earth’s best review

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 · 5 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.

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. They are priced competitively with the Huggies wipes we loved so much for Darah, and if you opt for Subscribe-and-Save through Amazon, the price drops by 20%! 🙂

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 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.

Vegetables for Kids: Tips and Tricks (GIVEAWAY!!!)

February 16, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 82 Comments

I am the mom that serves things like powdered kelp and tahini to my babies. I make plain yogurt at home and add things like nutritional yeast and liquid DHA for babies to dishes. I steam and puree every vegetable I can think of and spoon it into those tiny little mouths. And I do believe I laid a good foundation for my kids being more adventurous eaters.

But with that said, I have to admit that my oldest, in particular, will still have days where she wants nothing more than to survive off food that is orange and brown (bread, cheese, peanut butter). So if you are ever feeling guilty that you “didn’t do enough” to get your kids to eat fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods, take it from the mom who went all out in that department: kids are just going to be picky, at least from time to time.

Vegetables for Kids

BUT….I do believe that if you are feeling defeated in the battle over vegetables for kids that I can offer some tips that will help!

Offer Variety

First and foremost, if your child is still a baby, then there’s no time like the present to introduce as many different flavors as you possibly can. You’d be amazed at the things that you can puree or just chop up and put on their high chair trays. With my youngest, Layah, I have found that there are days when she just really wants to feed herself. That’s when I ditch the purees and break out things like rice and peas. She goes to town!

Offer Often

Also, if a baby rejects a food, put it away for a few hours and try again. Just yesterday Layah only ate 2 bites of the sweet potato porridge I made for her breakfast. I offered it to her again for dinner and she ate the entire thing! Just because they reject it once, that doesn’t mean that they won’t ever like it.

Set the Example

My nine month old is interested in trying ANYTHING that is on my plate. That motivates me to make sure I’ve got plenty of good food there. For example, yesterday I was having mac and cheese and I will admit, I didn’t have any vegetables on my plate at first. When I saw Layah making googly eyes at my food, I hopped over to my freezer and got some sugar snap peas. After a few minutes in the microwave, they were steamed and ready to eat. I got a good serving of veggies, and BOTH of my kids ate a good amount, too…all because it was on mommy’s plate!

Veggies ARE Snacks

My 3 year old asks for “a special treat” every day after her quiet time. I have moved out of my bad habit of giving her something sweet and started to offer her fruits and veggies. Carrot sticks with hummus, for example, have become one of her favorite “treats.” If you treat vegetables like they are something to look forward to, then they eventually will become so!

Blend Tastes

It is true that some vegetables have a more bitter taste, which can make them tough to swallow, literally. But I have learned that there are some vegetables that go nicely together and improve the overall flavor when combined. Earth’s Best has just launched a line of Organic Veggie Purees. These, my friends, are the new best friend of parents battling picky eaters.

Earth’s Best does an excellent job of finding the perfect match of vegetables to puree together so that the taste is fantastic and the nutritional benefit is huge. Darah begs to eat these any time she sees them in the pantry. She thinks they are “special treats.” And they are…they just happen to also be really good for her!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win all the new Earth’s Best Veggie Pouches!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

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 Pouches Are a Travel Must-Have

December 26, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 78 Comments

We have been doing a bit of traveling this holiday season, much the same as millions of other families across the world. We visited my family down in Alabama. They actually came up to visit us a few weeks ago when we had both our girls baptized. When they were loading up the car to travel back home, I sent them back with all the Christmas presents I had ready at that point and perhaps more importantly, I sent ahead some food for the girls. I wanted to make 100% sure that I didn’t forget the Earth’s best jarred food AND the Earth’s Best squeeze pouches. What a nightmare it would have been to have to go to Walmart, or really any store at all, on Christmas Eve to buy them!

Earth’s Best Food Pouches

I choose Earth’s Best for my girls for several reasons. First and foremost, the ingredients are all organic, and that gives me a lot of peace of mind. At home, Layah eats homemade organic baby food about 75% of the time, with some jarred food sprinkled in to give extra variety. I also aim to give Darah organic fruits and vegetables as much as my budget will allow.

Earth’s Best pouches are so fantastic to have on hand because it is pretty much guaranteed that Darah will eat them. Overall she is a good eater, but she’s 3, and that means that she certainly has days where the only thing in this whole world she wishes to eat is peanut butter and chocolate. Sigh… But I have found that if I offer her a squeeze pouch, she says yes to it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. And Earth’s Best pouches contain all kinds of yummy stuff (no, not peanut butter and chocolate). It’s such a clever way for me to get some veggies and fruits in Darah’s system.

