contains affiliate links.

Baby Food Giveaway That Shows Off Your Adorable Child! #BabyFoodie

March 24, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Just between you and me, I have the world’s most beautiful children.

I imagine that you are politely nodding your head, all the while thinking, “You just haven’t seen MY kids, lady! They are DEFINITELY the world’s most beautiful children!”

Well, there’s my truth, and then there’s your truth, and then there’s the objective truth, which is this: we all have beautiful children! They have sweet little faces and precious little spirits and they should be shown off!

Earth’s Best is ready to help you to just that through a great baby food giveaway! I know you are already taking pictures of your kids on your smart phones. Are you also using Instagram? Here’s how you can take what you are already doing and turn it into a prize!

1. Download the Instagram app for your iPhone or Android if you don’t already have it (it is free and easy)

2. Take a picture of your baby eating their yummy Earth’s Best Organic meals

3. Choose an Instagram filter

3. Enter the hash tag #BabyFoodie in the comments section.

Earth’s Best will comment from their Instagram profile to let you know if you’ve been selected as the #BabyFoodie of the month.

Aside from bragging rights, the winner will have their photo featured on the Earth’s Best Facebook page (!) and will receive a 2 week supply of Earth’s Best products (worth $50). The winner will also receive a free 8×8 Shutterfly Photo Book.

You are already taking these adorable shots of your baby during meal time. Put them to work for you! 🙂

Good luck everyone!

I am a blog ambassador for Earth’s Best, and as such I have received complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are strictly my own.

Baby Food Ideas for Older Babies

March 14, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 5 Comments

Layah is 10 months old now.

Let me just catch my breath for a second while that sinks in….

Whew!

Anyway, she has certainly developed an appetite at this point. Sometimes I ask out loud if someone traded Layah’s stomach for that of a teenage boy. And I’m only half-kidding. She LOVES to eat, and she really loves to feed herself. While she still eats pureed baby food, I can tell that she is growing a little tired of it, and wants to have more of each meal be foods with more texture. I’ve been in need of some baby food ideas for her as an older baby.

Baby Food Ideas

In addition to finding new finger foods for Layah to sample (like bits of olives!) and I’m still making good use of all that baby food I have made and purchased by making it more appetizing to her.

Want to know my trick?

Whole grains! I love to add brown rice, quinoa or bulgur to Layah’s purees. If I ever have cooked pasta on hand, I’ll chop it up (usually in my food processor) and add that to her baby food, as well.

She is also really enjoying the stage 3 foods from Earth’s Best. They have a soft chunky texture that she absolutely loves.

I’d love to hear how you transitioned your baby away from pureed food and over to solids. Any tips or tricks to share? Any ideas of other things I can start adding into her baby food?

I am a blog ambassador for Earth’s Best, and as such I have received complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are strictly my own.

Quick Tip: Find Games for Kids in the Pantry!

February 25, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

When Darah gets home from school (at noon) I try to put together a “lunchbox” lunch for her, as she sees her friends who stay longer at school eating lunch from a lunch box, and she thinks it is the coolest thing on earth.

Frankly, I love the request, as lunch box lunches can be easy to throw together on a busy day.

Recently while I was in the pantry looking for some crackers for her lunch, I noticed that my Earth’s Best vegetable crackers box had a fun little matching game on the back. So I took out the crackers and rolled them up in their package with some rubber bands, and then cut out the activity from the back of the box. It made for a fun afternoon game that I didn’t have to create and that she thoroughly enjoyed.

Take a second today to scope out the back of the boxes in your pantry (cereal, oatmeal, crackers, etc.). You may discover some fun games to offer to your kids!

I am a blog ambassador for Earth’s Best, and as such I have received complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are strictly my own.

Earth’s Best Launches Loyalty Rewards Programs (The Prizes are SWEET!!!)

February 15, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

I know I’ve got a lot of Earth’s Best fans out there! Well, get excited folks, because Earth’s Best has just launched a rewards program!

This is an easy and fun way to earn points for those Earth’s Best purchases you are already making. Now those purchases are worth even more, as you can turn purchases into points, and redeem them for discounts and prizes. Woo hoo!

Signing up is totally free and very easy. Simply go to Earth’s Best and sign up for the program, and then check in at your local Earth’s Best retailer via your mobile device (using the Earth’s Best mobile site earthsbestrewards.com). When you check in, purchase your Earth’s Best products and then be sure to enter the UPC cods onto the site within 48 hours of returning home.

In addition to earning points for purchases, you can also earn points for reading the great articles on the Earth’s Best website (you’ll learn a lot, I promise!), sharing with your friends and more.

The rewards are really awesome. For example, every month someone in the program will win $500 in Earth’s Best products, and every week someone will win an Earth’s Best gift pack! You’ll also find discounts for shops you already love like TinyPrints.com, Celestial Seasonings Tea, Little Remedies and Spa Week.

This is a very exciting program, and it is so cool to see Earth’s Best rewarding its loyal customers this way. I encourage you to get signed up…maybe that $500 prize this month has YOUR name on it!

I am a blog ambassador for Earth’s Best, and as such I have received complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are strictly my own.