The pouches also work great for Layah, especially on the road. She doesn’t have the hang of sucking the food out herself, but I can squeeze the food onto a spoon for her and feed her at whatever place we have chosen to stop at. When she’s finished, I just screw the lid back on. Since the pouches are shelf stable, I know the food inside will be just fine for several more hours until we reach our destination (at which point I do refrigerate opened pouches and jarred food).

On this trip, Layah has been enjoying the Earth’s Best 1st Foods pouches, which include the following flavors:

bananas
pears

She has also REALLY enjoyed the Earth’s Best Greek Yogurt Smoothies. Banana is what she has tried so far, but you can also find it in apple or cherry.

As for Darah, as I said before, she will eat any of the pouches (even the 1st foods!) but I’ve been giving her the Just for Toddlers Sesame Street Fruit and Yogurt Smoothies, available in the following flavors:

Strawberry Banana
Apple Blueberry
Peach Banana
Pear Mango
Mixed Berry

Earth’s Best pouches help our family make the long road trip a little bit easier, and they also help us ensure that our kids are getting the great nutrition they need even when we are away from home and not “in charge” of the meals being served.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win an Earth’s Best pouch sampler pack!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

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.

Crazy Stuff I Feed My Baby, and My Thoughts on Whole Grains

November 12, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

When Darah was getting ready for solid foods, I read the book Super Baby Food. While I would argue that it is a poorly edited book, it does still contain a great deal of helpful information, as well as encouragement to have your baby try various foods that I wouldn’t have even considered before. I’m actually headed to Whole Foods later this morning, and these are some of the items I will be purchasing today:

Brewer’s nutritional yeast
Ground sprouts
Powdered kelp
Wheat germ
Tahini
Brown rice
Earth’s Best infant cereal
organic plain yogurt

Some of this stuff probably sounds pretty crazy, right? But I know from experience that if you expose your child to food that is so healthy early on, when food preferences and tastes are developing, you stand a much better chance of having an adventurous eater who will go for more than chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and peanut butter sandwiches later on. I was amazed at the stuff Darah would willingly eat as a baby, and I know giving her such yummy things helped her immune system and of course gave her body excellent fuel on which to run. While Darah still has her picky moments, to be sure, she is much more adventurous with what she will try than most other 3 year olds. I’m going to do the same thing for Layah, and so far she is loving everything she has tried!

Maybe I’m not going to convince you to start putting powdered kelp in your baby’s food, but I do want to emphasize just how important it is to make sure your little one is getting whole grains. The USDA recommends that at least 3 of our grain servings each day be from whole grains and have great, unique flavors. When kids eat whole grains from a very young age, they tend to develop a preference from whole grains over enriched products and that sets them up for nutritional success! Darah loves whole grain bread, for example, whereas I had to make the transition over to whole grain bread in my twenties. It was kind of painful. Just sayin’.

As Layah continues to have Earth’s Best infant cereal added to each of her meals, I appreciate knowing that she is getting lots of fiber to help her digestive system function smoothly. A constipated baby is such a sad sight, and so far we have not had any problems in that area. I also know that I’m hard wiring her taste buds to enjoy the taste of whole grains.

While I’m at the store today, I’m also going to be on the lookout for a product I haven’t yet purchased from Earth’s Best, which is the Fruit and Grain Purees. These squeeze pouches come in some really great blends, such as apple peach oatmeal, apple plum kamut, banana raspberry brown rice and pear apricot barley. Don’t those sound awesome?! Each pouch has 45% of the daily value of Vitamin C in addition to lots of great fiber. I love to make my own baby food, but even after getting some unique items at Whole Foods, I still can’t put together concoctions with all the fun stuff that some of these pouches have on hand, so I’ll be glad to have them as well.

I also appreciate the convenience factor. Just yesterday we were out and about and had to cut our outing short to come back home and feed Layah because I didn’t have any baby food with me. These fruit and grain purees are the perfect thing to keep tucked away in the diaper bag and my purse for such situations.

The Earth’s Best fruit and grain pouches are intended for babies 6 months and older. I can also tell you that my 3 year old continues to love these types of food, too. She eats them as a special snack.
Have you tried the Earth’s Best fruit and grain purees? How about their infant cereals? I’d love to hear if you have a favorite!

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 expressed here are strictly my own.